Mother Kilwinning.

convinced that their right to do so is as good as any other in Scotland but being thus disagreeably circumstanced ( not to mention the loss sustained in nroventing a number of friends from entering with us ) , requests you Avill be so obliging as to

send an official answer explaining the matter , in which please be as full and explicit as possible . " A special meeting of Mother Kilwinning * convoked for deliberation on the subject of these letters , resulted in the adoption of the folloAving

dignified defence of their own and their daughter ' s ] 3 osition against the aspersions of Grand Lodge : — " I am desired by the Brethren of the Mother Lodge to acquaint you [ R . W . M . of St . Andrew ] that they will assert the validity of

the charter granted to the Paisley St . Andrew Kilwinning Loclge , as well as their right of granting charters , which hath never ceased , but remains unshaken as their origin—coeval with the Craft here , and cannot be impaired by : he

pretensions of Modern Institutions . Conscious in the right of premogeniture in Scotland , and secure in the originals of the true old Masonry , the

Mother Locl ° * e will maintain and defend their O ancient constitution from all invasion—zealous for the advancement of Masonry in general , and for the £ > rosperity of the daughters of the Mother Lodge in particular . They are not ignorant of

the resignation of the hereditary right of Grand Master , and the circumstances of that event being the basis and erection of the Grand Lodge , but Avithout affecting the ancient and independent privileges of the Mother Modge , whose right of

granting charters shall be preserved by them while they remain united by a conformity to the ancient regulations and laAvs of Masonry , and their endeavours to promote the encouragement

of the art . Regardless of invidious distinctions , they are resolved to support the dignity they have hitherto preserved , ancl their pre-eminence as the Mother Lod ° * e , Avithout affecting to tarnish the lustre of others , however ardent to preserve their

OAvn . They are sorry to observe the Paisley St . Andrew Kilwinning Lodge have laid themselves open to so illiberal an insinuation against their institution , and recommend a maxim of the Mother Lodge to their future observance , viz ., Never

condescend to offer a deputation to any lodge previous to receiving that compliment from them ( except the Mother Lodge or those of their creation antecedent to the date of the Paisley St . Andrew Kilwinning Lodge , and according to their

seniority they hold their distinction and rank in Masonry ) . As the daughters of the Mother Loclge are rays of their independence and unrivalled distinction , a conformity to their precepts , unanimity , and adherence to the maxims and laws

of their institution , will preserve them collectively and individually in the esteem of the Mother Lodg-e , Avho think too lightly of the refusal in question , to allow it to affect their consequence and reputation . Therefore hope , as they are a

descendant of the Mother Loclge , they Avill undauntedly sustain the arrogance of modern institutions Avith superior firmness and perseverance , and be assured their foundation and right cannot be shaken except by renouncing the independence of the Mother Lodge , who will ever assert their

supremacy in the annals of Masonry . And while benevolence , brotherly love , and charity , are virtues that unite and adorn the Craft , so also will these be lasting emblems of their antiquity , and will protect them from all unAvorfchy insinuations

unbecoming the social dispositions of Masonry in general , ancl particularly of the enlarged views of the Mother Lodge . Wishing the Paisley St . Andrew Kilwinning Lodge all prosperity , harmony , ancl peace , and confiding in their

attachment , fidelity , and constancy , this is subscribed . " The up-raised curtain now presents to vieAV the same old lodge of Kilwinning , not as in former times defending the weak against the strong , but meteing out to an independent lodge of acknoAVledged antiquity the same measure of Masonic intolerance ao-ainsfc which she herself had more than

once pointedly declaimed ! Writing from Glasgow under date January 19 , 1820 , the Secretary of Glasgow St . John thus addressed the Secretary of Mother Kilwinning : —¦ " Brother , —By order of the Right Worshipful

Master of the Glasgow Freemen Saint John ' s Loclge , I beg leave to intimate that the brethren of that lodge are to attend the Masonic meeting and procession at laying the foundation-stone of the monument to Burns , on Tuesday , the 25 th

instant . You will be aware that the GlasgoAV Freemen Saint John ' s Lodge is the most ancient in Scotland , having been erected by royal charter from Malcolm the 3 rd of Scotland in 1051 . . . " This letter was mis-sent to Ayr , and being

delivered to a Past Master of Ayr Kilwinning , was opened by that gentleman , AVIIO , after attaching to it the following rider , had the letter transmitted to Kilwinning : —