Freemasonry and Religion
Sir,
    J.F. Fern, who like me is nearing his half century in Masonry, wrote in the Spring issue of Freemasonry Today about Spiritual Meaning in Freemasonry. He asks why so many authors of articles and books are always trying to find spiritual meaning in Freemasonry. His able treatment of the subject caused me to reflect again about what Freemasonry has meant to me over so long a period.
    Let us start by looking at what a Freemason is expected to be. The three fundamental requirements are that he should believe in a Supreme Being, accept that Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for religion and that he must be a just, upright and free man of mature age, sound judgement and strict morals. In addition he must respect and follow the principles of brotherly love, relief and truth, from which we can deduce those truly masonic ornaments Benevolence and Charity. And, of course, to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness.
    There is no mention in any of these of spiritual matters and I cannot but feel that if we are to look for spiritual meaning in Freemasonry we are getting dangerously close to regarding Freemasonry as a substitute for religion. In fact I have no doubt that the great majority of Freemasons do not seek spiritual uplift from Freemasonry and may feel slightly embarrassed - I do - when they read such attempts. Moral truths, yes, very much so, but spiritual meaning, at least in the religious or metaphysical sense, no, it’s not meant to be there.
    That brings me to another matter that because of its controversial nature I write about with diffidence. I have never been entirely happy about the existence of Christian Orders within the body of masonry. That is partly because the existence of such Orders does not quite seem appropriate within an organisation that is not a religion or a substitute for one. But more particularly because Brethren who are in every way fully qualified to be masons are precluded from joining these Orders because they are Jews, Unitarians, Hindus, or other denominations. They are thereby excluded from membership on religious not masonic grounds.
    I can see every good reason for making membership of other masonic Orders dependent on masonic qualifications - membership of Chapter or Mark, or being a Past Master, but on religious grounds ... I wonder. There is a great deal more one could say on this subject but perhaps all I should say now is that if my concerns can be thoroughly squashed I should be rather relieved.
    Peter Smith, Oadby, Leicester, Semper Eadem Lodge, No. 3091.

Sir,
    I write to fully endorse Bro. Martyn Bolt and his implication that many Brethren have forgotten that the only belief common to masons is in the one Creator. Freemasonry does not exist to emphasise the differences between faiths and religions.
    Every lodge should be able to display all and any Volume of the Sacred Law and believe that it is multi-faith, otherwise it denies the one thing that connects all of us. Since my own initiation, 17 years ago, I have often wondered why new lodges are formed when so many are closing or have no new members joining. Is it so that some members can list ever more ‘units of membership’ to demonstrate their commitment!
    Don Ellis, Sheffield, Round Table Lodge of Derbyshire, No. 8725.

Church and Freemasonry
Sir,
    May I be permitted to add to the Church/Freemasonry debate. Five years ago my wife attended our daughter’s church, St Paul’s and St George’s, Edinburgh. The Rev. Richards’ sermon was on other non Christian groups - Buddists, Hindus, Muslims and Freemasons (all boldly displayed on a large screen). I entered into correspondence with him and the crux of his letter was to ‘question the ability to reconcile faith in Jesus with membership of a Lodge’ and that I had to make a choice: ‘Christianity or Freemasonry Geoffrey, as you cannot have both’!
    After bringing this to the attention of John Hamill (Grand Lodge Director of Communications) I let the correspondence die.
    A few weeks ago it was our granddaughter’s baptism, so off to Edinburgh and we both attended the service. The sermon was about one of the greatest Christians ever to live and the wonderful funeral service Sir Winston Churchill had fitting the great man.
    I wrote again to Rev Richards and was able to agree that, indeed, Sir Winston Churchill was a very great Christian but perhaps he was unaware that he was also a great Freemason and reminding him of our earlier correspondence. I did not get a reply!
    Geoffrey Aldridge, Wingrave, Bucks, Grenadiers Lodge, No. 66.

Rank
Sir,
    I too read with interest Julian Rees’ Article Rank is but the Guinea Stamp, together with the letters submitted by Peter Barker and Njördur P Njardvik - Issue 37.
    My first reaction, on reading the article, was ‘how easy it is to write-off the promotional aspirations of others, when one has already reached the heights to which they aspire’. Ever bearing in mind that our great ritual says ‘ ... as it is the hope of reward that sweetens labour ...’ I have no beef, therefore, for the genuine Brother who, having served his time in performing the duties of his station and lodge, might expect his efforts to be rewarded by advancement.
    Otherwise, why have Ranks at all? What does worry me however, as a mason of some 30 years standing, is that our hierarchy, particularly at Provincial level, has allowed, and encouraged, the preferment of the type of sycophantic acolyte, identified by the two worthy correspondents. Where lies the greater guilt? With the pushy Brethren, or with those making the offer of advancement? Are we not in danger, as like seems to follow like, of creating a middle echelon bent on the procreation of this masonic chimera?
    I too have seen many examples of the types mentioned. However, I have also seen those genuine masons who, having given of their all, have been overlooked in preference to less worthy Brethren. In a lot of cases, this has resulted in good quality masons withdrawing themselves from our ranks. We cannot afford to haemorrhage such a valuable resource.
    Geoffrey Billingham, Holmrook, Cumbria, Lewis Lodge, No. 872.

Lifeboats
Sir,
    I want to write to thank you for such an excellent and comprehensive feature on the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. It went down very well at our headquarters here in Poole and I’m sure your readers will have found it informative. If you need any further information on the Institution, or if your readers need further details, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
    Spencer Gammond, Head of External Communications, RNLI.
    Office: 01202 663186 Mob: 07979 744240

Sir,
    I was most interested in the article portraying the connection of the RNLI with Freemasonry as published in Freemasonry Today, Summer 2006. However, I must point out that the Lifeboat ‘Alexandra’ was stationed at Hope Cove and not Yare as reported. Locations considered for the Lifeboat were Yorkshire, Cornwall and Devon. Hope Cove was chosen in preference to Yealmpton at the mouth of the Yare.
    The Lifeboat cost £47, was 35 feet long, 9 feet wide with 10 oars double banked. A handsome and substantial Boat House had been built for its reception at a cost of £320 on a site convenient to the beach behind the high ground of Bolt Tail, in a sheltered position, donated by the Earl of Devon. It was suitably embellished with designs of the square and compasses together with the Fleur de Lys and the entwined initials of the Prince and Princess of Wales. These designs can still be seen today.
    With love of masonic pageantry the Freemasons of the West of England arranged a Grand Dedication at Kingsbridge on 13th June 1878 during which the lifeboat was drawn on its carriage by eight horses through the town to the quay. With conformity to the ancient usage of the Order, The Provincial Grand Master for Devon scattered corn over the boat, at the same time fervently hoping the Great Architect of the Universe would bless it and its crew. Wine, Oil and Salt were sprinkled by other high officers. The boat was launched into the river and rowed round to Hope Cove by its crew.
    In 1903 the Craft provided the third lifeboat named ‘Alexandra’ which stayed on duty until 1930, when due to lack of activity the station was finally closed.
    J.R.K. Smart, Eastleigh, Hants, Border Lodge, No. 3129.