The Cross Keys April 2020
Cross Keys April 2020
The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242
Number 227
From the Editor The Definition of a Freemason from the Farmer's Almanac, 1823
In this issue:
The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbour or himself. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle.
3 5 7 8 10 12 13 14 16 18 21 23 24 25 26
1823 and yet as true today as it was then, especially in the pandemic we find ourselves. How many brethren are out there helping others? Too many to mention by name. And some have given their life—see Page 14 for their fellow man. A real variety this month ending with a brief history of the handshake! The Glasgow Thistle Lodge will be of interest to many brethren so if there is further info I would be delighted to hear about this long lost lodge. Stay safe brethren,
Incorporation to Lodge Glasgow Thistle Lodge The Queen’s Casket Roman Collegia Freemasonry in Scotland 1 Royal Arch Jewel Follow Up 599 Certificate In Memoriam Gleanings: Symbolism Laurence Dermot Coat of Arms Isle of Man Stamps Grand Lodge News EA Charge The Handshake
Grant Cover—where is the statue of St. Andrew? See Page 20. The Cross Keys is a free magazine distributed across the many countries in order to spread the good (and sometimes not so good) qualities of the Craft. All views are of individual brothers and not any organised body. Editor: Bro. N. Grant Macleod PM of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242 PM of The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814 Past Provincial Grand Secretary of the Province of Renfrewshire East. Proof Reader: Bro. Allan Stobo PM of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242 Treasurer 242
All Scottish Constitution.
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April Meetings
ALL MEETINGS CANCELLED THIS MONTH
Incorporation to Lodge All trades during the medieval period in Scottish towns aspired to become officially accepted by the local government. This was done by passing the 'seal of cause' (obtaining a charter from the town council which appended the town seal). Trades who managed to obtain such a charter became an 'Incorporation' (something like an English guild). The advantages of this for the trade was that they gained a political voice in how the town was governed. This meant that they could try to influence decisions made in governing the town. It is however, important to be aware that these incorporations were in a minority and that other groups (merchants and some members of the aristocracy) would always dominate the political landscape.
ods of apprenticeship and other working practices. 6. Morals and religious observance were also promoted. The stonemasons (and their close associates the Wrights) of Edinburgh were granted a Seal of Cause in 1475 and the documents lays out their duties and responsibilities. This ‘charter’ was granted before the Scottish Reformation (1559/60) and religious life was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. At this point it is extremely important to remember that the Reformation in Scotland was quite different than that which taken place in England. Henry VIII declared, in 1534, that he alone should be the final authority in matters relating to the church in England.
In exchange for a limEvery incorporation had its The English Reforited voice in the affairs of a town each trade own different signs, tokens mation was in part dyincorporation had to nastic (Henry VIII wantand words . . . . accept responsibility ed a 'suitable' heir), pofor a range of other litical (Henry VIII wantmatters relating to their trade. E.g. setting ed control of parts of society controlled by rates of pay, duration of work periods, the church) and financial (he realised the length of apprenticeships and religious ob- value of church and other possessions he did servance. We shall return to the latter point not/could not control). During the processes in a later post. of taking control of the Roman Church, in England, Henry seized all assets, and this inThe functions of Incorporations can be sum- cluded suppressing bodies that in anyway marised as follows: supported the Roman Catholic Church. That included guilds which were one of the 1. Incorporations existed only in Burghs 'underpinning' organisations of the church (towns). structure. In short, he killed off English guilds and stole their money! 2. They represented members of a trade to promote their economic interests. There have been thousands of books and articles written on this subject but for this post 3. This required involvement in Burgh poli- the point is simply this: in England the existtics. ing order was swept away - monasteries and other Roman Catholic institutions were abol4. This frequently led to disputes with Mer- ished. Their land, property and money bechants, the Crown and other Incorporations. came the property of the English crown. 5. Incorporations tried to control the quality of work of members by setting wages, periCross Keys April 2020
The Reformation in Scotland was quite different and had very different outcomes. In
Incorporation to Lodge (ctd) Scotland the Reformation was major religious upheaval and other bodies such as guilds (incorporations) were left untouched. They simply lost their religious commitments, but they continued to exist and represent their members in town affairs. Like other incorporated trades, before the Reformation, they were given the responsibility of looking after an aisle in the main cathedral – Saint Giles. Below is a list of the incorporated trades with the date of their charter and their Patron Saint (in Scotland). Baxters [bakers] (1456) Saint Cuthbert Bonnet and glove makers (1473) Saint Bartholomew (?) Skinners and Tanners (leather workers) [1474] Saint Clement Maessons [masons] (1475) Saint John the Evangelist Wobsters [weavers] (1476) Saint Simon Hammermen [metal workers] (1483) Saint Eloi Fleshers [butchers] (1488) Saint Anthony Coopers [barrel makers] (1489) Saint Joseph Cordiners [shoemakers] (1510) Saint Crispin Every incorporation had its own different signs, tokens and words by which means members could identify themselves to each other. We know this because the records of the incorporations refer to them even if they did not describe them in any detail. Our favourite reference is in the records of the Hammerman’s Incorporation of Dundee in 1651 when a member was expelled for revealing the incorporation’s secrets to a captain of the English army then occupying the city!
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We therefore know that each trade had signs, tokens and words. In masons were not in any way exceptional – in fact it would have been very strange had they been different to other trades. However, the masons were very different as to where these ‘secrets’ were transmitted. The other trades, Hammermen etc., communicated these to new members within the confines of incorporation where only members were permitted. By comparison the masons communicated their secrets, not in the incorporation, but in a separate and secret body called the Lodge. Only the masons had this additional body – the other trades being satisfied with just an incorporation. The question must be: ‘why the masons only had a need for a separate, secret, body?’ The key lies in the members of the incorporation. The masons had allowed nonmasons to become members such as coopers and carpenters. The mason's secrets could not be communicated when nonstonemasons were present and so this was done in the Lodge which was exclusively for masons. As we have recorded in other posts stonemason's Lodges in Scotland started to admit non-stonemasons as early as 1634 and this new type of ‘Freemason’ perpetuated the ceremonies and traditions of stonemasons even when stonemason had completely disappeared from most Lodges.
From GLoS Facebook page 2018.
For more info, click on The Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow or contact the Editor who is currently the Collector.
Glasgow Thistle Lodge Certificate The following article was taken from the Grand Lodge of Scotland Facebook page (4th December, 2018) - the full certificate is shown over. This follows on from the article in October 2019 about Lodge St. Mungo’s certificate issued for the same purposes.
The certificate reads: 'And the Light shineth in the Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not WE, the Master, Wardens, and Secretary of the Glasgow Thistle Lodge, late No.111, now 82, held on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of Scotland do hereby Certify, that our beloved Brother Robert Mulveney, was regularly Entered and Apprentice, Passed Fellow-craft, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, and that he has during his time stay among us, conducted Himself with Steadiness and Attachment to the Craft. Wherefore, We Greet all our Worthy Brethren Round the Globe, and Recommend Him to their Brotherly Car and Protection. Given at Glasgow this 25th Day of November in the year of Light 1518 and of Man’s Redemption 1818. Signed James Smith R.W.M. Duncan McPherson S.W. Matthew Cumming J.W. George Cowan Secretary'
Scottish Masonic Certificates such as this contain some small but fascinating details. Many Lodges issued certificates similar to this and although the wording varied a little it served two main purposes: 1)
to prove that the bearer was a Master Mason
2)
to recommend him to other Freemasons. In other words as well as being proof of membership it also acted as a 'letter of introduction' - to individual Freemasons as well as Masonic Lodges.
Shortly after 1800 it was agreed that only the Grand Lodge of Scotland could provide absolute proof that an individual was a Scottish Freemason by the issue of a Master Mason's certificate. This was because there had been examples of men being Initiated in Scottish Lodges but the details (including a fee of 1 Shilling) had not been reported to Grand Lodge. Other observations are that the the Masonic Year of Light (Anno Lucis - usually abbreviated to: A.L.) is incorrectly recorded. The Year of Light is derived from the calculation of Bishop Cross Keys April 2020
Glasgow Thistle Lodge Certificate (ctd) James Ussher (1581 – 1656), (he was the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625 and 1656), that the world had been created 4004 BC. Thus the Year of Light should have been given as 5822 not 1818. However, it was far easier to simply add 4000 to the exiting year than add 4004 to the current year. Adding 4000 was almost universal in England but in Scotland adding 4004 was normal - this Lodge in Glasgow being an exception! The Lodge has the fairly common motto of Faith, Hope and Charity but also uses: 'Love, Honour and Justice' (see opposite). Unusually for a document of this age the wax seal remains largely intact and attached to the original ribbon. Most Lodges aspired to own their own seal as this legitimised the document to which it was attached. Have a look at 242’s certificate (then No.318) in the foyer of the lodge.
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Glasgow Thistle Lodge Certificate (ctd) The lodge met in Robertson’s Arms Tavern own by Donald Robertson in 85 Trongate (Glasgow) opposite the Tron Steeple. The building is no longer there although the Tron remains. It is clear from this image that the lodge met in an affluent area with the Exchange (Tontine Hotel) just meeting to the right of the lodge. In previous years, this pavement was guarded and only merchants were allowed to walk it. In 1843, a couple of the masonic newspapers at the time reported that the retiring master, Bro. John Brown, was presented with a jewel for his services as master. Perhaps the lodge was very affluent then as in comparison, 242 did not present its first so called past master jewel until early 20th century.
The Queen’s Casket In 1967, Queen Elizabeth II presented UGLE Museum with a casket given to HRH The Prince of Wales, Grand Master in England and later King Edward VII by the masons of Bengal to commemorate his visit to Calcutta. It is embellished by gold Craft and Royal Arch symbols. They are: the Skerrit, pencil & compasses on the left, the VSL on the right. In the centre, there are the square & compasses and the hexalpha representing the Craft and RA. On the top of the casket, the square on an arc is shown (jewel of the Grand Master) on the left of the POW feathers and the interlaced triangles (jewel of the First Grand Principal).
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Roman Collegia With the conquest of Britain by the Romans, the Collegia, without which no Roman society was complete, made their advent into the island, traces of their work remaining even to this day. Under the direction of the mother College at Rome, the Britons are said to have attained to high degree of excellence as builders, so that when the cities of Gual and the fortresses along the Rhine were destroyed, Chlorus, A.D. 298, sent to Britain for architects to repair or rebuild them. Whether the Collegia existed in Britain after the Romans left, as some affirm, or were suppressed, as we know they were on the Continent when the barbarians overran it, is not clear. Probably they were destroyed, or nearly so, for with revival of Christianity in 598 A.D., we find Bishop Wilfred of York joining with the Abbott of Wearmouth in sending to France and Italy to induce Masons to return and build in stone, as he put it, ‘after the Roman manner.’
espoused the cause of the collegia and caused to be adopted an imperial statute that came to stand as the foundation of all jurisprudence having to do with them and with similar organizations. The Emperor Marcus Aurelius was the greatest friend the collegia ever had. Therefore, the Roman Collegia became a powerful organization, and with this power came problems that we have seen throughout the history of Masonry. Now we know why Masonry has chosen, for the most part, to forbid involvement in politics, etc. It has almost always turned out badly for the Craft, like it did for the Collegia of Rome. More specifically, J. F. Newton in The Builders (P. 81) claimed the Collegia was a funerary/
Therefore, the Collegia were Roman Masons, who brought their craft with them to Britain when they ruled it. But the Collegia was different from the other building guilds; as you will soon discover. You see, they held many of the same beliefs we in the Craft do today. Among the Romans collegiate associations were so old that legend attributed their founding to Numa, the second of the traditional Roman kings, and there is a mention of collegia in the Twelve Tables. These organizations flourished unhampered until after the beginning of the first century B.C., during which time some opposition began to develop among Roman law makers. In 64 B.C. they were forbidden for a while, with the exception of a few of a religious character, but in 58 a Clodian law once again permitted them. This law was set aside only two years afterwards. Julius Caesar in his turn forbade them all, except Jewish associations of worship, on the ground that they dabbled too much in politics. When Augustus became emperor he Cross Keys April 2020
charitable organization, similar to Masonry today: Most of the Collegia became funerary and charitable in their labors, humble folk seeking to escape the dim, hopeless obscurity of plebeian life, and the still more hopeless obscurity of death. Pathetic beyond words are some of the inscriptions telling of the horror and loneliness of the grave, of the day when no kindly eye would read the forgotten name, and no hand bring offerings of flowers. Each collegium held memorial services, and
Roman Collegia (ctd) marked the tomb of its dead with the emblems of its trade: if a baker, with a loaf of bread; if a builder, with a square, compasses, and the level. Of the emblems of the Collegia, it is enough to say that here again we find the simple tools of the builder used as teachers of truth for life and hope in death. Upon a number of sarcophagi, still extant, we find carved the square, the compasses, the cube, the plummet, the circle, and always the level. There is, besides, the famous Collegium uncovered at the excavation of Pompeii in 1878, having been buried under the ashes and lava of Mount Vesuvius since the year 79 A. D. It stood near the Tragic Theater, not far from the Temple of Isis, and by its arrangement, with two columns in front and interlaced triangles on the walls, was identified as an ancient lodge room. Upon a pedestal in the room was found a rare bit of art, unique in design and exquisite in execution, now in the National Museum at Naples. It is described by S. R. Forbes, in his Rambles in Naples, as follows: It is a mosaic table of square shape, fixed in a strong wooden frame. The ground is of grey green stone, in the middle of which is a human skull, made of white, grey, and black colors. In appearance the skull is quite natural. The eyes, nostrils, teeth, ears, and coronal are all well executed. Above the skull is a level of colored wood, the points being of brass; and from the top to the point, by a white thread, is suspended a plumb-line. Below the skull is a wheel of six spokes, and on the upper rim of the wheel there is a butterfly with wings of red, edged with yellow; its eyes blue‌ On the left is an upright spear, resting on the ground; from this there hangs, attached to a golden cord, a garment of scarlet, also a purple robe; whilst the upper part of the
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spear is surrounded by a white braid of diamond pattern. To the right is a gnarled thorn stick, from which hangs a coarse, shaggy piece of cloth in yellow, grey, and brown colors, tied with a ribbon; and above it is a leather knapsack. See image below.
A sculpture on the walls of their temple shows that the Collegia attached a symbolic meaning to their working tools, viz. the drama of death. These symbols were a spade, a trowel, square, a level, a plumb line, a pair of compasses, a chisel and an urn containing the ashes of the dead. Ears of corn have been found carved on water troughs in Pompeii again showing how we have adopted many symbolic meanings of other societies.
Due to the good running and organisation of the collegia, it is easy to see why 15th century incorporations and 16th century lodges adopted some of their characteristics and governance.
Freemasonry in Scotland Part 1 In the year 1149 the famous Abbey of Kilwinning was built. It was such a marvel of beauty both for grandeur of design and finish that the Masons who had gathered in Scotland, from European parts made Kilwinning their headquarters. As Kilwinning is the birthplace of Masonry in Scotland. and according to some authors, in Britain, and as its famous abbey was the nucleus around which clustered the most skilled artificers in Europe, perhaps a few words in relation to it may not be out of place. Kilwinning is a small town in the county of Ayr, consisting mainly of one long straggling street, and its present population are either hand loom weavers or miners. The Abbey, without which the village would otherwise be scarcely worth mentioning, was founded by Hugh Morville, Constable of Scotland, and dedicated to St. Winning. It was intended to be a residence of a company of monks of the Tyronesian order, covered several acres of ground, and in workmanship was a masterpiece of art.
universally admitted to be the cradle of Masonry, was compelled to content itself with the second number on the register of the Grand Lodge in consequence of its records being destroyed by fire, while the Lodge of St. Mary’s Chapel, in Edinburgh, having been more fortunate in preserving its archives as far back as the year 1598, received the first number and precedence among the Lodges of Scotland. This terminates the connection of Kilwinning as the place of importance with Scottish Freemasonry. The Lodge still remains but its honours and dignities consists only in the recollection of its venerable origin, and the union of its name with many of the richest and most respectable Lodges in Scotland. As for the Abbey, that stupendous edifice which was erected by the Freemasons who immigrated into Scotland, its history, like that of the Grand Lodge they founded, is one of decline and decay.
According to Masonic tradition, King Robert the Bruce founded at Kilwinning, the Royal Order of Scotland. An old writer states that that monarch under the title of Robert the First, created the Order of St. Andrews of Chardon. At the period when James II, was on the throne, the Barons of Roslin as hereditary Grand Masters of Scotland, held their annual meetings at Kilwinning and the Lodge at that place granted warrants of constitution for the formation of subordinate Lodges in other parts of the Kingdom. The Lodges thus formed, in token of their respect for, and submission to, the mother Lodge, affixed the word “Kilwinning” to their own distinctive names, which are still to be found on the register of the Grand Lodge of Scotland such as Canongate Kilwinning, Hamilton Kilwinning, etc. In 1743 the Lodge of Kilwinning, although Cross Keys April 2020
In 1560, it was in a great measure demolished by Alexander, Earl of Glencairn, in obedience to an order from the States General, in the exercise of their authority during the imprisonment of Mary Stuart. A few years afterwards a part of the Abbey Chap-
Freemasonry in Scotland Part 2 (ctd) el was repaired and converted into a parish church and was used as such until about the year 1775 when in consequence of its ruinous and dangerous state it was pulled down, and an elegant Church in the modern style was erected in its place. In 1789 so much of the ancient Abbey remained as to enable Captain Grose, the antiquary, to take a sketch of the ruins, but not a vestige of the building is to be found, nor can its exact site be found with any precision. Last year some very interesting particulars were issued with regard to Lodge Scone and Perth No. 3, which dates ba.ck to the sixteenth century, but precisely when the Lodge was erected is not known. ln the curious “contract or mutual agreement" of 1658, mention is made of the Lodge of Scone being “second Ludge within this nation,’ as a branch or offspring of Kilwinning, and in some respects it is implied even superior to that ancient body, because King James, to whom the English version of the “Great Light” is dedicated, was initiated into that Lodge. It is thought that the Lodge of Scone was erected at the time of the building of the abbey, palace, and other buildings required in that early capital of Scotland, and if the antiquity of the old lodges is to be determined by the aid of the Churches and other buildings, then it follows that the Lodge of Scone is the oldest of Scottish Lodges. The Abbey of Scone was founded in 1114, an old minute states that the lodge “proceeded” from Kilwinning. Lodge Scone and Perth occupies a unique position in Freemasonry, as it is the only lodge that possesses the right to work the degree in two places, viz., the city of Scone and the City of Perth.
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The records of the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1, which extend almost unbrokenly as far back as 1598 show that Operative Masonry flourished in Scotland long before our present form of Masonry was firmly established, and the first nonoperative Mason to preside over a lodge was Harry Elphinstone, Tutor of Art and Collector of Customs, who, as Master of Lodge Aberdeen No. 1 Ter., in the year 1670, presided over 10 operative masons, 4 noblemen, 2 members of county families, 3 ministers, an advocate, a professor of mathematics, 9 merchants, 2 surgeons, 2 glaziers, a blacksmith, 2 periwig makers, 4 carpenters, 3 slaters and 4 other tradesmen. This record is signed in the following manner: “Wreattin be James Anderson, Glassier and Measson and Clerk to our honourable Lodge.”
Oldest minute from No.1
Part 2 next month.
Continuing the series by Brother Craighead from Aberdeen who joined Thistle Lodge No.900 in NY.
In November 1814, a meeting of the lodge was called to choose office-bearers for the ensuing year—today it would be our AGM. The only offices to be elected were: master, wardens, secretary, treasurer, deacons and steward. The Depute Master was agreed on the night of installation. In 1815, only seven meetings of the lodge took place. This may have been the turmoil in which the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France ended in 1815 although the US Wars of Independence continued.
The Royal Arch Jewel—Follow Up This is the only degree in Freemasonry in which we find any reference to the signs of the Zodiac, though, in the Chapters of today not directly, but by symbols substituted for them. Bro. J. T. Thorpe stated “these twelve signs of the Zodiac were at one time much more important in Masonic teaching than they are today, although they still form an interesting link between the Brethren of today, and their forefathers of thousands of years ago.” In the 18th Century, the original 12 points of masonry referred to the 12 tribes of Israel which were represented by the 12 signs of the Zodiac. The zodiac is a prominent feature of the Scottish RA, but not the Thomas Harper RA jewels made in London in 1816. This is a very fine example of a RA jewel showing common features, but the craftsmanship is second to none. Thomas Harper was a well known masonic jeweler at the time and it has been proposed that the triple tau (T over the H) actually represented his initials! However, that was more tongue in cheek.
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Livingstone Stonefield No.599 Certificate The Lodge was Chartered on 5th February, 1877 and named after Blantyre’s most famous son, David Livingstone. The lodge’s original temple was on Glasgow Road above the Co-Op then moved to a new temple in the upstairs of the building at the corner of Elm Street and Glasgow Road in 1981. Next month will feature on the building itself. That building is now a block of flats and the meeting place is now 357 Main Street in High Blantyre. The Life Member certificate shown shows the iconic image of David Livingstone.
King Christian X of Denmark Christian X (1870 –1947) was King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947, and the only King of Iceland (where the name was officially Kristján X) between 1918 and 1944. He was a member of the House of Glucksburg and the first monarch since King Frederick VII to have actually been born into the Danish royal family; both his father and his grandfather were born as princes of a ducal family from Schleswig. Among his siblings was King Haakon VII of Norway. He was Grand Master of the Order of Danish Freemasons and laid the cornerstone of the current Grand Lodge building in 1924. Pictured here with the regalia of the Swedish Rite which is heavily influenced by Templar themes.
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In Memoriam One of many brethren taken to the Grand Lodge Above. The following was sent by Bro. Dr. Greg Macasaet PM (below left) to his lodge group—was a front line doctor treating the VOVID-19 in the Philippines:
Good evening My Beloved Brethren ! The turn of events Is just no longer going in my Favor. The feeling you get aside From extreme pains all over , difficulty of breathing and as if all Life Is being sucked From your body ! They Will be putting cutdown lines and central Tubes on me anytime soon ! If they intubate me and place me on ventilator , then the game Is almost over ! If Ateng survives , then my wish for her and Raymond for a long and happy Life Will bear fruition ! Raymond however needs financial and emotional care for the rest of his Life ! Something I may no longer be able to fulfill ! It Is my fervent Hope that all of you may assist the rest of my Family in our most difficult times ! Bro. Greg leaves his wife (also front line—on right) and a son; it is believed the Craft will assist them in financial terms and also a memorial will be made—it is hoped to report this in a later Cross Keys. He can also be seen with his Rosicrucian fratres in the Pearl of the Orient College (5th from left in 2nd Row). Rest in peace though good and faithful servant.
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Brethren, I’m sure Bro. Greg is one of a number of brethren who have lost their life with this virus. Please let me know of others and I will try to get their details out there.
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Gleanings—Symbolism Masonry is based on this fact. The people of ancient times were taught that the earth was the centre of the Universal system, that the sun and the planets revolved around the Earth. Learned men, among them operative masons, knew that the sun was the centre of the Universal system, that the Earth and the planets revolved around the Sun, but they dare not teach that knowledge openly. Symbolism and Cryptic Writing were a living language. Scholars concealed their knowledge that the Sun was the center of the Universal system in cryptic writings. According to the record of St. Mark, the Great Teacher knew that the Sun was the centre of the Universal system and concealed his knowledge of that fact when He fed the multitude. (St. Mark’s gospel 9th chapter 16 to 20th verses.) St. John the Evangelist, who wrote the Book of Revelation, reveals that he also knew that fact, although he tried to conceal the same by writing the Book in cryptic language. (Book of Revelation chapter 13, verse 18.) Operative masons concealed their knowledge of the secrets of the universe in stone, by planning, cutting and building stone so that the edifice, when completed conformed to the Solar system. The length, breadth and height of a building, how it was situated, the number of steps leading up to the main entrance, the height of each step, the total height of the stairway, the number of pillars supporting the building, two or more, in Grecian architecture, eight pillars stood out prominently, the height of each prominent pillar, diameter, circumference and ornamentation, such as lilies and pomegranates, interior decorations, chiefly made of gold and silver, gold denoting the Sun, silver the moon, the cutting of the sides of a keystone at an angle of 23½ degrees and so on, all alluded to some part of the Solar system, each to its own part, so that the entire structure, when completed contained within itself, in one form or another all the
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then known secrets of the Universe. The structures stood, some still stand, for all men to behold, but only those who planned and built them knew what they truly represented. Both methods used to carry the secrets of the Universe down through the centuries-cryptic writing and building with stone--can be traced from the present day, through the different eras, to the dawn of civilization by the number thirty-six, which was, and is yet, to an oriental the number denoting the Sun. The invention of the printing press ushered in a new era. That invention enabled man to print the secrets of the Universe in book form, so that all men who were able to read acquired the knowledge. The membership of the operative guilds or lodges then changed. They admitted men to membership who were not operative masons--men who had acquired the knowledge of the secrets of the Universe by means of the printed word, and when the operative masons membership was opened to such men, speculative masonry was instituted to be developed down through the years until we have the speculative Masonic Lodges today. The name Solomon is cryptic and is an obstacle which turns many a Masonic student from the right track. The Greek name for the Sun is Sol. The Hindu name is Aum, pronounced Om and the Egyptian name Aun, pronounced On. English speaking people combine the three and coined the name Solomon, signifying the Sun in its three aspects, rising, meridian and setting, symbolized in a Masonic Lodge by the Master, Senior and Junior Wardens. Continuing the series by Brother Craighead from Aberdeen who joined Thistle Lodge No.900 in NY.
Laurence Dermott—Irish Mason There are just a handful of men in the annals of freemasonry who can genuinely be seen as unique and extraordinary: I speak of men whose influence changed the face of our Craft men such as Elias Ashmole, Thomas Dunckerley and in particular for this lecture, Laurence Dermot. Whilst Dermot’s fame and activities revolved around the Antients Grand Lodge, the Royal Arch, somewhat indirectly, played a very significant part in his life and Masonic activities. Laurence Dermot was born in Dublin in 1720 and initiated in Lodge 26 in 1740 (Irish lodges did not have names then). Six years later he was the Master and that same year, in 1746, he is recorded as being a Royal Arch Mason. One of the earliest references we have to the Royal Arch. In 1748 he came to England a poor man and as a journeyman painter joining a Moderns Lodge but very soon transferring his allegiance to the Antients. These were difficult times for Freemasonry in general in England. The Premier Grand Lodge, top heavy with aristocrats and even members of Royalty, was being neglected. Dissatisfaction was wide spread and a minor incident finally broke the camel’s back. As recorded in the minutes of the Grand Lodge of England, on 11th December, 1735 the Master and Wardens from a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ireland were refused admittance to the Quarterly communication of Grand Lodge. To the Irish, this incident was a major confrontation especially in the light of Irish Brethren often being denied membership in English Lodges. There were, by 1750, several exclusively Irish Lodges and on Wednesday 17th July, 1751 five of these Lodges finally joined forces as a General Assembly referring to themselves as a Grand Committee with a view to forming the Grand Lodge of England according to the Old Institutions. They recruited Laurence Dermott who, within a year of the establishment of the new Grand Lodge, replaced John Morgan as Grand Secretary at the meeting on 5th February 1752 at the Griffin in Holborn. All the information and references available on Dermott are based on the minutes he himself kept of Grand Lodge affairs and in the first book of constitutions of the Antients, Ahiman Rezon, which Dermott wrote. From the start Dermott made his presence felt and took a grip of all aspects of the affairs of the Grand Lodge. There is no question that he was genuinely and totally dedicated to the welfare of the Antients Grand Lodge. The structure of the Antients suited him very nicely in those early days. Whilst awaiting the acceptance of some member of nobility before electing a Grand Master, Grand Lodge worked as a Grand Committee with the Grand Master on a rotating basis selected from one of the Worshipful Masters of the Antients Lodges. This gave Dermott immense power to control all aspects of the affairs of Grand Lodge. It continued until 27th December 1753 when Robert Turner was installed as the First Grand Master. It may be going too far to state that Dermott may have intentionally delayed the appointment of a noble Grand Master. Such action, however, would have allowed him to maintain his hold on the Brethren, fearing that a Grand Master might weaken his own plans for the new born Grand Lodge as well as his standing as Grand Secretary. The power Dermot exercised was soon in evidence in the minutes of the Communications. In July 1752 two Brethren, now nicknamed by Dermott ‘Leg of Mutton’ masons were expelled from Grand Lodge for Cross Keys April 2020
Laurence Dermott—Irish Mason (ctd) illicitly making Masons for the price of a leg of mutton. In September 1752 at the annual Installation of the new Grand Master – there being no Grand Master or Grand Wardens yet appointed – Dermott appointed himself as Grand Secretary ‘according to ancient custom’ and he then proceeded acting as Grand Master and investing the Grand Officers of Grand Lodge. It is not surprising that there was considerable dissent and antagonism toward this strong character and it occasionally surfaced in Grand Lodge. On 6th December, 1752 Dermott produced an old Manuscript and continued at great length explaining its content and importance. At the end of a very long session a motion was made to thank and praise the Grand Secretary, when four Brethren stood in protest and one of them declared that far from being of any interest the long lecture had caused the Brethren to loose their senses. Dermott was allowed to respond and began by saying that if he were given the opportunity to speak he would gladly sing all the brethren back to their senses. He was granted permission and continued for another hour. It was, however, in 1756 that Dermott really excelled in his standing as a dedicated Antients freemason. This was the year of publication of the Antients Constitutions named ‘Ahiman Rezon’. The meaning and transliteration of the title still remains a mystery. Dermott was, however, very aware of the youth of his own Grand Lodge and that there was little room for an historic introduction of subsequence. In his introduction to the Constitutions, therefore, he proceeded announced that he really felt little need to follow in the footsteps of those who wasted time in irrelevant historical introduction. He did however compose and write a relevant and important introduction to which he wished to incorporate a summarised review of all the available information from other sources but found the material so boring that he fell asleep whilst reading it. Now he had a wonderful dream of four Sojourners from Jerusalem approaching him, praising him for his work and the material written so far and advising him on matters to add to his manuscript, when he was abruptly woken up by his puppy dog running around the room and under his feet whilst chewing the last pages of his manuscript. He apologised, therefore not to have an historical introduction and went straight on to attacking the Premier Grand Lodge of 1717. Dermott needed to justify the formation of a competing Grand Lodge and he did so by attacking and attempting to diminish the standing of the Premier Grand Lodge. He quickly hooked on to the idea of the Premier Grand Lodge have deviated from the Land marks of the order and this continued as his theme whenever we come across his comments about the Premier Grand Lodge. They did not recognise the Royal Arch – join the Antients and we will make you real masons. They changed the first and second degree words and signs to supposedly protect the Brethren from the profane who were gaining access into Masonic Lodges as a result of the publication of a series of exposures after 1730. The Antients planned to revert to the original sequence.
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Laurence Dermott—Irish Mason (ctd) They de-Christianised the Order by eliminating references to the Trinity in their Constitutions. The Antients would revert to a Christian Society. Much of this, however, was just rhetoric. The 1756 Constitutions overtly included prayers for Christian and Jewish Lodges and the attempts of Dermott to establish the Royal Arch as a fourth degree were frustrated in 1766 when the members of the Moderns Grand Lodge formed the Supreme Grand Chapter under whose authority we still meet today. Dermott began to suffer from gout and we are constantly reminded of his problems with health. None the less he continued in his aggressive and cantankerous involvement with the Antients to his dying day. He won every argument brought forward. In June 1671 he was honoured in Grand Lodge and saluted with 5 and claimed that he should have been saluted with 3. Following that argument he proposed formally that the number of the salutation given to any Grand Officer should be at the discretion of Grand Lodge and the Grand Master. Following a brief discussion he was saluted again 39 times . . . as it happened to be his 39th birthday! All recorded in the minutes. In March 1771 the 3rd Duke of Atholl appointed him Deputy Grand Master after serving nearly 20 years as Grand Secretary. In 1783 he was again appointed Deputy Grand Master and continued until 1787. My last image of Dermott (very different from that shown) is in March 1789 still active but now totally unfit with swollen legs that prevented him from walking; nonetheless he attended Grand Lodge for the last time . . . carried in on the shoulders of two Grand Deacons. Was it foresight that had led him to establish the Office of Deacon when the Antients were first formed? Dermot died in June 1791 and we still do not know where he is buried. From a talk by Bro. Yasha Beresiner PM Quatuor Coronati No.2076 (EC)
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Coat of Arms Continuing on from the Dermott article, the coat of arms of the Grand Lodge of England (right) the current arms of the UGLE (below) depicts four central images. Initially there was only four banners carrying the “Antients” symbols of the ox, man, lion, and eagle. The lion (strength and power) represents the tribe of Judah, the man (intelligence and understanding) that of Reuben, the ox (patience and assiduity) Ephraim, and the eagle (promptness and celerity) Dan. These tribes were encamped respectively east, south, west, and north of the tabernacle. These four sacred symbols, which are mentioned in the Jewish Talmud, were ascribed by St Irenaeus in the second century AD to the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The eagle has also become a prominent church symbol and in many old churches there is an eagle desk where the Gospel was sung on special occasions. The Old Masonic Charges recognised the eagle symbol, and many lodges have a carved eagle that means that these lodges were dedicated to St John (see the 242 banner below), or it is an evidence of their association with the Royal Arch. Christianity represents the incarnation of Christ with a winged man; His passion as a winged ox; His resurrection as a winged lion: His ascension as an eagle; and they are associated respectively with Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John. The arms of the Grand Lodge of England consist of two cherubim, one on each sides of a shield with above it the Ark of the Covenant, with the following Hebrew writing: Kodes la Adonai that means “Holiness to the Lord”. Its importance was even shown on old aprons.
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Charity Night—Bulgaria A spectacular event in Sophia by Bulgarian masons to raise money for Braille machines took place at the end of last year. By all accounts, it was very successful with many machine being purchased and along with the Widows’ Sons (see last month’s Cross Keys), it is obvious that Freemasonry is booming in Bulgaria.
Where? The statue of St. Andrew can be seen at the from of the Grand Lodge building in George Street, Edinburgh. It’s above the front door! Next time you’re there, have a look up—there are some amazing pieces of masonry around all our towns, but too often high up and we walk past these everyday. This is the third Freemason’s Hall so where was the first? See December’s edition!
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Isle of Man Stamps In2017 to coincide with the UGLE’s 300th Anniversary, the Isle of Man issued stamps with various curious details. These depict the jewels of the master, wardens, deacons, inner guard and steward. On each stamp are some curious details: 1. the GPS references to various places associated with the Craft (Air Ambulance landing pads, Paternoster Square, Freemasons’ halls, etc). 2. various lodge names 3. another GPS 4. the name of the office for the jewel 5. each backing is different relating to designs in Freemasons’ Hall such as windows or ceilings 6. Around each stamp are the initials HRHDOKGM50— for the Duke of Kent’s 50 years as Grand Master 7. Glazier Design 2017 8. the office-bearers jewels, all in gold 9. The Queen’s head and Isle of Man in gold foil 10. Under infra red lights, the official logo of the UGLE Tercentenary is used as the security device. More info at: https://www.iompost.com/stamps-coins/collection/300-years-of-freemasonry/
The Steward
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Visit by Filipino Brethren
Was great to see some brethren from Mayan Lodge No.61 under the Grand Lodge of the Philippines visit the Grand Lodge of Scotland last month. L to R: Bros. Dennis Reyes, Noel Rosal, Ramsay GMM, Benito Tan, Eugene Cua and Jerome Lee. You might notice Bro. Rosal holding the Masonic Obelisk which was presented to GL and can be viewed in our museum. The May or September edition will have some photos of the visit by our GMM and G Secretary to the Philippines.
UGLE
Amazing photos of the Grand Temple of the United Grand Lodge of England in London. Cross Keys April 2020
The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland
Coronavirus - Latest Update
W Ramsay McGhee Grand Master Mason
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Entered Apprentice Charge Over 200 years ago, Bro. Jeremy Cross, a student of Thomas Webb who was the father of American Masonic ritual, published his book "The True Masonic Chart" which was quickly adopted as a monitor by many US Grand Lodges. Similar to our current predicament, at the time of this book's publishing , the world was suffering from a cholera pandemic. In America, this was blamed on Irish immigrants. The beautiful closing charge is still often recited in Masonic meetings today. In fact, when the Grand Lodge of Texas formed in the 1830s, it was this book that was adopted for our official resource. Now is the time to ensure our friends, neighbours and brethren are all well and we should be there to help our older brethren to ensure the current circumstances do not lead to other problems.
My thanks to Waco Masonic Lodge No.92 in Texas for this article.
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The Handshake With the corona virus affecting so many meetings, I though it was appropriate to mention the history of what we shouldn’t do!! The handshake was a symbol of peace such as Grant and Lee after the US Civil War. The handshake has existed in some form or another for thousands of years, but its origins are somewhat murky. One popular theory is that the gesture began as a way of conveying peaceful intentions. By extending their empty right hands, strangers could show that they were not holding weapons and bore no ill will toward one another. Some even suggest that the up-and-down motion of the handshake was supposed to dislodge any knives or daggers that might be hidden up a sleeve. Yet another explanation is that the handshake was a symbol of good faith when making an oath or promise. When they clasped hands, people showed that their word was a sacred bond. One of the earliest depictions of a handshake is found in a ninth century B.C. relief, which shows the Assyrian King Shalmaneser III pressing the flesh with a Babylonian ruler to seal an alliance. The epic poet Homer described handshakes several times in his “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” most often in relation to pledges and displays of trust. The gesture was also a recurring motif in the fourth and fifth century B.C. Greek funerary art. Gravestones would often depict the deceased person shaking hands with a member of their family, signifying either a final farewell or the eternal bond between the living and the dead. In ancient Rome, meanwhile, the handshake was often used as a symbol of friendship and loyalty. Pairs of clasped hands even appeared on Roman coins. While the handshake had several meanings in the ancient world, its use as an everyday greeting is a more recent phenomenon. Some historians believe it was popularized by the 17th century Quakers, who viewed a simple handclasp as a more egalitarian alternative to bowing or tipping a hat. The greeting later became commonplace, and by the 1800s, etiquette manuals often included guidelines for the proper handshaking technique. As is often suggested today, the Victorian shake was supposed to be firm but not overly strong. Let’s hope when we return to normal activities, we don’t use the elbow touching or other such nonsense! Our modes of recognition are through grips etc and these cannot change.
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In Memoriam It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the craft in Renfrewshire in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother:
Bro. James Gregory Bro. Jimmy died on Wednesday morning last week of heart failure. He was an affiliate of 242 having joined in 1967 from Lodge Heatheryknowe No.1461 in Bargeddie near Coatbridge. However, his main interest was Royal Arch Freemasonry becoming First Principal of Sir William Wallace RAC No.109 and later becoming Provincial Grand Superintendent of Renfrewshire in 2008. At the moment, there are no further details, but we pass on our sincere condolences to his family.
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Website: http://lodge242.bravesites.com/
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