Appendix Five
Other Masonic Orders in Caithness
John O'Groat Royal Arch Chapter No.250
The older Royal Arch chapter in Caithness is John O'Groat No.250 which was chartered in October 1891 to meet at Wick and was erected there in December of that year by Robert Smith Brown,Grand Scribe E. It was intended to serve the county as a whole but the difficulties of travel meant that the Thurso contribution was not very great.The founding First Principal,James H.Henderson, was an honorary member and his successor,
Francis H. MacHugh, was an affiliate of St.Peter's Operative Lodge but both were active Wick Freemasons. Of those who resided in the Thurso area,Dr.John Craven was founding Third Principal and Donald Leed and Daniel Dunnet was later Second and Third Principals respectively. From about 1900 the Thurso members ceased to hold high office. In 1914 John O'Groat Chapter was granted authority to hold occasional meetings in Thurso but it is not known whether this was ever done. It is unlikely that more than one meeting could have been held before the out--break of the Great War.
St.Peter's Royal Arch Chapter No.600
St.Peter's Chapter was chartered in March 1925. A little earlier William M.Brims had obtained a petition form and a meeting of 22 companions - all members of St. Peter's Operative Lodge - had been held on 18th February. In all,there were about 40 founder members and the Wick chapter endorsed the petition.The erection and consecration was carried out by the Earl of Cassillis, First Grand Principal,on 26th June 1925. He was assisted by Dr.John Tod, Depute Grand Principal, Colin C. Plain,
George A.Howell, Grand Scribe E. , Alexander F. Mackenzie, Grand Superintendent of
Inverness-shire, Robert Carmichael, Robert H.Porteous and David Flett, Grand Janitor. The customary oration was given by the Reverend Archibald B.Scott of Helsdale.
The first office-bearers were:-
| First Principal | William M.Brims |
| Second Principal | John Monro |
| Third Principal | Alexander N.MacDonald |
| Scribe E | Adam Barnie |
| Scribe N | George Waters |
| Treasurer | Joseph J.Gunn |
| First Sojourner | Donald Ryrie |
| Second Sojourner | Donald Anderson |
| Third Sojourner | William Munro |
| Janitor | Malcolm Brock |
The chapter was not very successful for many years and two separate disputes must have come near to wrecking it altogether. Today, however, it flourishes. In the following list of First Principals,only 'W.J.M.Storm is not of St. Peter's Operative Lodge.
| 1925 | William.M.Brims | 1948 | David Sutherland |
| 1927 | John Munro | 1950 | George Swanson |
| 1931 | John Maclennan | 1952 | John.B.Campbell |
| 1933 | Donald Ryrie | 1954 | John.R.MacKain |
| 1935 | John Sinclair | 1956 | W.J.M.Storm |
| 1936 | William Coghill | 1958 | William.G.Tait |
| 1938 | William Munro | 1960 | William.J.Banks |
| 1940 | George Hood | 1962 | James Reid |
| 1942 | John.S.Barnetson | 1964 | John.A.Budge |
| 1944 | John Coghill | 1966 | William Inrig |
| 1946 | Robert.G.Jack | 1968 | David.N.Stark |
St.Peter's Cryptic Council No.600
It was not until after the Second World War that Thurso took up either of the other orders controlled by Supreme Grand Chapter although both of them were worked in Wick. The only Thurso Freemason to occupy the chair in Wick was Donald Ryrie. He affiliated to John O' Groat Lodge & Council No.250 (from St.Andrew's Lodge & Council No.115, Inverness) in 1942 and was Noah & Chief from 1946 to 1948.St.Peter's Cryptic Council was inaugurated in June 1947 by a deputation of Richard H.F.Moncrieff, First Grand Principal,Thomas P.Nathaniel, Depute First Grand Principal, and George A.Howell, Grand Scribe E.
George Hood was the first Thrice Illustrious Master and the others to occupy the chair were (in alphabetical order) William J.Banks, John A.Budge, William M.Gunn, William Inrig, John R.McKain, James Reid, George Swanson and Ian G.Wallace. George Hood and Donald Ryrie were made honorary members of the council in 1962.
St.Peter's Lodge & Council No.600
St.Peter's Lodge & Council was inaugurated in September 1960 by a deputation of the Earl of Galloway, First Grand Principal, Cecil S.Field, Second Grand Principal, and William A.Laird, Grand Scribe E.The Noahs end Chiefs since then have been:-
1960. George Swanson1962. John R. McKain
1964. Hubert C. Horsley
1966. Thomas Scott
1967. James Reid
1968. Ronald A. Chapman
The Preceptory of St.Fergus
The first of the Christian masonic orders to come to Caithness was the Order of the Temple. In the days when the order in Scotland was divided into two camps,in January 1905, John O' Groat Encampment No.26 was chartered. I have found nothing about this encampment except that it was said to be dormant in 1909. It seems most likely that it never met. As the then Provincial Grand Master was a member of the Preceptory of the Temple in the Lothians, meeting in Edinburgh, the leading body in the other camp, it may be that he frowned on the venture.The Preceptory of St.Fergus was chartered in November 1920 and consecrated on 28th July 1921. Great Priory sent a deputation of Norman M.MacKean, Grand Chamberlain, Edward A.Chisholm. Grand Treasurer, and William A.A.Balfour, Grand Secretary. Thurso has not played a big part in the affairs of the preceptory. William M. Brims was the second Preceptor. Donald Ryrie was Preceptor from 1937 to 1939 and was Installing Preceptor for a number of years. He was made Honorary Grand First Aide-de-Camp in 1957. George Hood was Preceptor from 1956 to 1958. When the District Grand Priory of the North in Scotland was set up in 1961 he was commissioned as District Grand Constable. Incidentally, it is of interest that the design of the District Grand Prior's badge is based on the Ulbster stone. William J.Banks was Preceptor from 1967 to 1969.
St.Fergus Conclave Ho.28
The next and latest of the orders north of Inverness is the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine. In May 1925 Grand Imperial Council chartered St.Fergus Conclave to meet at Wick. The conclave was consecrated in June by the Earl of Cassillis, Grand Sovereign, George A.Howell and John Tod, Grand Generals, Alexander F.Mackenzie, Grand High Prelate, and Robert Carmichael and Robert H.Porteous. This was the same team as consecrated St.Peter's Chapter on the same tour.Again Thurso played only a small part at first. Donald Ryrie became Sovereign in 1945 and occupied the chair for two sessions. George Sutherland, an initiate of St.Peter's Operative Lodge but long resident in Wick, was Sovereign from 1950 to 1953. William J.Banks was Sovereign from 1963 to 1965.
Appendix Six
Proxy Masters from 1864
John GoghillJohn Ccghill, of Jessfield House in Leith, was a retired yeomanry officer who served at one time in the Life Guards. He was a member of Lodge Roman Eagle No. 160 in Edinburgh and occupied that lodge's chair eight times in the period between 1844 and 1858. After being Chief Marshal. of Grand Lodge, he held the office of Grand Director of Ceremonies from 1871 to 1880. He died in 1882 at 76 years.
George H.M.Thoms
George Hunter MacThomas Thoms was an Edinburgh advocate who became Sheriff of Caithness, Orkney and Zetland in 1870. He took a great interest in his new territory in various ways. At his death he left £70,000 for the upkeep of St.Magnus Cathedral and during his life he used to boast of being an admiral in northern waters.
An initiate of Lodge St.David No.36, Edinburgh, he affiliated to the Lodge of Holyroodhouse (St.Luke's) No,44 and held office in the latter lodge. Prom 1878 to 1888 he was a member of Grand Committee. In 1884 he was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Orkney, Caithness and Zetland and he took part in numerous masonic and public events. He retired in 1896 and died in 1903 at 72 years.
Charles C. Yorstoun
The lodge now asked Allan MacFarlane Henderson to represent it at Grand Lodge. He was a Writer to the Signet and son of Alexander Henderson of Stemster. Unfortunately, he was unable to accept because he had just become a Warden in his lodge. He suggested instead that the post be offered to the Immediate Past Master, an advocate, Charles Carthew Yorstoun.
Yorstoun was an initiate of the Lodge of Holyroodhouse (St.Luke's) No.44 and was in the chair during 1896 and 1897. For the next ten years he was a member of Grand Committee. From 1907 to 1909 he was Depute First Grand Principal of Supreme Grand Chapter. He died in 1914.
interregnum
After the death of Carthew Yorstoun, St.Peter's Operative Lodge did not appoint a Proxy Master for a few years. It is interesting that Grand Secretary did offer a name at one stage but then apologised when he realised that the lodge had submitted the names of the actual Masters and Wardens in the annual return. He pointed out that there was no question of trying to change that situation.
Colin S.M. Swanson
In 1919 two nominations were made in the lodge. The unsuccessful candidate was John H.H.Turnbull, who had at one time held office in the lodge and had later been Provincial Grand Secretary. The choice fell on Colin Swanson who, although a native of Thurso, was an initiate of Lodge Trinity No.885, which meets in the Trinity district of Edinburgh. He was Master of that lodge in 1930. He was made an Honorary President of Grand Stewards in 1948. Having served for 39 years as Proxy Master, Colin Swanson retired in 1959.
Thomas H.Cairns
The present Proxy Master,Thomas Hood Cairns, was appointed at the end of 1959. He is an initiate of Lodge Portobello No.226 but affiliated to Lodge Canongate Kilwinning No.2 and occupied the chair of that lodge in 1951-2. From 1962 to 1965 he was a member of Grand Committee.
Appendix Seven
Masonic Hymn Sheets
During what I have called the Speculative Phase, there have been at least five hymn sheets or musical service sheets issued by or for the lodge. Unfortunately, these are undated so that it is only possible to deduce in what order they were produced. The first is probably that issued in 1894 and the last that issued in 1942. It will be reasonable to assume that one was issued every ten years.There are two great dangers that await those who devise such accompaniment to masonic ceremonies. On the one hand, it is easy to forget that the Craft is open to those who are non-Christian. On the other hand, it may be offensive to some members to hear a well-known Christian hymn in a de-Christianised form. A common form of the latter danger is to substitute the word "Father" for "Saviour" in Hymn 301 of the Revised "Edition of the Church Hymnary. St. Peter's Operative Lodge has not always managed to steer the middle course.
The first sheet contains the 6 hymns given below and it will be observed that only the fourth has survived.
1. Opening Hymn.
Almighty Father, God of grace,
To whom we humbly bow;
On all assembled in this place,
Thy blessing now bestow.
0 may our work, begun in Thee,
Find favour in Thy sight;
And every faithful brother be
Perfected by Thy might.
So mote it be.
Almighty Father, God of grace,
To whom we humbly bow;
On all assembled in this place,
Thy blessing now bestow.
0 may our work, begun in Thee,
Find favour in Thy sight;
And every faithful brother be
Perfected by Thy might.
So mote it be.
2. I will wash my hands in innocency,
In innocency 0 Lord;
And so will I go to Thine altar.
I will wash my hands in innocency.
And so will I go, will I go to
Thine altar, 0 Lord, to thine altar.
In innocency 0 Lord;
And so will I go to Thine altar.
I will wash my hands in innocency.
And so will I go, will I go to
Thine altar, 0 Lord, to thine altar.
3. I to the hills will lift mine eyes,
From whence doth come mine aid;
My safety cometh front the Lord,
Who heaven and earth hath made.
Thy foot He'll not let slide, nor will
He slumber that thee keeps.
Behold, He that keeps Israel,
He slumbers not, nor sleeps.
4. Behold, how good a thing it is,
And how becoming well,
Together such as brethren are
In unity to dwell !
Like precious ointment on the head,
That down the beard did flow;
Ev'n Aaron's beard, and to the skirts
Did of his garments go.
5. Naked as from the earth we came,
And enter'd life at first;
Naked we to the earth return,
And mix with kindred dust.
Whate'er we fondly call our own
Belongs to Heav'ns great Lord;
The blessings lent us for a day
Are soon to be restored.
6. Closing Hymn.
On the dewy breath of even
Thousand odours mingling rise;
Borne like incense up to Heaven,
Nature's evening sacrifice.
With her balmy offerings blending,
Let our glad thanksgivings be;
To Thy Throne,0 Lord,ascending,
Incense of our hearts to Thee.
So mote it be.
The next sheet retains only the fourth and fifth of these hymns. It introduces "Hail Eternal" for the opening and "Now the evening shadows closing" for the closing and they have persisted. "0 God,our help in ages past" and "Thou whose almighty word" were brought in for the First Degree, part of the "Old Hundredth" for the Second Degree and "Brief life is here our portion" and "Abide with me" for the Third Degree.
On the next revision, the preceding were kept unchanged but there were added - without indication of where they were to be used - "Lead kindly light", the rest of the "Old Hundredth", " Courage, brother! do not stumble", "Days and moments quickly flying" and "Now the labourer's task is o'er". The most famous hymn of the Anglo-Catholic John Henry Newman and of the great Norman Macleod (Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Scotland) appear together. They are among the most favoured of all masonic hymns.
The fourth example is a booklet of ten pages with the most extensive set of hymns. In summary it included:-
First Degree
perambulation Courage,brother1 do not stumble
raising Thou whose almighty word
closing Now the evening shadows closing
Second Degree
opening ode 0 God, our help in ages past
preparatory Behold how good a thing it is
prayer Lead,Kindly Light(second verse)
perambulation Walk in the light
closing Eternal Father,strong to save
Third Degree
opening ode All people that on earth do dwell
preparatory Sun of my soul,Thou Saviour dear
prayer Lead, Kindly Light (third verse)
perambulation Abide with me
solo Days and moments quickly flying
perambulations Dead March
closing Father,again to Thy dear name
Funeral Hymn How the labourer's task is o'er
The last sheet shows a simplification by omission of the opening and closing odes for the Second and Third Degrees. It also introduces the 23rd Psalm for the perambulations in the Third Degree. The Mark Degree is mentioned for the first time and is allowed to share the verses of "Courage,brother! do not stumble" with the First Degree.
opening ode Hail,Eternal,by whose aid
preparatory Holy,holy,holy,Lord God Almighty
prayer Lead,Kindly Light(first verse)perambulation Courage,brother1 do not stumble
raising Thou whose almighty word
closing Now the evening shadows closing
Second Degree
opening ode 0 God, our help in ages past
preparatory Behold how good a thing it is
prayer Lead,Kindly Light(second verse)
perambulation Walk in the light
closing Eternal Father,strong to save
Third Degree
opening ode All people that on earth do dwell
preparatory Sun of my soul,Thou Saviour dear
prayer Lead, Kindly Light (third verse)
perambulation Abide with me
solo Days and moments quickly flying
perambulations Dead March
closing Father,again to Thy dear name
Funeral Hymn How the labourer's task is o'er
The last sheet shows a simplification by omission of the opening and closing odes for the Second and Third Degrees. It also introduces the 23rd Psalm for the perambulations in the Third Degree. The Mark Degree is mentioned for the first time and is allowed to share the verses of "Courage,brother! do not stumble" with the First Degree.
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