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Letters to the Editor
Email to: freemason@masons.org.au
Post to: The Secretary, Freemason Editorial Committee
The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South NSW 1235
Have your say
Funny memories
The article by WBro Stephen Daly, ‘Humour in troubled times’ and the work of Bruce Bairnsfather certainly struck a chord with me. I can’t remember how long ago I acquired this small plate, but I found it in an antique shop somewhere and it had to come home with me! Old Bill, sitting in ruins, shells flying by is writing to his mother ‘At present we are staying at a farmhouse!’. Fraternally,
Roland Millbank
Army & Navy 517
A moving meeting
Thank you for arranging the Zoom meeting, Richard. It was good to meet up with some of the lodge members. The ANZAC poem In Flanders’ Fields, recited by the WM, was particularly moving for me. My grand uncle, Sgt David S Anderson, tragically lost his life in Fromelles (just south of Flanders) on 19 July 1916. My wife Wendy and I, and seven other relatives, including one who had given the DNA that proved a match with David, were able to attend his reinterment ceremony in Fromelles on 19 July 2014 and visit many other sites in the Somme area. A truly moving event. Regards,
Graeme Robinson
Lodge Wahroonga
ED: This was emailed to me after Lodge Wahroonga’s April regular meeting – held by Zoom. It is newsworthy because the virtual lodge meeting initiative resulted in an inactive brother giving us the pleasure of his company!
Bro Millbank’s decorative plate featuring Old Bill, a character whose history is recounted in last issue’s article; Humour in troubled times.
An open letter from the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Italy. (Kindly translated by RW Bro Toni Maiorana)
These are very difficult times for everyone. The pandemic has closed our Temples, preventing us from working ritually as we should be doing. The coronavirus has killed thousands of people, has sneakily torn us apart from so many wonderful brothers, to whose families go our great condolences, but it has no power over our will and over our hearts as Freemasons. There is no virus with the strength to penetrate and to be able to subdue us and darken the flame of Liberty. Even if each of us is alone our initiatory work does not stop and goes on daily. We must all continue together to raise temples
The Secretary Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South, NSW 1235 The Secretary Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South, NSW 1235 The Secretary Freemason Editorial Committee The United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT PO Box A259, Sydney South, NSW 1235
to virtue and dig dark and deep prisons to vice. There are no stops of any kind on this route. The universal construction site is always open and the future must be built. So every night we think of our brothers and sisters who have moved to the eternal East and remember them with much affection. Their broken lives must be an example for us to take forward in order to build something beautiful in their memory. And let’s put the Bricks of Brotherhood on top of each other. And, even though we cannot come together physically, let us do it virtually, in our minds and spirits. ‘Nothing will prevent the sun from rising again, not even the darkest night,’ Gibran wrote. This is also the Beauty and the extraordinary strength of Freemasonry which tells us to join forces and to look with expanding hope to a future – ready to give everything for our homeland, our brothers and for all Italians.
Grand Master Stefano Bisi
Some old times are new again
Wisdom without words
A member of a certain lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months,
the Worshipful Master decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone sitting before a blazing fire.
Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.
In the silence he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair still silent.
His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished there
was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow again once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, ‘Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I’ll be back in our lodge next meeting.’
As pubished in the Western Australia Freemason
Tips from the
front line
Here are a few recommendations from Lodge France to help you have a fun and successful virtual meeting: R Have an agenda R Have a personally written piece of work as the centrepiece of the meeting and open with it (not just something read from another source) R Facilitate a discussion based on the work – ask everyone, individually, for their contribution so there are no silent participants And watch the conversation flow!
EVENTS AND NOTICES
Lodge Mayfield Daylight No 493
Calling Newcastle masons
Newcastle’s only daylight lodge welcomes masons unavailable for or
cautious about night-time meetings! 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Tyling at 9:30am. Lunch $10. New Lambton Masonic Centre. For details call 02 4968 4511.
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
Meeting invitation
The International Rainbow Girls now meet at the OES Hall, 23 Railway St, Wentworthville.
3rd Friday of each month at 7.00 pm
For further details please phone Talese on: 0401 213 800 or email: talese_s@hotmail.com
Bathurst District Freemasons
175 Year Celebration
All masons are invited to celebrate 175 years of Freemasonry in Bathurst with a gala ball alongside other events.
Saturday 5 December, 2020
This event may be subject to COVID–19 restrictions. Please check next issue for details. Contact Chris Tillott on: 0437 768 603 or email: yetam@skymesh.com.au
List your event or notice here!
freemason@apmgraphics.com.au
Masonic obligations and their significance
The word obligation is self-explanatory. It means a kind of restraint of a person’s absolute freedom of choice to do, or to refrain from doing, certain things. Such restraint can either be imposed without a person’s approval, or self-imposed of that person’s own volition.
There are different types of obligations: a) Obligations imposed upon us all by the civil authorities to preserve law and order in society. b) Contractual obligations into which one enters of his own free will, in his everyday dealings, in order to promote his own interests. I wish to draw attention to the masonic obligations we have taken over the years, and their significance to Freemasonry. It is fitting that we pause and reflect upon their seriousness,
purpose and effect, from time to time.
The masonic obligations fall into this last category. They are freely accepted, self-imposed obligations, the binding strength of which lies not in the threat of punishment, material loss or penalty, but flows from the depth of a man’s conscience and from the value that he places upon his personal honour. They are, therefore, more binding and of greater personal significance than any other because there is no more valuable asset than a man’s personal honour, nor a more vigilant and infallible critic than a man’s conscience. What greater punishment can be imposed on a man than the constant remorse of his conscience (which will follow him to the grave) than that of being branded by his fellow-man with the stigma of being a person without honour.
Another important aspect of masonic obligations is that they are not taken for a definite term, in respect of a particular country, or particular body of men. They are obligations taken as a man of the world and therefore are not confined within the limits of time, space or circle of men, i.e. ‘unfit to remain in this Got old
worshipful lodge, or any other warranted lodge, or society of men who prize honour and virtue etc.’ These obligations are binding on him for the rest of his life, wherever he may be, regardless of what society he may be in from time to time, whether he continues to remain in the Craft or withdraw or is expelled from Freemasonry. In short, once taken, the obligations cannot be honourably forsaken.
Generally, masonic obligations consist of a number of clauses, positive and negative in nature. They contain the things a mason should do, and refrain from doing, in other words, masonic do’s and don’ts. Each obligation is concluded with a final point which encompasses all of the previous points, including secrecy. This is not for any sinister reason, but because we treasure our teachings and principles, and do not wish them to become the subject of commonplace discussion and derision among people who do not understand or appreciate their value and importance.
What then, is the reason for such solemn and serious obligations? The answer is simple. Masonry is an organisation, and as an organisation is a group of people with common aims and objectives, with a system of laws and rules which are designed to achieve such aims and objectives, the obligations are necessary to ensure that brethren are aware of those laws and rules. These laws and rules are regulated and policed c) Obligations which are implanted by nature in the heart of every person to regulate their relations towards family and fellow creatures. d) Obligations into which one enters of his own free volition and accord because he considers them to be for his own moral benefit and advancement.
regalia?
The Hornsby and Ku-Ring-Gai Masonic Association is collecting, reconditioning and on-selling spare and used Grand Lodge and Craft regalia.
Funds raised go to local charities!
Contact VW Bro Brian Samson: Email: bsamson@optusnet.com.au Mobile: 0414 704 807
$2,350 raised so far!
by duly elected leaders and officers of any organisation. In order to achieve these aims and objectives, the members must respect those leaders and officers. Freemasonry being an organisation with a moral and spiritual mission, has its own code of ethics and behaviour which is expressed through its teachings, ritual, traditions, symbols and allegories. The strength of this worldwide organisation, its success in the face of many adversaries and adversities, and exalted reputation built over the centuries, are due to the strict adherence by its members to its code of ethics and behaviour, and also the discipline observed by, and to, the leaders who administer its laws and rules. However, an organisation as large and widespread as Freemasonry, will, from time to time, have some members who either inadvertently or deliberately breach that code of ethics and behaviour.
In order to safeguard against these breaches (associated with obligations), Masonry has not only unwritten laws, but written laws contained in the Book of Constitutions. The latter contains our written laws, and prescribes the action to be taken and the punishment to be imposed against those guilty of such offences. Punishments are appropriate to offences and vary from a reprimand for un-masonic conduct of a minor nature, through short and long term suspension of masonic privileges for more serious offences; to total expulsion from the
...in other words, ‘masonic do’s and don’ts’.
Craft for very serious offences such as heresy, treason or murder. (Brethren will note that mention of these offences is made in our obligations).
Although we are all familiar with the ancient penalties formerly associated with the violation of our obligations, there is no evidence there have been any corporal punishments in Freemasonry. Such actions would not only trespass upon the province of the civil authorities, but would also be in direct conflict with the tenets and landmarks of the Craft. Freemasonry, due to its high moral and spiritual mission, would never resort to the low level of inflicting physical pain and suffering on offenders.
The supreme authority of our organisation which administers its laws, directs its functions and activities, and steers it on the proper path, is the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge is invested with the power to legislate new laws, modify, repeal or update existing laws, interpret and apply such laws, and adjudicate at the trial of those who violate them. It sits as a proper tribunal, hears the allegation of the offence, hears the testimonies in support of and against the accused, allows the accused every opportunity to present his defence, arrives at its decision, and pronounces its verdict. When pronouncing the verdict, it fixes the punishment, and directs its officers to enforce it. As the elected leader of each private lodge, the Worshipful Master reinforces the lodge commitment and support of the Grand Master and his officers at Installations and at every meeting attended by Grand Lodge Officers.
This, brethren, is briefly the system upon which Masonry is founded, and this is the machinery through which it functions. They form the focal point of, and the essence of masonic obligations. I sincerely hope that you will retain these points vividly in your minds throughout your masonic career, because we are all bound to them by our various masonic obligations. May those obligations, freely taken, without evasion or mental reservation, be the unerring compass guiding your every step and thought throughout your masonic journey, that is, the journey of the rest of your life.
This talk was delivered at Lodge Merrylands No 479 in March 2012.
Changing the world
Many people when faced with times of uncertainty choose to look at the future
through the dark lens of resignation,
putting themselves at the mercy of others.
As masons we need to react, because a Freemason can always find within himself and in relation to others the key to open the door to a brighter future.
Only in researching the depths of what it means to be human and of its grand mystery may be found the resources to look to the future with confidence, despite everything that seems to stand in our way.
When Matthew Flinders, after becoming the first person to circumnavigate the Australian mainland, was imprisoned in Mauritius on his return voyage to England in 1803, he could have sunk into despair. Instead, he used his six years of imprisonment to write a book about his journey, illustrated by maps proving for the first time to a European audience, that Australia was a separate continent.
When Flinders was finally able to return to England, poor in health, his
Captain Matthew Flinders
book A Voyage to Terra Australis was published, and survived his all-too-brief life to become a widely-praised work. In 1824, the British Admiralty adopted the name Australia for the continent. Flinders’ maps of the Australian coast were so accurate that they were used for shipping purposes as late as the 1970s.
Above: Flinders’ maps were so accurate that they were used for shipping purposes as late as the 1970s
The first tool needed is the ability to see beyond the pathos of our own daily lives. This enables us to find the inner strengths and solutions to our daily problems; to overcome the obstacles that life puts in the way.
Being human is not like being an island, and you will find the best of it when you come out of the cage of solipsism and engage with others. Even Flinders recognised this, and used the opportunity of accidentally crossing paths with the French explorer Nicolas Baudin in April 1802 on the south central coast of Australia, to exchange ideas with his brother in science.
Culture, Science and Brotherhood: three instruments with which man can still change the world and build the temple of humanity.
Glass or bottle? Is it acceptable for brethren to drink beer out of bottles in the South?
From an overall perspective this is a decision for the individual lodge. Years ago, it was not polite to drink straight out of the bottle but now it is entirely normal and acceptable with younger folk. If the South is deliberately very posh you may adopt a glasses only policy but be prepared for some friction!
Ladies response Is it acceptable to invite a lady to respond to a toast?
Yes, it is. But, whether a man or a woman, it is courteous to ask the potential responder before announcing that he or she will be responding.
That’s the ticket! Are there circumstances where a raffle is inappropriate?
Common-sense is needed here. If the lodge is very late getting to the South it may be sensible to cancel the raffle. If the GM asks for no raffle then it’s polite to cancel it. Some lodges sell raffle tickets
Got an etiquette question?
Mail it to: Richard Dawes, PO Box A259, Sydney South NSW 1235 email: richardmdawes@gmail.com
before the lodge opens and this leaves the South clearer for general conversation without the distraction of raffle sellers etc.
Heading home When is it polite to leave the South?
The standard is after the Junior Warden’s Toast. If a brother needs to leave earlier it is polite for him to quietly apologise to the Worshipful Master.
South first? Can the South be held before the Lodge Meeting?
Yes, some lodges do this already and report that there have been no problems. Grand Lodge does not need to be consulted. If there is going to be a Grand Lodge delegation you should discuss this with the Grand Director of Ceremonies well before the event.
Clearing up confusion Is serving or clearing of plates allowed while a speech is being made?
During toasts and responses to toasts it is often inevitable – unless there is a block of time when all toasts and responses are made. However, if you have an after-dinner speaker in the South or the GM (or his representative) do him the courtesy of silence while he speaks.
Where to put the visitors? Should visitors sit together in the South?
It makes good sense to mix host brethren and visitors on each table. It enhances the hospitality of the host lodge and it enables all brethren to meet and make new friends.
Where to put the ladies? Where should ladies be seated?
The Grand Master’s wife or partner expects to be seated next to him. The same applies to all ladies – seat them next to their man; unless you feel particularly brave!
Cigaretiquette Can a lodge allow smoking in the South?
No. State law forbids it. Smoke-free laws ban smoking and using e-cigarettes in all enclosed and certain outdoor public areas.
