Lodge
Southern Cross #44 AF & AM
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon
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44 YEARS HISTORY OF by R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller
Part 1 - 1906-1915
JUNE 15, 1906 The Lodge was instituted June 15th, 1906, by R.W.Bro. Frank Bowser, the Senior Grand Warden, the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. T. J. Armstrong being unable to be present. There was a large attendance from the other Lodges, all intensely interested in the starting of this new Lodge. There were 28 Past masters, their names have in many instances become prominent in the Masonic life of the Jurisdiction. The list is worth recording: *W.Bro. James Stark, W.M. of Mt. Hermon Lodge 7 * deceased The Great Reaper has not been idle during the past forty-four years. Time has worked its ravages as indicated in the foregoing list of those present on the occasion.
THE FIRST OFFICERS The Officers invested and entrusted with the charge of the new Lodge were as follows:
The new Lodge was welcomed by the Grand Lodge Officers and the three sitting Masters of the other three Lodges, who tendered their help and took a great interest in the advent of another Lodge. And so Lodge Southern Cross under Dispensation was successfully launched. The Fee for Degrees was fixed at $60.00 the Annual Dues at $8.00. Petitions for Initiation were numerous, and a busy year was spent under Dispensation. Two meetings were held each month in order to cope with the work. There were no less than 23 candidates initiated the first year, Brother Henry Miller Ramsay was the first candidate. Great interest was taken in the Lodge, not only by the members themselves, but at every meeting there were numerous visitors from other Lodges all anxious to view the Australian work which was very different in some respects to that practised in Canada and the United States. Among the first candidates was Brother H. H. Jeffries, who upon being raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason was immediately appointed Organist of the Lodge, Bro. William Miller, Junior Warden, having up to then acted as Organist on occasions.
CHARTER GRANTED The Lodge worked under Dispensation until June, 1907, when a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, the recommendations of Grand Lodge Officers being very complimentary to the new Lodge. R.W.Bro. Frank Bowser, D.G.M., in his report referring to the work of Lodge Southern Cross said: "I seldom have had the pleasure of being present at a Lodge meeting that was more thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The Officers are thoroughly proficient in their work the Degrees being particularly impressive." R.W.Bro. S. C. Sykes, D.D.G.M. of that year, said in his report: "The Third Degree was conferred on four candidates in a most efficient manner. Wor. Bro. J. J. Miller is a conscientious worker, and has surrounded himself with an able set of Officers who carry out the work to the satisfaction, credit, and honor of this Grand Lodge."
CONSECRATION The Lodge was solemnly constituted by M.W.Bro. Frank Bowser, Grand Master, on July 17th, 1907. V.W.Bro. Rev. H. G. Finnes-Clinton assisting as Grand Chaplain. The first Officers under Dispensation were then installed under Warrant of Grand Lodge. The first candidate to be initiated under Warrant was Bro. Ernest A. Stokes, who became Worshipful Master in October, 1914, and who has passed to the Grand Lodge above since these notes were begun. The first Church Parade was made to St. James' Church, Very Wor. Brother Rev. H. G. Finnes-Clinton officiating. By-Laws were drawn up and approved by the Grand Master, under which the first Installation since Charter was granted was held.
SECOND MASTER On September 18th, 1907, the Senior Warden, Bro. H. R. Kingsford-Smith was installed Worshipful master by the retiring Master, W.Bro. J. J. Miller, assisted by W.Bro. Lambert Bond, W.Bro. Rod McLeod, and W.Bro. Bertram Dalton. It was at this installation that the Choral Service was introduced in Vancouver, the hymns and service being printed. Just at this time preliminary steps were being taken to build a Masonic Temple, and it was decided that the Lodge subscribe for $1,000.00 worth of Shares in order to encourage the movement. March 25th, 1908, saw a wonderful night in Lodge Southern Cross. Eric Kingsford-Smith was initiated by his father, W.Bro. W. C. Kingsford-Smith, Secretary of the Lodge, assisted by the brother of the candidate, W.Bro. H. R. Kingsford-Smith, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge. There was an attendance of 213 which overtaxed the capacity of the old Lodge room in the William's Building. King Solomon Lodge, New Westminster, and Acacia Lodge, Vancouver, paying fraternal visits that evening. It was an evening long to be remembered by all those privileged to attend. Bro. Eric Kingsford-Smith was afterwards an Officer on H.M.S. "Sydney" at the outbreak of the Great War, and was present when that ship contacted the enemy ship "Emden" in Southern waters and in letters to the Lodge gave a very vivid picture of the overpowering and capture of the enemy. Bro. Eric Kingsford-Smith took his other two Degrees in Australia, in which country he still resides. R.W.Bro. W. K. Houston, D.G.M., was present at the Installation of W.Bro. H. R. Kingsford-Smith and has this to say about it: "The Installation of the new Master was conducted in a most efficient manner by Wor. Brother J. J. Miller who so successfully piloted this new Lodge through its period of approbation, assisted by Wor. Bro. W. C. Kingsford-Smith. The impressive manner in which the latter worthy Brother installed his own son in the chair of King Solomon will long linger in the memory of every brother present." Most W.Bro. Frank Bowser, Grand Master, also had this to say: "Their hospitable manner of entertaining visitors may almost be considered a Landmark of Lodge Southern Cross." Right W.Bro. C. C. Fisher, D.D.G.M., in his report of that year said: "The Sublime Degree of a Master Mason was conferred upon the candidates in the most dignified and impressive manner. The choral part of the Ceremony was so artistically good that it added immensely to the beauty and impressiveness of the Degree Work. The Worshipful Master and his Officers are evidently aiming at a high standard of excellence in their Degree Work. This I consider is very commendable. 'What is worth doing at all is worth doing well' is particularly adaptable to the three degrees in Freemasonry." In recognition of valuable services rendered in the initial stages of the Lodge, W.Bro. W. C. Kingsford-Smith was presented with a handsome Past Master's Jewel. Brother Arthur Conway presented the Lodge with a set of Working Tools made of Australian Hardwood, and Brother Stewart of Victoria presented a rough and perfect Ashlar at the same time. An isolated incident is reported in the records where a brother appealed to the Lodge to secure him employment. It was not difficult to get employment in 1907, there was work for all.
THIRD MASTER On September 15th, 1908, Bro. William Miller was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. J. J. Miller, assisted by Wor Bro. Lambert Bond, W.Bro. Rod McLeod, and W.Bro. Bertram Dalton, in the presence of a large assembly. In December, 1908, W.Bro. H. R. Kingsford-Smith, the I.P.M. and the Secretary, W.Bro. W. C. Kingsford-Smith, took out their Dimits, the former taking up residence in California, and the latter returning to his native land Australia. It is hard to estimate the valuable services these two worthy brethren rendered the Lodge the first two years of its existence. Brother John D. Ward, the Treasurer, was appointed Secretary. In January, 1909, Bro. William Rosie affiliated with the Lodge, hailing from Waverly Lodge, No. 597, Edinburgh, Scotland, with which Lodge he kept connected to the time of his death and received the notices regularly. This mother Lodge of Brother Rosie has a Life Membership of 1,253 living in all parts of the globe. In July, 1909, there is a record of congratulations to W.Bro. J. J. Miller on the safe return of Mrs. Miller and family from an extended visit to the homeland under the Southern Cross. In June, 1909, the Lodge was honoured by Grand Lodge with the appointment of the first Master, R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller, as District Deputy Grand Master for Vancouver and District which embraced at that time four Lodges in Vancouver, two in New Westminster, one at Mission City, and one at Chilliwack. The new D.D.G.M. was not new to the work, having held a similar office in Australia for four years. The Lodge continued to prosper and candidates were numerous.
FOURTH MASTER On September 15th, 1909, Bro. John W. Prescott was installed Worshipful Master by Wor. Brother William Miller assisted by R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller, W.Bro. Lambert Bond, W.Bro. Rod McLeod, and W.Bro. Bertram Dalton. The new Temple on Seymour was dedicated by the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. H. N. Rich on March 15, 1910, and it fell to the lot of Lodge Southern Cross to hold the first meeting in the new Temple, March 16th, 1910. The honour falling to them of practising the Rites and Ceremonies for which the Temple had been erected and dedicated, was fully appreciated by the brethren of the Lodge. Rt. Wor. Brother J. J. Miller presided, and was assisted by W.Bro. William Miller and W.Bro. Bertram Dalton in conferring the Fellow Craft Degree on the following five candidates: Brother Albert Barker The Presiding Officer expressed his appreciation of the honour of being invited to preside at the first meeting in the new Temple, and referred to the many pleasant and profitable hours spent in the old Temple in he Williams Building where so many of those present first saw the Light of Masonry. He delivered an exhortation to the brethren present to live up to the tenets and precepts of the Order. The rent of the Lodge room was fixed at $50.00 per month. On May 15th, 1910, Lodge Southern Cross joined with the other City Lodges in a Lodge of Sorrow for the death of a beloved Brother, King Edward VII, W.Bro. Matt. Barr, the Worshipful Master of Mt. Hermon Lodge presided. V.W.Bro. Rev. H. C. Finnes-Clinton delivered the funeral Oration. A copy of the service was sent by R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller to the widowed Queen Alexandra, the following gracious acknowledgment was later received: Buckingham Palace Miss Knollys is commanded by Queen Alexnadra to thank Mr. Miller most sincerely for his kind sympathy, and also for the enclosed Service contained in his letter. The following acknowledgment was received in reply to a similar letter sent to the Duke of Connaught: Clarence House Dear Sir and Brother: I am desired by his Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught, to convey to you his heartfelt thanks and appreciation at your kindly thoughts and those of your Brother Masons of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia at the great loss which, not only the Royal Family, but the whole Empire has sustained by the death of His Majesty King Edward VII. Your fraternally, The collection on the occasion of the Memorial Service was for the Vancouver Masonic Board of Relief, and amounted to $145.00. June 29th, 1910, the beautiful Pipe Organ presented to the Masonic Temple by John H. Roaf as a Memorial to the memory of his esteemed father was played for the first time at a meeting of Lodge Southern Cross, Brother Horace Harpur playing with his usual well-known ability. Brother Harpur had been recently initiated into Freemasonry by the Lodge and became the Organist. On July 6th, 1910, a resolution of congratulation was passed and forwarded to Brother Rev. A. U. DePencier, on his election to the high office of Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.
FIFTH MASTER On September 21st, 1910, Bro. Arthur Newland was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. William Miller. Important Affiiliations were made on November 16th, 1910, when V.W.Bro. Rev. H. C. Finnes-Clinton Past Grand Chaplain, Bro. Charles Clough Mulligan of Walton Lodge No. 1086, Liverpool, England, and Bro. George Watson Marshall of White Horse Lodge No. 46, were elected members of the Lodge. In the following January W.Bro. George William Steward Withers of Sand own Lodge No. 1869, England, and Bro. Walter Sandall of Lodge Eden No. 1530, New Zealand, became members by Affiliation. On February 15th, 1911, W.Bro. Withers initiated his own son, William Wallace Withers, and on March 10th, 1911, there was a gala night on the occasion of the candidate being raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason by his father. There was an attendance of 175, great interest being taken in the event. R.W.Bro. H. E. McDonald, D.D.G.M., was paying an official visit, W.Bro. W. C. Ditmare, the Worshipful Master of Cascade Lodge, and the Worshipful Masters of Union, King Solomon, and Lewis Lodges of New Westminster were also present, and the records show there were brethren from England, Scotland, Ireland, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Australia, California, Illinois, and Washington, 59 individual Lodges being represented. On May 9th, 1911, the Lodge received notice from the Temple Company that the rent would be raised from $50.00 per month to $75.00 per month, which the Lodge emphatically refused to pay, and trouble began. On July 19th, 1911, a resolution of congratulation was passed to be conveyed to V.W.Bro. Dr. De Wolf-Smith upon his election to the office of Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia. On August 16th, 1911, Mr. Harry James Degraves was initiated into Freemasonry, afterwards an Alderman of the City of Vancouver. On September 20th, 1911, R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller was cordially welcomed home after attending the Coronation of King George V. The rent question again came up, the Temple Company reducing their demand from $75.00 per month to $60.00 per month, which the Lodge still steadfastly refused to pay.
SIXTH MASTER On October 18th, 1911, Bro. Arthur Nichol Conway was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. Arthur Newland. 151 being present on the occasion. Bro. John D. Ward was presented with a handsome Secretary's Jewel in recognition of four years faithful service as Secretary. Annual Dues were raised from $8.00 to $12.00 per annum. January 29th, 1912, the Lodge suffered a great loss in the death of the esteemed Chaplain of the Lodge, V.W.Bro. Rev. H. G. Finnes-Clinton who died at Paso Robles, California after a prolonged illness. The body was brought to Vancouver and buried with Masonic Honours in the presence of a large concourse of citizens. There is on record a beautifully worded minute of appreciation of the useful life of the beloved Chaplain whose death was widely and deeply mourned. April 14th, 1912, A resolution of condolence is recorded expressing sorrow with the relatives of 1,620 fellow creatures who lost their lives in the tragic wreck of the "Titanic" the largest ship ever floated, on her first trip across the Atlantic, the wreck being caused by collison with an iceberg in the North Atlantic. On April 17th, 1912, W.Bro. William Miller was cordially welcomed home on his return from his native land under the Southern Cross, wither he and his family had spent a prolonged holiday and revisited his mother Lodge, Cootamundra, St. John, No. 124, N.S.W. Presentations were made to the Lodge. Bro. George Murray gave a nice polished Mahogany Ballot Box, and Bro. George Marshall gave a handsome hand-worked kneeling cushion. In August, 1912, Kilwinning Lodge having purchased a site in Grandview, the Lodge went into the question of joining with that Lodge in erecting a Temple for their joint use, but evidently nothing came of it.
SEVENTH MASTER On October 16th, 1912, Bro. Tom Wilson was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. Arthur Conway. April 10th, 1913, the Lodge being unable to make adjustments with the Masonic Temple Company on the rent question, together with Ki1winning Lodge vacated the Seymour Street Temple and took up quarters in the Labor Temple on Dunsmuir Street at a rental of $20.00 per month in comparison with $60.00 demanded by the Temple Company, and the dues were accordingly reduced from $12.00 to $9.00. August 21st, 1913, a Lodge Picnic was held at Bowen Island. It was no basket picnic either. Lunch and Supper was served in style at the hotel, games were played all the afternoon, and a very nice pleasant evening boat trip home made a very happy enjoyable day, and the cost was $2.00 apiece.
EIGHTH MASTER On October 17th, 1913, Bro. Earl Robinson was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. William Miller, Bro. Robinson being the first child of the Lodge to reach the chair of King Solomon. It was a joint installation, Bro. J. Edward Norcross being installed Worshipful Master of Ki1winning Lodge at the same time. The two Lodges were tenants in the Labor Temple, the room being a small one in the Labor Temple the Blue room in the Seymour Street Temple was kindly lent for the occasion. On November 10th, 1913, the saddest event which had befallen the Lodge occurred. W.Bro. Arthur Conway the esteemed and beloved Secretary of the Lodge died after an operation for Appendicitis. He was buried by a sorrowful Lodge with Masonic honours. R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller delivered an Address of appreciation of the life and character of the deceased Worshipful Brother, at the grave side. At the meeting on November 13th, the Lodge recorded on the minutes an apreciation of his exemplary life and their sense of the great loss the Lodge had suffered ending with: "We commend his spirit to God who gave it, with the utmost confidence that his welcome to the Grand Lodge above will be 'Well Done, Master Mason, thou hast produced the Perfect Ashlar, enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord.' " At this meeting, W.Bro. J. W. Prescott was appointed Secretary. In December, 1913, W.Bro. Matt Barr, one of the Directors of the Masonic Temple Company visited the Lodge and made a strenuous appeal to Lodge Southern Cross and to Kilwinning Lodge to return to the Temple and take up quarters in the Red Room at a rental of $35.00 per month, as it was considered unwise to have Lodges meeting in the Labor Temple whilst a Masonic Temple was available. The appeal of W.Bro. Barr bore fruit and the offer was ultimately accepted, and for some years, meetings were held in the Red Room. In August, 1914,the Lodges of the City held a combined Picnic at Central Park, where besides winning the Three-legged Race, Lodge Southern Cross appropriated the Silver Cup presented by W.Bro. James Stark for Tug-of-War contest between the Lodges. The team consisted of Brothers R. J. Kirkwood, W. Kirkwood, J. H. DeGraves, Harry J. DeGraves, Hugh Steen, W. J. Brown, Norman Lee, E. Milmore, Roy A. Perry, and J. J. Miller. This beautiful cup is still retained by the Lodge and used on special occasion as a vase for flowers. August 4th, 1914, the Great World Tragedy was started, and for four long weary years Lodges suffered in common with the whole world. There was enlistment from all the Lodges, Brothers Robert McMahon, S. C. Charles, and J. M. McLeod were the first to enlist from Lodge Southern Cross for active service overseas. Many other volunteered. The records show the attachment of these soldiers to their Lodge by the numerous letters received from time to time from far off places: Alexandria, Egypt, Suez Canal, England, France, Belgium. Bro. John W. Warden was wounded at Ypres and invalided home when he gave a most interesting address in the Lodge, telling of wonderful experiences. Whilst invalided, Bro. Warden assembled a Regiment and called them "Warden's Warriors" and went with them overseas.
NINTH MASTER On October 24th, 1914, Bro. Ernest A. Stokes was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. Earl Robinson. The new Master was the first initiated under the Warrant of Lodge Southern Cross. The Annual Report at this time showed a membership of 146. At this date the Lodge shows a membership of 240. Owing to dislocation of Lodge matters through the war there seems to have been quite a stagnation in Lodge affairs.
TENTH MASTER On October 20th, 1916, Bro. George Murray was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. E. A. Stokes. On April 1st, 1916, the Lodge conducted the funeral of Brother James West Massey, a brother of Bro. William J. Massey who is well known to many of the members of Lodge Southern Cross. June 21st, 1916, the Lodge placed on record a Resolution of deep sorrow on the death of Brother Lord Kitchener who went down in the North Sea whilst on duty, the ship being sunk by an enemy submarine. The resolution expressed a full appreciation of his work for the Empire and a sense of the great loss his untimely death meant to the Nation. That evening W.Bro. B. A. Stokes said good-bye to the Lodge having enlisted for overseas, and the Lodge presented him with a silver Identification Disc.
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