cross keys april 2014

Cross Keys April 2014

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

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light April 2014 Number 175

In this issue:

Brother of my Brother Policy

The Apron that saved the Day

Derelict Lodge

50 Year Celebration

Waterloo—masonic influence?

Strange Memo from UGLE


Brother of my Brother Policy

On 11 May 2013, the Grand Lodge of Turkey decided to allow—subject to the approval of

the Grand Mas-ter—visitation to Freemasons be-longing to non-recognized constitutions,

provided that their grand juris-diction is regular and is recognized by at least one grand

lodge which is recognized by the Grand Lodge of Turkey. With this decision, the Grand

Lodge of Turkey officially accepts that the brother of a brother can be given the right to

visit Turkish lodges—hence is a brother. This acceptance—which I refer to as the ‘brother

of my brother’ policy—breaks the traditional equivalence between right to visit and recog-

nition, by expanding the sphere of brethren who can possibly visit Turkish Lodges from

recognized jurisdictions to regular ones.

At this point, it may be useful to re-call that the regularity of a Grand Lodge is the satis-

faction of a well-defined list of principles aiming to preserve the traditional values of

Freemasonry, hence being an objective concept. On the other hand recognition, a privi-

lege that two grand lodges may or may not grant each other, is subjective. During the last

couple of decades, the world panorama of Freemasonry exhibits an ever growing dispari-

ty between regularity and recognition. While regularity is necessary for recognition, deci-

sions of recognition typi-ally include additional subjective criteria which mostly contain

elements of Masonic or even profane politics. As a result, regular grand lodges who are

not in mutual recognition abound.

The main application of the ‘brother of my brother’ policy can occur when multiple regu-

lar grand lodges who are not in amity exist over the same territory. Italy (with the Grand

Orient of Italy and the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy) is a well known example.

The ‘brother of my brother’ policy can also contribute to the rapprochement of brethren

under two different grand lodges which are not amity due to reasons pertaining to the

relationship between those two jurisdictions. As a case in point, the Grand Lodge of Tur-

key does not recognize the Grand Lodge of Cyprus and has lodges in North Cyprus. The

‘brother of my brother’ policy can support the mobility of brethren in Cyprus which can

have a very positive effect on the relationship between the two grand lodges. The

‘brother of my brother’ policy reflects both a position closer to the values of Masonic

brotherhood and an acceptance of today’s world reality.

The Grand Lodge of Turkey has adopted the ‘brother of my brother’ policy because the

concepts about relations between grand lodges have lost their capability to efficiently

shape today’s world. These concepts need to be revisited, and if necessary revised, to en-

able us—as Freemasons of the world—to approach our desired outcome more efficiently,

which is ultimately the brotherhood of all mankind.

PTO


The qualification ‘almost’ is needed, as Turkish Lodges are open to regular Freema-

sons subject to the fulfilment of certain additional conditions. But the qualification

‘almost’ also seems to be appropriate because these additional conditions are much

weaker than recognition.

Of course, one can question this rule of recognizing in one territory only one of the

multiple regular grand lodges who are not in amity. The discussion of this rule

would be the subject of another article. However, the reader should know that the

decision of the Grand Lodge of Turkey is taken, and this article is written, assuming

the existence of this rule.

‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’. So, accept the rules of the grand lodge which

you are visiting. With a few notable exceptions, most grand lodges approach in-

tervisitation through the ‘when in Rome’ rule.

To prevent such instances occurring would require drastic measures to be taken,

such as not allowing Turkish brethren to visit a recognized jurisdiction when a visi-

tor belonging to a non-recognized jurisdiction is present there, and asking visitors to

Turkish lodges to declare all their Masonic affiliations. Not only do such measures

not make sense but also they cannot be enforced.

John Hamill,

Director of Special Projects

UGLE

There are many valid (or not depending on your view) points to consider and in the cos-

mopolitan world we live in, then perhaps discussion should be made with respect to oth-

er constitutions not recognised by the GLoS, but recognised by other constitutions we do

recognise. A minefield perhaps, but should brethren who practice the same ritual suffer

because of their GL?

I said many years ago (and I still believe it will happen although maybe not in my life-

time) that regular masons (us), female masons and co-masons would get the opportunity

to visit each other. We will always have male lodges, female lodges, but maybe they will

all come together in co-masonic lodges. I think this is the way forward.


The Apron that Saved the Day

In April 1864, as part of the Red River Expedition, several thousand Union soldiers under the

command of Major General Frederick Steele set out from Little Rock, to link up with the other

Union force then heading towards Alexandria and Shreveport, then hopefully into Texas. The

trek into southwestern Arkansas proved tougher than expected, in large part because of the lack

of food for the men and forage for the horses. This problem, and unexpected and heavy resistance

from Confederate forces, particularly outside modern-day Prescott, Arkansas, forced the Union

command to shift to the southeast, to Camden, Arkansas. At the time Camden was an important

town, supposedly holding ample food and supplies. Steele and his men were bitterly disappoint-

ed at not finding enough of what they needed.

Over April 17 and 18, Steele ordered nearly 200 forage and supply wagons to leave Camden,

spread throughout the surrounding areas, then find and take whatever supplies they could

find. As Sherman would even more dramatically supervise later, anything and everything else

was to be destroyed. But word of Steele's actions leaked out almost at once; the news sped up the

activities of Confederate forces in the general area, under the command of General Edmund Kir-

by-Smith. The news also electrified and thoroughly scared the civilian population, certainly

when the intent of Steele's foragers became known.

Some miles west of Camden, near to what would soon become the Battle of Poison Springs, was

the home of my maternal great-great grandfather, William H. Rushing. Though close to 50 years

old, he served with the 15th Arkansas Infantry, until taken prisoner at Fort Donelson in early

1862. He was exchanged due to poor health seven months later, and had been back at home ever

since. But when the enemy forces penetrated into southwest Arkansas two years later, Rushing

offered his services as a scout for the Confederate forces.

Several family members were living at that house at the time, thanks to the war, but his wife,

Catherine Rushing, was in charge while he was away. The only male then at the home was Rush-

ing's then-11-year old son, William Milton Rushing. On April 18, word reached the Rushings the

Union soldiers were heading toward their home, which was on one of the roads leading back to

Camden. At some point before leaving home, Rushing told his family what to do, in case. . .

. Following instructions from my great-great-grandfather, the family buried or hid most of the

food. Young William took several head of cattle into a nearby ravine, tied them to trees, and cov-

ered their heads with blankets, to keep them quiet. He would stay there until the bluecoats left or

he and the cattle were found. As it turned out, they were not discovered.

A contingent of Union soldiers rode up literally to the front doorstep, with one or two already-

loaded-down wagons. The Rushings left a little food in plain sight, and a little more where the

soldiers could easily find the "vittels". This plan worked; the men did not press too hard to find

more food.

Then the Union officer in charge told the family he had orders to burn down their home. Cathe-

rine Rushing and the others begged him to spare the home, which was refused. Likewise were

pleas to let them first take out their personal possessions and the furniture, or at least some of

their possessions.


The officer agreed to let Catherine Rushing save just one item. (One part of family lore has the

saved item being what her husband William told her to save; another version has the selected

item was chosen through pure coincidence.) She stepped back into the house as the soldiers pre-

pared and lit their torches. She came back outside with the chosen possession.

Catherine Rushing brought out something that struck the Union officer as oddly familiar, and he

asked to see it more closely. She unrolled her hus-

band's Masonic apron, made mostly of silk, and sup-

posedly already somewhat old. The Union officer's

eyes widened; the next second his attitude had com-

pletely changed.

In one of the curious coincidences that turn up in histo-

ry, including Civil War History, the officer was a prac-

ticing Freemason, as was great-great-grandfather Wil-

liam Rushing. And, a Mason was--and is--not to know-

ingly do harm to another Freemason. "Men, we're not

burning this house." The soldiers put out their torches

and climbed back onto their horses or into the wag-

ons. The bluecoats left at once, much to the amazement

and relief of the Rushing women. Their home was the

only residence in the area left intact, thanks to the

"intervention" of a Masonic apron.

Less that two miles east down the road, Confederate forces launched a surprise attack against the

by-then-reunited Union forces. The Rushings were close enough to hear the artillery, and some

of the small-arms fire. The Union forces were shattered, then routed. In the course of the action,

Choctaw Indians fighting for the Confederacy nearly wiped out the 1st Kansas (U.S.) Coloured

Infantry. The Confederates also captured the entire wagon train.

The setback at Poison Springs forced Steele and what was left of his forces to retreat back to Little

Rock, with the Confederates in pursuit for much of the way back. William H. Rushing soon re-

turned home; he and his family struggled through the rest of the war and the following years,

recovering to a fair degree of financial and social stability.

The Rushing home stood until the 1960s; the family had left it and had had to sell the land at

least one generation earlier. The landowners at that time, a timber-lumber company, razed the

house. Nothing, not even the Masonic apron, could save the old house from what was euphe-

mistically called "progress", or, perhaps, "good business practices".

The apron remained with the Rushing family until my maternal grandmother, Lillie Rushing,

married my maternal grandfather, Thomas Victor Wallace, who was also a practicing Ma-

son. Their oldest son Billie Tom Wallace inherited the apron; after he died, the one surviving

brother, Victor Wallace, got the apron. He and his daughters ultimately decided to donate the

apron , where it could be restored, properly preserved, and exhibited to the public in the Historic

Arkansas Museum, Little Rock, Arkansas .

The Apron that Saved the Day (ctd)


Masonic Place Names

Flynn Carsen discovers that his fa-

ther was a member of the Order of

the Cryptic Masons being the lineal

descendant of one of twenty-four

masons, hand picked by King Solo-

mon to build an immense temple to

store his wealth. The unusual amu-

let depicting a triangle inside a

square and compasses is shown be-

low and is later used as the key to

unlock the treasure room.

The Librarian 2—Return to King Solomon’s Mines

All over, we see street names after various masonic personalities and Johnstone is no

different, especially with past provosts of the town (22 out of 30 were members of 242).

The most recent addition to Johnstone was Cassidy Drive after Bro. Willie Cassidy for his

football prowess.

However, the US has gone further with actual places:

Anchor, IL, Beehive, MT, Boaz, AL, Charity, MS, Circle, MT, Cowan, TN, Emblem,

WY, Eureka, WV, Faith, SD, False Pass, AK, Fidelity, IL, Five Points, AL, Freeborn,

MN, Grand Pass, MS, Hiram, MA, Hope, AK, Jachin, AL, Justice, IL, Lodge,

SC, Mason, KY, Masonic Home, KY, Masontown, WV, Square, MT, Steward,

IL, Symbol, KY Temperance, MI, Tyler, TX

In addition, out in California, not far from Bodie (old mining towns which no longer ex-

ist) are the town of Masonic which used to mine Masonic Mountain.

Are there others?


Derelict Lodge, NY

The sad pictures show the state of decay in an old German masonic home in Tappan, NY.

It comprised of a chapel, sitting rooms, meeting room, kitchen and three residential floors

for the Masonic Home, where members were able to live free of charge. When you literally

can’t build them like this anymore, it’s sad when you can’t find a purpose for the ones

that remain. The photos show a selection of the building today. For fuller details, click on

the first picture.

The land for the site, 20 acres in all, was purchased by the German Masons in 1872 for $14,500;

construction on the Hall began in 1906 and finished in 1909. From then until 1983, the building

was a residence hall for Masons and their kin in an attempt to ‚shield the individual against the

blasts of an adverse fate,‛ according to a Masonic historian.

In retrospect, the service provided by the German Masonic Hall

seems almost unbelievable in today’s age – a full care retirement

residence for those simply in need. In fact, a final resting place

was also provided for members at the local cemetery.

http://www.scoutingny.com/?p=5199


Do you agree with advertising?

Perhaps not, but some constitutions do, as seen with the Grand Lodge of Queensland in

Australia. Has it helped? It would be interesting to hear of the campaign has been suc-

cessful.


From the Columns

On Monday 3rd March, the lodge conferred the FCD in Lodge Garthland

St. Winnoch No.205 with a deputation of 21. It was great to see extra seats

had to be brought into the lodge.

On Thursday 12th, Robert Michael Fisher was initiated into the lodge by

the OBs and the following meeting we had the Annual Visit of PGLRE.

This was followed by a very interesting talk by Bro. Bob Cooper, the Cura-

tor at the GLoS who spoke about Scottish Freemasons in the US.

1265 raise £6000

Brethren from Lodge Eaglesham No.1265 have raised an amazing total of £6,125 for non-

Masonic charities in the past year.

The largest single donation for £2,826 to the Scottish Network for Arthritis in Children

was handed over recently by IPM Bro. Gordon Hay. The photograph shows him giving

the cheque to Dorothy and Michael Kent of the SNAC charity.

Members of Lodge also raised£1,360 given to swell the total donated to the PGLRE’s

chosen charity last year, the Army Benevolent Fund, and a further £369 was handed over

to the Eaglesham Anchor Boys.


Sunday 20th April, 2014—PGL Divine service in Stowe Brae Kirk, 82 Causeyside Street,

Paisley. PA1 1YP at 3pm. All brethren welcome—regalia to be worn.

Monday 28th April, 2014—Tri-Annual Communication of the PGL in Craigends No.1042,

Linwood

Thursday 1st May, 2014—Rededication Ceremony of War Memorial by PGL followed by

a lecture on Military Lodges at 7.30pm.

Friday 23rd May, 2014—NEW MEMBERS’ SEMINAR in Lodge Union &

CrownNo.307 in Barrhead.

All new(ish) members are encouraged to attend to hear more about the structure of the

Scottish Craft, where daughter lodges fit in, how you can help your lodge etc.

PGL News

A recent donation of £200 worth of gro-

ceries by PGLRE to the Renfrewshire

Foodbank was warmly welcomed by

organisers of the charity.

Some of the groceries were unused

items from the Christmas parcels with

these being augmented by additional

tins and packets purchased specially.

Bro. Willie Fleming SPGM went along

to hand over the donations.

Foodbank Thanks


50 Year Celebration

On Thursday 20th February, Bro. Bob Black celebrated 50 years service to Sir William

Wallace Royal Arch Chapter No.109 in Johnstone. He is also a PP and past Grand Super-

intendent of Renfrewshire (as well as holding the office in the lodge of Piper for well

over 20 years). Bro. Bob was presented with a Quaich and a uniquely decorated cake!

The Grand Principal from Supreme GRAC of Scotland was also in attendance. Bro. Bob

is seen below right with Bro. Ken Blackie PP.


Q & A—the letter C

April Events in 242

Thursday 10th—FC by OBs of St. Barchan No.156

Thursday 24th—MM by 242 OBs

Visits:

Thursday 3rd—Lodge Craigends No.1042 to confer the MMD

Tuesday 15th—Lodge Union & Crown No.307 to confer the

EAD.

CHARGE

Q. What is a Masonic charge?

This is a lecture following each degree in Freemasonry in which the candidate is admon-

ished concerning the principles and practices of the order now binding upon him – an

‚epitome of duty.‛

COFFIN

Q. What is the symbolism of the coffin in the third degree?

It symbolises ‚death to the old life,‛ this death is necessary before one can take part in the

mysteries of Freemasonry and enter upon its duties. The resurrection to a new life is in-

ferred.

COMMUNICATION

Q. Why is the meeting of Grand Lodge called a communication?

The use of this term dates back to the early meaning of the word - the having of things in

common, the fellowship of men engaged in a common purpose, governed by a common

principle, and participation in common interests and activities.


Re-Print of Old Book


Waterloo—Masonic Influence?

A very interesting point was muted 12 years ago in an Irish lodge by Bro. Humph-

rey Thompson of Wicklow. Most brethren will be familiar with the Battle of Water-

loo, some less so that Wellington cam from a great masonic family of the Wellesleys

with two members being Grand aster of Ireland (in 1776 and 1782) and perhaps

fewer that Wellington himself was a member of Lodge 494 (IC). Perhaps even fewer

are aware that his ally, Marshall Blucher from Prussia, was also a freemason.

Early on, Wellington realised that he needed Blucher and his Prussians to strength-

en his army against the French otherwise they would be outmanoeuvred and de-

feated. Therefore, Wellington visited Blucher personally to ask for his assistance.

Both men gave their word—one that he would fight Napoleon at Waterloo, the oth-

er that he would support him. Others in their command feared that one might not

live up to their word and the venture would be disastrous for the other. Both lead-

ers were confident in the other.

On the morning of the battle, Blucher did not arrive, the weather was very heavy

rain, but Wellington held on despite his position was becoming more and more des-

perate. However, in the afternoon, Blucher having been held up with the progress

on the wet ground appeared and Wellington gave his famous order to attack. The

French army fled and the rest is history. Later that evening both men met (see be-

low) and shook hands—did Wellington know that Blucher would arrive without

fail? Did they give each other the grip knowing that their agreement could not be

broken due to their obligations as freemasons? We will never know, but Welling-

ton’s trust in Blucher was well founded.

The meeting of Wellington (1769-1852) and Blucher (1742-1819)

at La Belle Alliance after the Battle of Waterloo


UGLE Memo!

The excerpt below was taken from the minute book of The City of London Lodge No. 901.

The notice from GL would be disturbing had it not been 1914. Even at that, you would

hope that brethren would rise above the politics similar to many that served on opposite

sides during the American Civil War.


Special Event

Who is that?

The well known brother from a local lodge is

clearly competing with Bro. Graham Scott PM

242 for the title of Yorkshire Ripper. Graham

has held this undisputed for many years, but

maybe . . . As if one is not bad enough!

Who is he?


Thought of the Month

“Can Freemasonry survive and prosper in the 21st century? It can and it

will. Freemasonry is as relevant today as it was 250 years ago. But we

need to make Masons, not members.”

242 was 200 years old in 2011 and com-

missioned a stamp sheet from the Royal

Mail (http://www.smilers-info.com/

RBCS-011.htm). These are currently

available from them at £37 OR from the

lodge at £10 (see or email Bro. Grant

Macleod).

The A4 sheet depicts images of the

lodge and is legal tender.

242 ADVERT

http://www.smilers-info.com/RBCS-011.htm

http://www.smilers-info.com/RBCS-011.htm


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 Brothers:

Bro. Bobby Wenn PM 242

Bro. Tommy Shanks PM 426 (Renfrew)

Minecraft

Kids (and adults) love playing Minecraft—I wonder if they have ever built a room like

the one above!!


Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo RWM 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 april 2014

Documents

brother policy

grand lodge of turkey

grand lodge of cyprus

regular grand lodges

regular grand lodge

different grand lodges

grand orient of italy

grand mastervisitation