Post by ricardo on May 27, 2005 14:01:11 GMT
The Schroder Ritual
A lecture by Bro. Graham Lehmann
of Leichhardt Lodge of Research No 225
Darwin N.T. Australia
Holden under warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of
SOUTH AUSTRALIA and THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
December 2002
Lecture on the Schroder Ritual as used in Lodge Concordia [S.A.C. No 226]
Origins and an explanation of the First Degree Working.
Introduction
This lecture is to provide some information for Brethren to gain an understanding of the Schroder Ritual. This may encourage the brethren to undertake a visit to Lodge Concordia, and view the working of a truly unique ritual. I will give a short explanation of the history of Friederich Schroder's creation of the ritual and its adaptation by the founders of Lodge Concordia. I will endeavour to explain the layout of the Lodge and an abridged working of a first-degree initiation.
Friedrich Schr�der
Friedrich Ludwig Schroder was born in 1744 and was initiated into Freemasonry in 1774 into Lodge Emanuel zur Marienbluhme. He became a Master Mason in 1785 and the Worshipful Master in 1787. In 1799 he became the Provincial Grand Master under the English Grand Lodge in 1799 and the Grand Master in 1814. Towards the end of the 18th Century Freemasonry was in a transition and many different types of ritual were emerging and there was no structure or order. From his dissatisfaction with the state of German Freemasonry, Friederich Schroder wrote the Schroder Ritual that has been in use throughout
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for many years.
Development of Schroder's ritual
The Schroder ritual came out of Schroder's desire to clean up the higher degrees, which had disguised the moral and ethical principles of Freemasonry. He undertook to research masonry in the English system where he believed he would find the answers. The Grand Lodge in England was formed in 1717 and soon after unhappy Lodges formed an independent Grand Lodge of York in 1725 this consisted of Scottish and Irish influences that practised the antients ritual. Grand Lodge changed its working to the modern ritual which changed the reference to B- in the First degree to B- in the Second degree. Other Lodges in Continental Europe followed the Grand Lodge of England and based their workings on the modernritual. Later, Grand Lodge changed back to the antients but continental Europe has not changed. There were very few printed rituals, but many narratives of Lodge meetings were to be found. He collected 30+ rituals and had them
printed and bound in 21 volumes, which he financed. These were printed by the friend who had a printing shop and all the staff were initiated and made Master Masons the night before the printing to preserve the secrets in the ritual. When writing the ritual, Schrder often referred to two keys references Three Distinct Knocks and Masonry Dissected. He thought these contained a true account of the English antient rite. The English Grand Lodge never confirmed this even though Schrder wrote to them. Schrder secured a copy of the well known Masonic expose "Jachin and Boaz," by the "Gentleman belonging to the Jerusalem Lodge", translated and made it the foundation which rapidly became known as Schroder's Rite, or Schroder's System. Schroder with the help of a few influential friends began writing the ritual. It was deliberately shortened and excessive ceremony that had been inherited from French rituals had been removed. It contained the three degrees with the same themes and messages that are known in the �antients� ritual. All traces of Christianity and Templar masonry were removed and Schroder believed the C..T.. was not fit for an educated man and reference to it was removed. The second degree was entirely rewritten from the beginning with hardly any comparison to the English ritual.
The catechism that contains the main theme centres on the meaning of life and purpose of our labours with a simple explanation. The use of the Schr�der ritual in South Australia came about by the Grand Master of 1972 MW Bro Howard Zelling who encouraged Lodges to work European rituals. The formation of a German Speaking Freemasons Association in 1978 led to Lodge Concordia being consecrated in 1981. The Schroder ritual used by Lodge Concordia was translated, corrected and slightly modified to align with the SA/NT constitution from a copy given to Bro. Paul Sydler when he visited a German Lodge in Stuttgart. The working degree is the degree that the Lodge opens in; ie : In a Third degree working, the Lodge opens in the Third degree and closes in that degree. Lodge Concordia works one meeting a year in German as part of their Constitution and an English translation is provided.
Opening of the Lodge
I will now give an explanation of the Schroder ritual First degree Initiation as used by Lodge Concordia. Brethren who visit Lodge Concordia for the first time will see that the Lodge room layout is very different from the conventional Lodge room layout. The Master, Past Master and Director of Ceremonies sit in the East along with Masters and Past Masters of other Lodges and the Orator and Almoner sit in the usual position in the South East. This is where the similarity stops. Both Wardens sit in the West facing the East with a gap between them. The saluting point for all Concordia Brethren in any Lodge is directly opposite the W.M. behind the V.S.L. in SA/NT Lodges or behind and between the Wardens in Concordia. In front of their pedestals, a carpet lies on the tessellated pavement that is folded over to hide its features. There are two pillars, one in front and to the outside of each Warden. The one in front of the JW pedestal denotes Beauty; the one in front of the SW denotes Strength. At the other end of the pavement there is an altar with a kneeling stool. On the altar lies a VSL and a pillar stands in the NE corner of the pavement. This pillar denotes Wisdom. Each pillar has a large candle placed on top.
The Lodge is opened when all officers of the Lodge are in their respective places and the W.M instructs the S.D. to prove the Brethren assembled in the Anteroom are none but freemasons. This is done by the S.D. attending the Ante-room and gives three knocks on the floor with his wand and instructs the Brethren to enter an Entered Apprentice Lodge wearing Masonic Dress. The S.D. knocks three times again and the Brethren are assembled in pairs according to rank in an orderly fashion by the S.D. and led into the Lodge along the North to the East the J.D. holds the P.M., M.M., F.C. and E.As. until the G.L. Officers and W.Ms are standing in their usual places in the East. The S.D. then directs the other Brethren to be seated, first filing past the W.M. before sitting in their chosen places and ensuring E.As. and F.Cs. are seated in their respective places. The S.W. standing in front of the W.M. then knocks his wand on the floor three times and informs the W.M. the Brethren are assembled in the Lodge Room according to his command. The W.M. then asks the I.G. to
see that the Lodge is closed tyled he fulfils that duty giving three k___s. This is different to the first degree opening in the SA /NT Constitution and the k___s are different to the First degree knocks. Firstly there are three and not one and they are two s____t and one l___g.
Once the Lodge is proved close tyled the W.M instructs the Deacons to unfold the carpet. The Deacons perambulate to the tessellated border opposite each other and unfold the carpet. The Deacons return to their positions and the W.M. hands the S.D. the small candle from his pedestal and the S.D. takes the candle to the Wardens and lights the small candles on their pedestals. The S.D. then proceeds to the column in the N.E. corner and remains
standing. The W.M. then opens the V.S.L. on the altar and proceeds to the column. He lights the large candle taken from the column. The S.W. and J.W. light their candles taken from their columns at their pedestals and return to the columns and stand facing the W.M.
The W.M. places his candle on the pedestal and says, "May Wisdom guide our work!" The S.W. places his candle on his column and says, "May Strength support it!" The J.W. places his candle on his column and says, "May Beauty adorn it!" The principal officers give the sign and return to their places. The lights and the G are turned on. The Brethren stand to order as E.A. Freemasons and the questions of all the officers are asked. The Brethren complete the sign and the Lodge is duly opened. The Brethren then clap masonically taking the time from the W.M. as E.A. Freemasons. Any other Brethren that have come late are admitted and the visiting Brethren rise and assume the attitude of reverence and the W.M. greets them and then lays out the work for the day. This is the formal opening of the
Lodge.
..........
www.llor225.org/ - the above is copied from the December 2002 notice paper
A lecture by Bro. Graham Lehmann
of Leichhardt Lodge of Research No 225
Darwin N.T. Australia
Holden under warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of
SOUTH AUSTRALIA and THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
December 2002
Lecture on the Schroder Ritual as used in Lodge Concordia [S.A.C. No 226]
Origins and an explanation of the First Degree Working.
Introduction
This lecture is to provide some information for Brethren to gain an understanding of the Schroder Ritual. This may encourage the brethren to undertake a visit to Lodge Concordia, and view the working of a truly unique ritual. I will give a short explanation of the history of Friederich Schroder's creation of the ritual and its adaptation by the founders of Lodge Concordia. I will endeavour to explain the layout of the Lodge and an abridged working of a first-degree initiation.
Friedrich Schr�der
Friedrich Ludwig Schroder was born in 1744 and was initiated into Freemasonry in 1774 into Lodge Emanuel zur Marienbluhme. He became a Master Mason in 1785 and the Worshipful Master in 1787. In 1799 he became the Provincial Grand Master under the English Grand Lodge in 1799 and the Grand Master in 1814. Towards the end of the 18th Century Freemasonry was in a transition and many different types of ritual were emerging and there was no structure or order. From his dissatisfaction with the state of German Freemasonry, Friederich Schroder wrote the Schroder Ritual that has been in use throughout
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for many years.
Development of Schroder's ritual
The Schroder ritual came out of Schroder's desire to clean up the higher degrees, which had disguised the moral and ethical principles of Freemasonry. He undertook to research masonry in the English system where he believed he would find the answers. The Grand Lodge in England was formed in 1717 and soon after unhappy Lodges formed an independent Grand Lodge of York in 1725 this consisted of Scottish and Irish influences that practised the antients ritual. Grand Lodge changed its working to the modern ritual which changed the reference to B- in the First degree to B- in the Second degree. Other Lodges in Continental Europe followed the Grand Lodge of England and based their workings on the modernritual. Later, Grand Lodge changed back to the antients but continental Europe has not changed. There were very few printed rituals, but many narratives of Lodge meetings were to be found. He collected 30+ rituals and had them
printed and bound in 21 volumes, which he financed. These were printed by the friend who had a printing shop and all the staff were initiated and made Master Masons the night before the printing to preserve the secrets in the ritual. When writing the ritual, Schrder often referred to two keys references Three Distinct Knocks and Masonry Dissected. He thought these contained a true account of the English antient rite. The English Grand Lodge never confirmed this even though Schrder wrote to them. Schrder secured a copy of the well known Masonic expose "Jachin and Boaz," by the "Gentleman belonging to the Jerusalem Lodge", translated and made it the foundation which rapidly became known as Schroder's Rite, or Schroder's System. Schroder with the help of a few influential friends began writing the ritual. It was deliberately shortened and excessive ceremony that had been inherited from French rituals had been removed. It contained the three degrees with the same themes and messages that are known in the �antients� ritual. All traces of Christianity and Templar masonry were removed and Schroder believed the C..T.. was not fit for an educated man and reference to it was removed. The second degree was entirely rewritten from the beginning with hardly any comparison to the English ritual.
The catechism that contains the main theme centres on the meaning of life and purpose of our labours with a simple explanation. The use of the Schr�der ritual in South Australia came about by the Grand Master of 1972 MW Bro Howard Zelling who encouraged Lodges to work European rituals. The formation of a German Speaking Freemasons Association in 1978 led to Lodge Concordia being consecrated in 1981. The Schroder ritual used by Lodge Concordia was translated, corrected and slightly modified to align with the SA/NT constitution from a copy given to Bro. Paul Sydler when he visited a German Lodge in Stuttgart. The working degree is the degree that the Lodge opens in; ie : In a Third degree working, the Lodge opens in the Third degree and closes in that degree. Lodge Concordia works one meeting a year in German as part of their Constitution and an English translation is provided.
Opening of the Lodge
I will now give an explanation of the Schroder ritual First degree Initiation as used by Lodge Concordia. Brethren who visit Lodge Concordia for the first time will see that the Lodge room layout is very different from the conventional Lodge room layout. The Master, Past Master and Director of Ceremonies sit in the East along with Masters and Past Masters of other Lodges and the Orator and Almoner sit in the usual position in the South East. This is where the similarity stops. Both Wardens sit in the West facing the East with a gap between them. The saluting point for all Concordia Brethren in any Lodge is directly opposite the W.M. behind the V.S.L. in SA/NT Lodges or behind and between the Wardens in Concordia. In front of their pedestals, a carpet lies on the tessellated pavement that is folded over to hide its features. There are two pillars, one in front and to the outside of each Warden. The one in front of the JW pedestal denotes Beauty; the one in front of the SW denotes Strength. At the other end of the pavement there is an altar with a kneeling stool. On the altar lies a VSL and a pillar stands in the NE corner of the pavement. This pillar denotes Wisdom. Each pillar has a large candle placed on top.
The Lodge is opened when all officers of the Lodge are in their respective places and the W.M instructs the S.D. to prove the Brethren assembled in the Anteroom are none but freemasons. This is done by the S.D. attending the Ante-room and gives three knocks on the floor with his wand and instructs the Brethren to enter an Entered Apprentice Lodge wearing Masonic Dress. The S.D. knocks three times again and the Brethren are assembled in pairs according to rank in an orderly fashion by the S.D. and led into the Lodge along the North to the East the J.D. holds the P.M., M.M., F.C. and E.As. until the G.L. Officers and W.Ms are standing in their usual places in the East. The S.D. then directs the other Brethren to be seated, first filing past the W.M. before sitting in their chosen places and ensuring E.As. and F.Cs. are seated in their respective places. The S.W. standing in front of the W.M. then knocks his wand on the floor three times and informs the W.M. the Brethren are assembled in the Lodge Room according to his command. The W.M. then asks the I.G. to
see that the Lodge is closed tyled he fulfils that duty giving three k___s. This is different to the first degree opening in the SA /NT Constitution and the k___s are different to the First degree knocks. Firstly there are three and not one and they are two s____t and one l___g.
Once the Lodge is proved close tyled the W.M instructs the Deacons to unfold the carpet. The Deacons perambulate to the tessellated border opposite each other and unfold the carpet. The Deacons return to their positions and the W.M. hands the S.D. the small candle from his pedestal and the S.D. takes the candle to the Wardens and lights the small candles on their pedestals. The S.D. then proceeds to the column in the N.E. corner and remains
standing. The W.M. then opens the V.S.L. on the altar and proceeds to the column. He lights the large candle taken from the column. The S.W. and J.W. light their candles taken from their columns at their pedestals and return to the columns and stand facing the W.M.
The W.M. places his candle on the pedestal and says, "May Wisdom guide our work!" The S.W. places his candle on his column and says, "May Strength support it!" The J.W. places his candle on his column and says, "May Beauty adorn it!" The principal officers give the sign and return to their places. The lights and the G are turned on. The Brethren stand to order as E.A. Freemasons and the questions of all the officers are asked. The Brethren complete the sign and the Lodge is duly opened. The Brethren then clap masonically taking the time from the W.M. as E.A. Freemasons. Any other Brethren that have come late are admitted and the visiting Brethren rise and assume the attitude of reverence and the W.M. greets them and then lays out the work for the day. This is the formal opening of the
Lodge.
..........
www.llor225.org/ - the above is copied from the December 2002 notice paper