How does one begin to review a masonic classic which has faithfully served generations? Perhaps starting with the title Emulation: A Ritual to Remember.
Emulation or not, most of us will remember well the task of remembering ritual! C.F.W. Dyer’s book, first published in 1973, gives a celebratory account of Emulation Lodge of Improvement’s 150 years of service – warts and all.
Emulation: A Ritual to Remember
The Lodge, the Men and the Times
Covering One Hundred & Fifty Years History of the Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
by C.F.W. Dyer
Reviewed by Gerald Reilly
Humans evolved unique cognitive abilities which enabled their construction of a parallel universe of the imagination.
This is communicated in stories, tales, sagas, mythology, legend, drama and narratives: these are often combined into ritual and rules.
Those who believe stories trust their source, trust is formed between those who believe the same stories.
This is the basis of human systems of order including masonic rituals and constitutions.
Dyer’s book makes clear that Emulation did not arrive by app from beyond the cloud; rather it was a painful, controversial, struggle to create an ‘authentic’ universal text and red-worded directions to be delivered with rigour: a bid for orthodoxy!
But of course, ritual has a life of its own, ‘the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life’.
From the Chair and floor, feeling – passion even – must be communicated between the participants to the candidate and those observing.
Twenty years ago, this reviewer acquired a copy of the 1995 Second Edition of Dyer’s book; it yet remains important, ritual provides the mystical binding of a lodge.
Within a lodge we are speculative freestone masons doing good work.
Outside the lodge, based on the lessons of the ritual, we are operative Freemasons doing good works.
For many lodges, identity and self-respect is based on excellent performance of ritual, as reinforced, hopefully, with the approbation of the long-serving members and the lodges around.
On one occasion, having invested considerable time learning ritual to confer a degree, I was told that, “I had got away with it”.
Such was furthest from my intentions; it should not be the intention of anyone; we cannot produce square work by cutting corners.
Emulation: A Ritual to Remember is an epic of square work and a template for anyone seeking to deliver a major project of quality.
Article by: Gerald Reilly
Gerald Reilly was initiated in 1995 into St Osyth's Priory Lodge 2063. Essex. England (UGLE).
He was a founder member of Josh Heller's Allthingsmasonic, and with Josh co-wrote 'The Temple that Never Sleeps' (Cornerstone Books, 2006) he is committed to the development of e-Freemasonry.
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Book: by Gerald Reilly
The Temple That Never Sleeps
by Josh Heller and Gerald Reilly
Freemasons and E-Masonry Toward a New Paradigm
A revolutionary book for every Freemason.The two authors, American and UK Masons, present a radical view of Freemasonry for both today and tomorrow.
In addition to their ideas are those of numerous Internet Masons (E-Masons) from around the world who, by sharing the experience of their own Masonic journey, have provided stunning personal insight into the viability of the Craft in the Internet Age.
This book will challenge your understanding of Freemasonry today and how it might transform for future generations.
Recent Articles: by Gerald Reilly
 How can the allegory of the Tower of Babel teach us tolerance? Language can be a divide. Not confusion among languages but rather within language, a seriously unclear understanding of another’s world-view. We assume it is so different from our own and yet with clarity, a realisation there is more which unites than separates. |
 The Imperative Study of Nature and Science At some stage during Freemasonry's Second Degree, the candidate is advised that there is now permitted, something like, the extension of their research into the hidden mysteries of nature and science. Such is an excellent permission and one that each and every Freemason should pursue with awe and passion. |
 Pure Ancient Masonry; P4. A Companion in Rule, Building a better world P4. A Companion in Rule, Building a better world - The four parts of Pure Antient Masonry comprise the ‘body’ Masonic; they are the building blocks of the vital relevance, through enhanced citizenship, wherein the soul of Freemasonry abides. |
 Pure Ancient Masonry; P3. The Master, Building Better Character Part 3: The Master, Building Better Character - Being raised is a transition from knowledge to wisdom. |
 Pure Ancient Masonry; P2. A Fellow of the Craft Part 2: A Fellow of the Craft, Building Better Knowledge. Pure Antient Masonry consists of four parts. ‘Building the Temple’ is the fundamental Masonic allegory for building better people; this must be understood as a seamless whole: |
 Pure Ancient Masonry; P1. An Entering Apprentice Part 1. An entering apprentice: Building Better Communities; Pure Antient Masonry consists of four parts. ‘Building the Temple’ is the fundamental Masonic allegory for building better people to build a better world |
 Pure Ancient Masonry; Intrduction This series will consider the defining characteristics, lessons and benefits of Three Degrees, the Order of the Royal Arch and when conjoined, Pure Ancient Masonry. |
 The Christianising of British Freemasonries - P4 This concluding article in the series considers the separation of British freemasonries from the Grand Orient of France (GOdF) and maintaining fraternity with the Prussian Grand Lodge of the Three Globes. |
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 The Royal Arch – ‘the fourth step in regular Freemasonry’ United Grand Lodge of England, has now designated the Royal Arch, the fourth step in regular Freemasonry, it therefore must be concluded that…publications…should now be revised, and based on attracting to the benefits of the four steps. |
 The Christianising of British Freemasonries - P2 How might the battle for the souls of Freemasonries be identified in a way that ensures thriving in the 21st Century? There is no guarantee of the immortality of the soul of Freemasonry! ‘We study the past in order to free ourselves from it.’ (Hariri) |
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 The Holy Land and The Holy Sites P3 Third instalment of the four-part series, considers ‘masonic’ aspiration and activity regarding the Holy Land and The Holy Sites |
 The Holy Land and The Holy Sites P2 The four-part series will consider ‘masonic’ aspiration and activity regarding the Holy Land and The Holy Sites |
 The Holy Land and The Holy Sites P1 In this four-part series, we will consider ‘masonic’ aspiration and activity regarding the Holy Land and The Holy Sites |
 Science and Citizenship: Towards a 21st Century Masonic Mindset. |
 Towards a 21st Century Masonic Mindset: Part 3 ‘Freemasonries’ and the Fourth Industrial Revolution |
 Towards a 21st Century Masonic Mindset: Part 2: ‘Freemasonries’ and Religiosity. |
 Towards a 21st Century Masonic Mindset: Part 1: ‘Freemasonries’ and Governance. |
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