Reflecting

Reflecting upon our recent visit with our good brothers of Eureka Lodge #16 PHA, several things can be learned from their traditions and ways of conducting themselves and their business. I am hesitant to write this, but surely our brothers and leaders have mad similar observations which are outlined below.

The first and most prominent thing that stands out to me is their manner of dress. Black suit, white shirt, black tie, and white gloves. This was true when Eureka visited Fellowship as well as on our visit to Eureka. I remember when I visited the other Prince Hall Lodge, John W. Stevenson the brothers there were also in black suit, etc.

It's not just the officers, it's every brother in attendance is in a black suit. Too often when attending lodge I don't see suits or even sport-coats, I see casual wear. I sat by the Marshal of Eureka Lodge and his job is to ensure the proper dress of all the brothers, right down to pointing out if a brothers apron is out of adjustment or the flap is turned up.

The next thing I found intriguing is the respect of the officers toward their Past Masters. The Past Master with the earliest term of service is referred to as the "Senior Past Master", a way to honor that Past Master and his dedication to the lodge. He is the last of the Past Masters to speak, again a way of honoring his wisdom.

Now the biggie......full form proficiency. We witnessed an excellent examination of their candidate, the young man did an absolute fantastic job. Later in the evening he thanked his teacher for all of his help in learning the lesson. We stopped the full form proficiency probably close to 30 years ago. This provided an opportunity for men to become brothers without the difficulty of the lesson. But our candidates have lost that relationship with the teacher and actually learning about the fraternity and it's teachings.

Another lesson to be learned is that these brothers truly are brothers, they actually know and support one another, not just by name and lodge, they truly know about each other and each other's lives. It really shows through as they interact with one another.....something we need to be much better at.

In certain ways I think we've become too relaxed in our traditions, our dress, and in our respect of the leaders who have gone before us. Then the matter of the proficiency, we will never see our Grand Lodge going back to the "old way" of proficiency I'm afraid, but there is definitely something to be said for the experience, I think the new brother has a much better knowledge of the craft. To me the whole evening was like going back in time to an era that was much more formal and respectful of the fraternity and it's meaning to the lives of it's members. So mote it be.