Lodge Mentor Scheme. Part 2. The Fellowcraft

Transcription

1 Province of Cumberland & Westmorland Lodge Mentor Scheme Part 2 The Fellowcraft

2 Contents Introduction... 3 The Ceremony of Passing... 3 The Province of Cumberland & Westmorland... 4 Masonic Charities... 5 The Grand Charity... 6 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution... 7 The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys... 7 The New Masonic Samaritan Fund... 8 Charity Festivals... 8 Additional Help... 8 Masonic Foundation Charitable Trust (MCF) 9 Provincial Grand Lodge Provincial Benevolent Fund Provincial Grand Masters Charity Fund.11 Other Provincial Activities Cumberland & Westmorland Masonic Golf Association Cumberland & Westmorland Masonic Bowling Association Cumbria Masonic Clay Pigeon Association Explanation of Preparation for the Second Degree Questions and Answers for Raising Revised March

3 Introduction You are now a Fellowcraft Freemason, the midway of Freemasonry, and are to be congratulated on this second step in your Masonic career. Before the 1750s there were only two degrees in Freemasonry, the Entered Apprentice and the Fellowcraft. It was in the Fellowcraft Degree that the Worshipful Master was elected having served first as a Warden. The Third Degree was developed subsequent to that time. This Degree teaches us about man s relationship with the world in which we live. You are now permitted to extend your researches and knowledge of Freemasonry into the hidden mysteries of Nature and Science. It is curious terminology permitted. the Second Degree assumes that, having learned in the First Degree, your duties to GOD and your fellow men, you are now sufficiently responsible enough to learn about the Universe in which we live; how to use its gifts for the benefit of all and not to abuse those gifts, which are precious. Knowledge without morality can be dangerous knowledge. The Ceremony of Passing In the Second Degree you are already a Freemason so you do not need to be hoodwinked. The Degree if firstly to acknowledge the progress you have made in the Craft and also to build upon your new found knowledge by allowing the opportunity for further learning and study. You were prepared for the ceremony in a different way, the Square and Compasses were in a different position and you now have two blue rosettes on your apron; all this shows the progress you have made in Freemasonry. Even the position of your feet in the Obligation indicates your progress. In the First Degree your feet corresponded with being placed in the NE corner and in the Second Degree in the SE corner. The signs and symbolism in the Second Degree are ancient and you will find further research of great interest. 3

4 The Province of Cumberland and Westmorland You have already learned about the organisation of a Lodge. In the Book of Constitutions it states that each Private Lodge runs its own affairs and this is done under the rule of the Worshipful Master. To be a regular Lodge is must be Constituted and Consecrated under a Warrant, which can only be granted by the Grand Master of a Grand Lodge. For those private Lodges in England and Wales that Warrant must be issued by the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the English Constitution. There are far too many Lodges to be ruled directly from Grand Lodge so the Grand Master has the power to appoint Provincial and District Grand Masters to assist him in this task. Provinces are established in England and Wales. Scotland and Ireland have their own Grand Lodges. Districts are established to govern in overseas Lodges. Your Lodge is part of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cumberland & Westmorland and is led by the Provincial Grand Master for Cumberland & Westmorland. The powers delegated to these Provincial Grand Masters are fully explained in the Book of Constitutions, which you already have. The Province of Cumberland & Westmorland is administered through six Group Committees, which cover geographical areas of the Province. Each Group is administered by a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary and these three Officers are appointed annually by the Provincial Grand Master. Each Lodge is represented on the Group in whose area it operates, by a Brother who is elected to serve on the Group Advisory Board. Each Group appoints a Group Charity Steward, Group Information Officer and Group Mentor. This system helps greatly to ensure that Lodges and their members are fully informed about what is happening in the Province. In your Lodge, members will normally be wearing light blue coloured regalia. Some Brethren will be wearing dark blue regalia, these are Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge, generally Cumberland & Westmorland, but there will be some from other Provinces. In addition there will possibly be Brethren who are wearing dark blue regalia but the aprons will be larger. The collar and aprons of these Officers will be far more ornate, these Brethren are Officers or Past Officers of United Grand Lodge. Details of their Aprons are highlighted in Booklet 1. 4

5 The Masonic Charities One of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry is Charity and this has been the case even before the formation of Grand Lodge in This is the way we are able to assist Freemasons in need and their families and descendants. The money they use for this purpose comes from individual Freemasons within the Order from all over the world. Without that individual support it would be impossible to support those in need. Before the advent of Grand Lodge stonemasons employed by the Crown or Church moved from place to place to follow their occupation. Ancient Charges governed the work they undertook and charity when needed. This basically was to give them work for a fortnight or by giving them money until they arrived at the next Lodge. About 1690, the Dumfries Manuscript required a brother to at all times cheerfully distribute your Charity to the relief of distressed or sick follow masons. In English Lodges at this time it was similar and John Aubrey s statement that when anyone falls into decay the Brotherhood is to relieve him confirms this. This type of support would have been universal then. Many Craft Guilds other than Masons had similar arrangements to help their members. Even when Grand Lodge was formed it can be seen from the First Book of Constitutions written by the Grand Secretary, Anderson, the same regulations were put in force and continue in force. These place a responsibility on Grand Lodge to consider ways of collecting and distributing charity to any true Brother fallen into poverty or decay. To the 1760s ritual did not include the requirement for Charity in either Grand Lodge then operating in England. By the early 1800s the Candidates Catechism was given in the NE corner: Q Why were you neither naked nor clothed? A As I was an object of distress at that time it was to remind me if ever I saw a friend, more especially a Brother, in a like distressed situation that I should contribute as liberally to his relief as his situation required and my abilities would admit, without material injury to myself or family. 5

6 After the formation of United Grand Lodge in 1813 the Charge to the Initiate in the NE corner was developed to what we know today. It is the same sentiments as in the former Catechism although the wording is different. The first individual Masonic Charities was formed in 1788 by Chevalier Bartholomew Ruspini and this specific charity was to preserve the daughters of indigent Freemasons from the dangers and misfortune of their distressed situation... and to qualify them to occupy a useful station in life. Another similar Charity was founded in 1798 for the relief of sons of Freemasons. Information is also available about Masonic Charities in the Provincial Year Book and through the Lodge Almoner. The Grand Charity The Grand Charity was established in 1982 to look outwards as well as inwards and by doing this to reflect the aims and attitudes of Freemasonry today. All brethren under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England contribute to the Grand Charity through their subscription to their Lodge, part being specifically for the Grand Charity. This forms a major part of the Grand Charity s income. The remainder comes from Festivals and Bequests. This Charity gives assistance to Freemasons and their dependants in distress. Non Masonic Charities also benefit by receiving funds from the Grand Charity, which responds quickly with immediate relief in Natural Disasters. Grand Charity also operates a Relief Chest Scheme and this provides individual accounts to accumulate funds for charitable purposes by a Lodge, Chapter, Province or other Masonic organisation. The money is held, by Grand Charity, on behalf of the organisation. They do all the accounting and tax reclamation and the organisation retains complete control of the money. Gross interest is added to the account at rates more favourable than can be obtained from banks and building societies. The Grand Charity also looks after all legal requirements associated with the Charities Act This Relief Chest also relieves the Lodge Charity Steward and Treasurer of much paperwork so that efforts can be directed into raising funds. The relief Chest also produces Annual Accounts. 6

7 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) This organisation was founded in 1842 by Grand Lodge inaugurating an Annuity Scheme. The original scheme was for males only but a similar one for females was formed three years later. The two Annuity Schemes were then amalgamated forming the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. At the same time the first home was agreed for erection in East Croydon, which was dedicated in 1850, and the RMBI runs Residential Homes throughout England and Wales. Annuities are provided for Freemasons, their widows, spinster daughters, spinster sisters and dependent mothers. They must be 60 years or over but younger if incapacitated. The RMBI is also associated with a group of State Registered Nurses who make home visits to assist Lodge Almoners in assessing cases. The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys The Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys was formed out of the original two separate charities by Act of Parliament and on 1 st May, 2003 and was granted Royal status so allowing it to use its present title. Objects of this Trust are, basically, to relieve poverty and advance education, but in recent years these aims have widened considerably extending the level and type of assistance given to children of deceased and distressed Brethren. The Trust provides opportunities for the education and well-being of the children in these unfortunate circumstances. There have been extensions to this assistance to support them during a University career and a more recent scheme is to help such children who are particularly talented in things such as sport and music. Assistance given includes maintenance allowances to help with family support for the child, grants for books, clothing, food, accommodation, fees, educational travel, equipment and materials, scholarships, help with training and educational and career counselling. The Trust depends on Lodges for information about cases of distress, which may qualify for assistance. 7

8 The New Masonic Samaritan Fund This fund was established in 1990 to support the sick or infirm who are Freemasons. It also includes their wives, children or dependants. The New Masonic Samaritan Fund provides financial support if they cannot afford to pay for treatment and the treatment cannot be obtained on the National Health Service. Charity Festivals As long ago as the late 1700s, the various Charities have used the Festival system to help with fund raising. Originally these Festivals were supported by the Master s List in London Lodges but gradually Provincial Lodges came into the scheme and these Festivals are now largely Provincial ones. In these earlier times, the support received by Petitioners related directly to the amounts donated by a Province, so it was in the interests of individual Provinces to support the central Charities. These days the support given to individual applications relates directly to the needs of the Applicants rather than what has been donated by the Province. Since the foundation of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund there have been Festivals held each year by different Provinces in support of these Charities. Additional Help The Masonic Charities are to support Masons and their families in need. It is essential, therefore, before making application to a Masonic Charities that all the benefits available from the State are claimed. They are provided by the Social Services and Health Authorities. Lodges also hold funds, which the Almoner can use to help with immediate relief. In addition, not all problems can be solved with financial support and the Lodge Almoner provides invaluable help with visits to and talking with those Brethren and their families who may be faced with problems. Support such as this is often of tremendous help. The Lodge Almoner also ensures that necessary assistance is provided to those in need. 8

9 Masonic Foundation Charitable Trust (MCF) From 1 April, 2016 the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) took over the work of the four Central Masonic Charities in order to create a single overarching Charity to provide a needs led, whole family cradle to grave charity which ensures funds are applied efficiently and effectively to where they are most needed and whose potential beneficiaries know where to turn in time of need. The MCF will continue to award grants through the Freemasons Grand Charity to Freemasons and their families who are in need. It will also award significant grants to other Charities and non-masonic causes. The RMBI will continue to operate its care services under its existing framework, with the MCF providing eligible Freemasons and their families with assistance to access the care they need. The MCF will provide the full range of grants to meet health and care needs provided by the Masonic Samaritan Fund. The Foundation will also award grants to support vital medical research into a wide range of illnesses and disabilities. The range of grants through the MCF will continue to help children and grandchildren of Freemasons who are experiencing distress caused by financial hardship, the same as the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. A range of wider help for young people will also continue as will grants to support Children s Charities. The MCF will bring improved processes resulting in faster decisions and payments, approval for multiple grants and provide greater transparency in decision making. The Provincial Festival system will remain central to Masonic Fundraising. It is hoped the MCF will become more marketable for fundraising purposes and provide a stronger voice in the charity sector. More information on the MCF can be obtained via the website on or info@mcf.org.uk. Tele Number

10 Provincial Grand Lodge The Provincial Grand Almoner, who is appointed annually in Provincial Grand Lodge, co-ordinates applications to the Grand Charity, Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. He undertakes this work in a number of ways: 1. Supporting Lodge Almoners by providing information and advice 2. Overseeing the preparation of applications 3. Ensures proper payment from Masonic Charities through the Lodge. 4. Continually updating the Provincial Executive and the Provincial Committee on the result of Masonic Charitable activity provided by the four main Charities and the Provincial Charities 5. Maintaining accurate accounts and records 6. Maintaining records of all applications and their progress 7. Promoting the work of the various Central Charities and those of the Province He is responsible for the welfare of Brethren in the Province and their dependants so far as the New Masonic Samaritan Fund is concerned. He also coordinates the Out of Province Visitor Scheme which organises visits to widows and dependants living in other Provinces but who were originally connected through Initiation with this Province. The Provincial Grand Charity Steward is also appointed annually by the Provincial Grand Master. He is responsible for the collection of monies for Festivals held in the Province. He provides central administration for Provincial activities relating to the Festivals and maintains records of what is being achieved. Provincial Benevolent Fund This fund is a registered Charity set up over 150 years ago for the relief of Masons and their dependants within the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland and to support the Central Masonic Charities. It is governed by a Trust Deed the terms of which have to be followed without deviation to ensure that the Objects of the Fund set out in that document are met. Applications for support can be made to this Fund and this has to be done through the Lodge Secretary. 10

11 It produces accounts annually which are presented to the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge. This Fund is administered by five Trustees with the Provincial Grand Treasurer acting as Secretary and to whom all applications are directed. Provincial Grand Master s Charity Fund This Charity Fund is also governed by a Trust Deed the contents of which have to be strictly followed. Applications for support from this Fund are made in a similar way as with the Benevolent Fund. The Provincial Grand Master s Charity Fund is for the relief of Masons and their dependants but also for non-masonic registered charities considered by the Trustees to be worthy of support. This fund is administered in exactly the same way as the Provincial Benevolent Fund. Other Activities Brethren within the Province of Cumberland & Westmorland can also take advantage of joining in the activities of several other Associations. These have been formed by Brethren to foster activities in which they are particularly interested and all Freemasons throughout the Province can join them. Details about these Associations can be found in the Provincial Year Book or through the Lodge Secretary. The Cumberland and Westmorland Masonic Golf Association promotes friendly competition amongst Brethren of the Province; the prizes are Charity Cheques to Lodge Benevolent Funds and donations for other Charities. It hosts one competition each year. The Cumberland & Westmorland Masonic Bowling Association raises money for the Provincial Benevolent Fund and other Masonic Charities through its Bowling activities. The Cumbria Masonic Clay Pigeon Shooting Association has two shoots each year from which are selected its team (s) for the Annual Inter Provincial Competition. 11

12 Explanation of the preparation for the 2nd Degree When you were made an Entered Apprentice, the 24 gauge, the common gavel and the chisel were presented to you. With those tools alone a Mason cannot try and prove his work. This was unnecessary in your case, because an Entered Apprentice is a beginner who is silent in the Lodge while learning. Among operative Masons, when an Entered Apprentice hewed a stone, his movements were directed by skilled craftsmen to prevent him spoiling good materials and it was the craftsman who applied the tests. But while operative Masons work on inanimate stone, we, as speculative Masons strive to mould living ashlars and fit them for that temple which is not made with hands. Thus, you represented as an Entered Apprentice a freshly quarried cube being shaped under the supervision of experienced brethren. In this advanced degree it was necessary for the obligation to be taken on the right knee. This led to the mode of preparation for the first degree being reversed so that your right knee and left arm were made bare and your right heel was slipshod. You were not hoodwinked and were able to watch our proceedings closely. Now that you have passed your Entered Apprenticeship you are released from the cable tow and are made free of the Craft. In olden times your indentures would have been cancelled. Instead of as an Entered Apprentice being merely a hand, the Fellowcraft becomes a hand guided by a head and an intellectual worker among companions of his earthly toil. After the preliminary instruction you have received, we regard you as having, to some extent, acquired the Masonic method of thought which, in speculative Masonry, is the ruling and subduing of ones passions, and we enjoin you to study the science of building as it is applied through our symbols, to the formation of character. You will perceive, therefore, why different implements are used in this degree. They are to enable you to test not only the accuracy of our own work, but that of the Entered Apprentice as well. 12

13 Questions which must be committed to memory by the Candidate before Raising. How were you prepared to be Passed to the Second Degree? Candidate: In a manner somewhat similar to the former, save that in this Degree I was not hoodwinked; my left arm, breast and right knee were made bare and my left heel was slipshod. On what were you admitted? Candidate: The Square. What is a Square? Candidate: An angle of 90 degrees or the fourth part of a circle. What are the peculiar objects of research in this Degree? Candidate: The hidden mysteries of nature and science. As it is the hope of reward that sweetens labour, where did our ancient brethren go to receive their wages? Candidate: Into the middle chamber of King Solomon s Temple. How did they receive them? Candidate: Without scruple or diffidence. Why in this peculiar manner? Candidate: Without scruple, well knowing they were justly entitled to them; and without diffidence, from the great reliance they placed on the integrity of their employers in those days. What are the names of the two great pillars which were placed at the porch way or entrance of King Solomon s Temple? Candidate: That on the left was called B... and that on the right J.. What are their separate and conjoined significations? Candidate: The former denotes in strength, the latter to establish, and when conjoined, stability, for God said In strength, I will establish this mine house to stand firm for ever 13

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16 For further information contact: Provincial Grand Mentor W. Bro. Terry Crellin Prospect Place, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, CA10 1RZ Tel: Designed & Printed by Grosvenor House Papers Limited