Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
by the
Provincial Grand Master,
Right Worshipful Brother Michael T. Penny
It is with considerable pleasure that I write to commend this book to my
brethren of Devonshire.
Work on it commenced by the wish and under the guidance of my
predecessor Rt.W.Bro Robin Osborn. W.Bro. The Reverend Louis
Baycock, as Asst P.G.M. with responsibility for Education, researched
the work of other Provinces and was given much co-operation by them,
for which we as a Province are very grateful. The Province of Essex
seemed to have produced the book that most suited our needs and they
readily gave permission for us to use as we deemed fit; we thank them
most sincerely for their help and kindness.
The manuscript has been edited and corrected with care to give
guidance and instruction, and to reflect the many ways in which
Freemasonry works in the Province, and I am sure that it will provide a
guide for all who may enquire about the nature of Freemasonry. It is a
book that non- Masons may be given by way of enlightenment as to our
great standards and principles.
It is my hope that every brother shall possess a copy and that it will
prove to be an invaluable aid in building up membership and love of
the Craft amongst all who shall read it.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Michael T. Penny,
Provincial Grand Master.
Acknowledgement
========
Contents
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Regalia
Section 6
Hymnody
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Section 11
Grand Lodge
Section 12
Further Reading
Appendix 1.
Masonic Fire
Thus, when the Volume of the Sacred Law is referred to in ceremonies, to a non
Christian it will be the holy book of his religion and to a Christian it will be the
Bible.
Q. Why do you call God the Great Architect?
A. Freemasonry embraces all men who believe in God. Its membership includes
Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Parsees and others. The use of
descriptions such as the Great Architect prevents disharmony. The Great
Architect is not a specific Masonic god, nor an attempt to combine all gods into
one. Thus, men of differing religions pray together without offence being given
to any of them.
Q. Why do some churches not like Freemasonry?
A. There are elements within certain churches that misunderstand Freemasonry
and confuse secular rituals with religious liturgy. Although the Methodist
Conference and the General Synod of the Anglican Church have occasionally
criticised Freemasonry, in both Churches there are many Masons, and indeed
others, who are dismayed that the Churches should attack Freemasonry, an
organisation which has always encouraged its members to be active in their own
religion. Many Ministers of Religion are Masons.
Q. Why will Freemasonry not accept Roman Catholics as members?
A. It does. The prime qualification for admission into Freemasonry has always
been a belief in God. How that belief is expressed is entirely up to the individual.
Four Grand Masters of English Freemasonry have been Roman Catholics. There
are many Roman Catholic Freemasons.
Q. Isnt Freemasonry just another political pressure group?
A. Emphatically not. Whilst individual Freemasons will have their own views on
politics and may, indeed, be very active politicians, Freemasonry as a body will
never express a political view. The discussion of politics at Masonic meetings has
always been prohibited.
by dispensation in another Province. Black tie is no longer the preferred dress. In the other
Orders the appropriate tie may be worn.
Regalia can be expensive when you become a senior Mason, but it will be some
time before you need to worry about that! The first apron you will need to buy
will be that of the Master Mason. Costs vary greatly and quite often a secondhand
one can be found.
Regular collections are made for charity; you are expected to contribute, but,
only as much as you and your family can afford. In this matter it is not good
Masonic behaviour for pressure to be applied, and in no circumstances should
you attempt to keep up with better off brethren! The Lodge Charity Steward will
always advise you on such matters.
Masonic Charity is a huge subject on which separate booklets are available, and it
is interesting and instructive to find out the history and present practices of the
various funds. Apart from the National Lottery, Freemasonry in England
contributes more to charity than any other organisation.
Q. May I introduce a friend or colleague into Freemasonry?
A. Yes. Be careful, though, that any possible candidate to whom you might talk
would meet the high standards of character and belief that were demanded of
you, and that the new man would fit in to your lodge.
Do mention and discuss the possibility with your Lodge Secretary. Although, as
you know, there are formal procedures for joining, including the ballot, these
things are best agreed behind the scenes.
2. Your Lodge:
11
The Secretary has many tasks laid down in the Book of Constitutions, the
Provincial Bylaws and the Lodge Bylaws, such as submitting Returns to Grand
Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge. He is responsible for distributing the
Summonses or Agenda for meetings and for ensuring that the business of every
meeting of the Lodge is correctly performed. He will record the Minutes of each
meeting. He will communicate to the members of the Lodge the relevant
proceedings of Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge.
The Treasurer is responsible to the Lodge for all the Lodge accounts whether
held directly by him or by others in the Lodge, such as the Almoner. It is the
Treasurers responsibility to ensure that all Lodge accounts are audited and
presented to the Lodge annually, as specified in the Book of Constitutions and
the Lodge Bylaws. He is also responsible for budgeting so that necessary
adjustments in Lodge subscriptions, dining fees, etc., are adequate to keep the
Lodge financially sound. As an elected Officer of the Lodge he is answerable to
the Lodge as a whole. He cannot delegate any of his duties.
The Chaplain leads the Lodge in prayers at the beginning and end of every
Lodge meeting and when required to during ceremonies. He will say Grace at the
meal afterwards.
12
The Director of Ceremonies has a pivotal role in the Lodge Room and at the
meal afterwards. He will, like a good referee, be active in the background. His
work will start with rehearsals for the Lodge meeting. Prior to the meeting itself,
he and the Tyler will ensure that the Lodge Room is laid out correctly and that all
the Officers are present, or substitutes in place where necessary. His role in the
Lodge meeting will differ from Lodge to Lodge, as it will at the dinner afterwards.
He will usually conduct important visitors to their seats, and organise any
processions in and out of the Lodge Room, except when a Provincial Director of
Ceremonies is attending for an official visit. He will introduce the Master to the
Lodge when and where necessary. In directing the proceedings in the Lodge he
will have to liaise with the Master and the Secretary.
The Charity Steward is responsible for coordinating the support that the Lodge
is giving at any time to various Charities. He will know and understand the
complexities of the system of Masonic Charities. He will be able to advise the
Lodge and its individual members of the most appropriate and effective ways of
contributing to Charity.
The Tyler. The Tyler is responsible for looking after the Lodge outside the
Lodge Room. He will help the Director of Ceremonies to prepare the Lodge
Room, ensure that those entering the Lodge are properly dressed, and prepare
13
Candidates prior to entering the Lodge. The Tyler is himself involved in the
ceremonies when the Candidates are first introduced to the Lodge Room. At the
meal afterwards he will be summoned by the Master to propose the toast to All
Poor & Distressed Freemasons, which is the last toast of the evening.
The Immediate Past Master. The IPM, following his year in the Chair, sits on
the left of the Master and assists him in his work in the Lodge. At the Festive
Board he or the Senior Warden may propose the toast to the Master.
The following offices may be progressive:
The Assistant Secretary. Often, the volume of administrative work justifies the
appointment of an Assistant Secretary. His work will vary widely from Lodge to
Lodge. For example, in some Lodges he will take responsibility for organising the
dining arrangements.
The Organist. He will provide music during the meeting in the Lodge Room
and on occasions at the meal afterwards. Ceremonies are greatly enhanced by
appropriate music.
14
Progressive Offices:
The offices of Steward, Inner Guard, Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior
Warden and Senior Warden are all to be seen as leading towards the highest
honour a Lodge may confer on any of its members, that of Worshipful Master.
Jewels of:
Worshipful
Master
Senior
Warden
Junior
Warden
The Master and his Wardens. These offices are so important that they
justify the publication of detailed specific advice, available elsewhere.
Senior and Junior Deacons. These Brethren have central roles in the
ceremonies in the Lodge Room, leading the candidates and participating in the
two part plays through which Freemasonry explains to Candidates and members
its teaching and purpose.
Stewards. The Stewards have two prime functions in the Lodge. Within the
15
Lodge Room they are, in most Lodges, expected to be able to stand in for any
absent Junior Officer. At the meal afterwards, their responsibilities vary from
Lodge to Lodge and Province to Province. In some Lodges the Stewards will
have very little to do. In others the Stewards will serve drinks. Occasionally, they
will serve the whole meal.
The Inner Guard. He has two main functions. He introduces to the Lodge
those who arrive late, but more importantly, he is a member of the team
involved in the ceremonies. He is responsible for ensuring that all who enter the
Lodge Room, especially the Candidates, are appropriately dressed.
===========
3. Your Lodge:
The Lodge Layout
16
The Lodge Room or Temple. This is where a Lodge holds its regular meetings.
Lodge Rooms vary enormously from centre to centre. Some Masonic premises
are purpose built; others are converted from existing buildings. Every Lodge
Room has similar items of furniture:
Carpet or Masonic Pavement. In most Lodge Rooms you will find a black and
white squared carpet or chequered floor. This denotes our chequered existence,
happiness and sorrow.
Chairs and Pedestals. There are chairs or benches for all those attending our
meetings around the squared carpet but three of these chairs will be behind
pedestals. In many cases the chair and the pedestal will be marked with the jewel
of the occupant. That in the East is for the Worshipful Master. Opposite him in
the West is the Senior Warden and in the South the Junior Warden. On The
Masters pedestal or in front of it on another pedestal, will be placed the Bible,
called the The Volume of the Sacred Law.
The Warrant. The Most Worshipful Grand Master grants the Warrant to the
Lodge at its consecration. It must be in the Lodge Room when a Lodge is
opened, and will always be displayed to a new brother at his Initiation as the
Lodges authority to act. On his Installation, a new Master will receive it from his
predecessor with the charge to keep it pure and unsullied as he receives it. The
Warrant is the property of the Grand Master, and the incoming Master must
always, as a token of respect, stand to receive it. In most Lodges, ti will be on
display throughout the ceremony.
Volume of the Sacred Law (VSL). In the English Constitution, the VSL is the
Holy Bible. and it is always open when a Lodge is conducting its business. The
Square and Compasses will be placed upon the VSL. Nothing else is ever placed
over it. When Candidates are of other faiths owning a Supreme Being, the
appropriate Holy Book is added adjacent to the Christian Bible on its Pedestal. It
is placed in front of or beside, but never on top of it. It is said that as many as
nine Sacred Volumes have been needed in a Lodge on some occasions!
17
The Moveable Jewels. These are the Square, the Level and the Plumb Rule,
which are the Jewels of the Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden
respectively. The Jewels, and other tools used in Masonic ceremonies, are
referred to in documents that survive from the early 1700s.
Rough and Smooth Ashlars. The Senior Wardens pedestal may have a smooth
ashlar resting on it and the Junior Wardens a rough ashlar, but not all Lodges
possess them. They are the Immoveable Jewels. They represent two different
stages in Freemasonry and understanding. The rough ashlar is thought of as the
stone on which an apprentice can learn the art of stonemasonry. The smooth
ashlar is used by the more experienced stonemason to hone and perfect his skills.
The Columns of the Junior and Senior Wardens. Each Warden has a Column
on his pedestal. These will usually show the designs of the Doric order for the
Senior Warden, denoting strength, and the Corinthian order for the Junior
Warden, denoting beauty. Usually a celestial or terrestrial globe surmounts the
Columns, symbolising Masonry universal. The Wardens will also position their
Columns to show if the Lodge is open or closed.
The Working Tools. The Working Tools of each degree are fully explained in
the ritual. The appropriate set of tools is displayed in the Lodge for each degree.
Tracing Boards. The Tracing Boards have always been a feature of
Freemasonry. In the 18th Century the Tyler would draw out the Tracing Board of
the degree in chalk on the floor of the Lodge Room prior to the meeting. The
Tracing Board illustrates the story of each degree, the details being explained
during the ceremony. There is a separate one for each degree.
Lodge Banners. Many Lodges have a Banner, though it is not a necessity. Some
Banners date back to the consecration of the Lodge, others are more recent. They
often depict the origin, or some particular characteristic of the Lodge.
18
The Ballot Box. This is a very necessary part of the Lodge furnishings, since
candidates for Initiation must be balloted for, and the Constitutions of Masonry
require balloting to take place in certain procedures. The design of boxes and the
manner of balloting vary from Lodge to Lodge, but the general principle is that
white balls signify assent, black balls denial. The number of black balls that will
exclude a candidate is specified in the Lodge Bylaws. The Book of Constitutions
Rule 165 sets the maximum for a no as three. However, it should be noted that
black balling is only an extreme measure, since every Lodge Member must have,
and use if necessary, the opportunity to state any objections to a candidate in
confidence to the Master or Secretary.
Wands of Office. The Director of Ceremonies, Assistant Director of
Ceremonies, Senior Deacon and Junior Deacon each have a Wand of Office. The
Director of Ceremonies and his Assistant will always carry their wands when
moving about the Lodge. The Deacons, depending on the ritual, may carry theirs.
They will certainly do so when taking part in the Degree ceremonies.
The Gavels. The Worshipful Master, and the Senior and Junior Wardens each
have a Gavel. A Gavel is used by the Master to gain the members attention when
he is about to speak. The Master will sound his Gavel, followed by the Senior
Warden and the Junior Warden. The same procedure may be followed at the
Festive Board afterwards when the Master wishes to take wine or to propose a
toast, although in many lodges only the Master will use the Gavel then. It is
important to note that only the Master may implement the procedure of knocks;
no other Officer is entitled to do so.
19
4. Your Lodge:
Customs and Protocol
Let us begin at the end: the end of your first meeting in the Lodge, just after the
conclusion of your Initiation ceremony. The Lodge was still open in the First
Degree. That was when, for the first time, you would have been able to see
Brethren working in the Lodge.
Salutes: You will have seen that whenever a Brother speaks to the Worshipful
Master or to the Wardens in the Lodge Room, (nowhere else), a salute is given.
The salute is the sign of the degree in which the Lodge is working at the time.
Each degree has a different sign. So on that first day, you would have seen the
First Degree sign. In Devonshire, after the Minutes have been read, the DC calls
upon all the Brethren to salute first the Grand Officers present and then the
Provincial Grand Officers.
The Court Bow: Brethren do not salute one another, but by way of
acknowledgement, perhaps as thanks for a courtesy, the Court Bow is given standing upright, and bowing the head slightly, no more. Never bow from the
waist, or bend your back!
The Signs: During the Closing, you will have seen all the Brethren showing the
First Degree sign. The Master instructed, To order, Brethren, in the First
Degree. A similar instruction had been given during the Opening, the point then
being to establish that everyone present was a Mason. For the Openings and
Closings in other degrees, the signs of those other degrees are used. The last
speech of the ceremony, when closing the Lodge, is given by the Immediate Past
Master, and he invites the Brethren to unite in giving another sign, The Sign of
Fidelity, thus: Right hand on Left breast, thumb at a right angle (square). Another
almost identical sign is the Sign of Reverence, used when prayer is being offered
Right hand on Left breast, thumb flat alongside index finger.
20
So mote it be: This phrase is used now in Masonry instead of the Hebrew word
Amen. If an organist is present, the words are sung at the end of hymns and
prayers. Sometimes, for example, after a spoken Grace at the Festive Board, it
simpler just to say, 'Amen'. The literal meaning of the phrase is May it be so!, or
So be it! A Masonic document in existence from 1390 includes the words:
Amen, amen, so mote it be, say we so all, for charity.
Squaring the Lodge: The custom in a Lodge for moving about the Lodge
Room depends entirely on which ritual the Lodge uses. Some rituals demand
punctilious clockwise squaring at all times; others allow more freedom of
movement.
Worshipful Brethren: At a Lodge meeting, when addressing or referring to a
Brother by name, the format is Brother (name), or Worshipful Brother .
Whether Christian names or Surnames are used will depend on how formal the
proceedings are at the time. If you are making a speech, you may have to include
an individual in the initial acknowledgements, perhaps even Right Worshipful
Provincial Grand Master, or Very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master.
In such a case, of course, you will check with your elders as to the correct
protocol. When addressing or referring to Brethren by their Office, it should be
remembered that when a Lodge is open, there is only one Worshipful Brother the Master. The correct form for use in open lodge is Worshipful Master; all
other Officers are addressed as Brother Secretary, Brother Treasurer, Brother
Immediate Past Master, etc., even if the Officer happens to be a senior
Worshipful Brother by rank. As in any formal meeting, of course, all remarks are
addressed to the chairman, in our case, the Worshipful Master. Incidentally, if you
write a letter to a Mason, never include a Masonic rank in the address on the
envelope. Inside, it may be appropriate and polite to include the full Masonic rank
and title.
Apologies: If you have to miss a Lodge meeting, do send apologies to the
Secretary in advance. He will need to have accurate numbers of those attending,
particularly for the dining arrangements. He will record apologies in the Minutes.
If you happen to be in Office, then the DC and the Preceptor will need to know
well in advance, should you wish to take a holiday or longish absence for other
reasons.
21
Dining Arrangements: These vary from Lodge to Lodge, but whatever they
may be, it is a courtesy and good manners, and causes fewer problems with
caterers, that if you have special dietary requirements, i.e. Vegetarian, Diabetic
etc., they should be made clear at the time of booking, either via your host if
visiting, or to the officer responsible for the Festive Board arrangements.
INCORRECT
CORRECT
The apron should be worn with the top above the midriff. General appearance
should be smart with black shoes clean and preferably well polished.
22
INCORRECT
CORRECT
The correct posture when singing the National Anthem is to be standing upright,
feet together with a straight back and with hands at sides with thumbs touching
sides of each trouser leg.
Cartoons by D. G. Thorogood
23
5. Regalia
Clothing: The basic dress for Masonic meetings is dark suit, plain white shirt,
black tie or Masonic tie, black shoes, black socks and white gloves. Many Masons
eventually acquire morning dress, i.e., striped trousers with black jacket and black
waistcoat. Some Lodges wear dinner jackets. The form of dress will be printed on
the Lodge Summons. The preferred, but not obligatory dress for active Provincial
Officers is black jacket and striped trousers, a waistcoat being optional.
Ties: The preferred tie is the Devon Provincial tie, to be worn generally at
meetings within the Province, and at certain Provincial meetings of other
Provinces. Generally, however, outside the Province the Grand Lodge approved
tie or a black tie is- worn. In Regimental or Corps Lodges, Old Boys and School
Lodges, a Regimental, Corps or School tie may be worn at the Provincial Grand
Masters discretion.
Always be well turned out, for you may find yourself standing conspicuously in
the middle of the Lodge, with all eyes on you. Odd socks or dirty shoes could be
embarrassing!
Aprons:
24
25
26
27
28
6. Hymnody
Hymns are sung at the beginning and at the end of a Lodge meeting:
Opening Hymn
Closing Hymn
So mote it be.
So mote it be.
These are the usual hymns, there are others. Different tunes may be used.
The National Anthem
God save our gracious Queen.
Long live our noble Queen.
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us.
God save the Queen
This may be sung at the end of the meeting in the Lodge Room or later at the
Festive Board. We cherish and preserve the tradition of standing at attention
when it is being played or sung: Head up, chin in, eyes front, thumbs down the
seam of the trousers, as the old soldiers will be quick to tell you!
29
30
31
32
Watch, copy, and learn: get the signs right, for example, before you again have to
demonstrate them in Lodge. It is certainly the time to seek specific advice: on
speech making, for example; on what to do when visiting other Lodges; on the
duties of the junior officers.
As a relatively new Brother, you will soon have a very conspicuous role as a
Steward. The possibly critical eyes of many visitors will be upon you. You have to
look after them. Can you act like an experienced wine waiter?
By getting involved in your Lodge by attending the LoI, you will begin to learn
something about necessary administrative procedures, and about how decisions
are made, and you will begin to see how much work goes on behind the scenes.
More importantly, the Lodge will more rapidly become your Lodge, and all who
meet there, your friends.
33
34
accepted custom to use the appropriate Signs which one uses in ones own
Lodge. Dont feel obliged to copy the local Brethren.
If you possibly can, do shake hands with the Master before the ceremony, and
briefly say Goodnight, with many thanks, on leaving. Make a note of all the
other invitations you have received during the evening! A subsequent note of
thanks to your host would be appreciated. By all means invite Masonic friends to
your own Lodge, even if they are many years senior to you in Masonry. Just
remember that some Masons are very busy and above all, remember to advise the
Secretary and/or the Dining Steward. The Director of Ceremonies should be
advised if a guest is a Senior Mason. Visitors must be properly recognised
Masons, of course.
If, as a Master Mason, you do visit a Lodge as a stranger, you must have your
Grand Lodge Certificate with you. When it is presented to you, it is said that the
Certificate is a sort of passport to regular Freemasonry. In a Lodge in this country
where you are not known, or in a Lodge in a foreign constitution recognised by
Grand Lodge, you would be asked to produce the Certificate, and you could
further be asked to prove yourself as a Mason; for that, you will need advice when
the time comes.
You must consult your Lodge Secretary should you wish to visit abroad, and he
will find out from Grand Lodge if the Lodge you intend to visit is in a recognised
Constitution. It is essential that the foreign Lodge is recognised by Grand Lodge
as properly constituted.
35
10. An Introduction to
36
37
38
the ritual changes made by Grand Lodge, when they attempted to visit Lodges in
London they were rejected as irregular Masons. In 1751 on the basis of if you
cant join them, beat them they formed a Grand Lodge, first as a Grand
Committee, until a Noble Grand Master could be Installed. Claiming to work
according to the old institutions they became known as the Antients Grand
Lodge. This body rapidly spread its authority over England and Wales and set up
Lodges abroad. It also warranted travelling, military Lodges within regiments of
the Army, which rapidly spread Freemasonry in the gradually expanding Empire.
For nearly 63 years the Premier and Antients Grand Lodges existed side by side
both at home and abroad, neither recognising the other as regular or the others
members as regularly made Masons. In the 1790s there began to be mutterings
about a Union of the two Grand Lodges but it was not until 1809 that
Commissioners were appointed by each Grand Lodge to discover common
ground for an equable Union.
The negotiations were arduous and had almost reached stalemate when in 1813
HRH Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex became Grand Master of the Premier
Grand Lodge and HRH Edward, Duke of Kent (the father of Queen Victoria)
became Grand Master of the Antients Grand Lodge. In less than six weeks they
knocked heads together, drew up the Articles of Union between the two Grand
Lodges and had them promulgated.
39
Section 12.
Further Reading
The primary aim of this book has been to inform a Brother who is relatively new
to Masonry, and much more information is available elsewhere.
The history of this Province, together with a brief history of each Lodge,
illustrations of every Masonic Hall and travel directions, is contained in The
Masonic Province of Devonshire, 1732-2003, by the late Colin E. Summers, Past
Provincial Grand Registrar, whose Masonic memorial it is. Copies can be
obtained from the Provincial Office.
A primary source of information will be the world-wide-web, and these two sites
are invaluable:
United Grand Lodge of England:
www.ugle.org.uk
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire:
www.pgldevonshire.org.uk
For non-Masons, and Candidates for Initiation, who may want to know more
about Freemasonry, public libraries are a good resource.
Grand Lodge has written a number of pamphlets for enquirers, some of which
you may have seen already.
What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry and Society.
Freemasonry and Religion.
Regular Freemasonry and Public Affairs.
Freemasonrys External Relations.
40
Grand Lodge publishes two books that give much more instruction and
information:
Information for the Guidance of Members of the Craft, and
Information about Masonic Charities.
The first of these booklets is most important and you should have a copy, since it
sets out the instructions of Grand Lodge on conduct, protocol, clothing and
much more besides; it is not really 'advice', since it must be obeyed!
As you progress through the stages of being Initiated, Passed and Raised, you will
need to be able to refer to more esoteric information. After your Raising, you will
probably be given the book of the ritual that your Lodge uses. You may also have
been given booklets after the previous degrees, for example, the Peterborough
booklets, After Passing, etc. Also relevant at this stage, are the books by J. S. M.
Ward, The EAs Handbook, The FCs Handbook, and The MMs Handbook.
The books of the many other rituals, dozens of them, can be bought at Masonic
retailers. It is in these books that the Secrets of Freemasonry are referred to.
They are not actually disclosed; the usual practice is to print cryptic instructions
such as Step off with the l. f., or rather less revealing, The word is... Such
study will obviously be of more relevance to a Master Mason after his Raising,
and perhaps after having done some visiting. There are many books that seek to
explain the ritual, giving some history, and attempting to give the meaning and
significance of the quaint (but often obscure and ungrammatical) words that have
been passed down by word of mouth for hundreds of years. (Printing ritual has
only recently become acceptable!). See, for example:
A Freemasons Guide and Compendium, by Bernard E.Jones
Masonic Ritual, by Dr. E.H. Cartwright
The Freemason at Work, by Harry Carr
The World of Freemasonry, by Harry Carr
The Craft, by John Hamill
Much specific advice has been written for each of the various Officers in the
Lodge. There is a series by Charles J. Carter, for example, with titles such as The
Lodge Secretary.
The company Lewis Masonic publishes these books and several similar titles by
various authors. Other Orders in Freemasonry are briefly described in Keith
41
42
Useful addresses
United Grand Lodge of England,
60, Great Queen Street,
LONDON, WC2B 5AZ.
Please note that all contact with Grand Lodge should be directed through the
Provincial Grand Secretary at
Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire,
23, Richmond Road,
EXETER, EX4 4JF
Telephone: 01392 272429; Fax: 01392 273960
Email: provincialsecretary@pgldevonshire.org.uk
==============
43
Appendix:
Masonic Fire
The firing of salutes of guns to mark special events or following important
announcements, proclamations etc., is a traditional practice that is still
followed today and it seems that at one time toasts were on certain occasions
similarly marked by the firing of a gun or a volley of muskets. There is
evidence for this in 18th century literature, newspaper reports and the like.
Drinking customs of the 18th century (and before) were often noisy and
demonstrative procedures.
Masonic practice merely followed the fashion of the times. Similar customs
survive elsewhere in non-Masonic connections, the most notable example
being the Honourable Artillery Company, which has its own fire after toasts.
The association of Masonic fire with gunnery practice goes back to the
beginnings of the custom and is, indeed, reflected in the term itself which was
originally a word of command Fire! and not a descriptive noun. This renders
somewhat irrelevant the arguments sometimes now entered into as to whether
the term should be good or quick fire.
The earliest descriptions of Masonic fire are given in certain French
exposures of the late 1730s and the 1740s which detail the procedures
observed at what it termed a Table Lodge. The following is a composite
description of the toasting routine compiled from translations of two of these
exposures, beginning with Le Secret des Franc-Masons (1742) and
continuing with La Desolation des Entrepreneurs (c.1747).
It will be noted that all the terms are derived from gunnery practice; comments
and comparisons are given in square brackets. There are similar accounts in
English exposures of the 1760s which show that the same sort of customs
were by then being practised in England. It seems quite likely that they had
spread from France to this country where plagiarised versions of the earlier
French exposures appeared in translation under various titles.
There is no doubt that the descriptions quoted are the source from which
Masonic fire is derived and that it does not come, as is sometimes alleged,
from the action of a stonemason in spreading mortar, nor from a certain
44
familiar sign, although the symbolism of the former and the movements of the
latter may later have come to be associated with it.
It will be seen, too, from this that it has no deep significance or symbolism; it is
simply a survival of a convivial custom originally carried out as a cheerful,
boisterous procedure. If, therefore any other epithet may now be applied to it,
quick fire would seem to be more appropriate than good fire and that,
furthermore, to view it as something solemn and ponderous is to ignore its origin
and to misapply symbolism.
When they take their place at Table, the Worshipful is seated first at the head, in the East; the
senior and junior Warden take their seats, facing the Worshipful, in the West; if it is an
initiation meeting the Initiates have the place a/honour, that is to say they are seated right and
left of the Worshipful.
The Table is always served with three. five, seven, or nine courses. When they are all seated each
will have a bottle of wine before him. All the terms they use in drinking are borrowed from the
Artillery.
The Bottle is called Barrel; some will call it Barique [i. e. cask or powder keg] but that is no
matter.
Wine and water are both called Powder, except that the wine is called red Powder, and the
other, white Powder.
The Routine which they observe in drinking does not permit the use of glasses, for there would
not be a whole glass left after they had finished: they use only goblets, which they call Cannon;
[compare the term firing glass], when they drink in ceremony the order is given: Take your
Powder; everybody rises, and the Worshipful says: Load [in the original French chargez i.e.
load your cannon or charge your glasses]. Then each of them fills his goblet. The commands
follow: Present Arms. . . Take Aim. . . Fire, grand Fire. That is how they designate the
three movements they are obliged to observe in drinking. On the first they stretch their hands to
the goblet; on the second, they raise them as though presenting arms, and on the last, they drink;
while drinking they all watch the Worshipful.
45
46
ALMONER
CHARITY STEWARD
CHAPLAIN
A.D.C. Assistant D C*
TREASURER
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
SECRETARY
47
48