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Article ANCIENT MASONIC LODGES, No. 3. ← Page 3 of 3 Article UN SOUVENIR DU PASSE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masonic Lodges, No. 3.
" 1 st . —It was not composed of operative Masons chiefly , but candidates from all ranks , trades , & c , were admitted , and the brethren of note in the district , gentlemen of title and riroperiy , were generally elected to the offices , such as they were , in the lodge ; the first mentioned Master Mason is John Hoppringle , of yt ilk , the ' then Laird of Torsconce .
" 2 nd . —Although it had not a formula and ritual of three degrees , yet it had a formula and certain workings , embracing Apprentice and Fellow Craft ; also a word and grip which the Masonic Mason gave to candidates at their admission , and the
manner of admission was by petition as in the present day . " 3 rd . —The fees , fines , & c , egible from the brethren were used for the purpose of Masonic benevolence , which duty we find exercised as fas as funds would allowand
, when the box required strengthening , voluntary contributions , leavies , & c , were the means adopted to increase the funds . It was not an operative sick or benefit society , such as we find mentioned in old guild or Craft Minutes .
" 4 th . —The annual meetings wore evidently conducted with all order , propriety and soberness . From the general time of the old records we can infer that there was little if any of the boisterious hilarity , convivialism , or apron washings of the
eighteenth century . We find the brethren not unfrcquently holding their annual meeting and festival at Haughfoot and afterwards holding meetings at Galashiels for initiations and other business . " 5 th . —The meetings of the Lodge were
usually once a year , upon St . John ' s Day , as in speculative lodges now , also business meetings were held during the year as occasion demanded . " Gth . —The ancient brethren maintained the dignity of tho Craft , and punished with
Masonic censure and fines , any violation of the same ; and " 7 th . —We find that neither the 1717 , nor the 1736 periods made any difference in the order and working of the lodge . Such continued the same till 1759 and 1763
, when we find wardens , stewards , and an officer added to other office-bearers ; no reason is assigned in the minutes for this chance , but it would simply he to promote uniformity with other lodges then existing . I regret that the records stop at this date , 1763 ;"
Un Souvenir Du Passe.
UN SOUVENIR DU PASSE .
Old Time is fading from us all 'Mid careworn hours to-day , The shadows on us sadly fall ils life speeds fast away , And from each gay or busy scene 'llidst happiness or tears , There conies o thought of what has been ,
A " Souvenir " of past years . It seems hut yesterday , good sooth , That full of festive glee , In all of honestness and truth A genial company , Was gathered in yon fair array , In the Sunshine ' s brightest gleam ,
And watch'd the hours . pass away , Like a very pleasant dream ! Alas ! some voices now are still So welcome then to hear ; Alas ! of human good and ill The leaves all dark aud sere Have fallen on our onward way , Since that old faded time , Those hours would not with us stay In this misty cloudy clime .
No , one by one , those hours have sped From us all alike in turn , Tho' often now by memory led We for them fondly yearn ; The voice seems speaking to our heart Whose truth we all could tell , Alas ! how often time does part , The friends who love so well .
Yet still fond fancy conjures up A vision of the past , The gracious smile , tho classic brow , The faith so fond and fast ; We jest now as we once could jest , With hearts devoid of care , We laugh as once ' mid peace and rest
When all was bright and fair . The echoes seem to come amain If from a distant spot , Where we are gathering again The true " Forget-me-not , " And there floats before our aching sight A picture rare and true , Which in its colours clear and bright Gladdens our dazed view .
But as we mnse and as we -write , We hear those chiming bells , Which seem to talk of coming night . Of partings and farewells ; And so our thoughts all pensive stray In memory ' s magic power , To the gathering of an ancient day , To an unforgotten hour .
Oh pleasant vision of " lang syne , " Oh warm hearts now no more , How brightly then our sun did shine In that careless time of yore ; But now the colours seem to fade Fast from the scene » -v *» y , Too fair it was , too bright too last That " Souvenir du l ' assfi . " A . F . A . W .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ancient Masonic Lodges, No. 3.
" 1 st . —It was not composed of operative Masons chiefly , but candidates from all ranks , trades , & c , were admitted , and the brethren of note in the district , gentlemen of title and riroperiy , were generally elected to the offices , such as they were , in the lodge ; the first mentioned Master Mason is John Hoppringle , of yt ilk , the ' then Laird of Torsconce .
" 2 nd . —Although it had not a formula and ritual of three degrees , yet it had a formula and certain workings , embracing Apprentice and Fellow Craft ; also a word and grip which the Masonic Mason gave to candidates at their admission , and the
manner of admission was by petition as in the present day . " 3 rd . —The fees , fines , & c , egible from the brethren were used for the purpose of Masonic benevolence , which duty we find exercised as fas as funds would allowand
, when the box required strengthening , voluntary contributions , leavies , & c , were the means adopted to increase the funds . It was not an operative sick or benefit society , such as we find mentioned in old guild or Craft Minutes .
" 4 th . —The annual meetings wore evidently conducted with all order , propriety and soberness . From the general time of the old records we can infer that there was little if any of the boisterious hilarity , convivialism , or apron washings of the
eighteenth century . We find the brethren not unfrcquently holding their annual meeting and festival at Haughfoot and afterwards holding meetings at Galashiels for initiations and other business . " 5 th . —The meetings of the Lodge were
usually once a year , upon St . John ' s Day , as in speculative lodges now , also business meetings were held during the year as occasion demanded . " Gth . —The ancient brethren maintained the dignity of tho Craft , and punished with
Masonic censure and fines , any violation of the same ; and " 7 th . —We find that neither the 1717 , nor the 1736 periods made any difference in the order and working of the lodge . Such continued the same till 1759 and 1763
, when we find wardens , stewards , and an officer added to other office-bearers ; no reason is assigned in the minutes for this chance , but it would simply he to promote uniformity with other lodges then existing . I regret that the records stop at this date , 1763 ;"
Un Souvenir Du Passe.
UN SOUVENIR DU PASSE .
Old Time is fading from us all 'Mid careworn hours to-day , The shadows on us sadly fall ils life speeds fast away , And from each gay or busy scene 'llidst happiness or tears , There conies o thought of what has been ,
A " Souvenir " of past years . It seems hut yesterday , good sooth , That full of festive glee , In all of honestness and truth A genial company , Was gathered in yon fair array , In the Sunshine ' s brightest gleam ,
And watch'd the hours . pass away , Like a very pleasant dream ! Alas ! some voices now are still So welcome then to hear ; Alas ! of human good and ill The leaves all dark aud sere Have fallen on our onward way , Since that old faded time , Those hours would not with us stay In this misty cloudy clime .
No , one by one , those hours have sped From us all alike in turn , Tho' often now by memory led We for them fondly yearn ; The voice seems speaking to our heart Whose truth we all could tell , Alas ! how often time does part , The friends who love so well .
Yet still fond fancy conjures up A vision of the past , The gracious smile , tho classic brow , The faith so fond and fast ; We jest now as we once could jest , With hearts devoid of care , We laugh as once ' mid peace and rest
When all was bright and fair . The echoes seem to come amain If from a distant spot , Where we are gathering again The true " Forget-me-not , " And there floats before our aching sight A picture rare and true , Which in its colours clear and bright Gladdens our dazed view .
But as we mnse and as we -write , We hear those chiming bells , Which seem to talk of coming night . Of partings and farewells ; And so our thoughts all pensive stray In memory ' s magic power , To the gathering of an ancient day , To an unforgotten hour .
Oh pleasant vision of " lang syne , " Oh warm hearts now no more , How brightly then our sun did shine In that careless time of yore ; But now the colours seem to fade Fast from the scene » -v *» y , Too fair it was , too bright too last That " Souvenir du l ' assfi . " A . F . A . W .