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1765 Degree: What Is It?We are the home of 1765 Degree Team which performs a Degree from 1765 of which the proceeds go to Charity. Our travel's with the 1765 Degree team have taken us as far as Tacoma – Washington, Vancouver - British Columbia, and Edmonton – Alberta. This is an excellent way for other Mason's to see a Historic Degree and meet the Brethren of Cornerstone Lodge. The Cornerstone Players were formed in 1999 under the direction of Bro. Mark Toon. Ten Brethren of Cornerstone were enlisted as a cast for the play. A lot of preparation went into the production. There were period costumes to be designed and sewn, a carpet and regalia to be made, and props to be gathered. Many hours of rehearsal took place and at last the play was ready for presentation. It was first performed on Nov. 23, 1999 at the 94th anniversary meeting of Cornerstone Lodge. The demonstration is, as nearly as the Players can portray it, a representation of a lodge meeting and initiation ceremony which took place in Union Lodge at the Union Hotel, Royal Square, St. Helier, Jersey in October 1765. This was the first permanent lodge in Jersey and its warrant was issued in April 1765. The lodge was duly registered in the Grand Lodge of England as Lodge No. 349. Its first Master was an Ancient Mason and though instituted under a Modern Warrant, Union Lodge worked with the Ancient Ritual. The Players make no pretence of showing the actual ritual work by Union Lodge as there is too little information to do that. However what the group strives to show is what might have been seen if you were visiting a lodge anywhere in England or its colonies more than two centuries ago. The audience is asked to participate in the performance. When lodge is called up, the audience stands. When asked to sing, they join in. (The words are in the program.) They can "vote". They can toast. Most importantly - they can enjoy themselves. The setting for the Cornerstone version of the play, is a meeting room above the Union Hotel, Royal Square, St. Helier, in Colonial Canada. (All Masonic Lodges in English North America operated under warrants from the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland or Ireland) The night air is chilly and a covering of freshly-fallen snow sparkles under the kerosene street lamps, hiding the dirt and filth that litter the now nearly-deserted street below. It is the evening of February 15, A.D. 1765, A.L. 5765 - six years after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, eleven years before the American colonies' war of independence. George III is King. General James Murray is the Civil Governor of Canada. The Purpose....It is hoped this demonstration will provide the brethren with Masonic Education as well as entertainment. Above all, this demonstration is given to raise money for worthwhile Masonic Charities. A collection is taken during presentation of the Northeast Corner lecture, to this end. The Cast…Unless otherwise noted, all are from Cornerstone Lodge No. 19, GRA Tyler – Bro Neil Jowett |
