The Mason's Words: The History and Evolution of the American Masonic Ritual

by Robert G. Davis

Freemasonry is entirely built around traditions. From time immemorial, those who have belonged to the world's oldest and largest fraternal order have metaphorically passed between the pillars of Solomon's Temple to nurture within themselves a harmonious bond between tradition and modernity. This is the story of the Masonic ritual, the language and ceremonial forms that have evolved into the present structure of American Freemasonry, defined its lodge space, and offered its members the same stablizing influence of instruction that has prevailed on every continent for nearly 400 years. The reader will discover that the language of the world's oldest fraternal society has also made its own interesting journey, and been tested by the most powerful and the most humbling of men. The result is, that, in Masonic lodges across America, and, indeed, the world, men from every walk of life, of all ages, every social category and every spiritual and philosophical conviction are able to find a basis for reflection on who they are, why they are here, and what has meaning to them. By its common language delivered in a common culture of fraternal relationship, Freemasonry is enabled to exemplify a univeral brotherhood of man. This is the story of the Mason's words; the history and evolution of the American Masonic ritual. It is an interesting bit of history that is perhaps all the more fascinating because it is so rarely known.

Genres: Nonfiction

356 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2013

Reviews

[Jay Simser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Masonic Leader should read it and ponder it and see what it means for our Fraternity.

I have read many Masonic Books but I have never found one which ties the history of the ritual and the story of Freemasonry together so beautifully.

Freemasonry as we practice it in the United States evolved from the Scottish Freemasons through the English to the Masons of the early Colonial times who brought it with them when they colonized the country. In England it was William Preston who brought the teachings together unifying them into a ritualistic system of teaching and philosophy. Davis takes us through these steps so that we can see how the ritual was developed. He then shows how it spread in the United States through the Provincial Grand Lodge System and how, after the Revolutionary War, it was reconstituted as a Grand Lodge System with each state developing its own methods and rituals.

Codified in our country by Thomas Smith Webb, the "Father" of Freemasonry in this country; Webb and those he taught were responsible for spreading a uniform teaching. Men taught by Webb who were in turn teachers of "roving Ritualists" who travelled the country spreading the Mason's Words. It was unified to a degree by the Baltimore Convention into the fraternal system as we practice it today.

Davis, who is the Registrar of the Guthrie Oklahoma Scottish Rite is a 33rd degree mason who holds the rank of Grand Cross. His Masonic experience places him in the highest ranks of our fraternity and yet, when you meet him you see a true exemplar of the fraternity that "meets upon the level." He has a deep and abiding love for our society and understands it purpose for existing in the modern world. He sees the problems which it faces and the discerning reader will be able to see pathways which need to be taken to strengthen and improve our fraternity.

Davis has spoken of Freemasonry as "a rite of manhood that connects young males to the collective masculine soul; to the spirit of being a man; and to the community of men. It is the traditional organizational venue for male role modeling and male to male communication." (Understanding Manhood in America: Freemasonry's Enduring Path to the Mature Masculine - Robert G. Davis).

He suggests that our system has become "one-dimensional" with too much emphasis on memorizing words and says that "Perhaps it is time to recreate in our own time the indispensable intellectual component of Masonic dialogue which enabled the completion of Masonic philosophy by the end of the eighteenth century."

There is much in this book to be learned about our history and our ritual and our direction for the future. Robert Davis has written an important Masonic Book which will open pathways of learning and thought for anyone interested in Freemasonry.

[David Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a must read for Masons. Overly scholarly? Definitely not. It is an accessible book that traces the origins of Masonry to the present day. It gives a great baseline understanding of our history, our present, and our future.

[W Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very worth reading, if you're interested in the history of the development of Masonic ritual.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

In introducing his book, Brother Davis states, “Freemasonry is the pursuit of that which is noble in man.” When and how did this noble pursuit start and develop over the years? As opposed to the “romantic school” of thought, Brother Davis follows the “authentic school” in seeking to find the genesis and evolution of Masonic ritual, especially American Masonic ritual. He accomplishes his task by carefully studying Masonic Landmarks, historical documents and manuscripts, and a variety of exposes released over the years, especially in the 18th Century. The following are just some of the items he discusses in the book. Ever wonder where the penalties in the ritual may have originated? Well, they likely did not originate within the Craft itself. “If they were used and adopted by the operative lodges during the sixteenth century, they were likely created as an adaptation of the punishments given of traitors for at least two hundred years prior to that time.” The first degree penalty may have been adapted from a Navy penalty in existence as early as 1375. Early on in speculative Masonry, only the first and second degrees were given, often at the same time. The Master Mason degree did not take shape until the early 1700s. Although it’s not possible to say with certainty, the Hiram legend may have descended from an old Noah Mystery Play popular in the late Medieval period. The formation of the first Grand Lodge in 1717 and the later break that occurred in Masonry between the “Antients” and the “Moderns” makes for fascinating and important reading. Things become very clear as he moves to a study of Masonry in America. We read about such Masonic legends as Thomas Smith Webb and his disciples, a group of roving ritualists (i.e. John Snow, John Barney, Benjamin Gleason, Henry Fowle, and Jeremy Cross) who helped bring ritual stability to a young America. Finally, Brother Davis expresses concern for the future of the Craft. Today, the age of the average Mason is sixty-five. If we do not start attracting and retaining more members, especially younger ones, our future as an institution may be in jeopardy. Brother Davis advances some worthwhile ideas in attracting and retaining these needed members. An excellent, well-researched and written book on the history of our venerable institution. Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a valuable, comprehensive, and informative history of Masonic ritual, and by virtue of that, a history of how Masonry has evolved from the operative craft guilds to an organization that develops and inspires people. It also contains solid recommendations for making the Craft relevant to today's prospects. That said, it needs a thorough copyediting, with a distracting number of typos, homophone errors (principle and principal in particular), and grammatical disfluencies. I can usually power through a book of this length in a couple of days, but the sometimes repetitive, sometimes threadbare narrative structure and the errors set forth above make it a slow read. Nevertheless, I have many notes and ideas for how to use the information here to improve my own experience in Lodge and hopefully be a better mentor to other Masons.

[Richard Pea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview

Good presentation of the historical record for Masonry in the United States. How the ritual of a working Lodge developed in England to it's development in the United States. Overview of those who influenced the development of same. Leaves you with some thoughts on how Masonry can survive in today's world.

[Cody Jackson]

Just had a chance to meet brother Robert Davis and get a signed copy of his book. His presentation on his book was excellent and I am looking forward to beginning my masonic educational journey of the American ritual. I will update my review as I progress.