From what I recollect, this is what the Prince Hall Lodges do here in Washington State. They purge first, then they "clothe" themselves, as per the ritual. And indeed that would make sense, so you don't have some Cowan showing up before the meeting dressed up and possibly fooling the true members into thinking he's legitimate until the actual purge kicks him out.
This is an observation which I've never heard or seen before. I agree with the idea, but feel that in today's age the ritual, its interpretation and directions to newer members is convoluted. "Brothers will be clothed" is, or was, in my view a simple statement to remind the brothers to be clothed. I never thought nor was I ever taught to treat this as an aspect of everyone donning their aprons upon the WM command. So much of our ritual is taken at face value and it's mysteries, I think, are further veiled through education failing to teach critical thinking, analysis, and symbolism. I've been a Mason for 12 years and it is only through this forum that I am learning what parts of the ritual and floor work I was taught incorrectly. I think this is a great leadership opportunity for GL, to critically look at our ritual and create a program to help us do the ritual right. We brothers who don't know better need and want to be taught the correct way.
Lodge Leadership Retreat held annually here in Washington usually provides classes on just this sort of thing. Sadly, not a lot of lodges bother to send their brothers to this important event. I can tell which lodges don’t bother just by how their stewards and deacons hold their rods.
Over the last couple of years, when I encountered a very badly struggling Lodge, I'd call the office and ask if any of their members had attended Lodge Leadership Retreat sometime in the past five years or so.
Invariably the answer would be 'no.'
It is amazing to me how a Lodge of Brothers are so willing to sit around talking about the fact that their Lodge is suffering, but aren't willing to attend the one event that could give them the tools to turn it around.
Taking it a bit further, quite a few years ago now my Lodge adapted the things taught by Bro. Andrew Hammer to our Local conditions, and implemented them. That made such an amazing difference in our Lodge. It took it from struggling to thriving, and it did so quickly. Alas though, when a Mason I know convinced his Lodge to bring Bro. Hammer across the country to share his ideas, solid things that could help any Lodge, very few people bothered to make a short drive to hear him speak. Indeed, even though my County is only an hour and a half from where he spoke, I was the only person from the County willing to make the drive. No wonder that since then Lewis County has gone from four Lodges to three.
If we expect our Lodges to survive and thrive, we have to work at it.
I agree, but a single touchpoint does little to cement in our minds the direction we as lodge bothers and leaders should head. Like many things if it's not front and center it's out of sight out of mind.
Thank you Brother, for your very kind words. I'm very pleased that you are finding value here!
Your idea of the Grand Lodge creating a program that disects every bit of our ritual, and teaching it, is a good one, and I don't think has been done at the Grand Lodge level, at least in my memory.
We did though, in at least one District, have a DDGM take on this task. He set up a District wide meeting, put volunteers in each of the Officer's Chairs, and then went through the ritual line by line, so that we could figure out, and learn, best practices. The way I'm describing it makes it sound dull, but it wasn't. It was extremely interesting, and I know that it was extremely well received, because it took place maybe 8 or 9 years ago, and I still hear guys talking about it from time to time.
Thank you MW. I've always been thankful that we have a GL that is active in trying to discover problems and work with us to address them. I have heard a lot about what you've been doing during this last year and hope your successors carry on what you have started.
Well I am a member at two Lodges and not to name any names but I am one of the few that doesn't have to read the opening and closing off of a coded note and that is from every chair.
I had to learn the hard way of starting without even ever hearing it done correct but hate to miss a single word so I practiced at home and on the drive over and over ( I have had visitors telling me if I wasn't doing it perfect) and did notice that we all do not even use the exact same words.
But since I am not the WM I'm not going to be the one to correct anyone since we do have a few that are better at that >;-)
I do like seeing that we have a couple Lodges in our District that do not close (go dark) in the summer.
As for the car, agreed as well. Years and years ago, I was a good ritualist. (I'm not anymore) But to become one, I spent countless hours practicing while driving. I imagine other drivers thought I was a lunatic talking to myself!
I've heard many brothers comment on the memory work and having to learn the cypher. I'm also aware that other states have gone to plain text for their rituals which has been a topic of discussion in GL. For me, at the time learning both was a pain, but it was expected for proficiency so I persevered. I may be in the minority, but find the cypher to be very conducive to learning and memorizing the work. It doesn't provide the brothers a crutch or excuse to not do it. A stone mason didn't have an option to stare at a quarry and be handed someone else's stone. The work is no different.
Nearly every lodge meeting I've attended I hear from the sidelines brothers throwing out corrections in real-time. To me this is very disrespectful to call a brother out on their error in front of everyone rather than pulling them aside later and reminding them in the most friendly manner of their fault. While going through the chairs I would have been much more inspired and thankful to have received that rather than being embarrassed. I've worked hard to learn the ritual, it hasn't been easy, but it's important. 12 years later I still have more to memorize, as I only have the work memorized for JD, SD, JW, SW and WM, and the posting lectures for each degree. When I was WM I assigned a brother the role of prompter each meeting and reminded the lodge of their role before opening lodge. If a brother called from the sidelines I'd immediately remind them that we have an assigned prompter and asked them to allow our brother the time to do their job. This quelled the issue quickly, but after I left it came right back.
Knowing the ritual is not synonymous with pride, but many brothers choose to try and blow out other brother's candles thinking theirs may shine brighter. Masonry is about brotherly love and friendship not an ego driven competition to be on top.
To be honest, I never thought of that aspect of our opening. * Brethren, you will please be clothed and take your places preparatory to opening a Lodge. (Done) In most of our lodges at that point the officers will stand and put their jewel on, having already put their apron on. The reason for that I believe is to shorten the time of the opening. This is the best education forum I have had the privilege to attend and congratulate MW Brother Cameron for bringing us into the real workings of Masonry.
One of my pet peeve's that drives me crazy is the steps of the degree. How many time have you noticed that a great number of our members don't even attempt to move their feet? Whenever I am in the East I make it a point to make the signs a three step function. The SW instructed all of us as we went through our degrees and it needs to be reinforced often.
“One of my pet peeve's that drives me crazy is the steps of the degree. How many time have you noticed that a great number of our members don't even attempt to move their feet?”
In Washington State, the Standard Work is silent on this, although, as you say, “The SW instructed all of us as we went through our degrees and it needs to be reinforced often.” What you say also applies out here, in which the new Brother goes to each of the wardens with his new knowledge of the DG&S. But even then, some Deacons (like me) make sure the new Brother does the step, while others do not.
I’ve found myself doing it when we open and close, and a couple of Brothers in Tenino, and several in our Olympia Lodge no. 1 do it. It’s a concrete part of the ritual in the Prince Hall Lodges in Washington.
But since the Standard Work is silent, 99% of us in Washington do not do it.
The WM of one of my Lodges recently decided to try to get us all to do the steps and I hope we continue to do it that way and I have a Stated meeting there next week so I may even mention it before we enter the room.
I'll endeavor to join you in doing this Brother. Even though the SW is silent on it, it still seems like the correct thing to do and maybe we can, through example, create a tradition of it in our Lodges.
Thank you for this reminder about the 'Step' RW Brother. I too see it seldom, and I admit to not doing it myself. I will endeavor to begin doing it, as we should.
Thanks also for your very kind words! I've truly enjoyed getting to know you!
MW, I respect and agree with your position, but we all know that as soon as you start to try and standardize, the "why is Grand Lodge trying to tell us what to do" mantra begins. All the good intentions in the world go to nothing if it can't pass at the annual communications. Unless or until there is an accepted standard, deviations and/or omissions will occur.
Agreed, and I don't think it is something that could be standardized, for the reason you mention.
I was thinking more along the lines of just doing it myself. Set the example, and see how many follow. I think that it could, and very likely would be accepted, as I think our Brothers would see benefit in having a very distinct action separating profane space from sacred space.
That is a different perspective. I was taught that was the WM to remind the Brothers it was time to begin. Most Brothers are already properly clothed, but not always seated in the correct Stations or Places.
Those two short sentences were to separate the dinner and socializing, to tell the Brothers it is now time to work.
I agree, that is the purpose of those two sentences. I just think that adding the action called for by them would make a much crisper separation, and I think we are likely losing something by not having that crispness.
I don’t necessarily agree with the idea that the opening ritual sentence is an order.
In some jurisdictions and lodges, the officers outside of the lodge form an entrance procession before the start of the ritual work. Everyone should already be properly clothed and inside the lodge by then.
I don't have enough knowledge of Jurisdictions that do the procession in to know if their Work has the same line, or utilizes it in the same way.
We do, in Washington, process in at the Annual Communication, but in that case the Work is modified so that the Grand Lodge is called to order by a non-GL officer, prior to the entrance. In that case, once the GM takes his station, it would be appropriate for him to not include the first two lines of our ritual.
From what I recollect, this is what the Prince Hall Lodges do here in Washington State. They purge first, then they "clothe" themselves, as per the ritual. And indeed that would make sense, so you don't have some Cowan showing up before the meeting dressed up and possibly fooling the true members into thinking he's legitimate until the actual purge kicks him out.
This is an observation which I've never heard or seen before. I agree with the idea, but feel that in today's age the ritual, its interpretation and directions to newer members is convoluted. "Brothers will be clothed" is, or was, in my view a simple statement to remind the brothers to be clothed. I never thought nor was I ever taught to treat this as an aspect of everyone donning their aprons upon the WM command. So much of our ritual is taken at face value and it's mysteries, I think, are further veiled through education failing to teach critical thinking, analysis, and symbolism. I've been a Mason for 12 years and it is only through this forum that I am learning what parts of the ritual and floor work I was taught incorrectly. I think this is a great leadership opportunity for GL, to critically look at our ritual and create a program to help us do the ritual right. We brothers who don't know better need and want to be taught the correct way.
Lodge Leadership Retreat held annually here in Washington usually provides classes on just this sort of thing. Sadly, not a lot of lodges bother to send their brothers to this important event. I can tell which lodges don’t bother just by how their stewards and deacons hold their rods.
Over the last couple of years, when I encountered a very badly struggling Lodge, I'd call the office and ask if any of their members had attended Lodge Leadership Retreat sometime in the past five years or so.
Invariably the answer would be 'no.'
It is amazing to me how a Lodge of Brothers are so willing to sit around talking about the fact that their Lodge is suffering, but aren't willing to attend the one event that could give them the tools to turn it around.
Taking it a bit further, quite a few years ago now my Lodge adapted the things taught by Bro. Andrew Hammer to our Local conditions, and implemented them. That made such an amazing difference in our Lodge. It took it from struggling to thriving, and it did so quickly. Alas though, when a Mason I know convinced his Lodge to bring Bro. Hammer across the country to share his ideas, solid things that could help any Lodge, very few people bothered to make a short drive to hear him speak. Indeed, even though my County is only an hour and a half from where he spoke, I was the only person from the County willing to make the drive. No wonder that since then Lewis County has gone from four Lodges to three.
If we expect our Lodges to survive and thrive, we have to work at it.
Masonry is Labor. A Craft.
I agree, but a single touchpoint does little to cement in our minds the direction we as lodge bothers and leaders should head. Like many things if it's not front and center it's out of sight out of mind.
Thank you Brother, for your very kind words. I'm very pleased that you are finding value here!
Your idea of the Grand Lodge creating a program that disects every bit of our ritual, and teaching it, is a good one, and I don't think has been done at the Grand Lodge level, at least in my memory.
We did though, in at least one District, have a DDGM take on this task. He set up a District wide meeting, put volunteers in each of the Officer's Chairs, and then went through the ritual line by line, so that we could figure out, and learn, best practices. The way I'm describing it makes it sound dull, but it wasn't. It was extremely interesting, and I know that it was extremely well received, because it took place maybe 8 or 9 years ago, and I still hear guys talking about it from time to time.
Thank you MW. I've always been thankful that we have a GL that is active in trying to discover problems and work with us to address them. I have heard a lot about what you've been doing during this last year and hope your successors carry on what you have started.
Thank you Brother!
Well I am a member at two Lodges and not to name any names but I am one of the few that doesn't have to read the opening and closing off of a coded note and that is from every chair.
I had to learn the hard way of starting without even ever hearing it done correct but hate to miss a single word so I practiced at home and on the drive over and over ( I have had visitors telling me if I wasn't doing it perfect) and did notice that we all do not even use the exact same words.
But since I am not the WM I'm not going to be the one to correct anyone since we do have a few that are better at that >;-)
I do like seeing that we have a couple Lodges in our District that do not close (go dark) in the summer.
Agreed, staying open is the thing to do!
As for the car, agreed as well. Years and years ago, I was a good ritualist. (I'm not anymore) But to become one, I spent countless hours practicing while driving. I imagine other drivers thought I was a lunatic talking to myself!
I've heard many brothers comment on the memory work and having to learn the cypher. I'm also aware that other states have gone to plain text for their rituals which has been a topic of discussion in GL. For me, at the time learning both was a pain, but it was expected for proficiency so I persevered. I may be in the minority, but find the cypher to be very conducive to learning and memorizing the work. It doesn't provide the brothers a crutch or excuse to not do it. A stone mason didn't have an option to stare at a quarry and be handed someone else's stone. The work is no different.
Nearly every lodge meeting I've attended I hear from the sidelines brothers throwing out corrections in real-time. To me this is very disrespectful to call a brother out on their error in front of everyone rather than pulling them aside later and reminding them in the most friendly manner of their fault. While going through the chairs I would have been much more inspired and thankful to have received that rather than being embarrassed. I've worked hard to learn the ritual, it hasn't been easy, but it's important. 12 years later I still have more to memorize, as I only have the work memorized for JD, SD, JW, SW and WM, and the posting lectures for each degree. When I was WM I assigned a brother the role of prompter each meeting and reminded the lodge of their role before opening lodge. If a brother called from the sidelines I'd immediately remind them that we have an assigned prompter and asked them to allow our brother the time to do their job. This quelled the issue quickly, but after I left it came right back.
Knowing the ritual is not synonymous with pride, but many brothers choose to try and blow out other brother's candles thinking theirs may shine brighter. Masonry is about brotherly love and friendship not an ego driven competition to be on top.
>>>A stone mason didn't have an option to stare at a quarry and be handed someone else's >>>stone. The work is no different.
What an awesome explanation of your point! I hope you don't mind if I steal it the next time a new Mason asks me why we memorize the work here!
To be honest, I never thought of that aspect of our opening. * Brethren, you will please be clothed and take your places preparatory to opening a Lodge. (Done) In most of our lodges at that point the officers will stand and put their jewel on, having already put their apron on. The reason for that I believe is to shorten the time of the opening. This is the best education forum I have had the privilege to attend and congratulate MW Brother Cameron for bringing us into the real workings of Masonry.
One of my pet peeve's that drives me crazy is the steps of the degree. How many time have you noticed that a great number of our members don't even attempt to move their feet? Whenever I am in the East I make it a point to make the signs a three step function. The SW instructed all of us as we went through our degrees and it needs to be reinforced often.
“One of my pet peeve's that drives me crazy is the steps of the degree. How many time have you noticed that a great number of our members don't even attempt to move their feet?”
In Washington State, the Standard Work is silent on this, although, as you say, “The SW instructed all of us as we went through our degrees and it needs to be reinforced often.” What you say also applies out here, in which the new Brother goes to each of the wardens with his new knowledge of the DG&S. But even then, some Deacons (like me) make sure the new Brother does the step, while others do not.
I’ve found myself doing it when we open and close, and a couple of Brothers in Tenino, and several in our Olympia Lodge no. 1 do it. It’s a concrete part of the ritual in the Prince Hall Lodges in Washington.
But since the Standard Work is silent, 99% of us in Washington do not do it.
The WM of one of my Lodges recently decided to try to get us all to do the steps and I hope we continue to do it that way and I have a Stated meeting there next week so I may even mention it before we enter the room.
I'll endeavor to join you in doing this Brother. Even though the SW is silent on it, it still seems like the correct thing to do and maybe we can, through example, create a tradition of it in our Lodges.
Thank you for this reminder about the 'Step' RW Brother. I too see it seldom, and I admit to not doing it myself. I will endeavor to begin doing it, as we should.
Thanks also for your very kind words! I've truly enjoyed getting to know you!
MW, I respect and agree with your position, but we all know that as soon as you start to try and standardize, the "why is Grand Lodge trying to tell us what to do" mantra begins. All the good intentions in the world go to nothing if it can't pass at the annual communications. Unless or until there is an accepted standard, deviations and/or omissions will occur.
Agreed, and I don't think it is something that could be standardized, for the reason you mention.
I was thinking more along the lines of just doing it myself. Set the example, and see how many follow. I think that it could, and very likely would be accepted, as I think our Brothers would see benefit in having a very distinct action separating profane space from sacred space.
That is a different perspective. I was taught that was the WM to remind the Brothers it was time to begin. Most Brothers are already properly clothed, but not always seated in the correct Stations or Places.
Those two short sentences were to separate the dinner and socializing, to tell the Brothers it is now time to work.
I agree, that is the purpose of those two sentences. I just think that adding the action called for by them would make a much crisper separation, and I think we are likely losing something by not having that crispness.
I don’t necessarily agree with the idea that the opening ritual sentence is an order.
In some jurisdictions and lodges, the officers outside of the lodge form an entrance procession before the start of the ritual work. Everyone should already be properly clothed and inside the lodge by then.
I don't have enough knowledge of Jurisdictions that do the procession in to know if their Work has the same line, or utilizes it in the same way.
We do, in Washington, process in at the Annual Communication, but in that case the Work is modified so that the Grand Lodge is called to order by a non-GL officer, prior to the entrance. In that case, once the GM takes his station, it would be appropriate for him to not include the first two lines of our ritual.
Most Worshipful, this might be a good Sunday night topic.
So how can we join because I’m willing to join and no turning back
In my observations and sad experience a large portion of our ritual is ignored.