The Lodge of Economy No: 76

Lodge Notices

UBVisit

The photograph shows WBro George Groom, the Worshipful Master of Economy, and his Wardens, Chaplain and Inner Guard in the Lodge Room of The United Brothers Lodge 1069 on the occasion of their November 2009 visit to The United Brothers at Portsmouth.

 Visiting other Lodges is a wonderful way of meeting new Brethren and is rooted in the history of the Craft.  Brethren from Economy and United Brothers have visited each other on an annual basis for over 100 years.

 


The photograph shows the Perpetual Immediate Past Master Jewel worn by all IPMs since 1948.

The inscriptions on the reverse read as follows:

 

Presented to W Bro John Sim by the Lodge of Economy No.76 in recognition of the extraordinary NUmber of Lodge MeetingS over which he presided as Worshipful Master. 1918.

 

Presented to the Lodge of Economy No.76 by Bro C Kent Sim, JD, for use in perpetuity by the Immediate Past Master of the Lodge. 1948.

PM Jewel

 

 


Photos of two Past Masters of Lodge of Economy No.76

Found and sucessfully bid for on EBay by Bro Paul Baker MBE who has generously donated them to the Lodge archives

PB1

PB2

From the Quarterly Bulletin of the London Grand Rank Association 15th August 1966

Written by Wbro Arthur E. Buddell, OBE, MC, PAGSwdB, then Secretary of the LGRA.


BROTHER INITIATE - A TOAST


Brother.

I am not going to burden you with a repetition of the highlights of this afternoon’s

ceremony. No doubt you are in a state of bewilderment and time alone can clarify your vision. What I would like to do, however, is to touch upon the effect that your initiation will have on you as an ordinary man in the street.
Tonight, if you are a heavy sleeper, weird thoughts and strange impressions will pass through your mind; but tomorrow you will awaken with a sense of elation; with a feeling that something unusual has happened to you; that life has entered upon a new phase and that all is well with the world.
That, at least, was the impression that my initiation made on me.

But what has really happened is far simpler.
You have been admitted to a fraternal association and a brotherhood of free men. From now onwards you need never want for a friend. Whether you mix with the teeming millions of the great cities of the world or journey to the outposts of civilisation you will always find someone to call you "brother".

The uninitiated and ignorant often scorn Freemasonry.
They say it exerts an evil influence in affairs of the Church, the Government, and the State; a clique of men banded together to assist one another to the detriment and exclusion of those who are not within the magic circle.
If you will believe that, you will believe anything. It is utter nonsense, as you will

soon discover.

Freemasonry is based on a belief in the Deity and the practice of morality and it countenances no departure from these strict tenets. "Charity" is our bye—word and we are taught to extend that virtue to every deserving creature, whether he be in the Craft or not.

When you were interviewed by the Lodge Committee you were asked some pertinent questions. At the time you may have thought them impertinent but I trust that you now see the reason for them. If we were to advertise Freemasonry we could obtain legions of members, some of whom would not be desirable, for we want worthy men only. We care not what your station in life may be or what your standard of education, but we had to ask you those questions to make certain that your intentions were honourable.

We are now perfectly satisfied on that score and we welcome you as a brother among us.

Freemasonry is a most absorbing science and in time you may feel inclined to progress to the higher degrees or even join a second Lodge. Do not be in a hurry to do so because Freemasonry is like an old vintage wine and is sometimes inclined to be a little "heady".

Be ever mindful of your responsibilities to your family and your business. But if you do extend your researches always remember that . . . Lodge is your Mother Lodge and that it was she who gave you masonic birth. Never forsake her, for one day she may need the help of her sons.
If the Great Architect permits, you may be enabled to enjoy many years of active Freemasonry and in due time succeed to the highest honour that your Lodge can

confer upon you — the Mastership. In the interim many years of work and study lie before you, but they will be happy years and produce a labour of love.

In the course of your life you may encounter periods of sorrow, grief, ill health and other misfortunes. I sincerely hope that you will be spared them but if, unfortunately, they do come it will be then that you will discover the truth underlying Freemasonry, for your brethren will rally to your support and help you over the stile. With the passage of time you, like each one of us, will have to embark upon that last journey to the Great Beyond.

May the principles of our Craft fortify you in that inescapable ordeal and, as old age overtakes you, may you be able to say with the poet Henley: "So be my passing, My task accomplished and the long day done, My wages taken and in my heart some late lark singing, Let me be gathered to the quiet west, The sundown splendid and serene."
Today, Brother . . . , your sun is in the ascendancy, if not yet at its zenith; therefore, we extend to you the heart’s right hand of friendship and may you continue to hold it to the very last. 

In conclusion, I would like to commend to you one other quotation — this time from the pen of an anonymous American writer which, I think. epitomises the whole spirit of Freemasonry. .

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good things. therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creatures let me do it now, Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

Brethren, please rise and drink to the health and happiness of our new Brother.

 

Article suplied by WBro John Chapman.