The Canongate Kilwinning,

meet together as a lawful Lodge , and to enter and pass any qualified persons as Free and Accepted Masons , in the name and the behalf , and as a part of ihe Lodge of Kilwinning , and to receive the entry-moneys due to the said Lodge , from such

qualified persons as are passed by us ; and We bind and oblige ourselves ( collectively and severally ) and our successors , to maintain and defend the rights and privileges of Kilwinning Lodge , and never to do anything prejudicial !

thereto , for witness whereof , wee have subscribed these presents , and affixed our marks thereto . Sic Subscribitur , William Cochran , Duncan M'Larane , Bobert Nicolson , Thomas Gib , William Fulton , Tho . Watson , Alex . Steel , John Wilson , Andrew

Francie , Bobert Prentice , William Dorroch . Kilwinning , the 20 fch December 1677 years . — The Right Worshipfull the Master and other Members beius' convened in the Mason Court of

the Antient Lodge m Kilwinning , and having the above Petition presented from their Brethren in the Cannongate of Edinburgh , by Thomas Gib , took the same to their serious consideration , and unanimously granted the desire thereof , in all

points , authorising the said Bi-ethren Petitioners to meet iu a regular Lodge , enter Free Masons , and receive dues for the same as wee do ourselves .

They sending one of their number to us yearly , and wee to do the like to them if need be . Subscribed by William Cowan , Master . Extracted from the Records by Sic Subscribitur , Alex . Cunningham . The Eight Worshipfull Master of

the Cannongate Lodge Returned thanks to the said Eight Worshipfull Master of our Ancient Mother Lodge of Kilwinning , iu name of the said Cannongate Lodge , and ordained that a Letter or application should be delivered to the aforesaid Eight

Worshipfull Peter Montgomerie , Esq ., in his own name , and in the name of our said Ancient Mother Lodge , Craveing Ratification aud Corroboration of the foresaid Deed , made at Kilwinning the said 20 th December 1677 , and of which Letter the

tenor folloAvs after the Minutes of this days date . Mr . Archibald Campbell , Writer to the Signet , and Charles Campbell , Esq ., son to my Lord Monzie , were proposed to be admitted Members of the Lodge , and accordingly balloted for , and the Lodge unanimously agreed to their being admitted next

meetine-Fat . Montgomerie , Geo . Fraser , Master . Master , K . L . David Home , S . W . Rich . Cooper , D . J . W . "

It Avill be observed , that the Master of the Mother Lodge was present on this occasion , and that he signs the minute . Whan we come to notice the rise of Grand Lodge , we will have more to say regarding him . The letter referred to as

engrossed after the minutes , was not so done , and of this very important document we can but form an idea . Upon this minute the Canongate Kilwinning founded , on the formation of Grand Lodge ; and on the roll she dates from 1677 ,

Avhile her proper date is that of Mother Kilwinning . The Mother Lodge , however , Avould not join in the IIOAV confederacy , and , consequently , the Canongate Kilwinning had to fall back upon its own records . We find in this minute the

Canongate Brethren saying , that " Ave are part of the Company belonging * to Kilwinning Lodge ;" and they crave to be allowed all Masonic privileges , as "in the name and the behalf , and as a part of the Lodge of Kilwinning . " It was

the opinion of the late Bro . William Pringle , my predecessor in office , and one of the best informed Masons , that this minute makes the members of the Canongate Kilwinning members of the Mother Lodge , et vice versa ; and such a bond exists

between the Canongate Kilwinning and her Daughter , the St . John ' s , Haddington . Perhaps some member of the Mother Lodge may say how far this is correct .

To come to the actual date of the Lodge , Ave must consider for a moment the organisation of the Craft during the Middle Ages . The Brethren , formed into bodies or Lodges , Avandered throughout Christendom , building chapels and castles as

they were employed , and moving onward in search of more work as they completed the contracts . The head-quarters of the Masons of Scotland Avere at Kilwinning , and in course of time she established certain branches in various parts of

the country , Avhich worked under her name , and for her benefit . All contracts Avere entered into Avith the Mother Lodge , she appointing the Brethren to the labour , and paying them their wages . One important branch she sent to

Edinburgh ; and there can be little doubt that it was the earliest and most important body of Masons in Edinburgh . In Bro . David Murray Lyon ' s excellent and exhaustive articles on the Mother Lodge , he has shewn the high consideration she

enjoyed in Scotland ; and this consideration must , of a necessity , have been extended to her branches , and to none more so than the Edinburgh branch .