Through the Key Hole - RoseCroix.org.au

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Aubrey was a good friend of the Wrens and as the hand-written
amendment was made on the date of the ‘adoption’ and Cramer
copied it at a later date ( after the fact) it can be safely assumed
that ample time was available for the entry to be deleted if it was
incorrect and the Society as well as Wren himself did not refute it.
We can accept, therefore, that Aubrey, Wren and the Royal Society
agreed with this addition citing Wren’s initiation into Freemasonry.
It seems reasonable to accept it as a truthful statement.
John Aubrey was a close friend of Sir Christopher Wren. Both
were in the Royal Society. Wren too, had been a founder member
of the Royal Society and had served as President from 1680 to
1682.. He was still alive and active in the Society in 1691, the date
of Cramer’s copy.
The records of Lodge Original No. 1, now Lodge of Antiquity No. 2,
do mention Wren as being Master of that lodge.
Brothers Williamson and Baigent at the conclusion of their in
depth research in to this, conclude that Sir Christopher Wren was
indeed initiated into Freemasonry in 1691.
THE FIRST ANTARCTICA LODGE
By Keith Stockley
Ever since an article appeared in the “Kansas Mason” magazine
headlined FORMATION OF ANTARCTICA LODGE NO. 777 OF
NEW ZEALAND ON 5 FEBRUARY 1935 many brethren allover
the world have speculated on this lodge.
Did it actually exist?
Now the situation is clarified.
The facts are as follows:
1. By 1973, the Grand Lodge of New Zealand had chartered
only 440 lodges so the No. 777 was definitely not a possibility.
2. Wor. Bro. J Fairbairn Smith ( Of Detroit , Michigan) produced
a photocopy of the Minute Book of the meeting
which showed the lodge as No. 777.
3. Wor. Bro. Sissons ( Senior Warden of Lodge No. 777, on
leave of absence from the New Zealand Post Office, was
on board the ship “Jacob Ruppert” as a ship’s radio officer,
says he attended the Masonic meetings.
4. Wor. Bro. Sissons when pressed, confirmed the following:
4.1 Yes, meetings were indeed held.
4.2 No lodge, however, was formed.
4.3 Yes, Minutes were kept.
4.4 We INVENTED No. 777
Thus ends a myth that has persisted for many years.