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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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JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
codebooks are silly, in my opinion. they aren't even correct most of the time... haven't been updated enough (since 82-84)
 
4

4thgenPM

Guest
Brethren, as with many other things in Masonry today this post reminds me of the story of the chicken and the pig wo decided to make breakfast for all of the other animals on the farm. The chicken wanted to serve a traditional farmer's breakfast of bacon and eggs. The pig wasn't as enthused because of the different level of commitment involved. By providing the eggs, the chicken was involved with preparing the meal, but in providing the bacon the pig would have to be totally committed...

So, the question must be answered of whether or not we want our newest Brothers to simply be involved with Masonry when it is convenient for them by providing a codebook or do we want them committed to the ideals and traditions of the Fraternity? As with everything there will be exceptions but the new Brother who attempts to learn his work from a codebook will not have the commitment to other activities that will inherently develop in the relationships formed while learning in the traditional manner.

Also, how would you expect the Brother to learn the work correctly if he can't ready the codebook? I've got a copy of the most widely used one...it is full of mistakes and you have to know the work to know what the code is supposed to represent.

The last thing I would ask is this...who is going to make the young Brother feel better when he memorizes the work from the book perfectly and something is said about his mistakes later (and I promise you that it only takes about 30 seconds to know that someone is doing "book work.")?
 

RedTemplar

Johnny Joe Combs
Premium Member
Brethren, I agree whole-heartedly that nothing replaces one-to-one instruction for all the reasons discussed here. My question is, in today's world of instant communication, if anyone can download any lecture from the internet why can't we use written material for educational purposes? The cat has been let out of the bag long ago, so to speak.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
Good Rebuttal Bro. RT. I just think that the instruction should be treated as a testimony to the commitment from the new brother. I was even handed copies of the work in MS Word but I just destroyed each one. I felt that it was the least I could do. I don't know I just took it a little more serious maybe. I will say that the second and third section of my EA could have used a little more work in my opinion.
 

HKTidwell

Premium Member
Alright as to smaller lodges not as many instructors, typically these have older brethren who know the work but need to brush up on it. When I was learning my work I had one brother who would come by for lunch every time there was a chance. However if I was at lodge on practice night I would draw from a pool of guys. No offense but these older gentleman who may not be 100% proficient in the work were some of the best instructors. They didn't use a book but they could figure it out. Perhaps we need more of the older brethren to be asked to help. When I would ask they would help but because they knew, they were not 100% up on the work they hesitated until being asked. Mouth to Ear rocks!

I found not only did I have a unique bond to one brother but with many other brethren. This is part of the process that helps for a lasting bond. We should not throw this bond out, it should be nourished and encouraged. Also I'm sure that if there is a lodge that is lacking in instructors they should not be hesitant in asking other brothers from different lodges to help. I'm pretty sure somebody would be willing to help.

I see a use for the code books in brushing up on memory work but I do not think it should be used for instructing or learning.
 
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Wingnut

Premium Member
I havent heard of anyone using the book to replace one on one or even group training, but more as an aid to the memory (I seem to have read that somewhere)...
 

HKTidwell

Premium Member
When I was considering joining, I read a blog about Masonry in Canada and one of the things mentioned is they are given everything written down. I knew this wasn't true in Texas based on conversations I had with Masons. However there are a lot of things as I have found out that based upon Grand lodge Jurisdiction varies. A lot of things I'm kinda glad Texas does the way it does, there are some I think need to change.
 
J

JEbeling

Guest
I am for whatever it takes to get the EA - FC thru to becoming a Master Mason... ! I think after being a Master for a while they seem to work themself into lodge where they fit best... ! some are great at the work... orther are great stewarts.. others are great fund raisers.. ! I think we each have a tallent that we bring to masonary.. ! and it's not all the same.. !
 

Smokey613

Registered User
This brings to mind a quote "Each according to his gifts". This is how I feel we should view our involvement in Masonry.
 

MGM357

Registered User
Brethren, as with many other things in Masonry today this post reminds me of the story of the chicken and the pig wo decided to make breakfast for all of the other animals on the farm. The chicken wanted to serve a traditional farmer's breakfast of bacon and eggs. The pig wasn't as enthused because of the different level of commitment involved. By providing the eggs, the chicken was involved with preparing the meal, but in providing the bacon the pig would have to be totally committed...

So, the question must be answered of whether or not we want our newest Brothers to simply be involved with Masonry when it is convenient for them by providing a codebook or do we want them committed to the ideals and traditions of the Fraternity? As with everything there will be exceptions but the new Brother who attempts to learn his work from a codebook will not have the commitment to other activities that will inherently develop in the relationships formed while learning in the traditional manner.

Also, how would you expect the Brother to learn the work correctly if he can't ready the codebook? I've got a copy of the most widely used one...it is full of mistakes and you have to know the work to know what the code is supposed to represent.

The last thing I would ask is this...who is going to make the young Brother feel better when he memorizes the work from the book perfectly and something is said about his mistakes later (and I promise you that it only takes about 30 seconds to know that someone is doing "book work.")?

Well said!!!
As far as I know there were no code books around when I learned all of my work (1992). I wasn't involved with Masonry for a long time. When I finally started to come back to the Lodge, I noticed how much was stilled stored in my repository. I joined the York Rite almost a year ago. After joining I was given rituals, I can tell you, it's harder for me to learn the work.

Today's world, everything has to happen right this very micro second. The information highway is at our fingertips. It would be nice if we would slow down for Masonry.
 

js4253

Premium Member
Premium Member
King Solomon and his followers has been around for a long time and a majority of Texas Masons own one. But that is a secret. Don't tell anyone.
 

Smokey613

Registered User
When I was initiated in 1987 and started learning my work there may have been a code book but no one said anything about it. I learned the "old" way. There were no dues card issued to me and no real interaction with the lodge. My only contact with the lodge was through my instructor and the brother I originally requested the petition from. Life got hectic and I fell through the cracks before I could turn my work in. Long story short, it took me 19 years before I was raised. I am very glad I decided to pick up where I left off. I will say, even with having learned the EA work completely 19 years earlier I was surprised how much stuck when I resumed years later. I credit my success to my excellent instructor who talked me into getting back involved with Masonry.
 
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HKTidwell

Premium Member
When I was initiated in 1987 and started learning my work there may have been a code book but no one said anything about it. I learned the "old" way. There were no dues card issued to me and no real interaction with the lodge. My only contact with the lodge was through my instructor and the brother I originally requested the petition from. Life got hectic and I fell through the cracks before I could turn my work in. Long story short, it took me 19 years before I was raised. I am very glad I decided to pick up where I left off. I will say, even with having learned the EA work completely 19 years earlier I was surprised how much stuck when I resumed years later. I credit my success to my excellent instructor who talked me into getting back involved with Masonry.

What was the process for turning in the work after so long? I keep meaning to ask at lodge how a person goes about doing this. Did you have to Pay dues for 19 years, was it a vote and did you do your work at the same place you applied?
 

Smokey613

Registered User
I went back to the same lodge I originally petitioned, the same one I am still with. My instructor contacted the WM at the time. I had to pay 2 years back dues, petition again and they assigned an investigating committee. Then they voted on me. Due to having to wait between meetings, the normal wait period between degrees and other delays, it took me almost 4 months before I turned in my MM work. The rest the say is history.
 

B.Eddlemon

Registered User
Just as the inside cover of the book speak about it being a aid to memory, I think if it is use it should only be used for that. I had access to one during my EA and could only understand the work that my instructor and I had already gone over. Sure you pick up bits and peices but the mouth to ear is the only way to get the complete knowledge of it. The book cant help you when your stumped like an instructor nor can it explain the different meanings of items that might need an explination. I learned alot more alot faster by mouth to ear than the short time I had the book.
 

MGM357

Registered User
King Solomon and his followers has been around for a long time and a majority of Texas Masons own one. But that is a secret. Don't tell anyone.

I guess I'm not part of the majority. I do own a monitor. I got it after I was raised. I don't think a monitor is any where near to a cypher book.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
I had to pay 2 years back dues, petition again and they assigned an investigating committee. Then they voted on me.

Smokey- if I understood you correctly, you were initiated & then waited 19 years before learning & turning in your EA work? If so, you should not have been charged anything. Only Master Masons are obliged to pay dues. After you turned your EA work in, you should have petitioned for advancement and, if requested by any member of the Lodge, been investigated before the Lodge voted on your advancement, but there shouldn't have been any charge except for the FC & MM degree fees as they were, in turn, conferred.
 
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