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
FORTY-FIRST MASTER On October 11th, 1946, W.Bro. John S. Polley was Installed Worshipful Master, W.Bro. Richard M. Kerr Installing Master, R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller presiding over the Board of Installed Masters. On account of his successful management of the Lodge, W.Bro. Kerr was presented with a Past Master's Jewel, and the Class of Candidates he raised during his term also presented him with a Past Master's Apron with silver plate engraved with the names of his Candidates. During the year a Masonic Choir was organised under the direction of Bro. W. G. Connolly, to add to the impressiveness of Ceremonial work. Owing to the generosity of the brethren the Lodge was enabled to increase the Christmas gifts to widows and deserving brethren. R.W.Bro.. Healey was presented with a handsome Past District Deputy Master's Jewel, in recognition of his services to Freemasonry in general and to this Lodge in particular. The Worshipful Master welcomed his son-in-law, Bro. Ralph Hutchings as a member of the Lodge, affiliated from Park Lodge, Chicago. Fraternal visits were many, George Washington Lodge visited with 40 brethren. M.W.Bro. Frank C. Poole was welcomed on the occasion. Brother Jack Shaw with a party of 50 brethren visited from Bellingham, a surprise visit. George Washington Lodge visited again in May and conferred the M.M. Degree on Bro. Jack Nickolson, son of M.W.Bro. Ralph Nicholson. W.Bro. Dr. Demuth presented them with a photo of George Washington's M.M. Certificate. Delta Lodge, Seattle, with 30 brethren, paid a visit. June 5th: Last sad Rite for Bro. John Henry Ashcroft. On August 9th, for Bro. Henry Kidd Taylor. On Sept. 19th, for Bro. Joseph O'Neill Jessop Russell. There was also a visit from Ancient Light Lodge, Ladner. There was a successful Dinner and Dance at the Hotel Georgia which raised $86.00 for Charity. Then there was Past Masters' Night Senior Wardens' Night and Members from the Floor Night, and visits from Right W.Bro. J. B. Alexander, D.D.G.M.
FORTY-SECOND MASTER On October 10th, W.Bro. Roydon M. Campbell was Installed Worshipful Master, W.Bro. John S. Polley, Installing Master. In the Minute Book we find his own report of his year of office: It brings me much pleasure to observe in my report a long list of successful event that our Lodge embarked upon in the last year. We had a very heavy Degree turnover, yet we managed to have interspersed several splendid talks on Masonic Education. W.Bro. Sterling and Bro. Russell opened the topic of Education with two well prepared talks, delivered in a very interesting manner. R.W.Bro. Healey, in the second half of the year followed with two far-reaching interpretations of the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees. My deepest appreciation goes to the three brethren who conferred the Degrees as I sat by as an observer. Whi1e W.Bro. Sterling was in the chair, I observed the most outstanding work yet performed by Master Masons. It was with pleasure that I observed W.Bro. Deacon and a letter perfect team of Past Masters confer the Third Degree during the most successful Past Masters' Night that I have been privileged to witness. It was with pleasure that I observed Bro. Bill Young on Senior Wardens' Night confer the Fellow Craft Degree. Along with our successes I regret to report we had our dark moments. Darkest of these was upon May 5th, when our Treasurer, R.W.Bro. Mulligan answered the Roll Call the Grand Lodge on high. We all have felt sympathy with W.Bro. Hodgson in his loss of sight. Our official visits to our sister Lodges consisted of two Officers and one Master Mason. You will agree that this is a marked improvement if Southern Cross is to maintain its respect among City Lodges. Our Fraternal visits to Victoria and Seattle will be happy memories for future years to those of us who' were fortunate enough to make the trips. We will have happy memories of being host to Fernhill Lodge due to the splendid efforts of the Senior Warden and his hardworking Committee which visit ended in attending the Annual Masonic Church Service. We entertained our "Lodge Widows" at one of the happiest Ladies' Nights in the Hotel Georgia. I conclude the report by recording that this abundant year is the result of the spirit of enthusiasm of a very live Lodge. R. W. CAMPBELL W.M. He did not tell us the coup he pulled off at Grand Lodge. He asked that august body to confer the rank and title of Past Grand Master upon the First Master of Lodge Southern Cross. His eloquent appeal bore fruit, as Grand Lodge unanimously responded to his request, and the Grand Master, M.W.Bro. G. Roy Long visited the sick room of M.W.Bro. J. J. Miller and conveyed the news to him with hearty congratulations. On January 23rd, 1948, an interesting ceremony took place: R.W.Bro. J. J. Miller raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, Brothers Harold E. Richardson and Robert H. DeGraves, having raised the fathers of the two brethren in Lodge Southern Cross thirty years before. Bro. Richardson is a son of the late Herby Richardson and Bro. DeGraves is a son of Bro. H. J. DeGraves, ex-Alderman of the City, who was present and welcomed his son and brother, R.W.Bro.. Miller welcomed Bro. Richardson on behalf of his deceased father. The irreparable loss the Lodge has suffered by the death of R.W.Bro. Mulligan cannot be too strongly emphasized. He was a tower of strength to the Lodge, most regular in attendance, capable and expert in Ceremonial work, and devoted to the best interests of his Lodge. He was buried with Masonic Honours, R.W.Bro. Miller conducting the Burial Service in the presence of a large concourse of Masons and citizens. An overwhelming wave of sympathy in the hearts of the brethren has been generated by the affliction that has befallen a dearly beloved son of the Lodge, Past Master and Chaplain, W.Bro. Maurice Hodgson, now sightless. Notwithstanding this terrible handicap the devoted Chaplain, with the kind assistance of some of the brethren, regularly attends his Lodge and manfully performs his duties as Chaplain, an office he has held, and most acceptably filled for many years. Singularly pathetic "The Blind leading the Blind".
FORTY- THIRD MASTER On the 6th of January, 1911, at Vancouver, there was born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Young, a son which son grew up to man's estate under the parental guidance of pious parents, and on October 9th, 1948, 37 years later he was installed as the Worshipful Master of Lodge Southern Cross, a native son. of the City of Vancouver guiding the destinies of the Lodge from under the Southern Cross, to which Lodge he is sincerely devoted. Worshipful Brother William Donald Young. Owing to the plentitude of Candidates seeking admission into the Order, this year has been a busy one conferring Degrees, Interesting meetings for this purpose have been held. Brethren from the floor of the Lodge have creditably conferred Degrees. On one occasion there was a visit from George Washington Lodge, Seattle, the Officers exemplified the work of the Second Degree according to American custom. A return visit was made to George Washington Lodge when a public Installation was witnessed. A sad event occurred on the visit of the Seattle brethren, W.Bro. Qillian, a visitor, met with a fatal accident whilst in Vancouver. The body was sent to Seattle for burial. The 42nd Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated on "J. J.'s" Night, November 26th, 1948, when there was a very large attendance, the event being graced by the presence of three Past Grand Masters who made congratulatory speeches and who were present at the Institution of the Lodge, 42 years before M.W.Bro. H. H. Watson who has since passed to the Grand Lodge above, M.W.Bro. W. C. Ditmars and M.W.Bro. F. J. Burd. Shortly after J.J. was taken seriously ill and gave the Lodge much concern and they generously voted him an Honorarium in order to relieve him of any financial anxiety. On December 16th, 1948, and on March 26th, 1949, the D.D.G.M. R.W.Bro. Dr. D. McLellan paid official visits when he was warmly welcomed and after inspection made gracious and complimentary addresses. No D.D.G.M. was ever more welcome in Lodge Southern Cross than the genial Doctor. The Ladies' Night at the Georgia Hotel was a delightful evening when the brethren and their ladies foregathered to fraternize and get to know each other better. A compliment was paid the Lodge this year when Grand Lodge elected a member of the Lodge as Grand Junior Warden, R.W.Bro. Laurence Healey, no one more capable of filling this high office so in due course the Lodge may have a Grand Master. On May 6th, 7th, and 8th a party of over 100 brethren and their wives visited Fernhill Lodge at Tacoma, and were most royally entertained by the good people of Fernhill Lodge. Lodge meeting, sight-seeing, dances, suppers, banquets, the Fernhill brethren excelled themselves in kind hospitality, the visit still further cementing the bond of Friendship established over many years between the two Lodges.
FORTY-FOURTH MASTER FORTY-FOUR PROMISES BY THE FORTY-FOURTH MASTER 1: That I will be a good Master and true. 2: That I will Strictly obey the Moral Law. 3: That I will obey the laws of the country. 4: That I will treat all men honorably. 5: That I will venerate the Grand Lodge. 6: That I will guard the brethren against Intemperance. 7: That I will faithfully perform my duty to the Lodge. 8: That I will guard my Lodge against Imposters. 9: That I will teach genuine Freemasonry within my Lodge. 10: That I will at al times pay homage to the Grand Master. 11: That I will guard my Lodge against Innovations. 12: That I will attend Communications of Grand Lodge. 13: That I will not parade my Lodge without permission of Grand Master. 14: That I will have strict enquiry made into all Petitions. 15: That I will be careful about the admission of visitors. 16: That I will train my officers to be efficient in their work. 17: That I will conform to the usages and Landmarks of Southern Cross. 18: That I will make myself proficient in Southern Cross Work. 19: That I will promote Education and Instruction in my Lodge by Lectures. 20: That I will insist on punctuality with my Officers. 21: That I will accord a hearty welcome to visitors. 22: That I will encourage Fraternal visits to other Lodges. 23: That I will strive to build up International Friendship. 24: That I will visit the sick brethren. 25: That I will see the Lodge widows are taken care of. 26: That I will see that the Charity Committee functions well. 27: That I will encourage Prompt Payment of Dues. 28: That I will have social evenings for families of the brethren. 29: That I will facilitate the transaction of Lodge business. 30: That I will not keep late hours for the brethren. 31: That I will hawe a Remembrance Day for Departed Brethren. 32: That I will have a Past Masters' Night. 33: That I will have Members from the Floor Night. 34: That I will have a Senior Wardens' Night. 35: That I will keep communications with Lodge Southern Cross No. 44 in Western Australia. 36: That I will take affectionate care of our beloved Chaplain. 37: That I will pay due respect to the opinions of our First Master. 38: That I will see that our notices are made newsy and informative. 39: That I will endeavour to have the Annual Church Parade. 40: That I will not overload the Lodge with Degree Work. 41: That I will see that all Committees function well. 42: That I will support the Vancouver Service Bureau in its good work. 43: That I will urge the brethren to be regular in their attendance. 44: That I will be pleased to Install the 45th Worshipful Master. All this I promise and vow to perform God being my helper. The Lodge will be my Judge at the end of my term of office. JAMES McDOUGALL
FORTY-FOUR YEARS ARE PAST AND GONE For forty-four years the Lodge has had its existence, participating in the progress of the community, the members sharing in the joys and sorrows of four decades. Remarkable what changes have taken place in a comparatively short time. When this Lodge came into being there were no automobiles on the streets of Vancouver, no radios on which to listen to the voice of the whole world. The City was not lighted with the fascinating, scintillating, iridescence of today, no airplanes speeding up the business of the world. Today it is difficult to find parking space for the thousands of automobiles in use. Today we listen to the voice of our King speaking to his people throughout his mighty empire. The air has been conquered and millions travel on the wing, the globe has been encircled in a few days. The City is lit up at night with a brilliancy that would astound and electrify the residents of forty-four years ago. During the forty-four years two of the most tragic wars the world has ever seen have taken place leaving behind them disaster, sorrow, and woe. Surely it has been an unexampled privilege to live in the time of such change and scientific advancement. Freemasonry has shared in that advancementk expanding from three Lodges in the City to thirty-five in the City and suburbs. This Lodge was placed here to take its part in the upbuilding of the ancient Craft in a new world. This history will shew whether Lodge Southern Cross has been true or false to its responsibilities. Me thinks that history will shew that Freemasonry is a living force in the hearts and minds of the brethren, that the Lodge has maintained the best traditions of the ancient Craft, inculcating and teaching those genuine principles and tenets that make good men better and which unite men in a bond of brotherly and fraternal love. Lodge Southern Cross became an interesting Lodge be cause of its practising the Australian work in which visitors are always interested, but it was not the Ritual only that attracted and interested visitors. The Lodge followed the usages and customs of Australian Masonry, not only in the ante-room in opening and closing of the Lodge, but in the Banquet Room where profane "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" is taboo, and toasts are observed with Masonic Honours. For instance, "The King" as usual. "The Grand Lodge"; Apron, Heart, and Hand. "The newly-Initiated Brother"; Point, Left, Right. "The Visitors"; A Masonic Flutter. "The Officers"; Feint, Twenty-one. "Poor and Distressed Brethren"; Pocket, Heart, and Hand (silent). Profane applause is Taboo. Masonic applause being Eyes Front, Present, FIRE in unison, all under the direction of the Director of Ceremonies. All superfluous, you say, but traditionally Southern Cross and all emphasizes Masonic Isolation and lends dignity to the most dignified Institution that ever existed. It is difficult to maintain unwritten procedure, the Ritual can be followed certainly, but new officers are apt to stop there unless older officers are there to instruct. On "J.J.'s" Night these niceties are meticulously observed Landmarks of Lodge Southern Cross. My task is done. It will fall to the lot of some other hand to pen the history of the next forty-four years. Personally, the past forty-four years association with Lodge Southern Cross have been delightful and happy to me. It has given me beloved friends whose friendship I cherish. All we can wish for is that the brethren of the next forty-four years wi11 enjoy the happy fraternal relationship that has been enjoyed by the brethren of the past forty-four years, and that Lodge Southern Cross will in the years to come prove to be even a greater power for good than it has in the past:
The past is gone, we know it well, SO MOTE IT BE.
Introduction
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© 2006-2008, Lodge Southern Cross No. 44, BC&Y |
