The Master's Book by Carl Claudy
A book review of a very old gem
The other day I needed to seek out something that I thought I’d read long ago in The Master’s Book by Carl H. Claudy, so I went in search of one of the two copies of this very important work that I am proud to own.
Brother Claudy is a very well known Masonic author, perhaps best known for his Old Tyler Talks. That book is a gem, but I find The Master’s Book to be even more so.
When I was preparing for my time as Master of my Lodge, I looked to two books for guidance, and I followed them as best I could. Observing the Craft by Andrew Hammer, and The Master’s Book by Carl Claudy. I view Observing the Craft as a more philosophical book, explaining why we should do those things that result in a Legendary Masonic Experience for our members. The Master’s Book is different in that it tells you exactly how to do just that. It’s the instructions.
If you pick up a copy of The Master’s Book, the first thing you will notice is that it is tiny. It is, I think, the smallest hardcover book that I own, and I own a lot of books. I’ve got some smaller soft covers, but when it comes to real books, this thing is small.
Small, but packed with wisdom. It was written almost 90 years ago, but remains completely relevant to our Lodges of today. If a new Worshipful Master took this book, and applied the lessons it contains to his Lodge, he would have an extremely successful year. Just follow the instructions, and rest assured it will work. The book is that good.
This is, I know, a very brief book review, but what can I say, it is an extremely brief book!
Go out and snag yourself a copy, you can’t go wrong.
I enjoy physical books, but it is made available electronically online, without cost by the Grand Lodge of Iowa. You can download your copy at the link below:
The Master’s Book will be the next book we read with our Emeth Book Club. I’ll send an announcement out about that soon, but in the meantime, you can get a head start!
Our Emeth Book Club is one of the live Emeth events, held over zoom, as a benefit for those who hold a paid subscription to Emeth. Without our paid subscribers this site would not be possible, and this is one of the ways I try to say Thank You.
If you would like to join us when we discuss The Master’s Book in about a month, please do consider upgrading to a paid subscription if you don’t already hold one.
"Never will the Master get the best cooperation in putting on a degree if he himself cannot "do
the work." The Master who knows his ritual can lead; he who will not-- or cannot--"learn the work" is in a poor position to criticize faulty performances by others. Hence, an early study is important. The degrees of Freemasonry are among the beautiful ceremonies of the world. They should be inspiring,
uplifting, heartening, lovely to hear. If they fall short of perfection the Master is responsible--aye, even if he have only inefficient helpers, his is the responsibility.
Both Lodge and Master owe service to those elected to receive the degrees. The elected candidate has signed his petition, answered the questions, paid his fees, stood his investigation, come when called, submitted to proper preparation. Now his brethren-to-be are so to induct him into the mysteries that he may desire with all his heart to become "a good and faithful brother among us." He is entitled to a degree which will impress him; he has a right to hear the grand old words so spoken that they will make a deep and lasting impression on his mind. What he sees and hears should convince him of the age, the dignity, the importance, the solemnity of the Ancient Craft. All this is a Master's work. The
wise Warden lets no time go by before preparing himself for those busy days ahead, and regards dignified degrees, well put on, as important both to Lodge and candidates. "
Such true words, still as valid today as they were 90 years ago, or 300 years ago. The master of the lodge should have conferred all three degrees, or at least demonstrated that he can perform the ritual before ascending to the east. Not just perform, but perform well, with feeling and authority. A man petitioning a lodge only receives his degrees once, you better make sure you do the best job you can, with the best people you can. Period. There is no excuse for poor ritual work during a degree. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, that is going to happen to even the best versed men. But making the best effort to perfection is better than a casual attempt at getting through it.