The Old Westminsters’ Lodge Casper Lawson (RR, 1977-80)
W
hat sets a Westminster education apart? Arguably it is how strongly we are taught to think for ourselves, not just to take the group view. By accepting there can be more than one view, we are also taught tolerance of others. A pupil who really took these lessons to heart was John Locke (OW 1647, KS). His deep thinking on individual freedom and tolerance was highly courageous, going against the views of the Establishment. Later his ideas were enthusiastically taken up by the American revolutionaries and formed the core of the Declaration of Independence. It is no surprise therefore that Locke was also a Freemason or so historical evidence suggests. Certainly Locke’s ideas chimed with Freemasonry; a politically – and religiously – tolerant organisation forged in a time of division, as royalty, parliament and church all vied to impose their competing views on the population. The Old Westminsters’ Lodge continues these tolerant traditions. All political and religious discussion is banned at our meetings. Our ceremonies are somewhat like Morality Plays, to remind us how best to live and treat all those around us. This includes charity; London Freemasons have personally donated £2.5 million to the London Fire Brigade to commission two bespoke Super-Hi Lift fire engines; the tallest in Europe. The first was delivered in early 2020. The Lodge meets four times a year at the School. We take our meetings seriously and then dine convivially in College Hall. Our May meeting is a ‘white table’ event to which all are welcome; last year we had around 100 members and guests dining. To find out how to join in our ‘serious fun’, or just to find out more about the oldest OW alumni organisation, we invite you to browse, and contact us through, our website: www.oldwestminsterslodge.org
John Locke: philosopher, “Father of Liberalism”, OW, and Freemason
ISSUE 2019 /20
41
