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.
No comments:
Post a Comment