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MASONIC PROSPECTUS

Sir,
     In his inspirational article in Freemasonry Today No. 6 Jonathan Tod makes a good case for the issue of a Masonic Prospectus to interested enquirers. There are many for whom such an information booklet would be helpful and entirely appropriate although there are still some entrants, surely, who already know a great deal about Freemasonry before joining, through friends and family connections.
     I think that he touches on the reason that such a document has not yet been produced when he says that everyone has their own path in Freemasonry.
     That is why the Craft has such a wide appeal and why it is so difficult to categorise those who would be most at home within its ranks. Its wide range of appeal is both a strength and a weakness. It would be difficult to avoid controversial statements which some would regard as negative in a meaningful Prospectus.
     Colin Bissell,
     Langport Lodge No. 8072
     Eastbourne, Sussex

THE SPHINX AS ANUBIS

Sir,
     I was surprised that there were no letters regarding the Sphinx article in Freemasonry Today No. 6. Surely I am not the only reader who was fascinated by Temple’s theory of the original head of the Sphinx being that of the god Anubis especially as it is backed up by references to writings and carvings of the Old Kingdom period.
     I would like to suggest that if the drawing on page 36 is accepted as accurate then the weight of the jaw-line extending out from the body mass would have needed some support; a pillar or a wall extending out under the jaw perhaps. In your photograph in the centre of the page there can be seen a bulge of stone in the centre of the chest, just where a supporting structure could have been. We will never know but it is pleasant to speculate.
     David Lloyd-Jones MA
     Lord Warden Lodge No 1096
     Deal, Kent

RANK IN FREEMASONRY

Sir,
     I write in regard to the many letters written in reply to your editorial in Freemasonry Today No.6.
     Bro. Marjoribanks has put his finger on the problem: we do love our pomp and circumstance. In that we share the procedures in other Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions, but alas, by placing so much importance on self-aggrandisement we do so miss the point of Freemasonry. What does our Grand Lodge have to say on this? See the leaflet Freemasonry: An Approach to Life. ‘Freemasonry’, it tells us, ‘ teaches moral lessons and self-knowledge’.
     If as a committed Freemason I apply myself in this way, should I be surprised that my apron, after 33 years, is still light blue? I don’t think so. We should all work hard at our Freemasonry, at self-knowledge and through that at increasing the sum total of moral well-being in the world, but at the same time our own Grand Lodge makes that more difficult, by dangling all these intricate bits of regalia in front of us, mesmerising us with the promise of personal grandeur.
     As far as Bro Shaw’s letter goes, it is not true that you ‘condemned’ the Brother; it is the system that has failed us, by placing so much importance on rank and promotion. I attended, some time ago, a seminar for Visiting Officers. A good 60% of the time was spent discussing the best way to get promotion to, and advancement within Grand Rank for Brethren in the Lodges they looked after. I submit this has nothing to do with Freemasonry, and I am willing to provide anyone who wishes with a much more exciting programme with which to fill their time, leading to a true appreciation of what this wonderful and ancient Art has to offer.
     Julian Rees
     Kirby Lodge No 2818
     London

Sir,
     I refer to the ‘Letter from the Editor’ in Freemasonry Today No. 6. The Brother who has spent thirty-three years in masonry aspiring to a better apron is obviously misguided. However, as it is ‘the hope of reward that sweetens labour’ we would be less than human if we were not irritated when Brothers, junior to ourselves in terms of time in masonry and years through the Chair and with a similar masonic record are promoted over us.
     The system of masonic honours needs reviewing urgently and perhaps parts of it abolishing. Many Brethren feel that it would be more appropriate if those appointed to Past Provincial rank all received the same honour.
     We do not join Freemasonry for masonic honours but as they are constantly paraded before us, it would be nice to know on what basis they are awarded. We need much greater transparency.
     R. G. Wadd
     Cavendish Lodge No 3055
     Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Sir,
     It is my humble opinion that the whole promotion system should be radically altered. The current system is divisive and creates ill-feeling among Brethren. I would suggest that there only be two Provincial ranks, i.e. Senior and Junior. This would have the effect of allowing Provincial Grand Masters to reward the workers without the bickering of why someone has gained a higher rank than another.
     If I had my way there would be just Brethren and Worshipful Brethren and no Provincial ranks at all. However, I accept that this is far too radical as many treasure their ranks, meaningless as they are.
     Peter R. Hyde
     Sykes Lodge No 1040
     Great Driffield, Yorkshire North and East Riding

Sir,
     I refer to Roger Marjoribanks’ letter in which he talks about the sheer hard work that accompanies the high offices in the Craft.
     Having been raised only two years ago and thus new to Freemasonry I am glad that Bro. Marjoribanks has pointed this out. Needless to say, I am in no position to discuss or know what my Brethren with senior offices do, or do not do, but it is true, from my experience, that the senior Brethren of my lodge work extremely hard at keeping the lodge and Freemasonry alive and well.
     Although at present I confess that ranks and hierarchies hold no interest whatsoever for me – it is the spiritual dimension of Freemasonry and the way it can change one’s life that concerns me at present – my outlook could change as I progress through the offices of my lodge and become a senior brother myself.
     I remember very well the tears of joy showing on a senior brother’s face when he collected an award on behalf of another senior brother who could no longer attend lodge meetings due to poor health. It was then that I realised what the ranks and awards really meant: these are tokens of appreciation that have an emotional value rather than a hierarchical one.
     In my opinion, as a youngish Freemason, ranks and awards are symbolic gestures of appreciation and acknowledgment which add to the real gift that Freemasonry confers on us all: its teachings and the way these can transform our lives for the better.
     Darren Lorente
     St Mary Islington No 5451
     London

WAIVE LODGE FEES

Sir,
     I was at a masonic meeting and there was present an Initiate. When it came to the Risings the Secretary reported to the Master that a Brother had resigned because he could no longer afford the annual fee. This prompted a question to me from the Initiate to the effect that were we only welcome in the Craft as long as we could still keep paying?
     He commented on how many years the Brother had been a member and had obviously given a considerable amount of time and money to the Craft and was now being rejected because he could no longer pay the annual fees. This is, of course, very true.
     I belong to some associations that waive the fee once a member reaches the age of eighty years. Why do we not do the same. It would not cost the Craft anything. The elderly member could still attend his meetings and would, I am sure, still contribute in some small way such as buying a couple of raffle tickets at the Festive Board.
     Tony Davie
     Vyne Lodge No 7612
     Basingstoke, Hampshire & Isle of Wight

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Sir,
     In these days of equality and diversity I wonder if a particular word within the Obligation spoken during the ceremony of Raising should be changed?
     The word in question is ‘wife’: ...and most strictly respect the honour of those nearest and dearest to him, in the persons of his wife, his sister, and his child...
     A member of my lodge is openly gay and a number of others are not married but are cohabiting, so perhaps the more commonly used word ‘partner’ should be applied to better reflect modern family life?
     Bruce Baker
     Ansgar Lodge No 5304
     Uxbridge, Middlesex

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

Sir,
     Having read the article detailing the links between Freemasonry and Football on Merseyside in Freemasonry Today, No. 5, I feel that Cecil Lodge, No. 3274, has had a significant influence on the development of both our Premier League teams.
     John McKenna, who you mention, was the second Master of Cecil Lodge in 1909 and became chairman of Liverpool F. C. and later president of the Football League. He introduced into the lodge W.C. Cuff who went on to become chairman of Everton F.C. and followed John McKenna into the chairmanship of the Football League.
     Sidney Reakes, Master of Cecil Lodge in 1952, went on to become chairman of Liverpool F.C. at the time that the Board took what proved in hindsight to be the momentous decision to appoint a little-known Scotsman, William Shankly, to be manager of the club. This appointment, it would be argued, changed the fortunes of Liverpool F.C. forever and has had repercussions on the success of the club to this day.
     It is with some justification and a degree of satisfaction that the members of Cecil Lodge feel that they have had a part to play in the development of the most successful club in English football.
     Bill Roberts
     Cecil Lodge No 3274
     Liverpool, West Lancashire

UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES ACT

Sir,
     In her article ‘Freemasonry and the French Revolution’ in Freemasonry Today No. 7, Diane Clements states that the Unlawful Societies Act was the first statutory acknowledgement in the United Kingdom of the existence of Freemasonry. Well, not exactly.
     The Unlawful Societies Act did not apply to Ireland at all but only to England, Wales and Scotland. Thus, when the Ireland Home Rule Bill was being considered by Parliament in 1912 it became clear to the Grand Lodge of Ireland that because the provisions of the 1799 Act would henceforth apply, that they might become vulnerable to being prosecuted as an Unlawful Society. They thus sought, and gained, the same exemption from the Act as England, Wales and Scotland gained in 1799 – and the Grand Master Mason of Scotland was instrumental in getting that clause placed in the Home Rule Bill. This was a small quirk certainly but enough to cause our Brothers in Ireland to seek some protection. We were taught to be cautious.
     John Belton
     Internet Lodge No 9659
     Manchester

WOMEN IN FREEMASONRY

Sir,
     Following your letters regarding Women and Freemasonry your readers might like a light-hearted angle on this.
     Grenadiers Lodge No. 66 has had a long and interesting history and is lucky enough to have every minute book from its inception in October 1793. We need to go back to 1757: the Lodge was meeting above the Running Horse Inn at Hyde Park Corner. Our minutes read: April 13th, The Rt Worshipful Bro Storey paid a fine of 2p for ordering a woman into ye lodge in lodge hours.
     Highly reprehensible conduct on the part of the R W Brother which doubtless led to the next offence: The Worshipful Junr Warden Br Ward pd 2p for kissing the aforesd femail.
     Things lingered on but the minutes of November 23rd record that, It was resolved that Brothers Ward and Storey made all differences up and shake hands and agree to pay a bottle ye first offender.
     Geoffrey Aldridge
     Secretary, Grenadiers Lodge No 66
     London

ITS THAT MAN AGAIN

Sir,
     In 1952, at the tender age of fifteen years and six months, leaving my parents and family in a state of shock, I joined the Royal Navy. My parents put me on the midnight train to Torpoint in Cornwall to join the training ship HMS Fisgard as an Artificer Apprentice.
     After a year of trying out all the various trades of an Artificer I decided that I would like to become an Engine-Room Artificer (a worker in metal). Three years later my apprenticeship finished and off I went to sea were I spent most of the next twelve years and enjoyed every minute of it.
     At the ripe old age of seventy-one I entered into my second apprenticeship as a Freemason. And once again it was a learning experience. During my raising in the Third Degree a name brought back vague memories of my early years as an Engine-Room Artificer and looking at my old blazer and our motto it all came back to me.
     William J. Hodges
     Leyland St. Andrews Lodge No 7391
     Leyland, West Lancashire

RECOGNITION BY DAY

Sir,
     Many years ago I was consulted by a middle-aged man with suspected arthritis of the fingers. I found no evidence of this but to make assurance ‘double-sure’ referred him to the X-Ray Department of our hospital. It was only when he returned with his film that I recognised him as a Brother.
     Dr. B.A. Latham
     Royal Clarence Lodge No 271
     Brighton, Sussex