Cross Keys April 2018 (Freemasonry)

The Cross Keys April 2018

Number 209

The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242

Cross Keys April 2018

From the Editor An interesting quote from Illustrious John Wm. McNaughton 33°, the immediate Past Sovereign Grand Commander of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (AASR-NMJ). Brother McNaughton lays out his opinions on the current state of Freemasonry: “Today, many Masonic leaders no longer prioritize the same lofty ideals as did our forefathers. Focus has turned from the timeless principles of our craft to the ephemeral practice of arbitrarily enforcing rules and regulations. It is painful to think about what happened to the golden age of Freemasonry, when our members cared more about each other than about edicts and procedures. Today, it seems that some leaders of the fraternity are more concerned about the needs of the institution than the needs of the members. Buildings come first. Ritual comes first. Procedures come first.

Everything but our obligation to each other has been given priority.”

Page 9 has an article from California and despite its age, it is as relevant today as it was then. Sadly, we may not have learned anything in the interim period, but we cannot afford to ignore some of the lessons of the past. Every brother has a part to play in the future of the Craft. So let’s all take up that challenge and ensure we have a Craft to pass onto the next generation.

The Cross Keys is a free magazine distributed across the many countries in order to spread the good (and sometimes not so good) qualities of the Craft. All views are of individual brothers and not any organised body.

Editor: Bro. N. Grant Macleod PM of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242 PM of The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814 Past Provincial Grand Secretary of the Province of Renfrewshire East.

Proof Reader: Bro. Allan Stobo PM of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242 Treasurer 242

All Scottish Constitution.

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In this issue: 3

Thoughts on Initiation

4

The Melissino Rite

7

The Royal Arch, Dundee

8

Kaiser Wilhelm

9

Leadership

10 Un-Numbered Lodges 11 2nd Duke of Atholl 12 GMs’ Conference 2017 13 Mark Wright Degree 18 Scottish Districts 1747 19 A Challenge?

20 Secrets of the Masons

April Meetings Thursday 12th EA by OBs

Thursday 26th FC by St. Barchan No.156 7.30pm start

17th May Joint Divine Service at Craigends, Linwood at 7pm

Thoughts on Initiation

M

ost brethren will agree that Freemasonry is an initiatic order; if practised over time, it can help self-discipline, selfdiscovery and self-improvement. Today many people are involved with mindfulness and meditation. The startling fact is that masonry and mindfulness have a great many similarities and by following the lessons and guiding principles of the Craft, it can lead to better lifestyles. The following is a quote defining mindfulness, but with a couple of changes.

and active masons is better than 80 of whom 50/60 are there for a pint. Sure it can keep large buildings, but we are much more than that.

Masonry is the inherent human ability to be fully aware of where we are and what we are doing. Masonic ceremonies are focusing on the present without regretting about the past or day-dreaming about the future. Masonry is about the ‘here and now,’ and it allows us to wake up and experience our present lives to the fullest.

How many have come across ‘managers’ today who are promoted beyond their capabilities? Education is full od heads and deputes who are in these positions because they cannot teach and have desperately wanted out the class. Many have never been heads of their department. I’m sure every sector has a similar story today.

Lodges and ritual have developed over time from a philosophical society, a custodian of ancient mystical knowledge to what many brethren describe as an empty charitable institution no different from any local charity. However, this last description I completely disagree with as the Craft is much more. Yes, we have changed and have become more open. Has that helped membership or public perception? No. In the West of Scotland non-masons still see us as an extension to the Orange Society; in other places it’s just another charity.

Where does the Craft fit? By making better people (ie. able to deal with their fellows, be more caring, etc) then managers could be better at man management simply by being more human. The lessons of the degrees can help is all sorts of ways, but we need to get these meanings to the brethren. Degrees themselves are not enough—they start the process and masons must continue this life long learning.

Perhaps we return to some traditional values. Why have many lodges changed their address from a Masonic Temple to a Masonic Hall/Centre? To appease the pubic. They criticise anyway so why change?

We shouldn’t—men have been practising masonry since the 16th century. Many lodge numbers in the 19th century were averaging 20-30 brethren. Many lodges are returning to that figure and I don’t see anything wrong with that. 20/30 interested

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Admission to a lodge is a privilege and should be treated as such. There is nothing wrong in our ceremonies. In fcat they do as often said—make men better. This might be in a modern sense of giving masons more meaning in their lives, helping their fellow beings, making masons become better and more useful at work.

The Melissino Rite Pyotr Melissino was born on the Greek island of Cephalonia in 1726 and his father was a physician who belonged to the noble Greek family of Melissenos. He received a thorough education in his youth and was fluent in many languages including Russian, German, Italian, French, Turkish as well as his native Greek, he also knew some Latin and English. Melissino arrived in Russia during the reign of Peter the Great and ended his career as VicePresident of the Commerce Collegium in 1740-45.

arbitrary continuations of the dismal legend concerning Hiram. In this degree the Lodge was called the Dark Vault and was covered in black, illuminated by the glow spread by 9 signal lanterns, together with 2 vases of burning spirits.

Instead of a Mallet, the four-time Venerable Master (called Gabaon) used a bell and light, the symbol of eternal Truth, which is trapped in a lantern. The number four (sacred number of the degree) was repeated in every form.

During the Russo-Turkish War, 1768-1774, Melissino was in charge of the Russian artillery. His efficient command helped Russian forces prevail against a fourfold numerical superiority of the Ottomans at Khotin, Larga, and Kagula. In 1783, he was appointed Director of the Artillery and Engineering Corps in St. Petersburg. He is remembered as an organizer of the artillery education in the Russian Empire. After the ascension of Emperor Paul, Melissino was put in charge of the entire Russian artillery but died the following year.

The legend of the fifth degree was concerned with the later finding of the coffin of Hiram.

According to the ritual of the Scottish Master, or more properly speaking, Scottish Knight, the degree was founded by King Solomon himself and “was valuable in the second age of the World”. The number of the Knights was originally only eight but was afterwards increased to sixteen. All who aspired to this dignity were carefully proved and tried and tested and were required to be learned in the seven liberal arts. Moreover, they had to manage the Treasury of the King and of the Temple and to defend them in war, even to sacrifice of their lives. The clothing of their rank, called Ephata, was long, of red cloth, bordered with gold, their sashes red and green, worn over the right shoulder, from which the Scottish Knights have derived their present similar custom of wearing the sash. This Scottish legend of the lost treasure returning to Scotland was important within the Rite.

His son Aleksey Melissino, a Major General, was killed in the Battle of Dresden (1813) and his brother, Ivan Melissino, was Dean of the Moscow University under Catherine the Great.

It is not exactly know when Melissino was initiated into Freemasonry, but before 1765 when it appears his own rite of seven degrees started in St. Pertersburg. This consisted of the three Craft degree followed by: 4. Dark Vault; 5. Scottish Master; 6. Philosopher; 7. Spiritual Knight or Magnus Sacerdos Templariorum The fourth grade of Melissino's Rite dealt mainly with the story of the search for and burial of the dead body of Master Hiram. The history of the fourth grade offers a new variant of the various Cross Keys April 2018

The sixth degree which was short was described as a motley conglomeration of solemn oaths and prayers, inculcating the fear of God humility and self – denial. According to Galiffe seven altars, including the High Altar, have been prepared in the Lodge garnished with white wax candles. Arriving at the High Altar, the candidate promised, in the most exalted words, blind obedience, even for penitence that his superiors can inflict. (Singular innovation in Masonry!) Humility is the cardinal virtue of this

The Melissino Rite (ctd) grade. A key aspect of this degree centres on testing an initiate “as to whether he is sufficiently instructed in the secrets of the Chamber of Wisdom. If so, then the new “philosopher” is encouraged to go forward and discover for yourself our hieroglyphs. The catechism in this degree also emphasizes how the initiate has been born-again and is ready to contribute towards the goal of freemasonry to restore the Golden Age. In the seventh degree, the fact that his Rite combined chivalric and clerical mythology and rituals linked to the Knights Templar and various liturgical practices alongside Rosicrucian-style esoteric philosophy is most apparent. 36 out 82 pages describe this degree alone.

In front of the altar could be seen a white curtain, which was decorated with a red cross produced from the convergence of four black daleths as shown.

It is worth mentioning here that the use of the colours black, white and red had an alchemical meaning, symbolising death, purification and rebirth, as well as relating to the passion and resurrection of Christ.

The following lectures are very alchemical in nature and conclude that wisdom is pronounced to be “the knowledge of God and the whole of nature.” The catechism then discusses Genesis, whereby it is stated that the divine spirit formed from Chaos and took the form of the light. This light is understood in an alchemical sense; namely it was divided into the pure (from which the sky was formed) and the impure, from which the volcanic matter of the earth’s crust was formed.

After the discussion of Creation, the ceremony switches dramatically to the ritualistic death of the initiate, which involves the candidate washing his hands in holy oil seven times, before the high-priest invokes death by pronouncing the Latin phrase Ecce homo (“Behold the Man” familiar to Conclave Masons), which was uttered by Pilate in the Vulgate version of John 19:5 when Cross Keys April 2018

he presents a scourged Jesus before his crucifixion. After lying face down on a straw mattress for several minutes, the initiate is ‘resurrected’ and anointed with holy oil.

There now followed a long lecture by the High Priest which fused Templar symbolism, complex cabbalistic interpretations, Christian theosophy, Hermeticism, and abundant alchemical imagery based on the stages necessary to produce the philosophers’ stone. It further emphasised the Scottish Templar legend in which the PGM of Auvergne fled to Scotland in 1313 linking the Craft words with Jacobus Burgundicus Molaius (KT Grand Master) and then its Hermetic meaning Ignis, Materis Balneum (fire and the seabath).

Melissino specifically refers to the acacia as the primal matter of the Alchemists, from which is produced a stone – salt crystals, a veritable vegetable stone – the same being identified as the legendary stone of the philosophers. Melissino says that: “The cubical stone is the alkaline universalsalt ...The Master’s Degree speaks to us of the acacia found upon Hiram’s grave. This is the true [primal] matter, from which the philosophers create their treasures. It is the true light of the world, from which glorious Hiram shall rise again under the guise of the Redeemer. It is the burning coal of which Isaiah (in chap. 6:6-7) [speaks], and which must be prepared in accordance with the secret system of the wise men of old and the philosophers [i.e., the Alchemists].

The tracing board is then uncovered and the High Priest expounds upon the esoteric laws preserved by the Order since antiquity: “We, High Priest and Knights Templar, have received, handed down to us by three pupils of Pythagoras and Zeno […] the hermeticcabbalistic science and the secret of the divine magic. The Order and the Laws of our Sacred Conclave command that we convey our sciences to only a few Chosen Ones of our Chapter, so that secrets of such importance shall not be profaned.”

The Melissino Rite (ctd) Although Elagin discussed Adam Kadmon as the primordial man in the fall, the Melissino Rite used its symbolism in a much more esoteric and hermetic manner rather than just the purely philosophical.

Two heavily Kabbalistic tracing boards are delivered stressing how all the secrets of masonry and the Royal Art are combined into one interpretation. The alchemical interpretation does not merely describe the long-cherished goal of producing the philosophers’ stone, but also skilfully associates alchemy with references to fire linked to Old Testament prophets, as well as the masonic legend of Hiram’s murder.

This is followed by an equally spectacular (and highly complex) theosophical interpretation which is only meaningful with at least a basic knowledge of the Kabbalah.

The Melissino Rite was only practiced in Russia between the mid 1760s and 1782. He was horri-

fied at the thought of his Rite being viewed as anti-sovereign. when the Empress started closing down secret societies, Melissino decided to close his lodges. The Rite attracted various important Russian masons and its importance and influence should not be underestimated.

PGL Renfrewshire West Congratulations to Bro. Robin McIntyre, the new Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West.

Bro. Robin is a PM of Lodge Firth of Clyde

Gourock No.626 and was PG Secretary for the last 10 years. The installation took place last month and his commission consists of Bros. John Black DPGM, Stuart Wilson SPGM and Alan Beck PG Secretary. Good luck on the next five years!

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The Royal Arch, Dundee Dundee’s “Royal Arch” has nothing to do wit Royal Arch Masonry, but is a great example of a long gone structure exemplifying stone arches.

The monument erected in 1848 to celebrate a visit by the Queen four years previously, the first by a monarch since the 17th century. It was designed by Rochhead of Glasgow and cost £2270.

Described as a 'splendid triumphal arch, 80 feet across' and 'in the Norman style', the structure was demolished in early 1964 to make way for the approach roads to the Tay Road Bridge. It finally fell on 16th March when it was dynamited.

The remains were dumped into the Earl Grey and King William IV docks as part of the land reclamation scheme associated with the building of the Tay Road Bridge.

Queen Victoria was a fairly regular visitor to the city, it being on her route to Balmoral.

Recent excavations for the waterfront redevelopment along Shore Road behind Caird Hall have unearthed the foundations of the Royal Arch. The stones that formed the three-span archway guarding the pier between Earl Grey Dock and King William IV Dock were used as harbour landfill in the transformation of the waterfront to a road network.

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Above: 3-d computer re-construction

The scooping out of many tonnes of soil and rubble has revealed four solid mounds of cemented stonework at the location of the bases of the arch’s four towers.

Bro. Kaiser Wilhelm I Wilhelm I (22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888) of the House of Hohenzollern was King of Prussia from 2 January 1861 and the first German Emperor from 18 January 1871 to his death, the first Head of State of a united Germany. Under the leadership of William and his Minister President Otto von Bismarck, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire.

Despite his long support of Bismarck as Minister President, William held strong reservations about some of Bismarck's more reactionary policies, including his anti-Catholicism although he was against allowing Jews into Prussian lodges.

From 1867 to 1918 more than 1,000 memorials to William I were constructed.

The cutting below from The Freemason detailed his connection to the Craft is dated 24th March, 1888.

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Masonic Leadership Our mission and responsibilities within the Craft and how we relate to them in our daily affairs, is very indicative to the principles of sound leadership and the high standard of moral tolerance we project by our examples. Freemasonry is an organization of men who are banded together in a dignified common purpose of making this a better world by which to live in, becoming better men, men of character, men of courage, men of conviction, men who follow Masonry and its teachings, men who in their daily lives are projecting by their leadership and example true brotherly love, relief and truth.

Our mission appears at times to get sidetracked, particularly in our modern world with its continual pressure of business, family, and social life. There is the easy everpresent path of least resistance which is not necessarily the proper course to follow. We, therefore, require a guide or symbols to ensure we do not err. Freemasonry provides this track to run on for those who desire to follow it. Within the Craft we come to realize that we are not the only ones who are tempted to stray. We learn from being accepted by our brothers to accept ourselves, that there are many others like us who need the strength, charity and love of our fellowman.

Then may I ask – What are our responsibilities as Masons? What example should we be portraying? Masonry is not just to be practiced in the lodge room. It must be carried into our daily lives. We must constantly conduct our affairs in the community, in our homes, our business, and outside activities, in a manner which will at all times, express our image, our dignity, and reflect the honour of our order.

The Craft is not a secret society but a closely knit group of brethren of leadership –

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yes, leaders – for you my brethren would not be here if that were not the case. We have the desire to lead our families, our associates and our friends toward a better way of life.

We have the responsibility of communicating by our actions these Masonic teachings to our fellow man.

Through our image we can recognize a Brother Freemason. Freemasonry serves its purpose if one can say “I recognize you as a Mason by your square conduct, your uprightness, and your Love for your fellowman.” Our conduct is the most important way by which we should demonstrate to the world that we are Freemasons. The divine principles of our honored craft are brotherly love, relief and truth, which if practiced in their true meaning, will shed rays of light and glory of recognition to all.

Brethren, we have other ways of shedding this light of recognition, such as the Masonic emblems we wear on our clothing, our rings, and on our lodge buildings. Let us not be ashamed to render and display our proud image and let us remember that they represent to us, recognition through a symbolic meaning only. To be recognized as a true Freemason, we must forever practice our principles in their true meaning.

This article continues and has many important points. It is difficult to believe that it was written in 1982 as everything is still relevant today—to read more go to: http://theeducator.ca/management/mission -example-leadership/

Un-Numbered Lodges Chartered by the GLoS The following list has been taken from Bro. George Draffen’s book Masonic Records 1736— 1950. : Lodge of Haughfoot St Bride’s No name No name No name No name No name The Virgin Lodge The Lodge of Goolen New Tarbet No name No name The Lodge of Kirkwall Pittefrand Le Petit Nombre Concordia Vincit Animos Pt Royal Kilwinning Crosse No name Hampton Lodge Fredericksburg

Haughfoot, Midlothian Douglas, Lanarkshire Strathaven, Lanarkshire Biggar, Lanarkshire Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire Mariaburgh, Fort William Kirkcaldy, Fife Drumsheugh, Edinbirgh Gullane/Dirleton, East Lothian Unlocated Lesmahagow Isle of Islay Kirkwall, Orkneys 55th Regiment of Foot Copenhagen, Denmark Amsterdam, Holland Virginia, USA Montepellier, France Hampton, Virginia, USA Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA

1702 1736 1736 1736 1736 1736 1736 1737 1738 1738 1741 1742 1742 1743 1753 1755 1755 1755 1757 1758

St John’s Lodge for Instruction

Edinburgh

1837

This last lodge is a conundrum and I would be delighted to hear from any brother who can shed some more light on this lodge. English lodges usually have a lodge of instruction attached to it and these can be quite formal meetings. However, Scotland has never really gone down that line preferring more to have rehearsals which are very informal.

So what exactly was this lodge? Perhaps composed of English brethren?

The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814 On Friday 6th April, Bro. Charles Winston will present a talk on The Masonic Oral History Project looking at collecting records from brethren.

Meeting in the Masonic Hall, West Stewart Street in Greenock.

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Bro. James Murray, Duke of Atholl

J

ames Murray, 2 Duke of Atholl, was born in 1690 in Edinburgh. He was a Lt-Col of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards in 1712 and later of 1st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots) as well as serving as an MP about this time. His brother, Lord George Murray, had been pardoned in 1715 for his part in the first Jacobite uprising although he would later become a Lt General in the 1745 uprising and was recognised as one of the best officers in the Jacobite Army. nd

James was made a mason, but the lodge is unknown although expected it could have been in London on one of his many visits to that city. He attended the meeting in the Grand Lodge of England in 1735 (before UGLE and GLoS was formed). This meeting is minuted as having taken place at the house of Lord Viscount Weymouth in Grosvenor Square and is a list of the most well to do and titled people of the day, including many Scottish peers. It may be that he was very involved with the English Grand Lodge that he did not attend the formation of the new Grand Lodge in Scotland.

During the ’45 uprising, he accompanied Bro. the Duke of Cumberland to Scotland without a command. At this point his brother had taken the family seat at Blair Castle.

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His brother, George, was wounded at Culloden and escaped to Holland where he died in 1760. His son, John, became the 3rd Duke of Atholl while his father was in exile. He joined Lord Loudon’s Regiment of Foot (later 54th Reg Ft) and also served as an MP. He was elected Grand Master of the Ancient Grand Lodge of England in 1771 at the Half Moon Tavern in Cheapside, London and appointed the well-known Lawrence Dermott as his depute. The following year, he was elected Grand Master Mason of Scotland which meant that strong ties existed between us and the Antients. Sadly, he drowned himself in a fit of delirium in the River Tay and was buried in Dunkeld in1774. His son also John, as the 4th Duke of Atholl became the next Grand Master of the Antients.

Grand Masters’ Conference

The official group portrait from the Grand Master's meeting on the 30th October 2017. The meeting was the largest ever gathering of Grand Masters and took place in the Grand Temple at Freemasons' Hall. In the centre, the Grand Master of UGLE, HRH The Duke of Kent sits in front of Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes. The Duke is flanked by Deputy Grand Master Jonathan Spence (left) and Assistant Grand Master Sir David Wootton (right) and to his left Bro. Charles Wolridge Gordon, our Grand Master Mason.

A Thought?

A well known masonic author, Bro. J. S. M. Ward, once stated: The freemasons were more like modern architects, and their speciality was church building, hence their importance declined after the Reformation. Had it not been that they began about 1640 to admit Speculatives in large numbers, they would have died out.

Who was Hiram Abiff, Lewis Masonic P.243 (or see P.?)

Most certainly, if it had stayed purely operative then it would have disappeared or become another irrelevant society. The masons realised that membership was declining and acted positively to save the organisation as a whole.

Is there a lesson to be learned today?

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Mark Wright Degree Team Bro. Mark Wright was a M.M. of Lodge St. Clair No.349 in Edinburgh. He was also a Corporal in the 3rd Bn., The Parachute Regiment, based in Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan. On 6th September 2006, near Kajaki Dam, Bro. Mark died of wounds in a helicopter after helping injured comrades in an unmarked minefield.

In 2007, Bro. Keith Millar, who had previously met Mark and knew his father, Bob Wright, a PM of Lodge St. Clair No 349 put the idea to Bob that a special token might be issued by Lodge St. Clair 349 in memory of Mark. He offered to put together a suitable design. This design subsequently became the one used on all future items connected with a band of Freemasons known as The Mark Wright Degree Team.

Seeking to commemorate Bro. Marks selfsacrifice and humanitarian actions, as well as to raise money for military charities, a group of Edinburgh Freemasons, mainly ex-servicemen, came up with the idea of working a Degree to achieve that aim. They drew up a team, had several practices and, on Wednesday the 30th September 2009, worked a Degree in the premises of the Caledonian Lodge No.392 in Edinburgh. The following is the official account of the proceedings, written up by Bro. Bob Mitchell, IPM of The Caledonian Lodge No.392 and Bro. Keith Millar, IPM of The Lodge of Journeymen Masons No.8.

would give the Lodge the opportunity to invite those Lodges which also met on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, and whom we rarely manage to visit, at the same time raising funds for charity. It was arranged to invite the military lodges within Edinburgh (151 and 405) and Lodge St. Clair No.349.

The main business of the evening was to raise funds for The Mark Wright Project. Bro. Mark Wright was a M.M. of Lodge St. Clair No.349 and a corporal in the Parachute Regiment, who lost his life whilst on active service in Afghanistan and was posthumously awarded the George Cross for his actions, which upheld the highest traditions of the Army and the principles of Freemasonry.The Mark Wright Project was set up by Bobby Wright and his wife Jem, in the name of their son. The aim of the project is to support service personnel past and present, as well as their families and to help them overcome the physical and mental traumas resulting from conflict.

The Lodge committee enthusiastically agreed to the proposal put forward by Bro. Bob Mitchell, IPM 392, and the RWM Bro. Rab Brown gave his full support.

On the evening, the Lodge worked a 2nd Degree, carried out by ex-servicemen of the Province of Edinburgh. Prior to the degree, a eulogy to Bro. Mark Wright GC was given by Bro. Bob Mitchell.

The Temple was set up for a 2nd Degree, with the Altar draped in black and adorned with acacia leaves, a Parachute Regiment beret and stable belt. The following Brethren took office within the Lodge and carried out ritual:

"At a committee meeting early in 2009, it was proposed to hold a special meeting OFFICE-BEARERS of The Caledonian Lodge No.392 on CM..Bro. Bob Mitchell IPM Wednesday 30th September 2009. This The Caledonian Lodge No.392

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Mark Wright Degree Team (ctd) WSW.. Bro. Keith Millar IPM The Lodge of Journeymen Masons No.8 WJW.. Bro. Tom Stott RWM Lodge Water of Leith No.1267 SD..Bro. Bob McKenzie RWM Lodge of Brotherly Love No.1428 JD..Bro. Willie McLeod PM The Caledonian Lodge No.392 IG..Bro. Alfie Docherty MM The Caledonian Lodge No.392 BB..Bro. Arthur Symington PM The Caledonian Lodge No.392 Chap..Bro. John Buckham MM Lodge Water of Leith No.1267

the services, though under a number of different names, many of which I couldn't put into print. This was produced by Bros Tom Stott RWM and John Buckham MM of Lodge Water of Leith No.1267 and was served in mess tins, much to the delight of the Brethren. There was also rice pudding on the menu and, for those brave enough to try, was served in the same mess tin, separated by a slice of bread.

RITUAL Secrets..Bro. Willie McLeod PM The Caledonian Lodge No.392 Apron..Bro. Keith Millar IPM The Lodge of Journeymen Masons No.8 SE Corner..Bro. Arthur Symington PM The Caledonian Lodge No.392 Tools..Bro. John Buckham MM Lodge Water of Leith No.1267 Tracing Board..Bro. Bob McKenzie RWM Lodge of Brotherly Love No.1428 Charge..Bro. Tom Stott RWM Lodge Water of Leith No.1267 The Office-bearers and those performing ritual were invited to wear their decorations. On the night, many serving soldiers attended in uniform and ex-servicemen attended proudly wearing their decorations.

It has been traditional within the Lodge that, on the night of our Charity Degrees all proceeds raised are given to the nominated charity, this night being no exception.

With many more than one hundred brethren in attendance, the collection in the Temple raised over ÂŁ500. When the proceeds of the whisky draw, raffle, harmony and auction were added, the total raised was almost ÂŁ1,600.

The harmony board provided an "All-in Stew". This is traditional military fare known to anyone who has served in any of

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Some time after this event, Bro Bob Wright requested Bro. Keith Millar to compose an inscription for a memorial plaque to his son. On the 12th of February 2010, a moving service was conducted by Bro. The Rev. Ray Williamson, PM 1712 and 145. After a eulogy by Bro. J.G. McLean (PM 597 and 1712 and treasurer of the Masonic Club) a memorial plaque was unveiled in The Edinburgh Masonic Club in Shrub Place Lane by the Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Edinburgh, Bro. Maurice Wilson, MBE. On a rectangular piece of black marble, along with the Square and Compasses, the George Cross and the badge of the Parachute Regiment, the following inscription was carved in gold letters...

Mark Wright Degree Team (ctd) 1979 MARK WILLIAM WRIGHT 2006 Corporal 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment Serving with his regiment in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, on the 6th September 2006, Corporal Wright went to the assistance of several comrades who had strayed into a minefield. Whilst organising the rescue of six badly injured soldiers he was seriously wounded. Despite this, he continued to attend to the injured men and encourage those around him. During the evacuation of the wounded, he died of his injuries.

In doing this, he not only acted in the finest traditions of the Parachute Regiment but according to the precepts of Freemasonry, in remaining steadfast in adversity and putting the welfare of his fellow men before that of his own. For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the George Cross.

IN HIS HOUR OF TRIAL HE FAILED NOT.

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Following the success of this ceremony a discussion took place and it was decided that the Mark Wright Degree Team should become an organised group, to work Degrees when and where requested, all proceeds from raffles, merchandise, etc, going to military-related charities. To assist with this project, the Team organised several items which documented their achievements. These included a Travelling Gavel with a box to hold it, made by Bro. Bob Thomson PM 1428, a scroll containing a list of all the Lodges where Degrees were worked, signed by their respective RWMs, and a banner, designed by Bro. Keith Millar to look like Regimental Colours with a list of Lodges and dates of Degrees worked.

The next Degree which the Team worked took place on 12th March 2010 in Lodge Water of Leith No.1267. Their RWM, Bro. Tom Stott took the Chair to work the Degree, ably assisted by Bros.

Bob Mitchell, Keith Millar, John Buckham, Dougie Sneddon, (RWM of The Edinburgh Defensive Band Lodge No.151) and others, most of whom went on to form the core of the Degree Team. This gave Tom Stott the opportunity to combine the two great loves of his life, Freemasonry and the military. A former member of The Royal Scots and an avid Freemason, he became one of the driving forces behind the Team, which owes a great deal of its success to the time and energy he put into organising, coordinating and running the Degrees and other fundraisers, ably assisted by his great friend and fellow Mason, Bro. Dougie Sneddon, PM and RWM of the Edinburgh Defensive Band Lodge No.151. Together, often accompa-

Mark Wright Degree Team (ctd) nied by Bro. Keith Millar and others, they made many visits to Lodges across the length and breadth of Scotland and because of this, many invitations were extended to work Degrees far and wide. Tom will also be remembered for his (largely successful) efforts in persuading many of those who won prizes in the raffle to donate them as prizes to the next raffle.

Generally, the collection raised in the Lodge where the Degree was being worked would be donated to the Team, usually topped up with a donation by the Lodge concerned.

The Mark Wright Degree Team membership has grown over the years, with a great many of the Brethren regularly assisting in the Degrees, such as Bros John Buckham, Keith Millar, Howard and Colin Moon, Willie Ross, Ronnie Lewis and other, equally valued Brethren, who travel far and wide, giving of their time and talents. The Team has conferred a great many Degrees throughout Scotland and raised, to date, over ÂŁ18,000 for military charities.

Fittingly, both the Mark Wright Degree Team and Lodge Kajaki will serve to a large extent as a memorial to Bro. Thomas Vincent Stott, P.M. and R.W.M. of Lodge Water of Leith No.1267 and P.M. of Lodge Waverley No.597, who died on the 19th of February this year, after a short illness. He was not only a major force in assuring the success of the Mark Wright Degree Team but a prime mover in achieving the dream held by members of the Team, to have a Lodge set up as a memorial to Bro. Mark Wright and a base from which they could come together and continue to work the Degrees which they enjoy, and continue to pursue their aims of raising funds to present to military charities .

The formation of a new lodge—Lodge Kajaki No.1848 will be consecrated on 7th April, 2018 and reported on in May Cross Keys.

Below, Bro. Tom (left) with Bro. Bob Wright.

Sadly, the name, Mark Wright Degree Team will now cease to be. Happily, this is because the team are among the Founder Members of Lodge Kajaki No. 1848. The new Lodge, due to be consecrated on the 7th of April this year, will take over the sterling work carried out by the Mark Wright Degree Team, becoming The Lodge Kajaki Degree Team, although I'm sure that, after the many Degrees worked over so many years in various Lodges, the name, The Mark Wright Degree Team will live on for many years.

Parachute Regiment Prayer May the defense of the Most High be above and beneath, around and within us, in our going out and in our coming in, in our rising up and our going down, all our days and all our nights, until the dawn when the son of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings for the peoples of the World.

Cross Keys April 2018

Grand Lodge Update The following re-alignment of Scottish Provinces will be effective from 31st March 2018:

1. That the Province of Roxburgh, Peebles and Selkirk Shires be renamed the Provincial Grand Lodge of The Scottish Borders.

2. That the Province of East Lothian and Berwickshire be renamed The Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lothian.

3. That Lodges Dunse No. 23, St Ebbe, No. 70, St Luke, No. 132, Lodge St John, No. 280, The Lodge of Ercildoune, No. 1119 and Lodge Whiteadder, No. 1245 currently within the Province of East Lothian, be incorporated under the Province of The Scottish Borders.

Johnstone circa 1810

The map shows Johnstone about 1800—after the town had been feued a few years earlier, the main streets are shown. The lodge position is the current position, but at that time was situated in various places in the High Street. Despite the town being very small, there was a calling for a masonic lodge and this indeed happened in 1811. The rest is history……..

Cross Keys April 2018

Scottish Masonic Districts (1747) The following is a list of lodges/areas by Bro. George Draffen PPGM of Forfarshire taken from GL records: District 1 – Edinburgh City and Midlothian: Mary’s Chapel, Edinburgh Kilwinning, Canongate Kilwinning, Leith Kilwinning, Canongate & Leith, Leith & Canongate, Journeymen, Dalkeith Kilwinning, Drummond Kilwinning from Greenock, Edinburgh from Dunfermline, Vernon Kilwinning, Lodge of Holyrood House, Scots Lodge in Canongate

District 2 – Glasgow City, North Ayrshire, North & South Lanarkshire, East & West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde, Argylle and Bute, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire: Kilwinning, Lodge of Glasgow St John, Glasgow Kilwinning, Old St John, St John Kilwinning, Lodge of Glasgow St Mungo, Hamilton, Greenock Kilwinning, Dumbarton Kilwinning, Coltness, Kilbride

District 3 – Perth and Kinross: Perth & Scoon, Dunkirk, Crieff, Auchterarder District 4 – South Ayrshire, Dumfries, Galloway: Maybole, Kirkcudbright District 5 – Stirling, Falkirk, West Lothian: Torpichen Kilwinning, Falkirk, Stirling, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Dunblane District 6 – Fife: Coupar of Fife, St Andrews, Dunfermline, Falkland, Dysart District 7 – Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Dundee City, Angus: Montrose, Bervie, Operative Lodge Dundee, Ancient Lodge Dundee, Aberdeen District 8 – Scottish Borders: Dunse, Old & New Peebles, Selkirk District 9 – Inverness, Moray and The Highlands: Old Inverness, St Andrews Inverness, Forres, Fort William, Kilmolymock, Cumberland Kilwinning, Duke of Norfolk Lodge District 10 – Orkney: Kirkwall, Orkney, Thurso

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It does seem strange, but this is a list of masonic activity only two years after the Battle of Culloden. As of 5th August 1747, eighty-two lodges existed or had been chartered in Scotland, but only fifty-nine are listed in the various Districts. There are several possible explanations why twentythree lodges were omitted from the initial classifications: two of the lodges were chartered by No. 0 Kilwinning and had not been officially recognized by the Grand Lodge; twelve were un-located, extinct, dormant, had no official charter, or had withdrawn from the Grand Lodge; No. 1(2) Melrose remained independent until 1891, and thus was not included on the Grand Roll. The remaining seven lodges excluded seem to have been oversights.

For example, it was reported in 1740 that Alexander Drummond had visited Kilsyth; this lodge, however, was not listed among the Districts. Also, Clark’s assertion that lodges which had failed to pay annual dues were struck from the Grand Roll may also account for the omissions.

It is clear, even at this stage, that Districts 1 & 2 are very large and had to be divided into more manageable sizes. The Provincial Grand Lodge is rarely mentioned in Grand Lodge minutes from 1756 until the end of the century. At best, it was an ambitious yet inadequate attempt to reorganize Scottish freemasonry into a highlyorganized, complex network of lodges and officers. In reality, the Provincial Grand Lodge had little overall impact on the development of eighteenth-century Scottish freemasonry. However, Scottish military lodges had a huge impact on spreading freemasonry where ever they served.

Where is This?

Arthur Square Masonic Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland which was built in 18681870 and designed by Bro. Sir Charles Lanyon PPGM. Lanyon is responsible for many of Belfast’s finest and most unique buildings from Queen’s University, Crumlin Road Courthouse/Gaol to the Linenhall Library and Customs House. It would be no exaggeration to say that Lanyon’s buildings continue to define the character of modern Belfast.

A Challenge?

Is Freemasonry a challenge? Should it be?

The concept of speculative Masonry appeared 300 years ago, when the first Grand Lodge – the Grand Lodge of England – was born. Nowadays, Freemasonry is in decline in the majority of countries of its traditional origin. We have a new inverse square law. As the number of members is declining while the average age is increasing! Today the impact of freemasons in society is almost zero. An issue extensively discussed within various grand lodges is about seeking solutions for keeping the membership.

On the other hand, Freemasonry, in the former Communist countries, has had a continuous growth in the last few decades. Romania is on top of this dynamic. In South America, Freemasonry is a social phenomenon. Actually, where are we going? We risk to become mere ritual professionals. We need leaders. There is a big penury of leaders, globally, at all levels. I note that, unfortunately, there are increasingly more managers of Freemasonry, some raised in or just perverted by the limitative corporatist system, others who can be described only by tenacity, doing everything possible to climb the ladder (I do not mean Jacob’s ladder!), believing that found their vocation in the administration of the (social) Masonic groups within their own jurisdictions.

Another reason I like Freemasonry – it is a constant challenge.

By Bro. Claudiu Ionescu PM of two lodges in Bucharest, Romania

Cross Keys April 2018

Secrets of the Masons The following is from the Scotsman 20th March in response to the BBC 2 programme on 19th March. Rather than comments from brethren, this is a neutral view: Perhaps it is fitting that one of the oldest known organisations of similarly-minded people is the subject of some of the longeststanding conspiracy theories in the world. To many, the Freemasons are simply an archaic institution, fond of pomp and circumstance, not unlike the House of Commons or a particularly venerable sporting club. To others, the very mention of Freemasons is enough to set off a diatribe about a secret society that has controlled the top of every western Government since time immemorial. Now, as the Grand Lodge of Scotland wrestles with dwindling numbers and an ageing membership, the doors were opened to a BBC documentary clue to lift the lid on this most secret of clubs, which has around 100,000 members in Scotland.

One thing that stands out in the documentary, is just how seriously they take their illustrious history, despite much of it being a closely guarded secret. The reverence with which each of the featured lodges treat their records, from the lofty contributions of their literary members, to the meanest minuted meeting.

Some of the most famous Scots ever have been members. The most engaging parts of the documentary were the ones that dealt with the membership, which perhaps unwittingly reveals where so much of the basis for freemasonry conspiracy theories come from.

The influence of Robert Burns on not only the Masonic movement, but the country is a whole, is discussed, but it is clearly that Scotland's national poet saw a pragmatic use for his work in the brotherhood.

When he was facing exile, two-thirds of sales of Burns' first published works were to his fellow Freemasons, it is revealed in the documentary. The same is also said of legendary engineer James Watt, revealed to be a memCross Keys April 2018

ber who was given more than a few leg-ups by his fellow men of the enlightenment, many of whom were Masons.

Perhaps the most telling aspect of the documentary is when the formality of the meetings is over, and 'The Harmony' can begin. That is when food, drink and merriment are taken, and when watching the documentary's shots of the mainly older men sitting in a hall drinking and eating, and sharing jokes, and you realise you could be watching virtually any social club in Scotland. The only difference is that rather than golf, or bowls, or even a trade, what unites these men is their sense of morality, and a passion for the history of their organisation.

Towards the end of the documentary, it was clear that the further afield one went, the less rigid the traditions were. As the documentary visits a Freemasons event in America, the ceremony has more the feel of a university graduation, with family, friends, and outsiders in attendance. The organisation is clearly struggling with membership, like all social clubs, attracting young members remains a challenge, and as such, some of those traditions may fall by the wayside. Like many oldfashioned golf clubs, for example, the thorny issue of women members clearly rankles. The informative documentary may have answered many of the old questions about Freemasons, but one still remains - how will they survive in the future with numbers dwindling?

Most brethren will agree it was an enjoyable programme and portrayed the Craft in favourable terms. However, will the last question be answered favourably?

PGL Ayrshire Congratulations to Bro. William C. Steel who was installed as the new Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire on Saturday 24th March 2018. He was initiated in Lodge Loudoun (Kil) Newmilns No. 51 in November 1978, passed in December and raised in January 1979 and became master 198587 followed by Treasurer for 7 years.

His goal as PGM is for lodges to be mindful about their local communities when making charitable donations.

Bro. Armand Beltrame Obituary The Grande Lodge of France pays homage to its Brother, Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Beltrame.

With great emotion the Brothers of the Grand Lodge of France found out yesterday about the death of Arnaud Beltrame, a member of the Respectable Lodge Jerome Bonaparte at the East of Rueil-Nanterre.

They are united in this man as a hero sense of duty in a cation. This act of otism allowed to life and reminded er turn his back on of barbarism.

the quest to honor who has proven his unique act of dedicourage and patrisave someone else’s that one could neva situation of threat

All thoughts of our ny his family at great sadness.

Brothers accompathis moment of

The Grand Lodge of France greets the representatives of the Republic’s law enforcement; those who are fighting against any displays of xenophobia and terrorism. In essence, with all forms of rejecting others – our Brothers and Sisters in Humanity.

Filip Charuel Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of France

Cross Keys April 2018

In Memoriam It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the craft in Renfrewshire in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother: Bro. Andrew Tannahill PM POW, PPGMRE, PSGM

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Cross Keys April 2018