Cross Keys December 2019

The Cross Keys December 2019

Cross Keys December 2019

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

Number 223

From the Editor The festive season is nearly here, but last month witnessed an excellent talk by Bro. Moises Gomez, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey who spoke about his experiences of 9/11 on behalf of Prostate Scotland. This is the main charity for the GLoS and a further update on the amount raised will be given in a later issue, but it’s very impressive.

BURNS SUPPER—this will be organised by Bro. Willie Fleming PM HM on Friday 31st January, 2020 in Craigends at 6.30 for 7pm.

Speakers are the Lochwinnoch Cronies from 205 so guaranteed a good night. Tickets £15 available from behind the bar.

Merry Christmas!

Grant

In this issue: 3 5 6 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Reminisces First Freemasons’ Hall Further Light French Exposures Spanish Museum Govan Drinking Fountain St. Andrew Statue Johnstone 1796 Theatre in Greenock First Masonic Handshake Ely S. Parker, Indian Chief Freemasonry in Georgia The Craft & Mathematics What is Freemasonry Grand Lodge News

Cover—medal of Indian Chief and Brother: see Page 16

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

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

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

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December Meetings Thursday 12th BUSINESS ONLY Thursday 26th CANCELLED SPECIAL Burns Supper 31st January 2020

Reminisces I was made a Mason in due form on February 9, 1963 and raised March 23, 1963.

Shortly thereafter, I was initiated into the Thistle Fellowcraft Club and it was a shocking experience to learn about the fun side of Masonry. But they were serious about the social aspects of the Lodge. The Club had a summer family outing, a family Christmas party, which my children still speak of today, a Minstrel show, a pot luck dinner, a bowling team and anything else the Master requested.

In 1964 I finally got on the Thistle Fellowcraft Degree Team, I had to wait a year.

In ‘65 and ‘66 I was put at the third gate because I couldn’t keep in step. (I was Navy). It . . . . was also the custom that the Senior Deacon, was the First Craftsman and the Master and Wardens had their respective places also. Hence that’s where I was in ‘67 and everyone had to keep in step with me, ‘68 Junior Warden and ‘69 who else but King Solomon, after which I returned to the gate until sometime after the turn of the century.

During that time we traveled throughout Metropolitan, Long Island, 1st & 2nd Westchester-Putman districts also to Pearl River, Poughkeepsie, Albany and several times to Quincy, Massachusetts, who returned the favor and visited Thistle Lodge, several times, (we met on 2nd & 4th Saturdays). At both ends, the parties were very noisy with bagpipes and drums playing in the halls of the hotels.

convention and also at the AGL meetings, Thistle Lodge officers always sat in the NE corner of the Lodge. (A place of learning).

As a steward it was my duty to set up the collation room, pour the coffee and fetch another piece of cake for whomever wanted it. I had the same duties when the officers met.

The line officers would meet at the master’s residence before every degree and go over the upcoming communication. We would go through the opening, changeover, the work of the evening and the closing. If you were unprepared another brother would take your place for the degree. It was at these meetings that you learned what was plural and what was singular and also the different nuances between the degrees.

some candidates did some extensive research

It was in ‘64 that I was told that I would be Senior Deacon on sideliners night for the First Degree. I loved it, (after the initial fear of a screw up passed). Shortly afterwards I asked the Senior Warden if he would consider me for his line. The following year (‘65) I was appointed Steward and was told that it was mandatory that I would have to attend all funerals and that I would also be present at the Grand Lecturer’s Convention.

This was true for every line officer. At every

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During December the line officers had a progressive dinner, it started with cocktails at one house and moved to another for appetizers, salad at another and so on, the main course would be a combination of two officers. At every stop we would sing Christmas carols and have a good time, this brought all of us and our spouses together as fraternal family. Before the new master was installed we had one last party under the direction of the Sr. Warden. The line officers paid for it by paying (dues?) at every communication. This party was for the girls and the outgoing Master, each one received flowers, a gift, an evening of companionship and some wild games. We usually had it at the Hastings House. When it was my turn to step aside my line presented me with a gavel, and the Lodge presented me with a Past Master Apron with ceremony.

1966 I was appointed Jr. Master of Ceremony and before the summer break I was told that the Sr. Master of Ceremony would be dropping out of line at years end, and that would put me in the running for the Sr. Deacon’s place in Lodge the following year. Thistle Lodge elected their Sr. Deacon, and before you could be nominated you had to give the

Reminisces (ctd) Middle Chamber Lecture to prove your proficiency and worthiness. Now you know how I spent my summer. The Sr. Deacon has the best seat in the house.

As Sr. Deacon I was in charge of the candidates and their examination, made sure everything was correct in the preparation room and that the escorts knew when to whisper wise words of counsel and when not to. Again the best seat in the house.

1968 I was elected to the Jr. Wardens’ station.

I had a collation budget and was in charge of the refreshments and the stewards. I received a notebook from the outgoing Jr. Warden which contained several years of collations.

What was provided on special nights, the attendance of each meeting and any comments.

This custom helped the Jr. Warden immensely.

1969 I was installed as Master of Thistle Lodge 900 F&AM, with a top hat. Wow, what an evening, I felt all powerful and conducted the business of the meeting with authority, I was in charge. The Lodge budget was presented, moved and seconded to be accepted, I refused to accept it because there were no monies put aside for savings. Well now the past masters said that I had to have it voted upon since it was moved and seconded. I stood my ground and replied that Robert’s Rules of Order are only a guideline for a Masonic Lodge and that the Master has complete control. I refused to hear any more arguments and gaveled the matter closed.

district for their ritual work and knowledgeable brothers. I think that it came from their educational classes. There was one after you were accepted but before the first degree, followed by one after the first, second and third degree. These classes were paneled by PM’s and the Sr. Deacon because this was where they proved their proficiency in the preceding degree. Everyone gave their spiel and afterwards questions were taken and mostly answered, some candidates did some extensive research.

Thanks to Bro. Hugh Beveridge PM Diamond Thistle Lodge No.555 which formed after an amalgamation with Thistle Lodge No.900 (GLoNY).

Xmas Present?

On closing I asked the secretary if he had anything to bring before the lodge. He replied with several bills that had to be paid. I stated that these were the regular bills of the lodge and would be turned over to the finance committee and if found correct ordered paid. At that, maybe the most like-able PM stood up and said we have no budget and each bill will have to be voted upon. Lesson learned.

Thistle 900 was well known throughout the

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Ralph Loren jeans in Helsinki—a snip at $300!!

First Freemasons’ Hall Every Scottish mason knows about Freemasons’ Hall in George Street in Edinburgh. And yes, it’s a magnificent building both inside and outside. Some brethren know this was actually the second building on the site and fewer realise the first was actually another part of Edinburgh.

The first Freemasons’ Hall was St. Cecilia’s Hall on the corner of Niddry Street and the Cowgate, just south of the Royal Mile. Although Grand Lodge met in various places such as the New Tolbooth (premises of Lodge St. Giles which amalgamated with Canongate Kilwinning No.2 in 1779). The hall dates from 1763 and was the first purpose-built concert hall in Scotland. It was used as Freemasons’ Hall from 1809—45 when it moved to its current location.

Below left circa 1880 (after Grand Lodge) the building was a school house and probably looked exactly as it did when Grand Lodge held Communications. A 1969 photo shows the main hall with the oval ceiling. Today the hall is used as a concert hall and music museum by Edinburgh University after a £6.5 million refurb.

I am unaware if there is a plaque with this information in the new building, but perhaps as a museum it would be appropriate. Could this be done formally by our new GMM? I’m sure he’s the man!!! Seriously, it might give the hall some publicity and certainly make Freemasons aware of our rich past.

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Further Light in the Craft Can I first of all thank the editor for allowing me to contribute a couple of articles in the Cross Keys? I’m sure some things might be in resonance with all brethren while other comments might provoke some comments—I hope so. I have been through he chair of my lodge three times, the various Royal Arch chairs, preceptory etc etc etc, but none have really clicked a button. However, I still consider my self a ‘blues’ man and seldom miss a lodge meeting but the moral lessons on basic working tools does become tedious after a few years.

My apologies from the outset to brethren (mainly PMs) who are only blues men and have not progressed beyond the Arch. I honestly feel sorry for what they have missed. The continuing story of freemasonry makes a huge improvement in understanding what we are about—a search for truth. Of course, many of these brethren cannot see past the lodge and are happy seeing the repetitive degree factory which is the reason why man masons never come back. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed going to the chair of the lodge, doing a bit of charity work, doing the same ritual without learning new, but then I realised there was so much more. The MM degree prepares us for further study—the lessons of how to die or know thyself are only touched on so to learn more, we much progress through the masonic esoteric system. The first step for all masons is the Arch, but after that we have a plethora of degrees that seem to be completely random.

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So how do you choose? Rather than waiting for a brother to invite you, do your homework. The internet has the explanations if you know here to look, but also ask a brother who knows about the orders as well. If you lie fancy dress and big hats then the Knight Templar or Knight Templar Priests might be your thing. Chivalric orders with some esotericism, but not a lot may be exactly what you want. Remember, this is like shopping—why pay for something you know nothing about? Would you randomly go to Debenhams’ website and choose a suit you’ve never seen? So why would you do the same for a masonic order? Especially if you’re paying £300 plus!

Don’t want to go into detail about the Ancient & Accepted Rite, the Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal Order, all of which are remarkable in their own ways. I would generally avoid the ‘new’ English orders creeping into Scotland or where more Scots are going south to collect degrees. We have too many orders and not enough masons.

That being said, if these tick boxes then I cannot decry them. However, many masons will eventually leave due to the distances.

What’s left if you would like esoteric knowledge? What other meanings are there for the sun, the moon, the blazing star and so on? Bro. Tobias Churton, an Oxford graduate who lectures in Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism at Exeter University where a masters can be studied, has stated that “in order for master masons to satisfy their souls’ desire for more, they would have to enter the heart of the temple.” They are

Further Light in the Craft (ctd) then able to see more than a mere reflection of the light of a MM. But where? The answer is in the title of Bro. Churton’s department— The Society of the Rose and Cross, more commonly known as the Rosicrucians.

In common with Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism is concerned with encouraging the fellowship of Man and with comprehending the true nature and purpose of his place in Creation. The spiritual journey of one’s understanding of one’s relationship with God is peculiarly unique and individual. But it need not be lonely. Indeed it may be necessary that one be guided or encouraged by an adept or some other who has traversed and contemplated a similar path.

“The aim of the Society is to afford mutual aid and encouragement in working out the great problems of Life, and in discovering the Secrets of Nature; to facilitate the study of the system of Philosophy founded upon the Kabbalah and the doctrines of Hermes Trismegistus, which was inculcated by the original Fratres Rosae Crucis of Germany, A.D. 1450; and to investigate the meaning and symbolism of all that now remains of the wisdom, art and literature of the Ancient World.”

In other words, a society (composed of master masons) who are instructed through four grades of a college (a lodge) into further research. The main work of the college can be done at home as most only meet 4/5 times

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per year and this means the commitment is less than a lodge in terms of meetings (including visiting which is seldom done in comparison to a lodge). For busy brethren, this can make a huge difference and also make the Society much more attractive.

For further information see the new website for Scotland. See also your editor who is the current Celebrant (master) of the college for Ayrshire.

If there is further interest, I can expand on the workings of the society and give examples of Rosicrucian thinking.

Thanks to Lapis Angularis for this article.

French Exposures The earliest known masonic exposure in French, the Herault's pamphlet, was issued in December 1737. It was followed in February 1744 by Le Secret des Francs-Maçons, the first of a series of highly interesting exposures. It seems that in France no French exposure was ever reprinted, not even transcribed, until facsimiles of the Sceau Rompu (below) and of the Trahi were issued respectively in 1974 and in 1980. The only comprehensive reference work ever printed in French on the matter was the translation, issued in 1932, of Lionel Vibert's excellent paper, 'Eighteenth Century Catechisms' which had been originally published in consecutive parts of Miscellanea Latomorum in 1929-30. The publication in 1971 by Bro. Harry Carr of twelve early French exposures translated into English, embodied in a book entitled The Early French Exposures.

sures by Bro. Carr. The Preface of the Sceau Rompu (1745) describes the Parfait Maçonas 'a pure game of wits, only written for the benefit of women' and the FrancheMaçonne [sic] as 'completely useless for true Masonry.

Once these four texts are set aside, there remain eight exposures providing ritual information which appears, with changes of various importance, in the catechisms of other exposures (French as well as English ones), in manuscript French rituals from the 1760s and 1770s, and in the first official French ritual, the Régulateur du Maçon, printed in 1801.

The article continues with a fascinating indepth study of these exposures which can be reached by clicking on the French exposure above—this image can also be seen in the Master’s Room in the lodge. These exposures can show where some of our ritual and some ritual from other Orders originate.

Three pamphlets, La Franc-Maçonne, Le Parfait Maçon (both 1744) and Les Francs-Maçons Ecrasés (1747), are regarded as 'fancy' expo-

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By Alain Bernheim

Spanish Museum In the old city of Salamanca, inside a small museum about the Spanish Civil War in the National Historical Archive building, you can find a strange area dedicated to Freemasonry, featuring an impressive Masonic lodge and a remarkable collection of seized objects.

The display looks strange and out of place the first time you see it without knowing its curious background. This is partly because, in spite of its modern look and disposition, the museum was created in 1938 by a member of dictator Francisco Franco’s government (Marcelino de Ulibarri) to scare the public about the dangers of Masonry.

During the years of the Spanish Civil War and later the Franco dictatorship, Freemasons were forbidden and all Masonic paraphernalia was seized in order to be exposed.

To exhibit the stolen objects, an entire replica Masonic lodge was created based on a real lodge in Gijon, Spain.

On display in the temple, you’ll find books, medals, jewelry, documents, ceremonial clothing, Masonic symbols, and a reproduction of a Masonic Chamber of Reflection (right) used by new members. The most shocking details, such as skulls or black masks, received special attention with the aim of shocking the public of the 1930s. Today they look like your usual Halloween decoration.

Strangely, the museum was never officially opened during the war. It wasn’t until 1993 that it finally opened to the public as a part of the historical exhibition in Salamanca’s Barrio Antiguo district, housed in a 17th century building at Saint Ambrose College and open to the public.

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Govan Drinking Fountain The Victorian drinking fountain in Govan, next to the Pierce Institute and overlooked by the statue of Bro. William Pierce PPGM of Glasgow, was renovated in 2011.

The fountain is looking absolutely splendid and has the obvious symbol on the reverse so it cannot be seen from the road, just a walk over is required.

Dr. John Aitken was born and died in Govan, Glasgow, Scotland. He was dearly loved for his devotion to the poor, and much appreciated by his patients. The fountain is unique due to the six columns which support the canopy. It was manufactured by Cruickshanks & Co., otherwise known as the Denny Iron Works, the memorial was erected in 1884 at Water Row, Govan and dedicated to the good doctor. On 15th May 1987, the fountain was listed a Category B historic listed building.

The structure was originally seated on an octagonal plinth; following restoration the plinth is now a square. It has 6 columns with an arched (fish scale) dome topped with a corona and spike/orb finial. At the top of each arch is a commemorative panel representing the manufacturer, Cruickshanks & Co.; the Govan coat of arms; the Craft; the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows; the Ancient Order of Foresters; and a dedication which reads: Erected by the inhabitants of Govan in affectionate remembrance of John Aitken M.D. who died 11 March 1880, aged 41 years.

Connecting the interior columns to the fretwork detailed arch are alligators, one of many forms of Memento Mori.

They were considered a symbol of evil and were hung from the ceilings of cabinets as a reminder of the mortality of humanity.

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Elias Ashmole Elias Ashmole’s autobiographical Memoirs document two Masonic events: his initiation on 16 October 1646 in Warrington, then in Lancashire; and his attendance at a London lodge meeting at Masons’ Hall on 11 March 1682. The diary entries have been interpreted previously as providing confirmation that gentlemen who, using William Stukeley’s words, were ‘interested in the mysteries of the Ancients’, were members of operative lodges in the mid-seventeenth century. In Gould’s words, ‘it is obvious that symbolical masonry must have existed in Lancashire for some time before the admission of Ashmole and Mainwaring’. However, an alternative analysis of the text and circumstances suggests that Ashmole’s interest in Freemasonry was partly socially motivated rather than purely alchemical or solely a function of antiquarian interest.

In his first diary entry concerning the matter, Ashmole recorded that he: was made a Freemason at Warrington in Lancashire with Coll. Henry Mainwaring of Kerthingham in Cheshire, the names of those that were then at the Lodge, Mr Richard Penkett Warden, Mr James Collier, Mr Richard Sankey, Henry Littler, John Ellam, Richard Ellam, and Hugh Brewer.

His entry for 10 March 1682 stated that: About 5 Hor. post merid. I received a Summons to appear at a Lodge to be held the next Day at Masons Hall in London…….Accordingly I went, and about Noon were admitted into the Fellowship of Freemasons, Sir William Wilson, Knight, Capt. Richard Borthwick, Mr William Woodman, Mr William Grey, Mr Samuel Taylour, and Mr William Wise. I was the Senior Fellow among them (it being 35 Years since I was admitted) there were present be-

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side myself the Fellows after named…….We all dined at the Half-Moon-Tavern in Cheapside, at a Noble Dinner prepared at the Charge of the new accepted Masons.

Ashmole’s Memoirs comprise a series of brief notes that suggest draft material prepared for an unwritten biography. The entry for 16 October 1646 is significant mainly because it is the first contemporary record of the admittance of a non-operative Freemason in England, although the persons noted as present by Ashmole would already have been admitted Masons. The details of this first recorded initiation are non-existent but may have involved elements of traditional guild ritual: an enjoinment to secrecy; the reading of the Charge; and the disclosure of an identifying pass grip and password – a sign and token. It was significant that both Ashmole and Mainwaring were admitted as Freemasons in the same lodge: Ashmole had been an ardent Royalist and Mainwaring a Parliamentarian. From this, Gould extrapolated and inferred that Freemasonry was at the time free of political affiliation.

Bereseiner, in an article in MQ Magazine, queried why there was no mention of Freemasonry in Ashmole’s memoirs other than on the two occasions detailed above. His analysis, that seventeenth century ‘Freemasonry was not an organisation of consequence’, and that Ashmole ‘may well have found nothing of consequence’, has an element of possibility.

17th February, 1812 John Murdoch, the lodge Tyler, was passed and raised FREE—it was common in those days to pay for the services of the tyler who was required to set out the lodge and often draw the tracing board on the floor which wasn’t displayed on the wall. He would then clear away the lodge including washing away the tracing board usually drawn in chalk.

St. Andrew, Dalkeith Lodge No.10 This very fine, larger than life size, wooden statue of St Andrew, signed and dated by Sir John Steele 1827, as referred to in the Royal Scottish Academy as a colossal statue in wood carved for the North British Fire R Life Insurance Corporate, stands in a niche specially prepared for it, in the Temple of Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No.10.

The statue was carved by Sir John Steele who was born in Aberdeen on 18th September 1804 and his family moved to Edinburgh about a year after his birth At the age of 14 years Steele was apprenticed to a wood carver. On completion of his apprenticeship Steele decided to become a sculptor and to this end he moved to Rome where he lived and studied for several years.

He also became Sculptor to HM Queen Victoria, 1838-91. An article in the Edinburgh Literary Journal of 29th July 1829 states a large statue of St Andrew in wood and painted to resemble stone has recently been erected on the portice of the North British Fire and Life Insurance Company building in Princes Street at the foot of Hanover Street and which was burned down.

The statue was then thought to have perished in the fire. And The Minutes of The Lodge, 2nd October 1848, R.W. Master then stated to the meeting that he had a statue of St Andrew the Tatuler Saint of Scotland, sculptured by Mr Steele, Edinburgh and at present lying in his studio and that he intended to give the statue in a present to the Lodge if they thought it would be convenient to the Lodge Room and that he would send the Poor Blind Candidate to the door of the Lodge free of all expense the arrangement of getting the statue fitted up in the room etc. to be left to the Committee.

The Master rose and stated that he had called the Lodge together for the purpose of presenting them with the statue of St Andrew the Tatuler Saint of Scotland which was now placed upon its pedestal in the Lodge Room and which he now presented to the Lodge as a token of his esteem and regard and after a neat address sat down amidst plaudits of the Brethren and where the statue stands to this day.

In the past 20 years or thereabouts the National Museum of Scotland and The Royal Scottish Academy have showed great interest in the statue and have concurred that the Blind Candidate of Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning No. 10 is indeed the statue that was thought to have perished in the fire in the middle of the 1800s.

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Johnstone 1796 An interesting map of the town in 1796 when the Laird, Bro. George Houston, was feuing land. The arrow below shows where the lodge now resides. The original fue details are in the safekeeping of our lawyers. Only 242 and the High Church (very prominent on the map at the end of Church Street) are in their original feus signed by the Laird.

242 in Coallier’s Street, now Collier Street.

Every candidate in the NE Corner represents the stone from which he takes his first lesson on moral architecture teaching to walk and act upright before God and man but charity is the principal of all social virtues: When the fleet vanities of life’s brief day Oblivion’s hurrying wing shall sweep away Each act by charity and mercy done High o’er the wrecks of time shall live alone.

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O

Theatre in Greenock

n 27th December 1858 a new Theatre Royal opened, in Greenock’s West Blackhall Street at a cost reported at £8,000. The promoter and proprietor was the esteemed Edmund Glover – actor, producer and painter – who owned other theatres in Glasgow. Designed by the prolific firm of architects and surveyors of Joseph Potts & Son of Sunderland it held 1,600 customers with a black and white marble floor and Corinthian columns which sould adorn any lodge!

The papers reported on the laying of the foundation stone: “In September 1858 the laying of the foundation stone of the new Theatre and West End Music Hall took place, the ceremony being attended by various lodges mustered in the new Town Hall. These consisted of the Provincial Grand Lodge, West Renfrewshire; Port Glasgow Doric; Glasgow Thistle and Rose; St Mary's Partick; Glasgow Thistle; Glasgow St Clair; and Greenock St John. Mr Glover, the originator and proprietor of the new theatre, was present, and brought with him a splendid instrumental band from Glasgow, and the Greenock Thistle Brass Band was present in fine uniform.”

All very standard for this era, but what is surprising is the nonappearance of Greenock Kilwinning No. XII. In all likelihood, the lodge was in darkness at this time, evidenced by not having paid fees to Grand Lodge. Harry Skivington took charge of the Hippodrome till his death in 1918. He was a business colleague of Bro. Provost W. B. McMillan (shown left), and fellow shareholder in Greenock Morton Football Club and involved with the Greenock Entertainment Syndicate.

The theatre eventually closed on 1st December, 1923 and a public sale took place of furnishings and effects. The building was scheduled for demolition to make way for road widening.

However it remained (empty) for six years – with residents complaining of a lack of theatre – and was only demolished in 1930.

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First Evidence of a Handshake?

Robert Kirk, minister of Aberfoyle in Perthshire, often discussed the Scottish supernatural phenomena second sight. In one such discussion with the Bishop Elect of Worcester in 1689, the Mason Word became the topic. It was clear that the Bishop did not believe in second sight and why the Mason Word became part of the same discussion is strange unless they were aware of Henry Adamson’s poem Muse Threnodie (1630s) and published in Edinburgh which stated: For we be brethren of the Rosie Cross; We have the Mason word and second sight, Things for to come we can foretell aright.

In 1691, Kirk wrote a treatise The Secret Commonwealth about unique ‘Curiosities of Scotland’ which included brownies, the Mason Word, second sight, charms curing illnesses and being bullet proof. It seems a strange place for the Mason Word to appear in a list of rather ridiculous curiosities. What is interesting is how it is mentioned (modernised English): The Mason Word, which though some make a mystery of it, will not conceal a little of what I know.; it’s like a Rabbinical tradition in a way of comment on the two pillars erected in King Solomon’s temple, with an addition of some secret sign delivered from hand to hand by which they know, and become familiar one with another.

This is the first reference to the ‘handshake’ and as he was aware of the words in the EA and FC (it was only a two degree system until the 1720s), his comments are reliable. The Rabbinical tradition relates to these words and their connect to the Temple. It was this connection to Jewish esoteric lore that many Christians were attracted to during this period, in particular the search for an understanding of the Cabala—the Mason Word appeared to have hidden connotations.

Quite what the word was or what the allegorical meaning really was will probably never be known, but it is clear it was important to freemasons and also to non-masons. As time progresses, the hidden aura begins to lessen and in the 18th century rituals, it becomes one word. The hidden meaning may then have been incorporated into the expansion of our degrees during the 1720s to 1800.

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Address by an Indian Chief (April 1874) Ely S. Parker was an Iroquois Indian Chief who became a Union officer, but was also a freemason. He gave a moving address while Chief of the Six nations in Chicago where he described himself as a lone remnant of a noble race. He asked himself where will he find home and sympathy—his answer was that he would “knock at the door of the lodge and see if the white man would recognise me as they did my ancestors when we were strong and the white man was weak.” He joined the lodge, the Royal Arch and Knights Templar. He found solace that when his glass ran out, it would be filled; when brethren clustered round his coffin an evergreen acacia would be dropped into the grave.

Ely Parker wearing his grandfather Red Jacket’s silver medal which was given to Red Jacket by President George Washington (both freemasons—see front cover). One side shows both men with the pipe of peace while the reverse has masonic emblems and dated 1792.

The Room in the McLean House, at Appomattox Court House, in which Gen. Lee surrendered to Gen. Grant. Pictured, from left, are: George Armstrong Custer (2nd left), Robert E. Lee (seated left), Philip Sheridan, Ulysses S. Grant (seated right) and Ely S. Parker (leaning on chair at right).

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Freemasonry in Georgian (Eastern Europe) King David the Builder Lodge in Georgia is situated in an old school building. Looking at the photos, it very clear to see what a fantastic job the brethren have done in creating a ‘masonic atmosphere’ and something that will be very impressive for the candidate. The Grand Lodge of Georgia was founded by the Grand Master of Russia, Bro Andrei Bogdanov, in 2015.

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The Craft & Mathematics?

How can Fractals possibly be linked to the Craft? Well they’re not really, but an interesting aside was some comments made by the mathematician who discovered them—Benoit Mendelbrot. They are a central concept in the geometry of nature and the theory of highly irregular numbers known as chaos. Mandelbrot proved the world around us essentially consists of replicating patterns, or self-similarity—naturally occurring sequences of motifs repeating themselves within motifs on many scales. Think of the cauliflower; break off smaller and smaller pieces and they continue to look like the whole vegetable.

Remarkably, we find Mandelbrot discussing operative masonry in The Fractal Geometry of Nature while examining the artistic frontispiece of a Bible Moralisee circa 1250 (below), depicting Christ setting compasses to creation. He observes, In the age that built the Gothic cathedrals, to be a Master Mason was a very high calling. Thus the ‘Bible Moralisée illustrées’ of that time often represent the Lord holding mason’s dividers.

And what is it that has caught Mandelbrot’s attention in the frontispiece?

We perceive three different kinds of form in the newly created world: circles, waves and ‘wiggles.’ The studies of circles and waves benefited from colossal investments of effort by man, and they form the very foundation of science. In comparison, ‘wiggles’ have been left almost totally untouched. The goal…is to face the challenge of building a Natural Geometry of certain ‘wiggles’ to be called ‘fractals.’

Matila Ghyka in The Geometry of Art and Life states: We cannot insist here on the continuous chain, transmitting rites, passwords, symbols, which stretches from the Pythagorean Brotherhood and the Greek Mysteries (Eleusis) to these Operative Masons Lodges, then to Speculative Masonry; we will only remark that while geometric symbols travelled via occultist and Rosicrucian circles…they also travelled in other (politico-esoteric) trajectories from the Pythagorean Society to modern Freemasonry…

In other words, there is a link but not an unbroken line of theories which the Craft have used in various degrees. One way to view it is that the Craft has ‘borrowed’ the best from many disciplines.

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What is Freemasonry?

When I think about how I have progressed in Freemasonry over the past 5 years, I often wonder what the purpose of the organization is. Modern Freemasonry seems sometimes like another social club where we argue about potato salad and coleslaw at times, but this is really just the surface of a greater and complex system that is truly the purpose of Freemasonry.

First of all, many Masons come through the doors of Freemasonry having no idea what it is they are getting into. They might think they are joining another friendly group, they may have viewed conspiracy videos online and truly think they will gain material and social power, and there are some, like me, who became disenchanted with philosophical and religious thought and found themselves knocking at the door. Whatever the reason, most people do not know what Freemasonry is when they enter. But what is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is explained as a “System of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” Well, great. That explains a lot.

What kind of morality? What is the allegory of, and what do I do with a bunch of symbols?

The truth is, Freemasonry conceals much of what it is and much of what it does because it is the purpose of the individual to find these answers for themselves. Much like a high intrigue mystery movie, Freemasonry doesn’t just give you answers. And, unlike most dogmatic religious organizations where a catechism is force fed, it is up to the individual seeker to find the answers.

Cross Keys December 2019

Think of a complex puzzle you are putting together. Each piece you put in reveals more information about yourself, your morality and your place in the world. If this puzzle is put together for you by someone else, it would reveal nothing more than an objective and material way of how to put certain pieces in order. For YOU to figure it out is a way to understand not only the objective way in which the puzzle pieces fit, but also the subjective way of how you came to decide how the pieces fit. The true knowledge is thus not only the revelation of the final product, but how you as an individual came to that knowledge. It then differs from a spoon fed reading of the Republic by Socrates, or the Confessions by St. Augustine, but fully involves you, the individual, in the process.

So the purpose of Freemasonry becomes a quest to know yourself , but in the process it is a meta-analysis of how you know yourself and how you have come to know who you are. Like a puzzle, you are the one who puts the puzzle pieces in and you are the one who knows why you have placed each piece in place.

I understand that this is a very brief look at Freemasonry, however, I intend to expound upon this post in further posts.

Thank you for reading this.

By Bro. John O’Keefe

Congratulations Congratulations to Bro. Alan Campbell, the lodge organist for many years. He is seen here receiving his 60 Year Diploma from the master who had just been installed for a second consecutive year. Congratulations to all new office-bearers and let’s hope a happy and successful year lies ahead.

Also congratulations to the wardens, Bro. Alastair Griffiths and ; we wish the master and wardens the very best for the ensuing year.

Another congratulations to Bro. Sir Boyd Tunnock (below) of Lodge St. Bryde No.579 who just received his knighthood from the Queen for services to Uddingston and beyond over many many years.

And to our Grand Master Mason, Bro. William Ramsay McGhee who has a coat of arms which can now be displayed on the rear of the installation programmes. It is quite fitting that there are the crossed batons which is a GL Office Bro. Ramsay held for many years and was renowned in this office!

Cross Keys December 2019

Cross Keys December 2019

Visitations of the Grand Master Mason 2nd

Presentation to Brother Angus MacInnes PSGM in Old Kilpatrick (1309)

7th

PGL of Banffshire Installation

12th Lodge Barns O’ Clyde Installation 13th – 15th Grand Lodge of Italy At the last Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, it was agreed that an elevator would be installed to take brethren from the basement to any floor. This will be a superb addition to our GL building which is now essential for older brethren, brethren injured in the line of duty and renting to outside agencies.

Renfrewshire East Installations in December

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Cross Keys December 2019