ALCOHOL IN THE LODGES
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM, MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
"Never trust a person who doesn't have at least one known vice."
- Bryce's Law
Alcohol has been a part of our Masonic culture for a lot longer than most Brothers
realize. For example, for a long time we have used corn, wine and oil as part of our
cornerstone ceremonies. We are also admonished to use them to nourish the needy, refresh
the destitute and pour the oil of joy into the hearts of the afflicted. In North America,
our revered Brother George Washington was a well known distiller of spirits. Most, if
not all, Grand Lodges in North America allowed alcohol in the Lodge for quite some time,
until Prohibition raised its ugly head from 1920-1933. Grand Lodges followed suit and banned
serving alcoholic beverages on Lodge property. But when the 18th Amendment was repealed,
the Grand Lodges were slow to reintroduce alcohol in the Lodge. There are a handful
in North America who readily accept it, but most do not permit it. (For jurisdictional
rules, see Paul Bessel's web site, specifically:
http://bessel.org/liquor.htm)
But the notion that Masonic Lodges have prohibited alcohol since ancient times is
simply fallacious.
To young people joining the fraternity, this is a bit of an eye-opener and you have to
wonder what effect this has had on membership, attendance, and our ability to fund
the Lodge. There are primarily two reasons for wanting alcohol in the Craft Lodge:
first, to relax and enjoy fellowship, such as over dinner or after a meeting, and;
second, to allow third parties to rent our recreational halls for social activities,
such as receptions, dinners, dances, etc.. thereby providing a revenue stream to
support the Lodge.
I think it is safe to say that nobody wants alcohol in the Lodge room. Nor does anyone
want to see another Brother intoxicated. This is why our Junior Wardens are admonished
at time of installation to "carefully observe that none of the Craft be suffered to
convert the purposes of refreshment into intemperance and excess." Interestingly, even
Grand Jurisdictions who do not allow alcohol in the Lodges still include this charge
which is indicative of a bygone era.
From my point of view, there are two types of people who do not want alcohol
in the
Lodge:
- Traditionalists - representing our older Brothers who tend to be teetotalers
and view the fraternity as a religion (which, as we all know, it most definitely is not).
- Shriners & members of the Grotto who already permit alcohol in their establishments.
Allowing alcohol in the Craft Lodge could be construed by the Shrine and the Grotto
as establishing a competitive situation over membership.
The classic argument to refute alcohol in the Lodge has been that it would cause a dramatic
increase in a Lodge's liability insurance and property tax. This is a dubious argument as it
obviously has not had an adverse effect on the Shrine, the Grotto, the Grand Lodges who
allow it, as well as other organizations, e.g., the Elks, and the Moose.
One cannot help but get the feeling there is a conspiracy to keep alcohol out of the
Lodge. In particular, the younger generation simply doesn't understand the rationale
for prohibiting it as it is perceived as costing us membership and revenue. Does
alcohol represent the answer to all of our problems? Obviously not, but not allowing it
is certainly hurting us more than it is helping us.
As for me, I see it as nothing more than an extreme case of hypocrisy. The reversal
of our policy on alcohol prohibition has arisen on more than one occasion at Grand
Communications. I find it rather amusing that the same people ranting against alcohol
at the microphone, are the first ones at the bar immediately afterwards.
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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