The Records Of An Ancient Lodge.

The Company also have agreed to give to Andrew Mein Elder in Neustead on account of his distress five Shillings sterling . The Committee this day have Taken Inspection of the Box and find of Cash Remaining after all counts being cleared the sum of Ninteen pound two penny Scotts money as witness , . our Subscription this 28 th of December 1750 . RoBEKT BtlNYIE . JOHN BUNYIE .

Melrose December 27 th 1751 . Its Enacted this day that any that hath amind to Enter in to this Lodge Thats not Operatives Masons for their own pleasure or fancy That they are to pay Three Sill : & four ponce Sterling money Each thats Entred above the ordinary use of the Lodge The above carried by the majority of votts at 16 Shill : and 8 D or ten pound Scotts . The Company Have agreed to give to Andrew Mein on account of His distress five Shill : sterling . Melrose December 27 th 1757 .

Whereas John Oulbertson in Lesudden Hath offended the Company by Refusing to Comply with the Rules of the house Thereof- The company Has agreed That he shall be struct out of the Loclge as a member iu all time Coming and also Ordains The Box Master to prosceut Him and his Conjunt accepted for what He is due to the Lodge without delay or Twixfc ancl Candlemass next . Melrose December 29 th 1760 . According to a former Act of Date 1750 . The Company have agrieed this clay to Cut off George Estoun in Long Nithery from all priveledges in all time Coming for not passing in dne time only the Company agries to Contain the power in their hands to addmite the said George Eastoun to the priviledges if ho apeers next year .

In connection with the ' ancient charge ' belonging to this lodge which was given in the January number of this magazine , we find the followingminute in reference to it : — " Melrose December 2 Sth 1762 . " Given out this day the old Rights of the lodge contained in along Roll to be extracted by Niekol Bowr and Thomas Marr ancl they are to be allowed for their trouble . "

This copy , as well as the ori ginal " long Roll , " is still extant , but the transcribers have made several mistakes in copying out the document , as we found b y carefull y collating the two . The above is the onl y reference to the ancient charge we have been able to discover . Melrose Dec . 28 th 1763 . By a vote yesterday of the Company it is agreed upon that a Commatie is to meet at Lillieas Leaf upon the 13 th of feburery next for making up and concerting proper Regularitys for tho Lodge and at same time appoint one of the members to meet that clay out of every Tonne where the Different members has there Different abodes , the above parties with the Boxmastors and Clerks to meet that day upon the Charge of the Company or Box .

Melrose feby . 11 th 1764 . I Payed Expences in Concerting the Commaties meeting on Candlemass day at Lillies Leaf the 13 th next on shilling ster . by 5 of ye members . February 16 th 1764 . Payed for shillings eimidence charged as ane starling .

In connection with this meeting at Lillies Leaf , we find it mentioned upon the following St . John ' s Day , December 27 th , 1764 , dated at Lillies Leaf , the-13 th of July , 1764 , ordering A Scheme to be given in the day which act and Scheme is Lodged in the Box and also the List of Subscribers agreeing & not agreeing to the said Scheme also a list of 48 members Theirs names that has paid on shilling ster . each agreeable to the Scheme proposed and given in untill a more regular Scheme is made out . ANDREW SCOTT G . M .

Melrose Debember 27 th 1764 . It is agreed by this present meeting the the Mason Word be Adminester in a Simpel way and Manor free of every thing Sinfnll aud Superstieous only word siglm and Grip and Some simpel Questions to Distuingnish a Mason from a nother Man and all under a simpel promice not to Revenl it under no less penilty then to for fit all right and Titel to every Benefit Belonging to ihe Lodge ami to be had iu abhorauce bv every Brother this we agree