Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
Patrick Clark , of Holmes , who was Grand Master in 17 S 3 . Among the old papers of the lodge are a number of applications from individuals wishing to become members . Some of these are not a little curious . They show at least the social spirit with which the brethren were actuated in the good old time , and the anxiety which prevailed among the gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood to get enrolled as members of tbe lodge ; for example Baillie David Hunter is
represented as possessing " a love of mankind and attachment to his glass with sociable companions . " Regarding Wm . Paterson of Muirhouse , it is said— "Virtue , genius , and manly spirit , aud many other amiable accomplishments recommend tbe petitioner to the benign favour of St . Marnock Lodge ; " and of Robert Gilchrist of Maryland , merchant , and a brother of Kilmarnock Kilwinning , it is said— "If an honest heart , a sound
bottom , a genius sublime and eccentric , and an extensive knowledge of the mysteries of Masonry , united in a single man , can ¦ qualify him as a brother of St . Marnock , Bro . Gilchrist cannot , in justice to his merits , be denied that honour . " Other recommendations of a similar kind might be given , but these just quoted are sufficient to afford an idea of the spirit and enthusiasm which prevailed among "the merry Masons" in the good
• old times . In 1775 , the lodge held a grand ball or dance , at which about eighteen ladies attended , and . afterwards supped with the brethren . "St . Marnock , " says the minute , " presided and inspired all the company with harmony and mirth , and happiness crowned the evening and morning of a new day . " At the consecration of the St . Marnock Lodge , the Grand Master " delivered" to use the words of the minute" a very
, , learned and elegant discourse on tbe antiquity , design , and beauties of Masonry , and favoured the lodge with two inimitable songs of his own composition , ivhich were received with the greatest applause by the brethren . " As a specimen of the . Kilmarnock muse a hundred years ago , we may give a few lines from one of the songs :
" From the Grand Lodge cf Scotland our charter we claimed , Our lodge is St . Marnock , which high shall be famed —• The town has our wishes in commerce to thrive—May trade , with good order , be still kept alive . Let their morals be chaste without cunning or art , As pure their religion , so pure be their heart . " Butas the poet has it" all that ' s briht must fade" and St .
, , g , Marnock ' s Lodge , for a time at least , became somewhat dormant . From 1784 till 1807 few meetings were held . In the last-mentioned year the Kilmarnock Academy was iu the course of being built , and many gentlemen wishing tbe foundation-stone laid with Masonic honours , the brethren conceived it a good opportunity for again reviving the lodge , which was done under favourable auspices . Bro . Parker—tiie late Major Parker of
Assloss , and then chief magistrate—laid the foundation-stone with great solemnity in presence of the other civic authorities , several Masonic bodies , the volunteers , & c . The last meeting recorded in the old books of St . Marnock ' s was held in January , 1818 . Perhaps the political excitement which prevailed about that time in the district was the cause of the meetings being discontinued . Bro . Frazer then proceeded : —I have little more to add to the remarks so ably penned by our esteemed brother .
But this much 1 may say—1 am sure you will be glad to learn that the prosperity ot Lodge St . Marnock , since its reponal in February , 1867 , has been neither fast nor slow , but steady and progressive . We have since our resuscitation " initiated" 31 members , and done what we could for tho advancement of Masonry as an ancient heirloom and a pleasing science . In looking over the minutes and other documents iu connection with the oriinal lodgeI find that very many military gentlemen
g , were admitted to the "light" iu front of the altar dedicated to the put . i-.-U saint of Kilmarnock . Officers of cavalry and foot appear in almost every minute , seeking for and obtaining admittance into our sublime mystical science . Of the names of the honoured dead , hut one , so far as known to us , still livesa hale , active octogeuerian . I refer to the Rev . Robert Hawthorne , Stapleford Lodge , Cambridge ; and in respect of the
kindness shown by him to us , at our reponal we have elected him honorary Chaplain to Lodge St . Marnock for life . I trust , and I have your good wishes for the same , that the venerable gentleman may have a few years yet to spend on earth , and we hearing occasionally of his welfare . One hundred years have come and gone since the Grand Lodge of Scotland gave to St . Marnock a charter whereby to work iu that light which sheds a lustre of brightness on all—be he king or cottar—who vows to
uphold its time-honoured mysteries . I have now done . When another centenary cycle has passed and gone , perhaps one holding the same office I do now may speak of this brilliant assemblage , and many happy meetings of Lodge St . Marnock , as recorded in our sederunt book . I know you here this evening wish us every success . We are thankful for all this , and desire to here express—prosperity , good-will , and happiness to one , to all . The acting Grand Master next proposed " The Lod St
ge . Marnock , " coupled with the name of its Master , Bro . Shaw ; and , in . the giving of this toast , also , brevity seemed to be the order of the day . After a humorous allusion to the history of St . Marnock , and a remark or two complimentary to the spirit and commercial enterprise of the people of Kilmarnock , Bro . Inglis expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the Grand Lodge had dealt with the application for the restoration
of the Lodge St . Marnock . He advised those who had hitherto viewed with jealousy the honourable position that had been given to No . 109 , now to welcome the revivication of the longdormant St . Marnock Lodge , and to give to the neutral world an exemplification of brotherly love and forbearance , by which , in their intercourse with each other , Freemasons ought to be actuated . Before resuming his seat , Bro . Inglis said that of all
the provincial Masonic meetings it had been his privilege to attend , he could not remember any that could come up to the centenary celebration of Lodge St . Marnock for the marked order and fraternal feeling that had been displayed in every department of the festal arrangements . Bro . Shaw , after thanking Bro . Inglis and the brethren on behalf of the lodge over which he had the honour to preside ,
proceeded to say ; Masonry is a science confined to no particular country , but extends over the terrestrial globe ; hence the benefits which our Order confers on all who leave their native land and go amongst strangers , for even there , wherever it may be , they are sure to find a brother's welcome and a brother ' s assistance . Added to this , the Fraternity have secret and invisible signs preserved amongst them , which
constitute an almost universal language , by which men of all lands , and of different , can hold fellowship and exchange mutual acts of brotherly kindness and simplicity . As Masonry ia confessedly a universal institution you find men of all opinions
and sects amongst its members , and any- candidate who will subscribe to the existence of a God can claim admittance into our Order , aud initiation into its mysteries , whether he be a Jew or Christian , a Mahomedan or Hindoo . Hieroglyphics are emblems of divine , sacred , or supernatural things , and as such are most invaluable amongst -Masons . The Egyptians cultivated the knowledge of them because they were the repositories of their learning and historyand they even also
, applied for the purpose of preserving the secrets of their religion . For the same purpose , Freemasons have adopted their use , so that the mysteries of the Order may be kept secret from the uninitiated . They are our light shining in darkness , aud the darkness comprehending it not . Our Order is very wisely instituted for all ranks aud degrees of man , and every brother , no matter what his station or degree , may employ his abilities
in the lodge , and class with his equal . Actuated by the true principles of our Order , no disquietude is found amongst our gatherings ; when met in general convention one plan regulates the whole , neither annoyance nor presumption appears on the one band , nor strife or insubordination on the other ; but every brother tries lo excel his neighbour iu promoting that endearing happiness which constitutes the very essence of civil
societyeach emulates the other as to who can best work and best agree . Many charges have been from time to time brought against the Craft , which I am proud to say are not now often urged b y our opponents . The charge of intemperance and excess at our lodge meetings at one time was , and even yet it is brought against us , and we must admit that anyone acquainted with the past history of the Craft must have found that we were not without blame in bygone days on this account . The days
I refer to were those in which the hon cii-ctl was the only popular character in general society , and Freemasonry could not escape the general contagion , which affected all classes and conditions of men , and penetrated the most private recesses of even royalty itself . We even find in the " ancient constitution " a law which directed the Steward to provide good cheer against the hour of refreshment , and to call on each fellow to
pay his share of the reckoning . Iu compliance with this ancient regulation it was the general practice to call the lodge from labour to refreshment on the very slightest pretence , and a bumper was charged and pledged to some important toast ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
Patrick Clark , of Holmes , who was Grand Master in 17 S 3 . Among the old papers of the lodge are a number of applications from individuals wishing to become members . Some of these are not a little curious . They show at least the social spirit with which the brethren were actuated in the good old time , and the anxiety which prevailed among the gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood to get enrolled as members of tbe lodge ; for example Baillie David Hunter is
represented as possessing " a love of mankind and attachment to his glass with sociable companions . " Regarding Wm . Paterson of Muirhouse , it is said— "Virtue , genius , and manly spirit , aud many other amiable accomplishments recommend tbe petitioner to the benign favour of St . Marnock Lodge ; " and of Robert Gilchrist of Maryland , merchant , and a brother of Kilmarnock Kilwinning , it is said— "If an honest heart , a sound
bottom , a genius sublime and eccentric , and an extensive knowledge of the mysteries of Masonry , united in a single man , can ¦ qualify him as a brother of St . Marnock , Bro . Gilchrist cannot , in justice to his merits , be denied that honour . " Other recommendations of a similar kind might be given , but these just quoted are sufficient to afford an idea of the spirit and enthusiasm which prevailed among "the merry Masons" in the good
• old times . In 1775 , the lodge held a grand ball or dance , at which about eighteen ladies attended , and . afterwards supped with the brethren . "St . Marnock , " says the minute , " presided and inspired all the company with harmony and mirth , and happiness crowned the evening and morning of a new day . " At the consecration of the St . Marnock Lodge , the Grand Master " delivered" to use the words of the minute" a very
, , learned and elegant discourse on tbe antiquity , design , and beauties of Masonry , and favoured the lodge with two inimitable songs of his own composition , ivhich were received with the greatest applause by the brethren . " As a specimen of the . Kilmarnock muse a hundred years ago , we may give a few lines from one of the songs :
" From the Grand Lodge cf Scotland our charter we claimed , Our lodge is St . Marnock , which high shall be famed —• The town has our wishes in commerce to thrive—May trade , with good order , be still kept alive . Let their morals be chaste without cunning or art , As pure their religion , so pure be their heart . " Butas the poet has it" all that ' s briht must fade" and St .
, , g , Marnock ' s Lodge , for a time at least , became somewhat dormant . From 1784 till 1807 few meetings were held . In the last-mentioned year the Kilmarnock Academy was iu the course of being built , and many gentlemen wishing tbe foundation-stone laid with Masonic honours , the brethren conceived it a good opportunity for again reviving the lodge , which was done under favourable auspices . Bro . Parker—tiie late Major Parker of
Assloss , and then chief magistrate—laid the foundation-stone with great solemnity in presence of the other civic authorities , several Masonic bodies , the volunteers , & c . The last meeting recorded in the old books of St . Marnock ' s was held in January , 1818 . Perhaps the political excitement which prevailed about that time in the district was the cause of the meetings being discontinued . Bro . Frazer then proceeded : —I have little more to add to the remarks so ably penned by our esteemed brother .
But this much 1 may say—1 am sure you will be glad to learn that the prosperity ot Lodge St . Marnock , since its reponal in February , 1867 , has been neither fast nor slow , but steady and progressive . We have since our resuscitation " initiated" 31 members , and done what we could for tho advancement of Masonry as an ancient heirloom and a pleasing science . In looking over the minutes and other documents iu connection with the oriinal lodgeI find that very many military gentlemen
g , were admitted to the "light" iu front of the altar dedicated to the put . i-.-U saint of Kilmarnock . Officers of cavalry and foot appear in almost every minute , seeking for and obtaining admittance into our sublime mystical science . Of the names of the honoured dead , hut one , so far as known to us , still livesa hale , active octogeuerian . I refer to the Rev . Robert Hawthorne , Stapleford Lodge , Cambridge ; and in respect of the
kindness shown by him to us , at our reponal we have elected him honorary Chaplain to Lodge St . Marnock for life . I trust , and I have your good wishes for the same , that the venerable gentleman may have a few years yet to spend on earth , and we hearing occasionally of his welfare . One hundred years have come and gone since the Grand Lodge of Scotland gave to St . Marnock a charter whereby to work iu that light which sheds a lustre of brightness on all—be he king or cottar—who vows to
uphold its time-honoured mysteries . I have now done . When another centenary cycle has passed and gone , perhaps one holding the same office I do now may speak of this brilliant assemblage , and many happy meetings of Lodge St . Marnock , as recorded in our sederunt book . I know you here this evening wish us every success . We are thankful for all this , and desire to here express—prosperity , good-will , and happiness to one , to all . The acting Grand Master next proposed " The Lod St
ge . Marnock , " coupled with the name of its Master , Bro . Shaw ; and , in . the giving of this toast , also , brevity seemed to be the order of the day . After a humorous allusion to the history of St . Marnock , and a remark or two complimentary to the spirit and commercial enterprise of the people of Kilmarnock , Bro . Inglis expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the Grand Lodge had dealt with the application for the restoration
of the Lodge St . Marnock . He advised those who had hitherto viewed with jealousy the honourable position that had been given to No . 109 , now to welcome the revivication of the longdormant St . Marnock Lodge , and to give to the neutral world an exemplification of brotherly love and forbearance , by which , in their intercourse with each other , Freemasons ought to be actuated . Before resuming his seat , Bro . Inglis said that of all
the provincial Masonic meetings it had been his privilege to attend , he could not remember any that could come up to the centenary celebration of Lodge St . Marnock for the marked order and fraternal feeling that had been displayed in every department of the festal arrangements . Bro . Shaw , after thanking Bro . Inglis and the brethren on behalf of the lodge over which he had the honour to preside ,
proceeded to say ; Masonry is a science confined to no particular country , but extends over the terrestrial globe ; hence the benefits which our Order confers on all who leave their native land and go amongst strangers , for even there , wherever it may be , they are sure to find a brother's welcome and a brother ' s assistance . Added to this , the Fraternity have secret and invisible signs preserved amongst them , which
constitute an almost universal language , by which men of all lands , and of different , can hold fellowship and exchange mutual acts of brotherly kindness and simplicity . As Masonry ia confessedly a universal institution you find men of all opinions
and sects amongst its members , and any- candidate who will subscribe to the existence of a God can claim admittance into our Order , aud initiation into its mysteries , whether he be a Jew or Christian , a Mahomedan or Hindoo . Hieroglyphics are emblems of divine , sacred , or supernatural things , and as such are most invaluable amongst -Masons . The Egyptians cultivated the knowledge of them because they were the repositories of their learning and historyand they even also
, applied for the purpose of preserving the secrets of their religion . For the same purpose , Freemasons have adopted their use , so that the mysteries of the Order may be kept secret from the uninitiated . They are our light shining in darkness , aud the darkness comprehending it not . Our Order is very wisely instituted for all ranks aud degrees of man , and every brother , no matter what his station or degree , may employ his abilities
in the lodge , and class with his equal . Actuated by the true principles of our Order , no disquietude is found amongst our gatherings ; when met in general convention one plan regulates the whole , neither annoyance nor presumption appears on the one band , nor strife or insubordination on the other ; but every brother tries lo excel his neighbour iu promoting that endearing happiness which constitutes the very essence of civil
societyeach emulates the other as to who can best work and best agree . Many charges have been from time to time brought against the Craft , which I am proud to say are not now often urged b y our opponents . The charge of intemperance and excess at our lodge meetings at one time was , and even yet it is brought against us , and we must admit that anyone acquainted with the past history of the Craft must have found that we were not without blame in bygone days on this account . The days
I refer to were those in which the hon cii-ctl was the only popular character in general society , and Freemasonry could not escape the general contagion , which affected all classes and conditions of men , and penetrated the most private recesses of even royalty itself . We even find in the " ancient constitution " a law which directed the Steward to provide good cheer against the hour of refreshment , and to call on each fellow to
pay his share of the reckoning . Iu compliance with this ancient regulation it was the general practice to call the lodge from labour to refreshment on the very slightest pretence , and a bumper was charged and pledged to some important toast ;