305th Address by the Right Worshipful District Grand Master.
Although the October 2006 Communication hosted by Albion 196 ER was held downstairs in the banqueting hall of this building, this is the first Communication we have held in this room, the Hassell Room, The building itself is now complete, with only the exterior security fence, yard paving, some landscaping and the lift installation yet remaining to be done. The District Grand Royal Arch Chapter’s Annual Communication was held this morning next door, and this evening’s banquet will be held downstairs. It is a magnificent building, and as I have said earlier, we are indeed indebted to W Bro Tony Brooks of Victoria Lodge for his work as architect on the project given freely without charge. I commend him on his design, and would also like to here thank those others directly involved, W Bro Mike Ridley, structural engineer, of Amity 9073, W. Bro. Fozlo Brewster of Union 7551, attorney at law, W Bro John Still of St. Michael 2253, civil engineer, W Bro Antonio Elcock also of Victoria 2196, electrical engineer, and W Bro Captain Philip Springer of Amity 9073, quantity surveyor, who also provided their professional services free of charge. There were of course many others who helped such as the 8 Lodges 1 chapter, a total of126 freemasons of both constitutions and the family of Eric Hassell deceased who contributed $270.000 BDS to the project between January 2005 and now. Others made contributions in kind. It is indeed a building for our time, and demonstrates what can be done if we have the collective will to act for the common good.
I was disappointed that by the cut-off date, that is the end of February, D G Sec had not received recommendations for appointments or promotion in District Grand Rank from Albion 196, Caribbee 2829, St Anthony 4684 or the Research Lodge of Amity 9073. However, I sincerely congratulate all of those who have today been appointed acting officers in the District Grand Lodge, and also those who have been promoted in, or appointed to, past rank. Each of you has served your Lodges and the District well, and I know that you will continue to do so. Wear your regalia with pride. It has been earned. I look forward to working with all of you in the future.
You have heard the reports of the Presidents of the DBGP and the DBB, as well as the Auditors Report attached to the accounts circulated. The District is functioning well. Most Lodges are very good in submitting annual returns, registration forms, GL certificate applications and requests for dispensations in due time. Some are not so good. In the final analysis, the master is responsible and should give all necessary guidance to his secretary so that D G Sec’s duties would be less arduous. The District is financially in good health, although there should have been more calls for relief on the Benevolent Fund. The Pres. DBB has expressed his gratitude to those Lodges who have made donations over the last year to the fund. I in turn thank him for his suggestion of a District tie. They have sold well, and the Benevolent Fund has benefited. There are 43 ties left, and may I remind you that only those wearing District ties are eligible for appointment or promotion in District Rank.
Those of you who subscribe, or those that receive by right, the proceedings of UGLE may have noticed in the minutes of last December’s Quarterly Communication that 31 Lodges had closed and surrendered their warrants, including one very old one, No 346, and a further 7 Lodges have in effect been lost to amalgamations. Between 2000 and 2007 the number of Lodges on the Grand Lodge Register has fallen from 8656 to 8253 with a corresponding reduction in members and in the number of Grand Lodge certificates issued. This District on the other hand managed to add a Lodge and increase our numbers nominally from 985 to 1017 over the same number of years. We issued apparently 285 Grand Lodge Certificates. We are then doing very well. The problem is to retain these 285 members as pro active Freemasons. We also have to limit deaths!
That consolidated paper regarding the feasibility and desireability of a local Grand Lodge was circulated to members of the DBGP at its March meeting in St. Lucia, but it has yet to be fine-tuned for distribution through our 18 Lodge’s membership. There is no doubt that the District Grand Lodge, SC, is favorable to a joint creation. Discussions suggest that the slight differences between the two systems are not insurmountable, and indeed can easily be resolved. It may be of interest to you that Bro Stanley Marcus, RWDGM of Trinidad and Tobago, SC, presented a paper ‘A Grand Lodge of the Caribbean’ to a recent Special Communication of the Barbados Scottish District. He unhesitatingly advocated the establishment of our own Grand Lodge with ‘our’ in this context meaning embracing as many of the Lodges in the region, drawn from all the recognized Constitutions as are willing to participate. He also said that he was not canvassing or making any proposal, but the splendor of the hall in which we are now assembled leaves no doubt as to its suitability as a Grand Lodge building. I could not agree more.
Meanwhile, Union Royal Arch Chapter 7551 is to be consecrated here on Saturday the 26th July 2008, bringing to 8 the number of Royal Arch Chapters in our fairly new District Grand Chapter. The launching of this Chapter, by the way, is part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Union 7551 itself. I am sure you join me in congratulating Union Lodge on this achievement, and wishing the members continued success for the future. Having said that, there is a move afoot by UGLE to consider replacing the 2003 paragraph change in the preliminary declaration to the Book of Constitutions with a fresh definition, to describe the Royal Arch as the next step in freemasonry after the Craft degrees, and the final step in pure Antient Masonry. It is felt that a Royal Arch representative should be appointed in each Craft Lodge. This representative meanwhile would not be a Lodge officer, but he would have the responsibility for promoting the Royal Arch within the context of the Lodge. I would like all our Lodges to do this. Such a representative has to be carefully chosen, and of course would be have to be a Royal Arch Mason. His main objective would be recruitment and retention. What is the point in all of this should finally a local Grand Lodge be agreed upon? I see no problem in retaining the Royal Arch and the Mark in a new Caribbean system of pure Antient Masonry.
There has been an amendment to the Book of Constitutions. We shall be permitted in future to appoint a D G Orator. He shall rank immediately before the District Senior Grand Deacons with the responsibility of managing and organizing talks, lectures and orations .In other words, we shall have to identify some past master who likes to talk a lot. That should not be too difficult.
Finally, I have to tell you that at next Wednesday’s Annual Investiture Meeting of UGLE, W Bro Leland John Still is to be appointed PAGDC. W Bro John Still has been the DGDC since 2002 and has served our District well. I am sure you all join me in applauding his preferment.
May I now thank the W M of Victoria Lodge W Bro Ricardo Knight, his Wardens, Officers and the members for agreeing to host this Communication and for organizing such a wonderful weekend. I would particularly like to mention the Communication Secretary, Bro Michael Smith for putting everything together. You have looked after all of your guests splendidly. I am proud myself to be a member of Victoria, although I have yet to tell my wife that she has to organize the brunch on Sunday.
The Autum Communication will be hosted by St. Anthony Lodge in Montserrat on the 24th October 2008. I have asked W Bro Neville Samuels to give us more details of St. Anthony’s plans under General Business
Finally I extend fraternal greetings to Bro Nigel Ricardo Jones OBE RWDGM (SC ) and those District Officer-bearers who have accompanied him and to W Bro Richard Floyd of the Province of Surrey in the U.K., and I hope that you will be joining us at the banquet that is to follow.
