The Cross Keys May 2021
Cross Keys May 2021
The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242
Number 237
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From the Editor It is with great sadness that I open with the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 9th April, 2021. Please see the attached flyer from The Masonic Philatelic Club. Another step closer to opening with heads of orders meeting next month. I noticed an interesting comment on Twitter about starting up again—try to get more of the brethren more involved in all aspects, involve family and friends more, take pride in ritual and its delivery which in its self produces pride in our lodge. Finally, make sure our festive boards are festive celebrations of Freemasonry and Freemasons. We don’t have festive boards, but perhaps harmonies could have less toasts and more talking about plans to put Masonry into action. Grant Cover—With the MMM degree approaching, the cover shows a keystone from the Howwood Folly on Kenmure Hill just off the A737. It was built in 1760 by Bro. Col. William MacDowell who owned the Semple Estates. See Page 23.
In this issue: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 17 18 20 21 23 22 25 28 30
Three Grades of Workmen Earls of Moray Oldest Lodges in the World Early Aberdeen Masonry Irish RA Certificate The Kirkwall Scroll Part 2 GL of England 1717 Dundee Degree Khartoum Lodge No.2877 Mark Degree Regalia The Kilmarnock Line Prof. Magnus Maclean PO Directories Further Evidence of the MMD Glasgow Masonic Hall Company HRH Prince Philip Summons MacDowall Family Connections GL News Schaw Statutes Part 4 173’s Masonic Hall 242 UPDATE
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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Three Grades of Workmen Most brethren are aware that the Craft developed into three degrees in the 1720s after being a 2 degree system since the 16th Century. A number of explanations have been given, but some interesting analogies have been made over the years. Dr Anderson who developed the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge in London compared the degrees in the following way from Chronicles II: Bearers of burdens is the EA degree Hewers in the mountains the FC Overseers the MMs His 1738 Constitutions developed this idea further and put the FC lodges in charge of jewels and tools. Various countries took this odea and developed their MM degree along the same lines, but with slight variations. For example, Dutch ritual had apprentices being paid at J pillar, FCs at the J pillar and MMs in the Middle Chamber.
which many view as the first true Constitutions and Laws of the (Operative) Craft state in a slightly modernized form: no master or fellow of craft be received nor admitted without the number of six masters and two EAs Masonic manuscripts that follow have various numbers and whether we have variations across countries today, I don’t know. Often the early writers of rituals or constitutions were looked at with suspicion or worse, but in most cases they have probably tried to do the best to form a tradition from sources at their disposal. The internet wasn’t about, research was very difficult and often books could contain many errors. Without the ability to check primary resources, composers of ritual often did the best with the material they had which was often from a polychronicon which was a collection of various pieces of information most of which had not been verified.
Rituals then developed the idea of numbers in order to make lodges perfect. One such ritual states: Therefore we should not be too critical of the EA Lodge—7 (a MM and 6 EAs) to meet erly writers. on the ground floor of the temple FC Lodge—5 (two MMs and three FCs) to meet in the Middle Chamber MM Lodge—3 (all MMs) to meet in the Holy of Holies. However, this number varied considerably from Constitution to Constitution. The Scottish Schaw Statutes of 1598
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I
The Earls of Moray
n 1734, James Stuart, 8th Earl of Moray (also The Rt. Hon. Lord Doune), married Grace Lockhart (1706-1738), grand daughter of the 9th Earl of Eglington and widow of 3rd Earl of Aboyne. Before her death in 1738, they had two children, Francis, (1737-1810), who succeeded as Earl of Moray, and Euphemia (1738-1771). He married again in 1740, this time to Margaret Wemyss, eldest daughter of the Earl of Wemyss; they had two sons, Lt-Colonel James Stuart (1741-1809), and Lieutenant (RN) David Stuart (1745-1784). He was initiated in the Lvdge of Dunfermling No 26, master 1743—58 and Grand Master Mason 1744— 45. In 1735, he was also the last noble Free Gardener to be initiated and in 1744 became master of the Dunfermline Free Gardener lodge.
between Charlotte Square and the Water of Leith. In 1822 he commissioned James Gillespie Graham to lay out an estate of huge townhouses on what was known as the Moray Feu. The development, begun in 1825, is now known as the Moray Estate in the west of Edinburgh with street names after his family. He became Grand Master Mason 1796– 98.
His grand son, Francis 10th Earl (left), lived at Drumsheugh House in Edinburgh, situated
The Temple and the VSL 1st Kings 5, 1-18
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. . . And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. . .So (King) Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. . . Beside
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the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. . . And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. . . And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stone squarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
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Oldest Lodges in the World I am often asked the question – ‘what is the there is no way to know if it had any resemoldest Lodge Minutes in the world?’ – blance (in terms of membership and function) to the Lodges that definitely existed The definition used by the Grand Lodge of 400+ years later – as listed below. Scotland in 1736 was quite simple. It asked all the Lodges in Scotland to submit their ear- 3) The problem of continuity. Conceding, liest records as proof of age. That seemed a again only for the sake of argument, that fair and reasonable approach and the result- there was a Lodge in 1136 at Melrose it caning ‘Roll of Lodges’ is, more or less, what is not claimed that this alleged earliest Lodge used today. See the list of Lodges reproduced was the same one that has a recorded existbelow. ence in 1674 – 538 years later!
Some people claim that the age of a Lodge be determined by when particular buildings were erected. The oldest buildings, in Scotland certainly, tend to be those built for religious use, especially abbeys. Because these were erected by stonemasons the argument here is that there must have been a Lodge at all such sites as they took many decades to be completed and several generations of the same families would have been involved. For example, Melrose Abbey was founded in 1136 and therefore the Lodge there must be one of the oldest in Scotland. However, attractive this argument is it has several flaws:
4) A major, fatal, flaw with this line of reasoning is that it can be applied to any stone structures in any place. Thus, Stonehenge Lodge, No.6114, (Salisbury, Wiltshire) (EC) is one of the oldest Lodges in the world because the building of Stonehenge commenced about 3100 BC – overstating the case perhaps but it makes the point.
The other way of dating Lodges is not to date them at all! Known as ‘Time Immemorial’ (meaning they came into being before anyone can remember) this is applied to many old Lodges in England. However, in our view this is simply ‘ducking the issue’ by not ad1) The argument is based on the presumption dressing it at all. that was a Lodge at Melrose from 1136 but A list of the oldest Lodges in the world acthere is no proof. cording to their own Lodges records sur2) Conceding, only for the sake of argument, prised even us… that there was a Lodge at Melrose Abbey, Aitcheson’s Haven 9 January 1599 Edinburgh 31 July 1599 Mother Kilwinning December 1642 Scoone (Perth) December 1658 Dundee March 1659 Aberdeen 1670 Dunfermline December 1673 Melrose December 1674 Haddington February 1682 Glasgow 1686 Dumfries May 1687
Inverness December 1678 Hamilton March 1695 Dunblane January 1696 Kelso December 1701 Haughfoot (Peebles) December 1702 Banff 1703 (destroyed by fire) Kilmolymock December 1704 Journeymen Masons (Edinburgh) 1707 St Ninian (Brechin) 1714 Canongate February 1735
My thanks to Bro. Bob Cooper, Curator at the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
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Early Aberdeen Masonry The first recorded non-operative Master of a Lodge, that is one who is, one who is not a stonemason, was that of Lodge Aberdeen No.1 ter, or third No.1, Scotland. when Harry Elphinstone, Tutor of Art and Collector of Customs in 1650, presided over 10 operative Masons, 4 Nobleman, 2 members of county families, 3 ministers, 2 glaziers, an advocate, a professor of mathematics, 9 merchants, 2 surgeons, a blacksmith, 2 peri-wig makers, 4 carpenters, 3 slaters and 4 other tradesmen. This record is signed in the following manner: “Wreattin be James Anderson. Glassier and Meason and Clerk to our honorable Lodge.” The above named James Anderson was the father of Rev. James Anderson, who, along with Dr. Desaguliers, wrote the first Constitution of Speculative Masonry in 1723. The example of having a non-operative Master was followed by Mother Kilwinning in 1678. Lodge of Dunblane in 1696, and by Edinburgh No.1 in 1725. The fusion of Operative Masonry probably commencing in Scotland about the time of, and to some extent in consequence of, the Reformation and the invention of the printing press.
“Golden Lion”, arrived in Delaware in October 1682, and settled at Burlington New Jersey where he became a member of the Assembly that following year. In 1685 he was appointed Deputy Governor of West Jersey and continued as such nominally until his death in 1690. He was the first known Mason resident in America, coming to this country the same year that Johnathan Belcher was born, who our brethren in Massachusetts claim was the first native-born Mason. A Masonic medallion bearing the date 1516 which, though discovered in Ireland some years ago, was unknown to the Masonic authorities until recently, when it was handed over to the Provincial Grand Secretary of Tyrone and Fermanagh, was found by the caretaker in the wall of an old country house in Derganyneville, County Tyrone. It was covered with soot and had evidently been hidden in the chimney of the house. the members of the Dublin Masonic Lodge of Research believe that it is one of the oldest Masonic emblems in Ireland, and the date it bears is 101 years prior to the establishment of the Grand Lodge of England the mother Grand Lodge of the world, in 1717.
Old Aberdeen Lodge No.1 ter, was closely identified with the early settlement of New Brother Craighead was member of St. George Jersey. The booking agent at Aberdeen was Lodge No.190, Aberdeen, Scotland and PM the first non-operative Master, Harry Thistle Lodge No.900, Yonkers, New York. Elphinstone. Associated with him in that enterprise was Robert Gordon, card maker; George Alexander, advocate; John Forbes, merchant; and John Skene, merchant. These names are recorded in the book of Marks of the Lodge dated 1670, said to be the oldest role of members of a lodge in existence. The writer has had the privilege of seeing it. John Skene was the only one to bring his family out and make a permanent settlement here. He sailed from Aberdeen on the ship
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Irish Royal Arch Certificate (1825) This must be one of the most colourful certificates issued. It is Irish from 1825 at a time when lodges conferred not just Royal Arch degrees, but Templar degrees and various others. The curtains at top represent the veils ceremony of the Excellent Master Degree. The arch with keystones and the three great lights are below. The dating of the certificate using AL (Anno Lucis) is common with old lodge certificates. Down the left is the red ribbon denoting arch colours—again this was common at the time and really adds to the certificate. Perhaps with fewer candidates today, we could revert from the standard mass produced certificate to a better certificate that is less likely to end up in a drawer.
Where is this unique little statue? Right outside Ulster Hall’s front doors. The decorated lamp post, with cherub, masonic apron, trowel, and ruler, dates from 1862 when Ulster Hall in Belfast was designed by William J. Barre (1830-1867). Strangely enough, his greatest rival in Belfast architectural competitions was Sir Charles Lanyon, one time Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Cross Keys May 2021
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Kirkwall Scroll Part 2 Panel 6 is also Royal Arch but one symbol is doubtful and that is the one in the circles immediately over the joined wings of the cherubim. It appears to be the jewel of the J.W. attached to a collar, but why should it be where it is? The only solution I can offer is that it refers to Amos vii., 7 and 8. The symbol in the top right hand corner is clearly intended for the breastplate (not a calculator!), while that in the left probably represents the golden plate on the mitre. If so, the small symbols on it would no doubt be the initial letters of the inscription " Holiness to the Lord," or the Hebrew equivalent. They appear to be in the same type of cypher which is found at the top of the altar. On the face of the altar we have the arms of the Grand Lodge of the Antients first appearing in 1764 suggesting it was painted after this date. Panel 7 is intended to represent the Mark (?) on the right and Excellent Master on the left. The symbol at the top is the burning bush while below we have the rod and the serpent, and below them a curious-looking symbol which can be identified on careful inspection as the leprous hand, showing one digit sound and the other four withered or skeleton. The third of the three signs recorded in Ex. iv., 1 to 10, viz., the pouring of the water on the ground, has been cut off in the missing part. The T square and the weapon on the left may refer to the conditions under which the returned exiles after the Captivity rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. The inscription states: I am hath sent me unto you. I am that I am ; I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the valley. I am that I am or I will bee that I will bee. Panel 8 is definitely Craft and needs little explanation. At the top there is probably an artist's error in displaying eight stars instead of the usual seven. Was it even a floorcloth? Firstly, because the length is too great for any but a very large room, and secondly, because the use of these floorcloths had been expressly forbidden by an edict of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1759 and the scroll is probably of a later date than that. The lodge minutes for 1785 record: "Bro. William Graeme, visiting brother from Lodge No. 128 Ancient Constitution of England was at his own desire admitted to become a member of this Lodge.’ Seven months later, the minute book records that Bro. Graeme gifted to the lodge a floor cloth which was believed to be the scroll. We know that Graham was a journeyman painter and ‘Mason-mad’, addicted to antique rites; hence he probably added everything he knew. Many images look as if they were drawn by a school pupil which might confirm that it was definitely not drawn by an ‘artist.’
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Grand Lodge of England 1717 The first ‘Grand Lodge’ was formed in London from four (possibly six) London lodges in 1717 although there is no evidence. Historians believe that the meeting took place in the spring or early summer of 1717. The reason is because the meeting at which Grand Lodge was actually organised took place shortly afterwards in the month of June of that year. The meeting took place at The Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul’s Churchyard near the west end of the Cathedral.
do know is that he was a ‘Gentleman’ in the old English meaning of the word; meaning that he did not work for a living, and was not ‘in Trade’. From the information available he was a member of the Lodge which met at the Apple Tree Tavern. There is no record that he ever served as Master, but The oldest Master Ma- he was a Warden in 1723, six years after he son in the Chair, pro- was appointed as Grand Master and then Typosed a list of proper ler until his death. candidates; and the brethren by a majority Some believe the lack of detail is due to his of hands elected: Mr An- low social standing and low financial means thony Sayer, Gentleman, even to the point of asking the new GL for Grand Master of Masons, charitable assistance. Sayer was obviously Captain Joseph Elliot SW and Mr Jacob Lam- held in such high estimation among his brethbell, Carpenter JW. ren and fellows that he was elected on merit by the majority of brethren present as the Sadly, the Minutes of Grand Lodge only com- best person for this new important office. No mence on 24th July 1723, six years after the doubt the aristocracy were not willing to take event. The story of the progress of Grand a risk on such a new organisation and thereLodge over these six years remains a matter fore only competent brethren in the lodges of conjecture, or at least unwritten and not would be considered. published until the second edition of the Constitutions of 1738; an unbelievable twenty- Nothing now remains of the Goose and Gridione years after the event. Therefore perhaps ron Ale-house although the spot to the left of the actual 300th Anniversary is next month! St. Paul’s has a commemorative plate. Not much is known either, of The First Grand Master, Anthony Sayer. His life appears to have been uneventful, if not unimportant except for his appointment to such high-office. As with the lack of information regarding the founding of the First Grand Lodge, very little information about him is on record; we do not even know his date of birth. All that we Cross Keys May 2021
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Dundee Degree 1727 A form of the Scottish Two-Degree appeared in an article in the Scots Magazine for 1755, regarding a ‘Masonic Degree’ as worked in Dundee in 1727. It clearly details a form of a ‘two-degree’ ritual, based on a similar format to the Edinburgh House Register MS. Part of it is shown: ‘Concerning the oath After one comes in at the door, he that keeps the door, looses (sic) the garter of his right-leg stocking, folds up the knee of his breeches, and requires him to deliver any metal thing he has upon him. He is made to kneel on the right knee, bare; then the square is put three times round his body and applied to his breast, the open compasses pointed to his breast, and his bare elbow on the Bible with his hand lifted up; and he swears, "As I shall answer before God at the great day, and this Company, I shall heal and conceal, or not divulge and make known the secrets of the Mason-word, (Here one is taken bound, not to write them on paper, parchment, timber, stone, sand, snow, &c.) under the pain of having my tongue taken out from beneath my chowks, and my heart out from beneath my left oxter, and my body buried within the sea-mark, where it ebbs and flows twice in the twenty four hours.”
is in I Kings vii,21. They say Boas is the masonword, and Jachin a fellow-craft-word. The former is shewn to an entered prentice after he has sworn the oath; and the latter is shewn to one that has been a prentice at least for a year, when he is admitted to a higher degree in their lodge, after he has sworn the oath again, or declared his approbation of it. Of their secrets. First, then, three chalk lines being drawn on the floor, about an equal distance, as at A.B and C: the master of the Lodge stands at P., and the fellow-crafts, with the wardens and entered apprentices, on the master-mason's left hand at ff and the last entered prentice at P. There follows a full report of the ritual of admitting a Mason, the steps taken, the words spoken, the Key of the Lodge as being ‘A well hung tongue’ – the signs, tokens and words. The Five Fellowcrafts and seven entered apprentices that make a just and perfect lodge, where the mason word is given – the ‘five points’ and many more details of a Scottish two-degree ceremony.
Immediately after that oath, the administrator of it says, "You sat down a cowan, I take you up a mason." -- when I was taken under that oath, I knew not what these secrets were which I was not to divulge, having had no information before. One person in the Lodge instructed me a little about their secrets the same day that I entered, and was called my author; and another person in the Lodge, whom I then chused to be my instructor till that time twelve-month, many called my intender; ---- There is a yearly imposing of that oath in admissions among the said craft through the land on John's day, as it is termed, being the 27th of December. After the oath, a word in the scriptures was shown me, which, said one, is the mason-word. The word
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Unique Questions & Answers Test Following on from Bro. Rabbi Eno Ytneves’s The Masonic Instructor, here is another section of questions. The Winding Stair 1. What did the winding stair symbolise? The Cosmos, or universal science. 2. What did the three divisions represent? Mind, Matter and Form. 3. Why so divided? Because Mind is the base of all creation in nature and in art, Matter is the medium through which mind communicates with kind, and Form is the expression of mind on matter. 4. How many steps in the second division? Five 5. What did they signify? The five conditions of Matter – Earth, Water, Fire and Air and Ether; and the five human senses. 6. How many steps had the third division? The seven steps of natural life – lichen, vegetable, reptile, fish, fowl, beast and man being the creations of the Divine Mind acting on Matter; and the seven forms of human knowledge - the mathematical, the physical and the moral sciences, and the arts of Rhetoric, Painting, Music and Architecture, being the creations of human mind acting on the matter of knowledge obtained through sense.
Masonic Poetry Brother Anthony Wilkins, a freemason in Cornwall, has been writing poetry about a number of subjects. As a freemason, membership of the craft has dominated his art, culminating in the production of a limited edition booklet of 15 “Cornish" masonic poems for the Cornwall 2024 Charity Festival. A published book of his masonic poetry so far, titled “The Ramblings of a Travelling Man” was released on the 15 April 2021. The published book will also be used to donate a percentage of profits to the Masonic Charitable Foundation. For more information/links to social media outlets, and to order products visit
www.masonryrhymes.co.uk Cross Keys May 2021
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The following is from the Masonic Illustrated On the resignation of Lord Kitchener , consenewspaper from 1902: quent on his appointment as Chief of the Staff of Lord Roberts in the The consecration of the above lodge took Transvaal , the choice place at the Khartoum Palace on Thursday, of his successor fell on 19th December , and the ceremony was most the equally popular Sir impressively carried out by RW Bro . Major- Reginald Wingate , on whom the Grand Master had recently invested the Grand Lodge honour of PG Warden.
General Sir Reginald Wingate, Sirdar and Governor-General of the Sudan, PGW and DGM of Egypt and the Sudan. The Khartoum Lodge, it may be mentioned , is the first introduction of English Freemasonry into the Sudan . Its Avant had long been fell, for in this vast territory there are many members of the Craft who hold military and other appointments with hitherto no lodge nearer to them than Cairo, a distance of more than 1500 miles. In 1899, with a view to ameliorating the situation, the various lodges throughout Egypt very generously came forward and look the opportunity of approaching the Grand Master on the subject of creating the appointment of a District Grand Master for Egypt and the Sudan which it was seen would have beneficial effects for Egypt itself and simultaneously admit of the extension of the Craft into the Sudan . These lodges were keenly alive to the fact that the most popular and influential Mason to suggest for the position of District Grand Master was RW. Bro . Lord Kitchener of Khartoum .
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At Cairo, on 12th July last, the R W Brother was, under the provisions of his patent, duly invested and installed into his chair of District Grand Master of Egypt and the Sudan, the ceremony being most ably conducted by VW Bro. Raph Borg CMG, British Consul. The Khartoum Lodge was very tastefully arranged and the ceremony of consecration as well as that of the installation of W Bro. Captain W. E. Bailey was carried out in a manner which elicited warm expressions of commendation from all who were present. The Charity bag when circulated produced a sum far in excess of the most sanguine expectations. As soon as the ceremony Avas concluded the brethren repaired to a steamer which was moored alongside the Palace to convey them to the Grand Hotel where a banquet was held and the proceedings of the evening were enlivened by the presence of the Sudanese Military Band which rendered a most excellent programme. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given, Bro. Col . Sir Arthur Mackworth responding for "The Visitors."
The interest which is evinced in the Craft since the new lodge was consecrated is very considerable , and there seems every prospect of the number of Masons in the Sudan being largely augmented in a comparatively short time. The lodge was erased in 1977.
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The Mark Degree Regalia In 242, the MMMD is normally conferred in May upon all the candidates of the year. It is viewed as an ‘enjoyable, degree with humour’ and finishes the lodge before the recess. However, it quite an anomaly and therefore, many lodges view it as often irrelevant despite it being very much part of the Craft’s history. Since the 1830s, it has been viewed as an essential preliminary to the Royal Arch in Scotland and since 1860, it came under the control of both Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter, but in different ways. Grand Lodge, which issues diplomas, considers it as part of the FCD (although only conferred on MM) while SGRAC considers it the fourth degree in Masonry (5th being the Excellent Master and sixth RA). Few lodges use special regalia, but over the last 15 or so years, some have bought Mark aprons—often the English version (upper right) but more recently regalia manufacturers have produced the recently found Scottish apron which is wedged shaped (right). Some lodges have even gone to the expense of collarette jewels—shown below right are the RW Mark Master, Immediate Past and Wardens. It might make the ceremony more valued if the RWMM wears a jewel and the candidates are given Scottish mark aprons when advanced. The standard jewel is given to the candidate (bottom left) and sometimes the Master Overseer wears the Scottish seven sided ‘plug’ jewel (centre bottom and right) but this is considered more of a RA Mark jewel. As a point of interest, 242 in 1922 advanced 74 candidates! This was the culmination of many brethren joining the Craft after the First World War.
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The Kilmarnock Line Following on from April, William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock (Grand Master Mason 174243) was executed on Tower Hill and thus forfeited all his titles to the Crown. He was married into the family of the Earl of Erroll with children: 1.
Hon William Boyd, styled Lord Boyd
2.
Hon James Boyd later Hay, styled Lord Boyd, later 15th Earl of Erroll (see below)
3.
Capt Hon Charles Boyd
4.
Capt Hon William Boyd
On 17 Jun 1831 his great-grandson, William George [Hay], 18th Earl of Erroll, was created Baron Kilmarnock, of Kilmarnock in the County of Ayr.
Despite the family connection, it did not stop the Craft electing James Hay, Lord Boyd (afterwards 15th Earl of Erroll) as Grand Master Mason in 1751—52. In 1751, however, although the Earldom was abolished, James was permitted to inherit the Kilmarnock estates. These included Dean Castle, the former family seat which had been gutted by a fire in 1735. Trying to recoup some of his father's debts (which he had also inherited), James sold the ruined castle to the 13th Earl of Glencairn. On 19 August 1758, he succeeded his maternal great-aunt, Mary Hay, 14th Countess of Erroll as the 15th Earl of Erroll, simultaneously changing his surname from Boyd to Hay, as he and his descendants were henceforth known.
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Prof. Magnus Maclean Bro. Magnus Maclean graduated from the Univer- experiments. He made himself very skilled in the sity of Glasgow with an MA in 1886 and a DSc in use of Kelvin’s electrical measuring instruments. 1895. He became the assistant of Lord Kelvin for many years before he was appointed as Lecturer He gained the degree DSc in 1895 and was honon Electricity. He was also the first Celtic Lecturer oured with F.R.S.E (proposed by Lord Kelvin in the University, from 1900-1903, and was later among others). He was appointed the Lecturer on awarded LLD in 1919.
Electricity at Glasgow before becoming the Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Royal Tech-
Magnus Maclean was born in 1857 on
nical College in 1899. He held this
Skye and it was while helping with
post for almost 25 years and during
the harvest that he received the letter
his teaching published many vol-
informing him that he had passed
umes on the subject and submitted
first class, with special distinction in
many papers to the Royal Societies of
mathematics, the entrance exam for
Edinburgh and London, the British
Glasgow’s Free Church Training Col-
Association and the Institute of Elec-
lege. He entered the Training College
trical Engineers. Upon his appoint-
in 1877 and also studied at the Uni-
ment to the Technical College, Lord
versity of Glasgow for two years be-
Kelvin said that he did not believe it
fore teaching in a public school in Sutherland.
would be possible to find anyone better qualified for the position.
Maclean re-entered the University of Glasgow in 1881, gaining the Lorimer bursary for mathemat- As well as his great interest in science and matheics. He was later appointed the Thomson Experi- matics, Magnus also held onto his roots in the mental Scholar in the Physical Laboratory and Highlands. He was the first Celtic lecturer in the was the bursar of the London Highland Society. University of Glasgow and published his lectures Before graduation from the University Maclean in the volumes: ‘The Literature of the Highlands’ was already teaching his fellow students in the and ‘The Literature of the Celts’. He was president Natural Philosophy classroom and his clear apti- of the Gaelic Society and the Glasgow Skye Associtude attracted the attention of Lord Kelvin who ation. chose him for an assistant. The Magnus Maclean Memorial Prize was founded Magnus graduated with honours in Natural Phi- in 1948 by a gift from the Glasgow Skye Associalosophy and Mathematics and continued to work tion and is still awarded today, to the most distinvery closely with Lord Kelvin on many important guished student in Celtic Civilisation. He retired
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Prof. Magnus Maclean (ctd) from his Chair in the Royal Technical College in ed to hear. He joined the SRIS in 1891 becoming 1924 and became an Emeritus professor.
Celebrant in 1931 and joining High Council the following year. He died aged 80 on the 2nd Sep-
I have never been able to find the lodge of Bro. tember 1937. Maclean so if any brother can help, I’d be delight-
1801, Brother Henry Fowle, Grand Master, learning that a brother was conferring Royal Arch and Knights Templar degrees under the charter of a lodge. He asked a fellow companion from St. Andrew’s RA Chapter, Bro. Benjamin Russell, to go to the lodge and ’arrest’ him under the authority of the Grand Master. He duly went and allegedly said “I arrest you, Sir, in the name of the GL of Massachusetts.” The brother immediately replied that they were in the Royal Arch and as such he had no such authority. However, as Bro. Russell was Grand King in the Chapter (head), he proceeded to arrest him again in the name of that body! Can you imagine today?
By 1735, lodges had met in Madrid, Paris, Hamburg, The Hague and various other cities in Europe. Continental Masonry seems to have been primarily restricted to the upper echelons of society most affected by the Enlightenment ideas of Britain. Partly due to the aristocratic character, European masons denied any connections with the building trades! Instead they preferred to be linked with military orders or knights and hence we see an influx of additional degrees with very fancy names and even fancier titles.
General Yudenich, who commanded the Northern Russian armies in 1919, issued the only postage stamps that has ever been printed bearing reference to Masonry. Upon each is a square, and the words in the Russian language, “Are You a Mason?”
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Post Office Directories The PO Directories (free online) are a wealth of information and can often give an insight into old lodges etc. Have a look at this pages from Glasgow in 1910!
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Further Evidence of the MM Degree before 1720 As we are now all aware there are written records from Lodges in Scotland from as early as 1598 and there is evidence from non-Lodge sources there were Lodges functioning (but not recording anything in writing) as early as 1481. These Lodges were stonemasons’ lodges but their membership grew by adding non-operative as well as working stonemasons. By 1717 membership of Lodges in Scotland consisted of the three 'types' - entirely operative, mixed and entirely speculative.
known until relatively recently. The first of the three was not discovered until 1930 and the most recent, the Airlie MS was accidentally discovered a mere eight years ago. Attempting to use these recent documents to overturn almost 300 years of ‘fact’ is an uphill struggle. That said, the attempt should not be made and tonight I wish to bring to the attention of the brethren two pieces of evidence that ought, at the very least, cause every respectable Masonic historian to reconsider where and when the Master Mason’s degree originated. The first piece of evidence is fair well know but I wish to ‘tease out’ the implications of the evidence in a way that has not been done before. The effect is I believe quite profound. This piece of evidence is to be found in the Minute Books of the Lodge of Dunbarton, No.18, (not a stonemasons’ Lodge but a recognisably modern Speculative Masonic Lodge. I will quote the entries in full:
In Masonic circles it is generally accepted that the third or Masters Mason’s degree was ‘invented’ in London, England, during the early part of the 1720’s. There are several reasons for this assumption. Firstly, in the ‘The Constitutions of the Free Masons’ published in London in 1723, makes reference to how the affairs of Grand Lodge are to be conducted. Article XIII (page 61) states: ‘Apprentices must be admitted Masters and Fellow-Crafts only here…’. This led many to believe that in addition to the [Entered] Apprentice degree ‘At the meeting of the Lodge of Dunbritton the 29th there were two others that of Fellow Craft and Master day of January 1726 the which day there where preMason. sent ‘John Hamilton, Grand Master, accompanied with seven Master Masons, six Fellows of Craft and three However as we know in Scotland from the earliest entered apprentices.’ written rituals (Edinburgh Register House (1696), Airlie (1705) and Chetwode Crawley (c.1710) MSS)) The Minute of the next meeting reads: ‘25th March the terms Fellow Craft and Master Mason were inter- 1726 – the said day Gabriel Porterfield by unanimous changeable. In other words these were two terms for consent of the Masters admitted and received a Master the same degree. of the Fraternity’. Gabriel Porterfield was named in the Minute of 29 JanBecause of the literal interpretation of the rather cryp- uary a being a Fellow of Craft and on 25 March was tic (some would say nonsensical) reference to Fellow admitted and received a Master of the Fraternity. This Craft and Master Mason in 1723 it became ‘fact’ that clearly shows that in 1726 in Scotland there were there were three degrees of Freemasonry. The earlier three degrees being conferred within Lodges. Scottish rituals were not discovered until much later and could not therefore be used to correct this ‘fact’ But there is a much greater implication just that irrefuthat became embedded in Masonic knowledge. table fact – an indisputable written fact and concerns the first Minute mentioned – 29 January 1726. I repeat To make matters worse the earliest reference to the it again: conferral of a third degree was also said to have taken ‘At the meeting of the Lodge of Dunbritton the 29th place in London in 1725 but not in a Lodge but in a day of January 1726 the which day there where premusical society (‘Philo-Musicae et Architecturae So- sent ‘John Hamilton, Grand Master, accompanied with cietas Appolloni’). The reference to the Fellow Craft seven Master Masons, six Fellows of Craft and three and Master Mason’s was like the reference in the Con- entered apprentices.’ stitutions of two earlier taken literally. One error (a ‘fact’) served to confirm the same error as ‘fact’. Ma- The enormous significance of this is that in January sonic historians are now well aware that those errors 1726 there were eight members of a Scottish Lodge but they have become so embedded in the lore of the who were in the possession of the Master Mason’s deCraft that they are repeated in the most knowledgea- gree and that they conferred that degree on a Fellow ble and respected sources of the history of Freemason- of Craft. ry: Coil’s Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry re-printed as recently as 1996, is the supreme example. Where, when and how these eight Scottish Freemasons received the Third Degree before it even existed What therefore are the ‘facts’ (not errors masquerad- in England is the intriguing part but sadly we are uning as facts!) regarding the Fellow Craft or Master’s likely ever to know because the Minutes only comdegree. First and foremost we now know far more mence at that time. Our best hope is that Minute Books about the ritual used by stonemasons’ lodges before of another, earlier, Lodge reveal to us that it had inany Grand Lodge existed and as we know these rituals vented or developed the third degree. were all Scottish, all quite similar in content but un-
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Further Evidence of the MM Degree before 1720 (ctd) It may strike you as strange to suggest that the third degree was invented or developed in SCOTLAND but there are two reasons why I can make such a claim. The first comes from the earliest rituals in the world, previously mentioned - ERH (1696), Airlie (1705) and CC (c.1710) MSS. At the very end of the Fellow Craft part of these rituals the candidate is asked: Q ‘Are to a Fellow of Craft?’ A Yes Q How many points of Fellowship are there? A [The FPoF are given in reply.]
there heraldic device and monogram are those of John Lockhart (born 13 January 1684, died 26 February 1766). NOTE the words: This square and compass in other words it was presented to the Lodge a single piece ‘This’ Square and Compass. However, there remain two more revealing things about this object. Firstly not that the points of the compass are jointed in such a way so that either point, can be concealed behind the arms of the square, or one (or other) point behind one arm of the square or that both points of the compass can be hidden behind both arms of the square. In other words, this artefact can be used to position the points of the compass for any of the modern three degrees.
The FPoF were therefore an essential part of the second or Fellow of Craft degree – so important in fact that the candidate had to be able to repeat them exactly before he would be accepted a TRUE mason. Where do we find the FPOF today? In the third, or Master Mason’s, degree. Sometime between 1710 (and earlier) Why should I made such a fuss – simply because the part of the Scottish second degree was removed and artefact bears the date: 1714. made part of the third or Master Mason’s degree. This is part of a presentation given in Lodge Sir Robert I now come to an artefact, the importance of which has Moray, No.1641By Bro. Bob Cooper, Curator, on 5 Febnever been fully appreciated before now. A large ruary 2015 and was posted on the GLoS Facebook page brass Square and Compasses (43.7 cm (17.2 inches) November 2018. wide X (26.5 cm) 10.4 high and weighing almost one kilogramme). Inscribed on the arms of the square is the following: This square and compass was gifted to the Lodge of Lanark by (the text is interrupted by the insertion of an heraldic shield bearing three boards’ heads) Mr a monogram is engraved immediately after ‘Mr’ and the inscription continues ‘Brother to the Laird of Cleghorn’. After consulting with the Lord Lyon he confirmed that
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Glasgow Masonic Hall Company
This is an excerpt from a London (Masonic) paper in 1901. The PGM mentioned above was Bro. John Graham of Broadstone (near Stranraer) in 1889, also a member of the Princes Lodge No.607 at Ibrox. Bro. Graham immediately took up the question of a meeting place for Provincial Grand Lodge. Eventually he set up the Glasgow Masonic Hall Co. Ltd. and asked the Lodges and members to take up shares. He personally purchased the two townhouses and gardens which formed the site of what was to become 100 West Regent Street. Many of the Lodges and brethren took up shares although a substantial number was left with the Provincial Grand Master. Dividends were paid regularly up to the 1914 war and even into the 1920s. The building has two carvings meant to be St John The Baptist, dressed in a sheep’s coat holding a lamb and The Evangelist dressed in a toga, carrying a chalice and is surrounded by masonic symbols like dividers and a mason's gravel. The Halls were opened in 1896 and Provincial Grand Lodge met there regularly until 1980.
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HRH Prince Philip’s Initiation Summons Below is a copy of the Naval Lodge No.2612 (EC) Summons for the initiation of HRH Prince Philip in 1952. He was raised in May 1953 and remained a fully paid member all his life. I’m sure there are not many who have been proposed and seconded by admirals!
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The MacDowall Family Connection William MacDowall the Second of Castle Sem- four of these cups for use in Lochwinnoch ple 1748-1776 Church, 1756.” William was 30 years old when he inherited the estate. In the same year he married Elizabeth Graham, daughter of Admiral Graham, by whom he had 12 children. Four years later he bought the Garthland lands and title from his cousin in Galloway. His title became William MacDowall, 20th of Garthland and 2nd of Castle Semple. He continued to manage family businesses in Scotland in close partnership with the Millikens and also the Houston family from Johnstone who had ships plying between the Clyde and the West Indies. Members of the family looked after the overseas interests. William was one of the founders of the Ship Bank in 1752. This was the first bank established in Glasgow to provide venture capital for traders and industrialists. He was a founder of Paisley Kilwinning and third master in 1754.
William MacDowall, 21st of Garthland and 3rd of Castle Semple 1776-1810 William III (eldest son) remained unmarried, giving much of his life to politics and civic matters. He was a non-practising advocate and served as Rector of Glasgow University from 1795 till 1797. He was a Member of Parliament from 1783 until his death in 1810 and acted as Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire from 1794, again until his death. His contribution is recognised in a Memorial Plaque in Paisley Abbey.
In 1760 Shawfield Mansion in Glasgow was sold to John Glassford and the Ralston Estate and lands at Cathcart were purchased. In the same year William had the wooden bridges over the River Calder in Lochwinnoch and the River Cart in the Howwood replaced with fine stone bridges. In 1768 William was elected Member of Parliament for Renfrewshire. The MacDowalls were prominent in Scottish society at this time ; William III’s brother, James was In the 1760’s the small tower on Kenmuir Hill Lord Provost of Glasgow in the 1790’s and is aswas built almost certainly as a vantage point over sosciated with the foundation of the Royal Infirthe estate. Before William died in 1776, European mary in the city. Another brother, David, was wars during in the 1750’s/1760’s and the Ameri- Governor General of Bombay. By 1776, many of the MacDowall enterprises had been incorporated into the larger business of Alexander Houston & Co. This was involved in shipping sugar, rum, cotton and tobacco across the Atlantic and returning with herring and goods required on the plantations in the Caribbean. This business collapsed in 1795 bringing a significant reduction in the wealth of the MacDowalls. can War of Independence had damaged the MacDowall fortunes. The ensuing movement to abolish slavery would more significantly affect the family’s wealth and influence. Of note, Kelvingrove Museum has a set of silver Communion cups inscribed in Latin, “William MacDowall of Castle Semple generous man gave Cross Keys May 2021
William III’s time as Laird of Castle Semple witnessed the transformation of Lochwinnoch from a largely agricultural/cottage industry village economy to one with a greater industrial base. He joined Paisley Kilwinning in 1769 and became master in 1776 and master of Greenock Kilwinning No. XII in 1801. His brother, James, was Lord Provost of Glasgow during which time the
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The MacDowall Family Connection (ctd) Trades House was built and the new Royal Hospital was laid with masonic honours. He joined Paisley Kilwinning in 1769 and affiliated to Paisley St. Mirren’s No.129 in the same year. James’s son, Lawrence, joined in 1788.
ley Kilwinning in 1781 and the following year lost his arm in a sea battle in the West Indies.
The last son of William to join was Day Hort in 1792 who served in the Bengal Civil Service (East India Company). He became master in 1794 and William MacDowall, 22nd of Garthland and commanded the Renfrewshire Yeomanry Infan4th of Castle Semple 1810-1814 try. He became Day Hort of Walkinshaw when he purchased that land at the foot of the Back CartOn the death of William III in 1810 the wealth of too. Unfortunately, he drowned himself in the the family had reached the point where his neph- fish ponds of Castle Semple in 1809. ew, also William, had no choice but to put both family estates on the market. The Garthland Es- Three of his sons became active in the Craft— tate near Wigton was sold in 1811 and the Castle William (PGM of Western Districts), and Day Hort Semple Estate in 1814. & Henry becoming masters of Gartland St. Winnoch No.205. Another son of the first William above was Lt. (later Capt.) David McDowall RN who joined Pais-
Craft & RA Differences 1855 A special meeting took place in 1855 in Glasgow Chapter No.50 where two English brethen and one Irish brother were admitted to the Mark, Excellent Master and then “obligated Royal Arch (Scotch) masons having taken that degree in England.” The MEZ of Glasgow Chapter addressed the companions by explaining how the RA in Scotland is distinct from the Craft. “We have no annual subscriptions here and therefore we have no funds for charitable purposes as the English brethren have.” They have 400-500 members in their books and were looking to charge a small amount to use for charity alone. At that time, Glasgow had 16 lodges and 4 chapters. He continued “while in Scotland the Grand Lodge recognizes no degree beyond that of a Master Mason, in England they recognize also the Royal Arch; but if yon step across the water to Ireland, the Grand Lodge there recognizes all the degrees, including Templarism, up to the 33rd degree. . . Our working in Scotland is a little different from the Mark Master Masonry which he may have seen in the Irish Mark Master Masons Lodge to which he belongs ; our working of the Royal Arch degree , also differs from that with which he may he familiar in England . But the landmarks are the same.”
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“About 1818, they got the Chapters to agree to submit to a head in the shape of the Supreme Grand Chapter as it now existed and since that time Royal Arch Masonry had made very great progress. There were many Chapters at first which would not yield obedience, till lately, when he (Dr . Arnott Depute Grand First Principal) came to Glasgow, and then , partly by the Companions leaving the irregular Chapters and applying to the Supreme Chapter for proper charters , and partly from other causes , the irregular Chapters gradually disappeared , and at this moment he believed there was not in Scotland, a Royal Arch Chapter at all in a working state which did not hold regularly under the Supreme Grand Chapter.” The irregular degrees were usually RA degrees conferred in lodges by brethren. It appears that many lodges objected to being told what degrees they should confer. Another difference “in Scotland, which appeared novel and strange to the English Mason; they had also a custom of advancing candidates much more rapidly than was thought proper in England.” It was also mentioned about No.50 admitting only to collect fees and very often couldn’t open due to insufficient numbers. Some practices still familiar with many companions today! Unfortunately, the chapter amalgamated and went defunct in about 2008.
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Prostate Scotland Update
Our GMM, Bro. Ramsay McGhee presented Prostate Scotland with £34,500. The cheque is being received by Mr. Brian Corr from NHS Highland and brings our total support of Prostate Scotland to £625,000. It’s great to see this level of support for the GL charity continue despite the pandemic.
Bro. Manny Pacquiao joined Mamamayang Pilipino Lodge UD. Who is he? Bro. Manny is a flyweight professional boxer . Regarded by many boxing historians as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, he is the only boxer in history to win 12 major world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is seen with the master and wardens of his lodge. He could prove to be an interesting addition to any MM degree team!
A washing line from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines! Perhaps an idea for all lodges that provide aprons. Cross Keys May 2021
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Schaw Part 4—Possible Explanation Burghs Some background into the organisation of burgh would be beneficial. Each burgh was generally divided into two – burgesses and non-burgesses. Within the burgess group were merchants and craftsmen; the former having guilds and the latter incorporations. It is unknown if the incorporation or the lodge came first. The obvious choice would be temporary sheds were used as lodges then incorporations were formed in towns with lodges in the style of Schaw materialised in parallel to the incorporations.
During the 16th Century the Church, as the ruling authority, had become greedy and in most places managed to direct the funds into their purses leaving local vicars with little in terms of revenue. Therefore, many were pluralists undertaking several occupations at once ranging from charging extra to bury the dead to acting as merchants. This resulted in the fabric of many churches falling into disrepair due to a lack of funds, rather than their destruction being blamed on the Reformation alone. Indeed, this also assisted the Reformation as they were viewed with less suspicion that the existing church leaders who were lining Why did they come about? The first organised their pockets. group for protection was through blood ties with Scotland developing clans which continue to this This first succeeded in the burghs where preachday albeit in a rather more subdued fashion. ers were assisted by members of the crafts who They initially provided protection of people and had travelled abroad and had witnessed firstland, and were generally local unless some chief hand the ‘true doctrine’ and the verbal attacks fancied a larger slice of cake. In England, the against the church in Rome. “The traditions of guild grew out of clans which existed in expand- secrecy and co-operation among members of the ing towns and looked after its members. The fam- crafts guilds . . . and of co-operation between the ily links were still present such as a master look- burgesses of different towns acting in their coming after his apprentice was often father and son mon interest, made towns the ideal environment or a link through marriage. This feeling of family to sustain a secret and cellular church organisaattachment has never really left and exists today tion.” From 1560 for the next 12/13 decades, the in lodges. Guilds did not admit bondmen – its reformed church changed and developed as an members had to be ‘freemen.’ organic process very similar to masonry changing and adapting to external conditions. During medieval times, the King, the Church and knights or gentry were the ruling classes, but the Another example of the parallel line is that of the King saw the guilds as becoming a fourth element London Guildhall in 1370; the Company of Freeof power and often used them for his own pur- masons and the Company of Masons were sepaposes. Again, the link with the King and crafts is rate entities with the former having two represtill present. The King and the Church realised sentatives and the latter four indicating the guild they need masons to work far from their place of or town masons were a larger organisation. residence and allowed them mobility to travel in order to build church or cathedrals. Any ties or Only burgesses were members of the burgh and restrictions on them from the guild were uplifted entitled to the privileges associated with a burgh. and these ‘cathedral’ masons could be called free All other inhabitants “were mere indwellers, with craftsmen or even free-masons. [There are alter- no more right to elect magistrates, to trade or benative theories as to the origin of the term free- long to a craft than a country bumpkin.” Howevmason, but this fits nicely with the current con- er, a man could become a burgess through varitext. It is easy to see why two parallel organisa- ous methods. tions could develop: The most common method was to pay the incorporation a sizeable sum of money – this was cheaper of your father was a member already, and it also reduced the number of years of apprenticeship. Another way to gain favour was to marry the daughter of a burgess. There was always a difference between the merchants and the trades. Merchants considered themselves far superior to a craftsman and were the dominant group both socially and politically. A good examCross Keys May 2021
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Schaw Part 4—Possible Explanation (ctd) ple from Edinburgh in 1588 was that of a skinner who was not even allowed to wear his apron in the streets once admitted to their guild. In many burghs, the merchants dominated the town council and therefore controlled all trade both at home and abroad. Craftsmen were second class citizens to them. Unfortunately this amount of power too often leads to corruption, and the merchants were no different. Contracts were given to family members, rents were lowered for their families, etc. England was similar as shown in 17th Century Woodstock near Oxford in which the most of the town’s mayors and aldermen controlled everything. They were linked through family ties and did not allow craft guilds – the dominating merchant guild decided who would join and how much to fine irregular behaviour. This control was held by only six families all connected through marriage. There is no reason to believe that this type of oligarchy was not uncommon across the country. Before 16th century, burghs (local authorities) or the church controlled site lodges which were often semi-permanent depending on their function. On longer term projects, they would last longer and act as a home to many of the masons on the site. Examples of this type of lodge exist in records of Aberdeen and Dundee. This kind of lodge also exists in England (and across Europe). A good example is in York Minster. The Masons' Loft is situated on the first floor of the Chapter House vestibule building, which connects the Chapter House to the North Transept of the Minster. Originally, the vestibule's design was for a much lower, single-storied structure, possibly with a timber vault, but somewhere in the early 14th century, it was decided to change the design and create a room above the vault at the first floor level. Although not a lodge for living in, the master mason(s) used this to draw working plans as seen on the floor tracings.
son states that “in no case is there any evidence whatever of continuity between these semipermanent Medieval site lodges and the lodges of freemasons which emerged in 17th century Scotland.” This is a popular misconception that there was smooth transition from operative masonry to speculative freemasonry. However, since the Reformation was less severe in Scotland, operative lodges had a better chance of survival. England as only a couple of examples of operative lodges surviving – the Lodge of Industry No.48 in Gateshead was one such lodge which accepted a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England in 1735 and the now defunct lodge in Alnwick in Northumberland was another although the latter was never warranted and ceased in 1763. Strictly speaking, this was not a lodge of freemasons. Undoubtedly, there would be an overlap in rules, terminology and customs, but evidence suggests that Schaw recognised the Reformation was making huge changes across the country and the craft had to be regularised (not in our sense) in the eyes of masons and councils into a more professional body. Another misconception is the terminology itself such as the two italicised terms above. Many writers of minutes misused terms such as fellow craft or master and masonry or freemasonry, even deacon, warden and master depending on who was in charge. Other terms for non-operative masons have also appeared such as gentleman masons or geomatic masons. This causes problems when looking at primary material as terms in use today often have a different meaning or even no equivalent in current practices. In this sense, our Craft has not only evolved over hundreds of years, but was created or adapted from Medieval stonemason practices. This creation is likely to have taken place over a period of time and in more than place. It is impossible to give an exact date as to when this happened and this adds to the mystery of the Craft.
Therefore, Schaw grabbed the opportunity to form rules to protect masons. This has had a much greater effect than Schaw would have imagined originally. His statutes may have preserved the craft as an organisation that non-masons thought was worth joining and one that survives today when so many contemporary fraternal organisations disappeared. However, these new statutes, despite being modelled on past experiIn Scotland, these lodges declined just before the ences and practices, were different from the site Reformation during the late 16th century. Steven- lodges. The latter were local bodies whereas the Cross Keys May 2021
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Schaw Part 4—Possible Explanation (ctd) new ‘Schaw lodges’ were much broader to include all masons using a hierarchical structure with a general warden in overall charge. This was a unique position to Scotland; England did not have a comparable position although some clerks were deputised over several working sites. Perhaps Schaw was empire building, but he most certainly made an indelible mark in Scottish Masonic customs. During the next century, Scottish lodges exponentially changed at least in documentary evidence: the mention of the mason word was recorded, non operatives were initiated, catechisms (questions and answers), written histories, etc are recorded in various places. However, it must be remembered at this period there were probably no more than about twenty to thirty lodges in total although they were scattered across the country. The fact that the new reformed church accepted the lodges is surprising initially, but if lodges agreed to practice morality and leave religious dogmas to the church then it is not difficult to understand that the masonic practices did not detrimentally affect the church. This tolerance of religion was common under the Age of Enlightenment and most likely attracted non-operatives to consider membership. Freemasonry in its widest sense, to a certain extent, is a natural phenomenon. It was created from an actual trade of manual labour under the control of churchmen and gradually rituals were developed that would become very symbolical. This relationship with the church must have strengthened their bond with the church which was especially powerful at this time and with their acceptance, their growth was guaranteed. Lodges moved away from meeting on building sites to taverns and coffee houses, and in all likelihood were able to develop the ritual further without too much interference from the church. This aspect may have been the saviour for the Craft in that this provided an new dimension which would offer more than just a scientific or academic club – the sociable eating and drinking was very much part and parcel of a lodge. Thus the Craft was twofold taking the best of both worlds, offering an esoteric ritual which would be under constant development and a social aspect. The craft has continued to grow into the phenomenon we now know, something very different from the masonry that would have been practiced by a 17th century mason.
Dundee, Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen slightly less. All the trades were similar in terms of how they operated and all were careful about nonmembers and using the best qualified (often three ‘essay masters’) to test work. Despite this, they were not large compared to the merchant guildand the masons in particular were one of the smallest trades within the incorporation. Unlike the merchants, few craftsmen died rich and many were always trying to avoid being destitute and the incorporation helped in this matter by providing benevolence and even a mort cloth at burials. They were “essentially unadventurous” fraternities more concerned with keeping members from poverty, but avoiding wealth. Due to the building regulations becoming stricter during the 15th Century, many trades were finding themselves exploited by the burgh council and so had to do something as an act of selfpreservation. Thus guilds (generally for merchants) and incorporations or lodges (mainly for trades) were formed and made legal by the burgh through the presentation of a Seal of Cause. Outwith towns, incorporations did not exist and the lodge was the governing body. By the middle of the next century, the incorporation of masons had a tight grip of organising of the mason trade and who could become a burgess allowed to employ labour. In Glasgow, Schaw may have an influence on the division of the masons with the wrights. Their seal of cause was granted in 1551, but in 1600 the wrights separated from the masons due to the huge differences between both trades. Certainly plausible, but the timing is curious – just after the statutes had been written? Some author believe this was not coincidental, but as a result of the statutes themselves. Did the wrights see the masons becoming the dominant trade and felt they should get out before they are taken over completely? It must have been part of their deliberations before applying for their new seal of cause.
The minutes of Mary’s Chapel reveal that Schaw was considering a lodge in St. Andrew’s, very probably due to the church connections. Masons from Perth were also summoned to attend the meeting, but despite attempting to form the lodge here for the eastern part of Fife, it never worked and the lodge did not succeed. In the west of the burgh, the Lodge of Dunfermline is mentioned in During the 16th Century, the incorporations were the charters for the first time, although the lodge expanding across Scotland. Both Edinburgh and would not be heard of again until 1673. Glasgow had fourteen trades incorporated while Cross Keys May 2021
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Masonic Hall, Largs In May 1909, the Brethren of Lodge St John (Kilwinning) Largs No.173 agreed to build a temple on a site of South Croft, Causeyside Croft in Largs. The land was offered by Bro. James Hunter. The plans of the building were passed in October 1909, with Bro. David Harper, solicitor, and for some years Lodge Treasure, taking care of all legal matters. The memorial stone was to be laid on Saturday 7 May 1910 with considerable pageantry but the unexpected death of King Edward cast a long shadow over Britain and was postponed to the following Monday evening without the originally planned street procession. The Provincial Office bearers as they approached the building were seen carrying the various paraphernalia which are used on such an occasion - the plumb, the level, the square, the cornucopia full of stalks of corn, the silver vases with oil and wine, and also swords. These emblems were of much interest to the crowd which had assembled to witness the ceremony.
On the Masons taking up their position on the platform on top of the building, these tools and implements were place don a small table. The cost to the Lodge of the building and furnishing the Temple amounted to £1250. The Masonic brethren and the foresters, who arrived at the scene about 7pm, took up their position at the top of the building (see photo above and today below) where the Memorial Stone, which was gifted by Brother Joseph Arthurs of Skelmorlie, was suspended from a crane ready to be lowered in position.
On the Masons taking up their position on the platform on top of the building, these tools and implements were place don a small table. The cost to the Lodge of the building and furnishing the Temple amounted to £1250. By April 1911, £600 of the total cost had been repaid and Bro. Charles Lodder offered to take a bond for the remaining £650. The Brethren then spent the next year making arrangements for a Grand Bazaar to be held over two days on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July 1912. In 1917, Brother Lodder died at his home on the sea front now named Vanduara. He thoroughly appreciated the efforts of the brethren in the reduction of the debt of the Temple; he showed his appreciation of their labours when disposing of his worldly goods by granting a total discharge of his deed of conveyance. Consequently, the brethren were in the fortunate position of occupying a beautiful new Temple entirely free from debt. In his will, Bro, Lodder had discharged a debt of more than £340. The equivalent sum today would be about £35,000.
The Provincial Office Bearers as they approached the building were seen carrying the various paraphernalia which are used on such an occasion - the plumb, the level, the square, the cornucopia full of stalks of corn, the silver vases with oil and wine, and also swords. These emblems were of much interest to the crowd which had assembled to witness the ceremony.
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Masonic Lodge, Largs Further to last month’s article about the two charters of Lodge St. John (Kilwinning) Largs No.173, here is now the minute of the meeting of MK0 and Largs in 1767. This shows Largs Kilwinning No.67, the original number from MK0. A truly fantastic piece of masonic history which the brethren are, quite rightly, proud to have in their possession.
Masonic Scouting Freemasonry and the Scouts have been connected in the UK for many years. However, it appears that it is not just here but also in Germany with three scouting lodges: Loge Zur weißen Lilie No. 871, consecrated 1960, Loge Konig Salomo zur weißen Lilie No. 852 in Berlin. Consecrated 1958, became a Scout Lodge No.1961 and Loge Zum Palmbaum zur weißen Lilie No. 36 in Offenbach. The latter two are in darkness now.
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242 Update I am writing this email to inform our members of the proposed investment in the Social Club initially and then the Lodge in due course. I have broken this into 3 areas to help you understand our thinking. Challenges: The existing Fire Alarm System was defective and no longer compliant with current Legislation. The Social Club had a couple of attempted break-ins, which was not helped by having no CCTV system as a deterrent. It is plain for all who still support and visit the Lodge that the very fabric of our Temple and Social Club are tired, dated and in need of investment. The Car Park is falling into a state of disrepair and has very poor drainage, particularly at the Social Club entrance which is often flooded. There are areas of the Cupolas on the Lodge Roof that require repair as we have water ingress. This is the same in the Office Bearers Room. Funding: Whilst the current COVID Pandemic has inflicted a terrible toll on Society in general, if there is to be any saviour arising from this episode in life, it is through our Social Club. Only by having a Social Club attached to our Masonic Lodge we have been able to benefit from £16,000 worth of Grants from the Government as well as £500 / wk during the enforced closure. The very purpose of these Grants and aid is to encourage investment and keep the wheels of industry turning. Not to tuck away for a rainy day. Remember, if the Lodge did not have the Social Club we would have been entitled to no monies whatsoever. We reckon we have a figure of circa £26-£28,000 for investment. Targets: Prior to any of the COVID funding or indeed the existence of COVID, the Lodge had already committed to an expenditure of circa £9,000 on refurbishing the toilets. Due to the legalities of the Fire Alarm system we had again already embarked on a complete overhaul of the system to 2021 standards as well as the installation of an extensive and robust CCTV system for not only security of the Building but also for the protection of our Bar Staff. This investment has cost a further £8,000. This combined investment of £17,000 is outwith our proposed future investment stated above. We propose to install drainage gullies and new step and ramp formations at the Social Club entrance and the Adjacent Fire Escape area. We propose to renew the carpets in both the Social Club (see below) and Hall, inclusive of new underlay, vinyl etc. We propose to Have the Social Club Wall & ceiling timber panelling professionally overhauled and spray-painted to nice modern colours to brighten the place up. Likewise we propose to have all of the existing chairs & tables overhauled, new lighting and modern picture etc. We further propose to replace the existing Radiators, which are aged and failing at the welded joints. As previously stated we have this opportunity to try our best to overhaul the Social Club with this bespoke funding and trust you will accept and encourage our endeavours. Exciting times ahead brethren and we want you to be a part of your lodge moving forward.
Your comments are welcome as well as any donations you see fit to offer.
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Thanks to 242 from The Girls’ Brigade
Thanks to the brethren of 242 for supplying all the Easter Eggs for St. Paul’s Girls’ Brigade (1st Johnstone). This has been very much appreciated by all the girls, many from Howwood Road who have found lockdown difficult. Below some eggs about to be delivered!
Dr. Gordon Brown Bro. Dr. Frederick Gordon Brown, who practised in the City of London for many years, died at Chigwell, Essex, on January 15th, at the advanced age of 85. He was the son of the late Dr. Thomas Brown, who practised in Wormwood Street, and was born in the city, being educated at Merchant Taylors’ School and St. Thomas’s Hospital. For more than fifty-two years he was a medical officer of the City of London Union, and for over twenty-eight years was surgeon to the City of London Police. He retired in September, 1914, but acted for various younger men during the war in order to release them for war service. He was for some time medical officer in charge of the 7th Royal Fusiliers. Dr. Gordon Brown was a prominent Freemason, being a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England. He was also the senior Past Master of the Society of Apothecaries of London, and a former president of the Hunterian Society. He is better known for having examined the remains of Catherine Eddowes, murdered by Jack The Ripper on September 30, 1888.
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/
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