"No Master-elect shall be installed unless he be competent and qualified to confer the three degrees of Masonry and to deliver the lectures thereof."

Now wouldn't that create a predicament for many of our Lodges if such a strict requirement were a part of our Code?  Well, it was at one time.

A few months ago, as I was perusing the shelves of a local bookstore, I came across a book titled: Washington Masonic Code. 1913.    Needless to say, I immediately purchased it and began leafing through its yellowing pages.  And there is was: "Sec. 153. Master must know work."

It is widely recognized that proficiency in the standard work is that hallmark to which all active Masons ascribe.  And I am sure that, by the time of their installation, most incoming Masters are quite able "to convey the three degrees of Masonry."

However, I doubt if any incoming Master is "competent and qualified to deliver the (three) lectures thereof."   For that matter, it would probably take but barely one hand to count the number of Lodges who have members capable of performing such a feat today, including Past Masters.

Today, as we know, that demanding edict has been relaxed over the years, as well as a few others.  I then began to reflect upon how just as times have changed over the decades, how the self-imposed mandates of our institution have evolved as well.

There were a few other mandates in that 1913 Code that caught my attention as well.  For example:

"The use of any cipher or key is improper and unlawful. The law of this jurisdiction relative to ciphers is found in a certain obligation, well known to all Brethren initiated in our Lodges. (Sec. 315 Ciphers.)"

"It shall be a Masonic offense, with the penalty of expulsion, for a Mason of this jurisdiction to enter into the business of selling intoxicating liquors as a beverage. (Sec. 280 Masonic Offense.)"

"No Mason shall be a member of more than one Lodge in this jurisdiction at the same time. This prohibition shall not apply to honorary membership. (Sec. 271 Dual membership.)"

As we know, over the years these mandates, as well as several others, have been relaxed in our Code, and our Fraternal Order remains firm and intact.

At Grand Lodge this June, we will be presented with the decision of whether to take yet another step forward.  Whether to make certain Monitorial portions of the lectures of "the three degrees of Masonry" available on video tape, or not.

Again, the decision is ours to make.  Whether to acknowledge that times have changed, and, of necessity, whether the self-imposed mandates of our institution will indeed evolve once more.