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The
Scout Lodge
Freemasonry and the Scout Movement
By George W. Kerr
It may be surprising
to many members of the Craft that there is any
relationship between Masonry and Scouting. The one being for men and
the other for our youth. However, the large number of male Scout
Leaders, many of whom hold a similar attitude to life as do the Masons
and possessing the same basic aims, the similarity can easily be
recognized.
If the Purpose/Aims and Principles of Scouting were to be translated
into adult terms, it can clearly be seen that they are nearly identical
with those of the Craft. Because of this, many people have suggested
that the Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, was a
Mason. It has been confirmed by his late wife, Lady Olave Baden-Powell,
and also his daughter Betty, that he was not a member of the Craft.
His younger brother, Major David Baden-Powell, was a member of the
Craft. Perhaps, this influenced his understanding of the aims of
Masonry, as illustrated by his presentation of a Volume of the Sacred
Law, personally inscribed and signed, to the Baden-Powell Lodge, No.
488, United Grand Lodge of Victoria, Australia. This was presented to
note their Consecration in September 1930 by the then G. M., M .W. Bro.
Lord Somers, who later succeeded Baden-Powell on his death in 1941, as
the Chief Scout.
It is fascinating to analyze and compare the aims and ideals of the two
"brotherhoods." The term "brother" is universal. Every boy who becomes
a Scout is received into the "Worldwide Brotherhood of Scouting" upon
accepting the Scout Promise. Thus the connection to man taking his
Obligation being welcomed as a "Brother Mason." This also applies to
the male adult Leaders who must also accept the Promise. A study of the
wording reveals the conjoined significations:
A Scout
- Promise a Duty to God
- Accept Loyalty to the Queen
- Help other people at all times
A Mason must
- Believe in a Supreme Being
- Obey the laws of God and Man
- Extend Charity and Brotherly Love
Countless Scout
Leaders have proven to strengthen the quality of life
in our jurisdiction and indeed around the World as Scouters and as
Masons. The Kindred Lodges Association is the inclusive title used by a
group of Lodges around the World whose membership is largely composed
of present and former Scout Leaders and similar Youth organizations.
The origin dates back to 1952 at a gathering of Scouter/Masons held at
Scout House in London, England. They proposed that a meeting of Lodges
with a similar dual membership would be of great interest to all. Since
the regular biannual meetings have been held some at Freemason's Hall,
Great Queen St., London and throughout the U.K. The "host" Lodge
prepares a programme, which has included 17th Century Degree Teams,
Prestonian Lectures, Masonic Choirs & Orchestral Concerts, etc.
In
all usually over two hundred attend, with most in uniform and Masonic
clothing.
Quite a colorful gathering.
The Association comprises Lodges around the World including 28 in
England; 1 in Scotland; 1 in Ireland; 2 in Wales; 10 in Australia; 1 in
New Zealand; 1 in Germany; and Scouter/Masonic Clubs in New York and in
Canada. There are also many individual Scouter/Masons not with a
"Youth" Lodges who are affiliated members.It is interesting to note
that two Lodges within The Grand Lodge of Canada in The Province of
Ontario - Spry Lodge No. 385 in Beeton and Spry Lodge No. 406 in
Fenelon Falls are named after M. W. Bro. Daniel Spry, Grand Master
1882/1883, whose Grandson Major General Daniel C. Spry became the Chief
Executive of Scouts Canada in 1946 and Director General of the World
Bureau of Scouting in 1953. He was also the youngest General of the
Canadian Army in World War II.
Lodge Baden-Powell U.G.L. of N.S.W.
A special cloth emblem, in limited numbers, has been produce
by Lodge
Baden-Powell, to commemorate the meeting held on January 4, 1988 for
the Freemasons who attended the 16th World Jamboree in Cataract Scout
Park.
The emblem features the Square and Compasses, the Scout emblem and
depicts the Main Gateway at the entrance to Cataract Scout Park. The
Gateway, constructed by The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales,
serves as a reminder the Freemasonry is interesting in assisting
today's youth to grow to responsible manhood and citizenship.
Our future is our bond with our Youth.
This article was originally written by Bro. Kerr for the
Ontario Mason, and is reprinted from "The
Philalethes" with permission.
