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March
2005
Tsunami Appeal. At the Regular Communication of Grand Lodge on 3rd. February the Grand Master announced that the Scottish Lodges had so far donated £100,000 to the Tsunami Disaster Fund. This was indeed a fantastic response and the figure is still growing! Annual
Dinner. Following the tremendous
success of the 2004 Grand Lodge Annual Dinner and Lecture which was held in our Temple, the 2005 Dinner will be held in the Temple of Lodge St.
John`s No. 175, Greenock on Saturday 22nd. October at 6.30pm. Ticket
details will follow soon.
Grand
Charity Ball In
Aid of St. Andrew`s Hospice, Airdrie The event of the year is without doubt, The Grand Charity Ball. The Ball will be held in the Colville Park Country Club, Motherwell on Friday, 30th. October 2005. Tickets, which are limited in number are priced at £25 each. The music for the evening will be provided by The Big Band Sound which everyone enjoyed so much at the last Fundraiser in Hamilton Town Hall. All the proceeds of the Dinner Dance and other donations received throughout 2005 will be presented to The St. Andrew`s Hospice, Airdrie. Annual Divine Service. The P.G.L. Annual
Divine Service will be held in Uddingston
Old Parish Church on Sunday 3rd. April at 6 for 6.30pm. The Service will be
conducted by Bro. Rev. Peter O. Price, Senior Provincial Grand Chaplain and Rev.
Norman McKee minister of the Old Parish. Lodge St. Enoch No. 1288. Our Lodge visited Lodge St.
Enoch on Wednesday 16th. And Bro. Jim Jack, P.M. was invited to
present Bro. David Greenshields, P.M. Secretary with his
Honorary Grand Rank jewel. Bro. Jack said that this was indeed an honour
for Lodge St. Enoch as well as a personal honour for David who had work so hard
for 25 years.
Jan 2005 Our Province received a further boost last month when Bro. George R. Kelly, Immediate Past Provincial Grand Master and Grand Director of Music received a great Honour by being appointed as The Grand Representative of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Delaware near The Grand Lodge of Scotland. Bro. Kelly is the only member of our Province to receive such a high Honour. We in Lodge St. Bryde are delighted that Bro. Kelly has been so Honoured and wish him well on his Appointment.
Information and Communications Committee. Jim Jack attended the December 2004 meeting of Grand Committee and at this meeting it was decided that he be appointed onto the Information and Communications Sub Committee under the Chairmanship of Bro. Walter Sneddon, Substitute Grand Master . The Committee is an amalgam of the old Museums and Library and Education Committees. The Committee has been very forward looking in all aspects of its remit from Grand Committee. Installation and Festival of St. Andrew`s. The Fund Raising events at the Installation were very successful. The Installation collection raised a total of £1,075 and the Raffle at the Festival an incredible £1,420.
Bro. Martin McGibbon, Grand Secretary has intimated his intention to retire in November 2005. A small Committee consisting of The Grand Master, Immediate Past Grand Master and Bro. Sandy Whitehead, Past Depute Grand Master will oversee the position of Grand Secretary and report to Grand Lodge.
New
Grand Lodge Recognised.
Grand Lodge has extended recognition to the newly erected Sovereign Grand Lodge of Malta. The Grand Lodge of Scotland was represented by The Grand Master Mason and Grand Secretary. BBC Religious Affairs programme on Sunday 5th. December included a discussion on Freemasonry and the Church of England. Unfortunately, some of the research undertaken by the BBC was at best inaccurate. For example a comment was made that in Scotland the majority of Presbyterians were against Freemasonry. At the conclusion of the discussion it was decided to hold a listeners poll and listeners could E - mail their vote to the BBC. However, despite E – mailing the BBC for the final result I still have not received a reply. I wonder what the headlines would have been if the votes were reversed? LISTENERS VOTE - FREEMASONRY AND CHRISTIANITY INCOMPATIBLE ! Just in case anyone was wondering, voters were only permitted to have one vote. Multiple votes were inhibited.
Congratulations. Bro. Brian Ratcliffe has been appointed Proxy Master of Lodge Scotia No. 973, Johannesburg, South Africa. Brian has held his Proxy Membership in Grand Lodge for a considerable time and faithfully supports Middle Ward candidates in Grand Committee elections. Look out for his name in the Grand Lodge Year Book.
Dec 2004 It was announced at the October Communication that due to the resignation of Bro. Roy Scott as Junior Grand Warden and the sudden death of Robin Jackson, Senior Grand Warden a further reorganisation of Grand Office Bearers was required. This meant that Bro. Frederick Lowrie was elected as Senior Grand Warden and Archibald McGown as Junior Grand Warden. Further promotion followed for our own Bro. George
Kelly now elected as Grand Director of Music and Kenneth Kennedy as Grand
Marshal. Another change is the fact that
Grand Lodge will have a Depute Grand Master and for the first time two
Substitute Grand Masters.
Installation and Festival of St. Andrew Report. A packed Freemasons Hall on the 25th. November witnessed Bro. Rev. Cannon Joseph Morrow Installed by Bro. Marcus Humphrey as Grand Master Mason. Bro. Morrow commissioned Bro. Robert Best (Past Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow) as Depute Grand Master and Bros. Tom McCall and Walter Sneddon as Substitute Grand Master Masons. Honorary Grand Rank. The Grand Master Mason conferred Hon. Grand Rank on three Brethren David Lindsay, SPGM, David Greenshields PM 1288 and Willie Anderson PM 114 received the Rank of Senior Deacon, Architect, Jeweller respectively. It is believed that this is the first time that our Province has been awarded three Honorary Grand Rank. After the Installation the Brethren retired to an equally packed Sheraton Hotel to celebrate the Festival of St. Andrew. After the superb Dinner the Brethren listened intently as Distinguished speakers proposed various Toasts. Guest speaker was Bro. Eric Waller, Grand Master of Ireland and all the Brethren “warmed” to the proposed toast to The Grand Lodge of Scotland. So much so that the proceedings had to be suspended because of a fire alarm. Our visitors from Virginia were delighted with their first experience of a Grand Lodge Installation and gave us the impression that they would be back with us in the future at Grand Lodge.
Oct 2004 Annual Dinner Report.
Saturday 23rd. October 2004 will be well remem
Bro. Stewart presented a very thought provoking paper on the subject of falling membership and lack of Candidates. He drew comparisons between the situation that prevails in many of our Lodges today and the situation in many early Lodges both North and South of the Border. He presented evidence from his research into ancient Lodge minute books that Candidates in those early days were few and far between, but how did those early speculative Lodges retain and indeed expand their membership? It would seem that those early Brethren were involved
in all sorts of debate and topical discussion, some of which appears to have
been quite diverse. It seems to have held their interest and many new members to
these early Lodges were the intellectuals of their time. Bro. Stewart asked if
this was perhaps something that present day Lodges should consider, rather than
a simple one, two, three system of Degree working. A lively session of questions
and answers followed at which Bro. Stewart gave his views on various subjects. Note.
Bro. Trevor Stewart has agreed to write a paper for a future issue of The
Right Angle, look out for this tremendous boost for our publication from the
Prestonian Lecturer of The United
Grand Lodge of England. 
Grand Steward Bro. James L. Jack, PM. Carried out his duties as Grand Steward for the first time at the Grand Lodge Communication on the 28th. October. (pictured with Bro. Bob Edgar, RWM). The election of Grand Committee also took place at this meeting and we are happy to report that Bro. Jack was elected for three years and Rev. Bro. Peter O. Price, Senior Provincial Grand Chaplain for two years. Festival of St. Andrew Grand Secretary reported that he had received 670 applications for 517 places at the Festival Dinner. Brethren who do not receive a ticket would be given the option of viewing the speeches on large screens in the foyer of the dining room.
Oct 2004 Our
Province received a tremendous boost
by the announcement that Bro. George R. Kelly is to be installed as Assistant
Grand Director of Ceremonies, Kenneth D. Kennedy as Senior
Grand Standard-bearer and James L. Jack as Grand Steward in the Grand Lodge of
Scotland. We wish these Brethren well and look forward to the Installation in
November.
Sept 2004 Annual
Dinner to be held in our Temple. After
the success of last years first ever Grand Lodge Annual Dinner held within Grand
Lodge in Edinburgh, The Grand Lodge Information & Communications Committee
decided to hold the second Dinner in the West of Scotland. It is a great honour
for our Lodge that Grand Lodge have asked for the use of our Temple to host this
event. The guest speaker for the evening is the world renowned masonic
historian, Bro. Tevor A. Stewart. Bro. Stewart is a Past Master of Quatuor
Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London and the current United Grand Lodge of England
Prestonian Lecturer. Grand
Lodge have advised that tickets will be allocated " on a first come first
served" basis. and that the closing date will be 24th. September 2004. Our
Lodge Secretary has an Application Form and it is essential to make an early
return if you want to attend. The tickets are priced at £25 (inclusive of
wines). This will be an historic event in our Lodge history in this Special
80th. Anniversary of our Temple. Grand
Committee. After
the disappointment of not being elected to Grand Committee at the reorganisation
last November, Bro. Jim Jack, P.M. has decided to stand again for a position on
the Committee which he previously served for eight years. The Election will take
place at the next Communication of Grand Lodge which will be held on Thursday
28th. October 2004. Members of Lodge St. Bryde who have a vote in Grand Lodge
mark this date in their diary ! Grand
Lodge Installation. The
Installation of the new Grand Master Mason (likely to be Bro. Rev. Joseph
Morrow) and the Festival of St. Andrew will be held on Thursday 25th. November at 2.30 pm. with the Festival at 5pm. Because of the
interest in the fact that a new G.M. will be Installed, tickets will be very
difficult to obtain. They are priced at £38 each and orders can be placed via
the Lodge Secretary. Once again an early return of applications is recommended.
George
Kelly. The
only Brother from our Province to currently hold Office in Grand Lodge will be
installed as Grand Marshall at the installation. Congratulations to George on
his promotion.
Feb 2004
Honorary Grand Rank Awards. Lodge St. Bryde Members who attended the Grand Lodge Installation on Thursday 27th. November 2003 were delighted that Bro. James L. Jack, P.M. was honoured by The Grand Master Mason by being awarded the rank of Honorary Grand Senior Deacon. Bro. Jack is the sixth Member of 579 to receive Honorary Grand Rank the others being James F. Scott, Joseph Polson, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew McAlpine and William E. Orr.
The photo attached shows Bro. Jim Jack and Bro. John McGhie, P.M. Lodge Clydesdale No. 551 being presented with their Certificates at the Provincial Grand Lodge Annual General Meeting on 9th. January. Bro. John McGhie was awarded the Rank of Honorary Grand Junior Deacon. Both awards are considered a very high honour, in fact Bro. Jack is only the 5th. person to receive the Rank of Hon. Grand Senior Deacon in our Province and Bro. McGhie is only the 6th. to receive Hon. Grand Junior Deacon within our Province.
Presentation. As is the custom in our Lodge, Bro. Robert Edgar, Right Worshipful Master presented Bro. James L. Jack with an Honorary Grand Senior Deacon`s jewel which had been suitably engraved. Bro. Jack addressed the Brethren present by saying that although this award was a great personal achievement it brought further honour to our Lodge in that we were the only Lodge in the Province of Lanarkshire (Middle Ward) with three living holders of Honorary Grand Rank.
Andrew McAlpine, Hon. Grand Assistant Secretary (1993),
William E. Orr, Hon. Grand Junior Deacon (2000) and
James L. Jack, Hon. Grand Senior Deacon (2004).
Board of Grand Stewards. Bro. Kenneth D. Kennedy, Provincial Grand Master has chosen Bro. Robert Mathew, P.M. Lodge Robert King Stewart No. 919 to represent our Province in Grand Lodge. Bro. Robert will replace Bro. Arthur Jamieson who retired last year due to ill health. New Grand Committees. At the December meeting of Grand Committee Bro. George R. Kelly was selected to serve on the new Committee which is an amalgam of the old Education, Museum & Library and Publications Committees. George was at the forefront of thinking in the old Education Committee and is the inspiration behind this years Masonic Seminar which will be held in Uddingston on 28th. February 2004. Bro. Rev. Peter O. Price has been selected to join the Overseas and External Affairs Committee in Grand Lodge and we in Lodge St. Bryde are delighted at this and feel sure that both our Elected Representatives will continue to fly the flag for the Middle Ward in Grand Lodge.
Dec 2003
Grand Committee Elections. The Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 6th. November was a historical occasion in that Members of Grand Lodge were voting for a complete restructure of Grand Committee. There was delight that two of our Members from the Middle Ward, George Kelly and Peter Price were Elected, but disappointment that our own Jim Jack was not. The vote was especially difficult, in that, under the new restructuring 55 candidates stood for 30 places.
"On a personal note, when I was first elected to Grand Committee eight years ago I promised the Members of Lodge St. Bryde that I would do my best to promote the Lodge. I have not missed a Quarterly Communication, Grand Committee or Sub Committee Meeting during that time, I would like to think that in some way I have achieved that aim. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported me over the years and again last month made an effort to attend and support not only me but my two friends George and Peter". James L. Jack, P.M.
New P.G.M`s. Four new Provincial Grand Masters were appointed, Andrew Mitchell (Aberdeen West), David Coghill (Caithness), Robert Watt (Inverness-shire) and William Landsborough (Lanarksdhire Upper Ward).
Test Fees. The minimum Test Fee now payable in all Lodges is £25. Other Fees payable were also increased.
Visitors. The Grand Master Mason welcomed the Grand Master of Portugal and The Depute Grand Master of Spain to the Meeting. Both visitors were invited to address Grand Lodge at the close of the meeting.
Grand Lodge Education Dinner and Lecture. The long awaited Grand Lodge Education Lecture was held in Grand Lodge on 27th. Sept. with Bro. Michael Walker, Grand Secretary of The Grand Lodge of Ireland as the Speaker. The Middle Ward was well represented in the company which totalled around 100. The Speaker gave an interesting and amusing presentation which reflected similar problems in Ireland as our Lodges are experiencing here in Scotland. He also gave an insight into worrying influences of irregular Grand Lodges the re emergence of Freemasonry in former Eastern Block countries. He quoted that in Italy for example, there are over 100 bodies styling themselves Grand Lodges but only 1 Regular Grand Lodge which is recognised by the Grand Lodges of Ireland, Scotland and England.
October 2003 Festival of St. Andrew
2003 The
Grand Lodge of Scotland Installation of Office Bearers and the Festival of St.
Andrew will take place on Thursday 27th. November Tickets for the Festival
Dinner, which will follow the Installation, are priced at £36 each. A limited number are available and details are available from Bro. Andrew McAlpine, P.M., Secretary. TO BOLDLY GO, BUT
WHERE? The Quarterly
Communication of Grand Lodge held on 7th. August 2003 was indeed a historical
occasion. The Report on the Proposal in Respect of the Restructuring of the
Grand Lodge Committee System was approved in a record time! The Report was only
seen for the first time in June at the Grand Committee meeting when after some
serious debate it was approved and proceeded to Grand Lodge Quarterly on 7th.
August. The Grand Master stated
that the main reasons for change had been mainly due to cost savings and that
the streamlining of the Committee system and Quarterly Communications would be
beneficial to Grand Lodge. The report was duly approved and at that point the
normal course of action would be that the Report would form a Notice of Motion
to come before Grand Lodge in due course. However, The Grand Master decided to
use his Discretionary Powers as Grand Master and proposed that he would like to
implement the Report immediately rather than let it take its normal course
through a notice of motion. Historical indeed, 57 days from first seen to
approval ! But what does it all mean? and how does it affect us? Well, firstly
the Committees of Grand Lodge will reduce from 14 to 5, a big reduction. This
will mean in one case 5 present committees being formed into 1. The Quarterly
Communications will be reorganised with the August meeting being dropped. The
Financial year will change from year end 31st. March to 31st. May. But most
importantly in my opinion, the number of Elected Members of Grand Committee will
be reduced. The present total number of Grand Lodge Committee members, including
ex-officio, Provincial Grand Masters and Elected Members will now reduce from
the present 107 to 74. This means that the Elected Members drawn from the floor
of Grand Lodge will reduce from the present 48 to 30. Under the new structure 10
will be Elected each year for a three year term. In recent years Grand
Committee has Elected 16 Committee members from 30 plus applicants. It is not
easy to be Elected to Grand Committee from the floor of Grand Lodge. The new
system means that only 10 will be Elected each year. The danger is that some of
the smaller Provincial Grand Lodges may never Elect a member to Grand Committee
again. With the larger Provinces, Glasgow, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Fife and Kinross
and Lanarkshire Middle Ward appearing
to hold sway with the large votes. However it may even be possible that our
Province may never elect a member. Grand Lodge may become
even more "exclusive" in that Grand Committee may be made up of
members from certain Provinces as it would appear that Grand Lodge Offices are
filled from certain Lodges. These changes come into
effect immediately and the result is that this
year ALL (30) places in Grand Committee will be voted for on 6th. November. The
number of applicants will be in excess of 60. We in the Middle Ward have
been served on Grand Committee by Jim Jack, P.M. 579, George Kelly, P.M. 948,
Rev. Peter Price , P.M. 1779. With the first 10 being elected for 3 years,
second 10 for 2 years, and third 10 for 1 year it will be now extremely
difficult to make the top 30. The 30 Committee Members
will be elected on the 6th. November and the new Committee structure of 5
committees will come into being at the Quarterly Meeting on 11th. December.
The new Quarterly
Communication dates will be implemented in 2004. The vote on the 6th. November
to elect a new Grand Committee will be vital if we in the Middle Ward are to
maintain a representation on Grand Committee. We in Lodge St. Bryde are
fortunate that we have a number of members who are qualified to vote in Grand
Lodge and the present Elected Members from our Province are grateful for their
support in the past. However, this vote will be different from previous votes as
so many candidates will be standing. The present Elected Members will need
around 100 votes to be re-elected so the support of our Province will be needed
if we are to maintain our voice in Grand Committee.
September 2002
Grand
Lodge News. Annual Dues. At
the Quarterly Communication held on 2nd. May the decision was made by Grand
Lodge that of the four options put forward by the Grand Lodge Finance Committee,
option one - ie. continuing with the At
the Quarterly It New
Grand Lodge. The
Grand Lodge of Scotland has recognised The Grand Lodge of Andorra Grand
Lodge approved a Charter being granted to Lodge Mount Faber No. 1825 in
Singapore. Also that Lodge South Western No. 1242 and Lodge Castlemilk, Festival of St. Andrew. This
year the Installation of The Election
of Grand Committee. The
Election will take place at the Quarterly Communication on Thursday
APRIL / MAY 2002
New Grand Masters. Ireland. On 22 Nov. 2001 at Freemasons Hall, Dublin, Bro. Eric N. Waller, former
Provincial Grand Master of Wicklow and Wexford was installed as Ireland`s new
Grand Master. The meeting was so well attended that many had to watch the
proceedings as relayed via a video linkup. Having taken the Chair, the new Grand Master proceeded to installBro.
George Dunlop, The Provincial Grand Master of Londonderry and Donegal as Deputy
Grand Master and Bro. William Mawhinney The Provincial Grand Master of Down as
Assistant Grand Master. In the autumn issue of the Irish masonic magazine, Metro
Mason, Bro. Waller stressed the need for Irish Freemasonry to differentiate
itself "from other organisations on this island and beyond, who share a
similar structure but hold very different beliefs". He holds that masonry
has a positive message to communicate - and fervently believes that "Freemasonry must be a
part of society" or else it will simply fuel "suspicion fed on
ignorance" We can no longer adopt a sort of "wait and see approach in
the hope that things will sort themselves out, he said, rather, "we should
be increasingly proactive and outwardly focused". Israel. On 29th. January 2002 Bro. Chaim Henry Gehl was installed as the new
Grand Master of the State of Israel. The ceremony was conducted in a specially
consecrated hall at the Sharon Hotel in Herzlia ten miles north of Tel Aviv. A
number of masonic dignitaries attended including Grand Masters of the District
of Columbia, USA, Germany, France & Italy. Next year the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel will celebrate its
fiftieth anniversary. It is a country which can boast Lodges working in eight
languages, Hebrew, Arabic, English, Spanish, French, German, Turkish and
Romanian. Membership is drawn from a wide variety of ethnic, religious and
social backgrounds, and in a region otherwise dominated by ancient tensions, it
is encouraging to note that in 1982 the Grand Master of Israel was an Arab
lawyer.
APRIL
Explanation. At the February Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge a decision was
taken postpone that debate on the proposed changes to the Capitation Fee. This
was to allow a fourth option to be put forward by Provincial Grand Masters which
would be benificial to smaller Lodges. The four options which will come before
Grand Lodge in May are, Option 1. A Capitation Fee of £11.40 per Qualified Member. (except
non-attending Life Members) Option 2. A Flat Fee of £480 per Lodge. Option 3. Flat Fee of £250 per Lodge + Capitation Fee of £5.50p.
(except non-attending Life members) Option 4. Banded Fee based on the total number of Qualified Members
(except non attending Life Members) in each Lodge as follows. Lodges with up to 20 Members
£200 Lodges with 21 to 30 Members
£350 Lodges with 31 to 50 Members
£550 Lodges with 51 to 100 Members
£750 Lodges with 101 Members or more
£950. It is important that those Brethren who will be attending Grand Lodgeto
vote are well aware of how this decision on the Capitation Fee changes will
effect our own Lodge and other Lodges throught the Scottish Craft. Annual Grants. The Annual Grants given by Grand Lodge are expected to be more that £130,000
this year. Presently 292 beneficiaries receive an Annual Grant and if this
figure is met the average will be £445. It is important that we keep our giving to Grand Lodge Benevolent Funds
increasing so that the increasing demands on these Funds can be met in full. New Lodge. A proposed new Lodge is to be Chartered in the Rox., Peebles and
Selkirkshire Province. The Haghfoot Lodge No. 1824 will be dedicated to the research of Old Scots Ritual and it
is hoped that a Degree Team (dressed in period costume) will enact degree work
in the style of the original Haughfoot Lodge of the eighteenth century. New P.G.M. Bro. John Herrick presently the Depute P.GM. has been elected to suceed
the late Bro. James Williamsom as P.G.M. of Dunbartonshire.
Bro. Martin McGibbon, Grand Secretary was recently invited to write an
article for The Viewpoint, which is the "in - house" magazine of the
Scottish Parliament. Bro. Martin chose the title for his article
"Freemasonry and Democracy". The article was well received and it is
printed in full, "Whilst Freemasonry as an instutition is, and always has
been, strictly non political and non religious, we always have had amongst our
membership individuals who were active in political life and in the various
religions of the world. I would emphasise that our membership includes individuals from all the
World`s faiths, including Christian of all denominations and we always have had,
over the years, members of the various political parties active at the time. I am delighted when members of our Order, including those in prominent
public positions, such as MSP`s , voluntarily choose to acknowledge their
membership of our Order. Freemasons are encouraged in terms of our own
"Rules and Regulations" to acknowledge their membership on all proper
occasions but I do have difficulty with any form of compulsion being placed upon
individuals to "force" them to register or declare their Masonic
Membership. Democracy and Freemasonry are found together wherever governments believe
in tolerance and the right of citizens to a private life, including freedom of
association. The first President of the United States, George Washington, was a
Freemason. Indeed, it was Freemasons from Edinburgh who built The White House; a
Scotsman, who was Grand Master of the Freemasons of New York, laid the
foundation stone of the Statue of Liberty and many Scottish Freemasons have made
a lasting contribution in other democracies, as they did in Canada, New Zealand
and India. Many famous Scots, were proud to have been Freemasons, for example,
Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Adam Smith and very many more.
However, it should be borne in mind that for every famous individual who
was, or is, a Freemason, or is, a
Freemason there were, and are, many "ordinary" members drawn from all
walks of life. Many old Scottish Lodges, such as George Washington`s, are still
in existence and are cherished by the Freemasons in those countries. Scottish
Lodges exist in countries as diverse as Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia,
Botswana, Jamaica, Chile, and India - to name but a few. Indeed there is not a
single continent where Scottish Freemasonry does not exist. Scottish attitudes
and culture are therefore disseminated across the democratic world and
Freemasons in those countries are proud to be Scottish Freemasons. Freemasons (whether Scottish or otherwise) throughout the world look to
Scotland as being the home of Freemasonry. Each year many thousands visit this
country to attend meetings of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Masonic Lodges
here "at home", making useful contribution to our national tourist
industry. However, in living memory, regimes which have suppressed Freemasonry
have included Hitler`s Germany, Franco`s Spain, Mussolini`s Italy and Stalin`s
Soviet Union. The suppression of Freemasonry in those countries began with a
seemingly innocuous request from the "authorities" for a list of
Freemasons in public service - the police, judicary and the civil service. I
would hope that people can understand why Freemasons are gravely concerned that they may be, in this liberal democracy of ours, compelled to disclose
their membership. The German Gestapo had a special section to "deal" with
Freemasons just as it had sections to "deal" with other groups and
whilst, in comparison to some of those other groups, Freemasonry was numerically
small, very many Freemasons were tortured and executed. Unlike other persecuted
groups, the Freemasons are seldom mentioned. All Freemasons are taught that
their responsibilities to the organisation come a long way behind their duties
to their family, their civic responsibilities, their faith, and their
occupation. Thus a question posed to a judge as to his impartiality because he
is a Freemason is spurious, for it is clear that the duties and responsibilities
of a judge would, at all times, take precedence. The existence of Freemasons is sometimes is sometimes likened to a
"litmus test" of democracy,
a test of "democratic health" if you like, and I am sure that for
Scotland to be placed in a position where it could be compared with ntolerant
regimes, countries that have a poor human rights record and have persecuted or
have suppressed Freemasonry, would be distasteful to the large majority of
Scots. Across the world, Scottish Freemasons would be appalled and people
throughout the world would, in my view, consider Scotland to have failed
abysmally this test of democracy. Freemasonry has been part of Scottish society and culture for well over
400 years. Indeed, the oldest Masonic record in existence is held within our
building here in Edinburgh, and is dated 1598. It is an on-going record, so to
speak, and proves the extence of Freemasonry here, in Scotland, well before that
date. During all this time Freemasons have attended Masonic meetings, raised
money for charity and encouraged one another to be citizens. All this has been
done quietly and without fuss. It is surely ironic that the tradition of quite good works, liberty and
freedom of association so valued by Scottish Freemasons is now being used to
argue for the removal of that freedom by some of those who ultimately are
charged with protecting the rights of all citizens. Voluntary acknowledgement of membership - no problem! Compulsory lists - no thank you! " C. Martin McGibbon, Grand Secretary.
March 2002
The Quarterly Communication on 7th.
February was well attended. The Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Estonia was
present and was invited by The Grand Master to address the assembled Brethren at
the conclusion of the meeting. He told the Brethren that the G.L.
of Estonia had only been in existence for ten years but the first Lodge was
founded in 1771. For many years and during Nazi and Soviet occupations
Freemasonry was prohibited.
Capitation Fee. A proposal by Grand
Lodge to review the Capitation Fee which was referred to the Grand Finance
Committee was on the agenda for discussion at this meeting. But it was felt that
Lodges had not had sufficient time to discuss the proposals made by the
Committee and the Grand Master moved that the item of business be held over to
the next meeting of Grand Lodge on Thursday 2nd. May.
New P.G.M.`s At the meeting the
following new P.G.M.`s were Elected Bro. Henry Petrie, Aberdeen City,
Alexander McLachlan, Edinburgh, David Wishart, Fife & Kinross, James
Smithers, Galloway, George Preston, Linlithgowshire, Alan Robertson, Midlothian,
John Walker, Perthshire East. A busy year of Installations lies ahead for the
Grand Master Mason. Website http://www.grandlodgescotland.com
February 2002 A recent letter sent to Lodge Secretaries has created a fair amount of debate since it was received at the end of January. The letter explains the position regarding prospective Candidates who are not the sons of Master Masons and who are under twenty one years of age. Perhaps a few lines of explanation would help to clear up a few points. Recently, it was suggested that a Notice of Motion be put before Grand Lodge to allow the age of joining to be reduced to eighteen for all candidates and not just those who are sons of Master Masons. This proposal was not put forward because the present Grand Lodge Laws allow for that possibility. Any Brother who wishes to propose a Candidate who is not the son of a Master Mason and who is under the age of twenty one years should seek the necessary dispensation by writing firstly to Provincial Grand Secretary, who will in turn write to Grand Secretary. Quarterly Communication. An important vote will be taken at the Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication on 7th. February and it is important that Members attend. The Grand Lodge Finance Committee is due to report back to Grand Lodge with its proposals for change to the existing Capitation Fee. The Committee will put forward three options and it is hoped that a decision will be made that will be to the benefit of the Daughter Lodges. International Exhibition. Grand Lodge Museum & Library have contributed to the International Masonic Exhibition at Tours, France. The Grand Lodge Committee have donated a collection of Scottish Lodge Aprons and jewels. However the Committee decided not to lend the painting of the Inauguration of Robert Burns into the Lodge of Canongate Kilwinning No. 2. It was felt that although the painting would be expertly packaged and transported it was too valuable to leave Grand Lodge. The International Exhibition website is now open and can be found at, www.initialFM.com Scottish Masonic Homes Sharing the caring. Following on from the success of 2001, The Grand Lodge is again organising a Grand Charity Draw for 2002. Tickets are priced £1. The first prize is £1,000, second prize £500, third prize £250, fourth prize £150 and five prizes of £50. The Draw will take place on Thursday, 2nd. May 2002. All proceeds go to the Scottish Masonic Homes. Tickets are available NOW from the Lodge Secretary. Would you like to help in Sharing the Caring ?
January 2002
Overseas visits. The Grand Master Mason, Bro. Archibald Orr Ewing attended the Installation of The Grand Master Mason of Ireland in Dublin and the Grand Assembly of the National Grand Lodge of France in Paris last month, on both occasions he was accompanied by The Grand Secretary.
Dormant Lodge. Lodge Hogganfield No. 1700 in the Province of Glasgow has been declared Dormant. The Lodge was Chartered in 1975 and has suffered in recent times from falling attendances. Laterly the Lodge met in Riddrie and it is with sadness that it can no longer continue.
New Lodge. A new Lodge has been Chartered in Port Dixon in Malaysia. The Lodge has been given the number 1823.
Name Change. Lodge St. John No. 26, Dunfermline has decided that it should revert to the name on it`s Charter dated 1735. The Lodge which was formed before 1698 has since 1826 been known as Lodge St. John, but no minute records the change in name so the Lodge will now be known by it`s former name of The Lvdge of Dunfermline No. 26. (yes the U in Lvdge is a V).
Joining Age. At a recent Meeting of our Lodge, the Secretary read a letter from Grand Secretary outlining the age at which a prospective Candidate can join our Craft. What brought this up you may ask. Well a discussion had taken place regarding lowering the joining age to eighteen for all Candidates and not just sons of Master Masons. But there already exists a procedure which a Candidate (who is not the son of a M.M.) can join. It requires that the Lodge Secretary writes to Grand Secretary for the Special permission of the Grand Master Mason. As this method exists then it was felt that no change was required, only the need to remind Lodge Secretaries that it exists.
Busy year. 2002 looks like being a busy year for the Grand Master Mason. New Provincial Grand Masters will be Installed in the Provinces of Aberdeen City, Edinburgh, Fife & Kinross, Galloway, Linlithgowshire, Midlothian, Perthshire East as well as four new District Grand Masters.
Nov 2001
Grand Committee. Nominations for Election to Grand Committee have now been received and 25 Candidates are contesting 18 places. From our Province Bro. George R. Kelly, I.P.P.G.M. is standing for election having completed his Commission as Provincial Grand Master.
Festival of St. Andrew. This years Installation of Grand Lodge Office Bearers will be held in Freemasons Hall, Edinburgh on Thursday, 29th. November 2001 at 2.30pm. The Festival of St. Andrew will be held at 5pm in the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Tickets priced £38 can be ordered from the Lodge Secretary. It has been indicated The Marquess of Northampton, Pro Grand Master of The United Grand Lodge of England will be the principal guest at the Installation. The Marquess has recently been appointed Pro Grand Master by H.R.H. The Duke of Kent following the death of Bro. Rt. Hon. Lord Farnham after a long illness.
Report on Disciplinary Procedure. The Revised Second Report of the Sub Committee was approved in principle with its appendices being referred to the Plain Language Commission in order that it might be drafted in a style which may be easier understood. The Report will change completely the present Disciplinary code as it appears in Law 230 and those Brethren who were at the Quarterly Communication in May will agree that this change is long overdue.
Yes, £230,000. That was the fantastic sum that Bro. Archibald Orr Ewing, Grand Master Mason presented to C.H.A.S. (Children`s Hospice Appeal Scotland) at the Festival of St. Andrew on Thursday, 30th. November. At the beginning of the year the Grand Master Mason suggested that a Millennium Appeal be established for a Non Masonic Charity and C.H.A.S. was chosen. At the Festival Dinner the Grand Master spoke of how he had hoped that the sum raised would reach six figures, but the figure of £230,000 exceeded all expectations.
Open Doors Day. The Open Doors Day held at
Freemasons Hall, Edinburgh on Saturday 30th. September was a tremendous success.
Grand Secretary had been expecting a few hundred visitors, but in fact more than
2,500 took the opportunity of a guided tour of Grand Lodge. "We completely
underestimated the demand" said Bob Cooper, Grand Librarian and Curator of
the Museum. " Ad Hoc Report.
It was a long three hour Quarterly Communication on 2nd. November at Grand
Lodge, but the business of the day was fully discussed. The Ad Hoc Report was
agreed, after much debate, broadly along the lines that Grand Committee and
indeed Provincial Grand Lodge decided. There was a great feeling that the Report
should be adopted in such a way that each Lodge could take from it parts that
would benefit them. West Virginia. Also at the meeting was a large Deputation
from Lodges in West Virginia. The Brethren had been touring Scotland and had
demonstrated Degree work in Ayr and Edinburgh. Grand Lodge Installation. A large Deputation of Lodge St.
Bryde Brethren attended the Grand Lodge Installation and Festival of St. Andrew
on Thursday 30th. November (St. Andrew`s Day). It was the first official meeting
attended by our newly Installed R.W.M. Gordon Reidford. At the Festival of St.
Andrew in the Sheraton Grand Hotel the Address to the Haggis was given by Bro.
Bob Smith, Honorary Member of Uddingston Masonic Burns Club. Hon. Grand Rank. The Brethren from the Province were
delighted when Grand Secretary announced that the Grand Master Mason, Bro.
Archie Orr Ewing had granted Honorary Grand Rank to Bros. John Campbell, Lodge
Murdostoun Castle No. 1096 and David Stark, Lodge Major Ness No. 948. Bro. John
has given sterling service to his Lodge, having been Treasurer in Lodge
Murdostoun Castle for twenty five years. David is a well known figure in the
Province and has been Provincial Grand Piper since the Office was created in
1989.
Grand Lodges. The Grand Lodge has extended recognition to the following Grand Lodges, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, the newly formed The National Grand Lodge of Poland,
this ancient Grand Lodge has undergone a revival since the Democratically
elected Government was formed and in Brazil the Grand Lodge of the State of
Lodges Amalgamate. Lodges in South Africa have been going through difficult times recently and as a result some have been taking advantage of the Grand Lodge proposals on Amalgamation. In The Transvaal & Orange Free State, Lodge Athole No. 591 & Lodge Union No. 719 become Lodge Union of Athole No. 591. Lodge Bloemhof No. 1250 & Lodge Fontein No. 1538 become Lodge Bloemhof Fontein No. 1250. Lodge Welcome No. 1286 & Lodge Rendezvous No. 1486 become Lodge Welcome-Rendezvous No.1286. Lodge North Western No. 1596 & Lodge Bedford No. 1639 become Lodge North Western-Bedford No. 1596.
Dormant Lodges. Lodges, Concordia No. 952 (Pretoria), Israel No. 974 (Johannesburg), Allenby Lodge of Israel (Bethlehem, South Africa) St. Columba No. 1294 (Edinburgh), Immigratia No. 1629 (Hendrina, South Africa) have all been declaired dormant since the last Quarterly Communication.
New P.G.M. Bro. Francis George Campbell has been elected P.G.M. of East Lothian and Berwickshire. Children`s Hospice.
Grand Lodge Millennium Project has
donated £60,000 to C.H.A.S. (Childrens Hospice).
Publications. Production of the Booklets
"Masonic Readings A special Grand Lodge diary for the
year 2002 was being produced, it was essential that the information to be
published in the diary was of the highest standard, hence the delay to 2002.
January 2000
December 1999 for information
From previous months . . . . . for information
Proxy Membership of Grand Lodge. Master Masons who are clear in the books can apply to become Proxy Members of Grand Lodge. Membership costs £15 per year (ex VAT). Members will receive copies of all Grand Lodge transactions, a Membership card and will have the right to speak and vote at Grand Lodge Quarterly Communications. If you are interested in becoming a Member then see your Lodge Secretary for an application form. Lodge St. Bryde has 12 Proxy Members !
At the Grand Lodge Installation in November not only was the new Grand Master Mason Installed but a collection was taken in Grand Lodge for the first time. This decision was taken by the Brethren at the previous Quarterly Communication on 25th. November 1999. Many were unsure if this would be successful but the result was excellent - £1174.12p. Combined with the £806.12p from the special draw at the Festival of St. Andrew it was indeed a welcome boost to Benevolent Funds.
Lodge The Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow) No. 1459 has requested that its name be changed to Lodge HLI, The Highland Fusillers, No.1459. This is to bring the Lodge name in line with the recent changes and amalgamations of the various Regiments of the Army.
It was recommended that Grand Lodge extend recognition and exchange representatives with the new Grand Lodge of Estonia and the National Grand Lodge of Mali. This recognition gives further support to Regular Freemasonry in former Eastern European states and West African states which have formed their own Grand Lodges.
Recommendations for the following appointments were as follows, Perthshire West - H.J. Ingram, Roxburgh, Peebles & Selkirk - E.G. Keeper, Stirlingshire - D.D. Laing. Details of their Installations will be published later.
Two important Minute Books from Dormant Lodges have been donated to the Grand Lodge Library by The Douglas Lodge No. 409, Bo`ness. The Charter and Minute Book from Lodge St. Mungo Royal Arch, formally No. 145 and a Minute Book of Lodge Pythagoric, formally No. 90 were presented and were of great interest. Prior to The Douglas Lodge No. 409 being Chartered a request was made to Grand Lodge to Repone the Dormant Lodge Pythagoric No.90 which once met in Bo`ness but no living Members could be found, so the new Lodge No. 409 was Chartered.
Lodge St. Bryde received a tremendous honour at the Grand Lodge Installation held on Thursday, 25th. November 1999. The Grand Master Mason, Lord Burton awarded Bro. William E. Orr, Past Master, the Rank of Honorary Grand Junior Deacon. The ten members of our Lodge who attended the Installation and the Festival of St. Andrew which followed were delighted at one of our Brethren had been so honoured. The Grand Master also awarded Bro. Jim Morton, P.M., Secretary, of Lodge Kirkhill No. 1230 the Rank of Honorary Grand Assistant Secretary. Bros. William & Jim will receive their Certificates from The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. George R. Kelly at the Annual General Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge to be held in our Temple on Friday 14th. January 2000 at 7.30pm. (All members of Lodge St. Bryde are welcome to attend this meeting).
More good news on the Grand Lodge front, at the recent Grand Committee Election, Bro. James Jack, P.M. of Lodge St. Bryde was Elected to Grand Committee for a further three years. Also Elected was Bro. Rev. Peter Price, P.G.L. Senior Chaplain & P.M. of No. 1779. Unfortunately, Bro. Tom Davidson, P.M. No. 7 failed to be elected. Results of the voting are not available at this time but will be published at a later date.
Bro. Archie Orr Ewing was Installed by Lord Burton as the new Grand Master Mason of Scotland on 25th. November. He chose His Grace The Duke of Argyle as his Depute Grand Master and Henry Jeffrey as Substitute Grand Master. There were many visitors from overseas including Deputations from, Nigeria, Ghana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tabago and the Middle East. A large Deputation from the Grand Lodge of Ireland was headed by The Grand Master of Ireland, Bro. Darwin Templeton. Bro. Templeton was the principal speaker at the Festival of St. Andrew which took place in the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Edinburgh, at which 501 Brethren attended.
Nominations for Election as Members of Grand Committee have now closed. There are 24 Nominations for the 16 places on Committee and of the 24 Nominations, 19 are at present Members of Committee. Lanarkshire Middle Ward are well represented with the following Nominations; Thomas Davidson, P.M. No.7 James L. Jack, P.M. No. 579 * Rev. Peter O. Price, P.M. No. 1779* (* presently Members of Grand Committee). The Election will take place at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge to be held on Thursday, 4th. November 1999. Only qualified Members of Grand Lodge are entitled to vote.
The Installation of the new Grand Master Mason, Bro. Archibald Orr Ewing and Office Bearers of Grand Lodge will take place in Freemasons Hall, on Thursday 25th. November 1999 at 2.30pm. The Festival of St. Andrew will follow at 5pm. in the Sheraton Grand Hotel. As tickets for the Festival will be very limited due to the large number of visitors from abroad, application should be made to the Lodge Secretary, Bro. Andrew McAlpine, P.M. as soon as possible.
The recently appointed Proxy Junior Wardens, Bros. Andrew Reidford, S.D. and Pat Clarke, P.M. have been promoted to Proxy Senior Wardens of their respective Proxy Lodges.
The first of the 2000 Club draws took place at the August Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge. The first prize of £500 was won by Tom Davidson of Lodge Hamilton Kilwinning No. 7.
At the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on 6th. May 1999, it was passed that a general Dispensation be granted during the year 2000 in relation to the payment required to be made by a Brother not in good financial standing in his Lodge. The terms of the Dispensation are such that during the year 2000 a Brother not in good standing in his Mother Lodge need only pay the current years Test Fee to restore himself to Qualified Membership. See the Lodge Secretary for further details.
Proxy Appointments Fund Raising Special Dispensation
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Copyright: Lodge St Bryde No 579 Revised: December 07, 2005 .
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in the history of our Lodge. Bro. Archibald Orr Ewing, Grand Master Mason
(pictured on right with the RWM of St Bryde 579, Bro Robert Edgar) and many
prominent Free Masons including, Bro. Rev. Joe Morrow, Depute Grand Master, C.
Martin McGibbon, Grand Secretary and other Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand
