"Try not to become a man of success, but rather a man of Value"...Albert Einstein

The Half yearly meeting of the Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, No. 8408, was held at Rochdale Masonic Hall on 13 September, 2010. The Master, Bro Robert Simon Curtis Mitchell, PSGD, PAPGM, greeted the brethren and thanked all of them for making the effort to support him and the Lodge tonight. The Lodge was joined and supported by a number of Grand Officers, many of whom are also members of the Lodge, including WBros Alex Mclaren, JGD, APGM, Paul JE Rink, PProvGM, Nolan Morrison, PGSwdB, PDepPGM, Paul MA Rose, PSGD, PAPGM, Warwick R Davenport, PSGD, PAPGM and Keith Schofield, the Provincial Grand Master of the Mark Degree.

The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, VWBro Harold Woodward, PGSwdB, was in attendance. The Master offered him the gavel of the Lodge, commenting that there was something 'wrong' about welcoming Harold to Rochdale where he had previously served as the Assistant Provincial Grand Master! Harold returned it thanking Robert for his generous offer, his allegiance to the Province and the support that he offers throughout the year.

Other guests included Provincial Grand Stewards from the Province of Bedfordshire including the Master of their Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, WBro Ian Baker.

VWBro Harold Woodward with the Master, WBro Robert Mitchell

 

The business of the evening included the welcoming of 13 new joining members and the election of the Master, WBro Brian Bennion, Treasurer, WBro Gerry Young, Auditors, the current Master and IPM, WBro Baxendale (below), and the Tyler, WBro Brian Robinson.

 

DepPGM, Master and IPM, WBro Francis Baxendale

 

RWBro Paul JE Rink with WBro Alexander S McLaren

 

WBro Warwick R Davenport with VWBro Nolan Morrison

 

The Master, WBro Robert Mitchell, then regaled the Brethren with a fascinating paper, accompanied with an illustrative slide show, on Roderick Hildegar Baxter. His paper, carefully researched over many months, portrayed WBro Baxter as perhaps one of the most famous of Rochdale's masons, whose obvious monument within the Province is the Masonic Hall at Richard Street, Rochdale, itself.

Born in 1871 and educated at Herriot-Watt college, Edinburgh, Roderick worked as an architect, designing schools, houses, mills etc. He had a bold personality and wasn't frightened of expressing his opinion. Masonically he was a highly respected member of the Manchester Association for Masonic Research (serving as President twice) and wrote several papers therein, the most sought after being those concerning the Old Charges. He was a founder member of the Manchester Lodge for Masonic Research, No. 5502, and the East Lancashire Provincial Grand Officers Chapter, No. 3747. He was a Grand Officer and served as a Life Governor of the Royal Masonic Institute for Girls and of the Mark Benevolent Fund. He was also a member of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076.

Presentation within the Lodge

 

So Roderick Baxter was 'An important stone in the structure and very fabric of our Province, of our Constitution and in fact, of Freemasonry itself'!.

 

The full text of Robert Mitchell's paper can be read in the Transactions of the Manchester Association for Masonic Research (MAMR) where Robert served as Master during the Centenary year and delivered a similar paper during his term of office.

 

WBro Roderick Hildegar Baxter, PAGDC

 

The Festive Board was a lively and full event, with splendid fare, company and a raffle which, with the Lodge collection, raised over £600. In the response to his toast, VWBro Woodward quoted Robert Timmins, an operative stonemason, "We might have finished with the past but the past hasn't finished with us". He pointed out that each brother present represented the past, present and future of this Lodge, this Province and Freemasonry in general. "You have the responsibility for ensuring both the virtue of continuity and the continuity of virtue. That responsibility requires a lifetime of commitment".

He reminded the brethren that Freemasonry offers an approach to life that is inexhaustible in interest, lifelong in appeal and enables and inspires its members. In a fractured world Freemasonry helps make sense of the senseless in life and provides stability, hope and comfort amidst constant change and shifting values.

Harold talked about the importance of quality and excellence within our Order and the raising of standards in our Lodges; that we become known as men of quality and character, and form part of the conscience of society where we live, acting without compromise to the highest of masonic ideals, and setting an excellent example for others.

It is then that he quoted Einstein, "Try not to become a man of Success, but rather a man of Value" - implying that as we contemplate our own futures we should remember that what we leave behind is enshrined in the lives of others, not engraved on tablets of stone. It is important that we impart values amongst those with whom we live and make contact - for example, we should listen and care, rather than talk and preach, and act as a true Brother towards our brethren, friends, family and colleagues, and care enough to care.

He reminded the brethren that if they still live, then they still have a mission! This was met with great acclaim.

Finally VWBro Woodward referred to the Master, WBro Robert Simon Curtis Mitchell (clearly to be a member of this Lodge you need to have several names) :-). Harold congratulated Robert on his paper and in toasting his health wished him health, happiness and success as he continues to stimulate many brethren across the Province.

In response Robert echoed the Deputy Provincial Grand Master's previous sentiments. He commented that as Stewards we may have been given the lowest rank but it is the highest honour! We are here to serve this Lodge, this Province, this Constitution, but most of all each other. The way we each live our lives reflects on us as individuals and on the Craft as a whole.

Roderick Hildegar Baxter lived his life as a Mason well. We can't all be the same as him, but we can be ourselves and do our personal bests. Tonight brethren, I am satisfied with your support, the warmth between us but most of all, because I know I am amongst friends.

 

Festive Board

Festive Board