The following are the interpretations and thoughts of 
W. Bro. Steve Baker PPJGW, SLGR, SLGCR, PZ, MAGInsp. of Ongar Lodge No. 4785

1.     Who Can Join Freemasonry?
2.     Who and what are Freemasons?
3.     Will being a Freemason help me in business?
4.     Why do people join Freemasonry?
5.     Where and when do you meet?
6.     Do I have to attend every meeting?
7.     What will Freemasonry cost me?
8.     How do I progress in Freemasonry?
9.    How will I learn about Freemasonry?
10. How do I join Ongar Lodge?
11.     What is the dress code?
12. Can I visit other Lodges?

1.  Who Can Join Freemasonry?

Membership is open to all faiths who are law-abiding, of good character, and who acknowledge a belief in a supreme being. Freemasonry is a multi-racial and cultural organisation. It has attracted men of goodwill from all sectors of the community into its membership.

2. Who and what are Freemasons

English Freemasonry dates back to the 1700s. The earliest recorded 'making' of a Freemason in England was in 1646, but the United Grand Lodge of England was founded on 24th June 1717

Freemasons are a society of men who in most cases must be 21 years old or over. They are taught the precepts of Freemasonry by a series of ritual dramas, which follow ancient forms and use stonemasons' customs and tools. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) control all Masonic concerns and masonry across the World.

The Grand Master is His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent and in all ages monarchs and the Royal Family have been Freemasons including King George 1V (1762-1830) , King Edward V11 (1841-1910),  King George V1 (1895-1952)  & King Edward V111 (1894-1972) Prince Phillip Duke of Kent. Many other great people, from many walks of life have become, or are Freemasons, including Statesmen  - Sir Winston Churchill (1864-1965), & George Washington (1732-1799), Scientist - Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955),  Charity – Dr. Barnardo (1845-1905),  Businessman - Henry Ford (1863-1947) Writers – Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), & Robert Burns (1759-1796), Astronaut – Buzz Aldrin, Actors &  Entertainers – John Wayne (1907-1979), William Cody (“Buffalo Bill”) (1846-1917), Sir Peter Sellers (1925-1980), David Nixon, Alfred Marks, Tommy Trinder, Jim Davidson, & Harry Houdini, Oscar Wilde, Musicians – Gilbert & Sullivan, Nat “King” Cole, Beethoven, Mozart, Rick Wakeman, Sportsmen – Jackie Milburn, Jock Stein & Sir Alf Ramsey (football),  Sir Len Hutton & Sir Clive Lloyd (Cricket) – William “JACK” Dempsey & “Sugar Ray” Robinson, Joe Frazier, (Boxing), Peter Ebdon (Snooker), Arnold Palmer (Golf) + Many many more.

It is necessary to believe in a supreme being, this in the main is God, however Hindu’s and Muslims for example have their own supreme beings.

There are Ladies Lodges, however these are not recognised by the UGLE, however Ladies Lodges are allowed to meet at Great Queen Street the home of English Freemasonry?

Our society is founded on the purest principals of doing good for others as you would wish they would do to you, this being irrespective of colour or creed. Many times you will hear that Freemasonry is a secret society, we prefer to say that we are a society with secrets, and we guard these secrets very tightly.

These secrets are communicated to each other in various ways, which you will learn as you progress through your Masonic career, but generally you will identify other Freemasons by the way that they conduct themselves in business and in private.

The entry route to all levels of Freemasonry is through what we call, Craft Masonry, this teaches the story of the building of Kings Solomon’s Temple and follows the journey from Apprentice to Master Stone Mason.

3. Will being a Freemason help me in business?

It is generally considered that you should not use your Freemasonry as a ladder to assist business.

However my thoughts are slightly different to this, let us look at another group of men who get together such as a football team. Consider that we are all part of the same team and within that team one is a mechanic, another a vehicle sprayer and one a salesman. Another team member is looking for a good car for their wife, I see absolutely nothing wrong, and indeed I feel it would be totally natural for this team member to ask the salesman if he had a good car in his showroom, “yes but it needs a good service and it has a scratch on the wing”. Within the team there exists the skills to sort these problems, at the end of the day everyone is happy, everyone has been paid and the result is a good car and a happy wife, what is wrong with that?   Everyone’s a winner

4.  What is Freemasonry and Why do people join ?

People become Freemasons for a variety of reasons, some as the result of family tradition, others upon the introduction of a friend or some, just out of curiosity to know what it is all about, and why so many people enjoy it.

Freemasonry offers its members an approach to life which seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount, but importantly Freemasonry also teaches and practises concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.

5. Where and when do you meet ?

The Ongar Lodge meetings take place 4 times a year & the meetings generally always take place at the same venue.

We meet at The Harlow Masonic Centre, which is found next to the church in Church Street, off Potter Street, Harlow Essex.

We always meet on the third Friday in the months of September, October, March & May.

Unless, as has happened in the past, it clashes with a Bank (Public) Holiday

The meetings usually start at 5.00pm so as not to interrupt too much with members work commitments.  The Secretary posts a summons to each member prior to every meeting, this will confirm the date & time, and list the work to be conducted during the meeting. After the official Lodge meeting the members dine together at a festive board at the Masonic Hall, this usually finishes at approx. 9.30pm .

6. Do I have to attend every meeting?

It is usual to attend all meetings, but family commitments and business must come first at all times.

7.  What will Freemasonry cost me?

There is a one off joining fee (Initiation Fee) of £75 to Join Ongar Lodge

This along with the balance of the years subscriptions are payable on the night that you join. By the balance of subscriptions I mean that should someone join, say in March, he would have missed our first meeting in October therefore there are 3 meetings left for that Masonic year and the subscription will be divided by the remaining meetings. The subscription is paid annually to cover the membership and the administrative costs of running the lodge, and is due on 1st October each year

The current subscriptions for Ongar Lodge are:

Membership Fee at present is £260 per year, this includes a 4 Course dinner + Wine or soft drinks, at the festive Board

On top of these are other expenses (General Expenses)

General Expenses are other out of pocket personal costs that you must take into consideration such as travelling, petrol, bar drinks, raffle etc.

We hold a raffle, during the festive board, usually at a cost of £1.00 per ticket, (majority of members generally buy a minimum of £5 of tickets) plus have a charity collection within the Lodge meeting, where each member puts in whatever he wishes or can afford.

8.  How do I progress in Freemasonry?

Progression is completely your choice, the majority of members seek to become the Master of the Lodge, this in most cases will take approx. 7-10 years and during these years there are other offices that you would need to take to prepare you for the Masters chair. It has been known however for some members to become Master after 5  or 6 years

9. How will I learn about Freemasonry?

The best way to learn about Freemasonry and to show commitment is to attend Lodge of Instruction (L of I) which is where we practice our ritual. This is held usually weekly throughout the Masonic season and the Ongar Lodge L.o.I is currently held at the Black Bull pub in Fyfield Essex, this being due to the majority of the Lodge members being from around this area. It is not necessary to attend every week, but most of us feel that it is good to meet up regularly and practice a section of Masonic Ritual. This starts at approx. 7.30pm and usually finishes by 8.45pm

10.  How do I join?

Once you have made up your mind and discussed this with your partner, who’s support will be necessary for you to enjoy your Masonic career you will need a proposer & Seconder, and after completing a joining form you will need to attend a formal interview held with some of the senior members of the lodge.

At this meeting you will be asked various questions and you must feel free to ask as many questions as you wish. The one criteria is that you must believe in a supreme being, as already mentioned for most Christians this would be God.

Once this is complete and agreed by the members, a date will be set for your initiation.

Directly prior to your initiation the Lodge members will vote on your application. The initiation ceremony has been unchanged for hundreds of years and the members of the Royal Family and nobility that are members will have gone through exactly the same ceremony that you will enjoy.

After this ceremony you would have completed your first regular step in Freemasonry and have completed your first degree with 2 others to follow before you become a Master Mason.

There are 33 degrees in Freemasonry that represents the 33 years that Christ lived, this however is not a religious order. Most Freemasons will only ever complete the first 3 degrees to become a Master Mason, you can continue, the choice is totally yours.

11.  What is the dress code?

Dark Lounge suits are required at all meetings, with white shirt and a black or Masonic tie, with black socks & black shoes. You are required to wear White gloves while in the Temple and these will be required the day you join.

Until you reach the degree of a Master Mason which usually takes 1-2 years you will not require any other form of Regalia as the Lodge supplies this. Thereafter you will require your own Regalia and this currently costs approx. £45.

12.  Can I visit other Lodges?

Yes in the UK, and after reaching the rank of a Master Mason (usually 1-2 years) you can visit overseas Lodges while on holiday for example, this is as long as they are recognised by UGLE. To visit abroad you must always obtain permission, which the Secretary will arrange for you.