Men at Work

Men at Work The 2005 Grand Master’s Class: A Bridge to Tradition

Over the past dozen years, American freemasons have seen the proliferation and growth of “Masonic Festivals,” “One-day Classes” and the like. Such events have generated great controversy because of the compromises that they impose, both upon the fidelity of the candidate’s experience of the ritual, and the quality of the newly-minted brother’s Masonic education. Before an entire nation, our Grand Lodge has a special responsibility to reevaluate and refine the “Class” concept, for the simple reason that it originated here.

Grand Master’s Class. Chairman Joseph S. Crociata addresses new Masons. On October 21 and 22, the 2005 Grand Master’s Class took a bold step toward answering ritual and educational concerns, by an unswerving dedication to two propositions: Each and every member of the Grand Master’s Class would receive his degrees, rather than just observe them, and the process of Masonic education would begin before he left the Temple as a newly-made Mason. The results are a cause for pride for our Grand Jurisdiction, and for the brothers of the Grand Master’s own Anacostia Lodge No. 21, which hosted the Class. Joseph S. Crociata, JGS

The Ritual

Those who were present had the opportunity to see a rare event, as a team of dozens of dedicated Masons “turned up the heat” to 126 degrees, being the total number of degrees conferred in the 24 hour period starting 6:15 p.m. Friday. On Friday evening, the Grand Master addressed the assembled candidates, and sent them forth to encounter the officers of Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15. who conferred an excellent Entered Apprentice degree upon 31 new Masons. All of the ritual elements of the degree were performed, with each class member participating in circumambulation, preparation and obligation – no small task for the three dozen conductors and members of the Master’s Class Committee, whose efforts to coordinate the movements of class members with the requirements of the ritual were exemplary. Portable altars were moved in and out as the ceremony progressed, in order to permit the ritual to proceed slowly but unimpeded. Because the conferral took place in the second-floor Lodge room at the Scottish Rite Center, each candidate was brought to light in an appropriate Masonic setting, before a tightly-packed crowd of approving brothers. Worshipful Ted Berry gave a virtuoso performance of the lecture, and his officers showed patience and true skill in making the ceremony a solemn

and memorable occasion.

Grand Master’s Class. Group photo of the Class.

Saturday morning saw the baton passed to Worshipful Jerry McEntire and the brothers of Potomac Lodge No. 5, who confirmed their Lodge’s reputation as one of the preeminent Lodges in D.C. The ranks of brothers to be passed to the Fellowcraft Degree swelled to 46. As almost 100 men moved about the altar in the auditorium of the Scottish Rite Center, MW Robert Drechsler watched from the sound booth far above the floor. According to MW Brother Bob, the sight of so many Masons moving as one in work and harmony was inspiring, and a testimonial to the bright future of the Craft in our nation’s capital. Deputy Grand Lecturer Brother Sheldon Rappeport rendered a fine Middle Chamber lecture, and the brothers were ably passed unto that hallowed place.

On Saturday afternoon, the Craft performed an even greater measure of Work. Under the direction of Master Kenneth D. Fuller, William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge No. 7 led a vast number of brothers of other Lodges and the Grand Lodge, in raising 49 Brothers to the Sublime Degree. By use of seven teams in the auditorium and lodge room over a two-hour period, each and every Brother was indeed “raised,” receiving his full measure of the Craft’s attentions in seeing that his ritual experience was the equivalent of all his brothers. A tired assembly of team members then repaired to the upstairs Lodge Room for completion of the Sublime Degree by the brothers of Lodge No. 7. With a bravura performance of the lectures of the Third Degree by Bro. Gary Cooper, the brothers present received all the light that could be imparted in a blue lodge, and arose for the Charge, as upright Master Masons.

Education and Recreation

The Grand Master’s Class is no substitute for a Lodge in educating newly-made brothers in the ritual, skills and attitudes that will commence his journey to improving himself as man and Mason. In this year’s Class, however, we began the process with a series of short lectures, that provided insight into aspects of the degrees and Lodge life that may appear puzzling to the new brother. W. Brother Ted Berry began that process with a lecture following the First Degree, that provided additional explanation of its initiatory nature and content. Following the Second Degree, W. Brother Ken Fuller gave a stirring lecture on the personal impact of its lessons, and W. Brother Tommy

Grand Master’s Class. New Masons are received by the Worshipful Master.

Russo provided the newly-passed brothers an explanation of the duties and stations of officers in a well-governed Lodge. Following the Third Degree, W. Brother Teko Foly presented materials to our new Master Masons on the appendant bodies and orders of Freemasonry, and RW Brother Kwame Acquaah provided them a brief but welcome grounding in fraternal grace and etiquette before the Lodge was closed in ample form

Acknowledgements and Conclusions

Space does not permit me to acknowledge everyone who worked so hard in bringing this year’s Grand Master’s Class to a successful conclusion. The Grand Master’s Committee began meeting seven months before the event, and their efforts are appreciated. The assistance of the Grand Secretary and his staff were crucial to the successful processing of so many requests for degrees. The Grand Lecturer and his Deputies also distinguished themselves, both by a willingness to help with a truly gargantuan ritual task, and a willingness to improvise sufficiently to get the job done. Great thanks are due as well to the staff of the Scottish Rite Center, who worked long and hard in providing a fine facility for the event. A special thanks goes to our host lodge, Anacostia No. 21, and in particular to its Secretary, W. Brother Robert Blaine.

Finally, a word of thanks must go to the candidates, conductors and brothers who participated in a unique and uniquely arduous degree experience. To be sure, there

Grand Master’s Class. MW Robert Drechsler at his command post in the sound booth.

are easier ways to “process” men through the degrees, and the sweat and toil expended to see that this year’s candidates received their degrees in full form was major. The Class’ best moments belong to them. Any deficiencies or mistakes were entirely mine. But at the end of it all, I join with MW Bro. Drechsler: the sight of so many men and Masons “at work” in unity and with purpose, is one I shall cherish for a long time to come.