THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 1
Credits Administration: WBro Robert Forbes, PAGDC, DistgSec. Proof Reading: WBro S. LeRoi Lorde, PDistSGW Graphic Artist: Noel Campbell Printing: Phoenix Printery Ltd. Editorial Commitee: WBro Dr. W. ‘Freddie’ Clarke PAGDC, PDistBGP WBro Robert Forbes, PAGDC, DistGSec. Editor: WBro Dr. Wade A. Morgan PAGDC, PDistGSuptW
CONTENTS
02 New Master Masons...etc 03 Friendly Lodge #239 Outreach Programs
04 Tribute to W Bro Maurice Clarke 05 Address at Half Yearly Communication
06 National Leadership 08 St. Thomas Tribute to W Bros
Frank Phipps QC and Roy Haynes
09 Cayman in Focus 13 A Lewis’ Tale; As Told by Two Lewises
15 Bound by Respect
EDITORIAL by WBro Dr. Wade A. Morgan PAGDC, PDistGSuptW A new year has commenced, and with it comes new beginnings with concomitant old endings. Foremost of these is the fact that our current District Grand Master has formally announced that his term of office ends this year, and while we are in no hurry to see that back of him, a reckoning of that fact has to begin to be made. We wait with bated breath to see who the Leaders of UGLE will appoint in his stead. Two new Lodges are hinted to be included in the New Beginnings. More anon! This issue makes the two Lodges in the Cayman Islands the focus of our feature centerpiece article. I trust you (and they) will enjoy the piece. The Brethren have been a bit shy in their offerings this period and I hope this will be improved on for the July issue. Again, I exhort you the not be frugal in submitting articles about YOUR Lodge, YOUR Masonic life and any and everything in between. The current issue of Freemasonry Today, the newsletter of the UGLE has 84 pages with an average of 2-3 articles per page, punctuated with advertisements. Brethren, surely, we have a lot to share as well. The guest speaker at the Banquet following the Half Yearly Convocation & Communication of the District on January 26th 2019 is RW Bro Ian J. Yeldham, Provincial Grand Master of Suffolk, UK. Looking forward to a large turnout! We wish for you all a safe, happy, healthy and successful 2019!
2 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS NEWLY INSTALLED MASTERS July 2018 - January 2019 NAME W Bro Peter Hendriks W Bro Chadd Chambers W Bro Dr. Zachary Banbury W Bro Vernon Davidson W Bro David Magnus W Bro Altamont Williams W Bro Donnie Forbes VW Bro Dwight Reece W Bro Leon Rose W Bro Winston Jadusingh W Bro Phillip Reynolds
WELCOME! NEW MASTER MASONS July 2018 - January 2019 NAME Dowen Fuller Nicholas Vaughn Paul Grif th Akeem Flemmings Terrence Ferrigon Jevon Forde Damian Hall Damion Brown Andre Lindsay Remawn Thomas Steffon Campbell
July 2018 - January 2019
W Bro Arthur Hunter
INSTALLATION DATE September 8th 2018 September 15th 2018 September 20th 2018 September 21 2018 October 1st 2018 November 3rd 2018 November 16th 2018 November 26th 2018 December 8th 2018 January 12th 2019 January 16th 2019
Communication Banquet
CRAFT LODGE Portland No 7740 St. Thomas No 4338 St. Thomas No 4338 Portland No 7740 University No 7128 University No 7128 University No 7128 University No 7128 Portland No 7740 Kingston No 1933 Friendly No 383
OBITUARIES NAME W Bro Maurice Clarke W Bro Alton Davis W Bro Donald Jones W Bro Shirley Daly W Bro Kendis Barrow
LODGE District Grand Stewards No 9795 Francis Haddon Bowen No 9238 Moore Keys No 2519 Kingston College No 9469 Arawak No 6902 Hope No 2813 Cayman No 8153 Installed Masters No 7420 St. Thomas No 4338 Friendly No 383 Sussex No 354
CRAFT LODGE Arawak No 6902 Sussex No 354 Sussex No 354 Sussex No 354 Jamaica College No 7254 Cayman No 8153
L-R: W Bro Thomas Smith DistGDC, VW Bro Dwight Reece DDistGM, Mrs Melanie Reece, RW Bro Walter H. Scott DistGM, VW Bro Dennis Lalor, Mrs. Scott, RW Bro Afeef Lazarus IPDistGM.
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FRIENDLY LODGE # 239 OUTREACH PROGRAMS once more organized a special lunch at the Wortley Home for the many girls there with the Matron and Staff.
Marie Atkins Shelter In 2002, the Worshipful Master of the Friendly Lodge No. 239 , W Bro Ken Williams-Singh, initiated a Breakfast Programme at the Marie Atkins Shelter on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston. The Breakfast Programme includes providing a hearty meal and a hot and cold beverage on one Saturday in each Month. The Brethren, wives, significant others and friends attend on the particular Saturday morning and assist with the serving of the meal and beverages as well as general fellowship with the residents of the Shelter and walk-ins.
The girls had a wonderful time. Some said it was the best meal they had had this year and were especially happy that the brethren, wives and children sat and shared the meal with them.
year he spearheads the efforts and activities to ensure that the items for the Care Packages are obtained, the Packages are prepared, and the cakes are available. Over the years we have seen the numbers of persons attended to on a Saturday morning grow from approximately forty (40) in 2002 to now over two hundred (200). The need continues to increase. The Friendly Brethren, wives, significant others and friends have shown good support for this worthwhile, fulfilling and rewarding Programme.
The Breakfast Programme is funded from Charity Funds with the cold beverage being contributed. Special mention must go to W Bro Ian Wong, W Bro Brett Wong and Bro Jordan Wong who ensure that cold beverages are available every month. Successive Charity Stewards have steadfastly maintained the Breakfast Programme since 2002 and we are proud to say that the Friendly Lodge No. 239 has not missed one Saturday morning. In December, a special Breakfast is provided along with cake. In addition each person receives a care package usually consisting of toiletries and personal items. The Care Packages are funded by contributions from the Friendly Brethren, whether in cash or kind. W Bro Ken Williams-Singh holds the December Treat very dear to his heart. Each
Wortley Home for Girls On September 29 the Friendly Lodge 239 through the Charity Steward Bro Chris Cargill and W Bro Ken Williams-Singh
At the end W Bro Roy Banarsee addressed the gathering, pointed out his association with the Wortley Home since 1958 and the great work the Home had done over the years and the number of girls who had benefited from their stay there and gone on to become great Jamaican women. The Chairman of the Board Mr. Keith Sangster and the Matron Ms. Delores Bailey replied appropriately and thanked the Lodge and Freemasons in general for their kindness and generosity over the years and hoped this association could continue for many years. The project was entirely funded by donations from the brethren and their wives. It is the hope of everyone that this project can be carried out in years to come.
4 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS
TRIBUTE TO WBro Maurice Clarke toring was however, not mine alone but for several other brethren of the Arawak Lodge. Much of our growth and development in the fraternity, may be credited to the encouragement and motivation of W Bro Maurice. We shall miss deeply his warmth, his love, his kindness, his encouraging words, and his ritual work on the floor especially his immaculate delivery of the Charge to the Brethren at every Arawak installation I can remember. His presentation will be extremely difficult to replicate. Bro Maurice’s life was undoubtedly a life well spent, he lived respected and died regretted. I can imagine that he like Paul during his last hour saying: 7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 - Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing’. [2 Tim. 4: 7-8]
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n the morning of Saturday August 11, the Arawak Lodge received the depressing, though not unexpected, news of the summoning of W Bro Maurice Clarke to the city of light -the Grand Lodge Above. Our dear brother in this life exemplified the admirable characteristics of a good, just and upright man. My relationship with W Bro Maurice began during the 1970s -several decades before I became a Freemason-, when we were both students in two Management Studies courses at the UWI. W Bro Maurice was an extremely unassuming, quiet, dignified, affable, generous and most accommodating gentle-
man. These qualities were to define him throughout his life. Indeed, I benefited tremendously at UWI from his experience and analytical skills in the successful completion of several assignments too difficult for me. I lost track of him after graduation. We were to meet again on the night of my initiation into the Arawak Lodge nearly three decades later. It was for me an ecstatic moment when he warmly greeted me once again as friend and for the first time as brother. The warmth, the friendship, the camaraderie we once enjoyed was immediately rekindled. He assumed the role of mentor guiding my every step during my early years in Freemasonry. His men-
Give rest O Lord God, to your servant Maurice with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighing, but life everlasting. Amen I pray that his dear wife, Sister Yvonne, his son and daughter may experience in these dark days of grief, sorrow and pain the peace and comfort of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dgljamaica/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dgljamaica Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgljamci/
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ADDRESS AT HALF YEARLY COMMUNICATION JULY 28, 2018 by W Bro Denis Lalor
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arlier this year, the Economist Magazine enquired whether Freemasonry was a benign organization, or one bent on subverting Governments, and I commence my presentation with an emphatic affirmation, that far from being benign or with subversive intent, the mission of Freemasonry transcends the universal principle of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, and is an organization whose mission is to make good men better, by promoting a way of life that binds like-minded men together in an international brotherhood, and by embracing those principles through fellowship, concern and compassion, the better to serve God, family, neighbours, country and ourselves. To be sure, Freemasonry is the largest, oldest and best known men’s fraternity in the world and at its core, is simply an attempt to make the world a better place and make good men better. The Economist enquiry however, arrested my attention, thus encouraging me to share with you this evening, some of the thoughts and questions that it aroused in me, which I now express. A man may give an excellent performance of our ritual, may be well versed in masonic lore, may have received high masonic honours, and yet be as far from being a mason as he was before his initiation!
Throughout life, shadow is often mistaken for substance, and I ask you this evening to consider with me, a question posed many years ago by the then Right Worshipful District Grand Master, Aubrey Jacobs, “whether as masons, we are taking our solemn obligations seriously or merely mouthing them”. One of the fundamental principles on which our order is founded is Relief or Charity. The Charity charge for example, clearly describes Charity, but are we all in sync with it upon retiring from the Lodge at the end of our
that “when we undertake to make a man a mason, and incidentally, take his initiation fee and his lodge subscription, we enter into a definite and very solemn contract, which contract cannot be fulfilled by the mere performance of three successive ceremonies, but that real teaching shall be given”.
meetings? And if we take our masonry seriously, can we ever close our ears, hands and wallets to the calls for help and assistance which are continually around us? When the working tools of the entered apprentice Freemason explains the representation of the 24 inch guage, “part to be spent in labour, part in prayer and part in serving a brother in need”, are we merely repeating by rote, or are we applying those tools to our morals? In the raising of a brother, do we really fulfill the obligation? Charity, which plays an important role in the ritual, like justice, ought not only to be practiced but must be seen to be practiced. And in this respect, ought consideration to be given to the possibility of our establishing a masonic nursing home, retirement housing or clinics? And if we take our masonry seriously, do we ever listen to gossip and rumour which serves to malign the character of our brother? When it comes to the responsibility of proposing someone, do we ever consider the view of Lord Ampthill, a former Pro Grand Master, who advises us
Freemasonry, like most other organizations, requires certain standards of conduct, and the splendid values of the craft, which are our guiding principles, point the way. We must therefore be ever alert to the awareness that the conduct of our lives is the mirror of our fraternal doctrine and in any appraisal of ourselves, its name not withstanding, Freemasonry is not free in the sense of mundane habits. It is free in the intangibles, and symbolically expressed in its teachings. And it is important for us to remember that the physical comforts and privileges that we now enjoy at Barbados Avenue, were gained from the masonry of vision, hope and brotherly love, and it is the duty of each and everyone of us, to accept the responsibility to appreciate the assets that we have, to care and look after them, ever reminded that we are merely temporary custodians, with the responsibility to pass them, pure and unsullied, to those who will follow us. And I close with a paraphrase of a quotation in relation to the objects of Freemasonry, from President George Washington, himself a Freemason: “to enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a masonic institution, and it is most fervently to be wished that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications which actuate them, will tend to convince mankind, that the great object of Freemasonry is to promote the happiness of the human race”.
6 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP - THE IMPERATIVE OF JAMAICAN FREEMASONRY Address to the Quarterly Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica (SC) on Saturday 24th November 2018.
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ur Freemasonry, for centuries, has contented itself in doing great charitable and benevolent works, in moulding the minds and hearts of good men, in allowing men to have the space to enjoy the fellowship and companionship of each other, in disinterested friendship, and in allowing men, to develop their talents and skills in an atmosphere devoid of political, religious or personal dogma and competitiveness. As wonderful as all of these noble deeds, virtues, and concepts are, the question in the twenty first century is whether this is enough. All around us, the old order is crumbling. Chaos and disorder, whether in public life, business, and social values abounds. “Darkness over spreads the earth”, and “despair and tribulation sit heavily upon us”. Public confidence in the established institutions and systems is at its nadir. Of all of the public and social travails of Jamaican society, the one around which there seems to be an almost universal consensus is that the country, at all levels, requires better leadership. The vacuum of modern, strategic, visionary, intellectually agile, decisive leadership with integrity is frankly, awesome. Whilst there are and will always be some natural leaders, born but not bred, generally, potential leaders need to be identified, recruited, trained, allowed progressively more responsibility while gaining experience and finally being appointed or elected to top leadership positions. Unfortunately, many of our public institutions neither subscribe to, nor adopt such a structured approach to the making of leaders.
RW Bro Walter H. Scott QC
In Jamaica today, it is easier for one to become a politician (as there are no formal requirements), than it is to become a groom at Caymanas Park (a clean police record is required). There are an entire raft of professions and vocations which by law require that the holders be “fit & proper”, yet this is not a statutory requirement for teachers, clerics, civil servants or elected officials. Is there any wonder that we are where we are in terms of leadership? In order to become a Freemason, one has to be proposed and seconded by Freemasons in good standing. It is expected that the proposer and seconder will honestly answer the questions posed to them on the Application Form. Questions such as, “Would you welcome him into your home?” (we all know the significance of this). Or, “How long have you known him?” The potential candidate has to fill out an Application Form, where unlike the practice in the Jamaican civil service he is asked whether he has been convicted of any offence, and if in the affirmative, to provide details of the conviction. It does not stop there. He is asked whether any professional disciplinary bodies have found against him, and if in the affirmative, to provide
the details. Assuming that he has satisfactorily completed the Form, the potential candidate is then placed before an Enquiry Committee of grizzled, experienced, zealous, cynical Past Masters where an inquisition takes place. Having passed this test, the application of the potential candidate is then circulated throughout the three constitutions where the least “adverse trace” to use a modern euphemism will result in rejection. It is only after all of these tasks and hurdles have been satisfactorily cleared and passed that there is a formal proposal of the Application in open lodge. Frankly, Hercules had an easier passage with his tasks! Then comes the election, where one black ball will result in rejection. We now have an elected candidate. He is then successfully initiated. His first task on the ladder of progress is to learn to serve. Hence, he is made a Steward. His period of stewardship is also one of patience, observation & learning. He is after all, nothing more than an apprentice. Freemasons have over many centuries, long before it became popular in the outer world, understood the concept of the servant leader. The newly made mason is enjoined and encouraged from his first regular step to be a model citizen. Thus, shortly after his initiation, in receiving the Charge After Initiation, he is charged inter alia, with the following: “And as a last general recommendation, let me exhort you to dedicate yourself to such pursuits as may at once enable you to be respectable in life, useful to mankind, and an ornament to the society of which you have this day become a member….” The masonic progression course is one of constant learning. There are both formal & informal teaching and learning opportunities. Each building upon the other. May I encourage you to pause and reflect upon the awesome responsibility of the Junior Deacon in the ceremony of initiation? The can-
THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 7 didate in a strange, new, dark environment puts his complete trust in this stranger. On the assumption that the mason progresses, he will ultimately become the Worshipful Master of his Lodge. Before being installed, the Master Elect is required to submit to and promise to support the Antient Charges and Regulations. A few of these are as follows: 1. You agree to be a good man and true, and strictly to obey the moral law. 2. You agree to be a peaceable subject, and cheerfully conform to the laws of the country in which you reside. 3. You promise not to be concerned in plots or conspiracies against government, but patiently to submit to the decisions of the Supreme Legislature. 4. You agree to pay a proper respect to the Civil Magistrate, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honourably by all men.
5. You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels and to guard against intemperance and excess.
out of a total male population of almost 1.5 million. This amounts to 0.16% of all males.
6. You agree to promote the general good of society, to cultivate the Social Virtues, and to propagate the knowledge of the Mystic Art as far as your influence and ability can extend.
Yet, this almost infinitesimally, small number of Freemasons has over the years produced a dis-proportionately large number of the civic, political, military and religious leadership in the country. But we have not done nearly enough. Our country cries out for our assistance. As courageous and valiant men of honour, what will we do? Are we not enjoined to ensure in our communities, ordo ab chao?
The man, the freemason, who has promised and submitted as aforesaid, is now ready to become the leader of his fellows. Having been installed as the Worshipful Master of his lodge, the man who began his career draped in the white badge of innocence has been fashioned into a leader of men. The leader of a bunch of self -confident, & opinionated, alpha-males. A very difficult task indeed! This then is the leader that we as Freemasons have moulded and created. A trained, experienced, humble, but decisive leader of integrity. Jamaican Freemasons across all three constitutions do not cumulatively aggregate to 2500. This is a remarkably low number
Is it not that we need more experienced Freemasons in national leadership roles? Is this not our societal imperative? Will our country not be better off for it? That my brethren, is the task of this generation. RW Bro Walter H. Scott QC District Grand Master District Grand Lodge of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands
8 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS
St. Thomas Lodge Tribute to W Bros Frank Phipps QC and Roy Haynes
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n emergency meeting of the St. Thomas Lodge No 4338 was held on Saturday December 1 2018, to celebrate the over 50 years membership each in the Lodge of W Bros Hon Frank Phipps, OJ, QC and L. Roy Haynes, JP, PDSGW. A pictorial highlight is presented below.
WBro Frank Phipps QC
WBro Frank Phipps QC and WBro Billy...........
WBro Roy Haynes
Cayman in Focus
THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 9 The Ceremony states the purpose of the meeting and this is shared between the WM - W Bro David Pellow (remains in the Chair), SW- Bro Wade DaCosta (positioned on the Square Pavement to the West of the Wreath) & JW - Bro Jeremy Jackson (positioned to the South of the Wreath on the Square Pavement. It ends with the WM stating:
The Masonic Remembrance Day Service A Masonic Remembrance Day Ceremony took place on Friday November 9th, 2018 to commemorate the 100 year Anniversary of the ending of World War.
1. The summary below will give you the idea of the service. The initial part provides some statistics of the casualties of the two World Wars and the involvement of the Caribbean and the Cayman Islands to share some of what is known of the contributions of the region. Everyone present wears a pinned Poppy in view and accessible and a Remembrance Wreath is in the Centre of the Lodge on a Pedestal.
“This then is our Remembrance Ceremony. In it we remember and honour the departed veterans and their families of past and present wars. We also specifically remember the brethren of the District of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands who have passed to the Grand Lodge Above during the past year and
before, who in their own way offered so much to our fraternity”. The Acting Chaplain - W Bro Anthony Scott (positioned to the North of the Wreath on the Square Pavement) reads an Invocation and the Remembrance Prayer. The “Last Post” is played with the lights of the Lodge slowly lowered as the Deacons (Bro Roydell Carter - S.D. & Bro Christopher Whorms - J.D.) who are stationed at the Remembrance Wreath
in the centre of the Lodge lower their wands slowly as the lights dim. Then Reveille is play and the wands and the lights are raised back up. “In Flanders Fields” is read by our Almoner W Bro Woodward Terry, then two more prayers Commemoration Prayer and Prayer of Dedication by the Chaplain. In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
Cayman in Focus
10 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS Installation On Friday 16th November 2018 the Cayman HRA Chapter and Lodge Nos. 8153 had their annual installation convocation and meeting. Here are a few highlights: During the Installation meeting, the Past Asst DGM WB Harding O. Watler presented a beautifully crafted, boxed set of mauls and sounding boards that he had hand made himself. Receiving the gift on behalf of the District was the current Asst DGM WB Ernest Bodden.
New administration of Cayman Lodge. (Seated front R-L) , IPM Morgan DaCosta., JW Brother Loxley Soloman, SW Brother Omar Chambers and WM Donnie Forbes, the Assistant District Grand Master WB Ernest Bodden, Immediate Past ADM WB Harding Watler, Past DistGS Robert Forbes and other Brethren of L8153 administration and of the District GL of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 11 Ladies Evening
For the last 3 years it has been headed by Bro Brad Watts and WB Morgan DaCosta, along with a brilliant committee, before that WB Geoff Schofield was the brother at the helm of many successful ladies’ evenings. The tradition is that the ladies are invited to dine in true island style at the water’s edge at the beautiful Rum Point Club in North Side Grand Cayman.
(R-L) Brother Brad Watts, his wife and his parents of which his dad is a Past Master, enjoying the fruits of his labour in the vineyards.
The night always includes a sunset cruise across the beautiful North Sound and the ladies are always hosted by the Worshipful Masters and this year it was by the pleasure of WB Donnie Forbes of L8153 and WB David Pellow of L9470. Live music and a lobster buffet was enjoyed by all. This year Brethren from the District were out in numbers to enjoy the evening’s festivities.
WM David Pellow and SW Waide DaCosta of Brac 9470. Enjoying ladies evening.
Liz and WB Geoff Schofield, long time organizer of Ladies evening.
W Bro Wade Morgan, Immediate PM L8153 W Bro Morgan DaCosta and W Bro Linton Walters.
The Jamaican contingent just prior to departure from Cayman.
Cayman in Focus
Ladies evening is an annual event for Cayman Lodge 8153 and Brac 9470. Every year we honor our ladies with an evening of dining and entertainment.
Cayman in Focus
12 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS Family Fun Day A family Fun Day was held back in April for the families of Cayman and Brac Lodges. This event featured bouncing castles, two water slides and a dunk tank. There were burgers, hotdogs cotton candy and snow cones. Perfect for the kids. A few of the brethren brought out their big boys’ toys and had some mean machines on display for all to enjoy. It was a fantastic time for all with something for everyone. WM were WM Morgan DaCosta And WM Robert Whorms. A good amount of funds was raised and has contributed to the various ongoing charity of the Lodges.
Big boys’ toys!
THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 13
A Lewis’ Tale; As Told By Two Lewises masonic degree shortly thereafter. On the evening of my initiation in July 2018, I remember seeing droves of men coming in while I sat in that “convenient room adjoining the Lodge” awaiting further instructions. Some faces familiar but most faces, new. There were numbers that night far beyond what I knew to be ‘normal’ based on when I would attend functions after lodge. I was excited and quite eager to get on with it. Naturally so, as if this many people had come to witness, it must be something spectacular that I am about to be the centre of. Those emotions persisted on their own for a while, only to be joined by apprehension later on when I was being prepared to enter the temple as a candidate of the 1st degree.
The Experience of a 3rd Generation Lewis By Bro Dr. Stephan Neill, EA, B.Sc, MB,BS.
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s a young man especially during the tenure of my undergraduate program, I always had a lingering interest in freemasonry. I am now a 3rd generation Lewis. Perhaps I was destined from birth for initiation into Freemasonry; similar to my being destined to be a graduate of Kingston College of which I’m very proud, as in both instances it upheld a tradition passed on from my grandfather (the late W Bro Gladstone “Gladdie” Neill) and my father W Bro Gary Neill. I would wonder about this society that my father enjoyed so much, and his father before him. What are the peculiar mysteries to be uncovered? I would yearn for the camaraderie and to be embroiled in some of the tantalizing and in-depth discussions that I would observe at banquets/festive boards I would visit, and getting to dress in a suit more often didn’t hurt either. On the other hand, I was not too sure what it would entail in terms of commitment and time, so while expressing my interest to my Dad, I was certain that I wished to finish my undergrad studies first. In retrospect, perhaps I had no cause for concern. I now know, first hand, just how much of a ‘baby step’ and steps one must take before the real work starts.
I must forgive myself as my initial concern was quite reasonable considering how I would observe my father studying his ritual book earnestly and attending quite a few meetings and rehearsals per month. I now realize that a Director of Ceremonies and Past District Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies must definitely know his ritual! while an Entered Apprentice can get away with observation for some time. Be that as it may, I asked that the procedures be timed in order to synchronize and ensure that when I had acquired my first medical degree I would undertake the first
My initial experience inside was quite interesting. I will not say more so as to preserve the experience for the next lucky fellow. The ritual was delivered with such passion and emotion by my father and others who I have known for years. I remember seeing my father’s eyes get glossy during a part of his delivery. That was the most impactful part of the night for me, to see just how much it meant to him. I am without doubt that my grandfather would have been just as proud. I was eager to start visiting straight away based on some of the wonderful comments received from the brethren that night and those compliments which I had overheard and had been privy to in the days thereafter. After traveling a bit and garnering some further and more in depth understanding of the first degree ritual work and its lessons; I must say, my initiation was one of splendour and magnificence. It was perfectly delivered in my opinion and I do certainly look forward to progressing to a Master Mason within my mother lodge, Kingston College L9469.
14 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS My Ramblings on Stephans Initiation I am privileged to be a Lewis and am now extremely thankful to have been blessed with the opportunity of initiating yet another in that lineage in the person of my son, Brother Dr. Stephan Neill. The opportunity, and the immense pride which accompanied it, rode on a roller coaster of emotions. The joy of his expression of interest in the Craft (though remaining determined to complete his initial Medical degree before entering), the anticipation of his entry, and the gratitude felt when instructed by the WM that I would occupy the Chair for the Initiation. Then came the evening of the Initiation. I knew my son was himself navigating swirling emotions of anxiety and uncertainty as to what exactly awaited him, especially as I was purposely and mischievously vague in answering any of his questions put to me. But little would he, nor anyone else for that
matter, have realized how much I was struggling with keeping my own emotions in check, as I was determined to make the evening about the candidate primarily, though I knew the poignant memories and circumstances of my own initiation would inevitably creep in from time to time. My father initiated me while on the rapid downside of terminal illness. In fact, that was the only masonic meeting I would share with him as he passed to the GLA shortly thereafter. It was a complete surprise that he conducted
the ceremony, as though I know he made a herculean effort to attend the meeting, he never let on what his role would be. Obviously, I wouldn’t have known all that was happening behind the scenes re preparations for that initiation. I wouldn’t have known that he was preparing himself from his bed, that he wouldn’t have been able to rehearse with the working team etc. but notwithstanding all that, was able to pull off a memorable initiation from the Chair. The point of all this is that I was made to sense then, just how much it meant for him to initiate me. Over the years, with ever growing masonic experience, I came to better understand what I could only have before imperfectly discerned from the dark. I came to know exactly how much it meant to him masonically and as a father, and the importance of being a Lewis in Freemasonry. This experience made me, increasingly through the years, determined to pay that level of commitment forward, and to ensure, if I ever had the opportunity, a momentous, heartfelt, wondrous entry into freemasonry for my son, and probably more importantly, my father’s grandson. Thankfully, we were by all accounts, able to pull it off. One of my close friends in giving some remarks quipped that he was disappointed as one element that would’ve made the occasion perfect never materialized....... the shedding of tears; but confirmed, to much laughter, that everyone did hear that one occasion when my voice cracked, though I tried to mask it. I’m so grateful to have experienced this high honour from both sides, as the Lewis,
then as the proud initiating father. Most of all though, I’m relieved that from the feedback of the candidate, a deep and hopefully lasting effect was made upon him. He seems very motivated and enthused about learning more of the Craft and progressing through its steps. I’ve always maintained that if any masonic ceremony doesn’t make a positive impact on the candidate then the effort has been wasted, and so it was a truly fulfilling experience to have met that threshold. I wish again to give a heartfelt “thank you” to all brethren who came out in their numbers to support us that evening, to embrace us with Brotherly Love, to support me, to witness the occasion and to welcome the new Lewis into the fold of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Thank you also to the Brethren who couldn’t attend but called or personally extended their best wishes before and after the event. I can now concur with the fortunate fathers who tell of initiating their sons being the highlight of their masonic careers. It definitely has been the highlight of mine! I wish for young Bro Dr. Neill a long, happy and fulfilling masonic career, resulting in his becoming an ever increasingly better man, the best that he can be, and of course to continue to be an outstanding, upstanding and wonderful son, and of course BROTHER. I also hope that this will be as cherished an experience and memory for him, as it is for me. Sincerely and Fraternally W Bro Gary Neill PDistAGDC.
THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 15
BOUND BY RESPECT 12 September 2018
An Address by the MW The Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes. Brethren, it is a pleasure to see you all back after the long, hot summer, and I would like to particularly welcome again those younger members of our Universities Scheme and, indeed, anyone else making their first visit to Quarterly Communications this September. Brethren, this year we will see perhaps the greatest change in senior leadership within the Craft that there has ever been - and I’m not of course referring to the three of us! No fewer than 12 Provincial Grand Masters and seven District Grand Masters will have retired and their successors Installed by the end of this year. With each Installation ride the hopes of not just the members of that particular Province or District but, to a certain extent, the success and longevity of the Craft itself. More than ever before we expect so much from our leaders. We hold them accountable for the guardianship of a heritage stretching back centuries, and also for the future of the Craft, its growth and development and, dare I say, the innovation and change needed to allow it to flourish and grow. If we are to attract and engage our membership, and those who might flourish as members, we need to be not only responsive to the society in which we live, but also mould and form the perceptions of that society. It is quite right and proper that I pay tribute and thank those who, often for a decade or more, steward and safeguard the Ideals of the Craft for future generations. Historically we have been a melting pot for ideas, a Brotherhood where concepts at the forefront of science and social change could be debated. We have been fortunate to count amongst our members some of the greatest minds of any age, Alexander Fleming and Edward Jenner; Scott of the Antarctic and Ernest Shackleton; Pope, Trollope, Burns, Kipling, and, like Sir Winston Churchill, those who truly valued service above the external advantages of rank and fortune.
Then, as now, there was not a ‘Right’ way of thinking, but a respect for all ways of thinking - some orthodox, some challenging. If we, as an organisation have a ‘unique selling point’, ghastly expression, I know, we respect each other, irrespective of our beliefs. I know that some of our members were uncomfortable with the direction the Law has taken on issues such as gender fluidity and the obligation that puts upon us as individuals who pay due obedience to the laws of any State which may for a time become our place of residence. I know from the debates that have been held up and down the country that there are similarly a large number of you who feel that our response to recent changes in the Law is generous, decent and open minded and you applaud it.
Throughout our history our members have held vastly different views on many different subjects. It is one of our great strengths to encompass this breadth of views. Unlike the echo chambers of social media, we meet people who are different to us, who think differently, but that does not set us apart, or put us at variance; it binds us together as it did for those many freemasons who have gone before us. Brethren, this is one of the many things that, in my view, we have to offer society, and that so many outside the Craft could learn and prosper from, and it is just one of the many reasons I am proud to be Pro Grand Master.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Freemasonry Today. This appeared in the January edition.