who belongs to a Lodge

[Hereward]

I'm off to a Royal Arch meeting this evening. This is a separate order in the UK but each Chapter is connected to a Lodge and bears the same name; although anyone qualified may join, whether a member of the same Lodge or nay.

 

[adouglasmhor]

Oh, and I don't know about the alcohol free thing you have going on over there. I've never seen a dry south, but also never seen a drunk mason in the south. Although some of the Scottish blokes get a few whiskies in them and get all emotional at Robbie Burns nights.

My grandfather was in a Lodge that was dry and a lot of the brothers were Temperance but was not teetotal himself, never seen a brother drunk at temple or harmony either.

 

[Puzzicato]

Oh, and I don't know about the alcohol free thing you have going on over there. I've never seen a dry south, but also never seen a drunk mason in the south. Although some of the Scottish blokes get a few whiskies in them and get all emotional at Robbie Burns nights.

If you walk up Great Queen St towards Holborn station on a Wednesday evening, you will see several Masons elevated by drink - but I have never seen a drunk one!

 

[davidg]

I'm a brother of Scotia Lodge #634 F&AM, Jerusalem-Amity Chapter RAM #8, and Coeur de Leon Cmdry #23 KT. You might have guessed that even the Bulgarian brothers of my Lodge like their Scotch at Collation after Communication, but I've RARELY seen one of us leaving drunk.

 

[JohnnyDollar]

I just received a phone call telling me my petition was accepted and my 1st degree will be next month. I am seriously humbled, honored and excited at the same time.

 

[davidg]

Kind of specific demographic, but...
.................I believe it dates to (as usual) the hippies deciding that lodge's and such were reactionary groups who supported "the Man".

That MAY have been part of it, but the same era included the flight from the city to the suburb, .. and if you might have thought to join a lodge type organization you sort of had a choice, .. near work.. or near home and commutes by car from the city (where the older lodges met) to the suburb (where they may or not be) is a consideration.

 

[davidg]

I just received a phone call telling me my petition was accepted and my 1st degree will be next month. I am seriously humbled, honored and excited at the same time.

VERY GOOD! I hope they have a good mentoring program for you!

 

[davidg]

I just received a phone call telling me my petition was accepted and my 1st degree will be next month. I am seriously humbled, honored and excited at the same time.

I've always thought of Johnny Dollar as a travelling man! Now, I know.

 

[Renault]

Elgin Lodge #328 AF&AM. However did all my degree work at Colorado Lodge #96 in Webberville Tx.
25 years now.......
Strong drink is a no-no at any blue lodge here!

Renault

 

[sal]

Elgin Lodge #328 AF&AM. However did all my degree work at Colorado Lodge #96 in Webberville Tx.
25 years now.......
Strong drink is a no-no at any blue lodge here!

Renault

Welcome to the fraternity.
Member of Ashara Casphia #551
moving into SW this year

Drink is a no-no here as well.

 

[davidg]

freemasonry seems to be pretty big still her in Indiana.
I'm not a member of any such organisations. Good career move to join the masons in britain, though ...
bk

If Freemasonry in the US is the same as in Britain, and it may, or may not be so, then they actually discourage joining a lodge for "mercenary" motives. Granted, networking occurs in EVERY organization no matter what it is, but I've actually recommended guys NOT join if the first thing they tell me is that they want to extend their business contacts.

 

[davidg]

Did the Freemason's ask you to don a lamb's loin cloth and recite a book by candlelight?

WHAT!?! This is just plain silly.. I'm curious where you got this info!

 

[JohnnyDollar]

I have a quick question. In a few weeks I will be getting initiated as an Entered Apprentice - something that I am extremly excited about. I was allowed to join the Lodge I am joining at a dinner (it happened just before a lodge meeting) a few weeks back and I noticed that dress ranged from jeans and a flannel shirt to full suits of all colors. I am wondering what would be an appropriate style of dress for the EA initiation as I want to show respect to the lodge and the craft while making sure I am following the rules. Would a medium grey DB 6 on 1 be acceptable or should I rush one of my other suits to a taylor for alteration?

 

[davidg]

respect to the lodge and the craft while making sure I am following the rules. Would a medium grey DB 6 on 1 be acceptable or should I rush one of my other suits to a taylor for alteration?

Most lodges that I know of have business attire for non-officers for a degree. That would mean dark suit and tie. I don't know of ANY that would require more than that from a candidate for the First degree. I'll be honest, I don't really know what a DB6 is.. I just googled it and apparently they are sneakers.. dress shoes would be MUCH more appropriate.

Appropriate dress for Lodge functions varies a lot from Lodge to Lodge and function to function. Dress for a BBQ might be anything clean .. but dress for a degree night at the Lodge might even be formal with a tux.
Again, this would likely NOT be required of a new candidate.

 

[JohnnyDollar]

DB = Double Breasted Suit
6 to 1 = six buttons, with one button as a closure.

I am going to go with the suit, I wear dress pants, shirt and a tie at work already so adding a suit coat or a suit is not that much of a step up.

 

[davidg]

DB = Double Breasted Suit
6 to 1 = six buttons, with one button as a closure.

Oh DUH! Now I feel like a total fool! ;-)

 

[James71]

Over here dinner suit and black bow tie is de rigeur at all lodge meetings, but I believe the American brethren have gone somewhat casual.

 

[sal]

Most lodges that I know of have business attire for non-officers for a degree. That would mean dark suit and tie. I don't know of ANY that would require more than that from a candidate for the First degree. I'll be honest, I don't really know what a DB6 is.. I just googled it and apparently they are sneakers.. dress shoes would be MUCH more appropriate.

Appropriate dress for Lodge functions varies a lot from Lodge to Lodge and function to function. Dress for a BBQ might be anything clean .. but dress for a degree night at the Lodge might even be formal with a tux.
Again, this would likely NOT be required of a new candidate.

suit and tie is what you need

 

[Renault]

Over here dinner suit and black bow tie is de rigeur at all lodge meetings, but I believe the American brethren have gone somewhat casual.

Yes, most of the rural lodges (to which I belong) here are a bit casual for stated meetings, but nontheless tasteful. This goes back to the fact that most were farmers or ranchers and came straight from the field or pasture to a meeting. Meal before, then the meeting. I remember reading stories from the really "old days" of lodge meeting where they had to post or "tile" the lodge from Indian attacks. Well,, it was frontier Texas......

However, for degree work many dress for the occasion. Things are a bit different in the cities. Dress tastful for the brethern, but suits for the major officers.

Texas has always had very strong historical Masonic ties . When General Santa Anna was brought before Gen. Sam Houston after his capture at San Jacinto April 21, 1836; it was reported he "filled the air" with masonic signs before the wounded general. (You brethern out there know what I mean). Santa Anna was a York Right Freemason, and Houston as well as his entire staff were all Freemasons.

Renault

 

[Terry "The Hat"]

Charleston Loge #35 (Charleston, IL)
Valley of Danville Scottish Rite
Ansar Shrine (Springfield, IL)
Cornbelt Shrine (Central, IL)

I am the Junior Warden of Charleston Loge.