‘Prestonian on Craftcast’

    

Craftcast hosts with today’s guest.

In the episode of Craftcast published today, the hosts talk with RW Simon Medland, who has been chosen to serve as the United Grand Lodge of England’s Prestonian Lecturer for 2025. Craftcast is the official podcast of the UGLE. From the publicity:

In the latest episode of Craftcast, James, Shaun, and Stephen are joined by special guest Judge Simon Medland KC, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire and the 2025 Prestonian Lecturer. Simon shares his journey within Freemasonry, tracing his roots as a fourth-generation Freemason and recounting his appointment as the Lecturer for the upcoming year.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the history and significance of the Prestonian Lecture, including its origins and development over the years. Simon also gives us some insight on the topic of his upcoming paper: the rich heritage of the Province of Cheshire as it approaches its Tercentenary–the first Province to achieve such a significant milestone.

Craftcast is the official podcast of the United Grand Lodge of England, the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Districts overseas. In every episode, Shaun Butler, James Dalton and Stephen Whatley are chatting all things Freemasonry. They ask the big questions, talk about their experiences and interview special guests from across UGLE.

Craftcast is the podcast for everyone from seasoned Freemasons to those just curious about what we do, so please come along for the ride.

     

‘Four Crowned Martyrs Day’

    

Today is the Feast Day of the Four Crowned Martyrs, namesakes of the famous Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in London, the first lodge of Masonic research.

Like so much in embryonic Masonic letters, the legend of the Four Crowned Martyrs vexes the reader. In short, there are competing stories about them which not only render divergent narratives, but even tell of different martyrs! What all these saints do share in common is being murdered on the orders of Emperor Diocletian. Not how you want to go.

Today, I’ll share a short piece written by one of the lodge’s first members, Bro. Adolphus Frederick Alexander Woodford, a Past Master of Lodge of Antiquity 2 and a Past Grand Chaplain of the United Grand Lodge of England. (More of his amazing biography at bottom.) This explanation of things appears in Vol. 1 of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, the research lodge’s book of transactions for the period of 1886 to 1888. (I’ll also add that the Arundel Manuscript mentioned below has no originative connection to the Codex Arundel, Leonardo da Vinci’s writings on geometry and other subjects. However, both batches of papers were collected by the Earl of Arundel during the early seventeenth century.)

The Quatuor Coronati.

The Legend of the Quatuor Coronati is very interesting to Freemasons because in the legend, as in the Arundel MS.—a transcript of the more important portions of which follows—the Quatuor were originally four Craftsmen by name Claudius, Castorius, Simphorianus, and Nicostratus, “mirificos in arte quadrataria,” which though it is translated the “art of carving,” is literally “the stone-squarer’s art,” or the art of stone-squaring. They are distinctly called “artifices” artificers, although as the legend shows us, to the four artificers are joined four milites; whilst one Simplicius, converted to Christianity by the four during the progress of events narrated by the legend, is added to the stone-squarers, making nine in all. They are declared to have been Christians, “occulte,” secretly. Diocletian ordered an image of Æsculapius to be made, and after a contest and dialogue with “quinque Philosophi” Simphorianus, who appears to be the leader and spokesman, adds Simplicius to the number —now five—and refuses, on their behalf and with their consent, to make the image. They are brought before Lampadius the Tribune, who after reference to Diocletian, orders them to be stripped and beaten with scorpions, “scorpionibus mactari,” and then, by Diocletian’s order, they were placed in “loculi plumbei,” leaden coffins, and cast into the Tiber.

A certain Nicodemus is said to have raised the coffins and taken them to his own house; levavit says the legend.

Two years afterwards, Diocletian ordered the soldiers to pay homage to a Statue of Æsculapius, but four “Cornicularii,” or wing-leaders of the city militia, refused. They were ordered to be put to death in front of the image of Æsculapius by strokes of the Plumbata, “ictu plumbatarum,” and their bodies cast into the streets to the dogs, where they lay five days.

Then Sebastianus, with Pope Melchiades, is said to have taken up the bodies and buried them in the cemetery on the road to Lavica. By the use of the word “Arenaria,” allusion is made to the sandpits in which slaves and criminals were buried, but Christians never. But in order to conceal the catacombs from their persecutors, opening and entrances were made and used in the Arenaria to deposit the bodies of martyrs and the like in the catacombs. Here they seemed to have remained till the ninth century.

For though Melchiades appointed the day, 8th November, in the fourth century, and it is recognized as such in the Sacramentary of Gregory 200 years later, and Pope Honorius in the seventh century built a church to their especial honor, it was not until the ninth century apparently that Pope Leo translated the relics of the nine worthies to the restored and embellished church on the Cœlian Hill, now called the Church of the “Santi Cuatro Incoronati,”—Incoronati in modern Italian being identical with Coronati in mediæval and classic Latin.

It will be seen that the names have become confused as time has run on, and various appellations have been given to the four and the five. Originally the legend gives Claudius, Castorius, Simphorianus, and Nicostratus, and to these Simplicius is added. The remaining four in one of the earliest legends are said to be Severus, Severianus, Carpophorus, and Victorinus. This makes nine in all—nine worthies—concerning whom there is no reason to disbelieve, no a priori objection to, the perfect truth of the legend. Clear it is that in process of time the facts of the story itself have become a little confused and the names intermingled, but there is no doubt from very early days the four or five have been commemorated on the same one day. In one martyrology, November 8th is thus commemorated “Senas ornantes idus merito atque cruore, Claudi, Castori, Simplicii, Simphoriani, et Nichostrate pari fulgetis is luce coronæ.” One early writer terms them fratres, but whether he means fratres in blood, in confession, or fratres collegii does not clearly appear.

From Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, Vol. 1

As is well-known, the Sarum Missal of the 11th century gives the names as in the Arundel Hagiology, but the names vary much in different legends and service books. Some of these differences are no doubt scribal errors, and some attest remarkably the variability and the uncertainty of tradition. For instance we find Castulus, Semphorianus, Christorius, Significanus, Clemens, and Cortianus, all applied to some of the nine. In some MSS. the five are found, not the four; in some, the four are mentioned, not the five. Nothing can be decided from such mutability of the legend, or even safely argued.

In one of the Steinmetz Constitutions, they are simply described as Claudius, Christorius, and Significanus, while in the beautiful illumination from the Isabella Missal, four only appear—with the emblems of Craft Masonry one and all: the square, the plumb rule, the trowel, and the gavel—though five are mentioned in the commemoration prayer, Simphorianus, Claudius, Castorius, Simplicius, and Nichostratus. This is explained in the Arundel legend by the fact that Simplicius was not one of the original four, but being a fellow-workman and secretly desirous of becoming a Christian, he was baptized by Quirillus, the Bishop, and so suffered martyrdom with the other four.

It may be observed here, that the legend is in itself purely Italian in its inception, though it has spread probably with the Craft Lodges into Germany, Gaul, and Britain.

There are several old Acta and Gesta Quatuor Coronatorum and several special Legends, Martyrologies, and Hagiologies, of the Coronati, and the subject still requires study and illustration, as no doubt many valuable similar MSS. remain unknown and uncollated in the Vatican Library, and the greater libraries, and even private collections of MSS. To Mr. J.0. Halliwell Phillipps, the English Craft owes its introduction to this most ancient legend and valuable link between the Freemasonry of the past and the Freemasonry of the present, as contained in the “Masonic Poem.”

The Arundel Legend is taken from a fine MS. of the 12th century, in the British Museum. Its proper reference is Ar : MSS., 91, f 2186. There is another copy of the legend in the British Museum, Harleian MSS., No. 2802, f 99. There is also a short notice of the Quatuor Coronati in Regius MS., 8, c, 7 f 165, of the 14th century.

In the Harleian MS., 2082, Simphorianus is given as Simphronius; in the Regius MS., the names are as in the Arundel, but in different sequence.

In Alban Butler’s Lives, the Four Crowned Martyrs are named Severus, Severianus, Carpophorus, and Victorinus; and he adds, “five other martyrs called Claudius, Nicostratus, Symphorianus, Castorius, and Simplicius, who had suffered in the same persecution are buried in the same cemetery.” — A. F. A. Woodford

The following biography of Woodford also comes from this first AQC volume.

Rev. Adolphus Frederick Alexander Woodford, born in 1821, gazetted Christmas Day, 1838, Ensign and Lieutenant Coldstream Guards, retired in 1841, matriculated at Durham University 1842, took B.A. degree and License of Theology in 1847, and M.A. degree some years after. Ordained Deacon in 1846, curate of Whitburn, near Sunderland, 1846-47, ordained priest July 1817, and in the same year presented to the Rectory of Swillington, Leeds, which he resigned in 1872. In 1852 he was Chaplain to Sir John Lowther, Bart., as High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

Initiated in the Lodge of Friendship, Gibraltar, No. 278, in 1842, and subsequently joined the following Lodges—Marquis of Granby, Durham, No. 124, in 1842, W.M. in 1844 and 1845; Philanthropic Lodge, Leeds, No. 304, in 1854, W.M. in 1858 and 1859; and Lodge of Antiquity, London, No. 2, in 1863, D.M. in 1878, under H.R.H. the Duke of Albany. He was exalted in Concord Chapter, Durham, No. 124, in 1848; joined the Philanthropic Chapter, Leeds, No. 304, in 1863, and its first Z.; and St. James’ Chapter, London, No. 2, in 1874, Z. thereof in 1882. Appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain of Durham in 1847, Provincial Grand Chaplain, West Yorkshire, 1860, and Provincial Grand Senior Warden, 1857, and finally Grand Chaplain of England in 1863.

Was first Chairman of the West Yorkshire Charity Committee from 1859-1870. He has been a constant contributor to the Masonic press, few names being better known than “Masonic Student,” one of his many noms de plume, and was the editor of the London “Freemason” and of the “Masonic Magazine,” from 1873 to 1886; and the author of Kenning’s Cyclopoedia, “Defense of Freemasonry,” “The Sloane Manuscript,” and other works—as well as of the learned introduction to Hughan’s Old Charges of the British Freemasons.

Bro. Woodford would die in 1887, so he didn’t see AQC Vol. 1 brought to fruition. He is one of the stars of this book, having written a variety of items in its pages, including an English translation of the legend from that Arundel Manuscript’s Latin. His name probably is familiar to you Rosicrucians, as he was among the organizers of the HOGD.

In closing, I just want to explain that a big part of my laughter at the silly notion of Templar origins of Freemasonry derives from my wish for more Masons today to learn about the Four Crowned Martyrs and thereby appreciate the connection that stonemasons Claudius, Castorius, Simphorianus, and Nicostratus have to us. I’m not at all against embracing Christian history and legend, I just think what we choose to believe ought to make some sense because Masonic Templarism is fallacious.

     

‘2025 Prestonian Lecture’

    

Cheshire Freemasons

The announcement came months ago, so I’m not breaking news here, but the United Grand Lodge of England presents its Prestonian Lecturer for 2025: RW Bro. Simon Medland.

This Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire and Past Grand Sword Bearer will discuss “Our Friends in the North,” a “reflection on the growth of Freemasonry from its early, proto-Masonic beginnings in Chester, Cheshire, and nearby Provinces,” says Quatuor Coronati Lodge’s website.

(Speaking of QC2076, now is the time to renew your membership, or to join, the lodge’s Correspondence Circle if you want to receive the coming volume of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, the annual book of transactions.)

Bro. Medland is a fourth generation Freemason in Cheshire, having been initiated by his father, a Past Senior Grand Warden there, in 1986 at the now defunct Hamilton Lodge 5454, founded in 1934 with the help of Bro. Medland’s great-grandfather.

Of course, 2025 will bring the tercentenary celebration of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire, the oldest Province, making Medland’s appointment, and his chosen subject, all the more apt. Congratulations!

Click here to view an introductory interview with Medland on the Cheshire Freemasons’ YouTube channel.

     

‘Announcing the Council for Freemasonry’

    

This recent media-generated canard in England about Freemasonry being misogynist has resulted in the grand lodges there organizing the Council for Freemasonry in England and Wales to facilitate cooperation among the three groups and to give a unified voice when speaking outside the Masonic world. The council was revealed Saturday. From the publicity:

Council for Freemasonry

in England and Wales:

Underpinning the Continued

Progress of Freemasonry

In an unprecedented and historic move to dispel misconceptions and address challenges, English Freemasonry has announced the creation of the Council for Freemasonry, covering female as well as male members in England and Wales.

This new Council aims to enhance further existing and longstanding collaboration and promote the fundamental principles of Freemasonry, including merit, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion, between the United Grand Lodge of England, the Order of Women Freemasons, and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons.

Even in 2024 Freemasonry continues to face various unfounded criticisms and inaccurate misconceptions, often stemming from deep-rooted prejudices or preconceived falsehoods. Contrary to the erroneous claim that Freemasonry is exclusively male, women’s Freemasonry has been an integral part of Freemasonry in the UK for more than a century. While Freemasonry is practiced in single-sex lodges, this is no different from many other activities, including most sports as well as many other community groups.

The establishment of the Council for Freemasonry will formally establish an overarching forum for collaboration. In addition, the Council will bring together the community service ambitions of all three bodies, coordinate communication and engagement with other organizations, drive the membership growth ambitions, particularly for women Freemasons, and allocate resources and facilities for the general benefit of both male and female Freemasonry.

UGLE

The Council will include the heads of each Grand Lodge, and each Grand Lodge will provide the president for a twelve-month period, chairing Council meetings in strict rotation. The president for the first two years will come from the OWF and HFAF, with UGLE covering the third year.

The formation of the Council for Freemasonry in England and Wales marks a pivotal step towards enhancing cooperation, addressing misconceptions, and promoting the values of Freemasonry. This historic initiative reaffirms Freemasonry’s commitment to integrity, friendship, respect, and service, while keeping community service and charitable giving at the absolute forefront of this historic organization.

     

‘UGLE: Enough of this fake narrative’

    

England’s Masonic grand lodges shall remain single-sex, according to a story today in The Telegraph.

They’ve really got a scoop here, blowing the lid off this elusive mystery kept under wraps by the secret societies. The venerable news outlet cites the speech by the United Grand Lodge of England’s Pro Grand Master during the Quarterly Communication last week.

“There have been two recurring themes from different journalists,” RW Jonathan Spence is quoted saying. “The first is the claim that Freemasonry in this country is a male-only activity and therefore inherently wrong, non-inclusive and misogynistic. The second is, once again, a focus on the alleged lack of transparency relating to Freemasonry and yet another push to require full declaration of our membership almost in all circumstances.”

“Brethren, we have all had enough of this fake narrative and we should state clearly and unambiguously what Freemasonry is,” he added. “We have a proud tradition as a secular, non-religious, non-political, lawful and law-abiding activity in the United Kingdom, as it is elsewhere in the world. Freemasonry is proud of its history of inclusivity and for the last three centuries, we have welcomed members from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sexuality or socioeconomic background.”

“Across the world, most nights, in Freemasons’ lodges, these groups of people come together to enjoy their Freemasonry, united in their commitment to our core values, which this Grand Lodge articulates as integrity, friendship, respect and service,” he also said. “These values are based on long-established Enlightenment values and Freemasonry has fundamental ideals including liberty, tolerance, constitutional government and a meritocratic society.”

The Telegraph’s Steve Bird discovered the secret speech on the furtive fraternity’s website. Click here.

This boring non-story has been churning in the media for several weeks since the Garrick Club voted to admit females to its membership, and a brilliant super-genius in the House of Lords asked What about the Freemasons? Read more about that here. Since then, the UGLE and the two female grand lodges have issued joint statements affirming their rights to keep the same-sex memberships they choose.

Click here to read The Telegraph story.

@MayallOnline

     

’The First Degree, 1717 style!’

    

RCI Lodge 3556

A lodge in London, which specializes in unconventional communications augmented with finer dining, has an exemplification of a rare initiation planned for next month. Royal Colonial Institute Lodge 3556, meeting at Freemasons’ Hall, will demonstrate how the First Degree of Masonry might have looked in 1717.

I’m assuming this will be based on ritual exposures from later in the eighteenth century, but still I’d expect a faithful recreation of the experience. Click here for tickets for the June 13 meeting, demonstration, and dinner.

The lodge has a fascinating history. According to the Metropolitan Grand Lodge’s website:

It was consecrated on January 10, 1912 for the purpose of enhancing the ties of the then Empire and Craft; and between the resident and non-resident Fellows and Members of the Royal Commonwealth Society (formerly the Royal Colonial Institute).

Connections with brethren abroad remained strong throughout the First World War and when, in 1939, the Duke of Connaught resigned as Grand Master of UGLE, he remained as Worshipful Master of the lodge and was able to welcome the District Grand Master of Japan, as well as representatives of the grand lodges of Cuba, Peru, Greece, Yugoslavia, and more. Upon Connaught’s death in 1942, the Grand Master noted at his successor’s Installation “…it is the meeting place of brethren who are now in London but whose homes are many thousands of miles away… Though the members of this Lodge may be drawn from many parts of the Empire, they meet in lodge on common ground and for a common purpose.”

It was in the 1950s that the lodge began a tradition of hosting talks and lectures. Fast forward to 1972, and the links with the Commonwealth were further strengthened at an emergency meeting of the lodge where members were joined by 203 members of other Commonwealth lodges. This meeting was to be the forerunner of the Commonwealth Lodges’ Association, a relationship which the Royal Colonial Lodge proudly still retains.

The Centenary History of the Lodge, written in 2012, concludes: “…the lodge has provided a meeting place for Commonwealth brethren through two World Wars and through times of hardship, financial depression and financial prosperity... Perhaps in looking back we can gain more strength to move forward.”

The Royal Colonial Institute Lodge is a Metropolitan Lodge, meeting at Freemasons’ Hall twice a year. The June meeting is aligned to UGLE’s Quarterly Communication so that members and brethren visiting from abroad can maximise their time in London. It attracts Past Masters with an appetite for finer dining across London in a more relaxed atmosphere, with Festive Boards held at private clubs and non-mainstream specialist venues.

The lodge does not take initiates and therefore performs no ceremonial work other than the annual Installation. Instead, the aim of the lodge is to have fun, unique, and educational meetings. Aiming to reach 100+ members by the end of this year [2023], the RCI supports the development of the Commonwealth Lodges’ Association (of which it is a member).

But about this event, the lodge says:

The regular business meeting of Royal Colonial Institute Lodge 3556 will tyle at 5 p.m. and will last approximately thirty minutes. After the lodge has closed, the Elizabethan Lodge will quickly set up, and the demonstration will begin, which is anticipated to finish around 6:15.

Please note: this event is for Master Masons and above only. No EAs or FCs are allowed to attend, as per Information for the Guidance of Members of the Craft.

For those who wish to dine afterwards, there will be pre-dinner drinks at 7 p.m. in the private drawing room at Fortnum & Mason (Piccadilly) with dinner served at 7:30.

Click here to see the impressive dinner menu and to purchase tickets.

     

‘English Masons, both sexes, correct The New European’

    

The United Grand Lodge of England, joined by both The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honorable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, issued a rebuttal today to juvenile criticisms leveled by a member of the House of Lords published in The New European.

That periodical was launched about eight years ago to give a platform for the minority who were outvoted in the Brexit referendum, because, as you know, the globalists are voiceless. Its motto, shown at the top of the top of the banner atop its homepage reads: “Think without borders.” Yes, really.

The House of Lords member is Patience Wheatcroft, the scribe responsible for “Forget the Garrick, What about the Freemasons?” published Wednesday. (The Garrick Club, founded 1831, is a private society for actors and theater lovers that voted May 7 to admit females.) Excerpted:

Patience Wheatcroft

Gentlemen’s clubs in one guise or another have been a feature of the social scene, particularly in London, for centuries while women have enjoyed their own institutions too. Those who were determined to break down the “men only” barrier in Garrick Street argued that it was a special case because really important matters were being discussed and decided by the really important people who met there and this only served to perpetuate the cruel patriarchy that persists in the UK… And right next door to the place where the Garrick’s historic vote was taken early this month–the Connaught Rooms–is the imposing Freemasons’ Hall. That’s home to the United Grand Lodge of England, an organisation which far pre-dates the Garrick and which remains firmly closed to women... This international movement lists its principles as “Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service,” all qualities that might be thought to have appeal to those of every gender and none. Undoubtedly, the movement does charitable works but there are some who suspect that its charity most decidedly begins at home.

“Every gender and none!” That phrase reveals all I need to know about our correspondent.

The Freemasons’ retort says, in part:

Beginning with the numerous claims about Freemasonry’s entry requirements, we are delighted that the author has visited the UGLE website and reflected on the organisation’s core values of Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service. While she was there, it is a shame, however, that Baroness Wheatcroft did not manage to locate the section of our website dedicated to Women Freemasons, who have been proudly meeting in this country for over 100 years. Indeed, even more simply, a cursory Google search would have revealed the websites of the two female Grand Lodges that meet in the United Kingdom, as well as their numerous social media channels. The links for all three of our websites can be found in the footer of this statement and we encourage you to peruse them at your leisure.

Read The New European piece here. Read the Masonic response here.

     

‘Brent Morris receives UGLE Grand Rank’

    

Brent Morris shared this on social media, and says ‘Here is a photograph from Wednesday, April 24 of one of the newest Past Junior Grand Deacons of the United Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of England. We were particularly honored that HRH the Duke of Kent, KG, Most Worshipful Grand Master, was present to preside over the advancement of the honorees.’

Congratulations to Bro. Brent Morris, who was elevated recently to Grand Rank in the United Grand Lodge of England! Brent is among the newest Past Grand Junior Deacons, having been invested at Freemasons’ Hall in London April 24.

If I understand the UGLE’s Constitutions, Brent now is merely sixty-one heartbeats away from the Grand Mastership. Of course you remember he served as Worshipful Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076—the first lodge of research, etc.—for the 2007-08 term, and was the first American Mason to preside over the lodge.

The UGLE’s rules are a little too complicated for me, but there are ninety Grand Rank positions in the UGLE system. The appointment to Past Grand Rank, such as Junior Deacon, is in grateful recognition of good and faithful service to the Craft. Bravo!

You’ll observe the dove on the regalia. A different idea than the moon within the Square and Compasses most of us in America know. “A symbol of purity and innocence; also peace,” says Kenneth R. H. Mackenzie of the bird in his The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia.

     

‘A little British humour’

    

A whimsical April Fools’ Day joke from the admin of the UGLE’s Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London’s social media:

Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter are pleased to announce the “One Journey” Apron for use by Master Masons who are also Exaltees. It can be worn in both Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters and clearly portrays the indissoluble link between the two. The Apron will be available from 12 noon today, so it can be worn at Metropolitan Grand Chapter on 17th April 2024.

Ricky Gervais’ Dutch Barn spots it is not, but a good effort.

     

‘Berman to return as Prestonian Lecturer’

    

Bro. Ric Berman, of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 among others, will serve again as Prestonian Lecturer in the New Year.

Every year, the United Grand Lodge of England selects one scholar to travel around the jurisdiction and present his research at the invitation of lodges. Typically a charity is made beneficiary of whatever proceeds from the sales of the book of the lecture, and sometimes the lecturer travels abroad too.

Bro. Ric has come in this way and manner before; he was Prestonian Lecturer in 2016. Next year, his subject will be “The Second Grand Lodge: the Grand Lodge of Ireland, the London Irish, and Antients Freemasonry.”

Yes!

(The Marshal of my lodge called me a nerd yesterday, intending it in a most complimentary way, because I do get excited over these things.)

The book is available via Amazon already. Ten bucks!

The last time he had the job, he visited America for a short tour during which I was able to book him for a stop at New Jersey’s research lodge. Hopefully he’ll come this way again.

I’m a big fan of the Prestonian Lecture tradition, but I’m not an expert in its history so I can’t name another lecturer who has been appointed a second time. Bro. George Boys-Stones recently had two consecutive years, but that was because the pandemic ruined his intended tenure.

I wonder about the Prestonian’s future. The current honoree is an American—Bro. Akram Elias, Past Grand Master of the District of Columbia. Is English Freemasonry running short on scholars? I’m active in three research lodges and I can see hardly anyone is interested in researching and writing about Freemasonry, and going on tour to present the work. It’s a rarely considered aspect of the shrinking of the Masonic fraternity.

     

‘Emulation Ritual’s bicentenary’

    

emulationloi.org

I wanted to get to this last Monday, which was the actual 200th anniversary, but anyway I’ll note the landmark occasion of the start of Emulation Lodge of Improvement on October 2, 1823 thusly.

Emulation is a Masonic ritual under the English Constitution of Freemasonry. The United Grand Lodge of England has no official ritual; there are, if I understand correctly, approximately eighty rituals found in UGLE lodges around the world, but I’m told practically all of them are variations of Emulation.

What is Emulation?

Seal of the Ancients.

I would say Emulation was the ritual component of bringing together the Grand Lodge of England (the “Moderns” of 1717) and the Grand Lodge According to the Old Institutions (the “Ancients” of 1751). There was a lot more that went into the amalgamation of the grand lodges in 1813 than merely who was going to be in charge. Matters of ritual and regalia and a lot more required a meeting of the minds. To discuss the ritual department, I will defer to Brent Morris and Art de Hoyos, who co-wrote the Introduction to The Perfect Ceremonies of Craft Masonry and The Holy Royal Arch, published by the Masonic Book Club in 2021.

The two former rivals had ritual variances and, for the next two years, a Lodge of Reconciliation met to create a new form of ritual acceptable to all. They did not create an ‘authorized ritual’ which was to be enforced throughout the English Constitution, but rather created a satisfactory form of ritual. Lodges would be free to include variations so long as the essentials were included…

In 1823 the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was founded for Master Masons only. Several of its members had belonged to the Burlington and the Perseverance Lodges of Instruction. Burlington began working in 1810 under the Moderns Grand Lodge, while Perseverance started in 1818 under the United Grand Lodge. As Colin Dyer noted, ‘Among the Founders [of Emulation Lodge] were some who were very able ritualists and who had a great deal of experience and expertise in the working of the new forms according to the Grand Stewards’ Lodge system.’ The founders were almost equally split in membership among the former rival grand lodges.

Peter W. Gilkes

Peter William Gilkes (1765-1833) joined Emulation Lodge of Improvement in 1825. He was initiated at age twenty-one in British Lodge No. 4, a Moderns lodge, in 1786, and became a preeminent instructor of Masonic ritual. Although not a member of the Lodge of Reconciliation, he visited it about ten times. He was known for his strict adherence to verbal accuracy, which is still a characteristic of lodges using Emulation working. It is not known precisely when the lodge adopted its particular working, beyond the lectures, but we can narrow it down to a five-year period. In 1830 the lodge sent a petition, or “Memorial,” to the Grand Master, the Duke of Sussex, requesting a special warrant to continue its practice, and sometime between then [and] about 1835, it formalized its ritual working. The earliest notice of the Emulation working appeared in an article in The Freemasons Quarterly Review (1836):

About the year, 1823, several Brethren considered that the Masonic lectures were not worked in the Lodges upon a sufficiently regulated system, and that if those whose attainments as working Masons placed them as a prominent authority, were to meet together and to work efficiently, they might be the means of effecting much improvement. They accordingly met, we believe in Wardour Street, pursuant to a general notice in the public papers, which advertisement created a considerable sensation in the Craft. Some members of the Grand Stewards’ Lodge, hitherto the only authority for a recognized system, felt that it was necessary to watch the proceedings. Some Grand Officers, with Brother E. Harper, the Grand Secretary, also attended. The several chairs from the Master to the Outer Guard were all filled with the most practical and experienced Masons of the day; and we have the authority of a Grand Officer for stating,  that never was there so perfect an illustration of the ceremonies and lectures ever before manifested. The visitors separated, highly delighted; and among them, the lamented Peter Gilkes, who so highly approved of the proceedings, that, in about twelve months afterwards, he joined the Lodge, and supported it until the time of his death.

 

It was likely in 1836 that the first version of an “Emulation ritual” was printed, appearing under the title, The Whole of the Lodge Ceremonies, and Lectures in Craft Masonry; as taught by the late P. Gilkes. Although an imprint was absent from the publication, the printer may have been George Claret (1783-1850), a well-known ritualist and acquaintance of Gilkes. This work was the first post-Union plain text English ritual, printed as a fraternal aide-mémoire rather than as a public exposé.

I’m starting to ramble, but let me close with a few words from my copy of Emulation, a well used second edition from 1970 that I bought ages ago from Yasha.

The Emulation ritual MM tracing board from Lewis Masonic’s 1970 edition.

Emulation Working takes its name from the Emulation Lodge of Improvement whose committee are the custodians of this particular ritual.... The Emulation Lodge of Improvement for Master Masons first met on 2nd October 1823. The Lodge was formed for Master Masons only, and worked, in its earliest years, only the Masonic lectures. However by about 1830 in accordance with general practice the ceremonies were also being rehearsed—always with considerable attention to accuracy, so that no alteration might inadvertently become practice. The Lodge of Improvement has met uninterruptedly since those days, so soon after the settling of the ceremonies by Grand Lodge in 1816, for the purpose of demonstrating unchanged, so far as has been humanly possible, the Emulation Ritual in accordance with the original method. Since June 1965 the variations permitted by the Grand Lodge Resolution of December 1964, with consequential amendments, have also been periodically demonstrated.

None of this has anything to do with ritual in lodges in the United States. Our practices commenced in the 1700s and evolved on their own paths into what we have today, with all their differences from state to state. Emulation is perfectly comprehensible to the American eye and ear; the biggest difference, I’d say, is the absence of our Enlightenment-era Prestonian lectures. And they have Working Tools that we do not.

If I’m not mistaken, Emulation can be found in America, in certain lodges that adhere to either the Observant or European Concept models. I think Vitruvian 767 in Indianapolis works it. Many years ago, when Marco became Master of St. John’s 1 in Manhattan, he was installed by a Board of Installed Masters of the Emulation style. Needed dispensation for that.

One of many Emulation books.

Emulation Lodge of Improvement still exists and, in fact, hosted an anniversary celebration Friday night. (I tried to join its private Facebook group last week, but couldn’t pass the test questions!) If you are interested, you can purchase ritual books from Lewis Masonic here.

     

‘They came from the sixth floor (and Hong Kong & Italy)’

    

You promise that no Visitor shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, and producing proper Vouchers of his having been initiated in a regular Lodge.

Book of Constitutions

United Grand Lodge of England

The VIPs Monday night. From left: RW George, RW Tomas, RW Peter, WM Tom, the Most Worshipful Richard J. Kessler, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, RW Wayne, RW Philippe, and Bro. Marco in the red of the Grande Oriente d’Italia.

Our Communication Monday night was supposed to have been a pretty dry discussion and adoption of our operating budget for the year but, as is so ordinary in Freemasonry, things got exciting.

Publicity Lodge still tackled its budget, but we were blessed with the company of Grand Lodge top brass and sojourning Masons from distant locales. For the second time in seven months, Grand Master Richard Kessler joined us, even arriving early to socialize with the brethren. He was accompanied by Grand Secretary Richard Schulz, D.D. Grand Master Philippe Hiolle, and Grand Director of Ceremonies Tomas Hull. Their presence was prompted by the advance notice that two very special guests were coming.

Right Worshipful Brother Peter H.Y. Wong, Past District Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England’s District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong and the Far East, was accompanied by RW Wayne Ang, Past District Grand Standard Bearer. As Tiler, I was primed. (That DGL somehow remains in existence.)

In addition, we welcomed an unexpected visitor from Italy: Bro. Marco comes from La Pace (Peace) Lodge 76, under the Grand Orient of Italy in Padua. I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, the English guys can’t sit in lodge with GOI guys!” But that’s not true any longer. In March, the UGLE and the GOI resolved their decades of estrangement, re-establishing recognition, relations, and normalcy, so there was no risk of an international incident erupting in tranquil Publicity Lodge. The English now recognize both the Grand Orient and the Regular Grand Lodge there.

WM Tom, left, greets the delegation from James W. Husted-Fiat Lux Lodge 1068 who journeyed up two flights of stairs to be with us. That’s RW Ron at right.

It really livened things up, having all these eminent Masons with us. What’s more, the meeting of James W. Husted-Fiat Lux Lodge 1068 down on the sixth floor was canceled abruptly because principal officers could not attend, so RW Ron Sablosky brought seven of his lodge brothers upstairs to visit. Pretty good timing, I’d say. What was to have been a forgettable business meeting became a memorable Masonic night. (I, on behalf of the Education Committee, was scheduled to present a discussion on petitioner-interview techniques, but that will be done another time.)

WM Tom, left, and the three PDDGMs: Ron, Rich, and George, with the Grand Master at right.

An additional attraction arose when it became known that RW Sablosky, RW Schulz, and RW George (one of Publicity’s venerable Past Masters) were united in lodge for the first time in many years. The three served together as DDGMs during the 1996-98 term.

I publish a monthly digital magazine of about 25 pages for Publicity Lodge. The November issue will have this photo of the trowel presentation on the front cover. That’s RW Peter Wong on the left and Worshipful Master Tom on the right.

RW Bro. Wong presented our Worshipful Master the gift of a ceremonial trowel, the reverse of which he’d had engraved with a message to commemorate this occasion. Bro. Marco likewise bore gifts: a book, in Italian, about his Grand Orient’s 200+ years; and a reproduction of his lodge’s seal.

And yet, even more serendipitous, RW Sablosky, having no idea RW Wong was present, found himself reunited with his old acquaintance, they having known each other some thirty-five years. Ron invited Peter to his wedding ages ago, and Peter replied with a telegram(!) sending regrets that he couldn’t make the trip. Ron still has the telegram.

Master and Grand Master.

Of course the Grand Master is the last to speak, and MW Kessler praised the civility of our parliamentary budget haggling, segueing into a reminder that we Masons make certain promises to each other. (I’m not the paranoid type, but I wondered if he tailored those remarks for my edification in the wake of the recent Magpie post, about our mayor being made a Mason, that upset some.)

A meeting for the history book, and since I’m Publicity’s Historian, I’d better type this up formally for the permanent record. Can’t wait to see what happens next time.

     

‘A lodge for real ale lovers in England’

    

Speaking of lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England (see post below), a group of Masons in Worcestershire are starting to organize a lodge for real ale enthusiasts.

I told you about Lodge of St. Peter & Harmony 600 last year, and Cervisia Lodge 10032 and Horus Lodge 3155 and the Masonic Craft Beer Society the year before. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire announced on its website Sunday that local brethren are seeking founding members of a Craft lodge for real ale lovers.

What is real ale? We Americans know nothing about it. The mass market diuretics here are pasteurized, homogenized, flavorless, watery frauds. The Beer Connoisseur says:

In traditional pubs in the U.K., patrons stroll up to the bar to select a beer. Along with offerings in bottles and cans, pubs will pour a range of draft lagers and ales. Most fine pubs will also showcase a row of peculiar, elongated, vertical tap handles that resemble billy clubs. These require the bartender to use a bit of muscle to pump the handle a couple of times to suction beer from the cellar up to the pint glass. These “hand-pulled” beers display colorful pump clip labels featuring eccentric names and artwork, and the unfiltered beer pours from a gooseneck spout with a soft, light CO2 sparkle. This quirky, historic English product is known as “real ale” or “cask ale.”

Fizzy draft or keg beer is filtered and pumped full of pressurized carbon dioxide gas, but real ale breweries in the U.K. usually put unfiltered, uncarbonated ale into 10.8-gallon metal casks called “firkins.” A hint of fermentable sugar and live yeast is included in the sealed firkin. Like a bottle of homebrew, the yeast consumes the residual sugar over a few days, producing a natural, subtle carbonation in the cask ale—making real ale a living product.

When the cask arrives at the pub, the cellar person places it in “stillage” position in the cool cellar. A cask in stillage is left horizontal and motionless for a couple of days, allowing the yeast to settle to the bottom and the beer to clarify. English casks are built with a “keystone” serving hole on one end and a larger opening in the center of the cask known as the “shive.” Plastic or wooden shive and keystone bungs get hammered into both openings to seal up the cask ale. Before serving, the cellar person hammers a small wooden peg or “spile” into a depression in the shive bung to monitor the level of CO2 in the ale. Lively casks are allowed to bubble and vent through the wooden spile for a few minutes or hours until the real ale achieves the perfect level of delicate carbonation.

Sounds great to me, and I don’t even drink any more. (I don’t drink any less, but I don’t drink any more!)

I notice mention above of the “keystone” apertures, so maybe a real ale chapter is in the future. Anyway, if you read the graphic above, you know as much as I about this project. To get involved email the brethren here.