What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it’s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it’s about being able to help deserving causes – making a contribution to family and society. But for most, it is an enjoyable hobby.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisation. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry.
Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its principles (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas – a progression of allegorical two-part plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge – which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.
Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: its values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today.
In addition, large sums are given to national and local charities.
UBIQUE LODGE HISTORY
The Lodge was conceived at a private house on 19th July 1878, when six brethren considered “it very desirable that a Lodge should be established for the convenience of the Officers and Staff Sergeants employed in London and its vicinity”, and that the Lodge be called Ubique – that being the motto of the Royal Artillery, meetings being held at the Café Royal, London.
The founder members of the Lodge coming from United Military Lodge No 1536, the Wanderers Lodge No 1604(our mother Lodge) and Pattison Lodge No 913.
The consecration of the Lodge took place on Tuesday the 21st January 1879 at the Café Royal which became the home of Royal Artillery Masons until 1891 when it moved to the Criterion Restaurant. This then was “the fulfilment of a need long wanted for our gallant brethren who have Ubique for their motto, and whose branches, like Masonry itself, spread universally over the four quarters of the globe.
Although the Lodge was originally formed to meet the needs of Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff Sergeants of the Royal Artillery, its By-Laws today provide for more open membership – viz, The Lodge is established primarily for the benefit of members of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, present and past. Indeed the current membership consists of Regular and TA, serving and retired. Attempts in the past have been made to consider opening up the membership to others, eg the Royal Engineers, but this has always been vetoed. By 1948 the Lodge had 100 members.
We have 3 daughter Lodges, The National Artillery Lodge No 2578, The Royal Engineers Lodge No 2599 and Nil Sine Labore Lodge No 2736, to which our members frequently visit. In 1956 Lodge Ubique No 900 was formed in Australia.
Throughout its history the Lodge has demonstrated its capacity to subscribe to many charities both Masonic and non-Masonic and as every Mason knows Benevolence and Charity are at the heart of every brother.
The Lodge today has seen many changes over the years however it is still flourishing albeit the reduction in numbers of Regiments and personnel. It now meets four times a year at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street in London and members meet regularly online to discuss administrative matters, plan our regular meetings and keep in touch with our members.
Below are two images, one records the names of the Brethren of Ubique Lodge 1789 who lost their lives during the Great War
and the other is the memorial stone outside Freemasons’ Hall in London which records the names of 64 Masons who were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), of note are two very special names who on 1 September 1914 in Nery, France, where awarded the VC. To find out the 
names we encourage you to visit and remember those brave men.
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER HISTORY
The decision to form the Ubique Chapter was taken at a meeting of the Ubique Lodge on 10 February 1890 and was subsequently consecrated on 21 July 1890 with members being drawn from Ubique Lodge, United Military Lodge No 1536 and Waterloo Chapter No 13.
The rules for membership were similar to that of the Lodge and evolved over the years as did the Lodge. A number of different meeting places were used until 1945 before finally moving to Freemasons Hall in London where it currently meets today three times a year.