8 

TABLE COUNCIL Table Council Seating Diagram

TABLE COUNCIL TERMS

Bottles—Casks Bread—Rough Ashlar Chairs—Stalls Coffee—Black Powder Dishes—Great Plates Forks—Pickaxes Glasses—Cannons Knives—Swords Lights—Stars Meals—Materials Napkins—Flags

Pepper—Cement Plates—Tiles Salt—White Sand Snuffers—Pincers

Trowels Table—Tracing Board Table Cloth—Standard To Carve—To Hew To Drink—To Fire To Eat—To Masticate Water—Weak Powder

  

TABLE COUNCIL RITUAL

GENERAL GRAND COUNCIL CRYPTIC MASONS INTERNATIONAL

8 

TABLE COUNCIL Table Council Seating Diagram

TABLE COUNCIL TERMS

Bottles—Casks Bread—Rough Ashlar Chairs—Stalls Coffee—Black Powder Dishes—Great Plates Forks—Pickaxes Glasses—Cannons Knives—Swords Lights—Stars Meals—Materials Napkins—Flags

Pepper—Cement Plates—Tiles Salt—White Sand Snuffers—Pincers

Trowels Table—Tracing Board Table Cloth—Standard To Carve—To Hew To Drink—To Fire To Eat—To Masticate Water—Weak Powder

  

TABLE COUNCIL RITUAL

GENERAL GRAND COUNCIL CRYPTIC MASONS INTERNATIONAL

2 

(***

All me as such.

guarded.

(At this

Guard rises, is

the

IM

7 

of

(pauses)

your

In of panions both

that

of North, I

we are

work

a toast to

IM

They

your

2 

(***

All me as such.

guarded.

(At this

Guard rises, is

the

IM

7 

of

(pauses)

your

In of panions both

that

of North, I

we are

work

a toast to

IM

They

your

6 

IM * (meal continues)

Treasurer - (rises) Illustrious Master, it was a custom among the ancient craft

participating in a Table Council to pass the box of Fraternal Assistance

to aid some worthy cause such as a distressed worthy Companion, his

widow, or orphans. With your permission, I propose that we now pass a

Box of Fraternal Assistance with each Companion encouraged to place

anything up to a quarter (25c) in the box.

IM Companions, let us see what the treasurer has in mind.

I will place one 25c piece in the box to start it on its rounds. Companion

Steward (pauses) you will deliver the box of Fraternal Assistance to the

ninth arch, and then to the columns of the North and South and present

to the Treasurer.

Treasurer - (rises) Illustrious Master we realize that this is but a small token of

our esteem for the Council. We wish to place this box in your hands as

evidence of our good fortune and of our devotion to the principles of our

institution. We ask that you present this sum to the Masonic Charity of

your choice.

CC (rises) Illustrious Master, I wish to propose a toast to the Grand Lodge of

______________________.

IM (rises and Proceed, Companion Conductor of the Council.

CC Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Conductor of the Council.

CC Then bring your cannons to the ready (arm's length, shoulder high). I am

pleased to propose a toast to the Grand Lodge of ____________. May it

long continue to spread Light, Wisdom, and Love throughout the world

for many more years.

Now - with me Companions. To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of

______________________.

IM (Meal continues to completion.) At completion of meal, IM gives for

attention and encourages others to pro

3 

CG Fines to be remitted to the Box of Fraternal Assistance -

1. "SWEARING AN OATH" (one dime)

2. "SPEAKING WITHOUT ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER'S LEAVE"

(twenty cents)

CG (sits down)

IM Why are we here met together?

DM To erect Temples to virtue and dig dungeons for vices.

IM How long must we work?

DM From midday to midnight.

IM How long a time is required to make Royal and Select Master?

DM Nine years.

IM What is your age?

DM Nine years.

IM What is the hour?

DM Eve of day.

IM (stands) In consideration of the hour and age, inform our Companions

that a Council of Cryptic Masons open and that we are about to begin

our work in the usual manner. ***

Brethren in the columns of the North and the South in consideration of

the hour and age, a Council of Cryptic Masons is open and we are about

to begin our work in the usual manner.

IM Companions, you will join with me in singing the first verse of America.

(after song, seats council and says - Now, Companions, attend to

this food prepared for the nourishment of our bodies.)

TOASTS

IM (rises) *** Companions, I wish to propose a toast. Are the cannons

charged?

Companions - They are, Illustrious.

IM Then bring your cannons to the ready (arm's length, shoulder high). I

have the honor to propose a toast to our Country.

6 

IM * (meal continues)

Treasurer - (rises) Illustrious Master, it was a custom among the ancient craft

participating in a Table Council to pass the box of Fraternal Assistance

to aid some worthy cause such as a distressed worthy Companion, his

widow, or orphans. With your permission, I propose that we now pass a

Box of Fraternal Assistance with each Companion encouraged to place

anything up to a quarter (25c) in the box.

IM Companions, let us see what the treasurer has in mind.

I will place one 25c piece in the box to start it on its rounds. Companion

Steward (pauses) you will deliver the box of Fraternal Assistance to the

ninth arch, and then to the columns of the North and South and present

to the Treasurer.

Treasurer - (rises) Illustrious Master we realize that this is but a small token of

our esteem for the Council. We wish to place this box in your hands as

evidence of our good fortune and of our devotion to the principles of our

institution. We ask that you present this sum to the Masonic Charity of

your choice.

CC (rises) Illustrious Master, I wish to propose a toast to the Grand Lodge of

______________________.

IM (rises and Proceed, Companion Conductor of the Council.

CC Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Conductor of the Council.

CC Then bring your cannons to the ready (arm's length, shoulder high). I am

pleased to propose a toast to the Grand Lodge of ____________. May it

long continue to spread Light, Wisdom, and Love throughout the world

for many more years.

Now - with me Companions. To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of

______________________.

IM (Meal continues to completion.) At completion of meal, IM gives for

attention and encourages others to pro

3 

CG Fines to be remitted to the Box of Fraternal Assistance -

1. "SWEARING AN OATH" (one dime)

2. "SPEAKING WITHOUT ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER'S LEAVE"

(twenty cents)

CG (sits down)

IM Why are we here met together?

DM To erect Temples to virtue and dig dungeons for vices.

IM How long must we work?

DM From midday to midnight.

IM How long a time is required to make Royal and Select Master?

DM Nine years.

IM What is your age?

DM Nine years.

IM What is the hour?

DM Eve of day.

IM (stands) In consideration of the hour and age, inform our Companions

that a Council of Cryptic Masons open and that we are about to begin

our work in the usual manner. ***

Brethren in the columns of the North and the South in consideration of

the hour and age, a Council of Cryptic Masons is open and we are about

to begin our work in the usual manner.

IM Companions, you will join with me in singing the first verse of America.

(after song, seats council and says - Now, Companions, attend to

this food prepared for the nourishment of our bodies.)

TOASTS

IM (rises) *** Companions, I wish to propose a toast. Are the cannons

charged?

Companions - They are, Illustrious.

IM Then bring your cannons to the ready (arm's length, shoulder high). I

have the honor to propose a toast to our Country.

4 

Long may our land be bright with Freedom's Holy Light; Protect us by

Might, Grand God our King!

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to our Country!

Companions - To our Country! (Companions, take a sip of punch and return

glasses to the table in

IM *(Meal

DM (rises) Illustrious Master, I wish propose a toast to the first

Grand Council.

IM (rises and *** Proceed, Companion Deputy Master.

DM Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Deputy Master.

DM Then bring your cannons to the ready. (arm's length, shoulder high). Let

us now drink toast to the memory of the first Illustrious Grand Council,

Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre and Hiram Abif. May

their saintly qualities inspire each of us to live a life of more exalted

usefulness.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the first Illustrious

Grand

Companions - To the first Grand Council.

IM (meal continues)

PCW (rises) Illustrious Master, propose toast to the First Table

Council in the world.

IM (rises and Proceed Companion Principal Conductor of the Work.

PCW Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Principal Conductor of the Work.

PCW Then bring your cannons to the ready. (arm's length, shoulder high). Let

us now drink a toast to the First Table Council, may it long be remem-

bered.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the First Table Council

in the World.

Companions - To the First Table Council.

5 

IM (meal continues)

Recorder - (rises) Illustrious Master, I wish to propose toast to our departed

Companions.

(rises Companion Recorder, you will read the roll of those

Companions who have been taken from our midst in recent months.

Recorder - (Reads list of deceased.)

Proceed with your toast, Companion Recorder.

Recorder - Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Recorder.

Recorder - Then bring your cannons to the ready length, shoulder high).

propose a toast now to the memory of our departed Companions. May

their contribution to our brotherhood inspire us more earnestly to dedi-

cate our lives to the service of our fellow men.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the memory of our

departed Companions.

Companions - To the memory of our departed Companions!

IM (meal continues)

CG Illustrious Master, I wish to propose a toast.

IM (rises and ***) Proceed, Companion Captain of the Guard.

CG Companions, the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Captain of the Guard.

CG Then bring your cannons to the ready length, shoulder high}.

Companions, I have the honor to propose a toast to the Most Illustrious

Grand Master of the Grand Council of _________________, a symbol of

our continuing relationship to the Grand Council and to the Grand Coun-

cil over which he has been called to preside. May he direct the wisdom,

decide with justice. and plan with a vision worthy of the Council he

serves.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the Most Illustrious

Grand Master.

Companions - To the Most Illustrious Grand Master.

4 

Long may our land be bright with Freedom's Holy Light; Protect us by

Might, Grand God our King!

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to our Country!

Companions - To our Country! (Companions, take a sip of punch and return

glasses to the table in

IM *(Meal

DM (rises) Illustrious Master, I wish propose a toast to the first

Grand Council.

IM (rises and *** Proceed, Companion Deputy Master.

DM Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Deputy Master.

DM Then bring your cannons to the ready. (arm's length, shoulder high). Let

us now drink toast to the memory of the first Illustrious Grand Council,

Solomon, King of Israel; Hiram, King of Tyre and Hiram Abif. May

their saintly qualities inspire each of us to live a life of more exalted

usefulness.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the first Illustrious

Grand

Companions - To the first Grand Council.

IM (meal continues)

PCW (rises) Illustrious Master, propose toast to the First Table

Council in the world.

IM (rises and Proceed Companion Principal Conductor of the Work.

PCW Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Principal Conductor of the Work.

PCW Then bring your cannons to the ready. (arm's length, shoulder high). Let

us now drink a toast to the First Table Council, may it long be remem-

bered.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the First Table Council

in the World.

Companions - To the First Table Council.

5 

IM (meal continues)

Recorder - (rises) Illustrious Master, I wish to propose toast to our departed

Companions.

(rises Companion Recorder, you will read the roll of those

Companions who have been taken from our midst in recent months.

Recorder - (Reads list of deceased.)

Proceed with your toast, Companion Recorder.

Recorder - Companions, are the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Recorder.

Recorder - Then bring your cannons to the ready length, shoulder high).

propose a toast now to the memory of our departed Companions. May

their contribution to our brotherhood inspire us more earnestly to dedi-

cate our lives to the service of our fellow men.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the memory of our

departed Companions.

Companions - To the memory of our departed Companions!

IM (meal continues)

CG Illustrious Master, I wish to propose a toast.

IM (rises and ***) Proceed, Companion Captain of the Guard.

CG Companions, the cannons charged?

Companions - They are, Companion Captain of the Guard.

CG Then bring your cannons to the ready length, shoulder high}.

Companions, I have the honor to propose a toast to the Most Illustrious

Grand Master of the Grand Council of _________________, a symbol of

our continuing relationship to the Grand Council and to the Grand Coun-

cil over which he has been called to preside. May he direct the wisdom,

decide with justice. and plan with a vision worthy of the Council he

serves.

Now - with me Companions. Fire the cannons to the Most Illustrious

Grand Master.

Companions - To the Most Illustrious Grand Master.