Just around the Cornerstone

Northern Conference 2006 "To work with Love and Harmony "
Hemsley House, Salford, Greater Manchester
Saturday 11th November 2006

The 2006 Northern Conference was held once again in the familiar surroundings of Hemsley House, Salford on Saturday 11th November. George Francis, Senior Grand Warden, Second Grand Principal and Chairman of the Cornerstone Society opened the proceedings and welcomed all those present.

Julian Rees, Deputy Editor of Freemasonry Today was the first speaker. With accompanying vivid images projected onto the screen behind him, Julian asked the question, "What is Freemasonry?" in his talk entitled "The Way to the Centre". Julian proposed that we may be short-changing ourselves by trying to describe in words that which cannot be described adequately with words at all. Freemasonry is described in the ritual as "a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Allegory is the key word here. We cannot name, in words, that which is only describable by allusion, inference, hints, signposts, codes. The name may not necessarily impart the essence of what the Candidate experiences when he passes through the three degrees.

Prof. Njordur P Nardvick, the Grand Master of the International Order of Co Freemasonry Le Droit Humain, gave a most enlightenting talk entitled "In the Light of Truth". In this talk, Njordur examined what we mean by Masonic light. He questioned where does a Masonic Lodge come from when it is called into existance? For him Freemasonry is a method, which teaches us a threefold way to human development: moral, intellectual and spiritual. The beauty of a symbolic ritual is that it can be understood and interpreted on different levels, and thus different individuals can all draw lessons from it according to their different abilities and backgrounds. Masonic initiation changes our lives - they can never be the same again.

After an excellent buffet lunch, Trevor Stewart, Prestonian Lecturer 2004 gave his paper entitled "The Way Forward". He discussed how we can re-engage members through challenging and meaningful activities in Lodge. Ritual is important, but merely rehearsing it is not enough. He took us back to the 18th century and described the typical activities in Lodges at the time. He gave examples of how he had employed various techniques based on these to successfully stimulate discussion and learning at Masonic meetings.

Finally, Dr Brent Morris, Editor of the world's largest Masonic periodical, the Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry, Supreme Council 33 degrees, Southern Jurisdiction USA gave his talk, "The Forest and the Trees". He took the meaning of his Freemasonry back to fundamentals and demonstrated what riches it can produce for both its members and others who are touched by it around the world.

Finally, there was Question Time. Many topics were covered including Masonic Education, white apron Lodges, the background to and history of the Co Masonic order, and the 33 degrees of the Supreme Council.

From left to right: Julian Rees, George Francis Chairman of the Cornerstone Society, Nigel Bramley-Haworth (DPrGM East Lancashire), Trevor Stewart, Dr Brent Morris, Prof Njordur P Njardvik, Mark St J Qualter Secretary of the Cornerstone Society.