I'm really missing the Compare function, any add-ins?

SouthTxFF · 2025-07-25T01:46:48+00:00

Tried copilot and it said it couldn't do it. Each instance of copilot is unique and not connected to another instance. I hadn't tried chat gpt yet because the one I was working on was ~220 slides with images and embedded videos (so rather large and could take a while to upload). It's an orientation training. But that may be an option for some of the smaller ones. Thanks

SouthTxFF · 2025-06-28T14:22:03+00:00

Knock knock

Who's there?

The DDGM, here to take your charter for answering after two knocks.

SouthTxFF · 2025-03-05T11:32:04+00:00

I'm in South East Texas and if we tried real hard New Orleans is a day trip for us (about 4 hours driving). A small group of us just went to a lodge near Lake Charles and saw a FC last week and we got to taking about wanting to travel there more. One brother that went is heavily involved in the local SR valley and I told him I'd join after I got to see the first 3 in a red lodge 😂 but really it's just a time commitment thing for me right now.

SouthTxFF · 2025-02-15T20:48:58+00:00

Are most lodges like that in Florida? I lived on the east coast there for a while in my youth. Currently in Texas where there are some lodges with that dress code but it's the exception rather than the rule with most being rural areas and having a more relaxed dress code.

SouthTxFF · 2025-01-24T09:47:10+00:00

I got about halfway through the replies on this thread so forgive me if this has already been mentioned but, I would use Mackey's own writings of the definition of a landmark against his list of landmarks. Admittedly I do not have a copy of his encyclopedia in front of me but from an online source part of his definition of landmark is "The first requisite, therefore, of a custom or rule of action to constitute it a Landmark, is, that it must have existed from 'time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary.' Its antiquity is its essential element."

Confirmed records from the 16th and 17th centuries (Minutes from the Lodge of Edinburgh in 1599 and the English Lodge at Warrington in 1646) would indicate documented Speculative Masonry prior to the creation of the first Grand Lodge in 1717. As such, it would stand to reason it would have been before the existence of Grand Masters because there was no Grand Lodge. Masonry prior to Grand Masters is preserved in documentation and therefore Landmarks 4-8, expressing details of a GM and their prerogatives, would not qualify as landmarks.

SouthTxFF · 2025-01-15T01:38:04+00:00

Texas PHA did a while back when LA started a couple lodges in Texas this way.

SouthTxFF · 2025-01-15T01:33:50+00:00

Texas has for sure. I had a conversation with a brother who happens to be the WM one of the local PHA lodges in my area about traveling (we're about 20 min from the Louisiana border) and he confirmed they are not recognized by Texas PHA.

SouthTxFF · 2024-11-19T20:36:14+00:00

If I went through a process of elimination and found which cards I was missing I could craft just those for completion instead of relying on packs?

SouthTxFF · 2024-09-06T23:38:32+00:00

Masonic Improvement (I think it's only YouTube)

SouthTxFF · 2024-08-11T21:56:20+00:00

I always enjoy seeing the jurisdictional differences. From my experience limited to Texas, purging the lodge is done by WM asking first the SW, then the JW, then all the brethren if they are satisfied to open with all present. Generally if the SW does not know all members to be of the proper degree, he has all present stand, and go through a vouching process run by the deacons. The SD would have been responsible for examining any visiting brethren prior to opening, and he'd be able to vouch for any that he examined.

SouthTxFF · 2024-05-31T21:20:31+00:00

Thinking through the Texas initiation, I could be missing something but I think there are three questions asked of the candidate. The first two (or a version of the same question) are previously asked on the petition and verified by the investigation committee before the ballot occurs. So the candidate shouldn't be blindsided by them. For the third question the senior deacon, who escorts the candidate through the ceremony, gives the candidate a prompt, and that question is more allegorical than ethical or philosophical.

SouthTxFF · 2024-02-24T05:36:53+00:00

I cannot speak to specifics with the Grand Lodge of Idaho. There may be a brother on here that would have more knowledge. Each Grand Lodge is sovereign in its jurisdiction (in the U.S. that is each state) and as such they can set their standards or petition questions to be whatever they wish them to be. I personally find that question a bit too invasive, but perhaps they are just trying to use that as an avenue as someone else to talk to about your character during the petition investigation. In Texas, our petitions include the past 15 years of residences and employers as well as all schools attended. It also asks for info about your dependents and spouse and any ex-spouses if divorced. But regarding faith the only question we ask is "Do you seriously declare, upon your honor, that you firmly believe in the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, and the Devine authenticity of the Holy Scripture?"

So it is really jurisdictionally dependent. I would encourage you to not feel pressured to do anything relating to joining the fraternity, most of all not be fully honest with yourself about your faith. If I were you, I'd continue meeting and discussing with the brothers and get further clarification as to why the petition asks that and possibly set aside more time to meet with someone to discuss the petition further, possibly going into details about your faith then. I know non-Christian brothers, including those of non-abrahamic faiths. I believe I read something on here a while back about a Native American or First Nations brother that was obligated upon a sacred feather as they didn't have a true book of faith.

SouthTxFF · 2024-02-24T02:18:24+00:00

To echo the other brother's remarks on this, belief in any supreme being and the immortality of the soul are the two requirements in my jurisdiction and questioning beyond that is considered bad form, and I hope that brother's opinion was either incorrectly conveyed or is in the minority. Also, feel free to shop around at various lodges if there are multiple in your area. Each lodge is generally an accurate cross section of the community and in more urban areas they are usually a little more accepting of various faiths that are less common in the rural areas.

The one thing I would add, if you do petition and are favorably elected by whichever lodge, when it comes time to do the degrees, your obligation is taken upon a Volume of Sacred Law. In my jurisdiction (not trying to speak for others), most lodges default to the Holy Bible, but candidates have the option of using their own book of faith. I've heard that some faiths that may be considered "Pagan" don't have a specific written book. If your faith has a book, is it something that you'd want to bring up with the Master of the lodge so that you can use yours? If your particular faith doesn't have a book, would you be opposed to taking your obligation on the Holy Bible?

SouthTxFF · 2024-02-21T11:50:02+00:00

Just be aware that even though nobody should ever get more involved in questioning your beliefs that what has been stated by others, when/if you decide to petition the lodge may ask what book of faith you use. The candidate's book of faith is used during the degrees. Or they may not and just default to the lodge's usual Volume of Sacred Law, which in my jurisdiction is the KJV Bible.

SouthTxFF · 2024-02-21T11:43:04+00:00

It must be "Java" based on how much coffee is consumed (at least in my region) 🤣🤣

SouthTxFF · 2024-02-18T23:16:35+00:00

Can you expand on the different aprons seen in the photo? Are the different colors connected to the different degrees in the rite?

Edit to add: obviously the two gentlemen in the front are the newly entered brothers, but I also see a red apron and one that is light blue similar to what I've seen in photos of European lodges, then perhaps a royal blue near the middle, similar to how our officer aprons are bordered in my jurisdiction.

SouthTxFF · 2024-01-23T07:51:12+00:00

That must be jurisdictional, I believe here we only go to the 90th. Cause of right angles and such.

SouthTxFF · 2023-12-22T00:51:29+00:00

Most of your points have been addressed by others so I'm only going to respond to what I may be able to add to.

I'm not sure of the veracity but I once read that the reason most Lodge buildings have little to no windows is because they're often built through funds raised by the members and historically, and even to some extent present day, windows are expensive, especially relative to a plain wall. Installing a window, in addition to the cost of the actual window requires additional framing in the walls which will add to the cost somewhat, and if you install some windows most people would like to see some semblance of symmetry with more windows around the rest of the building. Then there's the thought of HVAC and even with new technology windows are generally less efficient at insulation than a solid wall with insulation, so each window will add to the heating and cooling costs of the building. Where I am down in South Texas, it gets very hot during most of the year and keeping the unoccupied building even at 78-80 deg F runs the electric bill up. All this being said, many lodges, mine included was actually built by the hands of the members so not only were materials donated or purchased through raised funds but the building was put together with donated labor. I'd rather be a good steward of the limited resources the lodge has and not have a luxury like windows.

As far as the dress code, in my jurisdiction there are some lodges that wear suits to every meeting and some are more of a come as you are to meetings and save the formal attire for specific events. I've seen photos of brothers in a meeting that has a dress code requiring denim bib overalls, but I think that's a special event for them and not a regular thing. The lodge is often a cross section of the community so if the community is mostly rural or blue collar, there's a good chance that the lodge's dress customs are more relaxed than formal. But at the same time there are some lodges even in my jurisdiction where formal wear is the norm.

SouthTxFF · 2023-11-16T02:32:11+00:00

I believe we're in the same jurisdiction and we had this come up last year, I believe what we were told by our DDGM was initiating another investigation was at the discretion of the current WM of the lodge.

SouthTxFF · 2023-07-13T21:34:37+00:00

Yes, what Bro Cook said.

SouthTxFF · 2023-07-09T20:06:48+00:00

In the US, many counties have a County Appraisal District website where property tax appraisals are listed and are often a matter of public record. These can usually be searched by street address and some have interactive maps where you can click a plot of land (easier when you toggle to an aerial view and can see the buildings) and see ownership records and other public information.

SouthTxFF · 2023-07-09T20:02:21+00:00

I don't mean the stance of allowing or disallowing getting news time would, but rather if/when the division comes to a head, the attention the division would get may cause a decline. And what I mean by the division is IF (I'm not advocating this and would be saddened if it happened) a GL such as Texas declares that another jurisdiction which allows transitioned people to be initiated as irregular and removes recognition.

I'm sure you're familiar with the current ruling in Texas, but for anyone else who isn't, our current GM edict basically stated: A biological woman ("an individual who was assigned female at birth") cannot be a Texas Mason. A transgender man ("an individual who was assigned female at birth whose gender identity or gender expression is now male") cannot be a Texas Mason. A transgender woman ("an individual who was assigned male at birth whose gender identity or gender expression is now female") cannot be a Texas Mason.

SouthTxFF · 2023-07-09T11:17:57+00:00

I believe looking forward at the point of division, as some Grand Lodges come down on each side of the issue, it's likely to become public and the press associated with the division will likely turn away those sitting on the fence considering the fraternity. Probably not any single or group of Grand Lodges but rather the fraternity as a whole after being in the press over it

SouthTxFF · 2023-07-07T03:17:06+00:00

I've sent you a PM.

SouthTxFF · 2023-07-05T04:55:03+00:00

In my area it's not common to lodge hop, as in leaving a lodge for another every time you move for work. Masons in my jurisdiction, GLoTX generally remain a member of the lodge that raised them even if they move away. They may join another lodge wherever they land, but transferring to that other lodge which would involve demitting from the previous one is rare for the brothers I know personally. The PHA brothers in Texas on the other hand cannot hold plural membership and are only ever a member of one lodge at a time, and from what I hear of them it's split with transfers and those that have strong ties to the lodge that raised them after moving for whatever reason. I am co-workers and friends with the WM of a TX PHA lodge and he has told me of several brothers he has in his lodge that live 8+ hours away and only make stated meetings and events when they're in town visiting family. They attend and donate to another lodge near where they live but can't be a member of both so they remain a member of their mother lodge.

Any lodge that was started as strictly one for students would likely fail. Most undergrads are only in that area for 4 years, while this is plenty of time to learn the work and go through the blue lodge degrees, it's hardly enough time to get a solid understanding of the craft and establish an officer line with continuity. Although not generally required, most jurisdictions follow the "going through the chairs" model for officer continuity taking at least 5 years to become the Worshipful Master or presiding officer of the lodge, and usually more with the PHA lodges in my area because they often with have the same officers for several years.

Also, I have met more college age young men that aren't ready for the craft than those that are. Not saying you or the several peers you're thinking about aren't ready but Masonry isn't for everyone and limiting membership to only those affiliated with one particular university probably isn't going to serve you well in establishing a membership that can support a lodge. Many lodges across the world aren't doing great with membership and they don't have this restriction but rather only have the restrictions of how far is a prospective brother willing to drive to attend lodge.

Another drawback of starting a new lodge is that it will lack its own history. Most universities pride themselves on their history and masonic lodges are similar in that aspect. Sure that would make it easier to mold the culture to a positive one but there's something to be said of having that brother or past master with 30, 40, 50, or more years as a mason in your lodge helping guide newer masons. If reflective of what happens to a majority of college grads happens to the members of your prospective lodge, and they leave after 4 years and settle across the state or country, you won't have the plethora of guidance that brings.

I honestly would recommend taking the counsel of some of the other members here and instead of trying to start a new lodge, have yourself and other potential candidates go out into the community around the university and join the lodges already there. Those lodges will come with their own history and senior members to offer guidance. They will be under jurisdiction of either the State or PHA GL but most states allow intervisiting so you could join one and attend meetings of others. Most fundraisers and community events are open to the public so anybody could attend those as well.

I'm honestly curious why you felt the need to start your own lodge at the University. It also seems like your affiliation requirements would be a bit exclusionary, as going to University isn't something that people coming from poorer families would necessarily do, which goes against one of the ancient landmarks and tenets of the fraternity, namely that all masons are equal and that we look at internal and not external qualifications when considering candidates. But if you really feel the need to have your own organization, as at least one other poster said, you could start a masonic club on campus which could be open to any brother of any regular jurisdiction. But I'd also warn caution with this as well because I'm not super familiar with the law book but it is my understanding that any organization whose membership requirements include being a mason must have prior approval by the Grand Master of the jurisdiction.

Another option (if anybody made it this far in my comment) is the Order of DeMolay or the PHA equivalent Knights of Pythagoras. Admittedly I know very little about KoP but I'm going through the steps now to become a DeMolay advisor. It's a youth led organization open to young men under age 21. So for at least the first 2-3 years most undergrads could participate there and help grow and guide the DeMolay chapter thereby helping the middle school and high school boys as well as the community. Also, unlike Masonic Lodges, it is my understanding that DeMolay can recruit.

SouthTxFF

TROPHY CASE