CHAPTER X
THE GRAND LODGE OF NOVA SCOTIA
1932-66
THE PRESENT AGE

It is always difficult for an historian to discuss the age in which he lives. It is too recent to be in perspective and the actors are still on the stage. It was said of the Roman writer Polybus many centuries ago that he could describe with complete objectivity the events of every country and age but his own. This problem has not diminished, especially as it concerns the story of Freemasonry during the "hungry thirties", a second world conflict, the, "cold war", and an age of unrest in which all institutions and modes of thought including our own, are being tested as never before. It would seem, therefore, that this chapter should be considered a resume of current events, rather than a detailed history.

During the thirty-four years, which in actual time is more than a third of the century our Grand Lodge has existed, the Craft has been served by twenty Grand Masters. Eight were in office one year, two for three years, and the remainder for two years. Their names are as follows:

Reginald V. Harris, Q.C.....................1932-35
Melbourne M. Gardner........................1935-36
Norman T. Avard.............................1936-39
Angus J. MacDonald..........................1939-41
Hon. Geoffrey Stevens.......................1941-43
William T. Powers...........................1943-44
Melbourne R. Chappell.......................1944-46
A. Herman MacMillan.........................1946-48
David A. O'Neill........................... 1948-49
Rev. George R. Thompson.....................1949-50
Harry M. Standish...........................1950-52
Perry S. Cochrane, M.D......................1952-54
Jeptha S. Munroe, M.D.......................1954-56
Judge Kenneth L. Crowell....................1956-58
Rev. Donald M. Sinclair, M.D................1958-59
Col. Cyril H. Colwell.......................1959-60
W. Everett Moseley, Q.C.....................1960-62
Gordon S. Walker............................1962-63
Judge R. Clifford Levy......................1963-64
Ronald S. Longley, Ph.D.....................1964-66

Of the twenty, fifteen are living and as Past Grand Masters are members of the Advisory Board of Grand Lodge. Several serve on the Board of Trustees for the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home or as members of various committees and continue to serve the Craft. Five are no longer with us, but are well remembered.

William T. Powers was a resident and business man of the town of Lunenburg. A member of Unity Lodge No. 4 was active in the local lodge and in Grand Lodge. He was Worshipful Master of Unity, and served Grand Lodge as Senior Grand Warden, 1940, and Deputy Grand Master in 1941. He was Grand Master for one year, 1943-44. A member of the Craft for forty-two years, he gave Freemasonry leadership and unselfish service. He was also interested in his church and community. He died in l955.

Hon. Geoffrey Stevens was an active member and a Past Master of Eastern Star Lodge No. 51, of Dartmouth. In Grand Lodge he was elected Deputy Grand Master in 1938 and Grand Master in 1941. He was in the Grand East for two years. For twenty-seven years he sat in the Provincial Assembly, and for some years was a member of the Government. A Mason for forty-three years, he died in 1963.

Dr. Perry S. Cochrane was made a Master Mason in Inverness Lodge No. 83, where he served as Worshipful Master. Moving to Wolfville in the middle twenties, he affiliated with St. George's Lodge No. 20. While a busy and successful Physician and surgeon, he found time to serve his adopted lodge with zeal and efficiency, and to take an active part in the Concordant Orders. Over the years he held many offices, and presided in our Grand East. Grand Master for two years, 1952-54, he was a popular and dynamic leader. He died in 1964.

Colonel Cyril H. Colwell, was a Past Master of Virgin Lodge No. 3. In Grand Lodge he as a popular Grand Director of Ceremonies before being elected Deputy Grand Master in 1956. He was Grand Master for one year, 1959-60. After becoming a Past Grand Master, he took a keen interest in the Order of DeMolay, and was the hard working "Dad" for the jurisdiction. He brought to this office his keen interest in boys, a dynamic personality, and a desire to serve. Colonel Colwell was a member of the well known firm of Colwell Brothers of Halifax. Interested in military affairs, he served in the militia, and was an active participant in World War I, and to a lesser degree in World War II. He was active in his church and in community affairs. He died in 1965.

Gordon S. Walker joined Temple Lodge No. 57, in Mulgrave, but affiliated with Solomon Lodge No. 46, Port Hawksbury, where he served in a number of offices, including Worshipful Master. He was District Deputy Grand Master 1933-34, and was elected Deputy Grand Master in 1959. He was Grand Master for one year, 1962-63. He was also active in the Concordant Orders, and held many offices, including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter. In the business world he was a successful banker, operating his own bank. He died in 1966.

One of the most interesting events in which Grand Lodge has participated since 1932 was the bicentenary of the beginnings of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia, 1938. Although the western world was still in the grip of the great depression, the anniversary was an outstanding success, and brought together representatives of the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, and Ireland, of all Canadian Grand Lodges, and of twenty-one Grand Lodges in the United States.

The celebration began on Sunday, July 10, 1938 with a Thanksgiving service in the old and historic Church of St. Paul's. It was in this church, as we have noted, that the first Masonic service in Nova Scotia, and Canada as well, was held nearly one hundred and ninety years before. The preacher for the bicentennial service was the President of the University of Toronto, the Hon. and Rev. H. J. Cody, D.D., who was an active and distinguished member of the Craft.

On Monday, July 11, the Grand Master of Masons in Nova Scotia, Norman T. Avard, opened a special communication of Grand Lodge to welcome the official representatives of other jurisdictions; twelve rom Great Britain, thirty-one from the United States, and twenty from other parts of Canada. When the introductions were over, Grand Lodge and guests proceeded to St. Paul's cemetery where a native granite Ashlar, the gift of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to mark the grave of our first Provincial Grand Master, Erasmus James Philipps, was duly unveiled and dedicated. Making the official presentation was the Grand Master of Massachusetts, Joseph Earl Perry. The ceremony was followed by a luncheon at the Lord Nelson Hotel, at which the guest speaker was the Grand Secretary of New York, Charles H. Johnson. In the afternoon, the brethren assembled at the Garrick Theatre to enjoy a Masonic Play, "As it was in the Beginning", which was written by Past Grand Master, R. V. Harris, and acted by members of the local lodges. The afternoon activities concluded with a reception at Government House where the guests were received by His Honour, Robert Irwin, a member of Albert Lodge No. 30, of Shelburne.

On the evening of the 11th, the bicentennial banquet was held in the Nova Scotian Hotel, at which Grand Master Avard presided. Following the usual toast to His Majesty, King George V, Past Grand Master Harris, Grand Historian, proposed a toast, "The Sources of Canadian Freemasonry" which was responded to by J. E. Perry, Grand Master of Massachusetts; Raymond M. Brooke, Deputy Grand Master of Ireland; Sir Francis Davis, Deputy Grand Master of England; and Sir Norman Ewing, Grand Master of Scotland. Other toasts were proposed to the Grand Lodge of Canada and the United States.1

On July 12, Grand Lodge and the guests began a tour of the Annapolis Valley. The first stop was at the Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home in Windsor where the party was greeted by the Mayor, Bro. Ira B. Lohnes and the Worshipful Master of Welsford Lodge No. 26, Rev. Gerald White. The next pause was at Grand Pre where the visitors were shown the site of the early French Village, and were presented with a copy of Longfellow's Evangeline. At Kentville there was a stop for lunch at which the speaker was Lord Farnham, D.S.O., Provincial Grand Master of Meath.

The highlight of the tour was the visit at Annapolis Royal, the cradle of Freemasonry in Canada, and the home for many years of our first Provincial Grand Master, Erasmus James Philipps. It was here the Philippa Lodge and been established two centuries ago. The Visitors were received by the Mayor of the town, who was also the Master of Annapolis Royal Lodge No. 33.

Sir Norman Eking thanked his worship for the warm welcome which had been accorded the visitors, after which Bro. Fred W. Harris of Annapolis Royal read a paper on the role of the town played in the History of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia and Canada. ("Annapolis Royal as the Cradle of Freemasonry in Canada"). Later the guests visited the museum at Fort Anne, where Sir Francis Davies, on behalf of the Grand Lodge of England, unveiled a tablet to the memory of Erasmus James Philippa.

The last call was made at Digby where a closing banquet was held at the Pines Hotel. This was followed by farewell addresses and lively conversations. The visitors then crossed the Bay of Fundy to Saint John. Those from Canada and the United States returned home, but the guests from overseas spent several weeks in visiting the Grand Lodges of Canada and those of Massachusetts and New York in the United States2 In this way, the bicentenary did more than recall an event of long ago. It gave a lift to the Craft, not only in Nova Scotia, but in many other jurisdictions as well.

A bicentennial jewel issued by the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was worn with pride by both members and visitors. A number of the jewels have found their way to the Archives of Grand lodge and local lodges. Others are still treasured by the brethren who wore them more than a quarter of a century ago.

The Nova Scotia Freemasons' Home, which had been instituted with enthusiastic support in 1908-09, has continued to hold the interest of the brethren for over half a century, and is still central in Grand Lodge planning. As we have seen, the first addition to the Home, a wing with accommodation for twenty-two additional guests was opened in 1913. By 1925, however, further accommodation was required; to supply this need and a fire-proof wing containing 14 single and 6 double rooms and an infirmary suite was opened in 1931. In 1945, the Grand Master, A. H. MacMillan, appealed for an addition to this wing, and by 1951 the "Peace Memorial Wing" containing an enlarged infirmary and additional guest rooms was opened. Before another decade had passed those responsible for the administration realized that a further increase in accommodation was necessary. As the Home would be fifty years old in 1959, a Golden Jubilee Fund to increase both the physical plant and the Endowment Fund seemed appropriate. The objective, was set at $300,000.00, which was to be divided equally between plant and endowment. The latter was emphasized as well as the former, since it had become obvious that the existing revenue would be insufficient to carry the increased cost of more guests, a larger staff, and higher insurance. An endowment totalling $500,000.00 was not considered excessive. The task of finding the $300,000 was given to a committee with Past Grand Master, Harry M. Standish, as Chairman. The Chairman worked long and hard. His services were recognized by Grand Lodge by a gift of a Past Grand Master's regalia and by the Home by naming the Dining Room in his honour, the "Harry Mildenhall Standish Room".

The campaign began with the assumption, which has been quite common to the Craft over the years, that the $300,000 could be raised by voluntary subscriptions. As had happened in the past, some lodges and many individual Masons, gave generously and at once; others, however, did not. After nearly two years of effort, it became evident that the full amount could not be raised in this way. Thus at the regular communication of Grand Lodge in June 1961, it was decided to complete the fund by an assessment of $1.00 per capita annually for six years. The "Jubilee Wing", providing additional single and double guest rooms, and enlarged dining room, kitchen and service area, an assembly room, and an elevator was officially opened by Grand Master Judge R. Clifford Levy in June 1963.

To finance construction, it was necessary to negotiate a loan from the bank. By the end of 1965 the loan was paid in full. When the fund is completed, it will provide a much needed increase in the present endowment.3 The Home is currently maintained by the $2.00 per capita assessment on our membership, the income from endowment, and the major portion of Old Age Security cheques which each guest pays to the treasury. Since the assessment and old age security payments remain relatively constant, any rise in the cost of maintenance must be covered by additional income from endowment. The need for a substantial endowment fund is therefore apparent.4

In the modern age, as in the past, efforts have been made to obtain a uniform ritual for the entire jurisdiction. A survey made in 1934 revealed that, in spite of previous campaigns, only eleven lodges were using the authorized ritual. This meant that a variety of rituals was still in use. Of the three senior lodges, St. Andrew's used the authorized ritual, while St. John's and Virgin retained the English or Emulation work. The three worked their degrees in such a manner as to be examples to other lodges, but that did not constitute uniformity. In fact, for fifteen years conditions remained as they had been for the previous sixty-five years. Then in 1947 Grand Lodge decided to print copies of the authorized work and to make them available for a moderate price at headquarters in Halifax.5 The first edition of 1948 was soon exhausted, and a new edition with corrections was prepared and published in 1953. A still later edition carries the date 1956. With the ritual thus available, many lodges adopted it. From the statistics now gathered, it appears that out of the 118 lodges on the roll, 106 use the authorized work, St. John's and Virgin continue with the Emulation work and the remaining ten have a variety of unauthorized rituals. Complete uniformity has not yet been achieved, but it is much nearer in 1966 than it was even two decades ago.

The number of Freemasons in the jurisdiction has increased considerably since 1932, but the increase has not been uniform or consistent. During the depression years, the membership decreased; in the boom years after 1945, it rose rapidly, even more rapidly than after 1918. These conditions might be expected and can be considered normal. Less understandable is the decline since 1958. Before commenting on this somewhat disturbing phenonemon, a glance at the variations over the three decades may prove informative:

Year  Number of Lodges    Membership
1915        74              6,765
1920        77              8,133
1925        79              9,662
1930        81              9,958

These were war and post-war years and the increase is constant. With the thirties came a decline.

Year  Number of Lodges    Membership
1932        81              9,875
1934        83              9,263
1936        83              8,756
1938        83              8,492
1940        83              8,358
1942        83              8,171

Here was a loss of 1704 or about 18% in twelve years. with the war time economy after 1942, the losses were soon regained, and membership rose by 1957 to the highest in our history:

Year  Number of Lodges    Membership
1943        83              8,843
1945        84              9,624
1947        88             11,814
1949        95             12,588
1951        104            13,630
1953        107            14,494
1955        108            14,735
1957        111            14,860

The second twelve years show a gain of over 6000 or about 80%. There was also a great increase in the number of lodges. This was due in part to new members, and in part to a change in places of abode. Many whose work took them to the city lived in the suburbs and preferred to attend lodge there rather than return to the city for meetings in the Masonic Hall. Also there was at least some realization that lodges with smaller numbers offered greater opportunities for holding office, and for being of service to the Craft. The figures for the period 1958-66 do not show fewer lodges, but do record a decline in membership:

Year  Number of Lodges    Membership
1958        111             14,851
1959        113             14,794
1960        113             14,662
1961        113             14,512
1962        115             14,263
1963        117             13,971
1964        118             13,733
1965        118             13,558

The fact that the decline or "slowing down" is not confined to Nova Scotia but is almost universal on the North American continent makes it necessary to examine our own policies and objectives to see that they are adequate for the new age, and also to seek causes and remedies in the condition of our Western Society. The remedies suggested have been many and varied: more Masonic education; more social activities, the promotion of DeMolay as a future source for both membership and leadership; more Lodge visitations, within the District, between Districts, and even between jurisdictions; greater effort to prevent demits and suspensions; and discreet publicity for Masonic activities. Above all, members of the craft are exhorted to show the value of Freemasonry in their lives. Some shrug off the losses as "getting rid of deadwood", Others would modernize the Order in the direction of a Service Club. This suggests unnecessary panic rather than reality, but it is important that all members become conscious of the changes that a multiplicity of organizations and television have made in our lives and seek to accommodate our activities to them.

In an effort to increase interest in lodge work, and to reward meritorious and long service Grand Lodge has established a number of awards. The best known and most popular is the Fifty Year Jewel, which has been awarded since 1936. In the thirty years, 1935-65, 975 brethren have been given this jewel. For those who qualify, a bar to the jewel is awarded for each additional ten years of membership.

In 1921 Grand Lodge instituted a bronze medallion to honour the memory of our First Provincial Grand Master, Erasmus James Philippa. The Erasmus James Philippa medallion is now awarded to brethren of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia who have rendered distinguished service to Freemasonry, and to visitors from other jurisdictions who hold high rank in their own Grand Lodges. In forty-five years the medallion has been given to 158 Masons.

The Meritorious Service Medal of Grand Lodge was first given in 1950. It is awarded on the recommendation of an Awards Committee to brethren "who in the opinion of the committee have no possible chance of becoming Masters or Past Masters, but who have fully earned the esteem and respect of their brethren for good work, conscientiously and well done" In the fifteen years, 1950-65, sixteen of these awards have been made.

One of the most important officers in every Lodge is the Secretary. He is responsible for keeping the records, and he is the chief contact between the brethren of his lodge and Grand Lodge. To reward the faithful, and to encourage efficiency, Grand Lodge in 1953 instituted a Lodge Secretaries Long Service Jewel, Eighty-six of these medals have been awarded.

At the very beginning of the period, 1932-35, the Grand Master of those years, Reginald V. Harris, sought to arouse a deeper interest in Masonic education, more proficiency in working the degrees, and a greater spirit of comradeship and fellowship among the members of the different lodges by means of lectures or talks in the lodges and something tangible which could be offered as an award or prize for a winning team, both ritualistic and athletic. To make members aware of past Masonic History, tradition, legend, and teachings, the Grand Master prepared some thirty addresses on a variety of subjects which were given in many lodges of Halifax and Dartmouth. These were later mimeographed and a copy of each was sent to the lodges of the jurisdiction. Some of them can still be obtained in lodge libraries or in the recesses of Secretaries' desks. Others are available at the Grand Lodge Office in Halifax.

In order to improve ceremonial work, the Grand Master offered a Proficiency Shield for annual competition. It was first won by Curren Lodge No. 68 in 1936. The competition continued for several years.

In order to increase the fellowship among the brethren in each District and eventually throughout the jurisdiction, and to arouse a healthy spirit of rivalry, the Grand Master offered for annual competition a Silver Curling Cup. Playdowns were at first by Districts after which the District winners met to decide the championship for the Jurisdiction. In those earlier days, this competition proved very popular, and some District cups were presented by interested members of the Craft. In more recent times with the construction of large rinks in many of the Nova Scotia towns and the multiplicity of cups being offered for local and provincial competition, a final playdown became almost impossible. Play for District cups, however, continues, and provides an opportunity for the competitors from the lodges to meet for play and fellowship. The large cup is still awarded, but today as a challenge cup. Too many activities at the local level have even reduced the number of challenges being offered..

Since 1962, the Past Grand Masters' Achievement Trophy has been a stimulant to the lodges. It is awarded annually for advances in membership, attendance, education, community service, etc.; the first winner was Woodlawn Lodge No. 131.

An important development of recent years was the formation in 1945 of an Advisory Board. This organization, now required by the constitution, is an Executive Committee, but it is also, as the name suggests, an advisory body. It consists of the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Past Grand Masters, Grand Secretary, Associate Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, with additional appointments as needed to assure representation from every District. This body has a general oversight over the promotion and extension of Freemasonry in the province, gives advice as needed, and coordinates the work of the boards and committees. It meets quarterly.

Some years ago, the question was raised a to whether a blind person could be made a Mason. It was considered by the Board of Jurisprudence, whose members sought information and advice from other Jurisdictions both in Great Britain and the United States. With the approval of the Board, the Grand Master of that day ruled in 1955, that Dr. Samuel R. Hussey, a well-known figure in the field of education for the blind and himself without sight, was eligible to be made a member of the Craft. The three degrees were conferred upon Dr. Hussey in a generally moving manner. It was here interpreted that "Light in Masonry" should mean spiritual rather than physical light.

In this our centennial year as a Grand Lodge we have much for which to thank the Great Architect of the Universe. We are a Fraternity of 118 lodges and nearly 14,000 members. Sixty-four of the lodges were formed before 1900, the remaining fifty-four belong to the present century. Of these, thirty-seven have been formed since 1932, an average of better than one a year. The names, with the dates of institution are to be found at the end of the book, and so need not be listed here. A centennial is a time for retrospect and sober rejoicing. We should not, however, rest on our oars. We are evidently in a period of "levelling off", and so must do our best to see that "levelling off" does not become retrogression or decline. To prevent this, we should begin a new century with confidence and zeal.

As was pointed out at the beginning, much detail regarding Freemasonry in Nova Scotia has had to be omitted. It is hoped, however, that sufficient has been written to give the reader an understanding of our past, and how we came to be the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. If this has been achieved, this little book will have served its purpose well.

NOTES

1. The toast to the Grand Lodges of Canada was proposed by John H. Anderson, P.G.M., and Grand Secretary of North Carolina and responded to by Hon. W. J. Dunlop of Ontario, G.M., and John E. Sinclair of Prince Edward Island, P.G.M. "The Grand Lodges in the United States" was proposed by C.M. Kingston, P.G.M. of British Columbia, and responded to by L. P. Stewart, Grand Master of the District of Columbia, and Hon. Robert R. Lewis, Grand Master of Pennsylvania.
2. The overseas visitors were guests at all Canadian Grand Lodges, either in regular or special communications. They were also guests of the Sovereign Great Priory in Saint John, and of the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts and New York.
3. The present endowment, according to the Grand Treasurer's Report in 1965 is $424,318.14. Proceedings 1965, p.31
4. The cost per guest has risen sharply in recent years. It has been estimated that to retain the Home without the money now received through Old Age Security, an assessment of $6.00 would be needed.
5. The present sale price is $2.50 per copy.