On my recent trip to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, I found out the meaning of Masonic Brotherly love and fellowship. We were in New Zealand which Masonically is divided into North Island and South Island with each Island having its own Grand Lodge and, of course its own Grand Master. 

        While in a city by the Name of Christchurch, we had a free day, so the night before I got the local phone book and looked up Masonic Lodges and found one fairly close to the hotel where we were staying. I made some calls and was given the name of a Brother who I was told would help me see the Lodge near our hotel. I called this Brother and he picked us up at our hotel. He turned out to be the Grand Master of South Island and showed us around the city. Then he drove us up into the hills and took us through a beautiful Lodge after which we all stopped for coffee and sandwiches at a beautiful medieval type restaurant near the Lodge, and then back to our hotel. Later that day, we met him and his wife at a restaurant for dinner.

        This brother was delightful to be with and made our vacation that much more enjoyable and interesting and I plan to correspond with him as he might come to California next year. This was an example of one of the joys and benefits of being a Mason and I strongly recommend that if you travel either in this country or overseas that you prepare ahead and try to have a Masonic adventure such as I had.

        As we are in summer, our Lodge will probably be dark in August except for the Stated Meeting, so put on one of your bright Hawaiian type shirts and join us at the dinner and meeting afterwards. You will all enjoy yourselves. Be sure you call us for reservations so we know how many to plan for.