In this blog, I will recount my thoughts and experiences as a Mason. I am, as of this day in January, 2010, barely on the road of Freemasonry. I do not intend to apologize or proselytize for the Masons, nor diminish them either. I merely wish to share what I see. Please check the archives for earlier posts.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

8. Exemplar for Second Degree

Tuesday was the regular meeting. I wasn’t sure but had a feeling that there would be more degree work. When I arrived, once again late (I guess I should aim for 6:00, not 6:15), the person in charge of floor work was explaining what would happen.

We were not allowed to attend the opening of the Lodge because we are all First Degree and the Lodge was opening on the Second Degree. The previous meeting was opened on the First Degree, but we were yet to reach that level. The next meeting will open on the Third Degree, and we will again be restricted. Once raised to the Third Degree, we are Master Masons, and can attend the opening of every Lodge. That is my best understanding right now. I think I have proven that my best knowledge is not exactly perfect.

There are no higher degrees in Freemasonry, that is in Blue Lodge. Blue Lodge is the first three degrees. I have it reliably that the derivation of Blue Lodge is unclear, and in fact, I have rarely heard the term used. If you want to press on to further degrees, you join Scottish Rites. York Rites is another path that you can take. I am pretty sure my grandfather held high degrees, so he must have been in Scottish Rites.

The Lodge was quickly opened then recessed for dinner. Once again, candidates were not allowed to pay. I welcomed the meal because I missed lunch. Meatballs, bread, salad, and soup made the meal. Andy, who was in charge of the breakfast, and who is Junior Deacon not Junior Warden (I looked it up), sat with us. As the meal was breaking up, he called me over to ask if I would be Exemplar. Shucks yeah!

I had inferred that the previous Exemplar (who was in attendance, maybe I just missed him at the other recent events) had practiced his part but a fellow Candidate sensibly said no. The Officers practice their parts, but the Candidates do not.  That is the point for Candidates, moving from darkness—ignorance—to light. I think the secrecy associated with Masonic ceremony is intended to allow Candidates to feel the essential power of the ceremony freshly.

I went upstairs with Andy, and he quickly explained what I would be doing. It was roughly what the previous Exemplar experienced. I had to change out of my suit into a pajama-like outfit. This outfit resembles a cross between a karate gee (gi?) and a hospital johnny. It featured inscrutable tie strips that I never figured out. When Andy saw what I had managed with the outfit, he performed correction.

Outside the Lodge Room door, a blindfold was put on me and more was explained as to what I would do and experience. A number of people accompanied me. They kept me informed and reassured.

At some point, before I entered the Lodge Room, hands were off of me, and I got the idea that I was supposed to kneel. I think people thought that I panicked. I didn’t, I was just confused. I did not correct the impression that I panicked because I did not want to sound defensive. In addition, I felt it right to be humble, and not let the impression others had (or thought they had) rule me.

I was led in by Andy, Junior Deacon, and handed off to Chris, Senior Deacon. Chris took me to the various stations.  There was a lot of walking, with rectilinear turns.

At the altar the Master had me and the other Candidates recite a very long passage. Besides this, I had to speak only two other times, answering questions.

After the blindfold (or hoodwink) was removed, the Senior Deacon led to me various pictures on the walls. I do not know if these pictures have always been there. Probably so, because they all had lights on them. The Senior Deacon had extensive speeches to recite to me, explaining the pictures. These pictures, I hope I am not revealing too much, concerned the Temple of Jerusalem, and the Masonic symbolism found therein.

At one point, the Senior Deacon spoke of the various types of columns, Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian, plus the two Roman ones, which I cannot recall the name of. I recall being taught about Greek columns in elementary school. I do not know why columns were important to be taught back then, but the lesson stayed with me.

I was led from the floor, and told to get back into my suit. I missed the vote but I was not eligible to vote anyway, as was the case with the other Candidates.  The ceremony finished with us lining up to receive the handshake of the Master, and another cipher book.

The meeting was recessed for ten minutes, then continued with some business. The Chaplain Emeritus was awarded a certificate from the Grand Council for his years of service, a few upcoming events were adverted, and the floor work was praised.

When the meeting closed, I made a point to thank Andy for asking me to be Exemplar. I also complimented the Master and the Senior Deacon, because they both had a lot to memorize. The Senior Deacon said that the reason that I was chosen was my participation in the breakfast. I am glad that I had the opportunity.

This ceremony touched me more than I might have predicted. The sense of being brought into the light was keenly felt.

This Sunday, the Lodge participates in a Red Cross blood drive. I will try to work that. Cipher training is possibly the same day, and the week after, Lodge of Instruction.

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