Even though I am a member in good standing of a "Regular" "mainstream" Grand Lodge and feel that it is, for better or worse, the heir to Freemasonry as established in 1717 and later reconciled in 1813, I acknowledge that there are many issues that have arisen over the centuries that have caused Masonry to have gone astray from some or its core principles.
Among the most complicated is the issue of "recognition". I was taught, via the Ritual, which I consider the heart and soul of Masonic tenets, that the signs, grips and words are the "modes of recognition".
What I endeavored to do by way of the "conversation" was to point out that if two men meet and present themselves as Masonic Brothers, the last care of each should be to examine two pieces of paper or the "List of Lodges Masonic" found in the Tyler's desk.
The "
Ancient Charges of a Free Mason", which I am charged to obey, state:
Quote:
6. Behaviour towards a strange Brother.
You are cautiously to examine him, in such a method as prudence shall direct you, that you may not be impos'd upon by an ignorant false Pretender, whom you are to reject with Contempt and Derision, and beware of giving him any Hints of Knowledge.
But if you discover him to be a true and Genuine Brother, you are to respect him accordingly; and if he is in want, you must relieve him if you can, or else direct him how he may be reliev'd. You must employ him some Days, or recommend him to be employ'd. But you are not charged to do beyond your Ability, only to prefer a poor Brother, that is a good Man and true, before any other poor People in the same Circumstances.
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What then is the status of two men, having cautiously examined each other and found the other to be a "Genuine Brother" and not a "false Pretender" by means of methods as prudence directed yet discover that their respective Grand Jurisdictions do not "recognize" each other?
I do not think that this is a trivial matter and it speaks to the core of the problem currently festering within Masonry today. I am supposed to have the tools to recognize and Brother in the dark as well as in the light. That certainly can't happen in the dark if I'm supposed to examine a dues card.