It was with sadness that I heard the decision of Lord Northampton to resign as Pro Grand Master. And that feeling was reinforced by his address to Brethren attending Grand Lodge in December, the highlights of which are given on page 7 of this issue.
     Lord Northampton ushered in a remarkable reorientation of the Craft and Royal Arch. It is not so much that elements have been changed, though of course there have been changes, it is that Freemasonry’s relationship with its Brethren and with society beyond has been refocused.
     After the Second World War, Freemasonry experienced a huge increase in membership: between 1945 and 1950 the formation of new lodges was running at three to four times the pre-war rate. In 1948, for example, 202 new lodges were founded. Almost 4000 new lodges have been formed since the Second World War. At present the position is very different: in 2005 sixteen new lodges were formed. Times have changed; Freemasonry must change to accommodate this.
     But accommodating change does not mean throwing out the ‘hard’ bits and our heritage in a desperate rush to grab the last towel on the lowest common denominator, then relaxing into a state of comatose selfsatisfaction, seeking a tan rather than wisdom from the blazing star above.
     Accommodating change means adapting, or in the words of Lord Northampton, not being afraid to try something new ‘so long as it is within our rules.’ Freemasonry is a journey; if the territory we are passing through changes then we must modify our style of movement. But the journey still continues. We must not succumb to the modern disease of living vicariously and thereby letting others make the journey for us. The aim of Freemasonry is to make better men, who in turn make a better society; this cannot be done without the journey to gain knowledge, insight and eventually, we have good reason to hope, wisdom.
     Indeed, this is our heritage. We simply need to recognise its value and its depths of wisdom. We need to recognise its direct relevance to the life we lead for it is this heritage that we pass on, it is directly relevant to the world which we create for coming generations.
     Lord Northampton has brought two great changes to Freemasonry which has rendered it durable and relevant to the present century and beyond. He has introduced structural changes in the executive to make it more open, accountable and responsive to the needs of Brethren and he has re-emphasised the continuing vitality and importance of the three great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
     And by this new emphasis he has reminded all Freemasons of our deep spiritual roots; roots which are able to find an easy relationship with any of the world’s religions.
     We are living in uncertain times. Society often seems determined to fracture. People seem determined to cause trouble with others who do not share their politics or beliefs. Nations seem to be growing apart rather than finding common cause.
     Freemasonry, with its uncompromising stand on the divisions caused by politics and religion yet its equally uncompromising demand that the Divine Principle be recognised, together with its aspiration to bring men together in agreement, rather than to drive them apart, is in a crucial position to help: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth are sorely needed in the twenty-first century. Lord Northampton has been correct to focus Freemasonry back upon its great principles.

On page 8 we report on the sudden tragic death of our much loved Deputy Editor, Andrew Montgomery. He was a great friend and an inspired and amusing writer. ‘Monty’ wrote our long-standing and very popular ‘Brother Lightfoote’s Journal’ which will now, inevitably, come to an end. I will miss reading of the extravagant dinners he managed to consume, washed down, of course, by only the finest vintages. If only Lightfoote’s Stonic Lodge had maintained a cellar instead of drinking its contents, what might it have been able to offer a simple visitor today? However, as Editor, I hear rumours and one which is currently making the rounds concerns the discovery of a diary ill-kept by a greatgrandson of Brother Lightfoote who was also a member of Stonic Lodge and habitué of the Yorick Tavern, though many years later. I must see if there is some kernel of truth behind this idle talk.
     Matthew Scanlan has come on board as Assistant Editor. He has been writing articles for Freemasonry Today since the very beginning of the privately funded magazine, for which he was, for a time, News Editor. He has also contributed to the present United Grand Lodge of England’s Freemasonry Today, as readers will know.

Errata: In Issue No.4 (Autumn, 2008) the photographs of the Deputy Grand Master (p.6), four of the Grand Master opening the new offices for the masonic charities (p.7) and the portrait of the Pro Grand Master in regalia (p.23) were by David Peabody.
     The letter concerning the Alamo on page 54 was written by Glanville Thomas of Aberhonddu Lodge, No. 8588.
     The new lodges recorded on page 60 should list under 1 May 2008, Gates of Heaven Lodge, No. 9842, meeting at Sarah and Abraham Lopes Dias Hall, London.
     The caption to the photograph on page 39 should read ‘Dean Collings sees the day returning.’

Michael Baigent, MA