Twelve Indians, Three Chairs and a Ceremony of Light
 
20th November 2013
     
On the evening of Wednesday the 20th November, the Temple Demonstration team visited Tithebarn Lodge No 8446 (West Lancs) meeting at Poulton-le-Fylde where twelve of the fifteen members of the Oklahoma Indian Demonstration team were among the guests, along with W.Bro. Peter Elmore (P.G.J.D., Imperial Mark Lodge No 1276) the newly appointed Second Provincial Grand Principle in the Holy Royal Arch Chapter.
 
 
W.Bro. Jimmy Rogers (centre), W.Bro. Jeff Smith (right)
Not sure what degree that is!
and the Oklahoma Team 
  
Thursday 21st saw the Team at Lodge of Charity No 350 (East Lancs) which meets at Farnworth. At the point in the presentation where the positioning of the Master and Wardens in most Masonic Lodges is mentioned, it was observed that in this Lodge room the three chairs were of different heights, rather than just standing on tiered pedestals; something I’ve never seen before! The Lodge is almost 200 years old and the chairs were apparently purchased, second hand, for eight guineas.
Junior Warden    
Senior Warden 
Worshipful Master
 
The week finished on Friday 22nd at Rokeby Lodge No 6301 (West Yorks) which meets at Blackwall, Halifax; the smallest Lodge room we have ever been in. In fact once sixty Brethren were assembled there was no room for the model, so we presented it in the dining room before the Festive Board.
 
Just before the Lodge opened, the D.C. hung a small tray containing a candle from the centre of the ceiling, and lit it.
 
At the end of the opening the I.P.M. quoted the following:-
“In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God”
He then moved to the centre of the Lodge, lit a taper from the candle and continued:-
“God said let there be light. May He send out His light and His truth
from the centre and illumine us at the circumference with wisdom, strength and beauty"
The IPM then moved to the East and handed the taper to the WM who lit the candle on his pedestal and continued:-
“His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
The IPM then took the taper from the WM in the East to the SW in the West,
who lit the candle on his pedestal and continued:-
“Even the night shall be light about me.”
The IPM then took the taper from the SW in the West to the JW in the South,
who lit the candle on his pedestal and continued:-
“Unto the upright ariseth light in the darkness.”
The IPM concluded:-
“Let us give thanks to Him who made great lights; the sun to rule the day,
the moon and stars to govern the night, for His mercy endureth forever.”
Omnes - S.M.I.B., following which the ADC exposed the 1st degree Tracing Board; enlightening!
 
Article and Photographs courtesy of Jimmy Rogers