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 2 - 1916-1925
ELEVENTH MASTER On October 18th, 1916, Bro. George W. Marshall was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. George Murray. December 20th, 1916, the death was recorded of Bro. Lieut. H. L. Marsh, 78th Brigade, R.F.A., killed in action, the first member of Lodge Southern Cross to make the Supreme Sacrifice. His mother received the following message which she sent on to be recorded in the Minutes of the Lodge: "The Queen and the King deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathize with you in your sorrow." The Lodge placed on record a Resolution of Sorrow on the death of their esteemed Soldier Brother. At the same time a resolution of congratulation was passed to Bro. Col. John W. Warden who had been gazetted as having been awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Later on we learn that Brother J. H. DeGraves was wounded in battle, ultimately recovered, and is still a member of the Lodge. March 19th, 1917, the Lodge was shocked by the unfortunate death of a Past Master of the Lodge, W. Bro. Tom Wilson, who lost his life in the destruction by fire of the Coquhalla Hotel at Hope, B.C. The charred remains were sent to Vancouver, and the last sad rites were performed by a sorrowing Lodge. Many letters of sympathy received. May 16th, 1917, the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge, R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller, and the Secretary, W.Bro. J. W. Prescott, were presented with Life Membership Certificates, beautifully illuminated, the honour being conveyed by W.Bro. George Murray.
TWELFTH MASTER On October 17th, 1917, Bro. Walter Sandall was installed Worshipful Master by W. Bro. George Murray. A Telegram was read from W. Bro. E. A. Stokes in France wishing the new Master a happy and prosperous year of office. December 5th, 1917, Bro. R L. Maitland was initiated into Freemasonry in the presence of his father who assisted in the Ceremony. December 19th, 1917, it was reported in Lodge that Palestine, the Holy City of Jerusalem was taken possession of by General Allenby with the British Expeditionary Forces. It was looked upon as a most significant event, the land that gave to us our Freemasonry, our Christianity, our Bible, and which had been for centuries under the rule of the Infidel had been brought under British protection and the Union Jack, for the first time in history floated over Mount Morish. At this time report was made that Brother Albert Barker was wounded in France. He ultimately recovered and returned home. May 15th, 1918, M.W.Bro. William Ashley, a frequent visitor of the Lodge was presented with a magifiicent Past Grand Master's Jewel, the presentation was fittingly made by M.W.W.Bro. H. H. Watson. In June, 1918, the Lodge was honoured by Grand Lodge in the appointment of W.Bro. George Murray to the Office of District Deputy Grand Master, the second one to be honoured in this way by the Grand Lodge.
THIRTEENTH MASTER October 16th, 1918, Bro. Norman Symonds was installed Worshipful Master by R.W.Bro. George Murray. Resolutions of sympathy were passed to Brother Towell on the death of his son, killed in action, and to the family of Brother John T. Barlow who had also been killed in action. November 20th, 1918, A Resolution of rejoicing was recorded on the termination of the Great War, the greatest tragedy the world had ever experienced. The Resolution was moved by R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller and seconded by W.Bro. Walter Sandall: "That this meeting, being the first since hostilities have ceased in the Great War which has been raging for over four years, places on record: 1. Its devout thankfulness to the Great Architect of the Universe for the glorious victory to our arms, and for the hopeful realization of an enduring Peace for which all Humanity yearns. 2. Its appreciative sense of the glory shed upon this Lodge by the Loyalty and Patriotism of such a large percentage of its members who have served their country in the greatest and bloodiest conflict in the World's History. 3. Its unfeigned sorrow for the loss of those brethren who will not return, who have fallen in the Path of Duty to their King and Country. 4. Its renewed resolve to comfort and succour the loved ones of those who have fallen, and to bind up the wounds of those heroic brethren who returned to us battered and scarred from battle in a righteous cause." R.W.Bro. Murray earnestly supported the motion which was carried. Telegrams and letters were read from members rejoicing they would soon be home, from Bro. Col. Warden in Siberia, W.Bro. Stokes and Bro. H. W. Harpur in France, Bro. Dunlop, recruiting Officer, W.Bro. Wm. Wright, Naval Yards, and from Bro. Heasley who had just been decorated with the Distinguished Service Order. Following this the Lodge entertained a number of Naval and Military brethren returning to Australia from the scenes of the Great War. There was great relief in the minds of all that the great tragedy which had convulsed the world for four long years had now ended, and the Lodge shared in that general rejoicing, and set about welcoming their soldier brethren as they came home, a welcome that was genuinely heart-felt and sincere.
FOURTEENTH MASTER On October 15th, 1919, Bro. Charles C. Mulligan was installed Worshipful Master by M.W.Bro. H. H. Watson, P.G.M. It would appear that Bro. Mulligan was in bad shape having been thrown from his motor car. A Resolution of admiration of his courage in coming out in such bad shape to be installed was carried. November 1st, 1919, Bro. Col. John W. Warden had returned from Siberia and received a very hearty welcome in the Lodge. He delivered a most interesting address on his varied experiences during the war. From November to August, 1919, the aftermath of the war seeemed to hang over the Lodge. A special audit was made of the books and the Auditors reported arrears of dues to the extent of $3,000.00 being, $1,200.00 more than any other Lodge in the Jurisdiction. A change in the Secretaryship was made, and W.Bro. G. W. S. Withers was appointed.
FIFTEENTH MASTER On October 8th, 1929, Bro. J. R. McLeod was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. C. C. Mulligan, and the new Master invested his own Officers. Steps were taken to clean up the great list of arrears that had been allowed to accumulate, and the Lodge celebrated its 169th Regular Communication by suspending 44 of its members for non-payment of dues. On August 26th, 1921, Bro. W. G. Stickney was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason. The work must have been exceptionally well done as this brother has since been Worshipful Master and Acting Secretary of the Lodge. A distinguished visitor from London, England, W.Bro. Seagram Richardson of Crouch End Lodge, congratulated the Worshipful Master on the manner in which the Degree had been conferred, remarking that, in his long Masonic career, he had never been so interested and impressed. The work had been a revelation to him, and he would never, so long as he lived, forget his visit to Lodge Southern Cross. He had travelled 6,000 miles in order to visit a very dear Brother Mason who was now living at Ladner. September 9th, 1921, Evidently desirous of maintaining the Australian identity of the Lodge, an Australian flag was purchased at a cost of $37.50.
SIXTEENTH MASTER On October 14th, 1921, Bro. R. L. Maitland was installed Worshipful Master by M.W.Bro. Wallace S. Terry, the Grand Master. There was an attendance of 460 Masons, and a Board of 72 Past Masters. The Grand Master presented a framed photograph of the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, M.W.Bro. Israel Wood Powell. The Worshipful Master in turn handed it over to M.W.Bro. H. H. Watson for the Masonic Temple where it still hangs. The retiring Master, W.Bro. J. H. McLeod enjoyed a most successful year of office, and was presented by the 28 brethren he had raised with a Past Master's Apron on which was a silver plate bearing the names of his 28 candidates. On December 9th, 1921, the Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Maitland, was congratulated on the birth of a son during his year of office, and he was presented with a silver cradle in commemoration of the happy event. This son, in WorId War II, made the supreme sacrifice. To celebrate the New Year, January 1st, 1922, the following original poem by R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller was read, and ordered to be inscribed in the Records: NEW YEAR RESOLVE By J. J. Miller I'm told to make my Balance SheetTo end the closing year I'm quite afraid the Lodge to meet My record's bad I fear The meetings called were Twenty-four And I am quite surprised To find I haven't 'tended more Than three so I'm advised But then I have a good excuse I work hard all the day To go to Lodge it is the deuce I don't care what they say Besides the Master don't need me He has an expert crew To run the Lodge the business see And 'Nitiate a few But now I halt I do remind I promised long ago That no excuses I should find Save sickness that I know And that my feet should travel fast To help adjust the right And for this cause my lot I cast With others to unite I must be faithful good and true My promise I must keep To 'tend my Lodge it is but due For all the good I reap So now for Ninenteen Twenty-two I do this promise make I will reform and start anew And help for DUTY'S sake. SO MOTE IT BE.
SEVENTEENTH MASTER On October 13th, 1922, Bro. Peter A. Anderson was installed Worshipful Master by the Grand Master, W.Bro. A. McC. Creery, there being 200 present and a Board of 68 Installed Masters. The retiring Master, W.Bro. R. L. Maitland, was presented with a Past Master's Apron by the candidates of his year of Office. The apron bore a silver plate on which were engraved the names of the candidates of the year. The Annual Masonic Ball which had now been established for some years, this year proved to be more popular and successful, and a sum of $100.00 was handed to the Vancouver Masonic Board of Relief, and $25.00 to the Victorian Order of Nurses. A special vote of thanks was passed to Bro. Percy Elsey, the Chairman of the Ball Committee, for his indefatigable efforts in connection therewith. The Affiliation Fee which was set at $25.00 when the Lodge was constituted was now reduced to $10.00.
EIGHTEENTH MASTER On October 12th, 1923, Bro. Jack Hamilton was in stalled Worshipful Master by the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. Charles E. Tisdall. During the year, the Worshipful Master took his Lodge to Bellingham to pay a fraternal visit to Whatcom Lodge, and exemplified the work of the Master Mason's Degree, which was very interesting to the Bellingham brethren, the Australian work never having been seen before. This visit opened up a lasting Masonic Friendship between the two Lodges which has developed into that of an international character. April 11th, 1924, a Resolution of condolence was passed to W.Bro. William Miller on the death of his son, Lieut. Clive Miller, who had died in California the result of injuries received in the Great War. June 27th, 1924, the Lodge received a visit from a party of brethren off the War Ship H.M.A.S. "Adelaide" which was lying in port. Some very interesting speeches were made by the visiting naval brethren. The Lodge had now been in existence for 18 years, always commanding a good attendance of both members and visitors. It is noticeable that complaints are now made about the poor attendance at the meetings, and a full discussion took place on the best means to take to revive an interest in Lodge affairs. The matter was giving the Officers much concern.
NINETEENTH MASTER On October 10th, 1924, Bro. Ernest Beaver was installed Worshipful Master by W.Bro. Jack Hamilton. The year appears to have been a quiet one Masonically, nothing of importance having transpired during the year.
TWENTIETH MASTER On October 9th, 1925, Bro. Maurice Hodgson was in stalled Worshipful Master by W.Bro. C. C. Mulligan. At the November meeting, sympathetic reference was made to the death of the Dowager Queen Alexandra. On February 26th, 1926, Bro. E. P. Rochester was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, later became Worshipful Master. On March 12th, 1926, Unity Lodge No. 106, of which Lodge, R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller was one of the founders and Secretary, paid a fraternal visit, and the officers of Unity Lodge took charge and conferred the First Degree upon five candidates, W.Bro. W. J. Hagel presiding. One of the candidates on the occasion was Bro. Lawrence Healy who afterwards became a very capable Worshipful Master of the Lodge, D.D.G.M., and Grand Junior Warden. The Twentieth Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated on April 9th, 1926, by a grand re-union. Out of the original 22 Charter Members, there were but four present, R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller, W.Bro. William Miller, W.Bro. Rod McLeod, and W.Bro. Arthur Newland. On May 28th, 1926, the Presiding Masters of the Lodge in District 13 took charge of the Lodge, W.Bro. O. A. Hawes, the Worshipful Master of Kilwinning Lodge, presiding. There were four candidates raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason, Bro. Lawrence Healey and Bro. Harry Adams being two of the candidates. Life Membership was conferred June 14th, 1926, on W.Bro. C. C. Mulligan and W.Bro. G. W. S. Withers. August 13th, 1926, W.Bro. Arthur Newland was presented with a Past Master's Jewel and Past Master's Apron to replace those he had lost in a disastrous fire that had destroyed his home at Welcome Pass. He was also presented with a gold watch suitably inscribed.
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