CORONAVIRUS Charity Charge

THE CHARITY (or CLARITY) ADDRESS

Worshipful Master – It became necessary at the onset of this vicious and virulent pandemic, to place, with certain exceptions, all Freemasons within the confines of their own homes.  You, being subject to this restriction, are likewise placed within the confines of your home, literally to comply with that restriction, and from the manner you have conducted yourself thus far it is my hope that you will continue the habit of remaining indoors – perfect in principle and effective in action.

You now stand, to all external appearance, a sensible and responsible Mason and I give it to you in strong terms of recommendation ever to continue and act as such for as long as the restriction applies.  Indeed, I shall immediately proceed to put your stated actions in some measure to the test, by calling upon you to exercise that restraint which may justly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a responsible Freemasons heart – I mean self-isolation.  

I need not here dilate its absolute necessity; no doubt its concept is as new to as is its practice.   Suffice to say that it has the approbation of Government and Grand Lodge and like its fellow instruction, social distancing, protects yourself as well as others.

In a society so widely extended as Freemasonry, the branches of which are spread over the four quarters of the globe, it cannot be denied that we have many members who are younger, fit and healthy; neither can it be concealed that among the thousands that range under its banners, there are some who are not in the best of health, are classified as vulnerable and are more susceptible to this insidious virus.

On their behalf I will now call upon you to affirm your commitment to the restrictions placed upon you as far as your circumstances in life may fairly warrant.  Whatever actions, therefore, you feel you must carry out, you will describe to the Junior Deacon.  They will be diligently listened to and thoughtfully considered.

Junior Deacon – Have you any reason to leave your home to visit a Brother or any other person?

Candidate – I cannot, it is against the guidance and instruction we have received.

Junior Deacon – Are there any valid reasons for you to leave your home?

Candidate – Yes, I can go out for exercise, food shopping or to collect medicines but must obey the social distancing rule by not being closer that two metres to any other person.

Junior Deacon – Worshipful Master, our Brother affirms that he is fully aware of the self-isolation and social distancing restrictions and fully abides by them.

Worshipful Master – I congratulate you on the honourable manner in which you are obeying the restrictions; likewise on the inability which in the present situation precludes you from assisting others.  Believe me, this trial was not made with a view to sport with your feelings; far be it from me to have any such intention.  It was done with three especial reasons: first, to put your understanding of the restrictions to the test; secondly, to evince to all that you had neither reason nor motivation to leave your house indiscriminately, for if you had you would be guilty of breaching the guidelines; and thirdly, as a warning to all that should you, or they, be tempted to ignore the guidelines, you will remember this particular moment when you, confined to your own home, abiding by those strict guidelines setting out the only reasons to leave your home, you have cheerfully embraced the opportunity of practising those actions you have committed to pursue.