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The Valley of Columbus is establishing a paver garden in front of the Scottish Rite Center. It will start at the bottom of the steps on both sides of the front porch and extend to the end of each side of the building. It will be similar to the pavers at the Masonic Children's Home in Macon. This is a great opportunity to support the Valley of Columbus Building Fund by purchasing a paver, and to honor those people or organizations that have a special meaning to you (to include yourself!). Complete the order form in this issues of The Ashlar or open in a new window HERE.

In 1772, William Preston wrote: ‘Were the privileges of Masonry to be common, or indiscriminately bestowed, the design of the institution would be subverted; for being familiar, like many other important matters, they would soon lose their value, and sink into disregard.’

Put another way, Masonry is not for everyone, nor should we feel that it should be. But if one is going to pursue it, then there is no way to avoid the fact that one make time to do so, and invest genuine effort in the process.

That brings me to the book I have written, Observing the Craft, and the concept behind the idea of observance.

Some have asked, do you mean ‘Traditional Observance’? With respect and admiration to the brethren who have laboured under this term, I do not, because we simply cannot claim that traditional Masonry is observant Masonry as we would define it. That is to say, we cannot claim to hold sole ownership of what is merely traditional in the fraternity, because other traditions have existed which we might find odious. The debate between Lodges where philosophy and decorum are the order of the day and Lodges where men get together to socialise and drink is not even remotely new. It goes back to the very beginning of speculative Masonry, with men meeting in taverns 300 years ago.

While one can—and will—argue that the traditions of Masonry involve solemn initiatic experiences, reflective discussions, and exceptional ritual, unfortunately one must also concede that the traditional experience of Masonry also includes one-day conferrals, multiple candidates, and drunken revelry. The minute books of many Lodges confirm this, including the admonishments to the brethren regarding such revelry that can be found in those books over time.

This means that both forms of practice can lay claim to being traditional, and that arguably takes the T out of the TO. Tradition is not what we seek. It is not what the founders of speculative Masonry sought. We are interested in much more than those selective practices we enjoy that are established by the passage of time, and we are not interested in merely doing things the way they have always been done. Speculative Masonry originates not in a defence of antiquity, but in the quest for human progress.

What we are seeking, and what we can claim, is the observance of the intent of our historical founders, and the restoration of Lodges to that intended observance. It is in that intent that we find Freemasonry defined as what Robert Adam, the founding Master of Alexandria Lodge No 39, expressed in 1783 as a ‘sacred asylum of temperance, order, and decorum’, and ‘the rigid school of social virtue’.

Further, in the case of an older Lodge, it can’t really be ‘traditional’, because it already is in some sense, whether they like it or not. By the same token, 21st century Lodges who claim that term are reminiscent of those men in the 18th century who called themselves ‘Antient’, even though they established themselves an entire generation after those brethren they referred to as ‘Moderns’. As a result, I prefer to use simply the term ‘observant’, and have in my book referred to observant Lodges and observant Masons. Using that one word allows us to transcend the philosophical debate over tradition, and focuses brethren on the more concrete question of doing what was intended by our forebears. I would fraternally encourage ‘traditional observance’ Lodges to instead consider themselves simply as observant. I sincerely believe that the one word is both stronger in meaning and less ambiguous, which will aid us in our efforts to increase the overall quality of the Masonic art.

In the simplest sense, when we use the term observance in relation to any discipline or philosophy, we are talking about a careful attention to and practice of what might be considered the essential tenets of that discipline. Another way to explain it is the effort to do everything involved with that discipline as correctly as possible, to the best of your ability.

In the Masonic sense, observance means seeing to it that certain methods and characteristics of Masonic labour are carried out to the highest standard that can possibly be attained by a Lodge. I’m not talking about a specific ritual or unified form of practice, but rather to the maximum degree of performance that can be expected from any given Lodge, whatever their ritual or practice may be.

Yet there are common elements of practice that will indicate observance in any Lodge: decorum, excellence in ritual, and reverence for the same are indispensible in an observant Lodge. For the moment however, I want to talk what observance is in a more profound sense, and how that concept relates to observing the Craft.

Observance is as much a state of mind as a set of actions. In fact, each helps the other reach their maximum potential. The things we think and the philosophical attitude we cultivate as regards Freemasonry and its associated concerns, will influence and improve our actions in the Lodge.

The actions we perform in Lodge, when done well and to a degree of proficiency, aid the mind in maintaining its disciplined state in ritual and introspection. The goal to be achieved by this activity is a high state of concentration on exactly those things we find in the Craft which enable us to be that ‘better man’. It is a deliberately contemplative union between the mind and body, which then enables us to take the result of that union into the soul.

In otherwords, observance is both a state of mind that manifests itself through a set of actions, and a set of actions which helps cultivate a specific state of mind. The overall experience, when done properly, can create a sense of deep fulfilment and almost otherworldly atmosphere within the Lodge and among the Brethren involved. 

© 2010 - Andrew Hammer, revised 2020
This document may be freely distributed, with proper attribution.
Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence in Masonic Labour and Observance is available from observingthecraft.com, and amazon.com

Brethren,

I hope everyone is well! Our roof seems to be sealed good and we have not noticed anymore leaks!!! Knock on wood!!!

Our Scottish Rite building is in need of  some repair and beautification inside and outside. We would like to improve our outside appearance, not only to show the city and our community that we do care for our building, but to be looking good, and well maintained  for our Bicentennial in September. Several of our air conditioners have needed repair - one unit may need a fan motor. We are looking at a service agreement for maintaining our units.

 We need volunteers of  time, funds, or both to help with Cleaning, Painting, Repairing.

Cleaning of the Bricks, Sidewalk, to remove the algae and vinyl siding of the building. Scaffolding  would be needed to clean and repair the top part of the building. The Vinyl is very old and brittle in spots. Pressure washing would have to be with very,very low pressure. Or some type of a cleaning rinse.

Repairing parts of the building and front porch, ie; the carpet material on the front porch.   Outside of some windows, improve on bathroom appearance and fixtures. Overhead tile and above stage repair. Also some trim needs to be replaced or repaired.

Painting of the front porch and railing, Doors, Trim and Columns.

Please,  any assistance will be greatly appreciated! Suggestions & ideas are welcome.  We would like to get these building items completed before our Bicentennial celebration in September. Please contact me or our Valley Secretary for coordination of times and verification of materials on hand for work.

Fraternally yours,
Harry Ross,  KCCH