FESTIVAL OF ST. ANDREW
By
Bro. The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Initiate of Lodge St. Michael No. 1634, S.C.
Saturday, 25th November 2006
The Scottish Masonic Temple
Stapledon Gardens, Nassau
Salutation:
Rt. Worshipful District Grand Master, Bro L.Edgar Moxey
Rt. Worshipful Past District Grand Masters:
Bro. Roderick Innis, Bro. Arthur Chase and
Bro. Idris Reid
Rt. Worshipful District Grand Master, (English Constitution)
Bro. James Bain
Worshipful Past District Grand Master, Bro. Peter D. Cole
Worshipful Provincial Grand Inspector, Bro. Joseph Alfred
(Irish Constitution)
Rt. Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, Bro. Ersley Johnson
(Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.)
Distinguished Brethren
Brethren All
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It is truly an honour and a pleasure for me to be here this afternoon. It is a deeply moving experience to be in this assembly of worthy Brethren and I wish, first and foremost, to thank, the Right Worshipful District Grand Master, Bro. Moxey, for his dogged persistence in pursuing this invitation.
I wish to thank this District Grand Lodge and its Office Bearers for the warmth of the welcome accorded to me, being especially conscious as I am that as an Entered Apprentice, I am only on the first rung of the Masonic ladder and, therefore seek the forbearance of the more experienced Brethren as I again enter this hallowed place.
As I recall, my last visit to this place was on the occasion of the Lodge of Sorrow for my father-in-law, the late Br. Reverend Father Howard Hanna, Past Master of St. Michael’s Lodge in early March 2004. For me the solemnity and dignity of the occasion will, forever, be etched in my consciousness. I was moved by the fact that this fellowship of Brethren would have gone to some lengths to pay final tribute to a faithful fallen member. The ceremony, shielded from the outside world, spoke volumes about the value and character of Freemasonry which few outside of these walls could ever appreciate.
The occasion taught me several valuable and unforgettable lessons, one, in particular, that I take with me always, is that “death has no terror equal to the stain of falsehood and dishonour”. The stain of dishonour is far greater than the sting of death. This thought encapsulates much of what Freemasonry is about and for me it is a personal commitment that I have tried to live all of my life. Virtue and honour are the true traits that make a man and to deviate, therefrom, is a punishment far worse than death.
Brethren in 1975, I entered into Freemasonry not knowing what it was or what to expect. To borrow from the imagery of freemasonry I was symbolically “poor, penniless and in a state of darkness”. I was lead blindfolded into a room putting my trust and reliance on my conductors who very skillfully guided me through the ceremony of my initiation. In so doing I realized a basic principle of Freemasonry and that is that although my approach was tentative I was sustained by assurances of friends and Brethren. And while I entered blindfold, I emerged into light, both figurative and real.
When I entered Freemasonry I did so, in part with less than purely Masonic motives, I must confess. The late Brother, Reverend Father Howard Hanna was the Master of Lodge St. Michaels in 1975. In order to win favour with him to have the hand of his oldest daughter in marriage I acquiesced to his invitation and agreed to become a member.
As I look on the wall of entry into this Temple, I see some of the great men of the day; Brethren such as Dr. Claudius Walker, the distinguished Arthur Richardson, Bro. Charles Butler, Bro. Ulric Mortimer, J.P., Bro. James Wildgoose and others. I remember, too, Bro. Cyril Tynes and the list of distinguished Bahamian personages go on and on. Sadly, nearly all of them have past but their legacy in re-forming and re-introducing Scottish Freemasonry into The Bahamas for worthy men, and leading good men into it must surely not be forgotten. As we write our history, this facet of our social history must not be forgotten.
Following initiation and having obtained the prize of gaining my beautiful wife, I was not so eager to return to Lodge. Primarily, because I perceived that there was a generational gap between the older and staid members of St. Michaels and myself who was, at that time a young, aspiring politician and could be said to be a firebrand. Another reason was I had just recently been appointed a Senator and to be true to my political calling, I did not want to inject politics into Freemasonry as Masonic tradition forbid discussion in the Lodge of religion and politics. Very wisely, in hindsight, I withdrew from active involvement.
But times have changed in three decades. Some thirty-one years later, there has been a seismic change in the landscape of Freemasonry in The Bahamas. Lodge St. Michael’s is not the same Lodge it was in 1975. The social, economic and political environment of our nation has also changed. I believe for the better.
Dr. Walker, Brother Richardson, Brother Mortimer and others would, no doubt, be beaming with pride to see the advances that have been made. This evening, as I look around this room I can see that Freemasonry has attracted a new generation of bright, young, gifted men. The thing I like about what I see is that Freemasonry has been able to attract persons of all classes and backgrounds, self made individuals, professionals, men from the discipline forces, entrepreneurs, clergy, etc. Freemasonry is now reflective of the new Bahamas which was only a promise to the generation of 1975. Freemasonry has opened wide the doors to “all men where honour and virtue are prided above the merely external advantages of rank and fortune.”
In this sense of inclusiveness, I am happy to learn from the Right Worshipful District Grand Master that Scottish Freemasonry is now in amity with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas which in 1975 was inconceivable. By the presence of Brother James Bain and Brother Peter Cole and of Brother Joey Alfred, I now further understand that Scottish Freemasonry continues to be in close and indistinguishable harmony with the English and Irish Lodges which in 1975 was inconceivable.
What I see before me this evening is a wonderful panoply of talent, vision and wisdom, now under one umbrella. It is now for the Lodges, having consolidated their position under this all inclusive tent, to take on new challenges and to begin another journey which will take Freemasonry in The Bahamas to another level. I am aware of the proposals that have been made to the Government by this District Grand Lodge for land on which to build a new Masonic complex befitting the worth of the men who now call themselves Masons. As a Brother, I give my commitment that the request will be honoured … and soon.
For me personally, my own singular and political journey since 1975 has been equally as interesting and fulfilling. While I did not devote myself as fully as I should have to Freemasonry, I was nonetheless motivated by some of the fundamental beliefs of Freemasonry in pursuit of my political career.
Fundamental to Freemasonry is the concept of “brotherly love, relief and truth.” Axiomatically, these, too, are some of the motivating factors that have propelled me in my political career. I never entered public life expecting self aggrandizement or mere popularity. I entered because I had an unshakeable belief that I could make a difference in the lives of people. I did not seek high office merely because the opportunity presented itself; I did so believing that at the end of the day my efforts could make a difference. I did not enter public life thinking about personal rewards; I did so because I believe in the fellowship of all men and the dignity of the individual.
My primary mission in life has been predicated on the belief, “that if I can help somebody then my living would not have been in vain.” The second motivating principle that has guided me throughout my personal journey and through my political journey has been the mantra of “second chance” – put quite simply this philosophy is under girded by the belief that we all fail in one way or another, that we all make mistakes – wittingly and unwittingly.
It is the nature of man to sometimes fail but when we do we must get up brush ourselves off and start all over again. This personal philosophy of second chances has meant for me in a leadership position that we must deal with issues such as poverty, of those who are marginalized, of those who have no hope for a better tomorrow.
It means that even the convicted and imprisoned should have a better future once he has served his time. It means that every single individual should have an opportunity to realize his or her personal potential. In its truest sense this philosophy ties in with a basic tenet of Freemasonry based on the moral belief of “making good men better.” The transformative and redemptive power of Freemasonry is emblematical of this personal philosophy of second chances.
But Brethren, there are some practical challenges for Freemasonry. As part of the concept of Charity and of bringing relief to Brethren in distress, and to widows and orphans, we must have a practical application. This concept must play itself out in a wider arena. We must as Freemasons adopt a view of charity that is community based. In this regard, I am happy to learn that each of the Daughter Lodges in Scottish Freemasonry has adopted some social outreach programmes.
In some cases it involves, scholarship grants, donations to charities, the adoption of the Simpson Penn School, as an example, and many others. But with such a vast array of talent, it is imperative that we do more. It is important for us to put this expertise to good use for the benefit of the wider community and ourselves. There are also many entrepreneurial opportunities that are now available to Bahamians. As Lodges and as individuals we should strive to get in on this economic boom. There should be an inter-connectiveness with what is going on around us.
Finally, change has been constructive and constant, as well as problematic. There can be no doubt that prosperity has affected change in the family structure – social alienation and in the role of the state. At one time the village once raised children and lodges and friendly societies were sources of support and comfort in time of distress. Today, the state has had to expand its role.
While we do not wish to be involved in the home and in the business of child rearing, the state has had to introduce measures such as school based policing, the Urban Renewal Programme and other social safety net programmes to fill a social void.
I am pleased to be a Freemason. I am pleased to be associated with such a body that prizes virtue and honour. While I remember little about the ceremony of my initiation, I do remember the immortal words of one of the Charges which are that putting on the Apron which is the badge of a Freemason should remind one of “that purity of life and actions which should at all time distinguished a Freemason.”
The beauty of Freemasonry, therefore, is that within our Lodges we are in a place of harmony places, protected from the deviousness and corruption of the outside world. I know that when we walk through that door to enter into a Lodge we are all on the same level, no matter our station in life. It is important to note that as gentlemen of the world we would all have our views on matters of politics and of current affairs but we should never allow these views to affect our basic decency and high moral standing. Honour must pervade within the Lodge as well as outside of it.
If we hold fast to this belief then the leadership which we as Freemasons bring to this community, will be a beacon in the world to guide the transformation of society and uplift our fellowmen.
Brethren I thank you.