It was with genuine concern I heard that Tim Lewis, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, had, after more than seven years in office, found it necessary to consider retirement due to unfortunate health problems. My concern was shared by many within Freemasonry. It was, therefore, with very mixed emotions that I took my seat in his bright and comfortable office overlooking Pall Mall and St. James’s Palace. There was much I wished to ask him.
    He told me that he had become aware of Freemasonry while quite young but as a Roman Catholic it was something that he did not consider pursuing; that had to wait until much later in his life. Upon leaving school he joined Coutts Bank where he was to spend much of his career - thirty one years in all - eventually becoming Assistant Company Secretary of the Coutts Group which, by then, was part of the NatWest Bank.
    It was during the time when he first joined Coutts Bank that Freemasonry began to interest him; a time when he had become a ‘lapsed Catholic’. ‘I became friendly with a fellow Banker. He often mentioned that he was “off to a Masonic meeting” and this intrigued me. Eventually I asked, “Can I become a Freemason?” and the reply was “Of course you can. ” ’ Aged twenty-seven he was initiated into St. Leonards Streatham Lodge, No. 3809, Croydon, Surrey, in February 1969.
    I asked him what he thought Freemasonry would be like?
    ‘I didn’t have any idea what it would be like. I had heard that there were rituals that one went through but I had no idea what to expect as the only rituals that I had been associated with were those in the Catholic Church. Of course, I liked the ritual aspect of Catholicism - it was one of the things which attracted me. I had also attended “Ladies Nights” held by Masonic lodges so I knew that there was a charitable side.’
    ‘I found that I liked the companionship, the ceremonial aspects and particularly the whole idea of brotherhood, the feeling of support that I received from the other Brethren in the lodge; the fact that I could visit any lodge and be accepted, that other masons would ask me to come and join them.’
    ‘Freemasonry has developed my character: as a teenager I was shy, the thought of having to give a speech really distressed me. Freemasonry has helped all that to change: within the Lodge you get used to standing and speaking in front of other people. Initially I found that very difficult. I didn’t know what to say and I was worried that people were not going to like the things I would say. But now this no longer troubles me.’
    So you felt that Freemasonry augmented your life?
    ‘Yes and I always had the great support of my wife, Veroniquè, whom I had married a few years after I became a Freemason. Before we became engaged I told her that I was a Freemason and she was happy with this even though none of her family had ever joined the Craft. I have always had her support 110% and I still do.’

Moving beyond the Craft

    The Royal Arch was the first Order that he joined beyond the Craft. It impressed him more than his initiation into the First Degree. He was enthusiastic about it:
    ‘It was just wonderful. The ceremony fascinated me particularly as the real secrets were finally found!’
    ‘I was encouraged to join the Mark and did so in ISMA Mark Lodge, No. 996, a very strong lodge which met in Duke Street. I made many friends there and enjoyed it immensely. It broadened my outlook since I met many men there who were not in my Craft lodge or Royal Arch Chapter. I very quickly joined the Royal Ark Mariner which I thought was a fascinating Degree. In fact, I went through that Chair before that of my Craft Lodge.’
    ‘I then joined the Euston Rose Croix Chapter, No. 148. I liked this Degree very much as it appealed to my Christian instincts. I was in the chair for two years and then received my 30°. Next I joined the Allied Masonic Degrees and then the Cryptic Rite - it filled the gaps; the secrets which were lost in the Craft are revealed to those who are Royal Arch Masons, as the Cryptic Degrees reveal the path between the two events.’
    ‘I also joined The Secret Monitor. I found this to be quite different from the other Orders but I enjoyed it. All of a sudden it was a completely different legend involving David and Jonathan.’
    I asked about his involvement with the Chivalric Orders. What was his approach to them?
    ‘The first I joined was the Knights Templar. I found this to be on a par with the Rose Croix possibly because of my religious background: I have a soft spot for the Templars. I liked the ritual: it was a deep and very meaningful ceremony. The words used were well chosen and they appealed to me very much. Quite a while afterwards I was encouraged to join another Order - The Royal Order of Scotland.’
    ‘I was fascinated by the Royal Order; it seemed to touch on almost every other degree. You found yourself familiar with a lot of what was being asked and said.’
    ‘The last Christian Order that I joined was The Red Cross of Constantine. I liked its three degrees - and the Appendant Orders were very different, distinct and separate.’
    Why do you think that Freemasons decide to go beyond the Craft or the Royal Arch Degree?
    ‘I think that it is probably because they have enquiring minds and feel that they haven’t got all the answers - which was what I felt. The Craft bears the brunt of those who enter Freemasonry, think that it’s not for them, and resign: this, not unnaturally, is why the Craft is concerned about its numbers. This type of loss happens very infrequently in our Orders. We are lucky: people who enter these Orders say, "I like what I have already experienced and I want to find out more." Brethren who resign from our Orders do so for financial reasons, because they are overcommitted, or because they move - very seldom do they say "This is not for me" because the reason they joined the other Orders in the first place was to learn more. Without the other Degrees there would be a lot of people saying, "Where do we go next?" The Craft is a brotherhood and teaches you a code of morality; my religion is my religion and completely separate and Freemasonry does not conflict with it in any way. The Craft reminds you that you are mortal and that there is a Supreme Being, which I think we all need reminding of from time to time.’

Promotion and Grand Secretary of Mark

    Timothy Lewis was destined to reach very high office in several Masonic Orders: He was Grand Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees, Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler in the Order of the Secret Monitor, and an Intendant-General in the Red Cross of Constantine. He left his career with Coutts Bank at the end of September 1996 and after a week’s holiday, in October, came to Mark Masons’ Hall, formally becoming Grand Secretary of the Mark in June 1997. As head of this large Masonic institution he continued to develop the reputation of the Degrees administered from Mark Mason Hall in his dealings with United Grand Lodge.
    ‘I have had an excellent and growing relationship with Great Queen Street since I took over: there is a much greater understanding between us, in that we are all part of the wider movement of Freemasonry. The fact that we are not officially recognised in the Book of Constitutions does not mean that we are not regarded as legitimate masonic Orders.

The Future of Freemasonry

    Do you think that Freemasonry is relevant to the twenty-first century? What role do you see Freemasonry performing in society?
    ‘I think it very relevant especially as one sees that the world is becoming so secular, only concerned with selfgratification and the unremitting promotion of self as more anti-religious laws are being promulgated and the public at large seem to be becoming more and more materialistic.
    Freemasonry cannot stand still, it has to move forward but it mustn’t lose sight of its own tenets which are brotherly love and care for one’s fellow man. Look at how much charitable work we do; as long as we continue to follow and promote our teachings and beliefs, I think we should fit in well with the modern world.’
    Was he proud of the achievements of Mark Grand Lodge during his term of office?
    ‘I continued the work of my predecessors, they laid the foundations and I have endeavoured to promote the Orders we administer. I have encouraged the staff to be approachable and helpful, nothing should be too much trouble for them.’
    What are your feelings on retiring from the office of Grand Secretary?
    ‘I would like to thank all those with whom I have come in contact during my time as Grand Secretary, for making my job such a pleasure and so very interesting. I shall enjoy being able to continue my Freemasonry at a more relaxed pace, but I shall be leaving with a heavy heart; I have enjoyed it immensely, I have made so many good friends and have had so much support from everyone.’
    I then rose and left the office of the Grand Secretary, saddened to realise that this erudite Freemason was relinquishing a most important office within Freemasonry, but heartened by the knowledge that we would nevertheless continue to enjoy the camaraderie of such a dignified Brother.