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It's the Little Things That Count

Scoops

Scoops

Registered User
After having read the minutes from the meeting at which I was Raised last week I noticed that the Bible with which I was presented, and every Brother in attendance signed at the Festive Board, was the VSL on which I took my three Obs. I find this to be a very lovely and personal little touch that has just made the experience all the greater.

I wonder if any of you other Brothers have had such experiences where a small detail has made such a difference.

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Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
Scoops said:
After having read the minutes from the meeting at which I was Raised last week I noticed that the Bible with which I was presented, and every Brother in attendance signed at the Festive Board, was the VSL on which I took my three Obs. I find this to be a very lovely and personal little touch that has just made the experience all the greater.

I wonder if any of you other Brothers have had such experiences where a small detail has made such a difference.

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Click to expand...

I have my VSL - but getting those to sign it is an interesting idea.. one I might bring up...
 
dfreybur

dfreybur

Premium Member
My mother lodge Initiates all Brothers on the ancient Bible used at it's first meeting. It's kept in a display case except during first degrees. Second degrees are done on the current Bible used at all meetings. Third degrees are done on the candidate's presentation Bible. I like the continuity of that system as much as I like the other type of continuity in having all three degrees on the presentation Bible. Same general idea, different execution.
 
Bill Lins

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
It is common in the GLoTX to obligate a new MM on a Bible that will be presented to him at the conclusion of the 3rd Degree and for the members of his degree team to sign the flyleaf. Some Bibles have a page specifically for them to sign. We have a suggested ritual for presenting a Bible (or other VSL of the Brother's faith) to the newly-raised MM, as follows:
BIBLE PRESENTATION
This is not a part of the Master Mason's Degree. A Bible may be presented to the newly raised Master Mason if it is the desire of the Lodge to do so. When a Bible is to be presented, it should be done after the completion of the degree [after the apron has been presented and the newly raised Brother has been seated among his brethren].

The following may be used in making the presentation:
"My Brother, however men may differ in creed or theology, all good men are agreed that within the covers of the Holy Bible are found those principles of morality which lay the foundation upon which to build a righteous life. Masonry, therefore, opens this Book upon its altar with a command to each of its members that he diligently study therein to learn the way to Eternal Life.

Adopting no particular creed, forbidding all sectarian discussion within its Lodgerooms, but urging each to be steadfast in the faith of his profession, Masonry would take every good man by the hand, lead him to its altar, point to the open Bible thereon, and urge that he direct his way through life by the light he there shall find; and so long as that light shines upon its altar, so long as it illuminates the pathway of the Craftsmen by its golden rays of truth, so long will Freemasonry live and shed its beneficent influence upon mankind.

Guard then, my brother, that Book of sacred and immutable Law as you guard your life; defend it more heroically than you would the flag of your country, and live according to its Divine precepts with its everlasting assurances of a blessed immortality.

On behalf of your Lodge (or other donor), it is my great privilege to present to you, your own personal copy of the Great Light in Masonry. Read it, study it, and implement in your daily life the precepts contained in it. By so doing, you will merit the title bestowed upon you tonight-that of
a Master Mason."
 
Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
Scoops said:
After having read the minutes from the meeting at which I was Raised last week I noticed that the Bible with which I was presented, and every Brother in attendance signed at the Festive Board, was the VSL on which I took my three Obs. I find this to be a very lovely and personal little touch that has just made the experience all the greater.

I wonder if any of you other Brothers have had such experiences where a small detail has made such a difference.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The "presenting" in post above made me think of two more, being presented with a S&C in open lodge on doing my 3rd and drinking with a bro, I admired a bottle opener on his key ring. Despite my protestations he gave it to me. The opener is still on my keyring many years on and the guy who gave it to me is dead but far from forgotten. He's they only person I've known whose date they died I remember. The S&C, we'll, that travelled from Australia via post years ago and now lives in Allendale PA owned by a PM who I met in a forum like this when we were still both Master Masons. We taught each other lot and still owe each other beer. I want to swear and make rude comments about his size, because that's what Australians do when they love someone.

Edited after posting: " S&Q" changed to S&C for square and compasses in above. Thanks Bill, your not ignorant, I'm careless.
 
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Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
Bill Lins said:
Please forgive my ignorance, but what is the "Q"?
Click to expand...
LOL square and compasses.... no idea where Q came from, should be C ... sorry, I did not proof closely enough...very tempted to edit that post... thanks for pointing it out Bill, yep, going to edit...
 
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Bill Lins

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Bloke said:
LOL square and compasses.... no idea where Q came from, should be C ... sorry, I did not proof closely enough...very tempted to edit that post... thanks for pointing it out Bill, yep, going to edit...
Click to expand...
I 'bout wore out Google looking for synonyms of "compasses" that begin with "Q"- no joy.
 
Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
Follow up on my S&C (auto correct tried to make it S&Q again) story above.....

I tell the S&C story a lot. It got told last night to a visitor who asked about my pin.. The item itself is unusual because it's small and has a cubic zirconium in it and it's really nice; never seen another one - it's from PA by the way.... Anyway, I thought, I wonder if I am out telling this story and how the bro concerned thinks about that, if he even remembers (he's not that bright after all hehehe) etc... so I asked, he sent me this.. "I wear your pin on my vest next to my heart all the time and i tell everyone where i got it..." nice.... so I'm not being a sentimental fool or dummy, and if I am I'm in good company:)
 
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