My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Examining a Brother

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

ragged tiger

Guest
you're correct, JS while the Tilers Oath is not a requirement, I sure do feel better after looking them in the eye, while their hand is upon the bible next to mine, and hearing my visiting Brother say, "and know of no just reason why I should be."

A dues card and ID is sort of business like... taking that oath & swearing before, "almighty God and these witnesses," puts a rather personal touch on it.
I visited a lodge in Augusta, Georgia and was required to show a current dues card and recite the Tyler's Oath. Being F. & A.M. their version of the oath was slightly different, but they had no problem accepting the version I put forth. The Tyler's Oath is really something all traveling brothers should know.
 

david918

Premium Member
The first lodge I visited after I was raised was in San Antonio and I had to give the grip and word for all three degrees as well as the tilers oath.I have visited over 80 lodges since in 2 countries and numerous states and that was by far the most thorough exam I ever went thru.Almost scared me off
 

JBD

Premium Member
One lodge in AR was MM token
One Lodge in AL was oath, all grips and words

Texas is (for TX Masons) Dues Card and DL AND permission of WM
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I'm not sure why anyone would require the Tiler's Oath.

The dues card only tells you that the Brother was OK when it was issued. The oath makes him state that he has not been suspended or expelled, nor is he laboring under charges, any of which would be reason enough to exclude him.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I'll never forget the time Brother Joey and I visited Mina Lodge in Bastrop and the SW made it very clear that HE WAS NOT satisfied to open a MM Lodge.

I'm not sure how "emphatic" he might have been, but he DID follow correct procedure if he had not sat in Lodge with y'all before.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I have no problem with being examined as long as the SD isn't wearing surgical gloves. :48:
 

RedTemplar

Johnny Joe Combs
Premium Member
One thing I have found is when you see you are about to be asked a lot of questions, it can be hushed rather quickly when you exercise your right as a visiting Master Mason to to try the lodge. Brothers tend to change the subject very quickly when you ask to see the lodge's charter, book of constitution, and etc.
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
Texas is (for TX Masons) Dues Card and DL AND permission of WM

I do believe the way I read the law permission is NOT needed of the WM, in fact he can not refuse entry. This is also the way it was presented by PGM Elmer Murphy when the issue came up for an unrelated reason.
 

JBD

Premium Member
I do believe the way I read the law permission is NOT needed of the WM, in fact he can not refuse entry. This is also the way it was presented by PGM Elmer Murphy when the issue came up for an unrelated reason.

Art. 380. (416). Good Standing. Upon notification to the
Worshipful Master, and at his discretion
, a member of a Lodge
under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge may visit any Texas
Masonic Lodge working under this jurisdiction without the
avouchment and or examination process providing that he is in
good standing and presents a receipt from his Lodge showing
that his dues are current at the time of said visitation along
with a photo identification; except in cases provided for in Art.
382.
 

Wingnut

Premium Member
Art. 380. (416). Good Standing. Upon notification to the
Worshipful Master, and at his discretion
, a member of a Lodge
under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge may visit any Texas
Masonic Lodge working under this jurisdiction without the
avouchment and or examination process providing that he is in
good standing and presents a receipt from his Lodge showing
that his dues are current at the time of said visitation along
with a photo identification; except in cases provided for in Art.
382.

PM sent
 

Griffin

Brother of the R+C
Premium Member
The last 2 lodges I visited, Mill Valley in California and Arlington Heights here in Fort Worth, both required a dues card and DL, and both asked for the Tiler's Oath, which I gave. Nobody asked for signs, grips or words, though at Arlington Heights I was asked if I knew them. Of all those ritual means of recognition, I think at least the signs should be demonstrated because I have seen brothers do some of the strangest things during the opening and closing of lodge. Sometimes it's more confusing than watching the batting coach of minor league baseball team! :blink:
 

Gerald.Harris

Premium Member
Premium Member
Article 223- Necessary Paraphernalia for Lodges in Texas ( item 17) Requires that each Texas Lodge have a small Bible for an Examining Committie. Other then that I am not aware of any other guide lines for determining if a brother is worthy to come inside or not. In years past, I have seen G&Ws and Tilers Oath being the most often utilized examination. I think we must all keep in mind that the only way a brother can ( legally) vouch for another is if he has set in a tiled Lodge with him, or if he was on his examining committie. The proper time to vouch for someone is during the opening ceremonies. I don't believe that any lodge has ever attempted to keep me out, but rather worked to get me inside the lodge room. Each Master of a Lodge when installed is charged with not allowing any unknown brother into his lodge room without proper examination .
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I do believe the way I read the law permission is NOT needed of the WM, in fact he can not refuse entry.

OK, guys- that's not what it means. Allowing entry based on a dues card & photo ID in lieu of an examination is what is left up to the WM's discretion.
 

Gerald.Harris

Premium Member
Premium Member
All that is required of a Texas Mason is a current dues card and photo ID. I'm not sure why anyone would require the Tiler's Oath.

Because that is not all that is required, in fact a dues card isn't even required anywhere in the Constitution except under article 380:which says:

Upon notification to the Worshipful Master, and at his discretion, a member of a Lodge under the jourisdiction of this Grand Lodge may visit any Texas Masonic Lodge working under this jourisdiction without the avouchment and or examination proces providing that he is in good standing and presents a receipt from his Lodge showing that his dues are current at the time of said visitation along with a photo identification;except in cases provided for in Art.382. Sojourning Masons from other jourisdictions must possess a current dues card and shall be vouched for or examined in accordance with Art.381.
 

kcir

Registered User
At the very least, you should be asked for your dues card and the members of the examining committee should show theirs. You should then be offered the opportunity to look in the book of lodges and see that he lodge you are visiting is recognized by the Grand Lodge.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top