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Within the workings of The English
Constitution the commonplace word
‘slipshod’ is understood by everyone.
The dictionary definition is interesting
and worth reproducing:
“may imply an acceptance of the shabby, worn out
and imperfect. Something unsound and inexact
that had the conscientious craftsman’s contempt”
If this is the case – then the term and the
practice is singularly inappropriate! Actually,
the terminology is at fault here. In many
Constitutions the term used is ‘the rite of
discalceation’ from the Latin
discalceatus, meaning “unshod” or
“barefooted”.
A candidate for Initiation into a Masonic
Lodge often finds odd those requirements
that he must fulfil in order to do as all good
brothers have before him. Indeed, that
preparation often remains a puzzle to him,
since the ritualistic explanation remains
virtually non-existent.
Not always does the new-made brother,
bewildered by the new world into which he
is thrust, investigate further to learn a deeper
meaning to the ceremony through which
he has just passed.
In some workings of the ritual, help is at
hand in a quotation from the Book of Ruth,
Chapter IV, verses 7&8 :
Now this was the manner in former time in Israel
concerning redeeming and concerning changing,
for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his
shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was
a testimony in Israel.
Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, buy it
for thee. So he drew off his shoe.”
‘Redeeming’ here means the taking back
or the recovery of land or property pledged
as a debt. ‘Charging’ refers to the transfer of
ownership.
As both were then, as now, matters of
importance, it is evident that the act of
plucking off a shoe was a pledge of honour
and fair dealing, was of equal importance,
compared with our practice today with our
swearing to our signature to documents
before a Commissioner for Oaths.
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"There's nothing slipshod when our DC's around"
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Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
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