Cross Keys April 2017

The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone April 2017 Number 200

The Cross Keys

Cross Keys April 2017

On the 200th Edition of the Cross Keys, we

find the lodge 206 years old, in its own prem-

ises and hopefully working towards the fu-

ture in these difficult times in which the Craft

finds itself.

The Cross Keys started in 1994 as a one page

newsletter to inform the brethren about fu-

ture meetings and events. It has grown arms

From the Editor

In this special issue:

3 Masonry in the Philippines

7 Grand Lodge of England Minute Book

8 18th C Freemasonry in England

10 English Freemasonry in Italy

11 Masonic Certificates

12 Early Lodges in Renfrewshire East

13 242 Minute Book

14 Minute Book

15 Johnstone Street Directory

17 The Cross Keys 200th Edition

19 Congratulations

and legs and is now no longer printed but

sent via email, Facebook pages and pub-

lished on Issuu with the last number of im-

pressions being over 64,000 over a few

years. The map below shows some areas in

the northern hemisphere that use it from

Issuu.

April’s Meeting

Thursday 13th FC by OBs

Thursday 27th EAD by

Lodge St. Barchan No.156

7.30pm start

Cross Keys April 2017

The first recorded masonic Lodge in the

Philippines was an Irish Military Lodge at-

tached to the 39th Regiment of Foot

(Dorsetshire) which were in the Philippines

as part of the British occupation from 1762

to 1764. When the British forces left the

Philippines their Lodge left with them.

There were no further reported Lodges in

the Philippines until 1856 when Admiral

Malcampo, one of the officers who had been

sent by the Spanish colonial power to com-

bat an increase in piracy in the Philippine

archipelago, founded La Primera Luz Filipi-

na. Over the next few years a number of

other Lodges were founded with primarily a

Spanish membership although other for-

eigners and Filipinos were admitted. Fol-

lowing an uprising of workers in Cavite in

1872 against the imposition of a new tribute

payable to Spain the Authorities laid the

blame on the Filipino masons and a number

of them were either imprisoned or exiled

and Filipinos were banned from Masonic

activity.

Although Filipinos were banned from join-

ing Lodges in the Philippines there was no

such restriction on them in Spain and a

number of Filipino intellectuals and patriots

who had travelled to Spain to further their

education joined Lodges there. In 1890

Lodge Solidaridad No 53 was founded in

Madrid and became the focal point of these

Filipinos. Among it members were Bro Dr

Jose Rizal, considered the greatest of the Fil-

ipino patriots, Bro Marcelo del Pilar, Bro

Graciano Lopez Jaena, Bro Marianno Ponce

and Bro Antonio Luna all of whom were lat-

er to be involved in the struggle to free the

Philippines from the oppressive Spanish

Masonry in the Philippines

rule.

In the meantime restrictions on Filipinos

joining Lodges in the Philippines had been

relaxed and in January 1891 Nilad Lodge No

144 under the Grande Oriente Espagnol be-

came the first Lodge formed primarily for

Filipinos. More Filipino Lodges were formed

soon after throughout the Archipelago.

From these gatherings of like minded men

grew the resistance movement against Span-

ish rule. Some were doves like Bro Dr Jose

Rizal who favoured a political end to Spanish

rule for which he was initially sent into inter-

nal exile then imprisoned and finally shot in

the back by a firing squad. Others like Bros

Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo were

hawks and the Katipunan (Association in Ta-

galog) which they formed aimed at ending

the abuses of the Spanish Friars, became a

body seeking revolution against Spain. Be-

cause many members of the Katipunan were

masons it was wrongly assumed by the Au-

thorities that it was a Masonic organisation.

After a short period of mainly guerrilla war

General Aguinaldo signed a peace treaty with

Spain and was banished to Hong Kong.

Soon after General Aguinaldo’s exile the

Spanish American war broke out during

which Admiral Dewey led an American fleet

into Manila Bay and defeated the Spanish

fleet. En route to Manila Dewey recruited

from Hong Kong a number of Filipinos to

help guide his fleet including General

Aguinaldo and Bro Francisco Aguado, a ships

pilot who had joined Lodge St John No 618

SC when he was in Hong Kong. Following his

return to Manila General Aguinaldo took the

Cross Keys April 2017

Masonry in the Philippines (Ctd)

opportunity of the confusion caused by the

War and declared the Philippines independ-

ent and himself as President. His Presidency

however was short lived as the Philippines

were ceded to America at the cessation of the

Spanish American War and independence

was not again regained until 1946 under the

Presidency of MW Bro Manuel Quezon.

With American control the Philippines be-

came a free Masonic jurisdiction and the

original Spanish Lodges, some American mil-

itary Lodges and three Lodges under the

Grand Lodge of California were established.

Bro Manuel Camus, a Filipino who had be-

come a Mason in an English Constitution

Lodge in Singapore, was admitted a member

of one of the Californian Lodges, Manila

Lodge, however he became aggrieved over

the actions of his Brother masons who

seemed to reluctant to admit any other Filipi-

nos. As a result, he and Bro Francisco Agua-

do, who has helped guide Admiral Dewy into

Manila Harbour, determined to organise a

new Lodge “that would practice universality

in all its purity” and petitioned the Grand

Lodge of Scotland for a Charter which was

granted on 7 November 1907. The Charter

was sent to Hong Kong and Bros Camus and

Aguado travelled there for the consecration

of the Lodge on 23 April 1908 and held the

first meeting in Manila on 4 May 1908. Alt-

hough the original intention of the founders

was to confine the workings of the Lodge to

Spanish it was realized that English was

quickly supplanting Spanish in the Philip-

pines and the Lodge changed to an English

speaking Lodge and expanded rapidly. By

1916 there were over 200 members of nine-

teen different nationalities. A Scottish Chap-

ter was formed in Manila in 1911 and in

1912 a second Scottish Lodge was char-

tered on the Island of Cebu. The charter-

ing of the Chapter created a problem as,

although the Philippines was considered

open territory for Lodges, the General

Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United

States and its Territories considered that

they had jurisdiction over the Philippines.

This was later to cause trouble.

In 1912 the three Lodges chartered under

the Grand Lodge of California resolved to

form a Grand Lodge which was formed on

19 December of that year. As previously

mentioned the Brethren of these Lodges

were predominantly American, many of

whom were employed by the American

Colonial authority. Progress however was

slow and it was two years before another

daughter Lodge was chartered. In the

meantime the two Scottish Lodges and the

Lodges chartered under the Grand Oriente

in Spain also continued to operate. The

Spanish Constitution Lodges started dis-

cussions towards forming a Grand Oriente

of the Philippines however because of a

long delay in getting a response from

Spain negotiations were commenced with

the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. After

much discussion on the terms of the

“merger” on 14 February 1917 the twenty-

seven “Spanish” Lodges affiliated to the

eleven of the Grand Lodge of the Philip-

pines.

Lodge Cebu No 1106 SC at that time decid-

ed to relinquish its Charter to Scotland and

to join the expanded Grand Lodge of the

Cross Keys April 2017

Masonry in the Philippines (Ctd)

Philippines. Lodge Perla del Oriente No 1034

SC however delayed a decision because of

the ongoing dispute with the General Grand

Royal Arch Chapter of the United States over

Keystone RAC No 354 SC. By the time this

dispute had been resolved by a visit to the US

by the First Grand Principal, MEC The Earl of

Cassilis, Lodge Perla had reached the deci-

sion that they were much happier remaining

a member of the Grand Lodge of Scotland

than joining the Grand Lodge of the Philip-

pines. As part of the agreement with the

General Grand Chapter of the US it was

agreed that Keystone RAC would not attempt

to set up other Chapters nor Councils of Roy-

al & Select Masters in the Philippines. As at

the time Ark Mariners and Red Cross Knights

were not part of the American York Rite sys-

tem, and not covered by the restrictions, a

Scottish Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners and

Council of Red Cross Knights was consecrat-

ed in Manila in 1926.

Lodge Perla del Oriente, Keystone RAC and

Keystone L&C continue to operate until the

present day and, earlier differences having

been resolved, maintain good relations with

both the Grand Lodge of the Philippines and

the York Rite of the Philippines with the

Grand Master and the Grand High Priest fre-

quently guests at our Installations. Although

the Grand Master was unable to attend our

most recent Installation, because of Grand

Lodge commitments, his representative read

a message from him at the Installation Har-

mony which included the following com-

ments:

“The Grand Lodge of the Philippines is

fortunate to share your distinct style of

masonry bereft of any jurisdictional

issues. Many of you are members of

the GLP and vice versa. We have en-

riched each other well. Together, we

prove that Freemasonry is indeed uni-

versal, despite certain differences in

forms and styles.

In my travels to foreign jurisdictions, I

have been asked whether it is possible

Cross Keys April 2017

for their Lodges to enjoy the same stat-

ure of Lodge Perla in the Philippines.

You know the answer well. Our distinct

relationship was forged more than a

century ago. Our historic ties will sup-

port the notion that Lodge Perla is not a

sister to us but more of a great aunt.

Fortunately, you are not a grumpy old

aunt.”

The Grand Lodge of the Philippines has grown

over the years since its birth and now has

nearly 400 Lodges operating throughout the

archipelago. Their Lodges which were conse-

crated in China and Japan have since formed

themselves into daughter Grand Lodges alt-

hough the Grand Lodge of China meets in Tai-

wain as masonry is still prohibited in main-

land China. In addition to Blue Lodges and

York Rite the Scottish Rite and Shrine operate

here. There is also a Provincial Grand Lodge

of the Royal Order of Scotland and four Con-

claves of the Order of the Secret Monitor.

There are also associated youth orders – Rain-

bow for Girls, Job Daughters and DeMolay and

for the Ladies - Eastern Star and the Order of

Amaranth.

Brethren visiting Manila are most welcome to

attend our meetings. Lodge Perla del Oriente

No 1034 meetings on the 3rd Saturday of each

month while Keystone RAC No 354 and Key-

stone Lodge & Council No 354 meet on the 3rd

Thursday in alternating months. The Chapter

meets on the odd numbered months and the

Lodge & Council on the even numbered ones.

Masonry in the Philippines (Ctd)

My sincere thanks to Bro. Cameron Sloan PM for the information.

Cross Keys April 2017

The tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England will take place in June. However, the UGLE was founded in 1813 although the Grand Lodge of England is dated from 1717 (some believe this erroneous and should be 1721). The first Minute Book of that Grand Lodge started in 1723 under the Grand Master Francis, Earl of Dalkeith. The minute book gives a list of lodges and its members starting with The Goose & Grid Iron public house at St. Paul’s and then The Queen’s Head Inn at Knaves Acre.

The excerpt above is a Grand Lodge meeting held in Merchant Taylors’ Hall. Again some interesting characters such as The Duke of Wharton Grand Master, Rev. J. T. Desaguliers LLD FRS Depute Grand Master (and GM in 1719) and Rev. James Anderson as Junior Grand Warden. The latter was the Scotsman from Aberdeen who wrote the books of constitution for the English Grand Lodge for which this meeting would discuss.

Cross Keys April 2017

18th Century Freemasonry in England

English freemasonry is very different from

Scottish. Of course, the ceremonies are simi-

lar, but its origins and development are dif-

ferent and that is one of the strengths of the

Craft across the globe.

While Scotland can boast a continuous link

from out operative lodges and have a direct

line in many cases, English freemasonry is a

‘new’ entity with the formation of the Grand

Lodge of England which eventually became

the UGLE which celebrates 300 years since

1717 when it was formed in London with

four lodges.

But why is it different? The first Grand Mas-

ters were gentlemen: Anthony Sayer, George

Payne, John Deasaguliers and then there was

change! In 1721, it went up market and

John, the 2nd Duke of Montagu, became

Grand Master—the first of dukes, earls,

lords and royalty. Freemasonry suddenly

rose to become not just respectable, but a

society that was ’in’ and anyone who was

anyone had a great desire to join.

So who was the 2nd Duke? He married Lady

Mary Churchill, daughter of John Churchill,

1st Duke of Marlborough and Sarah Jenyns,

on 17 March 1705 and died on 5 July 1749

at age 59. Although they had two sons,

when Montagu suddenly died of a 'violent

fever' he had no surviving male heirs and

the title became extinct. Montagu House, his

London home, became the repository for na-

tional treasures which opened in 1759 as

the British Museum.

The duke held a number of official positions,

officiating as High Constable at the Corona-

tion of George I who appointed him Colonel

of the First Troop of Horse Guards, Gold

Stick and Governor of St Lucia and St Vin-

cent. In 1740 during George II's reign, he

became Master General of the Ordnance for

one year, being reinstated in 1743 and hold-

ing the post until his death.

Montagu also raised a regiment of horse and

a regiment of 'Ordnance Foot' in 1745, both

of which served briefly in the south of Eng-

land. He was Master of the Great Wardrobe,

Colonel of the Queen's Regiment of Horse, a

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians

and a Fellow of the Royal Society. Clearly a

man of considerable talents, he was some-

thing of a practical joker as his mother-in-

law, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough irrita-

bly reported: he delighted 'to get people into

his gardens and wet them with squirts, to

invite people to his country house and put

things in their beds to make them itch!

Desaguliers was pivotal in persuading the

Duke to become the GM whose friend the

Duke of Richmond followed a couple of

years later.

Cross Keys April 2017

18th Century Freemasonry in England (Ctd)

This was an important move as it allowed

the very small Grand Lodge to govern the

increasing number of lodge spreading

across the country and also to change venue

from a public house to the much larger Sta-

tioners’ Hall.

Two years later, the Duke sanctioned the

new Book of Constitutions which also exem-

plified the best examples of society as mem-

bers. Meetings included antiquarian ritual,

dining, toasting, lectures, symbolism and of

course discussion. Still sounds attractive

today! It is therefore not surprising the

Freemasonry developed from two to three

degrees during this phase. The Craft in Eng-

land never really looked back from having

aristocratic men of high social standing as

members and leaders.

Freemasonry has survived and will continue

to flourish, but it might need another trans-

formation in terms of fewer lodges which

are stronger and have more to offer. We

shall see. . . . .

Advertising or Not?

Should we advertise the Craft on a bigger scale? We are taught that candidates should ap-

proach us, but today is that feasible? If you come across a suitable person, is it wrong to talk

to him about the Craft, give him a Grand Lodge Year Book or an Ashlar? We have a great deal

to be prod about as Freemasons so why not tell people and let everyone know who we are

and what we do. The Craft will never harm anyone; on the contrary it improves mankind as a

whole.

Cross Keys April 2017

It did not take long for English Freemason-ry to arrive in Italy. The Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717; evidences show, in 1735, at least two lodges (both with no name and unattached) were work-ing in Italy, Rome and Florence. In those years a number of separate kingdoms were ruling over the peninsula. Principalities, dukedoms, kingdoms, the so called, large ‘kingdom of two Sicilies’ and the territories under papal control, from the Tirrenean sea to the Adriatic with Rome as the reli-gious and political capital. Italy was a country where foreign powers were strug-gling to gain control by using separations and rivalry with the Roman Catholic Church also working to maintain its influ-ence.

The lodge in Rome was run by Stuart sup-porters and the church authorities allowed it to exist hoping that James, who was ex-iled in Rome, might regain control over England. Shortly after, when hope had fad-ed, the lodge vanished. A major Italian Ma-sonic library will soon give details of their ongoing research on this Rome lodge. I thus focus on the so-called ‘Englishmens’ lodge in Florence. Tuscany, ruled as a Grand Duchy under Gian Gastone de’ Medi-ci (heir to the Medici family), shared bor-ders with the Papal territories. Gastone did not like Rome’s influence in internal af-fairs. The previous ruler had given away too much power and privileges to Catholic bodies. Soon Gian Gastone realised his Grand Duchy could achieve a major im-provement in overseas commerce: for this, however, he needed a freehand. Therefore, he blocked the power of Catholic institu-tions in Tuscany. Good relations with Eng-land brought a number of English citizens to Florence, including a representative from HM court, Sir Horace Mann. This group of Englishmen loyal to the then King, started meeting as a lodge in a tav-ern. Charles Sackville, Earl of Middlesex, became the second master and details of

his Masonic activi-ty appeared in Quatuor Coronati Lodge no.2076, in 1911 (Begemann, volume n.12) and in 1945 (Chetwode Crawley, vol.58. A record from 1732, gives details on the initiation of Anto-nio Cocchi, doctor to many English sojourners: he was probably the first Italian to enter Freemasonry. Shortly after, more Italians joined, mostly not fluent in English and show-ing more interest in the British community in Florence than in Freemasonry. The Florence lodge was also a nest for spies, who would get useful information from its Italian members. The lodge existed to 1739, shortly after Gian Gastone died. However, another Italian was to take an important office in Englishmen’s lodge. Tommaso Crudeli became the lodge sec-retary around 1735. Crudeli was a scholar and, by teaching Italian to some British citizens, he became close to Sir Horace Mann and others. Crudeli was an excellent poet and writer. Some of his work set the basis for his struggles with the strong Catholic forces fighting not to lose their influence and bene-fits. When Gastone’s successor, Francesco Stefano Lorena, was appointed a political war broke out against the local Catholic party, and Crudeli became the thin vase in the middle of thick vases clashing. His position was unpro-tected when the lodge closed, following a 1739 recommendation set by Lord Robert Raymond (lodge member elected GM.) right after his de-parture for London. The overall situation after the 1738 ‘In Eminenti Apostolatus Specula’ ex-communication set by Pope Clemente XII was difficult, even if that papal bull was not acknowledged by Tuscan rulers. As British citi-zens were largely beyond the reach of papal

The Dawn of English Freemasonry in Italy

Cross Keys April 2017

courts, they realised that some lodge mem-bers were in danger. Von Stosch, an Austrian noble sus-pected of being a spy, Buondelmonti and Giuseppe Cerretesi, both readily informed of the pending warrants, and Tommaso Crudeli was jailed on 9 May 1739. He spent five months in very poor conditions, including weeks in a horrible cell on heresy charges. No trial was set up; meanwhile his health was worsening. Several months spent in these conditions caused serious concerns about his life. Eventually, following efforts from Tuscan emissaries, Crudeli was released in July 1740, being obliged to never leave his house in Pop-pi. He never underwent trial, nor did he ever confess or betray his brethren. Sadly, his health had already cracked and Crudeli died in 1745. He is considered by many as the first martyr of universal Freemasonry. In my opin-ion, Crudeli aroused hostility among individ-uals with his pen. A poet and not a politician, he did not realise the extent of his lyrics in that dangerous period. It is not just a matter of fighting for freedom of speech. He made serious mistakes and relied too much on someone else’s protection. The treatment he was given by clerics was useful to Tuscan rul-ers in order to cancel the Inquisition in their territories, and to start again collecting fees from the Church, reinforce civil power and foreign respect. Crudeli was the lamb in all

this and the clerical powers acted beyond any civil and moral law, thus originating a fierce fight with a large part of the Italian population, including of course the massoni, the Italian word for Freemasons. It is, also, worth noting of a Grand Lodge of England petition dated 12 December 1739, of one ‘Thomas Crudeli, a prisoner in the Inquisition in Florence on account of Ma-sonry’, which was warmly recommended by Lord Raymond, then Grand Master, and which resulted in a grant of 21 pounds be-ing authorised for the relief of the petitioner (as in The Builder 11 , 5 May 1925 in ‘Masonic Benevolence Between 1717 and 1813’- W.B.M. Bachcroft). Englishmen interests later focused on the Tuscan seaport of Livorno (you may find it on maps under its English name, Leghorn), where four lodges were set between 1763 and 1771, having either Ancient or Moderns patents. Tuscany and Umbria are, to this day, considered the homeland of Freema-sonry in Italy. By Bro. Alessandro Ruzzi (Cross Keys of many years) Also a good friend and brother I met at a lodge in Rome.

The Dawn of English Freemasonry in Italy (ctd)

The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814

On 5th May, Bro. Grant Macleod PM 242 will present a talk on :

Three Lodge before the Grand Lodge of Scotland

looking at three old lodges, two of which still exist today. Meet-ing in the Masonic Hall, West Stewart Street in Greenock. It would be good to have a small deputation to visit 1814.

Cross Keys April 2017

Certificates

A Master Mason certificate is-

sued by Lodge No. 535 in Long

Island of Ancient Masons "held

in the Prince of Wales American

Regiment and on the Register of

Ireland" to Seth Fairchild and

dated August 29, 1783. The

Prince of Wales American Vol-

unteers were a Loyalist regi-

ment who fought during the

Revolutionary War; these vol-

unteers left New York in Sep-

tember of 1783 and set out for

Nova Scotia.

A Master Mason certificate issued by

Monitor Lodge (Waltham, Massachu-

setts) in 1901. It is signed by the mas-

ter at the time.

Prior to Grand Lodges issuing certifi-

cates, it was common practice for lodg-

es to issue their own. 242 has an exam-

ple of one of our certificates on the left

hand wall just after the Master’s Room.

Have a look if you haven’t noticed it.

These were issued by the lodge before

1880.

Cross Keys April 2017

Early Lodges in Renfrewshire East

The above is an excerpt from about 1860 showing the province’s lodges. There are quite a

number of changes from the colours of regalia (might explain why 242 has a very old crim-

son apron with no blue as we do today) to lodges that were declared dormant: Lodges POW,

Renfrew No. 426, Garthland St. Winnoch No.205, Thistle & Crown No. 1167 and Lodge Union

& Crown No.307 (current numbers) were no longer in existence.

However, the latter which had slipped into darkness in the 1830s due to a recession in Bar-

rhead was given special dispensation from Grand Lodge to re-open and work under the orig-

inal charter in 1868 (similar to Lochwinnoch). Unfortunately, Lodge POW which lapsed in

1837 did not get dispensation and was given a new charter in 1863. Due to the re-

numbering by Grand Lodge, the Barrhead lodge received a lower number whereas the Ren-

frew lodge a higher number! The lodge in Neilston was in darkness for over 80 years and

hence could not apply to work under its original charter as it really was a new lodge in 1918

when it was founded.

Cross Keys April 2017

Over the following months, there will be a

series of excerpts of old minutes. It is im-

portant we know from whence we come.

The image of the minute below was writ-

ten for the first installation in 1812 de-

scribes the master Bro. Robert Hodgart

(owner of the Black Bull Inn) as the

Grand Master. This was not uncommon

in these days and the term was used ran-

domly and varied depending on the secre-

tary. The Hodgart and Snodgrass fami-

lies were very active in the town, remem-

bering Johnstone was in its infancy hav-

ing been formed only a few years earlier.

Another name of interest is Bro. William

Losh who was employed with the

Houstoun family at the castle as a factor

dealing with much of the land and proper-

ty. He is the secretary of the lodge and

would become master in 1821-23.

Bro. George Webster was the first treas-

urer and was clerk to George Houstoun

& Co.’s mill at the bottom of Collier

Street—his house was Cartside.

Bro. Robert Montgomery JD lived in

Peockland House—his father owned the

wick and cotton manufacturing works in

Peockland Mills.

There is also Bro. Neil Snodgrass who is

down in the office-bearers list as past

master. It would appear this was an ac-

tual office, possibly similar to substitute

master today where the brother would

deputise for the master if absent. Bro.

Neil Snodgrass had never been a master.

Cross Keys April 2017

The list of Johnstone societies from

its existence. Today, we have only

the lodge left from that era. Most

are self evident, but does any broth-

er know what the Loyal Johnstone

Yeomanry Society could have been?

So officially, the lodge is the oldest

society in the town now (and the

band next) and that is something we

should be proud about and ensure

we continue as such.

Johnstone Street Directory

The Johnstone History Society meets on the second Tuesday of each month from Sep-

tember to May from 7:30pm to 9.30pm in the lodge. The next meeting is: 11th April,

2017 and the speaker is Dr Ralph McLean. Curator of 18th Century Manuscripts, Na-

tional Library of Scotland whose talk is on:

Burns and the Scottish Enlightenment

Johnstone History Society

Cross Keys April 2017

Possible Special Visit

It is hoped that on 12th October, 2017 we will be able to welcome General John Joseph Per-

shing Lodge No. 307 of the Grand East of the Netherlands into 242. What’s the connection?

Bro. Daryl Gordon of 242 is now working in Maastricht as part of his job with the RAF and

NATO. Bro. Daryl is pictured above with the 242 apron.

The exact format of the evening is still in the panning stages, but get this into you diary.

Distinguished Service

Bro. Willie Fleming PM Lodge Craigends No.

1042 was presented with a certificate of Distin-

guished Service to the Craft by Bros. Neil Fraser

PGM and Kevin Pollock PM 1042. It was also

the night in which Lodge 242 conferred the MM

degree in Linwood which made it very special

as Bro. Willie is a good friend to 242.

Congratulations from all at 242!

Cross Keys April 2017

The Cross Keys Magazine

This is the first issue of the Cross Keys

from 1994. The format for many editions

was five questions with answers appear-

ing the following month, famous masons

with a snippet/picture and dates of meet-

ings. It was purely experimental to see if

brethren were interested in having this

newsletter. Within a year, it was printed

on both sides to allow more in death arti-

cles to be written.

The first 36 followed this style until it

was printed in colour (see over the page).

Ink was becoming cheaper and it was

possible to print about 150 using one

cartridge (remember the average attend-

ance during the 1990s was about 100).

Like everything else, this became an ex-

pense when it cost about £26/month to

print and Bro. Ray Drennan helped out

by producing copies for the brethren.

This edition also marked a name change

from 242 Monthly to Cross Keys named

after the Cross Keys Hotel (right) in

Houstoun Square where the lodge met

during the mid 19th Century. Before its

demolition, the lintel stone with the

square and compasses was acquired and

now rests in our display cabinet. This

was the main establishment along with

the Black Bull Inn where the lodge met

prior to this. The upstairs was known as

the Masonic Hall and various other or-

ders met in the hall as well.

The Cross Keys went online with a re-

numbering do the number of editions is

more than 200, but 200 is close enough!

The Cross Keys Hotel, Houstoun Square

The first edition, June 1994

Cross Keys April 2017

The Cross Keys Magazine (ctd)

Unfortunately, it is still difficult to

get brethren to submit any kind of

information for inclusion other than

photos. These are always appreciat-

ed as the newsletter needs other in-

put rather than just myself. Howev-

er, like all good things it may have a

finite life span and another mode of

communication may take over.

The CK is also now part of the su-

perb Zetland Hall’s (Hong Kong)

website by clicking here.

For the mean time, enjoy brethren

and anything you wish to submit

send to me at:

crosskeys242@gmail.com

Congratulations

Congratulations to Bro. Brian (OJ) Kerr PM 242 who has

affiliated to Amelia Lodge No.590 on the Roll of the

Grand Lodge of Ohio. Bro. Brian on the left is welcomed

on the night of affiliation by the master Bro. Chris Hunt.

We wish him very many happy years with the Amelia

brethren—they have gained a real asset.

Perhaps 242 can look to the future and plan a visit to

some Ohio lodges.

Cross Keys April 2017

Further Congratulations

Bro. Robert McGill (left) was presented with his Jubilee Certificate for 50 years by the

master Graham Scott and the new PGM Bro. Neil Fraser (on the left). On the right, is

Bro. Willie Lees who also received his Jubilee Certificate with his son Bro. Fraser (on the

left to avoid confusion!!!!).

Lodges are often trying to find something away from the norm. One common practice in

many constitutions is the outside degree. In Scotland, special dispensation would be re-

quired and might not be granted. However, many brethren have suggested that this

would be a good idea (depending on weather!!) or meeting in historic places relevant to

the lodge. Zedekiah’s Cave in Jerusalem is another common place for masonic meetings.

Degrees with a Difference

Cross Keys April 2017

PGL 2017

The PGL of Renfrewshire East held its last meeting of the old Commission and January and

last month held the installation of the new Commission led by Bro. Neil Fraser. The PGM has

sent the message out that he is looking for feedback for PGL to take forward as part of the

plan for the new Commission so please email the PG Secretary if you would like to see PGL

do something or change something. From all at 242 we wish Bro. Neil the very best.

Cross Keys April 2017

Congratulations to Companion Costa, a brother and good

friend of many brethren in 242, on being installed as First

Principal of East and West Royal Arch Chapter No. 5410,

Southgate, London.

Royal Arch Matters

Congratulations to Comp Gordon

Renfrew on his recent appointment

as Grand Superintendent of Ren-

frewshire.

First Aid Instruction

Need First Aid? Contact Bro. John Ferguson PM

1436. John is a self-employed sub-contractor cur-

rently contracting with various organizations cov-

ering the UK, Middle East, Africa and Eastern Eu-

rope. John speaks fluent German and basic Arabic.

John is currently studying a Degree in Medical Sci-

ences which will see

him obtain a Degree in Medicine. John is a highly accomplished

medical instructor who engages well with all client levels and

prides himself on delivering first class training on all medical/

survival requirements. Being a brother, he is also 100% relia-

ble.

Tel: +44 (0)7581 394412

E-mail: info@medicforce1.com

Cross Keys April 2017

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:

Bro. Jim Williamson

Bro. Donny McPhee

Masonic Art

Cross Keys April 2017

Don’t forget to support The Ashlar magazine—Scotland’s only Masonic magazine. Just click on the magazine to find out more.

Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo PM for proof reading.

To submit an article or want added to the mail list or

Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod:

E-Mail: sec242pm@yahoo.co.uk

Website: http://lodge242.bravesites.com/