Unknown Apron

Sir,
    Brother W.H. Wright of Shakespeare Lodge, No. 426, in the Winter 2005-6 Issue of Freemasonry Today enquired about an ‘Unknown Apron’.
    So far as I could make out the number on the flap I would suggest that it is an apron of our Scottish Constitution and would appear to be of a Steward of Lodge St. Andrew, No. 126, of the Scottish Constitution.
    The apron bears two rows of braid on the flap which usually indicates a Lodge of more than two hundred years. Their Charter date is 20th May 1771.
    D.C. Nicol, Ancient Lodge of Forfar Kilwinning, No. 90, (S.C.), Forfar, Angus, Scotland.

Masonic Enlightenment

Sir,
    I read the Autumn Issue of Freemasonry Today and found it excellent. All my fellow Brethren enjoyed it; we were also enlightened.
    In the years 2003-4 I had given a concise review of the book The Birth and Growth of the Grand Lodge of England - 1717 to 1926. In that, when all of us read the chapter where the Duke of Wharton became Grand Master we all sensed that there had been some intrigue in those days.
    We were thrilled and enlightened to read Matthew Scanlan’s revelations.
    Diljit C. Shah, Librarian and Curator, Lodge of Rock, No. 260, (E.C.), Tiruchirapalli, Madras, India.

Charity

Sir,
    I would like to comment on two letters in the last edition of Freemasonry Today.
    First of all, the letter from Allan Simons complaining that we are too concerned with charity. In the questions leading from the First to the Second Degree the Candidate must name the three Grand Principles on which our Order is based: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. The Oxford English Dictionary specifies that Relief includes the giving of money for the relief of the poor and those in need. Surely it is essential that charity takes a large part in the life of every Lodge.
    Secondly, Keith Tallon complains about the reading of prayers. We are advised to read prayers rather than try to memorise them. Even after spending over fifty years ordained I still find it necessary to have the prayer needed at any particular place open before me. At masonic lodges I have too often heard those who thought that they had learnt the prayers stumble over the text and even speak in error, rather than read them.
    This makes the particular prayer sometimes quite unintelligible.
    The Revd. Clive G. Moore, Somerton, Somerset.
   
    Sir,
    I refer to the letter from Allan Simons published in Freemasonry Today, Issue 35, and I agree with his sentiments.
    A mason, as a mason, should be endowed with a charitable disposition. He should act charitably towards his family, his friends, and to those with whom he comes into contact during his daily routines. To behave charitably is to respect the feelings of others, refraining from any action or word that might cause embarrassment.
    Freemasonry is essentially a character builder and a guide to the consolidation of the code of morality that will determine a mason’s thoughts and actions through life. Certainly charity, when it is understood to mean the re-distribution of private funds, has a place in masonic life, but only in a relatively unimportant and low-key manner.
    Lodge charitable donations should be applied to maintaining Temples, the masonic heritage, masonic research, and assisting masons and their family members in distress. Public charity collections should be undertaken by organisations established for such purposes. Freemasonry is not primarily a charitable organisation.
    It seems to me that Grand, Provincial, Metropolitan, and District Grand Lodges pay too much attention to the appeasement of the iconoclasts of the media by not only holding ourselves out as a major charity organisation thus hoping to be offered public adulation, but by fawning to the ignorance of journalism in pursuit of which wording of masonic ritual was altered merely to please these philistines.
    No intelligent person would shrink from taking the First Degree Obligation in its original form, particularly in view of that part of the Charge after Initiation which admonishes the candidate to respect the laws of the country in which he resides.
    W. J. Crofts, St. Erme, Cornwall.

Spiritual Meaning

Sir,
    When I joined Freemasonry forty-five years ago I first had to declare my belief in a Supreme Being, in other words, God. Every Craft Freemason has had to do the same, so if they do not then they joined under false pretences.
    I would like to hear from your readers, especially authors of articles and books why then are they always trying to look for hidden spiritual meanings in Freemasonry? If they do not get spiritual filling from their Church it is sad and they should go to another Church.
    Grand Lodge has always maintained that Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for one and I have never found it to be so. The idea of membership is to enjoy oneself, to be happy and spread happiness and the moral and social improvement gained through the rituals should be compatible and complementary to your faith.
    Since 1994 when I left the Church that I had attended because of religious bigotry towards Freemasons, to go to another Church (of the same denomination) I have waged war on religious bigotry wherever and whenever it raises its ugly head. It does not help my cause when such people may be aware of some Freemasons imagined mysteries with regard to the spiritual meaning of Freemasonry.
    T. J. Fray, Lodge St. John, No. 70, Plymouth, Devon.

Prayers

Sir,
    The letter from Keith Tallon of Blackheath concerning prayers at our meetings made interesting reading, but indicated that he had little knowledge or experience as a Chaplain. Having served as a chaplain in the Mark and RAM degrees, occasionally in Craft, and currently being Chaplain in my Knights Templar and High Prelate in my Red Cross of Constantine Conclave, perhaps I may add to the debate. Prayers are a fundamental aspect of any masonic meeting and it is most important that they are delivered with sincerity and accuracy.
    As he suggested, I learned the prayers initially only to have one of those embarrassing moments, which we all experience from time to time, when the mind goes completely blank. This is difficult enough during a ceremony, but occuring during a prayer causes an interruption of the spiritual union between our Creator and the members present.
    From that moment, I realised the necessity of having the words available even if not used.
    Some years ago, I asked my local vicar why he always read the communion service when he had performed it countless times during his ministry. He smiled and replied that, for the benefit of the congregation, he could not take the risk of a memory lapse. No doubt the same logic applies to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope and virtually all ministers who always have services available or held up in front of them at the time of delivery. Why should a Chaplain at a masonic meeting be any different?
    In Sussex, it is acceptable and encouraged that prayers should be read. If I have the prayers in front of me, the more I understand them and, hopefully, the more depth, sincerity and feeling is conveyed to the members present. The Chaplain has an important spiritual role to play and his appointment should be made with considerable care and not as an afterthought when the list of officers is being prepared.
    Eric L. Parrish, Pevensey, East Sussex.

Masonic Challenge

Sir,
    What fraternal mileage is there, I wonder, in the possibility of challenges between lodges and chapters on the lines of University Challenge based on questions and answers with masonic connections and themes? I can visualise a scenario whereby Grand Lodge might kindly consider awarding a trophy annually to the winners of the competition, and how lodges and chapters, on paying a modest fee, might wish to enter teams to take part in the competitions. I suggest that the net proceeds, after deducting the cost of the trophy or trophies, might be donated to our charities. Letting one’s fraternal imagination off the leash, I can also visualise both cup and league competitions if we really wanted to see the thing take off, but because of travel and other problems, these might have to take place in London or a particular Province.
    As I see it, the following benefits could accrue. We could have a lot of fun. It should certainly help improve knowledge of Freemasonry and would be particularly appreciated by the newer Brethren. It would help us make new friends. And in cases where lodges or chapters have to consider handing in their warrants, the members might, through the competitions, be able to join a new lodge or chapter in the knowledge that they already know someone there. It would help increase dining numbers at the Festive Board. And I am sure there are other benefits too.
    Somewhere in all of this, I feel there is a germ or two of a good idea! I do hope I am not wrong.
    Keith Lewis, Cantuarian Lodge, No. 5733, Greenford, Middlesex.

Quality and Commitment

Sir,
    Your editorial in Summer issue 2005 of Freemasonry Today is thought provoking as well as stimulating. Your analytical survey definitely proves that any service organisation has ups and downs, but does level itself to a realistic level, however low it may well be.
    I totally agree it is a wild goose chase trying to increase the number of initiates or lodges, but as you say, to retain members, Master Masons and Past Masters is the crux of the problem. To me, this is today a challenge to our movement of Freemasonry particularly in the West.
    From this, hopefully would come the quality you refer to.
    At no time, in my nearly forty years of Freemasonry have I felt so strongly as I do now on the quality of members we recruit.
    I would add together with quality is commitment: once a member has the dual capacity for quality and commitment he will find time and money to devote himself to Freemasonry.
    Being a founder of several lodges, my own practice has been never to propose anyone whom I have not known and observed for at least a period of five years or more. How else can you assess the ‘invisibles’, quality and commitment?
    Michael Pasha, Thorpe Bay, Essex.
   
    Sir,
    I am 31 years old, and a Lewis. From a very young age, I had been extremely interested in the mysteries of the Craft. I began my studies of what books I could find at the age of 12. In 1997 I was initiated. I have in my studies noted an issue with the balance between the administration of the lodges and working with the mysteries of the Craft. Many lodges seem to meet to conduct lodge business, maybe an initiation, and then close for the festive board. Some members talk about a level of aristocracy in the lodge, giving a feel that the new members are not Brothers, but something less.
    Another concern voiced is what each lodge is doing for its local community? How are they making each area better? Has Freemasonry lost its voice for the oppressed?
    Freemasonry is it still a balancing force in a world of extremes, or has it become just a dinner club or group of toast masters? I hope this is not the case. Through the considerable collection of books I have gathered over the years, I have gained a taste and a desire to be a part of the lodge and be stubbom and persistent about it. I wish to gain the knowledge, wisdom, and humility to gain a place in the Royal Arch and eventually become a Knight Templar.
    In my humble view as a neophyte I could see that new members may not get enough taste of the true work of masonry and quickly lose interest. This could be dealt with quickly and decisively by moving the majority of lodge business and minute reading to a rehearsal night and leave the main meeting night to handle the true workings of the lodge. We must act now to improve the public view of Freemasonry. We know what we are about, but the general public do not. I understand that when I say act now that most things in Freemasonry a lot of time to get done, but in an issue like this we must show the world what we are about. We need good positive publicity showing our actions not our words. We can still be humble yet let the world know what we stand for in a grand way, as the work of the stone mason once did in their architecture I want to help make a difference in the lodge and do my part to bring my generation, and those after mine, to the lodge with as much fire in their hearts as I feel. I can only hope to have a glimmer of the knowledge and wisdom shared amongst my Brethren to guide me on my quest., and do my part to help return masonry to the grandeur of an earlier age
    David Stanton, Harrogate and Claro Lodge, No. 1001, Harrogate, Yorks.

Dresden

Sir,
    I read with great interest the article by Julian Rees (Freemasonry Today. Issue 35) on the Frauenkirche in Dresden. From the article, it is clear to see that Mr. Rees experienced the ceremony of the reconsecration, not only visually, but also with his feelings. His impressive account has expressed not only the architecture and the dual history of the building of the Frauenkirche, but has also communicated the special spirit and the message of reconciliation proceeding from that.
    Prof. Dr. Georg Milbradt, Prime Minister of the Province of Saxony, Dresden.

Discrimination

Sir,
    In October last year, I made application for appointment to a public office under the responsibilities of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
    The criteria sent to me from the recruiting agency specified people who would be disqualified from consideration. One clause required ‘candidates to declare conflicts of interest ... and to disclose information or personal connections which ... might be open to misconception.
    Membership of Freemasons should be included in any such disclosure.’
    As I did not consider that there was any potential for misconception, I enquired whether being a Freemason would exclude consideration for the post, and was assured that it would not. In the event, I was not successful and accept that better qualified people were appointed. However, I was still curious as to the need for declaration, and asked the recruiting agents for an explanation. It was referred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and I received the following response:
    The explicit reference to Freemasons is because, with past appointments to public bodies, the most frequent request for clarification about membership of organisations has been from Freemasons about the need to declare their membership. This is ... the only reason and would have applied to any other organisation if members of that had been the most frequent sources of request for clarification.
    But it was the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister who specified Freemasons in the first place; there was no other organisation mentioned, and I wouldn’t have requested clarification if that specification had not been made!
    Ah well! The reply from the Department was perfectly clear – I suspect it was written by the script-writer of Yes, Prime Minister!
    Ken Ingham, Prospect Lodge, No. 7880 Chorley, Lancs.