Thank you for taking the opportunity to join the deputation to Melrose this weekend. We had a great turnout and were well received by the brethren of the Lodge on the occasion of the installation of their new RWM and office bearers. The highlight of the day was the Mason’s Walk through Melrose watched on by members of the public. I think they were there for us as opposed to the brilliant pipes and drums leading us on. One moment I particularly enjoyed was watching our two Worshipful Wardens leading the No. 10 team. A great memory!
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It’s hard to believe that it’s been a couple of weeks since our Installation. I am deeply grateful for all of the effort that went into making it such a wonderful day. The Installing Masters and their team of supporting Past Masters all from our Lodge were on top form and delivered a superb ceremony. With 130 brethren or thereabouts in attendance, it once again shows the deep skill ‘No. 10’ holds in bringing these large events to life. Particular thanks to those giving toasts and replies, providing entertainment and the big team of ‘stewards’. Thank you all for being there to make it the day it was.
For all of the new Office bearers, I wish you well, it’ll be great being a part of the team with you for the year ahead. I have added further below an extract from the Grand Lodge of Scotland Facebook page of some time ago which might provide some interesting historical background on the ceremony of Installed Master.
Not long after of the Installation, we held my first Committee meeting as RWM and my first visit to a sister Lodge of our Province: Colinton and Currie 1029 where I got to do the reply on behalf of all of the visitors and in particular on behalf of the three RWM’s who headed their own Lodge deputations. We were well represented by No. 10 for what as a special night for 1029.
And by way of sharing something else Masonic, it was lovely spending a warm Sunday afternoon with Andy McKeen recently at the Divine Service of the District Grand Priory of South East Scotland and the Cistercian Fathers of Nunraw Abbey – http://www.nunrawabbey.com. Both Andy and I were in a different guise on the day!
Looking ahead (June 2023), some exciting things ahead:
- Grand Lodge of Scotland communication
- Visits to Lodges: Sir Robert Moray, Edinburgh St Andrew, Cochno, our deputation to Melrose, Galashiels, Colinton and Currie and Friendship Waverley.
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THE INSTALLED MASTER’S CEREMONY
The highest degree in Freemasonry, within Scottish Freemasonry at least, is that of the ‘High and Sublime Degree of Master Mason’.
Where then does that leave the ceremony of Installed Master?
The present Installation Ceremony was introduced into Scottish Freemasonry in order that Masters, and Past Master, of Scottish Lodges could visit English and Welsh Lodges on the same ‘level’ as their counterparts.
The introduction of the ceremony of Installed Master from England to Scotland officially took place in 1870 and was officially adopted as part of Scottish Masonic ritual by GLoS in 1872.
It is from 1870 that the records of those being Installed as Masters of a Scottish Lodge commence.
However, the introduction of the ceremony was not welcomed with open arms in Scotland. Many Scottish Freemasons rejected the ‘imposition’ of a non-Scottish Masonic ceremony and it was not until the outbreak of WWI when, given the circumstances of the time, many differences were put aside. From then on we find that those Installed as Master of a Lodge are all recorded in Grand Lodge records.
The ceremony of Installed Masters in Scotland was adapted from that imported from England. Both constitutions include an ‘Inner Working’ but which are delivered differently.
(Taken from an article on GLoS Facebook dated Feb 2016)
Hope to see you soon
Yours Fraternally,
Bro. Paul Gilhooley – RWM
Lodge Dalkeith Kilwinning 10