A Tribute in Honour of the Late V. W. Bro. the Most ... Grand Sword Bearer, Past Governor-General of...

VOLUME XXIII JANUARY 2015 NO. 1

A Tribute in Honour of the LateV. W. Bro. the Most Honourable Sir Howard F.H. Cooke, O.N., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.D.,

Past Grand Sword Bearer, Past Governor-General of Jamaica.Written and Read by W. Bro. Dr. Simon A. Clarke, OD, JP, PDist, JGW

In Friendly Lodge #383

Worshipful Master, WorshipfulBrethren and Brethren all, weare gathered here this

evening, under special dispensation, onthis the fifth day of August, in the yearof our Lord Two Thousand and Four-teen, to celebrate the life of and to payour last sad tribute to our beloved de-parted brother, the Very WorshipfulPast Grand Sword Bearer, Past Masterof the Friendly Lodge 383, His Excel-lency the Most Honourable Sir HowardFelix Hanlan Cooke, Order of the Na-tion, Knight Grand Cross of the MostDistinguished Order of Saint Michaeland Saint George, Knight Grand Crossof the Royal Victorian Order, Com-mander of the Order of Distinction, for-mer Governor-General of Jamaica,senior church elder, sportsman, farmer,teacher, friend.

He, whose life was guided by the prin-ciples and tenets of ‘Brotherly Love, Re-lief and Truth’, has passed to the GrandLodge above. His life was an inspira-tion to many as he himself was inspiredby those words of Emancipator,Thomas Fowell Buxton that are foundengraved, to this very day, at the baseof the belfry of his beloved Alma Mater,the Mico College:

“The longer I live, the more I am certainthat the great difference between men,between the feeble and the powerful,

the great and the insignificant, is En-ergy, Invincible Determination, a pur-pose once fixed, and then death orvictory. That quality will do anythingthat can be done in this world; and notalents, no circumstances, no opportu-nities, will make a two-legged creaturea man without it.”

From his earliest years in the humblevillage of Goodwill in St. James to theperiod of fifteen years that he spent atKing’s House as Governor-General ofJamaica, Sir Howard demonstrated thatenergy, that invincible determination,that steadfastness of purpose and that

undaunted spirit for which he becameso well-known.

A voracious reader, he developed a cu-riosity for knowledge and a keen inter-est in the study of the Liberal Arts andSciences. He was an outstanding stu-dent at the Mico, that extraordinary andhistoric institution, which was foundedshortly after the passage of the Emanci-pation Act.

Howard played a pivotal role, in thetransformation of a Slave Society, intoan independent nation, responsible forits own affairs.

Our departed brother who won theDuff Memorial Prize, graduated withhonours from the Mico in December1935.

On the invitation of the principal, hejoined the staff of the college and latertook up a scholarship at the Institute ofEducation of the University of London.But driven by the desire to serve thepoor, he soon gave up that prestigiousposition, and accompanied by his dearand devoted spouse, Lady Ivy Cooke,who was to spend the next three quar-ters of a century as his life’s partner,took up an appointment as HeadTeacher in the humble rural village ofBelle Castle in Portland.

He later returned to his home parish ofSt James.

V. W. Bro. the Most Honourable SirHoward F.H. Cooke, O.N., G.C.M.G.,

G.C.V.O., C.D., Past Grand Sword Bearer,Past Governor-General of Jamaica.

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JANUARY NEWSLETTER 2015 Final 1_16_Layout 1 1/27/2015 4:16 PM Page 1

NEWLY INSTALLED MASTERSJuly 2014 – January 2015

NAME LODGE INSTALLATION DATEW. Bro Carl McDonald District Grand Stewards 9795 September 13th 2014W. Bro Dwight Reece Moore Keys 2519 September 18th 2014W. Bro Derrick Denniser Kingston College 9469 September 19th 2014W. Bro Evarald Dewar Francis Haddon Bowen 9238 September 20th 2014W. Bro Alvin Montcrieffe Arawak 6902 October 3rd 2014W. Bro Canute Simpson Hope 2813 November 1st 2014W. Bro Gregg Anderson Cayman 8153 November 21st 2014W. Bro Gordon Brown Installed Masters 7420 November 24th 2014W. Bro Neville Stewart St.Thomas 4338 December 13th 2014W. Bro Anwar Whinstanley Friendly 383 January 10th 2015W. Bro LeRoy Stewart Sussex 354 January 21st 2015

Edited by: W.Bro. Winston G. Wright PDist.JGWPublished by:

The District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands45-47 Barbados Avenue, Kingston 5, Jamaica, W.I.Phone: (876) 926-6018 Fax: (876) 960-7776

E-mail: [email protected]

WELCOME! - NEW MASTER MASONSJuly 2014 – January 2015

NAME CRAFT LODGEBro Dwight Ramsey Royal 207Bro Sixto Coy Sussex 354Bro Calvin Solomon Friendly 239Bro Andre Whithorne Friendly 383Bro Sydney Knight Friendly 383Bro Noel Leon Phoenix 914Bro Craig Thomas Collegium Fabrorum 1836Bro Wayne Owen Hamilton 1440Bro Dr. Roger Nesbeth Hamilton 1440Bro Carl Barnett Hope 2813Bro Demetrie Adams Moore Keys 2819Bro Michael Paul St.Thomas 4338Bro David Magnus Arawak 6902Bro Peter Van Whervin Arawak 6902Bro Dane Malcolm-Buchanan University 7128Bro Collie Miller University 7128Bro Garth Bryce Cayman 8153Bro Allain Forget Cayman 8153Bro Anthony Newman Francis Haddon Bowen 9238Bro Murrise Black Francis Haddon Bowen 9238Bro Christopher Whorms Brac 9470

OBITUARIESJuly 2014 – January 2015

NAME CRAFT LODGEW. Bro Dr. Anthony Lewis Sussex 354

Ja. College 7254W. Bro Dr. Charles Thesiger University 7128W. Bro Gurney Panton Cayman 8153/ Brac 9470W. Bro “Jack” London University 7128W. Bro Graeme Goodall Friendly 239W. Bro Kenneth Neysmith University 7128W. Bro James Braithwaite Hamilton 1440W. Bro Sydney Issacs Harmony 3603W. Bro Albert Atkinson St.Thomas 4338W. Bro Gladstone Lemonias Harmony 3603W. Bro Keith Smith Ewing 3258W. Bro Glen McLean Kingston College 9469W .Bro Lloyd Thomson Collegium Fabrorum 1836W. Bro Michael Shaw Adair 8146 / Ewing 3258

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CreditsPhotographs: W.Bro. Rudolph Hibbert, W.Bro. Junior Taylor

W.Bro. Dr. Wade MorganAdministration: W.Bro. Robert Forbes PAGDC, DistGSec.

Proof Reading: W.Bro. S. LeRoi Lorde PDist SGW

Typing: Ms. Sandy Hewitt & Ms. Danique Anikey

Printing: Phoenix Printery Ltd.Editorial Committee: W.Bro. Dr. W. ‘Freddie” Clarke, PAGDC, P Dist. BGP

W.Bro. Robert Forbes PAGDC, Dist.GSec.W.Bro. Winston G. Wright PDistJGW

The late Gover-nor General, SirHoward Cooke;kissing Lady IvyCooke, his de-voted spouse forover 75 years.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER 2015 Final 1_16_Layout 1 1/27/2015 4:16 PM

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THE JAMAICA LOGISTICS HUB INITIATIVEIntroduction

Many countries are positioningthemselves to be logisticshubs having recognized that

logistics is an industry to be developedin its own right. A logistics hub is a cen-tralized geographic location that inte-grates the key players in the provisionof logistics services. These logistic serv-ices exist to get products from produc-ers to consumers and involves thecombined efforts between sea, air, landtransportation, infrastructure, docu-mentation, storage, tracking and trac-ing, to convert raw materials into

intermediate goods and final products.The Government of Jamaica seeks toposition Jamaica as a Logistics Hub asan important participant in the globalvalue chain, given its strategic loca-tion at the centre of the north-south,and east-west shipping lanes. Jamaicais strategically poised to be the hub ofthe hemisphere, serving a market of800 million, and becoming the gate-way to Europe and Africa. Prepara-tions are also being made to servicethe much larger container-ships thatwill be transiting the expandedPanama Canal from 2016.

The logistics hub initiative must notbe seen as a discrete new activity butas a process that seeks to build on ex-isting infrastructure where applica-

ble. It is easiest to consider the entireisland as a logistics hub which seeksto rise to the level of Singapore, Rot-terdam and Dubai as the fourth nodein Global Logistics. With major in-vestments and global partnerships,Jamaica will become:

lThe transshipment and air cargologistics hub of the western hemisphere.lThe Caribbean’s strategic handlingpoint for bulk commodities.lThe Latin American and CaribbeanCentre for aviation-related mainte-nance repair and overhaul andship repair and dry docking.

Building on existing infrastructure(land, sea, air) the initiative will com-prise expanded port facilities, a drydock facility, a port community sys-tem , a new air cargo facility and ex-pansion of existing ones, a logisticscentre, warehousing assembly andlight manufacturing facilities in Spe-cial Economic Zones (SEZ’s), a road-rail ground transport system betweenthe port, airport, and the SEZ’s.

Establishing Jamaica as a logistics hubwill bring the following benefits tothe State:l Integration of Jamaica into the

global value and supply chain.l Transformation of the Jamaican

Economy.l Provision of tens of thousands of

jobs.

l The development of projects according to highest environmen-tal standards.

l The opportunity for training anddevelopment of new careers.

The Ports

Come 2015, the expansion of thePanama Canal should be completedand this will change the dynamics ofshipping in this hemisphere. Largercontainer ships will bring goods fromthe Far East destined for the easternseaboard of the United States andCanada through the Panama Canal tothe Caribbean. They will then beshipped to North America, replacingthe existing sea-land route throughwestern US ports.

The Port of Kingston is expected to re-ceive these shipments and re-consoli-date them according to their finaldestination. The port will be dredgedto accommodate the larger vesselsand the container terminal expandedto provide more storage area.

Cow Bay in St. Thomas will be a bulkshipment port for the storage andtransfer of bulk shipments of crudeoil and petroleum products. Othercommodities include bulk mineralsand grain. Cow Bay offers a deep nat-ural port within easy reach ofKingston.

Cont’d on Page 12

Proposed Fort Augusta container terminal, one of several projects for the Jamaica Logistics Hub.

by W. Bro. R. Adm. Hardley Lewin CD, JP, P.D.G.W., DGL of MMM.

W. Bro. R. Adm. Hardley LewinCD, JP, P.D.G.W., DGL of MMM.


This is in remembrance of all theforgotten boys of St. Ann's Baywho left on the “big ship” to

England barefooted and raggedsometime in the early 1940’s. Thisevent made its way into the folkloreof St Ann’s Bay old-timers. At thattime St Ann’s Bay was rural, sleepy,fishing village with a few canoes anda small jetty. The arrival of even asmall ship was a big event for thetownsfolk. But this ship was thebiggest they ever saw. It was said tobe so big that from the time it wasseen on the horizon to when it an-chored one mile off shore took threedays. It was so big that it could not

dock anywhere in Jamaica.

Among the persons that studied theprogress of the ship from the time itwas first spotted on the horizon wasmy father. At age fourteen, the formaleducation available to my father hadcome to an end.

Smaller vessels were discharged fromthe “mother ship” with English mili-tary men while the ship’s hornblasted for days. Not one adult malewas seduced by the offers made bythe English military recruiters. Therewas a severe shortage of able-bodied

men in England at that time in the1940’s as they were off to war in vari-ous parts of the world. The Englishsent a ship here to pick up "volun-teers". Eventually, a large group ofteenage boys were induced to boardthe vessel.

My father was one of them. He saidhe survived because he was amongthe group that could read aloud, asign held up at the foot of the ship bythe recruiting Sargeant when theydocked in England. This he called“separating the sheep from the goat”.The poor, backward, country boys

were herded off the ship and mus-tered on the freezing dock that wascovered with a layer of ice. It was thefirst time in their lives that they hadbeen exposed to that type of coldweather. They suffered. Many, espe-cially those who had no shoes, gotfrost bite, losing toes and skin. My fa-ther was fortunate to have escapedthis first ordeal. One of his two broth-ers, who had the only pair of shoesamong them, gave the shoes to himbefore he left Jamaica.

They were then provided with warmclothes. The boys who could not read(who were in the vast majority) wereseparated. Never to be seen nor heardof again; rumoured to have been sentto the front line in diverse places.

He was not admitted as a soldier ofany type because he was too young atage fourteen. However, he worked aswhat may best be described as alabourer on the air fields in Englanduntil he was old enough; seventeen or eighteen, to be admitted into theRoyal Air Force. He was extremelyproud to receive his RAF uniformafter what seemed to be years to him.

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Moore Keys Lodge Remembrance Service 2014 - A Personal History of a Jamaican in the RAF

Clinton Whitehorne is far right, front row.

Clinton Whitehorne is fourth from left in the back row.

Cont’d on Page 14

by Bro. Robert Whitehorne- S.W. Friendly Lodge #383

Clinton Whitehorne


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Who Is your Brother?

The inaugural interview seriesby Jamaica College Lodge#7254 E.C. began with 72

brethren. With visitors from eachConstitution and numerous travellingdelegations, the members of JamaicaCollege Lodge #7254 knew the his-tory of Freemasonry in Jamaica hasnow received a new event. The im-pact on brethren after hearing the ex-periences of R.W. Bro Afeef LazarusP.Dist. GM., allowed many to have abetter understanding of Freemasonryand the Family.

Moderator, W. Bro Errol McKenziestarted off the interview quoting aportion of the tribute which wasgiven by W.Bro. Orrin Barrow at theCommunication of DGL in 2010.

After a reply by our guest, questionsprovided by members of the lodgewere posed to our PDGM. As themeeting progressed, the floor wasopen for visitors and members to askadditional questions.

• Where are you from?

Born in Mandeville, Jamaica, from aLebanese father and a Jamaicanmother, from the parish of St. Mary.Grew up in John’s Hall. His father,Assad Lazarus was born In Lebanon,and his grandfather had history in Ja-maica, travelling to the island in the1890’s to set up a business in MontegoBay. His father was initiated intoFreemasonry at Lodge Caledonia, andlater joined Ewing lodge in 1944. Notknowing how to talk English, he taughthimself. Also took the train from Man-deville to St. Mary to attend meetings.Through this passion for Freemasonry,his son, R.W. Bro Afeef developed a lik-ing of the fraternity.

• What peaked your interest in Freemasonry and when?

Unable to recall the actual time his in-terest in the Craft become prevalent,he however associated the link withhis father’s interest and dedication to

Freemasonry. In taking the train to hismeetings and the way in which he in-teracted with his brethren, peaked thecuriosity of R. W. Bro Afeef. He hadenough reason to join after seeinghow the brethren interacted with eachother. Of course trusting his father’sjudgment.

R. W. Bro Afeef went to lunch withsome partners from the Law firm inwhich he worked, who happened tobe Masons, and he asked them aboutFreemasonry. To his surprise their re-sponse was not what he was expect-ing, being told he can’t qualify. A fewyears after, W. Bro Ashenheim spoketo him and an interview was heldwith other brethren from FriendlyLodge #239 E.C., and as they say, therest is history.

• Thoughts on female Lodges?

No objection to that being formed inJamaica, as it is done in England andrecognized by UGLE, with the femalelodges using the same ritual andsame regalia.

• How did the love for birdshooting come about?

Grew up seeing his father being anavid bird shooter, it may have been inhis blood. And now seeing his sonhave the same love for bird shooting,

he is convinced it is in the blood. Theyboth shoot together each year and atone point in time, he was coaxed byhis son to restart after taking a break.

• Ever thought you would becomeDistrict Grand Master?

Never thought for a moment. Afterbecoming Worshipful Master atFriendly Lodge #239. Five years afterhis initiation. In the 6th year of beinga Mason, he was appointed to theDistrict. R. W. Bro Afeef was asked byW.Bro Dr. Jacobs if he would like tobecome Deputy DGM, knowing heonly had 13 years of Freemasonry. Heaccepted the offer. Three years after,a letter was received from UGLE re-questing him to be the District GrandMaster. He threw the letter in hisbriefcase thinking of the pressure andfear of the post. Talked to his partnersat his firm, and most importantly hiswife, Maggie. Both parties recom-mended taking the post. He did say,he did not wish to be in the post foreternity. Held the post of DistrictGrand Master for 17 years.

• How to get a son interested into Freemasonry?

There is nothing wrong with havinga son, daughter or wife assist with rit-ual, without divulging the secrets. Inhis personal experience, his wife as-sisted on many occasions and be-lieves this went a long way in helpinghim become a great “ritualist”. Intime a son will develop an interest.

• Would you say the method used in the United States of advancinga brother from one degree proves to be more beneficial.

With the method imparted, a brother,after being initiated, does not attendanother meeting again until the dateof his passing. During this time of ab-sence, the brother is taking classes onthe degree in which he is in, and

Cont’d on Page 15

R. W. Bro. Afeef Lazarus P.Dist.G.M.

by Bro. Chadwick Paul, Asst. Secy. Jamaica Lodge #7254


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DGL Strategic Plan & Membership Changes Analysis RecapBy Bro G. Michael Fisher

In 2014 the Strategic Plan Implemen-tation Committee (SPIC) conducteda road show to communicate to the

various Lodges details of the DistrictStrategic Plan and an analysis con-

ducted on membership changes in theDistrict. Presentations were made toevery Lodge in the District. The SPICagain wishes to thank all the Lodges fortheir tremendous support and feed-back. Without the support of eachLodge and each Freemason, the goals ofthe Strategic Plan are doomed to failure.We all need to work together to buildFreemasonry in our District and keep itrelevant throughout the twenty firstcentury.

The Vision for the District is two-fold:Firstly, we wish to be seen as the organ-ization of choice for men; known formaking good men better. Secondly, wewish to strike a balance between exclu-sivity and openness, thereby develop-ing a tight-knit, harmonious, effectivebrotherhood whilst dispelling persist-ent misunderstandings about Freema-sonry.

The Mission encapsulates the desire tomake good men better through thepractice of brotherly love, relief andtruth; promoting that sense of brother-hood that encourages harmony andhappiness. We will be serious aboutbeing our Brother’s Keeper, throughgood times and bad; caring for and lift-ing up our families and the communi-ties within which we operate.Benevolence and Charity.

The Strategic Plan develops actionitems around five key stakeholdergroups; experienced freemasons, newermembers, prospective members, fami-lies and external charities. The InternalProcesses targeted include higher qual-ity meetings, training & development,

effective guidance fornewer members, im-proved administrationand organised PublicRelations.

Some of the initiativesof the plan which aregaining momentumare the MentorshipProgramme, very en-

thusiastically led by W Bro Ventour; theUniversities Scheme at UniversityLodge; Lodge Officer training and thedevelopment of a CommunicationStrategy Plan by the Information andPR Committee.

The Analysis of the Membership

Changes was conducted to bring a sci-entific approach to the development oftactics required to grow our member-ship. It is based on the Grand Lodge re-turns of each Lodge for the period 2003to 2013 inclusive. The fact is that mem-

bership in our District is declining; byapproximately twenty members peryear! This analysis will be a yearly ex-ercise so we can systematically track

our efforts in sharing our wonderfulfraternity with the good men of ourcommunities.

Our District initiates on average, fortymen a year. This is a reflection of ourRECRUITMENT efforts. In 2013 how-ever we lost fifty-seven members, re-flecting our need to improve ourRETENTION tactics. There are manyreasons members leave and each Lodgehas a different set of reasons affectingtheir retention. The tactics employedtherefore will be different from Lodgeto Lodge. The Pro Grand Master hasspoken at the Quarterly Communica-tion on the efforts needed by all Freema-sons in the cause of RECRUITMENTand RETENTION.

The latest issue of the Transactions ofthe Quatuor Coronati Lodge No.2076 -vol 27, has a very interesting article onCuban Freemasonry. An unintentionalbut important aspect of that paper af-fords us a comparison of membershipnumbers per capita. Cuba has overTHREE TIMES MORE Freemasons percapita than we do! With what we knowof the Cuban economy, it can’t be ex-plained by better finances. Let us there-fore use their success as encouragementto reach higher and further than weever have in recruiting GOOD MEN ofJamaica and the Cayman Islands andretaining those men as productivemembers of our fraternity and thus thewider society. It can be done and Cubahas proved it.

Bro. G. Michael Fisher


Grand Lodge of Mark Master MasonsMark Benevolent Fund

Guide to M.B.F. Qualifications

The Fund came into existence in1868 on the suggestion of theReverend George Raymond Por-

tal, Grand Master of the Mark. Hisviews on charity were far more radicaland progressive than the general think-ing of the time.

He felt that for charity to be effective ithad to be disbursed swiftly and withoutthe bureaucratic formalities of otherMasonic charities. To him it was wrongfor there to be any delay in providingassistance to those in need and his ownLatin tag “Bis dat qui cito dat”– he givestwice who gives promptly – became,and still is, the principal guideline of theM.B.F. The Fund has disbursed manymillions to individual petitioners andan even greater sum in grants to chari-ties within the wider community.

A major grant of £1.6m has been madeto the RNLI help fund a new life boat,Addenbrooke’s Hospital Trust receivedover £2m for machines to help in the di-agnosis of prostate cancer and a pledgeof £2.6 million has been made to Hopefor Tomorrow Cancer Charity for thepurchase of mobile chemotherapy unitsthroughout the UK. These projects canonly be funded with your help and ded-ication to the fund. When it comes to in-dividual Petitioners things are handledslightly differently. When a Lodge Al-moner is made aware of a Brother or hisfamily in distress he should immedi-ately arrange a visit by himself or a vis-iting Brother to assess thecircumstances and then complete agrant application form with as much in-formation as possible. This is thenpassed to the M.B.F. via the ProvincialAlmoner. The case is then reviewed,any further information deemed neces-sary asked for and then submitted tothe next Petitions Committee.

It is important for Lodge Almoners tobe aware of Brethren not dining at the

Festive Board , missing meetings or fail-ing to pay annual fees. This may be asign of distress and it is their role to tryand assist if at all possible.

How the Fund Receives its Income

FestivalsEvery year a different Province hoststhe M.B.F. Festival. A Province will or-ganise its own fund raising towards atarget that it sets and each year therewill be a Festival dinner when the re-sults of the fund raising are announced.

Festival stewardships are obtained by aBrother and/or his Lady by paying a feeto the Stewards Fund, which is entirelydistinct from the Mark Benevolent Fund.

When the proceeds of each Festival aresent to the Mark Benevolent Fund the in-dividual donations are set out on a listand those sums are credited towardshonorifics in the fund as above. Qualifi-cations cannot be achieved or acknowl-edged until your funds have beentransferred to the Mark BenevolentFund.

Individual & Lodge DonationsIt is very easy for a Brother either on hisown behalf or for his lady to make a do-nation direct to the Fund at Mark Ma-

sons’ Hall when his own Province is notin a Festival or wishes to support thecurrent or a future Festival. Any sumabove a minimum of £10 will be cred-ited as requested and will be aggre-gated towards a fund qualification. Theappropriate jewel or collarette will beissued when a qualification is achieved.**Lodges and Provinces wishing toachieve their qualifications should referto the Constitutions and Regulations ofthe Order for full details or call 020 77471171.

Life Subscriber Jewel

Bar and Jewel for the MBF Festival2015 to be hosted by Worcestershire

Grand PatronCollar

Patron Collar

Grand Patron GoldAward Collar

Vice Patron Collar

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In preparing this series of ar-ticles on “Fathers and Sonsin Freemasonry in Jamaica”

it was discovered that the Hen-riques’ family of the FriendlyLodge # 239, has over the lasttwo hundred and seventeenyears , created Masonic historyworldwide.

The fact that three ‘blood’ broth-ers : W. Bro. Vernon CohenHenriques Jnr.; W. Bro.RudolphD. (Dossie) Cohen Henriquesand W. Bro. Samuel CohenHenriques, were elected and in-stalled as Worshipful Mastersof their Mother Lodge, FriendlyLodge 239, in successive years-1947, 1948 and 1949, is a featwhich not only created historyin the annals of Freemasonryworldwide, but is not known tohave been repeated since then.In addition, the Henriques havecreated further history in theFriendly Lodge #239, in that W. Bro.Fred Cohen Henriques was Masterof the Lodge on its one hundredthanniversary in 1897, while W. Bro.Vernon C. Henriques Jnr. served asW. Master when the Lodge cele-brated its one hundred and fiftiethanniversary in 1947, and his grand-son, W. Bro. David Stephen CohenHenriques presided over the Lodgeas W. Master when the Lodge cele-brated its bi-centenary in 1997.

Another historic event of world-wide Masonic significance occurredon the 8th February 1910 when theretiring Master of a subordinateLodge- Friendly Lodge #239- W.Bro. Frank E. Lyons,P.G.Std. B;P.Dist.G.W. had the dignity and ho-nour of performing the Ceremony

of installing and investing his suc-cessor as Master of Feiendly Lodge#239, the then District Grand Mas-ter, W.Bro. Sir John Pringle, whowas appointed District Grand Mas-ter on the 3rd June 1909 and whowas duly installed as such on 27thJuly 1910, while he was still SeniorWarden of the Lodge and wasnever previously a Past Master ofany Lodge.

Such an event of an outgoing Mas-ter of a Craft Lodge installing hissuccessor who is already the Dis-trict Grand Master but not yet an In-stalled Master, is believed to beunique in the annals of Freema-sonry throughout the entire world.

After the Great War (WW1) 1914-18,The Friendly Lodge #239, acceptedthe invitation of Grand Lodge and

subscribed to the building of theMasonic Memorial Temple atGreat Queen Street, London, inmemory of those masons whohad died during the War. Forthis gesture the Friendly Lodge#239 had its name inscribed inthe building. Also a member ofthe Friendly Lodge #239 , Bro.Alfred G. Henriques, (Bunny)made the supreme sacrificewhile doing active service in theSecond World War (WW2),1939-1945.

Friendly Lodge #239 also createdhistory when one of its Past Mas-ters and its Director of Cere-monies, W. Bro. Afeef AssadLazarus, was appointed and in-stalled as District Grand Masterof the District Grand Lodge of Ja-maica and the Cayman Islands in1992; in succession to R.W.Bro.Dr. Aubrey Jacobs P.Dist G.M.

“From the introduction of Freema-sonry in 1739, Jews have identifiedthemselves with the Craft’.“Also Sixof the seven Founders of theFriendly Lodge #383 of MontegoBay were Jews”.

The Henriques family which hasbeen in Jamaica for over three hun-dred and fifty years, has providedseveral Masters of the FriendlyLodge #239 over the last two hun-dred years from 1800-1997:

1800 J, Henriques,1809 I J Henriques,1810 W.M Henriques,1811 M Henriques.

Friendly Lodge #239Made Masonic History

GENERATIONS OF HENRIQUESby W. Bro. Winston G. Wright P.Dist. JGW

Father and Son: Bro. David Henriques and W. Bro. Stephen Henriques P.Dist.SGD.

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100th ANNIVERSARY1897 Fred Cohen Henriques, 1914 Emanuel C. Henriques,1915 Owen Karl Henriques,150th. ANNIVERSARY1947 Vernon Cohen Henriques Jr.1948 Rudolph D. C. (Dossie)

Henriques,1949 Samuel Cohen Henriques200th. ANNIVERSARY.1997 David Stephen Cohen

Henriques.

Other Henriques who have beenmembers of Friendly Lodge #239,over the years but who were not in-stalled as W. Master in the Chair ofK.S. include:

Clifford C. Henriques, Louis V. C.Henriques, Fabian C. Henriques,Alfred G. Henriques, Owen M.Henriques, Kenneth C. Henriques,Norcott Stuart Henriquez, DavidK. C. Henriques, Robert L. Henriques, Owen Keith Henriques,Richard G. Henriques.

It is clear therefore, that members ofthe Henriques family not only con-tributed substantially to the growth,development, prosperity and sur-vival of the Friendly Lodge #239,over the years, but that they suc-cessfully transmitted the tenets,principles, landmarks and tradi-tions from generation to generation,i.e. from 1797 to the present time.

CONTRIBUTION TO INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

As was noted earlier, Vernon CohenHenriques Jr. who joined the FriendlyLodge # 239 in 1933, was installed asW. Master in 1947…during its onehundred and fiftieth anniversary. Hewas honoured in 1983 for having at-tained fifty years as a Freemason. Inthe Citation to him, the Lodge recog-nized him for his: “constant supportfor the tenets, principles and welfareof Freemasonry in general, and theFriendly Lodge #239 in particular;unselfish and unstinting dedication

and contribution to the cause of char-ity and the development of COM-MERCE in the island of Jamaica andfifty years of continuous membershipin the Lodge; and granted him HON-ORARY MEMBERSHIP for his ableguidance as Master of the Lodge dur-ing its one hundred and fiftieth an-niversary in 1947.

In addition the history states thatafter the 1907 earthquake which de-stroyed the City of Kingston and theSussex Temple on Hanover Street,Vernon Cohen Henriques Snr. whohad five blood Brothers working allover the world, including someworking on the building of the

Panama Canal, invited his brothersto come back to Jamaica to help re-build the country after the devasta-tion which the earthquake hadcaused. He formed and operatedthe company called Kingston Indus-trial Works (KIW) which was re-sponsible for the engineering andimplementing of a large part of theinfra-structure in the Kingston Met-ropolitan Area over the last onehundred years.

Rudolph Henriques Sr., for in-stance, who was an architect, de-signed and built the MasonicTemple at 80 Hanover Street, in-

cluding the statue of “Age andYouth”.

These developmental works werecomplemented by the efforts of theHenriques Bros. Construction Co.Ltd.

The Asst. Grand Master presenting the200th Anniversary Certificate toW.Bro. Stephen Henriques in 1997.

Henriques “Brothers” (L-R) Robert,Vernon Jnr. and David.

Bro. Rudolph D. C. Henriques, “Dossie”, architect of the Masonic Temple at 80Hanover Street and the Statue of ‘Age and Youth’ in his own likeness.

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Vernon C. Henriques Jnr. had twosons in the Lodge, David andRobert. His mastership of theFriendly Lodge during the celebra-tions of its 150th. Anniversary in1947 was said to be spectacular,with an excellent meeting in theHanover Street Temple and a sump-tuous Banquet at the Myrtle BankHotel with the President of theBoard of General Purposes fromGrand Lodge in London, V. W. Bro.Sir Ernest Cooper D.L. in atten-dance ; and the Jamaica MilitaryBand performing musically.It is tobe noted that according to theprinted programme; after the firsttoast at the Banquet that eveningthey sang “God Save the King”,after the toast to the Grand Master,they sang “Rule Britannia”; andafter the toast the Sir Ernest, theysang “There will Always Be AnEngland”.Similarly, after the toastto Non-Masonic Brethren theySang,:

“Come land-lord fill the flowing bowl, Till it doth run over, For tonight we’ll be merry, Tomorrow we’ll be sober”.

LIVING LEGENDS INFRIENDLY LODGE TODAY

One of the Henriques who is stillvery much alive in the FriendlyLodge is David Cohen Henriqueswho was initiated in 1957. Althoughhe did not go to K. S. Chair he hasbeen a member of the Lodge formore than fifty years and has servedas a member of the audit committeefor many years. His ‘blood’ brother,Robert Leslie Cohen Henriques,joined the Lodge in 1961 but has notbeen active recently.

David studied in England andworked at Peat Marwick MitchellCo. (PMMCo) an accounting firm inLondon for a year and a half beforereturning to Jamaica. On his returnhe worked briefly with PMMCo,before joining the Henriques family

business, Kingston IndustrialGarage (KIG); and Kingston Indus-trial Agencies (KIA) on SpanishTown Road in 1961. KIA is nowbeing run by the next generation ofHenriques ----Stephen and Phillip,his sons, and Michael Adam, hisson-in-law.

He was also President of the LionsClub of Kingston in 1968/69 andDeputy District Governor of LionsClubs of the Caribbean. He also gotmarried to Margaret Mary (neeThwaites), on July 9, 1959 onemonth after his being raised to theSublime Degree of a Master Mason.As a retired octogenarian Davidsays he gets pleasure being with hischildren, including Margaret Ruth,his only daughter; his grand chil-

dren; and his Masonic and non-ma-sonic friends , (without Chik-V). Heencourages all young men to join aLodge for the character-buildinglessons which are available in theCraft.

THE 200TH MASTER:STEPHEN HENRIQUES

History was again created when, in1997, David Stephen Cohen Hen-riques, son of David Henriques andgrandson of Vernon Cohen Hen-riques Jnr. was installed as W. Mas-ter of Friendly Lodge #239, the yearin which the Lodge celebrated its200th. Anniversary. Stephen Joinedthe Lodge in 1986 and served as As-sistant Secretary, Senior Deacon,Junior and Senior Warden and then

Master of the Lodge. He says thatthe 200th Anniversary celebrationsmade 1997 an eventful year and thathe enjoyed his Mastership-----thehighlight of which was the visitfrom London of The AssistantGrand Master, the Marquis ofNorthampton.

The Banquet was held in the DiningRoom of the Masonic Building onBarbados Ave., in New Kingston:full of delightful speeches, a sump-tuous menu, lots of friends and fam-ily and an enjoyable atmosphere ofMasonic fellowship. As a Past Mas-ter he has been Chaplain of theLodge and has been promoted tothe post of Past District Grand Stan-dard Bearer and Past Dist. JuniorGrand Deacon. Stephen is proud of

the fact that the Annual Golf Tour-nament for Charity was startedduring his year as Master of theLodge. He feels that he gets moresatisfaction in being a member ofthe Lodge above being a member ofany Service Club or other social or-ganization. He said that he wouldencourage young men of up-stand-ing character to join Freemasonrybecause, he says, it is the most ful-filling organization that he has hadthe honour to serve. He was mar-ried in 1986 to Jennifer Lee-Him,and has two children Jessica andDavid Christopher, his only son,who may one day choose to carryon the Masonic traditions of theHenriques family.

A Family Gathering - (L) Marcia Thwaites, Ronald Thwaites, Margaret Adam(sister), Michael Adam, Stephen Henriques, David Henriques, Mary HenriquesJennifer Henriques, Phillip Henriques and Mary Henriques.

10


DGL Membership Survey 2014

In 2014, as part of the implemen-tation of the District StrategicPlan, a Survey of the Members

of the District was conducted. Thepurpose was to serve as a baselinemeasurement from which we cantest the progress of the various ini-tiatives executed under the StrategicPlan. Each question was carefullycrafted as positive statements, sothat each member could indicatetheir feelings on the degree to whichthe statements were true or false forthem.

The intention is that the survey willbe an annual exercise. The resultsfrom each year will be comparedagainst the previous results and thatanalysis will be distributed within

the District and to the Lodges. It ishoped that, along with the member-ship changes analysis report, it willbecome an effective tool for theleaders within each Lodge to growand develop their Lodge.

Last year the survey was conductedalongside the Strategic Plan Roadshow. Going forward, it is likely

that the survey will be circulated tothe Lodges and the results sent backto the District for capture and analy-sis. There was an online option tocomplete the survey last year. How-ever, very few members availedthemselves of that option. We hopethis year the online responses willbe much improved so even moremembers can have an input!

The results of the baseline surveyhave been circulated at the Districtlevel and this article is the first in

communicating to the Lodges theseresults. This paper will also be sentto Lodge Secretaries, after the HalfYearly Communication in January2015.

Of the twenty (20) questions polled,the following five (5) reflected thegreatest need for improvement:

The above attributes all impact onmember satisfaction and correlatewith the membership retentionchallenges being experienced acrossthe District. We hope that armedwith this information, the Lodgeswill be able to better plan for andexecute on intitiatives that willfocus on addressing these specificissues. Ultimately the success ofthese efforts should be reflected inimproved Membership Satisfactionscores, as well as improved Mem-bership Retention.

by Bro. Robert Drummond P.M.

Bro. Robert Drummond P.M.

Question Percent Agree

Public perception of Freemasonry in my country is good 33%I have regular communications with my personal mentor 59%My family members express pride when others know I am a Freemason 60%My significant other indicates that Freemasonry is good for me; it makes me a better husband, father, grandfather 66%

My family members feel included in the activities of my Freemasonry 67%

CAYMAN LODGE #8153New Administration W.Bro Gregg Anderson (c), Installed November, 2014

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THE JAMAICA LOGISTICS HUB INITIATIVEDry Dock

A dry dock offering maintenance andrepair services to ships will be estab-lished on the south coast possibly inthe Portland Bight area, west ofKingston.

Airports

Jamaica’s two international airportsnow handle air cargo in addition topassengers. Both airports will be im-proved and expanded to offer greatercargo handling and storage capacities.

Vernamfield is earmarked to be de-veloped into a major Air Cargo/Lo-gistic Centre offering the following:

• A commercial free zone facilitat-ing multi-modal transport links, connecting with the ports through road and rail links.

• International courier and air cargo services.

• Aircraft maintenance and repairs.

• Aviation training.

Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s)

The establishment of Special Eco-nomic Zones (SEZ’s) will encouragemanufacturers to engage in valueadded activities to goods passingthrough the hub. One such zone al-ready exists close to the port ofKingston, the Garmex Freezone andanother is the Caymanas Economic

Zone. Activities in the Caymanas Eco-nomic Zone will include light manu-facturing and assembly, informationtechnology, food processing, distribu-tion and creative industries.

The Naggo Head Industrial Complexwill create 100,000 square feet of newfactory space for information and com-munication technology businesses.

Conclusion

Building on existing air, sea and land-based resources, the Government ofJamaica is keen on pursuing the Lo-gistics Hub Initiative as a major com-ponent of the country’s growthstrategy. The GOJ’s role in thisprocess is to provide an investment-friendly business climate and to laythe groundwork for Public-Private

partnerships. Every effort is beingmade to make the transit of goodsthrough the island easier with the es-tablishment of a Port CommunitySystem.

The Government of Jamaica has ap-pointed a Logistics Hub Task Force tolead the establishment of the Hub andthis continues to be ongoing work.

Goat Island Project

The Goat Island transhipment portinitiative is a project proposal fromthe Chinese. It is merely mentionedhere to make the point that it does notform a part of the GOJ’s LogisticsHub Initiative. Should it come tofruition it will, of course, complementthe Hub by adding capacity to theport facilities available locally.

Goat Island

Cont’d from Page 3

Hope Lodge had its annual Installa-tion Ceremony on Saturday, Novem-ber 1, 2014 at the Masonic Building,Chantilly Gardens, Sav-la-mar.

In a very smooth ceremony W. Bro.Canute Simpson was installed in theChair of King Solomon by the In-stalling Master, W. Bro. OsmondClarke. The District's delegation wasled by the District Grand Master R.W.Bro. Walter Scott. He was accompa-

nied by other officers, including theDDist.GM, W. Bro. Justice PatrickBrooks, the Past DDist.GM, MajorGeneral Rudolph Green, the AssistantDist.GM, W. Bro. Russell Hammond;Past Asst. Dist.GM, W. Bro. Dr. BasilRobinson and the District Grand Sec-retary, W. Bro. Robert ForbesPAGDC.

Several Sister Lodges were present tolend their support.

Hope Lodge Installation

Miss Joan Dixon serenading W.Bro.Desmond Hayle Dist.G Jan. at theHope Lodge Installation.

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As a young man in 1938, he played apivotal role in the founding of theMovement that led to the achievementof full Adult Suffrage in 1944 and to theestablishment of our two-party politicaldemocracy. He served as secretary tothat pioneering group and as such, sataround the same table as the Rt. Excel-lent Norman Washington Manley, theRt. Excellent William Alexander Busta-mante, O.T. Fairclough and Sir FlorizelGlasspole, whom he succeeded as Gov-ernor-General in 1991.

Whether it was his involvement in theMoral Re-Armament Movement, or asa Member of the Federal Parliament, oras President of the Senate, or Ministerof Government, or as a distinguishedmember of the Commonwealth Parlia-mentary Association, or as the firstChancellor of the International Univer-sity of the Caribbean, or as Governor-General of Jamaica, he always remainedhumble.

As a senior elder in the United Churchin Jamaica and Cayman Islands, he wasthe prime mover behind the erection ofthat beautiful chapel at Farm Heights inSt. James.

Western Jamaica in general and Mon-tego Bay, in particular, must never for-get the sterling contribution that SirHoward made, as Minister of Educa-tion, to this part of the island. Institu-tions were built covering every level ofthe system: Sam Sharpe Teachers’ Col-lege, the Montego Bay Community Col-lege, Herbert Morrison Technical High

School, Catherine Hall Primary,Howard Cooke Primary, GlendevonPrimary, Farm All Age and the D.R. B.Grant Resource Centre for Early Child-hood Education.

Sir Howard, one of the longest servingmembers of this Lodge, taught us,members of the Lodge, particularlyyoung masons, many lessons. This ledto the brethren of Friendly 383, inspiredby the then Master of the Lodge, W.Bro. Gordon Brown, honouring him ina very special way, on July 3, 2004, as heapproached his 50th anniversary as amember of the lodge.

One impression of Sir Howard that re-mains indelibly engraved on my ownmind was what I observed in this Lodgeone evening. Jamaica was in the midstof a heated political campaign for theupcoming General Elections. SirHoward was a candidate for a con-stituency in St. James. His opponent, awell-known, now late worshipful mem-ber of Harmony Lodge, represented theopposing party and was a candidate forthe same constituency. The respect andcourtesy that each candidate, nay thateach brother, demonstrated to eachother that evening was phenomenal,only to be outdone by the fact that hav-ing descended the winding stairway tothe lower level, they sat beside eachother at the festive board. Havingclinked their glasses as a symbol offriendship, they took wine togetheramidst what was a display of genuinewarmth, civility and conviviality andbrotherly love. But that was not all. Notlong afterwards, as the campaign inten-sified, Sir Howard’s opponent, it wouldperhaps be more accurate to say ‘SirHoward’s ‘brother’ who representedthe opposing party, was on the cam-paign trail. He was hurrying, oneevening, to a mass meeting when hiscar broke down. Sir Howard, on hear-ing of the plight of his friend andbrother, loaned him his own car, thusmaking it possible for him to arrive athis mass meeting on time. If an enteredapprentice or anyone outside the Craft

were to ask me ‘What is Freemasonry?’I would reply that that indeed was ademonstration of Freemasonry in fullflight.

In 1975, Sir Howard approached ayoung man who had left Montego Baysix years earlier, to start the new sec-ondary school at Green Island inHanover. He advised the young manthat it was time to leave Green Islandand to return to Montego Bay, to takeup the position as the first principal ofthe Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College. Thatyoung man though very reluctant, obe-diently returned to Montego Bay. Onthe 10th of July 1975, the second Thurs-day of the month, that young man, onemonth before taking up his new assign-ment, was initiated into the FriendlyLodge, Sir Howard’s Mother Lodge.

Brethren, I stand before you thisevening as that young man, to publicly express my gratitude for a brother anda friend who influenced my life in avery special way at critical stages of myown professional development.

Sir Howard and I shared the same loveand passion for music and for the pipeorgan, especially. I remember sharingwith him the experience I had one Sun-day afternoon at the Notre DameCathedral in Paris. I related to him whathappened as I listened to a magnificentrendition of the Toccata and Fugue in DMinor by Johann Sebastian Bach thatcelebrated German composer. Thismagnificent piece was played on thathistoric organ by a well-known Euro-pean virtuoso.

I told Sir Howard that I was moved totears and how I held my head down inembarrassment. But when I had thecourage to look up, I said, I could notdiscern a single dry eye. Sir Howard’sresponse was that that was the sheerpower of music, one of the seven liberalarts, and that it represented the impactit continued to have on the lives of mor-tals, nay on all life. This was indeed amystical experience.

13

TRIBUTE Cont’d from page 1

Cont’d on Page 15

W. Bro. Dr. Simon Clarke OD,JP,P.Dist.JGW


Moore Keys Lodge Remembrance Service 2014

14


In the RAF, Clinton and otherCaribbean nationals accidentally dis-covered that they could avoid manuallabour and abuse by “learning atrade”. There was a filthy, bad tem-pered, loud mouthed man at one endof the aircraft hangar. One day Clin-ton happened to run past him on anerrand. He came to a stop in front ofthe filthy man who was surroundedby a huge pile of things. He watchedfor a while out of curiosity. Then wediscovered that it was a legitimate ac-tivity to just stand and watch a Mas-ter at work! The filthy man was theMaster Mechanic!

The Caribbean boys soon alignedthemselves with Master Craftsmenand with the Master Mechanic, in par-ticular, who eventually engaged themto assist him. Those who were alignedwith the Master Mechanic becameknown as the "Grease Monkeys”. Heproudly boasted that they controlledthe repairs of all vehicles in the motorpool including aircraft in some in-stances. The motor pool was of criticalimportance to the airbase. It was thepractice to completely dismantle anairbase and move the location at shortnotice. Long columns of trucks wouldbe formed and a disabled vehiclecould cause the entire process to stop.The “Grease Monkeys” had the im-portant job of ensuring that that didnot happen due to mechanical failureof any vehicle.

A “Grease Monkey” was assigned tosit in the cab with each driver, usuallyan old English man who would nevermove from behind the steering wheelno matter what happed. Competitiondeveloped among the “Grease Mon-keys” to see who could keep their as-signed vehicle running the longest.

My father’s service records, now lost,showed that he was awarded withmedals. He complained about notbeing promoted, adjudging himself tobe more competent than his superiorsin the force. He also lamented the factthat despite his own self-confidencehe was never given the opportunityto fly nor work on aircraft. He wastold he needed to study somethingcalled theory and to also be trained inelectrical systems. Once he got the op-portunity, he channelled his energy inthese areas with a ferocious intensity. After being discharged from the RAF,he was among a small group of Ja-maicans that declined the offer ofCrown Land in Jamaica as a rewardfor service. Instead, he grabbed the opportunity to go to a Military Engi-neering School in Wales. He wastrained and certified as both a me-chanical and electrical engineer.

I was most fortunate to have met aRAF veteran, R.C. Walker, at Cur-phey Place that knew my father inEngland after the war. My father wasdescribed by him as being eccentricand abnormally focused on study andresearch. So much so that he was al-ways seen carrying a satchel filled tothe brim with books and papers. As ajoke, on the streets of London, theywould call out to him “hey Clinton,what you have in the bag”, he wouldslap the bag and say, Knowledge!Needless to say, he was affectionatelycalled “Bag A Knowledge “.

His transition into the working worldwas not at all smooth. His assertionthat he was an engineer, being ayoung black man, in London of the1950’s was unbelievable to most. He

could not get a job. He passionatelyinsisted that as a trained RAF veteranhe was guaranteed a job by the gov-ernment. Of course, he chose the en-gineering firm he adjudged to be thebest in London at the time to harass.His complaints to the War Officewere rewarded by letters from themto the firm (that offered him a job asan apprentice) confirming his creden-tials and demanding that he be em-ployed in an appropriate position. Hewas eventually employed by themwhere he developed a reputation forbeing competent.

His unique mix of electrical and me-chanical skills got him called for a jobat the government owned British Tab-ulating Machine Company (BTM) atits prestigious Park Lane office nearHyde Park in London. He receivedmore specialized training there. Thefirst generation of computing equip-ment made by BTM were electro-me-chanical devices. BTM which had ashared genesis with IBM was to even-tually evolve into International Com-puters Limited (ICL).

He boasted that he was the first blackengineer ever employed by them. Hewas to later relocate to the West In-dies as an expatriate and install thefirst computers and other data pro-cessing equipment in Trinidad, Ja-maica and Guyana for ICL.

This is Clinton Whitehorne’s story asventilated to me, in pieces over sev-eral years. At times he seemed to betormented by some old memories. Inhis later years I recall sitting with himon his veranda, looking out blankly,he would lapse into reverie whichwould occasionally be interrupted bya deep sigh, a kiss-teeth, a grumbleunder his breath and mostly inaudi-ble comments except for the phrase“de boy dem”.

Bro. Robert Whitehorne S.W. FriendlyLodge #383


The V. W. Sir Howard was careful toavoid the seven deadly sins that Mo-handas Karamchad Mahatma Gandhiwarned us against:

V.W. Sir Howard’s passing brings backto mind some lines I wrote way back in1963 on the death of Sir WinstonChurchill and which I now paraphraseto fit this sad occasion:

‘As freemasons in general and membersof this Friendly Lodge 383 in particular,fill up the space, ever resolute to live asour brother Sir Howard Felix Hanlanlived, and in all our challenges, be theydaunting or not, never flinching fromduty, press on with “. . . Energy, Invinci-ble Determination, a purpose once fixed,and then death or victory.” ‘

Brethren, the words of William Shake-speare, spoken by Mark Anthony in hisfuneral oration of Julius Caesar aptlydescribe our departed brother whoselife we celebrate today and whose pass-ing we mourn:

“His life was gentle; and the elementsso mixed in him, that Nature mightstand up and say to all the world, THISWAS A MAN”

May his soul rest in peace and a lightperpetual shine upon him.

15

TRIBUTE Cont’d from page 13

“Wealth without work, pleasure without

conscience, science withouthumanity, knowledge

without character, politics without principle,

commerce without moralityand worship without

sacrifice”

Who Is your Brother?when qualified, he will receive the ad-vancement. They meet weekly inmost lodges, so the time between maynot be very lengthy. However, R. W.Bro Afeef suggested the possibilitythat these masons may be moreschooled in ritual by reading. How-ever, not visiting and witnessing de-gree work, you fail to gain a certainunderstanding. Incidentally, theUnited States Freemasonry has suf-fered more of a decline, even with allthe classes.

• When did Freemasonry decide onno religious discussions?

Not sure on the actual time, but up to1813 Masonry was Christian. Has re-

ligious influence, Christian in partic-ular. Politics and religion are two top-ics that we caused the most divisenessand war in history. Freemasonry wasDe-Christianized in 1813 at the birthof UGLE.

• Apart from Craft, what about Chapters, Orders, Higher Degrees?

HRA being a part of Masonry withinUGLE. Mark, Red Cross, KnightsTemplar, Mariner, Rose Croix, SelectMasters, Secret Monitor, Royal Orderof Scotland. Been to the chair of everyorder he is in.

R.W. Bro Afeef implored that onecannot complete the journey in Eng-lish masonry until you join HRA.Craft having 3 degrees, HRA being anextension of these three..

EA – Birth, FC – Life, MM- Death4th – further step to prepare you toface the Maker. Purification of thesoul, after learning how to deal withyour brethren.

• Is it possible to have a Grand Lodge of Jamaica?

No. At this time, with our state of fi-nancial constraints, we are not in aposition to afford. The cost associatedwith starting a Grand Lodge, cost of

dues, running a charity. Difference in rituals from differentlodges and constitutions, allegiance toconstitutions, are all reasons why itwould be extremely difficult at thistime.

R. W. Bro Afeef Lazarus added, with-out the support from his wife Maggie,his journey would not have been thesame, maybe would not even havethis journey to speak of. Her experi-ence during the time was a great ex-perience. She supported him becauseshe knew what Freemasonry is aboutand what she knew of her husband,who he is. Many travels around theworld as a result of Freemasonry. Cit-ing that most of those travels wouldnot have been possible had it not beenfor Freemasonry.

The interview was closed with R. W.Bro Afeef commenting on returningnext year in the capacity as a attendeeand not interviewee, or maybe as theinterviewer, to come out of the firingline and start asking questions to thenext guest. Many thanks of congratu-lations were given to our PDGM forthe knowledge he imparted. Visitorsalso commended Jamaica CollegeLodge for the initiative “Who is yourBrother”.


W. Bro. Errol Mckenzie P.Dist.JGW


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A Pictorial Overview of the Premier Grand Christmas Ball

On Friday December 12 2014, the first of what is hoped to be a premier Ma-sonic calendar event, the Grand Christmas Ball – “An evening of sophisticationand elegance”, took place at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel under the distinguishedpatronage of R.W. Bro. Walter H. Scott Q.C., District Grand Master

The black tie dinner/dance put on by the District Board of Benevolence of theDistrict Grand Lodge of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, saw close to 300Freemasons and their spouses/significant others in attendance. Musical en-tertainment was in the capable hands of a mento band and the incomparable50/50 band. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Derek Jones, who flew in es-pecially for the event. The following represent a smattering of snapshots fromthe function.


A Tribute in Honour of the Late V. W. Bro. the Most ... Grand Sword Bearer, Past Governor-General of...

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