In the waning days of 2024, as winter began its slow creep across the North East of Scotland, a small but determined delegation from Lodge St. Olaf 1188 set out on a momentous journey. Their destination was the venerable Lodge Keith 56 in Peterhead, where the mysteries of the first degree would unfold in a display of Masonic artistry.
This delegation was unlike others before it, for it was led by none other than Day-Late the Dwarf, Right Worshipful Master-elect of St. Olaf. Accompanying him on this noble errand were two of the Lodge’s newer brethren: Paul Carny, a newly passed Fellow Craft, and Vern Nathan, recently raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. For both, this was their first venture beyond the familiar confines of St. Olaf’s compact and bijou temple, and they were eager to see the wider world of Masonry.
The journey from Cruden Bay to Peterhead was uneventful, save for the inevitable delay as Day-Late fumbled with his tie in the parking lot—a ritual that had become something of a tradition. When they finally approached the grand edifice of Lodge Keith, both Paul and Vern stopped in their tracks, their jaws dropping at the sheer scale and grandeur of the building before them.
Lodge Keith stood as a testament to the majesty of Scottish Freemasonry. Its towering columns, ornately carved woodwork, and gleaming regalia spoke of centuries of tradition. Inside, the brethren of Keith 56 moved with an air of practiced precision, their aprons and jewels catching the light of the grand chandeliers.
For Paul and Vern, who had only known the cozy warmth of St. Olaf’s temple, the scene was overwhelming. “It’s like stepping into a cathedral!” whispered Vern, his voice tinged with awe. Paul nodded mutely, his eyes scanning the room with wonder.
As the brethren of Lodge Keith began their labors, the delegation from St. Olaf took their places among the gathered audience. The first degree, a ceremony both solemn and inspiring, unfolded with a precision and artistry that left even Day-Late momentarily speechless—a rarity, to be sure.
The office bearers of Lodge Keith moved with fluidity, their words ringing out with clarity and conviction. Each gesture, each step, seemed to hold profound meaning, drawing Paul and Vern deeper into the mysteries of the craft.
At one point, Vern leaned toward Paul and whispered, “If they ever visit St. Olaf, we’ll need to hope that Day-Late remembers his lines.” Paul stifled a chuckle, though his admiration for the Keith brethren’s expertise was evident.
When the ceremony concluded, a warm applause filled the room, a testament to the skill and dedication of the brethren of Lodge Keith. For Paul and Vern, it was a moment of revelation—a glimpse of the wider Masonic world that lay beyond their Mother Lodge.
Following the degree, it fell to Day-Late the Dwarf, as leader of the delegation, to deliver the fraternal greetings of Lodge St. Olaf 1188. Rising to his feet, his diminutive stature belying the gravity of his words, he spoke with sincerity and good humor.
“Brethren of Lodge Keith 56,” he began, “I bring you warm greetings from our Right Worshipful Master, Trevor the Worshipful, and all the brethren of Lodge St. Olaf 1188. It is an honor to be here tonight, to witness such an impeccable working of the first degree, and to share in the fellowship that unites us all.”
The brethren of Keith 56 received his words with nods of approval and murmurs of appreciation. Day-Late, despite his reputation for tardiness, had represented St. Olaf with dignity, earning the respect of all present.
When the delegation returned to Cruden Bay the following Thursday, the tales of their journey spread quickly through the ranks of Lodge St. Olaf. Day-Late, ever the storyteller, recounted the grandeur of Lodge Keith, the excellence of their ritual, and the warm hospitality they had received.
Paul and Vern, still glowing from the experience, spoke of their newfound motivation to attend future events, inspired by what they had witnessed. “It’s not just about our Lodge,” Paul said. “It’s about being part of something bigger.”
In the days that followed, the influence of Lodge Keith’s example could be felt within the walls of St. Olaf. The new brethren carried a sense of pride and purpose, eager to uphold the traditions of their craft. And Day-Late, true to his role as a bridge between Lodges, ensured that the fraternal greetings of Keith 56 were delivered with the same warmth and respect with which they had been received.
Thus, the bonds between the Lodges were strengthened, and the brethren of St. Olaf returned to their labors with a renewed sense of purpose. For though they were a small Lodge, nestled in the far reaches of the North East, they were part of a fellowship that spanned not just Scotland, but the world.
And in the weeks to come, as the winter winds howled outside The Level, the tale of the journey to Lodge Keith would be told again and again, growing ever grander in its retelling—just as all good Masonic stories should.
The End… For Now.