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A Thought of Hope

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The Grand Council of the Order of Royal and Select Masters of England and Wales and its Districts and Councils Overseas

To all Companions of the Order

Most Illustrious Companion Kessick John Jones, Grand Master, has asked that the following note from the Grand Chaplain be circulated to you, along with his own blessings and best wishes.

A Thought of Hope

I am sure that most of us are familiar with the Biblical story of the Exodus, when the Children of Israel were able to escape from their Egyptian bondage, led by that wonderfully heroic character, Moses. It must have taken an enormous amount of faith in that one man, coupled with the deep-felt hope that indeed they were going to be led to new and better future, to enable them simply to forego everything around them and set off on their perilous journey.

I am equally sure that there is not one of us who has not been affected in some way or another during the very difficult times that we have endured these past months. And, just as we thought that the tidal wave of infection was receding, so we have witnessed a resurgence that once again threatens our freedom and well-being.

But Moses did not succumb to the threats of the Pharaoh. The destructive effects of the pestilence and plague passed over the Israelites, and, we are told, forty years later they were able to enjoy their promised reward. Whether they were still following the same Moses, is, of course, a matter of considerable doubt, but that must be another story. The essence of the drama and the untold difficulties they encountered resulted in their eventual arrival at the Promised land.

We have no desire to struggle for 40 years and there is every expectation that we shall be able, with both care and fortitude, to overcome our present affliction. Sadly, we shall, invariably, lose some of our loved ones on our unpredictable journey, and we shall remember them always in our thoughts and prayers. But, although we know that on that journey, we do walk on the ashes of those who have gone before us, there still lies ahead that glimmering ray of hope that “these things shall be, a loftier race than e’er the world hath known shall rise”.

Let us not lose sight of that hope, that, in due time and in due place, we shall indeed meet again.

V.Ill.Comp. Dr Vivian Thomas, JP, Grand Chaplain.

New District Grand Master for R.S.M. Surrey

RSM Surrey

 

In March 2014 Right Illustrious Companion David John Blackburn was installed into charge of the Royal and Select Masters District of Surrey – only the third District Grand Master since the District was Constituted in 1994, having formerly been part of Middlesex and Surrey.

He was Admitted into the Order in July 2005, in Waverley Council No. 205 and now is a member of the Order’s Executive Committee.

During the past ten years, R.Ill.Comp. David has carried out the duties of his office with dignity and confidence and has furthered relations between the District and the Order’s headquarters at Mark Masons’ Hall, in London.

As he approaches the tenth anniversary of his installation, he has indicated that he feels it is now time to step aside in favour of a successor and, on behalf of Grand Council, we want to thank him for all that he has done for Cryptic Masonry during his time in charge of the District.

Because of R.Ill.Comp. David’s upcoming retirement, the Grand Master has been considering the appointment of a successor and I am very pleased to inform you that Ill.Comp. William Agnew Caughie, G.Swd.B., has accepted the invitation to be your next District Grand Master.

Ill.Comp. Caughie is well known to you and needs no introduction, and I am sure you will join me in congratulating him on his forthcoming preferment. His installation will take place on Saturday, 23 March 2024 and R.Ill.Comp. David will retire at midnight on Sunday, 10 March 2024.

Rulers

M.Ill.Comp. Kessick J. Jones
Grand Master

R.Ill.Comp. His Hon Ian D. G. Alexander, KC
Deputy Grand Master

R.Ill.Comp. Paul A. Norman
Grand Principal Conductor of the Work

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