letters
L etters to t he editor BretHren tHouGHts Sir, Firstly, my congratulations to you and all the team at Freemasonry Today on the very high standards you continue to achieve. On a more personal note, I have read and enjoyed your letter from the editor, issue after issue, and have found myself in complete agreement with virtually every word you have written. We find ourselves in a world where standards of behaviour have changed almost beyond recognition and where individuals are, all too often, solely motivated by personal greed. Our brotherhood still works hard to set and maintain social standards and to encourage not only charity but kindness and affection to everyone. Why I wonder, is our brotherhood still viewed by so many in a negative manner? I have shown copies of Freemasonry Today to many of my friends who have read articles with great interest and expressed both surprise and praise for the work we do throughout the world. When I am asked what it means to be a Freemason, I quote from the address to the Master: ‘That he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrow, to whom the distressed may prefer their suit, whose hand is guided by justice and whose heart is expanded by benevolence.’ I think that just about sums it up.
W rite to: the editor, Freemasonry today, Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen street, london WC2B 5AZ e mail: editor@ugle.org.uk
Letters emailed to the editor should not be sent as attachments. Please include a home address and telephone number. An s.A.e should accompany any photographs to be returned. the opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Grand Lodge of england.
Sir, From being a child, through school, work and during national service I had a very bad stutter (I couldn’t string a sentence together) and people either took the mickey or felt sorry for me. In my early twenties I joined Freemasonry and started on the ladder and eventually became Master of the Lodge after completing all the offices. At first I found it very difficult, but with the help and advice of the brethren I overcame my affliction, and was eventually appointed Director of Ceremonies of the lodge and also of my chapter. While holding these offices I was appointed to the office of Acting Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1990, serving three years in the Craft and a further three years in the Royal Arch and I am still attending lodges and chapters in that capacity. Last year I celebrated fifty years in the Craft and next year fifty years in the Royal Arch. Thank you all for what you have done for me. If I can do it so can others. K L Walmsley St Michael’s Lodge, No. 5756 Croston, West Lancashire
Sir, In some towns in Scotland, the local Freemasons join processions with all the other groups and in full regalia to honour the fallen and are proud to do so. I have not seen or heard of this being done in England. If it is allowed then it would do nothing but good to enhance our image as an integral part of our local communities. A R Hill, Rugby Warwickshire
Sir, The Lodge of Happiness, No. 7952, which meets in Birmingham, has recently launched their new website (lodgeofhappiness.org.uk) with the aim of attracting new members. A couple of weeks after the launch, the lodge webmaster excitedly said that they had received their first enquiry about joining the lodge, from a resident in Birmingham… Birmingham, Alabama. Clearly, when interviewing the candidate, the past masters and officers need to explore travelling costs! David Walker Lodge of Happiness, No. 7952 Edgbaston, Warwickshire
Cliff Messiter Aldborough Lodge, No. 5586 Upminster, Essex
Sir, I wish to express my pleasure at the UGLE website which I have found easy to use and very informative. I have applied for membership of The Restoration Lodge, No. 111, in Darlington, County Durham. In reading this site, I found many of the answers that I needed to clarify for myself, and have concluded that Freemasonry is for me and what I want to become a part of. Anthony Allan Holmes Prospective candidate Durham
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