AROUND THE CAMP
ADVANCED PERSPECTIVES FROM THE NEW SUBLIME PRINCES Degrees. And I must say, it was a lot of information. What was more impressive, was after the Degree Ceremonies, we had class! A working lunch, with a PowerPoint presentation, broke down the basics of the organization that we just obligated ourselves to. At that point, I know then that these Illustrious brothers were serious! I’m extremely excited about continuing my Masonic journey in the Scottish Rite and I look forward to working hard for Jonathan Davis Consistory No. 1 and the Orient of the District of Columbia!
SP MATTHEW WILLIAMS, 32°
I saw a lot and learned different lessons. I also learned the reason why everything is not presented at the beginning of a Masonic journey. I learned that Tolerance is the key to this part of Masonry. That the camp of Kadosh is an armed man who is also armed with steel but also with love and faith for God and his Fellow man. I also learned that each camp has its focus such as truth, reason, and tolerance, and that Masonry is timeless and will remain the same. I feel an even greater responsibility to conduct myself in a manner that is in line with being a Sublime Prince of the Orient.
S
ince being raised off the floor from a dead level to a living perpendicular in September 2014, I have dedicated an extensive amount of time to understanding Craft Masonry. I thought that the story ended at that Sublime Degree until about 2018 when I learned that there were opportunities to further my knowledge. When the Deputy for the Orient of the District of Columbia, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Eric Konohia, told me that they were having a class this year, I could not turn down the opportunity to submit my petition. I didn’t know what to expect. With the Deputy, being a friend of mine, I knew he was a serious guy and his Masonic knowledge is expansive, so I knew that I could trust him in providing me with the Masonic Light that I have been searching for! On Saturday, January 28, 2023, the Illustrious brothers of this Orient performed the degrees at the highest level. I was extremely impressed how the degree teams were able to impress upon our class the most important information from the 4th thru the 32nd 34
CHOKMAH | MARCH 2023
SP ERIC JOHNSON, 32°
T
he only expectations from my perspective were twofold, first to achieve more light in Masonry and second to receive the 32nd Degree. I was recommended for the Scottish Rite by a 32nd Degree Mason, and I was not informed of anything but took a leap of faith in joining, which is the same faith that I had when joining the Blue House. The invitation to fill out the petition was a big deal for me and I was honored to be recommended by such a dedicated member of Masonry.
SP ASADA HARRIS, 32°
T
o be totally transparent I expected a partial re-enactment of the 3rd Degree with parts that may have been excluded from the ceremony with minimal explanation simply reciting of the work. Although lines are also very important, I left my raising with more questions and in need of extrapolation. The ceremony exceeded my expectations, every introduction was carefully crafted and offered insight into each degree while
