The meaning of the EA degree

MikeWebbInNebra · 03-05-2008, 08:32 AM

I am the Education Officer for my lodge and I'd like to give a talk on the EA degree - specifically, what it is trying to tell us, or what we should be getting out of it. My goal is to bring this degree (and the others in subsequent months) "alive" for the members. My trouble is in trying to find articles or papers on this. I'm sure I'm using the wrong search terms in google, so am asking the readers of this post if they can point me in the right direction for material I can use.

Many tahnks in advance!

mharrell · 03-17-2008, 02:16 PM

i am a new FC and was having a good discussion about this with a brother yesterday.

one thing that was pretty much blown by in the lesson, seems to be the foundation of the entire lesson.

after being asked by what ****** ***** ** ******* *** ******* **** ****** ******, the first part of that answer is the entire basis of what masonry is becoming to me...

By being * ***.

* *** to me embodies the very core of masonic values.

* ***, <to me>

aids the needy
stands up for his beiliefs
is responsible
takes care of his family <and brothers>
has the moral fortitude to do what is right instaed of what is always easy
is a good citizen
etc...

that entire line seems to just be blown by in the lesson as just another thing you are told to memorise. there is more to being a man than having the proper plumbing.

An individual that is found lacking in these qualities can not and should not be initiaited, those qualities being necessary to build upon by the lessons of freemasonry.

i took my time <almost a year> to contemplate and learn what i think this degree had to offer me. to me it taught me to hold secret what i was about to be shown and told me what i need to be in possession of before earning my next degree.

in my lodge there seems to be a eagerness to push new candidates through the 3 degrees as quickly as possible. the rational being that once a MM you can go back and study what you missed. i feel this is a mistake. the wording and ceremony of each degree is there for a reason and should be studied in depth before moving on IMHO.

i understand the brothers want to get us there quickly as they are as eager to share as we are to learn, that said this is a journey, it should take time to earn the right to have the next degree given to you.

just some ramblings from a new FC

-- edited by Administration for content

MikeWebbInNebra · 03-19-2008, 09:33 AM

Excellent, thanks!

randalljskates · 03-20-2008, 09:32 AM

The meaning of the EA degree is, as we all know the ground work-the foundation, of Masonic principle and ethics. In my opinion to define and legitimize the precips of this degree is to take away their glory, bringing them down to the level of mediocrity.
What we are to be "getting" out of this degree is something that is beyond explination. What we receive by being passed to the degree of Entered Apprentice is meaning in Mystery. It is unexplainable. We as fellow Freemasons are to ponder on the degree of Entered Apprentice throughout the rest of our Life in order to find its' "meaning".
Much as the Blackbelt in Martial Arts is merely a Whitebelt who has stayed the course and stuck with the game plan, we as Free and Accepted Masons are all an Entered Apprentice at heart who has done the necessary work to become a Raised Brother.
Feel free to develop a talk on the degree, but know that the mysteries, the "Secrets" thereof are safely locked in the faithful breast and there are probably no great textbooks to help you describe them or that could do justice to them.
The Great Text is truly within you.

With love and fellowship,
Randall J. Skates
FC @ Military Lodge #93

MikeWebbInNebra · 03-20-2008, 10:36 AM

Excellent point! However, my task as the Education "guy" is to sufficiently enlighten the brethren that they are made aware that this is just the beginning, and that their self-study and introspection can no begin. It's a blazing flash of the obvious for many of us, but a majority of the new brothers (and even a few of the seasoned ones) have no clear idea of what the starting point really is and where they should go from it. In other words, they've told me they don't know what they don't know.
On a personal note, I was in the same boat a few years ago. Our lodge had no education program, and I'd gotten tired of the business meetings and badly-done degree work. I decided to see what else might be out there. I contacted our G.L. Education Committee to see if there was a lesson plan for Mason's to follow. There was none (disappointing to me as I thrive on order - being retired military), but they took me under their wing and explained what they knew of Freemasonry, the need to look into it myself and ponder what I'd learned, and to take part in discussions to exchange ideas and learn more things. From that, I found that I had to make my own path, but I still mentally arranged it in a sort of order - from EA to MM and historically from the Reformation (which I find very interesting) to the present.
Rather than expect each brother to figure this out on his own, I feel an obligation to share something of what I've learned so they are informed enough to begin their own journey.