THE BUILDER JULY 1919

A VISIT TO AN OLD SCOTTISH LODGE
BY BRO. S. CLIFTON BINGHAM, NEW ZEALAND

SOME years ago it was my privilege to spend a brief portion of a
well-earned holiday in the beautiful City of Edinburgh; all too
brief, however, to properly view the multitudinous objects of
interest that await visitors there.

In the newer part of the town the premises of Grand Lodge have much
to interest a member of our Fraternity, whilst the hall of the
Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland, which is modelled on the form of
an Egyptian Temple, is probably unique of its kind, and the special
arrangements for the working of the degree of the H. R. A. are most
striking. Here I met a dear old Craftsman in the person of the late
M.E. Comp. R. S. Brown, since passed to his eternal rest, but then
the most respected Grand Scribe E of the Supreme Grand Chapter of
Scotland. Although our Supreme Chapters were not at that time in
amity (nor are they now so far as that point goes), he courteously
waived all questions of the kind, and was at considerable pains to
facilitate my desire for more light on Freemasonry. From him I
received an invitation to attend a Chapter meeting the next
evening, which I was informed was timed to commence at eight
o'clock, and, with my New Zealand experience of Masonic punctuality
in my mind, I presented myself at the hall at 7.55 p.m., to find
the Janitor in sole possession. At 8.10 p.m. a Companion wandered
in who turned out to be the presiding officer for the evening. Five
minutes later the Grand Scribe E arrived, and the members began to
assemble, work commencing at 8.40 p.m., and as it comprised an
Obligation in the Mark, and the conferring of the Excellent and
Arch degrees following, the Chapter was kept busy. We closed down
at 10.50 sharp, and at that hour the subsequent proceedings had
little interest for me. Here, however, I was introduced to a very
distinguished member of the Craft in the person of the late Dr.
Geo. Dickson, with whom I had a very interesting conversation
during the intervals of labour, and subsequently renewed when we
met in other bodies. On his advice the next day I made my way down
to Canongate, the heart of old Edinburgh, in search of St. John's
Chapel, the home of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, No. 2, on the Roll
of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. The Canongate, which is the main
avenue from he Palace of Holyrood to the city, contains many
interesting dwellings, once the abode of the nobility and gentry of
Scotland. Along here was the gallant but ill-fated Montrose drawn
on a hurdle to his execution, whilst his enemies jeered from the
balconies above. In the fateful year of 1745 did "Bonnie Prince
Charlie" ride through in gay procession during that short campaign,
the disastrous result of which practically ended the active
prosecution of Stuart claims to the throne of Great Britain. Our
first impression of the neighbourhood had been, indeed, not of the
best, as the previous Saturday evening, on our arrival in the city,
we had strolled this way, and were spectators of some Scottish
methods of ending the week which were not altogether admirable.
Many, if not all, of the houses are now very dilapidated in
appearance, and the family washing generally in evidence.


From the Canongate, under an archway, we entered St. John Street,
occupied in the last century by the aristocracy of the day. Here
Tobias Smollett, the author of "Roderick Random," lived in
lodgings. The Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of Scotland in 1766,
resided in No. 5, whilst No. 10 once housed James Ballantyne,
friend of and publisher to Sir Walter Scott, also a member of our
great Fraternity. We entered an unpretentious building, ascended
the stairs, and found ourselves in the hall, which, built in the
year 1736, has been continuously used ever since for the purposes
of Freemasonry. In this respect, no other building or lodge room in
the wide world can compare. The appearance of the room was somewhat
familiar, as I had often looked at the picture of Robert Burns'
inauguration as Poet Laureate of the lodge, said to have occurred
on March 1, 1787, of which two copies are in our own building.
Although for some time it was believed to be a true representation
of the event, Masonic historians are today generally agreed that
such did not take place. The lodge minutes of the meeting are
silent on the point, and the artist has introduced into the picture
individuals who could not possibly have been present on the
occasion, and some of them not even members of the Craft, as far as
is known, whilst Burns himself, who would undoubtedly have esteemed
such a recognition as a great compliment, never made reference to
it. Over the fireplace hangs a portrait of William St. Clair, who
occupied the distinguished position of first Grand Master of the
Grand Lodge of Scotland, and was made a "brother of the Antient and
Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons" in this Lodge on
18th May, 1736, and on the third of the following month was
"advanced to the degree of Fellowcraft," he "paying into the box as
usual"; raised in November of the same year, at which meeting the
minutes record that St. Clair, during the ceremonies, occupied the
chairs of J. and S. W. and R. W. M., finally dismissing the lodge
in that character. It seems evident from this record that our
distinguished brother must have been very apt at assimilating
ritual or the work have been much more simple than our present-day
methods. In a recess on the opposite side of the lodge is the
organ, the oldest pipe instrument in use in Scotland at the time.
It was built as far back as 1734, but still possesses a wonderfully
sweet tone. A peculiarity is that the flat keys are black, and the
raised ones, originally white, are now of a deep orange. A corner
by this instrument is yet pointed out as Burns' favourite work, and
often he must have heard his own produces sung to its
accompaniment.

The Master's chair (dating back to 1730) that occupied by the
Secretary seemed even older in design with the "lokkit kist" and
the poor box, the quaint Warden's jewels, and the peculiar coat and
vest worn by the Tyler were all objects of great interest. The old
measures, drinking and firing glasses, and toddy ladles, bore
witness that the punch bowl depicted in the picture previously
mentioned was put to good use by our ancient brethren.

The lodge dates back to the year 1677 as an organized body, when a
number of operative Masons, residing in the Canongate, applied to
Mother Kilwinning for permission to enter and pass Masters, which
was, after due consideration, granted.

As this is the earliest known warrant or charter, and differs very
considerably from the document that is attached to the Master's
pedestal in our lodge, I give the text in full:

"At the Ludge of Kilwining the twentie day of December 1677 yeares,
deacons and wardenes and the rest of the brethren considering the
love and favour shown to us be the rest of the brethren of the
Cannigate in Edinbroughe, ane part of our number being willing to
be boked and inroled the qch day gives power and liberty to them to
enter, receive, and pass ony qualified persons that they think fit,
in name and behalf of the ludge of Killwinning, and to pay their
entry and booking moneys due to the Grand ludge as we do ourselves,
they sending on of their number to us yearly, and we to do the lyke
to them if need be. The qlk day ther names are insert into this
book."

The signatures of twelve brethren follow, to each of which a mark
is affixed. Fortunately the document was entered verbatim in the
records of the Mother Lodge, as the original has long since
disappeared. Thus we find the Lodge of Kilwinning exercising the
powers of a Grand Lodge some forty years before the formation of
the Grand Lodge of England, whose Bicentenary we celebrated in the
year just past. The traditions of Canongate as an operative body go
much further back, however, when the building of Holyrood Abbey and
Palace was commenced by King David, in 1128. The lodge seems to
have been identified with the foundation of the building, and was
probably formed by the bands of workmen brought together to work
thereon. The troubles of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
gradually severed the ties that bound the religious bodies and
craftsmen together, and the latter finally took full charge of
their own affairs.

No other charter than that originally issued by Mother Kilwinning
has ever been sought, or indeed would be accepted, and, the
original document not being in existence, that portion of the
ceremony of initiation with which we are familiar, viz., the
reference to "our charter or warrant of constitution," is perforce
omitted.

Unfortunately the early minute books of the lodge are not to be
found, those in existence dating from February 13, 1735, when "the
lodge having met according to adjournment," a committee was set up
for the preparation of by-laws. In accordance with the custom of
the time, fines were strictly enforced for non-attendance, and
doubtless the brethren who regularly attended were all the more
ready to see such inflicted, as the historian of the lodge relates
that the money so collected was laid out in refreshments for the
evening.

The lodge took a leading part in the erection of the Grand Lodge of
Scotland, and was successful in obtaining the office of first Grand
Master for one of its own initiates, "William St. Clair, of
Roslyn," who had previously graciously renounced the office and
hereditary dignity of "Patron, Protector, Judge or Master of the
Massons of Scotland," which appeared to have been but a visionary
position. However, the delegates from the thirty-three lodges
assembled in the hall seemed to have been much impressed, and a
unanimous vote was the result, although other candidates were in
the field. It may be noted that the lodge showed no undue modesty
in recognising the merits of their other brethren, as in issuing
its deliverance upon the "Methods and Regulations anent the
Erection of Grand Master," it recommended that, should St. Clair
not be elected, four other members of the lodge be named for the
respective offices of Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer and
Secretary. More than twenty other members of the lodge subsequently
occupied the highest position in the Craft, a record of which the
lodge may well be proud. A hasty glance through the minute book was
all that time permitted, but the following items of interest may be
noted: In 1739 the sum of three guineas was voted in response to a
petition for "the Relief of the indigent Episcopal clergy." In 1741
mention is made of a Quaker brother, who "had been guilty of ane
indignity to the lodge," a very early reference, probably the
earliest of the initiation of a member of the Society of Friends,
whose tenets, it will be remembered, forbid the taking of oaths. In
1752 the lodge and members combined raised 30 pounds towards a fund
to beautify the City of Edinburgh. The following year Sir Ralph
Abercrombie, the hero of the naval battle of Aboukir Bay, was
admitted, also the Rev. Peter Simpson, "free out of regard to the
ministerial cloth and character," a mark of respect now very much
out of date. A visit from the Grand Master, Lord Aberdour, is noted
in 1755, and the following year this brother occupied the same
position in the Grand Lodge of England. An instance of quick work
is given in 1766, when the Earl of Dalhousie was entered, passed
and raised on the 29th March, and present five days later as "Grand
Master Elect."

Although the claim that Burns was Poet Laureate to the lodge is now
practically abandoned, records exist of a special deputation, in
1835, for the purpose of initiating James Hogg, known to fame as
"The Ettrick Shepherd," and the bestowal of such title upon him,
and thereafter some fifteen brethren have from time to time been so
distinguished. The lodge possesses an actual Master Mason's apron
of Burns' Mother Lodge, in use when he was initiated, whilst Grand
Lodge has amongst its treasures a mallet and apron said to have
been used by Burns whilst presiding as Deputy Master of St. Andrew
Dumfries, No. 179. I had the pleasure of wearing one and wielding
the other for a moment.

In 1798, several members of the Band of the Second Battalion of
Edinburgh Volunteers were admitted gratis, in consideration that
their services were required on St. Andrew's Day.

The lodge is one of the few which holds its annual festival on St.
John the Baptist's Day, St. John the Evangelist being much more
frequently used. I am enabled to give a drawing or plan of this
lodge, which you will note varies from the form we are used to here
in some important particulars, as the position of the Wardens,
D.C., J.D., and I.G., whilst positions for additional officers are
those of Bible and Standard Bearers, two of the latter. This form
is similar to that in use in Mother Kilwinning, and I believe in
many other Scotch lodges, and appears to be in line with
Continental customs. In the ceremonial working the preliminary
perambulations are taken outside the Wardens and brethren, and
finally advancing between the pillars to the altar for obligation,
and in that respect I witnessed somewhat analagous methods in
Pennsylvania working, where the brethren stood in a square, and the
perambulations took place outside. The working generally appears to
be similar to that in Canterbury Kilwinning, Lyttelton, the test of
memory, once in regular use in my Mother Lodge, as I well remember,
never being omitted.

The list of officers is formidable, comprising, in addition to
those with which we are familiar in New Zealand, a Depute and
Substitute Master, Assistant Secretary, Architect, Jeweller, Bible
Bearer, Poet Laureate, Curator and Librarian, Marshal, Sword
Bearer, Director of Music, First and Second Standard Bearers,
President of Stewards, and seventeen other Stewards, the latter
taking precedence of the I.G. I was not privileged to witness an
installation ceremony, and therefore cannot say whether the duties
of each are as minutely described as occasionally happens in New
Zealand. On such occasion an obligation de fideli seems to be
taken, as shown on the installation programme following, but
probably the officers were grouped for such purpose, otherwise a
considerable amount of time would be required.

There are some other points of interest in the programme I now
exhibit to which I will briefly direct your attention.

INSTALLATION PROGRAMME 
PAGE 1 
Lodge Canongate Kilwinning 
Festival of Saint John and Installation

of Office Bearers in the Chapel of 
Sanct Johne in the Canongait, on Tuesday, 
June the 24th, 1918 
Bro. Thos. S. Muir, R. W. Master (bis). 

PAGE 2 
Order of Service 
Installing Master 
R. W. Bro. James Russell, P. M.

1. The Lodge will be resumed and the work opened.
2. The Secretary will read the Minutes of Election.
3. The Lodge will be raised to the Third degree and the Office
Bearers elected. The Lodge will be reduced to the First degree.
4. The directori of Ceremonies will present the R. W. Master on his
re-election.
5. The Charges and Regulations will be read for the assent of the
R. W. Master.
6. Obligation de fideli administratione offieii.
7. Choral Sanction. Tune "French."

I to the hills will lift mine eyes.

PAGE 3

8. Installing Ceremony.
9. Presentation of Constitution, Charter, etc.
10. Installation and investiture of Office Bearers.
11. The Right Worshipful Installing Master will address

The R. W; Master.
The Worshipful Wardens. 
The Brethren.

12. Hymn. Tune "Tallis."

We thank Thee, gather; let Thy grace 
Our loving circle still embrace;
Thy mercy shed its heavenly store; 
Thy peace be with us evermore.

Amen

13. Calling off and Harmony.

(A procession will be formed to St. John's Hall. The Office Bearers
will precede the R. W. Master. The remanent Brethren will follow
him.)

14. The work will be Resumed and closed, and the Lodge will be
adjourned in due and antient form. Note: A photograph of Brother
Thomas Scott Muir, M. A., Right Worshipful Master, and an engraving
of the arms of the lodge complete the programme.

Following an old custom, the lodge is never closed, only the work,
so that the first item reads: The lodge will be resumed and the
work opened. The lodge is raised to the Second degree for election
of office bearers (other than the Master, who appears to have been
elected at a previous meeting), and then reduced to the First
degree. After the ceremony is concluded the lodge is called off and
a procession formed, the office bearers preceding the Right
Worshipful Master, and remanent brethren following, to St. John's
Hall for harmony.

A somewhat full toast list is then dealt with: 

"The Holy Lodge of St. John."
"The King and the Craft."
"The Grand Lodge of Scotland."
(Loving cup passed round and collection for Grand Lodge Annuity
Fund).

"The Installing Master."
"The Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, and remanent Office-
bearers."
"The Visiting Brethren."
"The Stewards and the Artistes of the Evening."
"The Right Worshipful Master."
"The Tyler's Toast."

The programme then goes on to say: "The work will be resumed and
closed, and the lodge will be adjourned in due and antient form."

I do not quite understand why the first toast is given such
prominence, but in Scotland it may have other reference than in
England, where it was for many years customary for unattached
brethren to describe themselves as belonging to the Lodge of St.
John. It will be noted that the toast of the Master comes rather
lower down on the list than would be the case with us, but it
appears to be unusual to change the Master every year, and in the
present instance it is evidently a reinstallation: note the word
"bis" following the title of R. W. Master. A regulation is in
practice which may well be followed in other places, viz., that
after each candidate has been entered, passed and raised he will be
placed under the care of a M. M., specially deputed by the R. W. M.
to instruct him, so that his knowledge of the Craft may be a credit
to himself and to his Mother Lodge. A varied and lengthy experience
in proving visitors commends this provision very much to my mind.

The fees for the three degrees are 5 5s., a higher figure than
usual, I understand, in Scotland, but on the other hand the annual
test fee of 5s. would seem to us to be absurdly low. As is
customary in Craft lodges in Scotland, the Mark Degree is conferred
on Master Masons, fee 5s. Members have the privilege of wearing a
special jewel.

A private golf club is connected with the lodge, admission to which
is restricted to the members, and, in common with other lodges in
Edinburgh and the neighbourhood, rinks are entered annually for
Masonic bowling competitions.

Meetings of the lodge are held twice a month, indicating that
candidates are plentiful; indeed, I was informed that the roll of
members, running from 1736, contains some thousands of names.

The calendar issued by the lodge also chronicles a monthly meeting
of the Canongate Kilwinning Royal Arch Chapter, working degrees on
same lines to our own Supreme Grand Chapter, in addition to which
the C. K. Encampment of Knight Templars also assembles monthly. The
degree of R. A. is a necessary prerequisite to this body.

Reference has been made in Vol. I of our Transactions to an ancient
body of operative craftsmen who appeared to have had customs
closely appertaining to those of Freemasonry. These were styled
"Squaremen," and comprised masons, carpenters, slaters, and
glaziers, possibly gathering together to care for the special
privileges of such trades, which were from their very nature
interdependent upon each other. In D. Murray Lyon's history of Mary
Chapel, the first lodge of Scotland, mention is made of the
Squaremen "word," and of the "grip and sign" of that organization,
which the members were sworn to keep secret, and that an obligation
was taken, but not on the Bible.

The only remaining section of this association, styled "The
Corporation of Squaremen," now meets in St. John's Chapel on the
first lawful day of each month. Admission is restricted to Mark
Master Masons who hold or have held office in a Craft Lodge, and
the ceremony is said to be suitably connected with operative work.
The fees are quaintly expressed in old currency; thus the entrance
is seven merks, equivalent to 7s. 7d., and the diploma costs "twa
merks, twa groats and twa bawbees," which appears to me to amount
to about 2s. 11d. A special apron is required, and an annual test
fee payable, but the members object to the ceremony being termed a
degree. The Corporation is governed by a Deacon, Boxmaster, and
twelve assistants. Several of the quaint summonses issued seem to
suggest that a certain amount of humour characterizes the
Association.

The programmer exhibited both bear a device of a deer's head, with
a rood or cross thereon, indicating the former close connection of
the Lodge with the Abbey of Holyrood, founded by King David I. in
1128, and dedicated by him to the Holy Rood or Cross, brought to
Scotland by his mother, the pious Margaret. The motto, "Post Nubila
Pheebus," which may be freely translated, "After darkness, Light,"
is a peculiarly suitable one for an organization devoted to
bringing desirable and approved candidates from darkness to Light.

