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Article MASONIC EXeUESIOET TO BOSLIN GASTLE. ← Page 10 of 14 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Exeuesioet To Boslin Gastle.
mary , our Brethren of the Lodge Journeymen proceeded to the site , and with their own hands erected a portion of each of the buildings , as the contribution of the Lodge to these excellent institutions . But there is one act which still awakens our sympathy , although upwards of 1 GO years have elapsed since its occurrence . A destitute stranger , a young and widowed mother , came to Edinburgh with her infant babe in search of some employment . She could not
obtain it and retain her child ; her slender means soon failed ; in her destitution she applied to our Lodge to pay for the nursing of her bahe , that she might be free to engage lierself as a servant . They not only granted her request , but interested themselves in the care of the child , and had the satisfaction to find that their generosity had been extended to a worthy object . May not the blessing of her who was ready to perish have descended to us ? Exertions were also made in the cause of science by contributing towards the maintenance and training of
young men who had given proof of their ability for the profession of architect ; 4 nd also in teaching others the Mason Craft who were bound apprentices to the Lodge . The occurrences within our own period I pass unnoticed , as they must be generally known to all present . We are now assembled to celebrate our third jubilee in this venerable building , by the kind permission of the noble proprietor , the Earl of Bosslyn , and of his son Lord Loughborough , the Substitute Grand Master Mason of Scotland , a name already endeared to the ancient Craft , and
high in the esteem of his countrymen . We could not have assembled in a more befitting place , associated as it is with the character of the founder , being erected to exhibit his gratitude to his Creator for the benefits which he received . It is also one of the most interesting works of the Mason Craft , and shows the great ability of the Fraternity . AKG 0 Ugn the progress of decay is too evidently
marked upon many of the more delicate parts , we can still appreciate the feeling of the architect , clothing in material form the principles of construction to express Ms conceptions of grandeur and beauty ; nor can we less admire the feeling of the Craftsman displayed in the varied sculptures impressed with the vigour of nature . From this sacred temple the praises of the Most High have ascended , and here our Grand Masters have bowed before him in humble reverence . Their ashes
now lie mouldering in yonder vault , and around us , beneath these ' time stained escutcheons , are interred the more immediate ancestors of the family of Boslin . Cold indeed must the heart be which can remain indifferent in such a place , when the feelings of piety and aiFection are so powerfully portrayed . To the expressing of those feelings we owe the earliest and most enduring of architectural memorials . Jacob while yet a wanderer , consecrated the grave of'his beloved Bach el by a pillar , the earliest monument on record ; and the lonely cairn , the cromlech , the
Druid circle , and Egyptian temple , show the ascendancy of piety and affection evermore personal desires . It may be interesting to trace shortly the history of this collegiate church , and its connection with Freemasonry . It was founded in the reign of James II . of Scotland , in 1416 , by William St . Clair , the magnificent Earl of Orkney , a man of fair complexion , great stature , humble , and courteous , much esteemed by the king , and honoured of all men . In his youth he was sent to France on a royal errand , and on his return married the Countess of Buchan .
They had their Edinburgh residence at the foot of Blackfriars Wynd , near to the site of our Lodge Boom . He died in 1479 . The building was intended to be of great glory and splendour , and therefore artificers were brought from other regions and foreign kingdoms ; and to the end that the work might he more rare , he ( the founder ) caused the drafts to be drawn on eastland boards , and made the carpenters to carve them , according to the drafts thereon , and gave them for patterns to the masons , that they might cut the like in stone . For the
convenience of the masons , hejbuilt the present town of Boslin , and gave them houses and lands thereto ( the former town being at Bilstone Burn ) . He paid the masons according to their degree ; the master mason , forty pounds yearly , the others , ten pounds , as also the smiths and carpenters . The foundation was laid on St . Matthew ' s Day , 21 st September , 1446 , and the church afterwards dedicated to him . The orientation is due east and west , marked out by the solar ray , according to the ancient rules of the Craft . I have been told by one of our Brethren , that this orientation has been computed and found to agree with the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Exeuesioet To Boslin Gastle.
mary , our Brethren of the Lodge Journeymen proceeded to the site , and with their own hands erected a portion of each of the buildings , as the contribution of the Lodge to these excellent institutions . But there is one act which still awakens our sympathy , although upwards of 1 GO years have elapsed since its occurrence . A destitute stranger , a young and widowed mother , came to Edinburgh with her infant babe in search of some employment . She could not
obtain it and retain her child ; her slender means soon failed ; in her destitution she applied to our Lodge to pay for the nursing of her bahe , that she might be free to engage lierself as a servant . They not only granted her request , but interested themselves in the care of the child , and had the satisfaction to find that their generosity had been extended to a worthy object . May not the blessing of her who was ready to perish have descended to us ? Exertions were also made in the cause of science by contributing towards the maintenance and training of
young men who had given proof of their ability for the profession of architect ; 4 nd also in teaching others the Mason Craft who were bound apprentices to the Lodge . The occurrences within our own period I pass unnoticed , as they must be generally known to all present . We are now assembled to celebrate our third jubilee in this venerable building , by the kind permission of the noble proprietor , the Earl of Bosslyn , and of his son Lord Loughborough , the Substitute Grand Master Mason of Scotland , a name already endeared to the ancient Craft , and
high in the esteem of his countrymen . We could not have assembled in a more befitting place , associated as it is with the character of the founder , being erected to exhibit his gratitude to his Creator for the benefits which he received . It is also one of the most interesting works of the Mason Craft , and shows the great ability of the Fraternity . AKG 0 Ugn the progress of decay is too evidently
marked upon many of the more delicate parts , we can still appreciate the feeling of the architect , clothing in material form the principles of construction to express Ms conceptions of grandeur and beauty ; nor can we less admire the feeling of the Craftsman displayed in the varied sculptures impressed with the vigour of nature . From this sacred temple the praises of the Most High have ascended , and here our Grand Masters have bowed before him in humble reverence . Their ashes
now lie mouldering in yonder vault , and around us , beneath these ' time stained escutcheons , are interred the more immediate ancestors of the family of Boslin . Cold indeed must the heart be which can remain indifferent in such a place , when the feelings of piety and aiFection are so powerfully portrayed . To the expressing of those feelings we owe the earliest and most enduring of architectural memorials . Jacob while yet a wanderer , consecrated the grave of'his beloved Bach el by a pillar , the earliest monument on record ; and the lonely cairn , the cromlech , the
Druid circle , and Egyptian temple , show the ascendancy of piety and affection evermore personal desires . It may be interesting to trace shortly the history of this collegiate church , and its connection with Freemasonry . It was founded in the reign of James II . of Scotland , in 1416 , by William St . Clair , the magnificent Earl of Orkney , a man of fair complexion , great stature , humble , and courteous , much esteemed by the king , and honoured of all men . In his youth he was sent to France on a royal errand , and on his return married the Countess of Buchan .
They had their Edinburgh residence at the foot of Blackfriars Wynd , near to the site of our Lodge Boom . He died in 1479 . The building was intended to be of great glory and splendour , and therefore artificers were brought from other regions and foreign kingdoms ; and to the end that the work might he more rare , he ( the founder ) caused the drafts to be drawn on eastland boards , and made the carpenters to carve them , according to the drafts thereon , and gave them for patterns to the masons , that they might cut the like in stone . For the
convenience of the masons , hejbuilt the present town of Boslin , and gave them houses and lands thereto ( the former town being at Bilstone Burn ) . He paid the masons according to their degree ; the master mason , forty pounds yearly , the others , ten pounds , as also the smiths and carpenters . The foundation was laid on St . Matthew ' s Day , 21 st September , 1446 , and the church afterwards dedicated to him . The orientation is due east and west , marked out by the solar ray , according to the ancient rules of the Craft . I have been told by one of our Brethren , that this orientation has been computed and found to agree with the