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STAR LETTER
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SHORTEN THOSE TOASTS!
Concerns are still being raised about
falling membership, but still not
much seems to be done to change
the situation. Senior Freemasons are
telling us that, although we should
take our Freemasonry seriously, it
should also be fun.
This fun should begin at the Festive
Board, but I have visited Lodges where
toasts are going on after 10pm, and
what started out as an enjoyable
evening becomes intensely boring,
even for a Mason such as I after more
than 30 years in the Craft. It must be
even more so to younger brethren.
When I first entered my Lodge, the
Master rose to take wine up to 16 times,
often with the same people over and
over again, when the same brethren
fitted into many categories such as
Wardens, officers, those who helped
in the ceremony, Provincial Officers,
proposers, members of Lodge of
Instruction etc.
We have now whittled this down to
three or four, so that we may enjoy the
meal with fewer interruptions. I think
that we should now start on the lengthy
toast list.
These could be left to individual
Lodges to decide what the toasts should
be. If it is to remain a compulsory list,
then it should be curtailed.
As a starting point, how about:
The Queen
The Grand Master
The Provincial Grand Master
The Master (at Installations only)
The Guests and Visitors.
The names of those Grand and
Provincial Grand Officers which are
read out don’t convey much to younger
members, they don’t stick in the mind.
As a Provincial Officer, I would not be
in the least offended if there was no
toast proposed to me and my fellow
Provincials.
In fact, I always feel a little
embarrassed when this toast takes place
as I consider we are all supposed to be
equal, and I know that many of those
who stand are better Masons than I.
I am sure that many Masons would
agree with me, and that a large number
will not. An official survey might clarify
the matter.
Jim Pryor
Maidstone, Kent
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Impress the candidate
In response to Companion Salisbury’s
letter on Reading Royal Arch Obligations
(MQ, Issue No. 15), having experienced
in both Craft and Chapter where the ritual
has been performed from memory or been
deliberately read, the former is, for the
candidate, far more impressive.
It is for the benefit of the candidate that
we carry out ritual working. Attempting to
memorise the words and actions has many
beneficial effects for the person concerned.
Reading the words denies us great benefits
and seriously damages the effect on the
candidate.
Some of us are not very good at
remembering long sections. The answer is
simple – delegate! To the younger Mason
whose family responsibilities and daily
avocations may appear to him to deny
opportunities for learning and concentration,
time spent in solitude and contemplation
will repay itself many times during the
aforementioned periods.
Let us hear no more of this reading in
Lodge or Chapter – it is dull for everybody.
Hugh S O’Neill
Chichester, West Sussex
King George VI funeral
I was interested in the story of King George
VI and Freemasonry (MQ, Issue No. 14) as,
during my service with the King’s Company,
Grenadier Guards, I, along with seven other
guardsmen, were chosen to form the Bearer
Party for the King’s coffin at his funeral
in 1952.
This has always been the privilege of
the Company on the death of the sovereign,
and for myself – and indeed all of my fellow
guardsmen involved – the experience to
proved to be one which would remain with
us for the rest of our lives.
I became a Mason in 1968 through
Radcliffe Lodge No. 2701, and a good
friend and fellow bearer, Victor Wright,
was initiated into New Venture Lodge
No. 7516 following release from service,
and who now lives in Connecticut, USA.
The copy of the cortege in St George’s
Chapel, Windsor, was kindly presented to
each of us by the Queen Mother following
the funeral. I carried at the rear, while next
but one forward is Victor Wright.
More important, the young man at the
right of line of four following the coffin is
HRH the Duke of Kent, later to become
Grand Master.
John Schofield
Bolton, Lancashire
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MQ Magazine
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