Greetings from South Carolina - Page 2

JohhnyQ · 12-29-2007, 03:21 PM

Congratulations, brother, with a little late...
So, I am new here, so I posted this congratulations late, but I feel I have to wrote to all of you brethren.
I was surprised when I heard that; because I was a Entered Aprentice for a year, and was a Fellow Craft for a year... I think it was so quick you passed to 2nd and raised to 3rd... Do you think you have enough knowledge and experience to become a MAster Mason so quickly? Pls, don't let me be misunderstood, I dont want to underestimate you, but we all have to learn about patience and work...
Once again, sorry about my bad English...

D. W. Brown · 12-29-2007, 04:22 PM

Brother JohhnyQ,

This has been a sore subject among many Masons for awhile. I have to admit I jumped on that bandwagon when I first joined and went flying through to 32° in no time. However, I do remember having this feeling in my gut that it was just formalities to get those checks from me. I finished all the Blue Lodge & Scottish Rite episodes feeling empty and a few dollars lighter. I guess the final straw for me was at the end of the second and last half day class for my 32°, the Shriner's came in interrupting the class to tell us how we could join them too.

Ok time to moderate myself

, I'm starting to get on my soap box we should take this to another thread more appropriate.

jbarr · 12-30-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Do you think you have enough knowledge and experience to become a Master Mason so quickly?

It's kind of like asking, do you think you have enough knowledge and experience to get married? Considering that I had never been a Master Mason, and given the nature of how Masonic degrees are conferred, I'd say that I felt qualified. But like many things in life, Becoming a Master Mason does not necessarily imply vast or deep knowledge in Freemasonry. On the contrary, it marks a beginning of a journey. What I do on that journey is up to me. So, the answer is really multi-faceted and based on one's perspective.

Part of it has to do with jurisdiction. In South Carolina, you must wait at least 28 days between Blue Lodge degrees. In other jurisdictions, you must wait longer. I can't speak to the Scottish or York Rite degrees as I do not know. Is 28 days too short or too long? I guess that remains to be seen, but it's something dictated by the Grand Lodge of South Carolina that has stood the test of time. Ans obviously, I let more than 28 days pass between degrees.

It's also about personal motivation. Once I became interested in Freemasonry, my motivation level went through the roof. And it remains as such to this day.

And it's about patience. Having to wait a time of patience when all you want is to learn more and progress further is a wonderful test of character and stamina. And looking back on the waiting time, no, it wasn't that long, and I appreciate the need and desire to take things slowly.

So, am I "ready" to become a Master Mason? Only time will tell. I can only attest to my personal desires and motivations which, at this time, are high in comparison to many.