Charity’s presence in the corridor is gentle, yet deeply moving. Clad in soft tones of gold and rose, she stands with open arms, as if ready to welcome anyone who approaches. Her posture is warm, not commanding, a quiet assurance that compassion does not need to announce itself to be powerful.

In the stained glass, a small child rests at her side, looking up with trust. In her hands, she offers bread and a cloak, symbols of care for both body and spirit. Behind her, the light filters through a serene landscape, suggesting that the kindness we give can bring calm and renewal to others.

At her feet, a flowering vine winds upward, its blooms opening toward the light. It speaks to me of how even the smallest acts of generosity can take root and grow, reaching further than we might ever see.

Charity, as we’ve come to understand it, is more than giving material aid. It’s about giving of oneself; time, patience, empathy, without expectation of return. In the Lodge, it is woven into our obligations; in life, it’s a call to see the humanity in everyone we meet.

This window reminds us that the truest charity is not loud or public. It is the quiet decision to help when no one is watching, to extend a hand when it would be easier to turn away. Like the vine at her feet, such acts may begin small, but with care, they can grow into something that sustains and uplifts all around them.

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Justice stands in the corridor with a poise that is impossible to ignore. Draped in violet and silver, she holds a set of scales in one hand and a sword in the other. Yet neither tool feels heavy or threatening in her grasp. Her eyes seem fixed on something beyond the moment — as if weighing more than just the facts before her.

Behind her, the stained glass shows two paths. One is straight and filled with light; the other is winding and shaded. They seem to represent the choices we face and the outcomes they lead to. At her feet, a dove perches beside an open book — symbols of peace and truth, quietly reminding us that justice is not just about rules, but about the greater harmony they are meant to create.

Justice is a hard virtue to live by, because it requires us to face our own biases and admit when we've fallen short. It means treating others with the same fairness we would want for ourselves, even when emotions tempt us toward partiality.

In Masonry, we are told that Justice should be the guide of all our actions. This window reminds us that fairness is not always easy, but it is always worth striving for. Like the scales she holds, it’s about finding the right balance — not to tip toward favour, not to weigh too heavily with judgement, but to act with integrity so that peace, truth, and trust can flourish.

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Fortitude’s window has a completely different presence. Where Temperance is soft and flowing, Fortitude is upright and unyielding. She stands dressed in deep crimson and gold, colours that radiate courage, nobility, and conviction. A shield rests at her side, well-worn but strong, while her hand holds a sword — not in threat, but in readiness.

There’s a lion at her feet, calm yet watchful. The lion doesn’t need to roar to show its strength; its quiet confidence says more than any display could. That is Fortitude’s real teaching: true strength doesn’t need to shout. It’s there, constant and dependable, ready when needed.

Behind her, the scene darkens into a storm — but a shaft of sunlight breaks through, cutting across the clouds. In life, storms are inevitable. Disappointments, challenges, and losses come to all of us. But Fortitude calls us to stand our ground, to keep our values intact even when the easier path would be to bend or retreat.

As a Mason, Fortitude has taught us that courage is not recklessness. It’s the steady, sometimes quiet, decision to remain true to what’s right, even when it costs you comfort. It’s not about charging into every fight — it’s about being the person who can be counted on when the fight comes to you.

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Every time you pass through the Processional Corridor of Freemasons’ Hall, the window of Temperance has a way of slowing you down — which feels fitting, because slowing down is the first step toward her lesson.

The figure is dressed in soft blues and ivory, her expression calm and focused as she gently pours water from one vessel to another. It’s a small, deliberate act — nothing grand, nothing rushed. But in that steady stream, you see the heart of Temperance: the wisdom to balance our actions, our words, and our feelings so that none spill over into excess.

At her feet, two white swans rest in quiet harmony. They seem perfectly at ease, their stillness reflecting her composure. Swans, to me, are a reminder that restraint is not cold or joyless — it can be graceful, even beautiful, when it comes from a place of peace. Behind her, a small brook winds through the green of the landscape, reminding me that balance is not about standing still; it’s about moving steadily and adapting to life’s turns.

Temperance is a virtue we have to work at. In Lodge, in work, and our personal life, there’s a temptation to do more, speak more, feel more — to react before reflecting. But each time you stand before this window, you're reminded that it is the measured pour that keeps the vessel full, and the unhurried pace that ensures the journey is completed well.

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Prudence: the practice of measured thought, careful judgement, and moral foresight.

In the Processional Corridor of Freemasons’ Hall, a beautiful stained glass window captures this virtue in stunning symbolic form. Created by the renowned artist George Kruger Gray, the piece is a fine blend of classical elegance and rich Masonic meaning. The vibrant blues and greens of the natural landscape provide a vivid contrast to the gentle, neutral tones of Prudence’s robe, offering a sense of calm balance — a perfect visual expression of her nature.

Here, Prudence is depicted in a moment of deep reflection. She stands barefoot beside a solid stone wall, her staff resting against it, as she carefully studies a compass placed before her. That detail strikes me as particularly meaningful. The compass, one of our key working tools, represents restraint and the importance of drawing moral boundaries. By focusing on it, she isn’t acting on impulse — she is planning, weighing her next move with clarity and intent.

Behind her, a stone pedestal rises from the ground, topped with a gold cross and radiant star — perhaps a subtle reminder of moral direction and the light of truth. It doesn’t dominate the scene, but rather complements it — much like our principles do in daily life: quietly guiding us from the background.

What is thought-provoking is the small hedgehog resting at her feet. It’s an understated yet powerful symbol. Hedgehogs are known for their instincts of self-preservation and their ability to curl up defensively in the face of threat. In allegory, they represent foresight, caution, and the ability to protect what is valuable — all qualities central to the virtue of Prudence. That small creature reminds us that wisdom isn’t always loud or obvious; sometimes, it’s about the quiet strength of being prepared.

This window doesn’t just show Prudence — it teaches her. She isn’t rushing. She isn’t distracted. She is centred, still, and deliberate. 

As Masons, we are taught to govern our passions and actions with care — and this depiction reminds us that true prudence lies not in hesitation, but in the ability to pause, reflect, and proceed with purpose.

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By Eksith Hapangama, Fellow Craft , Iver Lodge No. 5254

As a Fellow Craft Freemason, I’ve come to appreciate how the virtues taught in our Craft offer timeless lessons — not just for the Lodge, but for life.  Over the next 5 weeks, we will explain the 5 Masonic Virtues.

In the Processional Corridor of Freemasons’ Hall, are several beautiful stained glass windows capturing the virtues in stunning symbolic form all Created by the renowned artist George Kruger Gray.