Lodge of Perfection
In the Lodge of Perfection, the Mason consecrates himself to Masonic endeavor — character building. He is taught to venerate the virtues of the dead and emulate those of the living; to respect the rights of others, to strive to render service to his fellow man, to refrain from assuming prerogatives and powers that are not his, to be not over-zealous in a good cause, to reverence the Deity, avoiding disrespect, and to control his tongue by maintaining in his mind purity of thought. He is taught Perfection is but one of the fundamentals of character. The other two are Self-respect and Integrity. These lessons learned and applied to life are absolutely essential to a complete character structure. The Lodge of Perfection confers the 4° through the 14° These degrees are commonly called the Ineffable Degrees. Many references, scenes, and characters recall and amplify the three Symbolic (Blue) Lodge Degrees. The Dispensation for Bloomington Lodge of Perfection was granted on December 19, 1907 and the Charter was received from the Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., N.M.J. on December 17, 1908.
Thrice Potent Master – Alvin R. Abbott Jr.
Deputy Master – Michael P. Wallace
Senior Warden – Calvin D. Ross
Treasurer – Michael R. Fowler, 33°
Secretary – Barry D. Weer, 33°
4° Master Traveler. The Fourth Degree emphasizes duty, fidelity, integrity, and the necessity for secrecy in all confidential relationships.
5° Perfect Master. This degree teaches that impure thoughts and selfish, unworthy ambitions are corrupting and destructive, and that a man who forgets his duty to family, country, and God will be morally and spiritually destroyed.
6° Master of the Brazen Serpent. This degree teaches that devotion to one’s friends and zealousness in performing one’s duties are rewarding virtues.
7° Provost and Judge. This degree teaches us to judge righteously, without respect to person, and that one law and one custom shall apply to all. Let justice be impartial, tempered with deserved mercy.
8° Intendant of the Building. This degree teaches that each new honor is meant to be a step toward perfection in the moral code; each a development of a particular duty; and that benevolence and charity are necessary virtues of leadership.
9° Master of the Temple. This degree reminds us that through the ages man has searched for God in many ways, and worshiped Him in many tongues, but that Universal Worship is found in service to our fellow man.
10° Master Elect of Fifteen. This degree teaches that a violator of his obligations and commitments will not go unpunished and, further, that excuses, rationalizations, and other evidences of lack of repentance, will very likely increase the severity of the penalties.
11° Sublime Master Elected. This degree dwells on good citizenship. Evil doings should be punished. Honesty and respect for others should be rewarded. Be earnest, honest and sincere.
12° Master of Mercy. This degree teaches that the Mason, as he learns to use the tools and instruments of his trade and skill, also learns to contemplate the many aspects of life and deal with them as a child of God, steadily advancing to those heights of experience that we call perfection.
13° Master of the Ninth Arch. This degree teaches that difficulties and dangers, however great, should not deter the true and faithful brother from progressing onward to perfection. It teaches the great truth that the finest things in life come only as the result of constant and often painful effort.
14° Grand Elect Mason. In the Scottish Rite, this degree is the summit of Ancient Craft Masonry. As the crowning degree of the Lodge of Perfection, its essence is the holiness of God and reverence for His Holy Name.
