The Roman Room at Liverpool Masonic Hall Hope Street was the venue for the past masters of Temple Lodge No 1094 to show their skills in delivering a second degree ceremony. Having eagerly volunteered for specific roles and attended a rehearsal, they were keen to show what they had practised and knew, for their past master’s night.
The lodge was opened promptly at 6pm by the WM Andrew Williamson, and there then followed the sad requirement to have a period of memorial for the beloved Robert Fisher, who had on the previous month celebrated his 60th anniversary in Freemasonry, and indeed as a member of Temple Lodge.
The proceedings were overseen by the lodge director of ceremonies John Cherry. Andrew had great pleasure in handing the gavel and chair of King Solomon over to the lodge IPM Howard Youdan. Stan Merrill was placed in the senior warden chair and Steve Walls remained in the chair of the junior warden. The senior deacon handed the control of his wand to Ray Parr, with Stewart Hyde standing in for the absent junior deacon.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and accepted, with the lodge secretary having circulated them to the brethren previously to the meeting. The brother due for passing, Kyle Johnson was asked his questions leading to the second degree, which he answered implacably, with heartfelt conviction and with no prompting required from the junior deacon.
Kyle was then prepared outside of the lodge for his raising to a fellow craft Freemason and the lodge was opened in the second degree. The senior deacon and junior deacon escorted Kyle around the lodge, in his journey around the lodge, Kyle gave his solemn obligation, again with conviction, before becoming a fellow craft Freemason. Stan gave a precise and clear explanation of the second degree tools, which was greatly acknowledged by the brethren.
The lodge was closed and labour resumed in the first degree, charities collected and communications given by the secretary. The festive board was the usual joyous event with sincere and loving thoughts and memories of Robert Fisher being at the forefront of the brethren’s mind.
A toast was made to the new fellow craft Mason Kyle, and on his response, he ensured the brethren that he was looking forward to his raising to the third degree. The evening was finished with the tyler’s toast, given by Don McCormack.