the delivery of the ritual
by W.Bro. Peter Verrall I.P.M.
We are told in the Second Degree Charge after Passing that ' The study of
the liberal arts, which tends so effectively to polish and adorn the mind, is
earnestly recommended to your consideration'
The Liberal Arts comprise Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric and, on this occasion,
I would like to talk specifically about 'Rhetoric' which is described by Mackay
in his 'Encyclopaedia of Masonry' as 'the art of embellishing language with
the ornaments of construction so as to enable the speaker to persuade or
affect his hearers'.
'Affect our hearers'.
This is what we should try to do, Brethren, when we deliver the Ritual.
'Affect' those who listen.
The men who gave Speculative Freemasonry its present formal dress were very
wise. They gave us orderly ceremonies with a discipline that meets the needs of
the brethren. It is an effective way of impressing upon us the Tenets of
Freemasonry, but the teachings are not straightforward, like school lessons, for
we are told that Freemasonry is ' a peculiar system of moralily, veiled in
allegory and illustrated by symbols'
Allegories are parables and, as Speculative Freemasons, we are expected to
'speculate' on these parables, not according to today's meaning of 'forming
opinions about something without having definite knowledge or evidence', but
more 'to contemplate, to consider', the meanings and essentials of Freemasonry.
The delivery of the Ritual is, in - my opinion, one of the most, if
not the most important part of the ceremony for it is the catalyst of our
knowledge of Freemasonry, yet we receive little or no tuition in it except
perhaps for injunctions to adhere to the words themselves.
Our Ritual is a fine work of art, worthy of the Craft. It was not written
overnight but is based on development over a period of more than 600 years. It
is written for speaking and not reading. For many years it was passed from
brother to brother by word of mouth. It is the responsibility of those who speak
it to understand and to endeavour to interpret it. So often it is delivered
without any understanding or meaning and all the hours that the Brother has
taken in learning it are wasted.
A Brother wrote 'one of the proofs of the stature of the ritual is that it
can still live even after a brother has done his best to murder it'
There is a great similarity between our Craft and the Theatre.
'Speculative' Freemasonry ceremonies are based on the early stonemasons
'Operative' Lodges. Likewise in the Theatre the 'stage presentation' is
generally based on 'real life' situations and draws attention to one particular
aspect of it - very often 'moral'. Freemasonry uses the artisan mason's work as
a parable and derives a lesson in the fundamentals of life.
Our ceremonies are equivalent to stage productions. Both have rehearsals, a
most essential ingredient; a script which in our case is the ritual; a producer,
our Director of Ceremonies; stage hands, our Deacons; props the objects required
on stage, our Symbols and Ornaments, actors, our participating masons and an
audience, our Brethren.
In any production, whether it be on stage or in the Lodge Room, the essential
ingredient is to get the message over to those present.
In our ceremonies, first and foremost, it is the candidate who is the most
important member of the audience. He should be hanging on every word spoken and
must be made to feel at all times secure in the warmth and individual concern of
the speaker.
The speaker must anticipate the candidate's nervousness and help to allay it.
So often a brother is more concerned with memorizing and getting through his
charge as soon as possible that he forgets the effect he is having on both the
candidate and the brethren.
To the brethren present, the charges should be a continuing and lively
reminder of the ritual and they should be given the impression of never having
heard it before or at least given a meaning they had not previously realized.
How often, Brethren, have we sat up and listened when a charge has been
delivered in a different way with feeling and obvious understanding. The same
words, yes, but having a new meaning.
We are not all budding Richard Burtons or Laurence Oliviers but we have a
duty as masons to perform to our best ability.
There are two great dangers in delivering ritual. Firstly a tendency to
regard the ritual as an irksome routine, to be rattled through parrot fashion
with only one thought - to get it over. Or secondly, to regard it as an
opportunity for a full reign of histrionics. The first makes a farce of our
ritual and the second a melodrama.
Sincerity is the answer. A sincere performance is always more effective.
Remember that. each of us has some point of strength, whether it be a deep or
impressive voice, a quiet persuasive manner, a modesty or a transparent honesty.
Search for your own strength and build on it. Try and project your own unique
personality.
Like a good Scout 'be prepared'.
Preparation is of prime importance. Firstly read through your charge or duty
many times and make sure that you understand it. If you do not understand a
word, look it up in the dictionary or ask an experienced mason. Learn the charge
carefully and exactly, referring constantly back to the book. If you learn it
incorrectly you will find it almost impossible after a time to correct yourself.
Learn it by sound rather than sight.
If possible get another Brother to hear you and mark your mistakes lightly in
pencil in your copy so that you are always aware of them. Some find learning
easier than others but set your mind to it. Its a good personal discipline.
There are different ways of memorizing. A tape recorder can be invaluable
where the ritual involves other Officers such as between the Master and Wardens.
Put the opposing words on the recorder, naturally leaving out any secretive
ones; a 'beetroot, beetroot' can suffice. Hold the pause button, speak your
part, then hear the reply before speaking again. This will allow you to learn
the responses by sound rather than sight.
If the Charge is long, learn it in sections. R.W. Bro Lionel Mears calls it
the Part/Whole method. Divide it into parts; learn part 1 to perfection, then
part 2 the same way before combining them as a whole. Follow with parts 3 and 4
in the same manner before joining them with parts I and 2. Treat the whole
charge in this form finally combining all parts together in the finished
product.
Try and get peace and quiet for your learning. The car can be a marvellous
place for rehearsing because one can speak out aloud although passing drivers
may think you strange. Give yourself plenty of time; you cannot learn a charge
the night before giving it. Analyze the charge; find the climax and the
important message it is conveying.
Charges tend to fall into different categories.
a) Instructional which includes the Secrets, the Warrant and Bylaws
Charge and the Charge after Passing.
b) Educational such as The Lesser Lights, Working Tools and the 1st
Tracing Board.
c) Narrative like the Traditional History and the 2nd Tracing Board and
finally
d) Inspirational charges such as the NE Comer, Reasons for
Preparation and the Charges after Initiation and Raising.
Attend every rehearsal you can and, if possible, go down to the Lodge Room on
your own or with a brother and run through the charge in the actual position
that you will be delivering it. Having learnt your charge you are now ready to
deliver it.
The main title of my address is 'the Delivery of the Ritual' but I would like
to subtitle it with the old maxim 'Stand up, Speak up and Shut up'.
The first necessity is of course to STAND UP
Seat yourself, if possible, close to your delivery position to avoid having
to move unnecessarily across the Lodge Room thus breaking the continuity of the
ceremony. Immediately prior to your time to deliver, take a few deep breaths and
try to relax.
1) Visual Projection or how you should appear.
Stand relaxed and comfortable. Do not slouch or stand stiff as a ramrod.
Keep your feet a few inches apart with one foot fractionally ahead of the
other. Be well balanced with your body slightly forward so that if you were shot
you would fall forward rather than back. Do not rock or roll.
There is always a tendency to be very conscious of one's hands. The easiest
way is to let them hang loosely and relaxed at your side. Do not clench your
fists for this expresses tension which can be transmitted to the candidate.
Please do not place them in front of your apron or in your pockets as I have
seen on several occasions. If you have them behind you, do not twiddle your
thumbs. It is most disconcerting for those sitting behind you.
Do not fiddle with objects, keys or money, the latter especially when the
candidate has been divested of all valuables.
Look the candidate straight in the eye, not at his feet or over his shoulder
and finally, if you are required to change your position during the charge,
please do not speak when moving.
2) Gestures must appear to be spontaneous and must not look planned
even though very careful planning is essential and a lot of practice is
required. They must relate to the words spoken at the time. If you are going to
gesture, it must be for a reason either towards or with something.
Do not talk with your hands. Gestures should only add emphasis to your
words and should not detract from the charge itself. All gestures should be full
and always finish where they started. If you are going to gesture with objects
like the Working Tools do not fiddle with them as this can be very distracting.
Finally please try and leave all your bad mannerisms behind on your seat.
3) Facial Expression This is important as it visually conveys your
feelings directly to the candidate. There is always a tendency to be too
restrained, too rigid or too controlled.
Feel free to show expression in your face and at suitable times a faint smile
can really give assurance.
The second maxim is to SPEAK UP, the most important of all three,
because if you cannot be heard all your efforts are in vain.
There are 7 headings under this Section, Vocal Projection, Verbal Projection,
Thought Control, Pauses, Vocal Force, Voice Colour and Timing.
It all sounds rather overwhelming, but I can assure that you will find in all
cases you already actually practice them without necessarily being aware that
you do.
1) Vocal Projection means audibility, the ability to be heard. Every
Brother in the room has the right to hear you but not to be bellowed at.
Try and speak out rather than up. Greater volume is not necessarily easier to
hear.
Good resonance is important with the voice cast upwards and outwards rather
than being mumbled into the figurative, or as in many cases these days the
actual, beard.
There is no excuse for inaudibility and yet it is probably one of the major
faults in delivering ritual. It breeds boredom and frustration in the Lodge Room
and, I am sure, accounts for a lot of the absences from our meetings.
2) Verbal Projection is not the same as vocal projection but is the
art of speaking clearly. A charge should flow with the minimum of apparent
effort as a succession of words with meaning.
If you have an accent; do not worry. It may be necessary to speak slower at
the start of your charge to allow the Brethren to become attuned to your voice.
Try and follow the rhythmic pattern of the ritual. In some cases there are a
series of short lines as in the reading of Ecclesiastes 'also when they shall
be afraid of that which is high, and fear shall be in the way, and the
almond tree shall flourish and the grasshopper shall be a burden and
desire shall fail.
Our ritual also has groups of two or three words with the same meaning also
providing a pattern. This is especially noticeable in the Obligations
worthy. worshipful and warranted Lodge of Antient,
Free and Accepted Masons, lawfully constituted and
regularly assembled of my own free will and accord, do
hereby and hereon sincerely and solemnly promise and swear
that I will always hele. conceal and never reveal
- any part or. parts, point or points of the secrets and
mysteries. of or belonging to Antient Free and Accepted masons in
Masonry.
Pronounce every word but do not over enunciate. If you have difficulty
pronouncing a word, break it down into syllables but make sure that you put the
emphasis on the right parts.
3) Thought Control No; not 'brainwashing', but 'interpretation'.
Speak by phrases and meaning and do not necessarily be controlled by
sentences or punctuation although these are good guide lines. Think of what you
are saying and what your feelings should be at the moment of utterance.
Take this example when the candidate is announced at the door by the Tyler.
Whom have you there? with warmth & concern
Mr. A.B., a poor candidate in a state of darkness with sympathy
who has been well and worthily recommended with enthusiasm
regularly proposed and approved in open Lodge with approval
and now comes of his own free will and accord with enthusiasm
properly prepared seriously
humbly soliciting to be admitted with sympathy
to the mysteries and privileges of Antient Freemasonry with pride
4) Pauses These are most important and are a chance to lend emphasis
where required. Your first pause should be when you commence to speak. Later you
may like to place emphasis on certain important words such as in the Charge in
the NE Comer.
Indeed I shall immediately proceed to put your principles in some measure
to the test by calling upon you to exercise that virtue which may justly
be denominated the distinguishing character of a freemasons heart......
I mean..... Charity.
When answers are required, make sure that you pause sufficiently to allow the
Brother to respond.
Pause clearly without 'ums' or 'ahs' and do not pause before unimportant
words.
There are two different types of pauses. One is when you have to take a
natural breath and the other is a dramatic or suspensory pause where you do not
necessarily take a breath.
Pauses can be of great help. They
i) give the candidate a chance to absorb what he has been told.
ii) give you a chance to concentrate on your next few words.
iii) lend emphasis and meaning and
iv) give you time to catch your breath.
You should take a breath regularly and few speakers actually take enough.
Keep your lungs full as it --
i) helps with your confidence,
ii) improves the quality and resonance of your voice and
iii) allows you to hold your chest up and improve your appearance.
Remember that pauses are not necessarily forgetful stops.
5) Vocal Force or volume; the art of using loudness to obtain effect
of giving stress or emphasis to individual words or phrases. In reverse softness
can indicate restraint or quietness.
Vary the volume of your voice. You may need to start off with a higher
volume, not shouting, to combat background noises such as fans and, dare I
mention it, brethren's chatter and movement.
Drop your jaw and tongue, open your lips and let the sound pour out.
6) Voice Colour or voice modulation; a variation in resonance; an
inflection.
It is this which gives music to our speech. It is used naturally and
unconsciously in our normal everyday conversation but for some reason is lacking
in many ritual deliveries where monotone seems to become the normal routine.
Raise your voice inflection for things that are high, cheerful and bright.
Let it fall for lowness, sadness and drabness.
Always keep the candidate in a state of anticipation by varying the rhythm of
your voice.
7) Timing Generally follow your normal rate of speech.
Speak quickly enough to be interesting and slowly enough to be understood.
Change the pace according to the subject; slower for thoughtfulness,
deliberation and sadness and faster for joy, excitement and vigour.
Finally our third maxim to SHUT UP.
We always remember those awful moments when we had to shut up whilst
delivering the ritual because of a mind block or because we stumbled over words.
It happens to the best of ritualists and even the best actors in the world are
not free of it.
Be assured that all the brethren present want to see you doing well. They
should at all times assist you, but should do so mentally and certainly not
audibly. One brother only should prompt and preferably directly from the Ritual
Book unless the prompter is well versed.
The person prompting should be present at all rehearsals so that he is fully
aware how the charge is being presented by that Brother; where prompting may be
needed, what length of prompt is required and where stops may occur for
deliberate pauses. Nothing is more frustrating than when you wish to provide a
dramatic pause, you find that it is ruined by an inexperienced prompter coming
in at the wrong moment.
Prompt only if necessary, as in many cases a slight pause can be sufficient
for the speaker to remember the words or in some cases where brethren are able
to 'ad lib' before getting back on track. Sense of meaning and a dramatic flow
are more important than complete word accuracy.
Prompt with the minimum of words but with correct ones that have meaning.
If you require a prompt, stand and wait for it without turning. If your
prompter is on the ball it will hardly be noticed that you have taken a prompt
and can appear very easily as though it was a pause. On no account say 'thank
you.' It is the nominated Brother's duty to help you.
The next and most important time of shutting up is when the brethren
themselves should be quiet. This should occur at all times when other
brethren are speaking especially during the actual ceremony itself.
W.M. and Brethren; to sum up, please remember to practise by sound and not
sight. Good speaking looks so easy and natural to some people but be assured, it
is not achieved by accident.
It can only be made perfect by much practice, effort and expenditure of
nervous energy. Strange as it may sound one gives a better performance if
nervous and most outstanding actors experience first night nerves.
I would like to add that the Woshipful Master plays a very important part in
our ceremonies. He is really the leading actor and can establish or destroy the
mood of the evening.
He must try and appear relaxed whilst at the same time maintaining a feeling
of discipline. During any recesses he should ensure, with the aid of his
Director of Ceremonies, that they are kept to a minimum of time and that no
unnecessary movement or excessive conversation breaks that mood of the evening.
I hope, Brethren, that this Address will be of some help to you.
Always accept the opportunity to give charges or to take part in the
ceremonies. It is one of the great privileges that we have as masons. Enjoy
delivering our lovely ritual or at least please sound as though you are enjoying
it.
Bibliography
The Technique of the Ritualist by FW Page
Jaycee Notes on effective Speaking
Speaking the Ritual of the Third Degree by JN Thomson
Play Production by Henning Nelms
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