I think adding little touches helps convey the message a little clearer. One suggestion I heard was having something like an offering plate or similar that the WM would extend to the brother to accept the objects. This would reinforce giving something of value to a brother in need.
I think this particular part, among others, shows that at the core, the fraternity is an organization designed not only help brothers grow, but also extend a helping hand when in need. That we look out for each other, and assist when needed.
I’ve mentioned this in some of my educational discussions with brothers, that the use of the word charity, especially in the second degree, refers not to money and giving, but to brotherly love, and a love of humanity in general. When referring to the passage quoted in the circumambulation, if you listen to it from that point of view, it makes a lot more sense. That brotherly love can mean providing money or assistance, but it is much more than that.
The invention of non profit tax shelters forces the fraternity to do charitable works, which is terrific, but somehow this act has supplanted the meaning of charity within our teachings.
Speaking of metallic kind, I was conferring a first degree to someone that was with the demolay. A couple of brothers who were part of the order were stewards to lend more to the friend part of the lecture. The stewards thought it would be funny to play a joke, and gave the candidate a safety pin to pin onto his uniform. So when it came time to ask that question, he reached down between his legs. I was dumbfounded, I thought that not only was he going to be something metallic, but that it was a stud fastened to his tallywacker. The lodge erupted in laughter, probably to the look of horror on my face. At the moment, I just laughed it off, but I was inwardly furious. Not for the embarrassment, but because they ruined the solemnity of the experience and the entire point of the lesson was lost. That brother never finished his degrees, not because of that incident, but because he couldn’t do the memory work required to advance and he stopped coming to practice night.
Your point about charity is very well taken. While our large institutional charitable endeavors truly do wonderful work, it is true that they are not what was intended by the early devisers of our Fraternity, or by the circumambulation text. In fact some versions VSL use the word Love in place of Charity.
I too believe that our Degrees must be solemn, and am always disturbed when I see people joking with the candidate prior to them, let alone what you encountered.
Although, I will say that I've always figured that someday we just might end up with the 'stud' you mention being deposited. ;-)
An interesting topic. I was able to find a tin button on the ceremonial pajamas when I was brought in and offered that to the master. Ernie's reply was "that doesn't count".
In any case. The masonic legend ans the Bible has it that no tools of iron were used at the temple site supposedly because the stones were all hewn perfectly at the quarry. The Talmud and Quran disagree and asserts a divine substance called "Shamir" was a non metallic and used to cut the stones.
The masonic legend also refers to offensive and defensive purposes. A possible allusion to the 3rd degree when we learn how three fellowcrafts turn on their master.
And are we talking of the physical temple that was built 3000 years ago and destroyed 2600 years ago, or are we talking about the metaphysical temple of the afterlife, or the spiritual temple of the human body? So many allegories to try to separate...
I think a karate uniform should be issued to the candidate for their degrees for them to keep. Not expensive. Same basic design. No metal. Most suppliers will even put a print of the dojo on the back for a minimal cost. Replacing that with the lodge name and square and compass would be as easy as sending in a .jpg.
As an experienced martial artist, I was actually quite intrigued by the similarities in the entered apprentice degree with basic dojo etiquette. The karate position of attention has the feet arranged at right angles forming an oblong square. The masonic pajamas have a vitually identical cut and shape to A karate gi. When entering or leaving a dojo, the student must salute the sensei/master. There are many more similarities. The question it brings up is, are these similarities evidence of a common ancestry, or convergent evolution of good educational systems, or practices exchanged between cultures by experienced teachers.
I too have often wondered how symbolism seems to be so shared across time and distance.
I didn't know what you mention about the similarities with the Martial Arts, but I've often wondered about shared symbols between the Freemasonry of today, and the ancient peoples of the Valley of Mexico, peoples very significantly pre-dating the rise of the Aztec Empire.
He makes a compelling case by dissecting the astronomical symbolism and allegory in the rituals that the masonic ritual originated when the sun at vernal equinox was in the constellation of Leo which would date the ritual at approximately 6000 years old. The oldest systems of writing are probably not coincidentally also about 6000 years old. Before writing, the rituals would change with the changing constellations but after writing, the rituals could be kept consistent without adjusting for the change in the procession of equinoxes. But if ancient people were tracking the stars acurately before agriculture, civilization, or writing, it would not be unrealistic to suspect that the technique of oral astronomy goes back to the dawn of our species some 280,000 years ago before we spread all over the world.
I've not read it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I see that it is public domain, so have downloaded an ebook version. I look forward to it.
I misremembered. It's Leo at summer solstice. Taurus at vernal equinox and 4800 years not 6000. Regardless. My details being off a little, my general speculation is still intriguing.
I have seen a hat and a multitude of "dishes" or offering plates if you will. I find those metal plates with something already contained within shaken slightly for a little sound and the correct inflection helps in the moment.
As far as the teaching moment a hand on the shoulder usually breaks the awkward uncomfortable silent moment to impart the lesson. To remember your current situation and to assist others who are in need when called upon carries forward through out your new Masonic life. I likewise believe this solemn occasion needs the respect and proper set up required. Forgetting something on a candidate spoils that moment to impart a deeply meaningful lesson but I too have witnessed something of a metallic kind on a candidate.
The circumambulation is also our chance to inspect the candidate as members from our stations and the sidelines in Lodge to catch them before that moment and make adjustments when appropriate, say when stopped at the south west or east for questioning.
I have learned as a SD myself that when answering that knock upon the preparation room door it should be my first action after answering that knock to inspect the candidate to see if anything seem out of place and advise the Stewards to make adjustments while I report to the Worshipful Master.
Sound like you mention can greatly add to any Degree. At Centralia Lodge the 'dish' isn't used in the EA Degree, but in the MM degree, some gravel is poured on a piece of wood at the appropriate place in the drama. I can imagine that if I were a candidate those sounds would add quite a lot.
I've seen candidates have their attire 'fixed' when someone on the sidelines noticed something amis in exactly the way you mention. Having those folks keep an eye out for things is a good way to keep them occupied and that reduces the off noises from the sidelines.
I’ve had many discussions with different brothers about this portion of the initiation. Should the candidate be left standing, with nothing to offer, and then have the point made it was to remind him of the state he was in should he ever come across another person or brother that he should give to their relief as his ability permits. I think the lesson can be made stronger if a brother were to stand and offer something of a metallic kind, showing the candidate that we practice the relief we are teaching. By divesting the candidate of all metals it removes anything of value. Possessing metal of any kind at the building of the Temple would have inferred wealth. The other reason would be to assure the brothers the candidate did not possess a weapon.
I'd not thought about how someone else standing and 'contributing' could be an interesting addition to the floorwork of this portion of the Degree. I'd be curious as to how it would work in practice. I can see where it could make a strong statement to the candidate.
I'm not certain, but I think that if words weren't added, only actions, I don't think that would violate the mandate that we practice the standard work only. Rather it could be viewed as a Lodge Tradition, the same as in some Lodges where the WM. SW, JW come down to the floor to greet/question the candidate while placing a hand on his shoulder.
I like to start off by saying I enjoy reading the thoughts and wisdom of the brothers that are partaking in these discussions. One simple simple question, different experiences and lessons. A wealth of Masonic light.
Looking back and reflecting on my masonic journey, the symbolic lessons I got from this is charity. "To leave something of a metallic kind" is to give something of value to the lodge. But upon further examination I was entirely destitute...Instead of giving an object of value which I didn't have. I gave myself to the lodge by having a CT around my N and having a tie with the lodge. This is the esoteric lesson I got from giving "Something of a metallic kind."
The other lesson I got from this is that in my poor and penniless condition the M of the lodge and brothers still took me in as one of their own. I didn't realize it then, but now I see It as a symbolic new beginning in my Masonic life.
Thank you for sharing this perspective, I'd not heard it before, but it makes a lot of sense to me. I appreciate it!
Like you I have been extremely impressed with all of the people who take the time to engage in these discussions. The quality of comments here has been superb.
The First Degree Lecture tells us, “Y wr dv of al mts fr tw rns.”
Fs, tt y sh cry ntg ofsv or dfsv int t L. This seems pretty self-explanatory, however the second reason might add some insight into what this might mean.
The second reason loosely quotes from 1 Kings 6:7
“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”
Since, as Speculative Masons, we don’t actually cut, square and number stone or prepare timber, you might wonder what this might have to do with Speculative Masonry. What is the significance of this passage?
As many Masons, I searched many different disciplines before accidently discovering Freemasonry. It was this searching different venues for truth that allowed me to recognize that I had stumbled upon what I had been searching for.
One of those disciplines was Messianic Judaism. I attended a Congregation which practiced Messianic Judaism for many months. I was fascinated by it.
One service an old Rabbi gave a talk about how the Torah Scroll is made (one to be used in worship service). The attention to detail was amazing. There are exactly 304,805 Hebrew letters in a Sefer Torah Scroll, not one more or one less.
It must be handwritten with a quill of a clean bird and not a tool of iron as metal is used in the manufacture of weapons of war which would be an offense to the Holy work of writing a Torah Scroll and it might damage the specially treated leather. It is written in Hebrew from left to right (Hebrew is generally written right to left) letter by letter copied from an authorized copy. Hebrew letters are similar to calligraphy which makes the fact that the columns are justified like in a newspaper even more impressive.
So, with that information, “tools of iron” in our Lodges are the ciphers. The preparation work/memorization, in my opinion, should be done offsite so that when we come together for the Holy Work of assisting men to becoming better men the ritual should come together from memory with such exactness to have more the appearance of the handiwork of the Supreme Architect than of human effort.
I find this an interesting interpretation, and also new to me. Thank you for passing it along.
I think that one of the great beauties of Freemasonry is that we can each use the symbolism in the way that it best speaks to us as individuals, and our individual Masonic paths.
As you and I have talked about in the past, that is one of the things that I find so compelling about Pike's work (and I know from our discussions that you feel the same) in that while he was clear about what the symbolism of Masonry meant to him, he encouraged everyone else to think for themselves, and believe as they felt best.
That is another thing I appreciate about the conversations here, everyone has been extremely open to broad viewpoints. That isn't the case elsewhere, for example I'm a member of a Masonic group on Reddit, there any deviation from what the popular opinion seems to be results in piling on and serious downvoting.
Surely we can all learn from each other, but unfortunately on far too many platforms that is not encouraged, and even discouraged.
Not addressing the esoteric side of the question, just the practical:
I very distinctly remember this in my Degree, and I don't think that I'll ever forget it. The reason for that is a combination between how my home Lodge did it, and my own unique circumstance that evening.
Most Lodges I've seen conferring the First wouldn't have had the same impact on me, because most don't use 'props' and in my Degree the props made all the difference.
What had happened was W John Mathers was in the East, conferring my Degree. Before the meeting he arranged a box to put the tokens in. The thing was, he had a pretty darn good collection of stuff in there. I think that some of it was just old junk that was probably kicking around the Lodge for a long time, but somehow he got some good new stuff in there as well. I presume that before the degree he just wandered around the room collecting a wedding ring and a watch or two, adding them to the box.
My back story is that years ago I did something professionally that an awful lot of people were happy about, and I was gifted a watch. A watch that I could never afford. A gold and diamond swiss watch that costs more than a new car. I don't wear it much anymore, but I used to wear it all the time, and I had worn it to Lodge that night.
I got up there and W John said the words, and he shook that box in front of me, and I looked in and saw good stuff there.
Instant panic as I tried to remember if I was wearing the watch.
Of course the panic only lasted a few short moments as I remembered that I had taken it off in the preparation room, but it was pretty darn intense while it lasted. Certainly it got my attention, and certainly getting my attention in such a powerful way made the lesson immediately following stick, and I imagine stick perfectly forever.
The Great Light also has something to say about tools of iron in the wrong hands and I felt that I should include it here to give my Brothers due and timely notice to ward off all approaching danger.
Judges 4:21
"Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died."
I am very nice to my BEST friend, Mrs. Gallup and she is very nice to me in return.
Ironically, when I was initiated I couldn't remove my wedding ring which hasn't left my finger since I first put it on and and my finger has swollen up around it. I mentioned this in the preparation room and they said just don't MENTION it. They needlessly worried that I would forget however I didn't mention it at that point in the ceremony.
When the discussion of which way to wear my Masonic Ring comes up, (should the points of the compasses point towards me or away from me) I quickly point out I wear that the wrong way too to remind me of another obligation I took and NOT to promote others to ask me about getting married.
I agree RW Cameron, props make a world of a difference. After attending a handful of degrees and witnessing some of the degrees Seattle SR puts out I think props add that much more to the drama.
The Tacoma Scottish Rite also uses a great many wonderful props in conferring its Degrees. Years ago I served as one of the 'prop guys' for a few reunions (there were usually I think 4 or 5 of us working the props) and that really made the Degrees great. What was also cool though was just seeing everything that has been used through all the years. The collection in Tacoma anyway is extremely extensive.
I think adding little touches helps convey the message a little clearer. One suggestion I heard was having something like an offering plate or similar that the WM would extend to the brother to accept the objects. This would reinforce giving something of value to a brother in need.
I think this particular part, among others, shows that at the core, the fraternity is an organization designed not only help brothers grow, but also extend a helping hand when in need. That we look out for each other, and assist when needed.
I’ve mentioned this in some of my educational discussions with brothers, that the use of the word charity, especially in the second degree, refers not to money and giving, but to brotherly love, and a love of humanity in general. When referring to the passage quoted in the circumambulation, if you listen to it from that point of view, it makes a lot more sense. That brotherly love can mean providing money or assistance, but it is much more than that.
The invention of non profit tax shelters forces the fraternity to do charitable works, which is terrific, but somehow this act has supplanted the meaning of charity within our teachings.
Speaking of metallic kind, I was conferring a first degree to someone that was with the demolay. A couple of brothers who were part of the order were stewards to lend more to the friend part of the lecture. The stewards thought it would be funny to play a joke, and gave the candidate a safety pin to pin onto his uniform. So when it came time to ask that question, he reached down between his legs. I was dumbfounded, I thought that not only was he going to be something metallic, but that it was a stud fastened to his tallywacker. The lodge erupted in laughter, probably to the look of horror on my face. At the moment, I just laughed it off, but I was inwardly furious. Not for the embarrassment, but because they ruined the solemnity of the experience and the entire point of the lesson was lost. That brother never finished his degrees, not because of that incident, but because he couldn’t do the memory work required to advance and he stopped coming to practice night.
Your point about charity is very well taken. While our large institutional charitable endeavors truly do wonderful work, it is true that they are not what was intended by the early devisers of our Fraternity, or by the circumambulation text. In fact some versions VSL use the word Love in place of Charity.
I too believe that our Degrees must be solemn, and am always disturbed when I see people joking with the candidate prior to them, let alone what you encountered.
Although, I will say that I've always figured that someday we just might end up with the 'stud' you mention being deposited. ;-)
An interesting topic. I was able to find a tin button on the ceremonial pajamas when I was brought in and offered that to the master. Ernie's reply was "that doesn't count".
In any case. The masonic legend ans the Bible has it that no tools of iron were used at the temple site supposedly because the stones were all hewn perfectly at the quarry. The Talmud and Quran disagree and asserts a divine substance called "Shamir" was a non metallic and used to cut the stones.
The masonic legend also refers to offensive and defensive purposes. A possible allusion to the 3rd degree when we learn how three fellowcrafts turn on their master.
And are we talking of the physical temple that was built 3000 years ago and destroyed 2600 years ago, or are we talking about the metaphysical temple of the afterlife, or the spiritual temple of the human body? So many allegories to try to separate...
Can't say that I can quite understand why a Lodge would have metal on any of the clothing used, given the ritual involved.
Lack of standards certainly kills the quality of a Degree.
I think a karate uniform should be issued to the candidate for their degrees for them to keep. Not expensive. Same basic design. No metal. Most suppliers will even put a print of the dojo on the back for a minimal cost. Replacing that with the lodge name and square and compass would be as easy as sending in a .jpg.
As an experienced martial artist, I was actually quite intrigued by the similarities in the entered apprentice degree with basic dojo etiquette. The karate position of attention has the feet arranged at right angles forming an oblong square. The masonic pajamas have a vitually identical cut and shape to A karate gi. When entering or leaving a dojo, the student must salute the sensei/master. There are many more similarities. The question it brings up is, are these similarities evidence of a common ancestry, or convergent evolution of good educational systems, or practices exchanged between cultures by experienced teachers.
I too have often wondered how symbolism seems to be so shared across time and distance.
I didn't know what you mention about the similarities with the Martial Arts, but I've often wondered about shared symbols between the Freemasonry of today, and the ancient peoples of the Valley of Mexico, peoples very significantly pre-dating the rise of the Aztec Empire.
Have you read "stellar theology and masonic astronomy" by Robert Hewitt brown?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1603861602/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_9MA3RV27VYH21F5FNJ0Y
He makes a compelling case by dissecting the astronomical symbolism and allegory in the rituals that the masonic ritual originated when the sun at vernal equinox was in the constellation of Leo which would date the ritual at approximately 6000 years old. The oldest systems of writing are probably not coincidentally also about 6000 years old. Before writing, the rituals would change with the changing constellations but after writing, the rituals could be kept consistent without adjusting for the change in the procession of equinoxes. But if ancient people were tracking the stars acurately before agriculture, civilization, or writing, it would not be unrealistic to suspect that the technique of oral astronomy goes back to the dawn of our species some 280,000 years ago before we spread all over the world.
I've not read it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I see that it is public domain, so have downloaded an ebook version. I look forward to it.
These symbols may be as old as our species
I misremembered. It's Leo at summer solstice. Taurus at vernal equinox and 4800 years not 6000. Regardless. My details being off a little, my general speculation is still intriguing.
I have seen a hat and a multitude of "dishes" or offering plates if you will. I find those metal plates with something already contained within shaken slightly for a little sound and the correct inflection helps in the moment.
As far as the teaching moment a hand on the shoulder usually breaks the awkward uncomfortable silent moment to impart the lesson. To remember your current situation and to assist others who are in need when called upon carries forward through out your new Masonic life. I likewise believe this solemn occasion needs the respect and proper set up required. Forgetting something on a candidate spoils that moment to impart a deeply meaningful lesson but I too have witnessed something of a metallic kind on a candidate.
The circumambulation is also our chance to inspect the candidate as members from our stations and the sidelines in Lodge to catch them before that moment and make adjustments when appropriate, say when stopped at the south west or east for questioning.
I have learned as a SD myself that when answering that knock upon the preparation room door it should be my first action after answering that knock to inspect the candidate to see if anything seem out of place and advise the Stewards to make adjustments while I report to the Worshipful Master.
Sound like you mention can greatly add to any Degree. At Centralia Lodge the 'dish' isn't used in the EA Degree, but in the MM degree, some gravel is poured on a piece of wood at the appropriate place in the drama. I can imagine that if I were a candidate those sounds would add quite a lot.
I've seen candidates have their attire 'fixed' when someone on the sidelines noticed something amis in exactly the way you mention. Having those folks keep an eye out for things is a good way to keep them occupied and that reduces the off noises from the sidelines.
I’ve had many discussions with different brothers about this portion of the initiation. Should the candidate be left standing, with nothing to offer, and then have the point made it was to remind him of the state he was in should he ever come across another person or brother that he should give to their relief as his ability permits. I think the lesson can be made stronger if a brother were to stand and offer something of a metallic kind, showing the candidate that we practice the relief we are teaching. By divesting the candidate of all metals it removes anything of value. Possessing metal of any kind at the building of the Temple would have inferred wealth. The other reason would be to assure the brothers the candidate did not possess a weapon.
I'd not thought about how someone else standing and 'contributing' could be an interesting addition to the floorwork of this portion of the Degree. I'd be curious as to how it would work in practice. I can see where it could make a strong statement to the candidate.
I'm not certain, but I think that if words weren't added, only actions, I don't think that would violate the mandate that we practice the standard work only. Rather it could be viewed as a Lodge Tradition, the same as in some Lodges where the WM. SW, JW come down to the floor to greet/question the candidate while placing a hand on his shoulder.
I like to start off by saying I enjoy reading the thoughts and wisdom of the brothers that are partaking in these discussions. One simple simple question, different experiences and lessons. A wealth of Masonic light.
Looking back and reflecting on my masonic journey, the symbolic lessons I got from this is charity. "To leave something of a metallic kind" is to give something of value to the lodge. But upon further examination I was entirely destitute...Instead of giving an object of value which I didn't have. I gave myself to the lodge by having a CT around my N and having a tie with the lodge. This is the esoteric lesson I got from giving "Something of a metallic kind."
The other lesson I got from this is that in my poor and penniless condition the M of the lodge and brothers still took me in as one of their own. I didn't realize it then, but now I see It as a symbolic new beginning in my Masonic life.
Thank you for sharing this perspective, I'd not heard it before, but it makes a lot of sense to me. I appreciate it!
Like you I have been extremely impressed with all of the people who take the time to engage in these discussions. The quality of comments here has been superb.
The First Degree Lecture tells us, “Y wr dv of al mts fr tw rns.”
Fs, tt y sh cry ntg ofsv or dfsv int t L. This seems pretty self-explanatory, however the second reason might add some insight into what this might mean.
The second reason loosely quotes from 1 Kings 6:7
“And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”
Since, as Speculative Masons, we don’t actually cut, square and number stone or prepare timber, you might wonder what this might have to do with Speculative Masonry. What is the significance of this passage?
As many Masons, I searched many different disciplines before accidently discovering Freemasonry. It was this searching different venues for truth that allowed me to recognize that I had stumbled upon what I had been searching for.
One of those disciplines was Messianic Judaism. I attended a Congregation which practiced Messianic Judaism for many months. I was fascinated by it.
One service an old Rabbi gave a talk about how the Torah Scroll is made (one to be used in worship service). The attention to detail was amazing. There are exactly 304,805 Hebrew letters in a Sefer Torah Scroll, not one more or one less.
It must be handwritten with a quill of a clean bird and not a tool of iron as metal is used in the manufacture of weapons of war which would be an offense to the Holy work of writing a Torah Scroll and it might damage the specially treated leather. It is written in Hebrew from left to right (Hebrew is generally written right to left) letter by letter copied from an authorized copy. Hebrew letters are similar to calligraphy which makes the fact that the columns are justified like in a newspaper even more impressive.
So, with that information, “tools of iron” in our Lodges are the ciphers. The preparation work/memorization, in my opinion, should be done offsite so that when we come together for the Holy Work of assisting men to becoming better men the ritual should come together from memory with such exactness to have more the appearance of the handiwork of the Supreme Architect than of human effort.
I find this an interesting interpretation, and also new to me. Thank you for passing it along.
I think that one of the great beauties of Freemasonry is that we can each use the symbolism in the way that it best speaks to us as individuals, and our individual Masonic paths.
As you and I have talked about in the past, that is one of the things that I find so compelling about Pike's work (and I know from our discussions that you feel the same) in that while he was clear about what the symbolism of Masonry meant to him, he encouraged everyone else to think for themselves, and believe as they felt best.
That is another thing I appreciate about the conversations here, everyone has been extremely open to broad viewpoints. That isn't the case elsewhere, for example I'm a member of a Masonic group on Reddit, there any deviation from what the popular opinion seems to be results in piling on and serious downvoting.
Surely we can all learn from each other, but unfortunately on far too many platforms that is not encouraged, and even discouraged.
Not addressing the esoteric side of the question, just the practical:
I very distinctly remember this in my Degree, and I don't think that I'll ever forget it. The reason for that is a combination between how my home Lodge did it, and my own unique circumstance that evening.
Most Lodges I've seen conferring the First wouldn't have had the same impact on me, because most don't use 'props' and in my Degree the props made all the difference.
What had happened was W John Mathers was in the East, conferring my Degree. Before the meeting he arranged a box to put the tokens in. The thing was, he had a pretty darn good collection of stuff in there. I think that some of it was just old junk that was probably kicking around the Lodge for a long time, but somehow he got some good new stuff in there as well. I presume that before the degree he just wandered around the room collecting a wedding ring and a watch or two, adding them to the box.
My back story is that years ago I did something professionally that an awful lot of people were happy about, and I was gifted a watch. A watch that I could never afford. A gold and diamond swiss watch that costs more than a new car. I don't wear it much anymore, but I used to wear it all the time, and I had worn it to Lodge that night.
I got up there and W John said the words, and he shook that box in front of me, and I looked in and saw good stuff there.
Instant panic as I tried to remember if I was wearing the watch.
Of course the panic only lasted a few short moments as I remembered that I had taken it off in the preparation room, but it was pretty darn intense while it lasted. Certainly it got my attention, and certainly getting my attention in such a powerful way made the lesson immediately following stick, and I imagine stick perfectly forever.
The Great Light also has something to say about tools of iron in the wrong hands and I felt that I should include it here to give my Brothers due and timely notice to ward off all approaching danger.
Judges 4:21
"Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died."
You can draw your own conclusions.
Brother, I think that you had better be very nice to Mrs. Gallup.
I am very nice to my BEST friend, Mrs. Gallup and she is very nice to me in return.
Ironically, when I was initiated I couldn't remove my wedding ring which hasn't left my finger since I first put it on and and my finger has swollen up around it. I mentioned this in the preparation room and they said just don't MENTION it. They needlessly worried that I would forget however I didn't mention it at that point in the ceremony.
When the discussion of which way to wear my Masonic Ring comes up, (should the points of the compasses point towards me or away from me) I quickly point out I wear that the wrong way too to remind me of another obligation I took and NOT to promote others to ask me about getting married.
To me it is a Holy piece of metal.
I agree RW Cameron, props make a world of a difference. After attending a handful of degrees and witnessing some of the degrees Seattle SR puts out I think props add that much more to the drama.
The Tacoma Scottish Rite also uses a great many wonderful props in conferring its Degrees. Years ago I served as one of the 'prop guys' for a few reunions (there were usually I think 4 or 5 of us working the props) and that really made the Degrees great. What was also cool though was just seeing everything that has been used through all the years. The collection in Tacoma anyway is extremely extensive.