User Panel
Posted: 2/8/2017 6:46:23 AM EDT
We initiated a new EA last night for a Past Master's nephew. His uncle conferred. There were 13 Past Masters present. The Senior Deacon was the only non-PM to have a part. I hadn't been Junior Deacon for a looooooong time.
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Did you remember your stuff? It's been a very long time for me too. It's always fun to shake things up a bit.
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Yep, nailed the address. I almost missed something he shouldn't have had. But I caught it.
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In PA our ritual is different than other states.
JD in PA doesn't do any talking, except in the opening and closing of the Lodge in Ancient Form. |
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Same here. No part in degrees, unless they are doing an arch with their staffs. He just opens and closes the lodge. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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In PA our ritual is different than other states. JD in PA doesn't do any talking, except in the opening and closing of the Lodge in Ancient Form. Same here. No part in degrees, unless they are doing an arch with their staffs. He just opens and closes the lodge. A lot of the times I don't know what these guys are talking about from other states, for instance, the stair lecture or the cyphers... we don't have either in PA. Our SW doesn't conduct the candidate either, like in other states, but I hear them talking on here about it, but I don't know what that is. |
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In PA our ritual is different than other states. JD in PA doesn't do any talking, except in the opening and closing of the Lodge in Ancient Form. View Quote Here he prepares and introduces the candidate. Each of our stations is expected to learn the next chair up. The various officers are also expected to do certain sections. JS - Charges SS - EA Lecture JD - MM Lecture SD - FC Lecture JW - Confers EA SW - Confers FC WM - Confers MM |
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Here he prepares and introduces the candidate. Each of our stations is expected to learn the next chair up. The various officers are also expected to do certain sections. JS - Charges SS - EA Lecture JD - MM Lecture SD - FC Lecture JW - Confers EA SW - Confers FC WM - Confers MM View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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In PA our ritual is different than other states. JD in PA doesn't do any talking, except in the opening and closing of the Lodge in Ancient Form. Here he prepares and introduces the candidate. Each of our stations is expected to learn the next chair up. The various officers are also expected to do certain sections. JS - Charges SS - EA Lecture JD - MM Lecture SD - FC Lecture JW - Confers EA SW - Confers FC WM - Confers MM The acting Master confers the whole degree. This lecture you speak of, I think we call that a "charge" and its done by the Master, or whoever he chooses to do it. In our Lodge, normally the WM doesn't confer all the degrees. We normally do about 4 a month and have guys who like to confer degrees, so they come in and do the conferrals. More on this later... |
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Lecture Charts Entered Apprentice Fellowcraft Master Mason Strairway Lecture View Quote Also, Ive heard that you guys have to turn in work before or after the degrees... We don't have that. We are also not asked a bunch of questions. To advance, all you have to know is your obligation and grips. |
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Each jurisdiction does things a little differently. Its one of the things I like to learn about. Many require a lot more proficiently before you advance than we do.
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Each jurisdiction does things a little differently. Its one of the things I like to learn about. Many require a lot more proficiently before you advance than we do. View Quote We have degree catechisms that need to be memorized. The include a series of questions and answers regarding the degree, the obligation and the grips/passwords. |
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Right.. just takes part in the square, during degrees. A lot of the times I don't know what these guys are talking about from other states, for instance, the stair lecture or the cyphers... we don't have either in PA. Our SW doesn't conduct the candidate either, like in other states, but I hear them talking on here about it, but I don't know what that is. View Quote No discussion on the stairs during the FC degree? I just started my second term as Grand Lecturer in Utah. I have responsibility to publish and distribute the cipher. I was just doing some reading on when we first adopted it and it wasn't until 1945. The cipher puts into print form all of our ritual work. With 1-2 letters replacing each word. Sometimes it is the first and second letter of the word (T for the) or two letters (TT for that). GL Code prohibits a cipher being opened while lodge is at work. It's impossible to decipher because there is no key. That "T" could a the, this, then, those, etc. Our junior PGM was originally from PA. I think he told me everything there is still mouth to ear. I think CO has gone complete clear text for their ritual work and NM issues a copy of the clear text to each WM. MT gives a copy to each lodge lecturer and GL officer. I have the only traveling copy for UT. There are a few in the safe but technically they can't be removed without me being there. Not really practical given the geographic distances here. I also can't be at every degree practice/meeting with a copy of the clear text for reference. The result, a hodgepodge of ritual around the state. |
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No clue View Quote If we have enough guys our Stewards will form an arch with their staffs over the WM while he is obligating. If they're not around, it may fall to the SD/JD, or not at all. Very little of our floor work is set down in the Standard Work so each lodge develops their own traditions with that. |
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The guide prepares the candidate, theres no introductions. then he guides him through the degree. The acting Master confers the whole degree. This lecture you speak of, I think we call that a "charge" and its done by the Master, or whoever he chooses to do it. In our Lodge, normally the WM doesn't confer all the degrees. We normally do about 4 a month and have guys who like to confer degrees, so they come in and do the conferrals. More on this later... View Quote Our Senior Steward prepares the candidate, SD conducts. We have both a lecture and a charge. |
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For anyone so interested (and willing to part with $10), our Grand Lodge Code, Trial Code and Book of Ceremonies are available on Kindle. If you go to the installation ceremony it will detail all of the officer responsibilities as each is installed.
https://smile.amazon.com/Books-Grand-Lodge-Trial-Ceremonies-ebook/dp/B00H4985S4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486920766&sr=8-1&keywords=grand lodge code&tag=vglnk-c102-20 |
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No discussion on the stairs during the FC degree? I just started my second term as Grand Lecturer in Utah. I have responsibility to publish and distribute the cipher. I was just doing some reading on when we first adopted it and it wasn't until 1945. The cipher puts into print form all of our ritual work. With 1-2 letters replacing each word. Sometimes it is the first and second letter of the word (T for the) or two letters (TT for that). GL Code prohibits a cipher being opened while lodge is at work. It's impossible to decipher because there is no key. That "T" could a the, this, then, those, etc. Our junior PGM was originally from PA. I think he told me everything there is still mouth to ear. I think CO has gone complete clear text for their ritual work and NM issues a copy of the clear text to each WM. MT gives a copy to each lodge lecturer and GL officer. I have the only traveling copy for UT. There are a few in the safe but technically they can't be removed without me being there. Not really practical given the geographic distances here. I also can't be at every degree practice/meeting with a copy of the clear text for reference. The result, a hodgepodge of ritual around the state. View Quote Each District Lecturer has a copy of the "Pure Work". |
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No discussion on the stairs during the FC degree? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Right.. just takes part in the square, during degrees. A lot of the times I don't know what these guys are talking about from other states, for instance, the stair lecture or the cyphers... we don't have either in PA. Our SW doesn't conduct the candidate either, like in other states, but I hear them talking on here about it, but I don't know what that is. No discussion on the stairs during the FC degree? |
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If we have enough guys our Stewards will form an arch with their staffs over the WM while he is obligating. If they're not around, it may fall to the SD/JD, or not at all. Very little of our floor work is set down in the Standard Work so each lodge develops their own traditions with that. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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No clue If we have enough guys our Stewards will form an arch with their staffs over the WM while he is obligating. If they're not around, it may fall to the SD/JD, or not at all. Very little of our floor work is set down in the Standard Work so each lodge develops their own traditions with that. during the first degree the officers make a square. before the candidate is brought to light the SD and JD cross their staffs over the Bible and the other two appointed officers cross their swords just under that. I don't really want to get into too much detail.... we have profanes that read this. |
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That's not what I'm talking about. during the first degree the officers make a square. before the candidate is brought to light the SD and JD cross their staffs over the Bible and the other two appointed officers cross their swords just under that. I don't really want to get into too much detail.... we have profanes that read this. View Quote Interesting. I need to do some more out of state traveling. |
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I think there's a real bond between you and the Brother that was your Senior Deacon in your degrees. Especially if something unusual occurs. Like during my EA when I was placed at the alter and it rolled away. View Quote Now that would be funny. I remember a SD fumbling with his staff and it whacking the candidate on the head. I've heard some very interesting "misspeaks" during the obligations that it was really hard not to laugh at. |
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Had a guy rip his pants when he keeled.. split right up the seam.
1 dude barfed .. 2 guys fainted all during obligations. |
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Now that would be funny. I remember a SD fumbling with his staff and it whacking the candidate on the head. I've heard some very interesting "misspeaks" during the obligations that it was really hard not to laugh at. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I think there's a real bond between you and the Brother that was your Senior Deacon in your degrees. Especially if something unusual occurs. Like during my EA when I was placed at the alter and it rolled away. Now that would be funny. I remember a SD fumbling with his staff and it whacking the candidate on the head. I've heard some very interesting "misspeaks" during the obligations that it was really hard not to laugh at. The first MM I conferred, I used the word "permit" at a point when it was totally inappropriate. |
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It was somewhere not readily visible. Until the SD did something.
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Right.. just takes part in the square, during degrees. A lot of the times I don't know what these guys are talking about from other states, for instance, the stair lecture or the cyphers... we don't have either in PA. Our SW doesn't conduct the candidate either, like in other states, but I hear them talking on here about it, but I don't know what that is. View Quote |
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It's weird how much varies from GL to GL View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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I was just entered 2 weeks ago. There was nothing at the lodge that fit so I had to make due with what I wore bottom wise. My back started going into spasms during the Obligation and I almost fell over.
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Thank you Brother. Learning the catechism is proving difficult. Usually I tackle memorization by copying things over and over but of course I can't do that. We just went dark, so hopefully I should be able to have everything squared away by the time we open in Sept.
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Thank you Brother. Learning the catechism is proving difficult. Usually I tackle memorization by copying things over and over but of course I can't do that. We just went dark, so hopefully I should be able to have everything squared away by the time we open in Sept. View Quote |
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some guys get nervous and theres nothing to be nervous about. ive seen guys faint and one guy even threw up. afterwards they admitted there was nothing to get worked up about. View Quote They were telling me about guys getting nervous and passing out while being conducted. The only things that went through my head was a few thoughts of stubbing my toe on the altar or something and then thoughts of all the people who did the same thing all the way back to the begining of Freemasonry. While I was taking the Obligation at the altar, I was thinking "Yes. I promise, swear, and whatever else you need me to do. Just get to the end so I can stretch." I was in PAIN! |
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Oh. I am not nervous, and won't be nervous when I stand proficient. I am just very critical of myself. They were telling me about guys getting nervous and passing out while being conducted. The only things that went through my head was a few thoughts of stubbing my toe on the altar or something and then thoughts of all the people who did the same thing all the way back to the begining of Freemasonry. While I was taking the Obligation at the altar, I was thinking "Yes. I promise, swear, and whatever else you need me to do. Just get to the end so I can stretch." I was in PAIN! View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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some guys get nervous and theres nothing to be nervous about. ive seen guys faint and one guy even threw up. afterwards they admitted there was nothing to get worked up about. They were telling me about guys getting nervous and passing out while being conducted. The only things that went through my head was a few thoughts of stubbing my toe on the altar or something and then thoughts of all the people who did the same thing all the way back to the begining of Freemasonry. While I was taking the Obligation at the altar, I was thinking "Yes. I promise, swear, and whatever else you need me to do. Just get to the end so I can stretch." I was in PAIN! |
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Thank you Brother. Learning the catechism is proving difficult. Usually I tackle memorization by copying things over and over but of course I can't do that. We just went dark, so hopefully I should be able to have everything squared away by the time we open in Sept. View Quote Curious, why do you go dark for that period of time? Is this a common thing in other Jurisdictions? |
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going dark was common in farming areas as the lodges agreed not to meet until the summer crops were harvested in the fall. now it is mostly still tradition.
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