Grand Session Mass Raising

They come from all over, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Abilene, Lubbock, Amarillo and all points noth, south est and west. It is Grand Lodge Winter Session with a mas raising Friday night and Grand Lodge business all day Saturday.

Unless you are Prince Hall you probably have not seen a mass raising. It is a sight to behold. Last year we raised 81 new Master Masons at winter Grand Session and this year 65. The firt section of the third degree is given in mass. Your first clue as to things are starting to roll is outside the Grand Lodge Room you hear 65 voices singing in unison.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE


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This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
Ev'ry where I go
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

All in my house
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, all in my house
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
All in my house
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

I'm not going to make it shine
I'm just going to let it shine
I'm not going to make it shine
I'm just going to let it shine
Hallelujah
I'm not going to make it shine
I'm just going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Out in the dark
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, out in the dark
I'm going to let it shine
Hallelujah
Out in the dark
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine


65 Brothers knock and are admitted, hoodwinked each with a hand on the shoulder of the one in front - they are all hooked up. They are received, circumambulate, receive their obligation , then light and explanation all together in mass. When they move and march they sing. Other songs are brought forth.

To see 65 or 81 Brothers all kneeling around an altar is quite a sight to behold. But the best is yet to come. After marching out in song they come back for the next section.

The three gates are set up and groups of five go through. When the first five is done with the South Gate it moves to the West Gate while another five hit the South Gate. Then the first group moves to the East Gate, the second group to the West gate and a new group starts at the South Gate.

When all have gone through the gates one is looking at 65 Brothers all laying supine on the Grand Lodge Floor. That view sent goose pimples up my back. The Deputy Grnd Master then gives the legend of Hiram Abiff.

Then all are raised. The first year I was there the Grand Master raised every single Brother. This year all Masters and Past Masters assisted in the raising. I raised one of my own Lodge Brothers as did our Master.

Last year I gave the charge afterwards, this year I did not. But just to be there is a thrilling experience.

And at the same time as our mass raising was taking place there was also a smaller version being performed in Germany. Through the magic of high tech, Germany's raising was beamed to us and projected onto the wall of the Grand Lodge while our raising was beamed to them and they displayed what we were doing similarly, all taking place at the same time. Last year we did the same thing but with Korea.

The new Master Masons will receive the third degree lectures at their home Lodge. But most of them are back to participate in the Grand Session business the next day on Saturday.

It is quite inspiring to fellowship with Brothers, both old and new, from all over the state and to touch base with some distant acquaintances from years past. All in all I wouldn't miss it for the world.