Charter Of Scoon And Perth Lodge, A.D. 1658.

CHARTER OF SCOON AND PERTH LODGE , A . D . 1658 .

WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN . A NY who read and study the literature of the Craft , or who are familiar with the " ^ " Cosmopolitan Calendar , " will be aware that there are many Lodges in Scotland , ivhich date far beyond the last century .

Several of these have very curious records and ancient manuscrip ts , aud some have been printed in works of the character of the History of the Lodge of Edinburgh , by Grand Secretary Lyon . More than a score of these Lodges had an existence long before the institution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the " Scoon and Perth " Lodge , though dating from

1658 , had evidently been in working order many years anterior to the date of its charter . We presume it joined the Grand Lodge of Scotland in the year 1742 , according to the endorsement on the Contract by the Grand Clerk , Bro . Alison ; its number , however , is Three on the Boll , or fourth in rank , "Mother Kilwinning" being at the head as No . 0 .

"We append a copy of the Charter for the information of the readers of the Masonic Magazine , aud consider it as most valuable and curious , the transcript having been inad from the original and certified accordingly in the Laws of the Lodge ( Perth 1 SG 6 ) : —

CHARTER . "IN THE NAME OF GOD , AMEN . —To all and suudrie persones whomc thir prittis doe belong . Witt ye ivs the persones under-subscryvers , maisters , ffriemen and fellow crafts , measones resident within the burgh off Perth , That whair fforsameikle as We and our predecessores lnwe and haid , ft ' rom thc Temple of temples building on this

earth , ( aire vniforme comnnmitie , and ivnione throughout the Aihole Avorld , ) ffrom which temple proceided one in Kilwinning , in this our nation of Scotland , And from that of Kilwinning many moe within this Kingdome , Off which ( her proceided the Abbacio and Lodge of Scoon , built by men of Art and Architectorie , "Wher they placed that Lodge as the second Lodge within this nation , which is now past memorio of many generationes , And wes ivpheld be the Kings of Scotland for the tyme , both at Scoon and

the decayed citie of Bertha ivhen it stood , and now at Perth , heid brngh of the shiretdome therof to this verie day , which is now ffour hundreth thriescoir and tyre yeires since , or therby . And during that ilk space the said masteres , friemen , and fellow crafts , inhabitants within the said brugh of Perth , wer allwayes able within themselves to mayntayne ther first liberties , and are yet willing to doe the same , As the masters , friemen , or fellow crafts did formerlie , ( whose names we know not . ) But to our record

and knowledge of our predecessoris ther cam one from the North countrie , named Johne Mylne , aue measone , a man weill exported in his calling , "Who entered hiinselff both friemen and burges of this brugh , Who , in proces of tyme , ( by reasone off his skill and airt , ) wes preferred to be the Kings M atie , ! i Mr . Measone , and Master of the said Lodge at Scoon , And his sone , johne Milne , being ( efter his fathers deceis ) preferred to the said office , and Mr . off the said Lodge in the reigne off his Majestie King James the Six * of biased memorie , Who , by the said second Johne Mylne , was ( lie the King ' s off " desire ) entered fl ' rieman , measone , and fellow craft . And during all his lyfetyme l '