Sreward's Investiture

[John W]

The office of Steward is the first office to which a Brother is
appointed. An important first step. Is there no ceremony to mark this?
Did our ancient Brethren do it this way?
Researches have shown that there was
a ceremony, not in the ritual book, handed down from time improbable, by
word of mouth alone, now sadly rarely seen.
This evening with the assistance of my W.Bro. the D.C. and my Bro. the
J.W. an explanation of this archaic ceremony will be given. I shall
therefore request the D.C. to put the necessary questions.
D.C. Bro. ________ Where were you first prepared to be made a Steward?
ANSWER: In the body of the Lodge by the W.M's' pedestal.
D.C. Where next? ANSWER: At the festive board adjoining the Lodge.
D.C. Describe the mode of your preparation.
ANSWER: I was deprived of the right to eat my dinner in peace, a napkin
was placed over my left arm, a bottle opener placed in my right hand and
a corkscrew was hung about my neck. (J.W. does this)
D.C. What is Stewardship?
ANSWER: A Peculiar system of servitude, Practiced by few for the benefit
of many.
D.C. Name the three grand Principles on which Stewardship is founded.
ANSWER: Courtesy, prompt clearing of the empties and willingness at all
times to bring a beer when properly called upon.
D.C. With what were you invested?
ANSWER: The working tools of a Steward, namely the napkin, the bottle
opener and the corkscrew.
D.C. Explain their separate and conjoint significations.
ANSWER: The napkin being white denotes the purity of the beverages we
serve. The bottle opener is an instrument which acts on the Principle of
leverage and enables beer to be opened for the brethren and our visitors
and the Corkscrew, which works with a winding motion, is meant to remind
us of the staircase up which our ancient brethren went to receive their
refreshment.
D.C. What refreshment did they receive?
ANSWER: Scruple and roasted hens.
D.C. Why this Peculiar menu?
ANSWER: Scruple was well-known strong ale to which they felt justly
entitled, and the Temple caterers served roasted hens frequently in
those days.
D.C. What was in the two great Crates, which were placed at or near to
the entrance to the Festive Board?
ANSWER: That on the left contained Bass and that on the right Worthington
D.C. What are their separate and conjoint significations?
ANSWER: The former denotes Strength, the latter to inebriate and when
conjoined, Instability, for the Worshipful Master said, "With strong
beer I will inebriate these my Brethren and make them remember MY year
in office for ever!"

[Mudge]

Post by John W
The office of Steward is the first office to which a Brother is
appointed. An important first step. Is there no ceremony to mark this?
Did our ancient Brethren do it this way?
Researches have shown that there was
a ceremony, not in the ritual book, handed down from time improbable,
by word of mouth alone, now sadly rarely seen.
This evening with the assistance of my W.Bro. the D.C. and my Bro. the
J.W. an explanation of this archaic ceremony will be given. I shall
therefore request the D.C. to put the necessary questions.
D.C. Bro. ________ Where were you first prepared to be made a Steward?
ANSWER: In the body of the Lodge by the W.M's' pedestal.
D.C. Where next? ANSWER: At the festive board adjoining the Lodge.
D.C. Describe the mode of your preparation.
ANSWER: I was deprived of the right to eat my dinner in peace, a napkin
was placed over my left arm, a bottle opener placed in my right hand
and a corkscrew was hung about my neck. (J.W. does this)
D.C. What is Stewardship?
ANSWER: A Peculiar system of servitude, Practiced by few for the
benefit of many.
D.C. Name the three grand Principles on which Stewardship is founded.
ANSWER: Courtesy, prompt clearing of the empties and willingness at all
times to bring a beer when properly called upon.
D.C. With what were you invested?
ANSWER: The working tools of a Steward, namely the napkin, the bottle
opener and the corkscrew.
D.C. Explain their separate and conjoint significations.
ANSWER: The napkin being white denotes the purity of the beverages we
serve. The bottle opener is an instrument which acts on the Principle
of leverage and enables beer to be opened for the brethren and our
visitors and the Corkscrew, which works with a winding motion, is meant
to remind us of the staircase up which our ancient brethren went to
receive their refreshment.
D.C. What refreshment did they receive?
ANSWER: Scruple and roasted hens.
D.C. Why this Peculiar menu?
ANSWER: Scruple was well-known strong ale to which they felt justly
entitled, and the Temple caterers served roasted hens frequently in
those days.
D.C. What was in the two great Crates, which were placed at or near to
the entrance to the Festive Board?
ANSWER: That on the left contained Bass and that on the right Worthington
D.C. What are their separate and conjoint significations?
ANSWER: The former denotes Strength, the latter to inebriate and when
conjoined, Instability, for the Worshipful Master said, "With strong
beer I will inebriate these my Brethren and make them remember MY year
in office for ever!"

I saw a similar thing quite a few years ago. I think I still have it
on a 3.5" floppy from my old Atari (which can no longer be read) - But,
it was called "The Knife and Fork Degree" and was to be delivered in
the banquet hall after the Installation - good fun !