PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1971

CATEGORIES OF JEWELS

  MALCOLM MACDONALD MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 657

    PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1971

CONTENTS:-

[TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO A SECTION CLICK ON NUMBER ]

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       1.  DESCRIPTION OF JEWEL.

       2.  SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT              No. 657.            

       3.  HISTORY OF MALCOLM              MACDONALD MEMORIAL              LODGE NO. 657 1936 - TO DATE.           

        4.  DETAILS OF WHEN MALCOLM              MACDONALD MEMORIAL LODGE              NO. 657 MEETS.

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1. DESCRIPTION OF JEWEL.

  OBVERSE OF JEWEL

A silver Compass and Square Past Master's Jewel suspended on two silver bars, with shamrocks at either end, and a sky blue ribbon.

On the top bar is the name of the Lodge "Malcolm Macdonald",

Centred on the ribbon are the initials of the holder of the Jewel"JM" ,

and on the bottom the "Masonic Lodge 657".

The Jewel comprises of a normal Compass and Square, which is silver, with a fixed "G".

REVERSE OF JEWEL

 The reverse of the Jewel bears the inscription :

"Presented to

W.Bro. John Moore

W.M. 1971"

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2.  SHORT HISTORY OF WARRANT      No. 657.  

Warrant No. 657 issued to brethren to hold a Lodge in CARNTEEL, Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone on the 6th July 1786. Warrant No. 657 was Cancelled on the 7th February 1833.

[The above represents the barest of facts relating to Warrant No. 657 before same reissued to MALCOLM MACDONALD MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 657 - the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom gives a very full account of the Lodges who held Warrant No. 657 for the years setout above]

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              3.  HISTORY OF MALCOLM                   MACDONALD MEMORIAL                            LODGE NO. 657.  

The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 16th September 1936 show concerning Warrant No. 657 -

"16 September, 1936 - Read Memorial from various brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Mountpottinger in the County of Down to be called the Malcolm MacDonald[memorial].  Recommended."

The Recommendation of The Board was followed,as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 1st October 1936 as "Confirmed"

Warrant No. 657 reissued to `Malcolm Macdonald Memorial Lodge' in the Mount Masonic Hall, MOUNTPOTTINGER, BELFAST on the 2nd October 1936.

The Lodge was named after Bro. Malcolm MacDonald, Provincial Grand Secretary of Down.

Series five Vol. 20 shown as Vol. 5 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-

"Warrant No. 657 to Mountpottinger, Belfast as “Malcolm Macdonald Memorial Lodge”, 2 October, 1936 - Albert Matchett, Engineer; Robert W.V. Patterson, Tram Conductor and Joseph J. Scott, all from Lodge No. 578, together with ten others, eight being from Lodge No. 578, 2 October, 1936."

The Minutes of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Down dated 26th October 1936 show regarding the Constitution of the Malcolm Macdonald Memorial Lodge No. 657 -

"Masonic Hall, The Mount, Belfast

26^th October, 1936.

An Occasional Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down was held in the Masonic Hall, The Mount, Belfast on Monday, 26^th October, 1936, at 7.30 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of Constituting and Dedicating the ‘Malcolm MacDonald Memorial’ Masonic Lodge No. 657.  The R.W. Bro. The Rt. Hon. H.G.H. Mulholland, MP., DL., Provincial Grand Master presiding.

The following Provincial Grand Lodge Officers were in attendance:-

Apologies were received on behalf of:-

V.W. Bros. Joseph Mitchell and Wm. Govan; W. Bros. E.R. Stephens and V. Rev. W.S. Kerr, BD., Dean of Belfast.

The Brethren being assembled in the Lodge Room the procession was formed and the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge entered. The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened on the first degree and afterwards proceeded to the ceremony of Constituting and Dedicating the New Lodge which was carried out with great dignity in accordance with ancient ritual. The Ritual for the occasion was carefully compiled by R.W. Bro. Wm. Robinson, JP., Provincial Deputy Grand Master and was approved by R.W. Bro. Raymond F. Brooke, Deputy Grand Master, Ireland.

The Provincial Grand Master Installed, W. Bro. A. Matchett as first Worshipful Master and afterwards the following Officers were installed by W. Bro. A. Matchett:-

Members:- W. Bro. Samuel Gribbon; Bros. Ernest Murray, P.M.; John Maxwell; Thomas H. Cavan; Wm. Martin, P.M.; James Rehill; Hugh Campbell; Samuel Bradley and Bro. Cecil Scott (Deceased)

The New Lodge conducted routine business.

The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers resumed their places and the Communication was closed in due form.

The New Lodge afterwards entertained the Provincial Grand Lodge and other brethren to Dinner and the usual Toasts were given and honoured.

(Signed) H.G.H. Mulholland, P.G.M.

W.J. Price, Prov. Grand Secretary

24 November, 1936."

A total of 130 brethren registered up to 18th October 1952.  In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.

Series six Vol. 23 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of Charles Bleakes, Foreman Bricklayer, registered 23rd February 1953.

A total of 114 brethren registered up to 27th April 1984.  In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.

Warrant No. 657 was Removed to The Masonic Hall, SYDENHAM, BELFAST in September 1987.

From 1984 the registration of members of MALCOLM MACDONALD MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 657 is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.  The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.

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4.  DETAILS OF WHEN MALCOLM       MACDONALD MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 657 MEETS.

MALCOLM MACDONALD MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 657 MEETS ON THE 4th FRI. AT 7.30p.m. (EXCEPT 7 & 8) AT THE MOUNT, BELFAST, COUNTY DOWN.

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