Harmony Lodge No. 18, Panama
"OUR BEGINNINGS, A BRIEF HISTORY"
It was 1986, when the Grand Master of that time had the idea
of constituting a new lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand
Lodge of Panama, based upon an innovative concept that will revolutionize
freemasonry. From this moment on, the name HARMONY LODGE No. 18
and its concept was heard in the masonic arena.
On November 1986, the Grand Master approached the then District
Grand Master of the District Grand Lodge at the Panama Canal of
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. His purpose was to communicate
him an idea that was running through his head, which was about
this new concept that will strengthen the order as well as to
help retain new members that will be initiated into freemasonry.
The idea was by far innovative; the purpose was to constitute
a new lodge that will be working by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts's
ritual in English. This will allow participation of all brethren
belonging to all the lodges in the isthmus, as well as inactive
ones that were dormant by multiple reasons. Another goal to be
achieved was to initiate new members that will bring prestige
to the fraternity. Finally that this new lodge will serve the
purpose of narrowing the fraternal ties existing among both Grand
Lodges.
In fact, up to this point nothing was so innovative or different
to the ideals that great masons had in the past about the constitution
of new lodges, that have worked time and again in the world. The
difference and really attractive situation about this new lodge,
would become a milestone. Brethren will pay higher fees compared
to what traditionally was the running fee in other lodges, but
that every brother that assists to a communication will receive
"wages" for his attendance, by means of crediting them
part of the fees.
The idea drafted by the Grand Master was to charge every brother
the sum of $20.00 per regular meeting that he had to attend, and
return for his assistance as wages the sum of $10.00. It is important
to stress that wages are to be paid for confirmed assistance,
if a brother fails to assist, regardless of the motive, he looses
the right to earn wages. This was an interesting concept, at that
time it was foreseen that it would motivate a massive participation
of the members to the regular communications.
On December 27, 1986, the Grand Master attended at the installation
of M.W.B. Albert Timothy Ames, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge
of Massachusetts. In this occasion, he mentioned him about the
ideas that were going through his head.
M.W.B. Ames called in W.B. Stewart Pollard, then Executive Secretary
of the Masonic Service Association of the United States of America,
who was nearby, and told him: "Stew, ask Rudy about this
new lodge they are constituting in Panama".
Our Grand Master explained his idea in full, W.B. Pollard was
delighted and impressed with the presentation. The Grand Master
had this idea fixed in his mind, and was convinced that it was
quite possible to see his dream come through.
Then on February 1987, the Grand Lodge of Panama is for the first
time since its foundation in 1916 invited as an observer to the
North American Grand Master's Annual Meeting, that took place
in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The attendance at this meeting is
constituted by the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges of Mexico,
United States and Canada, and it serves the purpose of presenting
agendas concerning problems, advances, new ideas, motivations
and other subjects that relate to the benefit of continuous growth
of our Order. The Grand Master at his arrival is grabbed with
inquiries from the participating members about his idea, which
was considered innovative within the fraternity.
During 1987, the Grand Master goes to several meetings held by
the Grand Lodges of South Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Nevada
and other states of the Union, and in every occasion was approached
by W.B. Pollard who continually asked him about his HARMONY LODGE
No. 18 project.
Two important milestones in the history of our lodge took place
during this year. First, that the name of HARMONY LODGE No. 18
is inserted in the Book of Lodges that was first printed in 1988;
secondly, our lodge is included in the yearly issue of "Masonic,
Believe It or Not".
Between 1987 and 1990, the Republic of Panama went through years
of hardship, unfortunately freemasonry did not escape its side
effects. Once significant economic recovery was noticed in Panama,
the idea of the former Grand Master about HARMONY LODGE No. 18,
was retaken by brethren that knew the details from the beginning.
It was the month of February 1993, when a group integrated by
the presiding Grand Master, the former Grand Master that had the
idea along with the Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of
Panama, met at a renowned restaurant in Panama City. This meeting
was held with the presiding District Grand Master accompanied
by Dignitaries of the District Grand Lodge at the Panama Canal.
Also at this meeting were the Grand Master of the National Grand
Lodge of France who was at the time visiting Panama, and the Inspector
General of the Scottish Rite at the Panama Canal.
To this initial meeting followed another that was held at the
library of the Scottish Rite Temple in Balboa on March 18, 1993,
with the participation of several members of the former group
and the addition of several members from the District Grand Lodge
at the Panama Canal. The main issue at this meeting was the need
to integrate a ritualistic team that will allow the new lodge
to work by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts's ritual. The main
objective was to set an example to the Entered Apprentices that
were to be initiated into the fraternity, as well as the return
to ritualistic tradition among other lodges working in Panama.
A follow up meeting before the final constitution of HARMONY LODGE
No. 18 took place at Club Union on April 7, 1993. The District
Grand Master communicated the brethren attending the meeting about
the possibility of including a dedicated W.M. from his jurisdiction
among the founding members. His virtues and skills as renowned
ritualist were stressed and assured that it will be a distinction
to the new lodge. This dedicated mason was later designated to
be the first Master of the new lodge.
The founding members delivered their respective Demit Letters
from their lodges to the Grand Secretary on April 12, 1993, with
the purpose of requesting the dispensation rights. On April 16,
at a solemn communication to celebrate the foundation of the Grand
Lodge of Panama, dispensation rights were granted to HARMONY LODGE
No. 18.
The first meeting under dispensation took place on April 21, 1993.
After multiple ritualistic workshops held at Club Union and at
the Grand Lodge Building, on October 9, 1993, the Grand Lodge
grants HARMONY LODGE No. 18 the Charter, giving it full rights
to work as a regular lodge.
Currently, HARMONY LODGE No. 18 is working under the ideas that
were the foundation of its conception and constitution. It is
a lodge that works entirely in the English language. Among its
members there are masons that were initiated, passed and raised
within. Also, dual members from other lodges from the jurisdiction
of the Grand Lodge of Panama, District Grand Lodge at the Panama
Canal, as well as from lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand
Lodge of Scotland that are chartered to work in Panama.
Since its consecration, several Worshipful Masters have gone through
the East, distinguishing the lodge. Among them, a consecrated
ritualist, a Past Grand Master, a former Vice President of Panama
and renowned physician, a high ranking government official and
distinguished member of our society.
Our recently installed Master for 1997 - 1998, was the first Master
Mason raised in HARMONY, he is the grandson of a Past Grand Master.
* Translation from the Spanish version "NUESTRA HISTORIA",
excerpt from the official publication of the Grand Lodge of Panama,
Revista Fraternidad, Año 77, Vol. 2, 1993: "Reseña
Histórica de la Creación de la Logia HARMONY LODGE
No.18".