The Bro. Anderson Debacle
What started out harmlessly enough at the Meeting of January 22, 1864 was soon to become a rather inflamed and somewhat embarrassing situation for the Lodge and one Brother (Anderson) in particular. At that meeting, it is recorded that Wor. Master Menzies appointed Bros. Mostyn, McDougall and Anderson a committee to draft "an address of condolence to Mrs. Campbell, widow of our late Secretary". Later in that same Meeting, the following events are recorded:
Bro. Anderson proposed that Bro. Archibald be raised to the 3rd degree. The W.M. stated that it was impossible as it was too late. Bro. Mostyn said he had a couple of appointments which had to attend to, and that he had postponed to attend this meeting. Bro. Anderson then commenced a tirade of abuse against all the principal officers of the Lodge and Bro. Mostyn, stating that there was a clique in the Lodge that kept him out of the W.M.'s chair, which was his by right as he was S.W. last year. W.M. called Bro. Anderson to order. He said he was in order and would not be called to order; he said it was a revolting humbug to have the most junior members of the Lodge elected to S.W. and J.W. chairs, that the S.W.'s chair was never filled and never would be filled again as well as he had filled it, he came here this evening to kick up a row that he came a couple of times before, but never got as good a chance as now to give certain persons a chewing up, he used some oaths during his speech and altogether conducted himself most unmasonically.
The W.M. told Bro. Anderson he thought he had very little reason to complain that he did not know of anything that he had proposed that was not carried, he did not know of any such thing as a clique in the Lodge, and hoped as that the brethren had elected him Master of the Lodge he would fill the chair with honour to himself and credit to the Lodge.
Bros. S.W. and J.W. both answered Bro. Anderson when he had attacked them. Wor. Bro. Mostyn wished to make a few remarks with regard to his being the cause (as Bro. Anderson stated) of Bro. Anderson's not filling any office this year. He knew of no clique in the lodge, and as Bro. Anderson did not know the reason why he was not elected, he would tell him he thought it was because on two different occasions he sat in the S.W.'s chairs when he was not in a fit state to do so, and if there was a clique it was one of the whole Lodge, as there was not a single vote for him; he also wished as Bro. Anderson was making charges against members to make one against him and that was "that Bro. Anderson on more than one occasion made known in public the private proceedings of this Lodge".
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Bro. Anderson said it was a "Damn Lie".
Bro. Mostyn said he would bring proofs.
Not surprisingly, this Meeting did not close "in harmony".
At the following Meeting on February 19, 1864, the Committee appointed to draft an address of condolence to Mrs. Campbell asked the Worshipful Master to appoint some brother in place of Bro. Anderson as they thought Bro. Anderson would not act with them. The Worshipful Master appointed another brother in the place of Bro. Anderson. It is noted that Bro. Anderson was not present at this Meeting, although an Account of his in the amount of $19.49 was read and referred to the Board of General Purposes.At the next Meeting on March 18, 1864, Wor. Master William Mostyn "stated that the Committee appointed to draft a letter of condolence to Mrs. Campbell (widow of our late Sec'y) could not act according to instructions as it was unconstitutional".
Bro. Anderson did not resurface at a meeting of the Lodge until June 17, 1864, when he "applied personally for a demit from the Lodge requesting it to date from St. John's Day next". The Lodge closed in harmony.
On June 24, 1864 (at a meeting at which Bro. Anderson was again present) Bro. Mostyn moved "that Bro. Anderson's demit be not granted by the Lodge until he apologized to the Lodge for his past misconduct, a part of which is on record under date of 22nd January, 1864". The motion was unanimously carried. Bro. Anderson "acknowledged that he had used profane language in the Lodge Room, and of coming to the Lodge with intention of making disturbance, but in extenuation of the offence he said that he was excited by anger and other causes, he positively refused to make an apology for anything he had done. After considerable entreaty by Brethren of the Lodge and a good deal of harsh language by Bro. Anderson the case was dropped". The Lodge closed, but without mention of harmony.
On August 12, 1864 "Bro. Anderson made an apology to the Lodge in reference to charges recorded against him in the Minutes of the Lodge. He said that he had been hasty and rash and had done and said what he should not and wished the Lodge would accept his apology and overlook his offences". Notably, Bro. Mostyn moved that Bro. Anderson's apology be received and placed on record. The
motion was carried unanimously; and the Lodge closed in harmony.
This unpleasant event certainly points not only to the less than desirable character of Bro. Anderson, but more importantly to the strength and leadership of Bro. Mostyn, who was not prepared to tolerate any childish deviation from masonic standards of conduct, but who was also able to display the maturity to forgive and forget. Bro. Mostyn was clearly a commendable first Master of the Lodge. There is another lesson here too; namely, that Bro. Mostyn was a man of wisdom who recognized that getting out of the Lodge was no less difficult than getting into the Lodge; and, on more universal terms, that life's obligations are not to be undertaken without serious consideration.The punch line, however, is that at the Meeting of December 9, 1864, Bro. Anderson's demit was granted. Either he had had enough, or he wanted the "last kick at the cat". What is yet one more final twist is the record, in the meeting of May 15, 1865, of "Visiting Bro. W. Anderson (unaffiliated)". That meeting was held to plan the laying of the cornerstone of the Presbyterian Church. Later yet (on May 6, 1867), Bro. Anderson made application to rejoin the Lodge. The ballot was passed, and Bro. Anderson was accepted for readmission. But on May 9, 1867, an Emergent Meeting was called for the purpose of making arrangements for the funeral of Bro. Anderson (see below).
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