Masonic Ritual – When do we become Masons?

Masonic Ritual – When do we become Masons?

MASONIC RITUAL

When do we become Masons?

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Is it only after the whole Degree is performed? What happens if there is a hurricane and the First Degree has to be called off after the First Section? Is the candidate an Entered Apprentice Mason or not?

In the Grand Lodge of New York,

I recently was asked an interesting question by a Brother who wanted to know when in the Rituals we become Masons, Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts, Master Masons. Is it only after the whole Degree is performed? What happens if there is a hurricane and the First Degree has to be called off after the First Section? Is the candidate an Entered Apprentice Mason or not?

The answer is fairly simple and straightforward, but it does raise some interesting points for contemplation. If a Degree is conferred upon us but for whatever reason the lectures and other distinctive elements that contain the majority of the emblems and allegories of each Degree are omitted, are we really Entered Apprentices or Fellowcrafts or Master Masons? There certainly is an argument to be made that a Brother who hasn’t journeyed into the Middle Chamber is not really a Fellowcraft. Certainly a Brother who had missed out on important elements such as these would have been deprived of the beauty and lessons of the Degree, and in a sense could be considered “not as much” an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft or Master Mason as one who had received this Masonic Light.

These are interesting things to think about, but in the final analysis we find the answer provided by the Ritual itself: When the Entered Apprentice catechisms ask, “What makes you a Mason?” the answer is, “My obligation.” Once an obligation has been taken the candidate becomes an Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft or Master Mason, as the case may be. This gives rise to one of my favorite parts in the First Degree: After the candidates have taken the Entered Apprentice obligation and the cable-tow has been removed, the Master leans forward to ask what he most desires and begins with, “my Brother.” This is the first time he has been called a Brother, and the moment the obligation has been completed therefore marks the dividing line between a profane and a Mason.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Samuel Lloyd Kinsey

Making a Mason “At Sight”

Making a Mason “At Sight”

MASONIC RITUAL

What does it mean to make a mason “at sight”?

 

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Making a Mason “At Sight”.

What does it mean to make a mason “at sight”?

In the Grand Lodge of New York,

“Making a Mason at sight” is when a gentleman is made a Mason by declaration rather than via the Degree Rituals.  Most often the gentleman is made not only a Mason but a Master Mason at sight, thereby attaining the highest Degree in Craft Masonry without the benefit of any Degree being conferred upon him. This is a controversial and rarely used act that is only permitted in certain jurisdictions, and it is usually an exclusive power of the Grand Master.  §216 in the Masonic Law digest of the Grand Lodge of New York explains that “The making of Masons at sight in private Lodges and under the auspices of officers of Grand Lodge has been approved by Grand Lodge as a prerogative of the Grand Master” and cites to decisions and resolutions extending as far back as 1796. New York Grand Masters have been recorded as making Masons at sight from time to time over the centuries, but the last such occurrence is unknown to this writer.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Samuel Lloyd Kinsey