Innovation—A Long-standing Masonic Attribute

[Tamrin]

Innovation—A Long-Standing Masonic Attribute
By Kelvin H. Perdriau PGJW, April 2001

The NSW Freemason, v.33, n.2, pp.13 & 14

(Excerpt)

Clause 11 of the ‘Summary of the Ancient Charges and Regulations’, as it appears in the UGL of NSW Book of Constitutions, and which is to be read to the Master Elect prior to his Installation into the chair of the lodge, reads as follows:

‘You admit that it is not within the power of any man or body of men to make innovations in the Body of Masonry.’

Firstly, I point out that this is a gross misquote from the resolution passed by the Grand Lodge on 24 June 1723 and that the instruction (when in its original and tolerable form) has no antiquity prior to that date. I also draw attention to the fact that the ‘Summary of the Ancient Charges ...’ was only published for the first time in 1775 in William Preston’s ‘Illustrations of Masonry’ and that they only appeared in the United Grand Lodge of England’s Book of Constitutions for the first time in 1827.

From observations made to me and from recent letters to The NSW Freemason, I fear that there are many masons in NSW who believe that ‘no innovation under any circumstances’ is an instruction having great antiquity, almost in the category of an Ancient Landmark of the order.

[Tamrin]

There is this wonderful shibboleth that Freemasonry never changes. As somebody
who for 28 years made a daily advancement in the Grand Lodge library, researching
for myself, helping others with their researches, I know the greatest myth in
Freemasonry is this one: that nothing has ever changed.

John Hamill, The Current State of Masonry

[Tamrin]

INNOVATION AND CHANGE

[Excerpt - Lecture, The Cedars Lodge - Linked Above]

"YOU ADMIT THAT IT IS NOT IN THE POWER OF ANY MAN OR BODY OF MEN TO
MAKE INNOVATIONS IN THE BODY OF MASONRY."

The Regulation just quoted will be familiar to all who have attended an Installation Ceremony. It is one of the Ancient Charges and Regulations to which the Worshipful Master elect is called upon to give his assent before he ascends to the Chair of his Lodge.

In its origins, the Regulation stems from the early days of the Grand Lodge of England when, at a Meeting held on 24th June 1723, the Grand Lodge resolved:

"That it is not in the power of any person, or body of men, to make any alterations, or innovation in the body of Masonry without the consent first obtained in the Annual Grand Lodge."

Subsequently, in 1738, this resolution was incorporated into the Book of Constitutions as one of the new Regulations and it has since been accepted as one of the basic rules of the Craft, with the modification that the words "without the consent first obtained in the Annual Grand Lodge" have been dropped.

Because it is one of the Regulations of the Craft and is therefore important to its conduct and because there is sometimes misunderstanding as to its implications, particularly in so far as it bears on Freemasonry's capacity for change, we should study the Regulations carefully.

[Tamrin]

Freemasonry Needs Change

[Excerpt - Article by William J. Malina, www.srmason-sj.org - Linked Above]

Change is the evidence of life. If Masonry does not change, it will die.

Is it realistic to expect Freemasonry and Masonic practices to remain the same for tomorrow as they are today? Is it possible for Freemasonry to be the same today as it was yesterday? These are two questions that have troubled me for a long time, and I am sure that I am not alone in my concern. Change just for the sake of change serves no purpose, but change for the sake of improvement, or in some cases survival, is advisable and often necessary.

I believe it is realistic and advisable to let practices and customs expire honorably when they have served their purpose. I also believe it is realistic and advisable to allow new ideas to develop in order to meet the needs of new times and new situations. What was or is popular for one generation may not necessarily be popular or even acceptable for another.

Change is the evidence of life. If Freemasonry does not change, it will die. It is well and good for Masons to say Masonic charities and philanthropies, collectively and individually, are evidence of Freemasonry's life and well-being; however, the general public does not or cannot see the organization behind the act. The continuation of Masonic charity and philanthropy depends upon a healthy and growing Masonic membership. In order for any organization to remain healthy and carry out its objectives, it must attract new members. Freemasonry is no different. With membership in almost all Masonic Bodies declining, it is obvious that some of what has worked in the past is not working today.

[Tamrin]

Masonic Ritual Is An Innovation

[Excerpt - Papers of Robert G. Davis, November 3, 2008 - Linked Above]

When the Worshipful Master is asked at his installation if he agrees that it is not in the power of man, or any body of men, to make innovations in the Body of Masonry, it is important to understand that this charge is intended for the preservation of the organizational structure of Freemasonry, and not its ritual ceremonies. More than one Grand Master or Custodian of the Work has attempted to apply this admonition to Masonic ritual itself. Yet a brief review of ritual development and its many forms across the landscape of Masonic jurisdictions will quickly show this question taken from the “Old Charges” has nothing to do with the ritualistic aspects of our fraternity. Our founders never intended that ritual ceremonies remain static. Prohibition to innovation does not apply to Masonic ritual as this is the single basis upon which all Light in Masonry is transmitted and revealed.

Even the insistence by the United Grand Lodge of England that “pure, ancient Freemasonry consists of three degrees only, including the Holy Royal Arch” is historically inaccurate. Grand Lodges have always been entitled to decide for themselves exactly of what their ritual consists.

The only “pure, ancient” Masonic ritual in the world is the ritual that existed in 1717 when the first Grand Lodge was formed. We know what that ritual was because it was widely published in three early Masonic manuscripts in the form of catechisms still extant from the period of 1696 to 1715, all of which came from Scotland. The amazing thing about these exposures is that they found their way to use and adoption by English Lodges. More significantly, we also find in them much of the foundation upon which all later Masonic ritual was erected--the method of placing the feet, mention of the “prentice” and “fellow-craft,” the five points of fellowship; the mention of the square, compasses and Bible in the same context; the porch of King Solomon’s Temple, the basic penal sign; the penalty—there is much to recognize here. It is beyond coincidence that we find these characteristics in common in all of these old catechisms.

And one other point is extraordinary in all these workings: Degrees are not mentioned. When the first Grand Lodge in the world was created, there was only the ceremony of making a Mason—an “Acceptance and the Master’s part.” In fact, we have no evidence of a three degree system, or a third degree, prior to Samuel Pritchard’s famous exposure entitled “Masonry Dissected,” published in 1730.

This makes the Master Mason degree in Masonry an innovation!