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Saturday, April 30, 2016

Doing Business on the Entered Apprentice Degree


Brother Michael Poll looks at at the practice and benefits of conducting business on the Entered Apprentice degree, its history in the U.S., and the possible reasons for changing to doing business on the Master Mason degree in the mid 1800's.

There are good talking points here for those attempting to get their grand lodge to re-allow the practice.

4 comments:

  1. any good sources that would tell me which jurisdictions have this option? Bessel still around

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, Paul Bessel's page on this is woefully out of date. At the last time he updated it, there were 18 GLs that permitted it. Since then, I know at least Texas, Indiana, and Ohio have passed legislation allowing the practice. There are probably more.

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    2. Brother Ryan,
      I received the following message this morning, and the brother asked me to post it for him:

      Brother Ryan,
      I saw your post on Chris Hodapp’s site regarding your question about jurisdictions that permit opening and conducting business on the Entered Apprentice Degree. I was unable to post a reply on Chris’ page, so I thought I would send you this email with some information. I wasn’t able to find an email address for you, so I’ve asked Chris if he would forward this email.
      Legislation is drafted for Kentucky this year to change this practice. It has failed three times in the past. In preparation of support for the legislation, research revealed (as of May 2016):
      1. 26 jurisdictions are known to authorize opening and doing business on the Entered Apprentice Degree.
      2. 24 jurisdictions continue the practice of only opening and doing business on the Master Mason Degree.
      3. Voting rights for EAs and FC vary in those 26 jurisdictions allowing the opening and doing business in the EA degree.
      Much more information about the matter may appear in the next issue of The Journal of the Masonic Society in the form of an abbreviated column I’ve prepared on the topic. Should that topic not appear in the next issue, please get in touch with me and I will forward you a copy of the paper and research. I will be making a broader presentation on the issue at the Masonic Restoration Foundation Symposium in August in Asheville, NC.
      Fraternally,
      John

      John Bizzack
      Education Chair
      Lexington Lodge No. 1
      Lexington, Kentucky
      http://www.lexingtonlodge1.org/
      Rubicon Masonic Society
      http://www.thecraftsman.org/

      Delete
  2. UGLE requires all business to be transacted on the EA degree. The only times the Lodge is opened in the FC, MM, or Installed Master is when a degree is being conferred or a newly-elected Master is being installed in the Chair of KS. Since dues are required to be paid starting at the point of initiation, it does not seem reasonable for EAs and FCs to be excluded from the business of the Lodge.

    WBro Chris Hansen, Goliath Lodge #5595 UGLE
    Philanthropic Lodge F&AM, Marblehead, Mass.

    ReplyDelete

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