Masonry And Its Origin.

that the operatives or journeymen formed a separate guild , and were not admitted into the lodges of Freemasons , who comprised the architects or higher workers , for in later documents both are mentioned separately . Anyhow a society of such superior men as these architects must have been , and who led a life of such purity , would doubtlessly make themselves bnsy in solving moral and philosophical problems as well as mathematical and

architectural ones , but probably they were Speculative Masons before Masonry was transformed into its present shape . Well , then , these are our Masonic ancestors . Let us imitate them and work as diligently in the improvement of ourselves as they worked in the embellishments of the world , so that those who come after us may say what we have to say about our forefathers , " they were good men and true . "

Old Records Of The Lodge Of Peebles.

OLD RECORDS OF THE LODGE OF PEEBLES .

COMPILED BY BRO . ROBERT SANDERSON , P . O . SEC . PEEBLES AND SELKIRK ( s . C . ) ( Continued from page 295 ) .

OUR next extracts from the interesting records of this old lodge are as follows : — At an Extraordinary Meeting of the old Lodge of Peebles held this twelfth day of October seventeen hundred and ninety-nine . The which Day the Lodge met in consequence of their having been informed that the Riht Worshiful John ClarkEsqr . Substitute Grand

Masg p , , ter Mason of Scotland , Mr . James Bartram , Interim Clerk to The Grand Lodge of Scotland , and The Right Worshipful Alexander Lawrie , Esqr ., Master of the Lodge Cannongate and Leith , Leith and Cannongate , were in Peebles . And the Lodge being duly constitued , it was proposed from the chair that a deputation be appointed to wait upon these gentlemen and signify to them that the Lodge of Peebles would be highly honoured with a visit from them .

The Lodge unanimously agreed thereto , and the following Brethren were named for that purpose , viz . . Brother James Bartram , Secy . ; Brother John Jamieson , Brother John Hislop , Juiir ., and Brother William Keddie . These Brethren accordingly waited upon the Gentlemen above named , when they accepted of the invitation , and accompanied the Deputation to the Lodge . Mr . Clark was conducted to the chair by the Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge , and having made choice of Brothers J ohn Veitch and Robert Elphinstone to be his Wardens , did the Lodge the honor of presiding for the evening .

The Business of the Lodge was carried on with that Harmony , Good Order , and Brotherl y Love which distinguish Mason Meetings in General , and this Lodge in Particular , and the Right Worshipful Substitute Grand Master was pleased to express in the warmest terms his approbation of their orderly and Masonic like behaviour while he presided over them , and in testimony whereof he and the Interim Grand Clark have subscribed this minute . JNO . CLARK , SUB : G : M : of Scotland . JA . BARTRAM , Jn : G : Clk .