FOUNDER'S JEWEL 1923
CATEGORIES OF JEWELS
GREEN ISLE LODGE No. 569
FOUNDER'S JEWEL 1923
CONTENTS:-
[TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO A SECTION CLICK ON NUMBER ]
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1. DESCRIPTION OF JEWEL.
2. SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT No. 569.
3. HISTORY OF GREEN ISLE LODGE No. 569, 1923 - 1946.
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OBVERSE OF JEWEL
The Jewel is silver gilt, and is similar in shape to the Grand Lodge seal, and on the circumference thereof in the name of the Lodge "Green Isle Lodge No. 569 Bulawayo".
An silver gilt Founders Jewel suspended from a single silver gilt blue enamel bar with the word "Founder" thereon and a sky blue ribbon.
On the centre of the ribbon is a large green enamel shamrock, within which is an outline of Ireland and the year "1923" thereon, the year the Lodge was Constituted.
On the plinth is a Compass and Square, with a hand and Trowel in the position normally occupied by the letter "G". The Hand holding the Trowel is a masonic symbol widely used in Irish Freemasonry and was taken from the Coat of Arms of Operative Stonemasons.
Below the Compass and Square is what was referred to in the 1790's as the "Harp of Erin" and subsequently the "Angel Harp" is the Royal Irish Crest on the Royal Standard.
REVERSE OF JEWEL
The reverse of the Jewel bears the inscription :
"Bro. T.H. Bryant
Sec. & Treas."
The Maker's Mark on the reverse of Jewel is "RS" and "Spencer London."
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2. SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT No. 569.
Warrant No. 569 issued to brethren in LIFFORD, Co. Donegal on the 7th October 1779. On the15th November 1795. Warrant No. 569 was removed to Strabane Co. Tyrone where it continued working until 1822.
Warrant No. 569 was cancelled on the 6th July 1826.
[The above represents the barest of facts relating to Warrant No. 569 before same reissued to Green Isle Lodge No. 569 - the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom gives a very full account of the Lodges who held Warrant No. 569 for the years setout above]
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3. HISTORY OF BULAWAYO LODGE No. 569.
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 1st October 1923 show concerning Warrant No. 569 -
"1 October, 1923 - Read Memorial from various Brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Bulawayo, S. Rhodesia to be called the Green Isle. – Recommended. Special permission be given in this case to install the Brother nominated as first W.M. though he has not served the office of Warden. See G.L. Law. No. 116."
The Recommendation of The Board was followed,as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 4th October 1923 as "Confirmed"
Warrant No. 569 reissued to `Green Isle Lodge' in BULAWAYO, Rhodesia on the 8th October 1923.
Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 4 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-
"Warrant No. 569 to Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia as “Green Isle Lodge”, 8 October, 1923.Thomas W.S. Shaw, Book Keeper (361); Charles J. Atkinson, Bank Clerk (399) and Thomas Mitchell, School Master (194) registered along with twenty-six others from various lodges and Constitutions, 8 October, 1923. Seven founder members marked as “Hon. Members”"
A total of 131 brethren registered up to 7th March 1941. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Warrant No. 569 was returned to and accepted by Grand Lodge on the 3rd October 1946, “owing to paucity of members.”
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 18th September 1946 show concerning Lodge No. 569 -
"18 September, 1946 – Read letter from the P.G.L. of Rhodesia returning Warrant of Green Isle Lodge No. 569, Bulawayo, owing to the paucity of members and stating that this Lodge lost the respect of the local Lodges, due to their conduct in the past. The Board recommend acceptance of the Warrant and that enquiries be made as to what the behaviour of the Lodge was that caused the Temple Committee to refuse the use of the building. The Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy to hold an enquiry and make a report to Grand Lodge."
The Recommendation of The Board was followed,as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 3rd October 1946 as "Confirmed"
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