Cross Keys February 2018 (Freemasonry)

The Cross Keys February 2018

Number 207

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

Cross Keys February 2018

From the Editor Another year awaits and hopefully lodges will continue to work hard to preserve the Craft. The last few years have been difficult for many due to a lack of candidates, but remember the lodge syllabus is your own. Ask your brethren what they want as exemplifications or business only might not be what they want.

The opening is a response to Press articles about Police by the UGLE. I think it’s essential all brethren and the public are made aware just how ludicrous the initial statement was in the papers.

The Russian masonic theme continues—this time with an old ceremony which was conducted by the Monmouthshire Demo Team.

Next month the theme will continue with some biographies of well know Russian masons.

My usual annual plea—if any brother would like to contribute, please email me. If you have an idea for an article or a topic, again, email me.

In this issue: UGLE Reply ……………….. 3 Thought on Initiation……… 4 Russian Ceremony …..…….. 5 Masonic Song ……………… 8 Response…..………………... 9 Rotterdam …………………. 10 Munster Royal Arch ……… 11 Masonic Shrine ……………. 12 Curling & Masons ………… 14 Anti-Masonic Sheet ……….. 15 History of Bristol…………... 16 Red Cross Degrees ………… 19

Have a great 2018.

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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February Meetings Thursday 8th FCD by Lodge Craigends No.1042 Thursday 22nd FC Walk Through by Bros Grant Macleod PM & Danny Birrell PM 7.30pm start

UGLE Response to Police Accusation This reply was deemed important enough to warrant a first page.

FOLLOWING THE NEWS COVERAGE IN THE GUARDIAN, TIMES, SUN, MAIL ONLINE AND INDEPENDENT ONLINE RELATING TO FREEMASONRY AND POLICE FEDERATION REFORMS, DR DAVID STAPLES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND, HAS SENT THIS LETTER (TAILORED) TO EACH OF THESE NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS. Dear Editor I write in response to your articles Freemasons are blocking reform, says police chair and Why the secret handshake between police and Freemasons should worry us in The Guardian on 1st and 2nd January.

The articles show a complete and disappointing misrepresentation of Freemasonry.

Furthermore, we understand, having spoken to the outgoing Chairman of the Police Federation, that recent media coverage does not accurately reflect his views.

We are quietly proud that, throughout history, when people have suffered discrimination both in public and social life, Freemasonry has welcomed them into our Lodges as equals. It is a shame that Freemasons are now quite openly discriminated against and that too many of our members, therefore, feel the need to keep their membership to themselves.

The idea that reform within the Police Federation or anywhere else is being actively thwarted by an organised body of Freemasons is laughable and suggests an unbelievable element of will and influence from an organisation which is non-political, nonreligious, values integrity and upholds the law.

In 2001 and again in 2007 the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Freemasonry was not a secret or unlawful organisation.

There is absolutely no reason why police officers, or anyone from any other walk of life, should not be a Freemason and we highlight our shared organisational values of integrity and service to the community.

Dr David Staples Chief Executive Officer United Grand Lodge of England

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Thoughts on Initiation For the average thinking Mason, the main thing that eventually confronts him is that his Lodge is obsessed with ritual and the endless minutiae of how the Lodge should be run according to the Book of Constitutions and Lodge By-laws, while on the other hand very little thought is given to Masonic education by those in positions of authority such as long standing Past Masters and those holders of Provincial and Grand Rank; and by that, I don’t mean what are the functions of the officers of the Lodge, but proper education on what the Craft Degrees really stand for, which is the spiritual regeneration of man.

Temple on the material plane, but behind this is the story, in which the earthly temple is so spiritualised that it can only be erected in the heart and not made with the hands of men.

The Mason must realise that his true Initiation is a spiritual one and not just physical ritual and that his Initiation into the living temple of the spiritual hierarchy regulating Freemasonry may not occur until years after he has taken the physical Degree.

Adapted from a talk by Bro. M. N. Buckley given at the Bristol Masonic Society.

It has often be said that Today Craft Masonry has become a vehicle to The Mason must realise that the downfall of the Craft was the huge numbers promote moral and after the wars. Other his true Initiation is a ethical values without think the formation of the spiritual, and thus spiritual one. . . social clubs in the can no longer be said to 1970s which provided a much needed revebe a genuine mystery school, though a number of references to the mysteries are con- nue for many lodges with their own building. tained in the ritual of the three Degrees and also symbolically depicted on Lodge Tracing Many of these men were only interested in cheap drink and not in any esoteric ceremoBoards. nies. Many were ‘good’ members of the soSo I pose a question, have we made Masonry cial club but not of the lodge and sometimes so boring that it has essentially become a more valued than lodge members because knife and fork social gathering which for they put more money over the bar. many Brethren is what they want, with a bit of ritual thrown in to keep them entertained for an hour or two, thereby encouraging those who are looking for a social club with a good dinner thrown in. In fact even the belief in a Supreme Being appears to have become a mere formality in some instances.

For those prompted to join Masonry a few seeking a deeper knowledge and who wish to be pointed in the right direction are quickly disillusioned by an institution as they see it, which is completely out of step with modern society and possess no real instruction to the enquiring mind as to what lies beyond its symbolism and ritual.

Masonic legends and symbolism are concerned with the building of King Solomon’s

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Today, social clubs across the country are dying for various reasons out with our control. They no longer provide the revenue of the past and young brethren are not really interested in going to a dull social club to drink.

Lodges adapted at that time to current demands and now have to adapt again even if it means these clubs are a thing of the past, perhaps only open on a lodge night as many do now. Not attracting some of the members from before, and that includes some PMs in this bracket, might not be a bad thing…..

Russian Ceremony ~1810 The following Initiation Ceremony is from Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace, Book 5 Chapter 1.

Although the novel was published in 1868, the year described is thought to be 1812. During the ceremony short periods of silence occurred, representing much longer periods when the Candidate was left completely alone to meditate on what had been said to him by the Master of Ceremonies. The first part of the ceremony was a preparatory one and would have taken place in an ante- room adjoining the Temple while the second part was performed largely around a large dining table. JP is the candidate, Sp the sponsor (proposer) and GM (Grand) Master.

Sp–(addressing JP)–Are you so resolved?

JP–I am.

Sp–Very well. When you hear a k. at the door uncover your eyes. I wish you courage.

JP waited alone until he heard three ks. at which point he uncovered his eyes. The Master of Ceremonies, then entered and asked JP to read a passage: JP–In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God. God, love, death and the brotherhood of man.

MC–Why have you come hither? You who does not believe truth. Who has not seen the light.

What do you seek from us?

JP–I seek regeneration.

MC–How? JP–Through the auspices of Freemasonry.

MC–Have you not tried religion. JP–Yes and I have found it to be erroneous.

MC–You seek wisdom and virtue.

JP–Yes. MC–These are the aims of our Order: (reads aims). I will leave you alone again to think this over.

MC then left. Traditionally the Candidate would have been left alone for thirty minutes, deep in thought. During his time alone he paced muttering to himself, but after a while calmed down and there was silence. The MC then returned.

MC–... there are seven steps and seven virtues. It is the duty of every Freemason to encourage his Brethren.

The seven virtues are: 1) Discretion; 2) Obedience; 3) Mercy; 4) C of M; 5) Courage; 6) Generosity; 7) Love of death. Yes death must be so.

The MC once again left the Candidate for a further period during which time the Candidate muttered to himself. On his return the MC read Cross Keys February 2018

from a scroll and then addressed the Candidate.

MC–Are you still firm in purpose to join the Brotherhood of Freemasonry?

JP–I am.

MC–The Brotherhood delivers teaching by means other than words. This chamber suggests to your heart... Ancient societies communicated their teachings by means of hieroglyphics, symbols, etc.

MC–Take off your valuables.

JP–I have none here.

MC–Give me what you have. In token of obedience give me your coat (did so). Give me your left boot (did so). Now, in token of candour tell me your chief passions.

JP–I have so many.

MC–That lead you to turn from virtue?

JP–Women.

MC–(sighed)–Women every time.

The MC then placed the h.w. back on the Candidate.

The Candidate’s sponsor then entered the Lodge and addressed the Candidate.

Sp–Jean Pierre, I came to find if you are still firm in your resolve to join us. Are you? JP–I am.

Sp–Do you face the future with firm resolve?

JP–I do.

Sp–Are you ready?

JP–For anything.

Sp–Will you go forward and not turn back.

JP–Yes, yes.

Sp–Well, I believe you.

(The Candidate was then led outside).

A Brother in ecclesiastical garb then entered the lodge accompanied by two others uttering a Gregorian style chant. The three then lifted and removed the coffin. The three then returned bearing books, followed by a further two bewigged Brethren. One of the books was then placed on the altar and a further three Brethren (one bewigged) entered bearing swords. The Grand Master took his place on the dais.

GM–Will you see that the lodge is secure?

MC–(begins to light candles)–The last lot of candles were useless.

GM–Gorbachev again. Bro. MC the central candle is not lit.

MC–Just testing GM. SW and JW then checked that the Lodge was secure.

MC–Brethren, I hele.

Breth–We conceal.

MC–GM, Brother Tegalator is improperly dressed again.

GM–No gloves again? You are fined two roubles.

Russian Ceremony ~1810 (ctd) Do you have anything to say?

Bro. T–...

GM–(to SW)–How do you know yourself to be Freemason?

SW–By regular testing.

GM–(to JW)–How do you JW–By sns., tkns. and the p.ps. of e.

The GM then enquired of the Secretary and Chaplain why they are here to which they responded...

GM–In His Holy Name I declare the Lodge open.

MC–I have several matters of importance: ... is being fixed. We have received invitations to the Grand Master of Russia’s ball. The wine has now risen to three times the cost.

GM–Bro Gorbachev?

MC–Yes and the quality is down again. ...

Bro. Gorbachev commented and was fined two roubles by the GM. The GM then enquired if the Candidate was ready.

IG–The Candidate is waiting at the door.

GM–We will receive him.

The Candidate was then led in by his Sponsor bearing his sword. The MC stood by him. GM– Who is it that ks?

MC–Jean Pierre.

GM–Who is the sponsor?

Sp–I, Count Wukovski.

GM–Then Bro Wukovski, lead him around the Temple and place him before me.

The Candidate was led around the Temple and placed before the GM. His Sponsor then gave ks.

GM–Who is it that ks?

Sp–A seeker of knowledge.

GM–This can only be gained by work. Toil ceaselessly – ... greatly.

The Candidate was then led back around the table until he was stopped by the MC who commented negatively on his state of undress. He was then led before the JW where the Sponsor repeated the ks.

JW–Who is it that ks?

Sp–A seeker of knowledge.

JW–He must have knowledge of T.G.A.O.T.U. The Candidate was then led before the SW where the Sponsor repeated the ks.

SW–Who is it that ks?

Sp–A seeker of knowledge who has suffered much.

SW–Then he will ... amongst us. First he must show faith by entering upon a S.O. at the risk of his life. Are you willing?

JP–I am.

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The SW then declared the Candidate’s readiness.

GM–(to two Brethren bearing swords)–Bro Surgeons be ready to do your duty.

The Brethren bearing swords moved to the right of the altar. The Chaplain moved to the front.

The Sponsor guided the Candidate to the front of the altar and left him in the hands of the Chaplain thereafter returning to the table.

Chap–Jean Pierre, hold this to your n.l.b. (hands Candidate a pair of Cs.) The GM then obligated the Candidate after which the MC blew out the candles lighting the room.

GM–The MC will now reveal to you the lesser lights. (MC partially removed h.w., but held it in place. The swords were pointed at the Candidate. All candles were then relit). MC–Full light now given (removes h.w. from Candidate). Listen carefully to the GM. GM–(The GM then gave an oration including an explanation of the seven lights in the Temple (two in the W and S and five on the altar) and of the seven virtues).

The Candidate was then led to the NW. Chap–Now stand before the altar with ft. a r.a. in solemn meditation. (The Candidate did so) Now ... before the altar prostrating yourself at the gates of the Temple as I did before .... You will now rise.

The Candidate was then led around the table, clockwise, to the SW. The MC then brought the apron to the SW who invested the Candidate with it.

SW–Bro Jean Pierre, I now invest you with this apron. I now place into your keeping this stone and this pair of gloves. The GM will explain to you the meaning of all these things. Listen carefully.

GM–The apron: leather denotes strength ... direct you to purity of action and will deliver you from vice. The gloves: keep them safe and their meaning will reveal itself. Here are a second pair for you in Lodge and your Brothers and a pair of women’s gloves for her you honour most.

The Sponsor then led the Candidate to the front of the GM who rose came around to the front of his pedestal to stand by the Tracing Board. He then opened a scroll and the MC held a candle to light the Tracing Board.

GM–(then gave a beautiful oration on the symbols on the Tracing Board including the trowel,

Russian Ceremony ~1810 (ctd) the rough & smooth ashlars, the pillar reminding us of the pillars of the Temple, the three windows or three dormers, the senses of man etc.)

The GM then returned to the dais. The Candidate was then led once more to the SW who entrusted him with the sns. and w. including that of an E.A. as known today and that better known in the Ceremony of a certain Christian Degree of Freemasonry and also a Christian Society of Freemasonic membership.

The Candidate was then led to before the GM once more.

GM–Bro Sponsor you will conduct Bro Pierre to the Secretary to enter his name on the register.

(This was accordingly done).

[JW–Is Bro Gorbachev asleep again?

Other Bro.–Not drunk this time?]

Sp–Bro Jean Pierre this part of the Lodge is set aside for an Initiate. Listen to the GM while he reads the statutes so that neither you nor any other can plead ignorance.

GM–(did so).

The GM then came down from his pedestal to welcome the Candidate into Freemasonry and wished him many years of happiness. He then introduced him to each member in turn, each of who perambulated around the Temple greeting the Candidate.

GM–(to the Candidate)–Be careful of Bro Gorbachev.

Chap–(gave prayer regarding the giving of alms).

GM–Brethren, this is a self-funding organisation and we rely on your generosity (he added that the Brethren should not worry if they were not roubles).

The Chaplain and MC then collected the alms from Brethren of the BMS and visitors.

GM–Brethren, we will give thanks that a new Bro has tonight been admitted amongst us. (prayer) Rise and go forth with honour and humility until we return to this place.

Scottish Lodge of Instruction Below is the excerpt of a strange concept in Scottish masonry. A lodge of instruction is not a well known phenomenon and from the entry, it appears an enigma even then. The original name suggests an English origin using Emulation ritual. Perhaps it was English masons attempting to bring the Emulation Ritual into Scottish usage.

Does any brother have any information about this probably short lived lodge?

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Masonic Song The fleeting years that glide away Upon oblivion's wave, Oft drop a wreath of heaven-born bloom, To beautify the grave.

So with our hearts' fond memory will Keep green this festal night, And, in the midst of coming cares, Entrance us with delight.

The year that's past, has had a cloud Of glory o'er it shed; A thousand flowers have sprung to life, To elegise the dead.

Our temple, with a friendly hand, Receives us to delight; And after days will fond recall The pleasures of this night.

Around are set our brethren staunch, In love responding bands; For, where the square and compass gleam, Hands cling to brother hands.

And where the ever-sleepless eye Beams on with radiance bright, Each present Mason will remind The pleasure of this night.

And when our work and warfare 's o'er, Oh, may the light of Heaven A halo shed around the path Lost in the mists of even!

So that, when to our Master bound, Our labours for requite, We may, within the Lodge on high, Forget death's gloomy night!

By Bro. Anthony Oneal Haye: Poet Laureate, Canongate Kilwinning Lodge No. 2 PM St. Stephens Lodge, No. 145 Magus Maximus, Rosicrucian Society of Scotland.

The sun is dawning in the eastHis beams shoot to the west; A star is glimmering in the sky, Above the Mason's crest.

Soon fail will feuds, fierce warfare's clang Will cease the ear to fright; But brother bands will join all hearts, As joined are ours to night.

Old time his watches still will ring, Till days and years are gone; And humble suppliants we will kneel, Before our Master's throne.

As thro' the lone and dangerous vale We stumble without light, Our eyes will hail the glorious beams Which pierce that dreary night.

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Extracted and transcribed by Bro. Kenneth C. Jack, Master, Lodge St. Andrew No. 814, Grand Lodge of Scotland, from:Anthony Oneal Haye, 'The Mirage of Life and Other Poems' (William P. Nimmo, Edinburgh, 1860) 187-189.

All or Nothing I write in response to the last sentence contained in the previous edition of this magazine titled ‘System of Morality’. Morality is said to be the ‘principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour’; a daily struggle to every man who considers himself a mason. And I feel it necessary to use my own morality to dispel the myth that the mason finding no interest in other Masonic orders could be one defined as looking for a cheap drink.

Any brother staying behind after our regular meetings or present at our Social Club AGM will attest to that particular outdated view being neither helpful nor constructive to encouraging attendance and active involvement on any front. Such a stereotype only exasperates the real problems facing the brethren of Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone in 2018.

I have much sympathy for the other Masonic orders and a sincere wish that a solution to recruitment is found however my more immediate concern is the encouragement of activity within 242 and to stand up to anything which could subvert this goal.

The Harvey’s Manual in it’s Tips to Young Masons point 12 is ‘Be a Mason always- not only when the lodge is tyled. Regular attendance at lodge meetings will always be the minimum expected of Lodge Office Bearers and rightly so as meaningful progression requires it, nevertheless for those brethren who through circumstance cannot attend we

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need to recognise, accept and encourage other forms of interaction and rid ourselves of the culture of divisiveness brought about by insults to less regular attendees or those not looking to ‘progress’. This All or Nothing standpoint serves only the selfish mason who puts his own priorities over those of others.

This year 242 will attempt to address some of these issues by increasing the number of opportunities for brethren to involve themselves; from social evenings like our Pakora Night (17th February) and trips to Whisky Distilleries (Date TBC) <did someone mention drink again?> every brother will be encouraged. These events celebrate not only our magnificent building but also offer the fellowship and brotherhood promised by the membership of our order.

In addition, set up of the lodge furniture will now take place on the Wednesday night before a meeting at 2030hrs to allow a little extra time for brethren to make it home from work. Whether you plan to attend the meeting the following night or not your presence will be greatly appreciated and welcomed by the RWM. I conclude with another William Harvey quote ‘Recognise that the success of the lodge is in your hands.’

David S. Black P.M. 242

Bro. David Golding Hon. Grant Treasurer A huge congratulations and thank you to Bro. David Golding. Bro. Davy served as lodge treasurer virtually from the moment he joined in November 1983 until last November (2017). His books were always complimented on by the PGL and his dedication was never in doubt.

Bro. Davy received Honorary Grand Treasurer (previously been given PGL Honour) and at the installation was presented with an inscribed plaque. He has had to hand over the treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key due to moving to Stevenson, but hopefully he will still be a regular at 242.

It was a great pleasure to work with Davy while I served as Secretary and all the brethren wish him well having a rest!

Munster Royal Arch A proud evening at DGRAC of Munster annual installation meeting and dinner with 35 companions present, as we unveiled the final phase of rollout of our officer robes, such that now all of our district officers wear robes in addition to their collars and jewels.

We were honoured by distinguished visitors in the persons of the District Grand King of Wicklow and Wexford, the District Grand King (and his deputy) of South Eastern Counties and the Most Excellent Grand Representatives of the Supreme Grand RA Chapter of India and Saskatchewan, Canada.

We look forward to the celebration of the 275th of the first mention of Royal Arch Masonry worldwide, at Youghal in 1743, which will be celebrated by a meeting of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal on 4/5th May, 2018.

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Lodge in Rotterdam Loge de Eendragt No.233 under the Grand East of the Netherlands must be one of the plainest yet most impressive lodge rooms.

From the photo below, they clearly are a happy group and this is exemplified in their website which starts: Our meetings take place in the confidence that we have in each other that what we share with each other within our lodge remains. Through the age-old rules of Freemasonry is much talked about but continue to heated discussions. Each one has and gets the experiences and insights to share with each other and thereby arises over the years often close friendships.

Almost every Wednesday evening the members of our lodge meet. Our evenings consist mostly of talks, in which one of the members has prepared a nomination (building piece using lodge furniture) and shares it with the attendees. These construction pieces are intended to help attendees in their own quest for truth and wisdom and usually have a strong esoteric and symbolic character. After the construction is a masonic discussion in which the brthren can ask questions.

Each lodge has a master, a secretary and a orator (a very important office in Dutch lodges).

The members sit along on the north and on the south side. These seats are supervised by a first and second overseer. There are also a few other offices, such as treasurer, Chaplain, master of ceremonies, and a number of other dignitaries that play a special role during the meeting. Degree ceremonies are only conducted as special nightsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the majority of evening being instructional for the brethren. Would Scottish brethren accept this?

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A Masonic Shrine

Full details of the stones can be found in the catalogue at: http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/ masonicmuseum/Catalogue_of_Stones.pdf

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Wallace Installation

The installation of Wallace Masonic No.146 (IC) took place on Saturday 20th January, 2018.

WBro. Gary Walsh PM was installed as WM centre by WBro. Tom Monaghan. Onlooking are WBro. Tony Donnan IPM, Dougie Ennis JD 242 and Graham Scott IPM 242. Congrats Gary!!!

Masonic Dates Freemasonry has an astonishing history so over the next few editions, I will mention some to whet the appetite and hopefully encourage the reader to research the events or at least have an interest in the history of our Craft. Dates will start from 1700 which is quite late on for Scottish freemasonry. Only a few are given in each edition as more mean no one will bother and less likely to remember any.

1701—an Aberdeen apprentice “was sworn by the points” 1702—Lodge of Haughfoot formed (first speculative lodge) 1717—Grand Lodge of England formed 1718—freemasonry introduced into France (probably never be known exactly) 1719—Rev John Theophilus Desaguliers elected as GM in London

1723—first book of Constitutions written by Scotsman, James Anderson 1725—Grand Lodge of All England formed in York in opposition 1725—Grand Lodge of Ireland formed 1726—first record of the MMD (in Dumbarton Kilwinning No.18) 1728—first lodge constituted in Madrid, Spain by the Duke of Wharton 1729—first lodge constituted in Prague 1730—Masonry Dissected published with full ritual

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Curling and Freemasons A rather unusual connection between the sport of curling and Freemasonry appears in a very unusual poem famous for another connection. The Muses Threnodie (or, Mirthful Mournings on the Death of Master Gall. Containing varietie of pleasant poeticall descriptions, morall instructions, historiall narrations, and divine observations, with the most remarkable antiquities of Scotland, especially at Perth) written by Henry Adamson before 1638, and possibly nearer 1620.

Some Masonic historians believe that modern Speculative Freemasonry owes much to the Rosicrucian movement. Certainly the earliest recorded speculative Freemasons in England, Sir Robert Moray and Elias Ashmole, if not themselves Rosicrucians, were deeply interested in Rosicrucian philosophy and ideals.

The term Mason Word was Scottish and is mentioned in old Scottish manuscripts. Rosy Cross might refer to Rosicrucian ideals as Rose Croix, Red Cross degrees, etc were unknown at this time.

When included with second sight, it cannot be random and Adamson must have been hinting at something hidden. Second sight was a gift for few people who were able to see into the future, the Mason Word was a secret identification for masons and the Rosicrucian movement was spread by unknown people, if they ever existed.

The poem is an important document for its general account of Perth in the seventeenth century. Adamson is credited with first using the word curling in 1620. He related that his friend, Mr Gall, "a citizen of Perth, and a gentle-man of goodly stature, and pregnant wit, much given to pastime, as golf, archerie, curl- The Church of Scotland had a meeting in ing and jovial companie".

1649 concerned about the Mason Word and its sinister connections. Seeing the future And the masonic connection? Well this is was usually a sign of witchcraft. Did Advery strange indeed, bearing in mind the date amson see the two as related? Was he referof publication. The oft quoted verse is: ring to an occult quest for hidden knowledge? We will probably never know, And my good genius doth surely know: but its mention is curious.

For what we do presage is not in grosse For we be brethren of the Rosie Cross; We have the Mason word, and second sight, Things for to come we can foretell aright

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Johnstone Pipe Band The Cross Keys has already run an article about the band and its illustrious founder Bro. Jimmy McKay PM. It’s good to see they haven’t forgotten about him in the recent advert: Johnstone pipe band are delighted to have been invited to perform on the main stage at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall on Saturday the 20th January as part of the city's 2018 Celtic Connections festival.

The Pipe Band was founded by Ex-Provost of Johnstone Burgh, James McKay, in 1943, and has been going strong ever since, wearing the Blue McKay tartan in recognition of its founder. The senior band won the World Pipe Band Championships in Grade 3A in 2014, and, in their very first season in Grade 2, won the World Pipe Band Championships in 2015, followed by a consecutive win in 2016 which saw their promotion to the top flight of Grade 1.

Anti-Masonic Pamphlet Opposite is a very early pamphlet entitled To all Goodlie People of the Citie” of London published in London in 1698 which was anti-masonic and reads: Having thought it needful to warn you of the Mischiefs and Evils practiced in the Sight of God by those called Freed Masons, I say take Care lest their Ceremonies and secret Swearings take hold of you; and be wary that none cause you to err from Godliness. For this devllish Sect of Men are Meeters in secret which swear against all without ther Following. They are the Anti Christ which was to come leading Men from Fear of God. For how should Men meet in secret Places and with secret Signs taking Care that none observed them to do the Work of GOD; are not these the Ways of Evil-doers?

Knowing how that God observeth privilly them that sit in Darkness they shall be smitten and the Secrets of their Hearts layed bare. Mingle not among this corrupt People lest you be found so at the World's Conflagration.

This little pamphlet is interesting for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was printed about twenty years before the Grand Lodge formed in London and therefore demonstrates that some kind of masonic activity existed at that time. It is also proof that the author believed that masons were up to no good being called a devilish sect of man. Could this refer to some kind of mystical, alchemical or Hermetic practice in lodges? Whatever it might have referred to we will probably never know, but it shows that the author thought it was important enough to warn the people of London which means the masons must have been common knowledge and widespread otherwise why bother?

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Brief History on Masonry in Bristol During the late 17th and early 18th centuries Bristol was the second city in the kingdom. Its wealth was admired and envied; its merchants prosperous and enterprising; its artisans noted for the quality and variety of their manufactures. It was then widely believed that the city’s extensive trade in fabrics owed much to the enterprising mediæval Bristol merchant Edmund Blanket who gave his name to lengths of woollen cloth and whose tomb is to be found in the nave of St. Stephen’s Church.

The first records of speculative Masonry in this prosperous and cosmopolitan city date from the mid-1720s. There is no doubt that it was in existence prior to the formation of United Grand Lodge in 1717. There is no definite proof of its earlier activities here, as there is in Chester. We are told that Bristol Masons went to help build Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin in the 12th century. Some recent work has been done on the building trades in Bristol during the 14th century, based on the account books of the Constables of Bristol Castle. They show clear evidence of the division of the workmen into three orders. For example, payments in 1294/5 are made to two classes of masons, probably the masters and fellow crafts, who were paid 4d and 3 1/2d a day respectively. There are also payments made to a further class which probably consisted of labourers, who received 2d a day. More work needs to be undertaken on such sources.

Some writers believe that a Masonic Lodge was in operation in the mid to late 15th century during the erection of St. Mary Redcliffe Church, but the evidence presented is more equivocal than its supporters wish to believe. Other writers tell us that the master of the craft guild had to be confirmed by the mayor. What we do know for certain is that the Bristol Apprentice Book between 1542 and 1552 lists a number of young men bound to Bristol masons. For example, Thomas Christopher of Youghall, Co. Cork, was apprenticed to Thomas Welshe, mason, for eight years, at the end of which he was to receive 20/and one tool of every kind for the said craft.

Welshe had numerous apprentices, some of whom were apprentices for seven rather than eight years, and received 1d a week. All apprentices boarded with their master. Some operative masons during this period are certainly called freemasons in contemporary documents.

Until 1570 the masons in Bristol were joined toCross Keys February 2018

gether to form a corporation of masons, carpenters and tilers. The mayor and common council dissolved the joint company and required each company to revert to its former constitution.

Various secondary sources speak of an operative masons’ lodge in Bristol in the 17th century. As yet I have been unable to trace the primary sources for this statement. In the absence of written record, we cannot chronicle this key period of Masonic development. Suffice it to say that the number of Lodges which existed in Bristol at the beginning of the 18th century indicates that the numbers of Masons at the end of the 17th century in Bristol were probably little more than a handful. Without Lodge lists we cannot say what the ratio of operative to speculative Masons was in the early 18th century.

It is perhaps worth recording that in the 1750s most Lodges were held twice a month with dinners on the two feast days of St. John, St. John the Baptist on 24th June, and St. John the Evangelist on 27th December. Prior to the foundation of the first Masonic Hall in 1812 all Lodges celebrated the feasts and held their Lodges in rooms over taverns. There were considerable problems in this system: noise; finding rooms of sufficient size; having unsympathetic landlords – a case frequently overcome by initiating them into the Craft; and the easy availability of beer and spirits. That the latter was a major problem we know, because so many of the early account books record fines for Brethren disordered with drink, the frequent forfeit being a shilling on the second offence, and exclusion and reporting to Grand Lodge on the third. In the Sea Captains’ Lodge drunkenness was coupled with choice language and phraseology, imbibed from a life at sea and corrected by a series of fines. The use of taverns as the main meeting places for Lodges causes the Masonic historian numerous problems. Through death of the licensee, the removal of the landlord and an assortment of other reasons, Lodges frequently changed their meeting places, and as the Lodge was known by the name of the tavern in which it met, frequent changes result in difficulties in establishing the historic continuity of Lodges.

It is difficult to gauge the strength of Bristol Masonry. It is possible that a number of Lodges continued to function in Bristol after 1724 which were not recognised by Grand Lodge, and between the 1750s and 1813 the picture was further obscured by the advent of the Ancient or

Brief History on Masonry in Bristol (ctd) Atholl Lodges which sprang from the Irish rather than the English Constitution. In the 1720s it is unlikely that the number of Bristol Masons exceeded 100, and in 1766 the estimated strength of the order in the city has been put at between 150 and 200. Many Lodges appear on first sight to be of short duration, being erased only a few years after they had received their warrants from Grand Lodge. Erasure, however, did not mean that the Lodge ceased to work, only that it had failed to pay the required dues to Grand Lodge. There are a number of cases of Lodges continuing to work for some years following erasure.

The size of Lodges varied one from another and over time. The Lodge which met at the Nag’s Head, Wine Street, between 1757 and 1769 had twelve, the same strength as the Jehosaphat Lodge No. 451 in 1786. The Jerusalem Lodge No. 162 had thirty-five members in 1820.

The growth in the Craft was by no means constant. There was a Renaissance in the 1780s under the Provincial Grand Master, Thomas Dunckerley, when the number of Modern Lodges rose to six. Unfortunately the French Revolution, the generally unsettled state of the times and the effects of Pitt’s Secret Societies’ Act (although not directed at the Craft), had a noticeable and detrimental effect on membership.

By 1796 there were four Modern Lodges and between 1799 and 1806 only two. Circumstances improved slightly in the years before the union of 1813, and the numbers attending Provincial Grand Lodge increased from fifty-eight in 1808 to almost 100 in 1811. At the Union there were four Modern and two Ancient Lodges. Problems of finance in the Province, principally related to Freemasons’ Hall in the 1820s and 1830s, led to further decline and in the mid-1830s only four Lodges remained from the time of the Union. Of these, two were flourishing, one was functioning and one, the Moira, had only between four and five members and they had not met together for over twelve months. The situation gradually changed in the 1850s and later in the 1860s under the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Limerick (18411896), who was Provincial Grand Master between 1867 and 1889. The increase in membership was reinforced by the purchase of the present Masonic Hall in 1872, which allowed for greater numbers, greater security, and a position more central to the changing geographical heart of the city. From the four Craft Lodges that existed in 1850, the number had grown to eight by 1875 and to thirteen by 1914. There are now some thirty-three Lodges with 2,095 members within the Province.

By Bro. M. J. Crossley Evans

Congratulations Congratulations once again to Bro. Dougie Dick who is on the chair of St Aethan’s No. 1227 in Burghead for the second time in a row. Bro. Dougie is a MM of 242 and was installed by PMs from 242—this year his brethren in 1227 installed him.

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Congratulations On Thursday 11th January, Bro John Manley was presented with his 50 year Jubilee Certificate by the master Bro. Brian Smolarek (on the right). Bro. John has been a great supporter of both the lodge and the Social Club during this period.

Now, who photo bombed the picture…………?

Our Senior Warden, Bro George Barclay PM who is now available for a free transfer!!!!!

Travelling Mallet The largest travelling mallet? Grapevine Lodge No.288 in Houston, Texas.

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Red Cross Degrees It is around 1755 in Germany that different groups called the Golden Cross, and the Rosy Cross appeared. At this time, none of these groups were real parts of Freemasonry.

It seems that these groups were not organized together and continued to be isolated from each other for some years after their creation. However, close contacts were initiated between these groups and Freemasons interested in esotericism. In 1757 some Golden and Rosy Cross groups took on a more masonic structure. At this juncture, the relationship between Freemasonry and Rose Cross was only the result of specific individuals who decided to explore and cross pollinate. However, in 1777, one of these circles became a unified group and took the name of The Golden and Rosy Cross of the old system. Its structure was masonic and it was composed of nine high degrees. They required their members to take a strict oath regarding rites and initiations, and they maintained a rigid hierarchical structure. This initiatic group recruited many Freemasons who were interested in the esoteric sciences, such as: Alchemy, Qabalah, and Christian esotericism. The group initiated members of different political affiliations; since they worked in harmony with each other, the group became quite socially influential. Despite this fact that it grew in size very quickly, the Order disappeared approximately nine years after its birth.

At about this same time in France, a Freemason named Tschoudy devised a new set of degrees which he named Knights of the Rose Cross. These degrees were progressively integrated into other masonic systems, as you can see in the Scottish Rite today.

The next important step in the evolution of this line was the constitution in Scotland of the first Societas Rosicruciana, known as the Societas Rosicruciana in Scotia (S.R.I.S.). This group was directly influenced by the Rose Cross’ publications in Germany. It is difficult to say whether there was a direct link between the two, but Cross Keys February 2018

they claimed that there was. In 1867 the famous Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (Society of Rosicrucians in England or S.R.I.A.) was constituted from the S.R.I.S. and the discovery of certain manuscripts in the archives of the Grand Lodge. This order continues to exist today and is the center of all Societas Rosicruciana(s) that have been set up in every country around the world, including those in the United States. Its statements of philosophy are identical everywhere (in every group that is set up using this model) and this is valid evidence of the presence and influence of this line of the Tradition.

The Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia is an independent Christian society. Admission is limited to Master Masons who are subscribing members of a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of England or a jurisdiction in amity with this Grand Lodge and who accept and believe in the fundamental principles of the Trinitarian Christian faith. Even if the affiliation is restricted to the Freemasons, the very restrictive confessional clause is absolutely not in the spirit of what was built by the founders of Freemasonry at its inception. All Masons remember the power of the belief in a Supreme Being without defining Him. This is one of the critical and fundamental elements of Freemasonry; it is a warranty for world peace in our time. That is why this society of The Rose Cross is linked to Freemasonry, but must not be confused with the Rose Cross degrees present within Freemasonry. I am differentiating here between two disparate entities: one inside Freemasonry (R.C. Degrees) and the other outside of that body-(S.R.I.A.).

With this in mind, it is interesting to note that the S.R.I.A. has a very useful set of degrees that utilize the structure of the Qabalistic Tree. Three Orders compose the progression (up the Tree): 1st order: Zelator, Theoricus, Practicus, and Philosophus.

2nd order: Adeptus Minor, Adeptus Major, and Adeptus Exemptus. 3rd order: Magister, and Magus. The society is focused on the practice of the rituals, their Qabalistic studies and the writing of various research papers.

These groups are very close to what is called now “research lodges.” Despite this faith’s ob-

Red Cross Degrees (ctd) ligation, the famous magical society called the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn emerged from the S.R.I.A.. The three founders, William Robert Woodman, William Wynn Westcott, and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers were Freemasons and members of the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. The complete system was a magical development of the S.R.I.A. system, which attempted to integrate other esoteric elements such as the Enochian magic of John Dee, Agrippa's writings, and, perhaps, some other documents that came from the old German Rose Cross movement. Their hierarchy was built along the same structural lines as Freemasonry.

However, as soon as these organizations began initiating women and non-masons, they immediately lost recognition by the Masons, since women cannot be initiated into Freemasonry.

The original S.R.I.A. gave birth to two groups in the United States : 1- The Societas Rosicruciana in America 2- The Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (Rosicrucian Society of the United States).

The first group is mostly inactive today. The second group (created in 1880) is still active according to the original tradition of this branch. Among the large number of Masonic allied structures found in the United States, one of them is a society called the Societas Rosicruciana.

The 18° degree of the Scottish Rite is called the Knight Rose Cross. This degree is actually connected to symbolic elements of the famous fraternity (the Rose Cross). However, several initiations in Freemasonry also use this name or the symbol of the Rose Cross. Of course none of these degrees pretend to be the heir to the ancient Rose Cross that emerged in the 18th century. Several philosophers and scientists from this time (Paracelsus, Bacon, Fludd, Descartes, Pascal, Spinoza, Newton, Leibniz, John Dee, Elias Ashmole, Robert Fludd, etc.) claimed to be

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members of the Rose Cross or were associated with this mysterious Order in some way.

Over the next few editions, there will be a series of Rosicrucian thinking and ideas. The SRIS is a purposely small but active society today.

Advertised everywhere……..

In Memoriam It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the craft in Renfrewshire in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother: Bro. John Cameron

To submit an article or want added to the mail list or Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod: E-Mail:

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Cross Keys February 2018