Masonic Archaeology.

jn saying this most sincerely , I yet at the same time , feel most strongly , that , in order to arrive at the truth always most valuable in history as in life , it is ahvays not only the most rightful course but the bounden duty of all , who , like

myself , are humble Masonic students , to say calmly and clearly , wherein Ave venture to differ from any Avriter , however able or distinguished . Happily for us all , Masonic Archaeology is not a close subjector a very difficult study .

, There is no " privilege dti Eoi " in the collation of MSS . or the criticism of ancient documents . All who have studied Masonic

Archaeology , especially in its manuscript constitutions or antiquated formularies , and bring to their study of the subject , a fair and honest desire to do justice to the truth , and a competent knoAvledge of the character

and age of MSS ., are able to pass judgment , both as regards the A'alue of MSS , themselves , and the facts of the case , the more so AA'hen they have happily the original documents submitted to them for study and comment . Indeed ,

many of our Masonic mistakes have arisen from second hand authorities , and tlie absence of the original documents themselves . I confess , that I wish very much , that , Bro . Lyon had added to the obligations we are under to him , by giving us the old minutes more "in extenso . " There

is many a phrase and many a statement m their quaint language , which is invaluable , both to the Masonic student and to the Masonic Arcbreologist . But still so great , after all , is the result of Bro . Lyon ' s researchesand collections , that

it might almost seem ungrateful even to hint at a Avish for a fuller light . It seems from Bro . Lyon ' s lucid statement , that there is a minute book of the lodge at Edinburgh , dating back to December 28 th 1598 This is far

, . older , so far , than any known minute b ° ok in England , the oldest , as far as I j " aware , not being older at any rate , 'ban 1700 , as at present known to us . The SchaAV Statutes of 1598 , of which

so much has been said , aud most important they are , are found in the same haudAvriting a . s this minute of November 27 th , 1599 : " Item , ordanis all wardenis to be chosen upon Sanct Johneia day yeirlie . " Bro . D . M . Lyon gives us a

most interesting transcript of the SchaAV Statutes , and then proceeds to give us what he calls a supplementary code of Statutes of 1599 , Avhieh have been called the Eglinton MS . and which are also signed by SchaAV . The original government of the Craft bodies pr lodges , seems to luwe been under the

" Deakin or maister man , " to " govern and assay all Avarkis that beis' made be the craftismen of his craft . " But their powers were apparently restricted by an Act of Parliament of 1426 . It is , however , noteworthy , that in the

SchaAV Statutes , the " Wardenis " ' are set before the " Dekynis , " and from 1426 they seem , in great measure , to have become the presiding officers of the lodges . At first , as the SchaAV Statutes declare , and as the earliest minutes testify , tlie government of the lodges seems to haA'e been in the hands of the " Dekin and Maisteris " of the

lodge . From the Schaw Statutes it Avould almost appear as if each master could take three " prenteissis , " Avithout leave of the lodge , but beyond that number he required the leave of the "haillWarcIeneis , Dekynis and Maisteris

of the schirefdome qhuair , the said prenteiss that is to be ressavit cbvellis and remains . " Another proA'ision of the same statutes is very striking and suggestive : " Item—That no Maister ressave any prenteiss Avithout he signifie

the samyn to the Avardene of the lodge where he dAvellis , to the effect that the said prenteissis name and the day of his ressavyng may be odrlie buikit . " This regulation is a very suggestive oneas it SIIOAVS that all apprentices

, were not , at first , admitted into the fraternity , and that the Avord " ressavit " has clearly IAVO meanings , a public and private admittance . I feel bound to admit that the entries in these early minute books , leave the ¦ question ' of ' the