Cross Keys December. 2012

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

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light

December 2012 Number 162

In this issue:

Masonic Education in the Philippines 1903

Masonic Ceremony in the papers

GL of Liberia

Traditional Observance Lodges

What not to do as a Master

Membership in the early 20th Century

The Chamber of Reflection

Maryhill Burgh Hall

Is your Lodge on Target?

Cross Keys December. 2012

In his address to the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands at its last Annual Communication in

1930, M. W. Bro. Seldon W. O'Brien, the retiring Grand Master, had something to say upon the

pressing subject of Masonic Education. The Cabletow, Manila, published this part of the address

in full, from which we take it with due acknowledgments. The editor of the Cabletow remarks

that if the program outlined by Bro. O'Brien is carried through in the proper manner that the

Craft will reap incalculable benefit from it. One of the greatest difficulties that American Masonry

has to deal with is the lack of continuity in any constructive plans owing to the constant changes

in the executive officers of the Fraternity. This affects both the Lodges and the Grand Lodges. Un-

der existing circumstances continuity can only be attained by putting such activities in the hands

of permanent committees or boards. But this is really only a makeshift after all. We hope that Bro.

O'Brien's successor in office will carry out the plans here outlined.

TO my way of thinking, one of the greatest problems that confronts Masonry in the Philippines

today is the education of its membership in the history and philosophy Of Freemasonry. The ide-

als and principles of this great institution, which we would implant in the hearts of our brethren

and have them apply in their daily lives are expressed by symbolism. If we hope ever to weave

and build into the character of our members the steadying and balancing influence of those puri-

fying principles and tenets, and thereby ennoble and beautify their lives? they must know and

comprehend the true meaning of those symbols. In the ceremonies of our initiation, we do not

attempt to do more than to indicate the pathway to Masonic knowledge, to lay the foundation for

the Masonic edifice. The initiate is left to pursue the journey or complete the structure for himself

through contact with his brethren of the Lodge and by reading and reflection. The natural result

of our initiatory ceremonies, if correctly and impressively conducted, with a proper understand-

ing of their meaning, is that the new member is impressed with the seriousness and high purpose

of the Order. He leaves the Lodge Room fired with enthusiasm and eager to forward its noble ob-

jects. He is inspired by a glimpse of the spirit and meaning of the words of the ritual. But, as the

weeks and months pass by, he receives little or no encouragement in his pursuit of knowledge;

his enthusiasm becomes dulled; his keen interest wanes, and he finally drops into the easy rut of

inactivity and fraternal inertia. It is from this lethargic attitude that so many of the members of

our Lodges need to be aroused. There is need for reinspection, a rekindling of enthusiasm, a re-

construction to the principles of Masonry, on the part of many hundreds of our membership.

Among them, there must be a revival of the true Masonic spirit. I believe that the surest way, alt-

hough slow and tedious, to accomplish this is through a definite and concrete program of educa-

tion in the fundamentals of Freemasonry.

Considerable thought has been given to this subject in the hope that I might be able to offer you

some practical suggestions. It would seem that the only feasible way for the members of the Craft

to obtain the knowledge which they ought to have of what Masonry is, its history, its philosophy,

and its symbolism, is through their own well-directed individual efforts. They must be caused to

educate themselves in the possibilities of the Order, inspired by the knowledge of what others are

doing, what can be done, and what must be done to fulfil what we believe to be the noble purpos-

es of the Fraternity. In order to bring this about, there must be created a self-consciousness on the

part of the leading members of the Order that education is essentially necessary to the welfare of

Freemasonry, and, along with that, some practical method must be developed to bring to the

membership the knowledge which they should have. This I conceive to be a proper function of

the Grand Lodge. The officers of the subordinate Lodges must be not only good ritualists, but

Masonic Education—Philippines 1903

Cross Keys December. 2012

wide readers and keen students of the inner meaning of the ceremonies which they perform, so

that they may sot the Craft at work under good and wholesome instruction, and create in them a

renewed interest for further light in Masonry. If they are to possess these qualifications, the most

important requisite is that they be provided with the best Masonic literature in order to enable

them to take the knowledge which has come from highly authenticated sources and remake It

into a form which the average member of the Lodge can understand and which will give him

some enthusiasm for the organization of which he is a part. With these ideas in mind I would

propose, merely as a basis of our future Masonic educational program, the following:

Recommendations

1. That the present Special Committee on Masonic Study and Research be abolished, and that

there be created in its stead a permanent Committee on Masonic Education to assist and cooper-

ate with the officers of the subordinate Lodges in devising and adopting some practical plan for

the education and enlightenment of our Masonic brethren along the lines herein suggested.

2. That this Committee make every effort to encourage and stimulate Masonic research and study

on the part of the officers and members of the subordinate Lodges, and for that purpose, to pre-

pare and furnish to them suitable courses of study on Masonic subjects, with information as to

where the literature on the various topics mentioned therein may be found, in order to facilitate

their studies.

3. That a general Masonic library be established in Manila and maintained by the Grand Lodge

with a suitable and convenient reading room, under the supervision of the new Committee on

Masonic Education, with an ample appropriation for that purpose and that an effort be made to

obtain the co-operation and support of our constituent Lodges and the York Rite and Scottish Rite

Bodies of Manila at least to the extent of the use of their present libraries in this worthy object.

4. That in relation to the general library and under the super" vision of the same committee, there

be established what is known as "Travelling Libraries" for the use and benefit of our provincial

brethren, who will not be able to avail themselves of the books in the general library.

5. That the subordinate Lodges be urged to purchase and place in the hands of each of its candi-

dates a copy of the presentation edition of M. W. Brother Oliver Day Street's "Symbolism of the

Three Degrees". The set consists of three volumes – one for each degree – and the volume pertain-

ing to each degree should be presented to the candidate when he is learning the lecture of that

degree.

6. That for the purpose interest in this educational program, a Prize Essay Contest be held each

year under the supervision of the Past Grand Masters of this jurisdiction similar to that of the

Scottish Rite Bodies in 1925, with suitable prizes to be awarded to the winners of first and second

places in the contest.

Some very far reaching points made over 80 years ago. What have we learned in that time?

Masonic Education—Philippines 1903 (ctd)

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Masonic Ceremony in the Newspapers

Another excerpt from the Glasgow

Herald from 1936 when the subject

of Freemasonry was of interest to its

readers. Did that ever really

change?

Cross Keys December. 2012

The Tragedy of Freemasonry in Liberia The nation of Liberia was created in 1822 as a resettlement

nation by the Society for the Colonization of Free People of

Color of America, which sought to create a new African

homeland for freed American slaves. The organization, first

made up of mostly Quakers, believed that blacks would

have a freer life away from strict U.S. laws and the still-

flourishing slave trade. Later more simply known as the

American Colonization Society, the society became split

between sincere abolitionists, nervous Northerners who

saw free blacks as a threat to jobs and property, and South-

ern slave owners who sought to get potential ‚trouble-

making‛ free blacks out of the U.S. Nevertheless, thousands

of blacks went to Liberia in search of a new life, and the col-

ony agreed to take in captives freed from slave ships and

the West Indies, as well. In its formative years, Liberia was governed by white members of the Society, but

in 1842, Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first non-white governor of the colony. In 1847, the colony de-

clared its independence as a new, self-governing nation, and by 1867, some 13,000 had been resettled there

from the U.S. The Grand Lodge of Liberia was founded by Prince Hall Masons that same year.

From the beginning, Liberian society quickly developed into three classes: settlers with European-African

lineage, who came to be known as Americo-Liberians; freed slaves from slave ships and the West Indies;

and indigenous native people from the existing tribes already living in the territory. Liberia was dominated

by a single political party for over 130 years, the True Whig Party, based in large part on the American

Whigs, the precursor to the Republican Party in the years after the American Revolution and before the

Civil War. The Liberian Whigs were almost entirely Americo-Liberians, and top government officials were

uniformly Freemasons. By the 1970s, there were seventeen lodges at work in the country under the auspi-

ces of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the Republic of Liberia, with approximately

1,000 members, and the longstanding sentiment of the tribal population was that decisions about the nation

were all made secretly behind Masonic closed doors.

In 1980, tribal rebels led by Sergeant Samuel Doe from the Liberian Army, staged a coup and took control

of the country, after 70 people were shot by government troops during a riot over rice prices. President Wil-

liam R. Tolbert Jr., who was also Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Liberia, was murdered and disem-

boweled in his bed, and thirteen members of the Cabinet, almost all Freemasons, were executed three days

later. The fraternity was banned by the Doe regime, and it was open season on Freemasons. Many were

executed, and hundreds more were imprisoned or fled the country. The descendants of the free black

settlers from America were seen as a hated, elite minority, and the indigenous majority ruled the country

for the first time in over 130 years.

In 1985, there was talk of restarting Freemasonry in Liberia, and a special Prince Hall meeting was held in

1987 in New Orleans for the purpose of installing a new Grand Master. A Grand Convocation was held the

next year in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, and gradually Freemasonry was re-established. The once ma-

jestic Grand Lodge building (above) had been ravaged by squatters over the years, but there have been

hopeful plans floated occasionally to restore it.

Since then, Liberia has been torn by repeated coups and civil wars, and Freemasonry in the country has

continued to be persecuted. Former President Charles Taylor, one of a series of revolutionaries who held

control of the country until he was ousted in 1990, was tried in 2009 for war crimes. During his trial, he

made light of allowing troops to post human heads and skulls of enemies at checkpoints, saying it was no

worse than the display of skulls in ‚Western fraternal organizations.‛ Civil wars have killed an estimated

250,000 Liberians out of a population of 3 million. So far.

Cross Keys December. 2012

A Unique Occasion?

PGM Ayrshire

The lodge has anew

article on their website

(click on the crest ).

L to R: John Miller PGM RE, Rev Robert Craig RWM, Archie Chalmers PGM Ayrshire

On 31st October, it is possible that a unique event took place in The King’s Park Lodge

No.1386. Bro. the Rev Robert Craig was installed as master of the lodge by installing

master Bro. John Miller PGM RE and his office bearers were installed by Bro. Archie

Chalmers PGM Ayrshire. The ceremony was conducted in a most dignified manner as

expected with both brethren and at the conclusion of the ceremony, Bro. Robert delivered

a paper about the acacia plant. This has been a big couple of months for Robert. He

changed churches and now preaches in Stowe Kirk in Paisley, he is PGL Chaplain and

has just been made Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Despite all this, he

remains a good guy!!!

Future Meetings:

Wednesday 24th April Military Lodges Grant Macleod PG Secretary

Wednesday 29th May 1566 and POWs Iain McPhee SPGM

Wednesday 26th June It’s in the Cards George Paul PG Piper

Wednesday 28th August Bro. Lt Col Paddy Mayne SAS Gordon Fleming RWM 617

Cross Keys December. 2012

Traditional Observance Lodges

While many Masons may have heard about European Concept lodges, which are themselves a

relatively new concept in American Freemasonry, few have heard of the Traditional Observance

lodge. Traditional Observance lodge s are similar to European Concept lodges in that they also

incorporate higher dues, festive boards, a strict dress code and higher standards of ritual, but

differ in that they choose to follow a close observance of the traditional initiatic elements of Conti-

nental European and South American Freemasonry.

This observance is characterized by a solemn approach to holding stated communications and

conferring degrees, the use of the Chamber of Reflection as part of the initiation ceremony, form-

ing the Chain of Union after the meetings, longer time between degrees and the requirement for

candidates to present a paper before the lodge on the lessons of each degree prior to advance-

ment. Traditional Observance lodges are also more likely to use the term Agape rather than Fes-

tive Board to describe the meal which follows the meetings. Agape is the ancient Greek word for

‚love,‛ and in Freemasonry the term signifies a meal eaten in common by a congregation of Ma-

sons in token of Brotherly Love.

A non-profit organization working to promote the study and understanding of traditional Free-

masonry called the Masonic Restoration Foundation (MRF) provides education and support for

Traditional Observance lodges in recognized jurisdictions. The MRF seeks to foster a network of

lodges and individuals of strong spiritual and intellectual character that will help preserve the

initiatic tradition within American Freemasonry for future generations.

Members of Traditional Observance lodges believe very strongly that the foremost purpose of

Freemasonry is to provide an atmosphere where good men can unite together in a common pur-

suit of virtue in service to God. The ‚work‛ of a Traditional Observance lodge is not to review

minutes or bills, or plan social or philanthropic activities, but rather to create an atmosphere

where the members can learn the lessons of Freemasonry and how they can be inculcated into

their daily lives. This is referred to as Masonic Formation, which is the ever continuing process of

spiritual and intellectual formation that all Freemasons must undergo in order to improve them-

selves in Masonry. This term differs from Masonic Education in that it refers to a process of

growth concerned with much more than intellectual faculties. Masonic Formation is the process

of fitting the rough ashlar of the imperfect being into the perfect ashlar fit for the divine temple. It

is a constant transformation through the use of Masonic symbols, rituals, and teachings.

Everything that occurs in a Traditional Observance lodge is undertaken within this context. Suc-

cess is viewed as effective ly imparting the traditional teachings hidden within Masonic symbols

and the spiritual unification of the brethren in such a pursuit. Successful Traditional Observance

lodges, though usually maintaining a small membership of less than 50 brothers, retain and en-

gage their members with meaningful human fellowship, stimulating discourse and enriching pro-

grams.

Cross Keys December. 2012

Traditional Observance lodges endeavour to make Masonic teachings and philosophy accessible

and interesting to the members and do not shy away from dealing with the spiritual issues and

questions that many men begin to find more meaningful as they mature. The Traditional Ob-

servance lodge seeks to create an ambience where true learning can occur by taking the members

inward to the core of their being rather than outward toward the profane elements of life.

A typical meeting of such a lodge may go as follows. The brethren, all properly dressed according

to the dress code (at minimum black suit, white shirt and black tie), will arrive at the lodge hall,

which will be dimly lit by candlelight, with classical music softly playing in the background. If

there is a degree the brethren will maintain complete silence prior to the ceremony. Otherwise

they will converse quietly over some light refreshments before entering the lodge room and being

properly seated. Once the lodge officers have ceremonious ly marched in and the lodge formally

opened, the Master will call for a period of silence, usually lasting several minutes. Following this

the Master will call for the scheduled papers and pieces of music to be presented in an arranged

order. During the meeting there will be no reading of the minutes or any administrative business

of any sort (if allowed in the jurisdiction). The music that is presented is usually of a contempla-

tive nature and is viewed as an important component of every meeting as it contributes to the

overall beauty and solemnity of the atmosphere. The music is also intended to acquaint the breth-

ren with the spectrum of Masonic music composed during the 18th Century and to educate them

on the profound history of the classical musical tradition and its relationship to the Masonic Mys-

teries.

The presentation of papers is viewed as an essential aspect of the life of the lodge and promotes

the continued study of Masonic lessons by the brethren. The topic of the papers must be relevant

to the interests of the lodge and papers of a strictly historical or biographic al nature are rarely

entertained in the lodge room, though they may be presented during the Agape. Topics consid-

ered appropriate for the lodge room are symbolism, initiation, ritual, metaphysics, philosophy

and art. These topics and their relationship to Masonry can be found in the context of the major

world religions, esoteric movements such as Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Rosicru-

cianism, Kabbalah and many other Western and Eastern traditions.

Before closing the lodge the Worshipful Master will call for another period of silence. Once the

lodge has been formally closed the brethren will gather around the altar for a ceremony known as

the Chain of Union, which is meant to symbolize the common commitment to Masonic ideals and

connection with other Masons from all over the world. The brethren will then retire to the Agape,

which is usually a catered meal with formal toasts and where a discussion of the main paper pre-

sented earlier will take place.

In conclusion, Traditional Observance lodges give their members the opportunity to partake in a

ritual and sociability that they cannot find anywhere else. Traditional Masonry allows brothers to

move their minds from the mundane to the mystical, away from life’s petty particulars to atten-

tion on its transcendent meaning. While Traditional Freemasonry may not appeal to everyone, it

is proving to be a success in more and more jurisdictions around the United States.

Traditional Observance Lodges (ctd)

Cross Keys December. 2012

From the Columns

On 9th January, 2012 the Annual Installation of office bearers took place

with Bro. George Barclay being installed as master in a most competent

way by Bro. Stuart McC. Black PM 242 and David M. Grimsley PM 242. See

photo over).

On 22nd November, the new OBs conferred an EAD on Darren Alistair

Coyle, a lewis. This was conducted in a very professional manner without

many first time nerves being shown.

Traditional Observance Lodges (ctd)

There are some similarities with the Scottish Craft (eg, dress), but that does not make a

man a mason. There are plenty of men who could attend a million meetings and yet not

be classed as a Freemason, they are only members.

The focus is also different. All Traditional Observance lodges have a guiding initiatic fo-

cus to all their activities. All efforts are made to create a deep, contemplative atmosphere

in all meetings, employing darkness, candle light, periods of silence and meditation and

strict rules for degree conferral and candidate advancement.

These lodges must be doing something correct with increasing attendances and more

wanting to join. Too often our lodges are a race to get to the bar and often pride them-

selves by having a point in their hands before a certain time. It’s a sad day when the

Craft of Masonry takes a back seat to irrelevant practices.

To find out more, click on the image.

Cross Keys December. 2012

Bro. Grant Macleod delivered a talk about Orders after the Craft at Lodge St. Barchan

No.156 last month which was very well received and loads of brethren showing interest

in what happens after the three degrees. The talk was brought to life through the invalu-

able help from Bro. Sandy Graham PM 156 who brought along a fantastic selection of re-

galia which ranged from Royal Arch orders to Free Gardeners.

Talk at 156

242 Installation

Bros. Stuart McC. Black PM 242, George Barclay RWM, David M. Grimsley PM 242

Cross Keys December. 2012

Uplift of Christmas parcels on Sunday 16th December in Inchinnan at 11am.

Saturday 26th January, 2013—Annual Meeting and Installation of Elected OBs in Lodge

Craigends No.1042 and 2.30pm.

The new PGL website is now active and it is hoped that all brethren will use it

to find out what is happening around the Province and also to advertise their

own meetings. Go to www.pglre.org

PGL News

GL News

An appeal from the GL of Florida—perhaps some lodges could give this a thought when running functions.

SUBJECT: Disaster Relief Appeal for NEW YORK and NEW JERSEY

The entire Atlantic Coast of the United States was buffeted in the last few days of October by the winds

and waves of Hurricane Sandy, described by the news media as a "super storm." After crossing the shoreline in New

Jersey, the storm continued inland. Extensive building and property damage, electrical outages, unhealthy conditions

cause by flooding, and widespread disruption of normal living conditions have occurred in a multi-state region.

In particular, New York City and the coastal areas of New Jersey felt the brunt of Sandy. The Grand

Lodges of New York and New Jersey have requested a Disaster Appeal to assist their Masonic families who have

been injured or who have received extensive damage to their homes.

Please forward any donations you feel appropriate to the Masonic Charities of Florida, Inc.. When

remitting funds, please mark your check that you wish the donation to go to New York or New Jersey. Unmarked

funds will be divided equally between the two Grand Lodges.

Grand Lodge of Florida F&AM

PO Box 1020

Jacksonville, Florida 32201

We will in return forward the funds to the Grand Lodges.

For your information which may be useful at

forthcoming Installations

The Grand Lodge of Scotland has given £6500

to Poppy Scotland.

For the first time the Grand Lodge of Scotland

has participated in the Garden of Remembrance

at Princes Street Edinburgh adjacent to the Scott

Monument.

At section G a cross has been laid for every

Lodge in the Scottish Craft.

Cross Keys December. 2012

Don'ts for Masters

· Don't be a parrot.

· Don't be a part of a man, but a whole one.

· Don't be a fool and get the "big head."

· Don't be slovenly in dress, speech or manners.

· Don't be lazy and always behind time.

· Don't go to sleep if you expect your lodge to be wide awake.

· Don't sacrifice the interest of your lodge to create a boom for yourself.

· Don't let your life give the lie to the principles you are expected to teach.

· Don't permit your subordinate officers to be careless and indifferent.

· Don't do your work in a half-hearted manner, but get its truths into your soul.

· Don't imagine the office to be one of honour only. It is one of trust as well.

· Don't imagine yourself the king bee, when you are the servant.

· Don't forget that the eye of the initiate will make an inventory of you, and judge the

order accordingly.

· Don't forget to consult the dictionary for the pronunciation of words.

· Don't drag in the dispatch of business or work.

· Don't pose as an oracle on Masonic law until you have looked, at least once, into the

Constitutions.

· Don't forget to be courteous, affable and brotherly to visitors and members.

· Don't permit delinquents to remain on the roll, and thus make a showing of a large

membership.

· Don't lose sight of the fact that quality makes a lodge and not quantity.

· Don't try to "show off," dignity and good sense are the graces of a Master.

· Don't belittle or impugn your predecessors in order to make yourself the shining light

in the history of your lodge.

· Don't forget to be always "on guard" for any duty that is to the interest of your lodge.

· Don't forget that the lodge expects once and awhile, a few symptoms that there is some

common sense.

· Don’t forget to visit other lodges to ensure visitors repay with a visit to your own lodge

and strengthen the bond of friendship between all brothers.

Some points from The Canadian Craftsman, March 1891

Cross Keys December. 2012

December Events in 242

Thursday 13th December—EAD by 1167

Thursday 27th December—lecture by Bro. Grant Macleod PM

on Military Lodges

Christmas Dance—Saturday 15th December

(Time of Your Life) tickets £5 from Bro. Alex Stobo PM

Sir William Wallace RAC -

20th December—RA at 7.30pm

Membership in Early 20th Century

The PGM of Midlothian noted that membership of 1797 had increased by 103 on the

previous year, but that initiations were only 5½ times the membership at 327. he

stressed the need to ensure brethren remain in good standing by paying their test fees.

(From GL Proceedings 1913, P.294).

However, by 1919 concerns were more evident about too many as reported by the PGM of

Glasgow who reported that the number of initiations was a ‘phenomenal one’ at 2370

last year while 1919 had 3742. This was a universal ‘problem’ across the country. For

example, Broughty Ferry initiated over 12% of Scottish masons while only having 3% of

the population—typical of many industrial areas.

By 1921, the Grand Master Mason at the Annual Communication stated that the Craft

had increased by 32, 118, slightly down on the previous year due to the new ruling that

only 7 candidate can be initiated in one night.

While we don’t need to ask why at this time the membership increased, it is evident

that it is not just new candidates which are important, but our current members. Every

lodge has enough members in their roll books, but we must retain them to ensure

strong lodges. And that is down to the lodge alone— an interesting syllabus certainly

helps, more contact with new candidates to ensure they stay after their MMD, an active

website for brethren away with the forces or work, social events (office bearers’ night

out, a visit to another lodge’s social club, ladies nights, etc) are just a few ideas.

Cross Keys December. 2012

The Craft in Newspapers

Last month in the (Glasgow) Herald, a small excerpt

was printed taken from its archives in 1911.

Rather strange that such a little reference was made

(other than they needed a space filler), but it makes

mention that our current building was built ob the

same spot and the previous GL building.

Now, who knows where GL Communications were

Cross Keys December. 2012

This can probably be traced back to William Schaw of Scotland, the ‚King’s Master of

Works and Warden-General‛ or also ‚Chief Master of Masons.‛ On December 28, 1598,

Schaw issued rules for governing the craft of freemasonry which are now known as the

‚Schaw Statutes.‛ One of the statutes gives clear rules about keeping records.

Item: That no master shall receive any apprentice without signifying the same to the wardens of

the lodge where he lives, to the end that the said apprentice’s name and the day of his reception

may be orderly entered in the books.

Here is clear evidence that Scottish lodges were instructed in 1598 by the Chief Master of

Masons to enter new members in ‚the books.‛ The earliest extant minutes of any lodge

are those of Aitchison’s Haven Lodge of January 9, 1598, a few months before Schaw

formally issued his rules.

The IX day of Januerie the Zeir of God upon ye quihilk day Robert Widderspone was maid fellow

of Craft … he chois George Aytone Johne Pedded to be his intenders and instructouris and also ye

said Robert hes payit his xx sh. And his gluffis to everie Maister as efferis

From this simple minute of the meeting we can see one custom that has carried forth to

today: newly advanced brothers have intenders and instructors to teach them Masonry.

In 1598 Robert Widderspone chose George Aytone and Johne Pedded rather than have

them assigned by the master as would be done now, but what is important here is that

the newly advanced brother had senior members assigned to help him advance.

Without Schaw’s guidance the lodges may not have kept records (for who really enjoys

hearing and approving minutes), and without the records we wouldn’t be able to trace

back our earliest customs.

The Scottish Rite Journal (ISSN 1076-8572) July-August 2012

It has often been stated that Schaw was the FIRST actual freemason and more can be read

in Prof. David Stevenson’s excellent books The Origins of Freemasonry and The First

Freemasons both available from Grand Lodge website by clicking on the images.

Why are Masons so Concerned about Minutes?

Cross Keys December. 2012

The photo on the right is another example of architecture showing

the working tools of a mason—this time on the Town Hall.

Town Hall, Vienna

The chamber of reflection is nor common in the UK, but in Europe and various other countries this is an

important part of initiation. The following is a personal response by a brother from a Traditional Ob-

servance Lodge in Guthrie, Oklahoma, US:

I believe the chamber of reflection to be an intensely private thing. Before initiation into manhood, it is an

opportunity for a man to reflect on where he is in his life, what he has not taken care of, thought about,

learned, done with his time, etc. It is his quiet time to take stock of himself and what is important to him.

Most Chambers of which I am aware require the postulant to spend no less then 30 minutes up to an hour

in the chamber. Generally, the candidate is taken into the chamber as soon as he and his conductor arrive at

lodge, without contact with any member other than his conductor. As soon as he is prepared, he is left in

the chamber alone.

There is no one question that is used by all; nor is there any adopted standard on what question (or ques-

tions) should be asked. It really does not matter so long as the question requires reflection. The important

thing is that the question should engage the candidate’s mind and heart to think and feel for himself and

pen an extemporaneous response, knowing that the answer he creates will be announced to the entire

lodge before he enters the lodge for the first time. Some lodges will ask two questions rather than one. Each

question asked is presented on an otherwise blank sheet of paper so that the candidate can write at some

length his response. My lodge always provides several extra sheets in case he needs them. Below are ten of

the more common questions I have seen used in chambers of reflection:

What Does Initiation mean to you?

What do you wish to learn before you die?

Why do you seek admission among us?

What does it mean to have free will?

How would you like to be remembered in death?

What do you expect to receive from Freemasonry?

What do you wish to accomplish in life?

What do you bring to our private society of men?

How do you know what is right? What is true?

How do you define morality?

How do you define virtue?

When the candidate has completed his response, he knocks on the door of the chamber, which alerts his

conductor to retrieve the answer and see to it that the WM is given it to read aloud before the lodge before

the candidate is brought into the lodge for his initiation.

The Chamber of Refection

Cross Keys December. 2012

Maryhill Burgh Hall

The unveiling and presentation of the Trades House stained glass window in Maryhill

Burgh hall took place just before the summer. The window can be seen at the top of the

staircase which is just before you reach the counter of the cafe on the ground floor. It

shows the shields of all 14 incorporations attached to the Trades House with the

Incorporation of Masons on the right in a very recognizable format.

Thought of the Month

Freemasonry recognizes in the structure of the World in all that lives in the inner con-

sciousness of man a divine Creator – spirit, full of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, and re-

veres Him as the Great.

Cross Keys December. 2012

From Freemasonry Victoria Issue 130 (Autumn 2012)

Cross Keys December. 2012

In Memoriam

Defend the Craft

The Bruadar pub in the West

End of Glasgow had an inter-

esting sign on the side wall!

This referred to advertising

more real ales.

Does anyone have a Form?!!!

The Worshipful Society of Handymen—

from Hale & Pace:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjMmIfK7R5M

It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the

craft in Renfrewshire in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother:

Tommy Thomson

Bro. Tommy was tragically killed while out jogging in Beith—the thoughts of the brethren of

242 are with his wife and son, Bro. Jack, just recently joined.

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.

Cross Keys December. 2012

The Cross Keys is Edited and Researched by

Brothers - Grant Macleod & Brian Kerr

Lodge Websites www.lodge242.co.uk

www.lodge242.bravehost.com

E-Mail: sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo WSW 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.