Hands
Across The Border
Foreword
The information contained in this document has been compiled from the
records of Most Excellent Companion Waldo York Leeman, one of the originators
of this great exhibition of companionship and friendship. M. E. Companion
Leeman is still very active in Hands Across the Border.
In
Moncton
,
New Brunswick
, on Thursday the 28th day of June 1962 M. E.. Companion Waldo Y.
Leeman was elected and installed as the Most Excellent First Grand Principal
of the Royal Arch Masons of New Brunswick. Present on that occasion were two
of M. E.. Companion Leeman’s particular friends from the State of
Maine
,
U.S.A.
; the Grand High Priest of Maine, M. E.. Companion Benjamin Butler of
Farmington
; and a Past Grand High Priest of Maine, M. E.. Companion Benjamin Ela of
North Anson
. Following the closing of this meeting the above named three gathered
together on the floor of the Lodge room in front of the altar and discussed
many points where differences take place in the conferring of the Royal Arch
Degrees between the two jurisdictions, namely
New Brunswick
and
Maine
. It was here that day that an invitation was extended to M. E.. Companion
Leeman to have one of his subordinate Chapters journey to
Maine
and confer the Royal Arch Degree. M. E.. Companion Leeman suggested that he
would ask his Grand Chapter officers if they would each do his part of the
conferring of the Royal Arch Degree later that year at a special convocation
to be held in
Bangor
Maine
. Both M. E.. Companions Butler and Ela thought this a wonderful idea and that
thereby a great friendship could prevail between the two Grand Jurisdictions.
Preparations accordingly were started immediately for a fall meeting.
On
October 20th 1962
this meeting became a reality when a special Dispensation was signed by both M. E..
Companion Leeman and M. E.. Companion Butler. The Grand Chapter of New
Brunswick opened in
Bangor
and conferred the Royal Arch Degree on two candidates of the State of
Maine
before an audience of more than 350 members representing 43 different
Chapters. Following the closing of this meeting an invitation was extended to
the Grand Chapter of Maine to pay a return visit to
New Brunswick
next year and to confer the Royal Arch Degree.
This was the beginning of HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER as we know it today,
and this yearly exchange of visitations has continued to this day.
New Brunswick
goes to
Maine
on the “even” years and
Maine
travels to
New Brunswick
on the “odd” years. After this inter-change of visitations had been going
on for ten years, a Medallion was struck by M. E.. Companions Leeman and
Butler – with no expense for same charged to or defrayed by the two Grand
Chapters – honoring the two Grand Chapters for their continuation of the
“Hands Across the Border” meetings, and it was named the “BEN ELA
MEDALLION” in honour of the third one present that eventful day of June
1962. This Medallion was presented to the two Companions who instituted this
event, viz M. E. Companion Waldo Leeman and M. E. Companion Benjamin Butler,
at that anniversary, each presenting it to the other; and it was awarded
posthumously to M. E. Companion Benjamin Ela and subsequently presented to his
widow. At that time also it was presented to all Past Grand High Priests and
Past First Grand Principals of these two jurisdictions who had attended the
inter-change since its conception to date.
A word or two should be devoted to describing this Medallion. It is
made from two dies; M. E. Companion Butler has the one for the “American”
side depicting the crest of the Grand Chapter of Maine with his name on it;
and M. E. Companion Leeman has the other, the “Canadian” side depicting
the crest of the Grand Chapter of New Brunswick and with his name on it. These
Medallions are suspended by ribbons representing the pertinent colours of the
two Grand Chapters. The words “HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER” are inscribed on
both sides; and a metal clasp on the ribbon depicts two hands in the form of a
handshake. Incidentally a number of medallions were struck in anticipation of
this inter-change continuing for a good many years to come.
When HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER took place it was mutually agreed between
the two eminent Most Excellent Companions that the Medallion would be
presented by M. E. Companion Leeman to the
U.S.A.
recipients and by M. E. Companion Butler to the Canadian recipients. And at
that tenth anniversary celebration it was generally agreed that in future
years the Grand High Priest and the First Grand Principal who made the
inter-change would be presented with it. Further, it was agreed that anyone
who had contributed materially to Hands Across the Border and who might not
otherwise receive one (i.e. one who would not, for example, be “in the
line”) could be rewarded for his efforts by being presented with one. The
decision for this remains with M.E. Companions Butler and Leeman (and, of
course, their successors).
The basic reasons for instituting the Hands Across the Border
visitations were several. There would be exchange of exemplification of Degree
work wherein the other Jurisdiction could witness changes from its own. It
could stimulate Companionship between the two jurisdictions and between
members of each jurisdiction. It would allow those “going up the line” to
become acquainted with their counterparts and to become familiar with the
Masonic practices of one of the closest neighboring jurisdictions. And it
would permit more Companions to witness Degree work of both jurisdictions that
might not otherwise be the case. There is no doubt that this institution is a
very unique and worthwhile form of witnessing Capitulary Masonry Degree work
of each of the two jurisdictions.
The Grand Chapter of
New Brunswick
and that of the State of
Maine
were involved in Hands Across the Border from its inception. In the beginning
a Dispensation was issued for the conferring of the Degrees, but this was not
continued. It has been left up to the Grand High Priest to pick the site of
the meeting in the State of
Maine
, and to the First Grand Principal to choose the place in
New Brunswick
. And undoubtedly it would be up to the two Grand Chapters, to insure
continuity of this event, to make the necessary appointments should either or
both of the two eminent Companions who instigated the programs is or are no
longer able to perform the functions that they do at present. These precepts
are not written: they began as a mutual agreement and evolved over the years
as the visitations progressed and as circumstances warranted.
The program for the day has been resolved from the initial meeting and
over the years. This is the introduction of the members of each Grand Chapter
who are in attendance after the host Chapter has opened and turned the
proceedings over to the host Grand Chapter; the evening banquet with our
ladies; and the Degree work following the banquet; and finally, the closing
ceremonies. Part of the ceremony is the presentation of the Ben Ela Medallion
and any other honors or awards which either Grand Chapter may deem appropriate
to present. A program commenced about the hour of
three o’clock
in the afternoon is concluded at approximately
nine o’clock
in the evening, and is colourful, impressive and interesting from beginning to
end. Of course, almost all of the Companions and their ladies arrive earlier
in the day, and Companionships are renewed and created, and this
fraternization goes on before and after the Masonic ceremonies and until we
all part to look forward to the event next year.
Attached is a summary of the dates of the HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER
Convocations over the years, with data as to the presiding Grand High Priest
and the presiding First Grand Principal, and the Degree exemplified on each
occasion.
Benjamin Butler, P. G. H. P., Grand Chapter of
Maine
Waldo Y. Leeman, P. G. Z. Grand Chapter of
New Brunswick
James M. Wilson, P. G. Z., Grand Historian, Grand Chapter
of
New Brunswick
October 8, 1980