HISTORY OF LODGE ANIMA NO 1223 GLASGOW
THE WORD ANIMA
There has always been much discussion within the lodge as to how the name “anima” came about to be the Lodge name. I have heard many a theory I have my own thought but let us look at the twenty-four (24) volume of the Oxford English Dictionary its definition of the word is as follows. “Jung’s term for the inner part of the personality or character, as opposed to the persona or outer part; is also, the feminine component of a male personality of mind and soul.” The word “anima” is Carl Jung (1875-1961) the famous Swiss psychiatrist definition of the word. That is the English definition of the word “anima” from Latin. Further to that having looked on the internet via Google and from the Wikipedia we read the following Anima and animus Jung identified the anima as being the unconscious feminine component of men and the animus as the unconscious masculine component in women. However this is rarely taken as a literal definition; many modern day Jungian practitioners believe that every person has both an anima and animus. Jung stated that the anima and animus act as guides to the unconscious unified Self, and that forming an awareness and a connection with the anima or animus is one of the most difficult and rewarding steps in psychological growth. Jung reported that he identified his anima as she spoke to him, as an inner voice, unexpectedly one day. Often when people ignore the anima or animus complexes, the anima the anima or animus vies for attention by projecting itself on others. This explains, according to Jung, why we are sometimes immediately attracted to certain strangers: we see our anima or animus in them. Love at first sight is an example of anima and animus projection. Moreover, people who strongly identify with their gender role (e. g. a man who acts aggressively and never cries) have not actively recognized or engaged their anima or animus. Jung attributes human rational thought to be male nature, while the irrational aspect is considered to be natural female. Consequently, irrational moods are the progenies of the male anima shadow and irrational opinions of the female animus shadow. THE LEGEND OF LODGE ANIMA 1223 I have entitled this the legend of the Lodge it will be found in the introduction of the earlier bye laws of the Lodge in 1926 along with the names of our sixty-one (61) founder members of the Lodge. It reads as follows The seeds of the proposal to form Lodge Anima Glasgow were sown in casual conversation between two Brothers. Members of the cinema industry. They remarked on the great difficulty caused through the nature of their employment. And the hours in which that employment demanded their greatest attention preventing them and many others in the industry from being able to attend the regular meetings of their Lodges. They thought that this difficulty could be overcome if a Lodge was in existence which met in the afternoon of a certain day. Inquiry revealed that only one Lodge in the Province of Glasgow met in the afternoon but the meetings of this Lodge being held on a Thursday. Which to the members of the cinematic industry was an impossible day to attend meetings. They considered that the only way out of their difficulty was to endeavour to form another daylight Lodge to meet on a day which would be suitable to members of their industry. They then submitted their views on the matter to a few well known Brethren and it was decided to proceed with the formation of a new Lodge if sufficient numbers of founder members could be secured. A small committee was then formed to consider the scheme and a copy of petition for a new Charter having been received from the Grand Secretary, interested Brethren to the number of sixty-five placed their names on the petition, praying that this Charter be granted. The Charter was granted on 5th August, 1920, and the Lodge consecrated on 3rd September 1920, by Bro A. A. Hagart Speirs, of Elderslie, D. L., J. P., Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow. The above does not mention who the two Brothers were which would be of interest to not only Anima members but other Masonic Brethren. A fuller detail of the Consecration and Erection of our Lodge will be found further on in our history. Our sponsor Lodges are Lodge Athole 413 and Lodge Montefiore 753. I have enquired in both of these Lodges of records in their minute books of details of the sponsoring of our Lodge unfortunately it seems like our Lodge the minute book for 1920 is also lost. However I have found from the archives of Lodge Montefiore No 753, which are kept in the Garnethill Synagogue, Hill Street Glasgow, a large photograph of the installation dinner of Bro Philip Berger R W M 1943-44 with Office Bearers taken in 1943. As the minute book for that period is missing this is very interesting. LODGE APRON COLOURS The Lodge apron colours black and silver and this are to represent a cinema screen, although Grand Lodge of Scotland at present has them as black and white I do not know why. The Lodge insignia or badge is made to represent the same thing with Masonic symbols this will be seen on the founder members jewel, and the Lodge Jubilee jewel, and Lodge letter headings. I have to here commend the brother or brothers who thought out and designed the lodge insignia or badge which I have to say is unusual in design it contains many Masonic symbols as one would expect and put in such a way if one looks closely you are looking at a cinema screen. I have to say it is beyond my capability to describe it. Hopefully some better learned Brother will come forward and describe the Lodge insignia or badge. MEETING DAY OF THE LODGE For the first members of our Lodge the meeting day was very important from the Legend of the Lodge it was impossible to meet on certain days of the week. As at that time a very large proportion of the members worked in the cinema industry. Unlike in modern days most cinemas did not run films a week at a time, maybe in city’s but most being out of city centre’s a film would run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday then changeover day was a Thursday and another film run Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Thursday was out of the question as a cinema was a busy place usually on that morning a van would come to collect the film shown on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and deliver the film for the next three days. Saturday was also out, most cinemas ran a Saturday children morning show (who will forget the Flash Gordon serials) this would follow up with the Saturday matinee and night show, Cinemas in that time never opened on a Sunday except for a charity showing of a film. Monday was also taboo another change over film day, although for some cinemas that could happen on a Saturday night. So the day of the week for a meeting day was limited and Tuesday afternoon seemed the most suitable. At the time of the nineteen twenty’s most members came from the cinema industry over the ages we have had members who worked out with the cinema industry. More so when the Lodge changed to night Lodge and to-day I am sorry to say at present there are no members in the cinema trade. Going back to the roots of Lodge Anima in the 1920s the cinema industry was in its infancy as a art form and at the time of our Lodge Consecration films were silent and in black and white. But the 1920s were to see the film industry take off. 1928 saw the first talking picture “The Jazz Singer” with Al Jolson with the now famous line of “you haven’t seen nothing yet” although I think it was “you haven’t heard nothing yet” or words to that effect. If Al Jolson had been alive to-day he may well have said of our history “you haven’t read nothing yet.” Color films were soon to follow this marked a boom period in the cinema trade, and in our Lodge of the number of members. These were exciting times for the film industry and our Lodge as the percentage of members from that industry increased. However you should not think that was the only industry where members came from we also had a large number from the theatre. That boom lasted through 1920s, 30s, and 40s. With the advent of television in the 1950s the number of people going to cinemas decreased and this resulted in cinemas closing (many turning into bingo halls) it also meant unemployment in that trade and this resulted in our Lodge having less members and it was during this period Lodge Anima no 1223 decided to change from a daylight Lodge to a night Lodge. THE MASTERS CHAIN OF OFFICE AND JEWEL A word here of the R W M chain of Office, all the Masters of the Lodge are inscribed on silver discs and dates when they held the office from 1920 to the present day displayed on the chain. The silver discs are hall marked at a later date the Lodge purchased other discs they may well be silver gilt. The original R W M jewel was replaced by an R W M jewel presented to the Lodge on 30th June 1962 by Lodge Paisley St Mirrin’s No 129 (for those interested that Lodge was originally charted by Mother Kilwinning No 0). On the obverse side of the Master’s jewel a square and compass on the top of the compass a green gem (emerald?) further down between the square and compass and in a star a white gem of what sort I do not know. The reverse side of the Master’s jewel is inscribed as follows “From Lodge Paisley St Mirrins No 129 to Lodge Anima Glasgow 30th June 1962”. The R W M jewel is made of silver and is hallmarked. There is no record as to what happened to the orignal R W M jewel. FOUNDER, JUBILEE, 75TH ANNIVERSARY MEMBERS JEWEL Also pinned on the chain the Founder members jewel of our Lodge, the top bar of which h is inscribed “Charted 5th August 1920” descending from the bar a ribbon of small vertical strips of black and between these strips a broader band of white. From that ribbon hangs the Lodge insignia or badge which is made of gold and hallmarked. The Founder members jewel is larger than the Jubilee jewel; however both have the same Lodge insignia or badge. On the top of the Jubilee jewel a bar with the word “Jubilee” in gold on a white back ground with a vertical ribbon descending from that bar. That ribbon has a small band of black then a large band of white or should it be silver? Then it is followed by a small band of black. This ribbon ends on a bar of white inscribed on that bar 1920-1970 in gold lettering. Hanging from the bar the Lodge insignia or badge. The Lodge 75th Anniversary jewel is also pinned on the chain, this jewel is as follows. Top bar in white inscribed in gold “75th ANNIVERSARY” descending from that bar a vertical ribbon with a band of white then black then white these bands are of equal width note the difference in the ribbons of both Founder members jewel and Anniversary jewel. From the 75th Anniversary jewel ribbon descends a round disc on the outer ring of white is inscribed in gold LODGE ANIMA No 1223. Inside the ring on a black background a motion picture camera in gold and on that camera a square and compass. We see below the motion picture camera in gold lettering the word AUGUST and that below in gold 1920. FOUNDER MEMBERS JEWEL LODGE ANIMA No 421 N S W The founder members jewel of Lodge Anima No 421 New South Wales is also pinned on the chain. On the obverse side of this jewel the top bar is inscribed “FOUNDER” a light blue ribbon descends from the bar with a square and compass on that ribbon the founder member jewel hangs from the ribbon. On the top of the jewel inscribed “Lodge Anima 421” on the bottom “N S W.” In the centre of the jewel is a motion picture camera. On the reverse of the jewel is inscribed “From Lodge Anima New South Wales to Lodge Anima Glasgow Scotland 1931” This jewel is made of gold and hallmarked. MISSING LODGE MINUTE BOOK While the first minute book of the Lodge is missing it is possible to find some history of the Lodge from what is written in Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow and Grand Lodge of Scotland minute books. That will be of course before the Lodge came into existence. One of the first references to a Lodge “Anima” comes from a quarterly meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow dated Tuesday 4th May 1920 which seems a little controversial I have enclosed the extract of that minute in full on page 51 as follows “A letter was read from Bro Ralph T Mackintosh Secretary on behalf of Lodge Dramatic, No 571, protesting against the petition for a Charter for the proposed new Lodge “Anima.” After some discussion it was moved by Bro William Ross, seconded by Bro Ralph T Mackintosh both P Ms of Lodge Dramatic, No 571, that the Petition be disapproved of, and it was moved by Bro H Shaverin, Master of Lodge Montefiore, No 753, seconded by Bro John Wardrop Provincial Grand President of Stewards, that the Provincial Grand Committee’s recommendation be approved of. After discussion, on a show of hands being taken the Provincial Grand Master declared the petition recommended by a large majority.” My only comment on the above there is no reason given as to why there is an objection from Lodge Dramatic No 571 for the petition of a Lodge “Anima” CONSECRATION AND ERECTION OF LODGE ANIMA No 1223 The following reference to the consecration and erection of Lodge Anima 1223 comes from page 81/82 of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow of their proceedings for 1920 as follows A special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow was held in the Masonic Chambers 100 West Regent Street Glasgow on Friday 3rd September 1920 at 2pm Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due and ancient form and in the third degree. The Provincial Grand Master intimated that the meeting was called for the purpose of Consecration and Erection of Lodge Anima No 1223 and the installation of Office Bearers. He then proceeded with the assistance of his Office Bearers to perform the Ceremony of Consecration which was carried out in due and ancient form and in accordance with Masonic Custom. The Provincial Grand Master Bro A. A. Hagart Speirs welcomed Bros E V Herron, P A G D C England, and Edwin H Rockett, Master Lodge Anima London No 3634, and A B Cross Anima Lodge London No 3634 and a deputation from Lodge Anima London to which Bro Herron suitably replied. The Provincial Grand Lodge was closed and Lodge Anima No 1223 was opened in the first degree by Bro Provincial Grand Master assisted by Bro W Munro Denholm Substitute Provincial Grand Master installed the office bearers the list being as follows. R W M Bro. Robert Scott Depute Master Bro. William Welch Substitute Master Bro. James Minn Kissell Senior Warden Bro. William Shaw Junior Warden Bro. William Selby Shepherd Secretary Bro. James Wallace Treasurer Bro. Joseph Duncan Mitchell Benevolent Fund Treasurer Bro. William Henry Caldwell Chaplain Bro. Rev James Aitkin Boag M A Senior Deacon Bro. John Jacobs Junior Deacon Bro. George Taylor Bible Bearer Bro. William Carruthers Sword Bearer Bro. Robert Edmund Robertson Director of Music Bro. William Connell Marshall Bro. William Carlas Senior Stewart Bro. Joseph Kean Junior Stewart Bro. Jack Hanson Inner Guard Bro. James Alexander Colville Tyler Bro. David Nimmo, Junior. The Master Bro Robert Scott thanked the Provincial Grand Master for conducting the Ceremony of Consecration of the Lodge and the installation of Office Bearers as a mark of his appreciation of the services rendered he presented souvenirs to several of the Provincial Grand Lodge Bearers for which they expressed their thanks. On the motion of the Master there was unanimously agreed to confer honorary membership on the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master which was done according to ancient Masonic customs. The Brethren present were thereafter invited to Banquet and Harmony at which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honored. While as we know the first minute book is missing I think the above would been have written in that book as the first minute of the Lodge. Before going any further I think it best to give the Roll of Past Masters of the Lodge, it is as follows. ROLL OF PAST MASTERS OF LODGE ANIMA NO 1223 CLICK HERE The first and only Brothers to date to be Masters of the Lodge were Bros. Emanuel Levitus, Samuel Levitus. The first father and son to be Masters Bro. Samuel Levitus and his son Bertram B Levitus, Samuel Levitus was deceased at the time of his son installation. The next William Rennie, Alistair F Rennie Bro William Rennie took part in the installation of his son. Last to date Bro. Sidney Simons and Bro. Philip G Simons. It should be noted from the above list the following Brethren are not related except as Masonic Brothers. Bros. James R Nelson, William Nelson, Harry Mc Millan, John Mc Millan, John B Morrison, John Morrison.
DEDUCTIONS FROM CONSECRATION AND ERECTION OF LODGE ANIMA 1223 And so the second daylight Lodge in the Province of Glasgow came into commission. For the first fifty years of existence we were to meet at 100 West Regent Street Glasgow maybe a few times at other places. The Lodge once met at The Royal Philisophical Society 207 Bath Street Glasgow from 1.9.1950 to 7.9.1951. The Lodge then moved back to 100 West Regent Street after a motion at the meeting on 7.9.1951 for the lease not to be renewed. The Lodge then on Thursday 3rd September 1970 this was fifty (50) years to the day when the Lodge was Consecrated our last meeting their, which marked our Golden Jubilee of the Lodge we were to move to five (5) other meeting places to date. 100 West Regent Street was the property of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow, and not long after we moved the property was sold which was the main reason for moving. By October 1970 the Lodge had moved to new premises at Saltire House, 19 Ashley Street Glasgow. C3. These premises were owned by Lodge Queen Margaret No 1440 that particular Lodge is now defunct. After a short stay there the Lodge had moved by 1972 to 138 Butterbiggins Road, Glasgow S 2. These premises were owned by Lodge Clydesdale No 556, where the Lodge met for the next seventeen (17) years. The lodge then by 1989 moved to 30 Bell Street Glasgow G1 1LG. These premises were owned by Lodge Sir William Wallace No 1504 after a short stay by 1991 the Lodge had again moved to Dixon Halls, 650 Cathcart Road Glasgow G42. How long the Lodge remained there I am not certain but I would say by the end of the nineties beginning of the year 2000 the Lodge moved to our present meeting place that is Neptune Masonic Temple, 101 Clifford Street Glasgow, G51 as the address suggests these premises are owned by Lodge Neptune No 419 From the first list of Office Bearers of the Lodge it will be noted that seven (7) went on to become R W Ms of the Lodge these are Bros Robert Scott Founder Master or Charter Master in 1920 and R W M 1920-21 William Welch 1921-22 and 1935-36, James Minn Kissell 1922-23, William Shaw 1923-24 James Wallace 1924-25 William Carlas 1925-26, William Carruthers 1928-29. Three other charter members were to become Masters of the Lodge Bros Harry Stuart 1926-27, Donald Davidson 1927-28, and Bro William Kempsell 1931-32. The first initiate of the Lodge to become Master of the Lodge was Bro Arthur James Wingate Watt initiated 17th December 1920 and became Master in 1929-30, followed by the second initiate Bro Emanuel Levitus Initiated in 1922 and Master 1931-32.
It should also be noted that the three Brothers mentioned at the consecration meeting of the Lodge of the English constitution were all from The Lodge Anima 3634 London and founder members of that Lodge. The spelling of their names differ from Provincial Grand Lodge they appear as follows taken from the list of Past Masters of Lodge Anima 3634 (EC) 1913-14 W Bro Edward T Heron, PAGDC 1915-16 and 1933-34 W Bro A Pearl Cross, PGStB 1919-20 W Bro E Houghton Rockett, PGStB. Bro Rockett in our Lodge roll book is no 64 and written beside his name is Worshipful master of Lodge Edward and Alexandria No 2371 (EC) and I P M Lodge Anima No 3634. As the above is taken from the list of Past Masters of that Lodge I would think their spelling of their past Masters names is correct. The Anima Lodge No 3634 (EC) was consecrated 18th December 1912. Another Lodge Anima which we have friendly Masonic relationships is Lodge Anima No 421 of the United Grand Lodge New South Wales Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Australia. On their Lodge communications reads the following “Dedicated 6th June 1922.” Underneath it reads “A Day Lodge founded by Masons of the Motion Picture Industry.” Our correspondence with Lodge Anima No 421 is more by letter but some brethren of both Lodges have visited each of the others Lodge’s. Details of the Founder members jewel of that Lodge presented to our Lodge in 1931 are given above. There is yet another Lodge Anima that I know of there may be others Masonic Worldwide but to my knowledge we have had no contact with any other Lodge Anima. I say that in my forty-eight years in the Lodge it may well be in the earlier years of our Lodge history there has been some contact. The one I know of is Lodge Anima No 687 under the Grand Lodge of Ireland which met in Dublin. I say met which it did in 1978. If that Lodge is still in existence I do not know and or when it was consecrated I do not know. What is also of interest in the consecration meeting of Lodge Anima that Honorary Membership of the Lodge was conferred on the Provincial Grand Master Bro Alexander Archibald Hagart Speirs of Elderslie, V L, J P. Vice-Lieutenant of the County of Renfrewshire (65th on our Lodge roll book of members) the first of many Provincial Grand Masters to receive Honorary Membership of the Lodge. What the Lodge will not have known at that time Bro A. A. Hagart Speirs of Elderslie at a later date would become the 87th Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1929-31. FIRST LODGE REPRESENTITIVE ON PROVINCIAL GRAND COMMITTEE Moving on the following extract from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow may be of interest our members At the quarterly commutation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow, at the Masonic Chambers 100 West Regent St, Glasgow, on Tuesday 6th November 1920 at 7-30pm. We read of the following on page 113 of the 1920 Provincial Grand Lodge proceedings. “it was unanimously agreed to appoint Bro Robert Scott Master of Lodge Anima No 1223 member of Provincial Grand Committee from now till 1922” Bro Robert Scott was to become the first representative of the Lodge on Provincial Grand Committee. In the 90 year's of Lodge Anima Glasgow's exsistance there have been thirteen Masters to do two year's in the chair of the Lodge.
EARLIST SURVIVING MINUTE BOOK OF THE LODGE COVERING FROM 2ND NOVEMBER 1928 TO 2ND DECEMBER 1938 Before embarking on this minute book as we know at present the first minute book of the Lodge is missing. Where this minute book under review ends the next minute book is also missing, that would cover the years from 1938 to 1948 an important period of the Lodge history particularly the years of the Second World War. Let us hope that which is lost may yet be at sometime in the future having been found. The minute book itself is in a maroon color on the outside cover inscribed on that cover in gold lettering the following. LODGE ANIMA GLASGOW. No 1223. MINUTE BOOK 1928- Where the – is should have been inscribed 1938 it was purchased from R E Robertson Ltd 198 Buchanan St Glasgow printers and stationers, which I suspect is no longer in existence, but from experience I have already found one should not jump to conclusions as you soon will see. The minute book itself is in reasonably good condition. This minute book unlike most modern secretary’s minute book is not numbered. Most Lodge minute books of the present day will start from a numbered number one and progress onwards. The pages in this book are not numbered and the Lodge Secretary has written in the number. This is of importance as the first number on the first page is 386. I think this is some sort of clue as to the first missing minute book of the Lodge. Which and I are only guessing this book was also not numbered and would have gone from page 1 to 385. This minute book is numbered 386 to 608 and for some unknown reason it stops numbering but it continues for another 230 pages not numbered. The book is of 452 pages in A4.
LODGE MEETING DAY
Previously I had suggested that the Lodge meeting day would be a Tuesday meeting day of the week, now having access to this first minute book in our possession that is completely wrong. In the minute book from 1928 to 1938 the meeting day is the first Friday of the month at 2pm and at 100 West Regent Street Glasgow. The clue of the meeting day was right there; the Lodge was consecrated and erected on Friday 3rd September 1920 so the meetings would be the first Friday of the month at 2pm. At that time Lodge meetings went from September to May and emergency of which there were plenty during that period usually the third Friday of the Month.
LODGE REGULAR, EMERGENCY, AND COMMITTEE, MEETING PLACES 1928-38
While regular and emergency meeting of the Lodge were held at 100 West Regent St, and some committee meetings also held there. However other Lodge committee meetings General, Enquire, Benevolent committee meetings were held at other venues possibly to save money. Maybe places the members worked at or owned. One of the meeting places was 77 Mitchell St Glasgow another was 59 St Vincent St Glasgow this was the office of Bro Emanuel Levitus at that time and that is in the minute book of the Lodge under review. I do know Manny Levitus sometime in the future his office was to be at the corner of West Regent Street and Hope St Glasgow which was only a stone’s throw from Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow’s own offices, and I think I am right in saying was under the name of Edward Carswell. Some other committee meetings were also held at various places such as 142 St Vincent St Glasgow whether that had any connection with Manny Levitus I do not know. Then at 163 Hope St Glasgow (could this be Manny Levitus office) and also at 83 Renfield St Glasgow. There is also mention of a general committee meeting in a room of the Greens Playhouse Cinema Renfield St Glasgow whether that is the same place as 83 Renfield I do not know, it was also held at an unusual time for the Lodge then 7-30pm. It also states that tea was provided by Bro William Kempsell which makes me think was he manager of Green’s Playhouse then or some connection? Greens Playhouse was opposite the Pavilion theatre and at one time was the biggest cinema in Europe for seating capacity. At present time there is a multi cinema complex on the site of Greens Playhouse so cinemas are still represented there. Times of these meetings took place ranged from 1-30 pm to 4-30 pm Lodge Anima was very much daylight Lodge at that time. I note with interest one Benevolent committee meeting was held at 11 am in the morning.
In the minute book under review the first recorded minute is on Friday 2nd November 1928 this is the Annual General Meeting for the year and the nomination and election of office bearers for 1928-29 it was also the last meeting of Bro Donald Davison as master of the Lodge Bro William Carruthers was to be R W M in 1928-29. What struck me in the run of the mill meetings were the number of applications during the period under review. There seemed to be approx at least two to three applications per meeting sometimes as many as five, which in to-days terms would mean a very busy year which it was then in the nineteen twenty’s and thirty’s. The Lodge at that time was having one emergency meeting about every two months. What to me is also an oddity maybe not at that time to brethren is that the Lodge had 7 (seven) brethren had taken a degree (it was not a Mark ceremonial) and what is more before their degree being asked questions on their previous degree in open Lodge. I also noted that on one day at 1pm an emergency meeting was held for a second degree then at 2pm a regular meeting and a first degree held. What was also noticeable as expected applications coming from the cinema industry e.g. one page with three applications two cinema managers and a film renting manager? But one should not think all applications came from the film trade, there were a number of applications from musicians and from the theatre, actors and what is interesting in some cases of actors the application gave their real names and also their stages name. One cannot help but notice the number of Benevolent committee meetings during this era of brothers receiving grants of £5, £10 or even £20 and a brothers widow a grant of £20 which I would Imagine in the 1920s would be a considerable amount of money. Of course as would be expected no names are given. These were hard times in the `920s 30s and I think Lodge Anima can be proud during this period of grants given to brothers and dependents. At every meeting the collection was taken for the Lodge Benevolent Fund the amount of money taken at these collections varied from £1-11-6 (one pound eleven shillings and six pence) to as low as 13/6 (thirteen shillings and six pence) when I say low that would be hard to judge not knowing what would be the average donation from a brother and how many brethren were at the meeting.
LODGE FEES
Lodge fees during this period as from the lodge bye-laws of 1926 were as follows for initiation 10 (ten) Guineas and the annual fee 10/6 (ten shillings and six pence) if life membership is taken out the cost would be 4 (four) Guineas. During Bro William Carruthers time as master as far as I can see there was nothing unusual to mention, of course at the nomination and election meeting on Friday 1st November 1929 the first initiate of the lodge to become master was elected that was Arthur James Wingate Watt for the year 1929 to 1930 see also above for details of Bro Arthur Watt. A couple of interesting items appear from the minutes of the General Committee Meeting of Friday 27th November 1930 the price of a ticket for the installation harmony of 1930 was to be 2/6 (two shillings and six pence) that is old money. Which I think I am right in saying in present day terms would be about 12 or 13 pence. This is the first reference to a charge for Harmony, which is not to say the Lodge did not charge for harmony previously. There is also reference to a dance on the 5th December 1930 and that date is also the same date that the Lodge Installation which was held at 2 pm that afternoon. Members of the Lodge were appointed to co-opt with the Cinema Club officials in making arrangements for the dance to be held in Norwood House. I say Norwood as far as I can make out the first letter looks like a N. Who or what the Cinema Club is or was I have no idea. The dance was reported on at the Regular meeting on Friday 2nd January 1931 by the Master Bro E Levitus. After the Installation of 5th December 1930 unusually a minute of nine lines appears of the Lodge Harmony which is interesting the I P M is presented with Past Masters jewel and aprons and a canteen of cutlery nothing unusual there. The harmony included names such as Bros T Lorne, C and P Halfpenny. I am no authority on the music hall of that time but I would suggest Bro T Lorne was a well known Scottish comedian of that time Tommy Lorne Bros C and P Halfpenny as their application to the Lodge says music hall artists. But I do believe Peter Halfpenny was better known as Pete Martin on the stage, and at a later time was a theatrical agent. It is also reported and I quote “a most capable orchestra was provided and conducted by Bro J W Johnson Director of Music.” How many brothers that orchestra consisted of I do not know, but from the number of lodge members who were musicians it would not be hard to form such an orchestra. The year of 1931 had some details which must be part of our history of some importance. PRESENTATIONS OF FOUNDER MEMBERS JEWEL LODGE ANIMA 421 NEW SOUTH WALES
On page 501 0f this minute book we read the following extracts. “By permission of Provincial Grand Secretary a Special Meeting of Lodge Anima No 1223 was held in the Masonic Chambers 100 West Regent Street on Thursday 14th May 1931 at 2pm.” The Provincial Grand Secretary at that time Bro Stevenson Cochran supported the Master in the East. The Lodge was opened in the First degree. The R W M Bro Emanuel Levitus indicated that the meeting had been called to meet Bro R. W. Madell of Lodge Anima 421 United Grand Lodge of Australia and decide on form of reciprocation should the Lodge agree. Other extracts of the meeting are as follows. It was moved by Bro W Carlas and seconded by Bro D Davidson that some token should be sent to Lodge Anima, Australia. This was agreed. Bro W Shaw PM then entered the lodge accompanied by Bro Madell and Bro Madell was welcomed by the Master and invited to the East. Bro Madell thanked the Lodge for their welcome, and on behalf of Lodge Anima No 421 United Grand Lodge of Australia he presented to the Master a Founders Badge. This token to be worn by the Master and his successors in office (which it is to the present day) The Master thanked Bro Madell for his token and expressed the wish of Lodge Anima that Bro Madell should take back to his Lodge a token from Lodge Anima Glasgow. Bro Wallace as the original secretary of Lodge Anima gave a brief resume of the formation of Lodge Anima 1223. Then we read on page 504 at the regular meeting of the Lodge held on Friday 4th September 1931 the following. The Master (Bro E Levitus) read a letter he had received from Bro R W Madell intimating the acceptance on behalf of Lodge Anima No 421 United Grand Lodge of Australia of a Founders Badge of Lodge Anima Glasgow and expressing thanks for the welcome he had received when he visited Lodge Anima Glasgow.
COMMENT ON THE ABOVE
The above is obviously the meeting that the founder members jewel of Lodge Anima No 421 (see above for description) was presented to our Lodge and is now pinned on to the R W M chain of office. I have put in bold letters the relevant part of that minute which is of interest to Lodge Anima members and others. It is also mentioned that some sort of token be given to Lodge Anima Australia it does not say what that was. But from the letter read out at the regular meeting on Friday 4th September 1931 it looks like the Founder Members Jewel of our own Lodge (see above for description of that jewel). Date of the meeting Thursday 14th May 1931 suggests that the regular meeting day having gone past (Friday 1st May) and there being no other regular meeting of the Lodge till September a special meeting had to be called as I expect Bro R W Madell would by then be back in Australia. The secretary refers to a Grand Lodge of Australia to my knowledge each state in Australia has its own Grand Lodge and Lodge Anima 421 is in the Grand Lodge of New South Wales (that Grand Lodge was founded in 1888)
THE FREEMASON WHO NEVER WAS
The above is a strange heading for someone who was never a freemason. Who was this person let us start at the beginning. On Friday 4th September 1931 the following application was read see page 505 John M G Mc C Thomson Professional Footballer British age 22. Then at the Enquire meeting of Wednesday 24th September 1931 the following is inscribed. The Master intimated that since the reading of the applications one of the applicants Mr. John M G Mc G Thomson had been accidently killed. See page 507. Then the following was read at the regular meeting held on Friday 2nd October 1931. The Master made special reference to the death of Mr. John Thomson who would have been initiated at this meeting and the brethren were upstanding for one minute as a token of reverence. A wreath had also been sent to the funeral. See page 508. The person referred to here can only be the legendary Celtic F C and Scotland goalkeeper John Thomson (1909-31). John Thomson died on the 5th September 1931 on the football field in an “old firm” football match Rangers v Celtic match played at Ibrox Park Glasgow. The story of the incident is well documented so I will not go into that here. But what I will do is give a brief rundown of John Thomson career as a footballer. John Thomson made his debut for Celtic F C age 18 (eighteen) made 188 appearances for Celtic of which 64 were shutouts. Were a Scottish cup winner in 1927 and 29, and was a finalist in 1928. He was capped 4 (tour) times for Scotland including a 2-0 win against France and a 2-o win at Hampden against England. John Thomson was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2009 which is part of the Scottish Football Museum, Hampden Park Glasgow G42 9BA. The mention to his funeral above it is recorded that there were 30,000 attending the funeral at Cardenden Fife. This shows how well liked John Thomson was during his short life. For those wishing further details of John Thomson visit the Scottish Football Museum and the Hall of Fame see address above. HISTORY by Brother James McLaren P.M 1223 If any other Brother has any other History of the Lodge please contact the Webmaster
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