I
A Grand Night Out!
t’s over three decades ago in July, a sweltering night in the Temple of an old Lodge in the west of Scotland. Most of the other Lodges are in recess so the place is rammed with visitors, many resplendent in their regalia as well as a goodly number of local Brethren who are regular attenders. The latter have witnessed the First Degree being conferred here tonight many times but are still impressed by, and appreciate the high standards that the Office-Bearers attain in delivering the ritual. There’s the usual rustling of sweetie papers being shared round: sometimes one falls and rolls along the floorboards, prompting glares from other Brethren and visitors intent on ensuring they don’t miss anything.
ing firstly red then purple. Clearly he is in some distress. One of the Lodge’s Past Masters (a local GP) gets up from his seat in the East, majestically descends to the level and after acknowledging the RWM, strides across the floor (at fidelity) toward the Brother who is unwell. He looks into his mouth, tells him to bend forward then hits him an almighty whack on the back so that the Brother hits his head on the back of the bench in front of him. A mint imperial shoots out of his mouth and lands on the chequered carpet (that an Officebearer swiftly retrieves and discreetly conceals). ‘Are you OK’ asks the PM. ‘Yes, and thank you’ mouths the Brother (now completely recovered but with a large red mark on his forehead). The PM then returns to the East, acknowledges the RWM and goes back The three Candidates have already been obli- to his seat. gated and restored to light, trying hard to focus on the information being conveyed to All attention is then focussed on the three them while at the same time not be distracted candidates who by now are in a state of total by the splendour of some of the Brethren on perplexity, not sure if what they’ve just witthe benches, as they attempt to reconcile the nessed is part of the ceremony or a major scenario with all with the tales and wind-ups tragedy being averted! Hopefully their sponthey’ve heard from Masons (and others) be- sors put them right after they’d retired! forehand about what might happen to them tonight. My thanks to Bro. JFC for proving this reminisce. Suddenly a Brother on the back benches starts to cough and wheeze, his face becom-
Cross Keys September 2021
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