The Berkshire Mentoring Programme A Guide for New Freemasons Part 2 Published by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Berkshire GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 0 - - GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 1 - - Contents Introduction 3 In The Lodge 4 The Lodge Officers 6 Masonic Clothing 10 The Internet and Masonry - 13 - A Brief History of Freemasonry - 15 - The Next Steps 20 GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 2 - - Introduction Welcome to this, the second booklet in a series of three. We hope that the first one was helpful in answering some of those initial questions you may have had following your Initiation. You have probably had several more questions since, some of which may be covered in this booklet. Your Mentor should be able to answer any that are not. Having completed the ceremony of your Passing, you are more than half way through your journey to becoming a Master Mason. We hope you have enjoyed both ceremonies so far and that your understanding of Freemasonry is somewhat deeper than it was initially. However, you can be forgiven if you think there is a long way to go. As was stressed at the end of the last booklet, the subject of Freemasonry is so extensive, and so challenging to the enquiring mind, that you will never stop learning. Rest assured that those around you who can help would be delighted to have the opportunity to do so. So do not hesitate to ask. Those you ask will probably learn something in the process. Berkshire Masonic Education Committee GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 3 - - In The Lodge What is the normal layout of the Lodge room? Although some changes may be necessary to accommodate the peculiarities of a particular Lodge room, the basic layout is as follows. The Worshipful Master (WM) sits in what is referred to as the 'Masonic East', even though a compass may not agree! The door into the Lodge room is usually in the 'Northwest' corner. The Senior Warden sits in the West facing the WM. The Junior Warden sits in the South, midway between the WM and the Senior Warden. The Secretary and Treasurer sit in the North, facing the Junior Warden, with the Secretary invariably on the right of the Treasurer. The Senior Deacon sits at the end nearer to the WM of the row of seats in the North. The Junior Deacon sits to the right of the Senior Warden and the Inner Guard sits to the left of the Senior Warden. The placing of the Immediate Past Master, Chaplain, Grand Officers and Past Masters was discussed in Part 1. My Lodge says it performs ‘Emulation Working’ – what does that mean? Over time, a number of different interpretations of the Ceremonies have been evolved. One of the most common of these is referred to as Emulation working, which is the ceremony performed by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement based at Great Queen Street in London. There are numerous other workings around, of which the most common are Taylor’s, Universal and Bristol. ‘Taylor’s working’ for example takes its origins from the military Lodges, with the most visible aspect of the working GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 4 - - being the ‘Squaring’ of the Lodge when moving around the Lodge room, a similar style to parade square work. What is Calling Off? If a Lodge needs to take a short break in proceedings, then the Lodge may be ‘Called Off’. The Lodge is then temporarily closed, until ‘Called On’ again. While Called Off, no Masonic work is performed. Why is a Dispensation needed? Grand Lodge must agree the location and dates of the Lodge meetings. If for some reason the Lodge wishes to change those details for a particular meeting (to accommodate an anniversary date, or larger venue for a special event) then the Grand Secretary or Provincial Grand Secretary (on behalf of the respective GM or PGM) can issue a Dispensation authorising the change of venue or date. The dispensation should be read immediately following the opening of the Lodge, and prior to any work being carried out. Other dispensations may be issued in certain circumstances (such as a brother wishing to be Master in two Lodges simultaneously, or for a Publican of a Tavern where a Lodge meets to hold office in that Lodge)! GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 5 - - The Lodge Officers Who are the Officers of a Lodge? The Officers of the Lodge are those Brethren who manage its affairs and conduct its ceremonies. Apart from the Worshipful Master, Treasurer and Tyler, who are elected by the Lodge members, all Officers are appointed by the Worshipful Master at his sole discretion and no Brother has any right or claim to advancement. What is the order of precedence? Worshipful Master Senior Warden Junior Warden Chaplain Treasurer Secretary Director of Ceremonies Almoner Charity Steward Mentor Senior Deacon Junior Deacon Assistant Director of Ceremonies Organist Assistant Secretary Inner Guard Steward Tyler GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 6 - - Do all Lodges have these Officers? In general, the answer is yes, but a number of Lodges will not be able to appoint someone to each office. For example there may be no one in the Lodge who plays the organ, so this position may be left unfilled. Some of these Officers are called 'Regular Officers' and some are called 'Additional Officers'. To find out which fall in each category, consult the Book of Constitutions you were given after your Initiation. If you look up Rule 104(a) you will find the answer. Note that a Brother may only hold one ‘Regular Office’, but may hold a ‘Regular Office and an ‘Additional Office’. Note also that of the ‘Additional Officers’ the WM shall appoint an Almoner and a Charity Steward and may appoint the others. How can I tell who the Officers are? All the Officers wear plain blue collars with the jewel of their office attached to the collar. If you look at Plates 31 to 46 in the Book of Constitutions you will discover which jewel belongs to which office. Collars and aprons are covered in more detail in the next section. When are the Officers appointed and invested? At the annual Installation Meeting. The election of all the non-appointed Officers will have taken place at the preceding meeting. The Officers are invested in order of their precedence. The progressive offices are usually filled with new appointments. GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 7 - - What are the Progressive Offices? The Chaplain, Secretary, Director of Ceremonies and Organist, together with their Assistants where appropriate, are often appointed for more than one year, but the Wardens, Deacons and Inner Guard are called the 'progressive offices' and are usually new appointments each year. Each of the progressive Officers usually move one rung up the ladder on Installation night and ultimately this leads to occupying the Chair of the Lodge as Worshipful Master. Is it hard work being an Officer? It can be, but it can also be extremely rewarding and most people will tell you that the effort was well worthwhile. The whole task becomes a lot easier if you regularly attend the Class (or Lodge) of Instruction and if you are not afraid to ask for help with the learning process. Remember, other members of the Lodge are there to help you. Will I become an Officer one day? If you want to, almost certainly. You could normally expect to become a Steward within three years and progress to become Worshipful Master within seven to ten years. That may sound a long time, but you will soon come to realise that there is quite a lot of work to be done before you can be an effective Master. There are procedures and ritual to learn and responsibilities to be appreciated. But that is all some time in the future and there is a lot to enjoy in the meantime. What happens if an Officer doesn’t turn up to a meeting? If an Officer is unable to attend a meeting, another Brother may be asked to fill the office, or if suitable, one of the Stewards of the Lodge may be asked. For this reason, attendance at Class (or Lodge) of Instruction is highly recommended, even before appointment to office. GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 8 - - What happens if the WM doesn’t turn up to a meeting? If the WM is unable to attend a meeting of the Lodge, then the Immediate Past Master (IPM) or another Past Master will normally occupy the Master’s Chair for the meeting. Is the Immediate Past Master a Lodge Officer? The Immediate Past Master is not an Officer of the Lodge, but holds his position by virtue of the fact that he was the previous Worshipful Master. He takes precedence immediately after the Junior Warden and would reoccupy the Chair of the Lodge should the Worshipful Master die or cease to be a member of the Lodge. GF/M.Pt2.Iss 2 Sept/14 - - 9 - - Masonic Clothing____________________________________ Why are there so many different aprons? There are seven designs of apron that you may normally see in a Lodge, and these are as follows:- Aprons worn by Entered Apprentices A plain white lamb skin apron with a white flap. Aprons worn by Fellowcraft’s As above but with two light blue rosettes. Aprons worn by Master Masons As above but bordered in light blue with silver tassels on blue ribbons and a third light blue rosette on the flap.