Old Records Of The Lodge Of Peebles.

Which enactments the Grand Lodge having taken into their most serious consideration , they unanimousl y agreed that it was their province as the head of the Masonic Bod y in Scotland , from whom all Regular Lodges held their ri ght of meeting by Charter , to take effectual steps for enforcing observance of the law before recited , a law which as bearing honourable testimony to the purity of their Order , and thus silencing the daring breathe of calumny , must

be trul y flattering to the Brethren at large . They do , therefore , in the first place , most strenuousl y recommend the instant attention of the Avhole Lodges of Scotland to the foregoing legislative regulations , b y which it will be observed that tivo essential requisites are necessary for entitling the Freemasons of Scotland to hold in future their usual meetings . 1 st . That two of the members of each lodge shall certify upon oath before

any Justice of Peace or other Magistrate " That the lodge has before the passing of the said Act been usually held under the denomination of a lodge of Freemasons , under conformit y to the rules prevailing among the Lodges of Fveemasons in this Kingdom . " And ivhich affidavit , certified by the magistrate before ivhom it is taken , must be registered with the Sheriff Clerk of the count y Avhere the particular lodge holds her meetings within two callander months from the 12 th

of Jul y last . And 2 nd . That one of the Presiding Officers of the lodge do record with the Sheriff Clerk Avithin the same space : 1 st , The name by which the lodge is distinguished ; 2 nd , The place and days of meeting ; and 3 rd , The names and descri ptions ( designations ) of the attending members . And the Grand Lodge , responsible for the regular conduct of the Masons of

Scotland holding of them , which they are firmly persuaded is almost without exception entirel y consonant to the princi p les of the Craft , yet anxious to guard against every intrusion on their ancient and respectable Order , or upon her established and accustomed forms , clo unanimously

resolvelmo . That every Lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland shall , within six months from this date , apply for a certificate from the Grand Lodge , which certificate shall bear an express renewal of power to hold Masonic meetings under her sanction and authority , aud which shall not be granted without production of evidence to the Most Worshipful Grand Master , his depute or substitute , that the Act of Parliament above recited has been literally complied with . And every lodge which shall not within the said space demand and obtain such certificate shall bo expunged from the Grand Roll , have consequently no right thereafter by her Presiding Officersor b to sit or vote at their

, y proxy , meetings , and be deprived of all future protection of the Grand Lodge . 2 do . That the said certificate shall be subscribed by the Grand Master , his depute or substitute , and by the Secretary and Clerk for the time , and have the seal of the Grand Lodge appended thereto , for which a fee of five shillings , and no more , at the disposal of the Grand Lodge , shall be exacted .

3 tio . That the said certificate shall be thereafter applied for on or before the 25 th day of April , 1801 , and of every succeeding year , and evidence produced as before mentioned so long as the said Act is in force under the same certification of being so expunged from the roll in case of failure . 4 to . That no such certificate shall be granted untill all the arrears due to the Grand Lodge bo discharged . 5 to . That the names of all the lodges who have obtained certificates shall be annually transmitted to one of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State , and to the Lord Advocate of Scotland .

6 to . Tliat the foregoing resolutions be printed , and copies transmitted to all lodges throughout Scotland holding of the Grand Lodge , that none may pretend ignorance thereof . 7 mo . That copies thereof be also transmitted to His Grace tbe Duke of Athole , and the Right Honourable Henry Dundas , by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , and he be requested to take that opportunity of expressing the grateful sense the Masons of Scotland entertain of their exertions iu behalf of the Craft . 8 vo . That a Committee be appointed to wait on the Lord Advocate with a copy of the said resolutions , and who be instructed to assure his Lordship that they have a grateful feeling of his Lordship ' s kindness to the Masons of Scotland , and will be ready to listen to any other regulations that to him may appear proper to be addopted . And the following