Last night’s lodge meeting

We were doing a Raising last night–that is the third and final degree in Freemasonry. We have been rehearsing for two months (4 Lodges of Instruction) and were pretty confident that we could do it well. Our visiting officer was also going to be there, so we thought we should be extra-prepared. In addition, we were doing the formal closing of the Third Degree working, which is quite intricate. As Junior Warden, I have a part in that.

We started off on time, and just as we had opened in the first degree, there was a knock at the door. The visiting officer was a bit late and wished admission. However, when he came in, he asked for an escort for the Metropolitan Grand Inspector, who is a Grand Officer and responsible for all the Visiting Officers in the London Area. So, the deacons and directors of ceremonies lined up, went out of the lodge, and returned with the Grand Inspector, who politely refused the gavel (he is entitled to take over running the meeting from the Worshipful Master if he likes, but rarely if ever does). We then went on with the meeting. We were totally surprised, as he had not informed us that he was going to be present. However, we could but continue and hope for the best.

The Third Degree went on without any major hitches. We all played our parts to perfection, and our Brother was raised in splendid form. After the raising, the Metropolitan Grand Inspector presented long service certificates to two brethren who had in total been Freemasons in Goliath Lodge for nearly 100 years.

At dinner (the dreaded Christmas dinner, complete with Christmas crackers and a slab of dead Christmas pudding) we all were very satisfied with a job well-done and we think that the quality of the ritual shown to the Visiting Officer and the Metropolitan Grand Inspector was impressive enough so that our Lodge will be remembered when opportunities for honours arise.

Our next meeting is February, when we will be raising my friend and former colleague. I shall be delivering the Charge to the Initiate: 8 pages of a very intricate lecture. I have about 2 pages memorised already.

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