The history of the Freemasons in Hay
All information of the history of Freemasons in Hay was taken from the condensed version of the original History of Lodge Murrumbidgee, 37, Hay U.G.L. N.S.W. was written by Alex C.W. Welsh. Masonic Lodge and Freemasons appear to be somewhat contentious issues.
Designed to be a secret club or society of sorts, people get upset when it is spoken about noting the intended secrecy of the orders.
Freemasonry is the world's oldest fraternal organisation.
Its members include politicians, scientists, engineers, writers, inventors, and philosophers.
Freemasons are known for their:
• White aprons •
Arcane symbols
• Secret handshake
• Handshakes, words, and signs that indicate Masonic status
Freemasonry is a secular movement that's open to men of any race or faith.
Its members swear an oath not to subvert the peace and good order of society So, what do the Freemasons actually do?
Australian Freemasons have raised millions of dollars for causes such as the Pacific tsunami, medical research, and the aged.
The Freemasons Foundation provides grants, scholarships, and bursaries to charities.
They are involved in local fundraising and international relief efforts.
They have placed the foundation stones for many prominent buildings in Australia, including the Melbourne Court House and Melbourne Hospital.
Freemasons organise functions for families, such as picnics and lunches.
The organisation helps each other improve through mentoring and setting a good example.
They are treated like family members by their fellow members. Freemasons develop leadership skills that can be used in their jobs and communities. It is an international movement with over six million members worldwide.
Its values are non-denominational and ethical, and it's based on respect for all people.
Why was the culture of secrecy built?
Freemasons have been persecuted at times in history, such as by the Nazis, and have gone underground to survive.
Some suspect that Freemasons are secretive to conceal how they help each other in business and the workplace.
Freemasons often don't speak about their rituals to outsiders, and seen as strange by some as a result.
Freemasonry has been shrouded in mystery and secrecy for the entirety of its existence.
The use of secrecy as a metaphor; Freemasonry is modelled after medieval stonemasons, who used secret words and symbols to protect their work and recognise each other.
Popular movies and books, like The Da Vinci Code, have depicted the Freemasons in an unflattering light. It is important for all aspects of history to be recorded and remembered, before all trace of them is lost.
Freemasons pursue their personal development by working towards the betterment of all humanity through widespread community involvement offering support at all levels from local fundraising to international relief efforts.
For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service.
In Australia, Robert Menzies, Donald Bradman, Charles Kingsford Smith and Weary Dunlop are just a few names from the long list of notable Freemasons.
The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry.
Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons.
When reading the history of the Freemasons in Hay, I was a little baffled with the many abbreviations of positions withing the organisation.
There appears to be many varied positions.
M∴ C∴:Middle Chamber
M∴ E∴: Most Eminent or Most Excellent
M∴ E∴ G∴ H∴ P∴:Most Excellent Grand High Priest
M∴ E∴ G∴ M∴:Most Eminent Grand Master (of Knights Templar)
M∴ E∴ M∴:Most Excellent Master
M∴ E∴ Z∴:Most Excellent Zerubbabel
M∴ K∴ G∴:Maurer Kunst Geselle, which is German for Fellow Craft
M∴ L∴:Maurer Lehrling, which is German for Entered Apprentice
M∴ L∴:Mère Loge, which is French for Mother Lodge
M∴ M∴:Master Mason
M∴ P∴ S∴:Most Puissant Sovereign
M∴ W∴:Most Worshipful
M∴ W∴ G∴ M∴:Most Worshipful Grand Master or Most Worthy Grand Matron � M∴ W∴ G∴ P∴:Most Worthy Grand Patron
M∴ W∴ M∴:Most Wise Master
M∴ W∴ S∴:Most Wise Sovereign
G.C.– Grand Chapter; Grand Council; Grand Cross; Grand Commander; Grand Chaplain; Grand Conclave; Grand Conductor; Grand Chancellor. G∴ C∴ G∴ – Grand Captain General; Grand Captain of the Guard. G ∴ C∴ H∴ – Grand Captain of the Host; Grand Chapter of Heredom.
Freemasonry has three ceremonial degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason.
There are additional degrees for Master Masons, but no degree higher than Master Mason.
A candidate is brought into the lodge, blindfolded, taken through various stops, where questions are asked and answers given.
He is brought to an altar, asked to recite an oath, and then given instructions about the fraternity, given a mentor to guide him in the learning his lessons.
A condensed version of the original History of Lodge Murrumbidgee, 37, Hay U.G.L. N.S.W. was written by Alex C.W. Welsh.
This was written so it could be printed in a souvenir program for the 75th anniversary of Lodge Murrumbidgee, which took place on October 16, 1947.
I was lucky enough to read through this at the Hay Gaol Museum, where it is stored with other memorabilia.
“The earliest document from the archives of out Lodge is a letter written by Mr Peter Tyson of ‘Corrong’ dated December 26, 1871, in answer to a circular letter from the Reverend Samuel Alexander Hamilton, Presbyterian Minister at Hay, who ultimately became the first worshipful master of the Infant Lodge Murrumbidgee,”Alex C.W. Welsh writes in his condensed version of the original History of Lodge Murrumbidgee, 37, Hay U.G.L. N.S.W.
“We next find on April 22 1872, Anno Lucis 5876 the Provincial G.M. of N.S.W. Scottish Constitution, sent our well-beloved Brother, P.M. Donald Cameron, S.C., Deniliquin to open and consecrate a new Lodge of Freemasons at Hay and install the first office bearers.
“The new Lodge met at an adjourned meeting of Freemasons held at Mr Read’s office, Lachlan Street Hay on April 8, 1872.
“The chief officers were W.M. Rev. S.A. Hamilton, S.W. Alfred Tartakover, J.W. Allen Lakeman.
“The second regular meeting was held at Tattersall’s Hotel May 13, 1872 when a dispensation having been received from Sydney to open a lodge.
“The W.M. opened the lodge in the first degree.”
George Henry Harrison was initiated in 1883 and remained a subscribing member until his death, April 25, 1931.
He lived to become Father of the Lodge. His two sons, George H. Harrison Jnr, and Fred A. Harrison were P.M.s in the Hay Lodge.
Another well-known local family, the Johnsons, were also members of the Lodge. R.W. Brother John Johnson P.G.S.W was a P.M. from 1890 until 1892.
John Johnson installed his younger son, Gavin, to the W.M. of the Lodge on the 50th anniversary of his own initiation.
John Johnson’s service to the community was recognised by His Majesty the King, who awarded on him the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
Another well-known citizen of Hay, Henry Barkly Maclure, was initiated in the lodge October 5, 1892 and during 1903-05 was the 22nd master.
“His work in the lodge was nothing short of excellent,” writes Mr Welsh.
“For years he was Hay’s most prominent citizen.
He donated the sum of 2,000 pounds to form a scholarship at Hay War Memorial High School in the memory of his son Gordon who was killed in World War One.
“It was largely through Brother Johnson’s instrumentality and that of W. Brother H.B. Maclure, James Glandfield, James Houston, L.E. Pennman, and I.C. Ellis, that the idea of Hay War Memorial High School was conceived and successfully carried out.”
The first Masonic Lodge, or Temple was located in Lachlan Street.
It sat where the Commercial Hotel is now. Established in 1872, the first hall was established by the then Mayor William Sabine.
The 50th anniversary of the lodge was in 1922, and they celebrated by refurbishing the hall at a cost of 500 pounds.
A centenary installation of the Lodge Murrumbidgee was held on September 2, 1972.
There were 48 members of the Lodge Murrumbidgee, 73 visitors and a Grand Lodge delegation of 21.
Members of the Hay Lodge served in World War One., with Jack Tyson killed in action.
In World War Two, Edward S. Whitteron died while a prisoner of war. A memorial plaque was erected in the lodge to remember these fallen members.
The second craft lodge was built in 1878, and was located on the corner of Pine and Moppett Street.
It was built in 1878 and used by both the Masons and the community until 1988 and finally the demise of the building came in 1989 when it burnt down.
In later years the hall was used for school plays, functions, parties and balls. It was demolished by Nerida Reid’s brother, Colin Barnes, who owned it.
People purchased parts of the hall in which they were interested, including the throne chairs, entrance, and archway.
Over the 100 years of the lodge running there was said to have been over 200 masons, From postmasters to local police.
Mr Welsh lists the members in the abridged version of the Lodge’s history.
Some recognisable names over the Lodge’s time were W.M. Sprowell Whitteron, holding Grand Lodge Rank from 1951-1952.
W.M. John Kirkcaldy Johnston, son of John Johnston and brother of Gavin.
Gavin Johnston was believed to be the youngest W.M. of the lodge, holding the rank from 1941/42.
W.M. Herbert Farlow, a dairy farmer and returned soldier of the Great War, held the rank from 1947-48.
In 1958-59 Clifford L. Farlow, ex P.O.W. form Japan, initiated renovations to the temple.
Other notable surnames include Brunker, Thomas, Gibson, Matthews, Clarke, Houston, Whitehead, Milliken and Tyson.
In 1945, W.M. A.B. Cox was installed into the rank by W.B. Liver.
This officer was a keen jeweller and his jewels were worn by district past members.
Mr W.C.P. Schade acted as I.P.M at the Centenary of installation of Lodge Murrumbidgee, which took place on September 2, 1972.
Mr Schade took that role on for the coming year. He was the son of the Master of the Diamond Jubilee year. Brother Edward James Legge, S.W. Master elect spoke at the Centenary celebrations in 1972.
“Freemasonry, far from being a secret society, did have a secret which was making men live better lives in a spirit of brotherly love,” he said.
“It uplifts society through its high moral teachings which seek to elevate the thoughts of mankind.
“Freemasons are taught the brotherhood of God and man; they are obligated to live by the Volume of the Sacred Law, to be good citizens and obey the law of the land.”
Freemasons appear to have admirably lofty ideals.
An organisation with a positive mindset, the society may have earnt a dubious reputation due to the secretive nature, but the good works and ideals of the organisation deserve praise and congratulations
The Hay Gaol has a collection of local artifacts form members of the Freemasons.
