cross keys december 2013
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Scottish masonic freemason magazineTRANSCRIPT
Cross Keys Dec 2013
The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone
Walking the Road / Seeking the Light December 2013 Number 171
In this issue:
Views of an older mason
New master in 242
The Battle of Salado Creek in Texas
Annual Trip to Busby
Liberal arts & sciences
Cross Keys Dec 2013
As a PM of nearly 36 years in the East of Scotland, I decided to put pen to paper—
something I have rarely done in the past. The Scottish Craft has changed dramatically
from the 1960s when I joined—the attendances are down, the fees are up, there is less go-
ing on in lodges other than degrees (even without a candidate), lodges find it difficult to
fill all offices, social clubs are struggling for brethren to work and use them, discipline
cases at Grand Lodge have increased, there is more bickering in lodges due to fewer
brethren, the same brethren have to do more (degree work or just maintenance in their
premises), PGLs are not respected, fewer professional people show any interest in joining
and I could go on!
I went to the ICHF this year (great fun), but was taken aback when I spoke to one of the
(non-mason) researchers from a university. It would appear they are very interested in
Scottish masonry, but she did emphasise it was only up to the 19th Century—she felt
Scottish Freemasonry ceased to be of interest and of any historical use after the start of
the 20th Century. I asked why? Her main reason was that Scotland (and England in
some respects) led the way initially while taking their lodges across the empire. Social
history of most countries was tied with the Craft and unless both aspects were reviewed,
a complete story could not be told. Her view was that since WW1, nothing of interest
happened in Scotland which now lags behind—it became a drinking club for the working
class( italics are my view). Social clubs certainly increased the level of drinking (which
was essential revenue at the time), but it also decreased the quality of member and put
many off.
Today, we are still suffering from this—candidates are taught nothing because very few
want to instruct apprentices. Too many are after gongs and sliding up the slippery road
in PGL. Very few are examples to follow. We often hear about starting at grass roots in
football—we need to do this in lodges and forget about promotions if we want the Craft
to become healthy again. Some US Grand Lodges only have 6/7 office bearers—why does
PGL have so many? This usually costs the lodge more money, either from a free meal or
drink. AND that is why so many PGL office bearers attend! As well as getting a wee jew-
el at the end. The standard of their office bearers varies hugely from being very compe-
tent to utter buffoons. How can brethren be expected to respect and support such a body.
Their annual visit to a lodge in most cases is a waste of time often not seeing a degree—
do they need to? I’m sure plenty of brethren would complain to Grand Lodge if they
thought something strange was creeping into degrees. Books need audited—absolutely,
because we have too many willing to take from the Craft. And in more ways than one
without putting anything back into it.
How many of our brethren today are even interested in learning more? What percentage
read the Ashlar? Less than 5% I would guess. The ICHF was in Scotland and we had on-
ly 3 Scottish speakers (I think). Why? How many PGMs attended? How many of their
commissioned office bearers attended? How many Grand Lodge office bearers attended?
Damn few—and I think that is deplorable!! They have a nerve to hold these offices and
Are my Views in the Minority
Cross Keys Dec 2013
preach about masonry, but don’t support a conference like this where we have a chance
to show off Scottish masonry. Or do they not attend because they are not in the lime
light? Too many are not leading by example, but use PGL to boost their egos and their
self-image.
I am too old and so are most brethren in my lodge. We haven’t had a candidate for over
2 years and we rent premises—perhaps we should hand back the charter. If Grand
Lodge allowed us to affiliate to another lodge for free, I would. However, the so called
leaders of our Craft should do something—resign! Being a rugby man, I don’t keep
abreast of football, but Rangers board seems to be in the papers everyday. Perhaps the
average mason should do what their fans are doing and push for a take over to get rid of
an incompetent board? PGL has become a PMs club for brethren wishing to do little.
And now we have PMs with no experience (often as IPM or only a year in) joining PGL.
Why? Good, experienced PMs often don’t want tarred with the PGL brush of mediocri-
ty. Who can blame them?
Scotland is also unique in that we have only ever had one grand lodge. Is it time to
change that? Of course not, but we are going no where at the moment. How long do we
wait until the decline in all out standards has actually changed what we perceive to be
regular freemasonry. Am I being too critical—perhaps, but is my view shared by the
majority—probably.
If Bro. McApathy doesn’t get a hold of brethren, I would be interested if anyone replies
to my letter.
I have asked Bro. Grant to keep me anonymous—why? I know I would get some very
adverse comments thrown at me. Let brotherly love prevail!
*Ed+: I decided to put this in exactly as it came. Often I alter parts or reduce the length,
but I felt this is an excellent article with many points worthy of comment. I am also
interested to see if any brother will reply, but I hae ma doobts . . . What about some
Provincial brethren?
Are my Views in the Minority (ctd)
Cross Keys Dec 2013
New Master in 242
The new master of 242 is Bro.
Allan Stobo Jnr who was in-
stalled in an excellent manner
by his father Bro. Allan Stobo
Snr PM 242 and Bro. David
Grimsley PM 242. The mas-
ter can be seen with his in-
stalling masters (dad on the
right) aka Bros Stadler and
Waldorf although caught off
guard here smiling.
The OBs for 2013 –14 are
shown below.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
The Battle of Salado Creek, Texas
After the defeat of Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, the
Mexicans signed the Treaties of Velasco... but it didn't take long for Santa Anna to re-
group and invade Texas again.
This time he was not going to risk being captured. Instead of leading the army himself, he
sent General Adrian Woll, a Frenchman who had served under Napoleon.
On September 11, 1842, as the thick dawn fog lifted, shocked San Antonio citizens awoke
to see hundreds of Mexican troops standing at parade rest in Alamo Plaza. General Adri-
an Woll gleamed with pride at his success: the most important city in Texas was under
his complete control.
In Gonzales,Texas, Masonic Brother and Colonel
Matthew "Old Paint" Caldwell gathered his men and
started for Seguin. Masonic Brother Alfred Sturgis
Thurmond was town marshal at Victoria, and joined his
friend and Masonic Brother Ewen Cameron's Texas
Ranger company for the trip. They united with Masonic
Brother John "Coffee" Hay's Texas Ranger company and
Masonic Brother. A.C. Horton’s Texas Ranger company
from Matagorda, and others, and headed toward San
Antonio.
When the Texans arrived at San Antonio, they were
over 200 strong, but were outnumbered over 8 to 1 by
Woll's forces. Col. Caldwell (commanding) reasoned
that if Woll could be lured into the open prairie, the out-
numbered Texans could give a good account of themselves
from their fine defensive position in the bed of Salado
Creek. After the long ride, only thirty-eight horses in the
Texan camp were fit for duty, thus only thirty-eight men
could go in as decoys.
Brother Masons and Texas Rangers John ‚Coffee‛ Hays and
Henry McCulloch, taking six men with them, boldly ven-
tured to within half a mile of the Alamo, taunting the Mexi-
can cavalry to come out and fight. Hays had expected to be
pursued by about forty or fifty Mexicans. Instead, as the
Texans rode into the town, they encountered Woll's entire
force of about 500 mounted cavalry, already in the sad-
dle! The Mexicans gave immediately chase.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
The Battle of Salado Creek, Texas (ctd)
As Hays, McCulloch, and their half dozen companions rode out of town, with over 500
Mexicans in chase, and approached the rest of the group
of about 30 Rangers who were hiding in ambush, Hays
yelled orders to them to mount and fall back. (Editor’s
note: I suspect he did not have to say it twice!) The
rangers fell back across the mesquite-covered prairie to-
ward Caldwell's position.
For the first four miles of the chase, the Texans had the
advantage of a lead of about half a mile. Too soon, how-
ever, the fresh horses ridden by Woll's men began to
gain on the somewhat jaded mounts of the rangers. As
the Mexicans gained ground, the Texans threw off blan-
kets, hats, and raincoats in an attempt to lighten their
horses' loads. "The race," wrote Masonic Brother and
Reverend Z. N. Morrell, "was an earnest one."
The Mexicans made a desperate effort to cut off Hays by
passing his right flank. McCulloch and his men kept be-
tween Hays and the Mexicans, sending couriers every half mile or so to cause Hays’ men
to peel off and head for the timber. Finally, when the timberline was reached, Brother
McCulloch had only one man left with him, Masonic Brother and Texas Ranger Creed
Taylor. These two had been targets of the entire Mexican force for the last half mile, at a
range of 150 to 200 yards, and it was estimated that the Mexicans fired over 200 rounds at
them. Neither man, however, was hit by a single musket ball.
By the time the battle lines were drawn between the Texans in the Salado Creek bed and
the Mexican troops, over 1,100 Mexicans troops would be involved in the fight against
just a few more than 200 Texans.
Masonic Brother Rufus Burleson, one of the combatants, wrote: ‚Their grand old leader,
Col. Caldwell, in a few words of burning eloquence, said, "Boys we can never surrender;
we must all die fighting; and although they outnumber us eight to one we can whip them
as we did at San Jacinto." He called on Elder Z. N. Morrell, who was equally gallant in the
use of the musket as in wielding the sword of the spirit, to encourage the boys. The old
hero cried aloud, "Boys, we are going into battle against fearful odds, eight to one, but
their cannon can't hurt us entrenched as we are. Keep cool. Don't fire till you see the
whites of their eyes. Shoot every man who wears an officer's cap or sword, and before
God we can whip them." Just at that moment the cannon roared and the shot rattled
among the tops of the trees and cut down the limbs.‛
Mexican cannon fire, though well directed, shot harmlessly over the creek and the Tex-
ans, while the devastating return fire of the Texan sharpshooters withered the resolve of
the experienced but outwitted Mexicans.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
The Battle of Salado Creek, Texas (ctd)
Only one Texan died along the Salado in the nearly five hours of the battle. On the Mexi-
can side, the toll was difficult to confirm. Eyewitnesses at the scene claimed over 60 had
died and at least 200 wounded. By 6.00 p.m., Gen. Woll realized that his situation along
the Salado was untenable, and that other Texan reinforcements would turn the tide of
battle against him. Cutting his losses, Woll ordered the playing of victory call by the bu-
glers, and gathering up some of the bodies of his fallen soldiers, marched "with great
fanfare and celebration" back into San Antonio. By Monday evening, Woll was marching
southwest out of the city, with Texans giving chase. Harassed by snipers, the Mexicans
nevertheless reached the Rio Grande and crossed into Mexico.
The Texans would hold up at the Rio Grande, awaiting orders from Bro. Sam Houston
to cross. This was the prelude to the Mier Expedition.
Dawson Massacre
Another company of Texans at the Battle of Salado Creek were not as successful. A sep-
arate company of 54 Texans, mostly from Fayette County, under the command of Nicho-
las Mosby Dawson, arrived at the battlefield and began advancing on the rear of the
Mexican Army. The Mexican commander Woll, afraid of being surrounded, sent be-
tween 400 and 500 of his soldiers and one or two cannon to attack the group. The Texans
were able to hold their own against the Mexican rifles, but once the cannon got range the
Texan fatalities mounted quickly.
Dawson realized the situation was hopeless and raised a
white flag of surrender. Both sides continued to fire,
however, and Dawson was killed. Within an hour, thirty-
six Texans were killed, fifteen were captured and three
escaped.
Bro. Dick Brown PM
Chairman of History Committee
Grand Lodge of Texas
Cross Keys Dec 2013
From The Masonic News in June 1872. This was an old Glasgow (Masonic) newspaper
from 1872—74, but contains many fascinating topics which will appear over the next few
editions.
Annual Trip to Busby No.458
Ctd over
Lodge Thorntree
Glasgow Star
Lodge
A very public
event!
No. 103
Toasts in open
lodge
Enjoyment in
toasts?!!!!
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Annual Trip to Busby No.458 (ctd)
Master’s Diary
Our master is hoping to make the following visits to sister lodges in December. If any
brother would like to attend with Bro. Allan, please contact him or just meet him at the
lodge. They are:
St. Barchan No.156 on Tuesday 3rd
Craigends No.1042 or RCK No.370 Installation on Thursday 5th
Garthland St. Winnoch No.205 on Saturday 7th
POW No.426 Installation or Glennifer No. 1219 on Tuesday 10th
St. Barchan No.156 Installation on Saturday 14th
Thistle & Crown No.1167 on Thursday 19th
Craigielea No.1218 on Monday 23rd
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Liberal Arts & Sciences
To understand why the seven liberal arts and sciences are relevant today, imagine a geo-
metric compass. The first leg, the point that anchors it, represents an approach to learn-
ing. The second leg, the drawing tool, represents the lessons themselves. The circle that it
draws represents a way of life.
In the second degree of Masonry, the candidate begins to work on the ‚approach to learn-
ing‛ leg of the compass. He is asked to reflect on the structure of learning, why learning
is important, and how he will continue to learn as life goes on. Enter the seven liberal arts
and sciences.
Like any muscle, the brain must be conditioned. The seven liberal arts and sciences are
like a comprehensive cross-training routine. Most of us probably feel a tractor-beam pull
toward some of the liberal arts over others. The left-brain thinkers are tempted to gravi-
tate to logic, the intuitive types to rhetoric, the tone-deaf give music wide berth. But just
like weight training can improve a distance runner’s speed, we improve our overall intel-
lect by studying all seven.
We also improve our ability to learn, and our inclination to ask ‚Why?‛ in the first place.
Whether we are trying to understand the importance of a word in a piece of Masonic ritu-
al or studying the interplay between dissonance and harmony in a piece of music, we are
working at problems that require concentration. Like early man puzzling over the heav-
ens, we have to struggle a bit. Just when we’ve arrived at one answer -- say, we grasp the
importance of a keystone in an arch -- we are confronted with a series of entirely new
questions: Who first invented the keystone, and when, and why? What is its symbolic
meaning?
That’s the challenge, and ultimately the benefit, of the seven liberal arts and sciences. The
more we study them, the more subtle their lessons become. They require a real digging; a
commitment to noodle around with a tricky concept and hold it in our mind until, sud-
denly, like Newton and the apple, we break through to a deeper level of understanding.
This is the kind of thinking that’s supposed to happen inside Masonic lodges.
‚The liberal arts and sciences go to the core of the power of our symbolism in Freemason-
ry,‛ says R. Stephen Doan, a past grand master in California and vice chair of the Insti-
tute for Masonic Studies. ‚You join a group that is asking you to think about things in a
manner totally foreign from the way in which you’ve thought about them before. You’re
trying to look at more things symbolically. Once you understand that the tools of archi-
tecture have symbolism, you begin to realize that other processes have symbolism, too.
You are forced to look at different things and ask, ‘Why is that happening?’‛
Scottish masons would do well to think more about the Craft than we currently do.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Sunday 15th December, 2013—pick up Christmas parcels from Lodge Inchinnan between
11 and 12. Don’t forget extra parcels now £8 each.
Monday 13th January, 2014—PGC in Lodge 307, Barrhead at 7pm.
Saturday 25th January, 2014—Tri-Annual Communication and Annual Meeting of the
PGL in Barrhead: seated by 2.15pm
PGL News
GL News
The Broken Column
Once again the Grand Lodge of Scotland is delighted to host the Phoenix Choir for a
Christmas Concert on Sunday, 8 December 2013.
Doors open at 2.00 pm and the concert will commence at 2.30 pm. A complimentary
refreshment will be available. The concert is sponsored by W. T. Dunbar Funeral
Undertakers and the proceeds will go to the charities: The Princess Royal Trust and
Prostrate Scotland.
Tickets for the concert are available from Freemasons' Hall by telephone (call 0131
225 5577) or by calling in person. Credit and debit cards can be used for payment.
Tickets are priced at £10.00 each.
Q. Why the ‚broken column‛ in Freemasonry?
Answer: Among the ancients, columns or pillars were used to signify princes or nobles,
as if they were pillars of state. A broken column would signify a ‚fallen Prince,‛ the
weakening of the state. Thus we have the broken column as a symbol of the fall of one of
the chief supporters of the Craft. This is more common in American masonry rather than
Scottish.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Continuing the series, this article entitled The Importance of Sideliners:
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Fire at Masonic temple, Massachusetts
December Events in 242
Thursday 12th December—FC by OBs
Thursday 26th—cancelled
Sir William Wallace RAC -
19th December—EM at 7.30pm
The photos at the lodge building in Quincy,
Massachusetts show the damage to this old
building. Unfortunately, many artefacts
and history have been lodge. Although in-
sured, many of these irreplaceable items are
lost. All the more reason to think about dig-
itising minute books.
From the Columns
The first meeting after the installation was witnessed by 75 brethren. The
EAD was conferred by the OBs on Candidate was a Lewis, Alistair Norman
steel Morrison, 18 years old and son of Bro. Kenny Morrison. Bro. David
Grimsley PM, as installing master, completed his duties by installing the oth-
er Installing Master, Bro. Allan Stobo PM as Chaplain.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Bro. Archie’s 60th
Bro. Archie McGown PM 1361, Past Sub PGM of Renfrewshire East and Past Depute
Grand Master celebrated 50 years as a past master and 60 years as a member of the Craft.
There was a superb turnout from his family, brethren across the province, Glasgow, Ed-
inburgh, Fife and no doubt many other places. Bro. Archie is seen above with the Grand
Master Mason, Bro. Will McArthur master of Lodge Burnside No.1361 and Bro. John Mil-
ler PGM. Below he is with his two brothers—all smiling! It was a great evening with a
fantastic atmosphere. Congratulations once again Bro. Archie.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Red Apron Lodges in England
The Grand Stewards' Lodge, uniquely in the English Constitution, has no number and no real
equivalent in Scotland. It has been in this position since 18th April 1792 when it was 'placed at
the Head of the List by order of the Grand Lodge' and given the name it now holds. Since 1731
they have been entitled to wear an apron trimmed with crimson and a collar of the same colour
during their year of office.
The predecessor of this Lodge was not noted in the earliest engraved lists of 1723-24 and 1725
but the 1729 list notes a Stewards' Lodge, No. 117, meeting at Shakespeare's Head Tavern, Cov-
ent Garden. It was this Stewards' Lodge, allocated No. 47 in 1781 and meeting in the Freemasons'
Tavern, Great Queen Street, which eleven years later became the Grand Stewards' Lodge.
From the earliest days Freemasons appear to have held an annual feast. After the formation of
Grand Lodge this tradition continued and Stewards assisted the Grand Wardens in the organisa-
tion of these festivals. In 1724 Grand Lodge attempted to form a regular Board of twelve Stew-
ards but such regularity was not achieved until 1728 when these twelve led the masonic proces-
sion into the hall for the festivities. Each of these Stewards was granted the power to choose his
successor to assist at the next Grand Feast.
Shortly after the consecration of the new Metropolitan Grand Lodge in October 2003 the first
twenty recently appointed Metropolitan Grand Stewards got together with the idea of forming
their own lodge. After much work and support, permission was granted, and with the twenty
stewards appointed in February 2005 the lodge was founded.
Lodge membership is open to Brethren appointed to the office of Metropolitan Grand Steward
which means that the lodge should grow at the rate of twenty new members each year. The
Lodge's objectives, as set out in its By-Laws, are to assist and support the work of the Metropoli-
tan Grand Master and the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London, and to increase the Masonic
education and broaden the Masonic experience of its members and of the Craft in general.
One of the friends of many
brethren from 242 (and also a
recipient of the CK) can be seen
in the back row, second from
the left. The photo shows 17 of
the 20 Metropolitan Grand
Stewards who assisted (from
8am to 5pm) with escorting
brethren for honorary London
(provincial) ranks.
The Grand Charity donated
£500,000 to the Scout Associa-
tion. A well earned pint after
that!
Cross Keys Dec 2013
New Royal Arch Publication
Yasha Beresiner '200 Years of Royal Arch Freemasonry
in England 1813–2013' Lewis Masonic, Surrey, 2013.
Hardback 192 pages, 16 colour plate illustrations.
£19.99 from the publishers or from InterCol, 43 Tem-
plars Crescent, London N3 3QR UK. E-mail:
[email protected] (copies signed by the author
available on request).
The year 2013 has seen the publication of a number of
new books both about the 1813 union of the two Eng-
lish grand lodges then in existence as well as a similar
anniversary of the last two hundred years of the Su-
preme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.
Yasha Beresiner’s book is a little different from the
purely historical or ritual-based examination of this
Masonic order. On the one hand it draws in a critical
way on primary sources, including some newly re-
covered documents. This is as it should be, coming from the research of a Past Master of
Quatuor Coronati Lodge. On the other hand, it incorporates a more populist section, in
devoting the central twenty-two pages of the book to a ‘novella’, which, although based
on primary sources, has naturally resulted to a large extent from its author’s imagination.
Bro. Beresiner has successfully combined historical research with historical fiction within
a single volume. One appealing aspect of the third section of the book, which looks at the
history of the Royal Arch chronologically almost in diary form, is the incorporation of an
introductory sentence or two to each year from 1814–2013 summarizing the main social,
political and economic events of that year, thus setting the Masonic history within its
proper general historical context.
Yasha Beresiner has produced a very readable book which should appeal to a wide range
of both Masonic and non-Masonic scholars.
PLEASE NOTE: To order this book contact:
Mr Martin Faulks
Lewis Masonic & Ian Allan Publishing
Riverdene Business Park
Molesey Road
Hersham
Surrey
KT12 4RG
E-mail: [email protected].
Tel: 01986 895433
Review by Bro. John Wade, Past Master Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, Prestonian Lecturer, 2009
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Lodge Captain Spiers Installation
The new master of Lodge Captain Spiers No. 791 is Bro. Graham Tibbs. This was a special
occasion as the lodge has just moved premises and now meets in Lodge St. Barchan
No.156 in Kilbarchan. Bro. Graham is pictured here with his installing masters Bros Dun-
can McDonald PM 791 and Barry Smart PM 791.
We wish him and his brethren every success and look forward to seeing him around the
province.
Walk for Charity
Bro. Tony Pearson PM of Seldson Park Lodge No.5005 (EC)
walked 18 miles round Croydon in order to raise money for SADS
UK (Sudden Adult Death). So far Bro. Tony has raised over £300.
His site remains active for further donations:
www.virignmoneygiving.com/tonypearsonwalkfordean
Cross Keys Dec 2013
Thought of the Month
"You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came
from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an
even break."
Harry S. Truman, US President, Past Grand Master
1873 Advert
No advertising in public places? We perhaps the Masonic News was deemed an
exception as seen with the advert for a tailor.
Bro. Geoffrey Robert Seymour PM 5005 (EC)
Bro. Geoff was born 11 September 1944 and died 6th November
2013. He joined Selsdon Park Lodge No. 5005 on the 24th January
2004 rising to the chair of the lodge in 2007. In addition to being
the master in two lodges, he was also Almoner for both Lodges,
Treasurers for both Lodges as well as Treasurer for his Royal Arch
Chapter having rising through the three chairs of Chapter to 'Z'.
His contribution to Freemasonry was huge, as it was to the lives of
others in general, and such a large turnout for his funeral (140
plus) is testament to the number of people that held him in high
esteem. Bro. Geoff was the perfect gentleman and will be sadly missed throughout the
Craft.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
In Memoriam
It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the
Lodge in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother:
Bro. Geoff Seymour PM Seldon Park Lodge No.5005 (EC)
11/11/11
Last months, wreaths were laid by lodges across the coun-
try. Top right is the wreath from 242 at the Johnstone
Memorial in Houstoun Square, top left the brethren from
Lodge St. Barchan No.156 and Lodge Captain Spiers No.791
parade after the church service to the memorial in the centre
of the village. Great turn out from all the organisations.
Bro. Stuart can be seen (just) behind the banner!
Below are the wreaths in the Grand Lodge in
London and an example of one of the crosses laid
for each lodge in Scotland.
Cross Keys Dec 2013
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