On February 3rd, 1969, Dr. Hugo Thomas was rejected when his first petition for the degrees of Masonry was placed for ballot. The motivation behind that rejection will never be known. The following day his recommender, in what turned out to be a futile attempt to have the 12-month waiting period before re-petitioning waived, called me to arrange a meeting with Dr. Thomas. February is an extremely busy time of the year in our Grand lodge office, and although I rarely take lunch and was very reluctant about getting involved in the matter, I relented, and subsequently met Dr. Thomas for lunch in a quiet restaurant in downtown Frankfurt.
At about the time the dinner crowd started arriving, we both realized it was long past the time to take our leave. We had been thoroughly engrossed in non-stop conversation, oblivious to everything around us, for approximately six hours. It was a fascinating encounter I will never forget. Thirteen months later, Dr. Thomas's second petition to Frankfurt on the Main Lodge No. 861 was accepted, and he was initiated on March 23rd, 1970.
R.W. Brother Dr. Hugo Thomas’s subsequent service in the various stations in our Lodge, and later in our Grand Lodge, culminating in his serving as Grand Master during 1976-77, is well documented. To even attempt a summary of those years or to expound on his continuing intense dedication and love for Freemasonry, or comment on what evolved into a lifelong friendship, in the Foreword to this edition of some of his writings, would be foolhardy. His works and words speak for themselves.
With unabated enthusiasm for his works, copies of his various papers have been requested by many Brethren over the years. His consummate ability to project and convey his ideas and thoughts in a language other than German, his mother tongue, is remarkable in itself. Of even greater significance, evident in all his writings, are his humanity, his humility, and undying love for Freemasonry and its principles. Read on, dear reader, and join R.W. Brother Dr. Hugo Thomas as he takes you by the hand on an enlightening experience through the realm of what the essence of Freemasonry is all about.
Frankfurt, Germany
April 4th, 1994
Fraternally
Jess Minton, PGM
Grand Secretary