Gratefully Received / Faithfully Applied
Presentation of the R.W.M.’s Chain of Office.
Any brother who has attained the chair of king Solomon in Lodge Houstoun St Johnstone will tell you of the great pride he felt on entering the lodge room on the night of his installation wearing the chain of office for the first time.
In December of 1961 Brother John Robertson was the first brother to be invested with the chain of office which has since has graced the shoulders of thirty three other Brethren of this lodge who have been privileged to be installed as R.W.M.
The then R.W.M. Brother William. Mac Master who received the chain on behalf on the lodge in thanking Brother George P Houstoun for the beautiful gift stated that everyone who wore it “would be inspired by the wonderful example” of the late brother Houstoun.
On the 23rd march 1963 Brother James M Robinson 1st principal of the Sir William Wallace No 109 Royal Arch chapter Graciously presented the R.W.M. Brother John Robertson with a pair of deacons rods as a token of the companionship between the chapter and lodge. Brother Robertson R.W.M.242 in accepting the gift of the Rods thanked Brother Robinson and the companions of 109 for their generous gesture and instructed the deacons of 242 to always carry the rods when moving about the lodge.
On the 9th of September 1954 brother William. J. Wood (our IPM at the time) presented to the lodge, two beautiful Past Masters Boards completely inscribed with names of each past master of the lodge . The then R.W.M. Brother G .P. Houstoun thanked Brother Wood for his magnificent gift , indicating that they would be situated in a place of prominence within the lodge room and be dedicated at a later date .
Presentation of a Mallet and Trowel
Brother B.Gordon of Lodge Tradeshouse presented the R.W.M Brother John Robertson with the mallet which had been presented to
a) Stating that it had been presented by the brethren of 242 to the above mentioned Col Z.H. Heys
b) Stating that the wood of the Mallet had originally come from mother Kilwinning and had been carved from a galleon of the Spanish armada sunk of the Ayrshire coast
He also presented the lodge with a trowel which had been presented by the contractors at the laying of the foundation stone of the lodge .The Trowel which has a beautiful ivory handle and a silver blade is suitably inscribed marking the occasion.
Brother Robertson R.W.M. 242 then thanked Brother Gordon for the return of the ceremonial tools and asked him to convey the gratitude of the lodge to Mr William Stevenson of
(Today the Mallet and Trowel can be seen in the Display Cabinet in the Masters Room)
The 242 Carpet.
The Masonic carpet used by 242 at its regular meeting’s was purchased by the lodge in November of 1953( to replace the old one which was beginning to show severe signs of wear and tear…The Carpet was officially placed on view to the brethren at the regular meeting of the lodge on the 26th of November 1953 during which it was “dedicated” to the glory of the G.A.O.T.U. by the Reverend John Campbell B.B. and honorary chaplain of 242 who then charged the R.W.M. with the safe keeping of the carpet.
On the 24th of march 1949 Lodge Neptune Kilwinning 442 visited 242 forthe purpose of conferring the E.A. degree on four of our candidates. The Brethren of 442 were headed by their R.W.M. Brother William Russell who received a very warm welcome from the R.W.M. of 242 Brother D.H. Mc Culloch. At the conclusion of the Degree the Brethren of Lodge Neptune Kilwinning presented a holy bible to the lodge as a “thank you “ for the honour of conferring the E.A. degree. The R.W.M. Brother D.H. Mc Culloch thanked 442 for their splendid gift and indicated that in future it would be placed on the alter and that each candidate would take his obligations on it ..
(A practice which is maintained to this day)
bravenet.com