The Use of Rituals

the occasion, and to relive the rapture and ecstasy of that inspiring moment. But Jesus said no, and brought them down from the mountain to mix with the world. There was work to be done, there was a message to be brought to the world. As Masons we have found the Light at our Altar. Let us not make our asylum a retreat from the world with our Altar as a tabernacle where we may worship by ourselves. We, too, must carry forth the Light to bring happiness and peace to the world.

This is the challenge to every Mason in the world today. Let us not fail.

My thanks to M. W. Bro. Francis J. Scurry, M.D., Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Arkansas, U.S.A. which was prepared by Bro. J. Stewart Donaldson PM 76

The Use of Rituals—a Question?

A number of documents appear from about 1690. These are called masonic catechisms because there are in a question and answer format rather than a ritual that we would use today.

A question I have been asked is why at this time? This is difficult to answer for certainty but the reason might be due to the increase in the number of non-operative masons (in Scotland) joining operative lodges.

For the majority of masons (ie. operative working men), rituals would be of no use whatsoever as most were illiterate. Master or Fellowcraft masons (architects/designer) would be the only masons who could read and write. Therefore, the only reason why rituals were developed would be for the ‘ new’ non-operative mason who wanted to know more about the Craft or for the literate masters. However, as the literate masons would have existed before 1690 then it is more likely the rituals were developed at the same time non-operatives joined lodges. Prior to the ritual, the ’art of memory’ would have been essential for the teachings and modes of recognition.

Prof. David Stevenson comments about Scottish and English ritual development: It would be going too far to assert that English stonemasons did not have rituals in the 17th century. It is undeniable that not only is nothing known about them but, when in the early 18th century evidence begins to emerge about the rituals of English freemasons, they are clearly of Scottish origin. So popular did the Scottish rituals become that they swept away into total oblivion any distinctively English practices except those relating to study of the Old Charges.

The latter do provide invaluable evidence of the development of the Craft including the two to three degree system.