Old Ritual

[Torence]

Along with our current Opening Prayer, I found that in Illinois
before 1913 a longer, "alternative prayer" was available that
Chaplains could use that went like this:
“Most holy and glorious Lord God, the great Architect of the
Universe, the giver of all good gifts and graces: Thou hast promised
that ‘where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt
be in their midst and bless them.’ In Thy name we have assembled, and
in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the
sublime principles of FreeMasonry may so subdue every discordant
passion within us, so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine own
love and goodness, that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that
Order and Beauty which reign forever before Thy throne. Amen.”
Does this prayer continue to exist in any other jurisdiction? We
also here in Illinois have two apron presentations, a long one and a
short one, from which a Lodge Master can choose. Does your
jurisdiction allow choices; and, if you can explain them without
violating the terms of this group's charter, where during the degree
work do you have alternatives?

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon - Auburn Park No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138, Lasning, Illinois

[Larry W]

Post by Torence
Does this prayer continue to exist in any other jurisdiction?

Oregon's begins:
"Great Architect of the Universe, in Thy name we have assembled"
And continues as you have posted.

Post by Torence
We
also here in Illinois have two apron presentations

We also have two. The shorter one presents the apron and characterizes its
importance. The longer one, enciphered, details some symbolism and talks
about what happens at the owner's death. My Lodge generally uses the longer
one.

Frats, etc.,
Larry

[Torence]

Post by Larry W
My Lodge generally uses the longer
one.

When I was a younger officer in the late eighties - early nineties,
I took the time to learn the longer version. Every time I obligated on
the first, that one is the apron lecture that I used. The trouble was
that if I were to get stuck, and fortunately that didn't happen, no
one knew how to prompt me.
Everyone else has kept to the short version. I only recently
learned the short version, being Senior Deacon apparently "ad vitam;"
and, I only know it so that I can prompt whoever is obligating.
Recently, in Illinois, a prompter with an open book has been
allowed; but I think that move is a desperate act, leading our
jurisdiction to more and more degrees, lectures and ceremonial work
being read rather than learned. I also feel that if the heavy handed,
word for word, this "book" is the “whole of our work” notion, (a
testament to the vanity of past Grand Line Officers and in antithesis
to the Original Plan of Freemasonry) that prevailed in the twentieth
century, is allowed to continue more lodges will wane away.
Restoring the old material and giving the right to decide general
usage and to the sort out the details back to the Local Lodge will
appeal to the Laboring Age Men operating our lodges. Our Grand Masters
should recommend rather than dictate the ritual especially the floor
work. If we can restore the conditions enjoyed by our ForeBrothers,
including the inclusion of lost material, foreign lectures and even
(watch out!) foreign languages, then we will see as many new lodges
form as old ones who are destined under the old system to fade away.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois

[kiv 11]

  Along with our current Opening Prayer, I found that in Illinois
before 1913 a longer, "alternative prayer" was available that
    “Most holy and glorious Lord God, the great Architect of the
Universe, the giver of all good gifts and graces: Thou hast promised
that ‘where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt
be in their midst and bless them.’ In Thy name we have assembled, and
in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the
sublime principles of FreeMasonry may so subdue every discordant
passion within us, so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine own
love and goodness, that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that
Order and Beauty which reign forever before Thy throne. Amen.”
   Does this prayer continue to exist in any other jurisdiction? We
also here in Illinois have two apron presentations, a long one and a
short one, from which a Lodge Master can choose.

Bro. Torence, your alternative opening prayer quoted above is the only
prayer currently authorized for use during the opening of a lodge
under the jurisdiction of the GL of NY, F&AM.

George K.

[Bruce Hutchins]

In article

  Along with our current Opening Prayer, I found that in Illinois
before 1913 a longer, "alternative prayer" was available that
    “Most holy and glorious Lord God, the great Architect of the
Universe, the giver of all good gifts and graces: Thou hast promised
that ‘where two or three are gathered together in Thy name, Thou wilt
be in their midst and bless them.’ In Thy name we have assembled, and
in Thy name we desire to proceed in all our doings. Grant that the
sublime principles of FreeMasonry may so subdue every discordant
passion within us, so harmonize and enrich our hearts with Thine own
love and goodness, that the Lodge at this time may humbly reflect that
Order and Beauty which reign forever before Thy throne. Amen.”
   Does this prayer continue to exist in any other jurisdiction? We
also here in Illinois have two apron presentations, a long one and a
short one, from which a Lodge Master can choose.

The Grand Lodge Of Maine AF & AM has two approved opening prayers
neither of which matches the one above. They are available on our GL
website at http://www.mainemason.org/resources/bluebook/index.asp#Chap2

Bruce Hutchins,
PM Unity Lodge #58, PDDGM, GL of Maine,
http://unitylodge.hutchinsbrothers.com

[Jack Wise]

Post by Torence
Along with our current Opening Prayer, I found that in Illinois
before 1913 a longer, "alternative prayer" was available that
“Most holy and glorious Lord God, the great Architect of the

This version along with 2 others are used in Texas.
--
Jack Wise

PM, Jacques DeMolay Lodge No. 1390, AF & AM, Houston, TX
( www.jd1390.org/jdmlodge.htm )

Member: Oak Wood Lodge No. 1444, AF & AM, The Woodlands, TX


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