IT seems that Freemasonry in general, and in Bermuda in particular, got a super charge from the historic visit to the island last week of the Grand Master of Irish Freemasonry world-wide, the Most Wor Bro. Eric N. Waller

Bermudians were given an excellent opportunity to see first hand the erudition of the Grand Master, and the affability of both himself and his wife Pamela during the hectic round of social and fraternal engagements and tours laid on for them.

Before returning to Ireland Bro. Waller confessed he had been overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth of the welcome by so many wonderful and hospitable people.

Bermudians, he said, had confirmed the old saying that "there are no strangers in Freemasonry, only friends we have yet to meet".

The visit enabled the Grand Master to renew acquaintances with several prominent Bermudians who had visited him at Grand Lodge in Ireland at one time or another. Among them, of course, was the Rt. Wor. St. Clair (Brinky) Tucker whom he installed in June 2003 as the 4th Provincial G.M. of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bermuda.

Others he had met along with their wives included Deputy PGM, RW Keith White; RW Dr. Clarence James, the 1st PGM when the Bermuda Provincial Lodge was consecrated 20 years ago; the 2nd PGM RW Dr. Gerard Bean; and VW Bros. Richmond (Doc) Anderson and David Mello.

The Grand Master was unsparing in his praise of RW Tucker and all officers and Brethren of the PGM of Bermuda for what he termed "their diligent support of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and for keeping the flag of Irish Freemasonry flying high".

While presiding over a meeting of the Bermuda PG Lodge at Hannibal Lodge No. 224 in St. George's, the Grand Master was able to meet the oldest active member of Hannibal, 98-year-old VW Bro George Welch. His service of more than half a century included his tenure as Hannibal's Wor. Master. Also Bro. Waller formally conferred Grand Lodge rank of three stalwarts presented by RW Tucker. Honoured were VW Bros. Elroy Ratteray, Boyd Smith and Icen Patrick. Citing Bro. Ratteray, Bro. Tucker noted that he belongs to no fewer than 20 different Masonic Lodges and Chapters, and is active in all.

He is a PM of Hannibal, has done five installations, and is noted for his facility in lecturing from memory in the first, second and third degrees. In addition to those degrees, Bro. Ratteray does such other lectures as the Tracing Board on the Grand Lodge Certificate, and he recites Masonic poems.

Bro. Boyd Smith was given the rank of Grand Lodge Organist. He was initiated in Freemasonry in 1962 as a member of Somers Isle Lodge No. 1503 at Hog Bay Level, Sandys.

Since 1973 he has served the lodge as organist. Bro. Tucker quipped how in 1991 "seeking greener pastures", Bro. Smith became affiliated with Friendship & Harmony Lodge, becoming organist there as well as in the same year, for the Bermuda PGL. He is also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and a 32nd Degree Shriner of Mecca Temple, New York.

Bro. Icen Packwood was initiated into Freemasonry in 1969 as Abercorn Lodge No 123, Hamilton. He became Wor. Master in 1981 and subsequently served in many other capacities. He served two years as Wor. Master of the Bermuda Installed Masters Lodge I.C; and is a member of the Hamilton Royal Arch Chapter 745.

Another stalwart who figured prominently in the visit of the Grand Master was VW Bro Richmond Anderson, who will be aged 90 in January. He is in his 58th year as an Irish Freemason, having been initiated at Abercorn Lodge in 1949. He was also a member of Somers Isle Lodge. Bro. Anderson and the late VW. Bro Arthur DeShields were the prime movers that led to the consecration of the Bermuda Provincial Grand Lodge.

They were aware that in order for Bermuda to become a Province, it had to have at least four lodges. There were only three when their initiatives began, being Hannibal, Abercorn and Garrison.

Wheels were put into motion for the consecration of Friendship & Harmony, which became a reality in 1987. By that time Bro. DeShields had passed away, as Masons say, "to the Grand Lodge above".

The 1st Wor. Master of F & H was the late Wor. Bro Edmund R. Rochester, who served two terms, and in 1989 Bro. Anderson became the 2nd Wor. Master.

Bro. Anderson by trade was a skilled motor mechanic. When he retired 21 years ago, as a hobby he took up cedar craftsmanship. The masterpieces he produces are highly treasured.

He was commissioned to craft two mauls and a set of gavels which the PGL of Bermuda presented to the Grand Master as memorials of his visit. Also Bro.Anderson crafted two cedar friendship goblets, one for the Master and the other for his wife.

Other memorials were presented to the distinguished visitors at the meeting in Hannibal by VW. Bro Robert W. Rego on behalf of the Bermuda Group of Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England, of which he is the Grand Inspector; and by VW Bro. L.M.Davis the District Superintendent of the Scottish Constitution in Bermuda.

To commemorate his visit to Bermuda, Grand Master Waller presented Prov. GM Tucker with a silver replica of the famous Baal's Bridge Square. He explained the original was discovered in the foundations of the Baal's Bridge on the River Shannon in the city of Limerick when the bridge was being rebuilt in 1830.

It bears the inscription:

The date on the original Square is 1507.

Bro. Waller, making the presentation, said: "The wonderful aspiration expressed in that inscription will remain valid for all time."

He added: "The Square is one of the oldest Masonic artefacts and confirms that Freemasonry existed in Ireland long before the constitution of the Grand Lodge, which occurred 281 years ago in 1725."

In accepting the replica, Bro. Tucker said it would be treasured by the Bermuda PGL.

After the ceremonials upstairs, a sumptuous banquet was held in the lower hall of Hannibal. It was marked by the traditional drinking of toasts, and was brought to a close by Brethren linking arms and singing the familiar old song