ONE DAY CLASSES

Sir,
I thoroughly enjoyed Julian Rees’ article in Freemasonry Today, Issue No. 31, regarding the American method of mass initiation. It’s not that in particular which drew me, although I agree with your sentiments, but one line which struck a sensitive chord with me: ‘It’s the journey, not the destination, that gives our degrees their value.’
Too often have I seen candidates chomp at the bit (which in itself is not a bad thing) to enquire when they will be Passed or Raised. I think to myself - and have said to them in the past - ‘Wait, enjoy what you have now because that in itself is part of your masonic career.’ It’s difficult because they are excluded from a lot of Lodges of Instruction until they have the ‘blue book’ and so don’t realise the importance of what they have learned so far. It’s not until they are raised that they realise the import of all which has gone before.
Thank you for what I consider to be a superb article on what I believe is the ‘meat’ of Freemasonry, ‘It’s not the destination, but the journey that’s important.’ That I hold dear and hope that others feel as I do.
Robin Northcut,
Landguard Lodge, No. 9346,
Felixstowe.

Sir,
I enjoyed Bro. Rees’ views in the last issue of Freemasonry Today on the ‘Man to Mason in One Day’. I was appalled when I first read about the practice under the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. I don’t know of any others doing it, but it sounds like there are others. I read about this practice which occurred during World War I, when soldiers, fearing the worst, wanted to become members of Freemasonry.
I was Initiated, Passed and Raised under the Grand Lodge of Japan. We have had as many as four going through the degrees at the same time but each participated as though there was only one. Our coaching, practicing and returned Proficiency was done with much labour. When all was completed, one would appreciate the achievements and the labour involved. Not only was there selfsatisfaction but it manifested a labour of love and appreciation for all future endeavours in the Lodge.
I usually read the ‘Guestbook’ in the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge website and there was a Brother from Nova Scotia who posted a note questioning the practice of One Day Classes, stating that ‘No one ever went from Private to General in one day.’ I posted a note under his stating in part that ‘it appeared that the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was working on the numbers and not the quality of candidates.’ Needless to say, the Grand Lodge Website Master didn’t appreciate either one of our comments and our posted notes were deleted from the website.
I do understand that membership has fallen over the years and many Lodges have initiated programmes that aid in attracting potential members - which is good - but the motivation of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania does not encourage quality. I’m sure that many of the new Brothers will fall by the wayside when they find out the work and dedication involved.
Charles B. Stauffer,
Square & Compass Lodge, No. 3,
Kunitachi,
Japan.

THE EYE IN THE PYRAMID

Sir,
A new movie, National Treasure, perpetuates the myth that there is a connection between the ‘eye in the pyramid’ symbol, as on the United States dollar bill and the Great Seal of the United States, and Freemasonry. The time has come to state the facts: the Great Seal is not a masonic emblem nor does it contain hidden masonic symbols and the ‘eye in the pyramid’ is not, nor ever has been, a masonic symbol.
The single eye was a well-established artistic convention for an ‘omniscient ubiquitous deity’ in the art of the Renaissance and the ‘eye of providence’ was part of the cultural iconography of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and that eventually led Freemasonry to include the ‘all-seeing eye’ in its symbolism.
Combining the ‘eye of providence’ overlooking an unfinished pyramid is a uniquely American, not masonic, icon. Therefore, the Great Seal and masonic symbolism grew out of the same cultural milieu and are parallel uses of a shared icon, not a single symbol.
Nigel Gallimore,
Santa Barbara Lodge of Free & Accepted
Masons,
California,
United States.

ARTISTIC LICENCE, CLICK HERE

Sir,
In his article in Freemasonry Today on the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Yasha Beresiner makes reference to two instances of artistic licence exercised in Stewart Watson’s 1787 painting depicting Robert Burns’ inauguration as Poet Laureate of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, No. 2. Closer examination reveals a third instance, as the Brother kneeling centre foreground is without doubt cleaning a laptop computer.
Graham Spence,
St. Aubin’s Lodge, No. 958,
Jersey.

MUSIC AND THE LODGE

Sir,
Your correspondence over the last few months in ‘Letters to the Editor’ concerning music in Craft lodges (and other degrees) makes me think that there is only room for the excellent music player in lodges. It makes it seem as though we who are not that good should not be encouraged to improve, give a service where required, and to try to bring something into Freemasonry which others cannot give.
Who are those that think that they are ‘tin gods’ sitting on high expecting the players of the lodge organs to be expert?
Come to my Province and see for yourself what is an average standard, one that our fellows are very grateful for in this day and age where musicians are getting scarcer. Many lodges are immensely grateful for our services - whatever standard we might reach.
No, I have not got a chip on my shoulder but there is nothing to beat a good bit of music within a ceremony in order to enhance the proceedings. So please give a bit of encouragement to those who are but trying to do their best.
Basil Selwyn,
Eversholt,
Milton Keynes,
Buckinghamshire.

MYSTERIES OF PROMOTION

Sir,
I read with great interest the address of the Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire at last years’ Provincial Meeting. In it he refers to the concerns about dropping membership figures, and more pertinently, to the subject of retention, particularly among newer members.
Now I must confess that I know nothing about membership figures and I have no suggestions about improving the retention of new members. What concerns me though is the thorny subject of promotions. I know of three very good masons who have left the Craft after being upset at being bypassed for promotion.
Now we can all have a view on the temperament of someone leaving the Craft for such a reason but let me assure you that these people were very good masons of long-standing. One of them, in actual fact, had been Secretary of his Lodge for a number of years and a fantastic job he made of it. It was an ailing lodge when he took the reins and by no small measure was instrumental in turning it into a vibrant one.
Yet I mourn his leaving the Craft over this frustrating topic of promotion. I do not intend to discuss his particular grievance but in my view, as a mason, I cannot think of anyone more deserving of a promotion than someone who has undertaken the difficult task of Secretary and made a good job of it.
As a recipient of an early promotion myself I must confess to my extreme puzzlement of the honour. Nobody gave me any reason why I had been so selected and to this day I have been wondering what amazing thing I must have done to warrant such a thing.
I do not know, and to date nobody has been able to tell me, what the criteria are for promotion. If a promotion is requested and then subsequently declined, no explanation for the rejection is offered. Can nobody see how hurtful this could be? If a person who is worthy of promotion sees somebody junior to him in the Lodge pass him by with no explanation either way as to why he has been bypassed or what the other person has done to deserve it, then is it any wonder that that person will feel hurt?
As I stated earlier, three good masons that I know of have left the Craft over this topic. How many others from all of the other lodges may have left for the same reason I do not know. What I do know is that before we start crying about lack of retention among new members we should look to retaining good masons who might leave over this frustrating topic of promotions.
Philip W. Piggott,
Hemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire.

FATHERS IN FREEMASONRY

Sir,
Although I am not Chinese I read Freemasonry Today from the back page because I am so interested to read Canon Tydeman’s Reflections. As a Lewis I can identify so much with what he says (Issue No. 31) as I was initiated by my father, together with my twin brother, when we were both twenty-six years old; my ‘fiftieth’ is coming up.
We are so fortunate to have Richard Tydeman’s words of wisdom to join the Church and the Craft together and I would just like to say how much this is appreciated and to thank Canon Tydeman as a Churchman for his great contribution to the Craft over many years.
Malcolm Hubble,
Saint Cecilia Lodge, No. 6190,
Banstead,
Surrey.

Sir,
I always enjoy Canon Tydeman’s articles and after the preceding Brother Lightfoote’s Journal, it’s the first article I read in total. This last article was particularly appealing because my father initiated me in 1960. He was very much of the ‘old school’ having been initiated in 1946. I don’t think he even said hello to my mother on returning from a lodge meeting in case he said something he shouldn’t!
However, four years earlier, in 1956, just before I went off to work in what was then Southern Rhodesia, he took me to a local pub and talked to me about Freemasonry. He explained what it stood for, its charitable work, its companionship and particularly its moral code of conduct. He said that if I ever had a moral dilemma all I need do was ask what a Freemason should do and the answer was there. If he hadn’t spoken to me as he did I would never have dreamed of becoming a Freemason and would have lost one of the most enjoyable and enthralling facets of my life.
So if you know anyone for whom you have regard and think they would enjoy Freemasonry, for goodness sake ask them. Digby Woods,
Ventnor,
Isle of Wight.

CHARITY V. REGALIA

Sir,
One of Freemasonry’s grand principles is ‘relief’ which in modern English is more often called charity. Could we not be more charitable if we spent less on regalia?
We are taught to keep ourselves within due bounds, to what extent then are we out of bounds in how much we spend on our kit? Do we need ‘full dress’ as well as ‘undress’ regalia? Does a Grand Officer truly need a metal chain as well as a collar of aptly modest ribbon? Does an Exaltee initially need anything more than the breast-jewel with its white ribbon to be sufficient evidence of his ‘purity of heart and rectitude of conduct?’ Could he not thus be spared the cost of a new apron until he becomes a Principal?
Do Knights Templar need mantles and capes? Chapters of the Royal Arch and Rose Croix need no gloves so why are they needed in lodges and Knights Templar? Neither the Rose Croix nor Knights Templar see the need to collar the officers of their Chapters or Preceptories with jewels of office so why are they needed in lodges or the Royal Arch?
I fear that this necessarily brief letter merely scratches the surface of the matter and I would certainly be pleased to learn of the views of other readers.
Graham Illingworth,
Richmond Hill,
Richmond,
Surrey.