I direct your attention to app. page 80 of the monitor wherein the GM elect kneels for the benefit of prayer and to take his official obligation.
Acacia Lodge 17, F&AM of Utah.2001. I do not recollect the hospital. The brother was terminally ill. In Utah only an MM may have a Masonic funeral (a whole other discussion). Dispensation was received to confer a degree in his hospital room.
handshakes AND tokens.
Are you familiar with what a "Token" even is?
GKA said: ↑
"handshakes AND tokens"
Based on his statement it appears that he is not, but it may be some secret or wisdom "above my station" that he learned in "Stellar Theology and Masonic Astronomy". ;- )
As you gain more experience, you will find that very little is "universal" in the fraternity.That seems extremely out of order, the conferral of a degree is much more than an obligation or the exchange of secret handshakes and tokens.
The reason for a properly tyled lodge is universal in the fraternity. I am amazed that any GL would allow such deviation from protocol regardless of the circumstances.
YesSeriously ?
New Jersey qualifies the incoming WM in a Lodge of Past Masters. This is where the secrets of a PM are given to him. He is then installed in a private or public installation of his choosing.In many areas of the US, Masters and Grand Masters take their obligations in public. In England only PMs can be present at the enthronement of the WM.
Fun fact: The Worshipful Master becomes a Past Master the moment his butt hits the seat when he is installed in New Jersey and wears his apron when traveling.
Wears apron when traveling?
We buy our incoming master a PM apron. I do not know if every lodge in NJ does that for their incoming master but a WM is supposed to wear his/a purple apron when he visits another lodge.That's technically true in my jurisdictions as well but I didn't get my apron until I was "out"stalled. So far the only visiting installed VMs I've seen wearing a PM apron have been brothers who have completed at least one year in the east. I look forward to seeing this variation at some point.