Argosy Lodge

W Bro Alan Peters of Fidelity Lodge No 3, PAGDC, PAGDC (RA) writes…

Knowing a number of people who were Freemasons, my curiosity was aroused when I was in my late twenties and I was invited to join them. However, with a wife, two young daughters and job uncertainty, I was hesitant about joining.

Some years later, I was again invited to join and, this time, it felt right. When the big day arrived for my Initiation, I had hair growing out of the palms of my hands! It was a hot June afternoon and all I could hear was banging and jangling in the Lodge room; but a very reassuring Tyler offered me tea and biscuits and convinced me that I would be alright. I felt that I would ‘go with the flow’ and, if I didn’t like what I saw, I could always say ‘thank you but no thank you’.

Quite the contrary happened. I was blown away by an experience that I will never forget. In fact, it seems like only yesterday. Inevitably, some meetings have been better than others but I have never not enjoyed a meeting, and have got to know so many friends.

We hear, see and read many good things about Freemasonry: its origins, development, history, and the characters that have made it the great Fraternity that it is today.

But I want to put to you an idea that steers away from the hard facts, and it is what I call my F-G Factor. The ‘F-G’ in this instance standing for ‘feel-good’. Whilst of course, there are frustrations in almost everything we do, we also look to our meetings for their therapeutic and cathartic value, even if this is achieved subconsciously and subliminally. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world and entering a world of peace and tranquility, if only for a few hours, we may not even realise the curative powers of our assemblies.

We calm down, we are absorbed by the ritual, we enter a world within a world, and bond with our Brethren: after all, we have carefully selected and vetted those who have joined us. We have welcomed them, embraced them and guided them through their admission into Masonic light. 

But what are the components of this ‘feel good factor’? Let’s start with meeting regular members of the Lodge and guests. Then enjoying the ceremony which might perhaps include listening to a good speaker. Hearing the ritual performed well. Of seeing perhaps a father Initiate his son. The Lodge being honoured with distinguished visitors for a special meeting. Being part of an important ceremony and, after all that, the Festive Board. Of knowing that the ultimate objective of our Ancient and Honourable Institution is the welfare of our fellow beings under the watchful and omnipresent eye of T.G.A.O.T.U. and knowing that we have worked well. It is an almost indescribable feeling to some. 

Have you seen grown men dabbing their eyes when the Master’s song is sung to them at their Installation, when a room full of men raise a glass and drink a toast to their health? Have you ever been to a Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge and marvelled at the precision of the ceremony, seen the Grand Officers, Provincial and District Grand Masters in tailcoats, wearing their regalia and Chains of Office, parade in to the rousing music of the Grand Organist – truly music to stir the heart? Insofar as every organisation has a structure, we are not different, and it is only right that we should acknowledge rank and experience. 

Have you ever been in the position to present a cheque to a deserving cause on behalf of your Lodge? Beaten the challenge to learn some of the work that you have been asked to do? Been told that you have done well and been recognised by your Brethren in Lodge for your efforts?

Have you perhaps had direct benefit yourself from Freemasonry, for example the support of your Brethren when you needed it? The list goes on, but like a good book or film that you have enjoyed, if you ask yourself what it is that made it good for you, it will be different to what made it good for another Brother. It means different things to different people. You often cannot pin it down to one single thing. We are in a people business, and it is no doubt a combination of many of these factors that have been the cement to bind our Fraternity together for over three hundred years. As any man of good standing is welcomed into our ranks, isn’t this something we should be telling our friends, relatives and associates about?

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.