Page 35 - Nov Dec 2018 MFM FINAL.indd

taken, therefore, to see that the observance is conducted Note particularly that a special ritualistic ceremony
in the proper spirit of the occasion, with the utmost for opening and closing a Table Lodge is to be used.
dignity and decorum. Under no circumstances may a Lodge of Entered
Apprentices be opened in due form; that ceremony is
Traditionally, Freemasonry has two great festivals, prescribed in the Offi cial Ritual and is confi ned to the
d the Feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24) and the Lodge room.
Feast of St. John the Evangelist (December 27).
n At the appropriate time, the Master opens a Table
t Within the Grand Lodge of Montana requires that Lodge, using the brief ritual. Immediately following
this be an annual observance see Code Section 25060. the singing of “Auld Lang Syne" and the Chaplain’s
e Every lodge shall hold the following observances: A. invocation, the Table Lodge is closed.
e Holy Saints John Day, during the month of January,
a excluding Sunday, which shall consist of a tyled table Keep it Small and Intimate - The Table Lodge should
g lodge and a luncheon or dinner;" not be an occasion for getting out a capacity crowd.
s By its very nature, the Festive Board of Freemasonry
t The summer festival is an ideal time for a called should be small and intimate, thereby providing an
meeting of the Lodge to confer a degree particularly opportunity for Masonic fellowship at its best. Do not
e the Entered Apprentice degree - in the late afternoon, strive for size, nor for an "extravaganza" program.
e followed by a Table Lodge in the dining room. The Keep it simple, personal, unsophisticated.
e newly initiated Entered Apprentice thus would be
admitted at once too rich Masonic fellowship. Table Lodge Manners - Our Brethren need not be
reminded, we trust, that they should appear at the
e The winter festival long was a favorite time for Festive Board attired in a manner that will refl ect their
d installation of offi cers by many grand jurisdictions respect for their Lodge and for Freemasonry. One
y (not Montana), but even in those jurisdictions which reminder perhaps should be emphasized on the printed
l hold offi cer installation at this time were not too program, or by the announcement of the Master, or
s combined with a Table Lodge observance. Each is a both.
e distinct ceremony within itself, and each is fi lled with
t meaning. To attempt to crowd both into one evening Arranging the Dining Room - In arranging the
e would greatly prolong the program and detract from dining room for a Table Lodge, follow closely the
e the enjoyment of each. diagram shown in the Table Lodge instructions.
d Arrange the tables in an elongated horseshoe pattern
s A Tyled Lodge - It must be remembered that a Table if at all possible, with the speakers' table representing
e Lodge is a tyled Lodge open on the Entered Apprentice the East. The Brethren should be seated on the outer
degree, authorized by the Grand Master for a specifi c rim of the horseshoe, with the altar in the center. Try
time, place and occasion. Thus, arrangements to avoid seating the Brethren along the inner rim if at
e should be made for proper tyling of the dining room all possible. If the size of the group in attendance will
d throughout the Table Lodge observance. Any invited not permit the traditional arrangement, then set tables
s guests must be Masons, and the membership of any for the Brethren at right angles to the speaker's table,
h visiting Brethren should be verifi ed for a Table Lodge leaving ample room for the altar immediately in front
e observance of the Feasts of the Holy Sts. John, it is not of the Master's chair. Do not crowd the altar - give it a
necessary that the charter of the Lodge be moved to position of honor in the Lodge.
the dining room.
Entertainment - The ritual for a Table Lodge does
The Table Lodge is a Lodge of Entered Apprentices not off er an opportunity for any kind of secular
n to enable the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft entertainment. It is not an occasion for comedians, or
to benefi t by table instruction and to enjoy Masonic magicians, or vaudeville artists, or tap dancers. Music
f fellowship early in his Masonic life. Also, it was an during the dinner is to be encouraged, but it should be
, old custom that the initiates served during the Hour of appropriate to the occasion, and it must be provided
Refreshments. by Masons.

h All the Brethren should be clothed as Entered
, Apprentices, and none should wear the uniform or
y regalia of any other organization.
e

Volume 94 Number 8 Montana Freemason Page 35