Post by Tamrin on Dec 24, 2008 18:42:58 GMT 10
The Most Hon. the Marquess of Northampton, DL
at the Quarterly Communication of the United Grand Lodge of England on 10 December 2008
[Excerpt - UGLE Site - Linked Above]
Brethren, as this is the last Grand Lodge at which I shall preside I would like to take the opportunity to put on record some of my thoughts about English Freemasonry. Looking back over the past 300 years it is clear that Freemasonry has adapted to fit the society of the day from which it draws its members, and to ensure its future will have to continue to do so. In fact the cause of many of its recent problems was that it lost touch with a changing society and stopped communicating with the popular world. It shows the resilience of the Craft and the strength of its ethos that in so short a time it has been able to adjust itself to a new openness without in any way compromising its basic tenets.
But as well as looking outwards to our relationship with society we have also had to look inwards at the way we do things and see if they are still relevant to the 21stCentury. Becoming more open was not just about our interaction with the public – although who could have foreseen twenty years ago that many of our Provinces would now have their own stands at County Shows – it was also about being open with our families and friends and learning how to explain our masonry to non-masons in layman’s terms. There are so many good things in freemasonry that can be openly talked about, and the majority of masons now accept that the only things we want to keep private are the modes of recognition without which one can not attend our ceremonies.
When I became Pro Grand Master I said I wanted to integrate the Craft more and this I have tried to do by having better communication with London and our Provinces and Districts. My business meeting with all Craft and Royal Arch Rulers on the eve of the Annual Investiture has made it possible to discuss common issues and agree a way forward. It is one thing to have a vision but not much use without also having a strategy for its implementation. There is now a much closer integration between the High Rulers, the Board and the Grand Secretary when it comes to making decisions. This has been made easier by having a smaller Board, comprising mostly brethren who have had considerable business experience, and a Grand Secretary who can now concentrate on our own brethren, leaving responsibility for our relationships with other Grand Lodges to the newly appointed Grand Chancellor.
But as well as looking outwards to our relationship with society we have also had to look inwards at the way we do things and see if they are still relevant to the 21stCentury. Becoming more open was not just about our interaction with the public – although who could have foreseen twenty years ago that many of our Provinces would now have their own stands at County Shows – it was also about being open with our families and friends and learning how to explain our masonry to non-masons in layman’s terms. There are so many good things in freemasonry that can be openly talked about, and the majority of masons now accept that the only things we want to keep private are the modes of recognition without which one can not attend our ceremonies.
When I became Pro Grand Master I said I wanted to integrate the Craft more and this I have tried to do by having better communication with London and our Provinces and Districts. My business meeting with all Craft and Royal Arch Rulers on the eve of the Annual Investiture has made it possible to discuss common issues and agree a way forward. It is one thing to have a vision but not much use without also having a strategy for its implementation. There is now a much closer integration between the High Rulers, the Board and the Grand Secretary when it comes to making decisions. This has been made easier by having a smaller Board, comprising mostly brethren who have had considerable business experience, and a Grand Secretary who can now concentrate on our own brethren, leaving responsibility for our relationships with other Grand Lodges to the newly appointed Grand Chancellor.
