Freemasonry Tomorrow
Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521
Sat, 02/04/2012 - 12:35Last night I attended the Lodge of Connaught & Truth Lodge No. 521 (www.truth521.org.uk) where I acted as Director of Ceremonies. We were delighted to admit a new member into the Lodge; the ceremony was an initiation.
Albert Edward Lodge No. 1783
Sat, 02/04/2012 - 12:33On Wednesday I was delighted to attend the 132nd Installation meeting of the Albert Edward Lodge No. 1783, which meets at Greenhead Masonic Hall, Huddersfield.
Oderfelt No. 35 OSM
Sun, 01/22/2012 - 04:18On Friday I was delighted to attend Odersfelt OSM No. 35 in Heckmondwike where I proposed the health of two of the candidates I had proposed into the Conclave. This was an Emergency Meeting so we could bring the candidates in before the Installation meeting. We have brought in six candidates this year, with an Induction at each of the three meetings of the Conclave throughout the year, next year. A bright future is ahead for Odersfelt Conclave No. 35.
Installation meeting of Scarborough Lodge 1214
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:39Yesterday I was delighted to attend the Installation meeting of Scarborough Lodge 1214, which meets in Bradford. The representative was the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Stuart Cummins.
Conversation with a taxi driver about Freemasonry
Sun, 01/15/2012 - 12:54Wearing a dinner jacket with brief case in hand the conversation with a taxi driver went on to Freemasonry. Clearly he knew how to spot a Freemasonry, but the give away was usually when you asked for the masonic hall at .......................
He was clearly troubled by something. Some people had told him that Freemasons worshiped the devil. However, he found this difficult to believe as he had met quite a number of Freemasons and, in his words, found them all to be nice people. I explained to the taxi driver that sometimes stories are more compelling than that truth, and that people believe things because they want to believe in them. I explained Freemasonry was a secular organisation and was not a religion. Rather it was a system of ethical self-reflection that is aimed at self-development.
The reason we are called Masons is a metaphor. We are not operative masons, but rather speculative. The ashlar represents each individual; the building represents society. Therefore our Masonry is how we can fit 'better' in society. To use a phrase sometimes used in Freemasonry, we are 'living stones'.
The five steps to tyranny are given below:
1. ‘Us’ and ‘them’: use prejudice to foster the (fictional) notion of the existence of superior and dominant in-groups and inferior and powerless out-groups.
2. Obey orders: insist that all people under your wing are to obey your orders.
3. Dehumanize the enemy: emphasize on making inimical factions look less than human.
4. ‘Stand up’ or ’stand by’: suppress dissenting or opposing opinions to your own.
5. Suppress Individuality: foster the development of group identities while suppressing the individual.
Clearly the anti-masonic propaganda is using step 1.
We had quite a long time in the taxi. Huddersfield Town were playing at home, and this had created something of a traffic jam. By the time we parted the taxi driver seemed to have resolved the apparent incompatibility between the stories he had heard, and the pleasant people he had met.
Freemasons 1, Anti-masons 0.
Installation Meeting of the Lodge of Peace No.149
Sun, 01/15/2012 - 09:18Yesterday I was privileged to attend the installation meeting of the Lodge of Peace No. 149 at Meltham. There were 138 visitors present, along with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Jack Piggott and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master W Bro Colin Dent. The raffle raise over £600 for charities, and a cheque was presented to the Provincial Grand Master's Fund.
Mirfield Lodge No. 1102
Sat, 01/14/2012 - 05:50Last night I attended Mirfield Lodge No. 1102 for their regular January meeting. The ceremony was an initiation and I was delighted to respond on behalf of the visitors.
Mirfield Chapter
Wed, 01/11/2012 - 15:18Last Friday (Friday 6th January) I was treated to an Exhalation at Mirfield Chapter No. 1102, my first masonic visit of 2012. Happy New Year to you!
Mirfield Installation No. 1102
Sat, 12/10/2011 - 07:42Yesterday I attended the Installation Meeting of Mirfield Lodge No. 1102. The evening was up to the usual standards of a Mirfield Installation and it was a very memorable evening.
Installation Meeting of the Lodge of Connaught & Truth
Sat, 12/03/2011 - 09:17Yesterday I attended our Installation meeting of the Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521. There were 72 brethren present with 50 visitors, an excellent afternoon and evening. I am now looking forward to a new masonic year for the Lodge as Director of Ceremonies.
Ryburn Installation - No. 1283
Thu, 12/01/2011 - 16:38Wednesday 30th November, 2011 - attended the Installation Meeting of Ryburn Lodge No. 1283. I've lost count of the number of times I have been to Ryburn Installation - an excellent meeting with over 70 brethren present.
A big thanks!
Mon, 11/28/2011 - 07:43This blog now receives 250 page impressions per month. Given I started this as a place to bookmark my thoughts about Freemasonry I am taken aback by the number of people reading the posts. So many thanks to you.
Rugby Football Lodge No.9811
Sat, 11/26/2011 - 12:01On Thursday I attended The Rugby Football Lodge No.9811. This meets at The Masonic Hall, Greenhead Road, Huddersfield. There were over 70 members present. The ceremony was an initiation, with two joining members being proposed. It was great to see a Lodge that has been so successful in attracting new members. 'Themed' lodges are a good idea..... the DC has a whistle at this Lodge rather than a gavel.
Memory as a substitute for thinking
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 09:44One of the strengths of Freemasonry is its history. However all organisations need to be aware of the burden that legacy brings with it. The key really, is how is change and stay the same? Thus:
1. The present is not the perfect imitation of the past. We need to be mindful of changes in the outside world and create Lodges with a more sustainable outlook.
2. We need to ensure we are not trapped by our own history. History cannot be changed, only the future can.
3. Tradition can create mindless precedent. Memory should not be used as a substitute for thinking.
Freemasons in West Yorkshire announce Jubilee grants
Mon, 11/07/2011 - 08:43Please follow the link to the story in the Huddersfield Eaxminer
Visit to Constancy Lodge 6359
Fri, 10/21/2011 - 05:36Yesterday evening I was delighted to attend our daughter Lodge, Constancy Lodge No. 6359 with the newest member from the Lodge of Connaught & Truth No. 521. ().
The brethren worked for fourth section of the first degree lecture, and I was privileged to respond on behalf of the visitors.
University Lodge Scheme
Mon, 10/17/2011 - 04:42On Saturday 15th October 2011 I attended the University Scheme Lodge Conference, presided over by David Williamson, Assistant Grand Master. It was held at Grand Lodge, Great Queen Street. The Conference was most illuminating and highlighted the work of the Scheme within Freemasonry.
