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Traveling past master

Winter

Premium Member
My dues card has a W:. before my name to indicate my status as a Past Master.

Transmitted via my R5 astromech.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
I've been invited to sit in the east at several lodges I've visited, but I always respectfully decline. At some lodges, if every past master sat in the east, it would get very crowded up there!
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I've been invited to sit in the east at several lodges I've visited, but I always respectfully decline. At some lodges, if every past master sat in the east, it would get very crowded up there!

We have the opposite problem in my lodges now...
 

Jim Barr

Premium Member
In South Carolina, dues cards do not indicate if you are a Past Master. That said, the Past Master's degree in South Carolina is open to all "Ancient Free Masons" a designation that only South Carolina lodges have, so out-of-state Masons are respectfully asked to vacate the lodge during this degree.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
In South Carolina, dues cards do not indicate if you are a Past Master. That said, the Past Master's degree in South Carolina is open to all "Ancient Free Masons" a designation that only South Carolina lodges have, so out-of-state Masons are respectfully asked to vacate the lodge during this degree.
I'm a bit confused here. The thread is referring to those who have actually served a full term (or more) as the WM of their Lodge, not to those who have received the PM Degree. Are you saying that any SC MM can take part in (or be present during) the PM Degree? It is my understanding that, here in Texas, only sitting WMs can receive that Degree, although I stand to be corrected.
 

Jim Barr

Premium Member
I'm a bit confused here. The thread is referring to those who have actually served a full term (or more) as the WM of their Lodge, not to those who have received the PM Degree. Are you saying that any SC MM can take part in (or be present during) the PM Degree? It is my understanding that, here in Texas, only sitting WMs can receive that Degree, although I stand to be corrected.
No, I wasn't clear. Only South Carolina Past Masters can participate in or view the Past Mater's degree. Newly elected Worshipful Masters are given the Past Master's degree upon installation.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I'm a bit confused here. The thread is referring to those who have actually served a full term (or more) as the WM of their Lodge, not to those who have received the PM Degree. Are you saying that any SC MM can take part in (or be present during) the PM Degree? It is my understanding that, here in Texas, only sitting WMs can receive that Degree, although I stand to be corrected.

(here...) A Past Master is just that - a Past Worshipful Master - it cannot be conferred, you must have been installed in a Craft Lodge as its Master.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
(here...) A Past Master is just that - a Past Worshipful Master - it cannot be conferred, you must have been installed in a Craft Lodge as its Master.
Same here, but the York Rite here has what is called a "Past Master's Degree". Here it has nothing to do with the Blue Lodge, except only sitting WMs are eligible to receive it, I am told.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
No, the York Rite "Virtual Past Master" degree can be conferred on any MM. It was invented because it used to be that only PM's could be exalted to the Holy Royal Arch. In order to open it up to more members, they created the VPM to confer before exaltation.

There is a "secrets of the chair" degree, called by various names, that is conferred on an incoming lodge Master by a "board of installed masters" in private at some point in the installation of lodge officers for the year. Minnesota doesn't do this; I don't know how many states do.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
There is a "secrets of the chair" degree, called by various names, that is conferred on an incoming lodge Master by a "board of installed masters" in private at some point in the installation of lodge officers for the year. Minnesota doesn't do this; I don't know how many states do.
I don't think Texas does that either.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
This whole PM thing here is so important, because we open Boards of Installed Masters to install our WMs.... had one last night - and a PM was there from New Zealand, if he was a MM, he would not have seen it... funny thing was... a few years ago, only a handful of men (MM and below) would have to leave.... at the one last night - most of the room left which was noticeable, because there was about 60 in the lodge room.. and only about 20 for the Board of Installed Masters..
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
Every intallation ive been to the WM is installed last. Hes invested with his jewel and gavel amd given his charge, right there in front of everyone.....does this "secret" board of installed masters do something more then that?

Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Every intallation ive been to the WM is installed last. Hes invested with his jewel and gavel amd given his charge, right there in front of everyone.....does this "secret" board of installed masters do something more then that?

Sent from my LG-H811 using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app

Without being silly, I cant answer the question beyond, yes, more happens.. i actually want to make a comment in our newsletter about the Board we held Sat, but cant figure how to do it and will take advice from PMs..
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Generally we install our officers in a MM Lodge which has been called from labor so that the honored Brethrens' families may attend and share in the honors.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Generally we install our officers in a MM Lodge which has been called from labor so that the honored Brethrens' families may attend and share in the honors.

Thanks Bill

Here, that would be called an "Open Installation". SW and JW are installed in front of the public, other officers as invested - exactly as per ritual with signs removed.. Prior, the lodge is closed. They are moderately common- my mother lodge has only done one, a lodge I was a founder of has done 7 of its 8 Installations that way.. You need GL's approval to do an Open.

A Master here is only ever made a Master in a Board of Installed Masters which only admits brethren who have attained the rank of Worshipful Master and Past Masters
 
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