MEGS Address to District Grand Chapter of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Convocation on 18 January 2014

Companions,

It is with very great pleasure that I welcome you all to this the 2014 Investiture Convocation of the District. I continue to be ever so delighted to see our Companions present in such large numbers at these meetings.

Companions, on your behalf I welcome our most distinguished visiting Companions and in particular I welcome:

• E. Companion Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin the Assistant Grand Superintendent of Irish Royal Arch Masonry for Jamaica and the Bahamas and his delegation; and
• E. Comp. G. Trevor Jones, the Grand Superintendent of Scottish Royal Arch Masonry in Jamaica and his deputation.

Please also join me in offering a very special welcome to E. Comp Afeef Lazarus, the Immediate Past Grand Superintendent.

Companions, at our Convocation last January, I outlined to you all the several events that were being planned by Supreme Grand Chapter to celebrate the Bi-centenary of the formal recognition of the Holy Royal Arch as a part of pure Ancient Masonry. This District, though not the largest District in terms of the number of its Companions, was exceedingly well represented.

There were nine of us in London representing the District. What an absolutely wonderful production it was by Supreme Grand Chapter, the Metropolitan Grand Stewards Chapter and the Companions in London. The demonstration of the ceremony of Exhaltation was flawless. We certainly learnt a lot. I wish to offer special thanks to all of the Companions, who at very great personal expense, journeyed with me to London to represent this District. Thank you all.

Companions, as at 02 January 2014, in terms of members, this was the third largest District ranging under the Banner of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England. The District of Eastern Archaepelago had 924 members with 19 Chapters. The District of South Africa North had 831 members with 41 Chapters and we, in this District, had 575 members with 12 Chapters. At the same date we had 1144 Craft members, thus 50.26% of our craft members were Royal Arch Masons.

Whilst we are not in a numbers game, and whilst I am exceedingly pleased with the improved levels of ritual work, attendance and membership, we can do better.

One way of improving our Ritual work is by being exposed to expert demonstrations of the type to which we were exposed in London by the Metropolitan Grand Stewards Chapter.

I have tasked a small committee led by the President of the District Committee of General Purposes to oversee the creation of a District Grand Stewards Chapter. If the Companions find favour with it, it will be a Chapter which will hold demonstrations of the Aldersgate version of the Holy Royal Arch Ritual; perform functions as a Chapter of Instruction and assist the District Grand Chapter in arranging its Convocations and meetings. Its membership will be limited membership, will be exceedingly prestigious and will be drawn from very keen, committed Past First Principals.

In the ordinary rotation E. Comp. Harold Taylor has retired as Second District Grand Principal. He has worked hard and long in giving superintendence to the Chapters assigned to him. We Companions, ought to be truly grateful to him for his efforts.

I have appointed E. Comp. Harding Watler as Second District Grand Principal. I have done so, to enable the Companions in the Cayman Islands to have direct present leadership. It will also keep him busy. There are some 81 Companions on record in the Cayman Chapter. This number ought to be more than enough to support two Chapters in the Cayman Islands. However, for the year just ended average attendance at meetings was 24 Companions. A large part of the deliverables of E. Comp Harding Watler will be to create enthusiasm for the Royal Arch in the Cayman Islands and to increase average attendance. In time, if this obtains, the Companions may feel the need for an additional Chapter in those wonderful Islands.

May I on your behalf offer sincere congratulations to all the Companions who have been re-appointed, appointed or promoted today. I have no doubt that this has been the result of hard work, commitment and dedication on their part.

On your behalf I convey our thanks and gratitude to the District Grand Director of Ceremonies and his team for our very efficient and beautiful ceremonies and to District Grand Scribe Ezra and his team for their very had work in arranging this meeting.

Walter H. Scott, Q.C.
Most Excellent Grand Superintendent
In and Over Jamaica and The Cayman Islands
18 January, 2014