The Fraserburgh Lodge of Freemasons #1055

As we have seen in the preceding chapter, the Lodge had got over its initial teething troubles and was growing in stature. To show this even further a special meeting of the 28^th. October, 1910, was attended by the Right Honourable Lord Saltoun, Past Grand Master Mason of Scotland. He was gracious enough to compliment the Lodge on the splendid manner in which a Third Degree had been carried out. After the degree, the Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeenshire East presented His Lordship with a Founder's Jewel, in recognition of services rendered by Lord Saltoun in the formation of "1055". The Provincial Grand Master at this time was Provost W. H. Leask of Peterhead.

William Hutchison Leask
Provost of Peterhead
P.G.M. of Aberdeenshire East
1904 - 1919

In the course of his remarks Lord Saltoun stated that he was only doing his duty in furthering Masonry in Scotland and that he would be glad to be of any help to "1055", and that he would always be pleased to do what he could in the interests of "1055" as he would to his Mother Lodge - Solomon.

So well was Lord Saltoun known in Freemasonry circles - both home and abroad - that he had two Lodges named after him. However, he himself said that in his capacity of Grand Master Mason of Scotland, he had travelled and visited Lodges in Scotland, England and Ireland, but he had never seen anything in any Lodge which had excelled the working of the degree which he had witnessed that night.

It is strange, comparing the same situation with that of to-day, to see competition for office. This actually took place in 1910, there were two brethren proposed and seconded for the post of Inner Guard. The office was eventually filled by a ballot on the installation night, and the person elected was installed in office. It is an excellent thing to read about because it shows the enthusiasm of the members of the Lodge for Freemasonry. This competition for office, however, was not just prevalent during the years following the foundation of the Lodge. It was a persistent and healthy feature right up to the 1950's. Unfortunately to-day the members of the Lodge tend to miss the nomination meeting in case they are proposed for office.

The 1910 attitude, however, must be kept in context. It should be remembered that the Lodge had just been newly formed and that there were not so many counter- attractions as there are to-day. Radio was in its infancy, but television was not even a possibility, in fact it was unheard of. So it must be kept in mind that when the novelty of the television set has passed over there may again be a return top the older forms of spending one's evenings, and who knows, even in the not so distant future, we may be able to have a ballot for another office on Nomination night.

Another milestone in the history of the Lodge was passed on the 2^nd. March, 1911. On that date a special meeting of the Lodge was convened to confer the degree of Mark Master Mason on Bro. J. R. Miller. Readers may wonder why this is a milestone in the history of the Lodge, but this was the first Mark Degree to be conferred by the Lodge. There had been some doubt expressed at previous meetings as to whether this Degree could be carried out, but as the Lodge was empowered to work the Degree there was nothing to prevent

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it from doing so. Thus to Bro. J. R. Miller falls the honour of being the first Mark Master Mason of "1055", i.e. the first Brother to have the Degree conferred upon him by "1055". Once the degree had been worked we find a number of Brethren coming forward and having it conferred on them.

Grand Lodge of Scotland
Freemasons' Hall
96 George Street
Edinburgh

In our Lodge to-day - and in other Lodges as well, of course - how often do we hear the Secretary read out to the assembled Brethren, communications from Grand Lodge? It is very interesting, therefore, to note that the R.W.M. and one of the Lodge Auditors were present at the actual ceremony of the foundation stone of the Grand Lodge in Edinburgh on the 28^th. April, 1911. This was indeed an unique occasion and a source of pleasure to the members of "1055" at the time, because their young Lodge had been presented at the ceremony.

The Coronation of
King George V and Queen Mary

Another historical occasion which should not be overlooked and which took place in the same year as the laying of the foundation stone of Grand Lodge, was the ceremonies in celebration of the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary. The Lodge in conjunction with Lodge Solomon, proceeded to the Parish Church to take part in the Coronation Service. After the service the members returned to the Lodge Rooms where the Toast to the King and Queen was proposed by the R.W.M. It was "enthusiastically received and responded to by the Brethren present". A pleasant hour or two had been spent no doubt in a convivial manner, and to all intents and purposes the Royal occasion seems to have been celebrated in true Masonic fashion, i.e., in peace and harmony.

At the St. John's Night Installation of office-bearers for 1912, Bro. Hendry, who had been the R.W.M. since the inauguration of the Lodge, was praised for the work which he had done, and on his retiral from the chair was presented with a "P.M.'s Jewel with all the Honours three". Bro. Hendry richly deserved the honour as he had worked very hard for the Lodge and had been a good servant to it.

by William Stewart Watson
The Inauguration of Robert Burns

At this Installation Night, Bro. A. J. Russell, S.W., asked the Lodge to accept from Bro. J. Low, who was unable to be present, a framed picture of "The Inauguration of Robert Burns". This gift was graciously accepted, and even to-day it can still be seen in the Lodge - a gift from the first initiate of the Lodge.

Another picture in the Lodge, that of H.M. King Edward VII, was presented to the Lodge by Bro. W. W. F. Wilson, Secretary. Bro. Wilson had been Secretary of the Lodge since it had started, but resigned from office in June, 1912, because he had decided to go to Canada. He was met in the Lodge Rooms and presented with a suitable gift in recognition of his services, and in memory of himself as a founder member and one of the instigators of "1055", he had presented this picture to his Mother Lodge. This picture is still there to-day, and with that of Bro. Low, serves as a further reminder of the early history of "1055".

South Breakwater 1939

At this time another relic of Fraserburgh's past history had been discovered. At this time (1912) extensive alterations were being made to Fraserburgh harbour and during these alterations the ancient plate that had been laid with the foundation stone of the original South Pier had been unearthed. A framed photograph of this ancient plate was presented to the Lodge by Bro. W. Donald - R.W.M. at this time. This is another photograph which is still highly prized by the Lodge to-day.

The reason why this photograph is prized by "1055" is not far to seek. The plate itself was beautifully engraved and the following inscription was found on it:-

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"The foundation stone of the South Pier of the Fraserburgh Harbour, designed by Robert Stevenson, Esq.,  Civil Engineer, Edinburgh, was laid on the 30^th. day of September, 1818, and of the reign of King George III, the 58^th. year, by John Gordon, Esq., of Cairnbulg, Right Worshipful Master of the Fraserburgh Lodge of Free Masons, the Hon. George, Lord Saltoun, being superior and Provost; Lewis Chalmers, Baillie; Charles Leslie, Treasurer; Sebastian Davidson, Procurator-Fiscal; Charles Cumine, Dean of Guild; John Dalrymple, Chas. Wemyss, Jas. Gray, John Wallace, W. Stuart, Robert Matthew, Councillors; W. D. Kelman, Town Clerk; William Mintow, Banffshire, Contractor, at the sum of £6,150".

As can be seen from the above the foundation stone of the South Pier was laid by the R.W.M. of the Fraserburgh Lodge of Freemasons, i.e., Lodge Fraserburgh No. 287, and therefore is worthy of note in this history of the Lodge, although it is also a part of the Local History of the area. It is also interesting to note that the plate was restored to its original position.

However, not only does the Lodge figure in Local History but also in National History - at least as far as we Masons are concerned. At this time the "Government of Ireland" Bill was being debated in the House of Commons, and we find a letter being sent by "1055" in protest against this Bill. The letter was not actually against the Bill itself but what the Lodge wanted - in conjunction with other Lodges - was a clause to be inserted to safeguard the interests of Irish Freemasons. Whether the Government took any notice of these letters is neither here no there, but at least we as a Lodge had protested against the aspects of the Bill which related to us, and as such it deserves creditable mention in any history of the Lodge.

The financial position of the Lodge since its inception had not been at all healthy. This of course, always the case in the formation of a new society. Many suggestions over the preceding three years had been made but nothing seems to have been done about it. Matters had now come to a head, and in November, 1912, the financial position of the Lodge was not re-assuring. To try to counteract the deficit a special meeting of the Lodge was called, and the following resolutions were passed:-

1. That Life-members should forego their Life-membership for five years.
   
   
2. That the Founder Members of the Lodge shall take over the current account by lending the sum due free of interest.
   
   
3. That the body of the Lodge should be asked to help as well.

That these resolutions were accepted by all concerned shows the great harmony which prevailed in the Lodge and their desire to see the Lodge continuing in Freemason circles.

There seems to have been a great furore over the proposed raising, by Grand Lodge, of the Initiation Fee. "1055" was in no doubt at all about this. The Brethren then were all on the side of those wishing to raise the fee. This was not caused by a purely mercantile attitude but by an attitude which would have led to the betterment of the craft. It was the opinion of the Lodge at this time that a great many people who went abroad saw the benefits of Freemasonry and because of that joined a Lodge in Scotland on their first trip home because of the cheaper initiation fee. In this manner of course, the craft was being made a convenience of to satisfy a class who would not benefit their Mother Lodge in any way. This spirit does not harmonise with the aims or objects of Freemasonry, as it is a spirit of taking without giving.

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Another reason "1055" had in raising the Initiation Fee was because it would better the craft in Scotland as, at this time, Scotland was looked upon as the home of cheap Masonry. It had even been stated in Lodges abroad that it seemed the only qualification for being a Mason in Scotland was the necessary £3 3/-. Three pounds and three shillings. This is an allegation which was refuted by "1055" at the time, and no doubt would have been refuted by any Mason in Scotland.

Masonry was cheap in Scotland - it still is even to-day - when compared with a great many other countries. But it must be remembered that Scotland was a poor country where money was not very plentiful. It was never the idea in Scotland that money should provide a barrier between a man and Masonry. Remember Burns was a Mason, and in his poetry he gives the ideals which he believed would make the world a better place. He tells us that:

Glossary: aboon : above bear the gree : Take first place, be foremost birkie : person coof : fool, idle/worthless fellow fa' : fault gowd : gold hamely : homely, humble hoddin grey : coarse wool mauna : must not

"The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The Man's the gowd for a' that." And further on: "It's comin' yet for a' that, That Man to Man, the world o'er Shall brithers be for a' that"

A Man's a Man for A' That (Robert Burns) Is there for honest poverty That hangs his head, an' a' that The coward slave, we pass him by We dare be poor for a' that For a' that, an' a' that Our toil's obscure and a' that The rank is but the guinea's stamp The man's the gowd for a' that What though on hamely fare we dine Wear hoddin grey, an' a' that Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine A man's a man, for a' that For a' that, an' a' that Their tinsel show an' a' that The honest man, though e'er sae poor Is king o' men for a' that Ye see yon birkie ca'd a lord Wha struts an' stares an' a' that Tho' hundreds worship at his word He's but a coof for a' that For a' that, an' a' that His ribband, star and a' that The man o' independent mind He looks an' laughs at a' that A prince can mak' a belted knight A marquise, duke, an' a' that But an honest man's aboon his might Gude faith, he maunna fa' that For a' that an' a' that Their dignities an' a' that The pith o' sense an' pride o' worth Are higher rank that a' that Then let us pray that come it may (as come it will for a' that) That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth Shall bear the gree an' a' that For a' that an' a' that It's coming yet for a' that That man to man, the world o'er Shall brithers be for a' that Composed January, 1795

Is it too great an assumption that Burns owed something of his philosophy to Masonry?

The fee was only to be raised by £2 2/ - two pounds and two shillings -, and in all probability the lines on which the Lodge was thinking were those that even this small amount would lead to a more realistic attitude to Masonry in Scotland. Let it be stated right away that no idea of snobbery was attached to this attitude, only a genuine desire to see that Masonry in Scotland was not to be abused by those who did not appreciate the ways of a Scot.

Be this as it may, we can see not only in "1055", but in other Lodges as well, a new trend in the social behaviour of people in Scotland. They were emigrating and they thought that it would be more beneficial to them to be Masons, with the result that in Masonic circles it was the usual thing to hear people say that Masonry was of no value except to him who was going abroad. It was this tendency that "1055" and other Lodges were out to dispel, hence their readiness to give their assent to the raising of the Initiation fees, because most people, at home or abroad, live under a false assumption that the more expensive an article is, the more desirable it becomes. Masonry is not to be joined lightly. Like a great many associations some people join in order to see what they can get out of it. The only way to achieve the full benefit of Masonry is to put something into it, and thus a great deal can be gained in knowledge and given out, simply by being a regular attender at your own Mother Lodge.

It was this idea which the Lodges in Scotland were trying to put across to those about to join. Forget the tale that Masonry is of no use to you unless you are going abroad. This idea only came into vogue when many people did emigrate.

Masonry is not an exclusive club, and yet its cheapness in Scotland might have kept people out of it, thus a slightly raised rate of admission might have made it all the more desirable. At least, this idea was about to be tried.

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To return to a lighter vein it was proposed that, as there was a lack of social activities attached to the Lodge, there should be a social dinner after the installation of the office-bearers for 1914. This was carried out and has remained a feature of ever installation since. It again showed the harmony of the Lodge, as it does in all Lodges, as the members of the Lodge got to know each other as distinct persons, instead of just units in a Masonic team.

We must now draw this chapter to a close as the year of office of Bro. A. J. Russell was to be a momentous one, not only for "1055" but for the whole world, as in his term of office the First World War broke out. This was a calamity for the world, but it is interesting to see how the Fraserburgh Lodge of Freemasons, No. 1055, fared throughout the next four years.

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Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East

Grand Lodge of Scotland

80 Commerce Street / Fraserburgh / Aberdeenshire / AB43 9LP / Scotland