The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

Chapter 7 - Rituals 451
ceremonies" 1393 . Its Committee is considered to be the "custodian of this
particular ritual" 1394 , under whose authority it is published. Of the adjustments of
a ritual nature which have occasionally been made with approval by Grand
Lodge since 1816, the most notable are the variations concerning the obligations.
These alterations were permitted by a resolution of Grand Lodge in December
1964 and will be referred to in detail in the following.
The traditional forms containing references to the obligations are indicated in
this ritual by a single vertical line in the left margin, and are followed by the
alternative form which is indicated by a double vertical line. It becomes clear
that the alternative versions consist of a weaker and less scary form of
obligation, merely alluding to the cruel oath of the ancient ritual, whereas the
traditional forms recite the rough antiquated version. It will be shown that the
use of passive in the alternative forms instead of the traditional active places the
candidate at a distance; he is communicated the oath and dangers which used to
await the candidates at earlier times, thus not being "threatened" directly, as can
be seen in the following selected examples, the first of which occurs on page 77
(Emulation Ritual) when the candidate makes his obligation:
[...] These several points I solemnly swear to observe, without evasion,
equivocation, or mental reservation of any kind,
Traditional Form Permissive Alternative Form
under no less penalty, on the violation
of any of them than that of having my t
c a, my t t o b t r (singular) and b i t s
(singular) o t s at l w m, or a cs l f t s,
where t t r e a f t i 24 hs,
or the more effective punishment of being branded as a wilfully
perjured individual, void of all moral worth, and totally unfit to be
received into this worshipful Lodge, or any other warranted Lodge, or
society of men who prize honour and virtue above the external
advantages of rank and fortune. So help me God [...]."
It becomes evident that the alternative form is weaker, thus not evoking a
"cruel oath" but merely referring to the once used antique obligation. The
unabbreviated obligation reads thus: "[...] under no less penalty than that of
having my throat cut across, my tongue torn out by the root, and buried in the
1393 Emulation Ritual, Notes on Ritual and Procedure, p. 12.
1394 ibid, p. 11.
ever bearing in mind the traditional
penalty on the violation of any of
them, that of having the t c a, the t t o
b t r (singular) and b i t s (singular) o t
s at l w m, or a cs l f t s, where t t r e a
f t i 24 hs,