THE NEW AGE--ARTICLE--MAY 1990--ARBORGI.MAY

                           Mouth to Ear

                       ERNEST BORGNINE, 33
                                 


     In 1946, I traveled with a friend down to a little town called
Abingdon, Virginia, to see what the Barter Theatre had to offer. 
It offered nothing except hard work and board.  My friend, not
accepting the work they offered him, stayed one day--I stayed five
years.  In that time, I grew to love the town and all it offered.
The people, in particular, were simply marvelous.
     Occasionally I would be assigned to go down to the printing
shop and get posters made for the upcoming shows at the Barter
Theatre.  One day, in talking to the owner of the print shop, one
Elmo Vaughan, I found that he belonged to the local Masonic Lodge,
No. 48, in Abingdon.  My father was also a Mason and had advanced
to the Thirty-second Degree in Masonry, and I told this to Elmo. 
He was pleased, and sensing his pleasure, I asked him if maybe I
could join.  He said nothing, continuing his work, and a short
while later, I took my posters and left.
     The next time I saw Elmo, I asked him again about joining the
Masonic Order--again he said nothing--and again my work took me
away.  We became good friends, and finally one day I passed by, and
again I asked if I could join the Masons.  Instantly, he whipped
out an application and I hurriedly filled it out.  I didn't learn
'til later, that in those days, you had to ask three times.  
     I was thrilled!  Not only was I going to be the first actor
ever in Lodge No. 48, but I could just imagine my father's surprise
when I would spring the old greetings on him!  I wanted only to
surprise my Dad--and was I surprised, when after I was made an
Entered Apprentice, I found I had to remember everything that had
happened to me at that event and come back and answer questions
about it!
     I was assigned to a dear old man of about 92 years of age who,
I felt, must have been there when the Lodge first started.  He was
really of the old school--and he started me out with the foot-to-
foot, knee-to-knee and mouth-to-ear routine of teaching.
     Besides doing my work for the Barter Theatre and a little
acting to boot, I was also going to that dear Brother for my work
in Masonry.  I would tramp all over those lovely hills and work on
my "Whence came you's" and one day--oh, one fine day--I stood foot
to foot with my Brother and answered every question perfectly!  I
was ecstatic!  I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to get to Lodge
to show my ability as an Entered Apprentice.
     After I quieted down, that dear Brother said, "You've done
fine, but aren't you really only half started?"  I couldn't believe
him!  I knew my work, what else was there?  He said, "Wouldn't it
be better if you knew all the questions too?"  
     I couldn't believe my ears!  All that hard work and only half
done?  He gently sat me down--foot-to-foot, knee-to-knee and mouth-
to-ear--and taught me all the questions.  They didn't come easy,
because I was almost doing the work by rote, but with careful
listening and by really applying myself, I was soon able to deliver
all the questions and answers perfectly!  The night that I stood
in front of the Lodge and was asked if I were ready to answer the
questions of an Entered Apprentice, I respectfully asked if I could
do both--questions and answers.  I was granted that wish and later
found that I was the second man in my Lodge to have ever done so! 
I am truly proud that I am still a member in good standing in
Abingdon Lodge No. 48 never having demitted.
     I tell this story not for the merit it might gain me, but to
tell you that learning the Entered Apprentice obligation taught me
a great lesson in acting as well:  that before I ever attempted to
do a part that I should work, rehearse, feel, almost live that part
to know what I was talking about!
     As I've advanced in Masonry, I have found we are an elite
group of people who believe in God, country, family and neighbors. 
We work hard to help our fellowman; and through our charitable
work, such as support for the Childhood Language Disorder Centers,
we have made it possible to help many children grow into good
American citizens.  We should always be proud of the Order we
belong to.  Where in all the world do you find so many great men
and Brothers who have helped the whole wide world?  But--we are
hiding our light under a bushel basket!
     Recently I attended a modest dinner for a friend, and I ran
across a Brother who identified himself in a hushed voice.  I asked
why he spoke in a whisper when talking about Masonry, and suddenly
I realized he wasn't the only one that had ever done that.  I speak
out loud about Masonry to everyone!  I'm proud of the fact that I
belong to an organization that made me a better American,
Christian, husband and neighbor; and, all it took was a little
self-determination by going foot to foot, knee to knee, and mouth
to ear!

_________________________________________________________________
Learning the Entered Apprentice obligation taught me a great lesson
in acting as well:  that before I ever attempted to do a part that
I should work, rehearse, feel, almost live that part to know what
I was talking about!

I speak out loud about Masonry to everyone!  I'm proud of the fact
that I belong to an organization that made me a better American,
Christian, husband and neighbor; and, all it took was a little
self-determination by going foot to foot, knee to knee, and mouth
to ear!


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