Are Entered Apprentices And Fellow Crafts Masons
In the world of Freemasonry, there are different degrees of membership. These include the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason. A common question that arises is whether the first two degrees, the Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts, are acknowledged as Masons. The answer is a resounding yes. They are indeed Freemasons, plain and simple.
The Degrees of Freemasonry
The Entered Apprentice is the first degree in Freemasonry. This is the stage where one is initiated into the fraternity. The Fellow Craft is the second degree, a stage of further learning and understanding of the craft. The Master Mason is the third and highest degree in Freemasonry, representing a full member of the fraternity.
The Masonic Symbol
A point of contention often arises around the use of the Masonic symbol. The Masonic symbol is typically displayed in what’s known as the Master Masons emblem. This has led to some confusion and debate about whether Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts can wear or display this symbol.
The primary concern is that an Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft wearing the symbol for a Master Mason could be falsely representing themselves. This is a serious issue, as there are different emblems or symbols for each of the degrees. In some places, including the state of Mississippi in the United States, it is a crime to falsely represent oneself as a Freemason.
However, there are places where one can find jewelry or other paraphernalia that has the symbol done properly for an Entered Apprentice or for a Fellow Craft. If one is of the appropriate degree, it would be appropriate to wear that symbol.
A Word of Caution
While it’s exciting for a brother, whether he’s an Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, or Master Mason, to feel comfortable enough about his association with the fraternity that he wants to wear something that says he’s a Freemason, caution must be exercised. It’s important to ensure that the symbol one wears accurately represents their degree within the fraternity.
For example, it would be inappropriate for an Entered Apprentice to wear a symbol that represents a Master Mason. This would be akin to a student working on their associate’s degree displaying a doctorate certificate on their wall. It’s a misrepresentation of their current status within the fraternity.
Conclusion
Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts are indeed Freemasons. However, they must be careful to represent their degree accurately when displaying or wearing Masonic symbols. It’s a matter of integrity and respect for the degrees and symbols of Freemasonry.
