Ashlar Chippings

Symbolic Masonic Penalties

During 1964 the lengthy argument about whether or not it was appropriate for penalties, symbolic though they were, should be included in the wording of the obligations.

 

The argument became quite fierce at times at all levels from private lodges to the Grand Lodge itself. The image here is a small portion of one of the letters dated 15th October 1964 showing the tenor of argument:

 

Penalties Letter
IMAGE CREDIT:  Hugh O’Neill

The upshot was that Grand Lodge debated the matter and issued an instruction that lodges should decide for themselves whether or not to use a ‘permissive variation’ of the obligation with the penalties removed from the wording of the obligation but explained later in the ceremony. 

Lodges then voted on the matter; some for and some against the permissive variation.  Some, like my own, voted to try the variation for a period and revisit the question later.  In our case after five years, as with other lodges, the decision was to revert to the traditional form. 

However, in 1984 Grand Lodge mandated that the permissive variation was to become permanent and so it is.  Grand Lodge, cognisant of the reasons behind rule 155 Book of Constitutions, avoided imposing any particular words, leaving that to each lodge to determine for itself.

 

Eligibility? – It depends.

I am reminded of a story, within my own experience, of a bright young Candidate, who on being asked “Do you believe in God ?” hesitated a moment and said “Well, it depends on what you mean by God”.  The Committee were momentarily shocked by what seemed to be a rather careless or casual reply.  But the W.M. remained unruffled – and very quietly he continued:-

“No, Mr …….. it depends on what you mean by God”.

The Candidate was a good talker, but he talked himself out of that lodge, and was not admitted.

Extract from Bro H Carr, AQC vol. 83, ‘Non-Conforming Candidates’, pp. 380/381

Provincial AGMs During COVID-19 Suspension

During a normal summer recess, it is common practice for Provinces to hold their Annual General Meetings. This year, the suspension prohibits these occasions.

 

Some provinces will perforce be expecting to replace a resigning Provincial Grand Master. Book of Constitutions rule 63, details the appointment by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master by his patent. However, although the patent may be issued, this rule holds that it cannot come into full effect until the Provincial  Grand Master Designate has been installed at the first Provincial Grand Lodge, which he has summoned, after his appointment.

So, the current Provincial  Grand Master having resigned and his prospective successor having received the patent, the rule prevents him from exercising the normal functions of that office until he is installed – what now?

The answer lies in rule 64, whereby the Deputy Provincial  Grand Master is endowed with those powers as ‘Deputy Provincial Grand Master in Charge’. The procedure is a well trodden path when a Provincial  Grand Master  leaves office for any of a number of reasons before his term of office has expired.

This would appear to remain so in this case of suspension preventing the installation taking place. In many instances a current Deputy may be the Prov GM designate but under these two rules he cannot be entitled to the designation of Prov GM until he has actually been installed at the above mentioned Provincial meeting.

Further, rule 3 allows ‘substituted authorities’ (which can be interpreted as including a Deputy Provincial  Grand Master  in Charge) to act in Grand Lodge with the same validity as the brother he represents.

So, without so much as a blink, the rules of UGLE cover, with clarity and simplicity, a matter which some may see as deeply complex.

Article by: Hugh O'Neill

Hugh O'Neill

Past Master of Craft lodges under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Member (Master 2022-2023) of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076,  the world’s premier Masonic research lodge.

Masonic historian and orator on Masonic topics.

 

 

Recent Articles: Ashlar Chippings

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Track and Trace - nailed it!,
2) Trouble at t’mill ,
3) The ‘Official’ Visit and
4) Whence the penalty? 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Lewies and the Tenue Blanche in New York and
2) Penalties - worth it? 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Veiled in Allegory and Illustrated by Symbols
and
2) Intriguing Coincidence? 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Lord Carnarvon's 'recuperation' and
2) "Freemasonry" in Naples in the Eighteenth Century 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Take care for whom you vouch!
2) Perilous Time
3) On asking for a Certificate of Good Standing and
3) The Wrong Frequency! 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Some words and phrases and
2) Rudyard Kipling 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1) Multiple ceremonies and
2) A horseman revealed! 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: - Emblems on an Installed Master’s Apron. 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
1)The Stiff Upper Lip - Keep Calm and Carry On – Masonic Style and
2)Ladies’ Freemasonry 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) Understanding Freemasonry,
2) Where was the Foundry? and
3) Answer this and answer true 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) How to get your Knighthood,
2) The Cowan,
3) Keeping the Tankards topped up! and
4) Installation of a Lodge Master (1723) 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) Whence Came the Rosettes,
2) The Freemasons' Motto and
3) On the carpet - Hundred of Elloe Lodge No. 469 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) New Master,
2) Veiled in Allegory and illustrated by Symbols and
3) Emasculation! 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
Masonic Symbolism 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) The well qualified Master Elect,
2) An Irish Obligation,
3) A chair going spare?,
4) Hirsute Masons and
5) Nature’s Bounty 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) A ‘Masonic’ Dodo!,
2) Public ‘Open Nights’ and
3) Fraternity or Corporation? 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -
Tercentenary of United Grand Lodge of England - 1721-2021 season 2 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) Our charitable visitors,
2) Speculation?,
3) The Recovery of that which was Lost and
4) Showing the flag 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) The Future of Masonry,
2) Why is the apron flap sometimes up and sometimes down? and
3) The scandalous William Preston 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) That ‘H’ word,
2) Lesser Lights - what are they?,
3) The darkness comprehended it not!,
4) Interpretations of Symbols and
5) Tailpiece 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

Neville Barker Cryer personal view of Freemasonry 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) Equality,
2) The Faithful Few,
3) What’s the Attraction? and
4) Slap on the wrist for a Past Grand Master 

Fifty Shades of Blue

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

Fifty Shades of Blue! - The discussion of Provincial Honours amongst UGLE members appears to be ever contentious 

Masonic Sea Chest

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

Masonic Sea Chest from the Orlop Deck of HMS Victory 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar: -

1) Symbolic Masonic Penalties,
2) Eligibility? – It depends and
3) Provincial AGMs During COVID-19 Suspension 

Ashlar Chippings

Hugh O’Neill's regular chippings whilst smoothing the ashlar -
1) We are where we are, because… and
2) Ornaments to the Society 

masonic knowledge

to be a better citizen of the world

share the square with two brothers

click image to open email app on mobile device

Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle

The Correspondence Circle exists so that as wide an audience as possible may enjoy and benefit from the research efforts of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, the premier Masonic research Lodge in the world.

Join or Renew

Membership

Share this article ....

Contents