Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
us , bent upon a dissolution and division of the funds , which was strenuously opposed by another portion of the members , who , being good Masons and true , were determined to keep up the Lodge , and preserve the funds inviolate for their orignal ends and purposes—this state of matters went on till the year 1847 , at which time the conservative party prevailed , and were in office , and the Lodge and its officers were beginning to recover from the effects of the schism that had so long prevailed . At that time an intimation was received from the G . Lodge Secretary ,
stating that St . John ' s Lodge was considerably in arrears for annual certificates , and fees fbr recording in G . L . Books , the names of Entrants—in replying to this intimation , the very peculiar position in which the Lodge had been placed for a long series of years , was brought before the G . L . —that we were by no means aware , nor had we any opportunity of knowing that such sums were due , especially as having come under the Friendly Society Act , we were precluded from touching for such a purpose our funds—that our Lodge at one time numbered about
800 members , but at that time it only mustered about 50 paying members , while we had over 100 decayed and superannuated members , widows & c , and we hoped in the circumstances they would accept of a composition—we were however told that a composition could not be entertained . On this last communicatien being laid before a meeting , it was resolved in order to satisfy the demands of the G . L ., the amount be raised by the members , and that notice by the Secretary be made to Grand Lodge , that their claims would be satisfied . No sooner , however , did the Grand Lodge officials see that the demands already made upon
us were to he paid , than proceedings ot a most extraordinary kind , most unfeeling in the circumstances , and of a -very unmasonic nature , were intimated as about to be taken—nothing less than an intimation that our Lodge had been struck off then- Roll 1 and to forthwith send to them our Charter Books , & c , with a petition craving to be re-proved . This we absolutely and positively refused to do , as these documents shew or form the foundation for shewing the large sums that have , first and last , been paid from our Lodge , its funds and off-shoots of which there were no less than seven
branches in and around this place . In regard to the statement in the "Mirror , " that our Members cannot obtain Diplomas from the Grand Lodge , the assertion is surely gratuitous , as there are still three-fourths of them for whom the Grand Lodge officials were paid fees for entering their names in their Register , and as a matter of course are entitled to a Diploma in a proper certified demand . I speak truly in saying that the Lodges in this place have done a great deal for
Masonry , kept its light burning in its purest splendour through years of difficulty and trouble . Should any of the members of the Grand Lodge come this way , we would be ready to shew them the true light of Masonry ; and for the rest we shall refer all real Masons to our present Masonic Head , the Supreme ll . A . C . of Scotland , who were recently visited by some of our newly exalted Brethren , as well as elder Fellows , and have shewn them true Masonic kindness ancl feeling . Yours fraternally , Banff , April 24 , 1855 . JAMES MASON , R . W . M .
MASONIC PRESENTATION . —In consequence of the long and valuable services ren " dered to the St . Andrew and St . John ' s Masonic Loclges of Banff , by Br . Adam Mason , it was resolved to present him with some tangible mark of respect and token of regard for such services to the Craft . The Committee of Subscribers considered that in the circumstances a jewel would be a thing the most appropriate , and which Br . Black , jeweller , in this place , was requested to furnish . On the evening of the 20 th inst ., the brethren of both Lodges met in St . John's Hallon which occasion BrRustot
, . , St . Andrews , in a neat and humorous speech , ancl in the name of the numerous subscribers , presented to Br . Mason a very handsome gold jewel , having on one side various Masonic representations , and on the other the following inscription : — " Presented to Br . Adam Mason , for his invaluable services towards the Craft , for upwards of fifty years . " Br . Mason replied to the honour in suitable terms . We may add that the Hon . G-M . of St . Andrews Lodge , the Earl of Fife , was a liberal subscriber .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
us , bent upon a dissolution and division of the funds , which was strenuously opposed by another portion of the members , who , being good Masons and true , were determined to keep up the Lodge , and preserve the funds inviolate for their orignal ends and purposes—this state of matters went on till the year 1847 , at which time the conservative party prevailed , and were in office , and the Lodge and its officers were beginning to recover from the effects of the schism that had so long prevailed . At that time an intimation was received from the G . Lodge Secretary ,
stating that St . John ' s Lodge was considerably in arrears for annual certificates , and fees fbr recording in G . L . Books , the names of Entrants—in replying to this intimation , the very peculiar position in which the Lodge had been placed for a long series of years , was brought before the G . L . —that we were by no means aware , nor had we any opportunity of knowing that such sums were due , especially as having come under the Friendly Society Act , we were precluded from touching for such a purpose our funds—that our Lodge at one time numbered about
800 members , but at that time it only mustered about 50 paying members , while we had over 100 decayed and superannuated members , widows & c , and we hoped in the circumstances they would accept of a composition—we were however told that a composition could not be entertained . On this last communicatien being laid before a meeting , it was resolved in order to satisfy the demands of the G . L ., the amount be raised by the members , and that notice by the Secretary be made to Grand Lodge , that their claims would be satisfied . No sooner , however , did the Grand Lodge officials see that the demands already made upon
us were to he paid , than proceedings ot a most extraordinary kind , most unfeeling in the circumstances , and of a -very unmasonic nature , were intimated as about to be taken—nothing less than an intimation that our Lodge had been struck off then- Roll 1 and to forthwith send to them our Charter Books , & c , with a petition craving to be re-proved . This we absolutely and positively refused to do , as these documents shew or form the foundation for shewing the large sums that have , first and last , been paid from our Lodge , its funds and off-shoots of which there were no less than seven
branches in and around this place . In regard to the statement in the "Mirror , " that our Members cannot obtain Diplomas from the Grand Lodge , the assertion is surely gratuitous , as there are still three-fourths of them for whom the Grand Lodge officials were paid fees for entering their names in their Register , and as a matter of course are entitled to a Diploma in a proper certified demand . I speak truly in saying that the Lodges in this place have done a great deal for
Masonry , kept its light burning in its purest splendour through years of difficulty and trouble . Should any of the members of the Grand Lodge come this way , we would be ready to shew them the true light of Masonry ; and for the rest we shall refer all real Masons to our present Masonic Head , the Supreme ll . A . C . of Scotland , who were recently visited by some of our newly exalted Brethren , as well as elder Fellows , and have shewn them true Masonic kindness ancl feeling . Yours fraternally , Banff , April 24 , 1855 . JAMES MASON , R . W . M .
MASONIC PRESENTATION . —In consequence of the long and valuable services ren " dered to the St . Andrew and St . John ' s Masonic Loclges of Banff , by Br . Adam Mason , it was resolved to present him with some tangible mark of respect and token of regard for such services to the Craft . The Committee of Subscribers considered that in the circumstances a jewel would be a thing the most appropriate , and which Br . Black , jeweller , in this place , was requested to furnish . On the evening of the 20 th inst ., the brethren of both Lodges met in St . John's Hallon which occasion BrRustot
, . , St . Andrews , in a neat and humorous speech , ancl in the name of the numerous subscribers , presented to Br . Mason a very handsome gold jewel , having on one side various Masonic representations , and on the other the following inscription : — " Presented to Br . Adam Mason , for his invaluable services towards the Craft , for upwards of fifty years . " Br . Mason replied to the honour in suitable terms . We may add that the Hon . G-M . of St . Andrews Lodge , the Earl of Fife , was a liberal subscriber .