I am assuming that they opened the Lodge on the Third and called down only when necessary. To me that seemed strange but "when in Rome...." listen.
I personally, feel that every Lodge should be opened on the First Degree unless there is a reason not to. I know some Lodges open on the Third degree unless there is an EA or FC presen…
I am assuming that they opened the Lodge on the Third and called down only when necessary. To me that seemed strange but "when in Rome...." listen.
I personally, feel that every Lodge should be opened on the First Degree unless there is a reason not to. I know some Lodges open on the Third degree unless there is an EA or FC present or an EA or FC Degree is being done .
It is my opinion that the Ritual of opening on the First Degree is Allegorical Masonic education. The words "duty or duties" appears 6 times and some parts imply a duty. This wording is in my opinion allegorical instructions that can be applied to ones improving oneself in Masonry. In other words duties that are "frequently inculcated" and "forcefully .recommended" by 6.01 of the WMC.
I was saddened when I attended a Lodge in the WA Jurisdiction to witness a sitting WM who could not open the Lodge on the First Degree because his Lodge was accustomed to never have EA's or FC's present. He was at a loss of the ritual to do so and had the Secretary open and close the Lodge as PT WM.
I also heard of an instance where a MM took an EA to visit a Lodge and the ritual was so poorly done that the EA asked the MM, "If they don't have to memorize the ritual, why should I?" It was a valid question.
I am assuming that they opened the Lodge on the Third and called down only when necessary. To me that seemed strange but "when in Rome...." listen.
I personally, feel that every Lodge should be opened on the First Degree unless there is a reason not to. I know some Lodges open on the Third degree unless there is an EA or FC present or an EA or FC Degree is being done .
It is my opinion that the Ritual of opening on the First Degree is Allegorical Masonic education. The words "duty or duties" appears 6 times and some parts imply a duty. This wording is in my opinion allegorical instructions that can be applied to ones improving oneself in Masonry. In other words duties that are "frequently inculcated" and "forcefully .recommended" by 6.01 of the WMC.
I was saddened when I attended a Lodge in the WA Jurisdiction to witness a sitting WM who could not open the Lodge on the First Degree because his Lodge was accustomed to never have EA's or FC's present. He was at a loss of the ritual to do so and had the Secretary open and close the Lodge as PT WM.
I also heard of an instance where a MM took an EA to visit a Lodge and the ritual was so poorly done that the EA asked the MM, "If they don't have to memorize the ritual, why should I?" It was a valid question.