PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1893
CATEGORIES OF JEWELS
UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659
PAST MASTER'S JEWEL 1893
CONTENTS:-
[TO JUMP DIRECTLY TO A SECTION CLICK ON NUMBER ]
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1. DESCRIPTION OF JEWEL.
2. HISTORY OF UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659,1786 - TO DATE.
3. DETAILS OF WHEN UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659 MEETS.
4. UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659 WEBLINK
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OBVERSE OF JEWEL
A gold Irish Past Master's Jewel.
Unusally the Jewel has as it's centre piece Euclid's 47th Propositon under an inverted Square, the Jewel of the Master in the English Constitution .
The engraving on the Jewel is of the highest quality. At the foot of the Jewel is number of the Lodge "659".
REVERSE OF JEWEL
The reverse of the Jewel on bears the inscription :
"Presented to Bro. Robert McMaster P.M. in recognition of the very Efficient manner in which he discharged the duties of W.M. by the members of Union True Blue Lodge
(and on the reverse of the Square) No. 659 (and on the reverse of Euclid's Proposition ) 1893."
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2. HISTORY OF UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659.
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 14th December 1786 show concerning Warrant No. 659 -
"14 December, 1786 – Read a Petition of Brs. David Nesbitt, Robt. Nesbitt and Wm. Kirkpatrick praying for a Warrant to hold a Lodge in the town of Ballymacbrennan, Co. Down. Granted."
Warrant No. 659 issued to brethren to form a Lodge in BALLYMACBRENNAN, nr. Lisburn, Co. Antrim, on the 14th December 1786.
Volume 3 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers record David Nisbitt; Robt. Nisbitt and Wm. Kilpatrick registered 14th December, 1786. No registration of Master or Wardens.
A further 21 brethren registered up to 3rd February, 1805.
The second page Volume 4 of the Second Series Grand Lodge Register is headed “Lisnod”, Lisburn and shows a registration 22 June, 1825 and a total of 77 brethren either transcribed from a previous volume or registered here up to 20th May, 1857.
Belfast News Letter dated 4th July 1788 -
"The Master, Wardens and the rest of the Brethren of Lodge No. 606, 316, 335, 371, 425, 446, 507, 508, 544, 608, 652, 659, 682, 683, think themselves very happy in having it in their power thus to declare their sense of obligation to the Revd. Robert McClure for the excellent Sermon preached by him at Anahilt on St. John's Day.
Cargycreevy. June 24th 1788.
Signed by Order,
Pat Fleming, Sec of 606"
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 7th March 1793 show that Lodge No. 659 were involved in trying to establish a Masonic Committee in County Down -
"7 March, 1793 - Read again the Petition of No. 521, 706, 715 & 737, relative to the forming a Committee in the Co. of Down, read also a 2nd Petition from the said Lodges No. 269, 624, 659 & sundry Letters from No. 314, 336, 367, 446, 477, 606, 609, 659.
Ordered that the Secy. do inform these Lodges - That the Grand Lodge of Ireland at the solicitation of a number of Lodges in the Co. of Down did transmit certain Regulations for their Consideration, such as have been adopted by the Cos. of Armagh, Monaghan & Tyrone and have in these Cos. proved greatly beneficial to the Craft. It is for the respective Lodges in the Co. of Down to determine whether they wish to submit thereto & the G.L. therefore recommend that the same may be taken into consideration at a general meeting of all the Lodges in the County of Down."
The Northern Star, 29th June, 1795 - Extract of a Letter from Saintfield; 25th June, 1795:-
"The Freemasons Lodges, consisting of Crossgare, Near Downpatrick, No. 343; Lisnod, No. 659; and Saintfield, No. 425; and constituted of different religious persuasions, walked yesterday in our town, made a most respectable appearance, and spent the day in the greatest harmony. They attended public worship, where a sermon was preached to them from 1 Peter, 2 chap., middle clause of the 17th verse, by the Rev. Thomas Leslie Birch. As the concluding address appeared to make a sensible impression upon the numerous audience, perhaps it may not be unacceptable to many of your readers."
[You will find on the said concluding address on the IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom ]
An extract from the records of Union Band Masonic Lodge No. 336 [you will note that a Jewel of Union Band Lodge No. 336 is shown on this website] show on the 2nd May 1803 that :-
"The Temple being duly opened the following members were admitted...[There follows a list of 6 brethren] including...Wm. Dennont, Wm. Petierew, & Wm. McKee all of 659.
Warrant No. 659 was removed to LISNODE, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, 1804. It would appear that Lodge No. 659 was known as "The Masonic Star" Lodge No. 659 whilst at Labour in Lisnode as Series three Vol. 9 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows --
"Warrant No. 659 to Lisnod (scored out) Belfast, Co. Antrim, as “The Masonic Star” later “Union True Blues”, 14 December 1786."
Lodge 659 was present at the meeting in Belfast which was convened on the 20th January 1806 to formulate the Resolutions complaining against the Proposals of Grand Lodge to remove the Higher Degrees from the Craft Lodges -
"At a meeting of the Representatives of sixty two Lodges [Nos. 112, 178, 180, 182, 253, 257, 270, 272, 294, 314, 316, 372, 403, 418, 426, 428, 429, 430, 446, 447, 484, 491, 499, 507, 508, 550, 551, 587, 590, 598, 609, 615, 627, 629, 636, 645, 651, 652, 659, 662, 675, 684, 687, 725, 732, 749, 761, 762, 763, 776, 783, 793, 822, 825, 845, 861, 915, 926, 927, 931, 947, and 949 Vol. 6. p.267] of Free and Accepted Masons convened at Belfast, on the 20th January, 1806, the Worshipful William McCall, of Lodge No. 112, in the Chair, the following Resolutions were unanimously passed, and ordered to be transmitted, signed by our Chairman, to the Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Ireland,
1st. "That it appears to us, that the Innovation's lately proposed to be placed on the higher Masonic Orders, are unnecessary, inasmuch as these Orders have hitherto enjoyed uninterrupted Tranquillity without any ostensible Head or controlling Power."....
[ Another Five Resolutions followed - see IRISH MASONIC RECORDS cd-rom]
......Signed by Order,
William McCall."
The Proposals by Grand Lodge to form separate governing bodies for the Higher Degrees, I believe, together with the "Seton" situation ultimately led to Lodge No. 659 joining the short lived Grand Lodge of Ulster, as is shown by the attendance of Lodge No. 659 at the Dungannon Meeting as setout in the Belfast Newsletter Notice of 24th June 1809 -
Belfast Newsletter - 24th June 1809
DUNGANNON
"The following regular Masonic Lodges on the Registry of the Ancient Grand Lodge of Ireland, held in the Town of Dungannon in the Province of Ulster, assembled in their respective Districts to commemorate the Anniversary of St. John, most respectfully return their thanks as follows viz:-
Nos. 112, 178, 193, 316, 335, 427, 575, 606, 608, 652, 659, 682, 683, 716, 749, 963 & 978 to the Rev Dr. Cupples for his excellent sermon, delivered at Hillsborough & also to George Stephenson Esq. & Capt. Coulson for their friendship on that occasion.
And Nos. 319, 403, 404, 426, 428, 429, 669 & 772, to the Revd. Mr. McMullan for his excellent Sermon at the Church of Ballinderry.
And Nos. 447 & 746 to the Rev. Hugh Woods for his excellent Sermon at Bangor.
And likewise Nos. 88, 272, 484, 485, 550, 551, 598, 602, 621, 651, 687, 762, 783, 793, 800, 801, 845, 931, 949, and 999 to their Rev. Bro. Campbell for his excellent Sermon at Dundrod.
Signed by Order,
D. Murray of 112,
H. Walker of 772,
I. Mathers of 447,
G. Savage of 931.
June 24th, 1809.
N.B. We understand that 53 Lodges on the same Registry assembled at Dergbridge, Ballygauley, Petigo, to commemorate the same occasion."
Belfast Newsletter - 26th June 1812
"The Masters, Wardens and Brethren of the following Masonic Lodges, viz. Nos. 186, 314, 659 and 811 return their warmest Thanks to Brother the Rev. James Riddle for the very appropriate, impressive and conciliating Sermon preached to them in his Meeting House, Drumbo, on the 24th of June, instant.
Signed by Order,
Matthew Hunter, Sec to No. 186."
[ I have highlighted "conciliating " as I think this is an indictation of Lodge No. 659 returning to Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Ulster in reality ended with the conclusion of the High Court Action by Grand Lodge against Alexander Seton in 1813 - see Lodge No. 189 for Daniel O'Connell's involvement ]
Lodge No. 659 was suspended on the 6th July 1837 for taking part in a procession.
Warrant No. 659 was suspended for a very short period of time [non-payment of dues !] as is shown from the Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 28th April 1856 and 4th August 1856 -
"28 April, 1856 - Lodges Nos. 24, 80, 107, 114, 122, 145, 158, 168, 183, 247, 254, 287, 289, 310, 373, 394, 544, 628, 633, 560, 996, 659, 682, 683, 705, 719, 744, 909 and 957 who were suspended on the 3rd January 1856 by order of the Grand Lodge for non-payment of dues &c., and who have not since attended to the Gd. Lodge Order. The Board recommend that these Warrants be cancelled on and from the 5th June next without further order unless before that day the dues are paid."
"4 August, 1856 - 24, 107, 114, 145, 158, 254, 287, 289, 373, 394, 544, 560, 633, 669, 744, 909 and 996 not having conformed to the Grand Lodge Order of 1st May have become cancelled and recommend that they be so recorded in the records of the Grand Lodge."
Warrant No. 659 was suspended,rather than cancelled, by Grand Lodge.
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 4th September 1856 show that the Lodge No. 659 reacted imediately to the suspension -
"4 September, 1856 – Lodge No. 659 Lisnode having paid off all monies to the Grand Lodge, the Board recommend that the suspension imposed on them be entirely removed. Agreed to."
Series three Vol. 9 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with Robert Entwistle registered 29th September 1860.
Lodge No. 659 had furthur problems with Grand Lodge as a result of taking part in a Procession as is shown in the Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 2nd October 1861-
"2 October, 1861 – Read letter from the Deputy Grand Master dated 8th July, 1861 relative to conduct of Lodges in the North whom it was reported had transgressed the Laws on the 24th of June last, St. John’s - also communications received from R.W. Brother W.S. Tracy, Deputy Grand Master of Belfast and North Down in reply to the letter addressed to him by the Deputy Grand Secretary on the 9th of July relative to these proceedings. The Board recommend that the following Lodges which appear by Br. Tracy’s Report to have walked in Procession be Suspended unless cause be shown on or before the 19th day of October instant viz: Nos. 565, 652, 103, 186, 659, 314, 556, 140, 48, 337, 714, 57, 229, 87. The Board further order that a Special Meeting of the Board be convened for Monday the 21st day of October to further consider what should be done in the matter."
[The matter was clearly resolved as Lodge No. 659 are still with us !]
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 30th November 1869 show concerning Lodge No. 659 -
"30 November, 1868 – Read application from Lodge No. 659 Lisnod for permission to remove to Belfast. Recommended by the P.G.L. of Antrim - Permission to remove granted."
Warrant No. 659 was removed to Freemasons' Hall, ARTHUR SQUARE, BELFAST, as ` Union True Blue Lodge' , .. December 1868.
A Notice in the Belfast Newsletter dated 13th June 1888,reffering to the opening of a New Masonic Hall at Gilford,mentions a gift of Working Tools from a Member of Lodge No. 659 -
"......A vote of thanks having been passed to Br. Robert Caughey, S.D. [Lodge] 659, Belfast for a present of a very handsome set of working tools for use at the dedication of the new hall, and to be retained and used afterwards in same."
In 1870 Lodge No. 659 had a membership of 34, however, by May 1873 this had increased to 46.
In September, 1892 Union True Blue Lodge No. 659 subscribed to the new "Purchase Scheme" devised to buy out the Hall.
A total of 420 brethren registered up to 23rd January, 1901. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown.
A total of 258 brethren registered up to 13th December, 1922. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
There is no entry for the 1914 -18 War.
Series five Vol. 20 shown as Vol. 5 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of James Shaw, Fitter, registered 13th February, 1924.
A total of 88 brethren registered up to 15th February, 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 in regard to Union True Blue Lodge No. 659 commences with the registration of J. McD.K., Mixerman, registered 11th March, 1953.
A total of 80 brethren registered up to 13th April, 1983. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
From 1984 the registration of members of Union True Blue Lodge No. 659 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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3. DETAILS OF WHEN UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659 MEETS.
UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE No. 659 MEETS ON THE 2nd FRI. AT 7.30p.m. (EXCEPT 6,7 & 8) AT ARTHUR SQUARE MASONIC HALL, BELFAST, COUNTY DOWN.
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4. WEBLINK ~ UNION TRUE BLUE LODGE NO. 659
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