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Necessity of a Tyler

hanzosbm

Premium Member
We all know the number of Masons required and of whom they consist when convening a lodge of MM, or FC, or EA. Yet, in these lists, the Tyler is absent. At the same time, he is central to the first great care in Masonry. Here, we seem to have a conflict.

I'd like to see a discussion around this conflict and the thoughts of the brethren.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
Every chicken has to have an egg.

I've never seen a third degree with anything like that few brothers, but you have to make do with the brothers available.
 

JJones

Moderator
It's weird. He has lines and a duty but he doesn't have to be present. I've seen brothers fill in multiple seats while opening a MM with the minimum but it seems odd and I'm sure it's not the 'correct' way to handle it.

I'd be interested in learning how GL wants it done though.
 

BroBook

Premium Member
He does repeat once, before receiving, they don't mention him in the count because we ( the craft) take him for granted, now to work a full set of steps would be ideal , but perfection + 1 = completion
 

goomba

Neo-Antient
Site Benefactor
It's weird. He has lines and a duty but he doesn't have to be present. I've seen brothers fill in multiple seats while opening a MM with the minimum but it seems odd and I'm sure it's not the 'correct' way to handle it.

I'd be interested in learning how GL wants it done though.

In the jurisdiction I was raised in the tyler doesn't have any lines, the JD says them. However, in other jurisdictions I've seen the tyler speak. Yeah I to have seen and filled in many seats to open and close.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Our ritual asks how many anciently composed a lodge, and who were they. Not today. Our Masonic Code specifies how many must be present to open the lodge today.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Our ritual asks how many anciently composed a lodge, and who were they. Not today. Our Masonic Code specifies how many must be present to open the lodge today.
Indeed. In some jurisdictions, the question is asked as to how many compose such a lodge. The response is Y. The return asks if X only
 

Canadian Paul

Registered User
In our Ritual the Tyler has no 'lines' - he is outside the Lodge when the Opening starts. When Opening in the First Degree the Master asks each Office-bearer his place in the lodge and his duties and each answers - except the Tyler. The Junior Warden answers for him.

If I may deviate a bit from the topic, is anyone familiar with 'tyling from within'? It is commonly done here if circumstances permit so the Tyler can observe what is happening in the lodge room.
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
In Oregon once we are open the tyler is invited in....in NM we just open the door and the tyler sits in the doorway
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Has anyone here ever seen a lodge opened with the minimum number stated I the ritual? Particularly the MM?
 

Levelhead

Premium Member
Yes. One of my lodges. Cant get enough to barely open..

We invite out tyler in and close the door.


Sent from Mossy Oak Swamp Bottom.
 

BroBook

Premium Member
In our Ritual the Tyler has no 'lines' - he is outside the Lodge when the Opening starts. When Opening in the First Degree the Master asks each Office-bearer his place in the lodge and his duties and each answers - except the Tyler. The Junior Warden answers for him.

If I may deviate a bit from the topic, is anyone familiar with 'tyling from within'? It is commonly done here if circumstances permit so the Tyler can observe what is happening in the lodge room.
Yes after the opening during business meeting.
 

LAMason

Premium Member
I've seen the MM put on by three. Acacia Losge 17, F&AM of Utah

Out of curiosity, did it require a special dispensation for the degree and was the degree put on in full?

The only time I have witnessed a MM Lodge opened by 3 was for a special program that was open. 3 of us did the opening early and the Lodge was called to refreshment so the visitors could just come in and not have to wait. I personally did not see any reason to actually open since it was a called meeting just for the special progam., but one of our members insisted that it should be.
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
I just pulled out my monitor and it is interesting to note that the MM degree requires officers who are not of those and those alone that are required, particularly the SD. Not to mention, I think you'd have one hell of a hard time carrying out the third section with only the number required.

I think what it really boils down to is that over time, the order went from a secret society who only were accountable to the old charges to one with bylaws and far more rules but who didn't want to give up the old ways. I'm sure at one time it was basically "keep Fred on the lookout. Oh, it's only us? Okay, well then keep your voices low". At some point in time, the obligation changed to include the part about being beholden to the Grand Lodge. From that time forward, things got complicated. No longer could the rules simply be what was in the obligation, they then extended to whatever the GL said. It puts us all in a weird position of swearing to an open ended set of rules.
 
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