GRATITUDE TO FREEMASONRY

Sir,
    I am writing to thank the Province of East Kent who, through the Week of Action "Freemasonry in the Community," set up a super competition for school children in East Kent entitled "Inter-Schools Community Challenge 2002". My school was the lucky recipient of £500 – as one of the ten runners up!
    Not only was this a very pleasing prize, but the presentation of the prizes at the Ashford International Hotel was a real bonus for four of our pupils. The support and interest of the Freemasons and their wives for our schools and pupils was so genuine.
    Suffice it to say, the pupils came away with a positive view of Freemasonry – this to be reflected back into the community. Many thanks again.
    Lesley Gallagher Head Teacher, Birchington Church of England Primary School, Kent.

EXISTENCE OF GOD

Sir,
    I am not sure that Rev. P.B. Miall (Letters, Freemasonry Today Issue 21) has understood the force of the argument implicit in my article, A Divinity that Divides Us.
    The candidate had been asked whether he believed in a Supreme Being and replied, "It depends what you mean by believe". He was rightly expressing his apprehension that the nature of his belief might not accord with what his questioners understood by the concept of a Supreme Being. He afterwards realised that the answer that would have extricated him from this dilemma would have been, "I know He exists".
    As far as the existence of God is concerned, Rev. Miall knows full well that any attempt to prove the existence of God by rationalist or materialist means will fail – in that, we as Freemasons are in agreement. But he overlooks the salient fact that to prove the existence of God is not the same thing as acknowledging, in the depths of my soul, that He exists. I think Rev. Miall, from his Christian standpoint, would call this an act of faith. We, as Freemasons, whether Christian or not, are not immune from such divine inspiration.
    Julian Rees, London.

MASONIC TIES

Sir,
    I have been following the debate on this issue without having held a position for or against. I certainly welcomed Festival ties as a legitimate and relatively unique way of marking the period and as a reasonable method of raising funds. However, it is clear that such items should not be worn after the Festival has ended.
    Having read the letters from Leslie Howarth and Victor Ansett I now see the value of taking a position in this matter. The former struck a powerful chord with his reference to us being on the edge of significant change that will sorely affect the dignity of British Freemasonry, and the latter presented a cogent argument for "standardisation" of dress.
    Too many Lodges started by relaxing their dress codes in the manner suggested – the colour of a tie to start with, then a light suit, then "smart casual" sportswear and no tie – we even know of Lodges where shorts and bright beachwear is permitted.
    My appeal to the Brethren who will take this decision is – let us not embark upon this journey but follow in the footsteps of our forebears who led us well and made this decision for the right reasons. It behoves us to maintain this high standard for the same love and respect of our fellows that was shown by these excellent masons.
    Mike Landriau, Brierfield Lodge, No. 7560, Nelson, East Lancashire.

Sir,
    The origin of the black tie, to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice paid by those in the First World War, is honourable and has many aspects which recommend its continuance but recognising this particular sacrifice ignores all the many others and that, surely, is putting it on a pedestal it does not deserve.
    The arguments appear to get confused by a predominant wish to change nothing. In this respect it is essential that all Brethren recognise one very hard fact of life. An organisation that never changes is as good as dead and its bankruptcy is inevitable. This applies to all walks of life including military, commercial and social. Fundamentals should never be changed but the wearing of a particular design of tie is hardly in this category. Thankfully, the need for change has been recognised by Grand Lodge which instituted the policy of openness, without which Freemasonry was surely on the slippery slope of decline. It now appears to be climbing out of the slough of despond.
    Change is good and enlivening. It may frighten many people, which is perfectly natural, but I would much rather be alive than dead, and to resist change purely for the sake of it, is not constructive.
    Our Brother from Detroit makes a very good point which has to be endorsed. The wearing of uniform clothes at meetings is a great leveller and underlines one of the most basic concepts in Freemasonry: that of Equality. So far as I’m aware, nobody has proposed anything that conflicts with this.
    I’m also not aware that it has been proposed that different ranks of Brethren should wear different ties. Such a proposal would be difficult to understand and would seem to be in direct conflict with the same principle of equality. If it was proposed as an interim measure then great care must be exercised that "interim" does not become permanent. The sure way to avoid such a danger is to miss out the "interim". Different ties worn by different Provinces would almost certainly be divisive. I don’t care what Province a member belongs to, and nor should anybody else. The fact that a person is a Freemason is good enough for me.
    Noël A. French, Mozart Lodge, No. 1929, Devon.

KING GEORGE VI PHOTOGRAPH

Sir,
    Regarding the photograph and article in Freemasonry Today, Summer 2002, page 11: the photograph was taken on 2nd June 1936 and not 1919 as stated. The occasion was the affiliation of the late King George VI (then H.R.H. Duke of York) into Lodge Glamis, No.99 (S.C.) where his father-in-law, the Earl of Strathmore was a Past Master. H.R.H. was installed as Grand Master Mason of Scotland on 30th November 1936 at the Bi-Centenary Communication of The Grand Lodge of Scotland. The Brethren in the photograph are as follows:
    Back Row, left to right: A Young, PM; Wm Baillie, PM; J.K. Birse, Grand Lodge; Chas. Bissett, PM; G.C. Soutar, Prov. Grand Steward; T. Lyall, Imm. Past Prov. Grand Master; A.G. Crabbe, PM; W. Whyte, Prov. Grand Senior Deacon; D. Ramsay, Prov. Grand Substitute Master; D.C. Christie; G.T. Beattie, Prov. Grand Senior Warden; W.C. Japp, Prov. Grand Marshall; H.H. Soutar, Prov. Grand Seceretary.
    Front Row: J. Grieve, Grand Director of Ceremonies; Wm. Harvey, Prov. Grand Master of Forfarshire; H.R.H. The Duke of York; J. Beattie, WM Lodge Glamis No.99; T.G. Winning, Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of Scotland.
    In the article you state the apron H.R.H. is wearing is an Entered Apprentice apron. In fact he is wearing a Scottish Master Mason "working apron". I understand that in England all masons are given a Master Mason apron following their "Raising". In Scotland this is not the case. Each Lodge has its own distinctive apron in a design and colour decided upon by the Lodge at its inception. All colours under the rainbow, including a multiplicity of tartans, are to be seen decorating Master Mason aprons at the Communications of Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodges making these meetings a most colourful spectacle. It is up to each individual Brother whether or not he purchases a "Lodge Apron" after his raising.
    If he chooses not to, all Scottish Lodges have, outside the Temple door, a box with plain white working aprons for the use of Brethren who do not have their own, and also for the use of visiting Brethren who may not have brought their own apron on their travels.
    As H.R.H. was not a member of the Lodge when he entered it on 2nd June 1936 for affiliation, he would have been clothed in a plain "working apron". I hope this clarifies the story behind the photograph and Scottish "Apron Customs".
    For any English Brother who has never visited a Scottish Lodge I would strongly recommend a trip "over the border" for it is a truly wonderful and colourful experience. The workings of the Degrees are as varied as the aprons and ties – but that is another story.
    Jack Turpie, Lodge Firth of Clyde, No.626 (S.C.) Anchor Lodge of Research, No. 1814 (S.C.) Greenock.

Sir,
    I refer to Freemasonry Today, Summer Issue, "King George VI – Masonic Photograph Discovered".
    This photograph is familiar to all of the Lodges in the Province of Forfarshire, and there are quite a number of copies to be seen in the various Lodge archives.
    While it is true that the Provincial Officers were present on that occasion, it was the Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Glammis, No. 99, who conducted the ceremony. He was, in fact, the village postman.
    The Tylebook which was signed that day is still in use.
    D.C. Nicol, Ancient Lodge of Forfar Kilwinning, No. 90, Forfar

RELAXATION OF DRESS CODES

Sir,
    With respect to our elder Brethren, and those who would impose their (elderly, outdated and bygone age) ideas of uniform upon us: in my travels, particularly in the United States, where membership of a lodge can be in the hundreds and where lodges meet every one or two weeks, where religion plays a more important part in people’s lives than it would appear to do here, where Freemasonry is wide open and more family oriented, where charity is more overt and where people honour their dead as much as we, the dress code I have seen is very simple. It is whatever you are comfortable in (usually slacks and short-sleeved shirt, no medals or Past Master collars) and all Master Masons wear a simple plain white apron.
    However, as laid back as the dress and meal may be, the ceremonies are conducted with dignity, feeling, and sincerity; all that you would expect or wish for. So why cannot we emulate our cousins across the pond, why do we wear this outdated "uniform"? What need have we of a uniform in this age? Why have we not moved forward? Why are we anchored in the past?
    I give you the answer, from George Bernard Shaw: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
    I, for one, would take pleasure in wearing slacks and a short-sleeved shirt to Lodge, particularly on those really hot nights, and when arriving on a motorcycle, dark slacks, white sweater, and a dark blazer would be far more convenient, particularly in the winter.
    Arthur S. Agate, Past Master, Chevaliers de Fer, No. 9732, Portsmouth.

OLD ALTRINCHAMIAN LODGE

Sir,
    Old Altrinchamian Lodge is the school lodge of Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in Cheshire. The Lodge is planning a reunion of all masons who are either old boys or staff of the school or who are related to pupils or old boys of the school.
    The reunion will take the form of a special lodge meeting, which it is hoped can take place in the school itself, followed by a Festive Board.
    If you fall into one of these categories and would like more information about the reunion could you please contact D Boden at Ladram, 30 Sharon Park Close, Grappenhall, Warrington, WA4 2YN. Telephone 01925 604677.
    Stephen A. Kinsey, Old Altrinchamian Lodge, No. 7474, Sale, Cheshire.

LIFE SHAPING MASONRY

Sir,
    What caught my eye in the April edition of Freemasonry Today was the article about the tie. I cannot believe that the Craft is tinkering about the edges of Freemasonry when your pages in recent editions have got closer to the bigger issues facing us – namely recruitment and retention.
    Being initiated into, and staying in, masonry is life shaping. Like many, I am in a small Lodge that has not been well recruited recently and like many, we have lost some stalwarts to the Grand Lodge Above as well as others for business or personal reasons. We even debated reducing the number of our meetings. At least the proposition got us thinking and made us examine why we remain in Freemasonry – the general consensus was that we remained because of the friendships we had formed, the purpose of our charity, and the sense of belonging to something that was bigger than ourselves as individuals.
    It struck me that we, as the Craft as a whole, had got too hung-up on the number of ceremonies performed rather than their quality, too hung-up about having to have a lecture, when we might learn something new!
    My point is: let us not get diverted from the true dilemnas facing us. By all means put energy into designing a new tie if it serves a purpose but it is better, perhaps, to put that energy into recruiting and retaining and spreading the message of Freemasonry.
    Christopher Strong, Harlequin Lodge, No. 8004, Nottingham.

OLD FOGIES?

Sir,
    Recently I had the misfortune when visiting a Lodge to be placed next to a young visiting mason who was the Master of his Lodge. His main topic of conversation with his colleagues was how, in his Lodge of Instruction, they had forbidden all Past Masters from attending as they were a nuisance and continually interrupted with comments such as "We didn’t do it that way". He went on to say that in his opinion Lodges would be better without old fogies cluttering up the place, and if Freemasonry were to change, it should change from the inside.
    When I had the chance, I asked him if the Lodge of Instruction he had referred to was exclusive to his own Lodge. On his confirming the fact, I told him that I was Deputy Preceptor of a Lodge of Instruction that is held every Friday evening for the benefit of masons from any of our local Lodges, and that we had quite a few Past Masters who attended in order to help with the running of it. We did not, however, have any trouble with interruptions as it was recognised that the Preceptor is solely in charge.
    I myself am almost an octogenarian, but I pride myself on the fact that I can still give help to the younger masons I am in contact with. I respect them – and I have nothing but respect from them in return. Likewise I still hold the greatest respect for all my Past Masters, although at times my views, naturally, may not coincide with theirs.
    I.P. Braund, Lodge of Fidelity, No. 6943, Gloucestershire.