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Cabletow

Bro. A

Registered User
Are you seriously implying that its use within ritual as a rule, guide and healthy limit to your freemasonic involvement and obligations is just lip service when it comes to your health, your family and your vocation and that they are not really priorities over the Craft?

But you just boldly stated that your cable-tow does not have a length! "Anyway I can" implies that you actually DO have a limit. So, which is it?

Why would you ever look down on your Brothers?

Are you stating you were raised to put Brothers and the Craft first and your health, family and vocation second, in direct opposition with the very intent of the Cable-Tow Clause?

Really? Then what good purpose does it even serve being put within ritual and repeated endlessly for candidates? Is it merely a quaint and manipulative statement to quell their imagined fears and fool them into agreeing with obligations that will overshadow their obligations outside the Craft?

At this point I believe we all need to better comprehend your original question and its main term:

1) In your mind, what is a freemasonic "cabletow"?
2) To your best understanding, what is a cabletow's freemasonic purpose?
3) For what intent is the freemasonic cabletow mentioned within ritual?
4) Why is it mentioned within ritual where it is?
Are you seriously implying that its use within ritual as a rule, guide and healthy limit to your freemasonic involvement and obligations is just lip service when it comes to your health, your family and your vocation and that they are not really priorities over the Craft?

But you just boldly stated that your cable-tow does not have a length! "Anyway I can" implies that you actually DO have a limit. So, which is it?

Why would you ever look down on your Brothers?

Are you stating you were raised to put Brothers and the Craft first and your health, family and vocation second, in direct opposition with the very intent of the Cable-Tow Clause?

Really? Then what good purpose does it even serve being put within ritual and repeated endlessly for candidates? Is it merely a quaint and manipulative statement to quell their imagined fears and fool them into agreeing with obligations that will overshadow their obligations outside the Craft?

At this point I believe we all need to better comprehend your original question and its main term:

1) In your mind, what is a freemasonic "cabletow"?
2) To your best understanding, what is a cabletow's freemasonic purpose?
3) For what intent is the freemasonic cabletow mentioned within ritual?
4) Why is it mentioned within ritual where it is?

Coachn, I think you've missed the entire point of what I was trying to make my brother. We all know what the "text book" definition of the cabletow is. And I'm definitely not saying put Masonry before family, vocation, or refreshment or sleep. But I will say this... if a Brother calls and needs help or just want to sit and talk to get something off of his chest. Guess what, I'm there. Let me clarify myself on something, my cabletow does have a "length" when it comes to me physically being there for brothers across the globe. I can not get each and every brother in person. That's just not possible. But with the power of the internet and cell phones, my cabletow is endless, if a Brother needs to talk and just needs to be heard, I WILL ALWAYS be there no matter what.
Maybe I should have asked the question in a different way and my apologies for the confusion.
Think about this, WE are ALL having a conversation about the length of the cabletow. Right now, at this very second, I'd say it's very long and endless.....
 
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coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
Coachn, I think you've missed the entire point of what I was trying to make my brother.
Yeah, I totally get that you think that I think that.
We all know what the "text book" definition of the cabletow is.
Actually, we all do NOT know what the "text book" definition is. That's the entire point of my responses. I thought you'd get that point without me having to point it out.
And I'm definitely not saying put Masonry before family, vocation, or refreshment or sleep.
But you are saying exactly that when you say: Yes!!! The Cabletow shouldn't have a length. It should be endless.

That's the point! The cable-tow is a point put within ritual to point out that there is a limiting point where we must consider and honor our external obligations OVER our Craft obligations.

And you are never going to be able to do that not understanding the point of this being pointed out at a specific point in ritual.
But I will say this... if a Brother calls and needs help or just want to sit and talk to get something off of his chest. Guess what, I'm there.
But you must do that within the length of your cable-tow or you are not honoring freemasonic instruction. It is not an honorable act to exceed the length of your cable-tow. It is detrimental to your life.
Let me clarify myself on something, my cabletow does have a "length" when it comes to me physically being there for brothers across the globe. I can not get each and every brother in person. That's just not possible. But with the power of the internet and cell phones, my cabletow is endless, if a Brother needs to talk and just needs to be heard, I WILL ALWAYS be there no matter what.
...within the length of your cable-tow...
Maybe I should have asked the question in a different way and my apologies for the confusion.
Agreed and accepted.
Think about this, WE are ALL having a conversation about the length of the cabletow. Right now, at this very second, I'd say it's very long and endless.....
But we are NOT all having a conversation about "the length of the cable-tow". There is at least one of us who is actually deviating from that "conversation" and asking what it is, why it is and how it is used. And the questions are NOT being addressed in your contribution to this "conversation".
 

Bro. A

Registered User
Yeah, I totally get that you think that I think that.

Actually, we all do NOT know what the "text book" definition is. That's the entire point of my responses. I thought you'd get that point without me having to point it out.

But you are saying exactly that when you say: Yes!!! The Cabletow shouldn't have a length. It should be endless.

That's the point! The cable-tow is a point put within ritual to point out that there is a limiting point where we must consider and honor our external obligations OVER our Craft obligations.

And you are never going to be able to do that not understanding the point of this being pointed out at a specific point in ritual.

But you must do that within the length of your cable-tow or you are not honoring freemasonic instruction. It is not an honorable act to exceed the length of your cable-tow. It is detrimental to your life.

...within the length of your cable-tow...

Agreed and accepted.

But we are NOT all having a conversation about "the length of the cable-tow". There is at least one of us who is actually deviating from that "conversation" and asking what it is, why it is and how it is used. And the questions are NOT being addressed in your contribution to this "conversation".

Ok... you see it one way and I see it another.... you have a great day Brother.
 

Winter

Premium Member
Ok... you see it one way and I see it another.... you have a great day Brother.

I see some of the points you might be trying to make, Brother. But if you post something in a discussion forum you probably should be prepared to defend it or expound upon it. Your reply is a pat response that does nothing to move the exchange of ideas forward and makes the implication that you are unwilling to discuss the difference in views.

Yes!!! The Cabletow shouldn't have a length. It should be endless.

You said our Cable Tow should have no length, be endless. Are you implying everything in our lives should come second to Freemasonry? While I like the sentiment, it is directly refuted by the teaching every one of our Apprentices receives in the first degree.
 

Bro. A

Registered User
I see some of the points you might be trying to make, Brother. But if you post something in a discussion forum you probably should be prepared to defend it or expound upon it. Your reply is a pat response that does nothing to move the exchange of ideas forward and makes the implication that you are unwilling to discuss the difference in views.



You said our Cable Tow should have no length, be endless. Are you implying everything in our lives should come second to Freemasonry? While I like the sentiment, it is directly refuted by the teaching every one of our Apprentices receives in the first degree.

I asked a question and got some pretty good responses. I wasn't unwilling to discuss the topic but I'm not going to sit here and argue about something that I've already addressed. I see the cabletow in a certain way and others may see it in another. And thats fine. Masonry is interpreted and understood in many different ways. Is your way of thinking right or wrong? Is my way of thinking right or wrong?
And not once did I say Masonry comes before anything else. My personal life comes before Freemasonry.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
Bro. A said:
Ok... you see it one way and I see it another.... you have a great day Brother.
I see some of the points you might be trying to make, Brother. But if you post something in a discussion forum you probably should be prepared to defend it or expound upon it. Your reply is a pat response that does nothing to move the exchange of ideas forward and makes the implication that you are unwilling to discuss the difference in views.
^^THIS^^
Morgan.jpg
Bro. A said:
Yes!!! The Cabletow shouldn't have a length. It should be endless.
You said our Cable Tow should have no length, be endless. Are you implying everything in our lives should come second to Freemasonry? While I like the sentiment, it is directly refuted by the teaching every one of our Apprentices receives in the first degree.
^^AND THIS^^
Morgan.jpg
 

Winter

Premium Member
And not once did I say Masonry comes before anything else. My personal life comes before Freemasonry.

It is exactly what you said. While the length of the cable tow must be personally interpreted, the definition is constant. It is the length you are willing to go for Masonry. Your exact words are that it should have no length, implying nothing comes before the Craft. But you also said your personal life comes before Freemasonry. I think before we debate the length of the cable tow, we should see how far apart our definition of the cable tow is. If I may ask, what Masonic body do you belong to and how do they define the Cable Tow? If we compare that to the definition of other bodies, maybe we can see where we are disconnecting.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
If you're trying to get me to argue with you and see things YOUR way. It won't work brother.
^^This^^ is a Red Herring response...

If you earnest believe that I am trying to get you to do anything other than clarify what I have asked you to clarify, you are misleading yourself.

But, go ahead... avoid the very thing that would enlighten us as to the very core of your awareness and understanding by throwing superficialities, distractions and accusations forth instead of well-founded and authentic light.
 
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coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
It is exactly what you said. While the length of the cable tow must be personally interpreted, the definition is constant. It is the length you are willing to go for Masonry. Your exact words are that it should have no length, implying nothing comes before the Craft. But you also said your personal life comes before Freemasonry. I think before we debate the length of the cable tow, we should see how far apart our definition of the cable tow is. If I may ask, what Masonic body do you belong to and how do they define the Cable Tow? If we compare that to the definition of other bodies, maybe we can see where we are disconnecting.
^^AND THIS TOO!^^
Morgan.jpg
 

Bro. A

Registered User
^^This^^ is a Red Herring response...

If you earnest believe that I am trying to get you to do anything other than clarify what I have asked you to clarify, you are misleading yourself.

But, go ahead... avoid the very thing that would enlighten us as to the very core of your awareness and understanding by throwing superficialities, distractions and accusations forth instead of well-founded and authentic light.

It is exactly what you said. While the length of the cable tow must be personally interpreted, the definition is constant. It is the length you are willing to go for Masonry. Your exact words are that it should have no length, implying nothing comes before the Craft. But you also said your personal life comes before Freemasonry. I think before we debate the length of the cable tow, we should see how far apart our definition of the cable tow is. If I may ask, what Masonic body do you belong to and how do they define the Cable Tow? If we compare that to the definition of other bodies, maybe we can see where we are disconnecting.

Look gentleman, I'm not going to keep going on with this. Brother Winter and Brother Coachn, you guys have a great day and bless your hearts.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
Look gentleman,
<sigh> a salutation setting the stage for a dismissive exit...
I'm not going to keep going on with this.
Good choice Bro.! You can't dig yourself out of a hole of contradictions once you've dug yourself into it.
Brother Winter and Brother Coachn, you guys have a great day and bless your hearts.
And there ya go... offering insincere platitudes as he exits.
 

Keith C

Registered User
We have two definitions to the "length" of our Cable Tow.

1) Is 3 miles from the place of meeting of your Lodge. This is the distance within which you are obligated to attend Lodge if summoned. "Except in case of sickness or some other unavoidable occurrence" This is explicit and likely should be revised due to automobiles, trains, busses, Uber etc vs walking or a horse as when it was put in place!

2) Is the allegorical definition, as in putting service to God, yourself, your family and your work before Masonic commitments.

One is concrete and the other requires thought. The one that requires though also varies from Brother to Brother, but it is certainly impossible for it to be infinite.
 

coachn

Coach John S. Nagy
Premium Member
We have two definitions to the "length" of our Cable Tow.

1) Is 3 miles from the place of meeting of your Lodge. This is the distance within which you are obligated to attend Lodge if summoned. "Except in case of sickness or some other unavoidable occurrence" This is explicit and likely should be revised due to automobiles, trains, busses, Uber etc vs walking or a horse as when it was put in place!

2) Is the allegorical definition, as in putting service to God, yourself, your family and your work before Masonic commitments.

One is concrete and the other requires thought. The one that requires though also varies from Brother to Brother, but it is certainly impossible for it to be infinite.
#1 has been updated to an hour's transit based upon the 3 mile limit being walked and taking about an hour.
#2 is spot on! Suffer any one of these and you have allowed a Brother to walk in between your three great lights and you.
 

acjohnson53

Registered User
As much as I travel abroad, no matter where I'm at Brothers always extend them selves when I'm in their town or city, So it's not a question on how long a Brothers Cabletow is. We should our obligation...Especially that last part of the third degree...
 
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