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

684
Chapter 8 - Categorization of Rituals
Whereas Coil doubts the appropriateness of a Flag Ceremony for reasons of
tolerance, Henderson and Pope in their reliable work Freemasonry Universal
from 2000 describe "Flag Ceremonies" as a must: "All American lodges must
display the American Flag within the lodge room. The ceremony involves certain
lodge officers retiring from the lodge to collect the Flag, and re-entering to
present it to the Master. The Master then leads those present in a Pledge of
Allegiance, which is usually accompanied by the singing of America or The Star-
Spangled Banner." 1658 According to Henderson and Pope, in American Masonic
opening ceremonies, the Flag is represented, and in the closing ceremonies, it is
retired with a similar ceremony. In many North American jurisdictions, the Flag
Ceremony takes only place at certain meetings such as the annual election. But
in every jurisdiction, a Flag Ceremony is obligatory in the opening and closing
ceremonies of Grand Lodges. 1659
In the following, the different rituals dealt with in Chapter 8. will be
examined as to their inclusion of patriotic values. When referring to American
Masonic rituals we will define "patriotic ceremonies" as executing particular
formations, processions, or ritualistic actions that deal with the Flag. In
opposition to this, we shall define "patriotic feeling" as the sentimental
mentioning of the mother country, of national heroes, of wars and battles, or the
singing of national anthems, etc. The result is that we can distinguish four
groups: group 1 has no Flag present during its ceremonies, and does not evoke
patriotic feelings; group 2 has no Flag present but evokes patriotic feelings in a
different way; group 3 has a Flag present and pledges honor to the Flag, group 4
has a Flag present and has in addition a more elaborate Flag Ceremony,
consisting of a special song, a procession, a particular formation of officers, an
obvious ritualistic quest for patriotic values, etc. The results are as follows:
1) To the first group (no Flag, no patriotic sentiments) belong
• the Heroines of Jericho;
• the Security Benefit Association.
2) To the second group (no Flag, but patriotic sentiments) belong
• the American Masonry of Adoption by Albert Pike (the
officers who labor in "Asia", i.e. the Venerable Master and the
Admirable Mistress, are to teach there "Truth, Justice and Love
of Country") 1660
1658
Henderson and Pope, vol. I, p. 67.
1659
Cf. Ibid.
1660
Pike, The Masonry of Adoption. Masonic Rituals for Women Complete with the Verbatim Degree
Lectures and the "Secret Work," p. 2.