Sixth Annual Re-Union Of The Members Of Mother Kilwinning In Glasgow.

SIXTH ANNUAL RE-UNION OF THE MEMBERS OF MOTHER KILWINNING IN GLASGOW .

''j ^ ITIS re-union was held in St . John s Hall , which was kindly X lent for the occasion . Bro . J . M . McCash , Esq ., of . Dairy , R . W . M . of 290 , presided ; supported by Bros . R . Wylie Sec . P . P . G . M . of Ayrshire , D . M . Nelson R . W . M . 3 bis G . S . D ., Mulier G . D . ofM ., R . Suiithsonof 1270 ( U . C . ) , J . Easton I . P . M . 579 , P . G . S . W . Glasgow , J . Walker Sec . of the Committee . The Croupiers were

Bros . H . Taylor as S . W ., supported by Bros . J . F . Tweed P . J . W ., G . W . Wheeler , J . Speirs , Gavin Park , G . Nelson and Donaldson , and tho J . W ., W . Jamison , supported by Bros . Scobo , McWalters , McMillan and Duncan . Amongst the other distinguished guests wero Bros . R . Bell P . E . C . and Wm . Shaw E . C . of St . Mungo Encampment , along with Colonel Robertson the American Consul , Bros . Baillie

Donald of Aberdeen , J . A . leigorson P . S . W ., and Whinton , the Treasurer , aud oldest member of Mother Kilwinning . Letters of apology were read from Colonel Muir P . G . M ., It . Montiguo P . G . W ., Wor . Bro . Partick S . P . G . M ., aud J . Baird S . E . M . Glasgow . After ample justice had been done to the purveying of Bro . Shand , the Steward of St . John ' s Hall , tho Chairman , in a few well chosen

remarks , gave tho " Queen and tho Craft . God save the Queen was sung by Bro . Clarke . The Prince of Wales , Grand Patron of Scottish Masonry . " God bless the Prince of Wales , " was given by Bro . Nelson . " The three Grand Lodges of England , Ireland aud Scotland , " was given from tho chair , and respoudedto by Bro . D . M . Nelson G . S . D ., who said his experience as a Grand

Lodge officer was only that of a few days , but he felt sure that Sir Michael S . Stewart was a man of energy and ability , and he would set himself to work to remedy tho evils pointed out by the Chairman now that they had been brought under his notice , and , as a humble member , he should bo glad to lend his aid to the work ; in fact , the Province of Glasgow had long since set an example in this direction .

It was a rather a carious coincidence that the three Grand Masters had all a connexion with the neighbouring province—for the Prince of Wales was Baron of Renfrew , the Duke of Aberoorn is Marquis of Paisley , aud they all knew that their own G . M . had his principal seat in that county . Well , in addition , they had tho services of Colonel Campbell of Blythswood , whom all knew to bo a practical

man , whether in Masonry or any thing connected with the interest of tho county . He felt sure that in future the Grand Lodge would see that their practice was more fully in accordance with their excellent precepts . ( Applause ) . The J . W . Bro . W . Jamison , in a brief speech , gave the " Grand Lodges of America , " and called on Bro . W . Shaw E . G . of St . Mungo

Encampment , who had just returned from there , to respond , which he did , giving an interesting account of the kind way iu which himself and P . E . Commander Robt . Bell had been received , both in the United States and Canada . Also a sketch of tho rise of tho Order in tho States , more particularly of its progress in Philadelphia from 1730 , its formation iuto a District Grand

Lodge iu 1732 , and its forming an Independent Grand Lodgo in 1785 , then describing the rapid progress and their present magnificent temple , which is larger than that of King Solomon , aud almost rivals it in magnificence ; while they have 370 Lodges ou their roll , and a membership of 38 , 328 . Wherever he wout ho found a great respect for Scotch Masonry , and a deep-seated veneration for

the Mother Lodgo of Kilwinning , as being the cradlo from whence the present system had sprung . ( Cheers . ) His only regret was that this response had not been given by Sir Knight R . Bell , or their mutual friend Colonel Robertson , the American Consul for Leith . The Croupier gave " Tho Army , Navy , and Reserve Forces , " dwelling on the excellence of each arm of the service , and the significance of

the toast at the present timo . Bro . Captain Donaldson responded , showing the patriotic nature of the Volunteer Corps , tho extra qualifications that were now required from its officers , which were calculated to give moro confidence to the men . Should our regulars be called upon to go abroad , ho felt quite confident of the ability of the volunteers to protect our shores from foreign invaders .

The Chairman then gave the toast of the evening , " The Mother Lodge , " the formation of which , he said , was coeval with tho building of tho Abbey in 1140 . From that time to the present they had steadfastly continued at work , partly as operative , but latterly purely as speculative Masons ; and though they bad done so much for Masonry , Masonry had done but very little for them . They had

heard of the magnificence of the Temple at Philadelphia , and though he would not say their old Lodge room was a disgrace to them , still he must say it was not worthy of the high place the Lodgo held in Masonry ; and he trusted that her sons who dwelt in Glasgow , and had the capital , wonld soon try to assist in getting a better home for the Old Lady who bad cradled Masonry iu its infancy , and not only

so , but had granted many charters to daughter Lodges in tho olden times , thus spreading a knowledge of the Craft . About the beginning of tho century her rulers—and he would not now dispute their wisdom—agreed to give up their old privileges to a Parliament of Lodges meeting in Edinburgh . This Parliament should be the servant , but ho was sometimes afraid they were trying to become

the masters , of the Lodges . He was glad there wore two Grand Lodge officers present , and that Bro . ISelson had assured them ol the desire of tho G . L . to redress their grievances , for thoy did feel in tho West tha' they had some serious grievances ; but he would bo willing to put their complaints iuto Bro . Is ' elson ' s 'hands and he hoped he would be ablo to get a satisfactory settlement of some of them , so that when they next met ho might bo able to say

wc have no more serious complaints to make trom Ayrshire . ( Cheers . ) Tho next toast was , " Our Last-laid Stones . " Bro . J . A . Fergerson Proxy S . W . said it was at all times pleasant to havo to propose such a toast . He had often dono so , but never with greater gratification than on this occasion : for on Wednesday they hail initiated five gentlemen , all of whom ho believed would be an honour to the Craft . He would ask Baillie McDonald , au old friend of t wenty . fire years stand-

Sixth Annual Re-Union Of The Members Of Mother Kilwinning In Glasgow.

mg to respond . Bro . McDonald said it might be asked why an old man like him should wish to join tho Order . Well , ho had done so because he had found that their boast of their universal brotherhood was something more than a name ; it was a reality . Last year he had been on the Continent , with Bro . Fergerson ' s partner , Bro . Shaw . They wanted some important information there , aud Bro . Shaw applied for it to a

Brother Mason at Bruges . IIo was not at homo , but his good lady was , and she was worthy of being a Mason ' s wife , for she gave them the required information , treated them kindly , and sent them on their way to Ostond . Hero they met with another Mason , a perfect stranger ; but ho treated Mr . Shaw aa a brother , and mo also , because I was a friend of his . Well , this year Bro . Shaw was iu

America , and there , because he was a Mason , and a son of Mother Kilwinning , they did not appear as if thoy could do enough for him ; and ho ( Bro . Macdonald ) seeing tho . reality of Masonio brotherhood , bad joined , and hoped he should bo no disgrace to the Order . Bro . Wylie P . G . S . Ayrshire , proposed " The Province of Glasgow . " This , ho said , had long been known as the model Province in Scotland

it had twenty-nino Lodges , the next in size and number to Ayrshire . It was full of life and activity . These Lodges were all working well , and keeping up the old landmarks ; thoy had likewise a good benevo . lent fund : in fact , if all the Provinces would go and do likewise , there would not be the complaint of which they had heard . He had hoped that his old and respected friend , John Baird P . S . G . M , would

havo replied , but , in his absence , he would ask Bro . G . W . Wheeler to do so . Bro . Wheeler said it was an unexpected honour to have to reply , but , fortunately , the state of tho Province had been so ably described by their esteemed Secretary , that he need not say much . As to tho grievances of which tho chairman had spoken , he could assure him he might rely on the Province of Glasgow to assist in

redressing them . Fortunately we have , as P . G . officers , men of energy as well as of ability . They efficiently superintend each Lodgo , look to thoir working , and also into their books , so seeing that work was efficiently performed between the times of visitation . By the system of putting ou a small sum to tho entrance fee of each initiate , they had raised a good Benevolent Fund , and they were

pleased to see and hear of the progress of other Provinces , and , as on this occasion , to meet with the office-bearers of another Province , and assure them of their willingness to assist them in effecting any reform in the G . L . that might be necessary . By their Master and Wardens attending at G . L ., they had been able , after the lapse of some years , to put in a representative from the West at the last

election . At the next they must get in a Mother Kilwinning man for Ayrshire , and so assist to carry on the true principles of Masonry by rewarding merit . ( Cheers . ) The Chairman then gave " Our Hosts , the Lodge St . John ' s , No . 3 bis . " Ho had previously no idea they bad so fine a hall in Glasgow , and he found that while they would not let their hall , they wero willing to grant the free use of it to tho

Mother Lodge . Bro . Nelson , R . W . M . of St . John ' s , said he waa pleased when his Mother Lodge was praised , because ho knew she deserved it ; and it afforded them—the oldest Lodgo in Glasgowpleasure to open their hall for the annual meeting of the Glasgow members of the oldest Lodgo in Ayrshire , if not in tho world . Bro . McGregor R . W . M ., of No . 458 , St . John ' s , Busby , responded on behalf

of the visitors . " Tho Lord Provost and Magistrates of Glasgow " was proposed by Bro . Taylor , and responded to by ex-Councillor Nelson . Bro . Scott gave " The Press , " which was responded to by Bro . J . Stewart , of the Daily Mail . The Chairman thou gave " Colonel Robertson and all American Masons . " The gallant Colonel

expressed the pleasure he felt at being present . Bro . R . Bell also replied . Thanks to the Chairman , Croupiers , and Committee , who had got np tho meeting , were given and responded to , Bro . J . A . Fergerson replying for tho Committee . Tho excellent singing of Bros . J . Clark , Nelson , Brodie , Wallace , McWaters , Shira , Scobo , and Ross contributed much to enhance the pleasure of the meeting .

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