Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life
What is “ample form?”
By Walter Boomsma, Guest Columnist
“By command of the Worthy Master/President, I proclaim this Grange opened in ample form for promoting the welfare of our country and of mankind, and for advancing the interests, elevating the characters, and increasing the influence of all Patrons of Husbandry, by properly transacting our business and by exemplifying our principles in Faith, in Hope, in Charity and with Fidelity.”
Overseer’s Declaration, opening the Grange
A few of us are soon to engage in an event that will have great meaning. A short description is that we will be honoring a Grange member who is completing his eightieth year of Grange Membership. Since he’s currently confined to a hospice facility, we will be visiting him there. He loves his Grange Membership. His bed is surrounded with certificates and Grange memorabilia.
Either by default or self-appointment, I am in charge of this event. My goal is to do something “meaningful and memorable.” Since I know he’s not been able to participate in meetings for some time, I thought we might bring a meeting to him. Or at least something resembling a meeting. Those attending have agreed to wear sashes; that’s a start.
My Grange instincts went into high gear, and I remembered the basic requirements of a meeting. That’s the nature and part of the value of ritual. “I’ll need a flag… a Bible…”
During these considerations, I keep hearing the words of the Overseer opening a Fourth Degree meeting. “In ample form.” We won’t be conducting official business at this meeting—we’ll be honoring a man who has lived the Grange Way of Life for nearly 80 years.
“Ample form” is mentioned more than once in the opening by both the Master/President and Overseer, but the overseer uses a different phrase when closing.
By command of the Worthy Master/President, I proclaim this Grange duly closed until again lawfully opened, in Faith, in Hope, in Charity, and with Fidelity.
Overseers Declaration, closing the Grange
Hmmm! Those who know me well are probably chuckling at the realization that I’m overthinking this. But at the same time, there is value in thinking about what can be habitual and ritual. Truthfully, I’d never noticed the difference in wording. So now I’m wondering if there’s a difference between “ample form” and “legally opened.”
For our upcoming event, I’ve decided we will open in ample form. I haven’t fully decided what that means yet, but I suspect it will include the Grange Salutation and some of the opening and closing rituals. We’re not expecting any Grange Police and I don’t think it will matter to our guest of honor if we’re not “lawfully opened.”
Lest there be confusion, I am not devaluing the ritual. If anything, this is a plea for perspective. It’s also a plea for critical thinking. We should conduct business lawfully. But what constitutes ample form if we’re committing to “…promoting the welfare of our country and of mankind, and for advancing the interests, elevating the characters, and increasing the influence of all Patrons of Husbandry, and by exemplifying our principles in Faith, in Hope, in Charity, and with Fidelity.”
See what I did there?
Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 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.
