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Regency and Unfinished Masons The Regency Era and Freemasonry By Hilton Kaufman, P.M. Freemasonry, or more simply just Masonry, was of interest to many of the more affluent gentlemen of the Re- gency Era (1811-1820). There was considerable membership and participation in the fraternity or brotherhood. There was some prestige in participating in its supposedly secret and arcane rituals. Not everyone could join. A prospective member had to be sponsored, investigated as to suitability, and voted upon by secret ballot. Once initiated, a member of one lodge could visit many other lodges scattered around the world. A network of friendly relations existed so that one might have a wide area of social contacts. In many places, one might en- joy a fine meal before or after a meeting. While at least in theory one does not join for mercantile reasons, business contacts are often found among its members. The rituals of Freemasonry permit those who are of a theatrical bent to enact various roles in a manner that can be entertaining to others. While it has been said that the rituals are morality plays, many members try their hands at performing these rituals. Others just try to understand the allegorical symbolism that is expressed to make good men better. Away from the higher levels of the fraternity and those lodges in the larger cities with noble or royal leaders, the lodges held to a more democratic perspective. An artisan or tradesman might be elected as the Master or leader of a lodge in which some nobility are members. The Masonic brotherhood or fraternity most likely came in some way from working stonemasons and related tradesmen. Because this trade required a more than average education, philosophical discussions among the members often took place. It is thought that at one time some of the aristocracy and gentry joined lodges of actual working masons to learn about subjects known to this trade, such as geometry, as well as engaging in interesting discussions. Eventually many of the lodges no longer had stone cutters and fitters among their members. By the time of the Regency Era, the fraternity or brotherhood was separate from the organized lodg- es of actual stonemasons. Freemasonry or Masonry does not exist in a vacuum and has changed during its existence. The way it func- tions is influenced by events occurring in the world around it. Many of the customs of the Regency era in Eng- land are well documented in novels by Jane Austen and studied by individuals known as Janeites, who are dedicated to understanding her works. The availability of information concerning this era in England provides an opportunity to study how Freemasonry likely changes with the world around it. As Freemasonry spread around the globe, the way it was practiced in other locations was not the same as in England, especially as in and around London. It had spread to other places, such as the colonies which became the United States of America. Each time and place might be worthy of a study of its own as to how Freema- sonry and the world around it interacted. At the start of the Regency Era, Freemasonry in England was split between two Grand Lodges. One was quite aristocratic and had made changes from the way things had been done in the lodges of stonemasons from which it probably came. The other had many members in the construction trades as well as mercantile and oth- er middle-class occupations; it tended to practice Freemasonry in what they considered to be the ancient way. By 1812 both, organizations had come to be led by Grand Masters who were sons of His Majesty George the Third, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, although he was not a member. Even the brother of the King had become a Grand Master in 1782. It was well accepted among members of the upper nobility. During the period from 1811 to 1820, King George III, had periods when he was deemed unfit to rule because of his mental condition. Most Worshipful Brother George Augustus Frederick, the Prince of Wales, served as Prince Regent during this time. Because of this, those years and the surrounding time became known as the Regency Era. While King George III tended to be quiet and reserved, the Prince Regent, later George IV, was much more flamboyant and out- going. This was a period of strong class differences, with much formality in the upper classes. Many activities en- gaged in by men were forbidden to women, who could not go to some places unaccompanied. Yet women were starting to do things like writing books that were published in their own names. By the end of this period the differences in clothing among the classes were less extreme than at the beginning. The Napoleonic wars were taking place when the Regency began. Parliament was concerned about organiza- tions that met in rooms that were guarded so that outsiders had no ideas what was being discussed within. Alt- hough royalty and high nobility were involved, parliament had to be convinced that it was an innocent organi- zation and not a bunch of French spies or revolutionaries. Both English Grand Lodges as well as the Irish and Scot ones had to put their differences aside to lobby Parliament concerning proposed legislation against secret organizations so as to carve out an exception for Freemasons. The power of Royalty was becoming increasingly limited in Britain. Parliament was exerting control and the King was restricted in what he could do. The United Kingdom had become a constitutional monarchy. Most of the North American colonies had become independent and others gained some measure of self-government. This left time for the Prince Regent to be more concerned with social, rather than government, activities. He could act as a style setter for the aristocracy, gentry, and more affluent tradesmen. It was during this time that the two rival Grand Lodges in England united to form the current United Grand Lodge of England. Of course, this was one of those activities that was exclusively male. Though a woman might be a member of the London Company of Masons, which in theory controlled the operative trade in much of greater London, Freemasonry, the social or fraternal organization, remained a bastion where the men could socialize without ladies to distract them. While clothing very likely was less formal in the Ancient lodges, with their membership consisting largely of tradesmen, the style of dress in the more aristocratic lodges of the Moderns changed from elaborate, colorful, multi-layered attire with knee britches to simpler dark suits. As with the affluent population in general, it is likely that powdered wigs were worn to meetings prior to this time, but not after. The recently imposed taxes on wig powder were partially involved with the change, but Beau Brummel, a friend of the Prince Regent, lead the way to a newer and more relaxed style of dress. Because of his interest in science, astronomy, and mathematics, King George III had earlier caused a change in the education of the aristocracy and gentry. While Masonic ritual might speak of and encourage study of the arts and sciences, individuals who could afford to join most likely had a decent education prior to seeking admission into the brotherhood. This was no longer one of the few ways to gain such knowledge. With the unification of the Grand Lodges in 1812, there might be visits between members of previously aristo- cratic and middle class lodges. Are We Producing Too Many Unfinished Masons? Edward A. Rund, Exec. Secretary Midwest Conference on Masonic Education Most brethren would agree that there are three great, driving purposes to modern Freemasonry: 1) individual self-development, 2) community and charitable service, and 3) Masonic fellowship including social relations with family and friends. And the most central of these is the first, i.e., to provide opportunities and guidance to a Mason for developing his potential as a person to the fullest extent to which he is capable. While this mission extends to the limits of the total human being, and seeks to encourage personal growth in all facets of life, Masonry in particular strives to enhance the moral stature of the man. The Fraternity endeavors to bring this about by means of education, ritual memory work, in- lodge experi- ences with our degrees, and the modeling of exemplary Masonic behavior by more "advanced" members during all encounters. The outcomes of this development effort are seen in the Mason's behavior and atti- tudes that are reflected; the way he thinks, speaks, and acts in everyday life. It is seen in the moral choices he makes, the way he treats others in stressful situations, and in the multitude of small things he does and says while carrying out his various life roles. Freemasonry sets forth standards of thought and behavior toward which the committed Mason will continue to strive throughout his life. We call it, "building his spiritual temple." In order to continue this learning and developing process, a Mason needs to be regularly exposed to these standards, to consistently practice these more perfect behaviors, and to occasionally measure his efforts against the standards and evaluate his pro- gress. Sure, there will be shortfalls, bursts of temper, feelings of jealousy or envy, taking unfair advantage, and doing or saying hurtful things. But the true mark of development is the recognition that one can and should rebound from such slippages and renew efforts to remain on the true Masonic path.
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