A Message from Lord Northampton, the Pro Grand Master

At the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge I announced that the two magazines, MQ and Freemasonry Today, were going to be combined in order to get the best out of both of them. I am very pleased to say that the two editors have been working closely together to produce a magazine focussing on the widest interests of all members of the United Grand Lodge of England wherever they are in the world.
     One of the great strengths of Freemasonry has always been the diversity of its membership. Drawn from all walks of life, its members unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness to others. It is the most tolerant organisation, accepting all men of good faith regardless of their race, colour or creed and only demands that they have a belief in a Supreme Being and want to better themselves for the overall good of society.
     I have every confidence that this new magazine will educate and entertain all those who receive it and make us proud to belong to this great fraternity.
     It may help to correct any misunderstanding as to the purpose of Freemasonry. Above all, it will celebrate the good things Freemasonry stands for, especially those excellent principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, upon which our Order is founded.

European Grand Masters' Meeting in London

The question of regularity, recognition, the sovereignty of Grand Lodges and communications between them has been an issue for many years. On the initiative of the Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton, a special meeting was called to consider all these matters. Forty-four Grand Lodges were represented, most by their Grand Masters, forty-one of whom were present. All were welcomed to London at a reception and dinner by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent.
     In order that the discussions could be free and frank they were held in a private meeting chaired by the Deputy Grand Master, Peter Lowndes. The Pro Grand Master, Lord Northampton, supported by the Grand Masters of Ireland and Scotland, gave the opening address in which he made some very telling points concerning the approach of the United Grand Lodge of England.
     In particular, responding to the suggestion that Freemasonry should attempt to influence, socially and morally, the emerging new Europe, he stated:
     ‘The Home Grand Lodges - England, Ireland and Scotland - would respond that Freemasonry has no role outside Freemasonry and that the only influence it should be seeking is over itself and its members. We firmly believe that it is not Freemasonry but the individual who can have a positive influence on society.”
     And he amplified the important focus upon the individual which is the central concern of these three Grand Lodges:
     ‘We see Freemasonry as an intensely personal journey of self-discovery, knowledge and personal development. We hope that the individual, during his journey, will absorb the principles and tenets of Freemasonry, so that they become a part of his nature. In that was he will make a contribution for the good of society.’
     But this came with a warning: ‘If the individual, imbued with the principles of Freemasonry, does not work for the good of society we should then question whether Freemasonry has fulfilled its purpose. Regular Freemasonry is not, and should never be allowed to develop into being, a lobby group - no matter how universal and noble the cause. One of the great strengths of regular Freemasonry has been that it stands apart from politics and sectarianism...’
     The meeting allowed many different views to be expressed without judgement and at its end those who had attended recorded their gratitude for this historic initiative taken by the United Grand Lodge of England.

A full report on this important conference will appear in the next issue of Freemasonry Today.