THE FREEMASON’S NEWS · THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 1 by WBro Dr. Wade A. Morgan PAGDC, PDistGSuptW EDITORIAL Credits CONTENTS New Master Masons...etc Friendly Lodge #239 …

THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 1

by WBro Dr. Wade A. MorganPAGDC, PDistGSuptW

EDITORIAL

CreditsCONTENTS New Master Masons...etc

Friendly Lodge #239 Outreach Programs

Tribute to W Bro Maurice Clarke

Address at Half Yearly Communication

National Leadership

St. Thomas Tribute to W Bros Frank Phipps QC and Roy Haynes

Cayman in Focus

A Lewis’ Tale; As Told by Two Lewises

Bound by Respect

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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’ ClarkePAGDC, PDistBGPWBro Robert Forbes, PAGDC, DistGSec.

Editor:WBro Dr. Wade A. MorganPAGDC, PDistGSuptW

A new year has commenced, and with it comes new beginnings with con-comitant old endings.

Foremost of these is the fact that our current District Grand Master has formally announced that his term of o�ce 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!

�is 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.

�e Brethren have been a bit shy in their o�erings 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. �e 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.

�e 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 Su�olk, UK. Looking forward to a large turnout!

We wish for you all a safe, happy, healthy and successful 2019!

2 THE FREEMASON’S NEWS

OBITUARIESJuly 2018 - January 2019

NAME CRAFT LODGEDowen Fuller Portland No 7740 Nicholas Vaughn St. Thomas No 4338 Paul Grif th St. Thomas No 4338Akeem Flemmings Portland No 7740Terrence Ferrigon University No 7128 Jevon Forde University No 7128 Damian Hall University No 7128 Damion Brown University No 7128 Andre Lindsay Portland No 7740Remawn Thomas Kingston No 1933Steffon Campbell Friendly No 383

WELCOME!NEW MASTER MASONS

July 2018 - January 2019

NAME CRAFT LODGEW Bro Maurice Clarke Arawak No 6902W Bro Alton Davis Sussex No 354W Bro Donald Jones Sussex No 354W Bro Shirley Daly Sussex No 354W Bro Kendis Barrow Jamaica College

No 7254W Bro Arthur Hunter Cayman No 8153

NEWLY INSTALLED MASTERSJuly 2018 - January 2019

NAME LODGE INSTALLATION DATEW Bro Peter Hendriks District Grand Stewards No 9795 September 8th 2018W Bro Chadd Chambers Francis Haddon Bowen No 9238 September 15th 2018W Bro Dr. Zachary Banbury Moore Keys No 2519 September 20th 2018W Bro Vernon Davidson Kingston College No 9469 September 21 2018W Bro David Magnus Arawak No 6902 October 1st 2018W Bro Altamont Williams Hope No 2813 November 3rd 2018W Bro Donnie Forbes Cayman No 8153 November 16th 2018VW Bro Dwight Reece Installed Masters No 7420 November 26th 2018W Bro Leon Rose St. Thomas No 4338 December 8th 2018W Bro Winston Jadusingh Friendly No 383 January 12th 2019W Bro Phillip Reynolds Sussex No 354 January 16th 2019

L-R: W Bro �omas 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.

Communication Banquet

Marie Atkins ShelterIn 2002, the Worshipful Master of the Friendly Lodge No. 239 , W Bro Ken Wil-liams-Singh, initiated a Breakfast Pro-gramme at the Marie Atkins Shelter on Hanover Street in downtown Kingston. �e Breakfast Programme includes pro-viding a hearty meal and a hot and cold beverage on one Saturday in each Month. �e Brethren, wives, signi�cant others and friends attend on the particular Sat-urday morning and assist with the serv-ing of the meal and beverages as well as general fellowship with the residents of the Shelter and walk-ins.

�e Breakfast Programme is funded from Charity Funds with the cold beverage be-ing 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 stead-fastly maintained the Breakfast Pro-gramme 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 pro-vided along with cake. In addition each person receives a care package usual-ly consisting of toiletries and personal items. �e Care Packages are funded by contributions from the Friendly Breth-ren, whether in cash or kind.

W Bro Ken Williams-Singh holds the De-cember Treat very dear to his heart. Each

year he spearheads the e�orts and activ-ities 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 num-bers of persons attended to on a Saturday morning grow from approximately forty (40) in 2002 to now over two hundred (200). �e need continues to increase.

�e Friendly Brethren, wives, signi�cant others and friends have shown good sup-port for this worthwhile, ful�lling and re-warding Programme.

Wortley Home for GirlsOn September 29 the Friendly Lodge 239 through the Charity Steward Bro Chris Cargill and W Bro Ken Williams-Singh

once more organized a special lunch at the Wortley Home for the many girls there with the Matron and Sta�.

�e 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.

At the end W Bro Roy Banarsee ad-dressed 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 bene�ted from their stay there and gone on to become great Jamai-can women.

�e 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.

�e project was entirely funded by dona-tions from the brethren and their wives. It is the hope of everyone that this project can be carried out in years to come.


FRIENDLY LODGE # 239 OUTREACH PROGRAMS

On 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 exempli�ed the admirable character-istics 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 Stud-ies courses at the UWI.

W Bro Maurice was an extremely unas-suming, quiet, digni�ed, a�able, gener-ous and most accommodating gentle-

man. �ese qualities were to de�ne him throughout his life. Indeed, I bene�ted tremendously at UWI from his experi-ence and analytical skills in the success-ful completion of several assignments too di�cult for me. I lost track of him a�er graduation. We were to meet again on the night of my initiation into the Arawak Lodge nearly three decades lat-er. It was for me an ecstatic moment when he warmly greeted me once again as friend and for the �rst time as broth-er. �e warmth, the friendship, the ca-maraderie we once enjoyed was imme-diately rekindled. He assumed the role of mentor guiding my every step during my early years in Freemasonry. His men-

toring was however, not mine alone but for several other brethren of the Arawak Lodge. Much of our growth and devel-opment 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 en-couraging words, and his ritual work on the �oor especially his immaculate deliv-ery of the Charge to the Brethren at every Arawak installation I can remember. His presentation will be extremely di�cult 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 �ght, I have �n-ished 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]

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.

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TRIBUTE TOWBro Maurice Clarke

Earlier this year, the Economist Mag-azine enquired whether Freema-

sonry was a benign organization, or one bent on subverting Governments, and I commence my presentation with an emphatic a�rmation, that far from be-ing 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 bet-ter, by promoting a way of life that binds like-minded men together in an interna-tional brotherhood, and by embracing those principles through fellowship, con-cern 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 fra-ternity in the world and at its core, is sim-ply an attempt to make the world a better place and make good men better.

�e Economist enquiry however, arrest-ed 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 perfor-mance 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 initi-ation!

�roughout life, shadow is o�en mistaken for substance, and I ask you this evening to consider with me, a question posed many years ago by the then Right Wor-shipful District Grand Master, Aubrey Jacobs, “whether as masons, we are tak-ing our solemn obligations seriously or merely mouthing them”. One of the fun-damental principles on which our order is founded is Relief or Charity. �e Char-ity charge for example, clearly describes Charity, but are we all in sync with it upon retiring from the Lodge at the end of our

meetings? And if we take our masonry se-riously, can we ever close our ears, hands and wallets to the calls for help and assis-tance which are continually around us?

When the working tools of the entered apprentice Freemason explains the rep-resentation 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 apply-ing those tools to our morals?

In the raising of a brother, do we real-ly ful�ll 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 ma-sonic 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 re-sponsibility of proposing someone, do we ever consider the view of Lord Ampthill, a former Pro Grand Master, who advises us

that “when we undertake to make a man a mason, and incidentally, take his initi-ation fee and his lodge subscription, we enter into a de�nite and very solemn con-tract, which contract cannot be ful�lled by the mere performance of three succes-sive ceremonies, but that real teaching shall be given”.

Freemasonry, like most other organiza-tions, requires certain standards of con-duct, and the splendid values of the cra�, 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 doc-trine 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 a�er 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 quo-tation in relation to the objects of Free-masonry, from President George Wash-ington, 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 publi-cations which actuate them, will tend to convince mankind, that the great object of Freemasonry is to promote the happi-ness of the human race”.


ADDRESS AT HALF YEARLY COMMUNICATION JULY 28, 2018by W Bro Denis Lalor

Our Freemasonry, for centuries, has contented itself in doing great char-

itable and benevolent works, in moulding the minds and hearts of good men, in al-lowing 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 competi-tiveness. As wonderful as all of these noble deeds, virtues, and concepts are, the ques-tion in the twenty �rst 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 con�dence 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 con-sensus is that the country, at all levels, re-quires better leadership. �e 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, gener-ally, potential leaders need to be identi�ed, recruited, trained, allowed progressively more responsibility while gaining experi-ence and �nally being appointed or elected to top leadership positions.

Unfortunately, many of our public institu-tions neither subscribe to, nor adopt such a structured approach to the making of leaders.

In Jamaica today, it is easier for one to be-come a politician (as there are no formal re-quirements), than it is to become a groom at Caymanas Park (a clean police record is required). �ere are an entire ra� of profes-sions and vocations which by law require that the holders be “�t & proper”, yet this is not a statutory requirement for teachers, clerics, civil servants or elected o�cials. 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 pro-poser and seconder will honestly answer the questions posed to them on the Application Form. Questions such as, “Would you wel-come him into your home?” (we all know the signi�cance of this). Or, “How long have you known him?”

�e potential candidate has to �ll out an Application Form, where unlike the prac-tice in the Jamaican civil service he is asked whether he has been convicted of any of-fence, and if in the a�rmative, to provide details of the conviction. It does not stop there. He is asked whether any profession-al disciplinary bodies have found against him, and if in the a�rmative, to provide

the details. Assuming that he has satisfac-torily completed the Form, the potential candidate is then placed before an Enquiry Committee of grizzled, experienced, zeal-ous, cynical Past Masters where an inqui-sition takes place. Having passed this test, the application of the potential candidate is then circulated throughout the three con-stitutions where the least “adverse trace” to use a modern euphemism will result in re-jection. It is only a�er all of these tasks and hurdles have been satisfactorily cleared and passed that there is a formal proposal of the Application in open lodge. Frank-ly, Hercules had an easier passage with his tasks! �en comes the election, where one black ball will result in rejection.

We now have an elected candidate. He is then successfully initiated. His �rst 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, obser-vation & learning. He is a�er 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.

�e newly made mason is enjoined and encouraged from his �rst regular step to be a model citizen. �us, shortly a�er his initiation, in receiving the Charge A�er 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….”

�e masonic progression course is one of constant learning. �ere are both formal & informal teaching and learning opportuni-ties. Each building upon the other. May I encourage you to pause and re�ect upon the awesome responsibility of the Junior Dea-con in the ceremony of initiation? �e can-

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP- THE IMPERATIVE OF JAMAICAN FREEMASONRY


RW Bro Walter H. Scott QC

Address to the Quarterly Com-munication of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica (SC) on Saturday 24th November 2018.

didate in a strange, new, dark environment puts his complete trust in this stranger.

On the assumption that the mason pro-gresses, he will ultimately become the Wor-shipful Master of his Lodge. Before being installed, the Master Elect is required to submit to and promise to support the An-tient 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 tothe 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.

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 asyour in�uence and ability can extend.

�e man, the freemason, who has prom-ised 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 in-nocence has been fashioned into a leader of men. �e leader of a bunch of self -con-�dent, & opinionated, alpha-males. A very di�cult task indeed! �is 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 con-stitutions do not cumulatively aggregate to 2500. �is is a remarkably low number

out of a total male population of almost 1.5 million. �is amounts to 0.16% of all males.

Yet, this almost in�nitesimally, small num-ber of Freemasons has over the years pro-duced 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 val-iant men of honour, what will we do? Are we not enjoined to ensure in our commu-nities, ordo ab chao?

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 o� for it? �at my brethren, is the task of this generation.

RW Bro Walter H. Scott QCDistrict Grand MasterDistrict Grand Lodge of Jamaica & �e Cayman Islands



St. �omas Lodge Tribute to W Bros Frank Phipps QC and Roy Haynes

An emergency meeting of the St. �omas 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 pic-torial highlight is presented below.

WBro Frank Phipps QC WBro Roy Haynes

WBro Frank Phipps QC and WBro Billy...........

�e Masonic Remembrance Day Service A Masonic Remembrance Day Ceremo-ny took place on Friday November 9th, 2018 to commemorate the 100 year An-niversary of the ending of World War.

1. �e summary below will give you the idea of the service.

�e 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 Remem-brance Wreath is in the Centre of the Lodge on a Pedestal.

�e 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 (po-sitioned 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:

“�is then is our Remembrance Cere-mony. In it we remember and honour the departed veterans and their families of past and present wars. We also spe-ci�cally remember the brethren of the District of Jamaica and �e Cayman Islands who have passed to the Grand Lodge Above during the past year and

before, who in their own way o�ered so much to our fraternity”.

�e Acting Chaplain - W Bro Antho-ny Scott (positioned to the North of the Wreath on the Square Pavement) reads an Invocation and the Remembrance Prayer.

�e “Last Post” is played with the lights of the Lodge slowly lowered as the Dea-cons (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.

�en Reveille is play and the wands and the lights are raised back up.

“In Flanders Fields” is read by our Al-moner W Bro Woodward Terry, then two more prayers Commemoration Prayer and Prayer of Dedication by the Chaplain.

In Flanders FieldsIn Flanders �elds the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,�at mark our place; and in the sky�e larks, still bravely singing, �yScarce 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 lieIn Flanders �elds.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throw�e torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders �elds.

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InstallationOn Friday 16th November 2018 the Cayman HRA Chapter and Lodge Nos. 8153 had their annual installation con-vocation and meeting. Here are a few highlights:

During the Installation meeting, the Past Asst DGM WB Harding O. Watler presented a beautifully cra�ed, boxed set of mauls and sounding boards that he had hand made himself. Receiving the gi� 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 As-sistant 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.

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Ladies EveningLadies 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.

For the last 3 years it has been headed by Bro Brad Watts and WB Morgan DaCosta, along with a brilliant com-mittee, before that WB Geo� Scho�eld was the brother at the helm of many successful ladies’ evenings. �e tradi-tion 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.

�e 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 bu�et was en-joyed by all.

�is year Brethren from the District were out in numbers to enjoy the eve-ning’s festivities.

(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.

WM David Pellow and SW Waide DaCosta of Brac 9470. Enjoying ladies evening.

W Bro Wade Morgan, Immediate PM L8153 W Bro Morgan DaCosta and W Bro Linton Walters.

Liz and WB Geo� Scho�eld, long time organizer of Ladies evening.

�e Jamaican contingent just prior to departure from Cayman.


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Family Fun DayA family Fun Day was held back in April for the families of Cayman and Brac Lodges. �is event featured bouncing castles, two water slides and a dunk tank. �ere were burgers, hotdogs cot-ton candy and snow cones. Perfect for the kids.

A few of the brethren brought out their big boys’ toys and had some mean ma-chines 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!

12 THE FREEMASON’S NEWSC

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As a young man especially during the tenure of my undergraduate pro-

gram, 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 grandfa-ther (the late W Bro Gladstone “Glad-die” 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 cama-raderie 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 o�en 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 cer-tain that I wished to �nish my undergrad studies �rst. In retrospect, perhaps I had no cause for concern. I now know, �rst 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 As-sistant Grand Director of Ceremonies must de�nitely 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 �rst medical degree I would undertake the �rst

masonic degree shortly therea�er. 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. �ere were numbers that night far beyond what I knew to be ‘normal’ based on when I would attend func-tions a�er 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 spectac-ular that I am about to be the centre of. �ose emotions persisted on their own for a while, only to be joined by apprehension later on when I was be-ing prepared to enter the temple as a candidate of the 1st degree.

My initial experience inside was quite interesting. I will not say more so as to preserve the experience for the next lucky fellow. �e 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. �at 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 therea�er. A�er traveling a bit and garnering some fur-ther and more in depth understanding of the �rst degree ritual work and its lessons; I must say, my initiation was one of splendour and magni�cence. 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.


A Lewis’ Tale; As Told By Two Lewises

By Bro Dr. Stephan Neill, EA, B.Sc, MB,BS.

�e Experience of a 3rd Generation Lewis


I am privileged to be a Lewis and am now extremely thankful to have been blessed with the opportunity of initiating yet anoth-er in that lineage in the person of my son, Brother Dr. Stephan Neill. �e opportunity, and the immense pride which accompanied it, rode on a roller coaster of emotions. �e joy of his expression of interest in the Cra� (though remaining determined to complete his initial Medical degree before entering), the anticipation of his entry, and the grat-itude felt when instructed by the WM that I would occupy the Chair for the Initiation. �en came the evening of the Initiation. I knew my son was himself navigating swirl-ing 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 strug-gling with keeping my own emotions in check, as I was determined to make the eve-ning about the candidate primarily, though I knew the poignant memories and circum-stances of my own initiation would inevita-bly 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 therea�er. It was a complete surprise that he conducted

the ceremony, as though I know he made a herculean e�ort to attend the meeting, he never let on what his role would be. Obvi-ously, I wouldn’t have known all that was happening behind the scenes re prepara-tions 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 not-withstanding all that, was able to pull o� a memorable initiation from the Chair. �e 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 grow-ing 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 impor-tance of being a Lewis in Freemasonry. �is 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.

�ankfully, we were by all accounts, able to pull it o�. One of my close friends in giving some remarks quipped that he was disap-pointed as one element that would’ve made the occasion perfect never materialized.......the shedding of tears; but con�rmed, 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 feed-back of the candidate, a deep and hopefully lasting e�ect was made upon him. He seems very motivated and enthused about learning more of the Cra� 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 e�ort has been wasted, and so it was a truly ful�lling experience to have met that threshold.

I wish again to give a heartfelt “thank you”to all brethren who came out in their num-bers 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. �ank you also to the Brethren who couldn’t attend but called or personally extended their best wishes be-fore and a�er the event. I can now concur with the fortunate fathers who tell of initi-ating their sons being the highlight of their masonic careers. It de�nitely has been the highlight of mine!

I wish for young Bro Dr. Neill a long, happy and ful�lling masonic career, resulting in his becoming an ever increasingly better man, the best that he can be, and of course to con-tinue to be an outstanding, upstanding and wonderful son, and of course BROTHER. I also hope that this will be as cherished an ex-perience and memory for him, as it is for me.

Sincerely and FraternallyW Bro Gary NeillPDistAGDC.

My Ramblings on Stephans Initiation


12 September 2018

An Address by the MW �e Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes.

Brethren, it is a pleasure to see you all back a�er the long, hot summer, and I would like to particularly welcome again those young-er members of our Universities Scheme and, indeed, anyone else making their �rst visit to Quarterly Communications this September.

Brethren, this year we will see perhaps the greatest change in senior leadership within the Cra� 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 cer-tain extent, the success and longevity of the Cra� itself. More than ever before we expect so much from our leaders. We hold them ac-countable for the guardianship of a heritage stretching back centuries, and also for the fu-ture of the Cra�, its growth and development and, dare I say, the innovation and change needed to allow it to �ourish and grow.

If we are to attract and engage our member-ship, and those who might �ourish as mem-bers, 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, o�en for a decade or more, steward and safeguard the Ideals of the Cra� 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.

�en, as now, there was not a ‘Right’ way of thinking, but a respect for all ways of think-ing - some orthodox, some challenging. If we, as an organisation have a ‘unique selling point’, ghastly expression, I know, we re-spect each other, irrespective of our beliefs.

I know that some of our members were un-comfortable with the direction the Law has taken on issues such as gender �uidity and the obligation that puts upon us as individ-uals 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 sim-ilarly 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.

�roughout our history our members have held vastly di�erent views on many di�er-ent 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 di�erent to us, who think di�erently, 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 o�er society, and that so many outside the Cra� 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 Freema-sonry Today. �is appeared in the January edition.

BOUND BY RESPECT

Documents

THE FREEMASON’S NEWS · THE FREEMASON’S NEWS 1 by WBro Dr. Wade A. Morgan PAGDC, PDistGSuptW EDITORIAL Credits CONTENTS New Master Masons...etc Friendly Lodge #239 …