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esThe Worshipful Society of Free Masons (The Operativ
The Worshipful Society Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers.
Brief History and Origin
According to tradition, when the Operatives were just about on the point of extinction, steps were taken by speculative Freemasons, one or two of them whom were also operatives, to make sure that these guild practices were not wholly forgotten. Therefore on the 21st May 1913, the Channel Row Assemblage was formed. Wor. Bro. Carr officiated as Enthroning Master under a special letter of the authority, issued by 'the Masters' and signed by the Secretary of the York Division Wor. Bro. Clement Stretton.
Organisation and Structure Bodies are termed Assemblages, consisting of one lodge of each, from the fourth to the first degree ruled by the Master who is called the Deputy Master Mason and he rules the Assemblage on behalf of the Grand Master Masons
The lodges of the V 0 and VI 0 degrees are ruled by a DMM V 0 and the Senior Passed Master respectively, and they appoint a team to carry out the ceremonies for each of these degrees.
Membership of the Society is restricted to Master Masons who are in good standing with or are members of a Craft Lodge and who are also Mark Master Masons and Royal Arch Masons under constitutions recognised by the Grand Lodge of England. The additional quali
fication for the VI O of the society is Installed Master if the Craft and Mark degrees of speculative Freemasonry.
Degrees The degrees of the society are seven in number, and are as follows:- ° - Indentured Apprentice
II° - Fellow of the Craft III° - Fitter and Marker IV° - Setter Erector The fellow is now entitled by qualification to work at the site in a ceremony that embodies practical emphasis as applied to the speculative degree of Mark Master. Following the requisite time he may be considered for admission to grade of Intendant, Overseer, Super Intendant and Warden. V° - Intendant, Overseer, Super Intendant and Warden VI° A brother now assumes a senior role within an Assemblage following his admission into a Lodge of Harodim. He must in this degree understand his profession thoroughly before he can be received and become a representation of the perfect corner stone. After long and or extraordinary service a brother may (and only on approval of the 3 GMM's) be admitted to the supreme grade of Master Mason.
VII° Regalia In addition to the insignia worn by the individual, each Assemblage provides for its officers jewels, which are worn on a pale blue collar two inches wide. All regalia remains the property of the Society.
References
For further information go to:
www.operatives.org. uk
