Code/Ritual books

[Keith C]

Here in PA we do not have anything called a code Book.

We have the Ahiman Rezon which is the Constitution and the Digest of Decisions which along with the By-Laws of the Lodge sit on the Stations of the SW and JW.

We also have a "Ritual Manual" which has the majority of the wording of the work of the Lodge, the Three degrees, Officer Installations, Visitor Examination, Table Lodge Ritual, etc. Some of it is in plain English and some in cipher. Each Lodge is issued a certain number of ritual books given to the WM to distribute as he sees fit. Each year at the last District meeting before Officer Elections and Installations the books are turned in to the DDGM by the current WM, examined confirming all are present and intact and the re-issued to the presumptive incoming WM.

 

[Bloke]

..For example, it might say, "the - - of a - - - are the - - - and - -" or "you will now - - to the - of - - and caused - - for the - of - -."

We have four main books - all issued officially by GL under the Grand Secs hand. Related to ritual, they use the above quoted conventions to deal with "secrets"

Ritual Book - has the words of open, close, degrees including all charges.
Book of Workings - has the above, plus detail on movements and procedures within the lodge. It is in a binder and about 300 pages A5
Book of Constitutions - has the "laws" of Grand Lodge.
Secretaries' Handbook - has how the Book of Const and other procedures should be applied and processes, but I just use the Book of Constitutions.

 

[Warrior1256]

We have four main books - all issued officially by GL

Same here.

Kentucky Monitor
Kentucky Ritual
Masonic Burial Service
The Kentucky Ritual.