The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242
May 2022
Cross Keys May 2022
Number 246
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From the Editor Going to London in the summer? Why not drop into UGLE in Holborn and have a coffee in the cafe? What a great idea—coffee shops are as popular now as they were in the 18th C and perhaps lodges and GLs would benefit from providing ‘decent’ coffee. I have added the article by young Bro. Dougie Rathey, master of 1459—well worth a read!!! For the recess, YouTube channels are more popular—here’s Ashlar Lodge No. 3 from Vancouver Island in Canada. Grant Cover—image from the Masonic Temple in Buenos Aires where La Logia Lautaro met— see page 16.
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
Website: Home (bravesites.com) Blog: Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242 (lodge242.blogspot.com)
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In this issue: 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 23 24 25 26 27 28
Craft then What Next? The 1839 Eglinton Tourament Make Your Mark Royal Arch Mason Photo Provost James Ewing Lean Times in England Bro. Galpern Glasgow Provost Johnstone in 1841 Lodge 242 (IC) St. Edmund’s Church Col. Richard Saxton White Aboyne Degree System La Logia Lautaro Special Meeting of Lodge 357 (EC) Charge of a Druid Pillars Degree The Scot’s Greys Lodge Indian Lodge KT in Early 20th C The Mark Degree Solution A Young Masson Speaks A Mark Book Leicestershire Masonic Hall
May Meetings Thursday 12th MM Degree
Visit to Craigends on 19th May
September Meetings Thursday 8th EA Degree 7.30pm start
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Craft then What Next? Now this is a question that many Mark Masters in (d) Scottish ask? Most will be directed to the Royal Arch series of degrees which includes the Excellent Master (a super gateway from the Craft to the Royal Arch and other orders— it is instantly rec- (e) ognizable to all Craft masons.). Below are the Scottish Orders within freemasonry: (a) KT is the Knight Templar which is a chivalric order related to the Templars but no direct line. (b) GIC (Grand Imperial Council) which administers the Red Cross of Constantine and the story of the emperor allowing Christianity to flourish with two other grades relating to the Mark Master & RA vault idea. Although not an invitational order, new members are sought out. (c) A&AR—the Ancient and Accepted Rite which is better know as the 18th Degree or Rose Croix and the 30th etc. This only required the candidate to be a MM but usually after a number of KT years of service.
The SRIS (Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia) which is a none grade rite relating to the Rosicrucian ideas and is unlike any masonic system. RO (Royal Order of Scotland) is not Scottish, but was written using the Ecossaise degrees of foreign origin. Its roots go back to the days of Robert the Bruce and the impressive catechisms bring in many aspects of all masonry. Again this is an invitational order.
There are other orders, but these are the main orders Scottish brethren should focus on (in my opinion). In terms of what’s next, it is purely a matter of choice, often which is in a lodge or when friend invites them. My suggestion is read the websites of the Orders, talk to friends in an Order or if you have an interest in an aspect (e.g. templars, Constantine, military, etc) then find out more from the ‘Grand Secretary’ of that Order. My plea would be, don’t stop after the Mark Degree but when you do join an Order, keep supporting your lodge.
A&AR RA
Craft SRIS
GIC
RO
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The 1839 Eglinton Tournament The tournament was held in the grounds of Eglinton Castle 20 miles from Glasgow city boundaries. The Event was extremely popular with /spectators who flooded into the castle grounds to see the chivalrous tournament, jousts armour and all. Many of these would have journeyed from Glasgow, but there were also visitors from abroad, England, Edinburgh and it's surrounds. It was organised by Archibald William Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton, 1st Earl of Winton, KT, PC (29 September 1812 – 4 October 1861), styled Lord Montgomerie from 1814 to 1819, was a British Conservative politician. He was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1852 and again from 1858 to 1859. The Eglinton family were involved in the Craft as the 10th, 16th and 17th were Grand Master Masons of Scotland and the 18th was Past Assistant Grand Master in England.
ly estate at a cost of approximately £2.5 million in today’s money. However, the Eglinton tournament was the first civilian, unofficial re-enactment in Britain and is part of the history of reenactment groups that continue to this day. Only people with independent wealth could afford to buy antique armour, reproduction weapons, horsearmour, and costumes for their men-at arms and pages. The cost was so high that of the 150 people who had been interested in participating in the tournament, only 13 jousted in the final event.
One such ‘knight’ was Viscount Glenlyon as the Knight of the Gael with his retinue of Atholl Highlanders (shown below) who is reputed to have spent £90,000 on his armour (helmet & ‘wild man of Atholl’ shown above right). He would become Grand Master MaEglinton Road in Glasgow was in the port son 1843—64, First Grand Principal 1844— Eglinton terminus of the planned Glasgow to 50 and Grand Master of the Order of the TemArdrossan canal, even though the canal even- ple 1845—63. tually went only as far as Johnstone, Port Eglinton was named after Hugh Montgomery What is really interesting is how this tournathe 12th Earl of Eglinton who worked with ment engaged the public imagination. Around Bro. William Houstoun (our first master) on 100,000 people came to watch over the three the canal project. days. The tournament was organised by Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of Eglinton; it was held at his fami-
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Make Your Mark The Mark Master degree has in it awfully specific, practical advice on how a Mason should live and work. We don’t know how old the Mark Master degree is. We do know that a mark was used in ancient times to identify the producer of work. “Make your mark!” “Put your stamp on it” are expressions that were once quite common. We now have professional engineers, professional surveyors, medical doctors, and others that stamp or mark or sign their work. When they do, they know they are staking their reputation and integrity on their stamp, mark, or signature. Companies, organizations, countries, and groups use trademarks, logos, symbols, and flags to identify themselves. We often recognize a country, product, or organization not by a written word or sentence but by a symbol. Military groups take great pride in their clasps, badges, devices, and crests. In the Olympics, we recognize the country of the athletes by the flags.
mark. This symbol or mark on a man projects an image to those people who see it. That image can be positive, indifferent or negative. How it is perceived depends on the immediate and long-time actions of the individual Mason and Masons as groups. Many of us every day accept or reject products and services according to the trademark, logos, mark or name of the company or person. “Who made it?” “Who signed for it?” and “Who stands behind it?” are common questions we use to evaluate a product or service. The three Great Lights of Masonry are the Holy Bible and the Square and Compasses. They must be on the altar for a lodge to be open and work. The Square teaches us to square our actions with all people, and the Compasses teach us to keep our passions under control or within certain boundaries. The Holy Bible is reverently and constantly referred to in Masonic teaching and is therefore called the Great Light of Masonry. It is open during regular Lodge functions and is not hidden from the view of the Master of the Lodge, so that its light can permeate all comers of the Lodge. With a few exceptions, no person should stand or pass between the open Holy Bible and the Master and hereby hides or obscures the Great Light. The Holy Bible is the centre of the Masonic Lodge and everything revolves about the Holy Bible. Masonry uses and encourages everyone to read and study the Holy Bible but does not interpret it for any person. Each person must hear, read, study, and interpret the Holy Bible for himself.
A person seeing the Square and Compasses expects the person wearing it to have certain qualities. Even cattle brands have been proudly used to show ownership and there are books of brands, which correspond to a book of Marks. In the days of the Caesars some slaves were branded, as if they were cattle. Marks or identifiers are used to show a quality or character. When I gave a lecture in Colorado Springs in the US a few years ago, I remember listening to a Mark Master whose father was not a Free Mason but was a stone mason. His father took him to the Colorado State capital. By stretching his arm in back of one of the outside columns, the son could A young Fellow Craft found a building block and feel his father’s mark. His father could point to was attracted by its beauty. Without claiming it as his own work, he presented it for inspection. Bethat column of the Capitol and say, “I built that.” cause it was a different shape and did not have a In the Mark Master degree, the individual is al- recognizable mark on it, it was tossed aside as a lowed to select a mark that is of his own design. It useless stone by the overseers. In addition, the is a pleasant feeling that something uniquely cho- young Fellow Craft was not paid and was in trousen by you is recorded in the Lodge Book of ble for submitting work that was not his. When Marks. Now, not every Lodge has one, but I think we are building our Temple do we ignore or toss that is a real pity, The Mark Master degree teach- away prayer, supplication, gratitude, humility, es us to do good work so that when it leaves our concern or other attributes that emphasize the desk, table, laboratory, shop or office we can say Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. with justifiable pride, “I did that.” The mark has We, as fallible people, have ignored qualities that been used to identify work or show acceptance of the Chief Architect has determined as being eswork or legalize written papers. Some legal pa- sential for each of us. pers still have a place for a person to make his or her mark. The working tools of the Mark Master are the mallet and the chisel. As Mark Masters we need to The Square and Compasses is a group symbol or chip away arrogance until it becomes compassion, Cross Keys May 2022
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Make Your Mark (ctd) turn excessive pride into humility, convert selfishness to unselfishness and change personal strength to supplication. This is a reminder of the first degree where we are told about the rough stone becoming a building block for the Temple.
the best equipped person for that situation at that time and place.
As mentioned earlier, the Mark Master degree is a practical degree. It does not teach history or attempt to teach a set of rules. Instead it emphaThe Mark Master degree is different than the first sizes a few simple profound truths, which are: three degrees, in that during the conferring of the degree, the Holy Bible is read from at the Altar. 1. never claim work or actions that are not The parable in Matthew (chapter 20, verse 116) yours. is used to emphasize that the owner of the vine- 2. be willing to aid poor, distressed brothers. yard can do with that which is his as he pleases. 3. remember that the owner of the vineyard can We are all workers in the vineyard of God. We, as do with that which is his as he pleases. individuals, do not start or finish on an equal ba- 4. constantly evaluate your attributes sis with anyone else. We can think that our bur(keystones) so that they are the ones that the den is heavier, that we have toiled longer or the Chief Architect has in mind for each of us. heat of the day is hotter on us than anyone else. 5. our personal Mark and the Square and ComWe can complain of bad breaks or unfairness, but passes should always be the sign that we can we must know and accept that our attitude tobe depended upon at all times to be of assiswards the problem is more important than the tance to all mankind. problem. Each of us has different abilities and we will be expected to perform differently. We are unique in that there are many situations that Thanks to Bro. Peter Taylor PGM of Forfarshire someone else might be better equipped to handle, but that person isn’t there. So, we might be
Moveable Lodges Love this term—a moveable Grand Lodge which means the Grand Lodge can meet anywhere, similar to the old travelling warrants of military lodges. In the post pandemic era, maybe this is something that should be used more often by the various orders. Ensuring brethren, companions, knights, etc feel part of the grand body (I believe) is even more important now.
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Royal Arch Photo ~ 1880s From the middle of the 1800s and through the early 1900s, many well-dressed Freemasons wore fobs that bore the mark that they had selected as part of receiving the Mark Degree. Others sported fobs engraved with not only their mark, but also the names of the different Masonic bodies they belonged to, along with the dates they had joined. The Royal Arch Mason here (at left), wears a keystoneshaped mark as a fob attached to his watch chain, along with a rich red velvet collar and apron, embroidered in gold. Small, valuable, and connected to a watch chain with only a ring or hook, the fob style of Masonic marks worn by the subject of this portrait, and similar fobs, did get lost or were stolen. Countless advertisements and snippets from newspapers, hint at how frequently these items went astray--and at how much their owners wished for their return. In 1856, Jason R. Hanna, staying at the Lima House in Lima, Ohio, advertised that his "MASONIC MARK made of gold in the shape of a Key Stone, with a locket enclosure, was lost or STOLEN." For its return he offered a $5 reward "and NO QUESTIONS ASKED." A few years later, newspapers reported on the return of a Masonic mark, "in the shape of a Maltese cross, of solid gold," that had belonged to Col. T. S. Martin, a Union solider that had died at Manassas, to his widow in Philadelphia. Thaddeus Miller, a Mississippi soldier, had retrieved the mark and, after many months, it was delivered to Mrs. Martin. The same year, in 1868, an advertisement in The Evening Telegraph of Philadelphia sought the owner of "a silver watch and a gold Masonic mark, bearing the inscription,
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'Girard Mark Lodge, No. 214'" that had been stolen by an escaped convict called George Black. Another Philadelphia paper told the story of an unlucky man named John Matsinger who, in 1894, lost his watch, chain, and gold Masonic mark after being drugged at Arthur Chamber's saloon. A policeman intercepted the thief while he was trying to pawn Matsinger's property, and it was restored to its owner. Another observant police officer received a reward of "a bank note of substantial value and an imported cigar" when he returned a lost Masonic mark decorated with diamonds to its owner, W. L. Marsh of Pittsburgh. Marsh, upon having his mark restored to him explained that "he valued it highly" as the fob had been given to him by his employees. He rated it "without price...for its associations." An even more remarkable story of a mark returned to its owner was that of the mark that belonged to Rev. Dr. H. Franklin Schlegel. Around 1911, Rev. Schlegel visited his family's farm at Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, and "inspected the big flock of Plymouth Rocks" in the chicken coops. During this visit he wore, "Suspended from his watch chain...his Masonic mark, representing the Blue Lodge, the Chapter, Commandery, Consistory or 32nd degree...." As he examined the chickens "the charm, fell to the ground" only to be eaten by one of the hens, though the bird that ate it could not be identified. Three years later, Dr. Schlegel's gold and diamond mark was discovered during excavation at the farm "in the old hen yard." After a small repair to the damaged enamel, the delighted Dr. Schlegel resumed wearing his fob.
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Provost James Ewing
J
ames Ewing was born on 7th December, 1775, 5th child of Walter Ewing Maclae 3rd of Cathkin & his wife Margaret Fisher (the name Maclae was added when he inherited Cathkin House and estate at Cathkin House, south of Glasgow). He was named after his maternal grandfather, the Rev James Fisher.
‘Glasgow House’. The house was considered the most handsome residence in the whole of Glasgow, for which James paid £3,000 (£108,600 in 2003 terms), a very large sum for a house at that time.The house was situated where Queen Street Station is now situated adjacent to George Square. It became known as Crawford mansion.
After some years of education at the High School of Glasgow Ewing went to the University of Glasgow when he was 12 years old. Following in his father's footsteps, he founded the firm of James Ewing & Co and amassed a fortune in trade with the West Indies.
For many years he lived in Crawford Mansion, with its famous rookery, which earned him the nickname "Craw Ewing".
He was a strong supporter of free trade and contributed to the successful campaign for the ending of the East India Company's monopoly of trade to the Far East, as a result of which the first Glasgow ship reached Calcutta in 1816. In 1827 Ewing laid the foundation stone of the new Royal Exchange, as chairman of the committee of subscribers.
The mansion was situated at the head of Queen Street, on the site of what is now Queen Street Station. In 1836 James Ewing (61years old), married Jane Tucker Crawford, the 23 year old daughter of James Crawford who had been connected with Crawford, Tucker & Co of Port Glasgow, one of the largest businesses on the Clyde. They had no children. In 1838 Glasgow House was sold by James Ewing, for £35,000 (£1,579,550 in 2003 terms) to the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Co, who built Queen Street station on the ground after demolishing the house.
Ewing was elected Dean of Guild in 1816-1817 and again in 18311832; he was Lord Provost in 1832-1833 and for the same period he was MP for Glasgow, having topped the poll in the first post-Reform Act James Ewing left a legacy of £31,000 (£1,521,170 election. in 2003 terms) to the Merchants House, Glasgow He played a major role in the foundation of the Glasgow Savings Bank ( In 1809 James Dennistoun of Golfhill, with support from James Ewing, founded the Glasgow Bank. James Ewing, James Dennistoun, and Robert Dalgliesh were partners, great friends and colleagues) and in the purchase of the ground for the Necropolis.
The memorial to James Ewing of Strathleven is only a few feet away from and on the south side of the base of the John Knox memorial, in the Glasgow Necropolis. Bro. James Ewing was a member of Lodge Argyle No.76 (now defunct).
In 1814 James’ father, Walter Ewing Maclae, 3rd of Cathkin died leaving Cathkin House in life rent to James’ mother, Margaret His heir, Humphrey Ewing 4th of Cathkin, was in Jamaica and Margaret did not enjoy living there on her own, and moved to Totness in south Devon. In 1815 in the hope of enticing his mother back to Glasgow, he purchased the mansion known as
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Lean Years in England Despite the initiation of Frederick Prince of Wales in 1737, Freemasonry had become unfashionable. Horace Walpole (diplomatist and brother was first prime minister), himself a member of the Craft, wrote on the 4th May, 1743: “The Free Masons are in so low repute now in England, that one has scarce heard the Proceedings at Vienna against them mentioned. I believe nothing but a persecution could bring them into vogue again here.” This was the period of processions of Mock Masonry to cast ridicule on the Order. The witty thermometer of fashion has recorded the consequent fall in enthusiasm for the Craft among his own set, but proved a bad prophet about its future popularity in England. It was left to the private Lodges to carry on as best they might, for neither Grand Master nor Grand Lodge was to do much to ensure a revival in twenty years yet to come. Lord Raymond was succeeded in April, 1740, by the Earl of Kintore, who was followed in 1741 by the Earl of Morton, who was followed by Lord Ward in 1742, and he by the Earl of Strathmore, who was followed by Lord Cranstoun.
area, amounting to about one-third of the total number, were struck off the roll during this period. In 1735, GL made a ruling: any metropolitan Lodge which had failed to meet regularly for a year should be erased. [Perhaps this is something for many GLs to think about today. . .] On 3rd April, 1743, it was decided to discontinue Masonic processions in public. In 1751, a rival GL called Ancients appeared but this is looking at the original GL (now called Moderns). In November, 1753, lodges were ordered to inquire into the characters of candidates; never to make and raise on one evening, except by dispensation. It must be evident that none of these reforms, salutary though they were, would have appealed to the humbler class of Freemason, from which, as I believe, the bulk of the opposition to the Grand Lodge sprang. Processions were dear to the hearts of many Craftsmen; to fix a fairly high fee for initiation was to reduce the recruiting grounds of the poorer Lodges, and the great majority of them were poor.
None of these Scottish chiefs distinguished himself as an inspiring leader, to say the least of it; but the nadir of the Grand Lodge was probably reached in the time of Lord Byron, who was elected Grand Master on the 30th April, 1747, and continued in office till the 20th March, 1752, when he handed over to Lord Carysfort.
Things began to look up with Lord Blaney GM 1764—67 (below) when he constituted 74 lodges although none were military. The Modern GL was against the Royal Arch degree as they generally viewed it as an Ancient working of their rivals. However, Lord Blaney was the first GM of the Moderns to encourage Modern masons to develop the RA degree. The 5th Duke of Beaufort took over Lord Byron attended only three meetings of as GM and the GLs worked towards the union Grand Lodge because he was out of England in 1813. for most of the time. Lord Carysfort did nothing else in particular, and was succeeded in 1754 by James Marquess of Carnarvon who also did nothing in particular (although was a better attender as a Past GM than a GM!) and was succeeded by Lord Aberdour on the 18th May, 1757. The outward and visible signs of ten years of misrule, from 1742 till 1752, were obvious: no less than 45 Lodges in the Metropolitan Cross Keys May 2022
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Bro. Meyer Galpern, Lord Provost of Glasgow Bro. Galpern was born on the 1st January 1903 in the Gorbals Glasgow Meyer Galpern was the son of Jewish immigrants from Russia. Galpern started work as a house furnisher before graduating from Glasgow University. Moving into politics Myer stood as an Independent Labour councillor for the Shettleston and Tollcross ward on the Glasgow Corporation and was elected from 1932 to 1947. He was then re-elected as councillor for Shettleston and Tollcross in 1949. Myer served as convener of the education committee (19541958), before being appointed as leader of the Labour group and leader of the city’s administration. He served as Lord Provost of Glasgow from 19581960 (first Jewish provost in Scotland), As Lord Provost Myer opened a disaster fund for fireman and widows after the Cheapside fire disaster. He also inaugurated the modernised Provan Gas works. Myer stepped down a year early as he became Member of Parliament for Glasgow Shettleston in 1959. His last duty as Lord Provost was to welcome Cliff Richard to Glasgow.
authority of Letters Patent under the Great Seal dated 25th January 1960, conferred the honour of Knighthood upon the undermentioned gentlemen at .Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, the 9th instant: Myer Galpern, Esq., J.'P., M.P. Galpern became the Member of Parliament for Glasgow Shettleston from 1959 until 1979, During his final 5 years as a MP he held the office of Deputy Speaker of the House from 1974-79. In his role of Deputy Speaker he had to suspend the proceedings of the house when Michael Heseltine seized the mace in 1976. In his final year as a MP he was awarded a peerage and he continued his political career in the House of Lords. Baron Galpern of Shettleston in the district of the city of Glasgow. Extract from the London Gazette
10th July 1979 The QUEEN has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the 'Realm, bearing date the afternoon of the 10th day of July 1979, to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom for life upon Sir Myer Galpern, by the name style and title of Baron On the 12th February 1960 Myer Galpern reGalpern of Shettleston in the District of the City ceived a Knighthood. He was Knighted by the of Glasgow. Duke of Edinburgh. He died on the 23rd September 1993. Extract from the London Gazette Sir Myer Galpern was a Master Mason of 12th February 1960. His (Royal Highness, THE Lodge Montefiore No.753 joining in 1958. PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH, K.G., K.T., G.'B.E., acting on behalf of Her Majesty by From the PGL of Glasgow website.
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Johnstone 1841 It is interesting to look at old directories of the town. This one (Fowler’s) shows the lodge office bearers in 1841 and what is perhaps surprising is that the lodge is the only ‘society’ left in the town and that it’s number is wrong. It also shows the number of OBs which is nowhere near the length of the list today. Being a small ton, there is also a cross over of people in societies. For example, James Reid would become master of 242, but it clerk to the Yeomanry and a Friendly Society. Also in the Yeomanry were Bros. Riddel and Murdoch. Strangely enough, we had no members in the Johnstone Total Abstinence Society!
Bro Doc Filpz finishing the Boston marathon last year. Can you tell he represented the Craft?!!
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Lodge 242, Ireland Abbey Lodge No. 242 (in Boyle, Co Roscommon) and Concord Lodge No. 854 amalgamated some years ago, both deriving from military lodges, namely – 242 Roscommon Militia and 854 Leitrim Militia. The lodge was founded 1808 so is 3 years older than our lodge. Roscommon Militia Regiment
5th May
1808
242
Leitrim Militia Regiment
5th January
1797
854
The first 242 warrant was opened in 1808 and worked under Seton's warrant then formally under the Grand Lodge of Ireland. The lodge then settled in Boyle in 1817 where both lodges still meet. Lodge 854 appears to have worked until 1817 when it removed to Carrick upon Shannon in 1816 and possibly a permanent warrant in 1817 in Boyle. One notable brother was Colonel William James Bury Macleod Moore, High Knight Templar and Knight Malta in the Encampment was attached to Lodge No. 242, Boyle, County Roscommon, 1844. He received his early education in Aberdeen, Scotland, graduated in 1825 and attended the Military School at Sandhurst On his graduation in 1831, he received an Ensign's commission in the 69th Regiment of Foot, in which he served for twenty years. Colonel Moore first saw the light in freemasonry on the 17th of August 1827, when only seventeen years old. He was also passed and raised at the same time. This was a special meeting of Glenkindel Lodge No. 333, held in the house of the Master, Major General Sir Alexander Leith, K. C. B. at Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1831, Moore was exalted to the Holy Royal Arch degree and made a Mark Master in St. Macher's Chapter No. 37 in Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1834, when his regiment was in Dublin, he joined St. Patrick's Lodge and Chapter No. 50 and also Victoria Mark Lodge No. IV. On 29th October, 1844 he was installed High Knight Templar and Knight Malta in the Encampment attached to Lodge No. 242 in the old Town of Boyle, County Roscommon, in Ireland, in which Lodge he served as Senior Warden. He became very involved in the formation of the Canadian Orders such as the Red Cross of Constantine, Knight Templars, Rose Croix and the Rosicrucian Society.
Lodge 242 in Kilbarchan In 1872, 242 visited St. Barchan No.156 in order to carry out the MM degree on 17 candidates. The master Bro. William Guy PM was well known for visiting and conferring certain degrees in particular the MMM which not every lodge was able to confer. Clearly, a busy night but then followed the installation of 15 office-bearers! The business was then conducted in the newly re-modelled hall. “After the business had terminated, the brethren spent the remainder of the evening in the greatest harmony.”
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St. Edmund’s Church The Church is situated in a small suburban housing estate in the corner of Rochdale, near Manchester the remarkable church of St Edmunds site. On first look, it appears to be like more Victorian Parish Churches in the Parish. But on closer investigation, it is revealed to be an extraordinary blend of gothic revival architecture and Masonic symbolism. Described by Pevsner as “Rochdale’s Temple to Freemasonry”, this awe-inspiring church was created for the Local banker and Freemason Albert Hudson Royds. By Architects James Medland and Henry Taylor in 1870-3. The symbolism goes beyond architecture to the very position of the church in the Rochdale landscape. Sitting in a diamond-shaped churchyard at the highest point in the town it is making an overt reference to the Temple which dominated Jerusalem – casting Rochdale as the New Jerusalem. It has often been described as the Rosslyn of the south and the image below shows why this comparison has been made.
Newspaper reporting Br. John Love PM 242 joining the Royal Order in St. Mark’s Hall. Bro. Love officiated at the opening of the Town Hall in Johnstone
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Colonel Richard White Bro. Richard Saxton White was born in Southampton on June 15th 1847, son of Captain Richard White of the Royal Navy and the P&O Line. After serving his apprenticeship with Day, Summers and Co of Southampton he was then associated with W. Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton as a draughtsman, and subsequently with Robert Napier and Sons in Glasgow.
gamation of the Armstrong and Walker shipyards in 1919 he was appointed consultative general manager, which position he held up to his retirement in December, 1920.
For many years Colonel White took an active interest in the Volunteer and Territorial Forces and served in all ranks. In 1992 he succeeded Colonel Swan in the command of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Northumberland In 1875 he was appointed manager of Barrow Fusiliers; he held the Volunteer Decoration. shipbuilding company, in this position of manager he was also designed and constructElected a member of the Institute of Metals ed large steamers which included The SS City on May 12, 1911. Colonel White was also a of Rome. In 1883 Richard became the managmember of the Institution of Civil Engineers, er of Walker shipyard in Newcastle where he the Institution of Naval Arwas involved with the develchitects (of which he was a opment and construction of Vice-President), the Institubulk petroleum vessels, as tion of Engineers and Shipwell as other passenger, ice builders in Scotland, and the breakers and general trade North-East Coast Institution vessels. of Engineers and ShipbuildRichard moved back to Glasers, of which he was a Pastgow with the appointment of President. He was a member manager and director of the of the Worshipful Company Fairfield Shipbuilding and of Shipwrights, and a Freeengineering company, Richman of the City of London. ard at the time worked under Bro. Sir William Colonel White served on the Commission apPearce PGM (1880—89). Here he designed pointed by the Home Office for the considerathe Cunard Campania and Luciana and other tion of the Census of Production question. In cross-channel vessels. Mr Richard Saxton 1920 Colonel Richard Saxton White was PresWhite, the latest general manager of Fairfield ident of the North east coast of institutional Shipbuilding yard, is about to take a trip to engineers and shipbuilders. the United States as a guest of Cunard. He is to make his voyage across the Atlantic on the Bro. White died on August 13th 1922 at his Luciana one of the noble ships which he was home in Bournemouth; his estimated worth largely concerned in designing and building at his death was £59.000. Bro. White was inias his last piece of work for the Fairfield com- tiated into Lodge Pollok No.772 in 1892 pany. (below) which was only 2 years old at this point. In 1896 Colonel White returned to the Walker shipyard as general manager and local director, where under his direction many unique designs were developed and im- Thanks to PGL of Glasgow website. portant, vessels constructed. On the amal-
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Aboyne Degree System The Aboyne Encampment was originally part of the Lodge of the 6th North British Militia, which was chartered in 1799 and dissolved in 1839. This Lodge was sometimes (confusingly) known as the Aboyne Lodge as Lord Aboyne was the Commander in Chief of the Regiment and had been Grand Master Mason of Scotland 1802 - 1804. The Regiment was later known as the 55th Aberdeenshire Regiment of the North British Militia, and subsequently the 3rd Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders which was eventually dissolved in 1885. As a regular Militia unit, it was stationed in varying parts of the country, including Liverpool, Dover and the Tower of London. [Editors note: After this Booklet was published, it was confirmed that the Templar Grades were actually worked in the Tower of London by the early St. George Aboyne Preceptory - a unique event]. In 1812 they were stationed at Dalkeith which was then a separate town on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Under the sponsorship of Lord Aboyne, application was made to be admitted to the Royal Grand Conclave of Scotland. This was accepted and "The Aboyne Encampment" as it was then styled, was formally admitted as Number 21 on the roll on the 6th July 1812. A much reduced, computer enhanced copy of the Charter is included in the centre pages. The roll of Grand Conclave contains another entry, at No 7 for the Aberdeen Military Encampment. This was also designated as being the 55th British Militia. Unlike the Aboyne Encampment this was a local Militia and could not be moved around the country, as its principle purpose was the protection of the City of Aberdeen. The register of Grand Conclave gives the founding date for this Encampment as 1807 when it carried the name St. James. It must be stated that the two Encampments designated as arising from the 55th British Militia were never in any way connected. Both Encampments had the same designation 55th as this was the naming convention of the time and denoted the home of both to be Aberdeen. Eventually the Aboyne Encampment returned to Aberdeen. The first meeting there was held on the 27th of January 1815 in the house of a Mrs Ingram, location unknown, where there are no further details given. By October the Encampment was better organised and at a meeting on 23rd October 1815, the degrees were as follows: I Master Past the Chair, Excellent & Super Excellent, Royal Arch II Ark, Black Mark, Link & Chain III Knight Templar, Knight of St John Of Jerusalem, Mediterranean Pass, Knight of Malta IV Jordan Pass, Babylonian Pass
V Knight of the Red Cross VI High Priest VII Prussian Blue Group I was conferred in a chapter, the rest in the encampment. Group II was only a preliminary to the templar degrees and then became optional. Group III became the main degrees over time while the rest became optional or forgotten about. Group VI and VII were only conferred on a few, were never minuted and were free so in all likelihood were honorary. The degree of Prussian Blue has been associated with the old Rite of Perfection and Scottish Rites 32nd degree. Overall, this was a system of seven grades with a non random structure. Cross Keys May 2022
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La Logia Lautaro Last month discussed a short article about the Scottish & Argentinian Connection through military lodges. La Logia Lautaro was mentioned with regard to the initiation of Bro. Julian Alvarez and then his affiliation to this new lodge. The lodge first met in the City of Buenos Aires, in 1812, secretly created by Jose de San Martín, Carlos María de Alvear, and Julian Alvarez. Its main objective was to fight for the independence of Spanish America, triumphing at the military level, and making politics follow that basic objective. From the end of 1812 the Patriotic Society joined it, which was created by the followers of Mariano Moreno.
Domingo. The influence of the Lodge on politics reached its highest point during the governments of the Second Triumvirate. San Martín, who joined it for a short time, intended to put it at the exclusive service of the struggle for freedom and independence in South America. He was in favour of the lodge as an instrument of support for the war of emancipation, and against it when used for civil war.
San Martín had participated in London in the meetings of the group that took place in the houses of Andres Bello and Luis Lopez Mendez. The Lautaro Lodge of Buenos Aires held its meetings in the homes of one of its members or in a place located in what is now Balcarce Street, in front of the Convent of Santo
Mural in the lodge room, 1242 Calle Cangallo, Buenos Ayres
Lodge Excelsior No.617 (EC) also met here and in their minutes of 26th October, 1906, mention is made of the existence in the "Museo Nadonal" of a Certificate dated 10th December, 1802, granted to Bro. John Stewart, of No. 895 (71st Regiment of Foot)! See February and April Cross Keys.
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Special Meeting of Apollo University Lodge No.357 (EC) The installation meeting of this lodge was and J. C. Bodley of Balliol College as Senior held in February, 1876 at the University Ma- Secretary. sonic Hall, Oxford. Bro. Brown-Cave PM presided at the opening and raised 8 brethren. Hearty good wishes were expressed by Lord Methuen from Wiltshire; by Lord Shrewsbury At three o'clock the master, Bro. the Rev Pick- from Staffordshire, by Colonel Campbell of ard, presided and raised two brethren in Blythswood from Renfrewshire (actually which he was assisted by Bro. Prince Leopold PGM of Renfrewshire East and in 1885 the SW (youngest son of Queen Victoria). This Grand Master Mason of Scotland) and by Bro. was his mother lodge joining while at Christ Mclntyre QC, from Grand Lodge (London). Church College and proposed by his brother, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales master at Due to his blood condition, he was unable to that time and later King. He would become pursue a military career but he maintained an PGM of Oxfordshire shortly after serving until honorary association. From 1881 served as the his death in 1884 at only 30 due to haemo- first Colonel-in-Chief of the Seaforth Highlandphilia. After this, the ceremony of installation ers who paraded at his funeral. was performed by Bro. Pickard. Among the distinguished brethren present were the Earl Mainly taken from The Freemason newspaper of Shrewsbury and Talbot, Lord De' Tabley, in 1876. Lord Methuen, Colonel Burdett and various others. Bro. Prince Leopold was attended by the Controller of his Household, Bro. Collins CB, and his Equerry-in-waiting, the Hon. Alex Yorke. The Immediate Past Master presented Prince Leopold to the Master to receive at his hands the benefit of installation. The Master then duly installed him, in the presence of a board of installed Masters, numbering 36 brethren. The Prince showed his proficiency as a student of Freemasonry and invested his officers for the year including Reginald Bird, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Oxford (VicePrincipal of Magdalen College) as Treasurer
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Charge of a Royal Arch Druid The following is instantly recognisable by any freemason and it is clear where its orgins have arisen. However, the words are just as meaningful. It is from the Ancient Order of Druids which remains today as a charitable organisation.
humility without meanness, who is just to all and harsh to none, simple in manner but manly in feeling. One upon whose word all men might rely, whose countenance could never deceive, it being the index of a benevolent mind from which nothing but professions of friendship could emanate; The tenets of Royal Arch Druidism have been ac- in short, such a character as one would choose for cepted by some of the greatest men of the coun- a superior, trust as a friend, and love as a fellow try, who in the practice of its precepts allied man. themselves with the Brethren in the furtherance of its Grand Principles of Brotherly Love and Af- The practice of Charity towards all those whom fection. the vicissitudes of life have brought to sorrow, affliction or want, you are specially called upon to As Arch-Druids it is your duty to consider the Di- observe, as far as may lie in your power, without vine precepts of the laws of morality as the stand- injury to those who have the first claim upon ard of Truth, Honour and Justice, and in all re- your love and protection. spects to render your lives by a strict observance of such rules. It is not particularly my province to enter into a disquisition You are expected to be considon every branch of this amiable erate and loyal subjects to the virtue,, but I shall briefly state land of your nativity and to the happy effects of a benevothose in authority, duly oblent disposition and observe serving the laws made for the that Charity, when extended to benefit of the community. proper objects, affords the greatest pleasure the human In your outward demeanour mind is capable of enjoying. you will be careful to avoid The bounds of the greatest nacensure or reproach, and to tion or the most extensive Embeware of those who may enpire cannot circumscribe the deavour to insinuate themselves into your es- generosity of a liberal mind. teem with a view to betraying your virtuous intentions and resolutions, or making you swerve A mutual chain of dependence subsists throughfrom the Principles of this Institution. out the animal creation; man is therefore a proper object for charity, but by your exaltation you Let not interest, favour or prejudice bias your in- are called upon to exercise a higher kind of betegrity, nor influence you to be guilty of a dishon- nevolence than that I have described, namely, a ourable action, but let your conduct be uniform charitable feeling towards each other. A kindly and your deportment suitable to the dignity of disposition to forgive the errors and even the folthe profession; and that we may be happy here, lies of your fellow associates will always reflect and have a fair claim to bliss hereafter, let us con- credit upon you as Royal Arch-Druids, and be sider the character of a perfect man. worthy of you as men. One who is superior to fear, to selfish interests and corrupt means, whose mind is ever regulated by principles of the strictest rectitude and integrity, who is true to the God whom he worships, and unostentatiously fixed upon the Faith he professes. Full of affection for the Brethren, kind and faithful in his friendship, forgiving and generous to his enemies, warm and compassionate to the unfortunate, self-denying to his own private interests, and prodigal alone to those of the public. One who professes magnanimity without pride,
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If any of your friends should be desirous of becoming Royal Arch-Druids, you will be careful not to recommend them unless you are convinced they will conform to our laws; that the value of Royal Arch Druidism may be enhanced by the difficulty of the, purchase, the honour and reputation of the Institution established upon a firm basis, and the world at large convinced of its benign influence. Image shows a past arch (chair) collar. Page 18
Pillars Degree torical legend. It was framed around seven “Pillar Officers” seated at individual Pillars, each figuratively representing one of the spirits of “The Lamb of God”, which opened the seven seals as described in the book of Revelations Chapter 6 – 8. The Pillars represented Wisdom; Strength; Beauty; Truth; Light; Power; and Glory, in chronological sequence and each was allocated a lighted lamp of distinct colour White; Black; Crimson; Red; Purple; Blue and Green.
United Sacred Band of Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests after the most Antient & Christian Order of Melchizedek. This body was better known locally as The Priestly Order, The Pillared Priests or simply as White Masons. This branch of Freemasonry was established in the Northeast corner of Ireland in the 18th century. Membership was by invitation extending solely to Brethren who were already High Knight Templars. The Order conferred the Degree of Knight Templar Priest within a body known as A Union Band, which were formed by qualified Brethren from a group of local Lodges. In order to form a Union Band, the Brethren concerned had merely to approach an adjacent existing Band for a Warrant. The sanction of Grand Lodge was not necessary. Each Band was known by its local name and by its number.
The regalia comprised a tunic or apron, plain white mantle, and a mitre. Each Union Band possessed a set of seven seals, one for each Pillar. The Pillar Seals were each impressed with a device and words. Ranging from the First to the Seventh Seal, the devices comprised A Lion; Anchor; Sun; Star; Winged Angel Face; Skull & Crossbones and A crown. When all seven seals are pressed sequentially onto a document, the resulting sentence forms the motto of the Order: Let Truth Stand Though the Universe Shall Sink into Ruin. Thanks to Bro. Bob Bashford from the Irish Masonic Network Facebook page.
In 1868 an attempt was made to regularise this Degree, by taking it under the control of The Great Priory of Ireland. This proved to be unsuccessful and drew the attention of The College of Rites in Dublin, who would not give recognition, which was an awful pity as this Degree was, in many ways, the local Irish homegrown alternative to The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, which was ultimately to gain wide acceptance throughout the island of Ireland. Sadly, by the end of the 19th century the Knight Templar Priests Degree was extinct in Ireland. The Knight Templar Priest Degree had no hisCross Keys May 2022
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The Mark Degree The Mark degree is often conferred annually—some brethren like it, some loathe it. Gould expressed that taking the mark in pre 18th Century lodges was not a degree, but a custom. In other words, operative masons were given their mark to get paid. The nature of it as a degree didn’t arise until approximately 1778 (according to Murray Lyon, the historian of the Lodge of Edinburgh). In Scotland, it is the only degree conferred in two Orders—Craft and Royal Arch due to a long time dispute. In 1845, SGRAC of Scotland made it imperative for all chapters to confer the degree. However, the Aberdeen chapters regarded this as a violation of their ancient landmarks and refused to comply. It was agreed that they could continue in their old ways . . .until older members died out and then all chapters started to confer the degree. Therefore, if we follow tradition, Royal Arch chapters should NOT confer the mark degree!
Masonic News 1874 Below is an excerpt from The Masonic News about a 242 annual festival held in the Cross Keys Hotel in December 1874.
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Royal Scots Greys The Royal North British Dragoons (better known as the Scots Greys due to the colour of their horses) had a lodge attached to the regiment in 1747 called Scotts Greys Kilwinning. Its charter was lost during the Seven Years’ War (mid 18th C) against France. The following newspaper article explains in detail: THE FREEMASONS' QUARTERLY REVIEW, MARCH 31, 1842 William, Lord Napier, was initiated December,1769 while the Hon. Colonel Napier. Soon afterwards, himself and several other officers of his regiment, the Scots Greys, presented a petition to Grand Lodge, for a charter of erection of a Military Lodge, and which was granted accordingly. On the 12th March, 1770, the formal constitution of the Lodge took place in the hall of St. John's Chapel (Edinburgh) at which ceremony his excellency General Adolphus Oughton presided in his capacity of Grand Master of Scotland. After a suitable address from that military and Masonic chief, the charter was delivered into the hands of Colonel Napier, as Worshipful Master thereof;
Captain Basil Heron being installed Depute Master; Sir John Nesbit, of Dean, as Senior Warden; John Nesbit, Esq., as Junior Warden; John Christie, Esq., as Treasurer; and Captain James Colquhoun, as Secretary of the New Lodge; which was duly formed and consecrated under the name and title of "The St. Andrew Royal Arch Lodge in the Scot's Greys, or Royal North British Dragoons (No.158). “Bro. Napier succeeded his father as Baron Napier, in 1773, but died about two years after, leaving his title to his eldest son, Francis, who became a Mason in the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge and was afterwards Grand Master of Scotland.
The lodge created a set of by-laws in 1770 which included having its installation on the first Monday after 14th March (reasoning was that it was expected that most brethren would be with the regiment and able to attend. Another law stated that no member of the N British Dragoons would be able to join any lodge other than St. Andrew Royal Arch Lodge in the Scot’s Greys. All decency was to be observed and no discussion of politics or singing bawdy songs were allowed. The list of candidates includes a Lt-Col, captains in the Royal Horse Guards, a surgeon, a clergyman and various civilians. In April, 1771, the lodge received a famous visitor— Bro. Thomas Dunkerley PGM of various provinces and hugely influential in the development of the Craft in England. Officially the lodge closed in 1816 although no meetings had been held for a number of years. In an article by Bro. David Murray Lyon, he states that the lodge charter is now in the possession of Mr F. White of Thornhill after receiving it from a great uncle, Captain Cowan Quarter Master, who served in the regiment for 43 years! Bro. Cowan was at that time the only freemason left in the regiment and when he retired, he took the charter and various relics of the lodge with him to Tarbolton. He died in 1824 and is buried in the Parish Graveyard—this is possibly the last brother of this old lodge. I wonder if this charter exists today?
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Indian Masonic Lodge The foundation stone of the grand building was laid on April 4, 1935 by the then Viceroy of India Lord Willingdon, soon after the new capital was built by legendary architect Bro. Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens and Bro. Sir Herbert Baker and opened in February 24, 1936 by the then Maharaja of Patiala. Some of the interior was designed by architect Bro. F. B. Blomfield whose black and white portrait photograph, showing him in masonic regalia is proudly hung in the entrance lobby of the Hall. He was a member of the Lodge Imperial, No 1163(SC). After Independence, the Freemasonry in India was reorganised. While some lodges chose to remain with the United Grand Lodge of England, with affiliation via English Constitution, Scottish Constitution or Irish Constitution, other lodges came together to assume a new identity as the Grand Lodge of India which was consecrated in 1961.
Masonry in the Public Lodge Dunlop Caledonia No.1408 has a new Past Master board situated in the local village hall in Dunlop, Ayrshire. Not only is it a very fine board, but being in the local hall, everyone can see this piece of masonic history. That in itself is vitally important, and well done to all the brethren who made it happen.
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Knight Templars of the 20th Century When the knights came marching in, you couldn’t miss them. That was certainly the case in 1883 and 1904, when the Knights Templar held their massive, triennial national conclaves in San Francisco—complete with enormous parades, banquets, military drill demonstrations, and equestrian competitions. Unfortunately, these have reduced today. Below: Thousands of “sir knights” descended on San Francisco for the 29th Knights Templar Triennial Conclave in 1904, turning Market Street into a virtual colour guard. Below Right: KT uniform featured a black wool coat and pants, red leather sword belt, buckle, and triangular apron with metal skull-and-crossed-bones insignia. The baldric consisted of a fabric sash worn across the shoulder and adorned with medals.
Above: The California Commandery No. 1 Drill Corps poses during the 29th Knights Templar Triennial Conclave in San Francisco of 1904.
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Captain Spiers, Grand Master Mason Captain Archibald Alexander Speirs 1841–1868 (father of Alexander Archibald Hagart Speirs) married Lady Anne Pleydell Bouverie in 1867 and died in his twenties of typhoid from the River Clyde in 1868. An extensive obituary appeared in the Paisley Herald and Renfrewshire Advertiser (2 January 1869), which read in part: 'Probably no death could have taken place in this county which would have caused such a general and profound sensation of regret as that of Captain Speirs. Little more than seven years ago he came of age, when the spirit and talent which he displayed gained him a great amount of admiration and respect, and he afterwards so conducted himself as to attain the high esteem not only of his numerous tenantry and friends but of the inhabitants generally of the county to which he belonged. This, along with his being the representative of a family which had always supported the Liberal interest, resulted in his being requested to come forward as a candidate for the representation of the County at the general election in 1865 in opposition to [Bro.] Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, when he was elected by upwards of two hundred of a majority. During his three years in Parliament he maintained his position as a consistent Liberal, and his short Parliamentary career gave so much promise of future usefulness that at the recent election he was again returned without opposition. With fine personal appearance and frank and urbane manner he readily won the favour of all with whom he came into contact, while his more enduring qualities secured for him their highest esteem. His social qualities were likewise of a high order, and as a Free Mason he was elected some time since Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Glasgow as successor to the late Sir Archibald Alison. In the autumn of 1867 he married the Hon. Anne Pleydel Bouverie, eldest daughter of Lord Folkstone, and grand-daughter of the Earl of Radnor. The "home-coming," about fifteen months' since was the occasion of great rejoicings in this county, and scarcely any mar-
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riage connection could have been formed under more auspicious circumstances. And only a few days ago their sky was still quite unclouded, and with not even a threatening speck in the horizon. A short month ago, and had any person in Renfrewshire been required to name the man in the county about thirty years of age, who had the most likely chance for long and happy and honoured life he might with all propriety have named Captain Speirs. Providence had showered upon him many of its choicest gifts. But none can stay "the inevitable hour,' and high as well as low can only submit and wonder. In last Parliament Captain Speirs was our youngest Scotch member, and his is the third death of the new House of Commons. Captain Speirs was descended from a line of distinguished Glasgow merchants. In 1844 he succeeded to the family estates, on the death of his father, Alexander Speirs, and when eighteen years of age he entered the army. In 1862 he was appointed to a captaincy in the Scots Fusilier Guards, and in 1867 [sic] he quitted the service, after being elected Member for the County. We have only further to add that if heartfelt sympathy with his wife and mother in their terrible bereavement can alleviate their sufferings it is theirs to a greater extent than is almost ever felt out of the narrow family circle.' Bro. Spiers was a Master Mason The Prince of Wales Lodge No 259(EC), a Master Mason The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No 1, Honorary Member (Affiliate) The Lodge of Glasgow St Mungo No 27 and Junior Grand Warden in The United Grand Lodge of England 1867-1868. He was elected PGM of Glasgow but sadly died in office the following year. He was also a founder of Lodge Capt. Spiers No.791 in Kilbarchan.
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The Mark Degree Solution May has always been the month for the Mark Degree in 242 (although 20 years ago it used 2. to be June). So what is the background and why is this the only ‘lodge’ degree conferred in two different masonic bodies? The earliest Official reference to the Mason’s Mark is the Schaw Statutes in 1598. The earliest record of the Mark being worked in a Scottish Lodge is to be found in the minutes of Lodge St. Operative at Banff in 1778. 3. Why conferred in two bodies? Two Committees (one from Grand Lodge of Scotland and the other SGRAC of Scotland) met at intervals between January 1860 and November 1860, 4. when a joint report was submitted to Grand Lodge. The report is rather lengthy, but an abridged version of it states, that very few the old St. John Lodge’s worked the mark, and the degree was entirely abandoned by the Grand Lodge of Scotland daughter Lodges. Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter assumed the management of it as the Fourth Degree of Masonry in order to complete the instruction of their candidates in the preliminary degrees before admitting them to the Royal Arch. The degree, however, whether viewed as a second part of the Fellow Craft Degree or as a separate degree, had never been recognised or worked in England, Ireland or the Continent or in America, as a part of St John's Masonry.
5.
ters which they already possess. That to prevent confusion with Brethren belonging to Lodges out of this kingdom, or with Sister Grand Lodges, this Degree, although held by the Grand Lodge to be a second part of the Fellow Craft Degree, shall only be conferred on Master Masons, and the secrets shall only be communicated in presence of those who have taken it either from a Lodge or Chapter entitled to grant it. That the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland shall adopt the same Ritual in conferring the Degree. That any candidate applying to be admitted to the Royal Arch Degree, if he has received the Mark Degree in a regular Lodge of St John's Masonry, shall not be required to take it a second time from the Chapter into which he seeks admission; but in the event of his not having received it, he shall be obliged to take it from that Chapter. That as regards the Royal Arch Degrees, the Mark Degree shall be reckoned as the Fourth Degree in Masonry.
[Ed: It is interesting to note that GL considered it to be the fourth degree so would the Excellent Master be the fifth and Royal Arch the sixth? All candidates for the Royal Arch must affiliate in Scotland to the Mark due to Number 4, but I am often asked if this is necessary. Personally, I think it detracts from the Excellent Master degree, but the dispute between both GL & SGRAC has ensured this continues into current practice over 160 years later – maybe time for an upgrade?]
It, therefore, now being desirable that an arrangement may be made which would reconcile the differences between the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter and resolve to recommend the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland to enFrom a Short Talk by Bro. act and declare as follows, viz.: J. Stewart Donaldson PM, 1. That all Lodges holding of the Grand Lodge Stirling Royal Arch Lodge of Scotland shall be allowed to No.76 work this degree in virtue of the char-
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A Young Mason Speaks Having a hearing impediment may hinder of what was going on and then asked me to you in certain aspects of life but not in Free- serve as in that role permanently when he masonry as the RWM of St Conval 1359, was RWM. Douglas Rathey is testament to. Jim then gently coaxed me into progressive But the road to get that point was rocky to office by telling me I would be great as Junsay the least. By Dougie’s own admission, he ior Deacon and that there was no harm in was a difficult child. trying it out in spite of my doubts. I had “I was full of anger at how unfair life was trepidations about going forward into Senior and acted out because of it. I caused my Deacon but I had a talk with PSPGM Alick poor mother umpteen sleepless nights and Currie in the tennis club after a meeting and did a lot of stupid things I regret. The one he assured me that everyone was behind me thing that kept me on the straight and nar- and the lodge would do all they could to help row was athletics. When I stopped doing me.” that around 17, I felt like I didn’t have anything”. Their belief paid off on 11th January 2020 when Dougie was installed as RWM. That was until close friend and WSW of St “It was the proudest moment of my life. I Conval, Daryl Collins floated the idea of still can’t believe it even now. I sometimes Freemasonry. think back to the moment Alick placed the “Daryl had been in discussions with Alan chain around my neck and still get goosePark who ran our Rangers supporters bus bumps. I’m so proud to be Master of St Conand has been responsible for numerous new val and represent our lodge within and outmembers joining the Craft. I read up on it with the province and I’ll never stop being and decided it was worth a go. We were ini- grateful to the brethren who helped get me tiated together in October 2011 and I was there.” raised in December of that year.” It isn’t all plain sailing in the East however. It was a struggle to adjust in the first few “I’ve always had a good memory so anyyears and Dougie thought about quitting on thing written down isn’t a problem as such. numerous occasions. It’s being caught off-guard by anything “I sat at the back and didn’t really know which isn’t in the ritual book or which pops what was going on for the most part. I was up in open lodge. I ask the brethren to let me making excuses to turn up late and go in know if they’re going to say beforehand so I with the visiting lodge as it was boring sit- know how to react and I’m lucky enough to ting there for around 45 mins as people have such a patient and knowledgable Dewould just talk around me. It was only the pute Master in Alan Sim to guide me through fact I liked the people there that prevented anything I require help with and IPM Stephen me throwing in the towel completely.” Blanchflower is a diamond of a guy who would do anything for me. With those 2 beIt was the Bruce brothers, Past Masters of St side me, I feel confident I can handle anyConval who were the first to reach out and thing which arises.” make life easier for him. “Alan Bruce was always asking what he The wearing of face masks over the past could do to help me and organised print- couple of years has caused more problems in outs of the opening and closing for me as that respect for those who rely on lipwell as getting the secretary to order a ritual reading to help them understand what is bebook for me. He invited me to sit in the north ing said to them. beside the Bible Bearer so I was more aware “The world became a lot smaller for deaf/ Cross Keys May 2022
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A Young Mason Speaks (ctd) HOH people” Dougie says. “It’s embarrassing visiting lodges having to constantly ask people to pull down their mask and sometimes you’re not even quite sure they’re talking to you. I’m glad they’ve been slowly phrased out but I can’t see them going away completely. I’ll just have to adapt to this new world, just like Freemasonry is.” St Conval have gained praise in the province for their youth system. Dougie estimates they have around 25-30 members under the age of 45 with more in the pipeline. “4 of our next 5 masters are under the age of 36 and our 3 candidates this year so far have been 30, 24 and 23” he states proudly “and it’s always a race to see who volunteers for the apron and tools first whenever we have a degree. It’s actually starting to become a concern that we won’t be invited to confer enough degrees to quench the thirst of the ‘Young Team’ who are desperate to get out and about as well as potentially running out of available office spaces. We’ll worry about that when the time comes, I guess.”
for Freemasonry in general. “There’s other lodges in the province with a decent amount of younger brethren like Houstoun St Johnstone 242, St Barchan 156 and St John’s Operative 347 whilst William Insch and Graham Hay have been doing fantastic work with the New Mason’s Forum over the last few years in engaging with younger brethren from different lodges and getting out to support them. Freemasonry can add a lot to anyone’s life and it’s allowed me to mingle with people who I would never normally move in the same social circles with as well as forcing me to think about my life and actions outside the lodge because I wanted to be just like the gentlemen I met within lodges instead. For young men seeking a sense of belonging, I don’t think there’s anything better than Freemasonry for aiding in their development as a human being.” For those thinking of taking the step from darkness to light, Dougie has a simple message: “Freemasonry has given me so much in life. Will you allow it to do the same for you?”
What is the secret to keeping these younger members involved? Dougie credits the atmos- Thanks to Bro. Dougie for this article and hopephere within the lodge as well as how approach- fully an inspiration to many young brethren. able the more experienced brethren are. “We’re all good mates and the fact there’s so many of us encourages newcomers to want to stay involved. There’s no egos amongst the old guard either - they happily step aside to allow us to do our thing whilst remaining in the background to reign in any potential overexuberance!” The Grand Master Mason himself has taken note of what’s going on at St Conval. “The GMM has been vocal from the start of his term about making Freemasonry more appealing to younger men and whilst staying true to its established values and I feel he’s done an excellent job in that respect. I actually reached out to him to tell him about my story when I first went into the chair and I was delighted he responded. Ever since then, he’s shown a keen interest in my progression and is making the time to come and see St Conval for himself which has caused great excitement.” Dougie believes the future is bright in PGLRE and
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A Mark Book As part of the Mark Master degree, each initiate selected a personally meaningful emblem that the lodge or chapter secretary then recorded. This book contains members' marks from the King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter in Greenwich Village, Massachusetts. Martha S. Harding, the daughter of chapter member Alpheus Harding (17801869), illustrated most of the marks in pen-
cil, ink and watercolour, lending colour and polish to the chapter’s records. Martha Harding likely honed her painting skills while a student at New Salem Academy from 1822 to 1829.
The Isaac Rich The painting shows the three-masted barkentine "Isaac Rich" entering Livorno, Italy in 1876 under full sail; flags on mast include the ship's swallowtail flag or pennant, which is red and reads, "Isaac Rich," flying from the mainmast, an American flag from the gaff, a Jack from the foremast, and a blue flag with Masonic square and compasses flying from the mizzenmast; in varying shades of blues, greens, reds. A port and other ships are visible in the background. Inscribed along the bottom, "Bark Isaac Rich of New York, W.B. Sheldon Master entering Leghorn Febry. 19th 1876." The dark blue banner let others know that the captain or owner of the ship was a proud Freemason. This painting descended in the family of the ship’s master, William Bartlett Sheldon (ca. 1826 –1903). At the time Renault painted this scene, Bro. Sheldon of Beverly, New Jersey, was Master of the Issac Rich. A professional ship master, Sheldon served as an Acting Volunteer Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. While Acting Master of the gunboat steamer U.S.S. Flambeau, operating in South Carolina waters, he was captured in May 1863 while hunting on Bull's Island, and confined in the Confederate military prison at Columbia. Exchanged, he returned home to be raised a Master Mason in Burlington Lodge No. 32 in June 1863. Lt. Sheldon served in the navy until honourably discharged in 1865. Cross Keys May 2022
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Interesting article on the GL website about Dr. Baxter who attended Napoleon on St. Helena who joined the Craft in St. Mungo No.27 in Glasgow.
PGL Renfrewshire East The first PG Committee and Triannual meetings of the new Commission have now been successfully held and the outstanding PGL Office Bearers and Stewards have been installed. 35 Annual Visitations have been completed with the last 2 rescheduled for the end of May.
The 100th Anniversary rededication of Lodge Moorpark No 1263 by Grand Lodge will finally take place on Saturday 7th May. PGL will also carry out rededications of Lodge Inchinnan No 1405, Lodge St Andrew No 524 and Lodge Kil Bryd No 1667 across the summer recess. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a relaxing summer recess, hopefully we’ll all be back fully refreshed in September and looking forward to the Installations starting in October. Ronnie PGM
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Leicestershire Freemasons’ Hall Freemasons’ Hall in London Road, Leicestershire has been the home to 79 lodges and the Province’s museum since 1909. It was a former Georgian house, purchased by the Freemasons. The Holmes Lodge Room (below), one of the finest in the country, was designed by local architect Howard H Thompson.
In the Museum can be seen a fine collection of Masonic Aprons and certificates, which date back to the early eighteenth century. They include items of regalia once worn by Frederick Augustus, Duke of York and Albany 1763 – 1827, as well as some of the earliest membership and clearance certificates to be found in England. In addition to regalia associated with Craft Masonry, there is a collection of items belonging to many other orders of Freemasonry linked with the Province. Over the years the Museum has also been given items that are not in themselves Masonic, belonging for example to one or other of the various Friendly Societies which emerged during the nineteenth century and which closely paralleled Freemasonry without being condemned as ‘quasi-masonic’. Amongst these collections can be found the regalia which at one time belonged to William Kelly PGM (above) whose Masonic career spanned the second half of the nineteenth century, and who was in effect the godfather of Masonry in the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland.
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Masonic Apps
A number of Apps (from the App Store) are available, the common ones being from Grand Lodges and general freemasonry types. One even includes music for the organist. Perhaps this is something Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodges should think about.
Edinburgh Business Directory Interesting idea from the Edinburgh group. This directory is common in many Grand Lodge districts across the US and elsewhere. Brethren in days gone by used to advertise on shops etc.
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Unique Double with St. Columba
Largs Royal Arch Chapter and Cryptic Council celebrated 100 years last month—due to Covid, some anniversaries have been doubled to get through the back log. However, it proved to be a very enjoyable day with the MEC First Grand Principal Joe Morrow running things in his usual efficient manner. He was presented with the image (top right) which is a remarkable likeness! Below: the main OBs of the chapter and the council (MEC Alan Buntain and TIM Andrew Gough) with SGRAC OBs and the heads of the local Orders including the master of Lodge Largs St. John Kilwinning No.173 Bro. Andrew McIntyre.
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Royal Order of Scotland
Bro. Willie Fleming PM 1042 HM 242 has been commissioned as Provincial Grand Master in Glasgow and will be installed in October. The other PGM is Robin Sutherland (another very good friend of 242) from Carrick and Annandale & Archie Chalmers is the IPPGM of Carrick and Annandale.
Perkins Lodge No.402 The Past Master’s jewel is from Perkins Lodge No.402 under the GL of Pennsylvania, dated 1878. In 1985, the lodge merged with St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia and so no longer exists with the number 402 vacant. It is typically an English style jewel showing Euclid’s 47th Proposition, but is a very ornate jewel.
To submit an article or want added to the mail list or Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod: E-Mail:
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