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
Introduction
It is well to have Records and Histories, not only for the information of those of to-day, but for those who are to come after. Too often this has been neglected. Records have been lost, or not kept at all, and so valuable data is unavailable. The Worshipful Master, as the time approaches for the celebration of the Forty-fourth Anniversary of the Lodge, has appointed me Historian to compile a brief History of the Lodge that has played an important part in the Masonic life of the City of Vancouver for the past forty-four years. This duty I gladly undertake on account of my close attachment to the Lodge and for the Brotherly Friendship I have enjoyed in association with the dear brethren who make up its membership. To aid me in my task, I have waded through many huge Minute Books, in which I have found the records of the meetings fairly well kept, sometimes very brief and curtailed, withal reliable and authentic, much better than the Minute Books of some other Organizations. A note of sadness runs throughout the records of forty-four years in the large number of Emergent Meetings held to confer the last sad Rites over the remains of some dear Brother "whose loss we deplore, whose memory we revere." Such is inevitable. "It is a relentless fate which is sooner or later to overtake us all." It is one of the most beautiful things written in the records, that the deceased Brother has been laid away by the loving hands of his Brethren of the Mystic Tie. The note of Joy and Rejoicing is largely written. Joyous Dances and Parties and Picnics. Great Celebrations of Installations and Installation Banquets and Suppers, many Concerts and Entertainments, many visitations to other Lodges, many of an international character indicating that the Social Life of the Lodge had not been overlooked or neglected. The practice of Charity and Benevolence, those truly Masonic Ornaments, stands out in remarkable brilliancy. Care has been given to the sick, loans made to Brethren in distress which in many cases have not been repaid, forgotten, written off the books. Large contributions made to the Vancouver Board of Relief and Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund, and every opportunity embraced for raising Funds for charitable purposes. "Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my Brethren, ye have done it unto me." Education and Enlightenment have not been neglected. Records show innumerable Lectures and Addresses for the edification and instruction of the Brethren. It was a matter of surprise to the compiler of this History that he, himself, had been so voluble. The Secretary W.Bro. Withers, recording on one occasion: "Rt. Wor. or Bro. Miller was called upon for a few words which took more the form of an extended Lecture." We don't read of R.W.Bro. Miller being called upon for a few words for some time.
LODGE SOUTHERN CROSS was brought into being by a number of Australians who had made their home in Vancouver. Some were attracted by the wonderful prospects of the young City when Australia was languishing under the ravages of prolonged drought. Some came from Alaska and the Yukon after the great Gold Rush of '98 whither people had been attracted from all parts of the world. These Australians formed a Club called the "Australian Club,"; their membership numbering upwards of One Hundred. As they became acquainted, the Freemasons among them were drawn together, and these took steps to organise a Masonic Club. They were called together by notice posted in the Club in the Fairfield Building, now being demolished after 44 years. It was on February 9th 1906. The meeting was well attended and instead of taking steps to form a Masonic Club, it was decided then and there to take steps to establish a Lodge. Many meetings were held during the succeeding months, tentative Officers were elected, the list being changed and adjusted from time to time. It was necessary in those days to secure the consent of the existing Lodges in the City Mount Hermon, Cascade, and Acacia. Here a difficulty arose the necessity of a fourth Lodge being questioned. However the objection was overcome, consent was secured, and a Dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge. M.W.Bro. H. H. Watson Past Grand Master was appointed to examine the proposed Officers in the work of conferring Degrees, the work as practised in Australia having been specially permitted by the Grand Master. The Most Worshipful Brother approved the capabilities of the Officers, and the work with a few changes in minor detail in order to conform to Canadian practice was permitted.
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