Building Boaz

[maximus]

Having had the honor of previewing Dr. John S. Nagy's latest addition to his ongoing Building series, Building Boaz: Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education, Volume 2, I shall attempt to do justice to this fine work.

This second work concentrates on the Entered Apprentice, and upon those elements within the lessons of the degree that may be obscure to the modern Mason. Often, the archaic language of our ritual is lost upon the newly-made Mason, indeed - it may remain obscure to many Master Masons, even after years in the Craft. This book is set up like his previous work, presenting a series of interrelated catechisms similar to those we are all familiar with from our own degree work - but examining the often obscure points of our ritual in an easy to understand manner.

Divided into twelve chapters, with a summary at the beginning of each section, the book is extensively footnoted, allowing the reader the opportunity for further study on various subjects, tying in ritual with relevant section of the VSL, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the meaning behind the allegory.

I highly recommend this short, yet profound book to Masons of all stages - from the new Apprentice to the Past Master. I also thank Brother Nagy for allowing me to contribute, however small that may be, to the development of this work and allowing me the opportunity to post this review.

www.coach.net/BuildingBoaz.htm

Bro. Bryan Caldwell

[Tamrin]

Thanks for that Bryan. I'd normally baulk at reading a whole book written as a catechism but this sounds promising. There might even be fun in working out the pigpen cipher around the border of the cover.

[maximus]

Brothers,

Bro. John Nagy has just published another book. The Third Volume of the "Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education" series is now printed and is available at: www.coach.net/BuildingAthens.htm

If you know of anyone interest in Building Athens please let them know that they can find:

a quick overview at this location: www.coach.net/BuildingAthens.htm

the table of contents at this location: www.coach.net/PR_BA_TC.htm

Here is a general overview: Building Athens focuses on Wisdom, Insight and the Work of the Second Degree, specifically:
the Ancient Source of the Masonic EA and FC training
the Significance of "The Pass" in all Masonic Work
the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences and how they relate to "The Pass"
what Raises a Mason's Abilities to do further Work.

Fraternally,
Maximus

[Tamrin]

Thanks Bro. Max

I'll keep my eye out for the series.

[gaijin94]

I know I am a little late on this topic...
I have the 1st two books, Hiram and Boaz and where interesting reads.....
However, I am not sure I grasped all that required from the books. Or shall I say that I am pretty sure that I didn't grasop everything (or most thingsfor that manner) from them. I am not sure if this is becasue of a slight difference in the ritual or that I am just plain dumb.
Not as an excuse for my non-learning from the two books, but rather to explain my above statement. There is no scottish standard ritual, as all or most of Us Scottish Lodges have our own rituals. Hence some of the symbols can obviously be very different from standard emulation ritual......
Anyway back to the topic. Does anyone have any hints for me when re-reading these 1st two books I really want to learn more form thema nd also buy te newer volumes as well. Any advice woud beso helpful.

S&F

[Gaslight]

Oct 20, 2011 17:24:20 GMT 10 gaijin94 said:

There is no scottish standard ritual, as all or most of Us Scottish Lodges have our own rituals.

As the PM of a Scottish lodge, I have to take issue with this statement. It contains two errors: there IS a Scottish "Standard" Ritual, which has been in print for at least a century, published, in chronological order, by James T. Cowan, C. C. & A. T. Gardner, and David Fairbairn. I have copies of all and can verify that they are identical, printed from the same plates, the movable type becoming more and more worn and blurred with each pressing.

In 2008 the Grand Lodge of Scotland assumed copyright of this ritual and issued a new and revised version edited by the Grand Secretary. In contrast to previous "Standard" rituals, whose covers were green, the new version has a distinctive red cover, making it easy to differentiate between the old 'green' ritual and the new 'red' ritual.

Scottish lodges do, indeed, have the right to choose their own rituals but that is far from saying that all or most have their own. Most use the "Standard". A Scottish Brother who has visited dozens of lodges throughout Scotland told me that approximately 70% of those he visited were using the "Standard". He also noted that almost 100% of newly consecrated lodges were using the same.

Hence some of the symbols can obviously be very different from standard emulation ritual......

I disagree. Having had to memorise the rituals of several different constitutions, I have noticed many differences in floorwork, in the choice and order of working tools, in the content of some of the long set lectures, and in the secrets of each degree, especially the Third. However, the only major difference in symbolism I have noticed is in the Charity Lecture (N.E. Lecture) of the First Degree.

By 'symbolism' I refer to the explanation given in each ritual, and not to individual interpretations in books and other sources.

[gaijin94]

Dear Bro. Judd,

I do stand corrected indeed.
And I do fear it is a combination of my lack of experience and poor wording which seems to have helped me learn from your comments based on your wisdom.
I agree with you that there is a Standard Ritual in the Scottish Constitution. I myself have the small green book. I hadn't meant to allure to the actual presence of there being or not being a book of Scottish Ritual, but I see now that in actual fact by my wording I did give that exact impression. What I meant to write was that through my very limited knowledge, I was under the understanding that the Grand Lodge of Sctland didn't enforce upon its daughter Lodges to adhere strictly to the Standard Ritual, giving each Lodge the liberty to adjust certain parts of the ritual. I believe that this was adopted as there were so many Lodges in the old times who were up and running and had there own ritual in place before Grand Lodge was even thought of let alone established. I knew about the red covered versions but I wasn't aware if this had changed Grand Lodges stance on its approach to it daughter Lodges in regard to the ritual.

Again my terminology of 'symbols' is misleading and was maybe not so clear in my own mind when I posted above. I think I was referring to the different floor works, certain different wordings in rituals from constitution to constitution which goes the same for the working tools, but also some differences in the items used on certain Tracing boards and different names of the five orders of architecture given to the Officers of the Lodge. So with these differences, I was wondering if there was anything laying in these differences that would stop me from understanding some of the messages written in the above book. But it would appear not, as I was recently informed to not confuse the road maps with the destination. There maybe different road maps but the place where they all lead is the same and that is where the meaning lays. So I am glad that this experience has brought around two importants for my masonic learning today. One about te road maps and two, your wisdom from, especially about the fact that most scottish lodges dont adapt there own ritual much nowadays and use moreso the "Standard Ritual". So I stand correct and wiser than I was at my original posting. I thank you very much for your informative message above and I will be sure to be more careful of my wording in my posts while I continue to try and learn as much as possible from yourseef and other learned 'Senpai' Brethren.

S&F,

Chris

By the way it is really good to hear from you !