On the 21st of June at 7:00pm sharp, Texas Lodge no.46 was opened upon the 1st Degree of Masonry, to convey the 1st degree upon Mr. John Phillips. The Lodge was opened upon 1st Samuel 10 of our volume of the sacred law.
The officers stations were filled with these fine brothers of the best dam lodge in California. The lodge having a particular reputation for being the oldest and longest continually operating regular lodge in the state, since 1854.
Master: Raymond E. Hill IV Past Master
Senior Warden: Richard Bartlett Past Master
Junior Warden: Kevin Herrick Past Master
Treasurer: David Driesbach Past Master
Secretary: Loren McKechnie
Senior Deacon: Robert Robbins Past Master
Junior Deacon: Charles Baylacq
Marshall: Jack Swallow
Senior Steward: John “JD” Dimas
Junior Steward: Jesse Rodriguez
Organist: Robert Wilson Past Master
The lecture was delivered by Raymond E. Hill IV PM, 2nd Section & The Charge, delivered by David Driesbach PM
After the initiation, Brother Phillips was presented with a copy of the 800 year old “Charge” by the Master.
At 8:30pm the lodge was closed on the square, peace and harmony presiding.
Other Business:
A donation of $100 was received by William C. Eckard to the Building Fund
A donation of $155 was received as proceeds to the pre-degree dinner, for the Building Fund.
A moment of silence was observed for Brother Wolfgang Lochner, who laid down his working tools today. Memorial Info Here
The Grand Lodge of California describes the degree in the following manner.
Masonic ritual is designed around the symbolic story of the building of a great, spiritual temple, as represented by the Temple of Solomon. The three Masonic degrees are designed to represent three stages of life: youth, manhood, and age.
The Entered Apprentice degree
The Entered Apprentice degree represents youth because it teaches the most basic lessons of belief in God, the necessity of charity to mankind, the importance of truth, and the value of keeping one’s word.
To obtain this degree, the Apprentice goes to each of the primary officers in the lodge, who each question and examine the new member. As in the earliest days of the craft guild, the Entered Apprentice must memorize a series of questions and answers. This requirement has several purposes:
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Show dedication. The Entered Apprentice can demonstrate that he has made a proficient study of the lodge and its workings.
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Prove affiliation. If the Entered Apprentice wants to visit another lodge where no one knows him, he can vouch for his own knowledge and prove he’s an Entered Apprentice by answering the questions in proper form.
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Continue tradition. By learning these questions and answers, he becomes a link in the long chain of millions of men who have passed the ritual down through the centuries.
After the questioning, the Apprentice kneels at the altar, places his hand on the Bible or the Volume of Sacred Law, and takes the obligation (oath) of an Entered Apprentice.
If you would like to know more, visit this website. https://beafreemason.org/degrees
