7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

1/27

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

2/27

1

In this issue:

Page 2, Freemasons on the Titanic.This article looks at some of the Freemasons

who were on the fateful voyage.

Page 8, Go placidly amid the noise and haste.Not Masonic, but it could be!

Page 9, In Strength is our Intelligence.Masonic research may be compared with anocean, unfathomable in its delights and profit.

Page 11, Houston St. Johnstone No.242.

Another History of one of our Ancient ScottishLodges.

Page 13, Rays of Masonry,Do the Little Things, our Regular monthlyfeature.

Page 14, The Old Tiler Talks.Masonic Talk, the twenty seventh in theseries from Carl Claudy.

Page 16, The Scots Lodge No.2319 ECThe English Lodge with Scottish Masonictraditions.

Page 21, The Origin of Masonry.

Part Four Mt. Gerizim and the Land ofMoriah.

Page 24, So Mote it be.

The thoughts of Bro. Rabbi Raymond Apple.

Page 25, The Masonic DictionaryDegree.

In the Lectures websiteThe article for this month is Masons On the Square.

[link]

The front cover picture is the famous Titanic embarking on isfateful voyage.

http://www.lodge76.wanadoo.co.uk/http://www.lodge76.wanadoo.co.uk/

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

3/27

Freemasons on the TitanicBy Bro. Larry Burden

The RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Titanic is arguably the most famous ship in the history of the

world and definitely the most famous maritime disaster of all times. The doomed shipbuilt by the Harland & Wolfe shipyard in the Irish city of Belfast lives on past its maidenvoyage and its encounter with an iceberg. This April marked the 100th anniversary of thedisaster that has spawned numerous books, movies and conspiracy theories. Nearly everyaspect of this disaster has been examined reviewed and documented since that fatefulnight of April 15th 1912; except for identifying the members of this fraternity who wereaboard.

Prior to gliding in two pieces down to the bottom at 12,500 feet the floating palace thatfinancier J.P. Morgan built, offered numerous luxuries for the super rich. These included aswimming pool, Turkish bath, squash courts, and three enclosed dining rooms, one foreach class.

Though the majority of passengers aboard could barely scrape together 3rd class fare 75s (equivalent to 532 today), the Titanics first voyage was a spectacle for wealthy, manyof who were millionaires and the elite business leaders of the new 20th Century. Ticketsfor the most expensive first-class parlour suite would cost you 870 over $100,000 intodays currency and the dress code for dinner included the finest of clothing completewith diamonds for both men and women. Even though it was her maiden voyage she was

considerably under her capacity of 2,586 with only 1317 passengers plus her crew of 885.

The reason for being half full was due to a long coal strike that had severely hampered thetransportation industry. Although the strike had recently ended, there was not enough timeto market the ships passage before she sailed. The 46,328 registered gross tons Titanic had11 decks eight of which were used for passengers. She was 882 feet 9 inches long hermaximum breadth was 92 feet 6 inches and her total height, from the base of the keel tothe top of the bridge, was 104. With a draught of 34 feet 7 inches, she displaced 52,310tons.

Nobody knows for sure how many of the 2,224 people aboard were Freemasons but there

had to many more than the 35 men that have been identified five of whom survived. Onewould assume that this Fraternity would have researched this historical event, butsurprisingly very little research on this topic has been done until recently. In the course of

2

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

4/27

my research I have discovered many interesting details about these men and what I foundwas really interesting.

Contrary to what one would assume, most of the Freemasons identified on the Titanicwere not the super rich or upper crust of society, but instead 26 came from the crew andsecond class! Freemasons aboard came from Ireland, Italy, England, South Africa, Wales,America and Canada and included engineers, stewards, waiters, musicians, deck officers,bankers, soldiers, artists, salesmen, hotel owners and clergy and they ranged in age from32 to 62. Several of them were travelling with their wives and most perished with them.

The following list provides the name, age, occupation and Lodge for the knownFreemasons aboard the Titanic and is listed by Crew, 2nd class and 1st Class. Those whodo not have a lodge listed were identified as Freemasons by other means.

Ashe Henry Wellesley 41 Glory Hole Steward UGLE Lodge u/kBochet Pierre Giuseppe 43 Waiter Loggia Italia, # 2687Deeble Alfred Arnold 29 Saloon Steward Neptune Lodge No 1264Dodd Edward Charles 38 Jr. 3rd Engineer 4 Cardinal Virtues Lodge #979Gill Joseph Stanley 34 Bedroom Steward Walton Lodge No 1086Hamilton A. Ernest 25 Asst. Smoke room Steward Neptune Lodge No 1264Hardy John T. 36 Chief 2nd Class Steward UGLE Lodge u/kHarvey Herbert Gifford 34 Jr. Asst. 2nd Engineer. UGLE Lodge u/kHayter Arthur 44 Bedroom Steward Neptune Lodge No 1264Hesketh John Henry 33 Engineer Prince Of Wales Lodge #1035

Lawrence Arthur 35 Saloon Steward Neptune Lodge, # 1264Parsons Edward 35 Chief Storekeeper Kirkdale Lodge No 1756Pitman Herbert John 34 Third Officer Abbey Lodge, # 3341,Proctor Charles 40 Chef Liverpool Dramatic Lodge #1609Roberts Hugh R. 40 Bedroom Steward Derby Lodge No 724Taylor Percy Cornelius 32 Ships orchestra Musgrave Lodge, # 1597Thompson Herbert Henry 25 Storekeeper Stanley Lodge No 1325Wareham Robert Arthur 36 Bedroom Steward Toxteth Lodge, # 1356Williams Arthur John 38 Storekeeper Walton Lodge No 1086

Woody Oscar Scott 44 Postal Clerk Acacia Lodge # 16, Clifton VA.Bateman Rev Robert James 51 Clergy Solomon Blue Lodge #20Brown Thomas W. S. 45 Hotel Owner Cape Town SAHodges Henry Price 50 Salesman Caulsentum Lodge, # 1461Turpin William John Robert 29 Carpenter Lodge of St. George, No 2025Butt Archibald William 46 Military Knights of Kadosh, No. 1 AASRDodge Washington 52 Doctor Oriental Lodge #144, San FranciscoGraham George Edward 38Harris Henry Birkhardt 45 Theatre manager Munn Lodge, # 100

Holverson Alexander Oskar 42 Transportation Lodge, # 842.Millet Francis Davis 34 Artist & Journalist Kane Lodge, # 454Molson Harry Markland 55 Industrialist

3

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

5/27

Spencer William Augustus 57 Collector of Rare BooksTaylor Elmer Zelby 48 Paper Cup ManufacturersWalker William Anderson 48 Hope Lodge # 124,

Some historians claim that surviving crewmember Harold Godfrey Lowe was aFreemason. He was not a Freemason at the time but later became one in 1922.(Harold Godfrey Lowe brought 118 passengers to safety and he was the last to leave the

lifeboats on being rescued by the Carpathia. Fifth Officer Lowe was subsequently hailed

a hero by some of the survivors for his actions that night, which he simply put down to

doing his duty. What may not be known, but of interest to brethren, is that Lowe was

initiated into St. Trillo Lodge, No. 2569, in the Province of North Wales, on the 6 May

1921. Unfortunately, he didnt occupy our master chair, but seemingly remained a

member of this lodge for the rest of his life. Tony Young St. Trillo Lodge, No. 2569.)

The only survivors were crewmembers John Hardy, Herbert Pitman and passenger ElmerTaylor.

The only Canadian Freemason identified so far was none other thanthe great grandson of the Molson Breweries Empire HarryMarkland Molson and was the Past Master of the oldest lodge inMontreal. Ironically he survived two previous sinkings.

Major Archibald William Butt (left) served aschief military aid to Presidents, Roosevelt andTaft. A Scottish Rite Mason, a member ofTemple Lodge, Washington, he was travellingwith his close personal friend, Kane Lodge, No.454, NY member Francis Millett a painter,

sculptor and writer who could speak and write ina half dozen languages.The pair was returning to America after avacation in Europe.

Percy Cornelius Taylor was one of the musicians in the shipsorchestra who kept on playing until they were swept into the sea.He was a Past Master of Musgrave Lodge, No. 1597, at HamptonCourt.

4

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

6/27

Herbert John Pitman was the ships 3rd officer and he survived theordeal after being assigned to Lifeboat #5 and escaping with 40passengers. After testifying at both official inquires he remained atsea for 35 more years until his death in 1961. He was a member ofAbbey Lodge, No. 3341, in Hatfield he retired to Pitcombe, England.

Oscar Scott Woody was a member of the onboard post office staffand belonged to Acacia Lodge No. 16, Clifton VA.The November 2011 issue of this newsletter has a full article about

him; there you can read about how his dues card was returned 94

years after his death!

Rev. Robert James Bateman was the Chaplain of the Solomon BlueLodge #20 Jacksonville FL. and he was no ordinary man. He gave upa career as a physician to pursue a life of ministering to the poor anddowntrodden. His impact on society was huge. On board the Titaniche placed his sister-in-law in a lifeboat and returned to minister thedoomed. When his frozen body was recovered he was wearing aMasonic pin.

At least three brethren are buried in the Fairview Lawn Cemetery, in Halifax, N.S (Ashe,Deeble and Wareham) and until now it is unlikely that any of our Brethren in Halifaxwere even aware they are. Who knows maybe now we can acknowledge them each yearwith a visit to their graves?

Relatively few people know that all of the White Star Olympic class ships (Titanic,Olympic and Britannic) claimed lives of their passengers and two of them went to thebottom! The Titanic sank on her maiden voyage; the Olympic had a collision with a navalship on her maiden voyage killing seven and the Britannic, sank faster than the Titanicand cost the lives of 30 souls. The curse of these ships was their three enormouspropellers that were so powerful they literally sucked anything into them including otherships.

48 year old Elmer Zebley Taylor was a wealthy inventor andmanufacturer of the paper cup and was returning to America with hiswife Juliet from one of their many trips to Europe. They bothsurvived but it appears that he changed his story from him and his

wife being placed in one of the first lifeboats to him jumpingoverboard and being plucked from the sea. This was likely due to thescorn that was later heaped upon the male passengers who survived.

5

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

7/27

A serving Master of a Lodge who perished was 48-year-oldWilliam Anderson Walker.The wealthy clothing manufacturer was Master of Hope Lodge No. 124, F. and A. M. ofEast Orange, NJ.

Less known was the 29-year-old carpenterWilliam John Turpin a member of Lodge ofSt. George #2025. He and his wife Dorothy were not supposed to be aboard the Titanic.The national coal strike resulted in their passage aboard the New York cancelled andthey being transferred to the doomed ship. Nether one made it back to their new home inSalt Lake City UT.

Most members of the fraternity are very proud of the manydistinguished men through history that chose to become a Freemason(one cannot become one without asking to be one) and too often we

are quick to accept the claim that an individual was a member of theCraft when they were not. Such is the case with the Captain of theTitanic; Edward John Smith.

For some time Oriental Lodge #144 in San Francisco has believed theill-fated captain was a member of their lodge. After the sinking thesecretary noted in the minutes that Edward John Smith was memberhad joined when he was working in the area as a telegraph cable salesman before he wentto sea with the White Star Line. This claim was never challenged and the Lodge has had aTitanic dinner every year since to honour their fallen brother.

of their lodge and

was not until research for this article was conducted that the author noted that Smith

Ironically a member of Oriental Lodge #144 (now Phoenix Lodge

egend has it that the captain personally put him into a lifeboat

Itwent to sea at the age of 14 and was employed by the White Star Line at the same time asthe other Smith joined the lodge. Comparing Captain Smiths signature to the one in thelodge record book proved it was a different man who belonged to the Lodge. The realCaptain Smith never worked as a salesman and appears to never have been a Mason.

No.144) was a survivor of the sinking. 48- year-oldDr. WashingtonDodge was a wealthy doctor and the assessor of the City of SanFrancisco.

Lsaving his life, but there is nothing to support this claim. Otherresearchers note that after Dodge put his wife and four year old sonaboard lifeboat #5 or 7 on the port side of the ship, he went over tothe less populated starboard side where chief Officer Murdock put3 because no women or children were present. Brother Dodge

committed suicide in 1919. Many believe that he like other male survivors could not livewith the guilt of being a survivor and subsequently shunned by society and killed himself.

him in lifeboat #1

6

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

8/27

Others believe his death was the result of the stock market crash. We will never know, but

homas W.S. Brown was a 45-year-old hotel owner from Cape Town South Africa. He

onically his daughter Edith was one of the last survivors of the Titanic to die. She passed

nfortunately we may never know how many Freemasons were aboard the Titanic but we

eaders, the newsletter is delighted to have been given permission to use this brilliant

unfortunately for the Lodge, their Titanic dinner tradition has been upset but they can stillcelebrate the life of Brother Dodge.

T

is believed to have been a Freemason (still trying to confirm) and he had sold hisMasonic Hotel in Worcester and was in the process of moving his wife and daughter toAmerica where they planned to open a hotel in Seattle Washington. He never made it offthe boat alive and unfortunately his wife and daughter escaped the ship penniless for theirentire life savings was in a bag in their 2nd class stateroom and their supplies for a newhotel (furnishings tableware and 1,000 rolls of bed linen) were in the hold of the shipVirtually penniless and destitute his wife and daughter eventually returned to SouthAfrica.

Irat the ripe old age of 100 in 1997 in Southampton UK. In 1996, at the age of 99, Edithalong with two other fellow survivors went on a cruise to the location of the wreck of theTitanic and before leaving the site she threw a rose into the water in memory of her fatherwho died there 84 years ago.

Ucan be confident that with more research additional members of the Craft will beidentified. Hopefully this article will be a start in the search to both identify and rememberthem. Who knows maybe the lodges in the communities where these men either camefrom or are buried (if they are buried) will incorporate into their lodge traditions aremembrance ceremony for these souls who perished one hundred years ago.

R

article about Freemasons on the Titanic. The author of this piece is Bro. Larry Burden

from Ottawa in Canada and was originally published in his monthly Masonic stamp

magazine called the Watermark. The magazines can be downloaded at this link;

http://bytown.ottawamasons.ca/Stamp.html

It really is an excellent magazine and for those Brethren who have an interest in Masonic

stamps and stamp collecting, then I would recommend taking a look at Larrys magazine.

7

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

9/27

Go Placidly Amid the

o he

ithout surrender, be

with others,

siness

indly the counsel of the years,

God,hatever you conceive Him to be. And

udgery, and brokenreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be

NS

A Mason's d ung,The pride of all the virgin throng,

rove,r person love,

in zoneut one to whom the secret's known

esign,

des the fop and fool,

he arrant knave and party tool;

r receive

nd went away,pplied; was made without delay;

s have blest,

Noise and Haste

placidly amid the noise and tG

haste, and remember what peace theremay be in silence.

s far as possible, wAon good terms with all persons. Speakyour truth quietly and clearly; and listento others, even to the dull and theignorant; they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they

are vexatious to the spirit.

f you compare yourselfIyou may become vain or bitter, foralways there will be greater and lesserpersons than yourself. Enjoy yourachievements as well as your plans.Keep interested in your own career,however humble; it is a real possessionin the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your buaffairs, for the world is full of trickery.But let this not blind you to what virtuethere is; many persons strive for highideals, and everywhere life is full ofheroism. Be yourself. Especially do notfeign affection. Neither be cynical aboutlove, for in the face of all aridity anddisenchantment, it is as perennial as thegrass.

ake kTgracefully surrendering the things ofyouth. Nurture strength of spirit toshield you in sudden misfortune. But donot distress yourself with darkimaginings. Many fears are born of

fatigue and loneliness. Beyond awholesome discipline, be gentle withyourself. You are a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars; youhave a right to be here. And whether ornot it is clear to you, no doubt theuniverse is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace withwwhatever your labours and aspirations,in the noisy confusion of life, keeppeace in your soul.

With all its sham, drdcheerful. Strive to be happy.

THE FREEMASO

DAUGHTER.

aughter, fair and yo

Thus to her lover said:Though, Damon, I your flame appYour actions praise, you

Yet still I'll live a maid!

None shall untie my virgBOf famed freemasonry,In which the great and good combineTo raise, with generous dMan to felicity.

The Lodge exclu

TThat liberty would sell;The noble, faithful and the brave,

No gold or charms can e'eIn slavery to dwell.

This said, he bowed aAReturned to her again.The fair one granted his request,Connubial joys their dayAnd may they long remain.Published in 1834 in the Universal Songster

8

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

10/27

IN STRENGTH IS OUR

rethren are reminded from time to timeat they are expected to pursue their

me careless tendency is manifested

Often we hear the brethren deplore their

rusty state. Has it ever occurred to you

INTELLIGENCE

Bthstudies. This injunction is notunnecessary, for it will not be denied thatthere is really what is a painful lack ofknowledge respecting the history,

philosophy, and character of the MasonicOrder. Many are content with the meregaining of the rights and privileges ofmembership: they seem hardly to care

whether or not they make themselvesacquainted with the legends and technicalinformation belonging to the variousdegrees. It is enough for them that they arecalled Freemasons- that they claimmembership in the fraternity to which somany of their friends and acquaintances

belong. Others are seeking with great zealto acquire knowledge of the ritualworking, but their ambition is fullysatisfied when they have mastered the textand posted themselves as to the stepsnecessary to take in the initiation andadvancement of a candidate. Both of theseclasses are quite indifferent to the fact thatFreemasonry is a science, the principles ofwhich need to be enquired for andunderstood; that it has a history whichrequires to be studied; a literature

peculiarly its own which is worthy ofdiligent attention.

The saon the part of many respecting the presentmovements and enterprises of theinstitution. They will not take the pains toinform themselves in regard to thecondition of things; they have no anxietyconcerning what is being done orattempted in the prosecution of Masonicwork. They will not study the record

which the past has made, nor do they careto read of the important enterprises whichare now being prosecuted. A visibleignorance like this is one of the dangerswhich threatens the Masonic Order. Thedanger is not imminent, perhaps. It is

hardly recognised in a time like thepresent, when so great prosperity attendsthe Craft, and the institution seems sofirmly fixed in the popular regard. But leta wave of opposition sweep over the land,let the dark days which some of ourfathers remember come again and we shallsurely be in peril because of suchindifference and ignorance. The

intelligence of the craft is its best support.What is wanted are men who have beendiligent enquirers at the altars of Masoniclearning; men who have gone outside thelimits of the Order, gaining knowledgeand ideas and teachings which aresignified by such a variety of beautifulforms and ceremonies. Fidelity to textualrequirements is commendable, to knowthe work of the degrees is no small

attainment; but a higher faithfulness isneeded, and a knowledge that goes beyondthose things, which at the best onlyconstitute the alphabet of Masonicscience. With a literature so abundant,with books and periodicals into which is

put the thinking of some of the best minds,there is no excuse for an ignorance sogreatly to be deplored. A thoroughknowledge of the history, philosophy, andscience of Freemasonry should and oughtto be the ambition of every member of theCraft, and when he has studied and is wellversed in these subjects, he can answertruthfully the question: What came youhere to do?

that of all the associations and fraternitiesin the world, Masonry, the oldest, the best,

9

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

11/27

and the mother of them all, has neglectedmore than many to place sufficient stressupon the reading of literature by itsmembers? We have an abundance of thevery best literature that was ever written,

but it would seem that many of our

Craftsmen do not know it, or, if they doknow it, they say that they have not timeto read it. This is more serious than may,on first thoughts, appear. The usefulness,development, and enjoyment of the Craft

by the member depend very largely uponthe time he devotes to reading and study.The active workers are the readers andstudents. They read the best books they

can get and the shelves and tables in theirdens and libraries are dotted here andthere with Masonic books and periodicals.These books and papers are far - reachingin their influence. They influence theFreemason himself, then his family, andthen his neighbours. Who can measure theresults of good literature in the home? It isacknowledged to be one of the great silentforces in the world. We deplore the sad

lack of time about which we hear somuch in these days, as the cause ofneglecting this important function of life,

but, as Arnold Bennett has put it, we haveall the time there is, and we cannot getmore than twenty-four hours a day,however much we may crave for more.

Not to read is suicide of mind and spirit. Itnot only starves these but it dries up andatrophies the nerves and joints of our

bodies. Good reading is recreating tomind, body, and spirit.

Masonic research may be compared withn ocean, unfathomable in its delights and

he plants therein know nothing ofasonal changes, are not dependant for

Dudley Wright (1924)

his article was submitted to the newsletter

y regular contributor Bro. Kenneth Jack,

RWM of Lodge St. Andrew No. 814.

aprofit. Many, who have hesitated to enterupon its depths and have steppedtremblingly from the shores of ignorance,

have presently been found swimming inits deep waters and have, with reluctance,relinquished the delightful exercise, even

for a short breathing space. Or it may belikened to an unexplored country, whichthe explorer finds not to be wild orovergrown with weeds, but well plantedwith luxurious trees, yielding fruits ofvaried description.

Tsefructification upon weather or climate,only upon husbandry, and the morefrequent the gathering the more fruitful theyield. There is no boredom in MasonicResearch, and one never hears of the

student who is Fed up with the exercise.The only danger, which, after all, is not areal danger, but only an additionalattraction, is that a brother, having fixedupon a certain branch of study as his aimand goal, may be allured into pursuingmany of the pleasing and seductive side-tracks and become enthralled with other

beautiful landscapes unfolded to hisvision. Instead of finding Masonic

Research a cold, dry study, the neophytefinds it warm and energising to a high but

pleasing and fascinating degree. At first itmay tickle the fancy, but quickly itillumines the understanding: it may beginas a fascinating pastime; so it continues,

but also it becomes a profitable study. Ithas many avenues, but, like the various

paths through the Oxford meadows, theyall lead to the waters- in the instance thewaters of knowledge, unfathomable, butever-satisfying, health-giving, and soul-inspiring. It is a food, the food of thegods, the food of progress, because it has

basis in solidity, not in the slops ofsensationalism.

T

b

10

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

12/27

Houstoun St.JohnstoneNo.242

st, 1811 LodgOn 5th Augu e Houstoun

t. Johnstone No.318 received its

lodge and it changed to 235

rethren andecember alone had six meetings

nsuing

Scharter from the Grand Lodge ofScotland. Thankfully, the lodgesrecords are complete other thanoccasional missed minutes. The firstmaster was Bro. William HoustounEsquire ofJohnstoneCastle (see

photo) hisoccupationwas agentleman.The lodgereceived thenumber 318,the nextsequential

numberavailable. In 1renumberedthen after the final renumbering exercisein 1826 it became 242. The lodge metin various places in the 19th century. Inthe first ten years, it was quite commonto initiate candidates who owned publichouses and then hold meetings in their

establishments. The main reason wasprobably finance the lodge did not paya rental and the innkeeper oftenprovided food at his cost.The second meeting, only 10 days afterthe first, was an important occasion. Adeputation from Paisley

816, Grand Lodge

St. JamesLodge (defunct sometime before 1836)visited consisting of the master,wardens, secretary and treasurer toconsecrate the new lodge. The lodgepaid for their coach hire to Johnstone(12 shillings). The master of Paisley

took the chair and swore in the officebearers after which a considerablenumber of members were re-entered.These 19 brethren came from lodges inPaisley, Lochwinnoch, Kilbarchan,Beith, Ayr and Largs. George andLudovic Houstoun of Johnstone Castle,Williams father and brother wereincluded in this list. In a similar mannerto today, the list of occupations is quitevaried surgeon, merchant, plasterer,writer, cotton spinner tin smith andgentleman. One such person was Bro.William Campbell, the well knownwriter (lawyer) in the town. He hadmany dealings with the Houstoun familyso perhaps affiliating at the same time isnot surprising.

The next few meetings were only toinitiate or affiliate bDincluding Christmas Eve. At one ofthese, the initiate was Mr. William

Lock, the factor of the Houstoun familywho would be present at the signing ofmost contracts with feuers and thefamily. Bro. Lock, perhapsunsurprisingly, became the secretary (aswell as master) and it would appear thathe was responsible for supplying thelodge certificate to candidates. In 1832,he paid fees for not accepting office.

It wasnt until February that the first twocandidates were passed and raised. Inthese days, it was common to initiatebrethren on one night and then pass andraise them on another. Clearly thesecond and third degrees were muchshorter. In all cases, candidates signedthe Minute Book to make it binding no roll book existed at this time.

In November 1812, the new master waschosen, not elected, for the e

11

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

13/27

year. There was no installation

ly 17ears old, but it had amassed 25 objects

wnanagement (prior to the Town

if any, but Bro.mes Donald continued to pay Grand

the majority of men.irtually all owners were members, but

uilt

eir own premises which we will

ceremony, the master was known as theGrand Master and Bro. NeilSnodgrass was given the office of pastmaster although he had never been amaster obviously a different title fromwhat we know today. In 1813, articleswere drawn up for a Friendly Society tolook after indigent brethren and in thesevery early days of the lodge, this was animportant aspect of Masonic life.

In 1828 an inventory was written intothe minutes. The lodge was onyand mostly silver. Many of these wouldbe kept in the Tylers chest and forsetting out the lodge he was usually paid2 gills of rum. These appear to includemost of the current office bearersjewels. Interestingly, it gives a roughidea of regalia worn in the early 1800s.There were ten silk sashes with theletters H.St.J. in gold with ten aprons

which were painted and gilded. Acouple of items are described, but theiruse has been lost in time. The masterhas a painted and lettered rod with atriangle on top and there was a canvasoil painting with an attached roller.Why did the master have a rod and wasthe painting an early tracing board?

Fowlers Directory for the town in1851-52 lists the Committee to ToMCouncil). The President and Secretarywere PMs, while the Treasurer and fourcommittee members were also lodgemembers; only three other gentlemen ofthe Council were not in the lodge.Clearly, the lodge members were active

in the towns affairs and cared about itsfuture. A similar story appears forJustices of the Peace whereby four out

of eight were members. This alsocontinued once the burgh was formedwith 22 out 30 Town Provosts beingmembers of the lodge.

Between 1855 to 1863, the number ofmeetings were sparse,JaLodge dues out of his own pocket andtherefore, the lodge was never dormant.The lodge owes a real debt of gratitudeto Bro. Donald PM. Without hisgenerosity, the lodge would not becelebrating 200 years in 2011. Why didthe lodge struggle during this period? Itwould appear that the town of Johnstonewas developing into a burgh and manyof the brethren were involved in thisprocess.

Industry was a huge part of JohnstoneemployingVtwo prominent members were John

Lang who made lathes (with SirWilliam Biggart Lang who becameChairman of the Machine ToolCommittee of the Ministry ofMunitions) and Sir William Arrol whoconstructed bridges all over the UK.

The lodge went from strength tostrength and in 1912, the brethren b

thcelebrate in 2012 by a re-dedicationceremony by the PGL RenfrewshireEast. The number of candidates in 1919was 126 (the highest in any year) and noother year really came close to thisnumber of intrants. The following year,78 brethren are advanced to MarkMaster with 211 attending the meeting.

Is this a Masonic record? The variedsyllabi of the past had gone and the

12

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

14/27

lodge was only concerned with gettingmen through degrees.

During the next 20 to 30 years, thedge functioned very successfully and

lodge hasad degrees exemplified from lodges in,

lowas also an active participant in all thepublic affairs of the town. No doubt thiswas helped through various lawyers,teachers and ministers who weremembers. The social aspects soonbecame important and a social club wasformed which eventually had its ownpremises built and continues to be animportant aspect for revenue.

Over the past 30 years, thehFrance, the USA, England, and Ireland;the last two still continuing today. Thelodge has produced a large number ofbrethren who have gone onto becomemasters in other lodges and itsnewsletter, The Cross Keys.The Cross Keys named

eafter the

remises in which the lodg met, goespfar and wide. This is available byclicking this link. Our story is notunique in terms of Craft lodges, but weare very proud of freemasonry inJohnstone, Renfrewshire and as part ofThe Grand Lodge of Scotland.

The Cross Keys magazine proodge 242 is an excellent duced byMasonicL

newsletter, filled with articles, news items

and lots of interesting facts over a wide

spectrum of Masonic Education, well written

and well put together. This is a free monthly

periodical and is well worthy of a read, if

you have not already looked at it, please do

so. The editor and the newsletter

acknowledge Lodge 242 as the copyright

owner of this history. The Lodge can beaccessed at this link, from where this history

was extracted. If your Lodge has a history

that we can use, contact the editor.

Rays of MasonryDo the Little Things

or thearnest and faithful efforts of the

our lodge andview the history of "those old days."

Fe

many years I have observed

officers of lodges as they held meetingsfor the purpose of suggesting ways toimprove attendance and maintaininterest. In every instance someoutstanding program has been launched,which if carried to completion, alwaysbears fruit which is the result of honestplanning. However, it is my conclusionthat all we hope for, the molding of

Masonic principles into a strongMasonry must be the result of the doingof little things. Everything else, itseems, is subordinate to the idea ofkeeping fresh Masonic teachingsthrough the medium of doing. Againand again we refer to the "Old TimeMasonry." Yet we know full well thatthe principles of Masonry are the same

today as they were centuries ago. Whatdo we really mean? What is that spiritthat we must recapture?

Get out the minutes of yreStrike deep into the heart of that historyand then report truthfully. What do youfind? A Masonic funeral was an

occasion at which was reflected theobligation of the living to the dead.Masons left their work and devoted allthe time necessary to pay due andproper respect to the departed and to theloved ones. Look at the record of yourlodge as it reports visitations to the sick,acts of charity to the unfortunate,comfort to the heartbroken. Review the

work of committees, the work ofbrothers who asked for no titles, norecognition, but only the opportunity to

13

http://www.lodge242.co.uk/the-cross-keyshttp://www.lodge242.co.uk/the-cross-keyshttp://www.lodge242.co.uk/http://www.lodge242.co.uk/http://www.lodge242.co.uk/the-cross-keyshttp://www.lodge242.co.uk/the-cross-keys

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

15/27

render service. Look over the names ofthose Masons, those working brothers,and see if they were not the same whowere leaders in their communities. Alsolook at the heritage they left. It was notmeasured in money. It was character.

That which we seek is within us. "OldTime Masonry" is not a thing thatbelongs to the past. It is a Spirit that isthe result of Doing Great Little ThingsDewey Wollstein 1953.

Masonic Talk.

'm seeking a little light," said the New

think I have a match-" the Old Tiler

get you!" grinned the New Brother,"But that's not the light I am looking for.I want light on a Masonic subject."

I'll

ar Masonic talk in publiclaces. At a poker game in a club where

nswered the Old Tiler.

t takes no account of motives. If you

y that the stream rose andis house and his children were in

n the square,' any onenderstands that I mean I will act

"IBrother, sitting down by the Old Tilerand reaching for his cigar case.

"Ifelt in his pocket.

"I

"I don't pretend to be the only Masonicilluminant," answered the Old Tiler,"but if I have what you want, be surelet it shine."

"Every now and then," began the NewBrother, "I hepI was recently, I heard one man say,'Them you have passed, but me I shallnot pass!' Lots of men say they will dothis or that on the square or on the level.I run across 'and govern yourselfaccordingly' in print every now andthen. Are such public quotations from

Masonic work against good Masonicpractice?"

"It seems to me your question isn't verycomplete," a

"Why not?"

"I

hear a man sahdanger, but a tree fell across the rushingwaters, so that in His mercy Goddamned the stream, you have heardtestimony to His glory. And if you hearsome man couple the name of Deitywith the word which begins with D, youlisten to profanity. Same sounds in each

case; the difference is, the motive, themeaning."

"If I declare that I will do what I say Iwill do 'ou

14

honestly. If any hearer knows theexpression is Masonic, surely thefraternity has not been injured. But if I

say to a stranger, or within a stranger'shearing, 'these are certain Masonicwords, and we use them in the degrees'and then repeat various phrases, I skirt

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

16/27

dangerously close to breaking myobligation, and by the very fact that Iseem to be careless with Masonicbusiness, I am doing it harm!"

"That's very plain, said the NewBrother.

"Suppose some man wants to learn if Iam a Mason? Suppose I meet a man

ith a Masonic pin and want to examine

er.

ou might, indeed, put the stranger

e?"

n he doesn't know toe a Mason! The man who wants to talk

ear the pin and havecard they are probably Masons, and-"

ould utter in the presence of your wife.

pany, so I can let thether fellows know I am a Mason?"

n idea thathen you go to a card party you should

aide New Brother.

ly, "I shall think myords were wasted."

o say, perhapslumsily, that I thought you'd make a

the compliment, andrget the way you put it!" smiled the

Old Tiler.

whim Masonicaly? What about that?"

"You shouldn't want to do things whichcan't be done!" laughed the Old Til

Ythrough an examination as to whatMasonry he knew, but it wouldn't beMasonic. You have no right toconstitute yourself an examiningcommittee. That is the Master'sprerogative.

"Suppose he wants to talk Masonic

secrets with m

"No Mason wants to talk Masonicsecrets with any mabsecrets, without having sat in lodge withyou, or being vouched for to you, iseither very new or a very poor Mason orno Mason at all!"

"But surely one can talk Masonry withstrangers; if they wa"Talk all the Masonry you want! Butmake sure it is the Masonic talk youcYour true Mason won't want you to talk

any other kind in public. Not long ago Iwas on a train, and behind me two men,neither of them Masons, arguing aboutMasonry. The things they knew which

were not so wonderful! But I neveropened my mouth. And the conductor,whom I have known for years as aMason, heard them, and all he did waswink at me. We knew the truth; theydidn't. What was the use of stirring upan argument?"

"What about giving some sign or wordin a mixed comoasked the New Brother.

"Oh!" cried the Old Tiler. "You've beenreading novels! You have awwiggle your ears or something, so thatother Masons will know you are one,too! Nothing to that! Masonicrecognitions are not for pleasure, but forneed and use. You have been taughthow to let others know, if you need to.You know how to recognize a Masonwhen he lets you know. But these are

not for social gatherings, and the manwho lards his speech with Masonicexpressions is merely showing off."

"I asked for light; we could substituteyou for one of the Lesser Lights," sth"If you mean that for a joke," the Old

Tiler answered sloww"I didn't," protested the New Brother. "Iwas only trying tcgood Master!"

"Then I shall think only of the motive,

thank you forfo

15

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

17/27

The Scots Lodge

No. 2319 EC

he Sco r their avelling peoples

througho d moreidely. Their country is very beautiful,

e late 1880's a Master Mason ofcottish descent, Bro. Vero K. Shaw, a

was to smile on him, forss than two weeks later he was sent to

embership was predominantly

contact his manycottish friends and acquaintances

all in Fleettreet at 6 oclock exactly, under the

o

e sponsored by an existing lodge.

nderembers, which was then forwarded to

and Master Mason, and Theost Worshipful Bro. Sir Michael

Trevor I. HarrisTtr

ts are famous fo. Indeed, very fewut history have travelle

wbut many Scots still enjoy settlingabroad. In spite of this they areextremely patriotic, and take a corner of

Scotland with them wherever theysettle.

London, like many large cities round theworld, had a large contingent of Scots,and in thSjournalist, felt that the idea of apredominantly Scottish lodge wouldprove popular among Londons Scottishcommunity.

His first step was to contact The GrandLodge of Scotland for a Warrant, andhere fortuneleGlasgow to cover a trade conference. Hesent a letter to the Grand Secretary ofthe Grand Lodge of Scotland requestinga meeting to discuss the proposed lodge.

However, he received a shock when hewas informed that any new lodgeformed in England, even if themScottish, would have to be warrantedunder the United Grand Lodge ofEngland. In spite of this, the Scottish

Grand Secretary promised everyassistance, and even suggested that The

Scots Lodge would be a suitable namefor the new lodge.

When he returned to London, VeroShaw began toSwhom he knew were Masons. Theygreeted his proposal with enthusiasm,and he soon had enough support topetition for the new lodge.

On the evening of the 27th May 1889 atthe Scottish Corporation HSchairmanship of W. Bro. JohnWhitehead PM, ten prospective FounderMembers including Bro. Vero Shawheld a preliminary meeting. Theyresolved to apply to The Grand Lodgeof England for permission to form a newlodge, to be called The Scots Lodge.

The application was subsequentlyprepared, however the new lodge had t

bFortunately Bro. James Thomson, oneof the younger petitioners, was amember of Regents Park Lodge No.2202 who were delighted to assist.

On the 1st June 1889, sixteen brethrensigned the petition as FouM

Colonel Shadwell Clerk, the GrandSecretary of The United Grand Lodge ofEngland.

The Grand Master of Scotland is knownas The GrMRobert Shaw-Stewart 7th Bart, PastGrand Master Mason of Scotland, from

Lodge Grennock Kilwinning No. 12,Renfrewshire, became WorshipfulMaster Designate, with Bro. Vero Shaw

16

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

18/27

as Senior Warden and W. Bro. JohnWhitehead as Junior Warden. However,Bro. Vero Shaw was now going toreceive his second shock.

It is written in the Book of Constitutionsunder Rule 105 that a new Worshipful

aster had to have served the office of

ggested that one of hisssociates, The R.W. Bro. The Earl of

disappointed, but took theews gracefully. He had served the

reing Edward V11, granted the Warrant

eekie and

otland after, ofourse, The Queen and the Craft,

August 1889, with a doubleitiation, one of whom was a journalist

interesting proposition,that steps be taken to carry out the

MWarden in an English lodge for one fullyear, and even though severalpetitioners might have held this office inScottish lodges and were therefore PastMasters, none had done so in an Englishlodge, not even their respected MasterDesignate.

To solve the problem, the GrandSecretary suaEuston, Provincial Grand Master ofNorthampton and Huntingdon, occupythe Masters Chair for the first year. Asthis seemed to be the only way out oftheir quandary, the suggestion was

accepted, and Lord Euston duly addedhis name to the petition as the 17thFounder.

Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart wasextremelynGrand Lodge of Scotland in its highestoffice as The Most Worshipful The

Grand Master Mason for nine years, butsadly was destined never to take thechair as Master of The Scots Lodge.

On the 27th June 1889, HRH The GrandMaster, the Prince of Wales and futuKfor the consecration, and a month laterto the day, on the 27th July 1889, the

Scots Lodge No. 2319 was founded atthe Scottish Corporation Hall, CraneCourt, Fleet Street, with the Grand

Secretary himself conducting theconsecration. The Freemason reportedthe consecration banquet to be a verygrand affair, held in true Scottishcustom against a background of pipemusic, tartan and banners.The banquet had a very Scottish menu,with a choice of over 25 differentdishes, including Cock-a-lHotch-Potch soups, Spey Trout,followed by White Puddings, BlackPuddings, Haggis, Sheeps Head andTrotters, Aberdeen Beef, and to drinkRehoboams and Magnums of the finestChampagnes, and of course ScotchWhisky, with the quote on the menuWhisky and Freedom gang thgither.Tak off your dram.

One of the official toasts was to TheGrand Lodge of Sccalthough then the toast was to QueenVictoria.

The first regular meeting was held onthe 29thinnot surprisingly proposed by Bro. VeroShaw, and no less than ten joiningmembers. A Past Masters jewel waspresented to W. Bro. C. F. Matier as aslight recognition of services rendered

to the lodge.

The next meeting, on October 24th1889, had a veryoriginal intention of the Founders ofpurchasing the requisite supply of plate,cutlery, glass, china and otheraccessories to enable the Brethren to

hold their banquets and entertain theirguests under their own roof. which

17

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

19/27

would of course considerably lowertheir dining costs.

However, the first year was to end inisarray, as in a very short period of

tiont the January meeting, with members

re frequentvents, to undertake work which could

ergency,June 1892, was for the visit of the

had traditionalcottish fare, including Brawen Grilse

ot-box was

rable Burns Night at the endf the 19th Century, an Apron and Maul

ith Cannongate Kilwinning Lodge No.

was held in907, the installation of W. Bro. Joseph

graph reported it to bee most impressive and resplendent

dtime the lodge lost its Senior Warden,Secretary and Tyler due to domesticproblems. However, a junior member,James Thomson, stood in as Secretaryand managed to keep things going.

Burns Night was an annual celebraadining in Tartan to the sound ofbagpipes, but the lodge also celebratedSt. Georges Day in April, St. Johns Dayin June, Halloween in October, and St.Andrews Day in November.

"Lodges of Emergency" weenot be accommodated at regularmeetings. One, held in November 1891,only three days before a regular lodge

meeting, was to initiate Dr. Irvine Reidjust prior to his sailing to Georgetown,British Guiana, to take up his post as theGovernment Medical Officer.

One very special Lodge of EminGrand Master Mason of Scotland, TheMW The Rt. Hon. The Earl of

Haddington and his entourage of elevenGrand Lodge officers.

The festive boardSwi Dutch Salss, forbye New Tatties,an Quecummer and Crumlie-braiditcaller watter Gravies baith ordinar andeevilt, Mealie puddins, Bluidy puddins

and of course Haggis, with AberdeenBeef with Fore-spaul o LammermuirHogrels as the main course.

The lodge had many preciouspossessions, including a ballmade from timbers from the old woodenBlackfriars Bridge, and in 1907 waspresented with a handsome Claymorewhich had belonged to a member of theBlack Watch who had been slain in theBoer War.

On a Memoowhich had belonged to Robert Burnshimself, on loan from the Grand Lodgeof Scotland, were put on display. Thelodge was expanding rapidly, changingits dining venue to the HolbornRestaurant, and at the Halloweenmeeting of 1900 no less than fivebrethren were initiated in one meeting,which we certainly wouldnt see today.

In 1905 the lodge forged strong linksw2, Edinburgh, an old lodge dating back

to 1677, links which are retained to thisday. In the same year there was a returnvisit from the new Grand Master Masonof Scotland, this time accompanied bythe Grand Secretary of England and theLord Provost of Edinburgh.

A most spectacular meeting1

Inglis, a Past Master of CannongateKilwinning Lodge No. 2, when he wasput into the Masters Chair of The ScotsLodge at Mark Masons Hall, GreatQueen Street.

The Daily Telethever seen in a private lodge in London,

with no less that 279 Brethren present, agood proportion of whom were seniorGrand Officers and members of the

18

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

20/27

aristocracy. In that same year thelodges Royal Arch Chapter wasformed.

The lodge continued to meet throughoute First World War, but sadly many

with itsall Stone Jewel, its 133 members

arl of Stair, Grandaster Mason of Scotland, returned the

939 the lodge held its 50thnniversary meeting, which was

d World War, feweetings were missed, but rationing

rs later saw the lodges lastounder Member, W. Bro. James

theurns meeting dedicated to his memory

became a Patron ofe Royal Masonic Hospital, and a silver

thmembers would never return fromactive service. 1919 saw the installationas 31st Master of The Rt. Hon. The Earlof Stair, who five years later was tobecome the Grand Master Mason ofScotland, with W. Bro. Joseph Inglis ashis Substitute Grand Master.

In 1925 the lodge was presentedHhaving donated no less than 1248.00towards the construction of the newGrand Lodge in Great Queen Street, asizeable sum even by todays standards,and that same year saw the consecrationof a daughter lodge, Freedom andCourtesy No. 4762.

The Rt. Hon. The EMfollowing year to see the installation ofW. Bro. Major-General J. D. McLachlanas 38th Master. The ceremony wasperformed by The Rt. Hon. LordAmpthill The Most Worshipful The ProGrand Master. The meeting was held byspecial dispensation in the Grand

Temple at Great Queen Street. At thetime of the death of its penultimateFounding Member in 1934, the lodgediscontinued its June meeting, andmoved its installation meeting toOctober.

In April 1A

attended by the M.W. The Grand MasterMason of Scotland Brigadier-GeneralSir N. A. Orr-Ewing 4th Bart..The

M.W. Pro Grand Master LordHarewood honoured the lodge by takingthe chair. However storm clouds wereon the horizon with the approach ofWorld War Two.

During the Seconmfrequently meant that Festive Boardswere sparse affairs. The Blitz in Londonled to the cancellation of the 1940installation meeting, and W. Bro.Thomas Tait, Grand Bible Bearer of theGrand Lodge of Scotland, was to remainin the chair for a year longer thanplanned.

Four yeaFThompson P.G.Std.B, pass to the GrandLodge above at the age of 91, in March1944, and after another two years, W.Bro. Percy G. Mallory PGD, theFather of the lodge, who had been

initiated in 1896, also passed away.

It was the end of an era, and atBin 1947, with rationing still in force, theFood Officer restricted the meeting to100 guests. However, after manyappeals he eventually relented and 175Brethren were able to attend the

memorial meeting.

In 1948 the lodgethQuaich was presented to the lodge byBro. Archie Lang for use by the Piper.Traditions were maintained, and in 1950The Grand Master of Scotland, MWBro. Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey

visited the lodge. Also in attendancewas RW Bro. Sir Alexander FlemingPGW, the discoverer of penicillin and

19

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

21/27

an honorary member of The ScotsLodge.

1954 saw the lodge move from theolborn Restaurant, where it had met

celebrated its 75thnniversary in October 1963, and in

always been wellpresented in the lodge, and in 1975 a

0s saw the passing of Theodge Piper, W. Bro. John Brown LGR,

fter the Installation ceremony, The

oth a Centenary Warrant and a

RA76 newsletter thanks Bro. Trevor

Hfor the last 65 years. to the CriterionRestaurant at Piccadilly Circus Threeyears later, the ninth visit to the lodgefrom The Grand Lodge of Scotland tookplace, headed by The MW The Rt. Hon.Lord McDonald, with the RW TheAssistant Grand Master of EnglandMajor-General Sir Allan Adair, Bart.,also attending.

The lodgeA1965 there was yet another visit fromthe Grand Master Mason of Scotland,The MW The Rt. Hon Andrew LordBruce, who was soon to stand down infavour of yet another member of theScots Lodge, Major Sir Ronald Orr-Ewing, 5th Bart.

Families haverecandidate was initiated in the companyof his Father, Grandfather, Brother,Uncle and Great Uncle. Later on in thatyear, the lodge received a visit from yetanother deputation from The GrandLodge of Scotland, the English

contingent being headed by TheProvincial Grand Master of Essex, andThe Earl of Eglington and WintonPSGW.

The 198Land in May 1981, the lodge moved toMark Masons Hall, St. James. Many

reciprocal visits to Scotland took placeduring that decade, until finally the great

day of the lodges Centenary arrived,celebrated on the 5th October 1989.

AGrand Master Mason of Scotland, Bro.Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor ofMacGregor, entered the lodge roomwith his retinue from the Grand Lodgeof Scotland, after which The R.W.Assistant Grand Master of England,Lord Farnham, was himself escortedinto the lodge room accompanied by hisown retinue of Grand Lodge Officers,

BCentenary Banner were presented to thelodge, and cheques were presented toboth Grand Charity and ScottishMasonic Homes. A superb festive boardwas followed by the singing of AuldLang Syne. The Scots Lodge still meetsat Mark Masons Hall, and to this dayproudly follows its Scottish MasonicTraditions.

S

Harris for allowing us to reproduce his

fascinating history of the Scots Lodge

No. 2319. English Constitution. His

website can be viewed by this link.

Masonic medals.

he secret of Masonry, like the secret of

r. Joseph Fort Newton.

The Secret of FreemasonryTlife, can be known only by those whoseek it, serve it, live it. It cannot beuttered; it can only be felt and acted. Itis, in fact, an open secret, and each manknows it according to his quest andcapacity. Like all things worth knowing,

no one can know it for another and noman can know it alone."

D

20

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

22/27

The Origin of Masonry

PART 4 MT. GERIZIM AND THE

he fame of King Solomon's Temple

heir first objective was to locate the

he Israelites found Luz ill-favoured asa location for the Tabernacle, even

5.C.David succeeded in wresting

meantime the original Tabernaclead vanished and the Ark of the

LAND OF MORIAH.

Tlies in the reflected glory of the Houseof Moses, for it was planned and builtwith the idea of replacing theTabernacle with a more permanentstructure. The purpose behind itsbuilding is to be found in the history ofDavid, father of Solomon. The originalTabernacle was the vehicle which had

welded the Israelites into a united mass,and had kept them united during theirsuccessful invasion of Palestine. Theinitial breakthrough took place atJericho, after which the Israelites spreadout to the north and south, but they didnot succeed in taking Jerusalem.

T

"spot" on which to erect the Tabernacle,which was believed to be at Luz. Mosesdied just prior to the invasion, but hehad left certain instructions, which wereto be followed out after they reached thePromised Land. Among other things,they were instructed to put the blessingupon Mt. Gerizim, and the curse uponMt. Ebal. Neither the geographical

location of these mounts, nor themanner in which the blessing was to bebestowed, were specified. It wasdecided that the medium was the altarspecified in Exodus 20:24, which was tobe of earth, or of unhewn stone, andwithout steps. The allegorical meaninghere, of course, is the good earth uponwhich we dwell.

T

though it had been specified by Mosesas none other but the house of God andthe gate of heaven in Genesis 28:17.They then moved on to Samara and setup their Tabernacle and their altarbetween the two peaks in that country,which are still called Mt. Gerizim andMt. Ebal to this day. However, thechoice of this "spot" was far fromunanimous, and it was not long beforethe Tabernacle was moved elsewhere.

About 200 years later, or in 100BJerusalem away from the nativeJebusites. After taking the city; he hadhimself declared king over both Israeland Judah. Israel was the common nameapplied to the Israelites of the north, forby then they had lost their tribaldistinctions. David himself had risen topower under the banner of the Tribe ofJudah, which had maintained its tribalidentity in the south. At the time David

established himself at Jerusalem, thetrue location of the mount upon which ablessing was to be put was still a liveissue.

In thehCovenant had been placed in storage.The lustre of the Ark had been

somewhat dimmed prior to this onaccount of its failure to stop thePhilistines on the field of battle. Underthis combination of circumstancesDavid saw a splendid opportunity torestore the Ark to its natural setting,and, at one and the same time, establisha mount of his own upon which to put ablessing. He accordingly purchased the

threshing floor of Ornan, the Jebusite,and this is the "spot" upon which theTemple was subsequently erected.

21

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

23/27

It was called the Zion, or hill, which isthe literal interpretation of the word

avid had pitched this newabernacle that he made known his

ied from the descriptionf the Tabernacle, or rather that part of

t

f theabernacle. It was projected into a

Zion. Mount would have served thepurpose just as well, for it was here thathe pitched a new tabernacle in order thatthe Ark might be brought out of storage.The use of the word Gerizim wasprobably avoided because this newshrine was designed to serve Israel aswell as Judah, and these people of thenorth already had a Mt. Gerizim. We geta vague hint of this from the use of theword Moriah, which is commonly calledMt. Moriah today. The original use ofthis word is to be found in Genesis 22:2,which states that the sacrifice ofAbraham's son Isaac was to take placein the land of Moriah, and upon one ofthe mountains of which he was to betold. This passage of Scripture wasprobably cited at that time as anauthority, or precedent, for theestablishment of a second mount atJerusalem.

It was after DTintention of replacing it with a morepermanent structure. With this structurehe undertook to create a vehicle, which,in the words of II Samuel 7:13, hehoped would establish the throne of hiskingdom forever. This hope lay in the

belief that he could endow hiscontemplated Temple with the powersof the original Tabernacle byduplicating its design. Hiram of Tyrewas called in as a collaborator, becausehe had previously built the palace inwhich David had set himself up as kingover the two branches of the Israelites.Hiram was a Phoenician, and his city of

Tyre was in a better position to furnishskilled artisans.

However, the basic, design of theTemple was copoits description which is to be found inthe Book of Exodus. The builders of theTemple apparently did not understandthe true cabalism of the writings ofMoses, for the key to the design of theTabernacle is concealed in the ladderJacob supposedly dreamt about. In thewords of Moses, this was none other buthe house of God and the gate to heaven,as set forth in Genesis 28:17. In theprevious verse, Genesis 28:16, Jacobhad just awaked out of his sleep, whichrefers back to Genesis 28:12, and, "hedreamed, and behold a ladder set up onthe earth, and the top of it reached toheaven: and behold the angels of Godascending and descending on it."

The essence of the ladder of Jacob wasthe cubical Holy of Holies oT

column of 7 cubes on the Trestle Board,with horizontal coordinates extendingout over the centre of the drawing fromthe upper levels of the 2nd, 4th, and 6thcubes. Below these horizontals, and onthe base line, another cube was drawn torepresent the Holy of Holies itself. Fromthe centre of this Holy of Holies a seriesof ascending "angles" were projected

upward to intercept the horizontals. Atthe points of intersection, verticalordinates were dropped to the base line,and they exactly prescribed the 48cubits length of the Tabernacle. A 7thordinate was projected upwards intoinfinity, from the centre of the base line,and represented the joining of thecelestial with the terrestrial sphere. This

7th ordinate was the top of the ladder,which reached to heaven. The cubeswere 7 in number because they

22

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

24/27

represented the 7 bodies of ourplanetary system which are visible tothe naked eye. Each of the ascendingangles were 23 1/2 degrees", becausethat is the celestial angle at which theearth is inclined away from the plane ofits orbit.

The unit of measurement was obtainedby dividing one edge of the cubical

oly of Holies into 10 equal parts. The

f the pathown which Moses had brought the

12 tribes were

ncamped. As each tribe was encamped

derstood the implicationsf the ladder Jacob supposedly dreamt

TimTim by

ime;

and Warden soon are gone,

ly flee;es renown

lives

inning Lodge No.2.

HApex of the curtains of Goats' Hair wasequal to the height of 3 cubes, or 30cubits. Half this height, or 15 cubits,was equivalent to the combined widthsof the 10 boards of the sheathing, andthe upper half prescribed the height ofthe pediments. The descending "angles"of Genesis 28:12 exactly subtended the1 1/2, cubits cross section of the Ark ofthe Covenant below the centre of theHoly of Holies". The descendingordinates exactly laid out the 7 bents, orvertical bars across which the "six"

boards of Exodus 36:27 were spacedout. This is indeed none other but theHouse of God, and the House weproclaim was erected to God anddedicated to His Holy name.

The 7th ordinate came direct from thecelestial, and was symbolic od

word of God, for it intersected themercy seat of the Ark in its exact centre.This was within the cubical of the Holyof Holies, which was designated as themost Holy place. The balance of thespace within the House was called theHoly place, and its several parts weresymbolic of the several features of ourplanetary system.

Outside the House, and far off about theTabernacle, the

eunder the ensign of his Father's house,the encampment itself was symbolic ofthe 12 constellations of the Zodiac.Hence, the complete layout ofTabernacle and encampment was copiedfrom the design of the Father's house inthe celestial.

Had the builders of the Templethoroughly unoabout, it is highly improbable theywould have built their structure of stone.This ladder truly located the gateway toheaven, for whenever and wherever theoriginal Tabernacle was set up, theladder of Jacob formed an integral partof its design. The "mount" it blessedwas the mother earth on which theTabernacle rested.

The book, The Origin of Masonry, is in 5 parts,

part 5 will appear in the next issue.

The Lodge Lives On!

e's ravages does Time repair,e's deepest wounds are healed

TThe Master passes from the chair,The Warden to the Chair doth climb.Master

The Lodge lives on,The Lodge lives on!The torch of light is handed downThe ages that so swiftOut of our frailty comAnd life from our mortality;The pomps of yesteryear are gone,The Lodge lives on, the Lodge

on!

23

Brother J.C. Stewart, CannongateKilw

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

25/27

So Mote it be

The Masons response is So moteto be regarded as equiva

it be.It seems lent toAmen, and there is evidence from the

verbs of the same

me. The

n, and I havenown Masonic ritualists who walked up

be easier to keep clean, butey lack the ambience of the grand

ewer is not necessarily much of an

Middle Ages that both were used together Amen, so mote it be, probablyderiving from a Hebrew phrase, Amen,Ken Yehi Ratzon (Amen, may it be so).The Masonic and the Hebrew phrases bothcome at the end of a prayer or sentence,fulfilling the Jewish rule to wait until onehas heard the whole statement beforesaying Amen. However, Amen is

sometimes found in the New Testament atthe beginning of a sentence. An exampleis John chapter 3, where the translatorsseem to have missed the nuance of theoriginal text, in which the first word mayhave been Omnam (verily, indeed) andnot Amen.

Amen is actually a stative verb. It doesnot convey an action (I stood, I sat) but

state of affairs. StativeaHebrew grammatical form include zaken,is old, and raev, is hungry. The rootmeaning of Amen is truth: sayingAmen means It is true. Instead of Itis true, a statement of agreement orendorsement, So mote it be is a prayerfor the future: May it be so. The rootseems to connect with our English verbsmay and might, from Old English

motan, to be allowed.

But all this is too pedantic for todaysMason, for whom Amen and So mote

be probably mean the saitdiscussion does, however, touch onanother major issue with our craft ritual. Ithas often been pointed out that Masonicritual constantly uses archaic language, so

that modern people who would neverdream of saying thou and thee in thestreet find themselves handling in Lodge

with varying degrees of success King-James-Version phraseology.

The archaic language certainly has abeauty and elegance of its owk

and down reciting the classical phraseslike the poetry which they are. But byretaining such outmoded language, are weturning ourselves into old fogeys? Shouldwe not modernise the ritual and adopt amuch more modern style? There arearguments on both sides. There was a timewhen I favoured the modernist approach,feeling it would make life easier for the

Masons we have and attract morecandidates to the Masonry of the future. Iam no longer so sure. Having done someinternational travel, I see the drawbacks oftearing down old landmarks anddestroying classical heritage buildings inthe rush to make everything streamlinedand similar.

Severely functional places of worship, for

instance, maythsoaring cathedrals on which, for all weknow, our operative ancestors worked fordecades of their lives. In my own career inthe clergy, I held office in three heritage

buildings. All had their deficiencies fromthe practical point of view, but theirclassical feel enabled the worshipper tofeel linked with great historical traditions.

Masonic language likewise reminds usthat there are eternal verities; what isnimprovement. Even with its archaicterminology, our ritual can help us tocarry the principles of the past into afuture hungry for values. So mote it be.

By Rt. Wor. Bro. Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple, AO

RFD, Past Deputy Grand Master of the UnitedGrand Lodge of New South Wales & the

Australian Capital Territory. Click the name to go

to his website.

24

http://www.oztorah.com/about/http://www.oztorah.com/about/

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

26/27

THE MASONIC DICTIONARYDegree

word degree, in its primitive meaning, fies a step. The degrees of Freemasonry

of Entered Apprentices, who were

The

a

signi

re, then, the steps by which the candidate ascends from a lower to a higher condition ofknowledge. It is now the opinion of the best scholars, that the division of the Masonicsystem into Degrees was the work of the revivalists of the beginning of the eighteenthcentury; that before that period there was but one Degree, or rather one common platformof ritualism; and that the division into Masters, Fellows, and Apprentices was simply adivision of ranks, there being but one initiation for all.

In 1717 the whole body of the Fraternity consisted onlyrecognized by the thirty-nine Regulations, compiled in 1720, as among the law-givers of

the Craft, no change in those Regulations being allowed unless first submitted "even tothe youngest Apprentice."

25

7/30/2019 Volume+9+-+4+-+April+2013 (1).pdf

27/27

In the Old Charges, collected by Anderson and approved in 1722, the Degree of FellowCraft is introduced as being a necessary qualification for Grand Master, although the wordegree is not used. "No brother can be a Grand Master unless he has been a Fellow Craft

three Degrees had been as well defined as in 1738, Anderson would notave failed to insert the same language in his first edition. That he did not, leads to the fair

30, but in 80 gradual and imperceptible a manner that we are unable to fix therecise date of the introduction of each Degree. In 1717 there was evidently but one

dbefore his election." And in the Manner of constituting a New Lodge of the same date, theMaster and Wardens are taken from "among the Fellow Crafts," which Dermott explainsby saying that "they were called Fellow Crafts because the Masons of old times nevergave any man the title of Master Mason until he had first passed the chair." In thethirteenth of the Regulations of 1720, approved in 1721, the orders or Degrees of Masterand Fellow Craft are recognized in the following words: "Apprentices must be admittedMasters and Fellow Crafts only in the Grand Lodge." Between that period and 1738, thesystem of Degrees had been perfected; for Anderson, who, in that year, published thesecond edition of the Book of Constitutions, changed the phraseology of the Old Chargesto suit the altered condition of things, and said, "a Prentice, when of age and expert, maybecome an Entered Prentice or a Free-Mason of the lowest degree, and upon his dueimprovements a Fellow Craft and a Master-Mason" (see Old Charge Ill, Constitutions,1738, page 145).

No such words are found in the Charges as printed in 1723; and if at that time thedistinction of thehpresumption that the ranks of Fellow Craft and Master were not then absolutelyrecognized as distinctive degrees. The earliest ritual extant, which is contained in theGrand Mystery, published in 1725, makes no reference to any Degrees, but gives onlywhat we may suppose was the common understanding of the initiation in use about that

time.

The division of the Masonic system into three Degrees must have grown up between 1717and 17pDegree, or rather one form of initiation, and one catechism. Perhaps about 1721 the threeDegrees were introduced, but the second and third were probably not perfected for manyyears. Even as late as 1735 the Entered Apprentice's Degree contained the most prominentform of initiation, and he who was an Apprentice was, for all practical purposes, a

Freemason. It was not until repeated improvements, by the adoption of new ceremoniesand new regulations that the Degree of Master Mason took the place which it nowoccupies; having been confined at first to those who had passed the chair

Until next month,Keep the faith!

The Editor.