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Message from the Sovereign Grand Commander

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September 30, 2008

Today, I was grading some of the Master Craftsman tests, and I came across an answer I wanted to share with you from one of the Fellows. He wrote the following...

"At the 2008 Leadership Conference in Seattle, WA, S.G.C. Ronald Seale told the "fellows" group about one particular instance where at a blue lodge meeting he stopped a deacon and asked him, "Why do you carry that rod?"

The deacon replied, "Because I was told to, and all the deacons before me carried them." But, as for a symbolical or historical reason why, he had none. Because he did not know the ...purpose for his rod, the SGC ordered him to "Put your rod down...until you know why it is you carry it."

We fellows in the room then proceeded to ask, "What is the reason or nature of the deacon's rod?" S.G.C. Seale said that he would not tell us, that we needed to do research and study for ourselves. I am happy to declare that regular attendance at my blue lodge and other Masonic education seminars has led me to the answer, "Why do deacons carry rods?" I'm broke and I don't have internet, so I am requesting that this page be posted...on the Fellows page so I can share my finding with the other 2008-09 Fellows - or any other Brother who seeks this very same answer.

Sincerely,

Bro. Matt Lopez, 32

Brother Matt then included a brief article written by Bill Douglas, PM, Kenilworth Lodge #29, GRA, Calgary, Alberta, Canada that you can read online here.

I enjoyed reading Matt's answer and look forward to communicating with more Fellows in the future. Brethren, I hope that you will be joining us for the online meeting on October 15, 2008, 8:00 pm EST. For those who are able to participate, please email Heather Calloway at hcalloway@scottishrite.org for instructions.

Fraternally,

Ronald A. Seale
Sovereign Grand Commander