THE 90TH DEGREE
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
"I wish more Brothers were concerned with doing something
of substance as opposed to just chasing their next apron."
- Tim Bryce
I don't know about your Lodge, but I see a lot of apathy in the Craft Lodges in
my neck of the woods. I hear from many Worshipful Masters and Secretaries who
complain about low attendance. Of course, I advise them to make their meetings
more interesting and meaningful, but they still have trouble getting Brothers to
attend. Many are preoccupied with other Masonic activities, such as attending a
meeting of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, or Shrine, and neglect their Craft Lodge
in the process. I don't know why this is. I had one Brother make an analogy
that the Craft Lodge is to the Appendant Bodies what Kindergarten is to College.
I have a real problem with this analogy, but it says a lot about the mindset of
some Masons. To me, the Craft Lodge remains the Cornerstone of Masonic society
and is always in search of further light.
I also know Masons tend to be a vain lot who like to play a game of one-upmanship
whereby they are obsessed with chasing their next apron and degree. I don't say
this to be insulting, but to observe the phenomenon whereby certain human egos
desperately require recognition, a sort of social climbing. When I joined the
Masons, I never thought this would be the case, that everyone would meet "on the
level" instead, but I've discovered certain people require notoriety through
titles and degrees. True, I sign my name to indicate I am a Past Master of a
Lodge and to indicate I am a member of the Philatheles Society, but I find more
solace in being called a simple "Brother" as opposed to anything else.
All this said, it occurred to me that one way to stimulate interest in the
Craft Lodges is to simply create a new degree that is higher than anyone
else's, a 90th degree (this easily trumps the coveted 33rd degree as found
in the Scottish Rite). The 90th degree is a reference to the square, one
of our ancient working tools which admonishes us on how to treat each other.
I say this all somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but this is something that could be
easily implemented by the fraternity which, in turn, Masons would actively
pursue and thereby promote Lodge attendance.
Earning a 90th degree should be unlike most of our degrees which are aimed
at teaching certain lessons of life. In other words, you do not simply sit
through a degree, nor is it obtained through political maneuvering. Instead,
you must do something of merit or noteworthiness to earn the award, such as
attendance or participation in Craft Lodge functions. Whatever the
criteria, it must be something only awarded by a Craft Lodge.
As for me, there is nothing more ancient and honorable as the lambskin or
white leather apron. In other words, I am an avocate of egoless Masonry.
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction
or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein,
please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic
web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
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Copyright © 2007 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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