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questions brothers ask and answer in public?

Reginald/G\

Registered User
Correct. I've encountered simple question also. But when a person wanted to find deeper info then that's when I ask my question just being cautious and to find out if the person is on the square legally. I can't just give up info just cause they know those simple questions that doesn't make them to be real.
 

Winter

Premium Member
Thanks.
That leaves three problems:
Not all GLs have dues cards.
Clandestine masons have dues cards.
One shouldn’t be surprised if they get a laugh unless requesting to see a dues card when being examined to sit in lodge, particularly if asking a senior mason to prove his status outside of lodge.
I'd be out of luck. I don't even keep my dues card on me if I am not heading to Lodge.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
hmm. I don think you addressed any of the points: how do you determine they are on the square, “legally.”

And what “deeper” information would you discuss on the street?
Correct. I've encountered simple question also. But when a person wanted to find deeper info then that's when I ask my question just being cautious and to find out if the person is on the square legally. I can't just give up info just cause they know those simple questions that doesn't make them to be real.
 

Reginald/G\

Registered User
Ok. I see now. It has me thinking. What if I was to encounter some one that's not of the same affiliated as I am. From the info you share. As for deep info in public. I stay concealed to that lever.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
I happily respond to “Hey, brother, where you hail from?” with either “Salt Lake 17” or “Lodge of Concord, Cheshire.” depending on where I am and the role I’m filling. I’ll then likely ask, “What’s your grand lodge? You tell me. I shake your hand, and introduce my wife if she’s with me.

As we will not be discussing anything anything deeper in public, that’s all that’s needed.
 

Reginald/G\

Registered User
Yes sir correct. These are the simple questions I was talking about. I have no problem with answering those. Greeting and meeting new brothers is always a great feeling to connect with. But when the person wants to another level I want to make sure that I'm not getting on the level with an imposter. Then if he's real we can set up a ph call are meet some where lest cloudy.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
Yes sir correct. These are the simple questions I was talking about. I have no problem with answering those. Greeting and meeting new brothers is always a great feeling to connect with. But when the person wants to another level I want to make sure that I'm not getting on the level with an imposter. Then if he's real we can set up a ph call are meet some where lest cloudy.

Brother Glen Cook has made some very valid points in his prior comments. Sir, what you are alluding to is what many call “Street Masonry” or “Catch-E-Kisms”. Questions and answers that can resemble parts of the ritual. As a few brothers have already noted, there is no need to prove anything outside of a lodge. Say you ask for my dues card, and I produce it. Is that enough to truly verify “Good standing” ? As far as you know, I could have found that on the street and started passing myself off as a mason. A simple hello, what GL, exchange lodges dates and times and move on should suffice. Also, the only place that’s “Least Cloudy” would be in a tyled lodge sir.
 

Reginald/G\

Registered User
Not enough. Just pieces and bits it seems to be as I'm thinking this whole things over. I'm great full for the knowledge that you brothers took the time to share with me. I need to travel a different way that I can gain more. Not just bits in pieces that's still not enough. I thirst for knowledge but wasn't getting what I need. The more I sit here and think the more I'm getting upset. Yrs of sitting a the lodge but no knowledge was truly given but pieces and bits.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
Not enough. Just pieces and bits it seems to be as I'm thinking this whole things over. I'm great full for the knowledge that you brothers took the time to share with me. I need to travel a different way that I can gain more. Not just bits in pieces that's still not enough. I thirst for knowledge but wasn't getting what I need. The more I sit here and think the more I'm getting upset. Yrs of sitting a the lodge but no knowledge was truly given but pieces and bits.

My brother,

I wouldn’t go as far as to say “No knowledge”. What you spoke on earlier is exactly what is taught in many PH lodges. Does it make it right or wrong ? That’s the question, and the answer you must discover on your own. What I can say is this, some must unlearn the idea of “proving” their self. I encourage you to seek the “knowledge” you’re looking for from seasoned masons within your lodge or GL. Reason being, many GLS do things different and to prevent Imitating something your GL doesn’t do, it’s best to stick to your own jurisdictional practices.
 
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Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Not enough. Just pieces and bits it seems to be as I'm thinking this whole things over. I'm great full for the knowledge that you brothers took the time to share with me. I need to travel a different way that I can gain more. Not just bits in pieces that's still not enough. I thirst for knowledge but wasn't getting what I need. The more I sit here and think the more I'm getting upset. Yrs of sitting a the lodge but no knowledge was truly given but pieces and bits.
We are all still gaining knowledge. Some of us have had opportunities to broaden our knowledge base, but we are or should still be learning.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Don't despair, Brother Reginald. The more I learn, the more I find out how little I really know. We're here for you.
 

Chris H

Registered User
I’m a mason with more than 25 years experience. I must say that if someone asked me if I was a travelling man here on the street in England, it would go straight over my head. The stronger meaning here is (respectfully) “Are you a gypsy?”
 
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