Masonic etiquette outside the lodge
ivan
i enjoy the Masoni Etiquette lectures now and then within my lodge,
mostly at the meetings right after the Initiation of some new Brother
and during the debate that usually follows sometimes the topic of how
to behave outside the lodgeroom arises. Let me be clearer, we are not
talking about the Masonic way of life here, but simply how a Mason
should or shouldn't make display of his belonging to the Craft. The
way certain Brethren wear regalia like rings, chains, even t-shirts
and vanity plates are objects of different views from different
people, usually the elderly Masons won't condone the display of
something more than a tastefull ring, while younger fellows argue that
if you show your pride in being a Mason in more colorfull ways there
is nothing wrong, understood that you are not giving away any secret
part or parts of the Misteries.
What is your opinion about it and i'll like to ear your personal
experiences.
Always Fraternally
Bro. Ivan Beacco
George Washington Lodge 285
NYC
Rob Sandilands
jewelery which discloses their membership actually originates in even
more distant generations of Brethren ... particularly those who
experienced the oppression of Freemasonry under the emerging Communist
regime in early 20th century Russia and by the fascist states during the
period leading up to and including World War 2 ... the Craft was, to a
very large extent, forced underground in those areas for a time, and the
secrecy required to preserve lives seemed to spread to other Craft
Brethren throughout the world ...
... there are Masonic urban myths about men joining a Lodge in the
mid-20th century only to find that their next door neighbour, whom they
had known for many years, was a member ...
... it has taken a long time for the Craft to return from the shadows of
secrecy that became almost a tradition to the point where membership can
be openly admitted and even 'advertised' ...
... and speaking of advertising, another reason for some degree of
reticence in displaying membership, is the long-standing 'landmark' that
no one joins the Craft motivated by 'mercenary' reasons ... I don't know
enough about the US regulations and rituals to comment on the exact
wording or circumstances there, but in the UGLE oriented version of the
Craft such as we follow in Australia, it is made quite clear to an
intending Brother that he should not expect to gain any business or
private financial advantage by his membership, and this injunction is
repeated in the ritual for the 1st Degree ...
... so there are both pros and cons for these points ... and we need to
remember that the older members of the Craft are much closer to those
who went before us and needed to preserve their secrecy ... and that
older generations are usually more conservative than younger ones ...
( ... gets comfortable ... harrumphs a couple of times ... "They didn't
do it that way in my day." ... "Tut, tut." ... dozes quietly off to
sleep in a back corner in the east while the Secretary reads the minutes
... )
--
Rob Sandilands PM
Warwick Lodge No 160 UGLQ
'I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it!'
Mudge
Only objection I can see about a public display of membership in things
like a license plate on your car would be - if displaying it, do not
bring any sort of disgrace on the organisation. If you want to make an
ass of yourself, don't advertise your membership in any group - it will
cast that organisation in a bad light.
--
The Canadian Curmudgeon (in sunny, 1C, Calgary)
End Global warming ~ eliminate the cause ~ exterminate Al Gore
Mudge
> ivan wrote:
> .... there are Masonic urban myths about men joining a Lodge in the
> mid-20th century only to find that their next door neighbour, whom they
> had known for many years, was a member ...
> .... it has taken a long time for the Craft to return from the shadows of
> secrecy that became almost a tradition to the point where membership can
> be openly admitted and even 'advertised' ...
> .... and speaking of advertising, another reason for some degree of
> reticence in displaying membership, is the long-standing 'landmark' that
> no one joins the Craft motivated by 'mercenary' reasons ... I don't know
> enough about the US regulations and rituals to comment on the exact
> wording or circumstances there, but in the UGLE oriented version of the
> Craft such as we follow in Australia, it is made quite clear to an
> intending Brother that he should not expect to gain any business or
> private financial advantage by his membership, and this injunction is
> repeated in the ritual for the 1st Degree ...
> .... so there are both pros and cons for these points ... and we need to
> remember that the older members of the Craft are much closer to those who
> went before us and needed to preserve their secrecy ... and that older
> generations are usually more conservative than younger ones ...
> ( ... gets comfortable ... harrumphs a couple of times ... "They didn't
> do it that way in my day." ... "Tut, tut." ... dozes quietly off to
> sleep in a back corner in the east while the Secretary reads the minutes
> .... )
Eggzackerly, m'dear Rob !
Denis C
come anonimous. Maybe some day will see masonry like football/baseball clubs
like my politicians here like to compare sometimes when some brave
journalist makes the question. Those who want to proudly show that they are
mason, are the ones that are far from higher degrees and the ones that can
cause more problems to a lodge, so the answer its NO, you should not show
that you are a mason, so cool!
You should be proud and show your proud with service!
Farewell and many blessings!
DC
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Michael Nunnally
There are only 3 degrees in Masonry everything else Scottish, York,
Shrine are appendages thereof "The Blue Lodge". Once a Sublime Master
Mason you are at the top of the heap in terms of degree work....you can
go further to receive yet still more masonic light in a well lit
lodge....but that is a matter of preference.
As far as showing off I am a mason, I always distinguish myself as a
mason. I wear masonic jewelry, clothing...anything that represents the
order....but you have to have good masonic character....when I say
character I mean the purpose is to carve one's self into perfection as
much as one can. Some understand exactly what I am talking about and
some won't but that's OK. When you get "raised", it's a personal
experience and I am sure no two experiences are experienced in quite the
same way. For me, the "hoodwink" of all things was finally removed and
I could see things in a perspective I had never looked at before, yes
just like an architect may construct or plan whom may layout the plans
for the most magnificent building or cathedral by looking at his work in
contrast to his surroundings and tries to make it better or the best
that he can....it's the one's who does the work who are the artists each
performing their skills so that the architect may realize his vision.
A true mason will see the true allegory in this, a non mason would look
at it as probably "hogwash". Knowing whence one came has so much to do
with realizing where you are going to go.
I wish I could say more, but obligations.....prevent me from doing so.
Michael Nunnally
MM F&AM
KT
David wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:44:55 -0000, "Denis C" <cinz...@msn.com> typed
> furiously:
>
>> What some could call proud to show off, i allways have read that real proud
>> come anonimous. Maybe some day will see masonry like football/baseball clubs
>> like my politicians here like to compare sometimes when some brave
>> journalist makes the question. Those who want to proudly show that they are
>> mason, are the ones that are far from higher degrees
>
> I only have one question. What on earth are these "higher degrees"
> that you are talking about. Freemasonry consists of precisely three
> degrees. They are named as Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master
> Mason.
>
> Which egg in a dozen eggs is the "highest"?
>
> If you are referring to the Scottish Rite which numbers its ceremonies
> up to thirty-two you should be aware that no Scottish rite degree is
> "higher" than a Master Mason. It is a requirement of the Scottish Rite
> that each member is, and must remain, a member of a Freemasons, or
> Craft, lodge else he forfeits his membership in the rite. The Scottish
> rite also has names for its degrees but usually refer to them by
> number as some of them are rather long-winded,
>
> The York Rite is another appendant body which specifies that its
> members must also be a member of a Craft lodge, It does not number its
> degrees but refers to them by name.
Denis C
talking to much as you must know much more about masonry. Great you can show
off!
Peace!
DC
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