GL/PGL News

Our Year Book was started in 1952 under the Grand Master Mason Bro. Malcolm BarclayHarvey (see forthcoming April 2021 for more about him). It contains the names of the master and secretary of each lodge, information about Grand Lodges and PGLs, but more interestingly , there are some masonic articles ranging from histories of lodges to symbolism to current thought. Current and past copies are available from the Grand Lodge Shop.

St. John’s Masonry

A meeting of the brethren of this lodge was held on Wednesday evening 17th Jan., in the Globe Hotel (High Street), for the purpose of entertaining the late WM of the lodge. Bro. J. Gilmour presided and Bro. A. Wallace discharged the duties of Croupier. During the evening, in proposing "The Health of the late W. M. Bro . Edmonds, "Bro. Wallace referred to the eminent services which he had rendered to the lodge during his term of office and also to the cause of Masonry in general for a great many years past. In the name of a number of the brethren, Bro. Wallace then presented Bro. Edmonds with a handsome gold watch which bore the following inscription: — "Presented to Bro. H. S. Ed-

monds l. P. M. No. 129 , by a few friends who appreciate his past labours, and esteem

him as a brother and a man. " Bro . Edmonds appropriately and acknowledged the gift.

An engraved watch was before the days of a PM jewel—probably of more use to a brother than a jewel only worn at meetings. Yet this practice died out and jewels, many costing the lodge a great deal of money, become the norm. I am sure this is another instance of regalia manufacturers paving the way with masonic paraphernalia (and making a tidy profit…).

Note the name of the lodge (today Paisley St. Mirren’s No.129).

“He should have passed the first three degrees of Freemasonry in a Lodge of St. John or of Melchizedech. It is well known that the Lodges of St John are only for Christians; those of Melchizedech, quite as good and as conformable to the law (toutes aussi bonnes et conformes a la loi), exist in great numbers in Italy, Holland, England, Portugal, Spain, and receive Jews, Turks, Persians, and Armenians". (Cour de Berlin, 1789, iii., 120.)

What does this mean? It appears that there was an actual Masonic distinction in the period. This suggests a new meaning for the term St. John which sometimes placed after the name of a visitor in old Masonic Minute Books. It is usually taken to denote a Mason unattached at the moment to any regular Lodge, but might just as well be a description of the Mason who had been made in a nonregular assembly of men deriving their knowledge from time immemorial usage— such a Lodge, indeed, as seems to be indicated by the ritual now under consideration. On this head one might put the pertinent question: where did the " Hedge " or irregular Masons, who were plentiful enough up till the end of the eighteenth century and even later, obtain their information if not from some travelling Master Mason who had acquired, or perhaps in many cases assumed, the right to make Masons at sight?

So it appears that the term St. John was not just a ‘wee add on’ but was meant to show regularity. Could it be that irregular masons (possibly not in the sense we know now) were allowed into lodges before 1800?

Table Lodges have become a regular feature in the calendars of numerous lodges overseas, especially in Europe. Some are far removed from the Festive Boards of the UGLE and have little or no resemblance to a Scottish Harmony.

In Central Europe, (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland) Table Lodges are very formal with variations here and there. Surrounding countries in The Balkans, Baltic, Scandinavia and Iberia have adopted their own Table Lodge identities.

In Central Europe Table Lodges are lodge meetings with a three, or four, course meal in the lodge Dining Room without a Candidate, Minutes or a Tile to sign. The dining tables are prepared in a “U” shape with the meeting usually conducted by the Deputy Master seated in the middle of the East Table, the WSW at the head of the North Table and the WJW seated at the head of the South Table. With a large attendance a Middle Table is set with a seat at its head for the DC.

With all tables correctly prepared and the Office Bearers seated, the DM instructs the DC to call the Brethren to assemble. Outside the Dining Room the Brethren will have gathered dressed for a lodge meeting wearing a hat and white gloves. The Brethren move towards the Dining Room door in pairs before individually whispering the password in the ear of the IG. When all Brethren have taken their places, behind their chair, the DC informs the DM that all Brethren are present. The Table Lodge is then closed tiled in the usual way and the Brethren invited to be seated and remove hats and gloves.

When setting the tables a ribbon is laid the length of each table. On this ribbon are placed glasses, bottles and other small flower arrangements, including in some cases candelabra. After the main course short masonic speeches are presented ending with a toast. As is the norm a reply follows and the lodge moves on to the next course. Before and after each course the DC checks the tiling of the Table Lodge. These Table Lodges are usually held on Saturday afternoons to celebrate the lodge anniversary, other special occasions and the Saturday closest to 24th June. When a new Brother is initiated a Table Lodge is held immediately after the Initiation Degree, also after a Passing Degree, (often referred to as a Vespa), with all Brethren in full regalia as previously described. The new Entered Apprentice is invited to join the East Table with his proposer and seconder. Before the last course he is invited to make his first lodge speech. The Table Lodges for Fellow Craft follow or more casualprocedure.

In some areas discussions are being held to change these traditions as Table Lodges can go into the early hours of the morning.

During the Table Lodge the ribbon, in the middle, has a special value. Should any of the Brethren not replace any object back on the ribbon the WSW, WJW or DC will hammer on the table to inform the DM that a Brother wishes to speak? Table Lodges are closed in various ways depending on the country or province in which it is held.

Having left the Dining Room the Brethren make their way to the lodge club or cigar room. The Officer Bearers are usually the last to vacate the Dining Room.

. . . can go on until the early hours of the morning Thanks to Bro. Stuart Saunders *******************************************

Is this something that 242 could do? Perhaps hold one in June to explain the important of St John? Next month, I will put on the actual format of the table lodge—obviously this can be adapted to suit styles, etc and make it more ‘local.’

The BBC have revamped an old Kinora flip film of Wick. These are a couple of clips which they think was Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. Click hereto see the article.

Obituary—Bro. Robert L. Hunt PM HM 242

Bro. Bobby had been ill for an extended period of time but fought his illness with a strength and vigour that would befit a man many years his junior. It is a source of great comfort to us all that Bobby spent his last moments surrounded by his family; his daughter Karen, and his sons, and Brothers in 275, Kenneth and Gordon.

Brother Bobby was a dedicated freemason, and was known to Brethren both near and far, through his endless visiting. He was an example to not just the brethren of our Lodge, but to freemasonry in general. He represented our Lodge with pride and showed it in its best light wherever he went. His visiting resulted in numerous visitors to our Lodge, Brethren from Lodges who would likely have never passed our way had it not been for Bobby, and that contributed considerably to the good name and prosperity that the Lodge enjoys to this day.

Brother Bobby joined 275 as a Lewis and was initiated on the 30th January 1963, passed on the 20th February, and was raised on the 20th March the same year. He was advanced to the rank of MMM on the 18th September of 1963, and then took on his first office in the lodge shortly thereafter. Bobby eventually became Right Worshipful Master of the lodge in 2008 and served the Lodge with a distinction that befits the high Office.

Bobby was one the very few members who celebrated the lodges recent 200th Anniversary, that had been present at the 150th celebrations in 1968. A tremendous achievement, but they were certainly made of stronger stuff in those days. Bobby's passion for freemasonry also saw him being honoured by the Brethren of Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242, when they granted him Honourary Membership. Bobby was later to be presented with the Ayrshire Passport, after visiting every lodge in that particularProvince.Hewasagentlemanandagoodfreemason in every sense and was held in the highest regard within his Mother Lodge and beyond. Indeed, he lived respected, and died regretted. We can pay him no greater honour.

To the Brethren of The Bridgeton and Glasgow, Shamrock and Thistle Lodge Number 275, let us raise a toast to the memory of our dear departed Brother. When time and circumstance allow us to be together again, we will remember Brother Bobby in a manner truly befitting his memory and celebrate his rightful place in the history of our Lodge.

The photo below is the night Bro. Bobby was made an HM along with various masters within and out with the province showing the great respect he was held.

2021 sees the anniversaries of some lodge which hopefully will take place. Here are some local lodges:

250th Anniversary

125 –St. James Newton-Upon-Ayr (Ayrshire) 126 –St. Andrew (Kilmarnock) (Ayrshire) 127 –Thistle (Stewarton) (Ayrshire) 128 –Shettleston St. John (Glasgow)

200th Anniversary

290 –Dalry Blair (Ayrshire) 292 –Rothesay St. John (Argyll and The Isles)

150th Anniversary

505 –Burns St. Mary (Hurlford) (Ayrshire) 510 –Maryhill (Glasgow) 512 –Thorntree (Thornliebank) (Renfrewshire East)

100th Anniversary

1258 –Battlefield (Glasgow) 1259 –Bishopbriggs (Glasgow) 1263 –Moorpark (Renfrew) (Renfrewshire East) 1265 –Eaglesham (Renfrewshire East) 1282 –Alexandra (Dennistoun) (Glasgow)

And not forgetting the 25th Anniversary of The Anchor Lodge of Research (Greenock) under the PGL of Renfrewshire West. I was lucky enough to be master on our 10th Anniversary when Bro. Trevor Stewart PM Quatuor Coronati No.2076(EC) presented a paper. Details to follow.

£1,000,000 RSEA—Unbelievable Effort!!!!!!

From Bro. Tam Clark PM Prince of Wales No.426 in Renfrew: Thanks to everyone who has helped the Rangers Supports Erskine Appeal since we started raising money for Erskine. We are now delighted to announce we are not just over the million pounds raised but well over it by over £80,000.00. Almost 10% of the way to the next million.

We also take great pleasure in announcing that we have invited Gordon Smith to take up the role of RSEA President. Gordon has been a patron and supporter of the RSEA and takes on the role first held by the late great Harold Davis. We are sure that Harry will be looking down proud of what the Rangers support have achieved in supporting Erskine. We even made the press… Times Times 2 Times 3 Shop: collecting ongoing for the Erskine Homes

The name Jeremy Beadle will be known to the generation of 40/50 year olds for his programme Beadle’s About which was shown for 50 weeks per year for 2 years. Once he has finished his TV career, he became a freemason joining Westminster City Council Lodge No.2882 (which also has two actors from Coronation Street). He took to the charitable side of the lodge—his total charitable fund raising prior to joining was around £100 million for which he received an MBE in 2001.

On 25 January 2008, it was reported that he had been admitted to The London Clinic, and was subsequently placed in a critical care unit with pneumonia,he died a week later at the age of 59; his ashes were buried in Highgate Cemetery.

Masonic Hall, Adelaide, Australia

To submit an article or want added to the mail list or Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod:

E-Mail: sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://lodge242.bravesites.com/