About Earning

I think this reply from justamason deserves a post:

"J .. it's nice to hear you'd like to learn the other parts of the proficiency in your jurisdiction. But remember things are different elsewhere. The Emulation work of England requires the EA to learn the answers to 11 questions, and that's it. No obligation. It's been that way for almost 200 years. Certainly no one would suggest no English Mason has "earned" their degree.Conversely, some European jurisdictions require a year between degrees and a paper to be written and defended in open Lodge. It would be equally incorrect to suggest American Masons have not "earned" their degree because they don't go such rigour.http://justamason.blogspot.com"

I apologize for generalizing, I believe that any Mason has earned his degree if he completes the requirements of his jurisdiction. What upsets me is when, for example in Texas, some lodges decide to bend the rules that have been established by the Grand Lodge of Texas and allow shortcuts in order to gain more members. I also find it sad that some lodges in our jurisdiction could care less about doing quality degree work, and rely on another lodge to bail them out during rituals, because they do not care to maintain their proficiency at an acceptable level.

Again I apologize for generalizing and truly believe that if an English Mason completes what is required of him, that he has equally earned his degree as I have. And would disagree that he has earned it if his lodge offered him a shorter route just to gain more members.

All that being said, It is my opinion, that every Mason in the world should make an effort to learn as much as possible about the Craft. I personally feel that learning all 3 parts makes me more proficient, perhaps allowing me the opportunity to someday confer a degree upon another, based on what I have learned.

And...still chiseling

I know it's been a while, but believe it or not I am still chiseling. After being given the option of doing my proficiency on only the first part of the EA...I chickened out (perhaps not) and decided to learn the whole enchilada...all three parts. I was surprised to learn that some lodges in my area do not require the 2nd & 3rd part. I believe that this is totally ridiculous. I think that especially young Entered Apprentice Masons want to EARN their degrees, actually demand it. I truly hope that this new generation of Masons will help Change our fraternity; and yes, I did capitalize Change on purpose.

Still chiseling

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I'm still chiseling away at my EA proficiency. I've been pretty overwhelmed with school, work and family; but have managed to still meet with my coach about 2-3 times per week. He thinks I'm ready for the 1st part for sure, and thinks I should be able to do the whole thing in one night. But the way things have been going, I think I'll go for the first part only, then continue with the rest. I'll keep you posted!

The Knife and Fork Degree

I got a kick out of this on our weekly newsletter from elpasomasons.net, I hope I never get this degree! ;)

- The Knife and Fork Degree -

I do not attend the meetings
for I've not the time to spare.
But every time they have a feast
You'll surely find me there.

I cannot help with the degrees
for I do not know the work.
But I can applaud the speaker
and handle the knife and fork.

I am so rusty in the ritual that
It seems like Greek to me.
But practice makes me perfect
in the knife and fork degree.

Masonic Funeral Service

Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth are Masonry’s principle tenets and what better example than what I experienced yesterday at the Masonic funeral of a Brother who was flown in from Seattle. He had no family or friends in El Paso and only El Paso Masons along with the U.S. Army attended his service. Brother Robert Clifton Melius passed away at age 88. He served in World War II, received the Purple Heart and was a Past Master of Mount Moriah Lodge in Germany, as well as being a member of St. Johns Lodge #8 in Seattle and of Ionic Lodge.

What really touched me was the fact that his Lodge Brother Ken, flew down to El Paso and arranged for him to be buried at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery as Brother Melius had wished. I was touched to notice that there was quite an age difference between Ken and Brother Melius. And to see that Ken, a young man in his 30’s would take the time, effort and money necessary to ensure that his Lodge Brother’s wishes were carried out is what Freemasonry is all about. I have never witnessed such commitment and dedication to another person outside of one’s own family as I did yesterday. After the service, Ken invited us for breakfast at a local diner where he shared with us the fact that Brother Melius thought that no one would care to come to his funeral, that they would just dig a hole in the ground and put him in it. Well that wasn’t the case. Over a dozen El Paso Masons should up and performed what I thought was a beautiful and respectful service. I felt so proud to have become a member of this great Fraternity and have never felt like I did something so “right” in a long time. What was equally rewarding was to see the look of gratitude and amazement on Ken’s face as he got out of his rental car at the cemetery and saw all of us there. I get a kick out of all of the conspiracy theorists after going through an experience like this. It’s easy for people who do not have a clue about something, to fear it. Anyway, that’s a topic for another day.

Bob's Memorial ws published on St. John's #9 website

Robert Clifton Melius - 1/15/19 - 12/24/07

Another EA Degree

Yesterday I had the opportunity to witness the initiation of a new young Brother. It was interesting to see the whole ritual from another perspective, and witness the nervousness and anxiousness followed by that particular feeling of joy and accomplishment once the degree is conferred. I felt proud to be able to attend a lodge meeting opened on the EA degree and wear my apron while feeling like part of the team for once, rather than the lonely candidate seeking acceptance.

This degree was performed at the El Maida Shrine Temple, which provided me with the opportunity to meet Brethren from two other lodges in El Paso and tour the amazing facility while getting a glimpse of this other appendant body of Freemasonry called the Shriners of North America.

Back to the quarries!

I was contacted by my coaching Brother and will resume my preparation for my EA proficiency tomorrow. I missed not being in contact with my Brethren during the holidays. But it's a new year and I'm ready to go at it as full speed as possible, considering family, work and school. I'll keep you all posted!

Interesting experience today

So I just got in last night from a week long trip to Chicago. My wife and I had a great time today and enjoyed a beautiful day doing some last minute shopping. Unfortunately I missed the El Paso Scottish Rite's Open House event. I really did feel bad about it, because I wanted to take the whole family. But sometimes you realize that although I had it planned out, it's the holidays and Masonry teaches us that our family obligations come first.
So for my interesting experience...I actually had a couple. I spent all of this past week in Addison, Illinois doing some training for work. This is the fourth time I've been to Chicago but the first time I've been there as a Mason. Interestingly my short drive from the hotel to our office has always passed by a large Hilton hotel which right below has the symbol of the Shriners, which I never noticed before!! Now this is no small organization, they are like the trademark of this particular Hilton! They are the Medinah Shriners.

Next interesting experience, it's the holidays so I drove to my local liquor store and noticed that the guy who's always at the register had a Shriner medallion handing around his neck. But this was no ordinary medallion, it was amazing. I asked him if he was a Shriner and he said that he wasn't, but his grandfather was a 33rd and that he inherited the medallion. The medallion was gold and the half moon was made of real tiger claws set in gold and on the back it had the square & compasses engraved in the gold. He mentioned that he had been confronted various times by Masons asking him where he had got it, because that was a 33rd degree medallion and that there was no way that he could be a 33rd because it takes "40 years to become one". Anyways I was pleased to be able to notice the signs of my new Fraternity.

Practice, practice, practice

So here I go, feeling good and ready to climb the stairs of Freemasonry, and soon become a Master Mason. Whoooaah...hold on there, pilgrim. Before advancing to the 2nd degree or Fellowcraft degree I must demonstrate my First Degree Proficiency, and do it...of course, in front of my fellow Brothers in open Lodge. So, I say to myself..."No problem, just give me the books and I'll study them." No sir. I must learn them verbally from my coach E. which I have been rehearsing with in person inside a lodge room for the past three days this week. I am freaked out! There are a lot of questions and some of the answers are about as long as up to where I have typed thus far! There is no book. These questions and answers have been passed down from Mason to Mason for decades by mouth to ear, which makes this experience much more valuable, intriguing and satisfying.

Today's coaching session took place at the El Paso Scottish Rite Temple. A very special place indeed, making today's session very rewarding. I got there at 8AM and had the privilege of having coffee and doughnuts with a few 33rd degree Scottish Rite Masons.

After breakfast, E. and I went to the Scottish Rite lodge room which is also used by Fraternity Lodge #1111. I've got to admit that I love this lodge room, I think it's the most elegant and beautiful one I've been to so far. I would like to find out if I could possibly recieve one of my remaining Blue Lodge degrees there. So we got into some pretty long answer questions which we had to spend some additional time on. So far, I feel like this is a lot to learn. E. told me that some EA's like to break it up into sections and spread out their proficiency examinations throughout different sessions. I told him that I think I would like to go that route, and he looked astonished and asked me why? He said he thought I was smart and that I was picking it up a lot faster than other EA's he's coached. Well, we'll see how it goes. I feel pretty confident, even though I don't remember almost anything when I return home at night, the following morning when I meet with E. and he asks me the questions, they seem to just come out. Sometimes with some words thrown in that don't belong there or are syonyms. The thing is, syonyms and an extra word here and there don't count! It must be perfect....VERBATIM!

My Lodge

Now that I am a proud Entered Apprentice of Five Points Lodge #1137, I would like to share a little background about it and other El Paso, Texas Lodges.

From Elpasomasons.net:

Five Points Lodge was Chartered on December 4th, 1919. It's first meeting was on January 15, 1920 when William J. Pickering was installed as the first Worshipful Master. The Lodge met at 916 1/2 N. Piedras St. When in 1960 the building was torn down to realign Montana St. the Lodge purchased the Phoenician Club Building on Morehead Ave. This was our home until 2004 when we sold the building and moved to our present location in the Masonic Activities Center on Magruder St.

In El Paso, there are roughly 2,000 Freemasons belonging to one or more of the 10 local Lodges chartered under the Grand Lodge of Texas. As a a matter of fact many of my Lodge Brethren are at Grand Lodge today at the 172nd Grand Lodge Communication!
I am anxious to get more involved in Masonry, but activity is low right now due to the Grand Lodge meeting and the upcoming holidays. I am sure I am going to have more than my hands full with my upcoming proficiency work as well as my university studies...not to mention work and my family. Whoooo!