Our oldest Grand Master He was initiated, passed, and raised in Logia Cebu No. 1106, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, at Cebu, in 1914. When, in 1915, the Corregidor-Southern Cross Lodge No. 3, F & A.M. was organized, he affiliated with it. In 1918, he served as its Master. He was, too, a member of the Manila Bodies; in fact, at the time of his death, he was Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the same. Besides, he was very active in committee work at the Supreme Council. When he laid down his working tools, he was Grand Chancellor and Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. When he was eighty-four he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines – its 43rd. This Shriner of Nile Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., stood with the Fraternity, believing that “Freemasonry has lived and flourished throughout the centuries because it has been an inspiration to men of goodwill and because of its unselfish work in behalf of mankind.” When he welcomed the delegates to the 45th Annual Communication, his challenge was for the Brethren “to continue working for the enfranchisement of one’s limited intellectual horizon.” He said in part: “Now is the time for inventory and appraisal. With world conditions as they are today, we Masons have a greater responsibility than ever before. We must go on working for the good of mankind and for human freedom.” The author of these words was born in Mosheim, Tennessee on April 28, 1876. In 1901, he received his A.B. degree at Maryville College; in 1918, his M.A.; and in 1921, his Ph.D. On December 20, 1901, he entered the service of education in the Philippines. Later, he became principal of the Camarines High School and in 1909, Superintendent of Ambos Camarines. Two years later, he was Assistant Director of Education. In 1918 he was named Director of Education. From 1938 up to his retirement in June 1954, he served as Educational Adviser to all those who served as President of the Philippines. Aside from being a member of Rotary Club and of Elks Club, he served in the Board of the Philippine-American Red Cross for 28 years and in that of the S.P.C.A. for 37 years. In 1958, he was cited by the Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as “being one of the most ardent and zealous champions of humane education in the Philippines.” He married Miss Eleanor G. Morris on August 16, 1919. And their marriage was blessed with daughter Virginia Geeslin. In his relatively checkered life, he was, above all, a teacher. Selfless, he devoted his lifetime to the Filipino people’s education. Hence, this remark by Cenon S. Cervantes upon the presentation to him of the Past Grand Master’s Jewel. His (Bewley’s) work on Philippine Education is of common knowledge. When he shall no longer be among us, those remaining behind will remember him as a teacher. He held no political office, but an office that has had far-reaching effect upon the nation. This statement would later be reinforced by Dr. Carlos P. Romulo who was, at the time of Bewley’s death, the Secretary of Education and concurrently the President of the University of the Philippines. Romulo said: Luther B. Bewley served the course of education in the Philippines with confidence and dedication. He was one of the pioneers who came to our country on a mission to help establish our educational system. He started from the bottom and rung by rung he ascended to the position of responsibility that he reaped with honor and credit to his country. …and to his Fraternity, we dare add. Bewley, the 43rd Grand Master, was a strong pillar in Masonry and, as one of the last “Thomasites,” a boon to Philippine education.