Good Times, Bad Times 1900—1956

Good Times, Bad Times. 1900 to 1956

1900

The early part of the twentieth century saw Bulwer Lodge of Cairo go from strength to strength. Despite the frequent political disturbances in Egypt and the posting of members to different parts of the world, the Lodge continued to grow, both in numbers and status. It was particularly known for the excellence of its ritual and the dignity of its meetings and was a fa vourite Lodge for District Grand Officers to visit in an unofficial capacity. We are fortunate in having fairly accurate records of Initiates and Joining Members for this period, and full Minutes from 1949.

In 1900, an appeal was made for contributions towards the South African Masonic Relief Fund to assist people suffering during the Anglo Boer War. The Lodge decided to do away with the Installation banquet and add the money saved to the other contributions from the Brethren. This raised in excess of £150 for the fund. “The Freemason” magazine of 26th May 1900 records that the lodge had donated £107, 16 shillings and 11pence to the Daily Telegraph Widows and Orphans One Shilling Fund

1901

The Grand Master, H.R.H. Arthur, Duke of Connaught, appointed General Sir Francis Reginald Wingate as District Grand Master for Egypt and the Sudan in place of Lord Kitchener, who had resigned. H. M. Crookshank Pasha was appointed Deputy District Grand Master. Both were members of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo.

1902

In 1902, the Lodge and the District moved from Sharia Wagh el Birka to Maison Bonello. The first meeting of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo to be held there was in August of that year. This continued as the regular meeting place until 1913. The Egyptian Gazette dated 9th January 1903 states that “the new Masonic Hall comprises a commodious and hand some lodge-room capable of seating 100 brethren as well as a refreshment room opening onto a spacious terrace whence a magnificent view is obtained on the new building of the Museum of Antiquities, Kasr el Nil Barracks, the Nile and the open country beyond with the pyramids in the far distance”. It is known to have overlooked Midan Ismail (now Midan Tahrir or Tahrir Square).

1903

One of the most loved members in the history of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo, W. Bro. Raphael Borg, died on 14th Janu ary 1903. His loss was deeply felt throughout Egyptian Freemasonry and he was commemorated by in All Saints Church, Cai ro, as “The Guardian of Freemasonry” with a brass tablet given by the Lodge. The Installation Meeting was held on 3rd January 1903. Bro. Chas. Franklin must have been very versatile to be both Junior Warden and Organist!

1907

The lodge had 126 members. Once again, a menu from the Installation Banquet held at Shepheard’s Hotel on Saturday 5th January 1907 at 8.30 p.m. is held at Freemasons’ Hall. The menu is equally sumptuous to that in 1906 and even lists the four wines to be served with the various courses. These include Hochheimer with the salmon, Graves with the beef, Irroy with the pheasant and Montebello with the Salade Portugaise. Turkish coffee was also served.

The toast list is identical to that of 1906. The menu cover shows the two great pillars, the square and compasses, together with various Masonic implements including a level, an ashlar and the letter “G

1913

On 23rd October 1913, an apartment at the top of Maison de Farro, a house in Sharia Antikhana el Masria was acquired and a new Temple was dedicated by the District Grand Master, Sir Reginald Wingate. Several prominent members of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo assisted at the dedication. The Temple was known to be very beautiful and a photograph appears on page D14. Also see the map on page D2.

A summary from the “Memorial of the Dedication of the Masonic Temple”, a copy of which has survived, follows on pages D16 & 17. A fine organ was installed in memory of the visit to Bulwer Lodge of Cairo by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, when he was Grand Master. The Dedication was followed by a Commemoration Banquet and a photograph of those dining appears below.”.

The Dedication of the Masonic Temple on Thursday, 23rd October 1913

The Dedicating Officer was R.W. Bro. Sir Reginald Wingate, District Grand Master of Egypt and the Sudan. He was assist ed by Bro. H. P. Keatinge, Past Deputy District Grand Master as Senior Warden; Bro. John Langley, Deputy District Grand Mas ter as Junior Warden; Bro. L. O. F. Stack, Past Junior District Grand Warden, as Chaplain; Bro. A. N. Tucker, Past Senior District Grand Warden, as Superintendent of Works (Architect); Bro C. W. Binet-Summers, District Grand Organist, as Organist; Bro. J. Philip, District Grand Director of Ceremonies, as Director of Ceremonies and Bro. W. Snow, Assistant District Grand Director of Ceremonies, as Inner Guard.

Of these eight dignitaries, no fewer than six were members of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo.

Also present was Bro. Idris Bey Ragheb, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Egypt and a Past Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Other prominent members of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo who attended were A. A. Mortimer, Past District Grand Senior Warden; W. Hayes, President of the Board of Benevolence; M. G. Boyes, Past District Grand Junior Deacon and A. Nathan, Dis trict Assistant Grand Secretary. A further eighteen members of the Lodge were present, plus several who were representing other Lodges.

The Lodge was opened in the Three Degrees by W. Bro. W. D. Blake, Worshipful Master of Bulwer Lodge of Cairo. The Senior Warden was W. Bro. Robinson of Grecia Lodge, No. 1105 and the Junior Warden, W. Bro. Mann of Zetland Lodge, No 1157. They represented the three oldest Lodges under the English Constitution in Egypt.

The Dedicating Officers entered in procession and the gavel was passed to Sir Reginald Wingate. Following the opening hymn, the following dedication was made by the District Grand Master:

“Brethren here assembled to behold this ceremony: Be it known to you that we be true and lawful Freemasons, the successors of those ancient Brethren of our Craft who, from time immemorial, have been engaged throughout the civilised world in the creation of stately and superb edifices, to the glory of God, and for the service of mankind.

“From those ancient Brethren have been handed down, from generation to generation, certain secrets, by which Free masons are known to each other, and are distinguished from the rest of the world.”

Those secrets are lawful and honourable and are in no way incompatible with our moral, our civil, or our religious duties, and as we have received them from our predecessors in the order, so we hand them, pure and unimpaired, to those who are to succeed us.

“Our order has always been distinguished for loyalty to the Throne, for obedience to the laws and institutions of the country in which we reside, for good citizenship, for goodwill to all mankind, and especially for that most excellent gift “CHARITY”. By the exercise of these qualities, we have in all ages enjoyed such Distinction that princes and nobles of high degree have been members of our Order, have patronised our mysteries, and have joined in our assemblies.

“Under such powerful protection, and by the fidelity and zeal of its members, Freemasonry has endured through the ages, and been enabled to survive the wreck of mighty empires, and to resist the destroying hand of time. “We have met here today, in the presence of the G.A.O.T.U. and this assembly to declare this building truly complete, and to dedicate it to the Honour and Glory of the Most High.”

After further prayer, The Architect (Superintendent of Works) handed the plans of the building to the District Grand Master who accepted them on behalf of all Freemasons in the District. The Dedicating Officer called upon the Chaplain for the Oration, the Anthem and the Dedication Prayer.

The Dedication continued, interspersed with solemn prayer, as follows:

“May the G.A.O.T.U. look down with favour upon this undertaking and may He crown the edifice with Abundant Success.

“I scatter Corn on this Lodge as a symbol of plenty and abundance. And may the blessing of morality and virtue increase under its auspices, producing fruit an hundredfold.

“I now dedicate this Hall to Freemasonry, to the Service of the ‘GREAT ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE’, and to the purpose of that great Brotherhood which seeks, by faith of God, to promote goodwill among men and to inculcate the purist principles of Piety and Virtue.

“I pour Wine on this Lodge as a symbol of joy and cheerfulness

“I now dedicate this Hall to Virtue. May the symbolism of the Craft and the ceremonies which will be performed within these walls, teach and inspire the practice of every social and moral Virtue.

“I sprinkle this Lodge with Oil as a symbol of Peace and Unanimity.

“I dedicate this Hall to the cause of Universal Benevolence. May the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth lead those who are taught within these walls to act with kindness towards all living creatures. After further solemn prayer, the District Grand Master extended a cordial welcome on behalf of all the Brethren to Idris Bey Ragheb. He than vacated the Chair in favour of the Brethren who opened the Lodge, and they closed the Lodge fully in the Three Degrees. The Closing Ode was sung as follows:

Almighty Architect we pray

For blessings on our work today,

And may this Temple ever prove

A Home of Unity and Love.

Thus, the Ceremony of Dedication ended, and 89 Brethren retired to Shepheard's Hotel (not the current Shepheard's in Cairo) for the Dedication Banquet.

In addition to the customary toasts, a representative of each Lodge in the District gave a brief history of their Lodge and its achievements. The Bulwer Lodge of Cairo history by W. Bro. W. Hayes concentrated on the Lodge’s part in the growth of Freemasonry in Egypt.

Continue to part 2