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Mid-Night Summons

By R.W. Bro. Hermann Waxl

Late one night while in town, I felt an urge drawing me to my Lodge. Having had a key since my days as Tyler, I had no problem getting in. I started up the stairs and I glanced at the chair lift and my Lodge Brother Jim Millest came to mind as he was the only one in recent years to use it.

I turned on some lights and entered the ante room and as I approached the door to the Lodge Room I couldn't help but notice the many pictures of Past Masters that line the walls. Most of whom I couldn't have known except those since the 60's. But certainly all their hearts held the Love of Masonry and this very Lodge.

As I approached the door of the Lodge room those scary times as Tyler came back to me. I remembered being nervous and unsure of myself starting into the chairs so long ago. I opened the door and turned on the feeble ray of light over the altar. No other light seemed appropriate. I could see the Great Lights of Masonry illuminated there on the Altar as I approached.

Not a sound. I just stood there in the semi darkness for quite some time. But I had an odd feeling that I wasn't alone.

Slowly I opened the Bible to the E.A. Passage and placed the Square and Compasses on it like I had done so many times before and automatically switched on the Lesser Lights. Not realizing, I had created an open Lodge condition.

I stepped back to the I.G.'s chair and sat down. That feeling I was not alone came creeping back again. I suddenly thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I looked toward the N.E. angle of the Lodge and in the dim light I saw men's faces with transparent bodies coming into the Lodge.

One by one they came in taking up chair positions. In the East was Unity's first Master from 1879. The faces kept coming. Some smiling, some stern looking, talking to each other and shaking hands, but I couldn't hear a sound.

After all the men had found their places the Master used his gavel. Then they all seemed to be looking at me, sitting by the door. It didn't seem like I was supposed to be there, but I wasn't motioned to leave either. Perhaps because I unknowingly prepared the Lodge for them.

The Master addressed the Brethren and it must have been the D.s who handed out the ballots and collected them. I had no idea for whom the ballot was for. After the ballot the Master addressed the Brethren again, smiling.

Then suddenly another face appeared at the N.E. angle. It was my friend and Brother Jimmy Millest.

Jim was the last to leave. He took a long look around the Lodge, then for a moment in my direction, and leaning on his cane with his precious William Mercer Wilson medal in his hand, he laid the medal on the top of the rough ashlar, waved to me and followed his Brethren.

Sitting there pondering what just happened, and why a ballot, and Jim coming last, I suddenly realized that the Brethren had held a ballot on behalf of my friend for affiliation to the Grand Lodge Above and was accepted.

I know now that being a Freemason by name alone, does not entitle us to become a member of the Grand Lodge Above. We have to earn that distinction for ourselves.

I closed down the Lodge, put out the feeble light and all was in darkness again. Not a sound, just the silence of night. I locked up the Lodge Room. As I was leaving that night, I rode the chair lift down, made sure the door was locked and went home.

For Bro. James Darling Millest, W.M.W., and all of our departed Brethren.
We cherish your memories in our hearts....So Mote it Be!