IVORY GAVEL

The following is an exerpt of an interesting article from the Greenock Telegraph of Tuesday 4th February 1964 about the return of the Ivory Gavel used at the consecration of the Lodge building on 23rd July 1898.

LODGE 175 GETS RETURN OF AN HISTORIC RELIC

Charles Street

Tuesday morning

There was an interesting ceremony at a recent meeting of Lodge Greenock St. John's No. 175 when an ivory mallet which had been the subject of a presentation over 65 years ago, was returned to the successors of its original donors.

The meeting took place at the Masonic Temple in West Sterwart Street, and among the deputations from Sister Lodges was one from Lodge Craigends No. 1042. Linwood.

After witnessing the ceremonies of the evening which was the conferring of the Third Degree on five candidates, Bro. George Dickson, P.M. and now Secretary of Lodge Craigends No. 1042 said he was really present in order to hand over to Lodge St. John's a very interesting souvenir.

.......... Inscription

Over a period of years, he said, he had been telling Bro. William Stewart, P.M. of Lodge 175 about a mallet he had had in his possession for many years. Following correspondence with Bro. Stewart he had decided that the mallet should be returned to the lodge.

He then asked Bro. Frank Colhoun, R.W.M., to accept on behalf of the Lodge a beautiful ivory mallet, with silver plate inscribed as follows:-

"Presented to Bro. Michael Hugh Shaw Stewart, Esq., of Carnock, MP, Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire West, by the Brethren of Lodge Greenock St. John No. 175 on the occasion of the consecration of their new Temple, 23 July 1898"

........ Much Travelled

Bro. George Dickson, P.M. gave an interesting account of the mallet's travels down the years. It had been in America on two occasions for lengthy stays returning to Stirling and finally falling into his hands.

The mallet was accepted with grateful thanks by Bro. Frank Colhoun, RWM, and there was a formal reply from Bro. Stewart who said the mallet would be placed with many other souvenirs already in possession of "175" and that it would be used on ceremonial occasions.

Among the deputations from other Lodges who were present at this interesting ceremony were the officers of Lodge Crawfurdsburn No. 1121 headed by Bro. Thomas McDonald, RWM, and the Lodge of Erskine No. 1566 headed by Bro. Fred King, RWM.

Although the inscription on the mallet mentions "St. John" it was correct at the time. The name of the Lodge has since been changed to "St. John's".