Inside The Lodge

Masonic meetings are quite structured affairs and rather like a familiar religious service, those who attend regularly get to know what's coming next.

There are two sides to a Lodge meeting:  the regular business, such as minutes of the previous meeting, Treasurer's report and so on  -  and the Masonic Ceremony of the day.

The regular business is similar to any club or society and needs no explanation.  The interesting bit is the Masonic Ceremony.

There are four main Ceremonies...  three of which are concerned with the admission and progress of new members or Candidates and one which is reserved for the Installation of the new Master. The Installation Ceremony is held once a year and the others take place when a new member is ready to either enter or advance.

Each of the Ceremonies follows a long-established form and those taking part are expected to 'learn their lines'.  It's all very traditional, with most of the language dating from the 18th and 19th centuries -   but there is a central theme, in which stories and symbols from the days of King Solomon and the ancient stonemasons who built the Temple at Jerusalem, are used to illustrate lessons in morality.

At each stage of his progression, a Mason is entrusted with a secret means of proving the level he has attained. At the same time, he makes a solemn promise not to disclose what he has seen to anyone who is not a Mason.  As well as being a reminder of how medieval masons were able to prove their qualifications, it also serves as an up-to-date exercise in trust and integrity.  Most importantly, this is the extent of Masonic secrecy and these means of identity within a Lodge have no value or relevance elsewhere  -  with the possible exception of the famous Masonic 'handshake' which some members use when greeting each other outside a Lodge.

All Masonic meetings are opened and closed with a short non-denominational prayer and every candidate is asked to confirm his belief in God or one Supreme Being as an essential qualification for membership.  However, Freemasonry is not a separate religion and does not conflict with differing Faiths.  Religious discussion plays no part in Freemasonry and it is commonplace for Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and others of no particular affiliation, to all meet as Brothers in a Lodge meeting.

Once the work of the Lodge is complete, the members and their guests have dinner together, followed by one or two customary Toasts.