Cross Keys December 2014

The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone

December 2014

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light

In this issue: Inaugural Address 1865 Scouting & Freemasonry The King of Prussia Interview with website creator Glasgow City Chambers Foundation Stone

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Number 180

Inaugural Address 1865 Worshipful Wardens and Worthy Brethren, The honour which you have done me, in elevating me to the highest seat in this Lodge, necessitates my doing everything in my power to advance the interests of the Craft, and so prove to you that I am grateful for your kindness, and anxious to forward your interests. If I fail in the proper discharge of my duties, or do not come up to the brilliancy with which Past Master, Brother Reid and others, have filled this chair, you must ascribe it to my want of ability, not to the absence of inclination. My endeavour shall constantly be to promote the true interests of this Lodge, so that when I leave this chair, I may hand it over to my successor in as flourishing a condition as my esteemed friend Past Master Brother Reid has surrendered it to me.

Furthermore, with your assistance Brethren, I hope to be able, before long, to inscribe upon our banners the gallant motto of the "Greys," SECOND TO NONE; but I must assure you, that without your cordial co -operation and assistance, such a hope can never be realized, and thus, I must call upon your Masonic obligations, and your desire for the advancement of the Lodge, to nerve you on in the great work which lies before you. If you support me, test the great work which lies before you. If you support me, rest assured that nothing shall be wanting on my part, to raise the working and the status of the Lodge to the highest eminence. Remember, that though a Lodge can get on very well with an indifferent Master in the Chair; if the other Office-Bearers do their duty, the best intentioned and ablest Master must feel his endeavours futile, if he has not the support of his Office-Bearers, as well as that of the other Brethren. It should be the laudable ambition of every Brother to fill some post in the Lodge. By careful discharge of the inferior offices, he proves to the Brethren his fitness to fill the highest, for he only can properly command who has in an inferior post learnt to obey. I hope, then, on leaving this chair, to find many aspirants for it, and that the other offices will be eagerly sought after by the younger Brethren, who may, at some future time, desire to rise to the highest honour among us.

Tonight, I would crave your indulgence, while I briefly point out what are the duties incumbent upon the Members of a Lodge, which they are sworn to discharge, and the neglect of which is an offence against every Masonic law. A man, when he has received the Light, and been put in the possession of the signs and tokens by which Masons know each other, at once fancies himself an adept in our mysteries.

He may be able to repeat the ritual from the opening to the closing, and from that, imagine that he knows everything that Masonry has to teach him. I regret to be forced to dispel this fond delusion, and to assure such a one, that he is still on the threshold of the Lodge, and still struggling with the darkness of the outer world, " What !" one may reasonably exclaim; " Do I know nothing of Masonry, I, who have filled every office in the Lodge ?" Very probably you do not my Brother, for, as I have already said, the Ritual of Masonry is not the mystery of Masonry, any more than the sacrament of Baptism is Christianity.

The Ritual is simply your introduction into the Craft, and the mode by which you can only be permitted, or even have the power of studying its mysteries. When I was first made a Mason, I entertained the laudable ambition of rising to this chair, and to qualify myself to discharge its duties, I ground up the Ritual, which I was wont to repeat on all occasions when requested, with much inward satisfaction to myself.

That happened a good many years ago—for although a young man, I am comparatively an old Mason.

During the second year of my Masonic career, an old Brother, one who had devoted many years to the speculative sciences of our Order, took me aside, and said I should now enlarge my Sphere of Masonic knowledge if I wished really to understand Masonry in its widest extent, and gave me a list of the authors to study. As was very natural, I felt chagrined at this turn of affairs, and surprised that I, who, in my own estimation was second to none, should yet be only on the beach of Masonry, and before me the broad ocean still untracked and still unknown. However, I took his advice, although with a very bad grace, and glad am I that I did so, for the more I have studied Masonry, and the deeper I have dived into its mysteries, the more convinced have I become, that it is a universal teacher; the sister to true religion, leading up from earth to the great white throne, “from Nature up to Nature's God." Days and nights have I spent in studying our sublime mysteries by the midnight lamp, by the broad flaunting blaze of the sun, by the pale radiance of the moon. On the sea shore I have listened to the long melancholy roll of the waves; and in each little shell, with its exquisite whorl, found the finger of the great Creator. On the mountain summit, in the dark and sombre forest, upon a bed of wild flowers, have I found His work; and in the town, with its vice and crime, with its sins and sorrows, there, too, have I found Him. The greater part of what I do know, has been acquired in the study of Masonry.

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Inaugural Address 1865 (ctd) Masonry presupposes in every candidate for her mysteries, a knowledge of and a belief in God. That knowledge she perfects in the earnest student, that belief she deepens in his breast. Know God, is the sum of all Masonic teaching. And, my Brethren, is not this a sublime knowledge, which can, 'neath every clime, unite people of every country and creed in the broad band of brotherhood— “That strict pledge, which, once partaken, blunts the sabre's edge, it takes even contending tribes in peace unite, and hated hosts seem brethren to the sight!

I think, from these remarks, you will agree with me, Brethren, that the Ritual is not Masonry, and that it is only the means towards an end. To enable you to attain that end shall be my endeavour, so long as I have the honour and the happiness to fill this chair. If you will only give me your attendance, support me in my schemes for the uprearing the standard of Masonry; I have little doubt but the time will come, when other Lodges, taking up our cry, will make her blaze as brilliantly as ever she did in days of yore. It has been a subject of deep regret to many able and accomplished Masons, the decline and partial fall of our Order. It only remains for the Brethren at the present day to resolve to study its mysteries, once more to uprear the altar upon the square of truth, when that peculiar perpendicular line, linking the love of the Father in Heaven with the bond of Brotherhood on Earth, will be even as Jacob's ladder, upon which the good messengers will be continually found travelling, Masonry is no idle service, no vain imagining of light minds, but the solid growth of many ages, upreared by the greatest minds of antiquity, and established by the mightiest intelligences of all time. Is it then, not a cause to be proud of? Is it not a high privilege to be allowed to range under that honoured banner? And is it not something to boast of in aiding the advance of that time, when “Man to man, the World o'er, Shall brothers be?”

One thing demanded of a Mason is then, study; another equally important duty is regular attendance at Lodge Meetings. This, I regret to say, is a duty little attended to at the present day. Brethren appear to consider this of no consequence, forgetting that at their reception they promised this at all times, sickness and pressing emergency alone preventing. It is exceedingly disheartening to a Master to find himself left unsupported by the Brethren. It is uncourteous towards himself personally, and an insult to the Lodge. Every Brother is a block in the building of the Lodge, without which it cannot be perfect. Besides, it surely is no great call upon their time to ask them to be present twice a month, or about eighteen times a year. I sincerely trust that, during my term of office, the old members of the Lodge, as well as the young, will rally round the chair, so that a goodly show of ashlars may greet the eyes of my successor. In honouring the Lodge, the Brethren must remember they honour themselves; but in allowing the least innuendo, or giving rise to such against it; they dishonour themselves. A man, to his grave, is a Mason; he cannot escape from his obligations, and if he does not fulfil these to the utmost letter, then he fails in the display of everything noble and honourable in man. Furthermore, it is his duty to come forward and take office in the Lodge, and for that purpose he must be a regular attender at all meetings, so as to qualify himself for discharging its duties.

The duties of Office-Bearers are imperative; they are doubly bound to discharge them, both by their obligations as Masons, and by their oaths of fidelity as Office-Bearers. A Brother, before being raised to the dignity of the chair, should have passed from Inner Guard to Depute Master. It is no use saying that such a law would be inexpedient at the present day. It was the rule in former times, and I cannot see why it should be departed from in the present. Nothing is so ridiculous, nothing more contemptible, than to see Brethren requiring to be prompted in repeating a few words that a child of seven could learn in ten minutes. A Master should be perfect in every office of the Lodge—this can only be got by serving in every office; and the honour of being raised to the chair would be more highly appreciated, and more sought after, were there

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Inaugural Address 1865 (ctd) greater obstacles in the way of obtaining it. The Master would discharge his duties with greater zeal, and his efforts at benefiting the Lodge be rewarded with greater success.

“The power of the Master in his Lodge is absolute; he is the supreme arbiter of all questions of order, so far as the meeting is concerned. Nor can any appeal be made from his decision to that of the Lodge. He is answerable to Grand Lodge alone for his conduct, and all complaints against him must be presented for consideration to that sovereign tribunal. For no misdemeanour, of whatever nature, can he be tried by his Lodge ; for as no one has a right to preside there in his presence except himself, it would be absurd to suppose that he could sit as judge, while, at the same time, he appeared in the position of the accused."

Brethren, these are the privileges of the Master according to Masonic law; I sincerely trust that while I hold this chair, I shall never be called upon to exercise them. At the same time, I may assure you, that I shall not allow the dignity of this chair, or the honour attaching to it, to be sullied by the slightest act of any Brother.

If I can do nothing else in handing over the reigns of government to my successor; at least I shall hand them over as strong and as untarnished as they were handed over to me. While on this subject, it may be as well, Brethren, to inform you, that while in the chair, the Master must be treated with the utmost respect—his commands implicitly obeyed. One of our ancient charges says explicitly, and I recommend it to your earnest attention, Brethren, when in Lodge. " You are not to hold private committees, nor separate conversations, without leave from the Master, nor to talk of anything impertinent or unseemly, nor interrupt the Master; but to pay due reverence to your Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and put them to worship."

Brethren, I have thought it right, in as plain language as I could muster, to lay before you the duties of the Brethren to the Lodge. I trust that you will take to heart what I have said, and assist me in all things to promote the interests and welfare of the Lodge. It is my anxious desire to destroy anything appearing like self in any Brother, and to unite the Lodge in one harmonious whole. If, in my endeavours to rule this Lodge properly, I fail in doing so, or if by my actings I should give offence to any one, I beg of you to remember, that I do not sit all the term of my life in the chair, and that if dissatisfied at my actings, the remedy is clear, and you can turn me out at the first election.

The error Brethren often make in leaving the Lodge is, supposing the man to be the Master, while in reality the Master is distinct from the man. To abandon the Lodge, then, for the doings of one person who must in a definite term vacate the chair; is, to say the least of it, silly, I trust, however, and I trust with the utmost confidence in the Brethren, that my term of office, if characterised by little else, will at least be by the drawing still closer of the ties of brotherly love and affection, and the uniting of the individual Brethren of the Lodge into what may be well called a band of Brothers.

By Br. ANTHONY ONEAL HAYE, R.W.M. St Stephen, No.145, Extracted and transcribed by Bro. Kenneth C. Jack from ‘The Scottish Freemasons’ Magazine, February 1st, 1865, pp 21/22]

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Scouting & Freemasonry Bro. Daniel Carter Beard was born on June 21, 1850 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In his youth, his family moved to 322 E. 3rd Street in Covington, Kentucky where Beard loved exploring the banks of the nearby Ohio River and the Banklick Creek region south of Covington. It was during these explorations, that Beard developed his great love for nature and outdoors living.

In 1882, Bro. Beard wrote The American Boy’s Handy Book, a book which gives instructions and advice on animals, outdoors, knots, tents, fishing and more (and is still in print today).

Bro. Beard was raised a Master Mason in Mariners’ Lodge No.67 New York City and later became a member of Cornucopia Lodge No.563 Flushing, NY. In 1905, Beard founded the “Sons of Daniel Boone,” an outdoor education and exploration program for young men. Boys were organized into “forts,” uniforms were based on the outfits of frontiersmen and in place of ranks or advancement, boys earned notches and top notches for achievements in a variety of interest areas. This group grew to become the largest boy’s club in America.

The “Sons of Daniel Boone” developed into “The Boy Pioneers” in 1905. In 1910, Bro. Beard merged his organization into the fledgling Boy Scouts of America and became one of the first National Commissioners, serving Scouting for 30 years. He later became the editor of Boys' Life magazine, the BSA official magazine, and wrote a monthly column for youth. He received the only gold Eagle badge ever awarded.

Bro. Beard founded Boy Scouts Troop 1 in Flushing, New York, which is believed to be one of the oldest continuously chartered Boy Scout Troop in the United States.

To the scouts that knew him, he was “Uncle Dan”. But Bro. Beard first created a name for himself as an author and illustrator and was chosen to illustrate Mark Twain’s (Bro. Samuel Clemans, Polarar Star Lodge No. 79, Missouri) A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court in 1889.

Bro. Beard died on June 11, 1941, shortly before his 91st birthday at his home (named "Brooklands") in Suffern, New York. He was buried near his home at the Brick Church Cemetery in Spring Valley, New York. The National Program Director of the Boy Scouts of America, and founder of the Ord er o f the Arro w (1915), Bro. Dr. E. Urner Goodman (Lamberton Masonic Lodge 487 of Philadelphia), was selected to be in charge of the beloved youth lea der's funeral in Suffern. An estimated 2,000 people lined the funeral PTO

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Scouting & Freemasonry (ctd) route to the cemetery in Monsey, New York, where 127 Boy Scouts formed an honor guard and assisted with traffic control.

The Daniel Carter Beard Bridge spanning the Ohio River and connecting I-471 in northern Kentucky to I-71 in Ohio was named in his honor and dedicated in 1981. Freemasons in the U.S. offer the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award for Masons who are involved with Scouting.

Mount Dan Beard, a 10,082-foot (3,073 m) peak in the Alaska Range near Mount McKinley in Denali National Park and Preserve, is named after Bro. Beard.

The King of Prussia Frederick II King of Prussia (or better known as Frederick the Great) from 1740 to 1786, abolished judicial torture, press censorship and religious discrimination. A promoter of science and the arts, he supported the Acadamy of Berlin, befriended Voltaire and published a treatise on enlightened principles entitled "Antimachiavel."

He was initiated on August 14, 1738 at Brunswick with the furniture and assistance of the Lodge at Hamburg.

In 1739 he founded a lodge in Reinsberg, and in 1740 he sat as Master of a Lodge in Charlottenburg. On July 16, 1744 he granted his protection to the National Grand Lodge of Germany and on February 14, 1777 he wrote a letter of support to the Mother Lodge, Royal York of Friendship, at Berlin on the occasion of a masonic festival celebrating Frederick's birthday. He had little involvement in the Craft in his later years and there is no validity to some claims that he established the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Thirty-third Degree.

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Interview with Masonic Website Creator GS – Did your first impression prove to be true or did it change? How so?

BB – The teachings of Freemasonry have not only met my expectations, but also surpassed them. What did change is my opinion of Grand Lodge. For some members, especially those in the hierarchy, Freemasonry is nothing more than a political game.

GS – So, the forum originally starting as Texas Mason, how did it evolve?

BB – One of the biggest issues I’ve encountered has been with the Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M. Back in 2007, their website was archaic, hard to use and offered next to nothing for those seeking to become a Mason. That’s where we stepped in. If you had a question about a particular law we had someone available to answer it. If you needed assistance finding a Lodge in your area, someone would be there for you as well. We were an independent website – not a mouthpiece which made the Grand Lodge nervous. For the first time Tex- as Masons were discussing taboo topics such as extending relations with Prince Hall Masons, dealing with racism within a Lodge.

GS – One of the trends with forums has always been freshness. What do you do to keep things fresh for returning visitors?

BB – This is the number one issue facing Masonic sites. If you don’t offer your visitors fresh content, they won’t come back. That’s why many of the early Masonic websites are

stagnant in both content and member- ship. To keep things fresh I solicit articles from our members and once approved, they are promoted to our homepage. I also have our site pull RSS feeds from other Masonic websites, which not only brings new con- tent to ours, but also sends traffic to theirs. Another is making the site personal. Whether you’re looking for a recipe, seeking family advice, discussing the latest movie, or even requesting a simple prayer for something you’re going through, we’re there.

My Freemasonry isn’t just about Masonry, but the Mason.

GS – This may get into the speculative realm, but how do you see the online world of

eMasonry juxta- posed to the real world of lodge masonry? Do you think the former can operate or function in the same capac- ity as the latter? Why or why not?

BB – When it comes to Masonic Education, nothing beats eMasonry. I’ve learned more about the Craft being online than I ever would in Lodge. So many Masons are content with the business as usual mentality, which is why many Jurisdictions continue to see a decline in membership. Lodge meetings shouldn’t be just about paying bills or passing

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Interview with Masonic Website Creator (ctd) out fundraiser signup sheets (emphasis by the editor) and until Lodges start teaching Freemasonry and not going for the record of having the shortest meeting times, their memberships will continue to decline. That being said, nothing beats a handshake and a friendly smile that you receive when attending a Lodge meeting.

GS – Do you see the interactions of eMasonry as building blocks to more lodge interaction or another dis- traction/detractor to an active lodge life? Is there a point of balance between the two or an enhancement that you think could be made out both?

BB – I believe it’s possible that the younger generation could become distracted as they may get more out of Masonry online than what their Lodge offers. The younger generation is hungry for knowledge and Mason- ic education but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a Lodge that provides it. I recommend using eMasonry as a tool to improve your Lodge. For example, I encourage all of our members to find an article, essay, poem or even some trivia and share it at their stated meetings.

GS – With the booming social media trends, how do you see My Freemasonry in that mix? Does it have much interaction beyond the occasional mention or link?

BB – My Freemasonry has a Facebook, Google +, Newsstand, Twitter and YouTube channel and their sole purpose is to drive traffic to the site. If I have an article, I post an excerpt with a link back. We also have mobile apps that keep our users connected while on

the go. The key to a successful site, namely a Masonic one, is content and utilizing numerous methods to deliver it.

This is a reduced version of the interview which contains many common points. In order to engage young masons, we need young masons with shared interests in social media as well as having a similar outlook in life. The full interview can be read in Bro. Corky’s newsletter at http:// oldcorky.com/Mar14.pdf

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From the Columns On Friday, 14th November, 2014, Bro. David Black was installed into the chair of KS by his father Bro. Stuart Black PM while Bro. David Grimsley PM installed the OBs. See photo on next page.

Good luck to the whole team for the ensuing year.

A Tale of Two Men A young man walked past a pawnbroker and noticed the owner had a Masonic badge on his lapel. He admitted to him that he was a freemason and in desperate need of money to which the pawnbroker gave him £100. He promised to pay it back and this he did at the end of the week.

Four months later, the young man went through his EAD; he was not really a freemason at all. He looked across the lodge to see the pawnbroker and felt embarrassed. He felt worse when the pawnbroker approached and queried why he said he was a freemason.

The young man admitted he didn’t need £100, but was thinking about joining the Craft so decided to test whether freemasons were really generous or was it just a tale. After the loan, the young man decided to join. The pawnbroker told him not to worry at all – when they met, he wasn’t a freemason either but put the pin on since it looked good.

He then went on to say that as soon as the young man paid him back, he put a form in to join, as freemasons were obviously men of their word. He was the candidate just before the young man.

Masonic Record February, 1971

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Installation 2014

L to R: Bros. David M. Grimsley Installing Master, John S. Miller PGM RE, David S. Black RWM and dad Stuart McC. Black Installing Master

Eastern Star Donation

The Order of the Eastern Star Chapter in Johnstone has just donated an magnificent sum of ÂŁ1700 to Guide Dogs Scotland. In the photo is Orla, a puppy guide dog (the one with the blue top) and not the one with crutches!

Well done to all involved.

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Interesting Stats from the GL o California

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Interesting Stats from the GL o California

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GL News Each year the Grand Lodge of Scotland 'plants' a Poppy Cross (or Star of David or Crescent Moon) next to the Scott Monument (see below) on behalf of every Lodge in Scotland in order to remember 'en-masse' all the Freemasons who were members of Lodges in Scotland and who served their country in wars and other conflicts.

Each year the Grand Lodge of Scotland 'plants' a Poppy Cross (or Star of David or Crescent Moon) on behalf of every Lodge in Scotland in order to remember 'en-masse' all the Freemasons who were members of Lodges in Scotland and who served their country in wars and other conflicts.

In 2013 £26,000+ was donated by this means to Poppy Scotland and this year it is hoped that we shall improve on that figure.

PGL News Sunday 14th December, 2014—uplift Christmas parcels from Lodge Inchinnan No.1405 between 11 and 12 noon.

Monday 12th January, 2015—PG Committee in Lodge Houstoun St.Johnstone No.242 at 7pm Monday 31st January, 2015—Tri-Annual Communication of the PGL in Lodge POW No.426 Renfrew at 2pm.

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ADVERT East Surrey Masters

Lodge No. 5888

Secretary; W.Bro T.P Gambie, PProvGSwdB

6, Barton Leys, Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, Devon.

TQ9 6NN. Tel. 01803 867899 Gambie.esmsec@btinternet.com

Re; Inter- Provincial Debate for the Stuart Bamford Shield

Debate subject; “This House believes that the real meaning of the ritual has been lost” Dear Brother Secretary, On behalf of W.Bro Jeff Penfold, the secretary of the Surrey Provincial Debating Team (PDT), I am pleased to advise you that East Surrey Master’s Lodge No 5888 will host the above Provincial Debate at Croydon & District Masonic Hall on Friday 30th January 2015 at 4.30pm.

On that evening the Lodge will be opened for Masonic business and an agenda Progressed. The debate will be ‘Oxford Union style’ with one minute set aside for opening statements ‘for’ and ‘against’ the motion, followed by 4 minutes from the opposing sides to present their case.

Questions and comments will then be taken from the audience and a short summary will be given prior to the vote.

Dress will be dar k lounge suit or mor ning dr ess, black/Cr aft tie and undr ess r egalia.

Dining, exclusive of wine, will be £25.50 per head. Applications for dining places, accompanied by cheques in full payment, should be made to the Lodge Senior Steward, W.Bro. Tony Morris Tel 020 8651 2006, email: esmdining@gmail.com, Address: 44 Addington Road, Sanderstead, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 8RB. Dining requests return date is 23rd January 2015.

Please be kind enough to draw the attention of your members to this occasion, and help to continue the strong support within the Province for these events by encouraging a Group from your Lodge to attend. A group booking for dining, with full payment will greatly assist our Dining Steward. I attach a copy of a suitable booking form for your use, showing the menu for that evening. To avoid any misunderstanding, it should be noted that Master Masons may be invited as guests.

To assist me in providing adequate seating within the Leathwood Temple I would be grateful if you could also inform me of the numbers expected to attend from your Lodge and those remaining to dine.

Kind regards Trevor

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Lead by Example Two interesting masonic temples: on the left is in Austria, the bottom right in Dordrecht in the Netherlands and the other is unknown.

December Events in 242

Thursday 11th—FC by 1167 Thursday 25th—cancelled Thursday 6th January, 2015—MM by OBs Visit: Tuesday 6th January, 2015—FC at Lodge 156, Kilbarchan

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Glasgow City Chambers Foundation Stone The following is part of a speech by Bro. Rev. W. W. Tulloch PG Chaplain of Glasgow at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Glasgow City Chambers on 6th October, 1883 and is well worthy of reading again (an again): We may be well content, however, to go back to the time when to be a cunning craftsman was to be one of the foremost men of the time—the chosen companion of princes—the necessary appendage of royal courts. At a time when craftsmen banded themselves together, and took a real pride in their work, and in the dignity and importance of their vocation, it is pleasing for us to think that a variety of circumstances combined to give prominence and influence to those who were skilled in the hewing, and setting of stones. As great Cathedrals and Churches and important public buildings sprang up in different parts of the world, the services of the most skilful were anxiously sought after, and Masons from many quarters flocked to take part in the work.

To enable them to find employment, and to claim the hospitality of their brother Masons was our craft formed, and our symbolic ritual instituted. As a body we now exist for the practice of moral and social virtue. Our distinguishing characteristic is charity, in its most extended sense, and the precepts which we inculcate are brotherly love, relief, and truth.

It must ever be our endeavour, under the symbolism we employ, and the pleasant meetings we have together, never to forget that we exist to propagate a morality about which there can be no question, and a charity about which there can be no dispute.

If our practice be anything like our profession, if we honestly endeavour to act upon the principles we swear to hold by—the love of God and the love of our brother— then Masonry must be a real blessing to a community, and be in some measure at least an addition to the forces that make for the order, the truthfulness, the purity, and the charity of every neighbourhood. It is for the developing of these forces that you, here assembled in your different professions and capacities, are also working ; and may God's blessing rest upon every effort you make after the enlightenment and the welfare of this great community.

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370 Visitation by 242 In 1872, Lodge Hustoun St. Johnstone No.242 visited Lodge Renfrew County Kilwinning No.370 in their lodge room at Paisley Cross to confer the MMMD. The ceremony was carried out by Bro. William Guy PM 242 who conferred this degree in various lodges throughout the province, and is often minuted as having brought the degree to a particular lodge. Bro. Guy was our longest serving master having taken the chair on 14 occasions—a record that is unlikely to be beaten today even with PMs being regurgitated!

What is surprising in this clip from a masonic paper is the number of errors in one line!

Bro Guy is known by the unknown term today as a Past RWM, the lodge is in Houston Street and Johnstone is incorrectly spelled. There is no Houston Street in Johnstone and the name Houstoun has the extra ’u’ after the family name.

Sadly today, unless there is a special meeting the lodges cannot visit as both meet on the same night.

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Temple for Sale

Freemasons in Australia are selling another former Masonic Centre, this time in Camberwell, Victoria.

The historic two-storey temple, on the south-east corner of Prospect Hill Road and Station Street, is expected to sell for more than $3 million. Estate agents are promoting the Commercial 1 zoned building to owner occupiers or investors. It is expected to be refitted as a retail, education, office or hospitality complex.

In September Freemasons sold another historic hall in nearby Canterbury for $1.4 million which is to be reconfigured into a high-end eatery. Such a sad end!

The Grand Lodge of Atlantis?

A rather strange photo from the depths of the sea. Evidence that this advanced civilisation has a masonic lodge?

I am joking brethren in case I quoted somewhere!!

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242 ADVERT 242 was 200 years old in 2011 and commissioned a stamp sheet from the Royal Mail (http://www.smilers-info.com/ RBCS-011.htm). These are currently available from them at ÂŁ37 OR from the lodge at ÂŁ10 (see or email Bro. Grant Macleod).

The A4 sheet depicts images of the lodge and is legal tender.

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To submit an article, contact the Editor: Grant Macleod E-Mail:

sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk

Lodge Website

www.lodge242.co.uk

Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo IPM for proof reading.

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

Just click on the magazine to find out more.

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