NEWSLETTER 36 Repro - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

NEWSLETTER 36 Repro 11/5/07 11:45 AM Page 24
LEGALLY BINDING
CONSECRATION
LEGAL eagles are celebrating the hugely
successful Consecration of Aequitas
Lodge No 9832 at Greenhead Masonic
Hall, Huddersfield on 22 September.
And the newest Lodge in the
Province, whose 37 Founders have a
connection, current or previously, with
the administration of civil or criminal
justice, can reflect on a truly memorable
occasion.
The birth of Aequitas Lodge is the
culmination of a long-held dream by
Spen Valley Masons W Bros Bill
McGolpin and Derek Binns, who were
the driving force behind its creation.
The Consecration of a new Lodge is
a special occasion – Sub Aqua Lodge No
9684 in 1998 and the Rugby Football
Lodge No 9811 in 2005 – are others who
began life in recent years at
Huddersfield’s premier Masonic hall.
And Aequitas Lodge was also special
for the R W Provincial Grand Master,
John K Clayton, who conducted his first
such Consecration ceremony as the
appointed Assistant to the MW Grand
Master, HRH The Duke of Kent.
And he did so with great aplomb and
obvious sincerity as a dignified and most
impressive ceremony unfolded in front of
130 captivated Brethren.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master W
Bro Maurice Bendig opened the Lodge in
the three degrees before the Warrant for
the new Lodge was presented by the
Provincial Grand Secretary, W Bro John
Rushworth.
There followed a delightful and
thought-provoking Oration from the
Deputy Provincial Grand Chaplain, W Bro
The Rev Canon Kenneth J Phillips.
W Bro Phillips outlined what he felt
are the main principles and tenets which
identify Masons as men whose friendship
is to be cherished.
He referred to the Three Great Lights
in Freemasonry and summarised the first
as square conduct.
“In today’s world, both in business
and society, there appears less and less
emphasis on this enormous quality. By
the same token, it is a joy to be with
those whose ‘yea is yea and whose nay
is nay’
“A sense of honesty is something we
desperately need, today and always.
“The next quality might be summed
up ‘To render the circle of your Masonic
duties complete.’
“Friendship is something to be valued
enormously but this also implies
responsibility as well as pleasure and I
22
CONSECRATION OF AEQUITAS LODGE No 9832
at The Masonic Hall, Greenhead Road, Huddersfield on
Saturday, 22 September 2007 by
The R W Provincial Grand Master John Kendall Clayton
assisted by
W Bro Maurice Bendig, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master with
W Bro Stewart G Carley, PSGD, APGM
W Bro D Stuart Cummins, PSGW
W Bro James S Gray, PJGW
W Bro John Sawdon, PDGDC
W Bro Lloyd Priestley, PDGDC
W Bro John Rushworth, PAGDC
W Bro Paul C Grafton, PAGDC
W Bro David Sunderland
W Bro Canon Kenneth J Philips PAG Chap
W Bro Richard V Clague
W Bro T Malcolm Cruise, PPJGW
W Bro Graham Dawson
W Bro David M Grant, PAGDC
W Bro Donald C Willson, PPJGW
have always found this to be most
rewarding, especially when it is
necessary to go the extra mile.”
In referring to the third great light, the
Volume of the Sacred Law, W Bro Phillips
said he found inspiration, hope and that
divine light by which this life is enriched
beyond measure.
“Do read the Bible – or for other
believers there are other books – don’t let
it be an ornament in black tooled leather:
it is a living thing; let it live in our lives!”
W Bro Phillips concluded: “Let us
remind ourselves that Freemasonry is
serious, yes; it has many great and
valuable lessons to teach, but it is always
and above all, to be enjoyed!”
Robust singing by the Brethren to the
delightful accompaniment of Provincial
Grand Organist W Bro T Malcolm Cruise
punctuated the stunning Consecration
itself as R W Bro Clayton scattered Corn,
the symbol of Plenty and Abundance
around the Lodge Board.
He then poured Wine, the symbol of
Joy and Cheerfulness and Oil, the symbol
of Peace and Unanimity, before the 37
Founders who were arranged around the
Lodge Board.
as Immediate Past Master
as Senior Warden
as Junior Warden
as Senior Deacon
as Junior Deacon
Provincial Grand Secretary
Provincial Grand D of C
Provincial Grand Sword Bearer
Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain
Provincial Asst Grand Supt of Works
Provincial Grand Organist
Provincial Grand Standard Bearer
as Provincial Grand Pursuivant
Provincial Grand Tyler
RWBro Clayton pictured with new Master W Bro McGolpin and his Wardens, left, W Bro Binns
and W Bro Lenton
On the fourth Circuit, the
Consecrating Officer sprinkled Salt, the
symbol of Friendship and Fidelity.
R W Bro Clayton led the Dedication.
“To God and to His service, we
dedicate this Lodge, also to the memory
of the Royal Solomon, under whose
auspices many of our Masonic mysteries
had their origin.”
The Consecrating Officer then
formally Constituted Aequitas Lodge No
9832 on the Register of the Grand Lodge
of England.
THE ceremony of Installation of the
Master Designate, W Bro William
Gillespie Brownlee McGolpin, was
conducted by Assistant Provincial Grand
Master W Bro Stewart G Carley and was
a model of warmth and sincerity.
R W Bro Clayton presented the
Warrant, Book of Constitutions and the
newly approved By-Laws of Provincial
Grand Lodge and, to the delight and
sustained acclamation of everyone
present, he promoted W Bro McGolpin to
the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand
Warden.