To the best of my knowledge, Brother Neville Wallace may be the first modern historian author, to undertake to present the complete picture of the past, from the idea stage to the present, of the revered Glenlyon Lodge No. 346 (S.C), the oldest Scottish Freemasons’ Lodge in Jamaica.

Brother Wallace must have invested much time and effort in compiling and presenting the history of this grand old Lodge that has weathered, survived, and flourished through the vicissitudes of time. With its formation dating back some one hundred and seventy-five years plus, he makes us feel as if he was present and had witnessed it all.

As we will learn in this well and worthy compilation of the history of The Glenlyon Lodge, it was Chartered on December 1, 1845, Consecrated and Erected on May 12, 1846 and assigned No. 417 (S.C), and was later renumbered as  No. 346 (S.C). The Glenlyon Lodge has the great distinction of being the longest continuously working Lodge in the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica.

Brother Wallace’s conceptualization and support of the recording of Jamaica’s Masonic history with this publication, will surely improve Masonic progress, by promoting it and by bringing to prominence, some important historical knowledge and awareness.

In taking on the role of Masonic historian, I believe that Brother Wallace’s effort serves as a model and inspiration for others and a delight to the founders (looking from above) and Past Masters of this influential Lodge. His publication provides an excellent step back into Jamaica’s Masonic history, bringing to the fore, the contributions of many unheralded Brethren, who were trailblazers in their time.

In taking readers back through the years with several Masonic papers, it is an excellent example of highly researched work, making the publication most relevant to those with a keen desire for history. This book does a remarkable job in covering key areas in the Lodge’s history, such as – its Antecedents, the Foundation, the Formative Years (1845 – 1885), its Sponsors and Supporters and most importantly, recalling and venerating, the Illustrious Brethren throughout the years.

Writing isn’t easy, even for authors who do it all the time, much less for the not so frequent practitioners, nonetheless, they persist being committed to a cause. Hence, what to readers may finally seem easy and free flowing, would have taken much effort to get it right and so, our author must be commended.

I am sure that the author, Brother Neville Wallace, his editors and proof-readers must have put in a considerably amount of effort, in delivering this must-read publication, to mark this historical milestone of the Glenlyon Lodge, No. 346 (S.C).

I applaud Brother Neville Wallace the author and commend to you his extraordinary publication, which I recommend for your own reading, being fully convinced that you will find much value in it and even more so, for the importance of our history.

Lest we forget, the present, is always the product of the past.

Well done and congrats, my Brother.

Brother Dr. Courtney King Palmer, JP, FRCOG, FACOG, DM (O&G) UWI, MBA.