A Historic Lodge.

Religious foundation of the Abbey , till the growing Burgh of Canongate outside the walls of Edinburgh became of sufficient importance , amid the religious struggles of the 16 th and 17 th centuries , to confer rights of freedom of trade apart from the protection of the Church . The trade societies of the Burgh never owed any allegiance to Edinburgh , and

the somewhat arrogant attempts made by the trades of the latter occasionally to exercise control in the Canongate invariably led to indignant repudiation .

THE MASTER'S CHAIR , ST . . lOIIN'S CHAPIOL ( timi 17 : 1 ( 1 ) . The Canongate Masons , however , while dating their corporate privileges from King David ' s charter to the Canons of Holyrood , and the constitution of the Burgh of Canongate , and being entirely separate from and independent of Edinburgh , identified themselves with the general body of Freemasons in Scotland in 1677 , live years after the Parish

Church was transferred from the Abbey . In that year they accepted a warrant from Mother Kilwinning , which was at the time—as the Head , though in inlluence only the second , Lodge in the Kingdom—exercising the functions of Grand Lodge . Mother Kilwinning had a traditional connection similar to that of Canongate , with the skilled ecclesiastical builders and architects of the time .

Like several other Lodges in England and Scotland , and owing to the incompleteness or absence of documentary evidence of earlier existence , our precedence thus runs conventionally from a much later date , 1677 , than the real inception of the Lodge warrants . In respect of its constitution at so early a date as a purely speculative Lodge ,

independent of and uncontrolled by any trade organisation or incorporation , it takes rank as one of the very oldest of existing Lodges . It is one of the few which cannot , and does not , produce to candidates or anyone else any " charter or warrant of constitution from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . " Grand Lodge , indeed , was formed under its hospitable roof and took its first Grand Master from its chair .

This year we have taken the opportunity of illustrating our notes by inserting a number of cuts relating to the Lodge and its prized possessions . These will probably be of as much interest to those who are familiar with them by frequent attendance as to those who are not so privileged . Our thanks are due to Brothers Adamson , Milne , and E . L . Brown for

their able assistance in preparing the photographs , etc ., required . ( In respect of the Defensive Band Lodge Notes to follow , the author is happy to acknowledge the kindness and help afforded not only by that Lodge , but also by Brothers David Reid , Grand Secretary , R . S . Brown , Grand Scribe

E ., and W . Alston . ) During the recess this summer the part of the old Tenandries of St . John nearest to St . John's Chapel , has been repaired and restored with the happiest results .

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