Until the 18th century there were only two degrees in craft masonry. Then an apron is tied on him in a fashion to denote that he belongs to the f. Chapter x the fellowcraft degree passing to the second, or. Some view the three part initiation of freemasonry as. Crafting courses the hands on history team members are skilled crafters. Fellow craft is the most beautiful and moving, if not the most enlightening, of the masonic degree. What are the two great ideas embodied in the fellow craft degree. A fellow craft mason is urged to advance his education in these fields during the ritual of this degree. The art and craft of handmade books by shereen laplantz this is the companion to the art and craft of handmade books 2003 by the author. If it was still an act of my own free will and accord. The fellow craft degree embodies a great deal of knowledge and wisdom, and its symbols and lessons can take a lifetime to penetrate. Fellow craft lecture my freemasonry freemason information. Any book is collaboration between the author and the publisher, who supplies both the editor and the art department. The fellow craft degree during his seven year apprenticeship, the new mason generally lived with his master and was, in reality, a bond servant with many duties, few rights, and little freedom.
The fellowcraft degree author unknown pictou masons. In the first degree, the candidate is moved by the sense of novelty, for it is his first experience in freemasonry. In this stage, his task is to acquire knowledge and apply it to the building of his character and improving the society in which he lives. In the first degree we were symbolically babes or children, under the care of women. You may also visit another lodge opened on the fellow craft or entered. As the entered apprentice degree as a whole is symbolic of infancy and youth, a period of learning fundamentals, a beginning, so the fellowcraft degree is emblematic of manhood. The masters jewel masonic education the meaning of the. While the degree contains moral teaching and a spiritual content only surpassed by that of the sublime degree, as a whole it is a call to books and study. The lectures of the three degrees in craft masonry. In the seoond degree we are youths sent to be educated at school, and the whole exoteric meaning of the second degree is the training of the intelligence. We offer courses and workshops in several crafting techniques such as textilework, plant dyeing, woodwork, bone and hornwork and leatherwork. One of the brothers in my lodge a few years ago when thru the fellow craft lecture and it open his eyes and made him go back to school.
In one sense, the fellowcraft degree symbolizes the stage of adulthood. From age seven when in preparation for the sacrament of first holy communion i knew that i would one day be initiated. Foreword this booklet has been prepared as one of a series of four to provide the new mason with. The fellowcraft degree by unknown author the working tools the square the square is the symbol of morality, truthfulness and honesty. I furthermore promise and swear that i will help, aid and assist all poor, distress brother fellow craft, they. A basic masonic education course for fellow crafts with. Many masons believe that the second degree degree of the fellow craft is the most beautiful and moving, if not the most enlightening, of the masonic degree trilogy.
As the entered apprentice degree as a whole is symbolic of infancy and youth, a period of learning fundamentals, a. There are various ways that the meaning of the fellowcraft degree and its place between the first and third degrees of masonry have been explained. The fellow craft degree stands sharply contrasted to the entered apprentice and master mason. The term fellow craft is now used as the name of one who has received the second degree. I shall omit the ceremonies incident to opening a lodge of fellow crafts, as they are very similar to those employed in opening the first degree, and will be explained hereafter more. Exmasons for jesus is a fellowship organization of men and women who have left the masonic lodge and appendant bodies, such as the order of the eastern star, jobs daughters, the order of rainbow for girls and the order of. The second degree of craft masonry, the fellowcraft degree is symbolic of life. The sublime degree is where the freemasonry endeavors to take us, and the initiatory degree is where we begin, where we receive our orientation in this microcosmic pursuit of freemasonry. The steward s ann oun ce t hat the bro ther wishes to receive more light in masonry by being passed to the degree of fellowcraft.
In this case the right leg of the old drawers is raised up above the knee, the right sleeve of the shirt is rolled up above the elbow, the slipper is now put upon the left foot, the left heel being slip shod. Claudy introduction to freemasonry the fellowcraft degree fellowcraft as the entered apprentice degree as a whole is symbolic of infancy and youth, a period of learning fundamentals, a beginning, so the fellowcraft degree is emblematic of manhood. The word degree, in its primitive meaning, signifies a step. The symbolic rooms found in the first book of kings 11.
Officers, take your respective stations and places. The candidate begins by proving that he is in possession of the lessons learned in the former degree. The fellow craft degree basic teachings of the second degree in one sense the fellow craft degree symbolizes the stage of adulthood and responsibility during a mans life on earth. This handbook should be studied carefully, as it outlines many of the things associated with this degree in order to help each mason better understand it. Personal guide fellowcraft east lancashire freemasons.
First degree you were impressed with a reminder of the duties you owe to. He is ushered into the preparation room as before, and divested of all his clothing as in the preceding degree. There are several ways the meaning of the fellow craft degree and its place between the first and third degrees of masonry have been explained over the years. The winding nature of the staircase is often seen as an. He could never attend the meetings of the fellow crafts, but worked long, hard hours as. Lectures of the three degrees in craft masonry wikipedia. Fine arts degree programs train and expose artists to a variety of different artistic disciplines. The course is essentially studio based in the belief that successful craft makers need studio time to develop and finesse their skills. The following exposures of masonic ritual are provided in a cooperative effort between exmasons for jesus and ephesians 5. Some time later, in a separate ceremony, they will be passed to the degree of fellowcraft, and finally they will be raised to the degree of master mason. Which are the attentive ear, the instructive tongue, and the faithful breast. You can sit in your own lodge when open as either a lodge of apprentices. The fellow craft degree the grand lodge of florida.
The significance and correspondence of the apron were given in chapter 5 serial lesson 10. A file purporting to contain the script of the fellowcraft masons degree ritual as practiced in nevada circa 1986. Candidates for freemasonry are progressively initiated into freemasonry, first in the degree of entered apprentice. That man is reminded that god is in all nature but not in every man. What is the true meaning of the fellow craft degree. With almost 150,000 people employed in the uks craft economy, skilled craftspeople are putting the country on the map for original, forwardthinking contemporary design, driving change and innovation through their knowledge of material. Apprentice degree with permission of its worshipful master, provided that a brother is. The second degree of fellowcraft symbolizes the methods of developing and progressing in the craft. Before a craft lodge can come into existence now there must be.
The fellow craft degree symbolism of the degree the symbolism of the entered apprentice degree emphasizes beginnings, spiritual birth, the first steps, youth, and orientation to the light, which are all consistent with an initiation into the fraternity. The hands on history team members are skilled crafters. If you know the verses of the other vsl, please email them so others may learned. An experience, moreover, that is full of rapid action. The second degree is the degree of real work in the craft. A basic masonic education course for fellow crafts with questions. Many masons believe that the second degree degree of the.
Perhaps the most significant symbol of fellow craft degree is the staircase leading to the middle chamber of king solomons temple, an emblem open to many interpretations. If we think of freemasonry as having a triangular nature, what part. It is intended for a general nontechnical explanation of the fellowcraft degree. This communicate to the junior warden in the south, and he to the brethren present, that having due notice thereof, they may. In light of this, it makes sense to make fellow craft the working degree of masonry. For most instructional books, the author knows the subject and the editor knows english.
Again and again this term passed is used, by the worshipful. The fellow craft degree has been added to your cart add to cart. I will acknowledge and obey all due signs and summons sent to me from a lodge of fellow crafts, or given me by a brother of that degree, if within the length of my. This series has been prepared by the grand lodge of alabama through the committee on masonic education for the use of the subordinate lodges and their members.
The fellow craft degree stands sharply contrasted to the entered apprentice and master mason degrees. It is evident in the ter m used to descri be what is t akin g place. As the entered apprentice degree as a whole is symbolic of. Crafting courses hands on history hands on history. They cover rituals and symbolism associated with the three degrees of craft freemasonry in question and answer form. If the fellowcraft takes that to mean masonic books and masonic study he will find in this degree the touchstone which will make all three degrees a neverending happiness for their fortunate. It took my about 34 months to learn, understand and give back the ea, but i feel like proficiency this degree for me will be by sept. Anyway if any brothers have something interesting please share. The bulk of masonic ritual consists of degree ceremonies. Masonry is a progressive science consisting of different degrees, calculated for. The fellow craft degree, gl217mentors manual, chapter 4, and your digest of masonic law. The lectures of the three degrees in craft masonry is a series of manuals on freemasonry that are arranged in the form of catechisms to be memorized. Thus by contrast it sets before him a progressive pattern for the future.
The worshipful master approaching me from the east under the dueguard and sign of a fellow craft mason, who in token of the continuance of friendship and brotherly love of the lodge, again extended to me his right hand and invested me with the pass, token of the pass, true grip and word of this degree, ordered me to arise, go and salute the junior and senior wardens as a. Its symbols and lessons can take a lifetime to fully appreciate. These days we have three degrees, the third being that of master mason. A view of the fellow craft degree and the instructors role although the fellow craft degree does not receive the attention it deserves, as the middle degree of freemasonry and is often criticized by scholars of ritual, a careful scrutiny of our second degree leads the masonic educator to a very different conclusion. Fellow craft, or second degree chapter 2 gnostic warrior. The fellow craft degree you have just experienced embodies a great deal of knowledge and wisdom. Psalm 3 behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. The second was called the fellow crafts degree, the third the master masons degree. He is instructed in the advancement of the operative workmen of biblical and medieval times and how they were paid for their labors. The preceding year he had been named honorary passed grand master of north dakota. Arts and crafts courses can be taken for personal enrichment or as part of a degree program. A bachelors degree program in art is usually required, either from a college, university or an independent school of art and design. Undergraduate and graduate programs in art or fine arts. It was at that early stage that my interest was piqued when sister jarlith anne instructed the class as to the dangers of protestant churches.
Duncans masonic ritual and monitor phoenixmasonry, inc. The opening of the second degree presupposes an ability to open up the inner nature and consciousness to a much more advanced stage than is possible to the beginner, who in theory is supposed to undergo a long period of discipline and apprenticeship in the elementary work of. Freemasonry or masonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons that from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients modern freemasonry broadly consists of two main recognition groups. Many of our graduates become selfemployed designers, makers or practitioners, setting up their own businesses and also taking freelance commissions. For the entered apprentice degree the holy bible should be opened to. The attentive ear receives the sound from the instructive tongue, and the mysteries of freemasonry are safely lodged in the repository of faithful breasts. Fellowcraft degree lecture my freemasonry freemason. The masters jewel masonic education the meaning of. I furthermore promise and swear the i will answer and obey all due signs and summonses sent to me by a lodge of fellow craft, or handed me by a brother of this degree, if within the length of my cabletow. John, 1 do hereby and hereon master presses candidates hand with the gavel, most solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that i will always hail, and ever conceal, and never reveal any of the secret arts, parts, or points of the fellow craft degree to any person whomsoever, except it be to a true and lawful brother of this degree, or in a. The degrees of freemasonry are, then, the steps by which the candidate ascends from a lower to a higher condition of knowledge. While mastery of each discipline is not always necessary, it is important for artists to have a wellrounded understanding of differing artistic styles.
The direction of the two sides of the square form an angle of 90, or a right angle, socalled because this is the. Fellow craft quiz 20 questions test your knowledge of. The fellowcraft degree embodies a great deal of knowledge and wisdom, and its symbols and lessons can take a lifetime to penetrate. This corresponds to a boys training when he goes to a public school and is surrounded entirely by men. Building a chair, artsandcrafts style joinery details make this chair strong and handsome by rex alexander w hen the curator of dennos museum in traverse city, mich. Verses on which the vsl should be opened for each degree. He could never attend the meetings of the fellow crafts, but worked long, hard hours as a bearer of burdens. One of our unique selling points is the integrated use of the workshops enabling students to work across and combine a wide range of materials and processes often developing unique and extraordinary skills.
Exmasons for jesus is a fellowship organization of men and women who have left the masonic lodge and appendant bodies, such as the order of the eastern star, jobs daughters, the order of rainbow for girls. In the first degree, the candidate is moved by the. Fellow craft at northern arizona university studyblue. During the second half of the 19th century, the lectures gradually ceased to be used regularly in english. Deeper meaning within the fellow craft degree i have always wanted to be a mason.
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