Thank you for downloading this episode of our podcast. Hi and welcome to the podcast for Solomon staircase. Masonic lodge, number 357, where we talk about all things related with Freemasonry including hermetic teachings. Philosophy reason spirituality and much more we're located in Buena Park. Southern California, tuned in as we continue to update our podcast with informative talks and articles for Mason's worldwide.
And those who would like to inquire within So before I start this next article, I'm going to ask a question and obviously this isn't a question and answer session because I can't hear your answers. But you can always write back to me in the comments or as an email. So my question to you is what are your thoughts about how fast somebody should progress through the degrees? Do you think a month between degrees is enough? Is it not enough? Is it once a year?
You know, what is Jurisdiction. Say I know I was lived in Texas for a brief period And I remember there was something there along the lines of if you didn't get your master Mason degree within whatever, two years three years something like that. You basically had to start over in California, where I'm formally from. We've had people who have been entered apprentices for gosh, who knows, 10, 15 years, 20 years, never got beyond that and that's fine. We have people who are fellow
crafts for many years. So, anyways, I'm just kind of curious. And then we also have the one day classes where people move through, you know, all three degrees of within a day, I done a podcast in the pack, talking about some of the pros and cons of that, but anyways, just kind of curious. So I would still love to get some feedback from people. So I'm not just doing this for here to hear my own voice, but I'm hoping you guys are enjoying
the podcast. And again, if you get a chance, you know drop me a line via email. I think it's on the podcast. Framework there or I think you can do it through comments as well. So with that, this is going to be a short episode and this is an article called. Are we there yet from the June 2001? Scottish Pride Journal, Freemasonry written by Neil T Beatty 32nd degree. Sometimes slower is better. Sometimes, the journey has through the degrees is more important than the destination.
The modern world is a very hurried Place. Email cellular telephones, fast food and pay at the pump, gas stations have all become the norm. Almost every new convenience is about saving a little bit more time. Living life in the fast lane isn't just common. It's required for those of us who grew up with airplanes fax machines and computers in our lives. This all seems like the natural progression of the world faster is better. The fastest rat wins the race. With all of the time we are
saving it seems. There would be more hours left over at the end of the day, but it never seems to work out that way there. Just isn't enough time. For Freemasonry, I hear great trepidation, in the Masonic Community about how hard it seems to be to get young people to become involved with masonry. The old saw goes something like this young men just don't have the time to go through the
degrees. Much less, the posting an examination sessions, they don't have time to get involved with three unions, and attend the requisite practices. If we could just make the process, go a little Faster. Make the postings a little easier to make the schedules a
little more flexible. Maybe we would get some more members, surely they can spare the time, then if we communicated more of the degrees had fewer practices and made the lecture shorter, maybe we could get more people involved the old guys. Just don't understand because they're retired and don't have as many other obligations in their lives. We need to bring Freemasonry into the 21st century. Phooey. We need to bring the 21st century and masonry the degree
is like life are a journey. Each degree stands on its own and carries its own particular lesson, but the progression through the degrees comes with lessons as well. It was always expected that they be completed in a series. The degrees are not intended to be a show, Strictly for the benefit of the spectators. They do not form a 32 AirPlay. They are performed for the benefit of all the participants. Everyone from the Anna dates to the directors as a beneficiary.
As long as he participates there are important lessons to be gained by attending to reunions and watching the degrees, but they don't really sink in until you start participating. This takes time and the Brethren who come to the reunions, grab the credential and move on, are missing the whole point. The express version is just not the same. The gold may very well be to be able to get to where your 32nd degree ring or to get the membership numbers up just a
little bit more. But the substance for everyone is gained during The journey we're making good men, better one step at a time, and no, we're not there yet. Four-speed. Junkies like myself, this is difficult to swallow. It goes directly against the pace of the rest of life, and yes, it does interfere with one's normal routine. Most modern lessons are fast, a new computer language is only useful for a few years, or even months before it becomes obsolete.
It's important to learn it quickly, credentials are cumulative and they turn into money college degrees. Licenses and certificates are thing to collect and the faster you get on with the next one, the better people with two, Or more academic degrees make more money than the people who only have one, no matter that they didn't actually learn anything in the process, masonry is different masonry move, slowly the credentials, although numerous have no commercial
value at all. Those old guys, the ones who work nights to put us through college, understand something that some of us seem to be missing. Sometimes slower is better. Sometimes, the journey is more important than the destination. To the 90% of you, who went through the degrees at a reunions, and never came back. Again, I have a simple message, you're not done, yet, the certificate cap and ring are not the end. Not by a long shot, even if it's been years, it's not too late.
The Supreme Council, just issued the revised standard pipe degrees and now is your chance to get involved. Every degree has been Rewritten. No longer is it a bunch of men who have been doing the same parts for decades? There's room for you. Every part in every degree was examined and then I want every participant is starting from scratch. We're all upon the level and we need you to join us. If you've been wondering what is going on in your consistory, now is the best time in years to
find out, come back. It's worth the time. So now obviously that article is written on the basis of the Scottish Rite degrees. I am not Scottish Rite yet, maybe eventually or York Rite, or Shrine or anything. I'm just a regular old blue Lodge kind of guy. But for me, that question is still valid as to what's the proper speed of the best speed to go through the degrees. So I joined I believe in June about three months later, got my second degree, so I was initiated in either June or July
about three months later. I got my second degree and then was raised a Master Mason in December the day after my birthday. So six months for me and I had a coach who Ooh, Danny cacioppo I mean we would do me and actually my buddy at the time we both joined at the same time we would go over to his house you know once a week and we would do a practice on our proficiencies nowadays.
It seems like I mean, gosh, we've got guys that are taking, you know, six months to a year sometimes to get from one degree to another and then we have other guys you know other lodges I've been to where I've heard of guys getting you know at one degree a month and within three months, I've got all three degrees. So, you know, I don't think there's any right or wrong way. It's just a matter of opinion and maybe even what your jurisdiction requires. So I'd love to hear some comments.
I'd love to hear some feedback as to What goes on in your jurisdiction. So as I said, it's going to be a short episode. I'm going to throw in one more article, but with that have a wonderful day, evening night, whatever it is for you. So the following article that I'm going to read is from Texas and talks about Masonic, etiquette, etiquette and protocol in Texas, but things are different in different jurisdictions.
So it'll be kind of interesting to compare the Texas version as written versus the California, which I most most familiar with versus the Nevada. Where I've recently moved to Masonic, etiquette, for the most part is merely good manners and respect for your Lodge. Its members is forceful master, and the convention of Freemasonry in general. One of the peculiarities of the Masonic fraternity. Is that a man? Attends a large meeting or a masonic Gathering not as a private individual?
But as a Mason, he is therefore to be addressed by his surname that is brother Smith rather than brother Bill. So that's kind of interesting now that's what they say in Texas. Now California I would say it's kind of a mixture brother. Hugo brother Ramos brother Ops Teague thinking about some of the guys in the lodge. I think in Nevada, as I recall, a lot of the guys just call each
other by their first name. There is no brother this, or brother that it's just by the first name and nobody feels any different about it. At my Lodge, the other thing would be is we have a lot of Past Masters and for us when we when we talk to people, it's typically were she or a worshipful and not even a name, just hate worse. Why you doing worse? Well, good evening. Were still nice to see a full. It's kind of like a Monty Python
skit. That's the number to the Grand Master is never to be addressed at any Masonic Gathering by his first name, no matter, how close an individual may feel toward him. His proper address is most forceful. And when being formally received in a lodge, he is a quarter to his full title, most worshipful, his full name Grand Master Masons in, whatever state and I'd say that's pretty much the same in California, and Nevada, although I have not been around the Grand Master in Nevada.
Yet three of the worshipful master must be shown the same respect and courtesy, we show The Grandmaster he should be addressed at all times as worshipful, and I think that's pretty consistent for prayers, that Lodge functions should be in keeping with Masonic teachings. Five, when wishing to speak in Lodge a brother should rise and wait to be recognized by the master, then address the lodge in the following manner, watchful Master, wardens, and
Brethren, then begin to speak. All remarks should be directed to the east. Now that's different in California in California, you don't address the wardens and Brethren, you get up, you sign for whatever degree you're in and then address worshipful master, and then talk ask whatever you want to see, whatever you want to say in Nevada. You don't necessarily sign. I've seen a lot of guys just stand up and talk and not even necessarily address the worshipful master.
I don't know if that's just because it's a little less formal or if that's more ritualistic and talking with some of the guys there, it seems to be that in Nevada. Every launch kind of has its own thing to do in Nevada. Grand Lodge is very loose on letting people got to do their thing without getting too involved in.
What is Acquired, I've also been told that I'm going to the MIT the Genoa lodged Douglas number 12, but I'm also being told that if you go to Carson City Lodge, so, Carson City being the capital that they are very strict on the ritual. So I might have to do that some day, just to mix it up a little bit. Number six, the about a secret sacred and inviolable it. The ballot has legal sanction, and must be conducted according to Psalm rules, that's the same
everywhere, seven, a district. Deputy Grand Master on an official. Is it is the personal representative of The Grandmaster. Now, in California, we don't have a district district, it
Deputy Grandmaster? We have agl's, assisting Grand lecturers, and we have inspectors that are the representatives of the Grand Master and office has a station or place of its own in the lodge with duties responsibilities and dignities inherent in it. A sloppy manner of addressing the lodge and a failure to give proper respect to the officers, reflects a lack of understanding of Massage.
Protocol. If a master expects of every member and of every other officer, a faithful rendering of the form of etiquette, that is to be accorded to his office. It will create a more faithful, observance of the format, every other station, or place 10. The examining committee is appointed by the worshipful master.
And usually, the senior Deacon is the chairman along with two other well-qualified Brethren. They must, keep in mind that their only purpose is to satisfy themselves that the visitor is or is not a Master Mason in good standing. My regular lights recognized by the Grand Lodge of Texas. The Tyler's oath should be used as part of the examination. If the examining committee has the duty to satisfy itself, that a visitor is a Master Mason, in good standing.
In a regular Lodge. The visitor also has a right to make sure that the launch she comes to visit is a regular Lodge. He may therefore ask to see its Charter Texas Mason's at the discretion of the worshipful, master may be admitted without examination, if they produce a current do scarred and photo identification as per article 380. Number 11, a lodge member who has held the highest office in the lodge carries, the title of past Master Past Masters, have a standing in Masonic law certain
Duties. Are there's for life, there are members of the Grand Lodge and have a vote in its processes. They are entitled to a difference which belongs to their position and protocol. They are entitled to a specific order of lineal precedence on their own part. Past Masters are bound to the same rules of etiquette and respect that. It's observed toward the worshipful master by all other members of The Lodge. 12, the preparation room is a sanctuary for the candidate in the
officers preparing him. It is necessary that it be closed in and that its privacy is strictly preserved, 13. The etiquette governing, the conferral of degrees is strict there shall be no talking Whispering or laughing or any disturbances during the degree work. It is not an occasion from Earth Brothers, on the sidelines, should remain quiet and not offer any prompting or assistance to the degree team. And I think, regardless of what jurisdiction, you're In that, that's how it should be.
I've been to enough degrees in my time where I've heard people laughing and giggling and just things happening and comments made and stuff. And again it's you know different lodges have different different cultures and my Lodge my home Lodge Solomon staircase, you know, we try to be very solemn and very strict in our ritual because we love the importance of what it stands for and what it means. But again I've Been to other lodges where that's not
necessarily the case. Number 14, the worshipful master is the officer whose first Duty it is to see that. Nothing is ever allowed to harm the lodge, which is entrusted to his care for that reason. He cannot tolerate a careless practice of etiquette. If upon coming to the east, a master finds an indifference to or a casual practice of etiquette has crept into the lodge.
He should find an early opportunity to address the subject with his officers and members, the district Deputy Grand Master May consult and advise concerning Allah just practice of etiquette but they cannot interfere. The worst full master has full responsibility for Lodge etiquette, as he has total charge of all things in the lodge and 15. Although as Mason's, we believe that it is the internal and not the external.
That makes a man of Mason there. Remains the issue of a tire that is fitting of the occasion, based upon tradition and the use of appropriate clothing is a way of showing respect, not only respect to the officers but to the craft. And to the profane that observed us as we gather, as masons in Texas, unlike other Grand jurisdictions, we Them wear formal attire to Lodge meetings but shorts flip-flops and bib.
Overalls are a far cry from the level of respect, that is due our fraternity, especially if we expect others to respect and admire us. So California, at least, at my Lodge, what we typically do is for stated meetings in the colder times of the year, we wear tuxedos, and four degrees. We were at exitos when it starts getting warm, we switch over to Hawaiian shirts and khakis. We're slacks as the case may be. But same thing, no shorts, no flip-flops, no overalls at least
come in looking respectful. And so that article was provided by past master, Chuck downard, from the Sunday, Masonic news, May 13, 2012 edited by Harry Bruno. The following article is from the September 2001, Scottish Rite Journal of Three Southern jurisdiction. USA, it's written by Bruce Chabot 32nd degree and is titled Masonic liturgy liturgies such as our Masonic ritual, have the purpose of uniting, and strengthening communities of
shared interest. Liturgy is a word that applies in slightly, different ways to two areas. I love Freemasonry and religion. In fact, Masonic liturgy is a part of the craft, which benefits Brothers sometimes even without their knowing it, let me explain. Of course, I do not mean to imply that Freemasonry, as a religion. We all know that it is not yet.
As a clergyman, I've often find myself explaining this fact, to people who think masonry is some sort of a denomination simply because it involves a religious elements. True. We believe in God, respect the Bible and hold dear. What is represented by the letter g in the middle of our square and Compass has? But that hardly makes Freemasonry own religion. The term liturgy comes from an ancient Greek word, which literally translated means the work.
Of the people. It is my experience that the ways in which our beloved fraternity, uses liturgy are amazingly similar to the way. Liturgy is used in all Faith, traditions in both liturgy expresses and teaches what we believe while also showing respect to our honored fellows, the basis of my comparison is the fact that there is another word ritual, whose meaning is very similar to liturgy and ritual as all Mason's know, is the heart of the work of our
lodges and temples. I'll deep-rooted religious Faith. Traditions, use ritual or liturgy to express and pass on to new members what they believe. They State their Creed's, and use various clergy members and other functionaries to act out or represent in symbolic and publicly meaningful form their
ideas. The interesting and wonderful thing to me is that masonry does some very similar things as Mason's. We have certain very specific words and actions that we say and do in performing the ceremonies that open and close our meetings just as spiritual leader, Say and do meaningful words and actions and conducting worship and prayer services churches and lodges do these things because that is how communities work in order to strengthen. And grow Masons have a whole
body of special ceremonies. We use for our many degrees just as high churches, have liturgies for the seasons and ceremonial moments of importance in people's lives. In both cases, they vary for special occasions, such as initiated new members and celebrating feast days. And in both cases, the secular Lodge and the religious Church People Chosen and trained to perform. These special Duties are particularly valued for their
ritualistic proficiency. Furthermore, both Masonic bodies and Faith Traditions have committees charged with the responsibility of studying, and authorizing official forms of ritual or liturgy. This last point is, especially prominent now that we as Scottish, Rite Masons have the
revised standard Pike ritual. Those entrusted with researching and implementing these revisions have noticed that some members tend to resist any kind of change in what is familiar even when that change is actually more of a return to the original roots of the source matter. This reaction is common religious. Scholars have always found it to be the case when the urge people to revise their ritual practices, in order to return to the more pristine ancient forms.
Since these forms have been forgotten under layers of improvisation. They seem strange and therefore, forbidding they are not the way we have always. He's done it. Finally, in lodges Macy's and to use special actions and verbiage in referring to officers such as Masters and wardens. And in ceremonially, receiving honored guests such as Grandmasters and District, deputies. Similarly, some churches use honorific titles for their leaders and clergy or ministers.
Also some logic used ceremonial clothing. When acting out certain rituals from basic aprons on up, not to mention jewels and caps just as some types of houses of worship use. Assessments and other liturgical paraphernalia lodges even have certain required furniture set up in specific ways and regular places for officers to sit, just as religions arrange, their sanctuaries in certain ways that
are meaningful to them. In some, my reason for bringing up these many analogies is not to over emphasize any similarity between these two Realms and Endeavors masonry and religion. Rather the purpose of my comparison is to show that as archaeologists and sociologists know groups that you night to celebrate fellow Oh, Ship and share mutually beneficial ideas. Often tend to use means that are natural to communal undertakings. These are often liturgical and
ritualistic. Since these means bind people together and fraternity, being one with the others is among the most Basic Instincts of human beings. We unite for preservation and for enjoyment. These means in Freemasonry and religion are ritualistic or liturgical, they can be seen in other areas too, such as that patriotic, observances, and even sports events, which have Their own liturgies and rituals as Mason's.
We can be proud of our heritage. We should without any sort of showing us but with humility and good will extend the good name and better understanding of our fraternity, through our the dignified, public representation of our rituals whenever appropriate, including when we are in the religious Faith, communities of our choice. After all, we both may benefit from our mutual appreciation of ritual and liturgy.
The following article is from the April 2008, Southern California, research, large magazine hands off. It's immemorial Brethren. Why do we make a lot of noise? And then singing Auld Lang, Syne and New Year. Why do we follow etiquette, when eating? Why do we all stand when the national anthem is played, why do we greet a person with a handshake indeed brother? Why do we do these and perform many other actions in our daily
life? It is simply because They are part of life's daily ritual, which we all perform knowingly or unknowingly or more importantly, is it part of that time immemorial which has been tried proven by our forebears? Dr. Don see Benjamin of Arizona, State University States rituals are repeated patterns of meaningful human behavior. There are structured ways of acting sometimes accompanied by words. Sometimes. Not rituals opened up new worlds, where our lives are
enlarged and enriched rituals. Take us to new places and they relate us to new people. Rituals overcome isolation and bond us to communities who will support us in becoming all we were created to be and becoming what we want to be.
This brief statement I believe more than amply explains Freemasonry and it's ritual and thus the reason for this paper which was initially prompted by the recent and continued outpourings within the fraternity both by written or spoken word for a change to the ritual of Freemasonry based on two theories a it is Antiquated and not lying with modern expression and opinion or be. It is the reason for the decline of membership within the craft, both of which I suspect are
based on one the periodical, but Lewis attacks on Freemasonry and it's ritual by outside pressure groups with their own personal and hidden agendas and to the personal outpourings by some members on their own knowledge and ability, or more likely, lack of it, to conform to the ancient usages and customs of the craft, which incidentally, they freely and voluntary, offered themselves as a candidate for in the first place. As to the two theories already stated, which are both interrelated.
I can give no better. An example that when the mainstream churches decided to modernize the book of prayer to enable younger people to participate and thereby reverse, the decline in attendance, which the authorities believed was, the result of some widespread and even occasional Universal criticism. I'll ask this is not as we.
Well now proved a successful as anticipated in fact and in the meantime the Bible holy book or vsl, call it what you A has continued to progress in its original James.
The first form, particularly, by a big increase in annual sales, we may well ask the question why, although I would suggest that the human race is generally a creature of habit and do not accept change for the sake of change, As to my to suspicions, firstly the attacks from without are based on narrow minded, thinkers and inborn jealousy by persons, or persons, and, or their organizations of the principles, and tenets of The Craft, which they see is binding a true brother to his lodge.
In the fraternity, these attacks can be easily countered by experienced persons and not necessarily by Freemasons. For example, study, the history of and books by John J Robinson. Who is extremely successful during his lifetime before For becoming a Freemason later in life. Also, my other short paper, which follows is another good example of how to use defense in the best form of attack.
Regarding my second suspicion, this lack of knowledge is attributable to that Brothers Lodge who are responsible for establishing the direction or path. The individual brother may take not all members are able or willing to take the active path and Freemasonry, indeed some brethren play. An important part by their regular attendance. Even if with passive or indirect
involvement. In fact we have here this evening Brethren who in my view are passive, particularly regarding research activities but proven Freemasons. In the true sense of the word long, may they attend by their very attendance at any lodge meeting? They are active students of ritual.
However, it is very important that new members are assistant early in their Masonic life, with knowledge of the craft more, particularly its ritual, varied, and many, and the part is, should henceforth play in there. Outside life. In fact, how many of you present this evening have read the research. Lodge literary committees new article posted on the notice board in the foyer in the crash. All that very young brother. Hopkins is typical of what many others are saying.
And we should take notice of this before pulling the plug on an established ritual that has survived many generations of Freemasonry with little if any change at all. I'm not the first brother to say this, you may recall our present Grandmaster most worshipful brother Barry mclaggen was the guest speaker at the 2005 summer lecture here in Palmerston North and in this Masonic Center speaking to his subject, the creeping paralysis of mediocrity and our society.
And therefore, Freemasonry explained in passing that Grand Lodge had in recent times, tried to remove the word Ritual from our Masonic vocabulary. The reason it might offend some people Common Sense prevailed. I also have with me this evening copies of other letters from Young Freemasons, all saying the same thing hands off. It is in a memorial Thus Brethren from what I've already said ritual is nothing to do.
It is not to be ignored or brushed aside our very lives and even those who are anti masonry are completely engulfed in it whether they realize it or not. Finally why are these young new Freemasons all saying the same thing hands off its immemorial and we like it we ignore them at our peril. So this was a research paper presented by Wars for brother. Tim Brown past Master, Deputy Master to their ofu Lodge of research. Number 444, New Zealand in February 2008. Thank you for listening.
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your friends and Lodge members. Visit us online at Salomon staircase, dot-org