Working tools of the Festive Board

07 March 25

Here’s an interesting piece of light-hearted ‘ritual’. Reported to have been around since the turn of the last century, it has been suggested that it was written by W Bro J. Clark – the Worshipful Master of Lodge 1310 in Glasgow, but sadly we can find no provenance for this. Hence it shall be attributed to ‘Anonymous’, with apologies to W Bro Clark if relevant.

I present to you the Working Tools of the ‘Festive Board’. They are the Fork, the Knife, and the Glass.

The Fork is an implement which can be placed in the hands of even the most inexperienced mason to enable him to secure (sometimes by reaching across the table) the most delicate and succulent morsels which decorate and adorn our Festive Board, to delight the eye and stimulate the jaded appetite. It is also employed to convey the various portions to that aperture specially designed to receive them, and so reduces all nutriment a common level. More especially should this implement be used when partaking of peas, for if conveyed to the mouth by the Knife these vegetable globules often prove most elusive – added to which the Knife is liable to slip and cut the tongue.

The Knife when properly sharpened is used in bringing crude matter into due form, and assists us to dissect the anatomy of even the most venerable chicken, and to prepare and divide the same into proper proportions to suit the dimensions of the aforesaid aperture. Otherwise it may not be filled to excess and thus prevent the flow of eloquence which should at all times be the distinguishing characteristic of a mason.

The Glass enables us with accuracy and precision to ascertain and determine the quantity of liquor most conducive to the preservation of our genial joviality. The skilful Craftsman can generally manage to measure his ‘tot’ by the aid of the two or three finger rule.

We are not however here assembled as Free and Accepted Masons but rather as Operative or Energetic Masons, and these tools are delivered to us as vehicles of moral instruction, and thus we apply them.

In this sense the Fork points out to us that we should not at all times sit still and wait for those things which we most desire, but should reach out, secure and retain them and thus profit by our opportunity and the knowledge gained. Nor should we forget that the little things in life are required to be looked after in case they elude our grasp and be lost. As the prongs of the Fork are all equal and mutually assist each other, being joined together in one compact structure, so are we all equal when we meet together as masons. The Fork points out to us that we should stand together shoulder to shoulder and practice those great qualities which cannot be too strongly recommended:

• Sympathy with the failings of a brother
• Straightforwardness in all our dealings with one another
• Good temper in all our differences of opinion
• Fidelity to the sacred cause which binds us together

The Knife points out to us the value of assiduity and patience for as it required to be sharp and in good condition to enable it to cope with some of the problems which confront us, so we are taught to be careful of our mental faculties that we may not be left behind in the battle of life. Moreover, it teaches us not to cut off more than we can chew, but to limit our desires in every sphere of life, that rising to eminence by merit we may live respected and die regretted.

The Glass indicates the necessity of moderation in all things for as it has no graduated scale to measure its contents, the user must exercise his own judgment as to the quantity of liquor required so that he must be careful to ascertain and not exceed the limits of his internal economy, for as the glass will only hold a certain quantity without detriment to its surroundings, so must we be careful to avoid the overflowing either with unseemly hilarity or to the confusion of our mental and physical faculties. As the perfect Glass rings true whether it be empty or filled with liquid, so should the perfect mason ring true after participation in the labours of the Festive Board. A cracked Glass is despised and rejected by all men.

Thus the Working Tools of the Festive Board teach us to bear in mind and act accordingly, to the cordial wishes of Prudence, and Temperance so that when we are summoned to drink the Junior Warden’s Toast after partaking of all good things which the South has provided for us, may we rise and depart on our homeward way with the gratifying testimony of a contented mind and an equally clear head.

Editor's note- A Festive Board is a traditional dinner held after a Masonic lodge meeting, where Masons, Ladies and Guests gather to share a meal, enjoy fellowship, and celebrate their shared values. It’s a mix of formality and camaraderie, often featuring toasts, speeches, and good conversation. While the lodge meeting is structured, the Festive Board is a relaxed setting where bonds are strengthened over food and tradition.