For our members

Masonic Education deals with the history, philosophy, operations, customs, and how we do things. How do we make the world a better place?  

Our Grand Lodge has a few rules regarding visiting other Lodges. We may only visit and accept visitors from legitimate Lodges. Visitors must be vouched for or pass an examination as to Masonry. When visiting, one should observe the customs of the Lodge, such as expected attire.

The process of balloting on petitioners for the degrees involves a mixture rules in the by-laws of the Grand Lodge and customs of the Lodge. The actual casting of the ballot is pretty much done according to the custom of the Lodge, although officially it is done according to the discretion of the Master. The Rules require that the Master receive individual private oral reports from each member of the Investigation committee before the ballot can take place.

The Masonic ritual in Illinois through various forms depending on the individual lodges, ritual taught by Thomas Smith Webb, rival systems of restored ritual after a period of anti-Masonry following the Morgan Affair, adoption of a standard ritual for all lodges under the Illinois Grand Lodge, and subsequent changes.

"A History of the Masonic Ritual in Illinois" by Hugh A. Cole was published  in the Transactions of the Illinois Lodge of Research in 1993.