Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life
Which Tool Shall We Use?
By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist
“The spade we use when we wish to penetrate deeper into the soil than we can with the plow. It thus becomes the emblem of thoroughness. Whatsover you attempt to do, strive to do it well.” These are the words spoken by the master to the candidates during the First Degree, the degree of preparation. The master is, of course, describing the implements of the first degree—the ax, plow, harrow, and spade.
Each implement serves a different purpose when working the soil. And each implement represents a different application to what might be considered the Grange Way of Life.
The ax is “used to cut away obstructions…” and as we think about the repeated blows sometimes necessary to cut through the hardest wood we are reminded that “repeated trials surmount every difficulty.”
The plow is used to “break up the ground…” and might represent how we “prepare the mind for growth…” by plowing through the “heavy soil of ignorance.”
The harrow pulverizes the soil and covers the seed. In the instruction, the master suggests this is “emblematic of that course of study and observation necessary for you fully to understand…”
And the spade is used to “penetrate deeper,” suggesting the need for thoroughness. These implements are not just about the soil; they are about our minds and our work.
Grange language can be most interesting. When degrees are discussed there seems to be some diversity of vocabulary. We sometimes ask, “Have you received the degrees?” But I’ve also heard “Have you taken the degrees?” Less frequently the question is, “Have you been through the degrees?”
As a writer, I think words are important—including how we describe the degrees. If we turn to the degrees themselves, the most frequent word used to describe them is “instructed.” (Just prior to the portion of the first degree referred to here, the assistant steward says to the master, “…our brothers and sisters are prepared to receive your instruction.”) The degrees are not meant to be a passive activity. As candidates, we are instructed and we learn. Is it odd that we don’t say, “I’ve learned the degrees?”
The master’s use of these implements is very instructive and includes a lesson we should learn. When faced with life’s challenges, is it not logical that we might best begin by remembering that sometimes we need determination and a desire to keep trying. And early on we need to do some research, get some facts, and “plow through” our own ignorance. When we do so, we shouldn’t just skim the surface. Our goal should be to fully understand. So much so that we grab our spades and dig deep, making sure we are thorough in our quest.
Here’s an idea that might take a while to catch on… during our meetings when we discuss an idea or a problem, could someone suggest we use the implements of the First Degree during our discussion? Should we be using an ax, plow, harrow, or spade? All four are necessary. All four contribute.
Maybe a member will call out, “Hey! I’ve been instructed in the First Degree! I think we should use a spade here. Let’s make sure we’re being thorough and do this well!”
And perhaps before the meeting is over, we’ll remember the Lecturer’s instruction, “…while occupied in the work of preparing your lands for the seed, have faith in God’s promise that seedtime and harvest shall never fail…”
This month’s column was originally published in the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life.”
Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-seventh edition of the 2023 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.