Cross Keys May 2012

The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone Walking the Road / Seeking the Light May 2012

In this issue: Edinburgh—Old & New Freemasons in Lahore The Fellow Craft Recognition of Grand Lodges Charity Night for Army The Marquess of Ailsa

Cross Keys May. 2012

Number 158

Old and New Edinburgh The following extract from Cassell’s Old and New Edinburgh published in the 19th Century.

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Crests of the Province Although not a crest as a shield, the crest of Lodge St. Andrew No. 524 in East Kilbride is very much Scottish.

It simply shows St. Andrew with his cross and the lodge name around it.

The history on their website states that Freemasonry started in the village of EK in 1738—see their website for more info by clicking on the crest.

A Lesser Known Freemason Nicholas Hawksmoor's connections with freemasonry and elusive character have shrouded his career in mystery, leading to him being posthumously labelled 'the Devil's architect'. Although accusations like this are usually nothing more than empty gossip, Hawksmoor's fondness for masonic symbols and somewhat pagan imagery does little to help quieten the voice of conspiracists.

Aside from speculation, Hawksmoor's six London churches, decorated with pyramids and mythical beasts, do take on a more sinister character than those of his Baroque counterparts, borrowing more from ancient temples than was usually acceptable for places of Christian worship. Perhaps his most celebrated work is the deceivingly huge Christchurch Spitalfields (pictured), which towers over the surrounding area.

Cross Keys May. 2012

Freemasons in Lahore Top government officials in Punjab are perturbed over a legal move by the Freemasons that can ultimately result in the loss of prime property currently under the possession of the Punjab government, Pakistan Today learnt on Friday.

The Freemasons, one of the most mysterious and controversial societies across the world, were banned in Pakistan by former president Ziaul Haq under the Martial Law Regulation (MLR) 56 in 1983, charging them of ‚anti-state‛ and ‚anti-Islam‛ activities and handing over their moveable and immoveable assets to provincial governments with immediate effect. In Punjab alone they possessed three prime properties: 90-The Mall (Lahore), 307 (Multan) and 1307 (Rawalpindi). At the time of partition, the estimated number of properties they possessed across Pakistan was around 30.

Freemasons’ ‘Kothi Jadugar’, now known as 90-The Mall

However, what happened during Ziaul Haq’s regime was the epitome of a long going controversy starting in 1973 when the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution against Freemasons declaring their activities ‚anti-state‛ and ‚anti-Islam‛. The federal government also took Punjab’s lead while Khan Abdul Qayum Khan, the interior minister at the time, declared them innocent.

However, in 1973, the deputy commissioner of Lahore requisitioned 90-The Mall for the Islamic Summit for two months and the deputy inspector general (DIG) office was set up there as a makeshift arrangement, but the building was never returned even though the Lahore High Court (LHC) single and double bench decided in the Freemasons’ favour.

The government then moved the Supreme Court against the LHC verdict in 1978.

Finally, Ziaul Haq took over and imposed a ban on the Freemasons, while in 1986 the Supreme Court decided that the issue was no more as the MLR 56 had been given legal cover under the 8th Amendment in 1985 and told the Freemasons to appeal at a ‚proper forum‛ in case of any grievances. Since the term ‚proper forum‛ has not been defined in any law, the Freemasons wrote to various high offices such as successive presidents and prime ministers, including both Nawaz Sharif and the late Benazir Bhutto, but did not receive any reply.

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Finally in 1995, Freemason Kabir A Sheikh and five others filed a writ petition (8907/95) challenging the MLR 56, pleading that they were a philanthropist organisation while building their argument around the history and legal status of 90-The Mall, at the time under the us e of P un j a b Chief Minister S h a hb a z S ha r i f .

According to court records, Freemasons, all residents of the provincial capital, filed the writ petition through their counsel Dr Khalid Ranjha against the Punjab government, which was represented by the additional advocate general. During the course of the case, the Interior Ministry had also filed its comments on the issue saying that the available material showed the Freemasons were involved in ‚anti-state‛ and ‚anti-Islam‛ activities, to which Freemasons submitted an affidavit declaring that they practiced Islam as a religion and their beliefs were similar to common Muslims.

Interestingly, however, the revenue records dating back to the 1950s and 1960s show the building now named 90-The Mall mentioned as ‚Kothi Jadugar‛ (Sorcerer’s House). The Freemasons had also won a case under the Corporation Act claiming the building in question had been declared a ‚temple‛.

Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have also banned the organisation because of its controversial nature. Worldwide, Freemasons are famous for their secret rituals and for constructing buildings which supposedly have secret symbols inscribed into their architecture. Few other international organisations are surrounded by as much controversy as the Freemasons.

There are 33 degrees of Freemasonry, while the ones who have filed the writ petition are ‘Masters’ and ‘Past Masters’, Freemasons of the 4th and 5th degree respectively.

This has created a lot of anxiety among top government officials in the Punjab Civil Secretariat owing to the gravity of the situation as well as the mystery surrounding Freemasons, especially given that the next date of the hearing in the LHC is December 30.

Many top officials have ordered books on Freemasonry from abroad to study their history and symbols and what they stand for, while a lot of rumours are making rounds in the corridors of power regarding the probable future of the prime offices under the possession of the Punjab government because if the court gives a verdict against the MLR 56, it would ultimately result in the Punjab government having to hand over all property back to the Freemasons.

From Pakistan Today, December 2011

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The Fellow Craft You are now a Fellow Craft Mason. What that title means has already been explained to you. My purpose now is to try to explain something of the meaning of the Fellow Craft Degree. I say "something of the meaning" advisedly, for it would require many whole evenings to explain it in full.

Because the Fellow Craft Degree chances to lie between the Entered Apprentice and Master Mason Degree you must not permit yourself to fall into the error of considering it a half-way station, a mere transition from one to the other. It has in itself the same completeness, the same importance, as each of the other two, with a definite purpose of its own; and unless you understand its teachings thoroughly your Initiation will fail of its purpose.

There are two great ideas embodied in it. They are not the only ideas in it, but if you understand them they will lead you into an understanding of the others.

One of these is the idea of adulthood.

Where the Entered Apprentice represents youth standing at the portals of life, his eyes on the rising sun, and where the Master Mason stands as the man of years, already on the farther slope of the hill with the setting sun in his eyes, the Fellow Craft is a man in the prime of life - experienced, strong, resourceful, able to bear the heat and burden of the day.

It is only in its very narrowest sense that adulthood can be described in terms of years. When he comes to experience it, a man discovers that the mere fact that he is forty or fifty years of age has little to do with it.

Adulthood is a condition, a state of life, a station charged with a set of duties.

It is the man in his middle years who carries the responsibilities.

It is he upon whom a family depends for support He is the Atlas on whose shoulders rest the burdens of business By his skill and experience the arts are sustained To his keeping are entrusted the destinies of the State.

It is said that in the building of his Temple, King Solomon employed eighty thousand Fellow Crafts, or "hewers in the mountains and quarries;" the description is a suggestive one, for it is by these men and women who live in the Fellow Craft period of life that the hewing is done, in the mountains, or in the quarries, or anywhere else.

And, it is not their responsibility for toil alone that tests the mettle in their nature. They live in a period of disillusionment.

Youth is enthusiastic, carefree, filled with high hopes; the upward sloping path before it is bathed in the morning light.

Old age is mellowed, the battle lies behind it; it does not struggle or cry aloud, and walks where the landscape lies in the mystical light of the dying sun. Young men see visions; old men dream dreams.

The Fellow Craft walks in the full, uncoloured light of the noon-time. Everything stands starkly before him, in its most uncompromising reality.

If he was buoyed by boyish illusions as to the ease of life and the sufficiency of his strength a little while ago, these illusions have now evaporated in the heat of the day. And if, after a few more years, he will have learned mellow peace and resignation, that time has not yet come. It is for him to bend his back and bear the load.

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The Fellow Craft (ctd) What does the Second Degree have to say to the Fellow Craft, whether in Masonry or in the world at large?

The answer to that brings us to our second idea.

That idea is this – that the Fellow Craft may so equip himself that he will prove adequate to the tasks which will be laid upon him.

What is that equipment? The Degree gives us several answers. Let us ponder on this a moment.

One answer is education. After all, an individual's possible experience is extremely limited, circumscribed as it is, by the length of his Cable Tow. Could we learn of life only that with which we are brought into contact by our own senses, then would we be, indeed, poorly equipped to deal with its complexities and responsibilities!

To our own store of hard won experience, we must add the experience of others, supplementing our experience by the information of countless men brought to us through many channels. Our own knowledge must be made complete by the knowledge taught us by our culture and its teachers.

We have a perfect picture of this inside Freemasonry. Consider the Apprentice in the days when Masons were builders of great and costly structures. He was a mere boy, ten to fifteen years of age, scarcely knowing one tool from another, entirely ignorant of the secrets and arts of the builder; and yet, after seven years or so, he was able to produce his Master's Piece, and to take his place at any task to which the Worshipful Master might appoint him.

How was this miracle accomplished? Not by his own unaided efforts, but by teaching, by the Master Masons about him guiding his clumsy hands and passing on to him, in many lessons, what they had been years in acquiring.

Such is education. It is symbolized in the second Degree by the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Perhaps you were somewhat nonplussed to hear what was said about grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music, and wondered what such schoolroom topics had to do with Masonry. You understand now! The explanation of these subjects was not meant to be an academic lecture out of a college course. Like so much else in the Degree, it was symbolism, and the symbolism signified all that is meant by education - our training by others in skill and knowledge to do or to understand certain kinds of tasks.

Now let us consider wisdom. Experience gives us awareness of the world at that point -where we are in immediate contact with it. Knowledge gives us competency for special tasks in the arts, trades, professions, callings and vocations.

But a man's life is not confined to his own immediate experience, nor is he day and night engaged in the same task. Life is more complex, is richer than that. It comes to us compounded of all manner of things, a great variety of experiences, a consistent succession of situations, a never-ending list of new problems, and it is full of people with all of their reactions, emotions, varied characters, and behaviours. The world is infinitely greater than what each of us now sees, hears or feels. It is far more complex than our accustomed daily tasks.

Therefore, if we are to be happy in our life in such a world, we must have the ability to understand and to cope with this complex whole. We must be able to meet situations that have never arisen before. Imagine a symphony being rendered by an orchestra.

Each player must be able to see, to touch, and to hear, or he cannot even hold an instrument in his hands.

He must have knowledge of his own musical score, and of the capacities of his instrument. But the conductor must have all this, plus an understanding of all instruments and of the composition as a whole. His skill and knowledge must embrace not only each instrument in turn, with each player's score, but all of them together, and at once.

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The Fellow Craft (ctd) This conductor is not a misleading picture of wisdom. Man may see, hear, touch, and handle things so much that he wins a rich experience, and yet not have knowledge. And a man may have such knowledge, may have mastered some task, or art, or trade, and yet be unhappy and a failure as a human being because he cannot adjust himself to the complex system of realities, experiences and facts which make up life as a whole. He may lack wisdom – the competency to deal with each situation that arises, it matters not what it may be.

The Middle Chamber, which is so conspicuous an element in the Second Degree, doubtless has many other meanings, but it most certainly has this - that it is a symbol of the wisdom of which I have just been speaking.

Through the experience of the Five Senses, up through the knowledge gained of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, the candidate is called upon to advance, as on a Winding Stair, to that balanced wisdom of life in which the senses, emotions, intellect, character, work, deeds, habits and soul of a man are knit together in unity - balanced, poised, adequate.

If the Fellow Craft will thus equip himself - whether you think of him as inside Masonry or without - he need not shrink from his toil nor will he faint beneath the heat and burden of the day, because his competency as a human being will be equal to the demands made upon him.

This interpretation of the Fellow Craft Degree, as I stated in the beginning, touches but the hem of its manifold meanings. But it has been my purpose only to give you certain suggestions, and I hope that with them now in your possession, you may be inspired to search out all the other meanings for yourself.

The author of the above talk was Bro. Harry Kellerman, written in the 1970’s.

Cross Keys May. 2012

Recognition of Grand Lodges In a recent report from the US, the following now applies: ALBANIA The Grand Lodge of Albania was consecrated on October 14, 2011 in Tirana by the Grand Orient of Italy. It is composed of three lodges previously warranted by the Grand Orient of Italy. It has adopted the Ritual and Book of Constitution of the Grand Orient, the Principles for Grand Lodges Recognition accepted by the United Grand Lodge of England, as well as the ‚Aims and Relationships of the Craft‛ of the UGLE. The Commission is of the opinion that the Grand Lodge of Albania meets the standards for recognition.

BAJA CALIFORNIA It was reported last year that the two groups representing the Grand Lodge of Baja California had worked out an accord that would have unified them again into one regular Grand Lodge. The leaders of the two groups signed the agreement, termed the Denver Accord, and were confident it would be ratified by both groups. This did not happen; therefore the Grand Lodge of Baja California remains two separate organizations, and neither satisfies the standards for recognition.

BULGARIA There continues to be no progress in the unification of Freemasonry in Bulgaria. The Commission received submissions from both Grand Lodges, but there appears to be no interest on the part of the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria in entering discussions with the Grand Lodge AF&AM of Bulgaria, either for unification or for establishing a treaty to share the jurisdiction. Both of these Grand Lodges appear to practice regular Masonry, and both were of the same origin until they split in 2001. This Commission has urged the two Grand Lodges to resolve their differences for the past eight years to no avail; therefore this issue will not be addressed again until the brethren in Bulgaria reach some type of agreement that will meet the standards for recognition.

PARAGUAY The agreement of unification of the two Grand Lodges that was reached in 2010, has been broken, and the situation has reverted back to two Grand Lodges claiming to be the legitimate source of Freemasonry in that country. There is also evidence that negotiations for unification have ceased.

This being the case, the Commission is of the opinion that neither Grand Lodge now meets the standards for recognition.

TAHITI The Grand Lodge of Tahiti was constituted on December 21, 2011 from three lodges previously chartered by the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise. Data was presented that indicates this new Grand Lodge practices regular Masonry and is a sovereign territory. The Commission is of the opinion that the Grand Lodge of Tahiti meets the standards for recognition.

Cross Keys May. 2012

The Grand Master Mason in 242 Our master, Bro. Graham Scott seen with the Grand Master Mason Bro. Charles Wolrige Gordon after the installation of the new PGMRE in March. Bro. Charles is seen with the photo of him with his father, Bro. Robert, GMM 1974—79, the last GMM to visit 242.

(Bro. Robert’s wife was the daughter of Dame Flora Macleod, 28th Clan Chief).

We look forward to welcoming Bro. Charles back to 242 on 18th May at the PGL’s Education Dinner along with the Grand Master of Ireland.

Charity Night for ABF

Last month, a charity night with 75 people was held for the Army Benevolent Fund with the help of Comps. James Gregory and Bruce Stuart (BoR) which raised the magnificent sum of £2670 from various chapters and outside donations. Comp. Jim would like to thank the lodge for the use of the hall and the bar staff who served o the night. Also present were Lt Col Guy Moncur and Maj Roy Roberts (chairman). Bro. Bruce produced some serving soldiers to wait on the tables.

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100th Anniversary of Building

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GL News The Grand Lodge of Scotland has decided to institute an annual memorial recital in his name.

The first of these recitals will be held on Friday, 22nd June 2012 and is open to the public. Tickets are available from Freemasons' Hall (telephone: 0131 225 5577) and cost £5 each.

PGL News

Friday 18th Education Dinner in Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242 at 7pm Thursday 24th New Members’ Seminar in Lodge Union & Crown, Barrhead at 7.30pm

Special Night Early notice for diaries - PGL are resurrecting the Curry Night on Thursday 28th June, 2012. It will be held in Lodge 116, Rutherglen 7 for 7.30pm costing £10 per head.

Divine Service last month

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Less Weel Kent Scottish Masons George Murdoch was Provost of Glasgow from 17541755 and again from 1766-1767. He was a merchant primarily trading in wines from Madeira, but became involved in related enterprises such as becoming a partner in a glass bottle works in 1742, and forming Murdoch & Warroch to build and operate the famous Anderston Brewery. He had children only by the first of his three wives. One of his sons, James, went to work in Madeira at the age of thirteen and another, George, ended up in Grenada. In 1767, while in his second term as Provost, Murdoch laid the foundation stone for the new Jamaica Street Bridge. A mason, in 1769 he became "Provincial Grand Master over the Counties of Lenrick, Renfrew, Air, Dumbarton and Argyle".

Murdoch is depicted here wearing a red coat and one of the wigs which were so fashionable in 18th century Glasgow.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY FREEMASONS’ HALL, 96 GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND 24 MAY- 26 MAY 2013 The first International Conference on the History of Freemasonry was held in 2007 to establish whether or not Freemasonry could be considered a single separate subject worthy of its own platform. It is now clear based on the successes of ICHF 2007, 2009 and 2011 that answer is a resounding, YES. Whilst the organisers welcome invitations from Masonic bodies throughout the world to host ICHF within their own locale, there is something comforting in bringing ICHF 2013 back to where it began; Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland. First call for papers here.

See September 2012 Cross Keys for further details.

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Special Military Degree for Charity

On Saturday 26th May, 2012, Lodge Union & Crown will host a special charity event for The Mark Wright Project which the Cross Keys has advertised before.

The lodge will tyle at 4pm and deputations will be received from brethren from the MWP and PGLRE. The dining will be slightly different in that mess tins will be used and so on.

The degree team conferring the mark degree will consist of ex and serving members of the Armed Forces.

Let’s have a good turnout and show our support to members currently serving our country.

May Events in 242

SUNDAY 6th MAY—Joint Divine Service at Lodge Craigends (6 for 6.30pm) Thursday 10th May—MMD by OBs Thursday 24th May—MMM by OBs Visit: Thursday 17th—MMD at Thistle & Crown 1167 (Neilston) at 7.30pm Sir William Wallace RAC 13th May—Divine Service in St. Paul’s Church at 11am 17th May—RA at 7.30pm

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Marquess of Ailsa

Marquess of Ailsa (1872-1943) Archibald Kennedy, 15th Earl of Cassillis, created Marquess of Ailsa in 1938 was born in 1872 (same year as a well known club) and died in 1943. The Kennedys are a famous and powerful Scottish family long settled in Ayrshire. His ancestor John Kennedy of Dunure obtained Cassillis and other lands in Ayrshire about 1350. John's descendant Sir James Kennedy married Mary, a daughter of King Robert III and their son Sir Gilbert Kennedy was created Lord Kennedy before 1458. Gilbert's grandson David, third Lord Kennedy, was created Earl of Cassillis before 1530.

In

1831

the

12th

Earl

Archibald Kennedy,

of

Cassillis

became

the

first

15th Earl of Cassillis

Marquess of Ailsa, taking the title from the craig which was his property. Archibald was educated at Eton College, Trinity College, Cambridge and Edinburgh universities. Served as major in the South African War (19001902) and was with the British Expeditionary Forces from Dec., 1914 to May, 1919. Later became a memberof the Royal Company of Archers and as such constituted a member of His Majesty's Bodyguard for Scotland. His services were called for in every large civic or national enterprise.

He had held many high offices in Freemasonry, and was head of the Grand Chapter of Scotland for 30 years, being 1st Grand Principal from 1913 until his death in 1943. He made three Masonic visits to the United States, 1924, 1927 and 1933 for the purpose of settling jurisdictional differences with the General Grand Chapter over the chapters in the Philippines.

On his death his titles passed to his brother Charles who was initiated in Holyrood House Lodge No. 44, Edinburgh, 1896.

He

affiliated to a lodge in the US and joined other orders in the US, but never reaching the rank of his brother.

Charles Kennedy, 16th Earl of Cassillis

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EDUCATION INITIATIVE A Three Day Seminar 5th November 2012, 7th January 2013 and 18th March 2013 You are invited to attend! Each of the three days will comprise brief lectures followed by long discussions presented by members of QC Lodge and the staff of the Library & Museum of Freemasonry. The lectures will cover: The Essence of Research Guidelines and Directives to Students Selecting a Subject Presentation of a Written Paper Presentation of a Verbal Paper Masonic Newspapers and other Library resources Using the Museum Collections Inside the Library & Museum Archives Please request a brochure and application form from Bro Gordon Davie, QC Lodge Secretary, 22 Stone Rd, Bromley Kent BR2 0AU Tel: 0208 460 2975 E-mail: gdavie@lansdale.demon.co.uk Or register here.

Freemasons and RMS Titanic Last month witnessed many events commemorating probably the most publicised sinking ever—RMS Titanic on 14th April,1912. Many passengers were freemasons and the most famous is Oscar Scott Woody with his own website showing some masonic artefacts. However, a lesser known mason was Percy Taylor (shown)—a Past Master of Musgrave Lodge, No. 1597, at Hampton Court, and a cellist in the ship’s orchestra. The band famously kept playing as the Titanic went down, with all eight members sadly perishing. Bro. Taylor gave his life to help others.

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307 visits 242 The visitation between our lodge and Lodge Union & Crown No.307 has been resurrected this year. On Thursday 26th April, 2012, the brethren from Barrhead came along to confer the FCD. It was an excellent degree and it was great to see the brethen back in 242 and hopefully for many years to come.

However, a highlight was at the start of the visit when their master, Bro. Kenny Coleman, presented a stone for the 100th Anniversary of the lodge building (as shown in the centre of both masters). Bro. Kenny said he had managed to dislodge a stone from our front wall! It is a superb carving of the S & C along with mark tokens of both lodges. Due to its weight, we will need to place it somewhere not on the glass shelves of the display cabinet. The lodge would thank the brethren of 307 for this magnificent gesture.

Where is this?

It is a masonic hall in Ayrshire, It’s master is over 8 feet tall (or at least looks like it), It’s master is a bluenose, The lodge is over 200 years old.

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PGLRE Education Dinner The Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East will hold another Education Dinner which will take place on 18th May, 2012. The first dinner a couple of years ago with the Grand Master Mason as the only speaker was a great success and it is hoped to continue this format. The only speaker is W. Bro. Dunlop, Grand Master of Ireland.

The event will take place in the premises of our lodge and we are honoured to host this popular event.

Animal Charity in Malta Bro. Dave Stark PM of The Lodge of Erskine No. 1566 received a donation of 250euros from Bro. Robert Bell PM 1566 for the Gozo SPCA. Well done and thanks to Bro. Robert in donating to this very worthwhile cause and also to Bro. Dave for his continued charity sporting events which has raised a great deal so far for various charities.

Another good news story for Freemasonry!

In Memoriam The dead are like the stars by day … withdrawn from mortal eye… yet not extinct that hold their way In glory through the sky… .Spirits of bondage thus set free… .Vanish amidst immensity… While human thought… .Like human sight… .Fail to pursue…. Their trackless flight.

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: John Morrison, OB in Gatehouse of Fleet Cross Keys May. 2012

The Cross Keys is Edited and Researched by Brothers - Grant Macleod & Brian Kerr E-Mail:

sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk

Lodge Websites www.lodge242.co.uk www.lodge242.bravehost.com Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo WJW 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.

Cross Keys May. 2012