tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post711151865715063096..comments2024-01-25T07:48:25.888-08:00Comments on Beacon of Masonic Light: Masonic BusinessTheron Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08071430921547904160noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-26810013199311033892008-02-05T06:35:00.000-08:002008-02-05T06:35:00.000-08:00The GL of Texas voted in 2007 to allow business to...The GL of Texas voted in 2007 to allow business to be conducted in the EA or FC (doesnt have to be, but can be) with exceptions for GL official visits and other occasions.Seeker of Lighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16438629187157145604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-63261512375156288232008-02-04T17:29:00.000-08:002008-02-04T17:29:00.000-08:00South Dakota allows a lodge to conduct business in...South Dakota allows a lodge to conduct business in the degree of its choice.Silence Dogoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11914685725439484325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-47227610057633944112008-02-04T10:47:00.000-08:002008-02-04T10:47:00.000-08:00good post, Bro.!good post, Bro.!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-64383575371950887792008-02-03T15:10:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:10:00.000-08:00Brothers;Please note that the information I was ab...Brothers;<BR/><BR/>Please note that the information I was able to find was from Paul Bessel. If your grand lodge is now allowing business under the first degree, please email me and let me know, and I will forward the details to Wr. Br. Bessel.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.Theron Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071430921547904160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-4663719139546971612008-02-03T14:52:00.001-08:002008-02-03T14:52:00.001-08:00Br. Michael;Regarding your question on the phrase:...Br. Michael;<BR/><BR/>Regarding your question on the phrase: <I>These questions pertain to Masonry's interaction with biblical scripture, politics, religion and morals of every day life.</I><BR/><BR/>Where did you see that phrase? Its not in anything I have ever written, or that I have quoted. In fact, I can find no reference to them at all... thank you.Theron Dunnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071430921547904160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-51530851947629369462008-02-03T14:52:00.000-08:002008-02-03T14:52:00.000-08:00where did the info come from?Ohio has been doing b...where did the info come from?<BR/>Ohio has been doing business in the EA degree for a few years now?<BR/><BR/>updatesTubal Cainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00704479584240584425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-86820412658559499382008-02-03T14:09:00.000-08:002008-02-03T14:09:00.000-08:00I (and before me others) have brought this before ...I (and before me others) have brought this before the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for several years now, and sometimes it's a closer vote than others. I'm glad to see that the collective consciousness of Freemasonry sees that it's finally time to rid ourselves of this nonsense.<BR/><BR/>Barry Eastham<BR/>Committee for Masonic Education<BR/>Grand Lodge of KY<BR/>F&AMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-74971209752878774682008-02-03T12:59:00.000-08:002008-02-03T12:59:00.000-08:00These questions pertain to Masonry's interaction w...<I>These questions pertain to Masonry's interaction with biblical scripture, politics, religion and morals of every day life.</I><BR/><BR/>Brother, I'm curious: how do these square with the prohibition of discussing religion and politics in lodge meetings? Also, by requiring discussion of the Bible, how would you welcome a Mason (or prospective Mason) whose belief in God did not encompass the Bible? Again, I ask these questions because I'm curious, not because I'm inclined to argue.Michael Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355439947660092660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-68186165360848122532008-02-03T11:16:00.000-08:002008-02-03T11:16:00.000-08:00If one thinks about it, regardless of speed, an EA...If one thinks about it, regardless of speed, an EA and FC will learn more about the government of his lodge under this proposal. I really cannot fathom the opposition--as if we have the final answer that 90% of the rest of the Masonic community that opens on the EA for business does not. We seem to have filled in the blanks with our own justifications.<BR/><BR/>Many of our candidates, by the time they become a MM, know about as much as they did before being made. Many are confused and many are prematurely shoved onto the officer's line. To me, it is embarrassing to see a recently raised MM resemble more of an EA because he is only recently exposed to elements of the lodge he should have learned prior to being raised. This certainly affects our government in the lodge. If we are truly a progressive science, then one does not confer higher degrees and casually tell the poor guy that he now can work backwards. Life itself does not work that way.<BR/><BR/>Business is quarry work and its transaction within the MM degree denigrates the mysteries of that degree itself which should only be conferred when required. Voting, of course, is a MM business and EAs and FCs can easily be excused for such a privilege.<BR/><BR/>With this building up of the business meeting as a mason's penultimate experience, we have furthered the erroneous and illogical assumption that one isn't a Mason until he's a MM. If one looks at the degrees and structure of the Craft, one will see that this is not correct whatsoever.<BR/><BR/>What is it worth to be called a MM if one knows almost nothing (because candidate education was almost next to nothing, if that)about the basic functions of the lodge?<BR/><BR/>One correction, Bro. Theron: The shortening of the proficiencies came about in 1996 and was modified further in 1997.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16865410513136552937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-23498826972044228472008-02-03T10:17:00.000-08:002008-02-03T10:17:00.000-08:00From the perspective of a Connecticut Mason, being...From the perspective of a Connecticut Mason, being able to attend Stated Communications between the Degrees helped sustain interest and helped build friendships I enjoy to this day.<BR/><BR/>I believe the deceision to allow E.A.s to attend has helped the Connecticut Craft.<BR/><BR/>Traveling ManTraveling Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13965508897438794269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-78862434541112845402008-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:002008-02-03T07:27:00.000-08:00First of all lets dispel one error. Massachusetts...First of all lets dispel one error. Massachusetts Grand Lodge does not vote on proposals. The Grand Master rules buy edict, although I have sen some rare votes taken which were just advisory. I was there when Massachusetts changed to business on any degree but I am not sure I can remember the exact date. I'm going to guess that it was 2001. I'm sure some one else can set the record straight for sure.<BR/><BR/>Second take a look at what my Lodge IN PHA Texas does. Candidates must after each degree in the meetings that follow place themselves before the Lodge for questioning and recitation of their Obligation and answers to the questions of their catechism. The main difference here is that they must answer a number of questions "not in the book", that is questions about Masonry that are not in the proficiency study booklet. These questions pertain to Masonry's interaction with biblical scripture, politics, religion and morals of every day life. Each questioning period is a minimum of an hour and could be longer. The candidates pass as a group. If their are five candidate and 4 do well and 1 does not then all fail the examination. This questioning or examination usually continues for many meetings after each degree, as we meet 2Xmo. Only after a vote of the Lodge that they have shown themselves to be ready and learned can the candidates progress to the next degree. The average time for candidates to complete their degrees in my Lodge is 6 to 8 months. If they survive all that I have found that most newer Master Masons in my Lodge to be very knowledgeable about the Craft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-62798529509516107992008-02-03T05:18:00.000-08:002008-02-03T05:18:00.000-08:00W. Bro. Harry Truman, was Initiated on February 9,...W. Bro. Harry Truman, was Initiated on February 9, 1909, passed on March 9, and raised on March 18. Allen E. Roberts, in his excellent book <I>Brother Truman</I>, notes that "There was no waiting period between degrees as there is today." Truman went on to become a district lecturer and Grand Master of Missouri Masons. He was noted as an excellent ritualist.<BR/><BR/>There are some things about Freemasonry that require uniformity. Speed or slowness between degrees, it seems to me, should depend on the man and which is better for him. Now, that said, I agree that having stated meetings on the first degree would be good for maintaining a connection with Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts on their journey, and it might be a good way to slow things down to their benefit. OTOH, again, speed should depend on the man. YMMV.Michael Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13355439947660092660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-15062924648067312722008-02-03T00:16:00.001-08:002008-02-03T00:16:00.001-08:00As always insightful, informative and interesting,...As always insightful, informative and interesting, good job you are a true credit to the order. Thanks for sharing.<BR/><BR/>VLBarnes, PM, PHAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5607997782014255741.post-8319540576260069122008-02-03T00:16:00.000-08:002008-02-03T00:16:00.000-08:00As always insightful, informative and interesting,...As always insightful, informative and interesting, good job you are a true credit to the order. Thanks for sharing.<BR/><BR/>VLBarnes, PM, PHAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com