Page 64 - Amo Amass A-muse is some of the fruit of a lifetimes love of Freemasonry - the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235

REmiNiSCENCES iN ThE lODGE OF ThE NiNE muSES

RETHREN,

BOver a year ago, when you honoured me by electing me to be your Master
for the third time, I gave you my impressions of the Lodge when I was initiated in 1919.
I am told that you would like to hear some of my recollections in later years, so here
goes…………………….
In Lodge, there was no dais, we were not so formal as we are today, yet it was quite out
of the question for either the I.P.M. or the Secretary to have a book in front of him to
prompt. All the Past Masters were in attention so that one or more might be able to do so
from memory. When the brethren felt that any brother had completed a piece of Ritual in
an impressive manner, there was a spontaneous hand clap, usually led by the M. of C. There
were no processions in those days either in or out of Lodge. When our Charity Temple
went round, only members of the lodge were allowed to contribute; a very old custom.
When I returned from Indian Service for the first time, in 1926, we had no less than three
Members of Parliament as Members. Sir Frank Sanderson, Bart; Ted Mandville and my Father all
three were also members of the Savage Club and I have a wonderful Savage Sketch of the backs
of the three rolling down John Adam Street after dinner with the Club Secretary looking on.
My Father represented Grand Lodge at two Masonic celebrations abroad. Each time he
presented the Lodge with the memento of the event that he had received. The first was the
consecration of the Golden Throne Lodge at Jerusalem, who still work there, and which I
have myself visited. From this, we now have a Perfect Ashlar hewn out of the same quarries
as King Solomon’s Temple. He also attended the first meeting between our District Grand
Lodge in Brazil and their Grand Orient which had just been recognised as Regular. We
have the special medal coined for that occasion.
Brother Sefi, the editor of a Stamp Journal, and I were asked to collaborate to write
a Lodge History. I think I was chosen because I had been schooled by Brothers Webb
and Luxmore Marshall in the Lodge traditions. They had both retired to Hove and for
a time I was brigaded at Brighton. Alas, I was posted to India again and Brother Sefi
died. I continued to collect information and on my return Brother Allan Foxley had
just retired and been given the job.