|
Post by offramp on Mar 6, 2015 14:41:40 GMT
I've been reading a fantastically exciting book called The History of Freemasonry in the Province of Surrey. Here are two inscrutable paragraphs:
"He expressed the hope that Brethren would exercise good taste at dinner in the matter of "challenging" about which Grand Lodge's comments had been very tactful "challenging" in general or of one's superiors in particular was most distasteful and should be avoided..."
and the only other mention I've yet seen in that book:
"He was glad that "challenging" had largely ceased and he hoped that two other things would also be improved..."
So...What was "challenging"?
|
|
|
Post by tyler on Mar 6, 2015 17:21:23 GMT
i think the phrase comes from olden days when at the festive board the word challenge was use as "I challenge you bro\w.bro so and so" meaning toast. It was often custom to take wine with a brother of only the same rank at the festive board and this often would get out of hand. Grand Lodge decreed that the practice should stop and that taking wine at the table should be the prerogative of the Master. By tradition, the Master takes wine for the first time with his Wardens, then no-one will join. It is then a sensible arrangement for the Master to take wine with everyone, which covers all those present. The exception could be at Installations, when VIPs are present, or the rare occasion when the Master may decide otherwise. Any further taking of wine is purely repetition and should be discouraged. "It is tedious and does not make sense". A Surrey mason, copthorne lodge 5427 FC on the 4th Sat in March 3pm. see web page for contact details. Sutton is 20 to 40 minutes by train from central London/ next meeting 3rd Sat in May
|
|
|
Post by offramp on Mar 6, 2015 18:06:00 GMT
That is a superb answer! Thank you, Tyler.
In a way it shows how meanings and customs can change over time.
Thanks again!
|
|
|
Post by tyler on Mar 7, 2015 16:13:37 GMT
pleasure s&f W.Bro PPJGD, Mark PPGMO % Mariner PGMR, Chapter 35 Edinburgh,(PProvGJ Sry) Was in RoS Freeman of the City of London
|
|