The Friends of the Court

Letter from Hiram Abiff

Dear WBro Damien

Everybody here thought that the organisational structure was sound when Jacob, who fathered 12 sons that were, with the exception of Levi, allocated a separate territory and the Twelve Tribes of Israel were founded. The Tribe of Levi was set apart to serve the Holy Temple.

Ash, Ben, Dan, Zac and Joe and their brothers just wanted to go and do their own thing, set up their own lodges where they wanted to, and offer their special tributes providing it did not conflict with the Holy writ. The Levi were happy with all that as they were too busy running the Temple which was fast becoming the main source of income. However, as it often seems the case, there were a small group within the Levi who thought that they knew best and liked the power of association being close to the King, the rank and the privilege. They see themselves as the Friends of the Court of the King.

The Friends of the Court had undoubted interest and talent but they were not the only ones with a bit of intellect. They thought the boys in the Tribes were all a bunch of poor peasant sheppards who could not afford to dine in style all the time. The Tribesmen thought that the Friends of the Court were out of touch and could not be seen to represent them. How could they and why should they tell them what to do? Well they did and it was disruptive in the kingdom.

Now does history repeat itself? The Romans termed this sort of group the amicus curiæ (amicus meaning friend and curiæ meaning court), and it has a legal meaning as well. We had a Brother of yours trying to unsuccessfully get through the Gate who said that he was from Lodge Amicus although the curiæ bit had been dropped (but we all know what court). He clearly saw his Lodge as the Friends of the Court and the only right and proper group to manage your Constitution having gained voting supremacy. Members of this one Lodge wanted to tell everybody what anthem to sing and where to meet! He was not the least concerned that it did not look right to the average Lodge member nor was he concerned about the lack of transparency in decision making. No wonder St Peter had a problem with him. Surely your Constitution ensures that every Brother has a say in these sort of things.

For goodness sake I hope it gets sorted out as I am too busy explaining to former terrorists the we do not have virgins for them here and even if we did, they would not get through the gate. We don’t time for all that agni, ushas and mitra stuff either.

Yours most sincerely and fraternally

Hiram Abiff, PGM

Heavenly Abodes