For many decades, Lodges in the United States were dry. As I understand it, Lodges in some Jurisdictions remain dry today, but most of our Jurisdictions have done away with that hold over from prohibition.
In our rituals, it is quite clear that the Junior Warden is responsible for monitoring the consumption of alcohol at Masonic functions.
In my travels though, it often appears as if no one is actually monitoring things. It is all quite informal and left up to the discretion of the individual. 99% of the time, this seems to work just fine.
But of course, Lodge leaders need to worry about that remaining 1% of the time.
Do our Junior Wardens understand that if there is alcohol at a Masonic event, it is their responsibility to monitor and control its consumption? Are they empowered by the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, and other officers to do so, knowing that if they have to step in they will be backed up?
I was raised in a Lodge that considered itself dry. However, we had a few member/brothers that came to the meetings tipsy. They were good masons but very unaccommodating in lodge discussions, angry, etc. I always wondered what the message in the JW lines meant. I visited other Lodges that had very similar situations. I wonder about the rule if indeed it is a holdover from prohibition? Earliest lodge meetings had to be well attended with drunks since the lodge halls were often above bars.
We do still have the occasional Lodge that meets atop a bar here in Washington, and I am aware that one such Lodge had a problem in that some of the members would get drunk downstairs prior to the meeting. In fact, as I understand it, sometimes they wouldn't even make it up the stairs at the appropriate time.
Luckily, that is a thing of the past at that Lodge, and not something that the Brothers there have to deal with now.
I think that maybe this was more of a problem when our Lodges were officially dry, as things tend to look super attractive when prohibited. And it would have been very difficult to control in many of our Lodges, my own for example has I'd guess right about 5 bars within three or four blocks.
I've only noticed the older lodge members being against alcohol in the building. One member even went so far as to declare that if we start drinking in the building, he'd quit. We did but he didn't. In his case, I was told he had quit drinking a long time ago and was very anti-booze.
I think with the younger masons coming in, socialized drinking is going to follow, even if it's going out to a bar after the meetings.
As far as the JW responsibilities, I think it's every brother's duty to look after each other, and if someone gets drunk then anyone should be able to make arrangements for an uber, or some way of getting home safely. Honestly, in my few years as a mason, I've never seen anyone get drunk at any events, I think everyone is pretty mindful of overindulgence.
And I'm certain these rules against alcohol in lodges came out of prohibition and the temperance movement. In other words, wives.
I agree, overindulgence is extremely rare. I am aware of it happening on those rare occasions though.
Back when I was leading my Lodge we would have toasts after every meeting, and I felt that doing so added a great deal to the feelings of Brotherhood within the Lodge. I'd generally take a bottle (and a bottle of something non-alcoholic but good for those who don't drink) and after the meetings we would talk about what was going on in our Brother's lives, raising a glass to all the good things.
It was a great way to get to know a Brother, and his current situation better.
Not enough alcohol was used doing that to ever cause any sort of problem, and it was controlled as the bottle wasn't just set out for free choice.
What I think is a very poor idea is serious indulgence prior to the start of the meeting at dinner. I think that when I've heard about the occasional problem, it has always been when hard alcohol was just set out, uncontrolled, as part of the dinner before hand. Plenty of Lodges do offer a beer or wine with the meal, and that doesn't seem to turn into an issue.
I too have encountered Brothers who are absolutely convinced that Masonry should remain dry, but alas, it was far from dry at its founding. Going dry was an innovation, brought forward early in the temperance craze that overtook our country. Like all innovations in our Craft, I don't think we have any duty to respect it.
I do though think that we have a duty to ensure that problems don't arise, and while I don't disagree that everyone has a duty to protect his Brother, ultimately (at least here in Washington) I think it is the Junior Warden's job.
To quote from the Louisiana Handbook of Masonic Law
“The use in any Masonic Hall, or our Grand Lodge Hall, of any spirituous, vinous or malt liquors by any constituent Lodge is hereby prohibited, and no constituent Lodge shall permit the use thereof in any Masonic Hall of this Grand Jurisdiction, or our Grand Lodge Hall, or in any room or any building occupied by or under the control of any such Lodges, provided that this shall not affect space that may be leased out for commercial purposes.”
And
“Un-Masonic conduct emanating from the use of alcoholic beverages in Lodge meetings, parades, or public places.” — was added to the definition of unmasonic conduct in 1983
Very much still a dry jurisdiction, and in fact the words referenced in the Junior Warden ritual here in Washington do not exist in the ritual in Louisiana.
Thank you for this information Brother. I appreciate it very much as I often wondered, when Washington Masonry was dry, what our members thought the Junior Warden ritual was in reference too, or if they just thought it a historical artifact like some other parts of our ritual.
It is interesting to me that Louisiana does not include that text in the Junior Warden ritual, as that would make a lot more sense given the dry situation.
Next time I'm at the lodge, I'll try to remember to look in the library for an old pre-prohibition monitor, and see if it includes that wording. There also might be one down in the museum at GL although I don't know if the stuff has been properly indexed.
I don't think that our Junior Warden wording has changed, the Craft's rules just changed around it. In any event, yes, I think that the GL Library is well indexed. When I was searching out a rare book this year they were able to find it for me pretty much instantly.
I consider myself very lucky as JW of our lodge. We don't have Stewards to prepare meals so I do it with my wonderful lady. It was my goal to provide the best homestyle meals because I believed it would increase attendance and promote brotherhood as we break bread together.
Along that line I enjoy a beverage with dinner. I wanted to provide options for all of our Brothers and guests. Temperance was a consideration in my planning but being busy in the kitchen preparing meals wouldn't afford me the time to monitor the group. I know some were against having as much as I put out on the table. Beer, wine and even three types of liquor. I do make rounds to check on things throughout the meal though.
I believe that the effort I put forth and the meals provided was met with respect and due temperance. I know that should one of our guests or Brothers go a little too far and need to be reigned in or sent home in an Uber that I would have full support of the officers and Brothers of my lodge. Perhaps there are those that would take it too far. I am lucky that my lodge hasn't had that issue in the time I've been attending.
That said, it is my responsibility to organize our Table Lodge this June. I hope the same due restraint is present then as it has been so far this year. I have the utmost confidence in my Brethren.
Sorry to be late, I was busy this week. I have attended lodges where alcohol was offered. Some were pleasant, some uncomfortable due to over drinking. I think like most gatherings, the boundaries must be known. I think the gathering must be apprised, particularly if visitors are present, that the Junior Warden is overseeing the gathering and he will excuse anyone he deems is not keeping control of themselves. Unfortunately many officers are not aware of this duty.
I was raised in a Lodge that considered itself dry. However, we had a few member/brothers that came to the meetings tipsy. They were good masons but very unaccommodating in lodge discussions, angry, etc. I always wondered what the message in the JW lines meant. I visited other Lodges that had very similar situations. I wonder about the rule if indeed it is a holdover from prohibition? Earliest lodge meetings had to be well attended with drunks since the lodge halls were often above bars.
We do still have the occasional Lodge that meets atop a bar here in Washington, and I am aware that one such Lodge had a problem in that some of the members would get drunk downstairs prior to the meeting. In fact, as I understand it, sometimes they wouldn't even make it up the stairs at the appropriate time.
Luckily, that is a thing of the past at that Lodge, and not something that the Brothers there have to deal with now.
I think that maybe this was more of a problem when our Lodges were officially dry, as things tend to look super attractive when prohibited. And it would have been very difficult to control in many of our Lodges, my own for example has I'd guess right about 5 bars within three or four blocks.
I've only noticed the older lodge members being against alcohol in the building. One member even went so far as to declare that if we start drinking in the building, he'd quit. We did but he didn't. In his case, I was told he had quit drinking a long time ago and was very anti-booze.
I think with the younger masons coming in, socialized drinking is going to follow, even if it's going out to a bar after the meetings.
As far as the JW responsibilities, I think it's every brother's duty to look after each other, and if someone gets drunk then anyone should be able to make arrangements for an uber, or some way of getting home safely. Honestly, in my few years as a mason, I've never seen anyone get drunk at any events, I think everyone is pretty mindful of overindulgence.
And I'm certain these rules against alcohol in lodges came out of prohibition and the temperance movement. In other words, wives.
I agree, overindulgence is extremely rare. I am aware of it happening on those rare occasions though.
Back when I was leading my Lodge we would have toasts after every meeting, and I felt that doing so added a great deal to the feelings of Brotherhood within the Lodge. I'd generally take a bottle (and a bottle of something non-alcoholic but good for those who don't drink) and after the meetings we would talk about what was going on in our Brother's lives, raising a glass to all the good things.
It was a great way to get to know a Brother, and his current situation better.
Not enough alcohol was used doing that to ever cause any sort of problem, and it was controlled as the bottle wasn't just set out for free choice.
What I think is a very poor idea is serious indulgence prior to the start of the meeting at dinner. I think that when I've heard about the occasional problem, it has always been when hard alcohol was just set out, uncontrolled, as part of the dinner before hand. Plenty of Lodges do offer a beer or wine with the meal, and that doesn't seem to turn into an issue.
I too have encountered Brothers who are absolutely convinced that Masonry should remain dry, but alas, it was far from dry at its founding. Going dry was an innovation, brought forward early in the temperance craze that overtook our country. Like all innovations in our Craft, I don't think we have any duty to respect it.
I do though think that we have a duty to ensure that problems don't arise, and while I don't disagree that everyone has a duty to protect his Brother, ultimately (at least here in Washington) I think it is the Junior Warden's job.
To quote from the Louisiana Handbook of Masonic Law
“The use in any Masonic Hall, or our Grand Lodge Hall, of any spirituous, vinous or malt liquors by any constituent Lodge is hereby prohibited, and no constituent Lodge shall permit the use thereof in any Masonic Hall of this Grand Jurisdiction, or our Grand Lodge Hall, or in any room or any building occupied by or under the control of any such Lodges, provided that this shall not affect space that may be leased out for commercial purposes.”
And
“Un-Masonic conduct emanating from the use of alcoholic beverages in Lodge meetings, parades, or public places.” — was added to the definition of unmasonic conduct in 1983
Very much still a dry jurisdiction, and in fact the words referenced in the Junior Warden ritual here in Washington do not exist in the ritual in Louisiana.
Thank you for this information Brother. I appreciate it very much as I often wondered, when Washington Masonry was dry, what our members thought the Junior Warden ritual was in reference too, or if they just thought it a historical artifact like some other parts of our ritual.
It is interesting to me that Louisiana does not include that text in the Junior Warden ritual, as that would make a lot more sense given the dry situation.
Next time I'm at the lodge, I'll try to remember to look in the library for an old pre-prohibition monitor, and see if it includes that wording. There also might be one down in the museum at GL although I don't know if the stuff has been properly indexed.
I don't think that our Junior Warden wording has changed, the Craft's rules just changed around it. In any event, yes, I think that the GL Library is well indexed. When I was searching out a rare book this year they were able to find it for me pretty much instantly.
I consider myself very lucky as JW of our lodge. We don't have Stewards to prepare meals so I do it with my wonderful lady. It was my goal to provide the best homestyle meals because I believed it would increase attendance and promote brotherhood as we break bread together.
Along that line I enjoy a beverage with dinner. I wanted to provide options for all of our Brothers and guests. Temperance was a consideration in my planning but being busy in the kitchen preparing meals wouldn't afford me the time to monitor the group. I know some were against having as much as I put out on the table. Beer, wine and even three types of liquor. I do make rounds to check on things throughout the meal though.
I believe that the effort I put forth and the meals provided was met with respect and due temperance. I know that should one of our guests or Brothers go a little too far and need to be reigned in or sent home in an Uber that I would have full support of the officers and Brothers of my lodge. Perhaps there are those that would take it too far. I am lucky that my lodge hasn't had that issue in the time I've been attending.
That said, it is my responsibility to organize our Table Lodge this June. I hope the same due restraint is present then as it has been so far this year. I have the utmost confidence in my Brethren.
Sorry to be late, I was busy this week. I have attended lodges where alcohol was offered. Some were pleasant, some uncomfortable due to over drinking. I think like most gatherings, the boundaries must be known. I think the gathering must be apprised, particularly if visitors are present, that the Junior Warden is overseeing the gathering and he will excuse anyone he deems is not keeping control of themselves. Unfortunately many officers are not aware of this duty.