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Dudley J. Thompson O.J. Q.C.
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SARAFINA • Vantage Point 44 Portview Rd #8 • P.O. Box 2989 Kingston 8 Jamaica West Indies
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RECOLLECTIONS OF A MASON.
When I was asked by a brother to write a paper on Memorable incidents over a
long Masonic life I felt quite hesitant and unable to comply with his request. This
is not because there was not much to recall ,but because there was so much
indeed. How can one write some 50 years of respect,adoration, esteem as a
mere footnote of life in a paper of words. It would not be fitting to jot down
isolated moments of pleasure ,of which there has been so many ,.during half a
century of adult life as a member of the Craft. Neither did I think it sufficient to
regale you with nostalgic recollections and isolated reminiscences of this
important period of more than half my long life.. I came to the conclusion that I
should share with my brethren why I feel certain ,that one of the best things that
ever happened to me was when I was accepted to the brotherhood of Free
Masonry.
Firstly, on retrospection I can truthfully say that it opened my eyes
to a new plane of human companionship and way of life.I learnt to accept each
brother on the simplest basic plane of truth and trust. , on the evaluation of
character and the common acceptance of the virtues of life.
Secondly Throughout the years it has given to me a guide of
conduct in human affairs based on a code of ethical appraisal. This has
remained with me and is to me one of the personal gifts of the Craft that
distinguishes us as Masons.
It has provided me with much contentment and joy, and enabled
me to share and spread that contentment and joy among others..
It has widened my horizons of Friendship and opened my heart
and mind to kindred spirits.
It has strengthened my beliefs in religion and expanded my
thoughts on the continuity of life after death.
I was fortunate in my youth to be attracted by certain individuals much
older than myself, and whose lifestyle stood out as role models for me. It was
some time later that I got to learn that these men were all Members of something
unknown to me called FreeMasonry. They included names like Professor
Francis( Bo Bo) Bowen, Doctor Valentine ,J.J.Mills, A.N.Henriques Father and
son . They introduced me into the Fellowship of the Craft and I quickly developed
an appetite for learning more of its secrets and meaning. It impelled my mind
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towards the horizon and beyond. I was greatly impressed by the recital of the
ritual which encapsulated both the eloquence of language and the allegory of
historical significance.I was enthralled by the cadence and symmetry of ideas in
harmony.I learned daily to understand and admire the successive development
and discipline of the ritual. At Lodge I looked forward as a pupil anxiously waiting
for the doors to open-always on time and accepted the virtue of punctuality.
Each time it was with the awesome impression of the first time to witness the
dignified and impressive procession of the Right Worshipful District Grand
Master in full regalia accompanied by his officers also in full dress all teaching by
example the respect due to our superiors in the Craft- and indeed in the Regal
superiority of the Craft itself by those within the privelege of its membership The
private values of an Elite based on Merit unaffected by the measures of the
outside world.I felt enriched by the privelege of participation and yearned to
advance and to learn of the intellectual and ethical legacy bequeathed to us by
the many gone before and through the years from time immemorial. I saw in my
Mother LodgeGlen Lyon S.C.346 worthy representatives of those early fathers
now walking in their footsteps. and I acknowledged them as such I recall years
later ,many and early visits to our Sister Lodges and particularly when a group
from Semper Fidelis journeyed to the country. I experienced there the easy
hands of friendship given and received among the brethren .Not unlike the
mediaeval knights of old I witnessed the respect and obedience paid to the
Seniors in the Lodge and was proud to accept and be adopted to the
disciplined bonds of service.
Most of all I valued the talks and lectures given from the Chair or
visitors or other brethren who widened my knowledge of Freemasonry. When
Grand Masters like J,J.Mills or H.O.B.Wooding regaled us with tales of what
happened abroad on their Masonic visits to other Lodges I felt comfortably
assured that they had held our flag highly aloft and embellished the honour of
our country on the larger stage.
FreeMasonry led me into much deep thought and introspection . The
close confidences of brethren and the sharing of ideas. The abiding knowledge
that it was imperative in all Masons so to practice and apply its virtues in order to
make us humble though to remain elite in ordinary society.That being a Mason
drew strict lines of prohibition against certain practices of misconduct. That its
censure would always make one unfit to be in the company of honourable men-an
outcast in society condemned - bearing an indelible stain of shame, cut off
from the companionship of all Masons. It made me happy to feel that here I was
among friends all of whom accepted and lived in accordance with the high
standards of virtue the tenets of the Craft and were assets in the community.
As the years passed and I grew up in the never diminished glow of my
Lodge an opportunity for service presented itself. A group of us,Brethren from
Glen Lyon lodge 346 S.C.,including Brother 0.St.E. Rutherford , Honorary Junior
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Grand Deacon, Brother Frank Duncanson, Brother Samuels, Brother George
Phillips of blessed memory,Brother Rupert Anderson and others moved for
permission to establish a new Lodge and Lodge Semper Fidelis was founded as
Lodge 1530 in the Scottish Constitution in 1957.
Later along with others I also had the honour to become a Founder
Member of the Mico Lodge no.-1530--also of the Scottish Constitution in
One of the most memorable moments without a doubt was when after
passing through the necessary stages of preparation some 37 years ago I was
elected Master of this Semper Fidelis Lodge in 1960. I felt at that moment a
strange mixture of elation and a deep sense of responsibility.To be a Master
after over 20 years of learning in the Craft found me trying to live up to those
great men that inspired me practically all of whom had long gone to higher
service in the Grand Lodge Above, and to try to walk in their footsteps. Today I
see many who have become Masters of this Lodge who entered the Lodge as
Apprentices under my administration.I have had no cause for regret.The sense
of tradition -the continuity and maintainance of high standards of performance in
the Craft must always remain a constant in our life. One plea I leave with you as
a firm admonition. On considering the admission of new membership to the
Lodge- If in your own true judgement there is the slightest doubt as to the
suitability of a candidate GIVE THE CRAFT THE BENEFIT OF THAT DOUBT
AND WITHOLD YOUR SUPPORT FROM the Candidate.. It is the only way you
can protect the Lodge from deterioration..
Masonry taught me the full meaning of Charity and to give thanks for the
opportunity to practice same. Now when I stare poverty in the face of the
hopeless and neglected my spirit recoils at the causes of that poverty. It gave
full meaning to such phrases as "It is better to give than to receive" or "It
blesseth him that gives and him that takes "The feeling of inner joy when you
render assistance to another can only be explained in the recognition that you
are carrying out the direction of The Great Master of the Universe. Each time the
true Mason gives thanks that he was given the opportunity to carry out that virtue
of Charity and relieve a brother thus sharing that sense of satisfaction.It is
impossible to value this and the many lessons I learnt from the Senior members
of the Fraternity. Year after year it gave me an ever increasing sense of pride
that I was becoming nearer and nearer to acceptance among the most
honourable, the moral elite in our society. These have not been mere early
dreams. They have continued to constitute the real daily values and attitudes
that condition my place in society. On critical periods of judgement I have often
asked myself as one often does in prayer "What would a Good Mason do?" How
would he decide this problem?" It has never failed to help me in taking a
decision, and I pass it on to you. Even when it leaves you in a minority or indeed
in isolation, you will have had the satisfaction of following the inner voices of the
many faithful gone before to higher service.
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I feel in all sincerity that the greatest tribute that can be paid to any of
us whatever his status in civil life, the highest honour that can be bestowed , is
that our fellow men and women should be able tothink and say of one, "THERE
GOES A GOOD MASON".
