There was humility and great joy in finally being able to participate in a long-awaited initiation ceremony at Christian the Fourth's Guild on August 26, 2023.
Christian the Fourth's Guild had the pleasure of initiating no fewer than 46 new members from the Cimbria Lodge in Aalborg.
The Freemason Lodge subsequently sent an article about the initiation, which we hereby present:
Freemasons, their families, and close friends from Randers to Skagen defied the gloomy weather forecasts and flocked to Aalborg on a cool and cloudy Saturday morning.
The Freemason Lodge filled the entire basement of Jens Bang's Stone House, including the first floor, with family members and guests of the initiates. In total, 46 excited Freemasons, family members, and friends were ready for initiation into Christian the Fourth's Guild on this day.
The Chief Bencher, along with the benchers, conducted a fantastic and colorful initiation ceremony. Fortunately, there were plenty of bricks supporting the ceiling, or else it might have been blown off. All guests and recipients of initiation respectfully and reverently received the presentation of the benches, and no one dared to make any witty remarks during the ritual.
The guild's troubadour provided mood-setting music that truly lifted everyone's spirits, especially when the treasurer, accompanied by a helper, went around selling the guild's beautiful C4 pins. The treasurer could later report that there had been a successful sale of these pins, which can help one make friends all over the world.
During the visit to our linden tree, the guild's forester informed us that he visited the tree daily with a bit of mead to ensure it stayed in good shape and never went thirsty. He also mentioned that King Christian the Fourth's dog was buried under the tree, although he was somewhat uncertain about whether the King had a dog.
The procession continued through Aalborg and ended at the Secret passage, where our historian, Henrik Schou, explained the origins of the secret entrance, where the provided key could grant access. Master of ceremonial Palle Bjørnstrup asked a new member to test the key, and fortunately, it worked, allowing the group to return to the wine cellar, where the Chief Bencher waited.
The hearty North Jutlanders from Cimbria ensured that the schnapps song echoed in Aalborg and consumed the well-poured potato juice with due respect for the noble drops.
It was a group of happy and cheerful guests that the benchers left in the delightful wine cellar.
Se the pictures here