Timothy Fleischer
Registered User
Brothers,
I have had a couple of instances occur lately that have put a bur under my saddle, so to speak. I'll give the background before I get to the questions.
Here they are:
Incident #1:
Our small lodge held a fundraiser at a public event in our small town. Lots of people from other towns and other parts of the state came to the event. We had a banner with the Square and Compass and our Lodge name and number. A few Masons from other areas (hard to pinpoint) came up and greeted our brothers with that strong grip and the words "I'm a Master Mason from Lodge so-and-so." This was done in front of Masons and non Masons alike, including some of our newly initiated EAs.
Incident #2:
I attended a nearby lodge in a larger city in our district. I was greeted by some young brothers with that strong grip, both within the Lodgeroom and in the refreshment room. Afterward, we gathered a few of us at a local pub for more refreshment. Again, the other brother greeted us with that strong grip, this time in "public."
Our lodge tradition: We do not use the grips -- any of them -- as a greeting with brothers from our own lodge or with visiting brethren. That is not our custom. We might use the grip, accompanied by the word, as a form of formal examination of a visiting brother who cannot be vouched for.
My questions are several:
1. Is there a Grand Lodge law, resolution or edict about this form of recognition? When is it proper to give the strong grip? Is it proper in mixed company of Master Masons, EAs, FCs and even non-Masons?
2. What about with Prince Hall Masons? I read the resolution from 2007 about recognizing the authority and legitimacy and autocracy of Grand Lodge as well as Prince Hall Masons in Texas. Do I violate laws or obligations if I take a PH Mason by the grip?
3. What does your lodge do in educating your young brothers about the appropriate times and/or places of giving the grips?
It would be interesting to know both the Laws, as well as the Traditions of other Lodges in Texas, including Prince Hall; as well as other jurisdictions outside of Texas.
I appreciate all and any comments as a chance to learn more.
Tim
I have had a couple of instances occur lately that have put a bur under my saddle, so to speak. I'll give the background before I get to the questions.
Here they are:
Incident #1:
Our small lodge held a fundraiser at a public event in our small town. Lots of people from other towns and other parts of the state came to the event. We had a banner with the Square and Compass and our Lodge name and number. A few Masons from other areas (hard to pinpoint) came up and greeted our brothers with that strong grip and the words "I'm a Master Mason from Lodge so-and-so." This was done in front of Masons and non Masons alike, including some of our newly initiated EAs.
Incident #2:
I attended a nearby lodge in a larger city in our district. I was greeted by some young brothers with that strong grip, both within the Lodgeroom and in the refreshment room. Afterward, we gathered a few of us at a local pub for more refreshment. Again, the other brother greeted us with that strong grip, this time in "public."
Our lodge tradition: We do not use the grips -- any of them -- as a greeting with brothers from our own lodge or with visiting brethren. That is not our custom. We might use the grip, accompanied by the word, as a form of formal examination of a visiting brother who cannot be vouched for.
My questions are several:
1. Is there a Grand Lodge law, resolution or edict about this form of recognition? When is it proper to give the strong grip? Is it proper in mixed company of Master Masons, EAs, FCs and even non-Masons?
2. What about with Prince Hall Masons? I read the resolution from 2007 about recognizing the authority and legitimacy and autocracy of Grand Lodge as well as Prince Hall Masons in Texas. Do I violate laws or obligations if I take a PH Mason by the grip?
3. What does your lodge do in educating your young brothers about the appropriate times and/or places of giving the grips?
It would be interesting to know both the Laws, as well as the Traditions of other Lodges in Texas, including Prince Hall; as well as other jurisdictions outside of Texas.
I appreciate all and any comments as a chance to learn more.
Tim