[kcraig1011]

Well, last night I attended my first regular stated meeting as a MM. This seemed to be the perfect meeting to attend as my first, as the District Deputy Grand Master visited our Lodge to participate in our stated meeting, and discuss the topics of the RWGM's 21st Century Renaissance thereafter.

For the most part, the DDGM's explanations were calming. The three black balls to deny a petitioner was explained in such a way: The purpose is to eliminate the chance of one person with a personal (non-Masonic) reason to block a petitioner from joining. If a MM has a good Masonic objection to a petitioner, he is to go directly to the DDGM and state his objection. The DDGM will then take action. Another purpose of this is to avoid taking a petition all the way to the voting stage, thus wasting everyones' time, if a MM has a Masonic reason to object. So I can understand the purpose of this change. They will also be changing part of the EA degree work to reflect this change.

Next, he explained how now we are openly allowed to ask qualified men to look into our Fraternity because, in one way or another, most MM have already been doing this. Maybe not directly asking a person to join, but mentioning the Fraternity, arousing interest, and saying "if/when you want to join, just ask me." I suppose this is true.

Finally, he explained the written ritual aid as an alternative path for Masons to learn their degree and ritual work. He explained that some Brothers have a hard time getting away from home or work in order to learn what they need to. He also explained that for some people, remembering what they read is easier than remembering what they hear. All of which is true, in a way, but these explanations did not seem to calm the minds of my Brothers in the Lodge. On the bright side, if a Brother is found to have copied the aid book, only his dues card is taken, and he is out. Contrary to what I said earlier that the entire Lodge will have it's warrant confiscated. The GL has not determined whether they will change the wording in the EA O&O to reflect the fact that there is a written ritual aid.

So, I figured those participating in this thread would be interested to read additional information coming straight from the DDGM's mouth. To my delight, I was given a Masonic penny, and a book of Masonic information as a small congratulatory gift for attending my first stated meeting. I also passed the MM proficiency test, and will be receiving my dues card soon. I am excited to start doing some traveling to other Lodges. I will also be attending the School of Instruction in my district, and hope to start practicing a floor or officer position soon.

Any further opinions or reactions will be appreciated. Have a good weekend, Brothers.

[BG_TRBL]

Ashlar, to answer your question, yes the PA jurisdiction does use the Ahimen Rhezon, all officers are provided with this. Now the second answer to your question is to my knowledge, all degree work is conveyed by mouth to ear, with the exception of the "charge of the degree", all O&O, bible lecture, steps, grips, signs and words are all conveyed mouth to ear. I am happy to hear that the DDGM was able to explain some of the reasoning behind the changes, but this shouldn't absolve the RWGM from unilaterally changing the history and traditions which have been established. I am aware of some "written information" that is available to individuals, I do not agree with this, but that is something I am coping with myself.
Fireman, to answer your question, yes unfortunately the RWGM can issue edicts to his jurisdiction without virtue of a ballot or vote. These will then have to be followed by the various lodges, working under his jurisdiction. Typically, the overall masonic intellegence of the Grand Lodge itself generally temper decisions like this. The lodge is not a democracy per se, so he can initiate and carry out singular decisions.
Ashlar, I would love to know what differences exist between KY, and PA in degree work. I am still befuddled by the reference, I know the degree, and can't remember the stairway portion, or referencing middle chamber. The only "Chambers" that I remember are from the Council degrees. Sure wish we could talk.

[scooterstrats]

Just got home from the Pittsburgh Masonic Center of an open meeting with the new RWGM Tom Sturgeon. The meeting was very well attended with approx 300 local brothers and required extra chairs to be frantically brought in ( I helped in the chair gathering frenzy to start on time). After all due honors and recognition was acknowledged, the meeting proper started. Before the RWGM spoke, each member of the GL staff spoke briefly on a few of the new changes ,then Bro Sturgeon spoke. Say what you will about the changes, but he spoke emotionally from the heart and I (and many other Bro's) agree with much or most of what he proposed. After a fine dinner, I was lucky enough to personally speak with Bro Sturgeon and found him to be sincere, pleasant, and again committed to his vision and asked us newer brothers to help his agenda. As a newer MM, I will not rock the boat, but i will sit back and observe the next year here in Pa. But as of this evening,I am fairly satisfied with the new direction. (BTW, new Brother Craig on this forum, I tried to find who you might be, but dont know if you were present.) I will try to keep updates if needed. Thaxn for the time brothers.

[scooterstrats]

I neglected to mention, before RWGM Sturgeon spoke, approx 20 Fifty Year pins were presented as well as 1 Sixty Year pin. Very impressive and humbling. These men are what I aspire to if I am fortunate enough to reach that age. These men are inspiring.

[Ashlar2006]

Originally Posted by BG_TRBL

Ashlar, to answer your question, yes the PA jurisdiction does use the Ahimen Rhezon, all officers are provided with this. Now the second answer to your question is to my knowledge, all degree work is conveyed by mouth to ear, with the exception of the "charge of the degree", all O&O, bible lecture, steps, grips, signs and words are all conveyed mouth to ear. I am happy to hear that the DDGM was able to explain some of the reasoning behind the changes, but this shouldn't absolve the RWGM from unilaterally changing the history and traditions which have been established. I am aware of some "written information" that is available to individuals, I do not agree with this, but that is something I am coping with myself.
Fireman, to answer your question, yes unfortunately the RWGM can issue edicts to his jurisdiction without virtue of a ballot or vote. These will then have to be followed by the various lodges, working under his jurisdiction. Typically, the overall masonic intellegence of the Grand Lodge itself generally temper decisions like this. The lodge is not a democracy per se, so he can initiate and carry out singular decisions.
Ashlar, I would love to know what differences exist between KY, and PA in degree work. I am still befuddled by the reference, I know the degree, and can't remember the stairway portion, or referencing middle chamber. The only "Chambers" that I remember are from the Council degrees. Sure wish we could talk.

Sorry for being away for so long , my machine gave out on me and it has taken a while to fix .

Now that I am clued in and I was correct in my thinking that you had a Ahimen Rhezon , Then I will side with you completely , and do not see the need for a written ritual with the OB ,grips , words , etc; . Look how long you all have came without one . I have always admired PA Masons for their long standing traditions and have wanted to set in lodge with you and watch you at labor . Also , I was not saying that by we here in Ky having a written ritual was to be taken that you should just except your GL having one BG , I was just stating that I have never had a need for the written ritual myself .

I have heard the second section of the Fellow Craft degree called several names , the Staircase Lecture , the Winding Staircase Lecture and the Middle Chamber Lecture among a few others from various jurisdictions .

[macrylinda]

Originally Posted by Ashlar521

I was talking about the FellowCraft Staircase Lecture (Middle Chamber) which is the second section of the second degree . But I must apologize for my post . I always assumed that your jurisdiction used the Monitor (Ahiman Rezon) that has the basic lectures for each degree with the true secrets left out , such as grips , words and OB etc; etc; such as ours . You'll have to excuse me as I am on some new medications that have left me confused and befuddeled like an Alzheimer patient ,and it's kind of scary ! So what I am asking now is , do you not have any kind of Monitor (Ahiman Rezon) period ? Because I am now somewhat confused by reading what various PA Masons have posted on the internet , some are making it look like every single word , of every single degree from start to finish is mouth to ear , or is it just words , grips , and OBs' etc , etc , that are taught mouth to ear ? Because , like I stated before , I was always under the impression that you all used the Ahiman Rezon as a guide for the bulk of the lectures .

Please forgive me if I am out of line for asking but does the GM of PA have the ultimate authority to change the way things are to be done or is it something that has to be brought to a vote? If he does, what would stop him from simply putting the info on the GLofPA website for every Tom, Dick or Harry to read. Here in Indiana I am not sure how it is taught as I havent started by degree work (one week away) so I dont have a valid point on whether it should be in print or mouth to ear. I just wonder what kind of authority they have to make such a change.

[Ashlar2006]

It depends on what it is . Most everything is brought to the floor at each annual Grand Lodge communication and is voted on by the Craft . That is each lodge sends at least one representitive who votes for his entire lodge . The Grand Master is beholden to the same obligations as the rest of the Brethren .

[brucekp]

In Washington State you receive a cipher of the degree work you need to memorize. They also assign you a coach. The lectures are in our Monitor, along with other public ritual. I know each Grand Lodge does it a bit differently.

[FlawedAshlar]

Hello, brethren.

I am new to this forum, having been raised just under a year ago. I am a member of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey and when I first heard of these changes I was very concerned for the wellbeing of the craft I had worked so hard to join. These changes are particularly interesting to me because PA has one of the largest populations of Masons in the country, so I always assumed acquiring new members was far less of a problem than in other states. Can someone from PA confirm if this is true? I just figured if a man saw more Square and Compasses around them day to day, they'd be more interested and more likely to know a man who they knew to be a Mason. One of the biggest obstacles to me joining was finding a Master Mason to ask (at the time, I did not know I could just go to a lodge and say "hi").

That being said, I am not sure I understand exactly what we're saying has happened in regards to the transcribing of the ritual. In NJ, each EA, and FC is given a ciphered copy of their examination; both the answers and the questions, but the words and grips are left blank.

Once raised, we can obtain a Grand Lodge Issued "monitor" (I've never heard anyone refer to it by that name). This monitor is probably 80% in cipher, with 20% being things which, as explained to me, are not considered "secret". I was told that should anyone ask me a question about Masonry, I could share with them anything that was not in cipher. Most of what is not ciphered are things such as floorwork. This book includes the opening, and closing of the lodge, the degrees, their examinations and instructions for knocking a lodge up or down between degrees. It does not include the actual grips or any words. These are left blank where they would normally be spoken or exemplified during ritual work. These books are also not distributed freely. They are ordered by the secretary of the lodge from Grand Lodge, and must be purchased by individual brothers. These books are typically only recommended for officers to help them learn ritual they will be involved with.

Are these books (or ones like them) what are being instituted in PA? Or are we saying that each lodge will be provided with one completely un-ciphered book with everything included, to be used at lodge? in people's homes? during meetings?

I cannot see the merit or value in providing a plaintext copy of the ritual for any reason or purpose whatsoever. Please enlighten me if someone can point to a good reason to do this. I see this primarily as a statistically bad idea as buildings burn and their contents go unaccounted for, and locks traditionally only keep out honest men.

As for the cipherbooks, I understand that these did not exist for years and the craft profited without them. However, if only to ensure that the ritual is handed down exactly and accurately, I feel these are positive addition to the craft. I have seen even past masters struggle to read the cipher. So should one fall into the hands of the profane, I am confident they would not be able to extract much of use. Additionally, there are so many better methods of testing a man's membership than quoting ritual, so while it would make me sad, I maintain the accurate conveyance of knowledge trumps the paranoid desire to protect the innocuous.

I also think it's worth noting that if the GM has the ability to change these rules, the ritual, the day-to-day operations, the goals, the values etc.. of all lodges in their jurisdiction, then they certainly have the privilege/power/right/authority to grant themselves a dispensation to print anything that strikes their fancy. I'm not suggesting that he should. I'm simply pointing out that if anyone is entitled to augment their obligation (or anyone else's) to behave in a manner which they believe will further or benefit the craft, it's the current RWGM.

Can anyone confirm exactly what has been changed and what is the new implementation?

I have said a lot, so I appreciate anyone who has read this far.

What I find to be the most troubling of the three listed changes is the permission for members to "ask worthy men" to join. I feel this has the potential to cause a lot of problems moving forward. However, as I've said quite a lot so far, and no one else seems interested in discussing this aspect, I will save my rant on this for another post, should anyone state their interest.

I, for one, maintain my faith and fidelity to the GAOTU and the Craft. If these changes are right for Masonry, I believe time will prove them so. Should they be a mistake, I rest confident that they are not blemishes which cannot be blotched out on the record of history.

Stay well, my brothers.

S&F,

-DLZ

[PatrickWilliams]

Wow, brethren. There's nothing like a good discussion about ciphers, monitors (and what should be in them), etc. to raise the old hackles. Now I belong to 3 Lodges, each in a different jurisdiction: Alaska, Texas and Wisconsin. Each of these jurisdictions handles things in different ways.

Alaska: The esoteric work (that is, the work that MUST be kept secret) is presented in cipher. You really do have to know what's being said to read cipher and there is a cipher booklet for each degree. There is also a Monitor which presents that work that the jurisdiction does not consider to be secret.

Texas: There is a Monitor for the public work. Ciphers are not permitted and all esoteric work (which is most of it) is still passed mouth to ear. We had a conversation outside of Lodge about ciphers once. The brother who was Master while I was in Texas said, "I'd rather sleep with a prostitute than have a cipher." I responded, "Who wouldn't?" I was not always the most popular member of my lodge in Texas.

Wisconsin: There is a Monitor which presents some of the work in cipher and some of the work in plain English. There are still some small parts that must be passed from mouth to ear (modes of recognition). Wisconsin's rule is that ONLY the modes of recognition must be kept secret. Functionally, however, we keep anything that appears in cipher secret, too (or only explain what it is in generalities).

So, here are three different ways of handling things, and guess what? Masonry is alive and kicking in all three jurisdictions. We are a living organization, brothers, and sometimes that means that things change.