A Meeting to Remember - the Best in 30 Years
By: W.Bro Lt Col (Retd) Ian Harper and W.Bro Dean Todd IPM
The commonplace phrase of “being given the third degree” was now about to become evident and very real to our candidate as he was asked to show well he had progressed in his Masonic duties, which he demonstrated with great aplomb……..as well as much personal relief!
The Lodge was then prepared for the next part of a very complex ceremony with an over watch maintained by W.Bro Steve Poole, the Lodge’s veteran Director of Ceremonies.
At this point, the Principal Officers of the Lodge came into their own and with great style and sophistication, expertly led Bro Martin through an elaborate and symbolic part of a Mason’s journey through life. During this, W. Bro Jim Gray, our accomplished Assistant Director of Ceremonies who had travelled down from Scotland to attend the meeting in the role of Immediate Past Master (along with his guest, W.Bro Graham Barlow, who assures us that he is totally unrelated to the professional yodeller and songwriter of a similar name!) then delivered an exquisite Third Degree Exhortation, to the joy and amazement of all in the Lodge.
This was followed by a further key part of the story telling, relating to the 15 Fellow Craft, which was delivered with feeling and in dramatic style by W. Bro Dean Todd, who brought it to life.
It was at this stage the Lodge’s Master, W.Bro Lt Col (Retd) Ian Harper gave the charge and entrusted the secrets of the Degree to Bro Kevin, who’s mouth at this stage was a wide as the Cheddar Gorge, such was his amazement. However, the best was yet to come from the hands of the W. Bro Steve Poole, who delivered a sublime and word-perfect rendition of the traditional history to everyone’s joy and delight, following which, our newly raised Master Mason, was then congratulated by the Master and his Proposer.
A letter, personally penned by RW. Bro John Mackinnon who had visited the Lodge the previous month, was then read out to congratulate Bro Kevin, saying, “Congratulations on becoming a Master Mason. I am sure as a person with such a warm, outgoing and generous personality your company will be enthusiastically sought to visit other Lodges and join other Orders. And of this, I wish you well“. Following being presented a “Forget-Me-Not” lapel pin on behalf of RW.
Bro John, his warm words were further explained, “I am honoured to be able the have this pin presented to you as it symbolises that the hand of Freemasonry is truly international and stands for that which is noble and morally principled.” The Master, then took time to present a Masonic Bible to Bro Kevin, something all the visitors had never seen before, saying, “….your own version of VSL will help guide you along your long Masonic journey.
It will also remind you of how important it is within Masonry, as it is the book on which you have made your obligations”.
With the closing ode being sung, all retired from the Lodge, and with much expectation adjourned to the Festive Board, where good wine, good food and excellent company were the order of the day. As usual, Croydon and District Masonic Hall really did us proud by serving an exquisite steak and kidney pudding with sumptuous cauliflower cheese.
All commented this was one of, if not, the best meals they had experienced in the Masonic Hall … well done and thank you very much to all the catering and support team ! At the stroke of high nine, the Tylers toast was made by the Lodge Grandee, W.Bro George Todd, whose rendition was given with passion and much Rabbie Burns class.
The after-glow from the meeting and festive board continued into the bar, where a sizeable number of the guests and lodge members dwelled, with all saying, unpromoted, how much they had enjoyed the evening and how they felt the ceremony had been sublime. Saturday was without doubt a living example of Freemasonry at its best. We now plan to return the compliment with six Lodge members visiting Burstow Lodge at the end of February.