Craft Freemasonry in Jamaica

The leaders of the Constitutions are eloquent men blessed with an ability to find a light touch to serious business. The Scottish are led by a dentist who succeeded a gynecologist. The English are led by an attorney at law who succeeded a dentist. While the recently formed Irish Province is led by a director of an international conglomerate in which his family has a significant share-holding. Just how the leaders are chosen is a mystery. What is remarkable is how often the brethren have got it right. The Irish and Scottish seem to favour fixed terms. The Scottish Constitution seems to favour five years while the Irish have a ten year rule for senior office. The English Constitution is elective, the present District Grand Master having served eight years of what could possibly be twelve years if the periods of office of his predecessors offer guidance.

RW Bro. Afeef Asaad Lazarus, District Grand Master of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, a man approaching fifty years, is a large, avuncular solicitor now eight years into office. Initiated into Friendly Lodge No. 239 in 1973 he became its master in 1979. Today he is striving to persuade some of the older freemasons to accept more of the ways of the younger man. A reluctance by older freemasons to yield to the younger brethren has led to problems of recruitment.

RW Bro. Barrington Earl Antony Miller succeeded Hugh Hastings Wynter as head of the Scottish Constitution in Jamaica. Now just over fifty years of age he is the oldest of the three Craft Masters. Initiated into the Clarendon Kilwinning Lodge No.1427 in 1970 he became its master in 1976. This amiable, slightly built dentist owns an infectious laugh and a broad smile. Residing in Spanish Town, the former capital of the island, the District Master Mason is well located to undertake his duties visiting the seventeen lodges in his jurisdiction.

RW Bro. James`S Moss-Solomon is a relatively young mason having been initiated less than fifteen years ago into the Irish Constitution Lodge Western Shamrock No. 889. He was its first initiate in 1985. Now in his late forties he embraced freemasonry with great zeal becoming the first Provincial Grand Master at age 43. Among his many attributes are a ready wit, a great sense of humour and, on the occasions he is not the principal visitor, plays the organ with the lightest of touches. His ability to reflect the moods of a lodge at labour with selections from the keyboard adds much to the good humour of the meetings. Clearly he sees life in bold perspective. “Do something; do it well” is his doctrine in life. Leadership qualities are in evidence, James Moss-Solomon is a great motivator often leading from the front. Most interestingly he advocates not only the gift of money to charitable causes but the gift of self. He is an advocate of personal service in support of charitable causes, particularly those directed toward the less fortunate young.

From left to right: R.W. Bros Parsons, Lazarus, Graham and Cole, District Masters all

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Leaders