WE ALL KNOW the precise moment to take the measure of a man; when we first meet him and when he dies. First impressions so often indelibly mark our unconscious with that "good-bad" quotient of a man and they return constantly as we reassess, over time, that relationship. They bleed into our conscious mind and, simply because they were the first, we tend to measure all subsequent notions of a person in a somewhat paler light. With the death of Worshipful Brother John Brown comes the second measure, one that sums up the person John was and hints at the lasting impression and influence that his life has had and continues to have on others so disparate from him in virtually every way except one. That is a belief in Freemasonry.

The investigation committee arrived at my home one sunny, fall afternoon and consisted of, then, Bros. Klymchuck and Gossling, and chaired by W.Bro. Brown. My wife, scuttling in the kitchen preparing the tray of obligatory biscuits and seeing to the coffee and tea with only a modest amount of grumbling, asking unanswerable questions. This of a nervous potential candidate who was busy plumping the cushions of the couch for perhaps the fifth time while practicing the fine art of appearing to be unconcerned at what amounted to an investigation into his character. What things should I admit to and what was none of their business and why had I not seen to that stain on the carpet before? The awkward feeling I had was probably very like the one you felt and when the doorbell rang ... well!

There in the doorway stood three answers to a maiden's prayer! All smiles they were and smooth for the inconvenience and so on but wouldn't I like to tell them, please, why I wanted to become a Mason? You can guess the rest from your own story but the two things I shall always remember from that sunny afternoon was the sense of humor of Worshipful Brother Brown and the deference of the younger men to him.

Worshipful Brother John Brown was a man of mirth, big of heart, gregarious and decent. A lifetime spent in the service of others left a legacy few of us can match though all of us should make the attempt. John possessed a mind broadened by travel and a lifetime of curiosity; was upright and dignified in his role as Chaplain and brought a quiet, unassuming leadership to Civil Service Lodge.

W.Bro. C.S. Laurie Lund, Lodge Historian
1998-2007