Howard Johnson

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

Congratulations Brothers🎉
A new chapter. A greater purpose. Proud to officially be a Prince Hall Freemason. 🤝🏾

06/10/2026

A simple with many different types of memories

06/10/2026

On October 17, 1799, Right Worshipful William Austin, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, issued a dispensation authorizing the temporary establishment of a Lodge in the town of Milton, and the county of Albemarle, by the name of Widow Son’s Lodge, and appointed: Edward Moore (Worshipful Master), David Anderson (Senior Warden), William Clarkson (Junior Warden).

Under the authority of this dispensation the Lodge called the Widow’s Son was opened on October 26, 1799, at Milton, then the principal trade mart of Albemarle County, on the first degree of Masonry with thirteen members present. At this initial meeting dark green was selected as the uniform or livery of the Lodge.

At the fourth meeting of the Lodge, held on December 5, 1799, Julius Clarkson, the Lodge’s first secretary, was appointed as a representative to the annual communication of the Grand Lodge with instructions to petition that body for a charter. On December 10, 1799, the Grand Lodge of Virginia issued a charter for the establishment of a Lodge in the town of Milton, and county of Albemarle, by the name and designation of Widow Son’s Lodge No. 60, appointing the same officers who were appointed in the dispensation. The first meeting under the authority of the charter was held on January 9, 1800.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3TxoS6W

23/09/2026

The Skull Speaks—Are You Listening, Master Mason?

Among the profound symbols associated with the Master Mason Degree, the skull is perhaps one of the most unsettling. It does not flatter the Mason. It does not speak of rank, reputation, wealth, or achievement. It speaks of something every man must eventually confront: mortality.

The skull asks a question that is easy to avoid but difficult to escape: What are you doing with the life that remains?

In Masonic education, the contemplation of mortality is not intended to produce fear. It is intended to produce perspective. When we remember that our earthly journey is temporary, the things we consider important begin to change. Pride becomes less attractive. Grudges become less valuable. Recognition becomes less important. Service becomes more meaningful.

The skull reminds the Master Mason that no man can carry his titles into the grave.

The Master Mason may have served as Worshipful Master, held numerous offices, received honors, or accumulated years in the Craft. Yet the skull silently teaches that death places every man upon the same level. What remains is not the title we carried, but the character we developed and the good we left behind.

This is where the symbol becomes uncomfortable.

We may proudly call ourselves Masons, yet still permit anger to govern our words. We may speak about Brotherly Love while refusing to forgive. We may teach morality while neglecting our own conduct. We may attend Lodge regularly while allowing our Masonic obligations to remain merely ceremonial.

The skull asks us to examine that contradiction.

Are we practicing Masonry—or merely participating in it?

The Master Mason Degree is not simply a ceremony to remember. It is a continuing lesson in transformation. Its symbols challenge us to confront the temporary nature of material things and to direct our attention toward those qualities that endure in the lives we touch.

Every Brother we encourage matters. Every candidate we properly mentor matters. Every act of charity matters.
Every moment when we choose integrity over convenience matters. Every opportunity to reconcile with a Brother matters.

Because time is not stored in the Lodge treasury.

It cannot be accumulated.

It cannot be borrowed.

And once spent, it cannot be recovered.

The skull therefore becomes a silent instructor. It tells us that Masonry is urgent because life is temporary.

Do not wait until you have more time to become a better Mason.

Do not wait until you hold an office to serve.

Do not wait until someone recognizes you before you contribute.

Do not wait until a Brother is gone before you tell him that his friendship mattered.

The skull is already speaking.

The question is whether we are humble enough to listen.
Perhaps the greatest lesson of mortality is not that we will die.
It is that we are still alive—and therefore still have work to do.

So, Master Mason, before you close the Volume of Sacred Law and leave the Lodge tonight, ask yourself one uncomfortable question:

If my Masonic journey ended tomorrow, would my Brethren remember merely that I was a Mason—or remember that I truly lived as one?

That is the message of the skull.

And perhaps that is the question it has been asking us all along.

Are you listening, Master Mason?

Fraternally,
Bro. Joni Cabrera
General Llanera Masonic Lodge No. 168 F. & A.M.
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines

23/09/2026

On Saturday, 29 September, the North Wales Lodge of Installed Masters nr 1591 at their regular meeting at Farfield Masonic Hall, Connahs Quay, hosted the West Cheshire Lodge of Mark Master Masons No. 1497 (itself an installed Masters lodge), in an historic meeting of the lodges and neighbouring provinces.
The format was that , as hosts the North Wales Lodge of Installed Masters (NWLIM) opened, and conducted their regular business, before calling off and allowing West Cheshire to open under dispensation, conduct their essential business, and then have WBro Mark Keyworth present his prepared talk on the history of the once two conjoint provinces, before their split into individual provinces nearly 150 years ago.
The talk also made mention of the friendly historic contention. over the original Provincial Sword, which was kept at that time by Cheshire, and is indeed today still in use with the Province of North Wales purchasing their own.
The talk was very well received by the brethren present, and the friendly banter continued at the festive board, when Cheshire Provincial Grand Master, RWBro Gary Horstman, produced a smaller version of the original , to show to R.W.Bro. John Evans, the Provincial Grand Master of North Wales.
Once closed, West Cheshire handed back to NWLIM, to called back on and completed their business.
The idea to hold a conjoint meeting between the two lodges was made by the two respective Prov.G.M’s, and the meeting went very well, with the friendship and interaction between the two lodges from the neighbouring provinces noticeably encouraging for a continuance of having conjoint meetings, and we look forward to hosting our friends and near neighbours in September 2027

Content credits: Ian

12/09/2026

Big cheers in Los Angeles! Masons Night at the Ballpark brought out incredible energy earlier this week as brothers, families, and friends filled Dodger Stadium in support of .

We rallied in full force alongside Grand Master Garrett Chan and California Prince Hall Grand Master Robert Eagle Spirit Sr, celebrating the Los Angeles region’s $86,436 raised for the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and local young ballplayers. That’s real impact and a powerful reminder of what our fraternity can accomplish when we come together.

Next stop: Angels Stadium on Tuesday, September 15!Buy tickets to Masons Night at masons4mitts.org

12/09/2026

On Saturday, 05 September, the South and East Caribbean Council of Installed Masters No. 291 held its Installation Meeting at the Masonic Centre, Salters, St. George, Barbados.

On this special occasion, Ill.Comp. Errol Erad Clarke, P.G.Cond. C, was proclaimed Thrice Illustrious Master of the Council. The meeting was a most memorable and enjoyable occasion, with an excellent ceremonial session upstairs, followed by a warm and convivial Festive Board downstairs.

The first photograph features the newly proclaimed Thrice Illustrious Master together with his Officers. The second photograph captures TIM Ill. Comp. Don Boyce and members of St. George R.S.M. No. 279.

A special mention must also be made of Ill.Comp. Richard Anthony Lindsay, P.G.St.B., Conductor of the Council, who travelled from Antigua to be present for this important occasion. His presence was greatly appreciated and added to the fellowship and spirit of the meeting.

We look forward to welcoming Ill.Comp. Lindsay back to Barbados next month, when we shall have the pleasure of his company once again.

A wonderful meeting, excellent fellowship, and another memorable occasion in the history of the Council.

Content credits: Richard Mayers