And there we were, me and Custer...You've got all the best tales, Brother Glen.
And there we were, me and Custer...You've got all the best tales, Brother Glen.
In Louisiana 5 (used to be 7) are required to conduct any business, so it would have required a special dispensation from the Grand Master to put on a degree with only 3.The degree was put on in full. Don't know why it would require a dispensation.
In the jurisdiction I was raised in the tyler doesn't have any lines, the JD says them. However, in other jurisdictions I've seen the tyler speak. Yeah I to have seen and filled in many seats to open and close.
Traditionally the Tyler was paid a fee and did not need to belong to the lodge
If I may deviate a bit from the topic, is anyone familiar with 'tyling from within'? It is commonly done here if circumstances permit so the Tyler can observe what is happening in the lodge room.
Has anyone here ever seen a lodge opened with the minimum number stated I the ritual? Particularly the MM?
In my lodges after the opening of the lodge the Tyler is invited in.In our Ritual the Tyler has no 'lines' - he is outside the Lodge when the Opening starts. When Opening in the First Degree the Master asks each Office-bearer his place in the lodge and his duties and each answers - except the Tyler. The Junior Warden answers for him.
If I may deviate a bit from the topic, is anyone familiar with 'tyling from within'? It is commonly done here if circumstances permit so the Tyler can observe what is happening in the lodge room.
I was in Utah. MM degree only requires 3 in Utah.In Louisiana 5 (used to be 7) are required to conduct any business, so it would have required a special dispensation from the Grand Master to put on a degree with only 3.
To which Grand Lodge do you belong?There were 15 at my raising representing multiple lodges, but I know 7 is the minimum to conduct business in my lodge. I don't remember the Tyler having any real parts of any of my degrees other than watching the door from the outside. Since he's "outside" of the meeting, he's not considered present to anyone other than the Junior Deacon. If I understand that duty correctly.
They don't have the Musician called out either, which, as a lodge officer, is not explained -- even though he is a part of the activities within the lodge AND Music is espoused in the staircase lecture for obvious reasons. <sigh>We all know the number of Masons required and of whom they consist when convening a lodge of MM, or FC, or EA. Yet, in these lists, the Tyler is absent. At the same time, he is central to the first great care in Masonry. Here, we seem to have a conflict.
I'd like to see a discussion around this conflict and the thoughts of the brethren.
Excellent response Bro.!I just pulled out my monitor and it is interesting to note that the MM degree requires officers who are not of those and those alone that are required, particularly the SD. Not to mention, I think you'd have one hell of a hard time carrying out the third section with only the number required.
I think what it really boils down to is that over time, the order went from a secret society who only were accountable to the old charges to one with bylaws and far more rules but who didn't want to give up the old ways. I'm sure at one time it was basically "keep Fred on the lookout. Oh, it's only us? Okay, well then keep your voices low". At some point in time, the obligation changed to include the part about being beholden to the Grand Lodge. From that time forward, things got complicated. No longer could the rules simply be what was in the obligation, they then extended to whatever the GL said. It puts us all in a weird position of swearing to an open ended set of rules.
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.To which Grand Lodge do you belong?
Same here in Kentucky.I was in Utah. MM degree only requires 3 in Utah.
We all know the number of Masons required and of whom they consist when convening a lodge of MM, or FC, or EA. Yet, in these lists, the Tyler is absent. At the same time, he is central to the first great care in Masonry. Here, we seem to have a conflict.
I'd like to see a discussion around this conflict and the thoughts of the brethren.
I was referring to the specific officers required for a lodge of various degrees. Although, it might be different in your jurisdiction.MM, FC & EA - all masonic "ranks". Tyler is not a rank it is an office. When opening, with the "perfect" amount, we might have a Deacon or an inner guard, but they are not mentioned when describing a lodge as "perfect"... hence I dont see a conflict myself because the statement to which (I think) you refer is about the experience of the brethren rather than the office (Although, here it is the Master, two wardens and a number of FCs and EAs which make a lodge "perfect".
Here the tyler has lines at the door when candidates for degrees are admitted and also on the opening of the lodge. (It's based on Emulation for those curious). Here, the JW describes his Jewel and duties.
Yes, we have opened with a "perfect" number for business (which is conducted in the first degree not in the third like many of our American Brothers). For a degree, a perfect number in the lodge would be too few... but we like a challenge and I am sure could pull it off....