|
The first 3 degrees of the French (Clifford) rituals (c1773-1793)
with compliments of
|
PLEASE NOTE:
The following is the abridged text of a lecture delivered by W.Bro .Mel Moyle, 218 PM, 30º AASR at the Victorian Lodge of Research on 28 June 1997 and published in the VLOR's transactions for 1997 entitled 'Examining Freemasonry'.
The full text may be obtained by email from the Correspondence Circle Secretary, W Bro Graeme Love. Please be sure include your snail-mail address and sufficient information to identify your masonic standing.
by W.Bro. Mel Moyle, 218 PM, 30º AASR
INTRODUCTION
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is commonly known as the Rose Croix, with England and the Australian Synod declining to use the term "Scottish". It developed as a Christian Order when England in 1723 moved to a universal approach to freemasonry. Since then only England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have remained Christian, the other 47 Supreme Councils being universalist.
The Rite started in France, developed in the West Indies, matured in USA, returned to France and spread through Europe, England and Scotland. It is a 33 degree system based on the then belief that Christ was 33 years old when crucified. In the "English" system a Sovereign Chapter confers degrees 4 to 17 (the first 3 degrees being those of the Craft) and works the 18th. Those who are particularly keen may qualify for advancement where a Sovereign Council confers degrees 19 to 29 and works the 30th. Those who are extremely keen may qualify for the 31st and 32nd degree, whilst the 33rd degree is the equivalent of Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master. In the "American" system the degrees up to 30th are worked by demonstration and progress is by merit, while conferral to 32nd occurs and rarely to 33rd.
The general method of progression, in Australia, is to be Perfected to the 18th degree, 3 years + later be Admitted to the 30th, qualify for the 31st and 32nd by patient industry and merit, then wait for a vacancy in this limited membership list and so gain an Elevation in a 31" Tribunal and a 32" Consistory. A typical formula is for each charter in each Province to be eligible for 1.5 x 31", 1 x 32" and 1 in 7 x 33" recipients. At 33 degree level there are a number of Regional or District Administrators or Sovereign Grand Inspectors General who report to one State Deputy or Regional Commander who in turn report direct to a Supreme Council in England, Scotland or Australia. Specific detail for the English, Scottish and Australian Rites vary slightly, as does the ritual, and of course regalia changes at each level and is different for each Rite.
Scotland will not release rituals for the conferral degrees, also known as the intermediate degrees, so students who wish to study these have to use American or English rituals. The accent is on the worked degrees rather than be diverted by intermediate degrees. The American ritual as a complete exposure of every degree is freely available. Rituals may differ from Supreme Council to Supreme Council, similar to different rituals.
EARLY HISTORY
The history up to 1980 will be considered on a state by state basis, for English and Scottish Constitutions, then we plan to weave through the formation of the two Australian Constitutions and study the current position of the Order.
South Australia - English
In April 1857 Supreme Council for England granted a warrant to Dr Benjamin
Archer Kent to confer degrees 4 to 17, and in July through "Letters of Credence"
extended the territory to the whole of Australia. Dr Kent was requested to
report on his proceedings which he did by visiting all centres prior to October
1858 in preparation for attending
a meeting of Supreme Council in January 1859. Dr Kent reported :-
- He had granted a provisional Warrant to certain qualified brethren in Melbourne to hold a Rose Croix Chapter.
- He required clarification on a numberr of points relating to the working of the Rose Croix degree.
Victoria - English
Illus Bro Dr Benjamin Archer Kent, 31", Most Eminent Provincial Grand Commander and Representative in Australia of the Supreme Grand Council for England and Wales and the Dominions and Dependencies of the British
Crown was in Melbourne and on 2 April 1858, accepted a Petition, issued a Provisional Warrant, and installed the MWS in Metropolitan Chapter. The Petitioners were Illus Bro Bradshaw, 30", Illus Bro AJ Gibbs, 30", and Ex & Perf Comp Moody. Illus. Bro. Kent opened the Sovereign Chapter, Bradshaw and Gibbs proposed Moody as MWS, Kent installed him and appointed Bradshaw and Gibbs as First and Second Generals. Present also were 5 Brethren petitioning to be admitted to the Order, these being LJH Lowry, Sydney James, FT Gell, Frank Adames and MGHW Ross. They were proposed and seconded, accepted, obligated by Kent, and he then delegated the balance of the ceremony to the MWS so he could rush off to catch a sailing ship to England. The ceremony was completed by 11:30 am. The next meeting was 2 years later on 9:3:1860 when the Warrant arrived without name or number. This meeting was held at Tattersall's Hotel, Lonsdale Street. Subsequent meetings were at the Ulster Arms, Spring Street, thereafter at St Patrick's Hall, Bourke Street. The first set of minutes were signed by Gibbs in June 1864 and have been lost. Furniture made in 1862 at a quoted price of 25 pounds was so much appreciated that Mr Chevalier was paid 30 pounds. Messrs Ladd and Kerr engraved the summons plate for 15 pounds. Admission fees were 12 guineas, joining fee 6 guineas.
Then in November 1883 Supreme Council refused a request to set up a Council in Melbourne as; a) 3 GIG's were required, and the names submitted for the 30º, viz Taylor and Fletcher, were not on the Register as Rose Croix 18º Masons. In 1883 Metropolitan #11 in Melbourne was still the only Chapter under Supreme Council for England. At this stage the Grand Lodge of Victoria was established as an alternative to the allegiance to the United Grand Lodge of England. The 5 brethren excluded from Metropolitan for joining the new Grand Lodge complained direct to Supreme Council who ruled in favour of the 5 as only Supreme Council had the power to expel.
In 1885 Thomas Bulmer wrote to Supreme Council requesting promotion. He was referred to Metropolitan, but declined to be associated with them, so threatened to join the "about to be established" Canadian Chapter. When advised Canada had no such motives, Bulmer threatened to form his own Chapter in Shepparton, and next appears as the Grand Master for South Australia for the Grand Orient of Egypt.
In July 1886 this Melbourne Chapter, now Metropolitan #11, requested authority to work the 30th degree. Supreme Council agreed to a Council being established on the basis that it be consecrated under Special Dispensation. As working the degree requires 3 SGIG of 33 degree rank, 3 deputies would be granted Honorary rank for this purpose only, and all requirements of Supreme Council would be observed. Despite this agreement, obviously nothing happened. In October it was agreed that the Council be established if 3 GIG's would travel to Australia for that purpose. Ireland and England had no 30 degree Councils abroad. Metropolitan #11 was directed in 1901 that no brother was to take his 30th degree in a Scottish Council.
In November 1916 Metropolitan #11 succeeded in having the 30th degree conferred on Bro Rev AT Holden, Chaplain General (Methodist) Australian Imperial Forces. During his stay in England he was advanced to the 31st degree, and had created a personal friendship with the English Supreme Council. Fowler of Metropolitan in 1925 offered himself as an appropriate 33rd degree conferral, and again Supreme Council hesitated, suggesting one chapter for all of Victoria was not exciting progress. On the death of Fowler in January 1929, a Dictrict comprising NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia was formed with Holden as the 33rd degree Inspector General.
Metropolitan #11 remained the only Victorian Chapter for 71 years till the formation of Kerang #277 in 1929. Rituals of the intermediate degrees were tightly held. When Bro Trebilcock of Kerang Chapter #277 requested copy in 1934, these were supplied to Holden who was bound to retrieve them after perusal by Trebilcock. In 1945 Metropolitan was still the only English Chapter in Melbourne with membership still growing from the 50 in 1934. The February 1968 meeting was held at Freemason's Hall, Lonsdale Street and from May onwards at Freemason's Hall, Collins Street.
Australia Southern District was divided in 1944, and in 1952 was re-designated Victoria and Tasmania, which in 1953 became Districts. On 1st January 1972 Victoria was divided into Victoria Central and Victoria Country, and in 1981 Victoria was divided into Western, Central and Eastern with Chapters as follows :-
| Victoria Eastern : | Victoria Central : | Victoria Western : |
| Robert Dick #398 | Metropolitan #11 | Avalon #517 |
| Nepean #437 | Kerang #277 | Brunswick #591 |
| Ringwood #438 | Royal Moira #288 | Wimmera #633 |
| Gipsland #589 | St Kilda #353 | Sunshine #644 |
| Arboreal #651 | Invicta Sentennial #357 | Ascension #68 |
| Mornington Peninsula #691 | Holden #425 | Colac #794 |
| Warragul #864 | Castlemaine #581 |
Of interest is a Notice Paper from Gippsland Chapter #589 of 1971 which lists the meeting dates of the 18 English Chapters and 7 Scottish Chapters in the region. Obviously inter-visitation was encouraged.
Victoria - Scottish
Bendigo Chapter #32 and Victoria Sovereign Council #14 were warranted in 1918 and 1921 at considerably lower fees than Metropolitan, and Scotland ignored pleas from England for better control as this may lower the standard of candidate. As Scotland had been conferring the 30th degree since 1901, another request from Metropolitan in 1922 was again ignored despite the comment of mounting pressure for an Australian Supreme Council. It was still a requirement in England for the 30th degree to be restricted to past MWS of some merit, a practice not recognised by Scotland. Accordingly most new Chapters were of Scottish origin, and English Rose Croix brethren were recommending their friends join the Scottish Rite.
Tasmania - English
On 23rd July 1885 Illus Bro E Armitage, 30", was encouraged by Supreme Council to form a Chapter to confer the 18th degree. Armitage advised he could not find suitable candidates. In 1921 a warrant was issued to Holy Sepulchre Chapter #228 to meet in Hobart, followed by Ernest Clark #359 at Launceston in 1945, Hobart #368 in 1945 and Coronation #465 at Devonport in 1953. These were initially part of District of Australia (Southern) which in 1953 was divided into District of Victoria and District of Tasmania.
Queensland - Scottish
Queensland Chapter #9 was formed in Brisbane in 1879 and Queensland Council #6 was formed in Brisbane in 1882. In 1891 Supreme Council was approached by James Fenwick for a Rose Croix Chapter in Queensland. As Fenwick was of Scottish Craft affiliation, Scottish Supreme Council agreed, and a Chapter was authorised to be formed in Brisbane. In the absence of subsequent correspondence, Supreme Council started to wonder what had happened. In 1900 Bro Luck was in England requesting a new Chapter for Brisbane, and was allowed "to pass the chair" so he might constitute a new chapter. Again nothing happened. At this stage several Chapters had been set up, or were in the process of being set up, in Queensland.
By 1954 there were 13 Chapters and 3 Councils operating. By 1963 this had risen to 24 and 5, and a printed version of the 30th degree ritual was about to be released. The 29th November 1962 saw Supreme Council in Scotland agreed to divide Queensland into 3 Provinces, this being achieved by 9th February 1963. The entire state of Queensland had been worked as one district for 84 years. The new area districts were as follows :-
(a) Carpentaria, from Cardwell north, comprising Carpentaria Council #17 and Chapters Miles #26, Tablelands #114, and Centennial #116.
(b) North Queensland, comprising North Queensland Sovereign Council #12 at Charters Towers and Chapters Townsville Kilwinning #47, and Tablelands #114.
(c) South Queensland, comprising the balance of Queensland.
1969 heralded the 90th birthday of Queensland Sovereign Chapter #9, the oldest Chapter under the Scottish Constitution in the Southern Hemisphere. Current membership being 214.
In 1972 SGIG JAR Thompson visited the 2 Chapters in Papua and New Guinea where the native population is 2.5 million but only 3 natives are Craft members and none are Scottish Rite members. In 1974 the Territory of Papua and New Guinea became independant and considerable loss of memberships occurred as members relocated back to Australia. V Ill Bro Thompson again visited New Guinea in 1978, and again reported difficulties being experienced by Craft and Rose Croix masonry. Thus the 2 Rose Croix Chapters continued to operate under difficulty. The two Chapters in New Guinea, James S Symington #62 and New Guinea #115 again report problems in 1985 due to the repatriation of many of the European population to Australia following independance.
Meanwhile in 1975 Queensland South, comprising 29 Chapters and 9 Councils, with a membership of 2,341 was divided into 3 Provinces, so reducing the very considerable travelling involved.
New South Wales - English
In 1892 both Supreme Councils of England and Scotland had refused Bro Levy a Rose Croix Chapter in Sydney. Using his Jewish association, Levy then approached the Northern Jurisdiction of USA, but they were persuaded to stay out of Australia. A conference between England, Scotland and Ireland in London in 1894 reported a delegate of a spurious Supreme Council of USA had been instituting Councils in NSW and NZ, and that one of the NSW Inspectors had been visiting Chapters in South Africa.
Rev Dr AT Holden was appointed Inspector General of the District of Australia (Southern) in 1929. This District, in 1944, was divided into Australia (Southern), Australia (Central), and New South Wales, which included Canberra. Then in 1952 the District of New South Wales was further divided into New South Wales (Central), New South Wales (Northern), and New South Wales (Southern) which included Canberra. Meanwhile, Viscount Galway, a member of Supreme Council for England, was appointed Governor General of NZ in 1935, and planned to visit Sydney in 1938. It was suggested he confer 30th degrees on that occasion. Accordingly in July 1937 Sir Ernest Clark was appointed 33rd degree and GIG Southern Division of Australia, and in February 1938 appointed Bro Ven Archdeacon Stevenson to 33rd degree and GIG Queensland. The next 30th degree meeting in Australia (Sydney) was in May 1945. In 1937 we have 2 Chapters formed in Sydney, including the Holden Chapter of Improvement. Two more English Chapters were warranted in Sydney in 1944, making 6 in total, which with the one in Canberra resulted in a new District of NSW and Canberra, ACT. By 1955 there were 28 Chapters in NSW.
New South Wales - Scottish
Sedgwick Chapter #15 was formed on 29:11:1892 in the Royal Forresters Hall, Castlereagh Street, Sydney with Dr WG Sedgwick as Sovereign. Ten Royal Arch Companions were conferred the 18th degree, then appointed and installed as Officers. When the Charter was received on 14:2:1893 the Chapter was consecrated and Office Bearers confirmed. Initially meetings were held at irregular intervals in a variety of locations. The first candidates, 4 of them, were perfected in October 1895. In 1985 this Chapter transferred to the Australian Constitution. New South Wales Sovereign Council #9 was formed in October 1897, with 10 members under RA Withers as Commander. In 1898 Withers was appointed 31st degree and given charge of NSW. In 1900 he was promoted to both 32nd degree and 33rd degree as Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Province of NSW.
In 1963-4 the Order of Rome & Constantine in New South Wales was under both English and Scottish Constitutions. The Scottish group requested autonomy, which Scotland refused on the 1st June 1963 so some Conclaves declared their independence. As they had many common memberships with the Scottish Ancient and Accepted Rite, in the confusion which followed they also declared their independence on 20:02:1964. Horrible scenes followed, lifelong friendships were severed and the dissidents departed with the funds, the furniture and the records. This rift was detailed in a Report of 12th March 1964 titled "Australia for Australians".
As reported on the 33rd November 1961 V Illus Bro EC Schoefield had been working on a Supreme Council for Australia for several years. Although he regarded it as a natural development he cited difficulties experienced by the Craft and HRA in gaining independence from outside domination of their affairs, and requested Scotland to support a local Supeme Council as a voluntary separation would be more pleasant than a defection. V Illus Bros HM Bragg, SH Dobbie and Illus Bro McClure also worked to achieve change. They corresponded with Scotland who said if it was the wish of Australia to be independent then Scotland would support the move, but their legal opinion of the 1786 Constitutions was that NSW was not a Sovereign State but Australia was. Accordingly expulsion and isolation would apply should NSW go it alone.
Relevant membership statistics available in 1963 were :-
| 18* Members | % | Provinces | Councils | Chapters | ||
| Scotland | 1230 |
15.2 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
|
| Africa | 732 |
9.1 |
3 |
5 |
18 |
|
| Australia | - NSW | 1865 |
23.1 |
3 |
4 |
35 |
| - Qld | 1599 |
19.8 |
3 |
5 |
27 |
|
| - Vic | 682 |
8.4 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
|
| - WA | 349 |
4.3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
|
_______ |
||||||
4495 |
||||||
| India | 71 | 0.9 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
| Trinidad | 86 | 1.1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
| Hong Kong | 79 | 1.0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
| Malaysia | 57 | 0.6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
| New Zealand | 3341 | 16.5 |
2 |
3 |
19 |
|
|
_______ | _____ |
||||
Total |
18* | 8084 | 100.0 |
These figures highlight Scotland's determination not to lose either NSW or Australia, particularly as Africa and NZ may be tempted to follow, which NZ and South Africa later did. The Constantine problem was put aside as recommended by V Illus Bro Schoefield. In the meantime Supreme Council in Scotland had approved a further 34 conferrals of 31º and 32º elevations, and the relevant paper work and fees accepted by Scotland. The recipients gathered from all over NSW, but on the morning cables from Scotland rejected 8 of the promotions. The celebrations were cancelled despite the cost and associated embarrassment, and V Illus Bros Schoefield, Bragg and Dobbie cabled an offer of their resignations on the 31st Jan 1964 as follows :-
"Reference your three cables withdrawing promotions. Meeting for conferring 32 and 31 were cancelled. There is strong resentment at your belated action. Expenses of rent catering travelling from the country accommodation purchase of regalia fees printing totalling 1969 pounds have been incurred. We expect Supreme Council to reimburse this expense.Meeting of 47 members 32 31 30 today passed a resolution expressing unanimous confidence in three SGI'sG.Unless your telegrams are withdrawn three signatories will consider they have lost your confidence. In that event please accept our resignations. These will be followed by resignations from many senior members. Please cable reply urgently. Time is vital because Installations will be cancelled incurring further expense and dislocation. Signed Schoefield, Bragg, Dobbie."
The Grand Secretary General from Supreme Council arrived in Sydney on the 16th Feb 1964 announcing the purpose of his visit was to deal only with the Constantine problem, not the autonomy nor the cost of the rejected 8 elevations. Bragg and Dobbie were asked to resign from Constantine, and they requested time to consider it. Then on the 19th Feb 1964 Schoefield, Bragg and Dobbie were dismissed from office, no reason being given. At first reading the action of the Grand Secretary General seems high handed. But obviously he knew what was really going on. In a Report to Australian Supreme Council 1980 we have a deeper insight of events leading up to the public announcement of 20th February. We have; "The actual formation of the Supreme Council for Australia was effected on 13th February, 1964 and all Supreme Councils throughout the world were notified on the 20th day of February, 1964. The inaugural meeting was held in the Masonic Temple, Castlereagh Street, Sydney on 30th May, 1964 and this was a meeting of Members and representatives of those Chapters and Councils who had made a decision to join the Australian Rite. There were 31 Chapters and four Councils represented at this inaugural Meeting of Members. The total membership at this point of time was 1158. At the present time we have 42 Chapters and 8 Councils and approximately 2000 Members".
Quotations from the Constitutions of 1786 were used to justify setting up a Supreme Council under the 3 V Illus Brethren sacked by Scotland, which did happen on the 20th Feb 1964 as the Supreme Council for Australia, and other Chapters throughout Australia were invited to join the group before the 33 appointments of 33º were made. The break-away group of 16 Chapters quickly increased to 31 Chapters and 4 Councils, which in 1974 onwards were 42 Chapters and 8 Councils comprising 2000 members.
This break-away group obviously continued to operate. On p32 of the Scottish Annual Reporter 1973 we have :-
"AUSTRALIA - There exists in Australia, with its Headquarters in the State of New South Wales, an irregular body, which calls itself the Supreme Council for Australia. This body is not recognised by the Supreme Council for Scotland, the Supreme Council for England and Wales, nor any other Supreme Council in amity. Members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite who owe allegiance to the Supreme Council for Scotland are reminded that they must not visit any Chapter, Council, or Consistory under this irregular body, nor may members of it be received as visitors in any Chapter or Sovereign Council under this Supreme Council.
The 1975 Reporter advised of growing dissention within the membership of the 'Australian Rite' as they were not happy with being classified as irregular. This breakaway group was still strong in 1984, and in 1989 were initiating candidates the Scottish Chapters had hoped to attract. Obviously the breakaway group had an enthusiasm and a ritual which was successfully attracting new members who could have chosen a legitimate English or Scottish Chapter.
One heavily involved in resisting this breakaway was Russell Barwick, a Deputy in 1979, deeply involved in the ballot of 1985 when his all 5 Councils and 14 of the 17 Chapters in NSW Central remained Scottish. Barwick died in 1989. The Reporter of 1990 records - 'M Illus Bro Barwick was very much the popular image of an Australian: M Illus Bro Barwick was very much the popular image of an Australian: tough, outspoken, keen on racing, and with a dry sense of humour. He was loyal to the core to the Supreme Council for Scotland. He was a stalwart friend and a redoubtable adversary.' To have retained such a strong following he was obviously a great and successful Administrator. No wonder the Scots liked him.
When the "new" Australian Rite was formed in 1985, approaches were made to the "old" Australian Rite to join them as the "old" Rite had the name Supreme Council for Australia registered in each State. In the meantime the "new" Rite had to call themselves The Supreme Council 33º of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for the States and Territories of Australia and its Chapters Overseas. Initial reaction was favourable, but then questions asked seemed to be unresolved problems. The breakaway group, now popularly known as "The 64 Body" had :-
- set themselves up as a powerful and successful body
who were in no mood to be absorbed despite the fact that no
other Supreme Council had ever been in amity with
them;
- retained the red hat;
- retained a close form of Scottish ritual which many regarded as superior to the present "New" Australian ritual;
- an organisation of 31, 32 and 33 degree members who may no longer be required or titles recognised;
- other organisations paying lip service to the ban on visitation so what was the problem.
George Potts was in favour of amalgamating, but some of the originals such as Paul Holmes, Tom Gardiner and Alan Ervine argued they were better off independant as they had been for 20 years. Accordingly the Administrator appointed by the "new" Australian Rite made little progress in attracting Chapters and Councils to amalgamate until a breakthrough resulted in 1989, with all Chapters and Councils voting to join the new regular Supreme Council as of 10th November 1990 when all Charters of "The 64 Body" were cancelled. At this time "The 64 Body" comprised 29 Chapters, 8 Councils and a membership of 1040, a considerable decline on the 1980 figures.
In the 1991 Reporter we have; 'The reference in previous editions to an Irregular Supreme Council for Australia no longer applies as this body has now been absorbed by the Regular Supreme Council, with which the Supreme Council for Scotland is in amity. Inter-visitation is therefore in order through-out Australia'. It would now appear the amalgamation was not as smooth as one would wish, and a few unhappy with the move have resigned to join the Scottish Rite. However clearance papers from the Australian Rite have been rather slow in materialising, leaving Brethren in limbo, and creating sour comment. Some wounds heal slowly. Perhaps another generation is required to dull memories of the past. And so ends a sad but interesting diversion for those involved with the Scottish Rite.
So returning to the historical progress after our diversion with "The 64 Body", intake of candidates and opening of new Chapters was adversely affected by a severe drought in rural NSW in 1966. In 1969 regional dinners proved popular despite the distances involved. For example, Western and Northern District has an area of 176,820 square miles, about 5 times the area of Scotland. It was about this period when a noticeable decline in Craft members started, and the intake of candidates declined accordingly. As an extension, the Ladies started being invited to the refectory, and this proved a popular move.
In 1976 New South Wales Central comprised 3 Sovereign Councils with a membership of 182 and 13 Sovereign Chapters with a membership of 639. This area was then divided into 5 Districts with a 32 degree Representative in each. This allowed the Sovereign Grand Inspector General to restrict his visits to Installations.
While 1983 saw the Province Western & Northern split into two separate Provinces. To build up it was proposed to start a new Chapter in Forster, but this was opposed by the E.C. Chapter in Taree "in terms of the Concordat" which applied to Christian Orders. NSW was then reorganised into Central, Northern and Western and new SGIG's appointed by M Illus Bro RA Barwick for the remaining 5 Councils and 14 Chapters with V Illus Bro A Morris to Central, V Illus Bro R Coupland to Northern and V Illus Bro N Pedersen to Western.
Western Australia - English
In July 1904 Supreme Council for England authorised Boucaut Chapter #152 in Perth. A request in 1924 for a set of 30th degree rituals was refused by the Supreme Council for England on the basis the degree could only be conferred by a 33rd degree SGIG in England. Bridgetown Chapter #296 was consecrated in 1934.
Western Australia - Scottish
Donald Smith Chapter #40 was set up in Perth in 1921 with Western Australian Council #15 in 1928. In January 1930 Scotland Warranted a new Mount Lawley Chapter in Perth, forgetting to tell England or Ireland of the move. England requested the Warrant be cancelled as England already had Boucaut and Golden West Chapter #163 of 1909 and Scotland had Donald Smith Chapter, with England looking to a new Chapter in North Perth. Scotland withdrew the Mount Lawley Warrant, but had it reinstated in 1932 on the basis only Scottish brethren would be eligible to join.
During 1977 a demonstration team was set up in Perth specifically for the 18th degree, but when Eastern Goldfields Chapter made sets of regalia to cover degrees 4 to 17, some ritual associated with these degrees was also included. These demonstrations are to be extended to include country areas. A new Chapter was set up at Esperence in 1978, the first new chapter in 18 years. It was strongly supported, the next chapter being 240 km away, and proof that Esperence is a stronghold of freemasonry. By 1981 Western Australia had 1 Sovereign Council and 11 Sovereign Chapters.
GENERAL HISTORY
In London in 1938 Grand Mark obtained a rental agreement whereby there would
be no rental increases for 40 years. Other Orders, including the Rose Croix
shared these premises. When the agreement expired in 1978 the rental increase
was significant, resulting in considerably higher transfer fees from Australia
to England. This aggravated many, who in 1978 pressed for independence from
England. The English Rite invited the local Scottish Rite to join them, thus
generating one Rite for all of Australia.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The need to write this history of the Rose Croix in Australia was recognised with urgency. The major players of recent developments are not growing younger and we cannot afford to lose their knowledge. Texts on the Rose Croix are 20 years out of date. Unfortunately those who really know have been most silent and highly uncooperative. Those with a grudge have happily shared their emotions. Hopefully those major players will recognise this as a dreadful draft effort; will supply the real story; will fill the gaps, and will lean on the Victorian Lodge of Research to publish an update.
EULOGY
I, Graeme Love, while editing this paper (21:45 on 10 Feb 98) am aware that its author Mel Moyle is close to "passing beyond the veil". Those of you brethren who have read this paper and are furious that Mel had the audacity to write such a history (warts and all) should perhaps re-read the above words that are highlighted in italics. Mel was angry because he suffered from the belief that FREEMASONS ARE HONEST, JUST and EQUAL. One day I will write a story "My Brother, Mel Moyle". Bro. Mel actually "passed to the Great Architect" on Thursday ,Feb 12, 1998.
REFERENCES
1. AAR for England etc, 1978 Rules, Regulations, list of Members
2. AAR for Australia, 1992 Rules, Regulations, list of Members
3. Annual Reporter of the Supreme Council for Scotland
1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974
1975 1976 1977 1978
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
4. Emery CE - Address at 75th Anniversary of Metropolitan #11
5. Hollow VS - Centenary of Rose Croix Masonry in Australia 1858 - 1958
6. Grand Lodge Library of South Australia
7. Grand Lodge Library of Victoria - miscellaneous memorabilia
8. Lindsay RS - The Scottish Rite for Scotland 1957
9. Jackson ACF - Rose Croix:History of the AAR for England and Wales 1980
10. Mandleberg J - Ancient and Accepted 1995
11. McClure RH - Australia for Australians - Report 12 March 1964
12. Oxford AW - The Origin and Progress of the 33" of the AASR
13. Peach H - Handbook of Rose Croix Masonry in NSW 1936
14. Report to Supreme Council 1980 (The 64 Body)
15. Supreme Council for England - The Inauguratuion of the Australian (English Rite) Branch Council
16. The Supreme Council 33" for Australia Report, for the Period ending 30th
June 1991,
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Reminder:
COPYRIGHT
Inquiries and requests should be directed
to the Correspondence Circle Secretary:
W Bro Graeme Love, PJGD
by e-mail, or in writing to:
P O Box 2380
RINGWOOD NORTH, VIC, 3134
AUSTRALIA
Return to:
Go to:
VLOR Home Page | VLOR Correspondence Circle | Best of Research Links | Diploma of Masonic History and ideas
Do not forget to visit the
Kring Nieuw Holland
and Holden Research
Circle websites!
Updated: 15 September 2004
