Mother Kilwinning.

" . . . . The enclosed letter Avas put into my hands , Avhich appearing to relate to the Masonic meeting of Tuesday next , I used the liberty to open . However , I think proper to forward it to you for your opinion ancl advice , as from Mr .

Young ' s anxiety to impress us with-the knowledge of the antiquity of the Glasgow Freemen St . John ' s Lodge , I suspect he means to take precedence of the whole of the other lodges who may be present . If they are entitled to do so , well

and good ; but I wish you would communicate your ideas on this point to ... , AVIIO will inform Mr . Boswell of Auchinleck how he ought to act , and vflicre he ought to place them , . . . as you know Auchinleck is a young Mason . . . They surely cannot take precedence of Mother Kilwinning . "

To the communication of Mr . the Secretary of the Loclge Glasgow St . John , the Secretary of the Mother Loclge returned a reply , in the face of Avhich no independent brother could think of exposing himself to the certain slight of another

section of brethren pledged to the non-recognition of Masons , their OAVII countrymen , whose only crime in the eyes of Grand Lodge was their independence : — " Sir , —I beg leave to inform 3 * 011 , as the

Glasgow Freemen St . John's Loclge does not stand in the roll of lodges holding of the Grand Loclge of Scotland , the Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire cannot admit you as a loclge to join in the procession at Ayr on Tuesday first ; therefore it will be unnecessary for you to attend in that

capacity , as no lodgo will be admitted but those holding of the Grand Loclge of Scotland . " The nature of her compact with Grand Lodge no doubt hedged Mother Kilwinning into a certain course of policy in regard to the Masonic

non-conformists of that period , but the pen AA'hich had inveighed against the " studied insult" offered by " modern institutions" to the independent Lodge of Kilwinning , might surely have been employed in courteously reciprocating the fraternal

greeting accompanying the official notice of the intention of the brethren of the venerable Loclge of GlasgOAV to take part in a public Masonic demonstration prompted by an admiration of the genius of Burns , the details of which Ave shall shortly narrate .

Ar01102

TnET who presume most in piwperity , are soonest subject to despair in adversity .

Masonic Responsibility.

MASONIC RESPONSIBILITY .

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . " These words fall with great force and beauty upon the delighted ear of the applicant for the mysteries of Masonry as he crosses the threshold of the lodge . Full of promise they enkindle his

hope , and gladden his heart by the assurance which they give that he is indeed surrounded by a band of brothers . EA ery lecture which he hears , ancl every transaction Avhich he Avitnesses within the lodge , serves to convince him to the excellence of the Institution . He is soon convinced

that the clustering virtues form the basis upon Avhich the fair structure rests that it was conceived in the utmost purity of thought , organised in the wisest manner , ancl has for its object the amelioration of the social condition of man that its great purpose it to lessen his evils , to double f

his joy , ' to raise the genius , ancl to mend the heart . " He sees everywhere inscribed in letters of living light the Avords " Faith , Hope and Charity , "

and is taught that if these principles are deeply implanted in the heart , they will lead to the practice of all the virtues ¦ that a clue attention to the precepts Avhich they inculcate will induce the true Mason to the discharge of the various duties AA hich he OAves to his Creator ancl to his fellow-men .

Among these duties may be classed " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , " and of them the first bears the same relation to the others that Charity does to Faith and Hope . It is the first in place , and by far the greatest in importance . It is indispensable to the performance of the other

relative duties ; for if Ave have not brotherly love , Ave lack the great ancl only incentive to deeds of true charity . All acts of relief not induced by this principal are prompted by feelings of vanity and ostentation , and reflect no credit upon the persons by whom they are performed . If Ave

have not brotherly love , Ave cannot exercise the principles of Truth so forcibly enjoined upon us , for we act contrary to our professions , ancl falsify the solemn promise Ave have made to each other .

If Ave possess it not , Ave are guilty in the sight of God and man of making A * OWS Avhich Ave have not kept , and our Avhole life is but a continued scene of hypocrisy * and yet men of high standing in our lodges , men of the loftiest intellect and the highest sense of honour , do not scruple at conduct

which renders them amenable to this charge . Can such things be and not affect us AA'ith shame and mortification ? No duty is more earnestly inculcated upon the Mason than that of brotherly love . It is interwoven Avith every rite , forms the burden of every lectureancl to its discharge he is

, bound by the most solemn ties . Superadded to all this , Ave have the Divine command "Love one another . " Love to our fellow-man is saicl to be the fulfilment of the laAV , ancl is constituted the infallible test of salvation : " Ave know that Ave have passed from death unto life because we love