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

838
Chapter 10 - Conclusion
whole body of the Craft is disgraced by such violations of law! What
law? 2052
Here, he has touched upon the defect of the system - what law. There are no
general laws to be observed; still, the landmarks must not be violated. However,
he argues that there is no consistency, e.g. in spite of the law requiring the
Masons to wear a lambskin apron in the lodge, nine tenths of the brethren who
are the pickiest in fault finding, wear a badge of muslin or linen instead of this
symbol of innocence. 2053
As far as the furniture of the lodge is concerned, there can also be noted a
difference depending on the countries' customs: "In England, the tracing boards
are usually located on the floor in the centre of the lodge, while in Australian
lodges they are often located on a wall." 2054 Talking about lodge afterproceedings,
there are differences with regard to the banquet or dinner given to
the brethren. England is an outstanding example of concluding Masonic
ceremonies with a social gathering combined with food and drink:
The festive board in English lodges almost always includes a dinner.
The vast majority of English Masonic premises are licensed to serve
alcohol. After the lodge meeting it is customary to retire to the bar for a
pre-dinner drink, and drinks are paid for with cash. The meal will
usually consist of soup, main course, sweets, coffee, and cheese and
biscuits. At Installation meetings, and at Christmas meetings, some
lodges will arrange an even more substantial banquet. [...] The
proceedings that follow are invariably under the control of the lodge's
Director of Ceremonies. During the serving and partaking of the meal,
the practice of 'taking wine' is observed in many lodges. The procedures
for 'taking wine' are largely confined to English Masonry. They precede
the proposition of formal toasts, the latter beginning after the meal is
finished. 'Taking wine' consists of the Master and the recipients of the
toast rising together in their places to drink. No speeches or replies of
any kind are undertaken. 2055
In Dublin and most Irish cities, a festive board on the English model is not
the norm. Usually, light refreshments or a supper are served instead after the
meetings, and this takes place with informality. In Scotland, these lodge afterproceedings
are even more different from the English standard, and bear a
special technical term:
The 'festive board' in the English tradition is unknown in Scottish
lodges, being replaced by a 'Harmony'. Harmonies are either official or
2052 Ibid.
2053 Cf. ibid, p. 263.
2054 Henderson and Pope, vol. II, p. 108.
2055 Ibid, p. 102.