Yesterday we had our March regular meeting. It was a meeting of great contrast but one that reminded us all of the principles of Freemasonry.
We paid tribute to a very dear friend and Brother. W. Bro Allan Melrose rose and paid tribute to W. Bro Tony Elliot PGStB, PPGSwdB, who recently passed to the grand lodge above. Tony was a regular visitor to Adams lodge, so much so you may have been forgiven in believing he was one of ours. Allan and Tony met when they were on the masters circuit together way back in 1994 (I had just started my second year in secondary school). Tony had been ill for a short period but it does remind us all of our second degree working tools and the speculative meaning behind the level, equality, distinction and the impending destination of life. Tony was a great Mason and a great friend to many. He was a grand lodge officer however he expected no difference we were all on the level, we were all brothers.
The main part of the evening was Bro. Stephen Marchant being raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason. Bro Marchant answered his questions with confidence which enabled him to be entrusted with the password for the ensuing ceremony. Bro Marchant was expertly guided around the lodge (which you would expect) by our DC W. Bro Roy Stickles who was standing in as the SD. The ceremony was expertly undertaken by our master to the obligation before our IPM took over for the Exhortation, Charge and Traditional History. W. Bro Carter did an excellent job for the candidate but reported to me after wards he got tongue tied on one word! For anyone that knows or has witnessed W. Bro Carter perform ritual will know that he is now kicking himself, but for everyone else there including the candidate it was perfect. Bro. Marchant has now completed his final step in Craft masonry and will be encouraged to complete his journey into chapter.
The festive board was where the fellowship continued. At 21:30 tradition dictates in Adams lodge to remember absent bretheren a, poignant moment to remember not only W. Bro Tony but all those that are too ill to attend or passed to the grand lodge above. Tony was remembered at the GLO toast and W. Bro Geoff Peters (Nore command) also paid tribute in his response on behalf of guests and visitors. Bretheren enjoyed a fantastic meal of broccoli and Stilton soup, steak pie and cheese and biscuits.
During the festive board some of our younger members discussed with me visiting other lodges, they informed us they were keen to visit St. Michael’s Lodge No. 1273 Sittingbourne. We later found out that the group 3 travelling gavel currently resides at St Michael’s, it was also the mother lodge of W. Bro Elliot. Therefore Adams lodge will be throwing down the gauntlet in the hope of relieving St Michael’s of the heavy burden. Prepare for an invasion the islanders have got their passports and will be crossing the bridge in April in the hope we have the gavel for our installation.
Yesterday we had our March regular meeting. It was a meeting of great contrast but one that reminded us all of the principles of Freemasonry.
We paid tribute to a very dear friend and Brother. W. Bro Allan Melrose rose and paid tribute to W. Bro Tony Elliot PGStB, PPGSwdB, who recently passed to the grand lodge above. Tony was a regular visitor to Adams lodge, so much so you may have been forgiven in believing he was one of ours. Allan and Tony met when they were on the masters circuit together way back in 1994 (I had just started my second year in secondary school). Tony had been ill for a short period but it does remind us all of our second degree working tools and the speculative meaning behind the level, equality, distinction and the impending destination of life. Tony was a great Mason and a great friend to many. He was a grand lodge officer however he expected no defference we were all on the level, we were all brothers.
The main part of the evening was Bro. Stephen Marchant being raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason. Bro Marchant answered his questions with confidence which enabled him to be entrusted with the password for the ensuing ceremony. Bro Marchant was expertly guided around the lodge (which you would expect) by our DC W. Bro Roy Stickles who was standing in as the SD. The ceremony was expertly undertaken by our master to the obligation before our IPM took over for the Exhortation, Charge and Traditional History. W. Bro Carter did an excellent job for the candidate but reported to me after wards he got tongue tied on one word. For anyone that knows or has witnessed W. Bro Carter perform ritual will know that he is now kicking himself, for everyone else there including the candidate it was perfect. Bro. Marchant has now completed his final step in Craft masonry and will be encouraged to complete his journey into chapter.
The festive board was where the fellowship continued. At 21:30 tradition dictates in Adams lodge to remember absent bretheren a, poignant moment to remember not only W. Bro Tony but all those that are too ill to attend or passed to the grand lodge above. Tony was remembered at the GLO toast and W. Bro Geoff Peters (Nore command) also paid tribute in his response on behalf of guests and visitors. Bretheren enjoyed a fantastic meal of broccoli and Stilton soup, steak pie and cheese and biscuits.
During the festive board some of our younger members discussed with me visiting other lodges, they informed me they were keen to visit St. Michael’s Lodge No. 1273 Sittingbourne. I later found out that the group 3 travelling gavel currebtly resides at St Michael’s, it was also the mother lodge of W. Bro Elliot. Therefore Adams lodge will be throwing down the gauntlet in the hope of releaving St Michael’s of the heavy burden. Prepare for an invasion the islanders have got their passports and will be crossing the bridge in April in the hope we have the gavel for our installation.
Adams Lodge No.158 