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The youngest Texas Mason?
- Thread starter MGM357
- Start date
That's cool!
You have almost got time to raise him twice. (Just an old goat kidding around)
Raven
Registered User
K
Kenneth Hart
Guest
Congrats to the Lodge and in answer to your question about "being the youngest raised in the State", check with Onion Creek Lodge. Not sure but I believe they might have a chance at that title. And of course one might try GL for the same information.
Hippie19950
Premium Member
I think Patrick Lodge in Franklin initiated a young man, and passed him when he was just passed his 18th birthday. I am not sure about when he was raised though, as he went to Texas A&M, and was taught his 3rd Degree work while there. I am sure he was raised, I just don't remember when or where. His goal was to get started just as soon as he could, and actually wanted to be initiated on the same day his Grandfather got his 50 year pin, as it was the "youngster's" 18th birthday. He missed it by a short time though. If my memory doesn't fail me, I will try to ask someone, or may see his Dad tomorrow, and will ask about it.
Hippie...
Hippie...
Ashton Lawson
Premium Member
Mansfield #331 initiated an EA about 1 week after his 18th birthday in December 2009, and he was raised to a MM in early May 2010, less than a week before he graduated high school. I was the candidate instructor for this gentleman, and witnessed a tremendous amount of growing up take place within a very short window of time.
Much has been learned through this experience, both by the young Mason, by me, and the lodge.
My personal opinion is that 18 is too young, though I am willing to grant there are probably exceptions to this rule. In today's society, I'm just not quite sure that an 18 year old is mature enough to realize the implications of our ritual.
To each their own...
-Ashton
Much has been learned through this experience, both by the young Mason, by me, and the lodge.
My personal opinion is that 18 is too young, though I am willing to grant there are probably exceptions to this rule. In today's society, I'm just not quite sure that an 18 year old is mature enough to realize the implications of our ritual.
To each their own...
-Ashton
Hippie19950
Premium Member
Brother Ashton, I somewhat agree with the last part of your comment. I have seen a couple go on to be Raised, and do a lot. I have also seen a few who just didn't have the commitment yet to continue the work. With that said, we have MANY who are well over 18 who never come back... For those, I figure they deciided it just was not what they wanted, or maybe a bit let's say too busy to finish, laziness having absolutely nothing to do with it ;-)
I ask myself this when I see some older members as well. I know Past Masters that probably wouldn't have made it in if they weren't someones kin or something. I don't see a problem with 18 if the person is ready. He goes through the same process as any other Mason and I bet the retention rate is the same as with any age.
nick womack
Registered User
I was raised at 19 yrs old and set in the south, and did very well, I also have put on 1 EA. I thank the Grand Lodge for giving younger men a shot at freemasonry because not all of them are young and dumb. If it wasnt for me joining at 18 I might not have ever gotten the chance to do such.
Nick Womack
Bronson No. 893
Nick Womack
Bronson No. 893
Brent Heilman
Premium Member
While I am far from the youngest at my Lodge and one of a several that are around that 40 mark we have had a recent influx of younger Masons. Many of these were raised when they were 18, 19, and 20 years old. They are a very active part of our Lodge and are, along with me and a couple of others, working to bring back some of the older traditions of the Lodge. We hadn't been serving meals before stated meetings and now that has come back. We have started doing some history lessons on Masonry during Lodge and other things like that. Would we have started some of these back had it not been for this group of younger men? Maybe and maybe not, but they have instrumental in doing something. They want these things and I am thankful for that because I wanted them too. Age can't be defined by a number. What makes a man ready for Masonry is maturity not the number attached to their name.
LukeD
Registered User
I agree that the minimum age should at least be 21. Hopefully, you will have spent a few years on your own, moved out of your parents house, and matured a little. In most cases of 18 year olds getting accepted, it was because their father or grandfather was a well respected brother, and no one was going to black ball them. I would suggest DeMolay to the 12-18 age groups. Just my opinion. On the other side, there are numerous cases where we didn't guard the West for older candidates.