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Article MASONRY IN SCOTLAND. ← Page 4 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry In Scotland.
by the Grand Lodge during the last two years ; say at Glasgow , Ayrshire , Aberdeen , Perth , & c . So much for the principle of " Truth !" In the Grand Clerk ' s letter mentioned above , " the spurious Masons in Banffshire come next to be noticed . " This subject illustrates , in a high degree , the laxity which obtains in Masonic matters in the Grand Lodgeas well as in the other Lodges throughout
Scot-, land . In 1749 a charter was obtained for a Lodge in Banff ' . In 1837 that Lodge was erased from the roll of the Grand Lodge ; it had been what is called a wealthy Lodge , having funds ; the Brethren continued to make Masons , adding to their store of cash ; they thought that their position would be improved , if they had a more convenient hall , in which they might hold their meetings . With the assistance of a ladwho has contributed in a very liberal mannerthey have
y , , built one of the neatest buildings for Masonic purposes in Scotland ; before they opened tills place in a formal manner , they saw the peculiar position , in whicli they were placed with regard to the other Lodges in Scotland ; they accordingly made overtures to the Grand Lodge to be admitted , and lodged the necessary funds for that purpose . A screw , however , got loose , as they hacl failed to fulfil all the conditionswhich the Grand Lodgevery properly
, , , required , and in consequence they are not reponed . Now , in the Report of the Grand Committee they are called " spurious Masons , said to be existing in Banffshire , " ancl their conduct " was directed to be forthwith brought under the notice of the P . G . M . of Banffshire ! and ofthe sheriff of the county !! and steps were to betaken for putting
an end to the clandestine and irregular meetings of parties assuming to be Brethren !!! but not warranted or acknowledged by the Grand Lodge , or any regular Masonic authority . " We certainly would be amongst the last to receive any of these Banff Brethren into a Lodge , as we consider that they have no right to be admitted ; but we hold that they are not entitled to be called " spurious , " still less ought their meetings to be termed " clandestine . " Why they cannot be called " spurious" I will ive a few reasonswhich willI am
, g , , sure , satisfy the most fastidious . First , the Brethren of this Lodge have been hitherto admitted into other Lodges without scruple . Again , I should think that they make very good Masons , as I believe they generally give one degree only at a meeting ; indeed , I should say that their character as Masons was first-rate , as their fame in this respect induced a Brother from this city to take a friend a distance of 150 miles to be initiated in that Lodge . And for a " thirdlast
, , and grand reason , " these spurious Brethren have not been refused admittance into the Grand Lodge , when they have thought proper to visit it 1 Wc cannot blame other Lodges from doing the same thing . And we cannot call them " clandestine , " for their meetings are as well known and published , as the Celtic , or Roman Eagle . What , then , is the meaning of the Grand Committee or Grand Lodge interfering with them ? . If this Lodge is not a warranted Lodge—and it
certainly is not , —it is very strange that the Grand Lodge instructs the P . G . M . to meddle with them . The Grand Lodge has as much right over them as it had over any of the Committees , which were so thickly sown in our own streets during the late election contest . We have heard it stated that these Banff Brethren aro about to apply to the Grand Lodge of England for a charter ; we think they sliould
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonry In Scotland.
by the Grand Lodge during the last two years ; say at Glasgow , Ayrshire , Aberdeen , Perth , & c . So much for the principle of " Truth !" In the Grand Clerk ' s letter mentioned above , " the spurious Masons in Banffshire come next to be noticed . " This subject illustrates , in a high degree , the laxity which obtains in Masonic matters in the Grand Lodgeas well as in the other Lodges throughout
Scot-, land . In 1749 a charter was obtained for a Lodge in Banff ' . In 1837 that Lodge was erased from the roll of the Grand Lodge ; it had been what is called a wealthy Lodge , having funds ; the Brethren continued to make Masons , adding to their store of cash ; they thought that their position would be improved , if they had a more convenient hall , in which they might hold their meetings . With the assistance of a ladwho has contributed in a very liberal mannerthey have
y , , built one of the neatest buildings for Masonic purposes in Scotland ; before they opened tills place in a formal manner , they saw the peculiar position , in whicli they were placed with regard to the other Lodges in Scotland ; they accordingly made overtures to the Grand Lodge to be admitted , and lodged the necessary funds for that purpose . A screw , however , got loose , as they hacl failed to fulfil all the conditionswhich the Grand Lodgevery properly
, , , required , and in consequence they are not reponed . Now , in the Report of the Grand Committee they are called " spurious Masons , said to be existing in Banffshire , " ancl their conduct " was directed to be forthwith brought under the notice of the P . G . M . of Banffshire ! and ofthe sheriff of the county !! and steps were to betaken for putting
an end to the clandestine and irregular meetings of parties assuming to be Brethren !!! but not warranted or acknowledged by the Grand Lodge , or any regular Masonic authority . " We certainly would be amongst the last to receive any of these Banff Brethren into a Lodge , as we consider that they have no right to be admitted ; but we hold that they are not entitled to be called " spurious , " still less ought their meetings to be termed " clandestine . " Why they cannot be called " spurious" I will ive a few reasonswhich willI am
, g , , sure , satisfy the most fastidious . First , the Brethren of this Lodge have been hitherto admitted into other Lodges without scruple . Again , I should think that they make very good Masons , as I believe they generally give one degree only at a meeting ; indeed , I should say that their character as Masons was first-rate , as their fame in this respect induced a Brother from this city to take a friend a distance of 150 miles to be initiated in that Lodge . And for a " thirdlast
, , and grand reason , " these spurious Brethren have not been refused admittance into the Grand Lodge , when they have thought proper to visit it 1 Wc cannot blame other Lodges from doing the same thing . And we cannot call them " clandestine , " for their meetings are as well known and published , as the Celtic , or Roman Eagle . What , then , is the meaning of the Grand Committee or Grand Lodge interfering with them ? . If this Lodge is not a warranted Lodge—and it
certainly is not , —it is very strange that the Grand Lodge instructs the P . G . M . to meddle with them . The Grand Lodge has as much right over them as it had over any of the Committees , which were so thickly sown in our own streets during the late election contest . We have heard it stated that these Banff Brethren aro about to apply to the Grand Lodge of England for a charter ; we think they sliould