Masonic Development Program

1. Masonic Development Program The Entered Apprentice – General Knowledge Canadian Working

2. The Inspiration for This Training Program • The 1970’s editions of the BC Ancient Working and Canadian Working Explained books produced by R.W. J. Morton Heaps and Mt. Elphinstone Lodge. © L. A. Burden 2005

3. In Light Of Our Obligation, How Can We Print Books Or Presentations Such As This? • There is nothing secretive about the tenets, or philosophy of Freemasonry. • The esoteric, or hidden, parts, which we are forbidden to print, are customarily omitted, or printed in shorthand, so only a Mason can understand them. • Some of the images and information contained in this presentation have been available to the public for over 150 years and are readily available on the internet. © L. A. Burden 2005

4. Program “Hyperlinks” • Hyperlinks have been place throughout this program to enable you to easily travel to different chapters or return to the main menu. • Simply click on the work “Index” located at the end of each program chapter and you will be taken directly to the index page. © L. A. Burden 2005

5. The Entered Apprentice General Knowledge Section, Will Cover The Following: • Lesson 1 - Before Acceptance • Lesson 2 - General Ritual • Lesson 3 - Opening Ceremonies • Lesson 4 - Closing a Lodge • Lesson 5 - The Festive Board • Lesson 6 - Examination and Memory Work © L. A. Burden 2005

6. Lesson OneBefore Acceptance Index

7. How Did You Apply To Become A Freemason? • You inquired of a Brother who consented to act as your sponsor, and to present your application to his Lodge. • A second Brother also signed your form. © L. A. Burden 2005

8. What Duties Did These Two Brothers Assume? • In consenting to act as your sponsors, these two Brethren agreed to take you in charge and to encourage your active participation in all of our endeavors. • In some Lodges they will act as your mentors, to help you proceed through your degrees, and to see that you are properly instructed in the fundamentals of Freemasonry. © L. A. Burden 2005

9. How Did The Lodge Handle Your Application? • After your application was approved by the Lodge, the Worshipful Master appointed a committee of 3 skilled Brethren to closely inquire into your moral, social, mental and family faculties. • This committee having reported favorably, a ballot was held, and as it proved favorable, you were accepted as a Candidate for Initiation. © L. A. Burden 2005

10. Why Must A Candidate For Freemasonry Go Through An Initiation Ceremony? • Societies through all ages have used initiation ceremonies as a symbol of a new birth, and of further development of the Soul and Mind. © L. A. Burden 2005

11. Why Is It Required That A Ballot Be Unanimous Before A Candidate Can Be Accepted For Initiation? • The intent here, of course, is to ensure that there is a spirit of complete harmony and brotherhood which should prevail in every Lodge, by refusing entry to any petitioner, towards whom any Brother has feelings of animosity, or of whom he knows something, that will reflect ill repute on the Craft. © L. A. Burden 2005

12. Why Is Such A Careful Selection Required Of Candidates For Freemasonry? • King Solomon used only the best material in building his Temple, as he knew that otherwise it could not endure. Similarly a careful selection of its material is demanded by Freemasonry in the building of its fraternal structure. © L. A. Burden 2005

13. For What Reason Were You Required To Pay A Considerable Sum Of Money Prior To Your Initiation? • All Lodges are supported by the yearly payments of their members. When a new Initiate is accepted by a Lodge various “once only” payments are required to the Grand Lodge, and to purchase the Apron and books which are later given to you. • The fact that you were able and willing to spend such a sum to become a Freemason assures us that it will not be a financial burden on you to be a member of our Lodge. © L. A. Burden 2005 Index

14. Lesson TwoGeneral Ritual Index

15. How Many Rituals Are Practiced In British Columbia And Yukon? • Four, namely the, • Canadian • Ancient • Emulation and • Australian © L. A. Burden 2005

16. What Is The Origin Of The Canadian Ritual? • It is based on the ritual of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, which in turn had an English origin. • It was brought to B.C. by settlers from Eastern Canada in the Mid-nineteenth century © L. A. Burden 2005

17. What Is The Origin Of The Ancient Ritual? • This ritual was brought to B.C. in the early days by Masons from the U.S.A., and for many years was known as the American work. © L. A. Burden 2005

18. What Is The Origin Of The Emulation Ritual? • This ritual is perhaps the most popular of the many workings in England, and was brought out directly from that country © L. A. Burden 2005

19. What Is The Origin Of The Australian Ritual? • As the name suggests this ritual was developed in Australia, and was brought here from that country. © L. A. Burden 2005

20. How Many Lodges In B.C. & Y. Practice Each Ritual? • Canadian – 73 • Ancient – 62 • Emulation – 11 • Australian – 2 • Total Lodges = 148 Source: G.L.BC &Y 2005 © L. A. Burden 2005

21. How Many Ritual Books Are Published In BC & Yukon? • There are two rituals published by the Grand Lodge, the Canadian and the Ancient. • Canadian Lodges in existence prior to 1954 can use their original ritual but all Canadian Lodges formed after 1954 must use the new ritual. • Ancient Lodges in existence prior to 1954 can use their original ritual but all Ancient Lodges formed after 1962 must use the new ritual. • The official ritual book for Emulation Lodges in BC & Y is the Emulation Ritual as practiced by Victoria- Columbia No 1., which was proclaimed in Grand Lodge proceedings in 1893. © L. A. Burden 2005

22. How Many Degrees Are Recognized By The Grand Lodge Of B.C. & Y.? • Three, namely • The Entered Apprentice degree • The Fellowcraft degree • The Master Mason degree © L. A. Burden 2005

23. What Is Contained In The Ritual Of The Three Masonic Degrees? • In these ceremonies are contained all the philosophy and lessons of Freemasonry and each stone in the foundation is a symbol of some kind or another. • Many of the symbols are called to the attention of the new member as the degrees are being conferred, but there is much to the ceremony that does not meet the eye at the time, so that a study of the subject is intriguing, as one finds new gold while conducting the search. © L. A. Burden 2005

24. What Does The Term “Degree” Mean? • Every Candidate learns what a degree is twice over, once when it is conferred on him and again when he learns it by heart. He discovers that there is nothing indefinite about it, as each one begins at a certain point, proceeds in a fixed order, step by step, until it comes to a clean cut end with a given action, at a given place. • A degree is composed of parts, or rites, or elements, and is not a mere addition of them but is itself a unity, has an identity and a name. © L. A. Burden 2005

25. What Are The Two Masonic Meanings Of The Word “Lodge”? • It means the place where Freemasons meet, and also the assembly of Freemasons so met. • A Masonic Lodge is a symbol of the world or universe © L. A. Burden 2005

26. What Is Meant By A.F. & A. M.? © L. A. Burden 2005

27. What Is An “Allegory”, A “Symbol” AndAn“Emblem” ? • An “allegory” is an analogy, or comparison, or a story told to illustrate a principle, or a lesson. • A “symbol” is something which is not itself the thing it represents, but which signifies, or illustrates, some truth, idea or fact. • An “emblem” is a symbolic figure or picture representing an idea by a visible object. © L. A. Burden 2005

28. What Is Another Definition Of A Symbol? • A symbol has also been defined as a thing which represents something else by association, and in Freemasonry may be a material object which represents a basic moral truth or lesson. • They are sometimes described as the universal language because they present the message in a way understood by all, and do not depend on words that are different in various languages. © L. A. Burden 2005

29. Why Is Freemasonry Often Referred To As “The Craft”? • In operative days the skilled workmen were Craftsmen, and they were organized in Craft Guilds. • As Freemasonry consists of men skilled in the art of Freemasonry, it is often called “The Craft”. © L. A. Burden 2005

30. What Are The Ancient Landmarks And Is There A List? • Certain basic principles of Masonic organization and policy which have existed since time immemorial, and which can never be changed or altered. • Many lists of the Ancient Landmarks have been compiled, but there is no general agreement as to which list, if any is correct. The best known is a list of 25 landmarks prepared by Bro. Albert MacKay. © L. A. Burden 2005

31. Why Does The Master Of A Lodge Sometimes Wear A Hat? • Ever since the Greeks crowned their heroes with garlands or wreaths, caps or halos have been associated with honour and authority. Kings wear hats in any company, denoting superiority and authority, and Jews remain covered in the Synagogue as a mark of reverence and respect. From such traditions our Masonic custom is derived. © L. A. Burden 2005

32. What Is The Symbolic Meaning Of Wearing White Gloves In Lodge? • In ancient times the Operative Masons wore gloves to protect their hands from the rigors of their trade, but as Speculative Masons the gloves signify that our hands should be protected from all impurities and symbolize the same purity of ideals as the apron. © L. A. Burden 2005

33. What Is The Symbolism Of The Ashlars? • The Rough Ashlar represents a man fresh from the quarry of life, and of rough learning and character. As the protruding or unwanted material is removed; the Ashlar becomes dressed, polished and squared and finally a Perfect Ashlar. • The analogy to the Mason, who is a building stone in the Temple of Masonry, is that the perfect man is to be attained by removing all vices and superfluities. © L. A. Burden 2005

34. What Is The Origin Of The Term Entered Apprentice? • In operative Masonry a young man served seven years after his name was entered on the books of the Lodge as an Apprentice and he was given a recognized position in the Craft organization. Hence the term Entered Apprentice. • The term was also used in the sense of being admitted, or introduced. © L. A. Burden 2005

35. Is An Entered Apprentice Called A Brother And What Rights Does He Have? • He is entitled to be called Brother. • He has the right to ask his Lodge for advancement to the higher degrees, • To receive proper Masonic instruction. • He can attend his Lodge anytime it is opened and working in the Entered Apprentice Degree. © L. A. Burden 2005

36. What Masonic Rights Does He Not Have? • He is not yet Mason in the legal Masonic sense, but only in the sense that he is a rough Ashlar in the process of becoming a perfect Ashlar. • He is the property of his Lodge and can receive the other two degrees nowhere else without its permission. • He does not pay dues, he can enter the Lodge only when it is open on the first degree. © L. A. Burden 2005

37. What Masonic Rights Does He Not Have…? • He cannot vote, ballot nor take office. • He is not entitled to a Masonic Funeral, or to attend one as a member of the Lodge, • He has no rights to Masonic Charity. © L. A. Burden 2005

38. What Is The Symbolic Theme Of Initiation? • Initiation is symbolic of rebirth from a state of ignorance, to one of a search for knowledge. © L. A. Burden 2005

39. When Is A Lodge “Just, Perfect And Regular”? • It is Just when it is furnished with the three Great Lights; • Perfect when it contains the constitutional number of members; and • Regular when it is working under a charter, or warrant, of Constitution from the legal authority. © L. A. Burden 2005

40. When Is A Lodge At Labour, In Business, At Work, And at Refreshment? • At work - When a Lodge is conferring any of the three degrees. • At refreshment - When a Lodge is in activity but is not at labor. The word refreshment no longer means what it used to among Freemasons, as it does not signify eating and drinking, but simply cessation from labour. © L. A. Burden 2005

41. When Is A Lodge AtLabour, In Business, At Work, And At Refreshment? • At Labour - From the time of opening to the time of closing. • In Business - While it is reading minutes and correspondence, receiving reports of committees, balloting, passing bills, etc. © L. A. Burden 2005

42. These are brief ceremonies whereby the Master can call his Lodge to refreshment, or back to labour for short periods, without formally closing his Lodge. If a Lodge is closed until its next communication, the intervening period is one of abeyance, as its activities for Masonic Duty have been suspended for the time being, although its powers and privileges may be resumed at any time. What Is Meant By “Calling Off , Calling On”And When A Lodge Is An “Abeyance” © L. A. Burden 2005

43. What Is Solomon’s Temple A Symbol Of? • To a Freemason it is a symbol of human life, for like life, the Temple was to have its end. • Masonic teachings are not intended to relate historic facts concerning the erection of a building, but to keep us in sight of the life that we should attempt to live as Freemasons. © L. A. Burden 2005

44. What Are Meant By The Terms “Chair”,“Under Dispensation”And “Demit” • “Chair” is a technical term signifying the office of the Master of the Lodge. “Under dispensation”? • When it is operating under the authority of a dispensation granted by the Grand Master. • “Demit” is a certificate issued by a Lodge to a member withdrawing from that Lodge, or by a Grand Lodge to a member of an erased Lodge © L. A. Burden 2005

45. Esoteric ritual is that part of the ritual which is kept secret, and is not disclosed to anyone except a properly qualified Freemason. It consists largely of the modes of recognition. Exoteric ritual is that part of the ritual which is printed in the ritual books and is openly discussed in Masonic literature. There is nothing secret about this and it can be read by non-members. What Is The Difference Between “Esoteric And Exoteric” Ritual © L. A. Burden 2005

46. Where Is The Altar Situated And Why Do We Have One If We Are Not A Religious Association? • The Altar is situated in the centre of the Lodge, we take our obligations on the Altar, and all obligations should be taken on the Centre. • In the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees the Altar is the place of obligation, but in the Master Mason degree it becomes the Holy of Holies, on which are situated the Great Lights of Freemasonry. © L. A. Burden 2005

47. What Is The Masonic Significance Of The “Altar”? • The Altar reminds us that the sacrifice of ourselves and our vows of fidelity are taken at the mystic centre. • On it we have dedicated ourselves to the Divine Spark within us, which is ever in union with the source of all, and which is also the Masonic Holy of Holies. • This, the Great Light teaches us, was the centre and heart of both the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and the Temple of Solomon. © L. A. Burden 2005

48. What Is Meant By The Term “Architecture”? • Architecture is the art that teaches the proper method of constructing public and private buildings. • To Freemasonry it is the art of arts, because to it the Institution is indebted for its origin in its present organization. • Much of the symbolism of Freemasonry is drawn from the art of architecture. © L. A. Burden 2005

49. What Is Meant By The Term “Great Architect”Or “Grand Geometrician”? • Great Architect of the Universe, or any of its variations, is a symbol of Deity as named and worshipped in all religions. © L. A. Burden 2005

50. What Is A Masonic Assembly, And Why Is Freemasonry Called ABrotherhood? • A Masonic Assembly is any meeting of Masons presided over by Masonic officers. • It is called a Brotherhood because its work brings its members into personal association. © L. A. Burden 2005