Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life
By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist
From the Second Degree
During our Degree Day, someone commented that they wished more people could hear the words from the Degree Work. We continue to share them.
Above all, God is a Shepherd, and His people are the sheep of His pasture. You have, therefore, an adorable Pattern in your high and holy duties. To keep in safety those within the fold, and to reclaim the wandering—be your sacred charge. Be patient with the wayward, carefully instruct the erring, diligently seek and bring back the straying and those that are cast out. [Chaplain to the candidates]
I hesitate to use the word “trivial” in conjunction with the Ritual, but I have an interesting note about the Chaplain’s instruction. It is one of the rare exceptions where reference is made to Christ and the New Testament. In the previous paragraph, the Chaplain references Abel who “offered the first acceptable sacrifice,” as well as the “Shepherds at Bethlehem.” The position of shepherd is, then, “ancient and honorable.”
This is another place where I wish we could pause the ritual to explore in depth why the Chaplain compares God to a Shepherd and His people to sheep. The suggestion that the shepherd is an “adorable” pattern deserves thought. “Adorable” in this context doesn’t mean “cute.” The word comes from the Latin word adorare (to worship or ask in prayer). It therefore also sets a high standard that isn’t limited to animals.
It’s also tempting to think the pattern applies to other members, particularly if we think the flock is limited to Grangers. But it doesn’t take too much divergent thinking to see how following the shepherd pattern could be the basis of our contribution to our communities. Remember, the master/president’s challenge when closing the Grange meeting. “Let us be quiet, peaceful citizens, feeding the hungry…”
The most admirable quality of a shepherd is a profound commitment to protecting, guiding, and caring for the flock. While I will not claim to know what the original degree writers were thinking, the Ritual as a whole is not limited to fraternalistic instruction. The Ritual more accurately describes a way of life that embraces much, much more.
The role of a patron (one who provides support) might well resemble the role of a shepherd. When I demonstrate the shepherd’s hook during our dictionary presentations, I introduce third graders to the idea that leadership isn’t a title or position; it’s a way of thinking and living. “When you help a classmate with their work, you’re being a shepherd and a leader…”
When I think of what a shepherd does, a familiar verse comes to mind.
The Lord is my Shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Can we do that at least to some degree for each other?
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://wboomsma.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.
