cross keys october 2015

Cross Keys Oct.. 2015

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

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light October 2015 Number 186

In this issue:

Mediocrity in Masonry

The Essence of Scottish Freemasonry

Personal Viewpoints

The Order of the Silver Trowel

150th Sir William Wallace RAC No.109

Idaho Lodge No.10

Is Freemasonry in Decline?

1904 Constitutions

United We Stand


Mediocrity in Masonry—Shame on US!

One of the questions that occasionally eats at me when I am driving home from a Mason-

ic event, degree, or function that has been woefully mediocre is how our members can sit

through such Masonic happenings month after month and still believe our fraternity is

relevant and meaningful to men’s lives? How honest are we in claiming we make good

men better while persistently repeating practices and behaviours which are so distinctive-

ly average, or worse? Self improvement involves some form of positive change. It re-

quires some level of progress; entails some elevated sense of being. Explain to me how a

lodge facilitates self improvement by offering its members a venue that doesn’t “feel” any

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

Perhaps many of us come into Masonry looking for nothing more than fraternal associa-

tion. But, if that’s the case, it ought to be the best fraternal association we have ever had!

Once we encounter the preparation room, or make our progress through the degrees, it is

hard to dismiss the awareness that we are engaged in something wholly different from

our other community experiences. We quickly learn that Masonry has a higher calling

which requires that we make an ascent into the very centre of our being. An endeavor of

such high importance and due solemnity is not a run of the mill undertaking. It becomes

clear there is nothing mediocre about Masonry. So why do we make it that way?

Here’s the problem. Accepting mediocrity in our lodge practices is the same as living a

mediocre life. By making un-extraordinary acts and behaviours our ordinary practice, we

entrap ourselves from knowing how precious life really is. We don’t use opportunities

that come our way as a means of expressing how special we really are. Instead, we walk

the walk with the rest of the herd and soon find ourselves in such a deep rut of limita-

tions we lose sight of our own value. We become trapped in mediocrity. Regrettably, this

too often seems the condition in which lodges, Scottish Rite Valleys, York Rite Chapters,

Councils and Commanderies find themselves. When nothing extraordinary, educational,

insightful, compelling, intellectual, contemplative, spiritual, or fraternal occurs in our pri-

vate, sacred, fraternal spaces, then we become only another ordinary, average, run of the


The Essence of Scottish Freemasonry

mill, dime-a-dozen organization. It is hard to see how this kind of Masonry takes good

men and makes them better. It is not the kind of Masonry we should want to share with

our friends. I believe that if we truly want to move “from the square to the compasses,”

we have to dare to be different. And we can’t dare to be different by following someone

else’s expectations. When a lodge does the same thing year after year, it is accepting by

default someone else’s expectations. There is nothing creative, inspiring, or different

about parroting ritual, paying bills, and going home. That’s doing only what many others

have done before us.

To distinguish ourselves among men and organizations, we first have to perceive in our

own minds that we have something to do which will ultimately set us above the average.

We start by thinking about the choices before us. Do we choose what is safe rather than

what is right? Do we only do things right, or do we do the right things? Do we set out on

a new path, or take the same old, comfortable way? Do we bring credit to our teachings,

or debit them as ideals of the past? Do we become the examples that young men want to

emulate, or do we seem to them as just another group of ho hum guys? You see, the

choice always controls the chooser. To be exemplary men, or an exemplary organization,

we have to be exceptional in our awareness of who we are, what we are here to be doing,

what we know, and how we practice what we know. We have to have the courage to be

different from the rest of the crowd—nobler in our expectations and more refined in our

state of mind. Because that’s just the way Masonry is.

Written by Bro. ROBERT G. DAVIS, 33


Personal Viewpoints A building block of freemasonry is a highly functioning organizational structure that pro-

vides leadership that works to envision, enable, and engage its members. And it is here

where Freemasonry fails. Our organizational structure has become a dysfunctional

anachronism, and our leadership, tired. Officer lines at some grand lodges are self-

perpetuating, with the membership at large having little real choice in determining who

will govern the grand lodge or how it will be governed. Men in positions of authority in

an environment devoid of transparency and accountability have little motivation to risk

their high status to embrace change.

Such men claim that our membership woes are the result of changing demographics so

that they are not to blame. They point to diminished attendance at traditional churches to

support this weak excuse. If true, then the logical conclusion is that Freemasonry and reli-

gion are no longer relevant to young people today. But should we accept this feeble ex-

cuse at face value? Has religion truly lost its relevance for young people today? A more

accurate observation may be that their parent’s church’s practices have lost their rele-

vance for young people, but the underlying core value and attraction of faith is as strong

now as ever.

Breaking away from traditional mainline groups, many new churches have sprung up in

recent years, some attracting congregations that count their members in the thousands

and their annual budgets in the millions. These new mega-churches are flourishing in a

time when mainstream churches whither on the vine. They are able to raise millions of

dollars in capital campaigns from congregations filled with young people. Why? Because

their members believe in the church and more importantly they have faith in their lead-

ers. They are willing to make a personal sacrifice based on their belief and that faith. The

fact is Generations X and Y are actively seeking new ways to belong, connect, and give

back; Freemasonry simply is not meeting their needs. Just imagine what we could do if

we could fill our lodges with Master Masons who were passionate in their beliefs! Even

in this time of diminishment, Freemasonry has millions of members, millions of dollars in

wealth, real estate, magnificent buildings and worldwide recognition. An aspiring frater-

nity would look with envy at that which Freemasonry presently holds in its grasp. What

we so desperately lack is effective, charismatic, inspirational leadership capable of lever-

aging these extraordinary assets.

Further articles will be included in later editions.

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


The Order of Royal and Select Masters, often known as the Cryptic Degrees, is open to

those who are both Royal Arch and Mark Master Masons and consists of four highly dra-

matic degrees. These outline the initial steps taken during the building of the Temple to

preserve copies of the holy vessels and sacred treasures in a secret vault, the burial of the

Word by the two surviving Grand Masters after Hiram’s death, the completion and dedi-

cation of the Temple and finally the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar and his army. It

can be seen, therefore, that the Cryptic Degrees form a vital and interesting link between

the Craft and Royal Arch, making the connection much more logical and completing the

legend of King Solomon and his Temple. The Four Degrees are as follows:

Select Master: The preparations for the building of the Temple having commenced in

the Mark Degree, the three Grand Masters are anxious that the form of the sacred treas-

ures, including the Ark of the Covenant, could be lost forever in the event of the Temple

being sacked. They therefore arrange for a small number of Select Masons, sworn to se-

crecy, to construct a secret vault beneath the Holy of Holies and deposit replicas therein.

Royal Master: The Temple is nearing its completion and certain Overseers are anxious

to receive the Master Word and be honoured with the rank of Royal Master before their

employment ceases. Shortly before his death Hiram Abif explains to one of these Overse-

ers, Adoniram, that with patience and industry he will, in due time, receive it. This dis-

course is widely regarded as the most beautiful in any Masonic Degree. Most Excellent

Master Hiram Abif has been slain and after a period of mourning, the holy relics are

transferred into the completed temple. King Solomon prepares to dedicate it to the Most

High and, to celebrate this joyous occasion, confers the Degree of Most Excellent Master

on his most trusted and skillful workmen, amongst whom are those who built the secret

vault.

Super Excellent Master: The Temple had stood in all its glory for nearly 400 years but

had then fallen to Nebuchadnezzar and his army. The King and his principal citizens

were taken into captivity in Babylonia. Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar’s puppet King, has

rebelled against him and fled, leaving the remaining citi-

zens to defend the Temple and pledge their devotion to

God.

The Degree of Thrice Illusrious Master: This degree, col-

loquially know as the Order o f the Silver Trowel, has been

performed in America for a number years and was intro-

duced into this country in 2009. A select number of In-

stalled Masters from each District are approved each year

by the Most Illustrious Grand Master to receive it. In the

District of Surrey the degree is performed annually at the

meeting of Weald of Surrey Council No.309. Recipients of

the degree are entitled to have a hallmarked Silver Trowel

attached to the flap of their apron.

The Order of the Silver Trowel


The degree is both extremely interesting and colourful and takes place during the final

days of King David and recounts the abortive attempt of Adonijah, the half-brother of

Solomon, to assume the throne and then the latter’s anointment as King. It concludes

with a remarkable discourse between David and Solomon.

The Grand Lodge of North Carolina and the Supreme Grand RAC of Scotland have made

an historical link which was announced at Cryptic Council No. 1 (England)—more to fol-

low next month.

The Order of the Silver Trowel (ctd)

Sir William Wallace RAC No. 109

On Saturday, 19th September, the chapter celebrated 150 years of Royal Arch masonry in

Johnstone. The majority of founder members in 1865 being members of 242. The photo

blow shows ME 1st P. Comp. Bob Black PZ with ME 1st Grand P. Comp. Ian Fraser and

various members of the chapter and Supreme Grand Chapter.

90 companions signed the book with 75 dining. There was a great

harmony with the cake being cut (opposite).


Idaho Lodge No.10

Taken about 100 years ago, this ‘shack’ reveals a lively and

vibrant lodge and below as it is today.


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

Who Recognises this Chair

Jubilee Presentation

Bro. Alex Wilson received his 50 Year Jubilee Certificate on Thursday 24th September,

2015 from the master Bro. David Black. On receiving his certificate, he addressed open

lodge and made comment about his family connection since the early 1920s. His father,

grandfather and uncle (Bro. David Smith PM) were all actively involved in the lodge—

even today there is still a family connection. Left to right in the photo: Mark Wilson

(nephew), Jim Wilson (brother), Alex, Robert McGill and David Wilson (brother).


No! Emphatically No! Here is why… As long as there are seven true Masons a

Lodge can convene. As long as there is one Lodge in world Freemasonry will exist.

However, we are being obtuse!! We think that the question: 'Is Freemasonry in de-

cline?' actually means: 'Is the number of Freemasons' declining?' The answer is yes,

and no.

Most older Freemasons (in terms of age not experience) can remember a time when

there were a lot more Freemasons, a lot more activity, packed meetings and every-

one, but everyone was a Freemason. There is no doubt that in this scenario the

number of Freemasons is falling and in some parts of the world, falling sharply.

The present day situation compared with those personal experiences of Freemason-

ry engenders a heart-felt belief that things are going into reverse, a decline, a termi-

nal decline. In Scotland we see things rather differently.

There have been two major peaks in the admission of new members - see the graph

associated with this post. It shows that in the years following WWW I and WWW II

there was an almost incredible influx of candidates in the years following both

wars. The reasons why men came to knock on our door in such vast numbers dur-

ing that period are numerous and may become the basis of another thread but need

not detain us in this discussion.

The present focus on the 'decline' of Freemasonry focuses on a comparison with the

intake of the 1950's and 1960's and today. The essential, crucial, thing to keep in

mind is that the huge jump in applications for membership was due to an almost

unimaginable social upheaval - the aftermath of a world war. There is no way to

expect that kind of intake ever again because there is no way (we ardently hope)

that those extreme social conditions will never recur.

The present baseline with which we judge the success, or failure, of Freemasonry is

centred around 1950/60 (or even into the 1980's). A comparison with the intake of

those decades with that today strongly suggests that the numbers joining the Craft

is falling, and falling sharply. Some say the decline is irreversible…

Measured against the intake of the 1950's and 1960's (an even later) today's intake is

most certainly much reduced. That fact has created a great deal of dismay among

Freemasons who hanker after a 'lost golden age', a high point many wish to return

to and numerous strategies, projects and programs have been devised to encourage

more non-Masons to take the first step.

PTO

Is Freemasonry in the Decline?


Is Freemasonry in the Decline? (Ctd)

It is important here to realise

that these various initiatives

are the responsibility of the

various Grand Lodges con-

cerned and this page is not

intended to comment on the

desirability, or otherwise, of

such initiatives. In short, this

page cannot become in-

volved in determining

matters of Grand Lodge poli-

cy. For that reason you will

have noticed that this page

tends to focus more on historical matters and things that are already well established

such as regalia etc. Following that important observation we now return to the subject in

hand.

If the baseline of the 1950's is ignored (the second huge spike both in yesterday's chart

and that of today - shown here) and 1850 is used instead then one can see that today we

are actually getting back to normal!

People always assess the present in terms of their past experience and many of those

who are of a certain age will be able to remember the 'high watermark' of their Masonic

experience of the 1950's, 60's, 70's and even into the 1980's. There is nothing wrong in

that but what is being attempted here is to suggest that sometimes history can be useful

in telling us what happened before, sometimes long before, our own Masonic lives be-

gan.

The question that arises from these intake charts is this: given that the two high points of

Freemasonry in term of membership numbers was a consequence of the social upheavals

of the two world wars how is it possible to replicate those intakes today?

A subsidiary question is: was/is Freemasonry ever intended to be a mass-membership

organisation? If we desire the same intake as the 1950's/1960's etc. the answer would

seem to be yes. If we look to the period before the first world war then the answer would

appear to be no.

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

some of the comments posted by brethren.


United we Stand, Divided we Fall

It seems that since the beginning of our history, mankind has felt the need to live in relationship

with others, to provide security, comfort and mutual support. If I asked you which tribe you be-

long to, you would probably think I was severely mistaken. Unless, of course, you happened to

be from a society that still operates with a tribal structure, such as Native Americans, or some

parts of the Middle East. But, since Michel Maffesoli coined the phrase in 1985, sociologists have

identified many urban tribes. We may think of Western culture as individualistic, but in reality

often we are seeking to fit in to a group of our peers.

A young person who wears exclusively black and highlights their hair blue may seem to be ex-

pressing their own personality, but in reality they are often just conforming to the rules of the

“Goth” group. Supporters of a particular football club, or political party … graduates from a par-

ticular high-school … all of these are obvious examples. Banks and businesses play on our need

to feel part of a distinct, often elite group, in their advertising. Credit cards offer privileges -- if

you have the right card you will gain access to all the right places, or to special treatment there. A

health and fitness club near where I live bills itself as “more than just a sports club.” The clear im-

plication is that if you are a member, you are part of a tribe that has a somewhat superior life-

style. And of course social media with its friend lists, followers and groups meets the same tribal

need.

We also join groups such as Successful Lawyers or Marathon Runners to flatter our own ego, and

to feel we are part of something that other less successful mortals are excluded from. Sadly this

group-forming tendency has caused us over the centuries to fight with those who are from a

different tribe. Just think of the mods and rockers clashing in British seaside resorts in the 1960s.

Or the struggles Turkey witnessed between left-wing and right-wing students on campuses in the

1970s. Or European football hooliganism in the 1980s.

Tribal groupings can lead to huge political fallout. Divisions between Protestants and Catholics in

Northern Ireland led to centuries of conflict. Tensions between Greeks and Turks in Cyprus have

led to an island divided to this day. Sectarian struggles in Syria and Iraq have led to an environ-

ment where the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has made military gains. It does appear

that united we stand, divided we fall. A new study on Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire by

Dorothe Sommer takes an unusual approach to the linkage between Freemasonry and our human

tendency to form tribes. Sommer is a German academic who has studied Freemasonry extensive-

ly and in this new volume, published by IB Tauris, she focuses on the sociological aspects of Free-

masonry in the late 19th century and early 20th century in the Ottoman Empire in general and

Greater Syria (modern Lebanon and Syria) in particular. Now, Freemasonry often has a bad press

anywhere in the world. There is a general suspicion of anything that is secretive. In particular, a

club that is selective about its members and refuses to divulge what goes on behind closed doors

is bound to be suspected by those outside of being up to something shady. Add to that strange

rituals, and Freemasonry is often castigated as a threat to a free and democratic society. But in the

Middle East, where the psyche is suspicious of any attempt by Western powers to influence poli-

tics or economics, Freemasonry is often viewed as an out-and-out evil. With loyalty to grand

lodges in France or the United Kingdom, local lodges have long been viewed as an imperialist

device to control the Middle East. The age Sommer is writing about represents the height of colo-

nial interference in Middle Eastern affairs. Oil had just been found, and was becoming important

due to industrialization and the rise of the motor car. Britain, France and Germany vied with each

other for control of these resources. Russia joined in, too, until revolution and a disastrous loss of

life in World War I took it out of the game for a while. But Dr. Sommer bucks the usual trend. Her


October Events in 242

Thursday 8th—MM by PMs

Thursday 22nd—AGM

INSTALLATION FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER at 7pm.

main analysis concludes that rather than being a tool of European control, Freemasonry provided

an avenue for solidarity among locals, enabling them to unite in the lodge across sectarian and

ethnic divides, and thereby giving them the strength to resist the imperial powers. She paints a

background of strife in Greater Syria -- Bilad al-Sham to the Ottomans -- with Maronites fighting

the Druze and Christians at odds with Muslims. The Syrian population, she says, “needed a sense

of common identity and solidarity.” The Ottoman form of government, she argues, fostered these

sectarian divides as it allowed the different peoples -- or millet -- to form their own social struc-

tures and gave their religious or ethnic leaders some autonomy in rule. However, as the Freema-

son lodges used the motto “unity is strength,” they were able to provide a common framework

for people to find common ground, crossing all divides with their concept of “brotherhood.”

It is an interesting argument, but one that seems to have only limited validity. It is true that Karl

Marx taught that capitalist regimes use issues such as race and religion to “divide and rule” --

driving wedges between workers who otherwise would have everything in common and every

reason to ally and organize to fight for their rights, but instead are perpetually driven apart to the

benefit of the ruling class. Workers, therefore, need a structure to unite to thwart this insidious

tactic. But to suggest that Freemasonry, which opens its doors exclusively to the wealthy and in-

fluential to the exclusion of the working class, was in some way instrumental in bringing the end

to autocratic rule and protecting a nation from international interference does seem a bit of a big

claim. From the viewpoint of the average local, it would appear that Freemasonry offered the al-

ternative of political and economic control by powerful men of your own nation, rather than by

powerful men of a foreign nation. However, if we ignore the clear skew towards a rose-tinted

view of the sociological effects of Freemasonry in the region, the factual part of the book is a fasci-

nating explanation of the history of the lodges and their relations with each other and worldwide

Freemasons.

"Freemasonry in the Ottoman Empire: A History of the Fraternity and Its Influence in Syria and the Le-

vant" by Dorothe Sommer is published by IB Tauris (2015).

United we Stand, Divided we Fall


Minnesota’s New Building Contrary to many closures of lodges across the glob, Minnesota Masonic Charities, one of

the largest grant-making organizations in the North Star State, has announced the start of

construction on a brand-new Masonic Heritage Centre in Bloomington.

According to a news release, the organization has selected Adolfson & Peterson as con-

tractors for the projects, while Trossen Wright Plutowski Architects will handle planning

and design work. Construction is already underway on the 50,000-square-foot facility,

with completion scheduled for June 2016.

The new Masonic Heritage Center will replace two outdated buildings on the Blooming-

ton Masonic campus, and will integrate the concept and significance of Freemasonry in

its design.

“You don’t see this kind of building – which includes a brick façade with concrete-block

backup, tile roofing and high-level finishes – often being constructed anymore,” ex-

plained Mark Adamson, vice president of pre-construction for Adolfson & Peterson. “It

will be a beautiful place to meet, host events and display Masonic artifacts when it’s com-

pleted.”

The design of the new Heritage Center will be in tune with its surroundings, and will in-

clude detailed columns, masonry patterning, and arches and keyways. The facility will

incorporate a 425-seat auditorium, library, conference space, as well as a full catering

kitchen.


Masonic Flight?

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

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


Bro. Ephraim Chambers (1680-1740) was a Scottish publisher

and made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1729. Apprenticed in

1713 becoming an author, publisher, editor, and translator of a

number of books and periodicals or magazines. He was the in-

stigator of the publication of his great Cyclopædia or Universal

Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, first published, 1728 in two volumes

and also Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary is its lineal

descendant. The Old King’s Arms Lodge bought a copy of his

translation of S. Le Clerc’s Treatise o f Architecture , 1723. He was

described as ‘an avowed free thinker, irascible, kind to the poor

and extremely frugal’.

It would appear from records that he was the master in 1730 of Lodge No. 55, at Red Li-

on, Red Lion Street, Richmond, London, when he paid 10s.6d. to the Charity Fund.

Chamber’s Dictionary

Heathrow Lodge No.7999 had a very unique crest.

Looking at the centre of the badge, it looks like part

of Solomon’s Seal (more common in Royal Arch ma-

sonry), but is in actual fact is part of the runway

pattern at London’s Heathrow Airport. The pale

blue background is to represent the association of its

founders with the RAF. Unfortunately, the lodge

was erased in 2006.

Let’s hope conspiracy theorists don’t now think that

the airport is linked to a Zionist plot!!!

Heathrow Lodge


Grumpy PMs?

Surely such a phenomenon does not ex-

ist?!!

The Excellent Master’s Degree

Having attended the 150th Anniversary of the local chapter, I thought I

would write a few lines about my thoughts of one of the nicest degrees in

Freemasonry. Everyone will have one or two, but outside of the conclave

and the 18th, I think the EM (or the Veils’ degree as more commonly

known) is a cracker and it’s got a basis in Scotland. Without going into the

nuts and bolts, I wonder why Royal Arch Masonry in Scotland (or is it

elsewhere too?) is struggling. I spoke to a couple of companions at the

meeting and it was interesting that they thought along the same lines as

myself.

Due to various other commitments, I drifted from the RA a few years ago. One of the

things I didn't understand was why we have to do an affiliation to the Mark Degree even

when the candidate is already a Mark Master. Why is the lodge not opened and closed in

the EM degree? It would save time and avoid a meaningless introduction—I believe it is

related to the GL/SGRAC agreement in the 19th century about sharing the degree. Per-

haps time to re-think its structure.

The other point is the stand to order sign which many older companions struggle to

maintain for the length of time required. Why is this essential? Well, it’s not and could

be relaxed. There are simply too many instances where you have to stand to order, and

often don’t see what’s happening.

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


5 Generations of Masters

Brazilian Lodge

This little lodge is situated only 800m from the mouth of the Amazon River in Santarem,

Brazil. Masonry Universal!!!


In Memoriam

The dead are like the stars by day … withdrawn from mortal eye… yet not extinct that hold their way

In glory through the sky… .Spirits of bondage thus set free… .Vanish amidst immensity… While hu-

man thought… .Like human sight… .Fail to pursue…. Their trackless flight.

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

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

Bro. Ian Caldwell Milne PM


Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo IPM for proof reading.

Don’t forget to support The Ashlar magazine—

Scotland’s only Masonic magazine.

Just click on the magazine to find out more.

To submit an article, contact the Editor: Grant Macleod

E-Mail: [email protected]

Lodge Website www.lodge242.co.uk

http://www.circlepublications.com/

http://issuu.com/home

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.lodge242.co.uk/

cross keys october 2015

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