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1. Original Lodge History
As compiled by W. Bro. George Finson, P. M., P. Z., and
presented at the recent Diamond Jubilee
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As compiled by Wor. Bro. GEORGE FINSON, PM., P.Z., and presented at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations PREFACE Being fortunate to be a Past Master of the Moore-Keys Lodge, NO. 2519 E. C. I hereby humbly present this History to mark its Diamond Jubilee and show appreciation of the Founders and those many brethren, better known members of the Lodge, who have laboured unceasingly on its behalf. This pleasant task which is now completed will, I hope, stimulate interest in the Lodge thereby enabling it to go from strength to strength; its members emulating that high example set by their predecessors. The preparation of this document in typewritten form was accomplished by the help of the wife of Brother Leslie Hollowday to whom grateful thanks are here extended. To our present Master, Worshipful Brother A. J. Newman, for his ready and capable assistance, I am particularly grateful. For his invaluable aid generally and in that arduous task of proof-reading, Worshipful Brother D. E. G. Williams P. M., Phoenix Lodge No. 914 E. C., is deserving of acknowledge and my sincere appreciation. To Worshipful Brother C. C. Strachan P. D. G. Std. Br., our District Grand Secretary, for his kindly interest in his work, I herein tender thanks. Reading this History will show that things have not always run smoothly but that we have always surmounted our difficulties. Remembering this, Brethren in the future must take heart and undoubtedly overcome their difficulties as their predecessors did. (Sgd.) GEORGE FINSON, P.M., P.Z. Sept. 1st., 1954. FORWARD It is with great pleasure that I write this forward to the History of the Lodge covering the last sixty years. Its comprehensiveness is a credit to our Historian, Worshipful Brother Geo. Finson, who has put endless time and energy into ensuring its completeness and accuracy. There is, I am sure, no need in the future for any investigation to be carried out into the early years of this Lodge. However, I do feel that subsequent historians should review the last few years that have passed when the time comes to write the history of the next twenty-five years. As you are no doubt aware, the passing of time makes our present clearer and events that are now happening will, no doubt, then be seen in their true perspective. Worshipful Brother Finson has, with becoming modesty, omitted to mention the important part that he has played in keeping the Lodge working and up to its present high standard. Suffice it to say that I am convinced that there is no Member who has done more for it over the last few years than our Brother Historian. A study of our history shows the danger of having a Lodge consisting of purely military members and the necessity of having a nucleus of resident, even though ex-service personnel. I am convinced that the worst of our difficulties are behind us and sincerely to strength under the guidance of the Great Architect. (Sgd.) A. J. NEWMAN,
Sept. 2nd, 1954.
History of Moore-Keys Lodge
This year of grace 1954, being the Diamond Jubilee of The Moore-Keys
Lodge, 2519 E. C., the Worshipful Master, Officers and Brethren, feel this
is an appropriate occasion to publish a history of this Lodge from its
inception to the present time.
From the commencement, it is obvious that without the untiring efforts of BROTHER CHARLES EVAN GORNELL, Moore-Keys Lodge would never have been founded. Amongst the Military Brethren of the District, there was a desire for a Purely Military Lodge of FreemasonsE so on Friday, September 8th, 1893, Bandmaster Gornell of the 2nd Battalion of the West Indian Regiment, sent a circular letter to all Military Brethren stationed at Up Park Camp, Newcastle and Port Royal to that effect, requesting their support and signing himself Secretary Pro.TemE In this era of radio and telephone, it is interesting to observe that Bro. C. Ashworth Responded by HELIO from Newcastle.Eamp;nbsp; Twenty two other brethren also replied, signifying their agreement with the proposal, one declined, whilst three other Brethren would be willing to join, but expected their relief out of every mail they being now over their timeE The majority of these Brethren attended a meting called for Tuesday, September 12th, 1893, at 6:00 p.m. at Up Park Camp in the Quarters of Bandmaster Gornell. The minutes recorded at this meeting read as follows: We are unanimous in agreeing to found a Military Lodge in CampE Rules were framed and Surg. Lieut. Col. C. W. Moore-Keys was requested to preside at the next meeting, and to this he consented. This second meeting was held in the Colonel Quarters on the following
Sunday when Bro. Col. Moore-Keys consented to his name being adopted for
the proposed Lodge; at this meeting he was unanimously elected Master Designate.
It can be visualized the Bro. Gornell was at this time, a most disappointed
man; however, at that Sunday Meeting, he was unanimously elected to succeed
Bro. Col. Moore-Keys as Master Designate. Bro. Gornell, continuing
his secretarial work had by November 1893, arranged for the petition to
be sent to The M.W. Grand Master of United Fraternity of Ancient Free
and accepted Masons of EnglandE with nominations as follows:-
Recommended by, A. M Hoyes. W. M.} Collegium Fabrorum
Signatures of Applicants:- C. W. Moore-Keys, J. Griffiths, C. H. Gornell, C. R. Morris, T. Clarke, W. H. Wood, T. Harrison, H. Jennings, V. Knowles, J. Hoyes, W. Avery, W. J. Campbell Talbot, C. L. F. Dawney, J. J. Cloke, W. T. Cross, R. Spencer, J. Martin, D. R. Thomas, H. James, E. Crane, J. Fitzpatrick. Of the Founder Members, it would appear that the exigencies of the ServiceEin no small measure deprived the Lodge of their membership, as several of the above named Brethren failed to appear on an subsequent list, although it was known that Bro. C. Ashworth, who was at that time stationed at Newcastle, and whose name does not appear on the petition, after the “HELIOEcall previously mentioned carried on quite a considerable amount of correspondence with Bro. Gornell with reference to the formation of the Lodge, as it is known that Bro. Gornell in one of his replies informed him of two Brethren failing to present their certificates as required in Para 116 of the Book of Constitution. Apparently these certificates were lost or mislaid by the said two Brethren, during or between their various postingsE Bro. Ashworth appears to have received a Proposed List of Administration from Bro. Gornell referring to Bros. Avery and Martin being designated S.S. and J.S. respectively, it can be assumed that their office were Senior and Junior Stewards; such differentiation in Stewardship is not now the practice of Lodges. Of the proposed first Tyler of the Lodge, Bro. J. Hoyes, special mention must be made, as we have at the present time, in the District Grand Lodge, his son, Wor. Bro. L. A. Hoyes, as Junior Warden. As far as can be ascertained at present, Wor. Bro. L. A. Hoyes is the only link we have today with the Founders and his connection with the Moore-Keys Lodge is as strong as ever. The Worshipful Master of Collegium Fabrorum Lodge in 1894, at the time our Lodge was sponsored was a blood brother of our esteemed District Grand Junior Warden. It is therefore most fitting that the Moore-Keys Lodge have had the privilege to honour him during this their sixtieth year. Slender are the chances of any organization being founded without setbacks, and even in a Masonic Lodge one must expect to find differences of opinion which will lead to a Member feeling that we should resign for better or worse. Invariably, the Institution is greater than the individual and quite definitely so in Freemasonry, but we can understand how upset and disturbed was our Brother Gornell, when quite obviously, having looked forward to the formation of the Moore-Keys Lodge early in 1894, he received a letter in January, enclosing the resignation of the S.W. Elect. Bro. Crane. The contents of this letter are somewhat bewildering, as we do not know the events referred to in the following extract:- In view of what is taking place in the Garrison in which Masons have been briefly concerned and which would reflect discredit upon Masonry generally. It will be seen that our First Master was steadfast of purpose in spite of the fact that within a few days, he also received the resignation of Col. Moore-Keys, and only a Brother sincere of purpose, could have continued under such difficulties as did Bro. Gornell. Col. Moore-Keys wrote as follows:- I feel confident that you and the Members of your Lodge, that is to be, will give me credit for sincerity, when I say that I am exceedingly sorry to have to take this step EBro. Cradwick of Hope has written to me offering any Floral decoration that may be required at the CeremonyE Col. Moore-Keys also presented his Sword for use by the Tyler, which is today still a treasured possession of the Lodge. MOTIVE OF RESIGNATION We are led to believe that the motive of both these resignations was more for reason of Military Status than a desire to sever connections with the proposed Lodge. There was also the question of discipline to be considered and it must be acknowledged that there are now, and must have been then, Brethren who expected favour instead of Justice, because their superior is a Member of the CraftE Bro. Gornell, whose enthusiasm could not be restrained, in spite of these set backs, had by March 14th, 1894, applied to the D. G. M. Lieut. Col. J. C. MacGlashen, for dispensationEto allow the Lodge to meet pending the arrival of the Warrant. That Dispensation was not granted as it would appear that the D. G. M. was not happy about the discord supposedly existing. This refusal and intimidation of disharmony, caused our First Master
to send the following letter, addressed to the District Grand Secretary,
which I feel should be quoted in extension:-
Bro. W. M. Duff. D. G. Secretary. Dear Sir & Bro., Your communication of the 14th March has been brought to the notice
of the contemplated Moore-Keys Lodge. We are sorry to learn that
the District Grand Master does not see his way to granting the requested
Dispensation. The discordEthat is supposed to have sprung up amongst
its Members at its meetings has no foundation, and has done its Members
a great injustice by being so stated. I am directed by the Members
to request that you will bring this to the notice of the D. G. M., that
he may appoint a day and time to receive our Members, who have been deputed
to wait on him to explain the extent of injustice and harm that we have
received at the hands of some person of whom we have no knowledge.
Yours truly and fraternally, C. H. E. Gornell W.M. The Moore-Keys Lodge 2519. On Friday March 30th, 1894, the District Grand Master received the deputation of Members at the Sussex Hall, Hanover Street, Kingston, who convinced the D. G. M. that no serious breach existed amongst the membership. Under cover of a letter dated June 23rd, 1894, the District Grand Secretary enclosed a copy of the letter received from G.L. informing the D. G. M. that the M.W. Grand Master has been pleased to accede to the prayers of the petition and to grant a Warrant which will bear the number 2519E Acknowledgement is also made of the withdrawal of Bros. Moore-Keys and Eli Crane. Within a month Bro. Gornell was faced with yet another difficulty, Wor. Bro. J. Griffiths who had been selected as S. W. in place of Bro. Crane, was sent on leave to the U. K., not to return to Jamaica until the middle of 1895. The D. G. M. was immediately asked to recommend to the Grand Lodge that the Charter be amended, by vice Griffiths now in EnglandE This request as the Charter shows was made too late. DATE OF CONSECRATION In due time the D. G. M. asked the Brethren to arrange for a convenient day for the Consecration and Installation Ceremony, and they replied the Third Tuesday, September 18th, is the most convenient day for the Members, that being the day chosen as our Ordinary MeetingsE Application was made to the Sussex Lodge No 354, for the use of the Sussex Hall on Thursday, September 20th next, for Consecration and Installation purposes and afterwards to accept the above Lodge as a Tenant in each month afterE It will be noted that the day suggested by the Lodge was evidently not convenient for the D. G. L., so Moore-Keys Lodge was Consecrated and its First Master Installed on Thursday September 20th, 1894. It should also be noted that the date of Consecration on the Lodge Standard is interwoven as September 21st. This date appears in the Bye-Laws published in 1925, which contains the writings of Bro. Steele, and in consequence of little research, if any, over the years between, this date appears in the present Bye-Laws and is generally accepted by the Moore-Keys Lodge. There is not trace of any evidence that the Lodge was Founded on the 21st September, 1894, which was a Friday, but there is ample proof that on the Third Thursday in September, 1894, being the 20th, the Moore-Keys Lodge received its Dedication. Over the years, there have been lists compiled of the Founder Members of the Moore-Keys Lodge. Bro. Steele listed nineteen. In inter years, a list made contained eighteen. Twenty is the number stated in the Charter, but knowing now as we do, of the transient nature of the Lodge Membership from the earliest days, we are prepared to accept, as Founder Members, the Brethren whose names were submitted to a Masonic Jeweller in the United Kingdom as such, by the Lodge at its First Regular Meeting. It would appear from this that those Brethren previously mentioned had left Jamaica before the 20th September, and for one reason or another, did not qualify as Founder Members. In one instance, it was found that a letter was addressed to Bro. T. Harrison in Worcestershire, informing him of his not qualifying as a Foundation Member for non-payment of Dues. In applying for FoundersEJewels, the Lodge stated; E---- The Foundation Members of the Moore-Keys Lodge are desirous that you will undertake to strike the Founder Medal for them, --- we forwarded a pencil drawing of what is required ---- as most of us will be either in Africa or England, some of course being here Ewe have decided to send you the list of founders, with their different Offices, that the same may be appended to the bottom of the Medal, each Member sending and paying for his ownE The following Brethren qualified according to the Lodge and the various Lodges to which these Brethren were attached. This is recorded from the roll of MembersE dated May 26th and September 20th, 1894:- C. H. E. Gornell, W.M. Collegium Fabrorum, 1836, E.C.
___________ THE MOORE-KEYS LODGE, No. 2519, DISTRICT No. 11 CONSECRATION CEREMONY AT THE SUSSEX HALL, HANOVER STREET, KINGSTON, ON THURSDAY EVENING, 20TH SEPTEMBER, 1894E These are the first words recorded in the Minute Book of that time.
The Right Worshipful District Grand Master, Lieut. Col. J. C. MacGlashan,
presided and with his Officers of District Grand Lodge Consecrated and
Dedicated The Moore-Keys Lodge with the usual Ceremonies.
Wor. Bro. Gornell then appointed and invested his officers. Bro. R. Spencer, S.W. and Bro. T. Clarke, Secretary, were both sick and unable to attend. Apologies were tendered on their behalf. After the usual addresses to the Officers, all of which were delivered by the W.M. and the addresses of welcome and usual businesses, The Lodge was closed in Harmony and with Prayer by the R.W.D.G. MasterE This day must have been a most happy one in the life of our Brother Gornell, though it is not an easy task, even if a pleasant one, to preside over a Lodge for twelve months, particularly The Moore-Keys Lodge, with a Membership that is here today and gone tomorrow, but to have been the moving spirit in the formation of the Lodge, after suffering so many major setbacks, of which we now know a little, he was fully entitled to any feeling of satisfaction that he may have had. As soon as possible after his Installation, and when he had invested Bros. Robert Spencer and Thomas Clarke as Senior Warden and Secretary respectively, Wor. Bro. Gornell endeavoured to regularize several points which had arisen in the Warrant; also he had by this time, heard that he may be postedE In a letter to the Grand Secretary, Bro. Gornell stated:- I have further to point out that an error has been made in our Warrant. (a) The Warrant says we are to meet on the Third Wednesday, etc., our application said the Third Tuesday. May I ask that you will kindly give instruction for its alteration of information of what is to be done. (b) I observe that in the case of Bros. R. Spencer and T. Clarke, that their G.L. Certificates are made out as having joined The Moore-Keys Lodge, 2519, on May, 1894, the date fixed in the Warrant. Are we to understand that the whole of the Founders joined on that date of the date of Consecration, etc.? as two Founder Members cannot be dated May 26th, 1894 and the remainder from September 20th Edate of Consecration-. (c) In what month is our annual Installation of Worshipful Master to take place, the Third Tuesday in May or the Third Tuesday in September? (d) Also, whether Para. 130 Book of ConstitutionsE as far as concerns the Wardens, holds good to count from May 26th, 1894, or September 20th, 1894, as you will observe by my return, that I show them according to dates I actually Installed them in their respective Offices.E Any Brother, who is at all acquainted with the present day Constitutions, cannot but be aware of the importance of the questions, particularly “CE and “DE on which in these days the Constitutions are quite clear. Bro. Gornell had the answer because he made the returns correctly. We do not understand why he did not take up the matter with District Grand Lodge, instead of writing direct to Grand Lodge, although direct communication with the latter was usual for a Subordinate Lodge at that time. In any event, a reply was not forthcoming for some considerable time; in fact, we doubt whether Bro. Gornell was ever informed of the outcome, as he left Jamaica early February, 1895. To close this chapter on the Founding, Consecration and Dedication of the Moore-Keys Lodge, without further reference to the noble efforts of Bro. Gornell, would be to commit a gross injustice to the memory of a Worthy Brother. As can be seen, he toiled unceasingly in the face of great odds to form this Lodge. He reluctantly left Jamaica so soon after his Installation, and although the first Master of the Lodge was to have been the one whose name the Lodge adopted, no more energetic or purposeful a Mason could have replaced Wor. Bro. Lieut. Col. C. W. Moore-Keys, than Wor. Bro. Charles Henry Evan Gornell, and we trust that his record of his work will perpetuate his name and remind all Members, present and future, of the debt they owe to the Founder Members; and also that it is their duty to continue to raise a super-structure perfect in its parts and honourable to the builders. THE FIRST SIX YEARS From the Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, October 16th, 1894, at which the Charter was carried into the Lodge in procession by Bro. V. Knowles, escorted by the Wardens, Wor. Bro. Gornell presided over the Lodge until he left Jamaica for The West Coast of AfricaE just after his last Meeting in January, 1895. besides the degree work at these Meetings, much time was devoted to amending the suggested Bye-Laws, settling the accounts of the Installation Banquet, etc., and arranging the finances of the Lodge and the sum of $8. 3. 8. was deposited with the Government Saving Bank. As the Lodge, with departure of the W.M. would have been without a Brother qualified to confer Degrees, a worshipful Brother in the District was elected an Hon. Master for that purpose; this election took place at the last Meeting presided over by Bro. Gornell. At that Meeting also Bro. Harry signified his willingness to attend he being a Medical Practitioner, on the wives and children of distressed Masons, free of charge.E The next Meeting of the Lodge did not take place until five months after in June, when, immediately after the confirmation of the Minutes, that portion containing the election of the Hon. Member was expunged. Within a short time, the Brother concerned was A and A. there was harmony, however, for not only was the Brother included in the Vote of Welcome to the Visitors, but at the next Meeting in July, 1895, he conferred the First Degree on J. J. Guilfoyle. (Professional Soldier). The S.W. being unable to attend owing to sickness, the J.W. presided over the Lodge from June to August, and except during the Degree work, sat in the Chair in the East apparently, as the other Principal Offices were filled by other Brethren. By the time a reply had been received to a second letter (reminder) from Grand Lodge with regard to the Date of Installation, etc., but it would appear that the answer was not satisfactory, as it was dispatched to the District Grand Master, informing him. as will be seen from the attached letter, the reply from him (Grand Secretary) does not rectify the mistakeE For some unrecorded reason, the Lodge had applied for a Dispensation to elect the Master for the ensuing year in July: this was not granted. As the Sussex Hall had to be closed for repairs, the Lodge gained permission to meet in the Militia Offices, (the building still situated at the N.E. corner of the intersection of Hanover and East Queen Street, Kingston), which the Lodge used for the August and September Meetings. For assisting in preparing the Lodge RoomE one Mr. Foster, was paid the sum of 2/6. At the August Meeting, a proposition was made to purchase a Set of Lodge Collars and JewelsE Brother W. Harding-Wood was Installed as Master in the month of September, 1895, on Tuesday 17th by the District Grand Secretary. Wor. Bro. William Duff, who also presided. Apologies for absence were tendered on behalf of the D. G. M., and his Deputy, both of whom were indisposed. District Grand Lodge demanded admission at the next Meeting, in the following month, by which time the Sussex Hall was again being use and after inspecting the books of the Lodge, witnessed the Ceremony of the First Degree, conferred by the W.M. Cpl. Edward Davis, ASC, and QMS Lionel Self, APC., who were jointly the first Initiates of the Lodge, received their G.L. Certificates at this Meeting, ten months having elapsed since their Raising. Charity collected at this Meeting amounted to five shillings and five pence, all of which was donated to the J. M. B. A. The first Last Sad Tribute of Respect to Departed MeritEto be observed in the Lodge, was solemnly observedEin the month of December, 1895, to the memory of Brother Robert Spencer, first senior Warden of the Lodge, and a letter of condolence was sent to his wife. From official sources it is learnt that CSM R. Spencer RE., was interred in Grave No. 40, in the Old Cemetery, Up Park Camp, on the 29th November, 1895. The Second Master of the Lodge left Jamaica before the January Meeting, having presided over two Meetings less than his predecessor, there being no Meeting held in October, 1895. Bro. Thomas Clarke S.W. assumed the duties of Warden in Charge, and again presumably presided in the East. It may be there observed that Wor. Bro. J. Griffiths had, by this time, returned from leave to the U. K., and frequently occupied a Wardens Chair. Being a P.M. of the S.C. he was disqualified from presiding over the Lodge. The matter of increasing Fees for DegreesE was discussed at the January 1896 Meeting and these were increased as follows:- For Initiation (including Proposition Fee) from $3. 3. 0 to $4. 4. 0. For Raising, from $3. 3. 0 to $3. 10. 0, making a total for the Three Degrees $9. 10. 0E As the Fee for Passing remained unchanged at #2. 2. 0, (this amount being collected from future Candidates) the total should obviously have been $9. 12. 0 instead of $9. 10. 0. Their arithmetic must have been weak! Although unsuspected by the Lodge at that time, the Meeting in the month of March 1896 was to become an important one in the Life of the Moore-Keys LodgeE Wor. Bro. G. M. Duff presided and among the many other Brethren filling the numerous Chairs, was one for. Bro. F. G. Sale, S.W. P.T.Eamp;nbsp; We are all fully aware now of the enormous amount of benefit 2519 E.C. received from this worthy Brother in later years and of the valuable service rendered by him to the District in general. That Meeting, however, proved to be the last until August, 1896, when the Master for the next year was elected together with the Treasurer and Tyler. Two Candidates having Signified their intention to be raised to the Third Degree, were called to the Pedestal, and having answered the usual questions, were given the P.W.E and the Ceremony proceeded with. Also at this Meeting, a circular letter from the D. G. M. was read, informing the Brethren that the Grand Secretary had written that the custom in English Lodges, is for all Brethren on entering a Lodge, after it has been opened, to salute the Worshipful Master in the Chair, but not the WardensE During the year 1896-97, Bro. Thomas Clarke, W.M., having been Installed in September 1896 by Wor. Bro. G. M. Duff, held but two Meetings of the Lodge, other than the Meeting at which he Installed his successor, Wor. Bro. J. Griffiths, who had now served his time as a Warden. Bro. Griffiths, who was Q.M. in the W.I Regiment, was the most popular Master-Elect to date, if attendance of Visitors is any indication. Charity collected at this Meeting, amounted to 15/7/d., which was donated to the J. M. B. Society. for. Bro. F. G. Sale conducted the Brethren on their entry, giving them the time for their salutesE Wor. Bro. Griffiths, for no recorded reason, convened but one Meeting during his term of Office, that being an Emergent in the month of November, 1897, when an Installation and a double Raising took place. It is believed that Wor. Bro. Griffiths was posted to Bermuda soon after that November Meeting, which was the last time the Lodge met, as far as can be ascertained, until July, 1900 a period of almost THREE YEARS. Before concluding this almost tragic period, it is of interest to note that Bro. J. J. Guilfoyle, who was Initiated in July 1895 and afterwards held several Offices “P>T.E and was invested as J.D. in 1896, was not a Candidate for the Ceremonies of Passing and Raising, in Moore-Keys Lodge. There is the possibility of his receiving those degrees elsewhere, but if so, this fact is not recorded. Meetings were held regularly in those days and there is no apparent reason why he did not advance, unless, as we have seen, Bro. Guilfoyle’s intention was not signified. Also in those days, the V. S. L. was referred to as the Holy Bible, Deacons as Conductors, and at most Meetings the Lodge was called off and on at least once, sometimes twice. Before proceeding onwards, it must be obvious to all who have the welfare and continued prosperity of The Moore-Keys Lodge at heart, that it is impossible to sustain the Life of the Lodge solely with Members from Up Park Camp, whose time in the Lodge is so uncertain. Beyond all measure of doubt a nucleus of resident MembersEshould be part of the Lodge. As we have observed, without visiting brethren, many of the meetings held up to November, 1897, could never have taken place. Much credit is therefore due to the District in general for the existence of 2519 E.C., in its present for, and the only safe course for the Lodge, at this present time and in the future, is to be sure of the continuity of Administration. RESUSCITATION Of the Brethren who occupied the Chairs a the Meeting of the Lodge, held at the Sussex Hall on Tuesday 17th July, 1900, the first since 1897, only three were members of the Lodge:- Wor. Bro. Thomas Clarke, I. P. M. in charge
The rest of the Administration, was composed of Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, Royal Lodge, 207, E.C. and visiting Naval and Military Brethren. It is quite obvious that much had been done to stimulate interest in The Moore-Keys Lodge during the latter part of this period of inactivity, for all the visitors without exception were proposed as joining Members, eight in number, and were balloted for and elected also elected Master for the year 1900/1. At that August Meeting, an Initiation Ceremony was performed by Wor. Bro. E. R. Downs, Past Master, 153 E.C. Wor. Bro. Sale, ever alert to the welfare of the Lodge, realized the good fortune of having a Past Master as a joining member, for during the evening he singled out Wor. Bro. Downs and extended to him a welcome to the City of KingstonE On the day of Installation in 1900, an emergency meeting was held at 6:15 p.m. and a Candidate passed. The Regular Meeting followed at 7:30 p.m. Wor. Bro. Downs Initiated a Candidate, then handed the Gravel to Wor. Bro. Clarke, who Installed the Master-Elect, Bro. Otto Oscar Eisner, Past Warden of Albion Lodge, No. 196 Barbados, who then appointed and invested his Officers. The following extract of a letter from Grand Lodge was then read:-
The information contained in this extract was well received and we can imagine the Brethren generally felt that the future of the Lodge could now be considered more firmly established. If for no other reason, the first regular meeting under the Administration
of Wor. Bro. Eisner is notable for the fact that all the offices were occupied
by the Brethren appointed to them, a rare occurrence for The Moore-Keys
Lodge during the whole of its history. The records show a determined
effort was being made to consolidate the position of the Lodge, attention
being given to the finances:-
The list recorded the financial standing of every member of the Lodge the membership numbering twenty one and is an indication of the strength at that time. At each successive meeting Candidates for joining were proposed and elected, and so appreciative was the Lodge of the “zeal and activity displayedE by Wor. Bro. Thomas Clarke, (Founder Member) that a Past Master’s Jewel was voted for presentation to him and this ceremony was performed at a later meeting. In the month of November, the Worshipful Master Bro. Eisner was absent and an excuse was recorded stating that he was being “detained in CampE Thereupon Wor. Bro. Downs moved the following motion:- “That the Lodge authorizes Bro. Secretary to write to the Worshipful Master, sympathizing with him, and assuring him of the good wishes of his Brethren and expressing the hope that the regrettable experience he is passing through may end satisfactory in every way.E This ‘detentionEwas not prolonged, as Bro. Eisner was presiding over his Lodge at the next meeting. In February, 1901, “The Worshipful Master in feeling terms made reference to the demise of Her Majesty, Queen VictoriaE and a long and very loyal resolution was sent to the Grand Secretary for presentation to the Grand Master “His Gracious Majesty, King Edward VII and the Royal FamilyE At this meeting Wor. Bro. Sale announced that he had paid the sum of 21/- for the writing of the Fair Minutes from 1897. From the legibility of these Minutes, at this time, the guinea was well spent. Two committees recently appointed reported on action taken,
By July, the Lodge had ‘unearthedEthe Government Savings Bank Book, in which was recorded the sum of $8. 3. 8, deposited in the year 1895. Transfer of that amount was duly arranged. The death of Bro. J. F. Ward, Tyler of the Lodge, was announced with regret and Bro. John Hoyes consented to act. Wor. Bro. Otto Oscar Eisner, Installed his successor, Bro. T. C. Trowern, S.W., in September 1901, after a successful year of office for the Lodge, in the presence of the D. G. M., who was visiting the Lodge for the first time. He expressed his entire satisfaction of the progress of the Lodge since its Resuscitation and commended the work of the “joining MembersE Wor. Bro. Trowern presided over but one Meeting, having left Jamaica at the end of October. At that Meeting however, he appointed “Delegates to represent the LodgeEat any Meeting held in respect of the building of the proposed Masonic Temple in Hanover Street, a committee to arrange the formation of a Lodge of Instruction, and finally, recognizing the worth of Bro. Sale, supported the motion to present that Bro. With a Secretary’s Jewel. In Wor. Bro. Trowern’s administration, Bro. Sale was Treasurer. The presentation of the Jewel took place at a special meeting arranged for the purpose in January, 1902, by the S. W. in charge, Bro. J. Attenborough, who ordered that “the appreciation of the Lodge of the great and invaluable assistance rendered by Wor. Bro. Sale, during the year he was Secretary, be recorded in the MinutesE This Jewel had recently come into the possession of the Lodge and is much treasured by all. It is now worn by the Secretary to remind all the brethren of the Worthy and Distinguished Brother who once held that Office with credit to himself and to the advantage of the Lodge. Being no stranger to the Master’s Chair in the Moore-Keys Lodge, Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, who by this time had been honoured by the District Grand Master with the Rank of Warden, was elected Master for the year 1902/3 and installed into the Chair of the Lodge by Wor. Bro. T. Clarke. In the presence of the District Grand Master, his Officers and many other distinguished Brethren who had come to pay their respects to a Worthy Brother. Owing to the number of Brethren of the district present, the District Grand Master took the opportunity of calling the attention of the Brethren to the desirability of attending the Lodge properly clothed, and also expressed his displeasure at the practice of using pocket handkerchiefs as substitute for Aprons. At the Meeting in the following month yet another concourse of distinguished Brethren attended the Lodge and quite a number of these Brethren tendered their excuses for being absent at the Installation Ceremony. The ballot at the Installation Meeting resulting in Worshipful Brother Sale being installed into the Chair of the Moore-Keys Lodge, was not unanimous. Bro Attenborough received three votes, but it was quite clear that the majority of the brethren were in favour of Wor. Bro. Sale being installed on this particular occasion. Owing to the above, Bro. Attenborough saw fit to communicate a letter to the District Grand Master and Worshipful Brother Sale with reference to the election result, denouncing the Members of the Lodge in general and Worshipful Bro. Sale in particular. Tempering justice with mercy, the Members of the Lodge requested the offending Brother to withdraw his statements but this he declined to do. The Worshipful Master stated that it was painful for him to be connected with this case and mentioned that it was far from his heart to wish anything detrimental to Bro. Attenborough; it was however his duty as the District Grand Secretary, to obey the District Grand Master’s order to answer the letter. Bro. Attenborough’s resignation was read at that October Meeting and instructions given that if any Demit were issued, it was to be endorsed that the Brother was under censure for “Unmasonic conductE and it later recorded that the Lodge recommended that the Mother Lodge of Bro. Attenborough be informed of this censure on one of her Members and the circumstances which led thereto; this in due time was done. It might be said by some Brethren who read of this unfortunate incident, that it would be better of it were omitted from this History; however, it is considered that no harm can be done by the facts being recorded and further by so doing it will impress upon the minds of the Brethren how a foolish act, committed against the will of the majority of the Brethren can harm the Lodge in general and the perpetrator in particular; but in view of this unpleasant beginning of his year of Office, Worshipful Brother F. G. Sale, D. G. S., P. D. G. W., conducted the Lodge, with decorum befitting our noble Craft. He presided over eleven of the thirteen meetings called during his year of Office, Installed eight Candidates, Passed and Raised six of his Brethren. The first Immediate Past Master’s report to be presented in the Lodge was the one by Worshipful Brother F. G. Sale, at the end of a very successful year of office. The words in this report number approximately 1,500 and it concludes with remarks on the duties of a Member of the Lodge, particularly when a Brother accepts an office. It is considered that these observations from that report of 50 years ago will form a fitting conclusion of this Chapter in the life of The Moore-Keys Lodge. “There are three things which Officers of Lodges should feel themselves
honour bound to do, viz:-
Bro. J. Martin, first Inner Guard of the Lodge, was installed by his predecessor Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, DGS., PDGW., at the Regular Meeting in September, 1903, Wor. Bro. Martin had a very successful year of office, but at its conclusion was confronted with an extended period in the Chair. Bro. Capt. A. H. Vince of St. Helena Lodge, 488, E.C., who had previously joined Moore-Keys, was at this time Treasurer of the Lodge, at the August meeting in 1904 was elected Master for the ensuing year. After the meeting an objection was raised with the District Grand Lodge, and on the direction of the Deputy District Grand Master in Charge, Wor. Bro. William Duff, the portion of the Minutes referring to the election was not confirmed. The interpretation of Rule 130 of the Book of Constitution of that time (now Rule 105) by the Deputy District Grand Master was put to the test by Bro. Vince appealing to Grand Lodge: There is no reference in his application for joining stating that Bro. Vince was a Past Warden, and it would appear that the District Grand Lodge acted wisely, in spite of the fact that Grand Lodge did not agree with the decision. Reference to the incident is recorded in the proceedings of the District Grand Lodge half-yearly communication dated January, 1905. The Deputy District Grand Master in his address announced the following:- “During the half-year just ended, I have had to decide as to the eligibility for election as Worshipful Master of a Brother who, though installed as Senior Warden had not served as such from one Installation meeting to another. My decision was that he was not eligible. He has appealed against this decision to the Grand Lodge of England, but, I have not yet received any official intimation of the ruling on the matterE At the Regular Meeting of the Moore-Keys Lodge held in February, 1905, the following resolutions were carried unanimously:- 1. That so much of the Minutes of the 20th September, last, which relates
to the non-confirmation of the election of Bro. Vince as Worshipful Master
of this Lodge be rescinded.
The Deputy District Grand Master attended this meeting and in his presence Bro. Vince was Installed by Wor. Bro. J. Martin. During the seventeen months The Moore-Keys Lodge had been under the guidance of Bro. Martin, twelve Candidates were Initiated and as many Passed and Raised. The appeal of Bro. Vince to Grand Lodge was recorded as an appendix to the proceedings of the July Meeting of District Grand Lodge and, as it is considered to be of much interest today as then, it is included in this History for that reason. APPENDIX A. APPEAL OF BRO. A. H. VINCE EMOORE-KEYS LODGE 2519 V. W. Brother John Strachan, K. C. (Grand Registrar); Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master in accordance with my usual custom, Appeals being precedents which are referred to afterwards, I have committed to writing that which I shall advise Grand Lodge, and I will read it now. The appeal of Brother Arthur H. Vince against the decision of the Deputy District Grand Master (in charge) of Jamaica, by which Bro. Vince was declared ineligible for the Master’s Chair, is singular in this respect, that the officer whose ruling is questioned would, I believe, welcome its reversal. It appears that Brother Vince, a Company Sergeant-Major in the 1st West India Regiment was invested as Senior Warden of the St. Helena Lodge, No. 488, on the 27th December, 1900, that being the regular Installation Meeting, but in the following month, he was ordered by the military authorities to Sierra Leone, and had not another opportunity of attending the Lodge during 1901, although he continued a subscribing member for the whole year. In September he attended the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of England, as the S. W. of his Lodge; and in October, he received a letter from the W. M. of the St. Helena Lodge stating that the Brethren hoped that he would return by December, as they wished him to be the Master. This, the exigencies of the Service prevented, and early in 1903, he joined the Moore-Keys Lodge, No. 2519, at Kingston, Jamaica, where he would have been appointed Warden but for the understanding that he had already served that office; and he was elected Treasurer instead. On the 16th August, 1904, he was elected Master of the Lodge, and, on an objection being afterwards taken, he asked for the decision of the Brother in charge as to eligibility and if there had not been a qualifying service, he desired a dispensation. The Deputy District Grand Master (in charge) decided that the election was void, and that he could not, by dispensation, authorize the Installation. Against that decision, Brother Vince appeals. By Rule 130A, adopted in September, 1902, the W.M. Grand Master alone has the dispensing power; and even by him, it can only be exercised “If the Investiture of a Warden shall not have taken place at the Installation MeetingE In this case, as Brother Vince had been invested at the Installation Meeting Rule 130A could not possibly apply. It is therefore necessary to ascertain whether the Brother had “served for one year the officer of WardenE so as to qualify him for election as W. M. of a Lodge. In other words was he, in December, 1901, so qualified under the then existing law that he might have been installed as Master of the St. Helena Lodge if he had returned to that place and had been elected to the Chair? If so, his qualification as a Past Warden still holds good. There is a case on record in which a Warden who was not present at the regular Installation Meeting, and never attended during his year of office, except once at an Emergency Meeting, was held not to have duly served the office by reason of “not having attended any regular Meeting of the Lodge during the period of his appointmentE and, in accordance with this ruling, my predecessors have advised, and their advice has been continuously acted upon, that if a Warden has been duly invested at the “regularEInstallation Meeting a constructive service during the remainder of the year may qualify him for the Chair. Without going so far as to say that a Brother who neglects his duty when he has the opportunity of performing it shall, in all such cases, be held to be eligible, I am of the opinion that in the present case, where Bro. Vince was duly invested at the regular Installation Meeting and served the office on the only occasion afterwards when it was possible for him to do so by representing his Lodge as its Senior Warden at a Quarterly Communication in this Hall, he was eligible for the Chair of a Lodge. The amendment of Rule 130, in 1902, has not altered the law as to service, but has more clearly expressed what had previously been held to be the law. I, therefore, advise that, whereas, the Deputy in charge was quite right as to his inability to grant a dispensation, his declaration of voiding the election cannot be supported; and I move, “That the Appeal be sustained so far as relates to the validity of Brother Vince’s electionE I may say that the district Grand Master of Jamaica, not the Deputy in Charge, is present here to-nigh, and I believe he would be very much please indeed if Grand Lodge would see its way to endorse the opinion of my predecessors which is the opinion I am expressing, and that which I ask Grand Lodge to sanction. R. W. Brother the Honourable Mr. Justice Warrington, P.G.W., Deputy Grand Registrar, seconded the proposition, which was put and carried. Before the end of his year in office Wor. Bro. Vince again enquired through the District Grand Lodge from the Grand Registrar in respect of himself and his Wardens qualifying for Past Rank. The District Grand Lodge was informed that the only way out was for Brother Vince to continue as Master for the ensuing year, when he would qualify as a Past Master in the only possible way, by service as Master of the Lodge for twelve months and his Wardens would acquire their qualification for the Master’s Chair. The members saw fit to allow this qualification and Wor. Bro. Vince was Re-installed. Bro. G. W. Cooper, the Junior Warden in the previous administration, was invested as Senior Warden. Except for one emergency meeting Wor. Bro. Vince did not preside over the Lodge for he was posted early in October. At the November meeting, the Lodge received from Bro. Vince, at the hands of Wor. Bro. Sale, the copy of the V. S. L., which has from that time adorned the Pedestal of the Master of the Lodge. For some considerable time there had been much discussion about the suitability of changing the day of the Regular Meeting from the Third Tuesday to the Third Thursday, but it was not until June, 1906, that the change was made by dispensation to the THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH. At that time also the practice of calling the Lodge off and on was discontinued,
and instead we find that the Lodge “Sat EasyE This practice was
presumably brought into use by the Naval Brethren, as those acquainted
with the Senior Service jargon will no doubt agree.
By this time the By-Laws of the Moore-Keys Lodge of Instruction had been agreed upon and confirmed by the District Grand Lodge. The first official meeting took place on Saturday, November 10th, 1906, and apparently received the fullest support of the District generally. Bro. Steele, in his short history, recorded that the Lodge of Instruction under the Banner of the Moore-Keys Lodge, was the first of its kind in Jamaica. From research of the District Grand Lodge, Bro. Steele was correct in his statements. On the fourteenth day of January 1907, occurred that disastrous earthquake followed by fire which almost completely destroyed the City of Kingston causing loss of life and injuring many of its citizens. Among the casualties were of course many members of the Craft; our own Lodge suffered by the death of Bro. Lamont. The first meeting of the Lodge to be held after that calamity took place in the following month at the Masonic Temple, Spanish Town, by kind permission of the Brethren of the Hamilton Lodge, 1440. E.C., and at that Regular Meeting the Lodge gave expressions to its regret in a truly Masonic manner. The Sussex Hall was restored and in use again by the Third Thursday in May, 1907, and the Lodge again met there. The design of the Banner was finally agreed upon, much discussion having ensued over the years, one suggestion being that of having the Jamaica Coat of Arms draped with the White Ensign on one side and the Great Union on the other. It is assumed that the design that was passed around the Lodge was in the form of the Banner we now have. The amount of $24. 7. 2. was voted for a Banner of first quality, and in February, 1908, “Wor. Bro. Sale and Wor. Bro. Turner, retired and brought in the Banner which had been left in the ant-roomE No mention is made of its dedication of or the incorrect date of Consecration of the Lodge. The Meeting at which Bro. Dando was elected to the Chair in August 1908 was also the first meeting of the Lodge to be held on the site known as 80, Hanover Street, Kingston. These premises, which are now the offices of our District Grand Secretary, were before reconstruction, the building in which our meetings were held until the present Masonic Temple was complete early in 1910. Attached to the Minutes of the first Regular Meeting in the year of Bro. Dando, is a copy of the Summons in printed form; this feature became a regular one and during the year additions were made to the cover, and eventually the names of the Principal Officers were published as a heading. One item on a certain agenda is “To Act GenerallyE and it is presumed that this referred to “other businessE The year 1909 saw the return of Wor. Bro. A. H. Vince, who speedily began to take an active interest in the Lodge, giving his time together with the experience gained from his sojourn in the United Kingdom. It is obvious that Bro. Dando had given much thought in the selection of his Officers, as throughout his year of office it is very noticeable that regular attendance was the rule, and with very few exceptions every meeting of the Lodge had its full compliment of Officers. So highly were Bro. Dando’s efforts appreciated by the Moore-Keys Lodge, that he was presented with a “most handsomeEPast Master’s Jewel and also an address of thanks. We note that it was during Wor. Bro. Coneybeare’s year of office as Secretary that the Directors of the Masonic Association of Jamaica were approached with respect to provision of electric fans in the Temple. Another matter of interest also occurred during 1910, when our “Record BoxEwas presented to the Lodge by Bro. B. Salter. During this period the Secretary of the Lodge left the island. This position was filled for a period of over two years by Wor. Bro. Coneybeare with advantage to the Lodge. In November 1910, Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale having at heart the welfare of the Craft in general and the Moore-Keys Lodge in particular proposed that an emergency meeting be held for the purpose of bidding farewell to the Brethren who were departing for England on December 16th. This proposal was carried unanimously. The emergency meeting was held, and during this meeting special mention was made of Wor. Bro. C. A. Kay to whom was presented on behalf of the author, Wor. Bro. J. Montague Simpson, his book “Six months in Port-au-PrinceE as a token of his personal esteem, by our Worshipful Master. It may be mentioned here that Bro. Kay appears to have been held in great affection by all Freemasons in Jamaica. A matter of note re this meeting was that an excuse was recorded from the Imperial service Lodge, Port Royal. Another matter of interest was the minute as follows, “That a committee be formed to approach the Sister Lodges with a view to holding a Concert before Xmas, for the purpose of raising funds to purchase a harmonium, and if possible a pianoE This was proposed by Bro. Sale. During this year 1910, the demise of His Most Gracious Majesty, King Edward VII, late Protector of the Craft, was marked by a period of mourning, which continued until after the Installation of Bro. J. E. Kingchurch, as Master of the Lodge. In 1911, much to the satisfaction of the Brethren generally and to Moore-Keys Lodge in particular, Wor. Bro. Vince received the rank of Assistant District Director of Ceremonies form the District Grand Master, this pleasing occasion was followed in a very short time by the sad news of the death of Wor. Bro. Charles Henry Evan Gornell, virtually the Founder of the Lodge, and it is with sincere regret that we observe the letter from his wife had to be passed to the Charity Committee for consideration. During this period of 1911, the Moore-Keys Lodge of Instruction directed a letter through the Lodge to the District Grand Master, for his approval to issue to all Craft Lodges in the District, a recommendation that newly made members be requested by their Lodges to attend the Lodge of Instruction for a certain period after joining, so that uniformity in Ceremonies may be brought about. It is not quite clear whether the concert previously mentioned was held but of this we are sure, that in that November, 1911, the Regular Meeting of the Moore-Keys Lodge was held one week later to allow a concert to be held in aid of the same cause thereby the Lodge having adequately fulfilled its charitable obligations, voted from the General Fund, the mount of $10. 0. 0. to be used for the purpose of entertaining several Brethren of the Lodge, including Wor. Bro. A. H. Vince, and Brethren of he South Carolina Lodge 390. I.C. The South Carolina Lodge, before their departure requested that a Senior
Warden’s Jewel be presented to Bro. E. A. Siddle at a Lodge meeting as
it could be foreseen they would not meet again in Jamaica during the present
tour of duty. Wor. Bro. Vince, presented the Jewel on behalf of the
Worshipful Master of the South Carolina Lodge, 390. I.C.
Before Wor. Bro. Vince left Jamaica the District Grand Master honoured him with the Past Rank of District Senior Grand Warden, Wor. Bro. Sale announced the fact and as District Grand Secretary invested Wor. Bro. Vince as such on behalf of the District Grand Master, and at the same time presented him with a District Senior Grand Warden’s Jewel as a personal gift from himself. In January, 1912, the Worshipful Master Bro. J. W. Sheridan announced that the entertainment given to the Brethren who had now left the Island was most successful. An item on the Agenda for the Meeting in March, 1912, was also of some interest as it stated “To non-arrival of Bro. Fischer by the S.S. Prince Jaochim, the meeting will not take place and the Brethren will be notifiedE Bro. Fischer was however, present at the meeting and duly Passed. Other matters of interest in the year 1912, were the sinking of the S.S. “TitanicE This gave much cause for regret in the Lodge, and the sum of $2. 2. 0 was donated to the fund which was formed to assist sufferers, also Jamaica Masonic Association commended to pay dividends, the Lodge receiving $1. 0. 0. It may be noted here, that on several occasions in later years, the Lodge received the $1. 0. 0. dividend. The first dividend received was donated by the Lodge to the St. Elizabeth Relief Fund, the western parishes of the Island having suffered severely from floods. At the Installation of Bro. G. Burrington in 1912, Wor. Bros. Sheridan and Sale were not invested as immediate Past Master and Director of Ceremonies respectively, but in November, on their return to the Island, were so invested and forthwith deputed to arrange a social evening, in the form of a dance to be held before Xmas, the cost not to exceed $10. 0. 0. This social event took place at the cost of $9. 2. 0. and should be considered to be worthy of Emulation. Owing to the lack of interest by the Brethren of the Sister Lodges, in the Lodge of Instruction, Wor. Bro. Sale moved, in the month of April, 1913, “That the sanction permitting the meetings to be withdrawnE this recorded minute was not confirmed at the meeting in the following month, although it had been amended to read “That unless greater interest be shown by Sister Lodges, the sanction be withdrawnE in view of a letter from the Lodge of Instruction, but it appears that from that time, the Moore-Keys Lodge of Instruction fell into abeyance. 1914 E18 In that memorable month of August, 1914, the Members gathered themselves together for the purpose of a photograph being taken, one copy to be paid for and framed at the expense of the Lodge. It is to be regretted that no trace of this can now be found amongst the Lodge’s Property. It was at that Meeting that Bro. A. T. Rowland, Secretary, read his report on the working of the Lodge under the Mastership of Wor. Bro. F. C. Cross, stating that the twelve Regular Meetings had been held. Degree work had taken place at only ten, consisting of fifteen Initiations, eleven Passings, and twelve Raisings. The Report reads:- “There is one item of interest with regard to the Initiations, that after a period of about eleven years, we have had the pleasure of again admitting into the Lodge, Members of the Sister Service, the Royal Navy in these watersE It would appear that a very close association was maintained with other Service Lodges in the area, particularly those in Bermuda and Barbados. For several years prior to 1914, the attendance of Members and Visitors had averaged about 37 per meeting, excluding Installations, but with the Declaration of War, expressions of regret were received conditions prevailing, it was impossible to attendE At the Installation Meeting in September, 1914, before a very small gathering of Brethren, Bro. W. H. Hedley was Installed; the grant of $15. 0. 0., which he received towards his Installation expenses he donated to the Prince of Wales War Fund; further grants were also made amounting to over $30. 0. 0. That solemn duty of paying tribute to departed merit was to become as we now know, part of the Lodge proceeding for four long years, and the first Member of the Lodge to pay the supreme sacrifice in defence of his country, was Bro. F. Davis, who was serving aboard the S.S. “LusithaniaE The amount of four Guineas was dispatched to his aged parents. As is well known to Service Personnel, War does have its lighter side, the like of which is an evening spent in a Masonic Temple and at the Festive Board after Labour. Service Brethren, when visiting, invariably take away memories that stand them in good stead in the loneliness of strife. Many such evenings were spent within the portals of the Moore-Keys Lodge by Brethren from many Lodges scattered over the four quarters of the Globe. Early in 1915, fourteen Brethren serving aboard H.M. Australian S. “MelbourneE supported an application by one of the ship’s company for Initiation into the Moore-Keys Lodge, and under Rule 185 B of C. “Mr. George Stewart, 1st Class Petty Officer, aboard His Majesty’s Ship “MelbourneE was Initiated in their presence. In July, 1915, Wor. Bros. A. H. Vince and J. E. King-Church had the good fortune of being posted again to Jamaica, and in a very short time took active interest in the Lodge. Wor. Bro. J. W. Sheridan, Past Master of the Moore-Keys Lodge, who was Initiated in the Hamilton Lodge, 1440. E.C. lost by fire his home and personal belongings on the 2nd August, 1915. This dire calamity deprived our Brother of his Masonic Regalia and also the Past Master’s Jewel presented to him by the Moore-Keys Lodge. It is pleasing to record that the Lodge unanimously agreed to replace his Regalia (Grand Lodge) also the Past Master’s Jewel. The presentation was made in due time by Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale on behalf of the Lodge. The year 1914 concluded with a report by the Secretary which ended with reference to the difficulties being experienced by the Brethren in obtaining transportation from Newcastle and Port Royal, and during the year there were five Initiations, four Brethren were Passed and four Raised. The financial position of the Lodge was sound, but owing to a great increase in charitable donations, the $44. 0. 0. surplus from the previous year had been expended, together with a further $10. 0. 0. At the Installation Meeting in September, 1915, Bro. J. W. Cleary was Installed as Master by Wor. Bro. A. H. Vince, in the presence of Right Worshipful Bro. Sir John Pringle, District Grand Master. The sum received by the Master for Installation expenses was donated to the Belgian Relief Fund along with other donated amounts. In January, 1916, the Lodge was again the host for Australian Naval Brethren, this time the Personnel of H. H. A. S. “SydneyE Three members of this ship’s company were Initiated at an Emergency Meeting and were to be Passed at the next Regular Meeting, but owing to HMAS. “SydneyE receiving unexpected sailing orders, the Brethren were unable to be present. Two Emergency and Regular Meetings were held in February, 1916; it is noted that the names of the Australian Brethren were each time included on the Lodges notices, and before the end of the month these Brethren were Passed to the Second Degree. The fees for the Advancement of the above Brethren were received from the Loyalty Lodge, 358. Bermuda, during an evening sometime later in the year, when five members of the Senior Service were Initiated. The present members of the Lodge who, in the years under review, were students cannot fail to recall the manner in which the news of the sinking of H. M. S. “HampshireE was received. There were undoubtedly many Brethren aboard at the time of sinking, including Earl Kitchener of Khartoum. The Worshipful Master at that time expressed the regret of the whole Fraternity at the untimely death of Lord Kitchener, P. G. W., P. D. G. M. Punjab, P. D. G. M. Egypt and the Sudan. The Master eulogized the sterling qualities of the deceased Brother and the irreparable loss to the nation of such a distinguished and capable soldier and statesman. The Brethren then stood to order in silence for two minutes. Whilst paying the Last Sad Tribute to Departed Merit, the Worshipful Master also spoke of the recent Naval Battle of Jutland, and mentioned that there was no doubt that the Craft had lost many worthy and distinguished Brethren. The year 1915/16 was a busy one for the Moore-Keys Lodge. Seventeen
Brethren were Initiated, sixteen Passed to the Second Degree and fifteen
Brethren were Raised to the S.D. of a Master Mason. Owing to the
exigencies of the service, three Naval Brethren were Passed and Raised
in the Prince Alfred’s Lodge, No. 233, Bermuda, and one Naval Brother Raised
in the loyalty Lodge, No. 358, Bermuda. Among the Brethren Passed
and Raised in the Moore-Keys Lodge, were Brethren from Sister Lodges here
in Jamaica and Overseas.
The death of Bro. E. N. T. Munn, C.S.M., 2nd W.I.R., on Active Service in East Africa, was announced and the Last Solemn Tribute was paid to his memory in October, 1916. At that meeting, questions were asked by the Brethren of the nature of the certificates being issued at that time by the Charterhouse Lodge, No. 2885, in the language of the allies to Brethren of that Lodge proceeding on Active Service. It was agreed to enquire of that Lodge for particulars, which were received later the following year. Whether an issue of a similar certificate was made by Moore-Keys Lodge to Members, is not quite clear. The Regular Meetings in the months of November, and December 1916, were not held, but in January, 1917, the Lodge met again, and received the sad news of the loss of two more Brethren. Wor. Bro. H. W. Coneybeare, (who had performed such noble work for the Lodge as Secretary) died of wounds received in battle. The other Brother, a member of the R.A.M.C., Bro. J. Sharpe, had been drowned in the torpedoing of H.M. Hospital Ship, “BrittanicE The Lodge did not meet again until May, 1917, when the topic under much discussion was the new ruling of Grand Lodge, “that only two Candidates (instead of five) be Initiated, Passed or Raised on the same dayE It was the general opinion that the new rule would entail great hardship and hamper the prosperity of Lodges here, making it necessary to convene Emergency Meetings and extra expense for Dispensation and Rent etc. It was decided to appoint a Committee to confer with other Lodges in the District on the best means to comply with the new direction. The report on the Working of the Lodges (Membership 78), for the year 1916/17 informs us that some thirty-nine Members of the Lodge were on active service and that eighteen of our Naval Brethren had been “Doing their share of the arduous work which the Grand Fleet is carrying out in the North SeaE Only seven meetings were held during that year and work consisted of one Initiation. Passing and Raising. It is recorded:- “The work done during the year has been of the highest order, and the Lodge continues to uphold its reputation of former yearsE It is obvious that without the unfailing efforts of few Members and many Brethren of Sister Lodges, the Moore-Keys Lodge in those dark days could not have continued. Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, P.D.G.W., D.G.S., received the heartiest congratulations from the Lodge and the Visitors assembled at the Installation in September 1917, on his having had conferred upon him the Past Rank of Grand Standard Bearer by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England. It was unanimous that an illuminated address should be presented to Bro. Sale; it is pleasing to note that his work was fully appreciated by the Members of the Moore-Keys Lodge. Before the end of 1917, it was the sad duty of the Worshipful Master, Bro. R. H. McDonald to notify the Brethren that two more Members of the Lodge had died on Active Service, these being Bros. Arnold Thompson, and E. A. Siddle. Bro. Siddle, it will be recalled, was also a Past Warden of South Carolina Lodge. Early in 1918, the news of the award of the Military Cross to three Members of the Lodge on Active Service was received with much acclamation, the recipients being Bros. A. McKenzie, A. J. Gablin and W. L. Thomas. It is very sad to have to recall that Bro. Capt. A. McKenzie, M.C. was killed on the Western Front just before the end of hostilities. The Worshipful Master of the Imperial Service Lodge, Wor. Bro. Trounce, who had been Initiated into the Craft in Moore-Keys Lodge, rejoined in April, 1918, and at that time extended greetings from our Brethren on the Italian Front. On that same evening also an application was read for joining from Wor. Bro. Hugh Henry Francis Hyndman, Lieut. R.G.A., Port Royal, Member of Grand Stewards Lodge, No.O., and Past Masters Lodge, Jerusalem, No. 196 E.C., and on his first attendance as a Member of the Lodge, was appointed to act as Junior Warden for the remainder of the administration. It is observed from the minutes, with a certain amount of disappointment, that at the Meeting of the Lodge held on November 21st, 1918, the Worshipful Master, Bro. F. C. Webb, made no reference to the Armistice, which had been signed some ten days earlier. There were very few Brethren at that meeting, among the absentees were Wor. Bros. Sale, Vince and Cooper. It is felt that if any one of these cessation of hostilities would have been recorded; however, in common with the Popular World, relief from the anxiety of War must have been appreciated by the Members of the Lodge wherever dispersed. Before this glorious chapter in the annals of Moore-Keys can be completed, mention must be made of the death of Bro. W. C. Piper, who was drowned whilst serving abroad H.M.S. “ArielE when she was torpedoed just before the “cease fireE Also of many Members of the Lodge, who after their return to the United Kingdom, died from the effects of their wounds received during the course of War; these Brethren are not included in the Roll of Honour, but “We Remember ThemE The several Lodges in the District erected the plaque in the Masonic Temple, Kingston, to the Fallen Brethren of the Jamaican District, and for the Moore-Keys Lodge the following names appear. “LEST WE FORGETE 1914 E18. H. W. Coneybeare, Lieut., Lincoln Regt.
1919 E27. Ten years seem a very short time to necessitate repairs to the Banner, particularly when we understand it to have been a new one and of first quality; however, in February, 1919, the amount of 25/- was expended on repairs. In the same month, the death is recorded of Wor. Bro. R. S. Haughton, P.D.D.G.M., a stalwart supporter of the Moore-Keys Lodge in the early years of its existence. It was arranged that a list of the Members of the Moore-Keys Lodge residing in the U.K., who would be able to attend the Masonic Celebration of Peace at the Albert Hall, London, on 27th June 1919, should be sent to the Grand Director of Ceremonies. There is no record of how many attended that function, but we can be sure that Moore-Keys was well represented. Here in Jamaica, Members attended a Victory Banquet. With the resumption of sea transport, many Brethren of the Lodge returned to the U.K. during 1919, and at the August Meeting only the Junior Warden of the administration was present; he was elected Master for the ensuing year, and in the following month was Installed. Consideration for the Lodge being the theme of all his service, Bro. Vince explained that it was in the interest of the Lodge that Officers should be appointed who would be of service throughout the year, and he himself declined the office of Treasurer. “As in all probability I will not be here in Jamaica many more monthsE Wor. Bro. A. H. Vince P.D.G.W. left Jamaica just before Xmas, 1919, taking with him the gratitude of the Lodge for the valuable services rendered by him, not only in this Island, but in many other parts of the world. The years during which Bro. Vince had contributed so much to the Lodge numbered seventeen; the several periods that he spent abroad were undoubtedly an advantage to the Moore-Keys Lodge and the District in general, as on his return each time, he imparted the Masonic knowledge gained during his sojourn elsewhere. Members of the South Carolina Lodge, No. 380. I.C. were also leaving the Island, and Wor. Bro. W. J. Robinson spoke of the cordial relations existing between Moore-Keys and the South Carolina, and also announced that Bro. J. A. Coakley accepted a seat in the East and then suitably replied. On March 18th, 1920, Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale moved that it be placed on record that the Lodge had been favoured by a visit of a distinguished Brother in the person of Wor. Bro. F. C. Mordaunt, Past Grand Standard Bearer, England. After having received the usual honours, Wor. Bro. Mordaunt in reply expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be present and spoke of the coincidence that he had for some time lived close to Colonel Moore-Keys after whom the Lodge had been named. It was with regret the Brethren received the news that some few weeks earlier, Wor. Bro. Col. Moore-Keys had passed away, leaving two daughters, to whom expressions of sympathy were sent. To the memory of Bro. Col. Moore-Keys, the Last Solemn Tribute of respect was paid in due form. Early in 1921, another exodus of Lodge Members for the U.K. took place and many of the Members of imperial Service also departed. Wor. Bro. H. Elliott of that Lodge, in reply to a vote of welcome and a sad goodbye, said that all of the eleven Brethren of his Lodge who were present as well as those absent, hoped that the bond of friendship and brotherhood existing between the two Lodges would be further strengthened and cemented. In September 1921, Wor. Bro. W. J. Robinson had been elected to serve another term as Master, having passed through a profitable year for the Lodge. According to the Minutes of that Installation Meeting, Wor. Bro. Robinson was not Installed a second time. The Ceremony began with the Investiture of his Officers. The Address to the Worshipful Master, was also omitted. The presence of Wor. Bro. Sale, District Grand Secretary and incidentally Wor. Bro. P. L. Abraham, our present District Grand Master, is a sure indication that the Constitutions had been observed. Greetings extended to the newly Installed Master included many from Brethren in Australia, India, East and West Africa and also from Wor. Bro. Harding Wood. An association between an ordinary Lodge and one of its Members for
a period of thirty years cannot be considered a long time, but for Moore-Keys
it is something of a record. Our first Junior Warden, Bro. Harding Wood,
was of great assistance to Bro. Gornell in the founding and early years,
and also on his return to the Lodge after a posting.
It was with much regret therefore that the news of his demise was received from the Provincial Grand Secretary, North Wales, soon after the Installation Meeting 1921. It is not surprising that only two members present were able to claim having been acquainted with the Brother, but they both spoke in glowing terms of his Masonic qualities. Unfortunately he died in distressed circumstances, and it is with gratitude that the Royal Lodge, 207 E.C. and the Imperial Service Lodge made generous donations to the ‘listsEopened for the benefit of his widow. The invitation received from the St. Thomas Lodge, No. 4338, E.C. to attend the Foundation Ceremony on Tuesday, December 20th, 1921, was well attended by the Members of the Lodge. A note reads that Bro. G. H. Hall had volunteered to transport brethren of the Lodge at a nominal charge for gasoline. Soon after the January 1922 communication of District Grand Lodge, the Lodge received an invitation to participate in making a suitable presentation to Wor. Bro. Sale, on the occasion of his completing twenty one years as District Grand Secretary. Needless to say, the members were pleased to be associated with such a worthy gesture. Included in District Grand Lodge Honours in 1922, were Wor. Bros. G. W. Cooper and A. T. Rowland, being appointed District Grand Junior Warden and District Grand Standard Bearer respectively. Around this time need was felt for Instruction, and upon Wor. Bro. W. J. Robinson informing the Brethren that once there existed a Lodge of Instruction under the Banner of Moore-Keys, the Brethren were very keen to resuscitate it and satisfy the need. It was pointed out, however, that owing to the expense of rental, etc., and the lack of support from the other Brethren in the District, it was not practical to renew activities in that direction. Wor. Bro. Sale, District Grand Secretary, was approached to enquire into the possibility of a reduction in rent for the Moore-Keys Lodge of Instruction, and also to stimulate interest as only he could. During 1923, the Lodge received invitations to attend the South Carolina Lodge, and at one meeting they attended the Last Solemn Tribute was paid to the memory of Bro. H. Fraser of that Lodge, and at a later Meeting of the Moore-Keys Lodge, the Worshipful Master announced that there were proof photographs of the funeral on the Secretary’s Table for Inspection by the Brethren. This announcement was made by Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, P.G. Std. Bearer, D.G.S., who was presiding and who further stated that he had been Installed into the Chair of the Lodge twenty one years ago and he hoped he would be present on many future occasions. One Brother had written to the Lodge stating that he was different about visiting Lodges in the U.K. The Presiding Master requested that the Brother be informed that he need not be afraid of visiting Lodges, for he was trained in the Moore-Keys Lodge, No. 2519, E.C. and was fully qualified to prove his worth. In 1923, to commemorate the Investiture of H.R.H. Prince of Wales, (now the Duke of Windsor), as Grand Senior Warden, Past District Grand Rank of Senior Warden was conferred on Wor. Bro. J. W. Sheridan, one of the oldest Past Masters of the Lodge. This honour, for the Lodge, as well as Bro. Sheridan, was well received, particularly by Service Brethren under the three Constitutions. It was with much regret that we said farewell to Wor. Bro. W. J. Robinson, who was leaving for the Bahamas, and at a meeting of the South Carolina, on 13th June, 1923, Wor. Bro. Sale on behalf of Moore-Keys, presented him with a Past Master’s Jewel. With the passing of the District Grand Master, Sir John Pringle, M.D., K.C.M.G., it was necessary for a successor to be appointed. It is recorded with pleasure that Moore-Keys Lodge, undoubtedly in common with every other Lodge in the District, nominated Wor. Bro. Hon. H. I. C. Brown, B.A., K.C., the then Deputy. The nomination took place on the 23rd June, 1923, and we are grateful to the Great Architect for allowing this District to be placed in such worthy hands. R. W. Bro. Henry Isaac Close Brown, B.A., K.C., was Installed as D.G.M early in 1924, and we of this Lodge are particularly grateful for the advice and guidance received over the last thirty odd years, and of the interest still evinced by this Worthy Brother. On July 8th, 1924, Wor. Bro. J. W. Cleary passed to the Grand Lodge Above. He had laboured unceasingly for the Lodge and the District in General. Reference to his work is recorded in the Immediate Past Master’s report as follows, “In compiling this report I have left until last the most tragic feature of the whole year, I refer to our great loss, by the most untimely death, of our beloved Brother. Wor. Bro. J. W. Cleary. His loss is still sorely felt by us all an don this occasion of Installation when he would have been one of our leading Lights, let us all in the privacy of our own hearts, pray that the Creator has found him a place in the Grand Lodge Above.E Before the close of 1924, another one of the older Members of the Lodge had passed away in the person of Wor. Bro. W. J. Turner. Bro. Turner had done much to bring about the close association that had existed between Imperial Service Lodge and the Lodge of his adoption. Although Bro. Turner was never Installed in the Chair of the Moore-Keys Lodge, he had rendered great service in many other offices. He was the first Master of the Imperial Service Lodge in the year 1904, and from that time had never failed in his duties to either of his Lodges, or to the Constitutions claiming his allegiance. We are all appreciative of the Organ music that is rendered at our Meetings; it cannot be denied, however, that the sounds emanating from the Popular World in close proximity to the Temple is a nuisance, but the din is by no means peculiar to this Modern Age as it was recoded thirty years ago ‘in the good old daysE that the District Grand Lodge should be informed of the “Jazz-BandEin the adjacent building and enquire if similar interruptions to Masonic Work cannot be stoppedE Although the Lodge, being a Service one, has many disappointments in respect to Brethren being posted, there is the element of surprise and pleasure when the “TrooperEreturns with a Brother who has served in the Master’s Chair. In 1925, Wor. Bro. A. T. Rowland graced the Lodge with his presence in such a manner, and in a short space of time was Presiding as the Worshipful Master, Bro. Lamacraft was at Greenwich under medical orders. The death of Wor. Bro. Noble one of the Founders of South Carolina Lodge, No 390, I.C., took place in March 1925, and it was with regret that this fact was made known by the Presiding Master, who announced at that time also the death of Wor. Bro. F. C. Cross, who had been Master of Moore-Keys Lodge at the Declaration of War. For the information of the Brethren generally who are interested in the R.M.I.G., the daughters of the late Bro. Cross received their education for that Institution and the Worshipful Master at the time exhorted the Members to renew their donations to that cause, as it is indeed a Masonic Duty to support the Great Masonic Charities at all times, not forgetting of course the Jamaica Masonic Benevolence Association. The report of the Secretary in 1925, Bro. G. W. Steele (who had joined the Lodge in the middle of 1924), was received and incorporated in the Minutes, with the injunction from the Worshipful Master that copies of the same be sent to Overseas Brethren. That idea is well worthy of being adopted today; the Immediate Past Master’s report could easily be published on the back page of our summons, for information to the Brethren abroad. The Lodge had in 1925 a membership of 53, twenty two of that number being away from the Island. As the average attendance in the District during the year had been twenty two, we can realize the unfailing interest displayed by the Brethren, many visitors attended our Lodge during that period. At the end of 1925, Wor. Bro. Sale received a Past Master’s Jewel in recognition of his service to the Lodge and the high esteem in which he was held. Also at this period the Lodge heard of the death of Wor. Bro. W. H. Robinson, who left the Island for the Bahamas three years previously, and with his death the Lodge lost a further link with the past, particularly the dark days of 1914-18. The Leather Case which our several Secretaries over the years have carried ‘with dignityE was presented to the Lodge by Bro. T. Redfearn. Acting Secretary, 1925/26, “to lighten the duties of the Secretary in carrying the books of the LodgeE Members who are aware of the carrying capacity of this Leather Case, especially past Secretaries, will no doubt think more kindly of this Lodge Property, now it is made clear for what purpose it was presented. Further to our property, it is noted that reference was made to the many Banners that were being stored in the Lodge Press. It is stated that the silk of the Banner of the Moore-Keys Lodge had been torn several places and this was considered due to overcrowding; it was therefore decided “keeping in mind the possibility of causing unfraternal feeling through such a request, to ask the Sister Lodges to find other accommodation for their Banners.E Mention must be made that during this period, certain discrepancies appeared in the Lodge funds, though these were eventually rectified. This brings to the attention of all of us the importance of the Audit Committee, and their duties to Masonry in general and their Lodge in particular. Earlier in this History it was stated that the South Carolina Lodge, No. 390 I.C., was leaving Jamaica, as the “tour of dutyEof the West Indies Regiment, to which it was attached, has expired. No mention is made in the Minutes of this Lodge of the return of the W.I.R., to this Island, but we have learnt that South Carolina Lodge was again installed here. In December 1926, the W. M. Bro. J. Thompson addresses the Lodge on the anticipated departure in the near future of the majority of the Military Members of the South Carolina Lodge; wished all such members a “Bon VoyageE and expressed his desire that Members of the Moore-Keys Lodge would endeavour to give all their support to the South Carolina Lodge. This announcement was made just prior to the disbandment of the B.W.I. Regiment. The Charter of the South Carolina, No. 390, I.C., was returned to its Grand Lodge, and thus ended a long and happy association of ‘Brothers in ArmsE South Carolina Lodge was, however, resuscitated in Jamaica during 1928, as a civilian Lodge. In July 1928, the Lodge received a request from Grand Lodge to Pass and Raise a Member of the Neptune Lodge, No. 190. I.C. This Candidate for the second Degree was Passed, but owing to the difference in the ritual (he had not received the Charity Charge) the Charity Charge was given to him in his Degree. It is observed that such a procedure could not have served the purpose for which it is intended. Wor. Bro. Thompson in presenting his report as Immediate Past Master on the working of the Lodge, including this statement: “I found some difficulty in forming an administration owing to many Brethren being then on the eve of their departure for the U.K. I adopted the policy of placing these Brethren in Office who were likely to remain with us for at least one year. Worshipful Master, when I appointed you as Senior Warden, I had to provide against the possibility of your not being present to accept the Mastership this year. To remedy this I had to select a Brother from amongst our recently joined Brethren who, was likely to remain with us for at least two years, and place him in the position of Junior Warden; this I did on the advice of the Past MastersE The problem that confronted Bro. Thompson, is one that invariably has to be dealt with by every Master-Elect of our Lodge. The advice received and the policy adopted by him was undoubtedly sound, and the like of which that has governed the selection of Officers during recent years. The visit of T.R.H. the Duke and Duchess of York to the Island in January, 1927, occasioned a Public holiday, this fell on the Third Thursday and therefore the Lodge did not meet. The second Secretary’s Jewel to be presented in the Lodge, was given to Bro. Thomas Redfern, who as holder of the office for two years, had laboured unceasingly for the welfare of the Lodge, and so highly did Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, District Grand Secretary, consider his worth, that in the presence of the District Grand Lodge, he allowed his own Jewel to be used in the presentation as the one ordered had not arrived in the Island. At the August Meeting in 1923, when Wor. Bro. C. W. F. Wickers was elected Master for the second time, he expressed the desire after the result of the Ballot had been declared, to withdraw. This quite naturally caused certain amount of consternation and after discussion it was left to the Worshipful Master to apply to the District Grand Secretary for advice. It is obvious that there was complete harmony in the Lodge, as it would appear that Bro. Wickers was not aware of the high esteem in which he was held by the Members and, when he found that he had been elected to the high office again, he was surprised, and felt that he would prefer a younger Brother to go forward. The result of the discussion with the District Grand Lodge, having referred to the Constitutions, “To avoid Installation it is necessary to comply with them,Ewas the decision that it was necessary for him (Bro. Wickers) to follow up his simple statement by addressing a letter to the Worshipful Master and giving him the authority to have elected another Brother, and for the non-confirmation if the Minutes in respect of the election. This Bro. Wickers decided not to do. During the year 1928/29, Bro. WickersEsecond term, the Lodge Banner was carried to England to be repaired; the Gauntlets of the principal Officers were renovated at the personal expense of those Brethren and the Lodge Property generally was put in first class condition. No fewer than fifteen Brethren left the Lodge during that time; only to Initiations took place and three Brethren joined. Wor. Bro. Dr. A. Barry, who featured as a guest at the very first meeting of he Lodge, now an Honorary Member, was still a stalwart supporter, extending an helping hand when necessary. It is surprising the number of Members who were ignorant of the Constitutions. Innumerable Brethren applied to the Lodge for a Certificate of Clearance, only to be informed that they had been excluded for non-payment of dues several years before. The Constitutions are quite clear on that matter and it behoves each Member to be acquainted with them. Exclusion is automatic after three years non-payment of dues. In this respect, the Lodge received an appeal from a widow, whose late husband had been excluded from the Lodge as long as 1914. She was clearly not entitled to relief, but in true Masonic Spirit she was not refused. “Deprived of a tower of strengthE such are the words recorded with regard to the demise of Wor. Bro. A. T. Rowland, who had served the Lodge faithfully and well for almost twenty years. In June, 1930, the Lodge sent to Bro. Rowland a letter expressing regret at his indisposition and hoping that his health would be improved by his forthcoming holiday in England. Less than two months had passed when “The Great OverseerEcalled him to His Home and Masonry in Jamaica and Moore-Keys Lodge had been “Deprived of a tower of Strength.Eamp;nbsp; The Lodge for the first time in its history went into mourning for one of its Members the period being two months. With the Loss of Bro. Rowland, an active Past Master, the strength of the “Old BrigadeE was reduced to one, in the person of Wor. Bro. Sale. He at the age of seventy five could not be expected to “bear the heat of the dayE it was therefore from this time onwards that the support received from the brethren in the District was intensified, for which the Lodge should be ever grateful. Wor. Bro. P. W. Beckwith, who had been Installed in the Chair in 1929/30, sent a letter in March, 1932, to the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Lodge, soliciting their support in the formation of a Lodge to be called the “Northumberland FusiliersE to be attached to the Regiment so named which was at that time stationed in the Island. That Regiment had previously had a Lodge with a Travelling Warrant, but the application to grand Lodge for its resuscitation was in this instance refused, as Grand Lodge had discontinued issuing Warrants of that nature. To the Royal Mason Institution for Boys, the Lodge is indebted. In 1923, an appeal was submitted to that noble Institution and within a short time, the widow on whose behalf the Petition was made could rest assured that her boy, age seven years, would be cared for and educated until he was old enough to fend for himself and even then he would be able to rely on obtaining advice and even further assistance, if necessary. It is incumbent on all Masons to support their Brother’s child, but the Moore-Keys Lodge have an especial obligation to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys. It is not known just how long it is since the “Ritual of remembering ABSENT BRETHREN at 10 o’clock on the Third Thursday was instituted. Just twenty years ago mention is made of this effect on the Lodge Summons:- “the Toast to Absent Brethren will be honoured at 10 o’clock.Eamp;nbsp; There is no reason to believe that in 1933 it was begun, although the Lodge had ample reason to realize that her strength was in absent Brethren, as in August of that year, the number of active Members in Jamaica was eight, and at the Meeting in the same month, seven of them voted Bro. I. R. Boyte, Senior Warden, into the Chair in the East. After Installation, he and also his Wardens, Immediate Past Master, Senior and Junior Deacons and Inner Guard, left Jamaica before the February Meeting the following year and the Lodge for the remainder of that Administration, was presided over by Wor. Bro. Beckwith, ably assisted by visiting Brethren. Of the latter, mention must be made of W. Bro. O. D. Smedmore, P.M., St. John’s Lodge, No. 623, S.C., who acted as Junior Warden at six consecutive meetings, and the late W. Bro. John Crook, P.M., Kingston Lodge, No. 1933, E.C., who presided in the absence of Bro. Beckwith. Both these Brethren were made Honorary Members the following year. During the year, 1934, the District Grand Master, Right Wor. Bro. Sir H. I. C. Brown, decided against the will of the Brethren to hand over the reins of office to his worthy Deputy, Wor. Bro. W.M. Fraser. It might here be recoded that Bro. Sir Henry Brown had considered relinguishing office early in 1928, but owing to pressure by the entire Masonic Fraternity in Jamaica, he agreed to carry on. Now his retirement after so many years of untiring service to the Craft, although regretted by the Brethren, was considered to be a rest well and truly earned. The Installation of Wor. Bro. W. M. Fraser as District Grand Master, who had recently been honoured by H.M. King George the Fifth with membership in the Imperial Service Order, was well attended by the Members of the Lodge. In 1934, Wor. Bro. Beck was for the second time Installed as Worshipful Master, this time by a visitor, Wor. Bro. O. B. Brown, Past Master of Royal Lodge, No. 207, E.C.; it was during this year that the death occurred of the Pro. Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro. Right Hon. Lord Ampthill. The Lodge observed six months mourning, and this was continued for a further three months upon the demise of H.M. King George V. His late Majesty, though not a member of the Craft, had taken much interest in our Charitable Institutions of which he was a Patron. Bro. A. J. Green was Installed as Master in the following year, 1935. This year was undoubtedly a sad one for Moore-Keys Lodge, for the death of Wor. Bro. Dr. A. Harry, Past Master, Collegium Fabrorum, No. 1836, E.C., was announced. This Brother had contributed much to the growth and strength of 2519 from its inception. It is hoped, by his regular attendance until the closing hours of his existence, he realized that the Lodge always appreciated his presence. The next sad blow that the Lodge sustained was the resignation of Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale. The manner in which this Brother had devoted so much of his time and energy, the way his whole life was given to Masonry in general and the Moore-Keys Lodge in particular, it is hoped, are proved by all that has been recorded herein, and demonstrate the beneficial effects of having Wor. Bro. Sale as the guiding factor for nearly forty years. Although it is observed that Wor. Bro. Sale discontinued attending the Lodge, it can safely be assumed that the Third Thursday was still a day on which he had the Moore-Keys Lodge in his thoughts. The position of District Grand Secretary which he held for so long, and the Masonic knowledge gained over the years, in no small measure contributed to the success of the Moore-Keys Lodge, the Lodge of his adoption, his Mother Lodge being Royal No. 207, E.C. It is also plain that through his untiring efforts, much assistance was received from the Sister Lodges and we know that he left no stone unturned in informing District Grand Lodge of the many vicissitudes that beset the Lodge, always stressing the need of a nucleus of Past Masters as a basis of solidarity in any Lodge. The report of the Immediate Past Master, Wor. Bro. A. T. Green, read at the third Installation of Wor. Bro. Beckwith in 1936, records the strength of the Lodge at thirty four Members, of which eighteen Members were in the Island; and of that figure five were due to leave in the near future. It therefore must be observed that an effort had been made to select an administration that would be of service to the Lodge for the entire year, but with an active membership of less than twelve members, to be able to achieve that happy state was an exceedingly difficult task. By this time three more ardent supporters had been made Hon. Members, namely Wor. Bros. C. C. Calame, David Veitch and A. E. Burke. Their presence was more than ever needed and it is quite possible that the Hon. Members of the Lodge were being worked harder by Moore-Keys Lodge than by their own Lodges. When Bro. N. Sinclair was Installed in 1937, Bro. Beckwith, I.P.M., took over the Office of Secretary, which position he again held the following year, when Wor. Bro. Sinclair served a second term as Worshipful Master. Bro. Sinclair, however, did not preside after January 1930 as he left the Island. Bro. Beckwith, the only Past Master, was forced to take the Chair until the following September, and the Lodge had by this time been reduced to a very low ebb. The working on the Lodge during 1938/39, contained in the report by Bro. Beckwith, who by this time had received the rank of District Grand Director of Ceremonies, must have given much cause for concern to all present at its reading; not only had membership been further reduced, but visitors were less interested, and finances of the Lodge were extremely low, due to a lack of suitable candidates. During the year there had been only one Installation. At the Meetings, which were regular, rehearsals of the three Degrees had been held. While the Lodge has no “Roll of HonourEfor the Brethren who gave their lives in the service of their country during years of peace, it is recorded with regret that Bro. John Currie, was “Killed in Action in PalestineE on the 18th August, 1938, whilst serving with the Manchester Regiment. It must have been the fervent hope at the time of Bro. Beckwith’s fourth term in the Chair that 1939/40 would prove a brighter year. It must have been most disheartening for him, not only in the quest of finding an administration, but also in not being able to break the deadlock which still confronted the Lodge, as during 1940, at more than one meeting he was acting in the dual capacity of Master and Secretary, and to show further the plight of the Lodge, it is recorded at one meeting that Bro. Beckwith was Master, Secretary and Treasurer. This state of affairs could not possibly have been good for the Moore-Keys Lodge, and it is not quite understood why an efforts was not made to increase the Membership of the Lodge from amongst those Honorary Members who in previous years proved their interest. In September 1940, Wor. Bro. Beckwith Installed his successor, Bro. P. A. Paxton who had joined the Lodge some two years earlier, but he unfortunately was posted, and the Lodge again had Bro. Beckwith as its Master and also as its Secretary, and events of that year followed a similar pattern to the preceding years. By 1941, the World generally had been under the shadow of War for two years, and during that time this Island of Jamaica received in greater number Service personnel. With this influx of Masonic Brethren, Moore-Keys was imbued with new life for amongst these Members of the Craft, were experienced Brethren, and although it was some time before they attached themselves to the Lodge, their presence was indeed an impetus to the low state of affairs that existed, and Wor. Bro. Beckwith must have felt that the struggle of almost ten years duration was over. It is pleasing to not moreover that during this year he was honoured by the District Grand Master with the Office of District Grand Junior Warden. Bro. F. W. Evans, who had served as Junior Warden during the previous year, was Installed as Master of the Lodge in September, 1941. Members of both English and Scottish Grand Lodges were represented and also the Irish Lodge, South Carolina, No. 390, whose Members in the earlier days had been of great assistance to our Lodge. Bro. Evans had been fortunate in being able to see the majority of his administration serve the full term of their office; he Initiated five candidates and there were also three joining Members during that year. Another matter of note was that Worshipful Bro. Canon A. N. Thompson, District Grand Chaplain and a Past Master of the St. Thomas Lodge accepted Honorary Membership. This Wor. Bro. Greatly helped us in our crucial period. With the advent of 1942, Masonry suffered the loss of the Most Worshipful Bro. H. R. H. The Duke of Connaught, Past Grand Master, and the Lodge observed a period of six months mourning which expired on the 15th July. The out of mourning period extended just over one month, as on August 20th, H. R. H. The Duke of Kent who had been Installed as Grand Master just before the outbreak of war in 1939, was killed on Active service. The first Member of the Moore-Keys Lodge to pay the supreme sacrifice in the second World War was Bro. John L. Patilla, who at the time of his Initiation was a Sgt. in the Sherwood Forresters. It must have been encouraging to the Lodge to have been the recipient of a letter from the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, giving a summary of progress of one of its charges, the son of a Member, referred to earlier. An edict from the District Grand Lodge (owing to the circumstances of war) stated that regular meetings may be held in the afternoon, and also that the mode of dress may be optional. In one or two cases the Lodge met at 4:30 p.m. but in general the hour was 7:00 p.m. Wor. Bro. Beckwith, who was once again Secretary of the Lodge, announced with regret that because of flood rain, the Lodge Books had suffered damage, and suggested that they be rebound. There is still today much evidence of saturation. As a reward for merit and ability during his year of office, the District Grand Master conferred on Wor. Bro. F. W. Evans the rank of District Grand Steward. It is pleasing to observe the August assembly did not allow his efforts to go unrewarded. For some time several Members of the Craft from the U. S. A., stationed at Fort Simmonds, had been regular visitors to the Lodge and the District Grand Lodge kindly arranged with the Masonic authorities at the Fort to have notices of meetings displayed for the convenience of the Brethren there. Another interesting matter, in 1943, was the Passing and Raising of a Brother at the request of the Grand Lodge of Texas, by Wor. Bro. C. Cull. The Lodge, having seemingly left behind the years of inactivity and lack of funds, started 1943/44 with every reason to believe that not only would the old days be restored, but that a higher standard may be reached, but that was not to be. The constant ‘exigencies of the service decided otherwise, and by January 1944, the Worshipful Master Bro. A. E. Mcleay and Bro. H. S. Dawson, Senior Warden, were the only members of the administration with Wor. Bro. Beckwith as Secretary left to carry on. Wor. Bro. Secretary saw fit to resign his office in February and as the Worshipful Master had been posted, Bro. H. S. Dawson found himself in the position of Senior Warden in Charge and Wor. Bro. Beckwith presiding. Tribute must be paid to the Acting D.G. Secretary, Wor. Bro. P. L. Abraham, for the keen interest he evinced, and for his kindly and beneficial advice to the young members who were remaining and in particular to Bro. Dawson. Evidence of its worth is contained in the yearly report, which was read at the Installation of Bro. H. S. Dawson in September, 1944. To mark the appreciation of the Lodge Wor. Bro. P. L. Abraham, was at that meeting made an Honorary Member. It had been planned some time previously to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary but owing to the paucity of Members in Jamaica and the low state of the Lodge funds, the celebration was confined to the purchasing of Lodge Regalia by subscription from the Members. It is noted with pleasure that many Greetings were received on this occasion from Brethren over land and sea. A pleasant ceremony took place during this year, the District Grand Master, through Bro. Dawson the Worshipful Master, presented a silver tray suitably inscribed to Wor. Bro. W. P. Beckwith, P.D.G.W., for services rendered to the Lodge over a period of years. During this year it is interesting to note that at Bro. Dawson’s Installation, there were many visiting Members in the Lodge from the Regiment stationed for Garrison duty in the Island, The Brockville Rifles of Canada. Throughout the life of the Moore-Keys Lodges the various regiments have their names in the Minute Books of their period. The By-Laws of the Lodge, which had received so much attention during the past years in the way of amendments, were returned from District Grand Lodge accompanied by a copy of Model By-Laws. The Worshipful Master Bro. Dawson within three months of his Installation had drawn up and submitted By-Laws, except for small amendments are in use by the Lodge today. To stimulate interest in the younger Brethren, Members were instructed to study and deliver the Charges and give the W.Ts, etc., and to further consolidate the position of interest and duty to the Lodge. Wor. Bro. O. G. McNair, Past Master, South Carolina Lodge, and Wor. Bro. P. L. Wood, Past Master, St. Thomas Lodge, both of whom had had the distinction of being Honorary Members, were proposed by Bro. Dawson and accepted as Members of the Lodge. Reminiscent of the records of the Minutes during 1914-18, are the Greetings extended by the overseas visitors at this period. One Brother it was noted gave Greetings from the Scots Lodge No 825 S.C. India, but unlike the earlier period mentioned, the Minutes during 1939-45 records but one Member who fell in the defence of his country. The Lodge did not receive, until long after V.J. Day, the names of the Brethren killed in active service and in company with the fallen Brethren from the Sister Lodges in the District their names are registered on a Tablet placed next to the Memorial of the Fallen of the First Great War, in the Temple at Hanover Street, these Brethren we shall remember, 1939 E45 A. T. Green Major R.A.O.C.
The War clouds having rolled on and Victory accomplished, a suitable resolution was passed, the Brethren standing as a mark of Remembrance. The Lodge settled down quickly to the times of Peace, re-electing Wor. Bro. Dawson to the Chair. The Installing Master, Bro. G. T. Andrew, a Past Master of No. 5695, E.C. had joined the Lodge some few months earlier and it is of no doubt that he was of great assistance to the Lodge in general and Bro. Dawson in particular. Seven Past Masters had joined the Lodge and the finances were in a much healthier condition, and once again the Lodge was able to renew its contributions to the Jamaica Masonic Benevolent Association. At this time The District Grand Lodge and also Moore-Keys Lodge mourned for a period of three months the loss of that worthy Brother, Wor. Bro. F. G. Sale, about whom so much has been written, and to whom so much is owed, on his passing to the Grand Lodge above. Wor. Bro. Dawson’s second year in the Chair was as successful as his first, strengthening the Lodge in every way, and for his untiring services the Lodge presented him with a Past Master’s Collar and Jewel. With the Installation of his successor Wor. Bro. C. E. Corney, who presided only a few months, Wor. Bro. P. L. Wood, started his second year as Secretary, at the end of which time Bro. Jack Mortlock was installed in the Chair. It was during the year 1947, (June), that Masonry in General mourned the death of the Right Hon. Earl of Harewood, Grand Master. At the meeting in the following month, the District Grand Lodge again attended. It being the Installation of Bro. W. C. Rowland. At this ceremony, there was the largest recorded assembly of Brethren in the Moore-Keys Lodge. Bro. Rowland, familiarly known as “CharlesE was a Mason of wide experience, a constant visitor to all Lodges, and when the time arrived for his departure from Jamaica, the District Grand Lodge again paid tribute to a Member of the Lodge by attending in force at his last meeting. By this time, R. W. Bro. W.M. Fraser had handed over the reins of Office to his worthy Deputy, Wor. Bro. P. L. Abraham, and the Lodge at the time took the opportunity of expressing its pleasure at his preferment, it being his first visit as District Grand Master, having been installed some twenty days earlier. With the departure of Wor. Bro. Rowland, Wor. Bro. P. L. Wood presided and in the due time Installed Bro. J. A. Jones as Master, and soon after that ceremony the Lodge entertained many Brethren from aboard H.M.S. Glasgow, who kindly presented a photograph of that vessel, signed by all the Masonic Brethren aboard her. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, who had been Installed as Grand Master three years earlier, passed to the Grand Lodge Above, in November, 1950, and Masonry again mourned the loss of its Leader. Unable to set aside an evening in the year for the Past Masters of the Lodge, their numbers being insufficient, in April 1951 Past Masters of the other English Lodges in the District were invited to occupy the several Chairs under the Mastership of Bro. Percy Wood, the venture proved most instructive and enjoyable. The night of August 16th/17th, 1951, was to be a memorable one, not only for the Moore-Keys Lodge, but for the whole of Jamaica. The Master, Bro. George Finson, on behalf of the Lodge, welcomed Wor. Bro. Brigadier A. C. F. Jackson to Jamaica and a visitor to the Moore-Keys Lodge. All were unaware at that time that the hurricane which was heading towards Jamaica would, within a few hours strike with great force, damaging property throughout the Island and also most of the Masonic Temples. Wor. Bro. Jackson, who had arrived some few weeks earlier to assume duties as Commander, Caribbean Area, soon proved his capabilities as a soldier by organizing relief for the sufferers of the storm, and also by his wholehearted interest in the Craft, he endeared himself to the entire Masonic Fraternity in Jamaica. He was soon elected an Honorary Member of the Lodge. Under the direction of its Master, Wor. Bro. R. E. James, the Lodge adopted the mode of dress as is the practice of the Lodges in England E that of wearing white gloves, a pair which was presented to the District Grand Master, which he honoured us by accepting and wearing. Also in that year of 1952, the Moore-Keys Masonic Benevolent association was founded, and it has subscribed an amount just under $300. 0. 0. to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls between then and 1954. During the year 1953, Bro. V. B. Tofts, W. M. was able to enhance the Lodge Property by the addition of the Past Master’s Jewel with Bars, which had been presented to the late Wor. Bro. W. P. Beckwith, also, with the Apron and several interesting documents of the late Wor. Bro. J. Thompson, among which was a copy of the By-Laws of the Moore-Keys Lodge of Instruction dated 1906. In 1953, the Moore-Keys Lodge learnt of the Initiation of H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh into the Craft. Early in his year as Master of the Lodge, Bro. A. J. Newman, had the honour of recording the visit to Jamaica of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and her Consort Bro. H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh. The Majority of the members of the Lodge, in their official capacity were able to pay homage to the royal Visitors. With the Craft in general the Lodge rejoiced, and it is fitting that there should be recorded the reply our District Grand Master received from Her Majesty in acknowledgement of the address presented to her by the Fraternity in Jamaica:- “I am commended by the Queen to ask you to convey to all members of the Fraternity of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in Jamaica, under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England, Her Majesty’s sincere thanks for their message of good wishes to herself and to The Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty has also asked me to say how much she admired the finely made mahogany box, inlaid with satin wood, in which this message was containedE Having served his time in Jamaica, Wor. Bro. Brigadier A.C.F. Jackson, like so many members of the Lodge, received marching orders. At a previous District Grand Lodge Communication, in company with His Excellency the Governor, Sir Hugh Foot, P.M. Kingston Lodge, who kindly accepted Honorary Membership of the Moore-Keys Lodge, Wor. Bro. Jackson received Past District Grand Rank of Warden. It is here recorded that the interest displayed by Bro. Jackson, by his acceptance of Honorary Membership, by his wise counsel and guidance, Moore-Keys has greatly benefited. It was with much regret that Good-bye was said and in a small measure the Lodge expressed its gratitude by making a presentation to him. The Apron with which Wor. Bro. Jackson was Invested at his Installation is now part of the Lodge Property, and it will be used to invest all future Masters of the Lodge, by which means it is hoped will his sojourn here amongst us will be ever remembered. When Wor. Bro. E. M. Clarke resigned from the office of District Secretary, the Lodge recorded its gratitude to a Brother who had at all times given sound advice and untiring service to the Lodge and to the District. With the election in August, 1954, of the Master for the year, this record of the past SIXTY YEARS, draws to its close. It is well known to us that throughout the years the Lodge has been greatly dependent on “VisitorsEfor its continuance. Work that has been accomplished with their assistance includes 345 Initiations (197 Brethren joined the Lodge); it is therefore fitting that the honour of Mastership at this time should have been bestowed on one Brother who at the outset of his Masonic Career, became an ardent supporter and due time joined the Lodge. WOR. BRO. PERCIVAL L. WOOD, P.D.G.D. MASTER ELECT, is the First Civilian to be elected to the high office of Master of the Moore-Keys Lodge, No. 2519, E.C. The Brethren are quite sure that the Military Tradition are safe in his hands. OUR MOTTO SHALL FOR ALL TIME BE UNTIL THE
Such was the inscription made by Bro. Charles Henry Evan Gornell,
our Founder in 1893, during his many writings.
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Keys Lodge was warranted on May 26, 1894 and constituted on September 20
of that year as No. 2519, District No.11 under which it is still working.
The early history of the Lodge written by late W. Bro. George Finson states
that a Brother Charles Evan Gornell, Bandmaster of the 2nd Battalion, The
West India Regiment, stationed at Up Park Camp, Kingston was the prime
mover in the formation of what was to be a purely military lodge. At a
meeting on September 12, 1893, it was agreed to form such a lodge and rules
were drawn up. A further meeting was presided over by Surgeon Lieutenant
Colonel C.W. Moore Keys, who agreed to give his name to the Lodge and to
be its first Master. However, he was due to go on leave and so stood down
as Master. Gornell took his place. Subsequently, Senior Warden-elect also
stood down, apparently over some problem in the garrison, and, because
of the rumour of dissension, the District Grand Master at the time refused
a dispensation to meet in anticipation of a warrant.
The petitioners were: C.W. Moore Keys, J. Griffiths, C.E. Gornell, C.R. Morris, T. Clarke, W.H. Wood, T. Harrison, H. Jennings, V. Knowles, J. Hoyes, W. Avery, W.J. Campbell Talbott, C.L.F. Dawney, J.J. Cloke, W.T. Cross, R. Spencer, J. Martin, D.R. Thomas, H. James, E. Crane and J. Fitzpatrick. These brethren were members of several lodges of various constitutions working in Jamaica at that time. The first officers were to be: C.E. Gornell, W.M., Lieutenant Eli Crane, S.W., and Wallace Harding Wood, J.W. These were recommended by the Master and Wardens of the Collegium Fabrorum Lodge No. 1836 of which Gornell was J.W. at the time. The actual warrant contains the following names: Charles Henry Evan Gornell, John Griffths, Wallace Harding Wood, George Rowland Morris, Joseph J. Cloke, Thomas Harrison, Henry Jennings, Vincent Knowles, "and twelve others", the first three to Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, and the Lodge to meet on the third Wednesday in every month. A deputation to the District Grand Master, convinced him that there was no dissension in fact, but J. Griffiths, a P.M. who had been nominated as S.W. in place of Crane, who was posted, had to be replaced by R. Spencer. It was decide that the Lodge should be inaugurated on September 20, 1894, at Sussex Hall, Hanover Street, Kingston and meet there every third Thursday thereafter. The consecration date on the Lodge' Banner, which bears a similar device to that of Lodge Imperial Service, No. 978 S.C. is September 21, 1894, but this is undoubtedly incorrect. The warrant, too, was unclear as to the month of installation and the meeting day. Along with his good wishes, Col. Moore Keys left his sword for the use of the Lodge and it is still in the Lodge's possession. The first Tyler was J. Hoyes, a blood brother of the then Master of Collegium Fabrorun Lodge and his son, Laurie Hoyes, was an honorary member of Moore Keys and up to the time of his death attended the Lodge regularly. Because of the continual posting of military members, Lodge meetings were somewhat infrequent at times and at others were helped out by visitors. There is no record of meetings or returns between November 1897 and July 1900. W. Bro. F.G. Sale, Master in 1902/03, was District Grand Secretary for 40 years and his services to Moore Keys Lodge were invaluable. An illuminated address given to him by the Lodge was presented to the Grand Lodge Museum in 1976 by a Ms. Walker, possibly a relative. In 1906 the first Lodge of Instruction in Jamaica was opened under the Lodge's banner and lasted for some years, but presumably lapsed during World War I, while an attempt to revive it in 1922 failed. |
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Moore Keys Masonic Benevolent Association was inaugurated in 1952 by Bro.
A.J. Newman, G.F. Finson, V.G. Tofts, and J.A. Jones. Members of other
Lodges also became members. By-laws were adopted and officers elected.
The Association did an excellent job for the four English Masonic Institutions
until the departure of Bro. Jones to reside in Canada and the difficulty
in obtaining foreign exchange made it impossible to continue. The Lodge
itself has also been an outstanding contributor to local charitable and
building funds and to such other causes as have been made by the District
from time to time. The Lodge has within recent years adopted the St. Simon's
Basic School in Jones Town. Regular contributions are made to the School's
feeding programme as well as to improvements to the school buildings. There
is an annual Christmas party for the children and up to recently brethren
resident in the United Kingdom have made contributions both in cash and
school materials for the children.
During both World Wars, and more minor wars before, between and after, members of Moore Keys have given their lives in the line of duty while the Lodge has always suffered from postings. Nevertheless, the service requirement for membership was maintained until the 1970s. As a first step members of the Jamaica Constabulary were admitted as members in the late 1950s. After Independence in 1962, the British Regiment and all the service units withdrew from Jamaica. A number of persons from British High Commission, nearly all of whom were ex-servicemen, became initiates in the Lodge. THe constant investigations into Freemasonry in the U.K. have prevented many in recent times, from joining. The source of members with service background was therefore drastically reduced and it would have been impossible for the Lodge to remain viable. The Service qualification practice was further relaxed and we now have quite a large number of brethren from the legal profession as members. As approximately half of its members are resident overseas, attendance has been small except at Installation meetings. In November of each year the Lodge holds its Unique non-sectarian religious service for the fallen in the two great wars, tradition which is jealously guarded. The first non-service member to be Master of the Lodge was installed on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee in September 1954. He was Bro. Percival Wood whose son is now a member of the Hamilton Lodge. During the Diamond Jubilee year a Lodge with special connection with Moore Keys was invited as special guests at each meeting. During the mid 1970s the secretary of the Lodge, W. Bro. Finson wrote to Grand Lodge inquiring about the Centenary of the Lodge. The reply received, indicated that as the Lodge had not met between 1897 and 1900, the Centenary Warrant could not be granted until the year 2000. Some five years ago W. Bro. Green on one of his visits to the U.K. took this matter up with Grand Lodge and after some extensive research, it was discovered that the absence of records here was due to brethren on duty in the Boer war. In the circumstances Grand Lodge agreed that the Lodge should not be penalized on the account of the hostilities at the time. Approval was received in December 1996 for the granting of a Centenary Warrant dated 1894 and it is now planned to hold the centenary celebrations in September 1997, albeit three years late, when a new Banner will be dedicated. Compiled by W. Bro. Major General Rudolph G.E. Green, Kingston September 1997 |
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I have been asked to write something for the centenary celebrations on how the Association was formed and the history of what must be a unique organization within the Masonic field, an organization of which the Lodge can be justly proud. It all began in 1976/77 when, even though it was 20 years since leaving Jamaica, I still missed that special Moore Keys feeling. I wrote to Wor. Bro. George Finson suggesting that overseas members might try to get together from time to time for old times sake. However, it remained just a germ of an idea until Wor. Bro. Freddie Seal Coon, at the age of 72 retired, after 21 years in Jamaica, to Aylsham in Norfolk. He and I spoke, corresponded, met and decided upon the idea of an association. Prospective candidates among current and former members of the Lodge, honorary members, old friends and supporters of the Lodge were contacted and invited to join. The response was very encouraging. Rules were drafted and our first Newsletter was sent out to all who had joined. Out first meeting was held in a London Tavern, a stone’s throw from Grant Lodge, on 14th September, 1978 with 14 members and one visitor (the late Wor. Bro. Garnet Bowman visiting from Jamaica). Following the greeting, eating and drinking, the formalities were dealt with, and Freddie was elected Chairman and I was to be Secretary/Treasurer. Since then, two meetings a year have been held, usually at a lunchtime in or near Grant Lodge, always interesting and lively. Some members travel long distances and stay for two or three hours; others who work in London come during their lunch hour. Where possible, the meetings were on the same day as the Quatuor Coronati of which Freddie was W. M. at one time, W. M. Probably the most enjoyable part of our meetings for me was seeing old friends, also being able to put faces to names that I had known for many years but never met. In addition to our meetings, Freddie and, latterly, Wor. Bro. Charles Turner prepared a regular Newsletter ENo. 66 went out last December. In 1985 due to pressure of work I handed over the job of Secretary/Treasurer to Wor. Bro. Charles who has done a magnificent job of keeping us in order. Wor. Bro. Freddie continued as Chairman for many years until in 1994 he was made President of the Association and I became Chairman. Wor. Bro. Freddie at the age of 92 passed to the Grand Lodge above in February this year and his dear wife Thelma Joined him on 29th May. They will both be sadly missed by the Association, for without Freddie’s wonderful way with words and dedication to his correspondents and Newsletters we would never have got started and become the Association we are today. We have 44 members in the Association. They are spread all over U. K. and the world, from the Bahamas to Zambia, representing Masonry at all levels and degrees but with that constant connection of Moore Keys and Jamaica. At one stage our membership even included three Past Masters of Quatuor Coronati. The main objective of the Association has always been to keep the Lodge’s memory alive and connections abroad in touch to provide help to our members and the Lodge. The Association contributes to the Masonic charities and supports the Lodge sponsored school in Jamaica. In this way membersElinks with Jamaica and Moore Keys are being preserved. Wor. Bro. D. W. Boucher
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