Article: 11074 of alt.freemasonry
From: jgbennie@opus.freenet.vancouver.bc.ca (Jim Bennie)
Newsgroups: alt.freemasonry
Subject: Re: Tilers Toast
Date: 6 Dec 1995 18:11:08 GMT
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jimbo (jimbo@globalnet.co.uk) wrote:
: Could anyone email me a copy of the tilers toast.
: My mentor the W.Bro A.Ashton has become our
: lodge chaplain and desperately needs this toast.
: Fraternal Thanks
: Bro. J North

Jim, which one do you want?? It varies from Lodge to Lodge
here in the Vancouver (B.C.) area.

The one commonly heard is something along these lines...

"To all poor and distressed brethren, wherever they may be
 On Land, Sea or in the Air:
 A speedy relief to their suffering
 And a safe return to their native land,
 Should they so desire".

Then we raise our glasses.

Some of the Lodges in our District preceded this with
a combination of pocket, heart and hand (three times).
Of the three Lodges that did this, all three gave the
words in different order. Since our Lodges amalgamated,
it makes the Tyler's toast at meetings interesting.

At the Lodge in which I was Tyler, the toast follows
the poetry of Kipling, with minor modifications:

"And here's to the sons of the widow.
 Whenever, wherever they roam.
 Here's all they require
 (and if they desire)
 A speedy return to their home".

In District 20 (generally Emulation working), there is quite an
elaborate toast which begins..

" 'Are your glasses all charged in the West and the South?'
 the Worshipful Master cried?
 'All charged in the West'
 'All charged in the South'
 Came the Wardens' prompt reply "...

I'd post the full toast of five or six stanzas, but I
don't know it all. If I can find a copy, I'll put it up here.

Jim Bennie
(Past Tyler, Lodge Southern Cross #44)
PM Alliance No. 193,
Vancouver, B.C.