Mandatory to pass Master Mason's Proficiency Examination in Maryland?
A Masonic Family from Virginia
I had no idea that a Master Mason in Maryland is REQUIRED to pass a MM
catechism proficiency exam prior to applying for membership in appendant
bodies, but the following sets for these requirements in no uncertain terms.
In your Grand Lodge jurisdiction, is passing the Master Mason's catechism
proficiency examination a requirement, or is it optional as in Virginia?
I understand that, as a Master Mason in a Maryland lodge, in order to make
application to the Scottish Rite for its degrees, I must fulfill the
requirements set
forth in Section 6, Paragraph D, of Article XVI of the Constitution and
Bylaws of
the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Maryland which reads as follows:
"D. Proficiency Examinations - Lodges shall exact from all candidates for
advancement from one degree to another, an examination in open lodge.
No Lodge may advance a brother until he has shown sufficient proficiency.
The proficiency shall be determined by ballot.
"(1) Lodges shall also exact from candidates who have received their
Master Mason Degree an examination in open Lodge as to their
proficiency in that degree. The proficiency shall be determined by
ballot as in previous degrees.
"(2) The examination shall be exacted within twelve months from the
date of raising.
"(a) Until passing a satisfactory examination, a Master Mason may
not make application to any Masonic Order or Organization
which requires its members to be Masons. Any violation may
subject a member to disciplinary action.
"(b) If a Brother fails to pass his examination within twelve months,
he shall be summoned by the Worshipful Master to show cause
and, upon failure to do so, is subject to charges for unmasonic
conduct."
__________________________________________________
--
Fraternally yours,
Bro. Eric J. Martin
Webmaster
Lynnhaven Lodge No. 220
http://www.vamason.org/no220
Bill M
> In your Grand Lodge jurisdiction, is passing the Master Mason's catechism
> proficiency examination a requirement, or is it optional as in Virginia?
In Scotland there's no requirement for proof of proficiency in any
Degree. I've never seen proficiency be proven for the Third Degree
although I have a question and answer card from my Grandfather's Lodge
from 1926 relating to the Third Degree. I don't know any Lodge that
doesn't have some form of proficiency test before the FC & MM Degrees.
Some now have a couple of PMs run the Candidate through it in the
ante-room before the meeting starts then report to open Lodge before the
Candidate goes out to be prepared.
Best,
Bill.
IPM Lodge Brimmond 1535, Aberdeen, Scotland
... and a shedload of other stuff too.
A Masonic Family from Virginia
examination could be brought up on charges of unmasonic conduct? That seems
a bit harsh, don't you think?
What if he were military and were deployed and couldn't meet the requirement
set forth? Wow!
--
Fraternally yours,
Bro. Eric J. Martin
Webmaster
Lynnhaven Lodge No. 220
http://www.vamason.org/no220
"A Masonic Family from Virginia" <witness...@verizon.net> wrote in
message news:depSi.183$_64.74@trnddc02...
Jack Wise
> I wonder why a Maryland Mason who didn't complete his MM proficiency
> examination could be brought up on charges of unmasonic conduct? That seems
> a bit harsh, don't you think?
>
> What if he were military and were deployed and couldn't meet the requirement
> set forth? Wow!
>
Texas requires a MM to pass a proficiency exam within 90 days of raising
or face suspension. The Master has the right to extend the period an
additional 90 days. After that period, suspension is automatic.
--
Jack Wise
Secretary, Oak Wood Lodge No. 1444, AF & AM, The Woodlands, TX
(www.txmason.com) ( Lodge E-Mail: oakwo...@hal-pc.org )
PM, Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390, AF & AM, Houston, TX
( www.jd1390.org/jdmlodge.htm )
TEXAS red wine: renowned for its smoky-mesquite-bbq & jalapeno
overtones, the perfect foil for a meal of tacos and refried beans...
A Masonic Family from Virginia
In Virginia, it's optional, not mandatory for such an examination, but
highly recommended.
I will be examined either at November's state or December's stated meeting
as my coach has informed our SW that I am ready and he is arranging this
with the WM of our lodge as I decided to learn it and get it under my belt
while the EA and FC catechisms are so fresh.
Thank you for your reply.
--
Fraternally yours,
Bro. Eric J. Martin
Webmaster
Lynnhaven Lodge No. 220
http://www.vamason.org/no220
"Jack Wise" <jw...@hal-pc.org> wrote in message
news:471a7dc1$0$63182$a726...@news.hal-pc.org...
Torence
proficiencies. I am glad that I had the opportunity to do all three
proficiencies back in the eighties when they were still in vogue and
before I got in line. I found that knowing them made obligating other
candidates easier.
Fraternallly,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Warden - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
Stuart H.
he has "proven up" in the 3rd degree, nor can a candidate advance from
EA to FC, or from FC to MM, without "proving up' in the former degree.
At our next meeting I will be proving up 5 new MMs on behalf of our WM.
Stuart Hellis
PM - Baseline Lodge #198 GRA
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Jim Bennie
message news:depSi.183$_64.74@trnddc02...
> catechism proficiency exam prior to applying for membership in appendant
> bodies, but the following sets for these requirements in no uncertain
> terms.
>
> In your Grand Lodge jurisdiction, is passing the Master Mason's catechism
> proficiency examination a requirement, or is it optional as in Virginia?
As my Grand Lodge has no business in the affairs of other organisations, it
has nothing covering the above.
Jim Bennie
BC & Yukon
Ben R.
That's a real shame. I was raised last month and am proud to say I
passed the long forms of each degree's proficiency. The younger men
who have joined the Lodge to which I belong, also have embraced the
traditional way of doing things.
I don't necessarily have a major bone to pick with the one-day Grand
Master's Classes, as some genuinely have a hard time with
memorization. We do have another option for those men -- to go through
the degrees the traditional way and then simply recite the obligations
only from the code book. And for those who may regret skipping the
rituals in favor of the one-day class, those men may serve as pro-tem
candidates who go through the rituals but need not deal with the
proficiencies. Keep in mind that some of the men who attend the one-
day classes become very active members of the Lodge.
I couldn't imagine progressing through the three degrees without
examinations of the proficiencies in full form, but I'll not judge a
Brother for choosing a different path. Also, the proficiencies -- and
the mental training that comes with them -- really help prepare a man
to get in line.
Eric
Last night I stood my Master Mason's catechism examination in open Lodge and
passed with flying colors, thank you all for your prayers and thoughts of
support.
I now proceed to enroll in our Grand Lodge's leadership correspondence
course which I hope to complete soon before I depart for Japan next March.
Cheers!
--
Fraternally yours,
Bro. Eric J. Martin
Webmaster
Lynnhaven Lodge No. 220
http://www.vamason.org/no220
and
Member
Freedom Military Lodge No. 1775
http://www.freedomlodge.org
Quote: Be Free, Make a Difference, Become a Freemason.
"A Masonic Family from Virginia" <witness...@verizon.net> wrote in
message news:depSi.183$_64.74@trnddc02...
Br. David
In the GL of Washington it is necessary to pass your proficiency
either by Posting Lecture (catechism) or by use of a short form -
written and discussed - proficency that covers different material than
the posting lecture before joining a concordant body.
It's a shame really. I am familier with both means, and though they
are complimentary of each other, they do not stand very well alone.
Br. David
Kirkland Lodge No.150 - F&AM of Washington
Jack Wise
>
> In the GL of Washington it is necessary to pass your proficiency
> either by Posting Lecture (catechism) or by use of a short form -
> written and discussed - proficency that covers different material than
> the posting lecture before joining a concordant body.
>
> It's a shame really. I am familier with both means, and though they
> are complimentary of each other, they do not stand very well alone.
>
> Br. David
> Kirkland Lodge No.150 - F&AM of Washington
>
In Texas, It is required to pass the MM Proficiency before petitioning
any affiliated Masonic organization.
It is also *mandantory* to pass the exam within 90 days of being raised
or face automatic suspension. The Master of the Lodge has the right to
extend the period for an additional 90 days for good cause.
Larry The Mason from Holbrook
> catechism proficiency exam prior to applying for membership in appendant
> bodies, but the following sets for these requirements in no uncertain terms.
In Oregon, a newly raised Master must pass an examination within six
months. I don't believe there is a restriction on his joining other
bodies, but he must be in good standing to remain a member, so it
behooves him to pass his exam within six months.
EAs and FCs are not given a time limit per se, however there is a bit
of code that says any Mason who has not passed his exam within two
years will be dropped from the rolls. Whether this actually applies
to Oregon EAs and FCs, I'm not sure because they haven't yet signed
the By-Laws and so might not be on the rolls from which to be dropped.
sbre...@gmail.com
proficiency in the Master Mason Catechism within twelve months of
raising before he can appy to any appendant bodies.
Steve Brettell,
Birmingham #188
Maryland
broadn...@yahoo.com
I agree a Bro. should not have to proof anything beyond his ability to
be on the square after being raised, if there is any questions it
should be presented prior to his raising,,,,,,,Bro. Broadnax Va< USA