STB-JU78
Music on this page is: piano sonata no. 3. in bb Movement #3 rondo by Brother Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
COMMUNICATION
Words are fascinating and are frequently
frustrating to define. Many words which are
used in Masonic ritual or terminology take on
special meanings, which further compound the
confusion of definition.
In this age of changing technology, the science of COMMUNICATION has made some
dramatic advances . . . Radio, TV, Space
Communication. We tend to accept these advances without question, and in the course of
acceptance we also seem to lose sight of some
of the more basic definitions of COMMUNICATION. Sometimes a simple referral to the
dictionary definition can reshape our thinking
and stimulate our awareness. Let's take a look
at some of the definitions we find for COMMUNICATION in any standard dictionary.
COM . MU . NI . CA TION. noun.
an act or instance of transmitting; a verbal or written message; the act of communicating; exchange of information or
ideas; intercourse; a system (as of telephones) for communication; Eucharistic
communion; a system of routes for moving troops, supplies and vehicles; a process
by which meanings are exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols; a technique for expressing
ideas effectively in speech or writing
through the arts; the technology of the
transmission of information.
Those are the basic definitions. However,
they don't seem to include any of the Masonic
meanings of COMMUNICATION. What about
"stated and emergent COMMUNICATIONS?"
. . . or "Grand COMMUNICATION . . .
"Quarterly COMMUNICATION?" . . . or the
"COMMUNICATION of Degrees?" In Mac-
key's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
we find:
COMMUNICATION: The meeting of a
Lodge is so called. There is a peculiar
significance in this term. To communicate,
which, in the Old English form, was to
common, originally meant to share in
common with others. The great sacrament of the Christian Church, which denotes a participation in the mysteries of
the religion and a fellowship in the church,
is called a communion, which is fundamentally the same as a communication,
for he who partakes of the communion is
said to communicate. Hence, the meetings of Masonic Lodges are called communications, to signify that it is not simply
the ordinary meeting of a society for the
transaction of business, but that such
meeting is the fellowship of men engaged
in a common pursuit, and governed by a
common principle, and that there is therein a communication or participation of
those feelings and sentiments that constitute a true brotherhood.
The communications of Lodges are regular or stated and special or emergent.
Regular communications are held under
the provision of the by-laws, but special
communications are called by order of the
Master. It is a regulation that no special
communication can alter, amend, or rescind the proceedings of a regular communication.
So we find that a Masonic Communication
takes on a much greater meaning--that of joining together in a common brotherhood in pursuit of common goals and common purposes
based upon our common principles. With that
explanation in mind, we can better guard ourselves in the transaction of our lodge business,
in the conferral of our degrees and in the meeting in fellowship with our Brethren. The Lodge
Communication is much more than just a
meeting. It is much more than an assembly of
Masons. It is, must, and should ever be, a
joining together of kindred spirits for those
loftier purposes of promoting, practicing, and
extolling those Masonic virtues we espouse.
The meetings of Grand Lodges are known
as "Grand Communications." The word
"Grand" is used to distinguish the level of
meeting Masonically. COMMUNICATION,
as we learned from Mackey, is the name given
to a meeting; a lodge or Grand Lodge meets
in a stated, special, regular, business, emergent,
occasional Communication, using the word in
its ancient sense of sharing thought, actions,
and friendship in common.
The term "Communication of Degrees" is
peculiar to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite. Mackey explains it in these words:
COMMUNlCATlON of DEGREES:
When the peculiar mysteries of a Degree
are bestowed upon a candidate by mere
verbal description of the bestower, without his being made to pass through the
constituted ceremonies, the Degree is technically said to be communicated. This
mode is, however, entirely confined in
America to the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite.
The Degrees may in that Rite be thus
conferred in any place where secrecy is
secured; but the prerogative of communicating is restricted to the presiding officers
of Bodies of the Rite, who may communicate certain of the Degrees upon candidates who have been previously duly
elected, and to Inspectors and Deputy Inspectors-General of the Thirty-third Degree, who may communicate all the Degrees of the Rite, except the last, to any
persons whom they may deem qualified
to receive them.
The Quarterly Communication, or Quarterly
Grand Communications are held in England,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and in a few
other Jurisdictions. It is at these Quarterly
Communications that the majority of the routine fraternal business is conducted, and is
generally open only to the Grand Lodge Officers and the Masters and Past Masters of
lodges.
Many of the usual definitions of COMMUNICATION are also applicable to Masonry. When a candidate knocks on the door
of our lodge, it is a form of COMMUNICATION. It tells us that he seeks entrance; that
he wants to learn the mysteries of our Brotherhood; and that he is willing to conform to our
laws and rules. Our response to his knock is
also COMMUNICATION.
We assure him that nothing in his initiatory
experience will conflict with his own principles
and ideals. We are inviting him to quench his
thirst for knowledge by entering our Brotherhood and embracing its teachings. How well
we COMMUNICATE those assurances and
teachings will greatly influence how well he
accepts them. The ritual must be communicated with meaning, feeling, sincerity, and
dignity if we are to truly COMMUNICATE
with the candidate. If we use poor communication we will merely be making a member
instead of a Mason.
So many of our principles and teachings are
taught by symbols that we must also consider
symbols as a means of COMMUNICATION.
There is a good reason why Masonry uses
symbolism to impress its teachings. An idea
which is COMMUNICATED simply as a statement seldom lingers very long in the heart and
mind. When that same thought is tightly
bound to a visible object which logically symbolizes the idea, the lesson is clear and more
easily retained.
Signs and grips are also forms of COMMUNICATION. They carry the message that
the one giving them is bound by certain duties,
responsibilities and obligations. When given
sloppily or incorrectly, they give the message
that someone doesn't know their meaning--or
doesn't care. The next time you hear the
words, "Signs, Brethren," look around and see
how they are given. You'll see all kinds of reaction: that of pride; indifference; that "lost"
look; and sometimes complete panic.
The lodge Trestleboard or meeting notice is
an important tool of COMMUNICATION. To
be effective, it must contain those specifics
about the COMMUNICATION as to the type
(stated, emergent, etc.), time, place, and date,
as well as communicating a message of inspiration, challenge and motivation that will
cause the recipient to WANT to attend. All
too frequently such notices are so cluttered
with a repetitious listing of officers, Past
Masters and committees that there is no room
for the Master to "put the Craft to work with
proper instruction."
VERBAL COMMUNICATION, too, is an
effective "working tool" when properly applied. Lodge officers must be able to express
themselves intelligently to the candidates, to
each other, to the Master, and to the Brethren.
Harmony will prevail if the lodge officers can
give each other--and receive--constructive
criticism on such things as ritual, floor work
and expression. After all, it is a team effort.
"Whispering wise counsel into the ear of an
erring Brother" can be most effective if done
in a spirit of helpfulness.
"Providing for the relief of a distressed
Brother, his widow or orphan" is the ultimate
in Masonic Communication. These are not
idle words. Our individual concern for the
"sick and distressed"--no matter how we
COMMUNICATE it, is the true test of how
seriously we take our Masonic obligations.
Words of encouragement, whether written or
verbal, often create a lasting effect upon the
minds of those to whom directed. The COMMUNICATION indicates an interest and concern and serves as an example of the Masonic
Way. Going out of our way to help, aid, assist,
and comfort the less fortunate is Masonic Communication at its best.
A Mason's hand is a hand that helps,
That lifts the fallen one,
That comes, in need, with a kindly deed
To him whose strength is gone.
A Mason's heart is a heart that loves
The best that is good and true;
He stands the friend, his best to lend,
Under his banner blue.
A Mason's eye is an eye that smiles
And his a cheering voice;
He spreads the light, dispels the night
And makes the world rejoice.
Over the earth in stranger lands,
Where distant peoples dwell,
The eye, the grip, the life, the lip,
Of love unchanging tell.
By Bro. Carl W. Mason
"Body Language" is yet another medium of
COMMUNICATION which can affect Masonry. While Masons are not puppets, the
image of Masonry is frequently reflected by
the way lodge officers comport themselves. A
Master who slumps in the Oriental Chair gives
the impression of unconcern. Lodge Officers
who slouch give a message of indifference or
boredom. The "angle of dangle" of deacons
and stewards rods reflect their attitude to their
duties. On the opposite side of the coin, the
officers who sit or stand uprightly and alert.
square their corners with precision and carry
their rods in a uniform manner, COMMUNICATE the impression of efficiency and interest.
Just as a military unit must be able to
"shoot, move and COMMUNICATE" to assure success on the battlefield, Freemasonry
must be able to COMMUNICATE if it is to
have the desired impact "in the hearts of men.
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