Brother Ed Lawson, Chaplain of the Philosophic Lodge of Research, recited the Masonic poem THE MOTHER LODGE by Bro. Rudyard Kipling and discussing his experience of sitting in Lodge in Japan for many years with Brothers of all different faiths and nationalities. This presentation of Masonic Fellowship and Equality was hosted by Friendship Lodge  #33 in Southington Monday evening, January 17th.

THE MOTHER LODGE has been requested for another presentation by Solar Lodge, meeting at 111 Main Street in East Hampton at Anchor Lodge, date to be announced.

quoting Brother Ed:

"I cannot recommend highly enough the writings of Bro. Rudyard Kipling.  His words have inspired me for the last 43 years, since I found his poem "The Mother Lodge" in the library of Far East One, in Yokohama .  In so many of his stories ("Kim", " The Man who would be King",  Soldiers Three, especially "With the Old Guard") the Craft is mentioned, or alluded to. ..

My favorite, of course, is "The Mother Lodge", which was written in Brattleboro Vermont !!!   Kipling married an American, and lived in Vermont from 1992 to 1996.  The had the house, "Naulakha" built. The name means "nine hundred thousand treasures".  The house is owned by the British National Trust,..."

Ed is a wonderful speaker, and his many years of living in Japan give him a unique perspective of the universality of Masonry.