Lodge Canongate Kilwinning.

LODGE CANONGATE KILWINNING .

The history of the venerable and distinguished " Lodge Canongate Kilwinning , dating from 1677 , is now an accomplished fact , through the services of one of its respected Past Masters , Bro . Allen Mackenzie , * who has every reason to be satisfied with the result of his labours as author . To a great extent he has let the

records speak for themselves , and " so far so good , " but added to these old and deeply interesting minutes of " ye olden tyme , " Bro . Mackenzie has wisely appended particulars of the eventful lives of many of the distinguished members , who have from time to time been enrolled as brethren of the " mystic tie , " under the wing of No . 2 .

Although the handsome volume runs to some 260 pages , and is literally " packed ' with details of lodge life and contemporary events , extending over a period of nearly two centuries , we long for more , and have completed our perusal of the noble history , with the predominant feeling uppermost , that we wish there had been a second volume , so ably has Bro . Mackenzie acquitted himself as the historian of one of the most ancient and remarkable lodges in existence .

Beyond question , as the author observes in the brief preface , when an Institution has survived the vicissitudes of over two centuries , it becomes entitled to our veneration and respect . It is , therefore , a fair subject of congratulation that Canongate Kilwinning Lodge has not only existed for that period , but has assembled in the same district , under the same name , and for over one hundred and fifty years

under the same roof . The hall where the lodge assembles in St . John-street , was built in 1736 , and is considered to be the oldest of its kind , owned or used by a lodge . We believe it is , and congratulate the members on being the landlords of such an ancient Masonic building . We feel certain that even Philadelphia , U . S . A ., cannot equal this record , which has the first of so many good things . The two

photographs of the interior of the Masonic Hall , looking S . W . and N . E . respectively , give a capitalidea of the spacious character of the building , and of its artistic adornment and Masonic fittings . The one view exhibits a series of attractive articles , & c , such as the organ built in 1754 , a curious allegorical painting on the wall , portraits , banner , & c . The other represents a fine interior , showing the

old painting of St . Clair of Rosslyn , the first G . M . ( A . D . 1736 ) and member of the lodge , the splendid chair for the R . W . M . ; "Burns' Corner" being the chief and honoured portion of the hall , hence the choice of the N . E . for this truly Masonic souvenir . The third illustration of the interior we leave for description , when we have occasion to refer to the affiliation of Bro . Robert Burns as a member of No . 2 .

It appears that a number of operative Masons from the Canongate , Edinburgh , petitioned the old Lodge of Kilwinning to grant them permission to enter and pass persons in its name and on its behalf . 0 : ; the 20 th December , 16 77 , 12 of them attended , were accepted as Masons , and were duly authorised accordingly . The signatures and marks are appended to the minute in the records , which states at

the " ludge of Kilwinning , " these brethren " of the Canongate " were granted liberty to " enter , receave , and pase any qualified persons that they think fitt in name and behalf of the ludge of Kilwinning and to pay ther entry and booking moneys to the sd ludge as we do ourselves , they sending on of ther number to us yearly and ine to do the lyke t . ) them , if need be . " A facsmile of this entry appears in Bro . D .

Murray Lyon s history of No . 1 , Scotland , and is given " verbatim et literatim" in the history of lodge No . 2 . It appears to us that the last sentence ( in italics ) proves that these brethren were virtually formed into a lodge there and then , and though in a measure dependent on its mother lodge , was to all intents and purposes a veritable lodge in Edinburgh . Whether a copy of this authorization or warrant

was given to the founders we cannot now say—if so , the original is missing—but the entry aforesaid in the minute book of No . o , Kilwinning , is beyond question , the volume being still preserved , and thus contains the premier Scottish warrant or Constitution , as Bro . Mackenzie claims . Nay more , it is the first of the kind known .

We quite think with Bro . Lyon that "its assumption of an independent body would be almost contemporaneous with its erection as a branch ; for it does not appear ever to have made any return of its intrants to Kilwinning ; " neither apparently did its aged mother long object ( if at all ) to its neglect of financial obligations , as it appears that in 173 6 " Kilwinning" brethren favoured the candidate of the " Canongate Kilwinning " for the Grand Mastership of Scotland .

We are told , and told truly , that this lodge is one as famous for her vicissitudes of fortune as for the brilliant and celebrated men whom she calls her sons . In neither of these characters has she a rival ; for while her lot has been to suffer

greater misfortunes than any other lodge , her roll of members is one that no other kindred society can equal . Twenty-two members of the lodge have been Grand Masters of Scotland , and many of the greatest men of the past and present centuries have been entered on its distinguished register .

At the beginning of last century the lodge numbered amongst its members the foremost noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland who were devoted to the Stuart cause . The unsuccessful rising in 1715 sent those who had escaped death on the battlefield into exile ; and during the confusion attendant on those times , the whole early records of the lodge were lost or destroyed , and no trace of them can now be found . "

This regretted loss of the earliest records leaves a blank that the historian of the lodge is unable to fill , but it is reassuring to find that the survivors met about the beginning of 1735 and resumed the meetings . We are not all convinced that the lodge was dormant prior to this year , and in the absence of evidence , our belief

in its continuity is entitled to as much regard as the opposite view of the case . The facilites offered by a Masonic Lodge are considered by many to have been utilised by the Jacobites for their own purposes , and , doubtless , there is much to favour such a supposition .

Excepting a few lapses during the last 30 years , the volumes of records are well preserved , from February 13 th , 1735 , to the present time . The earliest minutes proves that it was not the first of any new effort or resuscitation , as the entry

begins the lodge having met according to adjournment , " when the meeting appointed a Committee for the preparation of by-laws to be laid before the R . W . M . and Wardens on the 27 th of that month . The earliest Scottish records relative to the Master Masons' Degree are to be

Lodge Canongate Kilwinning.

found in the first minute book preserved of this old lodge . On 25 th for .. , [ Tuesday ] 1735 , "A Quarterly Communication" was held , when the lodge ' adjourned to " Monday next for the Masters " [ 31 st March ] and to Thursday tlf 3 rd April , for " the whole lodge . " The Masters' lodge ( Third Degree ) , accord ingly sometimes met on different days , as so many did during the last century

England , but no separate records were kept , as often was the case in Som Brittain * Accordingly on the day named " admitted William Mont ° -omer Fellow Craft , and William Robertson , Robert Blisset , and George Frazer Mast Masons . " The first reference to this Degree by "Mother Kilwinning" June 24 th , 1736 , when it was enacted that those brethren who had dul y qualifier !

as Apprentices and Fellows of Craft " shall be Ras'd to ye dignity of Mast gratis . " In No . 1 , Edinburgh , according to Bro . Lyon , the first record of the kind is dated November 1 , 173 8 , when a brother who had then taken the first two Degree

was " also raised as a Master Mason in due forme . " "St . Davids , ' " Edinburgh however , is third in order of priority , their first minute " of the Degree of Master Mason" bearing date March 2 nd , 1738 . The earliest record of the kind in England is rather more than ten years earlier .

Fines were strictly enforced for non-atttendance , and , doubtless , the brethren who regularly assembled were all the more ready to see they were inflicted •as Bro . Mackenzie tells us the money was laid out in refreshments for the evening such an order constantly occurring in the minutes . The roll of members , containing several thousands of names , is carefull y written

in alphabetical order , and bound in two handsome volumes . The Historian has made selections from this roll ( from 1736 down to 1857 ) arranged alphabetically with the dates of initiations , and notes as to their general and Masonic titles when needful ( occupying eleven pages ) , but as these include so many worth y and distinguished names , we cannot bring our minds to enumerate any . One of the chief

attractions provided by Bro . Mackenzie , is the number of facsimiles of the autographs of great Masonic dignitaries profusely scattered over the volume , viz ., Wm . St . Clair ( 1 st G . M . ) , Geo . Frazer ( D . G . M . 1755-61 ) , C . H . Gordon ( G . M . 1753 ) , James [ Baron ] Forbes ( G . M . 1754 ) , Lord Aberdour ( G . M . 1755-6 , also G . M . of England , 1757 ) , Geo . Drummond ( G . M . 1752 , Lord Provost , & c ) , Earl of Dalhousie

( G . M . 1767-8 ) , Lord Benning ( Earl of Haddington ) , James Boswell ( D . G . M , ! 777 )) David Dalrymple ( Lord Westhall , G . M . 1774-5 ) , Sir William Forbes , Bart . ( G . M . 1776-7 ) , N . Spens ( D . G . M . ) , the Hon . Henry Erskine ( J . G . W . 1773 ) , Lord Haddo ( G . M . 1784-5 ) , F . Charteris ( Lord Elcho , G . M . 1786-7 ) , Lord Napier , ( G . M . 1788-9 ) , Earl of Morton ( G . M . 1790-1 ) , Earl of Ancrum ( Marquis of

Lothian , G . M . 1796-7 ) , James Hogg , the Ettrick Shepherd , ( Poet Laureate ) , Lord Dudley C . Stuart , M . P ., and others , all of whom were members . Also those of Grand Masters who visited the lodge officially , Earl of Kintore , G . M . 1738 , the last Earl of Kilmarnock , G . M . 1742 , Earl of Dumfries , G . M . 1771-2 , Duke of Atholl , G . M . 1778-79 , and the Earl of Buchan , G . M . 1782-3 . Also the Duke of Perth and other noblemen .

The list of office bearers from 1734-S to 1887 , is a most painstaking and valuable compilation , and of great utility for reference . Several Lord Provosts held office in the Lodge , the first noted being in 1738 , the most distinguished , we suppose , being Geo . Drummond who was the R . W . M in 1764 ; one even was Secretary of the lodge ; Dr . James Boswell , Biographer of Dr . Johnson , was D . M . in 1767 , and

R . W . M . in 1773 . Lord Torpichen was the R . W . M . in 1787 , John Wilson ( Christopher North ) , D . M . in 18 37 , Professor Aytoun , R . W . M . in 1839 , Dr . Somerville , in 1843 , Lord Loughborough ( Earl of Rosslyn , G . M . ) , D . M . in 1853 , Earl of Strathmore , R . W . M . in 186 4 , and Allan Mackenzie , R . W . M . in 188 3 , who is now the esteemed Treasurer of the lodge , and its Historian .

" William St . Clair of Rosline , Esqr ., " was initiated on iSth May , 173 6 This fact alone would make the History of the lodge most memorable , for he it was who was elected and installed the Premier Grand Master of Scotland in the same

year . This brother was "passed" on the 2 nd June , and "raised" on November 3 rd . At this meeting , owing to certain officers either being absent or having to leave during the " work , " St . Clair occupied the chairs of the J . W ., S . W ., and R . W . M ., pro tern ., respectively , during the ceremonies , and finally " dismissed the

Lodge' as Master . This brother was long thought to have been Grand Master by Hereditary right ( prior to the year 1736 ) , by many of our Masonic Historians , and his appointment as such was relied upon to prove the antiquity of the office . Bro . Lyon , however , long ago exploded that fallacy . In his family , doubtless , for some generations past , had been vested the right to act as Patrons , Protectors , & c , of the

Mason-Craft , about which more hereafter . Bro . Mackenzie wisely devotes considerable space to the preliminary arrangements for the formation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and proves , beyond question , that the credit of the scheme was due to their lodge , the members being '' wide awake" respecting all that was involved in such an Institution , an y skilful management secured their latest initiate to be Grand Master , notwithstanr - ing that other lodges had rival candidates . Their iiece de resistance carried <

before it ! This was the deed of resignation signed by William St . Clan , himself and his successors , of the office and hereditary dignity of * Protector , Judge , or Master of the Massons in Scotland , " bearing date 24 th ° 173 6 , and duly witnessed by the Masters of the lodges , No . 2 , and " Leith winning . " On this document being read to the 33 lodges assembled , on the 3 of same month , the members by an unanimous -vote elected St . Clair a Premier Grand Master , and never has there been a more faithful and zealous

We must pass over the numerous and interesting particulars furmshea y author respecting this eventful period , save to state that some hundred lodge invited to take part in the proceedings , many dating from the seventeenth c ^ or earlier . The original deed , or rather , transcript of this election , with nan the participating lodges , & c , & c , is in possession of the lodge , having .. gt , sented by Professor Aytoun , in 18 39 , the same brother donating the va u

Clair charters of 1600 and 1628 ( circa ) , to the Grand Lodge . ^ ut After this grand day came the settlement of the precedency of the lo g e > ^ though No . 2 possessed no warrant from " Mother Kilwinning , " the bret hxea ^^ well fortified having petitioned that venerable lodge to acknowledge ^ their ^ daughter , " as from the year 1677 . The letter was all that could be desire