In show business, when our beloved actors and music stars travel, many demand special accommodations in their hotel rooms, dressing rooms, etc. These can be particular foods and beverages, or flourishes in decor, or anything really.
To us mortals, it all seems unbearably petty, but the point to demanding a candy dish containing only green M&Ms is to test the host’s reliability. If the concert promoter comes through with the green M&Ms—the infinitesimal stuff—then he can be trusted with the important, big picture clauses.
I can see how ad hoc concerns about hats and attire won’t make for captivating conversation, but it’s good to see there still is concern for the small stuff. Hopefully that indicates the important items are taken care of.
I think that I could buy what you are saying, if as you hope, the important things were taken care of.
But, unfortunately, in this specific situation, those things are not being taken care of. Indeed all of the big things: candidates, finances, brotherhood, are extremely badly neglected, and the Lodge is badly faltering because of it. They do have good meals at their meetings, but beyond that...
Yes indeed. It truly shows a misplaced priority, and a misunderstanding of our Craft if a Brother who has to rush in from work to attend is made to feel badly for doing so.
When I was Master of my lodge, our Tyler, a distinguished Mason, came to me because the SW wasn’t wearing a tie. I tried to explain to him that I was happy that he was at his station and that I agreed with him but it wasn’t a hill I was going to die on. I agree MW, there are so many other things in lodge to focus on and worry about than how an attending Brother may or may not be dressed.
Honestly, I've never gotten too much pushback for what I've chosen to wear as a Mason. But, years ago, when my wife joined OES (she was only active for a very short time) she did hear quite a bit of complaining because she tends to wear pants suits, both at home and work, so did so in OES as well.
My thought is that while Freemasonry (and it's appendant and concordant bodies) is sacred, and therefore stands apart from the profane world, it does still exist within that profane world, and needs to fit in with it.
If Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State can formally meet world leaders in a pants suit, then there is no possible rational claim that a pants suit is too informal for an OES meeting. Likewise if Barack Obama can sit for formal interviews without wearing a tie, then there is no rational claim that a tie is somehow necessary for a Masonic meeting.
Masons have been known to put formality over function. It happens less than it used to but it still happens. There was a time when everyone dressing in a suit and tie was a way to put everyone on a visual level. Now if you're wearing a suit everyone from your lawyer to your Uber driver might ask, "Why are you wearing a suit." And let's not forget that we make a big deal in the degrees of being neither naked nor clad to teach us that the inner man is important and appearance is not. (Then we tell candidates to go put on a suit so to hear the lecture ... go figure).
Are you sure you don't want to run for Grand Master again? I'd vote for you.
Thank you very much VW! That vote of confidence from you is truly valued.
Alas though, I don't think my bank account could handle another term as Grand Master, nor could my old ticker handle the stress of it. I must admit, I'm glad that we have our Masonic term limits such as they are! 😎
Thanks for the mention of the change between our Degrees and Lectures. I'd not considered that before.
I’m going to take two real-life stories and combine them into a sample story relevant to this topic.
I got caught up in traffic, and I got home, grabbed my Grand Lodge team uniform and headed to the Lodge. I barrel into the Lodge room, where one of the Brothers noted my necktie was wonky, and he stopped me and straightened it out. Another assisted. But they both noted I was coming in much later than I usually do.
I find out that the Worshipful Master and Senior Warden weren’t at the meeting, and I was the Junior Warden. The Worshipful Master was out of state, and the Senior Warden caught a bug and didn’t want to spread it. Therefore, I was to preside over the meeting. I get up in the East and prep to start the meeting when one of the 50+ year Brothers hollered about my lack of a hat. I didn’t wear one to the Lodge, so I couldn’t use that, and I noted that it’s the Worshipful Master’s prerogative to wear one, not a requirement. The old-timers still pushed the issue. Once again, I had to make the demonstration. Out came the top hats in the podium in the East. My hat size is 7 ¾. None of those hats come close (all WAY too small), so I put one on and do my Oliver Hardy impression, getting the usual laughs out of the younger members and grumbling and concession from the older members.
Both of these stories show different sides to this situation. If a Brother is trying to look good but came up short, it’s nice to be able to assist in getting him up to where he looks like he wants to. But the old-timers griping about my not wearing a hat? I knew of a couple of Worshipful Masters who wore different hats, including costume hats, at their meetings. It riled up only the old crowd, opening them up to having to explain their non-constructive comments and actions. I have to admit that while it didn’t totally solve the problem, it did curb it to where it’s now considered…trivial.
As a young master mason, I was told, with quite a bit of conviction, by an older Master Mason that the color of the hat the WM wears must be black. No other color accepted. I took his word as Gospel. There was even a goofy looking hat in the closet that was blue and has the Square in the front:
I was told by that brother than we weren't allowed to wear it (as if I would consider doing so) because it was blue, not black.
It was one of the many many examples I've run into that fueled my "trust but verify" rule when someone mentions some rule or another landmark. A couple:
I was acting as a SD pro temp once at another lodge that uses candles instead of light bulbs. When it was time for me to open the great lights, I picked up the lighter and lit the candles. I heard a *gasp* that I was doing it wrong. Lit them out of order. Now, it may be a landmark in that lodge that the candles had to be lit, and put out, in a specific order, but there is nothing in the ritual that specifies it. TBV.
I had a brother a few days ago tell me that the origin of the term "ring knockers" wasn't referring to graduates of west point (and other service academies), but to Master Masons who would use their MM rings and knock on the lecterns. I knew for a fact that it did indeed refer to west point grads and is used derisively by others, especially those that attended Officer Candidate School or otherwise gained their commission outside of the academies. But I didn't say anything, just googled it and confirmed I was right.
“There was even a goofy looking hat in the closet that was blue and has the Square in the front … I was told by that brother than we weren't allowed to wear it (as if I would consider doing so) because it was blue, not black.”
I figured he’d say you weren’t allow to wear it because it’s not a top hat! But I always had an interest in that goofy hat. We’ve had a couple of Worshipful Masters who wore it during their terms, including a retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant from the Vietnam era.
Speaking of that old Marine, when he reached 50 years as a Mason, the Grand Lodge of Indiana gave him a pin and a 50-year Apron. Masonic Square & Compasses, with a “50 year” on the flap. Old-timers told him he couldn’t wear it because it was a Past Master’s Apron. He quit wearing it, but then when he became an actual Past Master he started wearing it again, but I told him it was too bad I wasn’t around when these old coots make this crap up. I’ve heard stories of other Masons who have worn Masonic Aprons with the basic Square & Compasses on them being admonished by old-timers about wearing a Past Master apron. This is an excellent way to drive off newer members who want what Freemasonry has to offer, but want no part of old men who bark admonishments and scolds but don’t know what they’re talking about.
“I was acting as a SD pro temp once at another lodge that uses candles instead of light bulbs. When it was time for me to open the great lights, I picked up the lighter and lit the candles. I heard a *gasp* that I was doing it wrong. Lit them out of order.” As you note, it could be a Lodge “tradition” with solid meaning behind it. But good grief, you were pro-temming the position! The Lodge ASKED you to do it, but didn’t inform you of the traditional way they light the lights. That’s not on you, it’s on the Worshipful Master, but more on those who were gasping. Misdirected admonishments. Peanut gallery crap that needs to be squelched. But at the same time, we must be sure that we ourselves don’t become part of that peanut gallery!
I have a plain apron I bought that includes the blue borders and a S&C that I wore as a traveling apron. No one ever made mention of it.
But there was a mason in our district who was a past master from Alaska. His PM apron was a simple white apron, blue borders, and the big dipper embroidered on it. No S&C, or blazing sun, or quadrant. Just the big dipper. He was told many times from the old coots that he wasn't allowed to wear it. And as you're aware, the WMC only specifies what the officers of a lodge wear, not the members. I'd love to see some old guy go to a visitor from Jolly Ol' England and complain that his apron is not only the wrong color blue, but those dangling tassels and rosettes aren't allowed either.
I've been also pleasantly surprised that no one has objected to my apron I currently wear, I've received nothing but compliments for it. It's one of the craftsmans apron (https://www.craftsmansapron.com/collections/painted-aprons/products/silence-circumspection-masonic-apron?variant=34775432903) but instead of a square it has the quadrant and instead of "Silence and Circumspection" it has "Memento Mori" on the banner. It's a square apron, not rounded as pictured - I know that was probably a bridge to far for that, lol. But the quality of the apron is top notch and worth the money they charge.
Damn, the dude would be pissed at me! I've never, ever, worn a black hat in a Masonic Lodge. Almost always Silverbelly (off white) occasionally Fawn (light tan.)
When I was a kid watching The Lone Ranger the good guys wore white hats. The bad guys wore black hats. That even continues today in computer/hacker terminology.
Standing in the East, I want to be a good guy, so it's a white hat for me!
My first go as Master it was in the middle of Breaking Bad, and I decided to go with the Heisenberg pork pie hat. My first meeting I put on a pair of dark sunglasses, announced that I’m the one who knocks, then rapped the gavel. I don’t think anyone got the reference.
The guys who have a heart attack if a Master isn't wearing a hat have always cracked me up, and I say that as someone who really, really loves hats!
Sometimes it's just too darn hot to wear a hat! Or the hat is forgotten at home! Or, as you mention, a fellow wasn't expecting to stand in the East at a particular meeting!
It just isn't a big deal.
But the funniest of all to me are the traditionalists. They will insist that the Master must wear a Top Hat. Despite the fact that Top Hats haven't been common since the 1950's, so in most Top Hat wearing Loges the poor Master is standing up there wearing a hat that is quite literally falling apart around his ears.
But, we must wear the Top Hat because the Masters of Masonic Lodges have always worn Top Hats. More bullshit! The Top Hat wasn't invented for hundreds of years after the first Masonic Lodges emerged. It wasn't invented for well over a century after the first Grand Lodge was formed.
I often wore my US Army Field Grade Officer hat, with swirly looking stuff on the bill. It worked fine, no one complained. Then again, if I used one of the words from my time as Master of Webster Masonic Lodge No. 538 near Rochester NY, MWPGM G. Santy Lascano would give me good advice privately after the meeting.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not bashful. Many in my Lodge aren't. We're full of Past everything's and full of piss and vinegar (maybe even a little BS here and there too) to be sure. But we are a team. We are one unit moving towards "better" whenever we can. AND WE DON'T QUIT. Most of us can plug in to any spot and do seamless ritual work. What a luxury. BUT, AND ITS A BIG BUT (and I cannot lie, lol), it takes work and a whole lot of moxie. Moxie is an interesting thing. Defined, it is courage, determination, energy, and "know-how," often used to describe a bold, spirited, or spunky person. Yup, that's WA 4. The moxie to give and receive care, congratulations, and corrections alike. Sure, we pay attention to the little things because a whole lot of little things add up to be a really big thing, and that's wonderful. The much harder part is ignoring the unimportant and giving our Brothers grace. Life is tough enough sometimes without people who care about you giving you a hard time. This is when introspection plays a critical role and always reminds us to look in the mirror first. We play hard, and love each other harder. That also means we absolutely look out for each other in good times and bad. Thats the point, isn't it. We're "Brothers" after all.
In show business, when our beloved actors and music stars travel, many demand special accommodations in their hotel rooms, dressing rooms, etc. These can be particular foods and beverages, or flourishes in decor, or anything really.
To us mortals, it all seems unbearably petty, but the point to demanding a candy dish containing only green M&Ms is to test the host’s reliability. If the concert promoter comes through with the green M&Ms—the infinitesimal stuff—then he can be trusted with the important, big picture clauses.
I can see how ad hoc concerns about hats and attire won’t make for captivating conversation, but it’s good to see there still is concern for the small stuff. Hopefully that indicates the important items are taken care of.
Jay
I think that I could buy what you are saying, if as you hope, the important things were taken care of.
But, unfortunately, in this specific situation, those things are not being taken care of. Indeed all of the big things: candidates, finances, brotherhood, are extremely badly neglected, and the Lodge is badly faltering because of it. They do have good meals at their meetings, but beyond that...
I agree Brother! Its better to have a good Mason dressed for work at a lodge meeting than to not have him attend at all!
Yes indeed. It truly shows a misplaced priority, and a misunderstanding of our Craft if a Brother who has to rush in from work to attend is made to feel badly for doing so.
When I was Master of my lodge, our Tyler, a distinguished Mason, came to me because the SW wasn’t wearing a tie. I tried to explain to him that I was happy that he was at his station and that I agreed with him but it wasn’t a hill I was going to die on. I agree MW, there are so many other things in lodge to focus on and worry about than how an attending Brother may or may not be dressed.
Honestly, I've never gotten too much pushback for what I've chosen to wear as a Mason. But, years ago, when my wife joined OES (she was only active for a very short time) she did hear quite a bit of complaining because she tends to wear pants suits, both at home and work, so did so in OES as well.
My thought is that while Freemasonry (and it's appendant and concordant bodies) is sacred, and therefore stands apart from the profane world, it does still exist within that profane world, and needs to fit in with it.
If Hillary Clinton, as Secretary of State can formally meet world leaders in a pants suit, then there is no possible rational claim that a pants suit is too informal for an OES meeting. Likewise if Barack Obama can sit for formal interviews without wearing a tie, then there is no rational claim that a tie is somehow necessary for a Masonic meeting.
Masons have been known to put formality over function. It happens less than it used to but it still happens. There was a time when everyone dressing in a suit and tie was a way to put everyone on a visual level. Now if you're wearing a suit everyone from your lawyer to your Uber driver might ask, "Why are you wearing a suit." And let's not forget that we make a big deal in the degrees of being neither naked nor clad to teach us that the inner man is important and appearance is not. (Then we tell candidates to go put on a suit so to hear the lecture ... go figure).
Are you sure you don't want to run for Grand Master again? I'd vote for you.
Thank you very much VW! That vote of confidence from you is truly valued.
Alas though, I don't think my bank account could handle another term as Grand Master, nor could my old ticker handle the stress of it. I must admit, I'm glad that we have our Masonic term limits such as they are! 😎
Thanks for the mention of the change between our Degrees and Lectures. I'd not considered that before.
I’m going to take two real-life stories and combine them into a sample story relevant to this topic.
I got caught up in traffic, and I got home, grabbed my Grand Lodge team uniform and headed to the Lodge. I barrel into the Lodge room, where one of the Brothers noted my necktie was wonky, and he stopped me and straightened it out. Another assisted. But they both noted I was coming in much later than I usually do.
I find out that the Worshipful Master and Senior Warden weren’t at the meeting, and I was the Junior Warden. The Worshipful Master was out of state, and the Senior Warden caught a bug and didn’t want to spread it. Therefore, I was to preside over the meeting. I get up in the East and prep to start the meeting when one of the 50+ year Brothers hollered about my lack of a hat. I didn’t wear one to the Lodge, so I couldn’t use that, and I noted that it’s the Worshipful Master’s prerogative to wear one, not a requirement. The old-timers still pushed the issue. Once again, I had to make the demonstration. Out came the top hats in the podium in the East. My hat size is 7 ¾. None of those hats come close (all WAY too small), so I put one on and do my Oliver Hardy impression, getting the usual laughs out of the younger members and grumbling and concession from the older members.
Both of these stories show different sides to this situation. If a Brother is trying to look good but came up short, it’s nice to be able to assist in getting him up to where he looks like he wants to. But the old-timers griping about my not wearing a hat? I knew of a couple of Worshipful Masters who wore different hats, including costume hats, at their meetings. It riled up only the old crowd, opening them up to having to explain their non-constructive comments and actions. I have to admit that while it didn’t totally solve the problem, it did curb it to where it’s now considered…trivial.
As a young master mason, I was told, with quite a bit of conviction, by an older Master Mason that the color of the hat the WM wears must be black. No other color accepted. I took his word as Gospel. There was even a goofy looking hat in the closet that was blue and has the Square in the front:
https://www.myfreemasonry.com/attachments/master-hat-jpg.5737/
I was told by that brother than we weren't allowed to wear it (as if I would consider doing so) because it was blue, not black.
It was one of the many many examples I've run into that fueled my "trust but verify" rule when someone mentions some rule or another landmark. A couple:
I was acting as a SD pro temp once at another lodge that uses candles instead of light bulbs. When it was time for me to open the great lights, I picked up the lighter and lit the candles. I heard a *gasp* that I was doing it wrong. Lit them out of order. Now, it may be a landmark in that lodge that the candles had to be lit, and put out, in a specific order, but there is nothing in the ritual that specifies it. TBV.
I had a brother a few days ago tell me that the origin of the term "ring knockers" wasn't referring to graduates of west point (and other service academies), but to Master Masons who would use their MM rings and knock on the lecterns. I knew for a fact that it did indeed refer to west point grads and is used derisively by others, especially those that attended Officer Candidate School or otherwise gained their commission outside of the academies. But I didn't say anything, just googled it and confirmed I was right.
Trust but Verify.
“There was even a goofy looking hat in the closet that was blue and has the Square in the front … I was told by that brother than we weren't allowed to wear it (as if I would consider doing so) because it was blue, not black.”
I figured he’d say you weren’t allow to wear it because it’s not a top hat! But I always had an interest in that goofy hat. We’ve had a couple of Worshipful Masters who wore it during their terms, including a retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant from the Vietnam era.
Speaking of that old Marine, when he reached 50 years as a Mason, the Grand Lodge of Indiana gave him a pin and a 50-year Apron. Masonic Square & Compasses, with a “50 year” on the flap. Old-timers told him he couldn’t wear it because it was a Past Master’s Apron. He quit wearing it, but then when he became an actual Past Master he started wearing it again, but I told him it was too bad I wasn’t around when these old coots make this crap up. I’ve heard stories of other Masons who have worn Masonic Aprons with the basic Square & Compasses on them being admonished by old-timers about wearing a Past Master apron. This is an excellent way to drive off newer members who want what Freemasonry has to offer, but want no part of old men who bark admonishments and scolds but don’t know what they’re talking about.
“I was acting as a SD pro temp once at another lodge that uses candles instead of light bulbs. When it was time for me to open the great lights, I picked up the lighter and lit the candles. I heard a *gasp* that I was doing it wrong. Lit them out of order.” As you note, it could be a Lodge “tradition” with solid meaning behind it. But good grief, you were pro-temming the position! The Lodge ASKED you to do it, but didn’t inform you of the traditional way they light the lights. That’s not on you, it’s on the Worshipful Master, but more on those who were gasping. Misdirected admonishments. Peanut gallery crap that needs to be squelched. But at the same time, we must be sure that we ourselves don’t become part of that peanut gallery!
I have a plain apron I bought that includes the blue borders and a S&C that I wore as a traveling apron. No one ever made mention of it.
But there was a mason in our district who was a past master from Alaska. His PM apron was a simple white apron, blue borders, and the big dipper embroidered on it. No S&C, or blazing sun, or quadrant. Just the big dipper. He was told many times from the old coots that he wasn't allowed to wear it. And as you're aware, the WMC only specifies what the officers of a lodge wear, not the members. I'd love to see some old guy go to a visitor from Jolly Ol' England and complain that his apron is not only the wrong color blue, but those dangling tassels and rosettes aren't allowed either.
I've been also pleasantly surprised that no one has objected to my apron I currently wear, I've received nothing but compliments for it. It's one of the craftsmans apron (https://www.craftsmansapron.com/collections/painted-aprons/products/silence-circumspection-masonic-apron?variant=34775432903) but instead of a square it has the quadrant and instead of "Silence and Circumspection" it has "Memento Mori" on the banner. It's a square apron, not rounded as pictured - I know that was probably a bridge to far for that, lol. But the quality of the apron is top notch and worth the money they charge.
Your apron is beautiful, and I too love my apron from The Craftsman's Apron. Beautiful work, not inexpensive, but well worth every cent.
Damn, the dude would be pissed at me! I've never, ever, worn a black hat in a Masonic Lodge. Almost always Silverbelly (off white) occasionally Fawn (light tan.)
When I was a kid watching The Lone Ranger the good guys wore white hats. The bad guys wore black hats. That even continues today in computer/hacker terminology.
Standing in the East, I want to be a good guy, so it's a white hat for me!
My first go as Master it was in the middle of Breaking Bad, and I decided to go with the Heisenberg pork pie hat. My first meeting I put on a pair of dark sunglasses, announced that I’m the one who knocks, then rapped the gavel. I don’t think anyone got the reference.
I liked your USA hat you wore at our Quilcene Degree too!
The guys who have a heart attack if a Master isn't wearing a hat have always cracked me up, and I say that as someone who really, really loves hats!
Sometimes it's just too darn hot to wear a hat! Or the hat is forgotten at home! Or, as you mention, a fellow wasn't expecting to stand in the East at a particular meeting!
It just isn't a big deal.
But the funniest of all to me are the traditionalists. They will insist that the Master must wear a Top Hat. Despite the fact that Top Hats haven't been common since the 1950's, so in most Top Hat wearing Loges the poor Master is standing up there wearing a hat that is quite literally falling apart around his ears.
But, we must wear the Top Hat because the Masters of Masonic Lodges have always worn Top Hats. More bullshit! The Top Hat wasn't invented for hundreds of years after the first Masonic Lodges emerged. It wasn't invented for well over a century after the first Grand Lodge was formed.
Crazy!
I often wore my US Army Field Grade Officer hat, with swirly looking stuff on the bill. It worked fine, no one complained. Then again, if I used one of the words from my time as Master of Webster Masonic Lodge No. 538 near Rochester NY, MWPGM G. Santy Lascano would give me good advice privately after the meeting.
I attended an Installation once at which the Installing Master wore the boonie hat from his time in the Army.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not bashful. Many in my Lodge aren't. We're full of Past everything's and full of piss and vinegar (maybe even a little BS here and there too) to be sure. But we are a team. We are one unit moving towards "better" whenever we can. AND WE DON'T QUIT. Most of us can plug in to any spot and do seamless ritual work. What a luxury. BUT, AND ITS A BIG BUT (and I cannot lie, lol), it takes work and a whole lot of moxie. Moxie is an interesting thing. Defined, it is courage, determination, energy, and "know-how," often used to describe a bold, spirited, or spunky person. Yup, that's WA 4. The moxie to give and receive care, congratulations, and corrections alike. Sure, we pay attention to the little things because a whole lot of little things add up to be a really big thing, and that's wonderful. The much harder part is ignoring the unimportant and giving our Brothers grace. Life is tough enough sometimes without people who care about you giving you a hard time. This is when introspection plays a critical role and always reminds us to look in the mirror first. We play hard, and love each other harder. That also means we absolutely look out for each other in good times and bad. Thats the point, isn't it. We're "Brothers" after all.