From: Doug Freyburger <***@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 12:02:32 CST
Doing group degrees works as plenty of officers in lines across many
grand jurisdictions are now graduates of multiple degrees, so
objections to the process are a self imposed internal
limitation.
Good line of reasoning; but I wonder if that point is only a
rationalization. In FreeMasonry, degrees
and obligations
are
administered not chosen. When at one of these classes or festivals,
the question should be asked whether the candidate was ever given a
choice, or if the lodge decided for them. As for these officers, I
wonder how many of them regret how their degree was handled; and how
many instead think that all degrees should be done as multiples.
If any festival Masons participate in this newsgroup, then perhaps
they could write to the point.
It's interesting that in a previous time when Masonry was so popular many degrees
were needed, so many grand jurisdictions faced the same problem and came to such a
different answer. They still needed multiple degrees so they decided that lodges
could in fact confer multiple degrees.
FYI: About thirty-five years ago, my lodge was doing 35-45 degrees
per year.
The process was defined differently jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Whatever the choreography, I would prefer that the Grand Lecturers,
if Masonry is going to keep them, recommend how MCDs (Multiple
Candidate Degrees) are to be done, rather than try to direct the
process. Over the years, various Boards of Grand Examiners either put
the blinders on as if multiple candidate degrees do not exist; and in
another year another Board will attempt to dictate the slightest
nuance.
Of course, I think that the Books of Standard Work and Ceremonials
should never be treated as anything other than a strong suggestion.
Grand Lines continue to foster an antiquated desire to retain
totalitarian control over the work.
It's almost like grand lines in state after state aren't even aware of their own policies
with regard to multiple degrees.
The Brother Gentlemen who graduate to the Grand Line, at least here
in Illinois and in our lifetime, are the products of strained mandate.
When Illinois went from having itinerant Grand Lecturers selected by
the Grand Lodge Congress to a Grand Lecturer and District Deputy
System (1869-1873) selected by each newly elected Grand Master the
promise was made that neither organization would ever serve as a
college for Grand Line Officers. There is nothing about serving on the
Board, even as Chairman, that would necessarily educate an aspirant as
to our history, Masonic jurisprudence etc. Recently, having heard this
complaint, a vetting process has been added so that as a Grand Line
aspirant travels up the chairs he will at least be posted to the
various committees etc. such as the charities. I think that process
helps; but the best GMs are the ones who acquire their experience via
three distinct, hard knocks.
In my humble opinion, genuine progress would be realized if we
returned to electing, at least occasionally, a Grand Line Officer
directly from the Principle Local Lodge Officers, avoiding candidates
who are too embroiled in the Rites or some of these other more
politically actuated clubs among us.
The limit in this generation seems to be the candidates' willingness to show up as
scheduled.
I put the blame for this travesty directly on the first line
signers. A candidate, particularly for his first degree, has no idea
of the work needed to organize the event. The FLS does and should do
his duty not only to see that the candidate is at the lodge at the
appointed hour; but he should be there for the degree as well.
I think it's the advance scheduling and the deadline that matters the most.
Excellent point
If Lodge Masters told candidates at the end of each
degree that they are to be ready for their next by such and such date,
they are aiding the mentor to set a proper tone for instruction.
In century old books I've read complaints that lodges were becoming degree mills and
the real Masonic activities were getting lost. Whatever those activities were, we need
more of them. I don't even know what they were!
I have some inkling. Trials were regular Masonic events, for
example. I would like to see Local Lodges do Mock Trials from some of
the more notable cases such as the Crum case from Vienna Lodge, The
Aldrich case from Warsaw Lodge, the Robbins case from Bodley Lodge
etc. I would image that other jurisdictions have had some interesting
tests that would be illuminating to revisit.
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 Crete, Illinois
PM Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 Lansing, Illinois