Official section

Title

Official section

Language

English

Source

The Cabletow Volume XXXVIII (No. 4) October 1962

Year

1962

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

OFFICIAL SECTIONS EDICT No. 44 THE FLAG CEREMONY To Masters, Wardens and Members of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. Greetings: Edicts Nos. 32, 37 and 40 arc hereby amended. The following procedure shall be strictly complied with: 1. Usage — The Flag Ceremony is optional. It is within the sole discre tion of the Master of a Lodge whether or not a Flag Ceremony is to be held; nevertheless, all Masters are enjoined to have a Flag Ceremony at every meeting, particularly at public func tions. 2. The Flag — The Philippine Flag will be presented in all Lodges, ex cept that in those which are predo minantly of a nationality other than Filipino, the Flag of the country which represents the nationality of the majority of members may be pre sented. When a Flag other than that of the Philippines is presented, the Philippine Flag will be placed in a position of honor in the East prior to the opening of the Lodge. In cases of Lodges outside of the Philippine archipelago, protocol governing the relative position of Flags placed in the East will be observed; when in doubt, consult the government of the place where the Lodge is located. 3. Pledge — “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the country for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This pledge is to be given when the Flag is retired, and at no other time. 4. National Anthem — When the Philipine Flag is presented, the Phil ippine National Anthem may be sung either in Filipino or in English, or played by band, piano, organ or recording. If the Flag of any other nationality is presented, the National Anthem of that country may be sung or played. It should be remembered that Masonry is international. Con sequcntly, when visitors who are nationals of other countries are present, wc should endeavor to use the language known to them if the National Anthem is sung. 5. General regulations: (a) The Marshal does not carry the baton during any part of the Flag Ceremony. (b) The right hand will be placed on the left breast only when the Flag is in motion or when the Pledge is being recited. (c) I'lie position of attention will be maintained at all other times during the Flag Cere mony. (d) When the Flag is at the Altar, it will be held perpendicular ly. At other times it may be carried at a slant forward not to exceed thirty degrees from the perpendicular; this is not considered dipping the Flag 117 but is the normal way of carry ing it(c) It is not considered good form to bow to the Flag. (f) Uniformity is essential. The brethren must take their cue from the East. (>. Presentation: (a) The Master says: "Brother Marshal, you will retire and present the Philippine Flag” (or other country, where ap propriate). (b) Marshal rises, but docs not give the sign. After the word "Flag” he goes to the Altar where he gives the sign. (<) The Deacons rise and take the rods when the Marshal rises. When the Marshal leay.es the Altar, the Senior Deacon pro ceeds along the North and West pavements to the North side of the door and lhe Junior Deacon proceeds to the South side of the door. (d) When the Marshal brings the Flag into the Lodge, the Deacons cross their rods over the Marshal. (e) At the moment the rods arc crossed, the Master brings the Lodge to attention, remove his hat and holds it over his left breast. (f) The Marshal and the Deacons proceed in a straight line to the Altar. (g) When the Flag arrives at tlie Altar (Deacons do not detach rods), the Marshal says: "Wor shipful Master, I have the honor to present the Philip pine Flag.” (h) Following the National An them, the Master says: “Bro ther Marshal, escort the Flag to its proper place in the East.” (On the right-hand side of the Master). Deacons disengage rods at the word “East.” They take two steps backward, ground the rods and drop them diagonally ac ross the body so that the lelt hand takes the rod (the butt of the rod remains pivoted on the floor); the right hand is placed on the left breast. (i) When the Marshal places the Flag in its stand, the Master puts his hat on; all others re sume the position of attention, The Master seals the L.odge. The Marshal and Deacons proceed to their respective places. 7. Retirement: (a) After all business is finished and before lhe closing of lhe Lodge, the Flag is retired. (b) The Master calls up the Lodge and says: “Brother Marshal, you will retire the Flag.” (c) The Marshal rises but does not give the sign. After the word “Flag” lie proceeds to lhe Flag (going West of, but not stopping at lhe Altar). He places lhe Flag in a bearer position, makes a graceful turn to the right until he faces West, (note: he docs noi execute an “about-face"). He proceds to the Altar, going behind the Senior Deacon (see next sub-paragraph), to 118 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 a point between the Deacons facing East. (d) At the moment the Marshal leaves his place to go to the East, the Deacons, with rods, proceed to a point three steps West of the Altar, placing the rods across the body as in the Presentation. (e) When the Marshal arrives at the Altar, the Master says: ‘‘The brethren will repeat the Pledge with me.” (see pars. 3 and 5 (b) above). (f) Following the Pledge, the Master says: “Brother Marshal, return the Flag to its proper custodian.” (g) After the word “custodian,” the Deacons cross the rods over the Marshal. All three make a graceful turn to the right, the Deacons moving in such a way as to remain abreast of the Marshal: all three proceed in a straight line to the door. (h) The Tyler receives the Flag from the Marshal, who does not go out of the Lodge. The Deacons disengage their rods, and all three proceed to their respective places. (i) The Master seats the Lodge when the Flag is received by the Tyler. Following this, he proceeds to close the Lodge. 8. Conclusion: Dignity, proliciencv and uniformity are absolutely essen tial in every part of the Flag Cere mony. Masters will see to it that the Flag Ceremony is adequately re hearsed until all members are fully familiar with every part of it. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 12th day of September 1962. (Sgd.) WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master EDICT No. 15 To the Masters, Wardens and Brethren of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. Greetings: SMOKING The Constitution provides as fol lows: "All smoking within lhe Lodge is prohibited during the opening and closing ceremonies as well as during degree work, except while the lectures of lhe three degrees are being delivered. Smoking may be allowed while the Lodge is transacting business al its stated meetings, and while lhe Lodge is at refreshment.” Edict No. 6 modified this provi sion, the proceedings of 1928 provided for a liberalization of that Edict. It has been noted of late that there is some misundersanding as to when smoking is prohibited. Consequent ly, this Edict is issued to clarify the rules governing smoking in Lodge. At such times as smoking is not prohibited, it may be allowed bv the Master. These times are as fol lows: 1. During the transaction of busi ness at stated meetings. 2. During the lectures of the First and Third Degrees. OFFICIAL SECTION 119 3. During the staircase lecture of the Second Degree (but not during the lecture). 4. During the second section of the Third Degree. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 12th day of September 1962. (Sgd.) WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master -------- oOo---------EDICT No. 46 To all Masters, Wardens and Members of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of lhe Philippines. Greetings: MONITORS It has been observed that our Monitors are being used- indiscri minately in some of our Lodges. For the purpose of regulating the use of these Monitors, the following rules are to be observed. 1. Only official publications (Mo nitors) issued by the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of the Philippines will be used. 2. Monitors are not to be used in the opening and closing of the Lodge, in conferring degrees or in examining candidates. 3. Only the Charges in the three degrees may be read, although it is preferable that these be committed to memory. 4. In view of the anticipated publit ation of the ritual in the National Language, certain special regulations have been promulgated for lhe care and use of the documents contain ing the degree work. These regula tions, which will appear on each document, are hereby incorporated by reference and shall have the same force and effect as if they were set forth in full in this Edict. 5. Violation of any part of this Edict shall be considered a Masonic offense. This supersedes Edict No. 21. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 27th day of September, 1962. (Sgd.) WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master ATTEST: ESTEBAN MUNARRIZ, PGM Grand Secretary A A A NEW YORK HARDWARE 348 Dasmarinas Manila Dealer in — Mills Supplies Steel Plates Steel Cable Plumbing supplies Paints Building materials Hardwares, etc. Brother Delfin Dy Tel. 3-41-26 120 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962

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