The Records Of An Ancient Lodge.

The Back seat sett to viz—To Thomas Mail- . . . . p ' & cont To James Mein p & cont To Thomas Ovens p & cont To Robert Forser p & cont "

In connection with the above seats in the church there is an old document preserved in the archives of the lodge , of which the following is a copy . It is endorsed on the back " The Petition of Melrose Lodge anent the Mason Loft and the Earl of Haddington ' s Right thereto . 1683 . " " To the Right Honourable Charles bayle of hadingtone Lord byning and byres Titular and patrone of the paroche Kirke and parochin of MelroisThe humble licacione of

. supp your Lordship's suppliant masons and por of neustead undersubscribing ffor themselves & in name and behalf of the remnent masones pertaining & depending upon the mason Lodge of Melrois . Sheweth . That whan we your lordships suppliant masones within the Lordships of Melrois and others depending upon our art and Craft having throw the blessing of the lords Increased ane considerable number of ffamilies and persns , soe that we cannot weill be accommodated nor

have convenience within the parishe Kirk of Melrois for hearing of the word of God red and preached to us as the law of God and Laws of the land made be his mayistier doeth speeialle require unless some particular place of the said Kirk be Allocat ancl allowed to us for Digging of ane loft for the use of the haill tred and their prentises as use to in other places . And . which will tend not onlie to the convenience of the haill tred bnt also to the great ease of the remnent parochiners of the . parochin of Melrois . And considering that your Honour our superior is the only undoubted patrone titular of the said parochin ancl sua his the onlie undubted right to give and grant licenssies and priveledges in the same Kirk and treu it is

that ther is ane part and place above the eist Kirk doore of the said Kirk of Mel r most fit and convenient for the said purpose to which no prensone can pertend interest except your lordship as Titular and patron forsaid In regard ther was nevir anie loft nor seatt thereof befor , neither can anie persone pertend that the Lamen will be aneways prejudicall to themnotwithstanding whereof we having begun unadviselie to offer to fit up the said loft by putting up some timber then your Lordships baillie Robert ffaadidcome , stoped , Interrupted , and discharged ns to proceed or work anie more thereat untill suchtyme that we did signifie the samen to your Lordships , and procured . ane order & warrant subscribed by you Lo / for that effect to the great prejudice & dishearting of the haill tred without your Lo / s provyd remeid .

May it therefor please your Lordships to take the premisses to your serious consideration and to give order and warrant under your Lo / hand for situating and bigging of ane loft in the said place for use and convenience of the said trade of masones and great ease of the haill parochin of Melrois seeing noe persone can neither pertend interest or prejudice therby and which certainlie will not onlie be a motive of encouragement to the trade under your Lo / heiven this place but alsoe to be alwaies readie to serve your Lordship & and other noblemen and gentlemen in the calling But likewaies benifite to and enricht this pennirous place and your Lo / favourable answear most hiunblie we beseech .

( Signed ) John Tm-nbull , Andrew Mein John Bunyie , Andro Turnbell , Alex mein James Mein , Thomas bunye , Andro mein John bnnie , John mein , Robt Bunye William Mein , Thomas Bunye , John Mein Andro Mein fider Wilson John Mein John Mein "

( endorsed ) At Edinburgh the ffourteenth day of ffebrewar * ffourscore This year My Lord Hadinton having seen and considered the above written supplicationo grants the Desyre of the same provydeing the same be Built at the sight of Robert Faa without prejudice to any seatts in ye fs d Kirke allreadie built—wheranent this p , lts shall be your warrant given day and dait forsi HADINIOSE- '' ( To be continued . )