A Festive Lodge for a Festive Season

A Masonic Table Lodge

A tradition which is far too rarely observed these days, and which truly ought to be more widely practiced is the Table Lodge. Of course, since the rest of the country has gotten around to ending prohibition, it is sort of silly that Masons, most of whom run off to Shriner events to drink themselves under the table, don't allow a dignified drop of the pure stuff at a proper Table Lodge. Given that the earliest Freemasonic Lodges recorded had taverns, Inns, and Public Houses as their meeting places, it seems silly not to respect this tradition in the correct way.

To encourage that, I have included below the details of a typical Table or Wet Lodge. Assume that it is best accompanied by a good Single Malt Scotch. I hope you all enjoy. Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah!

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

If the number of attendees permits, the Table should be laid out in a horseshoe shape. The Worshipful Master is at the Center Table (East); the Brother 1st and 2nd Wardens are at the end of the wings, to be precise at the table-ends, so that their columns form a line, with the Worshipful Master and Dignitaries are seated in the East facing them.

If only Masons are attending the Banquet, they all wear the Master’s sashes or tie and jewel of the Lodge, the Worshipful Master and his Wardens wear their Collars. The ritual candle are placed in front of them, as in the Lodge.

If regalia is not worn, the Worshipful Master and Wardens can wear their Master’s sashes. In all events they carry their gavels in hand.

If the Banquet is “white”, and if there are profane guests, no Battery or ritual Acclamation is given. One may still beat the bans, followed by the acclamation “Vivat! Vivat! Vivat!”

If the Banquet is “white” and if it is desires to give it more ‘luster’ (for example, when it follows a “Ceremony of Conjugal Recognition”, the Apprentices, Companions and Masters may all wear the Master’s sash during the Banquet, just as during the Ceremony; the Officers wear their Collars of Office.

FIRST TOAST 
If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

FIRST DUTY

WM: – Brother Senior and Junior Wardens, kindly invite the Brothers (and Sisters, as well as our Visitors) on each of your Columns at the Table, to ready themselves for a Toast which I will have the honor to propose...

 “en bout de Table”. In line with the military tradition of the Table Lodge, the phrase “de façon à prendre leur Colonne de Table en enfilade...” where ‘enfilade’ suggests in line of fire or gunfire direction along the line of a formation. Cravates. “Blanc” in this context means in presence of profane or non-Masons.  Battre des bans.

SW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated  on the Columns of the North and South at this Table, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you in each of your Columns to ready yourselves for a Toast which he will have the honor to propose...

JW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Column of the North, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you to ready yourselves for a toast which he will have the honor to propose...

Scottish Musicians such as might be present
at an Early Table Lodge

WM (raising his glass to the height of his forehead, then his heart, then his lips, says): – To the Nation which, in history, was the first to erect columns on its frontiers bearing this inscription: “Here begins the Country of Liberty...”! To that country which was first to give the World the notion of the Rights and Duties of Man! To France, our country, and to the Republic... (he drinks, and all do the same). With me my Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), in a triple battery and a triple vivat..

SECOND TOAST

If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

SECOND DUTY

WM: – Brother Senior and Junior Wardens, kindly invite the Brothers (and Sisters, as well as our Visitors) on each of your Columns at the Table, to ready themselves for a Toast which I will have the honor to propose...

SW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Columns of the North and South at this Table, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you in each of your Columns to ready yourselves for a Toast which he will have the honor to propose...

JW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Column of the North, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you to ready yourselves for a toast which he will have the honor to propose...

WM (raising his glass to the height of his forehead, then his heart, then his lips, says): – To Freemasonry Universal, to the Grand Lodges and Grand Orients of other countries, to: (name other Obediences with which we have de facto relations, including Feminine Obediences)... With me my Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), in a triple battery and a triple vivat...

Orner – lit. decorating.  In French the archaic words Septentrion and Midi, rather than the more modern Nord and Sud, are used for ‘North’ and ‘South’ throughout this ritual.

THIRD TOAST

If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

Another Table Lodge

THIRD DUTY

WM: – Brother Senior and Junior Wardens, kindly invite the Brothers (and Sisters, as well as our Visitors) on each of your Columns at the Table, to ready themselves for a Toast which I will have the honor to propose...

SW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Columns of the North and South at this Table, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you in each of your Columns to ready yourselves for a Toast which he will have the honor to propose...

JW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Column of the North, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you to ready yourselves for a toast which he will have the honor to propose...

WM (raising his glass to the height of his forehead, then his heart, then his lips, says): – To the antique land of the Mysteries of Holy Initiation, to Old Egypt, to the depth of its genius, for that Gnosis to which we owe so much, to the Rites which perpetuate them, to their past glory, to their present renaissance, and to their future... With me my Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), in a triple battery and a triple vivat..If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

FOURTH TOAST

If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

FOURTH DUTY

WM: – Brother Senior and Junior Wardens, kindly invite the Brothers (and Sisters, as well as our Visitors) on each of your Columns at the Table, to ready themselves for a Toast which I will have the honor to propose...

SW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Columns of the North and South at this Table, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you in each of your Columns to ready yourselves for a Toast which he will have the honor to propose...

JW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Column of the North, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you to ready yourselves for a toast which he will have the honor to propose..

WM (raising his glass to the height of his forehead, then his heart, then his lips, says): – to our Sisters, Masters, Companions and Apprentices of (name the Lodge of the Obediences represented), to you, Ladies and to you, Honored Guests, who have been pleased to show your confidence and friendship by coming her to join us in this fraternal and social Festive Meal (Agapé), we lift our glasses to you... May Prosperity accompany your steps, may Joy inhabit your lives, and may Light shine in your heart...With me my Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), in a triple battery and a triple vivat...

FIFTH TOAST

If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

FIFTH DUTY

A Masonic Cannon

WM: – Brother Senior and Junior Wardens, kindly invite the Brothers (and Sisters, as well as our Visitors) on each of your Columns at the Table, to ready themselves for a Toast which I will have the honor to propose...

SW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Columns of the North and South at this Table, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you in each of your Columns to ready yourselves for a Toast which he will have the honor to propose...

JW: – Brothers (Sisters and Visitors) seated on the Column of the North, on behalf of the Worshipful Master I invite you to ready yourselves for a toast which he will have the honor to propose...

WM (raising his glass to the height of his forehead, then his heart, then his lips, says): – To all Freemasons dispersed across this cast world, whether happy or unhappy, celebrated or ignored, free or in irons; to those who, beneath the lamp of philosophy, seek knowledge of truth; to those who at all times, and especially in our own times, fight against the intolerance and fanaticism in which they live; to Wisdom, and to the Future... With me my Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), in a triple battery and a triple vivat...Chain.

If there are no profane visitors, they all give the battery and then the acclamation: “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!”

My Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), let us form the Fraternal Chain.

This is done in silence. Then:

My Brothers (and Sisters, if there are any present), let us break the Chain.