Cross Keys October 2015

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

October 2015

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light

In this issue: Mediocrity in Masonry The Essence of Scottish Freemasonry Personal Viewpoints The Order of the Silver Trowel 150th Sir William Wallace RAC No.109 Idaho Lodge No.10 Is Freemasonry in Decline?

1904 Constitutions United We Stand

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Number 186

Mediocrity in Masonry—Shame on US! One of the questions that occasionally eats at me when I am driving home from a Masonic event, degree, or function that has been woefully mediocre is how our members can sit through such Masonic happenings month after month and still believe our fraternity is relevant and meaningful to men’s lives? How honest are we in claiming we make good men better while persistently repeating practices and behaviours which are so distinctively average, or worse? Self improvement involves some form of positive change. It requires some level of progress; entails some elevated sense of being. Explain to me how a lodge facilitates self improvement by offering its members a venue that doesn’t “feel” any

different when they are inside the lodge than outside of it.

Perhaps many of us come into Masonry looking for nothing more than fraternal association. But, if that’s the case, it ought to be the best fraternal association we have ever had!

Once we encounter the preparation room, or make our progress through the degrees, it is hard to dismiss the awareness that we are engaged in something wholly different from our other community experiences. We quickly learn that Masonry has a higher calling which requires that we make an ascent into the very centre of our being. An endeavor of

such high importance and due solemnity is not a run of the mill undertaking. It becomes clear there is nothing mediocre about Masonry. So why do we make it that way?

Here’s the problem. Accepting mediocrity in our lodge practices is the same as living a mediocre life. By making un-extraordinary acts and behaviours our ordinary practice, we entrap ourselves from knowing how precious life really is. We don’t use opportunities that come our way as a means of expressing how special we really are. Instead, we walk the walk with the rest of the herd and soon find ourselves in such a deep rut of limitations we lose sight of our own value. We become trapped in mediocrity. Regrettably, this too often seems the condition in which lodges, Scottish Rite Valleys, York Rite Chapters, Councils and Commanderies find themselves. When nothing extraordinary, educational, insightful, compelling, intellectual, contemplative, spiritual, or fraternal occurs in our private, sacred, fraternal spaces, then we become only another ordinary, average, run of the

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The Essence of Scottish Freemasonry mill, dime-a-dozen organization. It is hard to see how this kind of Masonry takes good men and makes them better. It is not the kind of Masonry we should want to share with our friends. I believe that if we truly want to move “from the square to the compasses,” we have to dare to be different. And we can’t dare to be different by following someone else’s expectations. When a lodge does the same thing year after year, it is accepting by default someone else’s expectations. There is nothing creative, inspiring, or different about parroting ritual, paying bills, and going home. That’s doing only what many others have done before us.

To distinguish ourselves among men and organizations, we first have to perceive in our own minds that we have something to do which will ultimately set us above the average.

We start by thinking about the choices before us. Do we choose what is safe rather than what is right? Do we only do things right, or do we do the right things? Do we set out on a new path, or take the same old, comfortable way? Do we bring credit to our teachings, or debit them as ideals of the past? Do we become the examples that young men want to emulate, or do we seem to them as just another group of ho hum guys? You see, the

choice always controls the chooser. To be exemplary men, or an exemplary organization, we have to be exceptional in our awareness of who we are, what we are here to be doing, what we know, and how we practice what we know. We have to have the courage to be different from the rest of the crowd—nobler in our expectations and more refined in our state of mind. Because that’s just the way Masonry is.

Written by Bro. ROBERT G. DAVIS, 33

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Personal Viewpoints A building block of freemasonry is a highly functioning organizational structure that provides leadership that works to envision, enable, and engage its members. And it is here where Freemasonry fails. Our organizational structure has become a dysfunctional anachronism, and our leadership, tired. Officer lines at some grand lodges are selfperpetuating, with the membership at large having little real choice in determining who will govern the grand lodge or how it will be governed. Men in positions of authority in an environment devoid of transparency and accountability have little motivation to risk their high status to embrace change.

Such men claim that our membership woes are the result of changing demographics so that they are not to blame. They point to diminished attendance at traditional churches to support this weak excuse. If true, then the logical conclusion is that Freemasonry and religion are no longer relevant to young people today. But should we accept this feeble excuse at face value? Has religion truly lost its relevance for young people today? A more accurate observation may be that their parent’s church’s practices have lost their relevance for young people, but the underlying core value and attraction of faith is as strong now as ever.

Breaking away from traditional mainline groups, many new churches have sprung up in recent years, some attracting congregations that count their members in the thousands and their annual budgets in the millions. These new mega-churches are flourishing in a time when mainstream churches whither on the vine. They are able to raise millions of dollars in capital campaigns from congregations filled with young people. Why? Because their members believe in the church and more importantly they have faith in their leaders. They are willing to make a personal sacrifice based on their belief and that faith. The fact is Generations X and Y are actively seeking new ways to belong, connect, and give back; Freemasonry simply is not meeting their needs. Just imagine what we could do if we could fill our lodges with Master Masons who were passionate in their beliefs! Even in this time of diminishment, Freemasonry has millions of members, millions of dollars in wealth, real estate, magnificent buildings and worldwide recognition. An aspiring fraternity would look with envy at that which Freemasonry presently holds in its grasp. What we so desperately lack is effective, charismatic, inspirational leadership capable of leveraging these extraordinary assets.

Further articles will be included in later editions.

From an article by Bro. Richard Graeter PM under GL of Ohio.

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The Order of the Silver Trowel The Order of Royal and Select Masters, often known as the Cryptic Degrees, is open to those who are both Royal Arch and Mark Master Masons and consists of four highly dramatic degrees. These outline the initial steps taken during the building of the Temple to preserve copies of the holy vessels and sacred treasures in a secret vault, the burial of the Word by the two surviving Grand Masters after Hiram’s death, the completion and dedication of the Temple and finally the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and his army. It can be seen, therefore, that the Cryptic Degrees form a vital and interesting link between the Craft and Royal Arch, making the connection much more logical and completing the legend of King Solomon and his Temple. The Four Degrees are as follows: Select Master: The preparations for the building of the Temple having commenced in the Mark Degree, the three Grand Masters are anxious that the form of the sacred treasures, including the Ark of the Covenant, could be lost forever in the event of the Temple being sacked. They therefore arrange for a small number of Select Masons, sworn to secrecy, to construct a secret vault beneath the Holy of Holies and deposit replicas therein.

Royal Master: The Temple is nearing its completion and certain Overseers are anxious to receive the Master Word and be honoured with the rank of Royal Master before their employment ceases. Shortly before his death Hiram Abif explains to one of these Overseers, Adoniram, that with patience and industry he will, in due time, receive it. This discourse is widely regarded as the most beautiful in any Masonic Degree. Most Excellent Master Hiram Abif has been slain and after a period of mourning, the holy relics are transferred into the completed temple. King Solomon prepares to dedicate it to the Most High and, to celebrate this joyous occasion, confers the Degree of Most Excellent Master on his most trusted and skillful workmen, amongst whom are those who built the secret vault.

Super Excellent Master: The Temple had stood in all its glory for nearly 400 years but had then fallen to Nebuchadnezzar and his army. The King and his principal citizens were taken into captivity in Babylonia. Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet King, has rebelled against him and fled, leaving the remaining citizens to defend the Temple and pledge their devotion to God. The Degree of Thrice Illusrious Master: This degree, colloquially know as the Ord er o f the Silver Trowel, has been performed in America for a number years and was introduced into this country in 2009. A select number of Installed Masters from each District are approved each year by the Most Illustrious Grand Master to receive it. In the District of Surrey the degree is performed annually at the meeting of Weald of Surrey Council No.309. Recipients of the degree are entitled to have a hallmarked Silver Trowel attached to the flap of their apron.

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The Order of the Silver Trowel (ctd) The degree is both extremely interesting and colourful and takes place during the final days of King David and recounts the abortive attempt of Adonijah, the half-brother of Solomon, to assume the throne and then the latter’s anointment as King. It concludes with a remarkable discourse between David and Solomon.

The Grand Lodge of North Carolina and the Supreme Grand RAC of Scotland have made an historical link which was announced at Cryptic Council No. 1 (England)—more to follow next month.

Sir William Wallace RAC No. 109 On Saturday, 19th September, the chapter celebrated 150 years of Royal Arch masonry in Johnstone. The majority of founder members in 1865 being members of 242. The photo blow shows ME 1st P. Comp. Bob Black PZ with ME 1st Grand P. Comp. Ian Fraser and various members of the chapter and Supreme Grand Chapter.

90 companions signed the book with 75 dining. There was a great harmony with the cake being cut (opposite).

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Idaho Lodge No.10

Taken about 100 years ago, this ‘shack’ reveals a lively and vibrant lodge and below as it is today.

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Jubilee Presentation Bro. Alex Wilson received his 50 Year Jubilee Certificate on Thursday 24th September, 2015 from the master Bro. David Black. On receiving his certificate, he addressed open lodge and made comment about his family connection since the early 1920s. His father, grandfather and uncle (Bro. David Smith PM) were all actively involved in the lodge— even today there is still a family connection. Left to right in the photo: Mark Wilson (nephew), Jim Wilson (brother), Alex, Robert McGill and David Wilson (brother).

Who Recognises this Chair

This is the Grand Master’s Chair in the United Grand Lodge of England in London.

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Is Freemasonry in the Decline?

No! Emphatically No! Here is why‌ As long as there are seven true Masons a Lodge can convene. As long as there is one Lodge in world Freemasonry will exist.

However, we are being obtuse!! We think that the question: 'Is Freemasonry in decline?' actually means: 'Is the number of Freemasons' declining?' The answer is yes, and no.

Most older Freemasons (in terms of age not experience) can remember a time when there were a lot more Freemasons, a lot more activity, packed meetings and everyone, but everyone was a Freemason. There is no doubt that in this scenario the number of Freemasons is falling and in some parts of the world, falling sharply.

The present day situation compared with those personal experiences of Freemasonry engenders a heart-felt belief that things are going into reverse, a decline, a terminal decline. In Scotland we see things rather differently.

There have been two major peaks in the admission of new members - see the graph associated with this post. It shows that in the years following WWW I and WWW II there was an almost incredible influx of candidates in the years following both wars. The reasons why men came to knock on our door in such vast numbers during that period are numerous and may become the basis of another thread but need not detain us in this discussion.

The present focus on the 'decline' of Freemasonry focuses on a comparison with the intake of the 1950's and 1960's and today. The essential, crucial, thing to keep in mind is that the huge jump in applications for membership was due to an almost unimaginable social upheaval - the aftermath of a world war. There is no way to expect that kind of intake ever again because there is no way (we ardently hope) that those extreme social conditions will never recur.

The present baseline with which we judge the success, or failure, of Freemasonry is centred around 1950/60 (or even into the 1980's). A comparison with the intake of those decades with that today strongly suggests that the numbers joining the Craft is falling, and falling sharply. Some say the decline is irreversible‌

Measured against the intake of the 1950's and 1960's (an even later) today's intake is most certainly much reduced. That fact has created a great deal of dismay among Freemasons who hanker after a 'lost golden age', a high point many wish to return to and numerous strategies, projects and programs have been devised to encourage more non-Masons to take the first step.

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Is Freemasonry in the Decline? (Ctd) It is important here to realise that these various initiatives are the responsibility of the various Grand Lodges concerned and this page is not intended to comment on the desirability, or otherwise, of such initiatives. In short, this page cannot become involved in determining matters of Grand Lodge policy. For that reason you will have noticed that this page tends to focus more on historical matters and things that are already well established such as regalia etc. Following that important observation we now return to the subject in hand.

If the baseline of the 1950's is ignored (the second huge spike both in yesterday's chart and that of today - shown here) and 1850 is used instead then one can see that today we are actually getting back to normal!

People always assess the present in terms of their past experience and many of those who are of a certain age will be able to remember the 'high watermark' of their Masonic experience of the 1950's, 60's, 70's and even into the 1980's. There is nothing wrong in that but what is being attempted here is to suggest that sometimes history can be useful in telling us what happened before, sometimes long before, our own Masonic lives began.

The question that arises from these intake charts is this: given that the two high points of Freemasonry in term of membership numbers was a consequence of the social upheavals of the two world wars how is it possible to replicate those intakes today?

A subsidiary question is: was/is Freemasonry ever intended to be a mass-membership organisation? If we desire the same intake as the 1950's/1960's etc. the answer would seem to be yes. If we look to the period before the first world war then the answer would appear to be no.

Taken from the Grand Lodge of Scotland Facebook page. This is definitely worth reading (and liking) especially some of the comments posted by brethren.

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United we Stand, Divided we Fall It seems that since the beginning of our history, mankind has felt the need to live in relationship with others, to provide security, comfort and mutual support. If I asked you which tribe you belong to, you would probably think I was severely mistaken. Unless, of course, you happened to be from a society that still operates with a tribal structure, such as Native Americans, or some parts of the Middle East. But, since Michel Maffesoli coined the phrase in 1985, sociologists have identified many urban tribes. We may think of Western culture as individualistic, but in reality often we are seeking to fit in to a group of our peers.

A young person who wears exclusively black and highlights their hair blue may seem to be expressing their own personality, but in reality they are often just conforming to the rules of the “Goth” group. Supporters of a particular football club, or political party … graduates from a particular high-school … all of these are obvious examples. Banks and businesses play on our need to feel part of a distinct, often elite group, in their advertising. Credit cards offer privileges -- if you have the right card you will gain access to all the right places, or to special treatment there. A health and fitness club near where I live bills itself as “more than just a sports club.” The clear implication is that if you are a member, you are part of a tribe that has a somewhat superior lifestyle. And of course social media with its friend lists, followers and groups meets the same tribal need.

We also join groups such as Successful Lawyers or Marathon Runners to flatter our own ego, and to feel we are part of something that other less successful mortals are excluded from. Sadly this group-forming tendency has caused us over the centuries to fight with those who are from a different tribe. Just think of the mods and rockers clashing in British seaside resorts in the 1960s.

Or the struggles Turkey witnessed between left-wing and right-wing students on campuses in the 1970s. Or European football hooliganism in the 1980s.

Tribal groupings can lead to huge political fallout. Divisions between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland led to centuries of conflict. Tensions between Greeks and Turks in Cyprus have led to an island divided to this day. Sectarian struggles in Syria and Iraq have led to an environment where the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has made military gains. It does appear that united we stand, divided we fall. A new study on Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire by Dorothe Sommer takes an unusual approach to the linkage between Freemasonry and our human tendency to form tribes. Sommer is a German academic who has studied Freemasonry extensively and in this new volume, published by IB Tauris, she focuses on the sociological aspects of Freemasonry in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the Ottoman Empire in general and Greater Syria (modern Lebanon and Syria) in particular. Now, Freemasonry often has a bad press anywhere in the world. There is a general suspicion of anything that is secretive. In particular, a club that is selective about its members and refuses to divulge what goes on behind closed doors is bound to be suspected by those outside of being up to something shady. Add to that strange rituals, and Freemasonry is often castigated as a threat to a free and democratic society. But in the Middle East, where the psyche is suspicious of any attempt by Western powers to influence politics or economics, Freemasonry is often viewed as an out-and-out evil. With loyalty to grand lodges in France or the United Kingdom, local lodges have long been viewed as an imperialist device to control the Middle East. The age Sommer is writing about represents the height of colonial interference in Middle Eastern affairs. Oil had just been found, and was becoming important due to industrialization and the rise of the motor car. Britain, France and Germany vied with each other for control of these resources. Russia joined in, too, until revolution and a disastrous loss of life in World War I took it out of the game for a while. But Dr. Sommer bucks the usual trend. Her Cross Keys Oct.. 2015

United we Stand, Divided we Fall main analysis concludes that rather than being a tool of European control, Freemasonry provided an avenue for solidarity among locals, enabling them to unite in the lodge across sectarian and ethnic divides, and thereby giving them the strength to resist the imperial powers. She paints a background of strife in Greater Syria -- Bilad al-Sham to the Ottomans -- with Maronites fighting the Druze and Christians at odds with Muslims. The Syrian population, she says, “needed a sense of common identity and solidarity.” The Ottoman form of government, she argues, fostered these sectarian divides as it allowed the different peoples -- or millet -- to form their own social structures and gave their religious or ethnic leaders some autonomy in rule. However, as the Freemason lodges used the motto “unity is strength,” they were able to provide a common framework for people to find common ground, crossing all divides with their concept of “brotherhood.”

It is an interesting argument, but one that seems to have only limited validity. It is true that Karl Marx taught that capitalist regimes use issues such as race and religion to “divide and rule” -driving wedges between workers who otherwise would have everything in common and every reason to ally and organize to fight for their rights, but instead are perpetually driven apart to the benefit of the ruling class. Workers, therefore, need a structure to unite to thwart this insidious tactic. But to suggest that Freemasonry, which opens its doors exclusively to the wealthy and influential to the exclusion of the working class, was in some way instrumental in bringing the end to autocratic rule and protecting a nation from international interference does seem a bit of a big claim. From the viewpoint of the average local, it would appear that Freemasonry offered the alternative of political and economic control by powerful men of your own nation, rather than by powerful men of a foreign nation. However, if we ignore the clear skew towards a rose-tinted view of the sociological effects of Freemasonry in the region, the factual part of the book is a fascinating explanation of the history of the lodges and their relations with each other and worldwide Freemasons.

"Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire: A History of the Fraternity and Its Influence in Syria and the Levant" by Dorothe Sommer is published by IB Tauris (2015).

October Events in 242

Thursday 8th—MM by PMs

Thursday 22nd—AGM

INSTALLATION FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER at 7pm.

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Minnesota’s New Building Contrary to many closures of lodges across the glob, Minnesota Masonic Charities, one of the largest grant-making organizations in the North Star State, has announced the start of construction on a brand-new Masonic Heritage Centre in Bloomington.

According to a news release, the organization has selected Adolfson & Peterson as contractors for the projects, while Trossen Wright Plutowski Architects will handle planning and design work. Construction is already underway on the 50,000-square-foot facility, with completion scheduled for June 2016.

The new Masonic Heritage Center will replace two outdated buildings on the Bloomington Masonic campus, and will integrate the concept and significance of Freemasonry in its design.

“You don’t see this kind of building – which includes a brick façade with concrete-block backup, tile roofing and high-level finishes – often being constructed anymore,” explained Mark Adamson, vice president of pre-construction for Adolfson & Peterson. “It will be a beautiful place to meet, host events and display Masonic artifacts when it’s completed.”

The design of the new Heritage Center will be in tune with its surroundings, and will include detailed columns, masonry patterning, and arches and keyways. The facility will incorporate a 425-seat auditorium, library, conference space, as well as a full catering kitchen.

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Masonic Flight?

Click on https://www.facebook.com/OTL.TV/videos/627966870673045/

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Heathrow Lodge

Heathrow Lodge No.7999 had a very unique crest.

Looking at the centre of the badge, it looks like part of Solomon’s Seal (more common in Royal Arch masonry), but is in actual fact is part of the runway pattern at London’s Heathrow Airport. The pale blue background is to represent the association of its founders with the RAF. Unfortunately, the lodge was erased in 2006.

Let’s hope conspiracy theorists don’t now think that the airport is linked to a Zionist plot!!!

Chamber’s Dictionary Bro. Ephraim Chambers (1680-1740) was a Scottish publisher and made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1729. Apprenticed in 1713 becoming an author, publisher, editor, and translator of a number of books and periodicals or magazines. He was the instigator of the publication of his great Cyclopæ d ia o r Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, first published, 1728 in two volumes and also Cham ber’s Tw entieth Century Dictio nary is its lineal descendant. The Old King’s Arms Lodge bought a copy of his translation of S. Le Clerc’s Treatise o f Architecture, 1723. He was described as ‘an avowed free thinker, irascible, kind to the poor and extremely frugal’.

It would appear from records that he was the master in 1730 of Lodge No. 55, at Red Lion, Red Lion Street, Richmond, London, when he paid 10s.6d. to the Charity Fund.

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The Excellent Master’s Degree Having attended the 150th Anniversary of the local chapter, I thought I would write a few lines about my thoughts of one of the nicest degrees in Freemasonry. Everyone will have one or two, but outside of the conclave and the 18th, I think the EM (or the Veils’ degree as more commonly known) is a cracker and it’s got a basis in Scotland. Without going into the nuts and bolts, I wonder why Royal Arch Masonry in Scotland (or is it elsewhere too?) is struggling. I spoke to a couple of companions at the meeting and it was interesting that they thought along the same lines as myself.

Due to various other commitments, I drifted from the RA a few years ago. One of the things I didn't understand was why we have to do an affiliation to the Mark Degree even when the candidate is already a Mark Master. Why is the lodge not opened and closed in the EM degree? It would save time and avoid a meaningless introduction—I believe it is related to the GL/SGRAC agreement in the 19th century about sharing the degree. Perhaps time to re-think its structure.

The other point is the stand to order sign which many older companions struggle to maintain for the length of time required. Why is this essential? Well, it’s not and could be relaxed. There are simply too many instances where you have to stand to order, and often don’t see what’s happening.

RA Masonry in Scotland needs a remedy—perhaps this might help?

Grumpy PMs?

Surely such a phenomenon does not exist?!!

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Brazilian Lodge

This little lodge is situated only 800m from the mouth of the Amazon River in Santarem, Brazil. Masonry Universal!!!

5 Generations of Masters

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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: Bro. Ian Caldwell Milne PM

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

sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk

Lodge Website

www.lodge242.co.uk

Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo IPM for proof reading.

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

Just click on the magazine to find out more.

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