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Get your own Free Home PageSir Knight and Companion James L. Gossett, who served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters in 1996-97, received the Gold Honor Pin for Fifty Years in Masonry on Wednesday, October 20, at a ceremony at Apollo Lodge No. 921 in Huntsville. The award was presented by the District Lecturer for District 1A, Sir Knight and Companion Doug Roberts. Companion Gossett has had a distinguished career in Masonry and continues to serve in the various Masonic Bodies. On October 30, he was coroneted a Thirty-Third Degree Inspector General (Honorary). This month (December), he will become a member of Jerusalem Tabernacle No. XXXII, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.
Thou, Royal Art, in splendor clothed; By verse and learned orator extolled; What is thy power o'er men so frail? Where is thy wisdom ne'er assailed? Is it in mystic rites and form, Or legends to which all conform, That men find satisfaction rare, And in its ceremonies share? It never could the wise attract By mystic rite or magic act; Did not some power in secret lie Hidden from all but worthy eye. Its secret most profound and rare All worthy men may likewise share It welcomes men with motives pure; It helps to make their lives secure. It feeds with Truth the hungry soul; It lights the darkness to the goal, Where Father waits His soul to meet, Who as a brother fellows greet. It clears the air of doubt and fear; It gives to life delight and cheer; It makes the Brotherhood of Man A consummation of His Plan. Silas H. Shepherd
Although Masonry is a worldwide fraternity with members of many different faiths, here in the United States, and particularly in Alabama, we are used to seeing only Christian Masons with occasional Jewish Brethren in our midst. In fact, Alabama had an edict (which I believe is still in force) stating that the Holy Bible is the only Volume of Sacred Law that can be used in this jurisdiction. Other jurisdictions, however, have a greater religious diversity and as a consequence are more sensitive to the beliefs and usages of the non-Christian faiths. In 1991, the Chater-Cosmo Transactions of the Paul Chater Lodge (English Constitution) and Lodge Cosmopolitan (Scottish Constitution) (both of Hong Kong) published a brief paper on the Volumes of Sacred Law commonly used in the Far East. Here is a brief summary:
Christianity - the Holy Bible. Although it is noted that some lodges use a combined volume and others only the Old Testament, the only interesting note concerned Quakers. Although here in the United States, Quakers are not admitted on the basis that they are forbidden to take an oath, in England apparently some Quakers have been admitted on the basis of an affirmation in the same manner that they are admitted to Parliament by affirmation rather that the traditional oath (although generally they are denied admission by many lodges who insist on an oath.)
Jews - the Torah. There are two main divisions of Judaism treated (although there are other divisions not addressed). Orthodox Jews may take an obligation on the Torah, but they should be covered and not kneel. He may kiss the Bible, but, if he is wearing his Tallus (prayer shawl), he would touch the Torah with the knots of his shawl and kiss them rather than the Bible. Reform Jews may take the obligation in the same manner as their Christian Brethren.
Sikhs - the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. This book may not be opened and displayed as other books are. Extracts from it may be bound and placed with other VSLs on a cushion with two cows' tails. The Sikh may not kiss his holy book, but would fold his hands and bow before the book once, twice or thrice as the occasion demanded. They may keep their turbans on, and permanent metal which cannot be removed is concealed. In the absence of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Bhagavad Gita of the Hindus is often used.
Hindus - the Bhagavad Gita. The book may be opened and touched by the hands, but not by the lips. The proper salute would therefore be to bow and touch the book and then the left breast. In Northern India the Vedas are used. Again, they are normally not allowed to kiss the book, but salute it by bowing with folded hands the appropriate number of times. Some Hindus would insist on the oath being given in Brahmin, in deference to the caste system.
Parsees - the Avesta of the Zoroastrian faith (Zend Avesta). The Khordeh Avesta (little Avesta) may also be used. The obligation is taken in the same manner to which we are accustomed.
Muslims - the Koran. Again, there are two major divisions. The 'orthodox' Muslims may not touch the VSL. It is held, wrapped in cloth, over the candidate's head ('hereby and hereon' becomes 'hereby and hereunder'). Prior to the obligation, the candidate should clean his hands and face, so a bowl of water and a towel should be handy. The 'modern' Muslims have generally the same usages we have, with the exception that the Koran may not be handled with bare hands, so the officers who must touch the VSL must wear gloves. If the candidate has been properly cleansed as above, he apparently may touch it with his bare (purified) hands. Nothing is said about kissing the VSL in the reference paper, so this is apparently permissible.
Buddhists. There are two major sects. Hinayana Buddhists do not recognize a Supreme Being and are ineligible for membership. Mahayana (Northern) Buddhists do recognize a Supreme Being. Their Holy Book is the Dhammapada, but they do not object to using the Old Testament in the same manner we are used to.
The above was extracted from "Volumes of the Sacred Law", F. W. Stephens, Volume 11 of the Chater-Cosmo Transactions.
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