Oration by the Provincial Grand Chaplain
Given at the ceremony to dedicate the banner of Chevalier Lodge No 1505
In case you are not aware, can I remind you that in just under two weeks, the world's major sporting event begins. I refer of course to the Olympic games.
Can you imagine the excitement and thrill of standing on the winner's podium, knowing that you are number one in the world? It must be pretty good to get the silver or bronze, but you always know that someone beat you to it.
Not quite in the same league as winning a gold medal, but we do have a number of firsts here today.
To the Chevalier Lodge, let me offer you my congratulations on being the first working Mark Lodge in Hertfordshire to have their own banner. It was not long ago that the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master suggested the incorporation of Lodge banners, and the brethren of Chevalier are the first to have achieved this.
I believe that this is the first official meeting for our new Senior Grand Warden and the Junior Grand Warden, and last but not least, the new Provincial Grand Chaplain, who also is giving his first oration!
With my other hat on as being involved in the Hertfordshire Provincial Choir, I believe that I must have attended in excess of 20 banner dedications over the past few years. How I wish I had paid more attention to the orations!
I therefore turned for guidance to my predecessor, W Bro Bob Muller, who offered me two pieces of advice:- Firstly, he said, never take someone else's oration and put it into your own words. That is plagiarism and is unforgivable. Take parts from 5 or 6 orations and put them together- that is called research. Secondly, he said, try to find out some small item on the Lodge banner which is unique to the Lodge, and home in on that.
The origin of banners goes back to remote antiquity. A banner has always been an emblem of loyalty and homage to a feudal superior. In battle it was the rallying point. It symbolises Loyalty, Fidelity and Unity. Therefore, the banner reminds us of our duty and fidelity to God, and should be the rallying point for the three Grand Principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Many Lodges in Britain have their special banner which is symbolic of the characteristics of the Lodge. Banners were first mentioned when Moses ranged the Children of Israel under their respective banners in the wilderness and there is no doubt these were regarded with reverence and awe.
For instance, we have this Biblical phrase, "As terrible as an army with banners"
As far as I am aware, the only mention of banners within the Mark degree is in the closing of Provincial Grand Mark Lodge where there is a reference to banners when none is carried. The Inner Guard is asked, "What is your duty?" and the reply comes, "To give a due report of all approaching Brethren and see they are properly clothed, and ranged under their respective banners".
The Brethren have no visible banners with them, but symbolically it means that Provincial Lodge is composed of Lodges each with its own particular Characteristics, contributing to the beauty and harmony of the whole.
I am not sure if it is in the plans of the Provincial Grand Master or Director of Ceremonies, but what a tremendous site it would be if maybe 10 or 12 banners were actually paraded in at our next Provincial meeting!
Following on Bob Muller's second piece of advice, I spoke to W Bro John Dunster who designed the banner, to find something unique about the Chevalier banner. W Bro John informed me that there was in fact nothing unique as such and that they had opted for the Keystone as the centre of the banner.
I was at first lost for thoughts, but then it occurred to me that as the first working Lodge banner, what could be better than a simple design which reminds us of our very basic principle - the stone which the builders rejected, possessing merits to them unknown, ultimately became the head stone of the building.
Referring back to my previous example of the winners at the Olympic games, I am sure there are many stories of athletes who did not make it into their local teams, but eventually made it to the Olympics, but let me give you a couple of illustrations in show business which are excellent examples of this statement.
In the mid 1920s, a young aspiring actor went to audition for a Broadway musical. He did his party piece and the impressario made a note 'Can't sing, can't dance, can act a little' - and the actor was turned down. He did eventually make it on Broadway and later Hollywood. His name? - Fred Astaire.
In the mid 1960s when pop group were springing up all over the place, a foursome went to EMI records to play some of their demo tapes. They were turned down, but eventually the Beatles did get a recording contract.
But let us just look at the rest of ritual where this rejection is mentioned.
"Among MMM you will ever find friends who will administer relief to your distress and comfort in your afflictions...."
We have heard many times over the past year regarding the importance of the Lodge Almoner - and rightly so too I feel. But it should not be just left to the Almoner to administer relief to a brother's distress or to comfort him in his afflictions. It is a task in which we should all participate. In our Obligation in this degree, we promise to assist a brother when he makes a request.
So can I say 'thank-you' to the Chevalier Lodge for reminding us of our basic principles in the Mark Degree, and can I finish by repeating some words of the prayer a few moments ago:-
May this banner ever remind us of our unity one with another.
W Bro Michael J Watts, PAGSwdB
Provincial Grand Chaplain
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