What is considered secret

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Ok , I was told by a Mason who has been a Mason all of around two years that he was troubled that I leave my rituals laying around all over the house , you know our OB and all , on another forum because anyone could pick them up and read them . And then my GL was called into question by the same person for printing our Monitor (or ahiman rezon ), just like most all other jurisdictions does , again because of our OB and all .

Now My ritual (or Monitor ) has the bulk of the lectures but omits modes of recognition , the obligations , preparation , and a few other things . The rest of the degree lectures are written in full . My YR rituals , the bulk is written in full , and the "secrets" are coded .

So what does your jurisdiction (and your opinion) say about what really is to be kept "secret" and what is not ?

I was obligated not reveal the modes of recognition , anything that is written out in full in our Monitor IS NOT considered secret . I do not hand my ritual (or monitor ) over willing and say "here , read this ." , but I do not go out of my way to hide them either . My wife once picked up my ritual (or Monitor) and started to read it as a joke thinking I would throw a fit . I did not say a word because I knew she would be bored within a few sentences , which she was .

For to long , when you asked an old timer about Masonry , the usual answer was "I can't tell you anything about it !" . And new Masons are confused as to what they may talk about and what they may not or what non-Masons are allowed to read and what they are not .There is nothing in my ritual that someone could use to gain entrance into a lodge , absolutely nothing . Well , the Tyler's Oath , but that is given in a certain manner that is not included in our ritual and without that little piece of info , the Oath is useless .

Another example , in my monitor is explanations of the working tools . I will tell anyone who asks what each working tool means . We explain in detail the meaning of the Square and Compasses in my ritual and I will in turn explain them in detail to anyone who asks . So are these to be kept secret because they are in a ritual (or Monitor) ?

Heck , come to think of it , much of the Monitor are rituals that can be seen by the public such as officer installation ( along with each officers OB ) , Funeral ritual , cornerstone laying etc; etc; .
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Let me add another Question . Suppose your wife , girlfriend , mom , dad , friend etc; etc; goes to your local book store or orders on line copies of "Lester's Look to the East" or "Duncan's Ritual" or some jurisdictions ritual from E bay , would you expect a Mason to snatch them out of their hands and say "You can't read that !!!" ?

They are in the public domain and/or purchased fair and square . My wife , when she did at one time question me asked if she could find out about the degrees I went through , I told her they can be found freely on line and books can be purchased , she just would not hear some of it ( and I stress SOME OF IT ) come from my mouth personally .
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
I Keep coming up with questions ......

While I am thinking about it , Why is the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress supposed to be kept secret ? If I am in distress while public , am I supposed to only give it when I think no one but other Masons can see it ? Wouldn't help if the wife knew what it was too , she may see it when you may not and point it out to you so you can fly to the aid of a fellow brother ?

Other than the modes of recognition , why is the opening and closing of a lodge secret ? In mine , it is nothing more than a description of the duties of each lodge officer . In my jurisdiction , I can open/close the lodge and claim "dispense of all further signs and ceremonies" when we are in a time crunch as when opening on multiple degrees in one night to save time .

Just trying to create conversation and debate , so have at it .
 

2SONDAD

Husband, father, son, Mason.
Here in CA, 99% of the monitor is in cipher, but some parts, like explanations about the apron and the working tools are in plain English. A few other parts as well. I have no problem talking about them. Talking about the working tools, in my mind anyway, is simply explaining the code of ethics that Masons try to live by. Nothing should be secret about that- especially if more people and not just men-tried to live by the same code.

I agree with you Ashlar; everything is out there for everyone to see, we just said we wouldn't talk about it or put it out there ourselves. It's why we aren't a "secret society", and why we truly aren't "a society with secrets" either. We're just a society of friends and brothers who promised not to talk about "our secrets" with cowans and evesdroppers.

(Side note- my lodge participated in a parade yesterday and my wife joked- " Wow, you secret society guys can't keep a secret. Everyone will see you and know who you are!")
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
(Side note- my lodge participated in a parade yesterday and my wife joked- " Wow, you secret society guys can't keep a secret. Everyone will see you and know who you are!")
LOL ! My wife once said something similar . we were at a Masonic function when an "older" gentleman walked by with a ring on just about every finer and his lapels had 20 lbs of pins on them and a Masonic ball cap . She said " No hiding the fact he is a Mason !" to which my reply was no better I said "Nope , he is a walking Masonic gift store" .

But to the rest of your post , Our ritual has no coded sections , parts that are considered secret are just left completely out and have been passed on through the years mouth to ear .

We do have a complete coded ritual but everyone hates it . I tossed mine in the garbage can myself . I guess my local trash men have it now since they like to dig through our trash for "keepers" .
 

Bob Franks

Past District Deputy Grand Lecturer
In NC (AF&AM), we have our North Carolina Lodge Manual, by Charles Bahnson (the "Bahnson's Manual"), which is the plain language portions of the rituals practiced. In the section of the Lecture of the Entered Apprentice Degree are the sections that lecturers call "Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice." Under "Prudence" is the line:
"It should be particularly attended to in all strange and mixed companies, never to let fall the least sign, token, or word whereby the secrets of Masonry might be unlawfully obtained."
I view that as saying that only the signs, tokens, and words are truly Masonic Secrets.

Anywho, it was Bro. S. Brent Morris, Ph.D., on one of those Masonic programs on cable TV that said, "Anyone with a little time and intelligence can discover the secrets of Masonry, but I will not tell you...because I have promised that I would not."
The secrets are not the important part, whether you can keep them is a measure of how much you value that with which you have been entrusted.

S&F
 

cemab4y

Member
Virtually everything in Masonry is broadcast out to the public. Our goals, landmarks, etc. have all been published for many years. And the internet has made seeking out the 'secrets' even easier! You must keep the modes of recognition closely held, and disclose them only to a qualified Mason, upon strict trial and due examination (or in a tyled lodge during degree work). All of the rituals, and modes of recognition have been published and are easily available to anyone who wishes to learn them.

When asked "What makes you a Mason?" most Masons answer "My obligations". Although this is a standard answer, the more proper response should be "Living up to my obligations".

One tool I use, in my Masonic career, is to ask myself. "If living up to your obligations were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
 

Gary2112

Troll Stomper
Staff member
Virtually everything in Masonry is broadcast out to the public. Our goals, landmarks, etc. have all been published for many years. And the internet has made seeking out the 'secrets' even easier! You must keep the modes of recognition closely held, and disclose them only to a qualified Mason, upon strict trial and due examination (or in a tyled lodge during degree work). All of the rituals, and modes of recognition have been published and are easily available to anyone who wishes to learn them.

When asked "What makes you a Mason?" most Masons answer "My obligations". Although this is a standard answer, the more proper response should be "Living up to my obligations".

One tool I use, in my Masonic career, is to ask myself. "If living up to your obligations were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
Yes the internet has made things easy for those who would seek to learn the inner workings of our fraternity. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that you haven't provided links that show all of the due guards and signs along with the passwords, as you generally like to post as much information as possible.

Both examples that you provided are entirely subjective, and would depend on who is evaluating the given responses and evidence.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Okay , I was on another forum and seen a post were a person was claiming he needed financial aid and typed the words "GRAND HAILING SIGN OF DISTRESS !!!!! " and then followed his OP up with "Someone asked me in a PM why I didn't type out the words and you would know why if you remembered your 1ST OB , 2nd paragraph !" .

Now I ask this again .... is the Grand Hailing Sign of Distress private (or secret ) ? IMO No it is not , if it were then there is no use having it . Kinda of hard giving it in public when you are truly in distress is it not ? Because there are many tales of it being given , many of those in times of war . Did the brethren giving the GHSoD ask every person he seen for his dues card first before giving it ? Highly doubtful .


I am obligated not to give it unless I am truly in imminent danger (or in a LOI ) . I do not think needing financial aid meets the requirements of imminent danger ( well , that is unless I owe some gangster/thug some money) . But if this person actually believed his needing money put him danger , then he could have just went ahead and said it .
 

2SONDAD

Husband, father, son, Mason.
I read the same forum and saw the comments. I would agree with you.

I'm also going to slightly disagree with our Brother's post about the Grand Hailing Sign only being used for danger. I say that because I believe (I am possibly wrong- I am not an expert and I don't play one on TV, nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn last night.) it is jurisdictional. Based on CA's, OB, I believe distress or danger is an either/or.

I'm going to have to ask my mentor....
 

2SONDAD

Husband, father, son, Mason.
Well, He was spoken to about his post by his lodge and issued an apology.
Windrider, I wasn't disagreeing with what you had posted there- as I said, I am not an expert- I'm just wondering if different jurisdictions may have different interpretations. I found it interesting to read and I thought Ashlar had an interesting question.

More importantly, I hope the Brother has everything work out for him.
 

Gary2112

Troll Stomper
Staff member
I would imagine, that in a moment of desparation one might request aid in a manner as to reach as many Brothers as possible. Doesnt mean the act is the right thing to do, but I can see why it might happen.

I wish the brother well also.
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
We have had brethren call our lodge telling us they were in need of money . Some were just requests , some were scammers . But we have never had a brother call or stop by the lodge and give us the GHSoD
 

Ashlar2006

Masonic Mafia
Not used to Taptalk and was not finished with my post .

That post on the other forum just brought that question to mind again . I too wish him the best so do not think I was coming down on this fellow for the position that he is in , many are in the same boat And I feel for him .

What I am really wondering is if this is a jurisdictional thing ? Such as some jurisdictions tell the brethren never to give the GHSoD in front of non-Masons .
 

Windrider

Plus-sized tuxedo model
Well, I'm "Brother John" on that forum and I posted a little "Masonic Education" for him. He was wrong and I told him so. In my opinion, what he did was unmasonic conduct and violated the use of the Grand hailing sign as well as jurisdictional and recognition rules. I would not be welcome in his lodge nor he in mine as there is no amity between the MWPHGL of WA and my grand lodge. It was a rookie mistake and one that will serve as an exaple to many who read that thread.
 
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