Cross Keys April 2016

The Cross Keys April 2016

The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone

In this issue: General Franco 242 Grand Master in Georgia Unusual Lodge Buildings Daylight Lodge, Australia Lodge St. John Dalmuir No.543 Collier Street in Johnstone Charity Mark Degree

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Number 192

Why did Franco hate the Freemasons?

It’s never too late. That was the spirit in which Spain’s freemasons held their recent annual assembly in Madrid, welcoming representatives of lodges from all over the world. The meeting came after a number of other major events organized by Spain’s Grand Lodge in recent months, all part of a bid by an organization that was once ferociously persecuted by General Francisco Franco to rebuild its reputation and establish that it isn’t, and never has been, a danger to the country.

During his 40-year dictatorship, Franco was fond of referring to the “Jewish-Masonic conspiracy,” even doing so in his final speech, given from the balcony of the Royal Palace in September 1975, less than two months before his death. With the dictator out of the way, Spain began its slow transition toward democracy, as political parties, labor unions, and religious movements were all legalized and civil rights restored. All except for the freemasons, that is, who had to wait until 1979 to be legalized, and only then after the High Court had overruled the Interior Ministry’s initial refusal to allow them to be registered.

After Franco died, there was arguably greater resistance to legalizing the freemasons than there was to allowing the Communist Party to operate Franco, a devout Catholic, was not alone in his mistrust of the freemasons: in 2005, Pope Benedict described masonry as a sin; and interestingly enough, his successor, Pope Francis shares this view, despite his liberal tendencies. “On this earth toward the end of the 19th century, the conditions for the growth of young people were dreadful. This region was filled with masons, priest-haters, anticlericalists, and Satanists,” declared the Argentinean pontiff at a meeting of young Catholics in Turin last September.

A few weeks later, a Spanish bishop suspended a priest for being a mason, while the Catholic Church’s Infovaticana magazine accused the organization of a range of crimes, including murder. Spain’s Grand Lodge brushed off the incidents in a humorous article in its publication, El Oriente, pointing out that the founders of three of the world’s biggest car manufacturers – the Chrysler brothers, Henry Ford and Andre Gustave Citroen – were all masons: “Criticism of the conspiracy is correct,” ran the article. “Do you want a real argument to feed anti-masonic feeling? Without Ford, the Chrysler brothers and Citroen, there would be no traffic jams.”

Nevertheless, some of Spain’s institutions are doing their bit to help restore the reputations of masons who suffered under Franco. In January, Madrid’s College of Lawyers rehabilitated the memory of 61 members who were expelled in 1939. In the wake of Franco’s victory in the civil war that year, dozens of freemasons, some of them well-known figures, were either exiled, imprisoned or, in some cases, shot. In 2005, Pope Benedict described masonry as a sin, a view his successor Pope Francis has shared Which partly explains why Spain’s Senate this year invited members of the country’s Grand Lodge to take part in official acts as part of the United Nations’ International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, although it did so at the insistence of Isaac Querub, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, who had previously called on the upper house to invite Grand Master Oscar de Alfonso Ortega and the head of the Spanish masons’ Grand Council, Jesus Gutierrez Morlote.

In fact, even some senior members of the Catholic Church are taking a more forgiving position. Italian cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Papal College for Culture, recently published an article in L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican’s daily newspaper, entitled “Dear Brothers in the Masons,” calling for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the freemasons.

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Why did Franco hate the Freemasons? (ctd) It has to be said, though, that in the four decades since Spain has returned to democracy, the freemasons’ efforts to be accepted have met with mixed fortunes. At the most recent World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges, held in San Francisco in November 2015, Oscar de Alfonso Ortega told delegates: “Our country occupies a particular place in the history of persecution we have suffered, but that isn’t where the enigma lies. The masons who visit us, who take their status as such in their own country for granted, realize that democratic Spain has made no effort to restore the honour of this institution.” The theme of Spain’s Grand Lodge for 2016 is “Let your actions, not your words, speak for you.”

De Alfonso Ortega attended the San Francisco conference bearing an unusual responsibility: aside from representing Spanish masons, since last summer he has presided the IberoAmerican Masonic Confederation, one of the most important regional masonic organizations in the world, with around 10,400 lodges in 25 countries and a combined membership of 350,000. “For Spanish masons, who number just 3,000, aside from being an honour [this responsibility] will help strengthen our Order here and internationally,” he says. The masons who visit us realize that democratic Spain has made no effort to restore the honour of this institution GRAND MASTER OSCAR DE ALFONSO ORTEGA. Fall 1958, the Pardo Palace in the outskirts of Madrid: Franco’s official residence. Two US senators, along with a high-ranking military man, are received by Generalissimo Francisco Franco. Their mission is to sound out the dictator about a possible visit by the then president of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. What kind of reception would he get? Franco is delighted at the prospect, and begins expanding on the need to eradicate once and for all the Communist threat, and is willing to help the United States in its fight against the Soviet Union, hoping to win the support of the West in the process – after all, it had only been admitted to the United Nations in December 1955. Carried away in his euphoria, Franco also declares that freemasonry must also be done away with. At which point, one of the senators politely interrupts: “Sir, President Eisenhower is a protestant, I’m a mason, and my colleague here in the Senate is Jewish. We would all be in jail if we lived in Spain.” The military man, Eugene Vidal, an old-school Yankee blueblood and head of aeronautics at West Point military academy, drove home the point with a certain degree of sarcasm: “No, no my dear sir, I’m also a mason and I too would be shot here.” The story of the meeting was told many years later by US writer Gore Vidal, the son of Eugene Vidal and the grandson of another US senator, Thomas P. Gore.

Franco was reportedly livid, but the prospect of parading through the streets of the Spanish capital alongside the leader of the free world was too much to resist, and he kept his views on the freemasons to himself after that. Eisenhower finally visited Spain in December 1959.

Of course it was not just the masons who Franco felt threatened his vision of Spain: he had only just allowed the first protestant churches to reopen, despite the vociferous opposition of the Catholic Church. By the late 1950s a few Jewish families had also cautiously returned. Six of the Second Republic’s prime ministers were masons, among them Manuel Azana.

What the United States perhaps was unaware of, and that has largely been overlooked in Franco’s long list of crimes, is that the dictator had already virtually eradicated masonry from Spain. Some historians have wondered why Franco loathed the movement so much: some have speculated it might have been because his brother and father, both of whom he is said to have hated, were masons, and that he had been rejected by a lodge. The masons have always been associated with anti-clericalism and liberalism, both anathemas to Franco. What is beyond dispute is that in 1936, when he launched his uprising that led to the civil war, he Cross Keys Apr 2016

Why did Franco hate the Freemasons? (ctd) made the 6,000 or so masons in Spain one of his prime targets. Once in power, legislation was soon passed outlawing freemasonry, and some 18,000 trials were held that led to firing squads, long prison sentences, and exile, along with the seizure of all property belonging to anybody convicted of belonging to the freemasons.

After Franco died, there was arguably greater resistance from Spain’s institutions to legalizing the freemasons than there was to allowing the Communist Party to operate. There was a time when the masons were both numerous and powerful in Spain. There were 151 masons among the 470 parliamentarians who made up the first legislature of the Second Republic in 1931. Little wonder that Franco described the Republic as a masonic operation. Six of the Second Republic’s prime ministers were masons, among them Manuel Azana, along with 20 ministers and 14 undersecretaries. A further 21 masons served as generals in the army.

From El Pais 24/3/2016

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Bro. George Houstoun, Grand Master Georgia George Houstoun was the son of Sir Patrick Houstoun, a cousin of George Houstoun 3rd laird of Johnstone whose nephew also George would become 4th Laird and fue the lands of Johnstone into what we recognise today. The 4th Laird son, was William, our founding master.

After Sir Patrick and his family moved to Savannah as a merchant—Sir Patrick and his sons were all members of Solomon’s Lodge No.1 in Savannah. Sir George must have been present at the initiation of his four sons. He became Grand Master 1790—1792 and Freemasonry obviously meant a great deal as he left a sizeable amount of money to the Grand

Lodge in his will. The Houstoun family would have been attracted to the cotton trade and today, their lodge is housed in the old Cotton Exchange building.

A group of dissident Freemasons in Savannah, disapproving the workings of Solomon's Lodge, petitioned the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1784 for a charter to organize a Lodge.

Their petition was granted by Pennsylvania on March 31, 1785, the Lodge being listed on Pennsylvania's register as no. 42, to be known as Hiram Lodge, Savannah, Georgia.

In the true spirit of Freemasonry the differences between the two Lodges were soon reconciled. In the following year it is known that two additional Lodges existed in the state, one at Augusta and one at Washington. It is believed these four Lodges, on December 16, 1786, met together and created the most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Georgia. William Stephens, Past Master of Solomon's Lodge, now No. 1, and the first U.S. Court Judge in Georgia, was elected and installed Grand Master.

The Grand Lodge of Georgia was formed in December 1786, most likely presented its address, dated Savannah, 14 May, and signed by Grand Master George Houstoun, to the president the same day it was written, and GW probably replied shortly thereafter on his last full day in Savannah. Savannah merchant George Houstoun (1744–1795), son of Sir Patrick Houstoun, became grand master of the Grand Lodge in December 1789.

A delegation of the Grand Lodge gathered at Brown’s Coffeehouse on 14 May and proceeded

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Bro. George Houstoun, Grand Master Georgia (ctd) in Masonic order to GW’s lodgings where Houstoun delivered the address to the president: “Sir and Brother. The Grand Master, Officers and Members of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, beg leave to Congratulate you, on your arrival in this City. Whilst your exalted Character, claims the respect and deference of all Men, They, from the benevolence of Masonic principles approach you with the familiar declaration of Fraternal affection.

Happy indeed That Society, renowned for its Antiquity, and pervading influence over the enlightened World, which having ranked a Frederick at its head, can now Boast of a Washington as a Brother, A Brother who is justly hailed the Redeemer of his Country, raised it to Glory, and by his conduct in Public and private life has evinced to Monarchs, that true Majesty, consists not in splendid Royalty, but in intrinsic Worth. With these sentiments they rejoice at your presence in this State, and in common with their Fellow Citizens, Greet you Thrice Welcome, flattering themselves, that your Stay will be made agreeable. May the Great Architect of the Universe preserve you, whilst engaged in the Work allotted you on Earth, and long continue you the Brightest Pillar of our Temple, and when the Supreme Fiat Shall Summon you hence, They pray the Mighty I am, may take you into his holy keeping.”

From George Washington to the Georgia Masons, 14 May 1791: Gentlemen, I am much obliged by your congratulations on my arrival in this city—and I am highly indebted to your favourable opinions. Every circumstance concurs to render my stay in Savannah agreeable, and it is cause of regret to me that it must be so short. My best wishes are offered for the welfare of the fraternity, and for your particular happiness, Go: Washington

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Some Unusual Lodge Rooms

Two unusual photos of lodge rooms.

One is a modern temple, in the US I believe. The photo to the right is Sterling Lodge No.171 in Kansas (US) with an amazing carpet which I’m sure would be quite dramatic for any candidate (and visitor). For further photos of this lodge, see their Facebook page.

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A Blast from the Past 0n 28th February, 2004, 242 attended the Re-Dedication Ceremony of Lodge Royal Blues No.399 by Bro. Stuart Lanes PGM Ayrshire. The deputation from 242 is shown below with the master of 399.

How many brethren can you name?

Back: Garry Forbes JD, Des McCulloch WSW, Alex Smith RWM, A Galbraith RWM 399, Brian Smolarek WJW and Alex Stobo SD Middle: John Flannagan PM, Alex Wilson, David Golding Tres, Graham Scott PM SM, Norrie Duff, Grant Macleod PM Front: Archie Sinclair, Peter Smolarek PM DoC and Brian Kerr PM IG

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Daylight Lodge in Victoria, Australia The Lodge to which I belong is a Daylight Lodge who meet in the day time, we tyle at 10am. 1st Wednesday in the month, the meeting goes until about 12noon (12-30pm. regularly though) after which time we have a luncheon in the South. The luncheon is prepared by the Ladies of the Lodge (wives of the members) amounting to a 3 course meal: soup, salad/main meal and sweets. Alcohol and soft drinks on the tables at the Lodge’s cost. However as tradition requires a bottle of scotch is available for those who wish to imbibe paid for by the Master. As we arrive down from the Lodge meeting there is sherry, sweet and dry, for a pre-meal, again if desired. We usually leave for home about 2pm.

-2-30pm.

Night Lodges meeting at the Masonic Centres follow similar patterns. They tyle at 730pm. supper at about 9-30pm. closing about 11-30pm. The Daylight Lodges are for Brethren who cannot or prefer not to drive at Night. I am a member having been a Foundation Member of the Lodge who when I retired from regular work resigned from my Night Lodge (Comacine–Acanthus Lodge No. 400) to join the Daylight Lodge.

In February we are holding an Open Night when we invite guests , husbands and wives/ partners, to attend a night at the Centre, give them a light finger food welcome, take them into the Lodge room where a fully qualified speaker tells them about us and our heritage.

Then retire to the South for a finger food meal, walking around talking to the guests answering queries etc. . It is a recruiting event really, (don’t like calling it that but sometimes we need to be honest). The District had one at the Waverley Centre in November , about 15 miles away, they had 16 men take papers with a further 3 asking for papers a week or so later. Naturally they need Proposers and Seconders as is the normal requirement.

From Bro. Robert Bruce McGregor was Master of three Lodges, a member of the 1981 Grand Lodge Team as their Grand Pursuivant , have been on many Grand Lodge Committees , and currently secretary of the Belgrave Masonic Centre where the Lodge meets. Sadly Bro. Robert died a couple of years ago.

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Lodge St. John Dalmuir No.543 As can be seen from the meetings below, 242 has invited Lodge St. John Dalmuir No.543 to confer degree for the first time. The master’s brother is a member of this lodge and it is fitting that an inter-visit should take place. However, a wee background snippet of information on the lodge was found in the Glasgow Herald on 12th October 1936:

April Events in 242

Thursday 14th—EAD by OBs

Thursday 28th—FCD by St. Barchan No.156 Visit: Thursday 21st—EAD at Craigends, Linwood

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Royal Arch Unsustained (January 1873) The rapidity with which masons are made these days, and the knowledge (or lack of knowledge) which they have of our institutions, cannot be better illustrated than by the following incident, which came under our observation: a brother was exalted and before twelve months had left for New York. Destitute of any knowledge of Capitular Masonry, and desirous of visiting a chapter, he was refused for not knowing the necessary word and manner of communicating it whereupon, he posted a letter to the Recorder of his Chapter for it and for instructions! It was out pleasure to read this letter—a perfect gem of masonic ignorance.

This individual companion does not stand solitary and alone in the Masonic world , but has a host for company. A year’s subscription and the perusal of a well conducted Masonic journal would have saved him from becoming the butt and laughing stock of his chapter.

Entered Apprentice (July 1873) The privileges of an EA are few and the reason is three-fold—from the analogy of his duties at the building of the temple to having a fragmentary account of knowledge to having the ability to undergo a probationary period before being eligible for advancement.

At the building of the temple, EAs were mere bearers of burdens and workmen in the quarries who got out the rough stone. As learners, they must work to become masters by proving themselves worthy of advancement through more light. They were required to be well and truly prepared before their initiation so. not less is expected now, but far more since their knowledge has been largely increased and their hearts operated by the union of forces as potent as they have been novel.

No brother is entitled to advancement until he exhibits proficiency in his former degree; and it is the duty of every master to see that this standard is maintained. The EA has been brought to Masonic light and if he voluntarily chooses to go back to darkness, let him remain there until he avails himself of the knowledge that is within his grasp. When he is master of this then let him receive his second degree.

Ed: Where else can a probationer receive a two week period and expect to know all about a degree as we often do in Scottish masonry? Possibly not the best training and we are doing a disservice to every candidate under this system.

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Kansas Masons donate $2.5million Masons from 220 lodges in Kansas have donated a total of $2.5 million to three Kansas State University programs.

The Kansas Masonic Foundation’s gifts will support the Kansas PRIDE program, the Centre for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Kansas PRIDE encourages volunteers to work with local governments to improve their communities. The Centre for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship works to improve entrepreneurial opportunities at Kansas State and throughout Kansas. The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs focuses on military-related institutional policies, education, research and outreach.

Foundation president Michael Tavares says the organisation wants to expand its partnership with the university through the three programs. The foundation also is celebrating its 50th anniversary by launching a $20 million fundraising campaign for community improvements.

The Goat...

This picture depicts a goat-riding side degree team most-likely from an Odd Fellows or Woodmen of the World Lodge. It may look like a Masonic Lodge with the pillars and York Rite banners in the background but many Masonic Lodges rented their Lodges out to these other fraternal groups!

It sure is an unusual array of costumes and paraphernalia. Does anyone have any ideas about the photo?

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Collier Street A good view of Collier Street in Johnstone before 1910. The building on the left with the

red roof is the current position of the lodge—the markings on the wall of the old house’s roof can still be seen. The grand building on the left is the Town Chambers, Court and Police Office. This is where the town crest was rescued from after it was left unclaimed.

The bottom picture is the same scene but from later when this site was vacant.

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Pause to think!

Some questions after the EAD which I’m sure are easy to recognise, but does everyone remember them?

1.

Where were you first prepared to be a freemason?

2.

Where were you made a freemason ?

Answers on next page.

Where was this lodge in Glasgow?

The above building will be fondly remembered to many brethren in 138 Butterbiggens Road, Glasgow which was home to Lodge Clydesdale No. 556, with many other lodges renting. Sadly, now a Muslim mosque.

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Pause to think!

Answers 1.

In my heart.

2.

In the body of a lodge, just, perfect and regular.

Strange Buy! A rather strange booklet for sale on Amazon—our old bye-laws from 1948. No one read them then so why would anyone want to now?!!!!

Grumpy PMs?

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An Interesting Advert

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Charity Mark Degree A special charity degree will take place on Friday 29th April, 2016 at 7.30pm in the premises of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242. The charity this time is the RAF Benevolent Fund (having just celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain).

All monies raised will be matched pound for pound by the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland.

The mark lodge will be opened by Bro. Jim Gregory and handed over to Bro. John Syme PM 129 who will act as Mark Master with brethren from various lodges assisted in the degree.

All brethren are welcome.

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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

Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo PM for proof reading.

Don’t forget to support The Ashlar magazine— Scotland’s only Masonic magazine.

Just click on the magazine to find out more.

Cross Keys Apr 2016