Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
* f We may , I think , with some confidence , say that the journey me n held a meeting in 170 7 to consider their grievances , and that this meeting was afterwards regarded as the commencement of a separate society . The Brethren who then met to talk over their wrongs and to concert measures for their removal , and who thus originated , the Journeymen Lodge , did not , however , all at once break off their connection with the Lodge of Mary ' s Chapel . A portion of them , at least , took
part in its proceedings for several years after the institution of a Journeymen Society . The cause of this most likely was , that they considered they had an interest in the funds , and hoped they would succeed in getting their complaints redressed . They do not seem for some time to have gone the length of initiating candidates into the mysteries of the Craft , but to have contented themselves with meeting and subscribing small sums for the relief of their poor , or the defence of their interests .
" The number of disaffected Brethren ' . Who took a decided stand out of doors against the proceedings of the mother Lodge was considerable . The resolution passed by the journeymen , in 1708 , to raise money for the poor was signed by forty-four Brethren , no doubt all operative Masons . The names of almost every one of them are to be found in the books of Mary ' s Chapel ; for that Lodge , in conformity with the laws for the regulation of the Craft laid down by William Schaw , was most careful in enrolling- the names of all persons whom it either entered or passed ..
' . " On the 27 th December , 1708 , the .. Journey men presented a petition to the parent Lodge , complaining that they had not a sufficient inspection of the Warden ' s accounts . No copy of this petition , so far as I know , has been preserved , but the object of it plainly intimates that the petitioners were dissatisfied with the management of the funds . The masters , no doubt , seeing that the journeymen had now taken a determined stand , and made arrangements for setting up a separate and independent institution intended to rival their own , received the
petition With deference , and agreed that six of the soberest and discreetest Fellow-Crafts should be annually appointed by the Deacon , or Master , to inspect and oversee the accounts of the Warden . The Deacon , therefore , at this meeting nominated and appointed William Brodie and Thomas Hamilton , who had been entered for the freedom , and John Webster , Robert Gumming , Andrew Williamson , and Michael Naysmith , to be inspectors and auditors for the ensuing year . This arrangement , which was to be observed in all time coming , was carried into
effect for two or three years following , and the names of the journeymen appointed to perform this work are recorded in the minutes of the parent Lodge . It failed , however , to produce entire satisfaction . The agitation regarding the management of the funds was still kept up . At a meeting of the parent Lodge , on the 29 th of August , 1712 , this matter was fully discussed , and it was resolved to appoint the Deacon James Watson , the Warden Henry Wilson , and the two Fellow Crafts Andrew Williamson and Michael Naysmith , to call together the poor widows belonging to the Society , to inquire into their several circumstances ,
and to bestow upon them such relief as they might think lit , or the necessities of the widows might require . In order to augment the funds of the Lodge , so that this design might be more fully carried into effect , it was , at the same time , statuted and ordained that no master of the incorporation should employ any journeyman who had not been entered and passed in the Lodge until he paid 205 . Scots for every year he might work within the liberty of the city , and which sum the masters were to detain from the first monthly wages of such journeymen ; and if they neglected to do this they were to be held bound to pay it themselves .
" Thus stood matters in August 1712 . Though harmony and peace appeared to be restored , it cannot be doubted that the masters were by no means pleased with the separate organization which the journeymen had now set up , and the zealous watch which they still kept over the funds of the parent institution . Accordingly , on St . John ' s day following , that is only four months after the passing of the resolution about the relief of the poor widows , a motion was made and carried by a majority , that the Act passed in 1708 , appointing six Fellow Crafts to inspect the Warden ' s accounts , should be rescinded . This , of course , produced a perfect storm in the Lodge . The journeymen loudly and vehemently protested against
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
* f We may , I think , with some confidence , say that the journey me n held a meeting in 170 7 to consider their grievances , and that this meeting was afterwards regarded as the commencement of a separate society . The Brethren who then met to talk over their wrongs and to concert measures for their removal , and who thus originated , the Journeymen Lodge , did not , however , all at once break off their connection with the Lodge of Mary ' s Chapel . A portion of them , at least , took
part in its proceedings for several years after the institution of a Journeymen Society . The cause of this most likely was , that they considered they had an interest in the funds , and hoped they would succeed in getting their complaints redressed . They do not seem for some time to have gone the length of initiating candidates into the mysteries of the Craft , but to have contented themselves with meeting and subscribing small sums for the relief of their poor , or the defence of their interests .
" The number of disaffected Brethren ' . Who took a decided stand out of doors against the proceedings of the mother Lodge was considerable . The resolution passed by the journeymen , in 1708 , to raise money for the poor was signed by forty-four Brethren , no doubt all operative Masons . The names of almost every one of them are to be found in the books of Mary ' s Chapel ; for that Lodge , in conformity with the laws for the regulation of the Craft laid down by William Schaw , was most careful in enrolling- the names of all persons whom it either entered or passed ..
' . " On the 27 th December , 1708 , the .. Journey men presented a petition to the parent Lodge , complaining that they had not a sufficient inspection of the Warden ' s accounts . No copy of this petition , so far as I know , has been preserved , but the object of it plainly intimates that the petitioners were dissatisfied with the management of the funds . The masters , no doubt , seeing that the journeymen had now taken a determined stand , and made arrangements for setting up a separate and independent institution intended to rival their own , received the
petition With deference , and agreed that six of the soberest and discreetest Fellow-Crafts should be annually appointed by the Deacon , or Master , to inspect and oversee the accounts of the Warden . The Deacon , therefore , at this meeting nominated and appointed William Brodie and Thomas Hamilton , who had been entered for the freedom , and John Webster , Robert Gumming , Andrew Williamson , and Michael Naysmith , to be inspectors and auditors for the ensuing year . This arrangement , which was to be observed in all time coming , was carried into
effect for two or three years following , and the names of the journeymen appointed to perform this work are recorded in the minutes of the parent Lodge . It failed , however , to produce entire satisfaction . The agitation regarding the management of the funds was still kept up . At a meeting of the parent Lodge , on the 29 th of August , 1712 , this matter was fully discussed , and it was resolved to appoint the Deacon James Watson , the Warden Henry Wilson , and the two Fellow Crafts Andrew Williamson and Michael Naysmith , to call together the poor widows belonging to the Society , to inquire into their several circumstances ,
and to bestow upon them such relief as they might think lit , or the necessities of the widows might require . In order to augment the funds of the Lodge , so that this design might be more fully carried into effect , it was , at the same time , statuted and ordained that no master of the incorporation should employ any journeyman who had not been entered and passed in the Lodge until he paid 205 . Scots for every year he might work within the liberty of the city , and which sum the masters were to detain from the first monthly wages of such journeymen ; and if they neglected to do this they were to be held bound to pay it themselves .
" Thus stood matters in August 1712 . Though harmony and peace appeared to be restored , it cannot be doubted that the masters were by no means pleased with the separate organization which the journeymen had now set up , and the zealous watch which they still kept over the funds of the parent institution . Accordingly , on St . John ' s day following , that is only four months after the passing of the resolution about the relief of the poor widows , a motion was made and carried by a majority , that the Act passed in 1708 , appointing six Fellow Crafts to inspect the Warden ' s accounts , should be rescinded . This , of course , produced a perfect storm in the Lodge . The journeymen loudly and vehemently protested against