Brethren of Abercromby Lodge No 3699 welcomed Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Ian Sanderson, who was accompanied by Gladstone Group Vice Chairman Matt Casson, to the lodge, which meets at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.
The lodge was opened by the immediate past master John Conlon, assisted by his wardens, with Joe Williams of Croxteth United Services Lodge No 786, who stood in on this occasion as senior warden. Having opened the lodge in the first degree and attended to the lodge business, IPM John requested Ian to please take the floor for a talk about the Royal Arch. Ian thanked John and explained to the assembled brethren and visitors that he was delighted to attend the lodge and give a talk about the Royal Arch.
Ian explained his position within the organisation of the Royal Arch as an Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals and talked about the relationship between Craft Freemasonry and the Royal Arch, emphasising that they are one organisation.
A master Mason is entitled to continue his journey of discovery of Freemasonry by exploring the Royal Arch. Indeed, it is sometimes considered that one’s Masonic journey is not complete until it is explored further through exaltation and experiencing the colourful and dramatic ceremony, of exaltation into the Royal Arch.
Continuing, Ian asked Matt Casson, who is the Royal Arch lead for the Gladstone Group, to assist him with his talk and explain what Royal Arch meant to him personally. Matt talked about his own journey from University Lodge of Liverpool No 4274, joining the University Chapter of Liverpool No 4274 and continuing his exploration of Masonry within the chapter itself.
One of the recurring themes was the expansion of the circle of Masonic friends and colleagues that joining a chapter entails. Although many lodges are linked to a chapter such as University Lodge of Liverpool with University Chapter of Liverpool, and Harmonic Lodge No 216 to Sacred Delta Chapter No 216 within the Gladstone Group to name a few. There are many chapters, some with specialist interests such as the Bikers’ Chapter No 1380, which means that the exploration of the Royal Arch can be conjoined with another interest a companion has.
Often there are many other members of the chapter who are from different lodges and even different groups within West Lancashire and beyond, which means that invitations to visit other lodges and chapters often follow, which helps to enjoy another aspect of Royal Arch freemasonry visiting other chapters.
Master Masons are allowed to join a Royal Arch chapter after four weeks of becoming a master Mason. There is no need to wait until you have gone through the chair of your lodge, and indeed many new members are often relatively junior members of their lodge. If you are interested in joining a Royal Arch chapter, your lodge mentor and/or Royal Arch mentor will be able to help you take the next step and complete your journey of pure ancient Freemasonry.
At the conclusion of the talk, IPM John thanked both Ian and Matt for their very interesting and enlightening talk. Ian emphasised, particularly to the visitors from other lodges, they would really like to give a talk in any lodge which perhaps may not have any business for a particular meeting and Ian would be delighted to attend and give a talk about the Royal Arch, asking for contact to be made directly with Ian or via Matt Casson, so that a talk could be arranged.
The lodge brethren and visitors applauded both Ian and Matt for their talk, and John resumed the normal business of the lodge. Having closed the lodge, all were invited to dinner in the Crompton’s Restaurant where the brethren and visitors enjoyed refreshments, a fine meal and the companionship of Abercromby Lodge.