The following article is presented with the compliments of the HOLDEN RESEARCH CIRCLE. The article may be freely used for masonic purposes only. For all other purposes the approval of the Circle President, W Bro Graeme Love must be obtained.

THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE
HOLDEN RESEARCH CIRCLE

In 1944, when WBro. Tom O. Muggridge occupied the chair of King Solomon in the Holden Lodge No.521, UGLV, he launched the scheme he had conceived some time previously. The idea was to constitute a body entirely masonic in character, but flexible in its operation. This necessitated its removal outside the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge, but working to a well-defined set of bye-laws, which, inter alia, declare allegiance to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, and to Grand Lodge.

It is regretted that I am unable to enclose a copy of our bye-laws, which were adopted on the 4th December 1945, and placed in the hands of the President of the Board of General Purposes, for the reason that they have not yet been returned to us. For this long delay there is a very good reason which need not here be entered into.

OBJECTS:
The chief object envisaged in the formation of the H.R.C. was to provide a number of "schooled" master masons to whom newly initiated, passed, or raised brethren could turn for explanations within the compass of their respective degrees, on any points which were not understood in the Ritual. Other objects are now as per the schedule at Appendix "A" attached. This leaflet is handed to each prospective member prior to his completing the form of nomination.

MODE OF ENROLMENT:
It was conceived that an elaborate proposal and seconding form was undesirable, and a simplified one was adopted. An example of the form appears at Appendix "B" attached. Your attention is directed to the fact that it is divided into two sections - Nominee and Nominator - each section setting out certain obligations. As a prospective member must have expressed a desire to an existing member to join, it was considered that a form of nomination would be sufficient to meet this need. The candidate's worthiness must have been known by the nominator.

SUBSCRIPTION:
This was fixed at 10/- (ten shillings), (currently about $2.00) per annum.

MEETINGS:
These are of two kinds: (No meeting is to be held in January)

1)      General Meetings which are held in February, March, May,
          June, August, September, November and December.

 2)     Open Meetings which are held in April, July, and October.

TYPE OF WORK AT MEETINGS:

1)	General Meetings      These are exclusively for members. The President is Chairman.
	The agenda follows the customary lines:
	Opening Prayer
	Reading of Minutes
	Accounts for Payment
	Resolution on new Members' nominations
	Correspondence and other domestic matters
	Reports of Sub-Committees (if any)
	Announcements by President
	Reading of Articles prepared by members on previously set subjects
	Discussions on:       a) articles as read       b) any other masonic topic
	Closing Prayer

NOTE: The prayers used at the Opening and Closing of all meetings are attached.
Refer Appendix "F".

2)        Open Meetings

For these a Guest Lecturer is obtained. Great care is taken in making this choice. He must not only be a high Grand Officer, but one who is eminent in his civil occupation as well as being a highly esteemed lecturer on masonic matters. The schedule at Appendix "C" sets out our lecturers and their subjects to date. These meetings are open to all freemasons, and each metropolitan lodge receives a notice. Refer Appendix "D". Some lodges send a notice to each of their members.

Where possible a draft of the lecture is procured, which eventually is printed in pamphlet form. Unfortunately a number of lectures were delivered ex tempore, and no pamphlets could be produced. The agenda for these meetings follows a carefully considered plan. Appendix "E" is an outline. The declaration of our motto "FIAT LUX" (Let there be Light), the readings from the encyclopaedia, and the Final Charge are of interest - the Motto and Final Charge are included at Appendix "F".

BADGE:
A carefully planned Badge was finally adopted, and is used on all our stationary as a crest. This badge was produced in enamel, and the H.R.C. would feel honoured if you would accept honorary membership as well as our badge. Your acquiescence being presumed, a badge is being sent to you. The purchase by members, of a badge, is not obligatory.

WORK SET FOR GENERAL MEETINGS:
A great variety of subjects have been set for research for the members, and many interesting papers have been handed in. Until the end of 1950 it was customary to set a subject at one meeting and have the findings handed in (written or typed) at the next. However it was found that this time was too short for serious work. For 1951 a list of eight subjects has been set, and the paper on the subject selected by the member may be submitted at any time before the November 1951 General Meeting. A Notice-Reminder is sent to each member at least one week prior to the meeting.

LIBRARY:
In the early days of our being, it was quickly realised that a comprehensive Library of books was a "must". Our first books were purchased from money voluntarily contributed by members at each of our early general meetings. As our efforts became more widely known, a few who were kindly disposed towards us anonymously provided the necessary financial sinews to help us on our way. This has been of the utmost importance, and has enabled us to attain a considerable number of books, one of which is that rarity "Ritual and Dogma", (this needed the sanction of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales). Several of our members have also donated books to our library.

As a further service we secured the free access to the library of the Camberwell Temple Trustees, which numbers some 60 to 70 volumes. Also as part of our set-up is the free membership of the Victorian Grand Lodge Library, should members desire it.

SERVICES AVAILABLE:
By means of a panel of our members who have written short lectures on a variety of subjects suitable for first, second or third degree work. We have accepted many invitations to deliver these lecturettes at Masters Last Nights. Again the beginning was modest, commencing with one member and one lecturette. The shortest takes 5 minutes, and the longest 9 minutes. The strain proved heavy, and a holiday was declared.

It was then conceived by a member to become topical, and build up a "Masonic Quiz". A booklet was produced, containing 36 questions and their authoritative answers. All were based on the First Degree Ritual & Book of Constitutions. This has also been well received.

A further branch of activity is the "Special Invitation" to deliver a full-length lecture (i.e., 1 to 1½ hours) at special lodge functions. The first invitation was a particular compliment paid to our President to lecture at the Centenary meeting of the Portland Lodge of Victoria, No.6 on 24th June, 1950.

MAILING LIST AND CORRESPONDENCE LINKS:
This is constantly enlarging, and now includes the Libraries of most United Kingdom Grand Lodges, and some Canadian, African and American Grand Lodges. To this list, as you have already been informed, your name has been added.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
By the courtesy of one of our members who has kindly provided the necessary stocks of Ward's Handbooks of the First, Second and Third Degrees, he has made it possible for us to present each candidate on the night of initiation, passing and raising, with a copy of the appropriate Handbook. This enables the candidate to reach the surer ground of understanding in a much quicker time than if left to his own devices, or the kindly intended, but often misguided explanation of friends.

A further opportunity has presented itself recently, and this has resulted in our taking up the cudgels on behalf of the cause of our Australian Natives (Aborigines) of whom Pastor Doug Nicholls is the chief mover. Our interest will be launched in a new experiment by the Circle, namely a Ladies' Night. November 17th (1951) has been set aside for this. At this gathering a number of cine films in colour will be screened. Pastor Nicholls, it is expected, will have been initiated into Freemasonry by that time.

MATTERS NOW IN HAND:
Several of our Open Meeting lectures were delivered without notes - No.4 The Working Tools, and No.11. Symbolism of Craft Masonry - to name two very important ones - the benefit of which was lost to the brethren at large, and it was decided to purchase a tape recording machine. The price was actually too "steep" (equal to 400 dollars) for our meagre income; but the need produces the means, and it is hoped it will not be long before one of the most modern type of machines will be in our possession.

TO SUM UP:
Our aim has been, and always will be, perfection; but we recognise the necessity of advancing to the east by the necessary steps. Obviously many influential persons occupying high positions in the many branches of the masonic world have shielded us in our infancy and are continuing to do so. How otherwise could we have reached out so far and entwined ourselves into the constituent lodges working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of A.F.& A.M. of Victoria, as we have been able to do? To this protective influence and to our many anonymous friends who have so liberally aided us financially, we pay unstinted tribute. I sincerely hope that the data which I have endeavoured to furnish, will assist you in your undertaking. Should you desire information on any points not covered, I shall be most happy to supply all details that are within my power.

Wishing you every success,
      I remain,
            respectfully and fraternally,

Hon. Secretary.

Appendix  "C"  -  Schedule of Lectures for Open Meetings
Appendix  "F"  -  Motto and Prayers

Appendix A, B, D and F have not been included.

GO TO ARTICLES:

M W Bro A.T. Holden, PGM
The history and formation of the Holden Research Circle
Decidation of HRC No 2
Freemasonry - the mighty paradox
The genuine Secrets of a Master Mason
Freemasonry in ancient China
Freemasonry in Thailand
Pillar Clubs
The "9 Worthies" or "Excellent Masters"
Stone Masons Terminology
A simple lodge meeting
Count Leo Tolstoy and Freemasonry
De-Christianisation of English Freemasonry
Freemasonry which is of the now, not just the future

Previous articles from our "Chips of the Chisel" may be obtained
and can be selected from the following pages:

1995/96 HRC Chips Index    1997 HRC Chips Index
1998 HRC Chips Index   1999 HRC Chips Index
2000 HRC Chips Index

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