Classical Theology.—Lxvi.

premacy over the corners af the world . " In another of the sacred books of the Hindoos , we find carried out still further the description of the Supreme Creator , signified by their own expressions , ' - 'the maker of all things , and from whom all things proceed , " in which the general sentiments ofthe Pundits concerning the nature of divine perfection are evident

, but still insoluble except by Christian exposition . As God is immaterial , he is above conception ; as he is invisible , he can have no form ; but from what we behold of his works we may conclude that he is eternal , omnipotent , knowing all thihgs , and present everywhere .

Mother Kilwinning.

MOTHER KILWINNING .

By Bro . D . MuitKAi ^ LYOj ? , Prov . J " . AT . of Mother Kilwinning . On tho formation in 173 G of the present Grand Lodge of Scotland , when settling tho order of jn-eeedeiice among ; the subordinate lodges , the first place was given to the Lodge of Edinburgh ( St . Mary ' s Ohapel ) , and to Mother Kilwinning was assigned tho second . This arrangement

was afterwards repudiated by the Kilwinning brethren , who claimed for their lodge , as being the mother lodgo of Scotland , precedence over every other . Grand Lodge in the adjustment of their roll appears to have been guided by the documentary proof produced by each , lodge in support of the position claimed for it ; for , notwithstanding the almost universally-believed tradition

in favour of Mother Kilwinning being the oldest lodge in Scotland , in consequence of tho non-production of authentic written evidence to prove the identity of the lodge then existing under that name with the ono anciently hold in Kilwinning , the Grand Lodge ruled that because of its having been able to shew its minutebook of an earlier date than any borne upon that of the

Mother Lodge , St . Mary ' s Chapel , should continue to hold the first place in point of seniority among the other lodges in Scotland . Bather than submit to this , Mother Kilwinning , although it had been a consenting party to the erection of the new Grand Lodge , withdrew from it in 1743 , and reasserting its independence continued to exercise all the functions of a Grand Lodge until , in 1807 , a reconciliation was effected between it and the present

Grand Lodge of Scotland . Without m any way acknowledging her claim to be recognised as the oldest Scottish lodge , Grand Lodge , on the score of expediency , agreed to place the Kilwinning Lodge at the head of its roll under the denomination of Mother Kilwinning , No . 0 , —the second place being assigned to St . Mary ' s Ohapel , No . 1 , and to Oanongate Kilwinning fell No . 2 .

We have already , through these pages , noticed the gift to the Grand Lodge of Scotland made by the late Earl of Eglinton of "the Memorials ofthe Montgomeries , Earls of Eglinton , " printed from ancient MSS . preserved in the charter chest of that- noble family . The volumes in question were said to contain information of great interest to the Scottish Craft , and their publication discovers

the existence of evidence to show that the precedence given to the Lodge of Edinburgh over Mother Kilwinning , at the erection of the Grand Lodge in 1736 was similar to what had been arranged in 1598 b y William . Schaw , "Maister of Wark" to James the VI . The existence of such a document must have been unknown to the Masonic world at the time of Mother Kilwinning ' s

first dispute with the Grand Lodge , otherwise it would doubtless have been referred to as one of ths strongest proofs in favour of St . Mary ' s Chapel ' s claim in point of seniority to rank next to Grand Lodge . The " Memorials" contain "The Statuies and Ordinanceis to be obseruit be all the Maister Maissounis within this realme , " 1589 ; as are to be found in the last edition of Lawrie ' s History , and immediately following which is

the " Ordinance " affecting Mother Kilwinning , which , without farther remark at present , we now quote : — " First , It is ordanit that the wardens within the bouudis of Kilwinning , and vtheris placeis subject to their ludge , sallee chosen and eloctit zeirlie be mong of the maisteris voitis of the said ludge , vpoun the twentie day of December , ancl that within the kirk of Kilwynning , as the heid and and secund ludge of Scotland ; aud thereafter that the generall -warden be

advertysit zeirlie guha is chosin warden of the ludge , immediatelie efter his electioun . " Item . It is thoeht neidfull and expedient bo my lord warden generall , that everie ludge within Scotland sail have in tyme cuming the auld ancl antient liberteis thorof visit ancl wont of befoir ; and in speciall , that the ludge of Kilwyning , secuncl ludge of Scotland , sail half thair wardens present at the election of the wardenis within the houndis of the Xother AVaird

of Cliddisdaill , Glasgow , Air ancl bounclis of Garrick ; with powar to the said warden and dekyn of Kilwynning to convene the remanent wardenis and dekynis within the houndis foirsaid , giehan thay haif ony neid of importance ado , and thair to be judgit be the warden and dekyn of . Kilwynning grehen it sal pleis thame to convene for the tyme , other in Kilwynning , or within ony vther part of the AA est'of Scotland and bounclis foirsaid .

" Item . It is thoct neidfull and expedient beniy lord AVarden generall , that Edinburgh sal be iu all tyme cuming , as of befoir , the first and principal ! ludge in Scotland ; and that Kilwynning be the secund ludge as of befoir , is notourlie manifest in our auld ancient writtis ; and tbat S [ trine ] bing salbe the third ludge , conforme to the auld privileges thairof . "Item . It is t-hocht expedient that the wardenis of everie ilk ludge salbe answerable to the press [ tyte ] vybes within thair

schinef domes for the maissonis subject to the ludgeis , anent all ofl ' ensis ony of thame sail committ ; and tho part of the vulawis salbe employit to the godlie usis of the lodge quhuir ony offens sae happin to be commitit . " Item . That ther be tryall tiikind yeirlie be the wardenes and maist antient maisteris of the lodge , extending to sex persoiies , quha sail talc tryall of the offensis , that punishment may be execut conform to equitie and iustice and ' guid conscience , and

the antient ordour . " Item . It is ordanit be my lord warden generall , that the warden of Killwynning , as secund in Scotland , elect and chuis sex of the maist ferfyte and worthiest of meinorie within [ thair houndis ] , to talc tryall of the qualification of the haill masonis wittliinthe houndis foirsaid , of their art , craft , scyance , and antient meiuorie , to the effect the warden deakin may be answerable heireftir for sic personisas is commitit to himancl within

, , his houndis and jurisdiction !! . " Item . Commission !! is geiven to tho warden and deacon of Killwynning , as secund ludge , to secluid and away put furtli of their societie and cumpanie , all personis disobedient to fulfill and obey the haill actis ancl ancient statuttis sett doun of befoir of guid memorie , and all personis disobedient ather tu kirk , craft , counsall , and utheris statuttis and actis , to be maid

heireftir for one guid ordour . " Item . It is ordanit be the warden generall , that the warden ancl the deacon [ to be present ] , of his quarter maisteris elect , cheis and eonstitut ane fomous natar , as ordinar dark and a cryb ; and that the said notar to be chosinge sail occupye the office , and that all indentouris , discharges , and wtberis wrythis quhatsumeuer , perteining to the Craft , salbe onlies wrytin he

the dark , and that ua manor of wryfc , neytlier tityll nor wtber evident , to be admit to the said warden and deacon befoir thame , except it be maid be the said dark , and subscry ' nit with liishand . "Item . It is ordanit be my lord generall , that the hale auld antient actis and statutis maicl of befoir be the predeeessouris of the Masounis of Killwynning , be obseruit faithfullie and lcepit be the craftis in all tymes cmningeand that no prentis nor

, craftis man in any tymes heirefter , be admittit or enterit , but onlie within the Kirk of Killwynning as his paroche and secund luge ; and that all bankattis for entrie of prenteis or fallow of craftis to be maid within the said luge of Killwynning . " Item . It is ordanit , that all jallous of Crafts at his entire , pay to the commoun bokis of the luge the soum of ten pundis morewith XS . worthe of luffisor evir he be admitted aud

, g , , that for the banlcett ; and that he be not admitted without ane sufficient essay and pruife of memorie and art of Craft , be the warden deacon and quarter maisteris of the luge , conforme to the foirmur ; and quhairthrow thai may be the mair ansuerable to the generall warden .