Freemasonry’s The Higher Degree Handbook by J S M Ward
It this short book Worshipful Brother J S M Ward is attempting to give an outline sketch of the various degrees in Freemasonry. Understandably, the…
Freemasonry
Freemasonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. These are the degrees offered by Craft (or Blue Lodge) Freemasonry. Members of these organisations are known as Freemasons or Masons. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are usually administered by different bodies than the craft degrees.
The basic, local organisational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge. The Lodges are usually supervised and governed at the regional level (usually coterminous with either a state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. There is no international, world-wide Grand Lodge that supervises all of Freemasonry; each Grand Lodge is independent, and they do not necessarily recognise each other as being legitimate.
Isle of Man Post Office celebrates 300 years of English Freemasonry with hidden secret stamps
Isle of Man Post Office is celebrating 300 years of English Freemasonry’s first Grand Lodge with a special set of six stamps that have been created together with London Design Agency, Glazier Design, with the cooperation of the United Grand Lodge of England. The stamps are filled with symbols and references including a hidden logo only visible under UV light, GPS references to places important in Freemasonry including those on the Isle of Man and a subtle ribbon honouring the 50th year of the office of the current Grand Master, HRH the Duke of Kent.
Freemasons of Santa Faz Lodge No 48 make further donation to Aspanion
On Saturday, 25th March a Strawberry Fayre was held at The International Club in El Campello and the Lodge Committee gave a lot of their time freely and voluntarily in full support of this needy cause. The idea was that everything for the Fayre had to be based on the theme of strawberries and those who contributed showed a great deal of initiative in the wide range of goodies they prepared, from strawberry pavlova, strawberry cakes, strawberry tarts, strawberry jam to strawberry and meringue skewers for the chocolate fountain. (Why wasn’t I invited?) 🙂
A wonderful convocation at Knott End
A “wonderful convocation” were the words used by the Grand Superintendent Tony Harrison when he attended the 17th annual installation convocation of Knott End Chapter No 8674 as its principal guest. The occasion was further enriched by the presence of not one, but two Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals in the persons of Christopher (Chris) Butterfield and David Randerson.
Children’s ward kids get a teddy bear boost from the Freemasons
Children’s ward kids get a teddy bear boost from the Freemasons
Cambridgeshire Freemasons Support Local Stroke Centre
On 27th January, the Immediate Past Master of the Gild of St. Mary Lodge No.7288, W.Bro. Robert Wane and his wife Tracey were delighted to be able to present a cheque for £800 to Nicki Butler, the Senior Sister of Ward R2, Lewin Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge.
Freemasons Raise £750 for St Ann’s Hospice
De Sala Lodge No 5657, meeting at Sale Masonic Hall, has been one of the first Lodges in the Province to take advantage of the new policy of being able to advertise in local newspapers – and have the cost of the advertisement paid by Province for appropriate charitable events.
Historic Worcestershire Lodge to Dedicate New Banner
James Alexander Fleck, Worshipful Master of 280 and his Wardens warmly welcome you to attend this rare event to celebrate the fellowship of Freemasonry in one of the oldest Lodges in the Province.
Freemasons make donation to local Spanish school
At their Christmas celebration, at El Cid restaurant, local Freemasons Lodge, Javea No 40, raised 430€ in memory of their recently deceased colleague Worshipful Brother Keith Hart from Benigembla, near Jalon
Freemasons Panto raises £332 for Teddies for Loving Care Charity
On Sunday the 15th of January 2017, The Corby Masonic Players, who are Freemasons or family and friends thereof, put on another show of their latest production, Jack & the Beanstalk, for the local community.