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Cipher Books In Lodge

Have you seen a cipher book used within the Lodge Room?

  • Yes, during a meeting!

    Votes: 12 21.1%
  • Yes, but only during practice.

    Votes: 11 19.3%
  • No, my Grand Lodge doesn't permit one.

    Votes: 34 59.6%

  • Total voters
    57

Ecossais

Registered User
After the FC Degree, I watched a Past Master of a Fort Worth lodge (in the big temple downtown) read the entire FC Lecture out of a code book one evening. He stood at the lectern and read the Lecture to the candidate. It was obvious that he was reading it. It was truly amazing. I almost couldn't believe it was happening. This was back in the 1990s, before cypher books were made legal for individual use. It was somewhat comical, as he read the entire old Lecture, including the parts that were taken out a long time ago.
 

Bro. John

Registered User
I don't see the problem with code books, other than using one in lodge meeting. I wish I had one. They are cool. And without knowledge no non mason would be able to read it.


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dfreybur

Premium Member
I have seen them out during lodge meetings in other jurisdictions, but not in Texas. :)

Yep. Different jurisdiction, different rules.

In my first jurisdiction some of the elderly brothers told tales of the controversy around the GL printing cipher books but it was long over by the time before I petitioned, went through my degrees and went through the line. I have a collection of the old books from before the change as very elderly brothers died and their families wanted to give their Masonic paraphernalia to someone who appreciates it.

In my second jurisdiction the change to printing out the entire ritual with the modes of recognition replaced by underscores had happened so long ago it predates any living member. Any controversy that had happened had been forgotten long before. Even 65 year members cannot remember events before they were born 86+ years ago.

When I affiliate in Texas I'll be a member in jurisdictions in all three conditions. Mouth to ear, cipher, written except for modes of recognition. Wonderful diversity. There is strength in diversity. There is strength in unity. That both are true at the same time is one of those mysteries of life.
 

Benjamin Baxter

Moderator
Premium Member
That's the responsibility of the instructor. If we began allowing the books to be used at practice sessions, before long I see them showing up @ tiled meetings. IMHO, far better to use them only as permitted currently.

I can see how they would be abused, I wish we could get our district instuctor over for more of our practices. We have been going to his lodge as of late to get in on certifying in may.:thumbup:

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Michael Hatley

Premium Member
We're so blessed in 30A to have Brother Emile Bussemey for a district instructor. His time at our lodge instructing is something several of us wouldn't miss for the world. Patient, takes the time to teach the whys and whatfors, and is a very intelligent man (retired geophysicist) who has been around masonry a long time.

He is at Holland #1 mostly, but he comes to our lodge sometimes and we go to Holland to see him too. I've heard stories here and there where some folks have butted heads with their DI, but if you're blessed to have a good one like ours I can highly recommend it. Its one of my favorite things to do, especially degree practice or round robin Q&A's. It feels like a team sport sorta.

That, and the relationship built when learning the initial Q&As between the candidate and his instructor is why I figure the codebook ought to be used conservatively. The mouth to ear business is just awesome for building relationships between brothers.
 

crono782

Premium Member
I've seen a few different ones specific to various states and they are all quite different. The Texas one specifically contains a number of inaccuracies as well.


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JFS61

Premium Member
I remember several years ago the Committee for Work wanted to work with Allen Publishing to correct the inaccuracies, but the members of Grand Lodge at the annual communication voted the resolution down. Never understood the thinking behind that - If cipher books are legal, then why shouldn't they be accurate as well? Furthermore, why not have Grand Lodge publish the cipher books directly themselves as other GL's do - Think of the much needed revenues that would generate.
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
The Texas one specifically contains a number of inaccuracies as well.

I've always wondered if some of those "inaccuracies" weren't intentional- back when they were illegal, that was one way you could tell if "Brother AB" had been using a cipher.

Here's an example- in the 1945 edition, the explanation of the Lights of the Lodge in the EA Lecture is correctly worded. In the 1984 edition, by the same publisher, the wording is incorrect. You tell me. :wink:
 
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Belcher

Registered User
i found one that is dated in late 1800's. the brother it belonged to was from wy.
bought it due to age. ( collection item ) not as a study reference.
 

marinesgt2322

Registered User
I'm newly raised to the sublime and I was told from day 1 the cipher book was not to be used until after the master masons work was turned in. It is suppose to be used as a reminder ONLY not to learn from.


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Zack

Registered User
IMO the cipher book is a great learning/teaching tool when a Brother is not available to help instruct you. I learned much of the three lectures using the cipher and then getting help with the encoded parts. It is an invaluable tool in learning the ritual.

In my jurisdiction it is not allowed to be used in open Lodge.
 
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