Bro The Rev'd
Canon J J Morrow
On November 25th, Bro Rev Canon J J Morrow entered the Grand Lodge of
Scotland Hall of Fame when he became The Most Worshipful The Grand
Master Mason of Scotland at the Installation in George Street,
Edinburgh.
When'Joe' joined Lodge Camperdown almost 25 years ago, it was
immediately clear that he was destined for stardom. Some
brethren even felt he may eventually become 317's first Provincial Grand
Master. Little did we expect all those years ago, that our
'Joe' would ascend to the highest station in Scottish Freemasonry.
The Rev’d Canon Joseph
John Morrow, J.P., O.St.J., joined Lodge Camperdown in 1981.
During the course of his early Masonic career, Joe became very
popular throughout the Province, being invited regularly to speak at
various Installations and Burns Suppers.
I remember sitting at a Lodge committee meeting at Lodge
Camperdown, then in Dura Street, back in 1987 when Joe asked the
permission of the Lodge to affiliate to Lodge Caledonian no. 254 where
he would eventually become Master.
Joe humbly said that, although he could do it without the
‘permission’ of the Lodge, he would not do so if it would upset the
brethren in any way. The
committee had no hesitation in granting Joe this wish and promptly
wished him well in his Masonic Career.
Joe affiliated to Lodge
Caledonian No. 254 in 1988 and became Master thereof from 1988 to 1989.
Although Joe had been a
member of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire since 1985 in the
capacity of Senior Grand Chaplain, he would have had to be a Past Master
to fuel his undoubted desire to progress further within the Craft.
The great honour conferred on him by Lodge Caledonian allowed him
to take his undoubted talents to the Grand Lodge of Scotland and for
this, we at Lodge Camperdown will be eternally grateful.
Joe held the position of Provincial Grand Chaplain until 2002.
Joe was elected to Grand
Committee in 1990, a position he would hold until 1993.
He was re-elected to that Committee in 1996.
Joe was also a member of the Petitions, Complaints and Appeals
Committee, the Masonic Homes Committee and the Benevolence and Care
Committee. Joe was
also a Representative from the Danish Order of Freemasons, Grand Lodge
of Denmark.
During his career, Joe was
instrumental in forming the Robert Burns Lodge of Dundee No 1788.
He had noted that many cities and towns throughout the World had
Lodges named after our National Bard and felt that it was about time
that we in Dundee formed our own Lodge dedicated to his memory.
I remember Joe approaching me one night to discuss the subject,
suggesting that he would like PM Ally Gowans Senior to be its first RWM.
After many months attending
Steering Committee meetings at Joe’s house in Dudhope Street in Dundee
and with Joe’s assistance at Grand Lodge, his dream came to fruition
at the Lodge’s Consecration in the Bonar Hall, Dundee on November 10th
1990, when the Gavel of the Robert Burns Lodge of Dundee was presented
to Bro Ally Gowans Senior, Past Master of Lodge Camperdown No. 317 by
the Most Worshipful The Grand Master Mason Bro, Sir Gregor McGregor of
McGregor. It must be
noted that Bro Joe was the undoubted inspiration behind the formation of
the Lodge. The
Lodge’s Charter was granted on 2nd August, 1990.
The Lodge Sponsors were Lodge Camperdown No. 317, Lodge Thistle
Operative No. 158, and Lodge Forfar & Kincardine No. 225.
Bro Joe is also an
affiliate member of Sir Robert Moray, No. 1641 and of Lodge Discovery,
No. 1789.
Bro Rev’d Canon Joseph
John Morrow reached the pinnacle of his Masonic Career on the 25th
November 2004, when he was installed as the Most Worshipful The Grand
Master Mason of Scotland at the Installation Ceremony in Freemasons’
Hall,
96 George Street,
Edinburgh.
At the Installation Dinner
in the Sheraton Hotel, Dundee’s Lord Provost, Bro John Letford, also a
Master Mason of Lodge Camperdown 317, accompanied Joe at the top table.
It was also fitting that Joe honored Past Master Ally Gowans Sen. the
1st Master of the Burns Lodge of Dundee and Past Master of Lodge
Camperdown 317, by inviting him to Address the
Haggis prior to the meal.
Joe’s first visit as The
Most Worshipful The Grand Master Mason was to attend the Installation
Ceremony at Lodge Camperdown where he witnessed Bro Albert Clark being
installed into the Chair of King Solomon for the 2nd time.
During the course of the day, Bro Joe spent a great deal of time
mixing with the Brethren being photographed in proportions usually
associated with Royalty. The
brethren were most appreciative.
Click here to see some of these shots.
On behalf of all at Lodge
Camperdown, may we offer you our sincere congratulations on your
accession to the high
station you now fill. We
at Lodge Camperdown are very proud to have one of our own in such an
exalted position.
Good Luck and Best Wishes
from all at Lodge Camperdown.
Bro Ally Gowans Jr PM
