Himself from God he could not free;
He builded better than he knew;-
The conscious stone to beauty grew.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

More or less throughout the history of western civilisation there has been a general body of thought known as ‘the Mysteries’. In the ancient world, says W. Kirk MacNulty:

… the mysteries were a recognised public institution… based on a view of the world which is quite different from our contemporary scientific materialism. While our ‘universe’ is limited by physical phenomena, that of the ancient world contained, in addition, vast non-material realms which were not available to ordinary perception but were still considered to be part of the universe. Although the existence [of the Mysteries] was widely recognised, they conducted their work in seclusion. Their knowledge was imparted by a process of development represented by advancement through a series of grades.

He goes on to remind us that if all this sounds a little abstract, we have only to remember that the psyche forms part of such an ‘other’ world, to which we all have access every time we dream. I have several times made a plea in these pages for us to search out this ‘otherness’ in ourselves through Freemasonry, to consider what Freemasonry qualifies us for, to try to define what self-improvement we have achieved, to endeavour to learn something between the degree ceremonies, so as to really qualify us for advancement. I finished in the last issue by saying that we need to read, learn and think about our Masonry. Initiation is only the beginning, and passing and raising will do nothing for us unless we have learned something beforehand.

Cornerstone

Now an important initiative has been undertaken with the foundation of a new body called The Cornerstone Society. The Society will be open to all Master Masons and Past Masters, particularly recently raised Master Masons. The idea behind this is to expand the masonic dimension in our lives, by providing support for those wishing to explore its deeper meaning and purpose, and through that helping us to value our Freemasonry more.
    The Assistant Grand Master announced the launch of the Society at the London Grand Rank investiture in October last year, and the initiative has the full support of London Management to start in London. This is in no way to say that it is only a ‘London’ affair - the Society particularly welcomes the involvement of Provincial lodges in its wish to make the input as diverse as possible, and the London initiative is seen as a spearhead to be followed by individual provincial schemes. The aim is to show how exciting and vibrant Freemasonry can and should be, by helping masons to appreciate its true value and beauty, and by declaring its virtues as a power for good in the individual and in society.
    The intention is to focus on two conferences each year, which would be one-day events at Freemasons’ Hall in London. Tickets will be priced at cost to encourage the largest possible attendance. The plan for the agenda of the first conference, to be held on Saturday 13 May 2000, is already well advanced. Prominent speakers are to be invited to lecture on the importance of each of the three Craft degrees, the speculative tradition in Freemasonry and additional degrees. There will also be a ritual ‘workshop’ and a question-and-answer session in the form of a panel debate, the panel to include prominent and qualified Freemasons.
    I believe this represents one of the most important initiatives in Freemasonry in recent years, and there is already a great deal of interest in it from those whose views have been canvassed. We may be about to move into a new golden age in Freemasonry.
    jrees@aol.com