Additional Comments

Further to last month’s leading article (Observations), a brother has written with some additional points regarding recruitment (in no order of importance):

(a) the demise of the large 'works' (steelworks, forges, shipyards, sugar works, factories etc) where large numbers of men worked together and would discuss the Craft at meal breaks; (b) a generation ofmasons who hadn't encouraged their sons and nephews etc to join.

When I became self-employed in 2007, I no longer had to hide the fact I was in the Craft and was amazed at how many mates told me 'My Father, Grandfather and uncles were all masons'. Few could explain why they hadn't joined (to be fair the Councils and Police in the west of Scotland frownedon the Craft from the days of Sir Pat Hammill, Chief

Constable). (c) the consequences of (b) where keen young men areinvited into other Orders, given a post and then being swamped trying to learn a load of ritual. I was installed into the

Chair of a Preceptory in 2003; I was Installed in the Chair of the Conclave (an Order I'd hoped just to admire from the benches when I joined originally) in 2005; and had the

Chair of the Royal Arch in 2006. At one time I had seven Obligations rattling around in my head, the saving grace being that neither the Royal Arch nor Conclave did much visiting and I'd only accepted the Chairin the Preceptory on the understanding that other

Knights would do the (expected) monthly visits to the seven other Ayrshire Preceptories; (d) clarification that Freemasonry has no links with the Orange Order; (e) that it is the Churchof Rome who frowns upon their flock joining the Craft rather than

Catholics not being welcomed into it; and lastly (f) many of today's partners/wives aren't prepared to stay at home while the bloke goes out to masonic meetings once (or more) a week.

My thanks to the brother for these observations.

Visiting & Ritual

In today’s world, points (c) and (f) are more important than ever. Many brethren (young and old) cannot afford the time—whether it’s work, family or other—and to expect visiting lodges 4/5 times a week have past. We must accept time is precious especially since many are now re-evaluating their life under the recent pandemic. We must accept that masters might not be able to visit as before; we might suffer reduced numbers of visitors as a result, but visitors do not keep a lodge functioning, the brethren do. As a follow on from time, this can affect the amount of free time a brother might be able to spend on ritual. So we need an alternative model. Perhaps some long lecture might be better as a lecture which is read by the ‘orator.’ this would allow brethren more time to study the ritual. The argument that memorizing is a way to understand the ritual does not stand up in academic circles. Therefore, what do we deem to be more important—understating or reciting?

The funeral of Bro. Billy Reid MM 242will take place on Friday 2nd April. The procession will pass 242 at 10.15 for a 10.30 cremation at Woodside.

Brethren are welcome to come to Collier Street to stand outside the lodge or line the route to the Crematorium (top road) or both. Inside Bro. Scott Jeffrey will represent the lodge. Don’t forget distancing.

Born in 1900

Imagine for a moment you were born in 1900. When you're 14, World War I begins and ends when you're 18 with a 22 million dead. Soon after a global pandemic, the Spanish Flu, appears, killing 50 million people. And you're alive and 20 years old. When you're 29 you survive the global economic crisis that started with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange, causing inflation, unemployment and famine. When you're 33 years old the nazis come to power. When you're 39, World War II begins and ends when you're 45 years old with a 60 million dead. In the Holocaust 6 million Jews die. When you're 52, the Korean War begins. When you're 64, the Vietnam War begins and ends when you're 75. A child born in 1985 thinks his grandparents have no idea how difficult life is, but they have survived several wars and catastrophes. Today we meet all the comforts in a new world, amid a new pandemic. People complain because for several weeks they must stay confined to their homes, they have electricity, cell phone, food, some even with hot water and a safe roof over their heads. None of that existed back in the day. But humanity survived those circumstances and never lost their joy of living. Today we complain because we have to wear masks to enter supermarkets. A small change in our perspective can generate miracles. We will thank you and I that we are alive and we will do everything we need to protect and help each other.

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E-Mail: sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://lodge242.bravesites.com/