Cross Keys February 2015

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

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light February 2015 Number 182

In this issue:

Masons Marks’ Revival?

Apollo University Lodge, Oxford

Newton & Solomon’s Temple

Ritual and Rank

Grand Lodge & Politics

Masonic Homes

Civility

Cross Keys February 2015

Masons’ Marks get a Revival

I t's the flat-pack furniture problem that almost

all of us have faced. You open the box, trawl

through its contents, lay everything out, then cross

-reference the instructions. You look at them every

which way since they appear to be in Sanskrit,

then have a go, and feel like you've done a decent

job. Only then, disaster strikes. You turn around

and see an extra three pieces of your flat-packed

furniture kit lying innocently behind you. Will the bed collapse in the night?

But a remedy could be in sight. New research into the work patterns of medieval masons

by academics at the University of Warwick could spell an end to the leaflet-grappling,

component-finding problem of furniture assembly. So build-your-own cupboard and bed

designers, listen up.

The idea is centred around a system called masons' marks, a series of sophisticated sym-

bols that, for the past 4,000 years, have been used by designers and builders to inscribe

patterns on stones to enable instructions to be transferred with ease. Originally, they

helped illiterate masons to carry out their orders and know which materials fitted in

where. But now Dr Jenny Alexander, of Warwick's history of art department, believes

modern manufacturers could use the marks as a cheap and efficient way to help us put

together self-assembly furniture at home.

"If companies that make flat-pack furniture used a system similar to masons' assembly

marks to show which pieces went together, it could remove the need for the complex and

often impenetrable instruction booklets they currently issue," she explains. Doing so

would resurrect a system popular for centuries. Indeed, the inspiration for Alexander's

research came when she was studying for a doctorate at Lincoln Cathedral, which was

built in 1072 but destroyed by an earthquake soon after, and later rebuilt. The cathedral,

Alexander says, "had so many of the marks all over it that I decided to see if I could use

them in some way, as part of a study of the construction of the building".

She discovered that the simple designs and ciphers were cut into several faces of the

dressed stone, and learned that as well as being used to transmit instructions between de-

signers or master masons and their workforce, the marks were also used to help assemble

pieces that had been carved elsewhere and then transported to the building site – just as

we do with self-assembly furniture. Alexander also discovered that medieval stonema-

sons used to have their own marks for when they were working on part of a specific pro-

ject, which would then be used as a kind of "clocking in" system to ensure they were paid

for their part of the work.

"The marks had an agreed meaning within the building trade, and are understood in the

same way as mathematical symbols," she explains. "So, for example, when the sign '+'

Cross Keys February 2015

Masons’ Marks get a Revival (ctd)

means one thing in maths, another thing on a road sign, and a third thing in a religious

context, as a masons' mark it has a fourth meaning – indicating where in the overall de-

sign the piece fits – which has nothing to do with the other three meanings."

Even nowadays, there's no need to travel too far to find masons' marks. They are visible

on old buildings all over the world, from the stone buildings found in Pompeii to the

Capitol building in Washington, and on kerb stones in Newcastle upon Tyne. "They can

also be found on most medieval cathedrals and plenty of Elizabethan houses," Alexander

adds, before going on to say that her research into the marks' existence stemmed from her

interest in understanding how the great buildings in the past were designed and built

"before the advent of modern technologies".

She explains: "It's clear that you could set a medieval mason to work building a modern

cathedral and he would be able to work alongside his modern counterpart, but there's no

longer an equivalent to the master mason, the person who designed and oversaw the en-

gineering of the building – the job has now fragmented into a lot of specialisations." Alex-

ander's current research includes an examination of the period during the 16th and 17th

centuries when the architect – as we understand the job today – began to emerge, and the

master mason disappeared.

"By looking at the organisation of this workforce and their use of non-literate communi-

cation systems in comparison to the medieval ones like masons' marks, we can get a

sense of how long the medieval traditions lasted," she explains. "The great houses of the

Elizabethans and Jacobeans can now be understood more fully by this sort of buildings

archaeology, and the people who actually built these structures emerge from the shad-

ows at last."

Some modern stone masons still use marks, but they are no longer

made on to visible surfaces. Alexander does, however, have one ex-

ception: "I once met a mason in the cathedral at Trondheim, in Nor-

way, who had a masons' mark as a tattoo," she says. But if you're

hoping the marks will make a comeback in furniture flat-pack,

you'll have to cross your fingers that one of the firms' bosses is

reading this. "There are a few bookcases in my house with shelves

the wrong way around, but I haven't contacted the manufacturer,"

says Alexander. "I'm just an academic, trying to understand the

great buildings of the past."

Taken from The Guardian newspaper (2010)

Cross Keys February 2015

Apollo University Lodge No.357 (EC)

The origin of the Apollo Lodge at the University of Oxford , as it

was called in the beginning, dates from a meeting held in

Brasenose College on 24th May 1818 attended by George Hitch-

ens, a surgeon aged 29, Worshipful Master of the Alfred Lodge

No. 649, (Sir) Daniel Keyte Sandford (pictured), James Edmund

Leslie, Lambert Blackwell Larking and William John St. Aubyn

from Cornwall. It is the oldest university lodge in the world.

Of these, Larking of Brasenose College was in the Chair and

probably host. A member of the St Frederick Lodge, Boulogne,

he was in his second year and just 21. Sandford, son of an Edin-

burgh physician, was of Christ Church aged 21. He was to be-

come Professor of Greek at Glasgow, and Member of Parliament for Paisley in

1838. Leslie, a Belfast man, had matriculated at Christ Church that month at the age of

18. St Aubyn, a member of the well-known Cornish family, was 24, formerly of Christ

Church, now of Worcester College. He was a member of the Loge L'Union des Coeurs,

Geneva, in which the Duke of Kent had been initiated in 1790.

A medal was cast to be worn by each member suspended by a piece

of blue riband, and be stamped on one side with an Apollo, sur-

mounted with the motto ‘alius que et idem’ (another, yet the same),

and on the reverse with a temple guarded by two serpent and the

motto ‘sacer est locus’ (the place is sacred), and the edge to be en-

graved with ‘Dominus illuminatio mea’ (O Lord, my light).”

John Ireland, master designate, then aged 71, was an apothe-

cary. He had been initiated in 1773 in the then extinct Constitution

Lodge No. 396, of which he had been Master in 1780 and 1788. He

became the first Master of the Alfred Lodge in 1814. And so began

the happy masonic connection between the oldest surviving City Lodge and the Univer-

sity Lodge.

The Junior Warden designate had matriculated from All Souls in 1795 and taken his de-

grees from Merton. He was then 43 years of age. The Treasurer was a pharmacist or sur-

geon in the city but a member of the University as “privilegiatus” in 1808. He was aged

36, while the Tyler with the appropriate Christian name of Hiram was a printer in Ox-

ford.

In May the master – the elder statesman of Oxford Masonry, Bro. John Ireland – gave a

short lecture with regard to behaviour outside the Lodge, warning the Brethren to be par-

ticularly cautious in all their conduct. Between the beginning of 1820 and Trinity Term

1825 the Lodge initiated 79 Brethren, among whom were Lord Harley, Sir St. Vincent

Cotton, 6th Bt, Randolph, Lord Garlies, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde, the Hon. Francis Curzon,

the Hon. William Brabazon, the Hon. Charles Bathurst, all of Christ Church, and the

Hon. Miles Stapleton, of Worcester. The Lodge had members from Brasenose, Balliol,

Worcester, Trinity, St. Mary’s Hall, Jesus, Corpus, Oriel and University colleges.

Continued over.

Cross Keys February 2015

Apollo University Lodge No.357 (EC) (ctd)

The Lodge meets six times each year (on two Saturdays in each University term—last

meeting was 31st January). Two ceremonies are usually worked at each meeting, and it is

not unusual for ceremonies to include a number of candidates (for practical reasons, usual-

ly not more than seven). Dress is black tie (dinner jacket and black bow tie), formal even-

ing dress (white tie) or uniform, but please do not be dissuaded from attending if you do

not possess evening dress. Officers of the Lodge wear formal court dress (cf. the picture of

Bro. Oscar Wilde below left in 1875). Over the years, many famous (and affluent men)

joined the ranks of freemasonry, but similar to today some did not continue to pay their

dues after graduation. Two prime examples were the Earls of Onslow and Antrim in the

late 19th century who were excluded. The lodges also boasts Bro. Sir Cecil Rhodes (for

which Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, was named after) who was initiated in 1877.

The University Lodges’ Ball (pictured below right) started in 1863 between Apollo and

Isaac Newton University Lodge, No. 859 (Cambridge) was resurrected in 2013 to raise

funds for the Royal College of Surgeons and Combat Stress. Around 100 guests arrived at

Armoury House, headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company, in central London—

it raised £17,000.

In many ways the University has changed fundamentally in numbers and types of under-

graduates; so, too, has the lodge. No longer is it the premier social club of the University,

but the abiding tenets of the Craft are still taught and held, and the ancient landmarks

through all vicissitudes have remained unchanged. Sadly, the lodge has no link with 242

despite some members of the Houstoun family (first master’s son and the man responsible

for giving 242 the original title deeds as the feu lines from 1794—only the High parish and

us have land based on the 1st Laird’s plans) and the Shaw-Stewart family who boast

PPGMs of Renfrewshire West having been to Oxford.

And so may the lodge which has initiated a total of 3,259 brethren go on to set an example

to future generations of the fundamental principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

Cross Keys February 2015

Everyone is aware of Newton’s Laws (although may not know them) and of the alleged

apple of the head demonstrating gravity, but few know about his more occult studies in-

to alchemical and King Solomon’s Temple.

In 1728, Newton studied and wrote extensively upon the Temple of Solomon, dedicating

an entire chapter of "The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms" to his observations regard-

ing the temple. Newton's primary source for information was the description of the struc-

ture given within 1 Kings of the Hebrew Bible, which he translated himself from the orig-

inal Hebrew (diagram shows part of the page from his book).

In addition to scripture, Newton also relied upon various ancient and contemporary

sources while studying the temple. He believed that many ancient sources were endowed

with sacred wisdom and that the proportions of many of their temples were in them-

selves sacred. This belief would lead Newton to examine many architectural works of

Hellenistic Greece, as well as Roman sources such as Vitruvius, in a search for their occult

knowledge. This concept, often termed "prisca sapientia" (sacred wisdom), was a com-

mon belief of many scholars during Newton's lifetime.

As a Bible scholar, Newton was initially inter-

ested in the sacred geometry of Solomon's

Temple, such as golden sections, conic sec-

tions, spirals, orthographic projection, and

other harmonious constructions, but he also

believed that the dimensions and proportions

represented more. He noted that the temple's

measurements given in the Bible are mathe-

matical problems, related to solutions for Pi

and the volume of a hemisphere, and in a larg-

er sense that they were references to the size of

the Earth and man's place and proportion to it.

Newton believed that the temple was designed by King Solomon with privileged eyes

and divine guidance. To Newton, the geometry of the temple represented more than a

mathematical blueprint, it also provided a time-frame chronology of Hebrew history. It

was for this reason that he included a chapter devoted to the temple within "The Chro-

nology of Ancient Kingdoms", a section which initially may seem unrelated to the histori-

cal nature of the book as a whole.

Newton felt that just as the writings of ancient philosophers, scholars, and Biblical figures

contained within them unknown sacred wisdom, the same was true of their architecture.

He believed that these men had hidden their knowledge in a complex code of symbolic

and mathematical language that, when deciphered, would reveal an unknown

knowledge of how nature works. Was he right? Probably not! But . . .

The Chronology by Sir Isaac Newton

Cross Keys February 2015

Ritual and Rank—the 5Rs in the Victorian Era

An interesting article about West Cornwall lodges appeared in AQC 122 (2009) by Bro. Roger

Burt. The following are short extracts with some additions.

While discussing why men joined lodges in Cornwall, he notices that “ritual had very

strong attractions for many members, so too did the prospect of acquiring rank and sta-

tus, and the flamboyant clothing and accoutrements to demonstrate it. At Craft level, Ma-

sonry enabled even those from the lowest social groups to become important in the lodge

and province, associating with gentry and aristocracy….Today we might liken this to fan-

tasy role play that commands the interest of millions of devotees in the artificial worlds of

electronic gaming. That, like activities with lodges, is essentially the practice of sociabil-

ity through gaming...Just as men have an enduring need for ritual, they also seem to be

motivated by desire for rank that elevates them above others in whatever world, real or

imaginary, that they inhabit and value.” Rather scathing, but is there any truth? Only

each brother can truly answer that question. Perhaps it is a form of escapism from the

drudgery of the outside world into one where men can play a more interesting role help-

ing other brethren.

However, as important as ritual and rank came respectability and reputation. This was

clearly demonstrated by people outside the Craft. The author cites numerous sources

from Forester Courts between 1876 and 1900 (Ancient Order of Foresters) whose secretar-

ies and treasurers were freemasons. Why? Very simply because they could be trusted

with the funds. This is probably prevalent all over—certainly in 242 most of the local

dignitaries were involved with other local organisations in the town such as elders in

their church, The Loyal Johnstone Yeomanry, the Gas Light Company, Johnstone’s Me-

chanics Institute, Johnstone Agricultural Institute, etc. Most holding significant offices of

importance, including the local council and newspaper. The extent that freemasons

helped run their communities cannot be over emphasised. It was their ‘stamp of approv-

al’ of their honesty and integrity that made them respectable in the eyes of the communi-

ty and people wanted to be part of that. Sadly, today, this is a facet that many young peo-

ple laugh at and perhaps we are to blame for allowing it.

The author talks about the 5 Rs—ritual, rank, respectability, rep-

utation and recreation. The last point is also vital for many mem-

bers who do enjoy their freemasonry. Whether it be over a pint

or just for conversation with like minded men, this is a very im-

portant aspect of all lodges. And we used to be proud to show

this to the public with processions through the town—this one in

Helston, Cornwall where the masons walked with other friendly

societies mostly defunct.

Every brother can relate to at least two Rs—can we use any of

them to attract more good men into our Craft?

Cross Keys February 2015

Further to some comments about last month’s article about Grand Lodge expelling and

suspending lodges, I was asked for a full list. The following list of suspended and ex-

pelled lodges is taken from the Grand Lodge of Scotland Minutes, 6 November 1771. All

penalties resulted from the failure of lodges to pay dues, annual monies, subscription

fees, charitable donations, or any other arrears owed to the Scottish Grand Lodge.

Lodges expelled:

The following lodges were Struck from the Roll of the Grand Lodge: Edinburgh Kilwinning Scots Arms

Perth & Scoon

Dunblane

Bathgate

Forres

Drummond Kilwinning from Greenock

Edinburgh from Dunfermline

Thurso

Lodges suspended:

18th Century Lodge Expulsions—Part 2

Montrose Kilwinning Stonehaven Campbelltoun

Linlithgow Kilwinning Saint Ebbe Haddington

Leshmahagow Moncur Inverkeithing

Old Lodge Lanark Kirkcaldy St Michaels Dumfries

Old Lodge Kilmarnock Castle of Dunbar Glammis

Dunse St Regulus Coupar of Fife Eskdale Kilwinning

Old Lodge of Peebles Lanark Kilwinning Nithsdale St Paul’s

St Andrews Annan St Andrews Hawick

Bervie Fort George Cambuslang Royal Arch

Coltness Irvine Navigation Rutherglen Royal Arch

Aberdeen Kilwinning New Monkland Montrose Banff

Fort William Elgin Lodge at Leven Dumfries Kilwinning

Auchterarder Fort George at Ardersier Hamilton Kilwinning

Dysart St Leonard Lodge Kinghorn Inveraray

Cumberland Kilwinning At Peebles St Ayles Lodge Anstruther Wigtoun Kilwinning

Cumberland Kilwinning at Inverness Operative Lodge Banff Royal Arch Glasgow

Greenock Kilwinning Thistle Lodge Glasgow St Mark’s Glasgow

Cross Keys February 2015

From the Columns

At the first meeting in January, Bro. John Alexander Rankin was raised to

the sublime degree of a MM by the OBs—floorwork done to a very high

standard. We welcome Bro. John into 242.

At the end of the month, Mr Ian Ferguson was initiated by the OBs. Bro.

Ian is the grandson of Bro. George Houstoun PM who presented the mas-

ter’s chain to the lodge.

The chart below shows the English system of progression including some of the ‘newer’

orders to hit Scotland, all of which have come from England. Obviously, there are many

degrees which will be well known here in Scotland, but there are others . . .

It is now getting to the stage that perhaps we have TOO MANY degrees for the number

of brethren as it is all too common for some orders to average single figures at meetings

with all past whatevers. Is it time to rationalise the masonic system? Should new orders

be permitted to start up? Difficult questions—any answers?

Degrees, Degrees and More degrees

Cross Keys February 2015

PGL Curry Night—21st March, 2015 in Lodge Busby No.458 at 7pm.

PGL News

GL Warning

Grand Secretary, David M. Begg, has been made aware that Scottish Lodges are being contacted by individu-

als who are not Scottish Freemasons.

This is against International Masonic protocols which are designed to protect Scottish Lodges and Scottish

Freemasons from falling victim to unscrupulous mailings. Recent examples have been arriving from

an individual claiming to be the Curator of a Masonic Museum in Madrid, Spain. One surname that is used

is Moreno. The Grand Lodge of Spain has confirmed that these individuals, nor the 'Museum', have any con-

nection with the Grand Lodge of Spain.

All Lodges are reminded that all communication between Lodges under different Grand Lodges should, ini-

tially, be made via the office of Grand Secretary.

In the event of receipt of a request for Masonic items (purportedly for a Masonic Museum) or indeed any other

enquiry (for instance, requests to attend a meeting of the Lodge, asking for charitable donations or requests for

assistance in finding work) received from anyone who is not a verified (and verifable) member of the Scottish

Craft should be referred to Grand Secretary in order that advice can be given.

1. Too many times, we are more concerned about performing the ritual perfectly with-

out understanding what it means. I know many men that give great lectures, but

will confide that they don’t even know what something means. Ritual for the sake

of tradition is worthless. Ritual for the sake of enlightenment is valuable. An under-

standing of the ritual’s meaning is far more important than just memorising it.

2. A lodge with seven great men that believe in the Masonic ideals and actively labour

to im prove themselves—and therefore the lodge—is far better off than a lodge with

one hundred men that show up to lodge just to show up to lodge.

From Seven Blunders o f the Masonic World (email)

Ritual Without Meaning & Quantity without Quality

Cross Keys February 2015

For over a hundred years, many Grand Lodges have built and maintained what have come to be

known as Masonic Homes.

The first of these Homes was the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home and Infirmary which was

established on 200 acres of land in the city of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1866. Initially, many of the

Homes were created to provide shelter, education and training for orphaned children. Now the

Masonic Home in Kentucky is only operated for the elderly.

Over time, several factors contributed to the alleviation of the need that had prompted the con-

struction of these homes. These included economic improvements and the advent of Social Secu-

rity. Also, medical advances reduced the death rates from tuberculosis, pneumonia, and similar

diseases, which had previously resulted in the premature death of young parents.

At present, only nine Grand Lodges continue to operate Children's Homes: California, Georgia,

Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas. In these

Homes, everything is done to provide the children with a stable, supportive environment. They

attend local schools in some jurisdictions; in others education is provided in the Home. The

Grand Lodges raise funds to send the children to summer camps and to provide opportunities for

sports and entertainment throughout the year. They also make scholarships available to the chil-

dren for college or advanced training.

There has been no decline in the need for Homes for elderly Masons. Medical advances in this

country have been so great that life expectancy has increased and the elderly constitute a large

and growing segment of the population. Savings, pensions, and social security benefits are suffi-

cient for many people to be able to maintain their own homes. Others are less fortunate, and need

the help which Masons are ready and willing to give.

A recent publication by the Masonic Service Association of the United States shows that 34 of our

Grand Lodges currently maintain Homes for the elderly. The Grand Lodges of Alabama, Califor-

nia, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Colombia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mis-

souri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Okla-

homa, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Although more than half of these states already had Homes for the elderly by 1910, most states

have renovated older buildings and constructed new facilities to meet the changing needs of their

residents. Different levels of care are frequently provided, so that independence and quality of

life are not sacrificed. A typical state provides residential accommodations for those without seri-

ous health or mobility problems, a facility with skilled nursing and medical care for short-term

illnesses or those needing surgery, and also long-term accommodation for the seriously, chroni-

cally ill seniors. A relatively new development is the investment some jurisdictions are making in

"Independent Living" communities for younger retired Masons, their wives and widows. These

communities include apartment units in attractive locations close to the Masonic Home, so that all

the Home's recreational facilities and activities are accessible as well as emergency nursing care.

Grand Lodge officers are generally appointed to serve as trustees and board members at the

Homes. They and the administrators keep the Grand Lodge in touch with residents' needs and

Masonic Homes

Cross Keys February 2015

February Events in 242

Thursday 12th—FC by Craigends No.1042

Thursday 26th—MM by OBs

Masonic Homes (ctd)

the likely future needs of older Masons. Special projects such as landscaping, equipping new

laundry rooms, providing patio furniture or mini-busses are funded by the Grand Lodges, and

many Masons give freely of their time and talents to the Homes and their residents.

Those states that do not operate a Home, maintain Charity Funds which are used to provide relief

for elderly Masons and their widows in their state. The amounts contributed to these funds differ

widely, depending on various factors. These include the alternatives available, and the level of

need in the jurisdiction, the number of Masons in the area, and the particular history of charity in

the Grand Lodge.

In the states that do support a Masonic Home, financial support for the Home is one of the major

Grand Lodge charities. Operating expenses for the Homes whose figures were available for 1985,

came to over $88 million dollars.

Masons regard it as a privilege to be able to support their Brethren in their golden years, and the

Homes give testimony to the brotherly love and affection which are the keystone of Freemasonry.

At the Masonic Home of Florida pictured here, the property has grown to 18 acres and contains

several buildings where amenities

include apartments, nursing home

rooms, several recreation rooms,

dining room and cafeteria, a 5,000

book library, beauty salon, gift and

snack shop and a non-

denominational chapel.

Cross Keys February 2015

RAC 150th Anniversary

On 19th September 2015, Sir William Wallace RAC N0.109 will

celebrate 150 years in the lodge room. The following items are

available from the Chapter or Gordon Renfrew directly.

Token £3.50

Jewel £12

Mallet £8

Curious Tracing Board

Any ideas to explain it?

Cross Keys February 2015

Another one bites the dust!

The former Masonic Temple in Spokane, Washington, US is under new ownership

and those who bought the historic building have big plans for its future. You may

have fond memories of the building; maybe you drive by and wonder what it is old

Spokane was home to a Masonic Temple, which was once a premier event centre that

was so great once President Teddy Roosevelt – a mason himself -- once paid it a visit.

The masons and the folks that used this facility loved performances and theatre, as ev-

idence by the original rigging systems still in place for 43 different backdrops and be-

hind stage in the main auditorium a lighting system unlike anything you will see to-

day.

“Masons certainly did a lot of storytelling through theatre. Most of their stories are

told through their theatre—the building has two theatres, multiple ballrooms and oth-

er venues, an event planner's dream,” said the new owners who hope to make it into a

new commercial centre. Thankfully, it will be saved for the town and not razed to the

ground as so many others have been.

Cross Keys February 2015

Civility—A Masonic Lesson?

From the Grand Lodge of California magazine, Nov/Dec 2014.

Cross Keys February 2015

Civility—A Masonic Lesson? (ctd)

Cross Keys February 2015

Old Eastern Bloc Countries

The numbers of freemasons in the old Communist controlled countries has increased, but

not dramatically and certainly not to the extent of pre-WW 2. Numbers are as follows:

Bulgaria 2100 Ukraine 260 Slovakia 120

Serbia 1200 Moldova 200

Czech R 550 Poland 180

Estonia 500 Latvia 150

Hungary 400 Lithuania 125

The former Yugoslavia has the following:

Croatia 305

Slovenia 220 These figures are far from overwhelming

Macedonia 150 and are generally not increasing. In fact,

Montenegro 110 there is a problem with an ageing

Membership—perhaps following the

British model of Freemasonry is not the

answer?

A possible new format to Grand Committee which is deemed to be too large to achieve anything.

Further details to follow after the next GL Communication on Thursday, 5th February 2015 at

2pm.

Grand Committee

Cross Keys February 2015

Thought of the Month

One particular song set to the music of “In The Garb of Old Gaul” expressed Lodge Old

Inverness Kilwinning St John No.6’s opposition to the French revolution while firmly es-

tablishing its confidence in the ability of the government to prevent any threats of revolt.

The original “song of robust patriotism” was published in 1765 and referred to “wresting

Canada from the French”. Why is this mentioned? Well, this is also the tune used at the

entry of the Grand Lodge Office Bearers in Edinburgh.

Where and when was this photo taken? Some well known faces in this including 10 PMs!

Blast from the Past

19th May, 2001 when 242 visited Selsdon Park Lodge No.5005 (EC) in Croydon to exem-

plify the MM degree. This was taken outside the Croydon Masonic Centre.

Cross Keys February 2015

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 hu-

man 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 242 in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother:

Bro. Robert Catney

Cross Keys February 2015

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.

To submit an article, contact the Editor: Grant Macleod

E-Mail: sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk

Lodge Website www.lodge242.co.uk