Lodges & Councils and Cryptic Councils - An Appeal For Information

Annual Divine Service

The Vernal Equinox - Celebration

Advancing the Cause of Royal Arch Freemasonry in Trinidad and Tobago

Mission Statement by The Grand Superintendent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Trinidad and Tobago

 

  HOLDING UNDER THE SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND

 

ESTABLISHED OCTOBER 30TH, 1937

                                                                                 

The Temple, Mount Zion, 9 Herbert Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain

                                                                                                

 

 

 

M.E.C. AUDLEY L. T. WALKER

Hon. Grand Chancellor

    GRAND SUPERINTENDENT

 

    

 

 

 

 

PAST GRAND SUPERINTENDENTS

 

Dr. James A. Waterman*                     Hon. Dep. Grand Principal                    1937-1949

Dr. Norman H. Brewster*                    Hon. 2nd Grand Principal                       1949-1957

Lindsay E. Francis, Esq.*                     Hon. 2nd Grand Principal                       1957-1973

Justice Garvin M. Scott*                       Hon. 2nd Grand Principal                       1973-1978

Eric Fitzroy Austin, Esq.*                     Hon. 3rd Grand Principal                       1978-1983

Charles Nichol, Esq.*               Hon. 3rd Grand Principal                       1983-1983

Henry W. Lee Loy, Esq.*                     Hon. 3rd Grand Principal                       1988-1992

Yusuff Ghany, Esq.                               Hon. 3rd Grand Principal                       1992-1998

Claude L. Assing, Esq.                         Hon. 3rd Grand Principal                       1998-2003                                          

* Deceased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEETINGS OF CHAPTERS UNDER

DISTRICT GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

 

126  TRINIDAD KILWINNING R.A.C.

Mount Zion, 9 Herbert Street. St. Clair, Port of Spain

Meets at 7.30 p.m. 2nd Tue. Jan., 3rd Mon. Mar., June; Inst. Sept.

 

184  HARMONY R.A.C.

Mount Moriah, 46a Piccadilly Street, Port of Spain

Meets at 7.30 p.m. 2nd Mon. Feb., April, June, Aug., Sept., Oct. Inst. Oct.

 

314  THE KINGS R.A.C.

The Temple, 7 Alexandra Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain                     

Meets at 7.00 p.m, 4th Tues. Mar., May, July, Sept., Nov., Inst. March

 

610  UNITY R.A.C.

Mount Horeb, Hosein Street, Arima

Meets at 6.30 p.m. 3rd Sat. Jan. April, July, Oct., Inst. Oct.

 

694  PHOENIX R.A.C.

Mount Horeb, Ruth Avenue, Les Efforts West, San Femando

Meets at 8.00 p.m. 4th Fri. Feb, May, July, Nov., Inst. 2nd Sat. Sept.

 

853  TRINIDAD HARODIM R.A.C.

Mount Zion, 9 Herbert Street, St. Clair, Port of Spain

Meets at 7.00 p.m. 4th Fri. Jan., March, June, Sept.; Inst. March

 

874  MOUNT SINAI R.A.C.

The Temple, Signal Hill Road, Scarborough, Tobago

Meets at 7.00 p.m. 2nd Sat. Jan., April, 4th Sat. July, 1st Sat. Sept., Inst. April

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AN APPEAL TO LODGES & COUNCILS AND CRYPTIC COUNCILS

 

To: All Lodges and Councils, and Cryptic Councils

For the attention of : W.C.Ns. M.E.Cs. T.I.Ms. and Recorders

From: M.E.C. Hamilton St. George, 2nd Dep. Grand Superintendent

 

At the first meeting after his installation, the Grand Superintendent indicated, inter alia, that one of his missions during his term of office was to foster and encourage closer relations between the District Grand Royal Arch Chapter and the Lodges and Councils and Cryptic Councils attached to the Royal Arch Chapters under his control.

 

Responsibility to carry out this task was given to a committee comprising the District Grand Recorder, E.C. Bolah Lakhan, District Grand Chancellor, E.C. Lyle Donawa, and the 2nd Depute, M.E.C. Hamilton St. George, convener.

 

With this object in mind, the committee requests the following information from all Lodges and Councils, and Cryptic Councils:

 

1.       The dates and times of your Regular and Special meetings for the year 2003-2004

2.       Any extra-ordinary activities planned and the date and time they are scheduled to take place. This will include Degree work, lectures, etc.

3.       Copies of your last two Annual Recorders Reports.

 

We would also be extremely grateful if you include us on your mailing list. This will enable us to receive all future notices of meetings and other Masonic activities that are actually taking place and so remain up to date. Your immediate and urgent attention is solicited.

Fraternally yours,

Hamilton St. George

8 Huttonette Drive, St Anns Phone:624-3782 Fax: 627-5134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL DIVINE SERVICE 2004

 

Date: Friday 19th March 2004

Time: 6:30PM

Place: The Temple, 9 Herbert Street, St. Clair

 

The Service is open to all Royal Arch Masons and Master Masons.

 

Trinidad Kilwinning and Unity Royal Arch Chapters are responsible for arrangement of the Temple, the Banquet Hall and refreshment for 120 persons.

Organist will be Comp. Gregory David

Comp. Henry Ross will organize the choir

The lessons will be read as follows:

1st lesson – First principal of Trinidad Kilwinning RAC

2nd lesson – First principal of Mount Sinai RAC

3rd lesson – The Grand Superintendent

 

Contributions:

From each Companion - $75

Spouse or Guest - Free

From each Royal Arch Chapter - $150

From each Lodge and Council - $100

From each Cryptic Council - $100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VERNAL EQUINOX – CELEBRATION

 

Reproduction of a Paper by the late M.E.C. Alfred A. Morton, Hon. Grand Swd.Br.

 

 

Equinox is the time of the year, when the center of the Sun is directly over the equator.  The word equinox means equal night. The word equidies or equal day would have been just as fitting, because during an equinox, the days are the same length as the nights all over  the world. The sun crosses the equator twice a year, and so there are two equinoxes. The spring or vernal equinox occurs around March 12st as the sun moves north. The autumn or autumnal equinox occurs around September 25th as the sun moves south.

 

Primitive man was always realistic. He was ever close to nature and was guided principally by natural phenomena. He observed, that certain phenomena recur in the same order, for example, the falling of the snow, the changing of leaves and the ripening of fruit: and he gave names to these events. He also scanned the heavens, observed the stars and noted their .seasonal appearance.

 

Ancient sages, the first astronomers and the scientists of their time, observed that in the Northern Hemisphere this resurrectjon of life – the beginning of spring –occurred at or about or about the time of the Vernal Equinox, when the sun on its celestial journey enters the zodiacal sign of Aries. This then was considered to be the true beginning of the new year, the rebirth of nature. The event was celebrated with great festivity signifying the fertility of nature and revering the concept of immortality.

 

In the Ancient Mystery Schools this event had a more idealistic, hidden or esoteric and mystical significance. The apparent life and death of plant life seemed to parallel the transitory nature of man himself - man too was born, and died. But nature had one other phenomenon: it was reborn. Once again, in other words, plant life bloomed and was imbued with life. Was man also immortal? Would he, like plant life live again, and if so, where did he dwell in the interim? From such observations, not only did religion arise, but gradually philosophy, mysticism and science.

 

Subsequently throughout the centuries the Ancient Mystery Schools, Many of the Recognized Religious Bodies, and Societies and the Masonic Fraternity have accepted the traditional beginning of the new Year at the time of the Vernal Equinox, and all of them celebrate - on or about that time - the occasion in different ways. For example, whatever the explanation of the birth of Jesus the Christ on the 25th December, it is obvious that his nativity at the WINTER solstice and his resurrection at the Spring or Vernal Equinox follow a well established archetypal pattern which, considering the Christian Deity and the message brought to mankind could hardly have been placed elsewhere in
the seasonal or Astronomical Calendar.

 

In Trinidad, we Royal Arch Masons of the District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Trinidad & Tobago under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland celebrate the occasion with prayer and thanksgiving for the blessings bestowed on us as we re-dedicate our lives to the Great I Am and to the tenets of our Order: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, Justice with Faith and the Hope of no reward, whilst traversing the path of moral rectitude and ever practicing the greatest of them all, CHARITY TO ALL MANKIND and SERVICE TO THE LORD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVANCING THE CAUSE OF
ROYAL ARCH FREEMASONRY IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Summary Of Statement By Most Excellent Companion Audley L.T. Walker
Grand Superintendent

1. INTRODUCTION

At the earliest opportunity which presented itself, it was fitting that the newly-installed Grand Superintendent should seek to acquaint members of the District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Trinidad and Tobago, and Companions generally, of the policies and programmes which, in his view, would advance the cause of Royal Arch Freemasonry in Trinidad and Tobago. This was occasioned on Tuesday 15th April, 2003 at the first meeting of the DARAC at which he presided as Grand Superintendent, MEC Walker prefaced his remarks by thanking Companions of the various Chapters for recommending him for the position of Grand Superintendent. He expressed the hope that, at the end of his term of office, the confidence which had been reposed in him would not have been misplaced.

2. STATUS OF ROYAL ARCH FREEMASONRY IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The Grand Superintendent directed attention to the forthcoming 200th Anniversary next year, of R.A. Freemasonry in Trinidad. He said that it is clear that this Order of Freemasonry has been well established in Trinidad and Tobago and that for all intents and purposes, the standard has relatively high. He therefore saw his responsibility to "build on the base that we have." It was with this in mind that he has put forward the
following proposals for consideration. He would welcome feed-back from Companions.

 

3. WHY DO THE BRETHREN SEEK TO JOIN ROYAL ARCH
FREEMASONRY

In answer to the above, MEC Walker suggested the following:-

(i)    A quest for further Masonic knowledge
(ii)   Philosophical pursuits
(iii)   A need for fellowship
(iv)   Dispensation of Charity

 

4. MISSION STATEMEMT

He was of the view that in order to "energize" Companions, a Mission Statement ought to be prepared. He therefore announced the formation of a committee comprising the following to carry out this task-:

MEC Audley L.T. Walker (Grand Superintendent)
MEC Teasley Taitt (1st Depute Grand Superintendent)
MEC John Martin (District Grand 2nd Principal)
EC Damley Campbell (District Grand Scribe N)

5. MASONIC EDUCATION

The Grand Superintendent saw Masonic Education as being perhaps the greatest plank in the activities of the District over the next five (5) years. He expressed a dislike for the opening of rituals at meetings, except by those who ought to be doing so, eg. Directors of Ceremonies.

He saw the Education Committee as ensuring that Chapters, Lodges and Councils and Cryptic Councils work in accordance with established principles and with this in mind, the committee would assist Chapters and Councils by arranging to fill gaps in their presentations of the ritual.

Another task of the Education Committee was organizing the delivery of lectures etc.

6. DRAWING LODGES AND COUNCILS AND CRYPTIC COUNCILS
NEARERTO THE "CENTRE"

The Grand Superintendent announced the establishment of a Committee comprising the following persons, which would report on the activities of the councils, from time to time.

MEC Hamilton St. George (2nd Depute Grand Superintendent)
The District Grand Recorder
The District Grand Chancellor

Main duties of this Committee would be to act as liaison between these bodies and the District.

7. ANNUAL DIVINE SERVICE

The Grand Superintendent said that the format of the Service had remained un-changed for several years and that this may have contributed to a falling off in interest and attendance. In any event, the time had come for a review of the format. He therefore announced the following Committee to review the format and to report:-

MEC Yusuff Ghany (Past Grand Superintendent)
MEC John Martin (District Grand 2nd Principal
EC Damley Campbell (District Grand Scribe N)

7. CHARITABLE PURSUITS

MEC Walker envisaged a "project approach". He especially asked for feedback in this area.

9. TIME-SAVING METHODS AT MEETINGS

The Grand Superintendent felt that notwithstanding the additional costs which this would entail Minutes ought to be circulated among Companions, thereby obviating the need for them to be read at meetings of District Grand Committee and of the District Grand Chapter itself.

The time saved could thus be used for other purposes, e.g., Masonic Education.

10. THE TRIPLE ARCH AND "WALKING WITH THE SIGN"

The Grand Superintendent directed attention to the fact that the sign is a salute and therefore had no place in forming of the "Triple Arch". The matter of use of the sign when a Companion happens to be entering a Chapter late or on being given egress would be discussed at a later date.

11. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER ROYAL ARCH BODIES

The bodies identified were:-

i.  The Grand Chapter of the State of New York
ii. The Royal Prince of Wales Royal Arch Chapter, No. 867 EC.

With respect to the former, the Grand Superintendent said that this could be left safely in
the hands of MEC Claude L. Assing, Past Grand Superintendent who had been
developing this relationship successfully.

The Royal Prince of Wales Royal Arch Chapter was only of seven (7) years vintage and,
being the only Chapter under the Supreme Grand Chapter of England, there is a need to
become acquainted with its workings and to fashion a relationship between that Chapter
and Chapters under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland.

 

Compiled By Excellent Companion Errol O.C. Cupid
District Grand Scribe E

 

MISSION STATEMENT

By

M.E.C. Audley L.T. Walker, Grand Superintendent

 

The District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Trinidad and Tobago is responsible to the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland for the Governance and development of Scottish Royal Arch Masonry in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

The District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Trinidad and Tobago is committed to actively promote and provide the structure and environment to facilitate the practice and development of Royal Arch Masonry amongst its constituent bodies and members thereof.

WE WILL ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH:

 

Ensuring that all ritualistic and ceremonial work is executed with accuracy, precision and dramatic display consistent with the highest traditions of Scottish Royal Arch Masonry.

Fostering regular study, enquiry and research into the Ritual, traditions and teachings of Scottish Royal Arch Masonry.

Promoting the practice of Charity and Benevolence on a regular and sustainable basis to the Community.

Encouraging a deeper and more meaningful display and practice of fellowship and the basic Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth amongst Royal Arch Masons.