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The following poem was written for the final meeting of Torrens Park Lodge #112 South Australian Constitution who surrendered their Warrant on 9th February 2000.

For the Closing of a Lodge

With the closing of the Volume

and the opening of a door,

Think not this Lodge has ended,

think what has gone before.

Remember all those worthy men

who as apprentice came,

And who developed love and skill

and worked in friendship's name.

When you take up the Working Tools

to gently put aside,

Think not their work has ended,

think how they were applied.

Remember well the lessons taught,

to craftsmen tried and true,

Of Masons worthy of the name

and apron, white and blue.

When your Tracing Boards are covered

and the Columns laid at rest,

Think not their teaching ended,

think more a message blessed.

Recall the special meaning

to Master Masons all,

Of birth and life and learning

and waiting for the call.

With the sounding of the gavel

as the lights at last go out

Think not your Lodge has ended,

dispel all lingering doubt,

Master, Wardens, Brethren,

recall as you depart,

Your Lodge will live forever

in every Mason's heart.

Brother Kelley writes: I take it as a great compliment that you would like to include "For the Closing of a Lodge" on your web site. It was written as a form of response to the toast to the visitors, which I had been asked to give. From time to time I receive mail from lodges who wished to use it and feel honoured that my work should have travelled so far. It was first placed on the Net by a member of the South Australian Constitution unbeknown to me, and it was not until I received an Email from a Canadian Lodge that I discovered where it was. Since that time it has been used in England, America, Canada and even Italy, where it was translated into Italian!

Brother Kelley writes: [This is] a poem dedicated to the recipient of a 50-year Jewel presentation which, whilst written for one particular person, could easily be adapted to suit another. You will notice it is written in rhyming triplets. I did this in an attempt to to replicate the three knocks in Freemasonry.

To Harvey

In nineteen hundred and fifty-four

A Tyler knocked on a guarded door

And a candidate entered hoodwinked and unsure.

Strangely attired in darkness he trod,

With left knee made bare and one foot slipshod,

Declaring his faith and reliance in God.

With the ceremony ended his work had begun,

Much to be learnt, much to be done,

And he had the will that was second to none.

He applied himself to all that was good

And learnt the meaning of true brotherhood

And of helping another as all Masons should.

Then being passed to the second degree,

A Fellow craft now this Mason would be,

And no-one sought knowledge more fervent than he.

Level and upright like plumb-rule and square,

Conducting himself with caution and care,

Seeking the meaning of everything there.

Now the third step he was ready to take,

With a new obligation he never would break,

And a symbolic journey that he still had to make.

Thus was he raised to the degree he had sought,

Ever improved in deed, word, and thought,

Conducting himself as a good Mason ought.

Elected to office, he filled every chair,

And made an impression on everyone there

As a Master whose rule was gentle and fair.

To other degrees his attention then turned,

With other new secrets yet to be learned,

And a desire for knowledge that inwardly burned.

He served in Grand Lodge and gave it his all,

Whatever was needed he answered the call.

For what he’s achieved, he can proudly stand tall,

He’s adorned the Craft and everything in it,

Set an example and kept every tenet.

For his great contribution we say, "Thanks, Harvey Bennet!"

Dec 2004

John Michael Kelley (1935- )

I was born on August 5th 1935. I spent some years as a lecturer and was appointed to the position of Grand Lecturer. I Thoroughly enjoyed the appointment and tried to make my presentatons on the floor of the lodge as active and involving as possible. I believe involvement is the secret to masonic teaching.

Following my term as Grand Lecturer I was appointed to the rank of Junior Grand Warden which was a year my wife Maureen and I will never forget. To conduct installation ceremonies has been the highlight of my 35 years in the Craft.

V.W. Bro. Jack Kelley, Dip.M.Ed., P.G.W., P.G. Lect.
Grand Lodge of South Australia & the Northern Territory
17 Oct. 2007
Contact at jakelley@spamprotect@iinet.net.au.