The heart and soul of Freemasonry resides in our ritual. It is that which takes us on the journey towards that Centre from which a Master Mason cannot err: that point of stillness about which all revolves, where one can indeed hear that Voice of Nature to which the Third Degree Charge so powerfully alludes. Participating directly in the ritual is an important part of being a Freemason. Without the ritual, Freemasonry would be a vicarious entertainment rather than a life-affirming experience.
    There are two reasons for my dwelling upon this: the first is that in this Issue of Freemasonry Today there are several items which, as it were, revolve about the Centre. Paul Devereux writes about sacred Centres; Julian Rees points out the liberation consequent upon touching the Centre; Joel Springer is asking us to look at the radical nature of Freemasonry – and he means radical. And then there is the report on the Cornerstone Society conference which explored the deeper experiences and meaning of the masonic journey.
    My second reason arises from a masonic development overseas. One Saturday in April, the Grand Lodge of Ohio initiated, passed and raised, over 8,300 Candidates. The ceremonies were performed by specialised teams of ritualists in ten different cities: Candidate numbers in each venue ranged up to 1,864. Each Candidate was seated beside a Mentor who helped in the taking of the obligation on a Volume of Sacred Law – which each had been donated - in giving and receiving the various grips, and finally, in raising each Candidate from his seat. The First Degree began at 8.30 am; the Second Degree at 10.30, and the Third Degree at 1.00.
    The Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ohio admitted being criticised for producing – in a line taken from a fast-food chain – McMasons! But he stated that men of "outstanding quality and stature" had joined and concluded "that time is precious and that the opportunity to experience all three Degrees on one day was particularly desirable." About 570 Ohio Lodges participated with at least one new candidate; some bigger Lodges initiated, passed and raised, fifty to eighty new candidates. The Grand Secretary was enthusiastic: after years of steady decline in membership, "Ohio Masonry is now positioned for growth – growth in quantity, quality, activities, fraternal assistance, community service, and in that ancient power of fellowship among Brothers…".
    But where in this is the transforming personal experience of the masonic journey? A journey taken in humility and culminating with insight? What sort of Freemasons has this production-line procedure produced? What sort of Freemasonry will they, in turn, produce?
    It seems to me that such a procedure risks the danger of substituting the kind of emotional rapture which grips those at rock concerts or mass political rallies, for individual insight; risks the dangers of augmenting mass, rather than individual, behaviour.
    Personally, I would think it tragic if, in a desperate rush to numbers, such events were to become widely adopted.
    Ultimately, the point of Freemasonry is to produce better men. To achieve this one needs to focus on the man himself; upon the Centre, not upon the circumference.
    ooooooo
    In the last Issue, I announced a Freemasonry Today trip to Egypt next year. Already a large number of Brethren have contacted the organisers, HPB Travel (telephone Tracey Strand, 01638 674 744) for a brochure, and a good number have already booked a place. I would urge all those who are planning to join us amongst these extraordinary ancient sites to book early, for numbers will need to be limited, since we want the trip to be one of communication and exploration. In consultation with the specialist (and highly efficient) Giza-based company who arrange our entrance into the spectacular sites we will visit, we have brought the trip forward by a week so that we will now leave England on 8th April 2003 and return on the 19th April - Easter Saturday.

Michael Baigent MA – Editor