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Chapter
II
1888
to 1908
The Lodge continued to meet in 87 George Street until
1888, when the lease of these premises expired. The
financial state of the Lodge was insecure, and this
appears to have placed the Lodge's future in jeopardy.
During 1888, there was only one intrant. However, the
new Master, John MacPherson, along with Secretary Alexander
Robertson and Treasurer George Harvey were able to stem
this state of affairs. The important role played by
Brother MacPherson in ensuring St. John's existence
earned him the affectionate description, 'Father of
the Lodge'. The Lodge now moved to Allan's Hall, Smith
Street where it met from 1888 to 1894.
By 1894, the Lodge was once again looking for a new
meeting place. It must have been felt that better premises
would have a beneficial effect on attendances. In March
1894, the Secretary was instructed to approach the Commissioners
of Partick for a let of the Lesser Hall, Burgh Building.
A favourable reply was received from the Town Clerk
of Partick, indicating that the rental would be £12
per annum. Without hesitation, the Lodge decided to
move.
The proceedings of the first meeting held in the new
hall on Thursday 20th December, 1894 are worth describing.
The Brethren assembled at the old Lodge room, and after
being marshalled, proceeded to the new hall, headed
by the Whiteinch Brass Band and accompanied by torchbearers.
After collecting the Master, they passed the first Lodge
room. A halt was called and the Band played 'Auld Lang
Syne'. The procession then moved on to the new hall
where the Ceremony of Installation was carried out.
Deputations were received from the Provincial Grand
Lodge of Glasgow and a number of the Sister Lodges.
(117,178,437,441,510,553,581,609) At the Harmony, the
usual toasts were proposed. The Toast to the Burgh of
Partick was replied to by Baillie Tyre, in the absence
of Provost Caird. He remarked that the influence of
such a society i.e. Freemasonry must be potent for good
in the district and he wished them every happiness and
success in the occupancy of their new Lodge Room. The
Rev. David Ness M.A., Honorary Chaplain, in proposing
the Toast to the Visiting Brethren said "he understood
Lodge St. John was given much to hospitality. Although
he neither smoked, drank, or 'gae'd with the lasses',
he had enjoyed the evenings harmony, and although some
might think it inconsistent for a clergyman, he meant
to sit the meeting out."
The new premises were consecrated on 14th February,
1895 by the Provincial Grand Master Bro. John Graham
of Broadstone. Thus was the Lodge settled into premises
which were more suitable for Masonic purposes than any
previously occupied.
By the beginning of the new century, Freemasonry had
been firmly established in the district. In 1900, a
total of 1,268 Brethren attended 21 Regular and 8 Special
Meetings. There were 28 Initiates and 1 Affiliate. Within
less than twenty years, the Lodge's achievements had
been considerable. Very fine premises had been obtained,
candidates were in good supply, attendance at meetings
was high and Past Masters had occupied important positions
in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow.
In 1908, perhaps the most significant event in the
Lodge's history took place. On 20th February of that
year, the new Burgh Hall was consecrated. This event
was very fully covered by the Whiteinch Weekly Gazette.
Traffic in and around the Hall was totally congested
and the commencement of the meeting was delayed. The
largest number of Brethren at a Masonic meeting in the
West of Scotland of this period attended - around 800.
Invited guests, including the P.G.M., A. A. Haggart
Spiers, and Office-Bearers were entertained to dinner
beforehand in the Grand Hotel. Tickets were on sale
to the brethren for 4 shillings. The Consecration Ceremony
was carried out by a very substantial deputation of
Provincial Grand Lodge Office-Bearers. Provincial Grand
Lodge was closed and St. John opened. The Master Bro.
R. Miller McLaren expressed the Lodge's appreciation
for the very fine ceremony and conferred Honorary Membership
upon the P.G.M. James D. McEwan, P.M. of 683 was Provincial
Grand Junior Warden in the P.G.L. Deputation. Appropriate
presentations were made to the P.G.L. Office-Bearers
to commemorate the occasion.
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