Spotlight (June 2007)

Read that ritual book properly!

There is an old saying: ‘why look in the crystal ball when you can read the book?’ This applies to those countless Masons who have never bothered to read – and in particular digest – the wealth of information that precedes the ceremonies in the ritual books.

As a result, bad habits grow up, usually fuelled by DCs who allow lax development of the ritual, and so-called ‘elder brethren’ who come up with the boring old mantra: ‘this is such-and-such Lodge Working’. That is shorthand for ‘we really don’t know what we are doing, so we make out we have always done it this way.’

There are many different Workings, and this adds to the richness of ceremonies, especially when visiting other Lodges. But, within a particular ritual, there is no excuse for bogus deviations masquerading as ‘such-and-such a Lodge Working’, as bad habits die hard.

Given that printed versions of the ritual have been around since the 1870s, one would have thought we could have got it right by now. Indeed, because the United Grand Lodge of England, at its formation, banned the printing of the ritual, the Emulation Lodge of Improvement for Master Masons, to give it its full title, did not sponsor the printing of its own ritual until 1969, although it was formed in 1823.

A simple reading of these introductions by all Masons – especially those with ostrich-like tendencies – would greatly enhance ceremonies. Reverting to the Emulation ritual again, the Senior Deacon should be seated at the East end of the North column facing directly across the Lodge – and NOT across the corner.

Likewise, the word ‘hele’ is pronounced ‘hail’ and not ‘heel’ in Emulation. You don’t agree? Read the introduction to the ritual book! Another argument that often ensues is which is the correct way round for the Bible and square and compasses on the Master’s pedestal?

Answer: the Bible faces the Master so that he can read the print, and likewise the square and compasses is placed on the open right-hand page and faces him. But don’t tell the Old Guard who do it differently – it is ‘Lodge custom’.

The Junior Warden, when addressing the Master, faces front and only turns his head, and the Inner Guard, likewise faces down the Lodge, only turning his head when addressing the Junior Warden. But how often do we see it being done incorrectly? Does the DC know?

Again, in Emulation, at openings and closings in the various Degrees and when resuming labour from one Degree to another, the knocks of the Master, Wardens, Inner Guard and Tyler are given in sequence – no pause while other actions take place. Is that how you do it?

While I have concentrated on Emulation, similar nuances such as those cited above can be found at the front of ritual books of other Workings.

So, Brethren, dispense with the crystal ball (aka the Lodge ‘elder statesmen’) and read the book. After all, these books cost enough – so why not get your moneysworth?

JOHN JACKSON