Number 245
April 2022
The Cross Keys Cross Keys Aprilk 2022
The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242
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From the Editor No particular theme to this month, but there are a number of jewels scattered throughout. Some of the workmanship in these old jewels is superb. In support of the GMM’s statement on P.24, we also reiterate that peace is hoped for in Ukraine.
Grant
Cover—plate presented to a maser of a lodge under the Grand Lodge of Bulgaria. See P.14.
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
In this issue: 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 16 17 19 23 25 26 27 29 30 32
Interesting Beginnings Heavenly Bodies & The Craft Archibald St. Clair Ruthven RA Jewels Irish Certificate James Thompson 78th Regiment George & Vulture Tavern Scottish & Argentine Connection Inveraray St. John No.50 Masonic Miscellany Scottish Grand Lodge Medal Col Starkie PGM Lancashire Lodge Drummond Kilwinning First Scottish Regimental Lodge Grand Lodge News Foundation Stone Rhodesia Robert Freke Gould, Historian St. Patrick’s Lodge No.295 (IC) Sir Charles Dalrymple GMM Meetings on Cruise Ships PoppyScotland Challenge
April Meeting Thursday 28th MM Degree
7.30pm start
Website: Home (bravesites.com) Blog: Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242 (lodge242.blogspot.com)
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Interesting Beginnings In 1176, London Bridge was commenced to be built in stone and took 33 years to complete. During that lengthy period, many masons must have been permanently employed in London and therefore it would seem highly likely that the Masons’ Company was formed during that time? Strangely, this coincided with the building of Glasgow Cathedral in 1197. In 1272, two master masons and two master carpenters were chosen from their respective Guilds to serve the office of City Viewers in London. This remit was viewing and reporting on the erection of any new buildings. The large number of masons employed within its boundaries was evident from the Fabric Rolls of Westminster Abbey which record payments to masons. In 1356, a dispute started between masons who were hewers and masons who were setters or layers. As a result, a code of regulations were formed where 12 master masons (6 hewers who were called Free-stone Masons in the records and 6 Layers who were rough masons) which would bring some peace although the hewers were given precedence. It is these regulations where the beginnings on the usual statutes appear such as taking an apprentice for 7 years, not overcharging, etc. The Right of electing Members of Parliament cam into being in 1375 and the list of City Companies is drawn up and the following year, the Masons’ Company appears on the lit for the first time. The 19th company was the ffreemasons but this entry was scored out and
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a reference was made to the 36th entry: the Masons’ Company. Although the term freemason was not the official term, it was often called the Company of Freemasons. In all likelihood, this would be to differentiate between hewers and layers. In 1463, the company acquires a 99 year lease on land in the Aldgate area and a hall is built. A few years later, the company provide 20 masons as men-at-arms to watch the city and their motto is on their arms is “God is our Guide” (as shown and now the motton of the masonic order known colloquially as The Operatives) which changes in 1600 to “In the Lord is all our Trust.” In 1481, mention is made to wardens being chosen at an assembly for the ensuing two years (evidence of the installation idea?). It wouldn’t be until 1495 that the word freemason appears in the Statutes of the Realm. Thus it is possible to see early operative evidence of the Craft with many practices continuing to modern times. Today, the Worshipful Company of Masons still exists, but similar to The Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow, they are not masonic and purely charitable helping many stonemasons and others relating to the craft. They are now number 30 (out of 110)in the order of precedence of the Ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, as set by the Aldermen of the City in 1515. Its membership includes professionals from the construction and property industry, specialists in stonemasonry as well as those with connections to or interest in the City.
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Heavenly Bodies & The Operative Craft
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f all the Emblems of Freemasonry the most mysterious, the most distinctive, and in one case the most important, are those heavenly bodies portrayed on our Pavements and on the Tracing Boards of the First Degree, the blazing star, the sun, the moon, and the cluster of seven stars. We are here particularly concerned with their significance as Light-bearers; as they typify the Light diffused in Freemasonry. The Sun, of course, was all-important in the lives of the masons of all ages, therefrom being regulated the time of the Craft; work commenced when possible at sunrise and ended at sunset, and when the meridian was reached at noon an hour or more was taken for rest and refreshment, night work was forbidden except for study. The Moon, as far as I have been able to discover, does not seem to have been used in the work of the Craft, but there is a very curious reference to it in the Graham Ms. of 1726 - "as for the Sun he renders light day and night; as for the Moon she is a dark body off (sic) water and doth receive her light from the Sun, and is also queen of waters which is the best of Leavells (levels)." {ED. Also relevant to allow brethren to walk home with some light.]
The Stars on the other hand were very important to the ancient Craftsmen, both as builders and as observers of the heavens; vaulted ceilings of temples wee sometimes decorated with stars on a blue ground, the "starry firmament" emblematical of the blue vault of heaven itself. The Seven Stars have been a striking feature of Masonic matter since the early days of Speculative Masonry; writers have variously suggested that they represent the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades, the Seven Stars of Astrology, and the Seven Planets of ancient astronomy, though what these have to do with Freemasonry is not at all plain; Bro. Dr. Churchward, who insisted that all the mysteries of Freemasonry were foreshadowed in the religion of the ancient Egyptians, identified them as the "Seven Glorious Ones," the stars of Ursa Minor, the Little Bear; the northernmost of the seven in that not very brilliant constellation is the Pole Star itself, which because of its constancy was to the Egyptians the All-Seeing Eye of the Creator Himself.
sources, it is possible if not probable that our mysterious Seven Stars are part of our inheritance form our ancient brethren. The Sun is directly above the Senior Warden, and the Moon above the Junior, foreshadowing the present linking of those Emblems with the Wardens in the explanation of the Lesser Lights in the First Degree; the association of the Moon with the Junior Warden is mysterious; one can only conjecture that it may preserve the ancient usage already mentioned - the creation of a level by enclosing a body of water in a circular wall (like the Moon of the Graham Ms.) and the use of the Plumbline in taking the subsequent observations. The Heavenly Bodies are Emblems of Light, and they shine through heavy clouds, which have been interpreted a signifying both the hidden Divine Presence and the darkness of ignorance.
The Celestial Emblems and the Three Great Lights. I must now draw attention to what appears to be a quite remarkable correspondence between the three Celestial Emblems and our Three Great Emblematical Lights. The Sun is the source of the power and light, and the sustainer of all the life of this Earth, which without it would be a frozen and sterile wilderness; similarly, the V.S.L. is the source of all the power, light and life of Freemasonry. The Moon is an inanimate body which has no light of its own, only reflecting that of the Sun, and in the same way the Emblematical Square when put into practical use reflects the light and instruction of the V.S.L. The Seven Stars, if my suggestion is accepted that they formerly stood for the Great Bear continually describing a circle round the Pole Star, provide a celestial example of the action of the Compasses which it would be hard to improve upon.
Most of our Emblems being traceable to operative To Sum Up: We have seen that in 1723 and 1726 Cross Keys Aprilk 2022
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Heavenly Bodies & The Operative Craft (ctd) the heavenly bodies were already important Emblems of Speculative Masonry; also that by 1762 the V.S.L., the Square and the Compasses had been established as the Three Great Lights, and that the Sun and Moon had been relegated to comparative obscurity and were represented by two of the Lesser Lights.
understanding, with which so much of the ancient Craft ahs been adapted to the use of our system of morality. An abbreviated article by Bro. D. Roy Murray King Solomon Lodge, No. 58 (Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan).
On the First Tracing Boards of today, which generally follow the design of Harris about a century ago, the Sun, the Moon and the Seven Stars are back in the prominent position they had in 1726, great Emblems of the Craft, though it may be said that the Lecture on the Board, eloquent as its language is, does not always do them justice; the reference to the Seven Stars, in particular, seems forced and weak. We have seen also that there is a striking correspondence between the Great Lights in the heavens and those in Freemasonry. One is prompted to ask the question: Were the three Celestial Emblems given their present prominence on the Tracing Board by accident, or with the design of vividly emphasizing the importance in Freemasonry of its Three Great Emblematical Lights? If we can conclude that it was the latter, it was a stroke of genius; as with the Blazing Star, it is an outstanding example of the skill, and the delicate
Tracing Board, ca. 1796. Boston
Free Wheelers Lodge The consecration of Free Wheelers' Lodge No. 9991(EC), a Lodge formed by and for motorcycle enthusiasts in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, took place last October in front of 150 brethren. The Lodge also has a unique set of gavels, made from pistons—their use brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘firing on all cylinders.’ It is a peripatetic Lodge, which means that although they are nominally based in Horncastle, its members will visit as many Masonic centres in Lincolnshire as possible for their Saturday morning meetings, to which visitors will be welcome.
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Bro. Archibald Ruthven Bro. Ruthven was born in Edinburgh in 1813 and immigrated to the US in 1832. Just one year after his arrival in Houston, Ruthven was initiated into the state’s first Masonic lodge, Holland Lodge No. 1, and very quickly advanced through its ranks, serving first as Senior Warden in 1842, and later in a wide variety of both elective and appointive offices for the Grand Lodge of Texas, chief among which being those of Grand Master (1846-1847), and Grand Secretary (1848-1861). It was during his time as Grand Secretary that Ruthven compiled the twovolume Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas: 1837-1857, a chronicle of the early history and important records of the organization for which he is most recognized within the Masons. In 1844, Ruthven became involved in protesting the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States. Ruthven was himself involved in running the blockade of the Texas coast during the war, and was even incarcerated for a time in Matamoras as a result of a freight mishap which purportedly violated the revenue and neutrality laws of Mexico. Near the end of the war, Ruthven and his wife returned to Scotland for a visit, at which point he appears to have fallen ill for several months. He died of TB in 1865 at Broomhill Cottage in Pollokshields and initially was buried in an unmarked grave. Over a century after his death, the Rev. Bruce Brannon, Past Grand Master of the Texas, arranged for a monument to be commissioned in the Glasgow Necropolis to honour Ruthven and to serve as a proper grave marker. A commemorative dedication ceremony was held on June 25, 1969, and was attended by several members of both the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Texas (bottom). The stone says: Bro. Archibald St. Clair Ruthven who served the Grand Lodge of Masons in the Republic of Texas as Grand Master from 20-2-1846 to 18-1-1847 and as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas from 1847 to 1858. He died while here on a visit to his native country. [Thanks to Bro. Jim Jack PPGM LMW for the photo to the right]
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Breast Jewels
The miniatures below are dated from the 1920s and valued at £150. They show (in Scotland) the Royal Arch series of degrees—the Royal Arch, Mark Mason, Excellent Master, Royal Ark Mariner and Knight Masons jewel. In those days, it must have been permissible for companions to wear the jewels of every degree under that banner. The surprise is no Cryptic jewel. The jewel to the centre right is from Malta Chapter No.7830 which was short lived being consecrated in 1962 and was erased from the roll in 1995. The lodge and its chapter met in Cler=kenwell in London. It is quite a nice variation of the standard PZ jewel having the Maltese cross on the centre jewel. Far right is the founder’s jewel of the associated lodge also depicting a cross.
First Lodges in Australia The Army pioneered Lodges across the Empire ad often it was the first freemasonry to arrive in that part of the world. The first Lodge in Australia was formed in 1820, when the members of the Irish Lodge No. 218 in the 48th Regiment of Foot (Northamptonshire) initiated some young colonials and obtained a warrant for them from the Grand Lodge of Ireland. This lodge received its warrant in 1750 and closed in 1858. It was this Lodge that granted dispensation to form the first Lodge in Sydney at a time when the total population of the colony was only 30,000. This Lodge, with just twelve foundation members, was called the Australian Social Lodge and was issued with warrant No. 260 by the Grand Lodge of Ireland. The Lodge still meets in Sydney as Lodge Antiquity No. 1 on the register of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The Grand Lodge of Scotland formed its first lodge in Melbourne in 1844.
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Irish Certificate Nice example of an Irish diploma dated 1793 (before the days when the diploma was standard practice in many Grand Lodges and were often given by the lodge itself. Once Grand Lodges realized, it could be a money maker then these were standardized and brethren were charged and also charged for replacement unless on active service when the fee was sometimes waived. This certificate shows the three columns of the EA TB and some standard symbolism common at the time of printing.
President of Mexico Brother Benito Pablo Juarez García was born in the state of Oaxaca of humble origin in 1806, and was (in childhood) a little shepherd, but graduated as a lawyer and became President of Mexico. He fought against foreign occupation under the emperor Maximilian and who sought constitutional reforms to create a democratic federal republic. Bro. García was initiated into a lodge in Mexico City without a name and unsure location! He then joined the York Rite and was received in the National Mexican Rite and the 33rd degree of the Scottish Rite. Even today, there are a number of ‘Grand Lodges’ in Mexico making the situation quite confusing.
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Bro. James Thompson (78th Highlanders) This article follows on from the article in February. Excerpts have been taken from AQC Volume 65 P.19 The Lodge is the 78th Regiment by Bro. A. Milborne. In 1757, the 78th was raised by Col. The Hon. Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat (son of 12th Baron Lovat) who would become the Provincial Grand Master in 1760 in Quebec. He would also charter the lodge working in the 78th Regiment. 15 of the 82 officers were Frasers so it was very much a highland regiment, One of the sergeants was James Thompson from Tain in the north of Scotland. He was apparently made a mason in 1750s having been born in 1732, but Lodge St. Duthus No. 82 in Tain was only chartered in 1761. However, the ’first’ minute book of No. 82 has mention of the ‘old book’ suggesting the lodge existed before being chartered. In 1758 Thompson participated with his regiment in the siege of Louisbourg, Ile Royale (Cape Breton Island), during which he learned how to make fascines. He took part in the capture of Quebec in 1759, and in the surrender of Montreal the following year. Returning to Quebec for the winter, he was temporarily assigned to the military engineering service and was in charge of 200 soldiers building fascines near the Riviere Saint-Charles.
In the course of his short but adventurous military career, Thompson met Bro. General James Wolfe, who addressed him as ‘Brother Soldier,’ at the siege of Louisbourg, carried a wounded French soldier to an aid station after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and kept the sword of the commander of the American assault on Quebec City as a souvenir.
On 4th August, 1764, the lodge opened at 8pm, had a lecture then ‘repast’ before closing at 9.30pm. Feasts of St. John became annual events in December. The lodge resolved at a meeting that brethren take it in turns to deliver the summons as they “are apt to forget the meeting night.” Some things don’t change! The GL of Quebec possesses a ‘minute book’ (it could also be a notes’ book from Bro. Thompson as no one has signed any minutes) which contain a record of the lodge in the 78th. The 1776 record mentions the death of the senior warden while defending the city. Bro. Thomson was the most active member, being elected to the chair 14 times and 8 years as Secretary as well as Provincial Grand Secretary for at least 11 years. Bro. Thompson constructed his house in 1793 and was the last surviving member of the battalion which fought the famous Battle of the Plains of Abraham between Generals Wolfe and Montcalm. Some 16 years later, he was instrumental in defending the city when it was attacked in 1775 by Generals Benedict Arnold and Richard Montgomery. He died at the age of 98 here in Quebec City. Bro. Thompson supervised the fortification of Quebec for a period of sixty eight years (17611829).
The house remained home to Thompson's descendants until it was sold in 1957 and is now a He was in charge of the French wounded and B&B. wrote: ‘there was no place about the town in which to put the wounded’ but he ensured they were treated by the British surgeons saving many. Perhaps his masonic lessons were to the fore? When the war ended in 1763, the 78th Foot was disbanded. Thompson remained at Quebec, as a clerk of works with the engineering corps. He was under the orders of Captain John Marr until 1772, but he does not seem to have had steady employment. This had little effect on the lodge which continued to work as a civilian lodge named St. Andrew’s Lodge.
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George and Vulture Tavern
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by Mr. Pickwick (Charles Dickens’s Pickwick he " The George and Vulture," a fa- Papers). mous Masonic House, is described as "near Balls Alley was Of Taverns of lesser note the George Inn since the we have the " Edinburgh Great Fire built with very Castle Inn " "which stood good Houses, well inhabiton the site of the Castle" ed and warehouses being mentioned by Stow, and a large open Yard called the Albion Lodge No. 9 George Yard the further found a home there in end of which is the George 1774. " The Cock and Lion and Vulture which is a Tavern " where the Royal large House, and of a good Kent Lodge of Antiquity trade having a passage No. 20 met in 1740, was into St. Michael's Alley." entirely destroyed in the The Tavern was much fire of 1748. " The Sun bedamaged in the fire of the hind the Royal Exchange" 25th March, 1748, for we was in the reign of Charles read in the London MagaII. kept by John Wadlow, zine of that date that the sometime land- lord of " back premises were burnt The Devil Tavern," Fleet down, and other houses in Street. Pepys relates on the Yard entii'ely destroyed. The Inn was re- the 28th June, 1667, "Mr. Lowther tells me stored and enlarged, and from about 1810 to the Duke of Buckingham do dine at Wadlow's 1848 many distinguished Lodges met there. at the Sun Tavern." A Lodge was meeting here We find the St. George's Lodge (now St. in 1743, but lapsed in 1761. George and Corner Stone No. 5) there in 1839, but it seems to have taken its name It is a grade II listed building. What is amazfrom " The George Tavern," Commercial ing is that there has been an in on the site Road, Stepney, when it met in 1820. Amongst since 1142 and was the home to the notoriother Lodges, the Old Dundee Lodge No. 18 ous Hell Fire Club. met there in 1821, and the Emulation Lodge No. 21 in 1815. It will be remembered that the " George and Vulture " was much beloved
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Scottish & Argentinian Connection Bro. Julian Alvarez was the son of the Burgos Saturnino Jose Alvarez, successful merchant, treasurer of the commerce of Buenos Aires and accountant of the court of the consulate and the Creole Ana María Perdriel. He studied at the Colegio de San Carlos and graduated in law at the University of Charcas. He participated in the May Revolution and was one of the signatories of the people's petition of May 25, which appointed those who would be the members of the First Junta.
led by minister Gregorio García de Tagle, and which served Juan Martín de Pueyrredon as political support. He directed for a time the Gazeta de Buenos Ayres. In 1819 he was an emissary of Pueyrredon before Estanislao Lopez, who was convinced that he was a dangerous enemy.
In 1820, at the outbreak of the Anarchy of the Year XX, Governor Manuel de Sarratea imprisoned him at the request of Lopez. He escaped amid the political chaos of the city a After the defeat, exile and death of Mariano few months later and fled to Montevideo. Moreno, he led the "Sociedad Patriotica", the most openly liberal group of the time. He was He supported the government of the Empire arrested during the April Revolution of 1811, of Brazil over the so-called Cisplatina Provbut soon regained his freedom. He supported ince and held some public office during the the formation of the First Triumvirate and government of Carlos Federico Lecor. When collaborated in its secretariat, exercised by it separated from Brazil and Argentina, as the Bernardino Rivadavia. Eastern State of Uruguay, it was a member of the constituent Congress of the new country It appears that he was initiated into the lodge for San Jose de Mayo, in 1830. In 1829 he had attached to the 71st Foot (The Highland Light edited the newspaper El Constitucional in CaInfantry) just before 1812 when this lodge nelones. initiated some locals when stationed in Buenos Aires. The 71st left Argentina and a lodge During the first independent decade of Uruwith Bro. Alvarez as master continued. This guay he was part of the group known as Los lodge merged with Logia Lautaro in 1812 – cinco hermanos, of great influence during the see next moth for an article on this lodge. presidency of Fructuoso Rivera. As Grand Master of the Independence Lodge of Buenos Aires in 1812, he received General Jose de San Martín on his arrival from Europe with the rest of the members of the Lautaro Lodge, to which he joined.
He was elected deputy on several occasions for which he was part of the House of Representatives of Uruguay a number of times. From 1831 he was president of the Supreme Court of Justice of Uruguay and during the Great War, he was a prominent member of He supported the Second Triumvirate, alt- the Government of Defence. hough he was briefly arrested for having demanded its dissolution. Supreme Director Gervasio Posadas appointed him as deputy secretary of state, supporting the administration of Nicolas Herrera. After the fall of Supreme Director Alvear, he moved away from politics for a while. In 1816 he re-founded the Lautaro Lodge, now called "Ministerial Lodge", which was
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Inveraray St. John No.50 Unfortunately the history of Inveraray Lodge from its. beg-inning- is unknown. The Charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland is dated 23rd February, 1747, and was granted on the application of the office-bearers of “Inveraray Masons' Lodge” which had been working for many years presumably it was a self-starter similar to Johnstone Kilwinning in 1753, the forerunner of 242. The first minutes of the lodge begins 17th July, 1779, thirty-two years after the date of the Charter. All previous records are lost which is not only regrettable, but remarkable, as since the last mentioned date, the Minutes are continuous, and almost unbroken. By the kindness of Sir Charles Dalrymple (PGM Argyll & The Isles) a few years ago, it was restored .and renovated. This Bible bears the name of the Lodge and the date 1749. Bro. Dalrymple was made an Honorary Member in 1900.
On St. John's night in 1786 we find, "that it having been reported to this lodge that John Dawson, wright, an apprentice of this lodge has for some time, taken upon himself to admit several people as members, without either reporting to the lodge, or getting payment of their admission fees, we unanimously disapprove of Bro. Dawson's conduct, not only for the foregoing reasons, but as being irregular, he being no more than an apprentice.” This might be one of the first cases of brethren ‘peddling’ degrees.
At a meeting in February the following year, the minute states “that it having been represented to the lodge, that it is customary in other lodges to make their Chaplain some present . . . to furnish the Chaplain with a pair of silk breeches, waistcoat and a pair of silk stockings.” Certainly a nice touch and it seems clear the lodge did not scrimp of the The first Master of the lodge was Captain gift. Duncan Campbell who according to Murray Lyon the Masonic Historian and was a de- To finish, the lodge produced an erroneous scendant of Colin, 3rd Earl of Argyll, and a plate for summons using a wrong name— confidential friend of Bonnie Prince Charlie, indeed this name was never used by the and the first person to make that Prince's ar- lodge. rival known to the Jacobites in Edinburgh. At the time of his initiation, he was a confidential adviser to Queen Anne. He was captain of one of the six independent companies of Highlanders embodied by the Government as the 42nd Regiment of Foot (The Black Watch). Bro. John, Earl of Crawford of Mary’s Chapel No.1 was their first Colonel. On the 19th December, 1780 Ensign James Campbell of the 1st Regt. of Foot, was entered an apprentice of this Lodge so any Jacobite influences must have been disappearing due to the Napoleonic threats.
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Question Is there any proof of tracing boards being drawn on the floor? Answer Very simply, yes! Tracing Boards are a significant survival from our Masonic past. In a way they epitomize a stage in the development of speculative Freemasonry, by way of accepted Masonry, from the operative Craft. The Masonic Lectures speak of the Tracing Board, with the rough and perfect Ashlars, as the three Immovable Jewels of the Lodge as they lie open and immovable in the Lodge for the brethren to moralise on. It is from the ceremony of consecrating a new Lodge that the Tracing Board proclaims its ancestry. A rubric in the ritual for the ceremony directs that the Lodge room shall be set out in the usual manner, with the Lodge Board in the centre, covered with a cloth, and a Cornucopia, wine and oil cups, and a censer be placed at the end. In the course of the ceremony the consecrating elements of Corn, Wine and Oil are poured onto the board with ritual and symbolic significance.
A theory was developed that at some time remote in Masonic History, the primitive Lodge was held out of doors. Echoes of this tradition are to be found in early speculative documents and some still persist in the Lectures. To the student of folklore the marking out of a ritual enclosure on the ground is a familiar and explainable practice. When Lodges came to meet indoors, it would be
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natural for them to continue customs which were used out of doors. The enclosure (the Lodge), the ‘oblong square’ of the 18th century catechisms, in becoming a drawing on the floor, entered on a stage of development which ultimately led to the pictorial tracing boards of to-day. It should be borne in mind that the term ‘the Lodge’ refers to the ritual enclosure which became the outline of the diagram drawn on the floor – References to the Tyler ‘drawing the Lodge’ are a familiar feature of early 18th Century minutes. Of the nature of the diagram we are less sure, some old documents hint at several variations in the ‘form of the Lodge’, cruciform, triangular, and rectangular as well as the most popular, the ‘oblong square’ (a simple expression which later became the parallelelepipedon’ in the Lectures).
Following Samuel Pritchard’s printed exposure ‘Masonry Dissected’ in 1730 others followed in increasing numbers claiming to reveal both Ancient and Moderns working. Both Antients and Moderns exposures featured an illustration claiming to be the ‘Plan of the Drawing on the floor at the making of a Mason’. Drawing the Lodge with chalk or charcoal on the floor of the room was no doubt satisfactory in the very early days in ordinary inns and taverns but for more sophisticated Lodges meeting in higher class establishments, this practice would clearly
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Miscellany (ctd) not be feasible and so a system of tapes tacked into position on the floor was used. This would be less trouble and less likely to leave traces whereby the ‘form of the Lodge’ might be discovered and as not all Tyler’s would be Artists - it was therefore inevitable as the elaboration increased that some form of ready-made permanent representation came into use, originally as floor-cloths then to the elaborately painted and framed pictures of the 1800’s we still use to-day. We have to remember that in the 18th Century, much more instruction was imparted to the Candidate than to-day, not so much in the ceremony, but afterwards in the form of education, fitting the candidate for the subsequent degree. Such instruction seems to have fallen by the wayside as the Candidate in the 1st Degree is not instructed that the three great principles on which the order is founded are brotherly love, relief and truth. He only discovers this important information when he learns the questions leading to the 2nd Degree. Similarly, although the peculiar objects of the 2nd Degree are the hidden mysteries of nature and science, the Fellow-Craft has to wait for this revelation until he studies the questions leading to the 3rd Degree. Thanks to the PGL Warwickshire.
Bulgarian Presentation The master of Road to Light Lodge was presented with the certificate and jewel by the oldest member of the lodge while an Honorary Member was obligated and given the plate on the front cover. It’s fascinating seeing similar items to our own but in another language. Definitely a great demonstration of Masonry Universal.
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Scottish Medal
he rare silver medal, of which, the annexed engraving is a copy, has been recently added by Bro. James Newton , P. Prov. S.G. Deacon East Lancashire, to his collection of Masonic medals, and at the suggestion of Bro. W. J. Hughan, P.G.D., and by the kindness of the publisher of this magazine, is reproduced here as being interesting to Masonic students generally. In the splendid work by Bro. W.T.R. Marvin, "The Medals of the Masonic Fraternity," printed at Boston , U.S.A., in 1880, under No. XXXII., page 29, is the following description of this modal: "Obverse, arms of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; azure, a chevron between three castles argent (the compasses arc omitted) . Crest, a castle argent. A collar of thistles and thistle leaves encircles the shield, pas sing behind the crest ; from the collar is suspended a jewel containing St. Andrew and his cross. Legend : THE LORD IS ALL OVR TRUST . Reverse : a mosaic pavement, over -which two brethren arc approaching ; a temple in the background , in front of which, stand two pillars. Above the temple, on the left, is the sun, on the right the moon and seven stars, and over the centre the All-seeing Eye darting' its rays upon the taller of the two brethren, who
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holds his companion by the hand , and with his right hand points to a female fi gure seated on the right; at her feet is a Corinthian capital; her left arm rests upon an altar ; her right hand closes her lips. In the right foreground the Bible, square, and compasses, surrounded by three burning tapers. Between the brethren are a gavel and level lying on the pavement. In exergue : AMICITIA VIKTUTE ET SILEXTIO (by friendship, virtue, and silence) in two lines. This medal must have been struck previous to 1756, as the seal of the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the charter of St. Andrew's Lodge of Boston, issued in that year, has those arms impaled with the Lion of Scotland. the collar and badge on the obverse are those of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , which was formed in 1736, and that the medal was probably struck about this date to commemorate the institution of the Grand Lodge.
From the Masonic Magazine 1882.
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Col. Starkie PGM of Lancashire
B
ro. Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie was the son of Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie of Huntroyde Hall, Padiham who was himself a former Member of Parliament for Pontefract. Starkie married Anne Chamberlain, daughter of Abraham Chamberlain of Rylstone, Yorkshire. He was educated at Uppingham School and Trinity College, Cambridge being awarded a BA in 1851 and an MA in 1854. He was admitted at Inner Temple on 11 June 1853. He inherited Huntroyde Hall on the death of his father in 1865. In August 1853 Starkie was elected at a by-election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Borough of Clitheroe until 1857 when he didn’t stand again for re-election. Starkie was a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire. He was Colonel of the 3rd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. In 1868 he was High Sheriff of Lancashire. He was initiated in St. George’s Lodge of Harmony, No. 35 (now No. 32), Liverpool on 22 September 1858, where he was passed on 23 February, raised on 23 March 1859, served as Master in 1862, was elected an honorary member in 1888 and was a founder of three lodges.
Starkie became Provincial Grand Master (PGM) for the Province of East Lancashire in 1870. Right Worshipful Brother Starkie’s outstanding service to the Province was the development of the East Lancashire Masonic Benevolent Institution (ELMBI). He was affectionately known as the ‘Father of the Institution’ and presided over 28 consecutive Annual General Meetings of the Institution. When Bro Starkie became Provincial Grand Master, the Province contained 79 Lodges. On his death in 1899, there were 113 Lodges and 4,829 members in the Province. Such was W Bro Starkie’s profile as PGM that an area of this Province has been named after him. Also, a craft lodge – The Starkie Lodge No 1634. This Lodge was consecrated on 27th December 1876 at the Station Hotel, Ramsbottom, with the personal permission of the then Provincial Grand Master. After moving to the Civic Hall in Ramsbottom some years later, the Lodge had to move first in 1989 to Haslingden Masonic Hall and subsequently to Ashdale Lea, in Rossendale. At its inaugural meeting, Starkie Lodge also received Colonel Starkie’s personal permission to use his Starkie family crest on the Lodge summons and PM jewels. A practice that is carried on to this day and revered by its members.
He was active in the Mark, RA (G Superintendent) and KT. Colonel Le Gendre Nicholas He died at Huntroyde at the age of 71.
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Lodge Drummond Kilwinning Drummond Kilwinning was a short lived lodge in Edinburgh formed for the brethren of Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No. XII who resided and worked in Edinburgh. On 7th February, 1739, a petition for separation and the formation of a new lodge in Edinburgh was presented to Grand Lodge. This was motioned by Bro. Archibald Govane (lawyer) on behalf of the brethren of No. XII. The OBs given were: Master: George Drummond DM: Archibald Govane SW: Lord Cardross (eldest son of Earl of Buchan, Henry David Erskine GMM 1745 –46; later 11th Earl & GMM 1782—84)
JW: John Campbell MP (Lord Provost Ed 1715, 1719—20, 1723—24, House of Commons 1721—34)
Accountant General of Excise. Lord Provost, 1725; Junior Grand Warden, 1738. In the Lodge of Edinburgh, where for example, he was 'admitted and received entered apprentice and fellow craft on the 28th of August, 1721.' One meeting due to being a non-operative. GMM 1752 Alexander Melville, 5th Earl of Leven GMM 1741 James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton (1701-1768) GMM 1739
Another couple of important members of both lodges were John Erskine (lawyer) 1695— 1768 joined before 1739 and Charles Mackie (lawyer although professor of history at Edin University) 1688—1770 (probably joined about same time as Erskine). George Drummond’s son also joined the lodge and his brother, Alexander, better known as the first PGM of Glasgow affiliated in May 1739.
An excerpt of the minute from 3rd February, 1739 from No. XII gives details (bottom). The lodge only lasted 7 years which may be due to the difficult times of the Jacobite period as explained in The Annalist: Other distinguished brethren were Colin Drummond (unrelated), Professor of Greek, joined in December 1739 and the Rev. John Jardine, minister of Edinburgh High Church, joined in 1742. Some notable Drummond Kilwinning Members: David Stuart Erskine, 10th Earl of Buchan (1742-1829) Antiquary and Political Reformer (see CK April 2021) George Drummond (1687-1766, shown)
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“As I have mentioned the lodge of free masons, I cannot help congratulating myself upon the opportunity I had of making so many worthy brethren in this place, and of forming the only lodge that is in the Levant, but my joy is still the greater, when I reflect that all the members are gentlemen of amiable characters, and must reciprocally reflect and receive
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Lodge Drummond Kilwinning (ctd) honour in their association with the society of free and accepted masons. The lodge of Drummond Kilwinning, from Greenock, has reason to be proud of this her first daughter, and, I assure you, I am not a little vain of being the father of such a flock.” From George Drummond’s Travels in 1744. Drummond served as master 1739—43 then Joseph Williamson, advocate, 1743—45. During 1745 and 1746 no election took place. Perhaps during the Jacobite uprising, it was not appropriate as the lodge had Government and Jacobite members.
lodges, namely Canongate Kilwinning, St David’s, Drummond Kilwinning, Edinburgh St James, Edinburgh Kilwinning, Vernon Kilwinning, Holyrood House, Kilwinning Scots Arms, Leith Kilwinning, and Thistle. Grand Lodge of Scotland Minutes, 6 November 1771: all penalties resulted from the failure of lodges to pay dues, annual monies, subscription fees, charitable donations, or any other arrears owed to the Scottish Grand Lodge. Drummond Kilwinning from Greenock was in arrears and struck off the roll.
It was clear that the elite of Edinburgh lim- My thanks to Bro. Alan Beck PM XII ited their membership to one or a select few
Bro. George Drummond, first master
The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814 On Friday 1st April, Bro. Charles Winston PM will present a talk on The Painting, The Baillie and the Lodge Part 2 Meeting in the Masonic Hall, West Stewart Street in Greenock at 7.30pm. All brethren welcome.
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The First Scottish Regimental Lodge The first lodge attached to a regiment chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland was not a Scottish regiment, but an English one—the 12th Regiment of Foot (East Sussex), previously the Duke of Norfolk’s in 1747. Whereas the oldest Scottish regiment (Royal Scots) had their lodge join the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1732. It was not uncommon for lodges to join the three Grand Lodges—usually because they would be chartered wherever they were based. It also showed the connection even in the 18th Century between the Grand Lodges and the brethren. The Irish records are actually quite good for anyone seeking to do some research, but Scottish records are variable although information can be gathered from other sources. However, the 19th Century Bye-Laws of this lodge is available in full: The Body to assemble at a house most convenient for their purpose, the first Tuesday in month if conveniency will permit. That Master, Warden or Member neglecting to appear at the place and hour appointed except lawful necessity calls him otherways shall be fined as the list of fines annexed. Few lodges met in barracks, but in houses or local pubs. Like most lodges of the time, fines were imposed for non-appearance (and as a military lodge, perhaps other punishments could be used). A Lecture on Masonry to be given every Regular Lodge Night by the Master or Order, for the better edification of the Brethren, the secretary to be exempt the Lecture the better to observe any misbehaviour—cursing or swearing, coming drunk to the Lodge, interruptions in the Lecture or otherways, and likewise to take a particular acct. of the Charges, and Acquaint the Master when it amounts to ten Light Stivers each member. It is interesting to see that the education of brethren appears more important than conferring degrees and every brother was ex-
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pected to contribute—especially since candidates would be limited to members of the regiment only. The regiment was stationed in Holland in the 1740s when the laws were made, hence the use of the term light stivers which was an old Dutch currency. It is strongly recommended, to every member when the Lodge is closed and the charges of the house defrayed that every Brother repair immediately to their Lodgings, as there are several bad consequences attend late hours beside the extravagant expenses have run ourselves into, and often causes great disturbances in our families; the extreme hurt we do our bodily healths and often renders us incapable of pursuing our daily occupations, beside gives the scandalous tongues of ill-disposed people or enemies to the Royal Craft , the greatest liberty of ridicule. This is a long winded way of saying do not drink—a common affliction among soldiers often leading to dismissal or death. Any member who shall Behave himself indecently out of the Lodge so as to be anyways a stain to the character of a mason shall be publicly excluded. The above law was consequence that this behaviour would not be tolerated. Every Brother must always consider that whenever he enters the Lodge he is in a Place where masons are met in order to work and that Wisdom, Strength and Beauty are our chief supports. First, then, our Wisdom, in abstaining from all rude and frothy expressions. Let unanimity be our strength and then Beauty and order will be their natural consequences Let us stamp our seal of secrecy on whatever is said or done there, and never permit anything to be published out of those doors, for when Masons are met together they should unbosom themselves freely without reserve, well knowing and reason expecting that whatever unguarded expressions may be accidentally made use of they ought to go no further but are or ought to be locked safe in those breasts alone that know to whom and in what Place to re-
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The First Scottish Regimental Lodge (ctd) veal them, and let every Brother consider that masons are a society of men closely knit together and that true masonry - will certainly like the square will reduce all rude matter into form and rub of nil Rust of conversation which very often renders a man unfit for human society, good manners, the true character of a gentleman and good sense distinguishes us from the lower class of mankind—are to be attained and improved by Masonry. Although a military lodge, it was still a lodge with the same values as every other lodge. The last three laws are self-explanatory.
of riches and high Stations can be no reasonable objection against an honest and virtuous man that is as fin- as we can judge, who pays his Duty to the Grand Architect his neighbour and himself, for if they have not His fear , they can have no regard to the most solemn obligations , but will turn rebels and endeavour to into bring Disgrace that Royal Craft. Those Perfections they never can arrive at, and if by outward appearance we should be so much imposed upon as to admit such profligates as trifle with and pay no regard to that obligation in which they have so ' voluntarily bound themselves let us not in they, least be afraid to expel them immediately, but cut them of like rotten Branches. Such resolution will bring credit to ourselves and honour to the Royal Craft.
That our behaviour both in and out of the Lodge be agreeable for it is not sufficient that we show ourselves Masons in the Lodge only but that we let the kind influence of Masonry at all times, and in all places teach and direct Whatever Brother shall be so us to govern and subdue our rude as to hiss at another or passions for that man will be at what he says or has said, a very little credit to our Socishall be expelled till another ety, who tho' he may behave time and publicly owns fault with becoming decency in the before the body, and his grace Lodge , yet—if without—a be granted by asking Pardon malicious revengeful or perof the Party offended. haps a , common swearer I wonder if that included ‘tut what opinion must sober thinking people's tut’ which can often appear from the East. have of Masons when their actions are so counter to their professions. The Master and Wardens may alter or add to these By-laws as they shall think most convenient for the good of the lodge. No visitor to be Every Bro. is desired to be very diligent in en- allowed except by consent of the body. quiring into the character of every person who shall Petition them to be admitted into our These laws give an insight into not just an old fraternity, and permit me here to observe that lodge but a regiment in the 18th Century. It is Masonry is universal and neither is or can be very clear that the high standards of the Craft were upheld within the lodge despite the brethconfined to any state or condition in life for ren having seen some horrors of battle (bearing honour, virtue and honesty are not always in in mind the type of sword injuries). Many solthe possession of those affluent fortunes only , diers were ‘rough diamonds’ but the common but are often found amongst those of inferior decency was absolutely expected. rank, nor can we as Masons reject any one on account of his station in life , so that the want
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Old Irish Jewel An Irish Georgian (pre 1830) engraved silver pendant jewel, for the Grand Lodge of Ireland; arms and winged supporters within arch, skull below, HOLINESS TO THE LORD, eye above sun, moon, compasses resting on the arc, columns, officebearers jewels and various other emblems. The Lodge was constituted in 1725 with the Earl of Rosse as Grand Master.
Occupation of Danish Freemasons In 1940, Germany occupied Denmark (despite being neutral) and the Danish government and king functioned as relatively normal in a de facto protectorate over the country until 29 August 1943, when Germany placed Denmark under direct military occupation, which lasted until the Allied victory on 5 May 1945. The Headquarters (right) of the Schalburg Corps, a Danish SS unit, after 1943. The occupied building is the lodge of the Danish Order of Freemasons located in Copenhagen. King Christian X (far right) remained in Denmark throughout the war, a symbol of courage much appreciated by his subjects.
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Bro. Sandy Graham MM 242, PM 156 Bro. Sandy was initiated into Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone 26th April 1962 following in the footsteps of his father Bro. Daniel Graham and grandfather, Bro Alex G Graham. Some years later, he affiliated to Lodge St Barchan 156 following in the footsteps of his 1X, 2X, 3X & 4X Great Grand Fathers all of whom were named James Buchannan, the first of whom joined Lodge St Barchan in 1793, served as secretary and was installed as Master 1813. He was installed as Master in December 2005 at the age of 65, has been secretary for the last 12 years and has been made Hon. Grand Architect of Grand Lodge of Scotland 2021 for services to the Order.
sons, the Eastern Star—achieving Honorary Grand Rank in some of these orders. He is also a 30o mason as well as being a member of the Royal Order of Scotland. There are some other masonic bodies in which Sandy is active. In his ‘civvy’ life, he was a member of 1st Johnstone BB rising rank of Staff Sergeant Warrant Officer 1st Johnstone Life Boy Team (now called Junior Section); a member 1st Johnstone Rover Scout Crew (and assisted in building the Scout Hall Campbell Street in 1960). He became Group Scout Leader 1st Johnstone Scout Group 1979—2005 and received the Medal of Merit for services to the Scout Movement.
Bro. Sandy has been through the chair of the Royal Arch (& its This month Bro. Sandy celevarious bodies), the Knights brates 60 years in the Craft and Templar, the Red Cross of Constantine, the we congratulate him on everything he has Order of the Secret Monitor, the Guild of Ma- achieved for his lodges and beyond.
Old School Jewels
Many lodges (especially under the UGLE) have a theme for which they recruit. For example, armed forces, police, fireman, poets, etc, but another popular theme was the old school connection as shown with some above. Although not so popular in Scotland, some do exist such as Edinburgh Academy Centenary No.1327 and Loretto Centenary No.1373 (Loretto School) whereas Watsonian Lodge No.1375 (George Watson’s School) had to amalgamate. Cross Keys Aprilk 2022
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The Grand Master Mason, Bro. Ramsey McGhee has been visiting Jamaica for the Re-Dedication Ceremony of the District Grand Lodge of Jamaica and to install the new District Grand Master, Bro. Courtney King Palmer, in addition to celebrating anniversaries of the lodges in Jamaica missed by the Pandemic.
Early start to business on Friday 25 March with the first live TV interview of the day at 6.30am. The Grand Master Mason and District Grand Secretary Brother Warren Sookdar spoke openly and transparently about Freemasonry in general and activities in Trinidad & Tobago & Grenada in particular.
PGM’s Update PG Lodge Annual Visitations continue, and 21 have now been completed. I’d like to thank the PGL Office Bearers for the support they've given the Commission as we progress through the visitations. I’d also like to thank the lodges form the very warm welcome that has been extended to us at every visitation. Lodge Paisley St Mirrins’ No 129 will cerebrate their 250th Anniversary with a rededication ceremony by Grand Lodge on 2nd April. 129 are only the second lodge in the Province the celebrate 250 years of Freemasonry, and I’m looking forward to heading the PGL Deputation on their very special day.
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TO:
15 March 2022 Provincial Grand Secretaries District Grand Secretaries Grand Superintendents Secretaries of daughter Lodges Secretaries of Lodges which are under the direct supervision of Grand Lodge
Dear Sir and Brother, Due to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, millions of people require urgent assistance and, in response to messages from our membership asking for information on how they can help, The Grand Lodge of Scotland is co-ordinating a fund raising initiative on behalf of the Scottish Craft to support the vital relief efforts being undertaken by the British Red Cross in Ukraine and the surrounding countries which are providing invaluable support to refugees.
Should you wish to donate, please do so by following the Just Giving link below: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/glos?utm_id=1&utm_term=GZKeDRvMv Alternatively, donations may be made directly to the Grand Lodge of Scotland using the following account details – Name - Grand Lodge of Scotland Ukraine Appeal Sort Code – 80-31-20 Account number – 00399524 Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to email Dawn Oliff, the Homes and Charities Manager, at dawn@grandlodgescotland.org Yours faithfully and fraternally,
William M.S. Semple Grand Secretary
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Foundation Stone in Rhodesia The Duke of Connaught, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Order in England, laid the foundation stone of the new English Church of St, John the Baptist, Bulawayo, in November, 1910. Plans for the building were drawn up by Mr. F. Masey and when completed, but without the tower and furniture, the cost was $7 500. The old church stood on St. Gabriel's site and is known today as St. Gabriel's Chapel now Zimbabwe. This Church of St John, later upgraded to cathedral, is several blocks away and the Freemasons, lead by the Duke, had a ceremonial walk from one consecrated site to another before laying the stone. Photos show the ceremony, the stone and then and now images of the church.
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Bro. Robert Freke Gould, Historian Has anyone not seen a set of volumes by this masonic historian? Probably very few! Bro. Gould was commissioned in 1855 as Ensign, 86th Foot, then Lieut., 31st Foot. Served in the North China Campaign. Barrister, 1868. Initiated 1855 in the Royal Navy Lodge, No. 429 (now No. 621), Ramsgate. Member Friendship Lodge, No. 345 (now No. 278), Gibraltar; Inhabitants’ Lodge, No. 178 (now No. 153), Gibraltar; Meridian Lodge, 31st Foot, No. 1045 (now No. 743); St. Andrew’s-in-the-East, No. 313, Poona, (Grand Lodge of Scotland); Orion-in-the-West Lodge, No. 598 (now No. 415), Poona; Northern Lodge of China, No. 832 (now No. 570), Shanghai; WM in 1864; Royal Sussex Lodge, No. 735 (now No. 501), Shanghai; Moira Lodge, No. 92, London, WM in 1874-5. Exalted Melita Chapter, No. 437 (now No. 349), Malta; Scottish Chapter at Poona; Zion Chapter, No. 570, Shanghai; Moira Chapter, No. 92, London. That’s the blurb from QC Lodge in London, but what of the man?
[See Cross Keys in December for a short history of this lodge which works in London]
The same year, he resigned his Commission and came to London to study Law at the Inner Temple and was called to the Bar in 1868. In was during the next 20 plus years he did what is called the ‘authentic school’ of research (ie. history was written from actual sources rather than esoteric manuscripts). He was scathing about the standard of inGould’s enthusiasm for the Craft was evident struction given to young enquiring freemaas the lodges he became involved with all be- sons. came successful, this being mainly India to begin with there he was stationed. He also His first book, The Four Old Lodges, in 1879 joined the Knight Templars in 1857 and two brought him in touch with the foremost mayears later became the Deputy Provincial sonic researchers of the day and ultimately to Grand Commander of Bombay. Unfortunate- forming the first research lodge, Quatuor Corly, it was shorted lived as the 31st was post- onati Lodge in London. Bro. Gould only ed to the North China Campaign and over the missed one meeting in the first 8 years! next two years, he trained a battalion of Manchu troops to form the garrison and worked The first volume of his monumental landalongside Maj. Gen. Gordon of Khartoum. His mark on the History of Freemasonry was pubonly masonic activities were in Meridian lished in 1882. Unfortunately during the earLodge attached to the 31st. In 1863, he be- ly years of the 20th Century, due to ill health and failing eyesight, his masonic activities came the first joindecreased considerably. ing member of Royal Sussex Lodge He died in his home in Woking in 1915. The No.501 in Shanghai, great Irish researcher wrote: joined The Northern Lodge of China There has been no one like unto him in our No.702 and founder day, nor is there any probability of a sucof Tuscan Lodge cessor that shall outdo his work. No.1027 both in Shanghai as shown.
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L
Lodge St. Patrick No.295 (IC)
odge St. Patrick has a fascinating history having been formed in 1798, not because it is old but due to its military status which still prevails to this day and is the oldest travelling warrant in the world. As such, it does not belong to a Province. The lodge is warranted under the Grand Lodge of Ireland which was the first to grant ‘ambulatory’ or travelling warrants for lodges to open wherever the regiment was posted. Two other lodges were also granted this status: Lodge Glittering Star No.322 under the 1st Worcestershire Regiment in 1759 and Lodge Charity No.570 under the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1780. The lodge started from the 1st Reg. of Horse and then 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards (now the 4th/7th RDG) changing its role from cavalry to armoured. The warrant was granted by R. Hon. Charles Viscount Moore as Grand Master (later 6th Earl and 2nd Marquis of Drogheda and Field Marshall) and is still in the lodge’s possession (see below open and closed). The lodge registered 112 members in 1830 but 5 years later it was returned to Dublin with a donation. The lodge was resuscitated in 1878 with its only original member being Lt. Gen. Sir Edward Hodge (a former CO of the regiment in The Crimea). St. Patrick's Lodge continued working within
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the Regiment until May 1835 when, for reasons not recorded, the Warrant was sent in to be laid up in the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and "labours" came, temporarily, to an end. At this date the Master was Captain Edward Hodge, who as "Little Hodge" led the Regiment at Balaclava and became its Colonel.
The Warrant returned to the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, 7th January, 1878. The following is a brief extracts from the lodge records: Newbridge - 3rd April, 1878 Bro. Major Thomas Bradney Shaw-Hellier (2 ic 4th Royal Irish DG & Apollo Lodge No.357 in Oxford) was then installed Master for the usual time, and saluted according to ancient custom. The master presented to the Brethren a case containing a Silver Trowel, Square, Compasses, Ivory Maul and Ten Collars with the Star of St. Patrick which are still in possession of the lodge.
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Lodge St. Patrick’s No.295 (IC) (ctd) The jewel on the left is suspended from a silver badge, which is actually a miniature star of the Order of St. Patrick, which was founded on the 17th March, 1783. The Star comprises the cross of St Patrick, a red saltire on a white background, with the motto "Quis Separabit" (Who will separate [us]) above the cross and below the cross "MDCCLXXXIII" (1783) the year the Order was founded. On the cross is a green enamelled shamrock with a crown on each leaf. On the right, is a member’s jewel. Couple of Points of Interest: 1908—evidence of brethren affiliating from the 4 RIDG 1913—evidence of brethren being initiated and affiliating from other regiments such as the Welch Regiment. For example Sgt Fitch who would become master in Border Lodge No.3129 (EC) and Capt. Wilson (4th Wilts Reg). 1920s—various minutes from places where the regiment was stationed in India. 1936—9 meetings took place in Edinburgh which has various Grand Lodge visitors such as
Bro. T.G. Winning Grand Secretary and the 295 brethren were likewise invited to visit the Scottish lodges. 1938—Bro. Rev. McLean of Lodge Paisley St. Mirren’s No.129 affiliates and was appointed Chaplain. 1950s—brethren affiliate from various regiments including RAF, RN and RM. The lodge continues to meet, currently in the Masonic Hall, Market Place, Warminster in Wiltshire on the last Saturday
morning of each month (except August and December). The brethren of St. Pat’s would be delighted to receive you as a visitor. My thanks to Bro. John Torley PM 295 Secretary. Cross Keys Aprilk 2022
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Sir Charles Dalrymple Bart. GMM Dalrymple was born Charles Fergusson on October 15th, 1839. At the age of 10 he adopted the surname Dalrymple, his mother's maiden name, when his father passed away. This was done to honour his greatgrandfather's will. He attended Harrow School, a boarding school near London. Later he went on to Trinity College, Cambridge where he graduated with third-class honours in classics.
Grand Lodge of Scotland from 1894 until 1896.
Report of 'A MASONIC PRESENTATION’ in the Glasgow Herald 1898: Yesterday afternoon a deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland waited upon Sir Charles Darymple, of Newhailes, Bart., M.P., for the purpose of presenting to his family a bust of himself, by Mr W. Grant Stevenson, R.S.A., in recognition of his services to Freemasonry during his peIn 1865 Dalrymple was called to the bar at riod of office as Grand Master. [...] The the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, one Grand Master (Lord Saltoun) presented the of the four professional bust. [...] barrister associations in England where barristers In Grand Lodge there was are called to the bar. In his now a large number of early career Dalrymple busts of Past Grand Masserved as Justice of the ters of Scotland, and he felt Peace and Deputy Lieutenperfectly sure that another ant for East Lothian, Midloplace would be most worthian and Ayrshire. He thily filled by this bust, served as Deputy Lieutenand that those who came ant for East Lothian as well. after him in the long series He was a captain in the of illustrious men who had Prince Regent's Ayr and occupied the Masonic Wigtown Militia. throne would recognise that Sir Charles Dalrymple In 1868, Dalrymple became was not the least amongst a member of Parliament them. (Applause.) He now (MP) for Bute until 1885 presented to Sir Charles which included a fourDalrymple and to those month interruption in 1880. In 1886 he con- who would succeed him in the future – tinued as MP for Ipswich serving until 1906. which, he trusted, would be long delayed – In 1905 he was made a member of the Privy that bust from the Grand Lodge of Scotland Council, a formal body of advisors to the Sov- in acknowledgement of the great and good ereign. Dalrymple passed away on June 20th, work which he had done for that Grand 1916. Lodge and for Masonry. Dalrymple served as the Grand Master of the
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Masonic Meetings on Cruise Ships In the post WW2 era, many cruise ships would hold masonic meetings and functions. These must have been super to attend and here are a couple of examples—one on board SS Strataird and another on the SS Orsova in 1969. Both trips were bound for Australia. Much like a regimental lodge, it needed the go-ahead of the Captain of the ship and although it appears no degrees were ever performed, they clearly helped the passing of the long journey. These were formal occasions with toast lists, lists of brethren in attendance and officers such as secretary etc. My thanks to Bro. John Chapman PM who is a Cruise Ship Lecturer.
King’s Navy Lodge No.2901 Kings Navy Lodge No.2901 meets in Gillingham in the Province of East Kent was founded in 1902 (see jewel far right). The lodge suffered over 35 losses with all brethren (one unknown) serving in the Royal Navy. Many died in 1915 due to the sinking of HMS Formidable which was torpedoed about 25 miles off Portland by the German submarine U-24 with the loss of over 500 souls. This must have been a tremendous loss for the lodge. The PM jewel (right) has beautiful enamelling of flags on gold poles , to the left the flags show the Ensign flag and the Union Flag. The right hand pole bears four flags as used in the old system of signalling. Another two very fine examples of masonic military jewels.
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Croydon Masonic Centre
After a lick of paint, the centre is looking ‘braw’ as shown above with E and W. Many 242 brethren will remember conferring an exemplification of the MMD when Bro. Peter Smolarek was master and our Secretary was a boy! Now that Covid is lessening, let’s hope 242 can visit en masse again at a regular meeting or their installation. I’m sure we can muster a team to visit Selsdon Park Lodge No.5005 (EC).
All Soul’s Chapter Jewels It is interesting to note how some old Royal Arch jewels imply a very close connection with the lodge. Here is a fine example of jewels designed by the well known jewel maker Bro. Thomas Harper and still worn by the chapter officers. Top two—Janitor (Tyler), both scribes (Sec) Middle—tools for three sojourners and the 1st Principal's (master) in the centre Bottom—J, H (wardens) and the Treasurer These jewels show a close resemblance of the lodge jewels, particularly the square, compasses and arch. This link between lodge and chapter should not be forgotten.
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PoppyScotland Challenge SCOTTISH MASONIC VICTORIA CROSS CYCLE CHALLENGE 371.14 Miles down. So far Bro. Jim Legge has symbolically visited ALL 18 Lodges (19 VC’s) and am now on the long 198.26 Miles back home: Lodge Pitgaveny No 681 (Bro Alexander Edwards VC), Lodge Gordon No 589 (Bro George I McIntosh VC), Lodge St Andrew No 52 (Bro Colin F Barron VC), Lodge St Congan No 922 (Bro George Findlater VC), Lodge Charleston of Aboyne No 281 (Bro George M Samson VC), Lodge Union No 250 (Bro David F Hunter VC), Lodge Elgin and Bruce No 1077 (Bro Adam Archibald VC), The Douglas Lodge No 409 (Bro Harcus Strachan VC), The Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) No 1 (Bro Matthew F M Meiklejohn VC and Bro Sir Ernest B B Towse VC), Lodge Trafalgar No 223 (Bro Donald D Farmer VC), Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No 2 (Bro Walter L Brodie VC), St James’s Operative Lodge No 97 (Bro John C Raynes VC), Lodge St John No 187 (Bro Thomas Caldwell VC), Lodge Montefiore No 753 (Bro Jack Weiss [White] VC), Lodge Mother Kilwinning No 0 (Bro Harry Sherwood Ranken VC), Lodge Union Glasgow No 332 (Bro William Robertson VC), Lodge Glasgow at Glasgow No 441 (Bro Henry May VC),
Lodge Greyfriars No 1221 (Bro John McAuley VC), Aiming to complete this PoppyScotland Challenge by the beginning of MAY 2022, so all monies donated shall be gratefully received and faithfully applied.
To donate, go to: Scottish Masonic Victoria Cross Cycle Challenge | Poppyscotland
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Armed Forces Covenant Good to see many PGL’s etc are now signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This provides various benefits for servicemen and women returning to civvy life as well as providing businesses with employees with unique skills and a reliable background. The four page covenant can be read here. Last December the PGL of Dorset signed the covenant and joined the other PGLs who have done so.
Sir William Wallace Royal Arch Chapter No. 109 Excellent Master Degree Pactice Thursday 21st April at 7.30pm EM degree with one candidate All companions welcome
To submit an article or want added to the mail list or Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod: E-Mail:
sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk
Website: http://lodge242.bravesites.com/
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