Mentoring An Entered Apprentice

It seems difficult to express in words how truly amazing it was to mentor my friend through the first degree of Freemasonry. It was a thrilling experience, even through the mistakes, and one I would not trade for anything. I am proud that my Brother committed to the work of his Entered Apprentice Degree, and am proud that he is interested in assisting the other EA's to have their work done as well.

It is my hope that there will be as much enthusiasm from the candidate for the next degree. I am really looking foward to passing these Brothers to the degree of Fellow Craft. This is an experience that I am greatly enjoying. Simply knowing that I am helping people grow in our fraternity.

Atlantis?

Many people have many different ideas and theories that they have postulated about Freemasonry and a dark, sinister connection that it has with the occult. One of my favorites was recently brought up by a Brother whom I have a lot of respect for, although the broadcast clip he showed was a newer spin than the one I had heard before, it reminded me of the ideas I had once heard before.

This man was claiming that our order was actually ruling the world as the "Modern Atlanteans" and behind all events in world history, which has been heard before and is equally propostorous as all the other world domination theories.

It has been said that Sir Francis Bacon was connected with our fraternity. In his work called New Atlantis: A Work Unfinished Bacon describes the creation of a new nation where "generosity and enlightenment, dignity and splendour, piety and public spirit" are the commonly held qualities of it inhabitants.

I have always held this to be the real "Atlantean" connection to Freemasonry.

What Being A Brother Is About

At first there was darkness

A light, we were without

Then through our own needs

We started to reach out

Groping for that light

Which we could have no doubt

Would shine a light unto our paths

And from it wisdom could sprout

Growing together with one mind

And helping eachother out

Building our spiritual building together

That through the darkness we will stand out

When hard times come upon us

The trials, troubles, and difficulties throughout

It is in these tense troubled moments

You will find what being a Brother is all about

Poem About The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge

Twenty Four Inches

Twenty Four Parts

Twenty Four moments to look at our hearts

Twenty Four hours

In the space of a day

Twenty Four moments to choose your own way

When divided by three

We find ourselves eight

With these proportions we do something great

Eight for vocations

Eight for a nod

and Eight humble hours for the service of God

I am no wise man

and I am no sage

but I'll remember forever the twenty four inch gauge

Thoughts On Catechism Training

I remember when I was going through my catechism training with Worshipful Ken Warner and how enormous the task seemed before me. I remember when I was daunted by the feat of memorizing my cypher and my return so that I could progress. I am reminded of those feelings lately because I am mentoring my friend David, who was recently initiated as an Entered Apprentice in our lodge.

Going into his training, it was interesting to be on the other side. It was not new to me to help my friend with his hurdles as he commits to memory his catechism, but it was unique in that he counts on me for my help and guidance and I try to be there for his studies as much as I can. It's a great experience to help brothers go through their catechisms, it's a memory that you will share with them forever.

I remember the people who challenged me and pushed me to do well in Masonry, like Worshipful Brian Campbell. He was always an advocate for getting new Master Masons to return their catechisms. He still comes out to mentor at the lodge.

It's nice to know that we are in a time where more brothers are trying for their proficiencies and more people are becoming Silver Card certified in our lodge. Brothers Joe Ballow, Larry Pomeroy, myself, and all others are committed to sharing our Masonic knowledge with others and helping our lodge continue to grow in such a positive direction. So mote it be!