Warwickshire Scout Lodge No. 9648

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 with a 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 is easily 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 Olive 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 analyse 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 a 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:

Scouts must

Promise a Duty to God, accept Loyalty to the Queen, help other people at all times

Masons 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

 

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