Below: Charles Lewis, Master-Elect of
Internet Lodge and Past Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge
of North Carolina
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Few lodges can boast as diverse a range
of members as Internet Lodge No. 9659,
which has nearly 200 members drawn from
56 Grand Lodge jurisdictions all around
the world – truly ‘Masonry Universal’.
The members represent many cultures,
religions and Masonic ranks, ranging from
plain Master Masons to the very highest
levels. Indeed, the next Master of Internet
Lodge will be MW Bro. Charles Lewis,
Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
of North Carolina.
This may be the first time a Past Grand
Master of any overseas Grand Lodge has
occupied the Chair of King Solomon in an
ordinary Lodge of the United Grand Lodge
of England. His remarkable Installation
will take place at the Masonic Hall, Bridge
Street, Manchester, on 17 March 2007.
Visitors will be most welcome.
The Lodge is not quite ten years old,
but is going from strength to strength.
Bro Lewis will have his work cut out
for him during his year as there are two
Initiates waiting to be balloted for,
something Internet Lodge has not
done before.
The main business of the Lodge is
delivering lectures on topics of Masonic
interest and these are available on the site.
They range from ritual, to the need for
openness and many other topics, including
charity. Charity is very important to
Internet Lodge, which made a substantial
donation to the East Lancashire Provincial
Festival and has a custom of supporting
a designated non-Masonic charity for three
years to maximise the benefit.
Internet Lodge is also a very social
Lodge. While the Installation meeting
is always in their ‘home’ temple in
Manchester, the other two meetings take
place in Masonic centres across England
and Wales. For 2007 that will be Rugby
in August and a Ladies Festival weekend
in Cardiff in October.
In fact, each meeting is like a mini-ladies
festival. Since most brethren have to travel
and stay at least one night to attend the
regular Saturday meetings, it has become
the custom for them to bring their wives
and girlfriends.
The Friday night, therefore, is usually
an enjoyable group dinner with friendships
being renewed and news being exchanged.
The next day, while the brethren attend
Lodge, the ‘WAGs’ go sightseeing or
shopping and, on occasion, join their men
for the meal following the meeting.
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