Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Short Sketch Of The History Of Freemasonry
of true old Masonry , and preserving among themselves that harmony and union which should and always has subsisted among the Fraternity . Such continued to be the state of Masonry while the family of Roslin were in flourishing and prosperous circumstances ; but that noble and once opulent family , through their too great generosity , falling
hack in the world , the late representative , William St . Clair of Roslin , Esq . ( a real Mason , and a gentleman of the greatest candour and benevolence , inheriting his predecessors virtues without their fortune ) was obliged to dispone the estate ; and , having no children of his own , was loth that the office of Grand Master , now vested in his person ; should become vacant at his death ; more especially as there was but
small prospect of the Brethren of this country receiving any countenance or protection from the crown ( to whom the office naturally reverted at the failure ofthe Roslin family ) , as in ancient days our kings and princes continually resided in England .
Upon these considerations , having assembled the Brethren of the Lodges in and about Edinburgh , Grand Master St . Clair represented to them how beneficial it would be to the cause of Masonry in general to have a Grand Master , a gentleman or nobleman of their own country , one of their own electing , to patronize and protect the Craft ; and that , as hereditary Grand Master over all Scotland , he had called
this meeting , in order to condescend on a proper plan for electing of a Grand Master ; and that in order to promote so laudable a design , he purposed to resign into the hands of the Brethren , or whomsoever ' they should be pleased to elect , 'all rig ht , claim , or title whatever , which he or his successors have to reign as Grand Master over the Masons in Scotlandand recommended to the Brethren to look out
, for a nobleman or gentleman , one of the Craft , fit to succeed his noble predecessors , a man qualified to protect and patronize the Society , and support the character of Grand Master with the honour and dignity becoming that hig h station ; and concluded with recommending to them unanimity , harmony , and brotherly love , in all their proceedings thereanent .
The Brethren taking into consideration what the Grand Master had above represented , resolved upon proper rules and regulations to be observed in the election of a Grand Master against St . Andrew ' s day next ; and that they might not be said to take any step without the countenance and approbation of the more distant Lodges , they ordered the following letter to be wrote to all the Lodges throughout Scotland , inviting them to appear by themselves or proxies , in order
to concur in promoting so laudable a scheme : BRETHREN , ' THE four Lodges in and about Edinburgh having taken to their c consideration the great loss that Masonry has sustained through the ' want of a Grand Master , authorised us to signify to you , our good ' and worthy Brethren , our hearty desire and firm intention to ' choose a Grand Master for Scotland ; ¦ and , in order the same may ' be done with the greatest harmony , we hereby invite you ( as we
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Short Sketch Of The History Of Freemasonry
of true old Masonry , and preserving among themselves that harmony and union which should and always has subsisted among the Fraternity . Such continued to be the state of Masonry while the family of Roslin were in flourishing and prosperous circumstances ; but that noble and once opulent family , through their too great generosity , falling
hack in the world , the late representative , William St . Clair of Roslin , Esq . ( a real Mason , and a gentleman of the greatest candour and benevolence , inheriting his predecessors virtues without their fortune ) was obliged to dispone the estate ; and , having no children of his own , was loth that the office of Grand Master , now vested in his person ; should become vacant at his death ; more especially as there was but
small prospect of the Brethren of this country receiving any countenance or protection from the crown ( to whom the office naturally reverted at the failure ofthe Roslin family ) , as in ancient days our kings and princes continually resided in England .
Upon these considerations , having assembled the Brethren of the Lodges in and about Edinburgh , Grand Master St . Clair represented to them how beneficial it would be to the cause of Masonry in general to have a Grand Master , a gentleman or nobleman of their own country , one of their own electing , to patronize and protect the Craft ; and that , as hereditary Grand Master over all Scotland , he had called
this meeting , in order to condescend on a proper plan for electing of a Grand Master ; and that in order to promote so laudable a design , he purposed to resign into the hands of the Brethren , or whomsoever ' they should be pleased to elect , 'all rig ht , claim , or title whatever , which he or his successors have to reign as Grand Master over the Masons in Scotlandand recommended to the Brethren to look out
, for a nobleman or gentleman , one of the Craft , fit to succeed his noble predecessors , a man qualified to protect and patronize the Society , and support the character of Grand Master with the honour and dignity becoming that hig h station ; and concluded with recommending to them unanimity , harmony , and brotherly love , in all their proceedings thereanent .
The Brethren taking into consideration what the Grand Master had above represented , resolved upon proper rules and regulations to be observed in the election of a Grand Master against St . Andrew ' s day next ; and that they might not be said to take any step without the countenance and approbation of the more distant Lodges , they ordered the following letter to be wrote to all the Lodges throughout Scotland , inviting them to appear by themselves or proxies , in order
to concur in promoting so laudable a scheme : BRETHREN , ' THE four Lodges in and about Edinburgh having taken to their c consideration the great loss that Masonry has sustained through the ' want of a Grand Master , authorised us to signify to you , our good ' and worthy Brethren , our hearty desire and firm intention to ' choose a Grand Master for Scotland ; ¦ and , in order the same may ' be done with the greatest harmony , we hereby invite you ( as we