History of Freemasonry
Are you thinking of becoming a Freemason?
There are over 330,000 Freemasons in England and Wales with nearly six million Freemasons worldwide. There are nearly 8,000 Lodges spread throughout England and Wales.
Masonry consists of a body of men brought together for the sake of mutual intellectual, social and moral improvement.
Masonry recognises no distinction of religion and emphasises the duties of citizenship.
Religious or political discussion is not permitted in Lodge meetings and Masonry offers no monetary advantages.
Masonry supports a wide range of charities, both Masonic and non-Masonic.
History of Freemasonry
Why should you become a Freemason?
People have their own reasons why they enjoy Freemasonry.
The following is a sample of some of the reasons given:
Achievement progressing through the various offices in the Lodge to become Worshipful Master.
Brotherhood making new friends and acquaintances from all walks of life, every background and age group.
Charity being able to contribute to deserving causes, both Masonic and non-Masonic.
Education learning from peers and mentors by practising ritual and making short speeches.
Knowledge finding out about the history and mysteries of Freemasonry.
Self improvement making a contribution to your family and society.
History of Freemasonry
A short history of Freemasonry in Britain
The origins of Freemasonry are subject to scholarly debate.
As we know it today, Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the first Grand Lodge on 24 June 1717 at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St Paul's Churchyard.
It was formed by the agreement of four London Lodges, the oldest of which was thought to have existed in 1691. Evidence of the movement's existence prior to 1691 is sparse, so the true origins remain a mystery.
Freemasonry neither originated nor existed in King Solomon's time. Many historians have tried to prove Freemasonry descended from the mysteries of classical Greece or Rome or was derived from the religion of the Egyptian pyramid builders.
Provincial Grand
Mentor
Newsletter No. 4 December 2010
Welcome to our Newsletter written particularly for those of you who have volunteered to be Mentors.
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Telephone 01492 860223
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Provincial Mentor (Hint)
My last update News Letter was in May and since then I have attended a regional Mentoring meeting with other Mentors from East and West Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire West Riding, The Isle of Man just to name some of the Provinces taking part, at the Masonic Hall in Manchester, under the Chairmanship of W.Bro James Bartlett the Mentor Co-ordinator.
The Deputy Pr.G.M. for the Province of East Lancashire joined the meeting and gave an in depth talk and feedback to what he had witnessed and heard during the meeting. His comments were of great interest and value to everyone present and were received with gratitude.
Discussion was to talk about the 'Next Step' in the Mentoring process and many were of the same thought that having covered the Craft it was now time to move on to the next 'journey' and prepare the Candidate for introduction to the Royal Arch. Although the Candidate may be encouraged to join other Orders and there are many the natural next step is to join the Holy Royal Arch. The Candidate however must be reminded not to involve himself to an extent that compromises the interests of his family and his business caution therefore must be of paramount importance.
Before any Candidates become a Royal Arch Mason he should be provided with the explanation booklet provided by the Province entitled Relationship Between the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch.
2010 has seen a steady 'intake' of Candidates. There seem to have been a good number being initiated into the Lodges in this Province. This however does not mean that we are to slacken our Recruitment policy. We should all strive to Retain our 'new brethren' and make sure that they will enjoy being members of the Craft. We should ensure that the newly initiated Brethren enjoy and have 'fun' by being members of the Craft.
The Province has now completed two full years of Mentoring within the Lodges. The next three years will show that we are either on the right tracks or prove that we will have to change our policy to make Freemasonry more attractive to prospective candidates.
From my observation of attending Lodges, Lodge Mentors are doing a very good job of being Mentors and are proud of the position and the responsibility that has been placed upon them. More and more Mentors are embracing the scheme and are actively making the most of having an open forum within the Lodge.
Therefore our aim is to increase Candidate level within the Recruitment strategy so that our membership level is maintained. Make sure that the Lodges are engulfed in creating support to the scheme that is conducive to the Retention of members within Freemasonry. Identify and communicate with those members that have found difficulty in attending Lodge meetings and the reason why the lack of attendance and therefore developing a Retrieval programme for their return to the Lodge.
Freemasonry membership is voluntary and is meant to be enjoyed by all. Therefore Mentoring is to see that we are all enjoying our membership of the Craft and is the Key Stone to the Future.
Remember if you want more information and contacts into Mentoring, a Mentoring website is available www.3rlibrary.org.uk
The next Mentoring Conference at Great Queen Street London will be on the 2nd March 2011. One of the items for discussion will be to vote on the motion that 'The Board of General Purpose to create the office of Lodge Mentor as an optional office of the Lodge'. I think it will be a case of 'watch this space'.
When I do attend the next Mentoring Conference one Grand Officer from this Province has shown interest in accompanying me to London and I will be delighted to have his company.
Arthur W Evans. provmentor@nwmasons.org
A. W. Evans.
Provincial Grand Mentor.
(Hint)
History of Freemasonry
Would you like to join Freemasonry?
2010 has seen a steady 'intake' of Candidates. There seem to have been a good number being initiated into the Lodges in this Province.
This however does not mean that we are to slacken our Recruitment policy. We should all strive to Retain our 'new brethren' and make sure that they will enjoy being members of the Craft.
We should ensure that the newly initiated Brethren enjoy and have 'fun' by being members of the Craft.
History of Freemasonry
Freemasons' Hall is the H.Q. of the U.G.L.E.
Grand Lodge has been in Great Queen Street since 1775, the present Hall being the third building on the site.
Built between 19271932 as a memorial to the Freemasons who died in the First World War, it is one of the finest Art Deco buildings in England, and is now Grade II* listed internally and externally.
In addition to the Grand Temple (seating 1700) there are 21 Lodge Rooms, a Library and Museum, Board and Committee Rooms and administrative offices. The building is fully open to the public.
History of Freemasonry
A short history of Freemasonry in Britain
Some theorists believe that Freemasonry:
Sprang from bands of travelling stonemasons acting by Papal authority.
Evolved from a band of Knights Templar who escaped to Scotland after the order was persecuted in Europe.
Derived from the shadowy and mysterious Rosicrucian Brotherhood which may or have existed in Europe in the early 1600s.
The honest answers to the questions when, where and why did Freemasonry originate, are that we simply do not know.
That said, there is general agreement amongst historians and researchers that Freemasonry probably developed, either directly or indirectly, from the medieval stonemasons, otherwise known as Operative Masons who built the great cathedrals and castles.
Those who favour the theory say there were three stages to the evolution of Freemasonry:
The stonemasons gathered in huts or Lodges to rest and eat.
These Lodges gradually became meetings for stonemasons to regulate their craft.
Eventually, and in common with other trades, they developed primitive initiation ceremonies for new apprentices.
