"Phoenix from the Ashes"

  (Click on the Months underlined) 

I watched the flames tear our building down

It was Carnival day in this lovely town

Over 300 masons’ hearts just fell

As we heard the sound of the fire bell

Fire had wrecked in an hour or two

What generations have taken years to do?

 

But masons are builders who work with care

Measuring life by the rule and square

Shaping their deeds by the well-made plan

Patiently doing; the best they can

Meeting here and meeting there

With positive Masters in the Chair

 

After months of hope we can now return,

With one or two possessions that didn’t bum

Back to Church Street we will go

In a Temple that we will be proud to show

To our visitors from far and wide

(I think it will be difficult to stem the tide)

 

All will be welcome to come our way

So with much pleasure I stand here today

Having now seen our brand new hall

Audley will welcome one and all

You will appreciate this is no idle boast

As now I will give you our visitors toast

                                                                                J. Porter PM Audley Lodge - March 2001  

The Phoenix was a flying, looking for the Hall

When it espied the Master a leaning against a wall.

Said the Phoenix to the Master ‘the ashes burn so brightly your Hall is gone you know’

With furrowed brow and tearful eye the master spake with trembling voice

‘Alas it’s gone, it’s all we had and still the ashes burn so brightly’

‘Are masons not of character strong?’, the old bird muttered darkly

‘They are, oh yes they are’ the Master cried’ and wiped his eye quite smartly.. ...

The Phoenix laughed, his own fate flashed before him, but still he eyed the Master kindly.

‘The beginning is the place to start and stop when all is finished

Always follow your instincts, leave others to decide their fates not yours.’

At length The Master listened, nodded sagely and understood.

He told the bird of all his plans, and warming to his task

He thanked the bird and waited for approval

But strangely he was all-alone and answer was there none

The ashes of the Hall still burned but maybe not so brightly.

Jack H.Golding P.P.J.G.W. (Essex) September 2000