Worshipful Brother Dan Hrinko is a woodworker by hobby in addition to being the first Master of Arts & Sciences Lodge.

In his dual role of woodworker and Worshipful Master, he has chosen to supply Arts & Sciences Lodge with a set of handcrafted wooden working tools to be presented to each of the Lodge’s candidates.  This is a wonderful thing, but what difference does it really make?

It is also the tradition of Arts & Sciences Lodge to teach all candidates the full examination lecture for each degree.  This is done so that each new Brother receives the complete benefit of his inheritance as a Freemason:  a full knowledge and understanding of his Craft.

Additionally, each Master Mason, who mentors an Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft or Master Mason, is charged with determining if the new Brother is capable of memorizing the full examination or if it would be better to learn the minimum information required to be found proficient in his degree.

After working for several weeks to learn the EA exam, one mentor offered his Apprentice the option of returning the minimum requirement, which option the Apprentice accepted…until he was asked about the working tools of his degree.

At this point, the Apprentice became very somber and said, “I need to memorize the full exam.”  His mentor asked why the sudden change.  “The Lodge’s Master put all that effort into making my working tools.  I need to honor his work by doing my own.”

It’s amazing the difference that using the right tool can make.  In fact, the more effort a Lodge puts into initiating, teaching and involving a new Brother, the greater that Brother’s efforts will be to become a Freemason.