FREEMASONS
benjamin Franklin and George Washington, as well as many of the founding fathers, were big Freemasons.” the walls are also decorated with
many pictures, including symbols denoting the three central tenets of freemasonry - faith symbolised by a cross and crescent; hope symbolised by an anchor; and charity symbolised by a bowl.
On the floor sits a rough piece of
stone, which signifies the roughness of the apprentice when he enters the masons. And then there is the perfect ‘ashlar’ – a smooth cut stone – which the apprentice becomes through ‘labour & study’. there is also a model of the
universal symbols of Freemasons – the compass, square, plumb line and level.
Jim said: “Our symbols signify the
life of a Freemason – the compass for measuring our lives; the square to perfect it; the level signifies equality and the plumb line for uprightness and obeyance to our code of morals “Freemasonry is very much about equality. there are masonic sisterhoods too and anyone over the age of 21 can join, regardless of nationality, colour or creed. there are muslim, christian, Jewish,
buddhist and mixed faith lodges around the world. Freemasonry is not a religion, but to be a member one has to believe in a form purer than man, a supreme being.” symbolic ceremonies are
performed as members move up through the lodge. these ceremonies include references to the first known temple, solomon’s temple, in Jerusalem. the symbolism continues to the regalia, which members
wear at meetings – including an apron and white gloves from their stonemasons’ roots, as well as a sash and collar. Jim admits that all the symbolism adds to the mystery of the society: “the lodges and ceremonies can be intimidating to outsiders but really we’re just a friendly society, there to look after each other. “Freemasons also resent any approach to utilise
freemasonry for business favours – something we have often been accused of – but our moral code does not allow for that.” there are presently over 80 masons in Dartmouth, 4,000 in Devon, 350,000 in uK and millions worldwide. the royal family has traditionally included members, most notably edward vII and vIII, George vI and Prince Philip. the armed forces also feature heavily, throughout the world.
Jim added: “there is a rumour that
the us War of Independence got off to a slow start because both sides were Freemasons and they didn’t want to shoot at each other!” Jim joined the Freemasons in his marine engineer grandfather’s footsteps. He has travelled throughout the
world in his career as a doctor and head of medical research and has also been an active member of the rotterdam lodge in the Netherlands. He said: “For me it is a universal friendship thing. Wherever I go in the world I have friends. “Within the Dartmouth
“Our symbols signify the life of a Freemason – the compass for measuring our lives; the square to perfect it; the level signifies equality and the plumb line for uprightness”
brotherhood we have doctors, directors, recycling managers, chefs and taxi drivers. Due to the brNc, we have a number of ex marine bandsmen. It is all about brotherhood and fraternity nowadays. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was more middle class but not now. “We became a lot more cosmopolitan when members from across the armed forces started to join. because of the equal status of all at the lodge, a private can well become master of the lodge above a general.”
Another major aspect of
Freemasonry is charity. Jim said: “After the National
Lottery we are the biggest provider of general charity funds. We don’t rattle tins, or do any public fundraising, but raise money from within our membership – through
annual subscriptions, and collections and raffles at meetings and dinners.” this year the Dartmouth
Freemasons donated £1,500 to children’s Hospice south West. the english & Welsh masons have, for example, donated to the royal college of surgeons, York minster fire appeal and £50,000 to the red cross to assist in the recent somerset levels floods. the Freemasons also fund their own internal charities, including a ‘Girls and boys’ charity, which helps fund education for poor and orphaned children of masonic families, for which masons in Devon have raised over £3m over the past 5 years. monthly meetings last around one and a half hours and consist of charity giving, ceremonies for those going to the next degree and lectures on aspects of Freemasonry. traditionally people asked to become Freemasons but
now it is more likely that people not only apply directly but could also be recruited by existing members. And the door at Hauley Lodge is always open to new members.
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