Old Records Of The Lodge Of Peebles.

Thereafter it was moved h y Brother James Bartram , Junr ., and seconded , that the Ri ght Worshipful John Clark , Esquire , Substitute Grand Master of Scotland , and Alexr . Lawrie , Esqr ., Master of Cannongate and Leith , Leith and Cannongate , should be initiated members of this Lodge , which was unanimously agreed to , and they and the Master sign this Minute accordingly . JJTO . CLARE :.

ALEXR . LAWRIE . It was farther moved by Brother Alexr . Murray Bartram , and seconded , that the thanks of the Lodge should be voted to the Right Worshipful John Clark , Esq ., Substitute Grand Master of Scotland , for the honour he did this Lodge by waiting upon and presiding over them this evening , and for the handsome Masonic manner in which he conducted himself while in the chair .

And it was also moved and seconded that the thanks of the Lodge should also be given to Mr . James Bartram , Interim Clerk to the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and to Mr . Alexr . Lawrie , Master of the Cannongate and Leith , Leitli and ' Cannongate Lodge , for their presence that evening . The motion was unanimously agreed to , and the Secretary requested to intimate the same to the respective Gentlemen with his first convenience .

The next minute , of date 4 th October , 1800 , has reference to the action taken by Grand Lodge to prohibit daughter Lodges from practising other than the Three Great Orders of Masonry , which we find also noticed in Laurie ' s " History of Freemasonry , " page 162 . Attention to . this matter is directed in terms of the following letter from Grand Lodge , of date June , 1800 : — " Ri ght Worshi pful Brother—The Grand Lodge of Scotland by her

char-, ters sanction and authorise only the Three Great Orders of St . John ' s Masonry , consisting of Apprentice , Fellowcraft , and Master Mason . But having reason to believe that other Orders and Descriptions of Masonry totall y different from the above three Degrees , have of late been introduced into Lodges holding of her , and which , if tolerated , might be attended with tho most serious consequences to the Craft , the Grand Lodge , therefore , ever anxious for the

prosperity of the Lodges holding under her and the purity of their Order , came to the Resolution , a copy of which I beg leave to enclose , and which I hope you will take the earliest opportunity of laying before your Lodge , trusting that you will , in concert with the Brethren connected with you , use your Best endeavours for enforcing this Resolution . I am , Right Worshipful Brother , yours , etc . ( Signed ) WILLIAM GUTHRIE , Gd . Seer . "

[ Follows the Resolution . ] " At a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , May 26 th , 1800 . The Grand Lodge of Scotland , in consequence of a motion made by Right Worshipfull Bro . Laurie , Master of the Lodge of Canongate and Leith , viz ., ' Considering that they sanction the Three Great Orders of Masonry , and these alone , of

Apprentice , Fellowcraft , and Master Mason , being the Ancient Order of Saint John , and understanding that- other descriptions of Masons , under various titles , have crept into this Country , borrowed from other nations , which are inconsistent with the purity and true principles of the Order , Resolved , and hereby Resolve , that none may pretend ignorance , expressly to prohibit and discharge all Lodges having Charters from the Grand Lodge , from holding any

other meetings than those of the Three Orders above described ; under this certification , that the Grand Lodge will most positively proceed , on information of an infringeinet of this express prohibition , to censure or to the forfeiture of the Charters of the offending Lodges , according to the circumstances of any particular case that may bo brought before them . ' The Grand Lodge also ' appoints this Resolution to he printed , and a copy thereof sent to every Lodge in Scotland holding of her . ' " THOS . GRTEVE , Master . "