Newton Table Lodge

Brother Craig McFarland and I drove to Newton Iowa tonight to attend the Table Lodge sponsored by Newton Lodge No. 59 - The skies as we drove down on the two lane roads (because we both wanted to) were spectacular. Click on pictures to enlarge them.































































































An excellent time at the Festive Board was had by all attending the Newton Table Lodge this evening. Brother Wade Sheeler did an outstanding job in organizing this event. He arranged for a superb Toastmaster. Brother John Klaus, Past Master of Mt. Vernon Lodge did an outstanding job explaining the ritual and toasts of the ancient tradition of the Table Lodge. From the program comes an explanation of the Table Lodge.

"Essentially a Table Lodge is a Masonic banquet with toasts, and yet it is much more than that.

It is a special lodge ceremony in itself, very ancient, with a ritual, formalities, and a special terminology, which is of some interest. Table Lodges may be traced back over two centuries in English Masonry and may have been practiced in Scotland during the reign of King James I, about 1430.
At the present time in England, these ceremonies are called “the after proceedings,” and are conducted after the business of the evening is disposed of. Traditionally, Table Lodges are held on one of the Saints John Days, December 27 or June 24, but they may be held at other times, as the lodge desires.
According to custom, Table Lodges were always held in the Entered Apprentice Degree.
The French Masons had a very formal system of rules for Table Lodges, long and elaborate.
These we have abbreviated, but have endeavored to retain all the significance of former times.
Some of the military terminology applied to the items used at the banquets may prove to be of interest. Glasses are called cannons; bottles are casks; bread is rough ashlar; food, materials: lights, stars: plates, tiles: knives, swords; and salt is white sand.
The only true traditional holidays of Ancient Craft Masonry are the Feasts of the Holy
Saints John, to whom all lodges are now dedicated. The origin of these feasts is veiled in antiquity, but they were regularly celebrated by all Masons as late as the American Revolution. Masonic history informs us that Washington regularly attended these feasts during the time he was leading the Continental Army.

It is impossible to determine when and where the first Table Lodge was held. We do know that our ancient Brethren were great trenchermen. The method of giving toasts, no longer practiced, but once very common, seems to have originated among Freemasons at Table Lodges. The very title of the presiding officer, “Toast Master.” is quite significant, and some evidence of the Masonic origin of the practice. The combination of exuberance and good fellowship with high-minded discussions of important Masonic topics is quite characteristic of
the old style Table Lodge.

A Table Lodge is often called, “the ceremony of the seven toasts.” The Masonic author Ragon refers these seven toasts of obligation to the seven libations made by the ancients in their banquets in honor of the seven planets, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, and the seven days of the week are named after them. He assigns some striking reasons for the reference. But this symbolism, although very beautiful, is evidently very modern.

Traditional Table Lodges are always “tyled,” that is, they are open to Masons only. The Table Lodge this evening is open to all, and the Ritual is slightly different from that of a traditional Table Lodge. In addition, and in keeping with the occasion, the number and character of the toasts themselves have been altered somewhat.

“Vivat! Vivat! Vivat!” is the acclamation which accompanies the honors in the French Rite. It is “the cry of joy of Freemasons of the French Rite.”
Vivat is a Latin word, and signifies literally, “may he live.” The French have domesticated it and define it as “a cry of applause which expresses the wish for the preservation of anyone.”

The French Freemasons say, “He was received with the triple vivat,” to denote that “he was received with the highest honors of the lodge.”
A Table Lodge calls for passing the Box of Fraternal Assistance, and use of the gift in the box for a charitable purpose consistent with Symbolic Masonry.

The Oration for the evening was given by Brother Jack Butler, Chairman of Division and Reference (and next year's Grand Master). He does an outstanding job when he speaks and tonight was no exception. His father, Max was there and it is always nice to see the two of them together. Jack said he was raised by his father and he was Raised by his father. (Masons will understand that statement.) All in all we had a Most Excellent time and were very glad we went.











































Addendum: I just found this on another Blog.

What is important is the idea of spending time…not on Ritual or The Craft. Spending time with a man you respect and admire. Such a gift is something that we don’t do too often. We don’t just talk and let the conversation go wherever it wants. Our mission-oriented lifestyles mostly don’t allow for such things.
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I suggest that each of us takes an evening sometime soon. Sit with a friend without a computer, television or radio. Listen to him…hear him…pay attention to him. Spend some time with your brother.

Time is, after all, the greatest gift one can give. And when you get it from a Man you respect and admire…it is one of the greatest gifts that you can receive.

As I think about it that was actually the greatest thing about tonight. The time Craig and I had in the car on the way down and back. I like and respect this man a great deal. He is not my mentor but he is becoming one of my greatest Masonic Friends. We seem to be able to talk about anything and he is a very intelligent man. He moved to Ames a couple of years ago because he thought it would be a great place to raise his kids. I am so glad he did.