On Wearing The Ring

[Ashlar2006]

I guess my only question would be what if the lodge had never made it out of dispensation, then to the record of history, the lodge would not have existed right? Even in the lodges that do not get a charter (I have no idea how often that happens) the brothers worked hard, but they were never an official lodge right? Would the hypothetical lodge have no dates? Or would it have the dates of operation of one year?

I can only answer for my jurisdiction , No they would not and sadly would be lost unless someone took the time to go through the records at Grand lodge , and I think they are an interesting piece of Masonic history . I do not think like most brothers . I wanted the dates from the first time the gavel fell in my lodge till now , not when we received our official Charter .

I am sure some in lodge will not like it I went this route . But I talked to some old timers about it and they like the idea .

 

[Duncan1574]

I can only answer for my jurisdiction , No they would not and sadly would be lost unless someone took the time to go through the records at Grand lodge , and I think they are an interesting piece of Masonic history . I do not think like most brothers . I wanted the dates from the first time the gavel fell in my lodge till now , not when we received our official Charter .

I am sure some in lodge will not like it I went this route . But I talked to some old timers about it and they like the idea .

I like it and as long as the GL okayed the ring design, I would assume that there would be no issues.

 

[Ashlar2006]

Luckily we do not need our Grand Lodge's Okay for things like rings , shirts , lapel pins , hats etc; etc;

 

[DavisB]

Luckily we do not need our Grand Lodge's Okay for things like rings , shirts , lapel pins , hats etc; etc;

Do you know of any jurisdictions in which that is necessary?

 

[Ashlar2006]

None that I can think of , would be interesting to find out though .

 

[Winter]

I like it and as long as the GL okayed the ring design, I would assume that there would be no issues.

You don't need GL approval here for any ring design as well. Or a Lodge's regalia for that matter. There is no standardization here in Wisconsinwhich allows each Lodge to have it's own character.

I've seen as many ring designs as I've seen Masons. There really is no prohibition in many jurisdictions about EA's and FC's wearing a ring merely custom. Since here in America a Mason usually spends a realtively short period as an EA and FC.

 

[Duncan1574]

You don't need GL approval here for any ring design as well. Or a Lodge's regalia for that matter. There is no standardization here in Wisconsin which allows each Lodge to have it's own character.

I've seen as many ring designs as I've seen Masons. There really is no prohibition in many jurisdictions about EA's and FC's wearing a ring merely custom. Since here in America a Mason usually spends a relatively short period as an EA and FC.

I would add that,though we maybe Raised, we are all still EAs & FCs, that the focus of those degrees is just as important as the MM, just with different points of view upon the same subject.

 

[Winter]

I would add that,though we maybe Raised, we are all still EAs & FCs, that the focus of those degrees is just as important as the MM, just with different points of view upon the same subject.

I disagree. While the lessons are absolutely valid from the EA and FC degrees, I am a Master Mason. Not an Apprentice.

By your logic, even though I am graduating next week from college, I am still a freshman.

 

[BukeyeJackson]

I would add that,though we maybe Raised, we are all still EAs & FCs, that the focus of those degrees is just as important as the MM, just with different points of view upon the same subject.

After watching Bro. Coach's WEOM (or something like that) I'm more convinced than ever that I'm an EA. That said I wear the ring because I'm constantly searching light and I may not share secrets with those I come across but it certainly helps shed light on who's who. Rings and other regalia are some of the only ways I'm made friends of brethern whom I've never met in life. I've even found a few members of my lodge who can't attend.

I agree with the others sentiments that we aren't MM truly and as such I keep my apron as a FC and it won't move pass. I would like to delve deeper into developing ourselves as living stones.

As far as not falling prey to our "show" side it's extremely hard in my lodge. The treasurer is also the operator of our pride case. He takes a moment every meeting and at our monthly fundraiser breakfasts to "promote" this.
"Ladies, Father's Day is right around the corner and wouldn't your husband love a new tie, ring, hat, shirt, wallet, pocket knife, etc..." I love it but my wife says if he's at Lodge I have to avoid our Pride Case, unless it's something like the silver slipper for a Mason' Lady

 

[BukeyeJackson]

I disagree. While the lessons are absolutely valid from the EA and FC degrees, I am a Master Mason. Not an Apprentice.

By your logic, even though I am graduating next week from college, I am still a freshman.

I would agree with both with the change that we're always students and always learning.

IMHO I've been raised and earned my title but I haven't Masterd my duties of an EA and FC so there is work as a member of all three degrees that must be done

 

[Duncan1574]

I disagree. While the lessons are absolutely valid from the EA and FC degrees, I am a Master Mason. Not an Apprentice.

By your logic, even though I am graduating next week from college, I am still a freshman.

Your point has validity, however if we forget the lessons and work of the EA & FC, the MM work is much hardier to comperhend. So even though you will soon be a graduate (Congrats BTW), you are in some ways a freshman and an EA and always will be. New ventures will give you new starting points, more work, more light.

 

[Winter]

Can we all improve ourselves and still learn continually from all three degrees? Of course, for our whole lives if we want.

But calling something a thing doesn't make it true. And couldn't it also be taken by other Brothers that if you don't feel you have earned your MM, then maybe you weren't ready to be raised?

If you have been raised, wear the trappings of your achievment proudly and continue to work every day to live up to the honor of being a MM.

 

[Gary]

Can we all improve ourselves and still learn continually from all three degrees? Of course, for our whole lives if we want.

But calling something a thing doesn't make it true. And couldn't it also be taken by other Brothers that if you don't feel you have earned your MM, then maybe you weren't ready to be raised?

If you have been raised, wear the trappings of your achievment proudly and continue to work every day to live up to the honor of being a MM.

Interesting view Bro. Winter. I submit that many (most) who are raised are not worthy of the degree. Simply because the various jurisdictions put a time constraint on how fast we should advance. There is simply not enough time to even get a glimmer of what each degree teaches. The last sentence of your comment rings true, but how many realize what that entails?

 

[Winter]

I will explain a little more in depth about my view on this matter.

Serving in the military it happened that I recieved a promotion (my third stripe) that I had convincied myself had happened before I was prepared for the responsibility of the duties that came with it.

As they were stenciling my name on my Huey (her name was Sparky) I confided in my Flight Chief, a Master Seargant, that I didn't know if I could do this. He set me down and told me that what mattered was that the powers that be had no doubt I could live up to what was expected of me. I got my own helo the same day I sewed on my rank. 20 months time in service.

Have Brothers been raised before they were ready? Of course. But once the Honor is confered you must uphold that Honor. Strive to live up to it. But live it you must.

Wearing a corporal's stripes after you were promoted to Seargent is just as impractical.

 

[Duncan1574]

I will explain a little more in depth about my view on this matter.

Serving in the military it happened that I recieved a promotion (my third stripe) that I had convincied myself had happened before I was prepared for the responsibility of the duties that came with it.

As they were stenciling my name on my Huey (her name was Sparky) I confided in my Flight Chief, a Master Seargant, that I didn't know if I could do this. He set me down and told me that what mattered was that the powers that be had no doubt I could live up to what was expected of me. I got my own helo the same day I sewed on my rank. 20 months time in service.

Have Brothers been raised before they were ready? Of course. But once the Honor is confered you must uphold that Honor. Strive to live up to it. But live it you must.

Wearing a corporal's stripes after you were promoted to Seargent is just as impractical.

Good background, thanks for it.

 

[Gary]

I will explain a little more in depth about my view on this matter.

Serving in the military it happened that I recieved a promotion (my third stripe) that I had convincied myself had happened before I was prepared for the responsibility of the duties that came with it.

As they were stenciling my name on my Huey (her name was Sparky) I confided in my Flight Chief, a Master Seargant, that I didn't know if I could do this. He set me down and told me that what mattered was that the powers that be had no doubt I could live up to what was expected of me. I got my own helo the same day I sewed on my rank. 20 months time in service.

Have Brothers been raised before they were ready? Of course. But once the Honor is confered you must uphold that Honor. Strive to live up to it. But live it you must.

Wearing a corporal's stripes after you were promoted to Seargent is just as impractical.

Excellent example. My thought about this is that even though we are raised, we are still neophytes to the Craft. Does that exempt us from our obligations? Absolutely not. But to me, a smart Mason realizes what he doesn't know (or his vices and superfluities), and strives to better fit himself to the degree he has attained.

To me, that means I needed to pay attention to the EA/FC degrees and apply what they taught me. The ring for me wound up being a superfluity. The decoration aspect of it that is. So I choose not to wear it. That doesn't mean I don't consider myself a Master Mason. have I mastered the Craft? certainly not. Like you stated before, I'm trying hard to fill the boots I was given.

 

[Winter]

Not at all. But try and look at it this way: You are a Master Mason. Wear the ring. Let others see it. Use the fact that others expect you to be a Master Mason force you to live up to it every day. Do priests walk into porn shops with their collar? LOL wearing the ring is a constant reminder to live up to the ideals we know are right. Always. I may miss the mark sometimes, but I have a constant reminder of the right.

 

[Gary]

Not at all. But try and look at it this way: You are a Master Mason. Wear the ring. Let others see it. Use the fact that others expect you to be a Master Mason force you to live up to it every day. Do priests walk into porn shops with their collar? LOL wearing the ring is a constant reminder to live up to the ideals we know are right. Always. I may miss the mark sometimes, but I have a constant reminder of the right.

My rhetoric is failing...

Point well taken Brother.

 

[Winter]

My rhetoric is failing...

Point well taken Brother.

And mine is sometimes suspect!

 

[Duncan1574]

Not at all. But try and look at it this way: You are a Master Mason. Wear the ring. Let others see it. Use the fact that others expect you to be a Master Mason force you to live up to it every day. Do priests walk into porn shops with their collar? LOL wearing the ring is a constant reminder to live up to the ideals we know are right. Always. I may miss the mark sometimes, but I have a constant reminder of the right.

I agree whole heartedly with this reason to wear a ring, before I was a MM, I would draw a S & C on the heel of my right hand as a reminder of my obligations. It helped just as my ring does now. I also use the 'random' direction of the Compasses (inward or outward) to direct my energies for the day.