Letter of the month: March 2002

Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 18:50:04 MST
To: <masonry-ask@mit.edu>
From: The Bentleys <bentleys@shaw.ca>
Subject: Re: when are you officially a Master Mason

My reason for asking this question is, Section 9 of the bylaws of our lodge which is Hinton Lodge 178, state that only a master Mason shall be eligible for election or appointment to any office except the Organist or Tyler.

Now for the actual question, Are you officially a Master Mason on completion of the 3rd degree or are you officially a Master Mason after you have proven up in your 3rd degree?

I am moving into the W.M chair this year and in the past there have been brothers placed in chairs before they have proven up in the 3rd. I want clarification on when this actually ocurrs as I don't want to continue this practice if it is not right.

Sincerely
Brother Beven Bentley
Hinton Lodge 178

From: <dryfoo@MIT.EDU>
Message-Id: <200203110226.VAA13592@thelonious.mit.edu>
To: The Bentleys <bentleys@shaw.ca>
Subject: Re: when are you officially a Master Mason
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Sun, 10 Mar 2002 18:50:04 MST."
             <000c01c1c89f$112865e0$9be04618@hn.shawcable.net> 
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 21:26:31 -0500

You are a master mason when you are raised. at the completion of the 3rd degree you are a master mason. "Trueing up" or "proving up" or "presenting your exemplifcation" may be a requirement for many things, but it doesn't affect the definition of a master mason.

Whether the practice you speak of is legal in your jurisdiction or not is entirely up to your grand lodge. You, as master of your lodge, should learn the right way to stay in contact with your grand lodge and to get the official word on what is or is not allowed.

The place to start is by obtaining a current properly up-to-date copy of your grand lodge constitutions before you are installed master, and to read them through and make sure you understand them. You are going to be master of your lodge, which means that to your lodge brothers, you are supposed to be the authority on what the grand constitutions say.

Don't take the word of people who "think so" or "maybe know" -- look it up and find out. And speak with your district deputy or grand secretary or someone in your grand master's office when you have a question like yours.

Best of luck for your year in the East!

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| Gary L. Dryfoos <dryfoo@mit.edu>| Ocean Lodge AF&AM, Saugus, MA (PM)
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