Whilst I would not wish to criticise or denigrate the efforts of those who have gone before us, we are suffering as a result of excessive secrecy since the days of the Second World War.
    When I became a Mason in the 1950s I was told that under no circumstances must I ever discuss Masonry with non-masons, and never let it be known that I was a Mason. This probably happened because of the war and the fact that our continental brethren suffered because they were Freemasons.
    We are almost in a catch 22 situation. If we tell everyone that we are Freemasons we shall be accused of trying to use our membership to our material or financial advantage. If we do not tell, then we will be accused of secrecy. This secrecy did not exist in the nineteenth and the earlier part of the twentieth century.
    As Provincial Grand Master of Bristol, I have invited the City council officials, the Lord Mayor, chief executive and leaders of the various political groups to meet me in Freemasons' Hall for lunch or coffee, have a guided tour over the building and ask any questions. So far they have declined.

Action we must take

There are several matters that should concern Freemasons as we look forward to the new century, and actions that we must take. First, vigilance. We must all be vigilant and ensure that any items which indicate that Freemasons are being attacked or discriminated against are brought to the attention of the authorities. The best form of defence is attack, and we should and shall attack wherever we see unjustified comments made.
    Then there is the question of learning the ceremonies. More and more Freemasons are finding that their occupation is very demanding, and may mean a great deal of travelling and working very long hours. In such cases, willing as they are to progress to the Master’s Chair, they are not able to give the time to learning all the ceremonies.
    If we wish to retain young men who are in this position, it is important that we recognise their difficulty and do all that we can to help them. Those of us who are older, and perhaps have retired, should be prepared to help them. There are many parts of the ceremonies that can be carried out by a brother who is not the Master.
    Indeed, in one of the Bristol Lodges, it is customary for one of the stewards to deliver the Charity Charge in the first degree. There may be a special relationship between the candidate and one of the Past Masters. This would present an excellent opportunity for parts of the ceremonies to be conducted by him.
    I am not advocating that those who aspire to the Chair should not do any of the work. However, that should not preclude anyone from occupying the Chair because of the pressure being exerted on him by his occupation. Masonry is intended to be enjoyed, and it is not possible to do so if the pressures of occupation are too great.
    In the new century the pressures of work are increasing. The “job for life” philosophy has gone, and if we are to retain the interest of younger men, who represent the future of the craft, we must do all that we can to help.
    Many of our younger brethren have difficulty in getting to Lodge meetings before six or seven o'clock in the evening. Lodge meetings starting before this time are preventing these young men from attending, and they resign.
    Those who are retired do not mind the very early start, and if the early starting time is adhered to, we shall become an organisation for the retired. For example, the reading of minutes is considered by many brethren to be extremely boring. They do not want to hear a long list of names and details of the last ceremony read at the Lodge meeting.
    A large number of brethren have asked me why I cannot tell Lodges to circulate their minutes. I only make recommendations. Older brethren, particularly those who, by reason of age or infirmity are not able to attend every meeting, love to have the minutes circulated in order to keep abreast of Lodge activity.
    I also receive comments from brethren about the length of the after-proceedings. Some of the younger members have to be at work early the next morning and some of the older members become very tired towards the end of an evening. Long speeches and a long list of toasts may have been all right in the 19th and early 20th century, but those days have gone.
    If Lodge meetings and after-proceedings are not interesting, members will not attend and numbers will diminish. That something has been done for many years, and is a Lodge “tradition” does not necessarily make it right. As long as we do not depart from the great principles of Masonry, there is no need to introduce odd bits.

Question of women

Then there is the question of women. At my Installation as PGM I said that I wanted to be known as someone who admitted ladies into Freemasons' Hall in Bristol. This is essential in order to ensure the well-being of the Craft.
    Most women are now working. Gone are the days when wives stayed at home to look after the home and the children or when men gave their wives housekeeping money and retained the rest for their own use. It is essential that women realise what we are doing and are involved in all our social activities.
    A ladies night once a year would now be considered a sop. Ladies can, and often do, assist greatly in our charitable work. This must be right, as the money that Freemasons give in practising that great Masonic virtue, Charity, is as much theirs as ours.

Social activities

What of social activities? We must increase this side of Freemasonry. For example, what a joy it was to have the Welsh Opera at Freemasons' Hall in Bristol. It was a sell-out.
    Last year we invited to Freemasons' Hall those interested in the research at the Department of Surgery at Bristol University, much of it funded by Freemasons. This, too, was extremely successful.
    There will shortly to be an organ recital in the Number One Temple, and is a splendid use of our new organ. We have had the Bristol and District Organist Association hold their annual luncheon in the building, then played the organ before going to the cathedral for evensong. The Board of Directors of Freemasons of Bristol is actively looking for outside organisations to use the building.
    The issue of lady Freemasons is a very contentious subject. They are not a very strong organisation, but they certainly exist and have the same three Great Principles as male Freemasons.
    In July 1997 the United Grand Lodge of England’s Board of General Purposes considered the use of buildings owned by English Freemasons by the Lady Freemasons. It was resolved that the ladies could use Masonic halls for social functions but not Lodge meetings, subject to those who use and run them being content.. This does not extend to co-Masons, who do not practice Freemasonry as we know it. The Board of General Purposes is to reconsider this matter, and I shall be interested to see the outcome.
    I believe that we shall receive permission to allow lady freemasons to use our premises for their Lodge meetings, should they and we so desire. If this happens, it is possible that, towards the end of this century, that joint meetings will be held. I do not think this will happen in any of our lifetimes, but I am convinced that it will happen one day.
    There is also the issue of Freemasonry and the church. During the past 20 years or so there has been a move among certain parts of the Christian Church to distance itself from Freemasonry. It is surprising that this should have happened, particularly when one considers some of the prominent churchmen who have been Freemasons, Archbishops of Canterbury among them.
    It is imperative that those of us who are practising Christians should make it our business to show those in the church who are against us on religious grounds, are mistaken and often misinformed.
    I believe that Freemasonry will continue to flourish provided that we make sure that it advances in the ways I have suggested. Freemasonry has been in existence for many hundreds of years. Whether we believe that Freemasonry started amongst the builders of the great cathedrals, or from the Scottish Knights Templars, we know that the principles of Masonry are pure and all its requirements just. I am confident that it will continue to thrive throughout the third millennium.