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          Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt Ontario Canada, M1S 2P6. Tel:
          416-293-8071 Fax: 416-293-8634 or 
          CIS: 71202,22
          
          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 Scared 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:
          
               Scouting must                 Masonry must
           
               Promise a Duty to God              Believe in a
          Supreme Being
               Accept Loyalty to the Queen        Obey the laws
          of God and Man
               Help other people at all times          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.
          
          EDITOR'S NOTE:
          
          This article was written by Bro. Kerr for the Ontario Mason, and
          is reprinted with his permission