MEAL BOOKINGS If you are on Facebook: Go to Wellington Lodge s Facebook page where you will find our next meeting listed among the events with a box marked Going. If you are going to the meeting and staying to refectory, click on that box and a meal will automatically be booked for you. If you are not staying to refectory, do not click the box. If you are not on Facebook: Just send an e-mail to Steve Haultain (steve.haultain@gmail.com) asking to have a meal booked for you. Consider going on Facebook. It s the easier option of the two. 1521 NEWSVIEW VOLUME 19 ISSUE 6: AUGUST 2016 Editorial Staff Care 27B Lynmouth Avenue, Karori, Wellington 6012 See also the District Grand Lodge website: freemasons.org.nz good omen for the future. From comments made later in refectory, it is clear our visitors thought so too. The candidate seems to have enjoyed himself as well. Sam Williamson was obviously taking it all in and relishing each turn of the ceremony, although a fuller understanding of the content of the degree will only come after repeated exposure to it. Later, in refectory, he was merrily chatting away to younger members who had themselves gone through the First Degree within the last eighteen months. THE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN They are, indeed! There is always some trepidation when a newlyinvested team approaches its first working and it has to be admitted that some of our senior members were holding their breath as the July meeting moved into the initiation of our newest member, Sam Williamson. With Master Masons now filling all positions on the ladder from Senior Warden down all of them, barring the Senior Warden, for the first time in their respective positions a number of fingers were crossed among observers, both in the East and on the floor of the Lodge. In the event, the observers need not have worried. Within a few minutes of the entry of the candidate, it became apparent that this had the makings of one of the best new-team workings of recent years. And so it proved Sure, there was the occasional minor fluff of wording or movement but, in each case, the officer concerned got through it with confidence and without faltering. And that, perhaps was the key-note of the working confidence a very Sam Williamson But Sam was not the only new member admitted at the July meeting. Earlier in the meeting, and following a proposal at the June meeting, a ballot was held in respect of W. Bro. Macolm Baker, Past Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, a member and Past Master of the Croydon Lodge of Unity No.5164, a regular 1

visitor to the Lodge in recent months. The ballot proving clear, the W. Master welcomed W. Bro. Baker as a joining member. He is likely to prove a worthy and useful addition to the Brethren in the East. Also early in the meeting, the opportunity had been taken to propose a modest increase in the level of lodge dues, prefigured by a notice of motion with an explanatory memo, circulated to members in advance of the meeting. The last increase, some three years ago, had been the first for ten years and, in consequence, had been rather substantial and had occasioned some criticism at the time. Consequently, the Lodge Committee had decided that reviews of dues should be carried out more frequently, to keep individual increases to a more modest level. In the present case, the proposed six-monthly increase for a full member was only a little more than the cost of two cups of coffee. This was obviously acceptable to the brethren, for the increase passed with virtually no discussion. Every good meeting should have a surprise. July s came just before closing when the W. Master required W. Bro. John Hume to be presented in the East. He then read a citation covering W. Bro. Hume s many services to the Lodge and the Craft, culminating in the presentation of one of the Lodge s historic Past Master s jewels. Judging by the traditional apron-slapping which then spontaneously occurred, the brethren were in full agreement with the award. The text of the citation is reprinted later in this issue. toast to the candidate with neat references to some early events in in the history of the United Grand Lodge of England. Bro. Williamson replied briefly and succinctly. The meal progressed well and the brethren noted an unexpected but appreciated variation to the usual main course. Talk flowed freely and everyone, including a number of visitors, appeared to be having a good time. THE GRAND MASTERS WILLIAM PRESTON - Pt.1 EDUCATOR In 1762, a group of Edinburgh Freemasons living in London decided to form a lodge there and applied to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a warrant. The Scottish Grand Lodge, having recognised the Antients Grand Lodge in London as the sole masonic authority for England, declined to issue a warrant, and recommended that they make application to the Antients, which they did. Accordingly, on 20 April 1763, a new lodge, meeting at the White Hart in the Strand, was constituted as No.111 on the register of the Antients Grand Lodge. The second recorded initiate of the lodge was a 21-yearold Scotsman, named William Preston. DOWN THE STAIRS And so to refectory. It had originally been feared that, with a full degree working by a new team plus several other items of general business, we might be hard-pressed to get downstairs by the crucial time of 9pm. But everything in the meeting had flowed so smoothly that it was closed at 8.30. Our new EA was swiftly spirited away to be incorporated among the young occupants of what is becoming known as the Stewards Table, where he appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself. In due time, his proposer, Bro. Steve Haultain rose to call attention to the traditional William Preston in later years William Preston was the son of an Edinburgh solicitor and something of a child prodigy, being admitted to the Royal High School in Edinburgh at the age of 6, to study Latin and Greek. On the death of his father he became, in his teenage years, literary secretary and amanuensis to a renowned but ailing classical scholar, Thomas 2

Ruddiman, who also arranged for him to receive instruction in the printing trade. On Ruddiman s death, Preston went to London and took employment with an old boy of his former school, who was later to become King s Printer, and commenced a professional career to become a highly-regarded editor, earning the respect and friendship of major literary figures, many of whom were also Freemasons. The first year of Preston s lodge in London was not entirely happy. A number of his fellow members, dissatisfied with the lower social status of an Antients lodge, compared to their former lodges in Scotland, taking Preston with them, started visiting Moderns lodges, where they were well received as they were obviously of a higher educational level than the average Antients member. It did not take them long to persuade the other members of the lodge to transfer its allegiance to the Moderns Grand Lodge and in November 1764, Lodge 111 of the Antients was reconstituted as the Caledonian Lodge No 325 of the Moderns, which gave rise to some vitriolic correspondence from their former Grand Lodge. Brethren of Caledonian Lodge were later to be prime movers in the foundation of the first Grand Royal Arch Chapter by the Moderns. Like many vigorous young Scotsmen who made their way to London at that time, Preston was a great believer in the benefits of self-education and most of his spare time, apart from his masonic activities, was spent following up various avenues of knowledge. In particular he threw himself into learning more about Freemasonry and soon became disenchanted with the quality of the ad hoc lectures sometimes given in lodges. Many of these were based on the sort of dubious historical statements which had featured in the ancient history of the Craft section of James Anderson s original Book of Constitutions and on the wishful-thinking of their authors. Initially to satisfy his own curiosity, he began in his spare time an exhaustive programme of personal masonic research, which quickly became a consuming interest. He read everything he could find on the subject in print or manuscript and entered into correspondence with similar enquiring minds both in Britain and overseas. Blessed with a retentive memory, abundant energy and rigid self-discipline, he applied his intelligence to the material he discovered and started organizing it into what he considered to be an improved form for lectures in lodges. Being a very organised fellow, from time to time.he would invite some masonic friends round to his lodgings and try out his latest efforts on them, allowing them to criticize and discuss the content and presentation so that he could make improvements based on their reaction. Finally, he was ready. At his own expense, he hired a meeting-room and organised a supper at the Crown and Anchor in the Strand, then sent out invitations to various masonic worthies (including a selection of influential Grand Lodge officers) to attend a Masonic Gala on 21 May 1772, at which he presented a new system of lectures for the three degrees. The evening was an undoubted success and invitations to present the lectures in lodges poured in. Not one to hold back, Preston built upon this growing reputation by organizing other material he had collected into a book Illustrations of Masonry which, on its publication the following year, met with a similar reception. During his lifetime, it went through twelve editions, was translated for use on the Continent, and is still in print today (your Editor has a modern reprint). Such was the demand for Preston s services that, in 1774, he organised his material into lecture courses, which he conducted at the Mitre Tavern in Fleet Street. Twelve lectures for each degree at a cost of one guinea per degree a nice little earner! These lectures, with amendments, were eventually to become what are now known as the Old Lectures, used throughout English lodges well into the 20 th century. To modern eyes (and ears) these lectures now appear somewhat antiquated and some statements made in them and in Illustrations of Masonry have now been invalidated by modern scholarship, but it has to be admitted that they were a great improvement on what had gone before and now represent a good depiction of advanced masonic thinking of the period. Attending that Gala in 1772 were the Master and another member of the Moderns Lodge of Antiquity No.1 (now No.2 of the United Grand Lodge of England). This was one of the four original Lodges of the first Grand Lodge and had formerly met at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern where the inaugural meeting of the Grand Lodge 3

had been held. But over the half century since then, the Lodge had fallen on hard times and a steeply falling membership had put its future in doubt. Seeing Preston s success and the acclaim he received, the Master and the other member, John Noorthouck (who actually worked in the same printing firm as Preston) decided to recruit him as a member of Antiquity. The following month, with Preston s approval, he was elected a member of Antiquity in absentia and two weeks later, when he attended the Lodge for the first time, he was elected its Master. He did not know it, but his problems were about to begin. But this will have to await Part 2 of the Preston story in two months time. Next Issue: Back to the Grand Masters W. BRO. JOHN HUME CITATION In many Lodges, a retiring Master automatically receives a Past Master s jewel. But in this, the Wellington Lodge, such a jewel is only presented after continuing outstanding service to the Lodge, by one who has previously been its Master. Tonight, we honour one of our own. John Alexander Hume is the descendant of a family long associated with the Ohariu Valley and he farms there to this day. He is known for his participation in the Valley organisations and, as a JP since 2007 has given sterling service to the rural community. He was initiated in this Lodge in July 1984, started on the ladder as Junior Steward in 1992, and was installed as Master in 1998. Since that time, he has been a regular participant in the work of the Lodge Committee and there have been very few meetings of the Lodge itself when he has not been present. He has been enthusiastic in contributing to the ritual work and there have been many occasions when he has stepped into a role with little if any advance notice, particularly in recent years when we were frequently pressed for officers. He has a continuing interest in the development of young Masons. He also played a part in the renewal of the Port Chalmers Marine Lodge on its transfer from Dunedin to Hawkes Bay, serving a year as its Master His qualities have been recognised by the District Grand Lodge. First appointed Deputy District Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2001, he then rose through several offices to become District Senior Grand Warden in 2009. Extending his activities to the Royal Arch, he was exalted in Aorangi Royal Arch Chapter and became its First Principal in 2002, then rising through several District offices to be appointed Second District Grand Principal, followed two years later by the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer from Supreme Grand Chapter in London. In all this, John has had the active support of his wife Liz, who over the years has become a friend to many of the Lodge wives. If one had to characterise John in three words it would be unpretentious, committed and helpful. He is a great example of what a good Freemason can be. For this we will continue to cherish him, and we are proud to honour him tonight. The Past Master s jewel with which I invest you is one of our historic ones, and was first awarded to Worshipful Brother Frederick Spratt, Past Deputy District Grand Master, in 1966. Wear it with pride. COMING UP Wed 17 August: Meeting Third Degree - Bro. Brooke Butler DON T FORGET TO BOOK YOUR MEAL FOR THE AUGUST MEETING DO IT NOW SEE THE FIRST ITEM IN THIS NEWSVIEW FOR THE BOOKING PROCEDURE 4

IF YOU ARE NOT COMING, SEND THE SECRETARY AN APOLOGY NOW Mon 05 September: Wellesley from 5.30 Wed 21 September: Board and commentary. Happy Hour at the Meeting First Tracing Mon 03 October: Happy Hour at the Wellesley from 5.30 Wed 19 October: Third Degree: Bro. Jack Robinson =========== 5