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RW DGM's Message for November 2003

MASONRY UNIVERSAL

I have just returned from the U.K. after having received visible evidence, if such were necessary, of our Masonic fraternity being an Universal Brotherhood.

In a matter of under ten days there, I attended three Chapter and two Craft Meetings, making an average of almost one meeting every two days. At the Chapter meetings I was honoured by the presence of either the Provincial Grand Superintendent or his Deputy or both.

Leamington -Warwickshire @ Chapter Amity with E. Comp Atkinson (R) and Wild (L)

All this was possible because of affectionate Brethren, such as W.Bros. Atkinson, Wild and Pinney of the Provinces of Warwickshire and South Wales Western Division respectively making all the necessary arrangements for me to be able to do so. These arrangements included accommodation, transport (being driven everywhere) and the various details relating to being received at the several meetings, the after-meeting refreshments etc. etc. In addition a round of golf was arranged at the Leamington Club, although the temperature on the course, with a wind-chill, was literally at 0°C. However the warmth of the company more than made up for the frigid weather.

The universality of the fraternity was obviously also under-scored by the similarities of the ritual, although in some cases, especially in Chapter working there are discernible differences. To cite but a couple, after a Chapter is opened, the Provincial Grand Principals enter in procession, take over the Chapter until the Minutes are read, and then hand the Chapter back to its own Principals. The Warwickshire Provinces’ working is distinctly different. Another nice gesture is that the visiting dignitary if of sufficient rank, is requested to sign the Minutes, not only as a courtesy but perhaps to confirm the dignitary’s attendance at the meeting.

While on the subject of the visit of an officer of my rank, it is to be made clear that the head of another District or Province is received only with the courtesies relating to his Grand Rank, and not as a D.G.M. or G.S. as such, in procession, for instance. Mostly one was placed immediately in front (Craft) or behind (Chapter) the Provincial representative/s. Incidentally a Province is the equivalent in the U.K. of a District which latter nomenclature is relevant only to Territories Overseas.

Your District Grand Master was cordially received by the M.W. the Marquess of Northampton Pro-Grand Master as well as by the Assistant Grand Master, R.W.Bro. Williamson, and the Grand Secretary, V.W.Bro. R.A.H. Morrow, in separate meetings over two days, in London. Useful discussions were held on these occasions.

Everywhere I visited, I have conveyed the greetings of all my Brethren of the District of Madras, and emphasized the importance of inter-visitation by our Brethren from the two countries, so as to further highlight the practical manifestations of Masonry Universal. In fact, I called it Masonic Tourism, as there are not only friendly and fraternal relationships to be built thereby, but also opportunities to enhance the sense of belonging by the occasions to visit Heritage Masonic Buildings in the U.K. as well as here, in a more general sense. Obviously those visiting must make prior enquiries and appropriate arrangements.

May the GAOTU bless all such efforts and exchanges as He obviously did mine!