Who is an entered apprentice?
An Entered Apprentice is the first degree of Freemasonry, marking the initial stage of a man's journey into the Masonic fraternity. Upon being initiated, he is referred to as a Mason, but only in a preliminary sense. He is likened to a 'rough ashlar'—a stone that is yet to be shaped into a perfect form. As an Entered Apprentice, he has certain rights and responsibilities, but he is not yet a full member in the legal Masonic sense.
He is considered the property of the lodge and can only progress to the next degrees with the lodge's permission. While he does not pay dues or have voting rights, he has the right to seek further instruction and to request advancement to the Fellowcraft degree. The lodge expects him to be diligent in learning and to maintain the secrecy of the Masonic obligations he has taken.
In essence, the Entered Apprentice is at the beginning of his Masonic education, learning the foundational principles of Freemasonry, which include Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, and preparing himself for further advancement within the fraternity.