13.Card Night,and More

I have written that I am not much for card games, or games at all, but I went to the latest card night. It was a bit of a bust,  but not unenjoyable.

After a week of uncommonly heavy rain and extensive flooding, Saturday was a beautiful mild spring day. It was a day that invited barbecues, so it was not surprising that people might have passed on card night.

I arrived right at 6:00. I wondered if anyone was there because there was only one car in the lot and lights were not evident. The door was open, at least.

Inside was Terry, the Lodge Secretary. He was not hopeful about attendance, for the reason noted above. Previous card night had been well attended but the force of a great spring day was too much. Several Brothers eventually showed up, including Jeff, who was raised when I was. The Worshipful Master also came by.

We sat and talked. The rain and flooding presented an obvious topic, and there was various Lodge and Masonic gossip. I enjoy listening to such talk.

Terry wanted to put up the sign adverting the upcoming Open House. Jeff and I went out with Terry to do that. While we were doing that Ken, the Junior Warden (I think I have most of the Officers correctly identified now) arrived.

People brought food, as requested, and at this point it seemed a good time to eat. Ken and John,  the Worshipful Master, were hot to play cribbage. Neither Jeff or I play cribbage, so we watched. Terry kibbitzed like a pro.

It was a pleasant evening despite a low turn out. A number of the Lodge Officers attended what is called The Master’s Way, which possibly kept some from attending card night. The Master’s Way is preparation for becoming a Master. Lodge Officers are in line to become Lodge Masters. I do not know what order is involved in this, though I think Senior Warden moves directly to Master. I will learn more before I write further on this. TTL has a good line set up: a lot of Brothers interested in becoming Officers.

Last Monday was Lodge of Instruction, and I fully intended to go. Unfortunately, 15 minutes before I was to leave, a storm related problem at our apartment meant I had to miss LOI. That was a disappointment.

Today is the state-wide open house of all Lodges. I showed up at 9:00. A number of Officers and Past Masters were there. I was dressed casually but the Officers were in suits, and at least one wore a tux. I was not needed but I stayed for the morning. I helped setup the dvd presentation of Freemasonry from the District, ate doughnuts and hung out. I joined some pre-applications,which is when a prospect is interviewed and  signs up.

Pre-app requires a quorum. I was with John the Worshipful Master and John the Past Master. The Candidate was very eager. I saw several other eager Candidates. I do not know if there were any curiosity seekers, hoping to see something secret.

John the Past Master told how his grandfather was a Mason. John’s father did not understand why John’s grandfather did not invite his son to be a Freemason. At the time, Mason’s were abjured against inviting people to join, a person had to ask. John, as Worshipful Master, got to raise his own father.

The secrets, such as I know and understand, of Freemasonry, seem mostly to do with tradition. I can see the passwords and such coming out of operative masonry (that is, actual stoneworking). And the era of Freemasonry’s birth was one in which one’s identity was not so well protected as now. That’s my speculation, anyway. Tuesday I will help serve at Table Lodge.

12. Master Mason,Third Degree

Last week, I was raised to Master Mason. I did not expect to be as excited by this when I started out with Freemasonry. The rites and ceremony got to me.

I arrived early this time. The place was already jumping. At the door was a Steward, I think, wearing a sash and greeting every arrival.

This was Past Master Night, when Past Masters get to run the Lodge for the night. The Lodge opened on Third Degree, so, again, the Candidates could not be part of that. We waited downstairs while the Lodge was quickly opened then everyone repaired to the dining room.

This time, dinner was served rather than buffet. Meatloaf and baked potatoes. The served meal made the evening even more special.

There were seven candidates. I learned yesterday that more than five at a time requires an Exemplar. An Exemplar was chosen. He had to wear the raggedy outfit, and no shoes.

The Worshipful Master turned the proceedings over to one of the Past Masters (who also has held District Office), and Past Masters took over the duties of Wardens, Deacons, and all the other Offices.

I cannot wait to see the degrees again, this Third Degree especially, because I do not remember the details well. The first part of the ritual was similar to the previous degrees. I think the business meeting fit in between the first part and the second. I will, at any rate, proceed as if that were the case.

The business meeting had some surprising fireworks, though I guess I overstate things by saying fireworks. Along with the reading of membership requests and other usual business, there was a vote concerning a Candidate.

Complaints had been made about this Candidate, who was not at the meeting.  The matter had been brought up previously, not when us Candidates were present. The Candidate in question had serious legal problems in the past. He did not mention them when he joined. I am unclear whether he has continued in his criminal activity. He did not answer any requests for more information or to defend himself.

The discussion was as one might think. Some brought up the Masonic ideal of making men better. The opposing argument centered on him being a civil servant who abused the position.

Normally, the vote would be by hands, but a secret voted was requested and assented to. Candidates were not eligible to vote, and I am glad not to have that duty in this case. I get both sides. I said before, I do not like exclusion, nor do I like to cast judgment, but Masonic standards are clearly stated. The vote was 24-14 in favor of ousting him. One Brother declared that this is the first time in 20 years that someone had been voted out of the Lodge. He did not want us Candidates to think this was a common occurrence.

The second part of the ritual was a surprise. As happened previously, the Exemplar was led  around the Lodge Room to different stations. At one point,  someone from the sidelines accosted the Exemplar and his guide (the Marshal, I presume). What followed was a play.

The narrative concerns those involved in the building of Solomon’s Temple. Three interlopers separately accost the Exemplar demanding secrets of the Temple. The guide remonstrates and the Exemplar is killed. The third murder is the final one, and the guilty parties dig a grave and bury the Exemplar. One of the candidates mentioned seeing a Lodge in which they have an actual hole in the floor. At TTL it was all pretend.

The drama reminded me of a Mystery Play, ritualistic and mysterious. There was a point when the scoundrels raced out the door, except that someone was standing behind that door. Yow! The performers were  really into the drama. As I understand, Scottish Rites, which consists of Degrees 4-33 (Degrees 1-3, regular Freemasonry, is also known as Blue Lodge, with no definite explanation for the term), is entirely made up of such dramas, complete with costumes.

The drama ended with the raising of the dead.  The Exemplar spent a lot of time laying on the floor while the drama ensued. Our final act was to sign the by-laws and receive our dues card. I have not been asked for dues yet.

After the Lodge closed, we repaired to the dining hall for dessert, a delicious blueberry cream pie. On a table were Bibles and a large certificate that can be framed.  Both were signed by all the Lodge Officers, and the Bible was signed by guests that evening. I did not mention that the guests, or perhaps some of them, excused themselves from the meeting when the matter of the banished Candidate came up. I do not think it was improper for them to be there, but it is the sort of thing that wants to be kept close to home.

I have a Bible from when I was christened. The new one is large format, with a lot of pages for listing family members and such. It is a Masonic Bible, so it has a lot of information about Freemasonry, including a glossary. It is a King James Bible.

Sunday, just to finish up briefly, Sunday we had Cipher Training. The more you read the cipher, the more you put sense to the code. One makes reasonable guesses, only to learn that it is another word.

Terry, our Secretary, invited me to help at the Table Lodge dinner latter this month. He asked all the Candidates. I will be wearing a red bow tie, and I will be serving the dinner. Also eating some. This is a fancy dinner, meant to be fun. I believe alcoholic beverages will be served. Woo hoo. There is a game night coming up, which I may attend. I’m not much for cards, or games, even, but it may be fun.

11. More Sunday Breakfast

I suppose that the adventure of participating in the monthly breakfast at Thomas Talbot Lodge will diminish in interest, but I think today’s breakfast is worth recounting. My next installment for sure will have matter of interest, since I will receive my 3rd Degree. Until then, today’s breakfast.

I arrived at the Lodge around 5:45. The sky was clear and the sun just starting to light the horizon. Spring is in the air. Just Andy, Junior Deacon, was in the kitchen when I got there, but soon Joe, Senior Warden came. I helped chop potatoes, and drank coffee that Past Master Bob brought.

Joe and Andy were speaking about the upcoming degree work then remembered that I was there. It is part of the ritual that one not be schooled beforehand, and I appreciate that. There has been nothing as yet that has been uncomfortable in any way. It is the palpable experience of the symbolism that makes the ritual, at least for me.

They joked about getting the goat ready for the ceremony. I said I had planned to bring my own goat. This I appreciated, as well. I admit I have joked with my wife about Masonic sacrifices, the sort of inflated assumption that rumor invents. If I have not said it previously, I hate conspiracy talk. By that I mean, the sort of wild extrapolation that fills way too many gaps with invention.

Things were in hand in the kitchen so I helped set up the tables. Tony, who I have met before, took charge of the dining room. I learned where things are stored, and how to do things. At 7:45, a couple arrived, hopeful that they would be served because they had to go somewhere at 8:15. Of course they were served.

My wife arrived around 8:30. I took the opportunity to sit with her. It was hard to relax because it was getting busy. After we ate, she left, and I returned to serving.

I had talked up the Sunday breakfast to two of the other Candidates. One, Jeff,  started helping to serve while I was eating, and another, one of the Williams, came with his wife to eat before going to church.

More than 140 people attended the breakfast, which is a record. We emptied the first urn of coffee long before the breakfast was over, and a run to the supermarket for eggs was required.

A large group of weekend bikers fueled up before their ride. It has been just that sort of day when you start thinking of getting outside one way or another. After 10:00, things quieted. We did a clean up. When the dining room was finished, it was 11:00, and I took my leave.

10. Second Lodge of Instruction

I attended my second Lodge of Instruction, again in Lowell. I arrived on time but fewer people were around than last time, at least to begin with. The meal (American chop suey) was slow to start, too. Six candidates from Thomas Talbot were ushered to a table by a Mason, who I think sponsored three of the candidates. The four of them talked a lot about the Moose Lodge.

The Worshipful Master of one of the Lowell Lodges sat at our table. He showed interest in the Moose talk.

Candidates were allowed to participate in the opening of the Lodge because it opened on the First Degree, and we were all Second Degree. It is beginning to make sense to me. This Lodge was Masons only, no outsiders. I do not know how that is determined. I mean, there seems to be a regular calendar of events.

Partway through, Candidates were led away for instruction by degree. Us from TTL were joined by three from a lodge in Tewksbury. Chris, TTL’s Senior Deacon, brought us to a parlor by the front entrance, and gave instruction in Second Degree.

Chris talked about the two ciphers we have been working with, the ritual and symbolism therein. I really like that symbolism. Likening a person’s spiritual growth to how an operative mason—that is, an actual stone mason—begins as an unknowing apprentice and through study and work gains knowledge and understanding: this is rich imagery.

Chris explained other aspects of Freemasonry, as well as his interest in the Templers. I too am fascinated by the Templers, though not in the Dan Brown sense.

The parlor had high ceilings, old furniture, and its  walls were lined with dusty portraits of dour looking men. It felt like another world. In the hall where we ate there was a sign adverting the need for renovation of the roof. The Thomas Talbot Lodge, which is a good 120 years old, seems fresh in comparison. Not to say that I do not enjoy the presence of the building.

In comparison, the Tewksbury Lodge is less than 40 years old. It probably lacks the settled mystery of these older buildings. In addition to the large meeting room, and the Egyptian Room, there is a Grecian Room. I look forward to seeing that!

After instruction, there was a gathering in the lobby, where a lot of people smoked. I do not mind smoking, it is just so verboten nowadays that it is worth noting.

Returned to the meeting, we candidates were given the gist of the talk that we missed while in instruction. It was essentially a sermon, based on a psalm. The person who spoke was a practiced and effective speaker.

As occurred the last time, someone who must be from the Grand Lodge (district headquarters, so to speak) spoke. He wore a jaunty brimmed hat, very British looking. I gather that this hat is a badge of office.

I do not recall if I mentioned it last time, but there is a cup that is awarded to the Lodge with the most members attending Lodge of Instruction. TTL commonly wins the cup but last time we tied with another Lodge. Our Worshipful Master (I have incorrectly been saying just Master) graciously let the other Lodge take the cup home. TTL won it back this month.

The meeting closed on time. When I was outside, a passerby across the street called over to me. He asked if I was lost. Before I could answer, he said, “This is Merrimac Street,” then went on his way, having helped his fellow man.

Sunday will be another breakfast, which I will help with. A week from tomorrow I will get Third Degree. The use of that term in common parlance is explained in that the Third Degree asks the most of a Candidate. At any rate, the upcoming meeting is scheduled to be an hour longer than the usual meeting. All to be written of later.