The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone
May 2014
In this issue: My Inititaion Point within a Circle The Orange Order Old School Building View from a new Member Rusty Masons USS New York Glasgow Exhibition 1901
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Walking the Road / Seeking the Light
Number 176
My Initiation I'm little likely to forget the night that I was made a Mason. It was nane o’ thae circumspect bodies - a’ elders o’ the Kirk - or thae teetotal societies that you ca’ Lodges now-a-days. And there was nae five guinea trick, wi’ at least fourteen clear days between each degree so as to gie ye the impression that you’re gettin’ a lot for your siller; but a right slap-through kind o’ business whaur you got the halls dollop a’ in ae nicht. You gaud in as an entered apprentice about half-eight an’ you cam’ out - or was carried out - about five in the mornin’ a full Maister Mason, and as fou as a piper! wi’ your aepron still hingin’ in front like a bib that had lost its road, and a white tie tryin’ to look as comfortable as possible at the, back o’ your neck. It was Rab Soutar that was the Maister when I was made, and it was Jamie Blyth that introduced me to the billies. Jamie was a decent soul wi’ an awfu’ drouth, and I think he liked the Lodge sae weel that he wad never hae thocht to leave it if the sun had only bidden in the meridian! ‚Damn you and your zenith,‛ he used to say when it cam’ near closin’ time, ‚What ails ye at the maid-it- terranian or whatever the blazes ye ca’ it?‛ But in spite aye a’ his fauts, Jamie wasna a bad fellow, and it wad ill become me to say ae word against him as everything I ken about the Craft is due to the fact that Jamie sponsored me that nicht I taen the step. ‚You’ll hear a lot about daft antics,‛ said Jamie, ‚but dinna believe them. We’ve a’ gane through the business without losin’ a hair, an’ as you’re gey bald you’re perfectly safe. But the man that made me gied me twa tips, an’ I’ll pass them baith on to you; ‚The first is, hae your bawbees ready, and the second is, see that you’re wearin’ a half-decent sark.‛ I telled the wife what Jamie said. ‚Aye,‛ says she, ‚what does that mean? I wadna wonder but what I micht be a weedow on Saturday mornin’! I’ll never gie in, Sammie Tosh, wi’ thae deevlish cantraips – hae your siller ready, an’ a half-decent sark – ‚ ‚But there’s nae connection atweent the twa, Maryann,‛ I hastened to say. ‚There maun be some connection,‛ says she, ‚or he wadna hae used them baith in the ae braith. But mind you, Sammie Tosh, if you come hame wi’ ony roost on the tail o’ your sark, or ony nonsense o’ that sort you’ll wash it yourself! or get the Masons to do it for you.‛ ‚I didna think o’ getting’ it dirtied,‛ I said in a mollifyin’ tone o’ voice; ‚I was mair feared about maybe getting’ it torn.‛ ‚I believe you’ve struck it, Sammie,‛ says she, ‚That’ll just be their gemm. They’ll tear your sark, so as to gie their Tyler a job to sew it again!‛
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My Initiation (ctd) It was perfectly plain that Maryann didna ken onything about the Masons’ Tyler, or she wad never had said a thing like that; but as I didna ken ony mair mysel’ in thae days, I didna contradict her. Indeed, I thocht she was maybe richt, and that that was maybe the reason why every Lodge had a Tyler o’ its ain! When the fatal nicht cam’ I gaed doun to the little public-house ca’d the Saracen’s Head, whaur the Lodge meetin’s were held, and Jamie handed me owre to a chap he ca’d the Deacon. He whippit out a blue hanky and bindin’ it round my een cried out, ‚Can ye see onything?‛ ‚Ay‛ says I, ‚I can see you deakin’ round about my feet - I suppose that’s how you’re ca’ed a deacon?’’ ‚In that case says he, ‚we’ll pu’ it a wee bit faurer doun. Can you see onything noo?‛ ‚Devil the haet,‛ says I, and he laughed weel pleased wi’ himself. Syne I felt him gaun thro’ my pouches. ‘‘Twenty-one shillin’s‛ says he ‚is that a’ you have on you?’’ ‚Every bloomin’ copper,‛says I. ‚That’s a’ richt then,‛ says he, ‚I was just wantin’ to mak’ sure. I’ll hand this owre to the treasurer.’’ Back he cam’ in a jiffy an’ hit me a clout on the bald pow wi‘ a wooden hammer. ‚Goad keep me,‛ says I, ‚what’s that?‛ ‘‘The Mason’s knock,‛ says he; ‚one knock on the head wi’ the gavel to let ye ken that we knock off at one o’clock for dinner.‛ ‚Ay,‛ says I clawin’’ my sair heid, ‚it’s a dammed good job you don’t know off at twelve!‛ He gied a kind o’ snicker at that as much as to say, ‚You’re a funny kind o’ a joker,‛ and then says he, ‚Come on now, are ye ready for the goat?‛ Weel, I needna tell you anything about the goat. You’ve a’ ridden the goat yoursel’.. But what I mind maist about the goat was that after I had been taen here, there, and everywhere, the goat says to me, says he ‚Have you ever been here, before?‛ ‚No,‛ says I, and wi’ the help o’ God, I hope I’ll never be in this plight again.‛ An’ I’ve never been! Cross Keys May 2014
My Initiation (ctd) I think it took them about three quarters o’ an hour to gie me the three degree. Nowadays I’m telled that some of thae chaps that want to include a’ thing they can think o’ into the Degree, tak’ an hour and a half to mak’ you an apprentice. Had they lived when I was made a Mason, they wad hae been peyed aff for no kennin’ their trade! The main business was after you had been raise. The Maister got up and asked the Junior Warden to knock aff, and ere you kent whaur you were the beer and haps were set forenenst you and you were telled to yoke tae. About an hour later the Steward intimated that my guinea had been melted. At that up got the Treasuer. Says he – ‚Right Worshipful Master, I venture to say without fear of successful contradiction that this is the best harmony we’ve ever haen, and I propose that ye drink the youngest Maister Mason’s health at the expense o’ the Lodge.‛ Naebody seemed to be expected to second the motion for the Steward there and then sent round mair ammunition, and we sat and drank and sang till efter three the next morning. I havena the slightest recollection o’ how the thing finished up, and when I asked Jamie Blyth he said, says he, ‚What’s the use o’ batherin’ yoursel’ about that. A Mason’s best no to fash himsel’ wi’ thae things. The less he kens the fewer secrets he’ll gie awa’‛ The wife was sleepin’ when I got hame. I slippit in as quietly as I could. Efter I had been sleepin’ for a few hours I felt her slippin’ out. I waited to see what wad happen. I saw her lift my sark aff the chair whaur I had left it and examine it particularly. ‚Ay,‛ says she to herself, ‚If theres’s name o’ them waur than that, the Tyler’ll no’ hae much o’ a job, puir man.‛
This article was transcribed by Bro. J. Stewart Donaldson, Stirling No.76, from the book MASONIC READINGS AND RECITATIONS. Although there is no author subscribed, it is almost certainly the work of Bro. William Harvey who edited the book. For some brethren, the following might be helpful! Hae—have Nicht—night Drouth—thirst Baith—both Sark—vest (as in cutty sark) Ken—know
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The Ashlar was first published in September, 1855 in Detroit, USA produced many fine articles, one of which is given below.
The Point within the Circle
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The Orange Order Societies and clubs celebrating the victory of King William III date back to 1690. The Orange Order itself arose out of disturbances in County Armagh, Ireland in the late eighteenth century, when Protestant 'Peep O'Day Boys' conflicted with Roman Catholic 'Defenders'. Following the Battle of the Diamond in 1795 near Loughgall, the new Protestant organisation was founded. Like the Craft, a Grand Lodge was soon formed. (The founding members of the Orange Institution were Freemasons as was apparently King William III, Prince of Orange.) Very quickly after the foundation of the Order, there emerged a second 'Purple Marksman' or 'Plain Purple' degree. Grand Lodge tried to stop local lodges from forming yet more degrees, but without much success. Soon were found degrees with names such as 'Royal Arch Purple', 'Scarlet', 'Black, 'Green' and 'Apron'. By the 1830's, these different so-called 'Black' degrees were being coordinated by bodies such as the 'Royal Black Association of Ireland', the 'Grand Black Order of Orangemen ' and the 'Magnanimous and Invincible Order of Blackmen'. There was also a Scottish order variously called the 'Loyal Black Association of Scotland', the 'Imperial Grand Lodge of Knights of Malta and Parent Black Lodge of the Universe', and the Imperial Grand Encampment of the Universe and Grand Black Lodge of Scotland and the most Ancient Illustrious and Military Order of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem' This group began to issue Irish warrants in 1834 and in 1844 it formed a Grand Priory of Ireland. As their names suggest these 'Black' organizations were modelled upon the older chivalric orders -and more directly upon the chivalric orders found within the Freemasons. In 1847, a body breaking away from the Grand Priory met with met with representatives of the Grand Black Order and the Grand Black Orange Lodge of Ireland, Thus was formed the Grand Black Chapter which exists to this day. When someone joins the Orange Order today, he usually passes through both the Orange and Plain Purple degrees. Thence he may be invited to join a Royal Arch Purple Chapter. He may then become a member of a Black Preceptory and pass through its eleven degrees, Royal Black, Royal Scarlet, Royal Mark, Apron & Royal Blue, Royal White, Royal Green, Royal Gold, Star & Garter, Scarlet Arrow, Link & Chain and Red Cross. The Royal Arch Purple Degree (3rd degree) is based on the original theme of the Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. The 2½ is a reminder of the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh who, although their inheritance was assured on the other side of Jordan, advanced in the vanguard of the army when crossing the river to assist their brethren to secure the Promised Land. Like any organisation which is formed, it eventually differs greatly from any founding organisation and so it is with the Orange and Blacks. Although there will always be similarities with symbolism and at time regalia (eg the apron worn in the RBP), the basic tenets, etc will be vastly different over time.
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A Sad Tale from a Young Member The following was taken from the Freemason Network and was posted by a fairly new member. I have included this as I believe he is not unique and many new members join without knowing what it is about and then wonder what they get for their money. We need to do better. I became a master mason in the spring of 2010, and a 32nd mason in the fall of the same year. I joined out of curiosity, and to learn the history and meaning. I currently hold the title of JW in my blue lodge, and recently quit as JW of the Rose Croix in my valley. I found that masonry is a joke, and it's no wonder membership is declining. I don't see how it will ever survive. In this day in age there are so many things to do that are much more meaningful, and more enjoyable. When I joined I expected many of my questions to be answered, and none have been. I received no explanation as to why we do our ritual, what it means, or where and when it originated. it seems that no body knows. Then I found out that the ritual varies in every state, I was blown away. Why was it so important for me to memorize the ritual word for word, if it's completely different everywhere else? My lodge isn't active in the community at all. We open, listen to last months minutes, we never have any business to discuss, we close, eat a sandwich, and go home. Why would anyone want to join? Our local lions club is very active with benefits, and they have a wonderful park and playground for kids. Not to mention they serve beer at their meetings. As far as the Scottish Rite goes, I could see how it may be fun if you liked to memorize lines and dress up, but I don't. I don't even enjoy watching the degrees, and evidently neither do most as we had 3 members in the audience last reunion. The class size was made up of 2 people, and we had no banquette, because no one comes. I don't even know what royal secret is, and I’ve seen the 32nd degree about 10 times. Of course it changed this year, and has absolutely nothing in common with the original 32 degree. I guess it wasn’t politically correct. Masonry in Illinois seems to a bit hypocritical also, as they say they are open to all religions, but the only book they will allow on the alter is the King James bible. There are much better things, and better clubs to spend my time on. He has a number of valid points although in most constitutions, more than one VSL is permitted. However, this is the impression of a new member—is his lodge trying to address his concerns? How would you answer him?
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From the Columns On 10th April, Bro. Robert Fisher received the FCD from Lodge St. Barchan No.156 followed by his MM by the OBs. Even on a bright sunny evening we had 65 brethren attending. At the end of last month, Bros. John Muir and Hugh Burnfield were admitted as affiliate members and we wish them a happy time with the brethren of 242.
St George Conclave No.79 On Tuesday 15th April, an unusually clement evening in Inverclyde saw our own Bro. Grant MacLeod installed as Most Puissant Sovereign at St. George’s Conclave in Port Glasgow. Following an excellent Installation ceremony which was particularly well attended, the Knights of St. George accompanied by their guests were pleased to join Bro. Grant in what turned out to be a very comfortable and harmonious evening, during which Bro. Grant expressed his appreciation to his Office Bearers, Guests and Installing Officers. Many congratulations are due to Bro. Grant in attaining this honourable Office and it is with our best wishes that we hope that he will have the greatest of success during his tenure. This was an important occasion for the lodge as well, as can be seen with the brethren of 242 also installed into office: from left to right Danny Birrell PM Sec (2nd Aide de Comp), Garry Forbes PM (Orator), Jim McNeil (1st Guard) and Eddie Gray (1st Aide de Comp). The conclave with a good mix of Renfrewshire East and West should go from strength to strength.
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GL News Tom Davidson, Provincial Grand Master of PGL Lanarkshire Middle Ward, will be undertaking a long distance walk in early May 2014 to raise both funds and awareness of the work of Prostate Scotland in providing information and support for men with Prostate Cancer and other Prostate problems throughout Scotland. There is a JustGiving and JustTextGiving account where people can donate and the charity can benefit from the ‚Giftaid‛ contribution from the tax-man: Brethren are encouraged to use this method of making charitable donations as it maximises the amount given. https://www.justgiving.com/TomDavidsonTrek
Please help if you can.
PGL News Thursday 1st May—Re-dedication of War Memorial in Lodge Craigends No.1042 in Linwood by the PGL followed by a lecture of Military Masonry by Bro. Grant Macleod PG Secretary. Sunday 4th May—1042 (with 242 brn invited) will lay a wreath at the War Memorial in Johnstone leaving 242 at 10am. Sportsmans Dinner—6th June at Lodge Georgetown No.1170 £25 Education Dinner—11th June in Renfrew £15 Waverley Trip “doon the watter”—21st June (12 tickets still available): PGL Glasgow has now 750 tickets (most sold) for a masonic outing down the Clyde to Rothesay. PGL Curry Night—26th June in Busby £10 PGL Lunch—20th September in Barrhead £15
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Old School now a Lodge THE Old Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School on Abbey Place is currently the home of three Masonic lodges. The building dates back to 1576, when it was built to provide a free grammar school within the grounds of the Norman Abbey. Sixty tons of oak were used to construct the building as well as lime, bricks and stone. The building was originally built in a similar way to the Guildhall in the Market Place. What is now the ground floor was originally an open space between columns. The first floor was the schoolroom, with another room for the master's accommodation. There are still carvings in the wall of names, dates and initials from the pupils. Herbert Marsh, whose name was carved on the left hand side in 1767, later went on to be the Bishop of Peterborough. The windows in the schoolroom are high up to prevent distraction during lessons. The larger windows at the far end of the room were bricked up at one stage after a window tax was introduced in the 17th century. As can be seen in the picture, there were several panes of glass which counted as separate windows. The building was used as a school (see below) until 1879 when it was sold for ÂŁ230. In 1887 the freehold was purchased by the Lodge of Harmony, which had been meeting at The Ship Inn.
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Northampton Masonic Hall Closes Last year, the Provincial Office of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire released the following statement. "The business at St George's Hall is no longer viable or sustainable and it is with regret that we have decided to cease trading on 31st May 2012. We apologise to all those this action affects but it is a result of the overall business climate and the ever increasing costs of maintaining the premises." St George’s Hall has been the home of Freemasonry in Northampton since 1971, but will move to alternative premises somewhere in June 2012. Many lodges might have to be careful over the next few years since some lodges might have to return charters and large masonic halls may have to attract revenue from more than just lodges.
May Events in 242 Thursday 8th—EA by Union & Crown No.307 Friday 23rd—MMM by St. Andrew, Annan No.1443 Visit: Thursday 1st—Thistle & Crown No.1167 to confer the EAD 12th June—Visit to 1566 to confer MMD Joint Divine Service (with Craigends No.1042) in Linwood on Sunday 11th May, 2014 at 6 for 6.30pm
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New Book
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Rusty Masons (September 1872)
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Rusty Masons (September 1872) (ctd)
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Improving Meetings from the US Get the members involved. That is key here when dealing with increasing our lodge attendance. If you decide having a speaker isn't what will do for your lodge, there are other ways to get masonic education into your work. Our Grand Lodge has made a requirement in the state of Oklahoma to read a section from Masonic Education. In our lodge we have different brothers reading the section. The Master asks for volunteers to read, and someone reads it. If you have the same individuals always volunteering but have some brethren sitting on the outskirts and not participating, I hate to pull an old trick that was used when I was in school, but it works to voluntell (Military terminology) them to read a passage. It will increase their participation, possibly allow them to learn something that they weren't listening to and show them that we really do care about their presence in lodge. Another idea is to have brethren research on their own. Bring up the idea in the lodge to have brethren do some research and present something to the lodge of their desire. If a brother seems to be more esoteric than others, he could potentially bring in a good discussion for the lodge by doing his own research and talking about something he enjoys to the brethren. If a brother is more along the lines of the business aspect of the lodge he could do the same. There are plenty of resources in your ciphers and rituals, online and in your local libraries to do said research. Set a date with the brother and ask him to present something on that date. Practice. Practice. Practice. There is nothing saying you can’t practice ritual during a stated meeting. In fact, you shouldn't have to have a special communication in order to work on ritual. Practice your language, practice your footwork, just practice. It helps get the lodge out of the bland repetitiveness that we tend to see every stated meeting. Don’t forget the widows. If you decide to have a family night, however you do it, include the widows of our brethren. When our brothers see that we really stick by our oath, they tend to become more involved. I read a recent article the other day about a widow who was so distraught by the Freemasons she no longer wanted anything to do with them. Simply because while her husband was sick or in a nursing home, I can’t quite recall the exact situation, our brethren never bothered to visit. It is our responsibility to go the length of our cable tow to aid and assist the sick and distressed brethren and families. When we do this, other brethren will see it and become more involved knowing their families will be taken care of when they are gone. Talk to the lodge brethren frequently. Even if it is just a simple text message, Facebook message or phone call. Talk them and see how they are doing through the week. Believe it or not, you could be just the person they needed to hear from. Maybe, it has been rough week for them at work, with the family, or they are struggling with life in general. When you call, text or message them on Facebook, it lets them know you are thinking of them. Finally, there is one more trick in my hat to help raise lodge attendance. Ask. Ask the brethren what they want to see, what they want to do. It’s a simple question and can be asked before the lodge is closed. ‚For the next stated meeting, what would the Craft like to do for work?‛ Open the lodge floor up for discussion and watch people get passionate about our great fraternity.
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Special Event
Go and see the PGM Bro. John Miller take part in the EAD in the church.
Masonic Place Names Thanks to Jon Webley (Sec at 1706): there's a village in Wales called Square and Compasses on the A487 between Fishguard and St David's. Interestingly, on the other side of Fishguard in Dinas Cross, there is the Freemasons Arms / Freemasons Hotel, also on the A487.
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242 ADVERT 242 was 200 years old in 2011 and commissioned a stamp sheet from the Royal Mail (http://www.smilers-info.com/ RBCS-011.htm). These are currently available from them at £37 OR from the lodge at £10 (see or email Bro. Grant Macleod). The A4 sheet depicts images of the lodge and is legal tender.
Thought of the Month ‚A Freemason<should be a man of honor and of conscience, preferring his duty to everything beside, even to his life; independent in his opinions, and of good morals; submissive to the laws, devoted to humanity, to his country, to his family; kind and indulgent to his brethren, friend of all virtuous men, and ready to assist his fellows by all means in his power‛ Albert Pike, in Morals & Dogma
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Glasgow Exhibition 1901 In 1901 in Glasgow Art Galleries, another of the famous Glasgow Exhibitions took place. These events were common in Britain, another common place for such events was the Crystal Palace. However, this particular event was special in that Room 16 contained a Masonic exhibition and contained some of the following items:
Minute books from Mother Kilwinning No.0 (1642), the Lodge of Edinburgh No.1 (1599), Canongate Kilwinning No.2 (1735), Roman Lodge (1735), Glasgow St. Mungo No.27 (1762) and the book from the Ayr Squaremen (many more also on show)
St. Clair Charters dated 1600-01 and 1628
The Hammermen Chair from their incorporation (16th Century)
The seal of Mother Kilwinning
Portrait of William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock and Grand Master Mason in 1742 (later beheaded as a Jacobite sympathiser)
Portrait of William St. Clair, first Grand Master Mason in 1736
Old Tyler’s coat and vest from Canongate Kilwinning No.2 (18th Century)
The master’s mallet and apron of St. Andrew’s in Dumfries from 1788, used by Bro. Robert Burns
Masonic chest from the Incorporation of Masons in Glasgow (1684)
Silk Banner from Glasgow St. Mungo No.27
Some very interesting and important historical artefacts. Perhaps some of the main museums in Scotland should have more of these on loan from lodges as part of a more permanent exhibition.
Happy Recess to Everyone Next edition in September
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To submit an article, contact the Editor: Grant Macleod E-Mail:
sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk
Lodge Website
www.lodge242.co.uk
Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo RWM for proof reading.
Don’t forget to support The Ashlar magazine— Scotland’s only Masonic magazine. Just click on the magazine to find out more.
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