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THE EDITOR, FREEMASONRY TODAY, FREEMASONS’ HALL, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LONDON WC2B 5AZ

MENTORING AND RETRIEVAL

Sir,
     I believe that some of the most important developments for the future of the Craft are being put in place throughout the Provinces and in London. In combating losses and declining memberships, the plans for Regeneration, Retrieval and Mentoring are being developed and implemented.
     Accurate figures are not easy to come by, but it is understood that the Craft is losing one out of every three Master Masons within 2 to 3 years of their Third Degree. Perhaps I might venture that we are often unaware of the real reasons a Brother resigns. Too often I feel our Secretaries accept the letter on face value and not much effort is made to establish the real reasons behind resignations.
     The Retrieval Process whereby a very senior mason contacts the brother and asks him a series of questions to ascertain any underlying additional problems which led to his resignation is vital. It might come as a surprise that more often than not the answers lead to a lack of care. This may have been generated by lack of involvement or support, matters of ritual and problems of learning, failure to understand what had been expected or insufficient information being available at the initial interview. Surely we must not let our brethren leave us without the effort to address his needs and understanding.
     What lies alongside Retrieval must be a Mentoring Process. Not just for the Initiate or even a Master Mason, but must extend throughout the life of a Brother. We can become so wrapped up in the learning process and ceremony participation. A Lodge Mentor is a friend, guide, counsellor and, I believe, should be a recognised officer of the Lodge, or at least named on the Summons.
     Not only must we do our utmost to recover the brethren who have resigned for reasons other than incapacity or distance, but we have to ensure that all our brethren are able to reach and fulfil their potential, in an activity that is probably more relevant today that ever before.
     David Wilen
     London

TRUTH, HONOUR & JUSTICE

Sir,
     On receiving issue No 1 of Freemasonry Today I was impressed by the ‘Letter from the Editor’ the first part of which referred to truth and the somewhat misguided interpretation or it in this day and age.
     As Freemasons the words ‘Truth Honour and Justice’ are impressed upon us, sadly it is all to easy to witness incidents where Truth Honour and Justice have been thrown out of the window along with the Book of Constitutions and the By-Laws and the unfortunate misinterpretation of honesty referred to in the Editors Letter has been freely applied.
     The word ‘Retention’ is often used in Masonic circles, surely the first step to retention is in the hands of members who should leave their personal insecurities at home and attend their Lodge with democracy in mind and love and harmony in their hearts. Without Truth Honour and Justice and a compliance with the Book of Constitutions and the By-Laws, Freemasonry then degenerates to the level so popular in today’s society and so accurately depicted by the Editor.
     Truth Honour and Justice should of necessity be the first prerequisite not just to be a ‘Fit and Proper Person to be made a Mason’ but an essential qualification to remain one.
     A B Alderton
     West Lancashire

INDIA

Sir,
     The statement ‘There are, in India, three Districts maintaining Lodges which in some case date back to the 19th century’ is not absolutely correct.
     There are in the Southern part of the country, under the District of Madras, lodges, still functioning, which were warranted before the Union of 1813.
     The Lodge of Perfect Unanimity No 150 was warranted in 1786; Lodge of Charity No 273 in 1811. The first Lodge of District of Madras was warranted in 1752 though is did not survive for longer than 40 years. It would therefore be appropriate to say that there are Lodges in India which date back to the 18th century.
     J M I Sait
     Past District Grand Senior Warden District of Madras.

CONFUSING TIME

Sir,
     Having just read through the first issue of Freemasonry Today I would like to tell you that I found it very interesting and informative. I did get a little confused however after reading the article, Early Masonic Jewels by Yasha Beresiner and then reading Canon Tydeman’s article, High Time. In the Early Masonic Jewels article there is a picture on page 45 of a Past Master’s jewel with a description ‘ A past master’s pierced jewel from 1766 rendered in the traditional Masonic manner as 6766’.This gives a 5000 year difference, whereas Canon Tydeman’s article states that there is a 4004 year difference, (rounded to 4000), between the birth of Jesus Christ and the Year of Masonic Light.
     The jewel on page 43 actually shows a difference in years of 4004.
     At first glance, the date on the Past Master’s jewel on page 45 looks like 6766, but on closer inspection it is actually 5766. But then I begin to wonder has the jewel been marked AM and not AL, did AM have some other meaning and is the actual date of this jewel 1762?
     Frank Parle
     Victoria Lodge No 4629
     Cheshire

LODGE ALMONERS

Sir,
     One of the recurring comments by Provincial Almoners, at our recent series of Grand Charity regional PGA meetings, was the relatively poor status and variability in the standard of Lodge Almoners. Some are brilliant and dedicated – the unsung heroes of their Lodges. But others are simply occupying a post.
     Almoner’s duties involve regular visits to the old, frail, sick, widowed, infrequent attenders and those who have resigned, to reveal hidden distress and hardship. As well as a friendly face, Almoners must, with patience and tact, discretion, compassion, and with total confidentiality, attempt to break down the ‘Pride Barrier’ which prevents many from seeking help.
     Many Almoners are reluctant to ask if a Brother, or his dependent, has financial, medical or social problems – but this is the keystone of their duties.
     The status of Almoners must be improved, and be on par with the Secretary and Treasurer. Lodges must offer to reimburse expenses, so that no suitable candidate is prevented from accepting the post. Masters’ Elect should be bold in replacing the ‘time expired’ almoner, who has done the job for ever, and probably needs visiting himself.
     Also they must resist the tendency to ‘Give Old Fred a Collar’ so that an ancient Past Master has a nominal job. Perhaps Lodge Almoners should provide the Province with regular reports on the activities, so that Provincial Grand Almoners may oversee and advise on additional assistance that may be available – for example extra State Benefit or Grants from Masonic Charities.
     At Provincial level, Almoners, (especially in larger Provinces), must have secretarial help, plus an assistant Almoner or two, to spread the work and to train up a successor. Some Provinces have excellent teams assisting the Almoner. Other Provinces, of a similar size, have a ‘one man band’ running the show without any expenses or help. No wonder the ratios of relief Grants per Lodge range from ‘one per two Lodges’ down to ‘one per 32 Lodges’. The uptake of medical equipment and mobility aids is even more variable.
     Finally, Grand Lodge could give a lead in improving the status of Lodge Almoners by encouraging better selection; supporting additional training; and reminding Lodges of the importance of this Office within the Craft.
     Dr Ken Harvey
     Chairman, Masonic Relief Grants Committee of the Freemasons’ Grand Charity.

HEARING LOOPS

Sir,
     Why are so many masonic centres around the country unable to offer an important basic comfort for a significant proportion of the brethren who use their premises? How many of them are fitted with an acoustic loop for members and visitors who suffer from impaired hearing?
     One of my London units is contributing to the installation of a loop at 10 Duke Street, where the building is being refurbished in preparation for the centenary of its occupation by the Supreme Council. If we had not thought of it, though, I’m not convinced that this staple facility would have been included.
     Membership retention is a much discussed subject within the fraternity, but our discussions tend to focus mainly on the needs of younger masons. We forget those in their later years at our peril – brethren whose loyalty isn’t in question but whose participation is increasingly difficult because the average lodge room is not equipped with a hearing loop.
     Nick Carter
     Oxford