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Codebooks for Non-Master Masons

Should EA's and FC's have access to Codebooks?

  • Yes, besides they can't read it unless they already know the work.

    Votes: 20 30.8%
  • No, Mouth to ear.

    Votes: 45 69.2%

  • Total voters
    65
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Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Should EA's and FC's be allowed to use a Codebook for their respective degrees? For example, if you are working on your EA degree, you would get an "EA" chapter from a codebook. Thoughts...
 
J

jwardl

Guest
Mouth to ear requires their attendance, their involvement.
Anyone can read a book.
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
To me codes books are like ice, some cannot drink their cocktail without it, many swear it waters the drink down and ruins the flavor, while others could careless, they realize the same thing happens in the end no matter if you use ice or not. lol
 

nick1368

Registered User
I don't think they should have one...it should be from mouth to ear. Learning it from mouth to ear with a well versed brother not only makes the newly made brother attentative to learning but it builds a special relation between an "older" Brother and a "new" Brother. With that being said, I don't see anything wrong with having a "little" brother. Unfortunetly, with our lives being so busy it is difficult at times to get with a Brother to learn the work. Of course you need to the expericd Brother to brush up on what you have learned from the "little" brother
 

Jon D. Smith

Registered User
I did not use one and, I knew they were out there.
I waited until I was 44 years of age to join, I wanted to make sure I gave the organization the proper respect. My Grandfather was a Mason and I respected that man very very much.
To me, I would have felt him looking down at me for above if I would have even attempted to go at it anyway other than the right way.
That's just my feelings though...
 

fairbanks1363pm

Registered User
I think it would benifit the candidate when he is not with the instructor and is able to go over his work on his own. i do agree its very important to meet and work from mouth to ear.
 

Robert Marshall

Secretary, Waco 92
Premium Member
My vote may not be considered valid, but I was entered just last month, so I am still an EA. As such, I don't like the idea of learning the work in any way other than "mouth to ear." It's a good way to reaffirm the necessary dependence upon a Brother when in need. If a Brother is willing to take his time to teach you, why learn from a lifeless book?
 

Robert Marshall

Secretary, Waco 92
Premium Member
I did not use one and, I knew they were out there.
I waited until I was 44 years of age to join, I wanted to make sure I gave the organization the proper respect. My Grandfather was a Mason and I respected that man very very much.
To me, I would have felt him looking down at me for above if I would have even attempted to go at it anyway other than the right way.
That's just my feelings though...

These are my feelings exactly. This could have been a post from me except for the age, and in my case, it was a great-grandfather. Well said, Jon.
 

Joey

Co-Founder
Staff Member
These are my feelings exactly. This could have been a post from me except for the age, and in my case, it was a great-grandfather. Well said, Jon.

I did not use one and, I knew they were out there.
I waited until I was 44 years of age to join, I wanted to make sure I gave the organization the proper respect. My Grandfather was a Mason and I respected that man very very much.
To me, I would have felt him looking down at me for above if I would have even attempted to go at it anyway other than the right way.
That's just my feelings though...

I don't think they should have one...it should be from mouth to ear. Learning it from mouth to ear with a well versed brother not only makes the newly made brother attentative to learning but it builds a special relation between an "older" Brother and a "new" Brother. With that being said, I don't see anything wrong with having a "little" brother. Unfortunetly, with our lives being so busy it is difficult at times to get with a Brother to learn the work. Of course you need to the expericd Brother to brush up on what you have learned from the "little" brother

I agree with all of you with one exception...... In my case: my instructor left for summer vacation to New Mexico. I was moved to another instructor who was with in a matter of 2 weeks called to active duty in the Army...... That was the only two that were available at the time......What should I have done? And, should somebody else find themselves in such a situation what should they do?
 

Robert Marshall

Secretary, Waco 92
Premium Member
Joey, if you check my original post, I did allow for the lack of an instructor. "If a Brother is willing.." Yes, in your case, it is understandable. If I had been you, I likely would have looked for a book, or possibly traveled to the next closest Lodge.
 

bchandlerfinch

Registered User
having a codebook as an ea and fc has allowed me to learn the work at a much faster and more in-depth rate. Because of learning it through a combination of oral and reading (75% oral, 25% reading), I have been able to spend a greater amount of time exploring the deeper meanings of the work while progressing. I have also been able to learn both sides of the examination. This will help me when it is my turn to be the "Big" brother. In my case I initially purchased the book because I was teaching 4 nights a week and didn't know when I would be able to meet with anyone. After my job ended it became necessary for me to finish my memory work because I reenlisted into the army and will be going to AIT very soon, and want to finish my work before I ship.
 
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jonesvilletexas

Premium Member
My brother you might read the Grand Lodge Law concerning the use of a code book and the position bv a EA, FC or MM in the use of learning there work.
 

Ben Rodriguez

Registered User
I was encouraged by my teacher to purchase a copy of the book, we study mouth to ear with no book, however, I take my own time for study and review reading the codes, this has helped me quite a bit more, language wise. I have learned some new terms from the work, my situation being that English is my second language. I respect your opinion on not using the book as well, but the most important thing is that we possess the work, stored mentally. Making us better men to serve our society.

I turned in my first section of the proficiency last night! *dances* So I'm happy about that as well!
 
M

Magistri Comacino

Guest
Personally, I would like to see the code book divided into EA, FC and MM sections - including the cathechism, opening & closing, etc.

There will always be a wide range of varying levels of interest, desire and motivation to study and learn.

There is also a wide range of varying levels of patience, mentoring ability, and an ability to instill interest and curiosity in Masonic teachings.

If an EA of any age has a teacher who is truly interested in him, that EA (or FC) will gravitate to that Masonic Friend & Brother, whether or not that EA has access to a code book. That is at the core of who we are and the universal attractiveness - Brothers forming lifelong bonds.

If the only ones in your Lodge who know the work well enough to teach it are sharp-tongued, petty and complaining old task-masters, it would be better to issue all the EAs a codebook with their EA cards. And yes, I know the law would have to be changed to allow that - but you get my point.


"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." ~~ Albert Einstein

.
 
4

4thgenPM

Guest
Gentlemen, this forum seems to be taking shape along the same lines that we have seen this debate go in the last few years when it is brought up at Grand Lodge, Wardens Retreats, and other events...those in the larger Lodges with hundreds of members and sevaral available instructors hold hard and fast to the belief that the codebooks should not be allowed. Those in the rural Lodges, which are usually around 75 members or less, who have one or two qualified instructors tend to agree with the existence and use of the book.

Last night I assisted my home Lodge with 2 EA degrees. They are trying to have weekly practice nights to improve the quality of their work as it has deteriorated over the past ten years. Unfortunately, all of the men who hold A or B certificates in that District live over 2 hours away (outside the District). These Brethren need the assistance of both a knowledgeable Brother and the codebook to assist them in maintaining the quality of work. While I'm almost certain that some of them have books after the work I witnessed last night, I am confident that they would not condone giving one to an EA, FC or even a MM who hasn't completed his proficiency.

Long story short, the issue of a codebook is both a personal and a situational decision. Lodges and Masons should allow this issue to be decided on a local level and not insert their own situation into another's.

Christian D. Moore, PM
 

jonesvilletexas

Premium Member
I wonder what the reaction will be when a DDGM finds a code book in the lodge and reports the brother to the GM? You know it is just a matter of time, I have seen them in use in a number of lodges.
 
G

gortex6

Guest
From what I hear, the old Arabia Shrine Center off Brompton sold codebooks out of their storefront display case.
:D

yhst-45111664131837_2041_9600622
 
4

4thgenPM

Guest
I wonder what the reaction will be when a DDGM finds a code book in the lodge and reports the brother to the GM? You know it is just a matter of time, I have seen them in use in a number of lodges.


I have also seen one used (by an EA who purchased it online) in a Lodge room. The officers immediately noticed what it was and removed it. They then counseled with him privately after the meeting regarding the rules and moved on. I was just visiting the Lodge that night, so I'm not sure if any further action was taken or if the Brother is still working, but I felt that it was handled appropriately at the time and was proud of the Brethren using it as an educational opportunity instead of making a "mountain out of a mole hill" in that situation. Obviously, each situation will be different and will require a different reaction.

Christian D. Moore, PM
 
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