When trip turns to stumble – and a very nasty fall, who can you count on? Masonic brethren of course, as the following story shows.

    It is a disturbing tale redeemed by compassion; a tale of the unexpected, involving bloodshed and injury. It is personal and sensitive enough for those most concerned to prefer anonymity. 

     The trip was to an important lodge gathering on Waiheke Island. The stumble came later when brethren returned by ferry to downtown Auckland, landing after midnight. It started to rain, and an 83-year-old Worshipful Brother began running, slipped and fell heavily gashing his head, breaking his collarbone and suffering concussion.

He was knocked unconscious.

      A Fellowcraft mason sprang to the rescue, getting the injured man under cover and calling an ambulance which took him to Auckland Hospital.

      In the absence of family members for the elderly patient, a widower who lives alone, the Fellowcraft and his wife kept vigil at the hospital until 2.30a.m. and came back the next day on his release. They took him back to their place where he was made comfortable and enjoyed a restful night.

     But Fate had more to come. The peaceful tenor of the day after was broken by a phone call saying the wife’s own mother had suffered a heart attack (fortunately non-fatal).

     This brought a rapid shift of focus, but meanwhile the District Grand Master for Auckland East, VWBro Ken Galley, had heard about the injured brother and mustered willing helpers from the man’s own lodge. So he spent another night as a Masonic house guest before being returned to his own home – and the care of his local doctor.

     Nobody claims any personal credit for this outstanding team effort, but overall it was clearly an expression of Masonic principles.

Life illustrating Freemasonry.

     Postscript: Though still feeling the effects of his injuries, the elderly gentleman was determined to offer some reciprocal gesture, so he did the Tracing Board at the Fellowcraft’s Third Degree ceremony.