Stewart Armour, Provost

Bro. Stewart Armour joined 242 in February, 1909 and his employment was ‘merchant’ which was grocer. One curious thing in the minutes is that the ballot for him was not clear! Special permission therefore was required to seek another re-ballot for some reason. This was done and the master at the next meeting insisted on the new ballot. Several brethren retired while the ballot took place which was found to be clear. These brethren then re-entered the lodge! The minutes are silent as to what their dissent was about.

He became Senior Magistrate (equivalent to Provost) in 1891—93 and Provost of Johnstone 1908—14. The Johnstone Burgh bowling green and tennis courts (Municipal) were formally declared open at a ceremony on 25th August 1892, which was presided over by Bro. Provost Stewart Armour who became a Director. He was also the Secretary/Treasurer of the Johnstone Curling Club. He also oversaw the unveiling ceremony on October 3rd 1891 officiated by the Reverend William Macloy, of Johnstone High Parish Church, .

He lived in the High Street before moving to ‘Thornhurst’ in Overton Road. He is seen planting trees near the sewage works with the new chain of office swinging about. The photo is from the Daily Mirror in 1911.

Nice Touch!

The master of Acacia Lodge No.35 under the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria, Brother Todor Georgiev, presented the new EAs with their framed EA tracing boards at the Simeon Radev Temple. A very nice touch and something for them to study—simple but effective idea.

ColonelSir Michael Robert Shaw-Stewart,7th Baronet (26 November 1826 – 10 December 1903, shown) was a British baronet and Conservative Party politician. He sat in the House of Commons from 1855 to 1865. He was the son of Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart, 6th Baronet, the first PGM of Renfrewshire West 1826 –39.

Bro. Shaw-Stewart played a single first-class cricket match for the Marylebone Cricket Clubin 1850 so was obviously a fine player. In May 1855, he was elected at an unopposed by-election as the Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire. He was re-elected in 1857 and 1859, and held the seat until his defeat at the1865 general election. Shaw-Stewart was Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire from 1869 to 1903, PGM of Renfrewshire West 1848 - 93 and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland from 1873—82. He bought the manor of Hindon, Wiltshirefrom his wife's motherand was appointedHigh Sheriff of Wiltshirefor 1883. On 28 December 1852, he married Lady Octavia Grosvenor, sixth daughter of the2nd Marquess of Westminster. They had five sons and four daughters, including Sir Michael Hugh Shaw-Stewart, 8th BaronetPGM Renfrewshire West 1893 – 1943 and his grandson Sir Walter Guy Shaw Stewart, 9th Baronet PGM Renfrewshire West 1943 –67. A family commitment of over 130 years which might well be unsurpassed in leading a province.

On the apron, we have the band with the hook and eye attachment that perhaps very few may be aware is also full of symbolic significance. It is no accident that the snake was selected for this purpose. The snake is the traditional symbol of evil, but it is also associated with wisdom. Thus the serpent in our apron denotes that we are encircled by Holy wisdom. You will also notice that the serpent is biting its own tail, thus forming a circle which has always been regarded as the emblem of eternity, and more especially the Eternal Wisdom of God.

Hook & Eye

Leopold Lodge No.1669 (EC)

A Georgian engraved small oval silver presentation Royal Arch jewel, eye, sun and moon above arch, G over triple coronets within, other emblems, serpent below, rev. engraved “THE GIFT OF BR P F HALL TO BR ARTR WADE 1801.” In all likelihood, it would be a lodge jewel where the RA was conferred.

Prince Leopold, after whom the Royal Leopold Lodge is named, was famously a man of Literature-a true Royal creative. Since its consecration in 1877, the Lodge, like many others, has waxed and waned in its fortunes, and recently found itself on the wane. With a core membership of those initiated in the Lodge, conversations began in order to revive its fortunes and see it flourish again. Concurrently the team responsible for Communications in Metropolitan Grand Lodge was looking for a Lodge to join to further the interests of those who broadly enjoy Creativity, the Arts and Literature, and specifically those with an interest or expertise in Communications.

HRH Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, KG, KT, GCSI, GCMG, GCStJ, was the eighth child and youngest son of Queen Victoria. He was proposed for initiation into Apollo Lodge No 357 (Oxford University) by his brother, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), who was at the time the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. He was initiated in a joint ceremony with Robert Hawthorne Collins, his friend and tutor, who later became Comptroller of his Household. He served as Master of the Lodge from 1876-1877 and was later the Provincial Grand Master for Oxfordshire, still holding that office at the time of his death. He was also installed as Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Antiquity No 2 in 1879. The Royal Leopold Lodge was consecrated on 7th April 1877 (on his Highness’ birthday) in the Surrey Masonic Hall, 295 Camberwell New Road, by the Grand Secretary, RW Bro J Harvey, by command of The Most Worshipful Grand Master His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, K.G. The Lodge was so named by the express permission of His Royal Highness Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, who was graciously pleased to permit the Founders to elect him an Honorary Member of the Lodge at the time of its consecration.