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Post by leonardo on Dec 17, 2004 20:14:24 GMT
A Freemason friend recently said to me "the Freemasons take good men and make them better". Surely this is a most important criterion for becoming a Freemasons. Good men/women, irrespective of their background, upbringing etc, being given the opportunity to become part of something greater that will eventually make them better.
From my very limited understanding (as a profane man) of Freemasonry to date I'm led to believe that Freemasonry has changed fairly considerably since, for example, around the 1800s.
This, I understand, was a time when only those of the gentry or the extremely well-to-do, the privileged classes, etc, were among its members and the "regular folk" were not permitted or encouraged to apply for membership.
But nowadays it is not considered unusual for an "average" Joe Soap to be sat next to a High Court judge, a distinguished psychiatrist or physician in Lodge or at the eagerly anticipated Festival board! You may even see on occasion a plumber having a serious philosophical discussion with a member of the clergy - who might actually be part of the upper echelons of whatever church he represents!
I personally believe that this more open approach is a good thing overall as it makes the Fraternity more accessible and will therefore offer the "ordinary" person the encouragement necessary to take that vital first step, thus affording them (eventually) the magnificent opportunity to learn to look deeper within themselves and therefore to be able to view life from a wonderfully different, Masonic perspective.
In view of these remarks I was wondering how others feel about the way Freemasonry has apparently changed down through the years? And do you think this "change", this "evolution", if you like, will continue as we move forward in this new millennium?
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 17, 2004 20:55:53 GMT
Leo
A great question.
When I was initiated our then Secretary was very much 'Old School' In all his attitudes, to give you a slight whiff of the man he once stated "that we would never have one of 'them' in over my dead body", I prefer not to state who one of them were but it had nothing to do with the colour of skin. He was the most ignorant 'dinosaur' I have ever met. But his very old fashioned and out of date attitude and demeanor made him almost 'quaint' in a perverse way. I once commented to him 'Bill, if things were still as you dream of I would never of been admitted, to which he replied 'quite right dear boy, but we have to move with the times'!
Thankfully these days are nearly all gone (there are still a few around). And on my travels I have sat next to the wealthiest Billionaire working in London. (not Abramovich!) a very prominet minister (religious), a millionaire shoe manufacturer, A professional footballer, A World famous Entertainer and a Lord mayor of London, as well as a plumber, electrician, cleaner (thats me sitting next to myself!) Fireman etc etc... This is what makes our organisation so special and interesting. In fact I think sometimes it's bloody great, because it takes all the ingredients (us) throws them in the pot (The Lodge and Festive Board) and comes up with a wonderful banquet (The illuminating conversations and experience that we all end up having).
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Post by leonardo on Dec 17, 2004 21:16:30 GMT
Thanks Chris. Great response. What a wonderfully descriptive way you have of explaining things.. Very refreshing to hear about the remarkably different, yet interesting people you come into contact with. No doubt many will be wrecking their brains trying to figure out who the famous people are That old "dinosaur" you mentioned sounds very much like a great character all the same. But surely this is one of more wonderful aspects of Freemasonry - such diversity among its many members. This, in some respects, makes it rather more interesting.
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 17, 2004 21:22:55 GMT
Yes, our old dinosaur was actually quite a character, he was our Secreatary for over 20 years! But no matter how bigoted he was he had a way with words. And although I know a lot of brethren have an opinion on reading of minutes, this guy you would almost pay to read them out. I have been reduced to tears in the Lodge just listening to his warbling.
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Post by leonardo on Dec 17, 2004 21:31:14 GMT
I had heard that such characters exists in Freemasonry but it is the first time I've heard such a descriptive explanation of such an individual. Does he look anything like the old Sergeant Major in Fawlty Towers? I just have this image in my head of all eccentric individual who resembles somebody like this Sergeant Major! Forgive me if I appear to be somewhat discourteous, but I can assure you that this certainly is not my intention. It's just that I'm always fascinated by this sort of character, which appears to be uniquely British
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 17, 2004 21:45:22 GMT
Leo
He was just like a sergeant major! But ex RAF.
I'll tell you a true story about him.
One day in the (Bad) old days he went to lodge (In Windsor-thats all i'll say) He drove a big old Jag V12. Anyway after the meeting and approx 12 Large Whiskies on top of a bottle of Claret. He leaves the Lodge, his car is brought around the front and The Chief Constable opens the door for .... to get in, one of his officers said 'Chief, that man is drunk', the chief replied, 'its alright son thats ... ..... he can drive that car better pissed than you can sober'.
So he drives off home.
Next morning he gets a telephone call from the bursar of the Local School (no names) asking him why his car was parked in the School Long jump sand pit!
He telephoned about a dozen of his workforce arranged to meet them at the school, they lifted the car out put it on the grass and as he drove out he gave the bursar a royal wave!
Thats a true story.
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Post by leonardo on Dec 17, 2004 21:56:53 GMT
Absolutely, wonderful story.
This is the uniqueness of certain individuals, and the witnessing of events that happen to them (they are a bit like events, are they not?) that can make life so wonderful. That incident you just recounted, I would bet if you saw it in a movie you would no doubt imagine it could never possibly happen, but clearly with these characters, anything can happen!
I would hope that one day I might get the opportunity to meet him.
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Post by middlepillar on Dec 17, 2004 22:23:38 GMT
Leo Unfortunately like the dinosaurs he imitated he is no longer with us. And as we are talking of evolution of Freemasonry, In a previous post either here or over on that other one (I cant remember what its called ) Taylorsman has stated he does not think The Master truly rules the Lodge, THat is left to the DC/Sec. Well this is what happened at our Lodge; 9 years ago, our new WM was elected, I was ADC and had been for one year (by the way I had Raised this new WM elect in my year). After he was elected he sent me a letter asking me if I would be DC, I was flabbergasted and telephoned to ask him if he knew what he was asking? He replied I am the WM and I want you to be my DC and I want ... to be my Secretary, and there is nothing they (The dinosaur and his son) can do about it! And that is how I became DC 9 years ago! They didnt like it but as per BOC there was Jack they could do about it, I can say now it was something that needed to be done, 9 years on we still have a thriving Lodge with candidates etc. We are a London Lodge that normally dines 45 (which is good in London). And it took a Bro with a lot less experience than most to actually do something about our situation. This is another reason why I truly believe everyone can learn from everyone else whatever experience in Masonry you have sometimes it takes fresh eyes too see something correctly.
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Post by leonardo on Dec 17, 2004 22:33:37 GMT
Leo Unfortunately like the dinosaurs he imitated he is no longer with us. Such a terrible shame. Maybe he is now giving God a few lessons I must admit it is extremely interesting to read about the things Freemasons need to do in order to keep things running smoothly at the Lodge. I can only imagine the importance of effectively running a tight ship, so to speak. It sounds like the job that you were given came with a lot of responsibility but I have no doubt, from the little I know about you, you would have dealt with matters very efficiently and effectively. Sounds like your Lodge has an extremely good team. Hopefully, someday, I shall have the honour of visiting.
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