Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
observed amongst us and our predecessors , that the lairds of Roslin have ever been patrons of us and our privileges , like as our predecessors have obeyed , reverenced , and acknowledged them as patrons and protectors , whereof they had letters of protection , and other rights granted by his Majestie ' s most noble progenitors of worthy memorie , whilk with sundrie other lairds of Roslin , his wreats [ writs ] being consumed in ane flame of fire within the Castle of Roslinanno The consummation
, and burning thereof being clearly known to us and our predecessors , " & c . The Brethren in consequence resolve to recognize anew his ancient right , and recmest him to procure or purchase the Royal confirmation thereof : — " And further , we all in one voice , as said is , of new have made , constitute , and ordained , and be thir presents make , constitute , and ordain the said Sir William Saint Clair now of Roslin , and his airs in all , our onlpatronsprotectorsand overseersunder our Sovereigne Lord
y , , , , to us and our successors , " & c— " with full powers to him and them by themselves , their Wardens and Deputes , to be constitute by them , to affix and appoint places of meeting for keeping of goode ordere in the said Craft . " This interesting charter of commission or confirmation , is signed by the Masters and Wardens of the principal Lodges of Dundee , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Stirling , Dumferling , Ayr , and St . Andrews . In deferencethereforeto this voluntary acknowledgment and
continua-, , tion , by the Brethren , of ancient Royal rights ( the legal evidences of which appear to have been burnt ) , Sir William St . Clair took upon himself the active administration of the Lodges , and appointed his deputies and wardens , as of old . For upwards of a century after this solemn renewal of the connexion
between the St . Clairs and the Craft , Masonry flourished under its successive heads . An event at last occurred which was somewhat to change the current and complexion of the magisterial office and functions . This was the formal resignation of all his rights and titles as hereditary Grand Master Mason , by William St . Clair of Roslin , in 1736 . This gentleman , who was initiated in the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , on the 18 th of Slay of that year , finding himself under the necessity of
desponing his paternal estate , and being , moreover , without any children , considered that he ought to place his office from thenceforth at the disposal of the Craft , from whose hands , indeed , his predecessors had latterly received it . The resolution was worthy of all parties concerned . A convocation of the Lodges was called ; thirty-two Lodges assembled at Edinburgh by themselves , or their representatives ; and the descendant of a long line of hereditary Grand Mastersresigned his Masonic honours
, into the hands of the Fraternity , in form and manner following : — " I , William St . Clair of Roslin , Esquire , taking into my consideration that the Masons in Scotland did , by several deeds , constitute and appoint William and Sir William St . Clair of Roslin , my ancestors , and their heirs , to be patrons , protectors , -judges , or masters ; and that my holding or claiming any such jurisdiction , right , or privilege , might be prejudicial to the Craft and vocation of Masonry , whereof I am a
member , and I being desirous to advance and promote the good and utility of the said Craft of Masonry to the utmost of my power , do therefore hereby , for me and my heirs , renounce , quit , claim , overgive , and discharge all right , claim , or pretence , that I or my heirs had , have , or any ways may have , pretend to , or claim , to be patron , protector , judge , or master of the Masons in Scotland , in virtue of any deed or deeds made and granted by the said Masons , or of any grant or charter made by any
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
observed amongst us and our predecessors , that the lairds of Roslin have ever been patrons of us and our privileges , like as our predecessors have obeyed , reverenced , and acknowledged them as patrons and protectors , whereof they had letters of protection , and other rights granted by his Majestie ' s most noble progenitors of worthy memorie , whilk with sundrie other lairds of Roslin , his wreats [ writs ] being consumed in ane flame of fire within the Castle of Roslinanno The consummation
, and burning thereof being clearly known to us and our predecessors , " & c . The Brethren in consequence resolve to recognize anew his ancient right , and recmest him to procure or purchase the Royal confirmation thereof : — " And further , we all in one voice , as said is , of new have made , constitute , and ordained , and be thir presents make , constitute , and ordain the said Sir William Saint Clair now of Roslin , and his airs in all , our onlpatronsprotectorsand overseersunder our Sovereigne Lord
y , , , , to us and our successors , " & c— " with full powers to him and them by themselves , their Wardens and Deputes , to be constitute by them , to affix and appoint places of meeting for keeping of goode ordere in the said Craft . " This interesting charter of commission or confirmation , is signed by the Masters and Wardens of the principal Lodges of Dundee , Edinburgh , Glasgow , Stirling , Dumferling , Ayr , and St . Andrews . In deferencethereforeto this voluntary acknowledgment and
continua-, , tion , by the Brethren , of ancient Royal rights ( the legal evidences of which appear to have been burnt ) , Sir William St . Clair took upon himself the active administration of the Lodges , and appointed his deputies and wardens , as of old . For upwards of a century after this solemn renewal of the connexion
between the St . Clairs and the Craft , Masonry flourished under its successive heads . An event at last occurred which was somewhat to change the current and complexion of the magisterial office and functions . This was the formal resignation of all his rights and titles as hereditary Grand Master Mason , by William St . Clair of Roslin , in 1736 . This gentleman , who was initiated in the Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , on the 18 th of Slay of that year , finding himself under the necessity of
desponing his paternal estate , and being , moreover , without any children , considered that he ought to place his office from thenceforth at the disposal of the Craft , from whose hands , indeed , his predecessors had latterly received it . The resolution was worthy of all parties concerned . A convocation of the Lodges was called ; thirty-two Lodges assembled at Edinburgh by themselves , or their representatives ; and the descendant of a long line of hereditary Grand Mastersresigned his Masonic honours
, into the hands of the Fraternity , in form and manner following : — " I , William St . Clair of Roslin , Esquire , taking into my consideration that the Masons in Scotland did , by several deeds , constitute and appoint William and Sir William St . Clair of Roslin , my ancestors , and their heirs , to be patrons , protectors , -judges , or masters ; and that my holding or claiming any such jurisdiction , right , or privilege , might be prejudicial to the Craft and vocation of Masonry , whereof I am a
member , and I being desirous to advance and promote the good and utility of the said Craft of Masonry to the utmost of my power , do therefore hereby , for me and my heirs , renounce , quit , claim , overgive , and discharge all right , claim , or pretence , that I or my heirs had , have , or any ways may have , pretend to , or claim , to be patron , protector , judge , or master of the Masons in Scotland , in virtue of any deed or deeds made and granted by the said Masons , or of any grant or charter made by any