Becoming a Freemason

A Primer for the newly made English Mason

A Refresher for the older English Mason in The District

W. Bro. Dr. Winston F. B. Clarke

1

What is Freemasonry?

• A fraternal, charitable, organization originating in Great Britain.

• With its roots in Stone Masonry, Free-masons speculate (philosophise)on the tools of that Craft.

2

The Original Grand Lodges

United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)

- English Constitution- Founded 1717 – St. John’s Day – 24th June

The Grand Lodge of Ireland

– Irish Constitution- Founded 1723 – 1724

The Grand Lodge of Scotland

– Scottish Constitution

- Founded 1736

The Growth of Freemasonry

• Freemasonry became a worldwide organization primarily through imperialist/colonial/military activities.

• Served as a receptor for men as they travelled to little known places in the world, providing aid, friendship and spiritual support, as well as leadership in the building of communities.

• Because of its cosmopolitan nature, men of different races, colour and creeds have always been welcomed.

• There are approximately 5,000,000 Freemasons worldwide under numerous INDEPENDENTconstitutions / Grand Lodges.

• There are approximately 300,000 Freemasons in the English Constitution.

N.B.: THERE IS NO WORLD (single) BODY UNITING THE WORLD’S MASONIC CONSTITUTIONS.

The Growth of Freemasonry

Recognition by UGLE

• Since 1905, a concordat has existed between the UGLE, The Irish Grand Lodge and The Scottish Grand Lodge.

• Not all Grand Lodges are regarded by The UGLE (The Mother Grand Lodge) as regular, i.e., sharing the same landmarks.

UGLE PERMITS intercourse ONLY with Lodges regarded as “regular”.

The British Situation

• Scottish Lodges work in Scotland.

• Irish Lodges work in Ireland.

• English Lodges work in England and Wales.

• Jamaica and The Caribbean region represent and area in which multiple Grand Lodges work in the same space.

THEREFORE, BRETHREN OF THE ENGLISH DISTRICT (CONSTITUTION) MUST BE AWARE OF, AND DEMONSTRATE, THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF ENGLISH FREEMASONRY.

Unique Regional Situation

Moral Philosophy

• Deontology vs. Utilitarianism

Rules

Book of Constitutions Agreed Happiness

English Masonic Etiquette

Rule 1• Submission to the Rule of The Grand Master or his

representative.

• Adherence to the Book of Constitutions.

N.B.: The District Grand Master represents The Grand Master in his District and must be approached with respect.

A Mason is NOT expected to challenge The District Grand Master.

FORMAL CONTACT WITH THE DISTRICT GRAND MASTER MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE DISTRICT GRAND SECRETARY.

Precedence in The District

1. English Constitution

2. Irish Constitution

3. Scottish Constitution

Masonic Dress

The Suit

A plain dark lounge suit – a black suit is implied.

Morning Dress – Striped gray trousers, with black jacket and waistcoat.

Morning Suit – Black “tails” with waistcoat and gray striped trousers.

A particular Uniform designated by The Lodge.

The Tie

A PLAIN Black Tie – universally accepted.

A Designated Lodge Tie - *This Tie is worn only in that particular Lodge.

The District Grand Lodge Tie – worn throughout The District, but NOT to Grand Lodge.

The Grand Lodge Tie/Royal Arch Tie – worn throughout The English Constitution.

Masonic Dress

• English Craft Lodge Ties should NOT be worn to meetings of other masonic orders.

• A mason may wear his Craft Tie publicly, but should ensure that there is NO HIDDENagenda. Example, one should not wear such a tie to a job interview or to the courts. In short, one should NEVER use Freemasonry for personal gain.

Masonic Dress

Masonic Regalia

• UGLE FORBIDS the wearing of masonic regalia in public without its permission or the permission of The District Grand Master.

• NEVER wear the Apron of a higher degree.

• Collars and Jewels – Jewels of Lodge Officers are worn within the specific Lodge only, but NOT when visiting. The Worshipful Master and Wardens are permitted to wear their Collar and Jewel to Communications of The District or Grand Lodge.

• Breast Jewels/Collar Jewels

Craft Jewels must NOT be worn to meetings of other orders neither should the Jewels of other orders be worn in The Craft.

• White Gloves – worn in some Lodges, eg. Moore Keys

White gloves are also worn by Grand and District Grand Officers when in formal dress.

Masonic Regalia

• Masonic Pins, Rings, Branded Watches, Handkerchiefs, Socks, etc.

There is no objection here, but a Brother should be conscious of the obvious caveat.

• The Letter “G”, is not included among English Masonic paraphernalia.

Masonic Branding

Masonic Titles

• The Worshipful Master should be addressed as such in open Lodge.

• Other Brethren, Worshipful etc. should be addressed simply as “Brother” in open Lodge, eg. Brother Secretary, Brother John, but CERTAINLY NOT Worshipful Brother John Williams.

• NEVER affix masonic titles to public documents, letters, envelopes, business ads etc.

Conduct in Lodge

• Private Discussions.

• Discussions of religion and politics.

• Photographing or recording masonic ceremonies.

• CELL PHONE USE.

Speaking in Lodge.A Brother should be articulate enough to express

his views eloquently and with clarity and should speak only once on the floor of the Lodge in any debate.

ALWAYS ADDRESS YOUR STATEMENT TO THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER. NEVER SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ANY OTHER BROTHER WHEN STANDING ON THE FLOOR OF THE LODGE. SUCH IS THE SEED OF CONFLICT.

Saluting The Worshipful Master.The Worshipful Master should be saluted by a

Brother, when he stands to address him and again on the conclusion of his statement.

Conduct in Lodge

The National Anthem

• Simply stand at “attention”.

• The first verse is generally sung.

• There is NO need to face the flag or to adopt any other posture during the singing of the National Anthem.

The Festive Board

• The Director of Ceremonies retains his authority, as The Festive Board is a formal activity of The Lodge. A Brother should retain his formal attire and of course, The Chaplain MUST say grace before Brethren are permitted to dine.

• In Jamaica, the anti-smoking law of the land MUST also be observed; hence, the custom of smoking after dinner is no longer permitted.

Conduct Outside The Lodge

• Only The District Grand Master, The District Grand Secretary or an appointed Information Officer speaks for The District.

• A Brother’s conduct outside The Lodge should be guided by a study of The Book of Constitutions.

• ANY ACTION WHICH could be considered as BRINGING FREEMASONRY INTO DISREPUTE, COULD ATTRACT A MAJOR MASONIC SANCTION – SUSPENSION OR EXPULSON. The dismissal of a case in a court of law, does not offer immunity to masonic sanction.

Conduct outside the Lodge cont’d

• Once a Brother realizes that he could be so compromised, he should report the matter to his Worshipful Master, who should then report to the District Grand Secretary.

• Such a Brother should then withdraw from masonic activities pending a determination by masonic authority.

• Appeals Court/Panel of Clemency – see Rules 273 – Rules 280 (Book of Constitutions).

Masonic Mourning

• English Masons do NOT participate in ceremonies held by other Constitutions at funerals or burials.

• We hold memorial services in our Lodges –Lodge of Sorrow, to which relatives and friends of the deceased are invited.

RULE 148

• Cessation of membership is triggered automatically once a Brother’s dues remain unpaid after 2 years.

Resignation from The Craft…

• …can be made through a letter addressed to The Lodge Secretary or Worshipful Master

• or by a statement in open Lodge. A statement in open Lodge is irrevocable.

N.B.: On resignation from the Craft, a Brother MUST surrender his Grand Lodge Certificate and his Royal Arch Certificate.

Resignation cont’d

• Resignation CANNOT be employed to avoid masonic SANCTION.

• On resignation from a Lodge, a Brother becomes an UNATTACHEDmason, with SEVERELY limited privileges.

All work for Freemasonry in The District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands performed by its members, is VOLUNTARY.

Thank You

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