Presentations to the Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education No. 640 are to be primarily based upon the following guidelines, however, these are not absolute, but will serve as a primer as to the development and presentation of appropriate topics and the use of a common methodology. These guidelines are not intended to be all-inclusive nor exhaustive, but are to serve as guidance and direction on using yours, and the member’s most valuable commodity, time.
The Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education is always interested in receiving presentations that expand Masonic knowledge and best practices and assisting in the dissemination of written, oral and ritual presentations.
The Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education practices Freemasonry, which is an ancient discipline and a philosophical science, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. We invite and welcome you to explore the following guidelines in the hope that it elucidates some of the questions you may have about the, “who, what, why, when, where and how” to develop and share with the Brethren of the Mississippi Lodge of Research and Education in our continuing search for “more light in Masonry”.
The presentation of Masonic papers is viewed as an essential aspect of the life of the Lodge and promotes the continued study of Masonic lessons by the Brethren. The topic of the papers or presentations must be relevant to the interests of the Lodge and papers of a strictly historical or biographical nature are rarely entertained in the Lodge room, although they may be presented during a meal or at a post-meeting gathering of the Brethren for that purpose. Topics considered appropriate for the Lodge room are to be primarily related to symbolism, initiation, ritual, metaphysics, philosophy and art. Tiled Lodge meeting would be best focused on the Grand Lodge of Mississippi practices and adopted ritual and accompanying symbolism and philosophy.
Other topics ranging from practices of other Masonic jurisdictions or emulation of historical events or practices will need to be presented in a non-tiled atmosphere. These topics and their relationship to Masonry can be found in the context of the major world religions, esoteric movements such as Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Rosicrucianism, Kabbalah and many other Western and Eastern traditions.
Take due notice thereof and govern yourselves accordingly.
Fiat Lux
