^l^R ■■:,■: ,/lf, 'Ai^lVt-'t Qfarttell Hmtteraitg ffiihrarg Jlttfara, Ntta f nrfe FROM THE BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY COLLECTED BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-I9I9 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library HS598.D88 S14 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinnin 3 1924 030 291 763 oiin.anx Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030291763 HISTORY OF LODGE ST. MICHAEL'S KILWINNING, No. 63, DUMFRIES. Lodge Jewels. (Page US). HISTORY OF LODGE ST. MICHAEL'S KILWINNING, No. 63 DUMFRIES. JAMES SMITH, P.M., PROV. Q Treasurer, Dumfriesshire; Hon Member s3, i4o, zas, Slc. author of 'History op The Old Lodge op Dumfries," "History of Operative LoDflE, Dumfries, No. 140," &c., &c DUMFRIES: J. MAXWELL & SON, 97 AND 99 HIGH STREET, 1895. " ^bsixnds anb ^xid ^hvonichs" arc JfraternaUg Peiiratili tfl ^h£ Sight moxzhiptni Jttasttr, SEaritn©, ani brethren, of Eolige §t. Jttichaci'si ^iltoinning, £Lo. 63, "SCkB Author. PREFACE. In 1888, I prepared and read to the Members a brief Sketch of the Transactions of St. Michael's Lodge, the ,£r,eater uart of which appe ared in the colu mns of the__ The Profits of this book are to be devoted to the Lodge "Hall Fund." I have to expfe'ss my best acknowledgments to^ Jtsro. D. Murray Lyon, the Grand Secretary, for the kind assistance he has given from time to time in the verifi- cation of facts and incidents noted in these pages. JAMES SMITH. Dumfries, sSth March, rSgj. PREFACE. In 1888, I prepared and read to the Members a brief Sketch of the Transactions of St. Michael's Lodge, the greater part of which appeared in the columns of the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald at the time of the Centenary of the Reponement Celebrations, in 1889. Since then it has often been suggested that I should elaborate my former essay, and publish a more perma- nent record of the Lodge's history, and I feel highly privileged in now being permitted to accede to this desire. I have to express my best acknowledgments to Bro. D. Murray Lyon, the Grand Secretary, for the kind assistance he has given from time to time in the verifi- cation of facts and incidents noted in these pages. JAMES SMITH. Dumfries, 28th March, iSgs- I IT x> 3EI x:, Page. Frontispiece Dedication .......... iii. Preface ... . v. Charter ■ . xiii. Act of Parliament 13 Aprons and Clothing . 28-36 Burns's MSS. . 24 Balls ... ... . . 24-29-36 Bursary 35 Bibles ■ ■ 73 Clandestine Lodges ........ 6-14 Cotton Famine 31 Centenary of Reponal ... . . .36 Do. Thistle Lodge 30 Consecration of Hall ........ 53 Church Service .......... 17 Description of Lodge Hall ....... 65 English Lodges ......... 30 Emiment Members ........ 74 Fees .... 19 Founders . ....... 2 Fines . . 11 Findal's History . . 33 Furnishings 67 Foundation Stones — New Court-House ........ 13 Burns's Mausoleum . . . . . . . .16 Lochmaben Church . . . . . . 17 Waterloo Monument . . . . . . . ■ '9 Shillahill Bridge 22 Monument to Sir J. Malcolm ...... 22 Do. Sir P. Malcolm 27 ■viii Index. Page. St. Mary's Church ... . .23 Lockerbie Railway Station . 28 Martinton Railway Bridge . . . 28 Cample Railway Bridge 29-30 Mechanics' Hall 3° Greyfriars' Church ........ 32 Glasgow Fost Office . . . ■ • • 34 Freemasons' Hall, Dumfries . . . • • 37 Moffat Parish Church ... . . 67 Annan School ........ 67 Dumfries Post Office ...... 67 Langholm Freemasons' Hall 67 Honorary Members .... . . 17-18 Horticultural Society ........ 31 Installed Masters .... .... 33 Jewels . . ... 11-36-68 Joint Lodge 17 List of Principal Office-Bearers ...... 100 Lodge Banner ......... 28 Lodge of Instruction 31 Lodge Hall .... . . . 34-35-36 Lodge Seal .......... 34 Lodge Jewels 11-36-68 Lodges referred to — Abercrombie, No. 531, Bridge of Allan .... 54 Annan Royal Arch ... . . 17 Caledonian, No. 238, Annan . .... 21-39 Canongate Kilwinning, No. 2 . . . • . 2-5-70 Dumfries Kilwinning, No. 53 (The Old Lodge) 1-12-20-35-38-68 Eskdale Kilwinning, No. 107, Langholm . . . .67 Granite Union, No. 480, Dalbeattie .... 39-51 Hamilton Kilwinning, No. 7 . . . -38 Hartfell, No. 728, Moffat . ■ -39 Journeymen, Dumfries ....... 3-6 Kilwinning, No. o, Kilwinning 69 Navigation, No. 86, Troon . . . . . .71 Index. ix. Page. Operative, No. 140, Dumfries .... 1-30-39-69 Quhytewoollen, No. 258, Loclcerbie ... . 22-85 Scone and Perth, No. 3 38 St. Giles', Edinburgh . . . . 2 St. James', No. 135, Tarbolton 72 St. David's, No. 36, Tarbolton . . . . 2 St. Andrew's, No. 149, Irvine . . . 24 St. Andrews, No. 79, Annan . 17 St. John, No. Ill, Hawick . . ... 39 St. Pauls, No. 139, Moniaive . 5-17 St. Andrew, No. 179, Dumfries .... i St. Peters, No. 234, Mouswald . . . .16-31 St. Ruth's, No. 255, Ruthwell . . .17 St. John, No. 252, Thornhill 26-39 St. Magdalene, No. 100, Lochmaben . . . 17-26-38 St. John, No. 162, Newabbey . . ... 31 Thistle, No. 62, Dumfries . 1-6-10-30-35-38-68 Union, No. 204, Dumfries . 1-17-18 Weavers' Bridge End Lodge ...... 6 Master Mason .... . . 13 Minute Book, No. 2 . . . . ... 27 Mallet Presented . .... 33 Mother Kilwinning Jewel . . .69 Objections to Reponal ... ... 12 Ode . ... . . .51 Petition for Reponal .... 4 Provincial Grand Master . 2-5-1 1-25 Provincial Grand Lodge . . . 14-21-28-31-37 Proxy Master . . 14-21-81 Past Master Jewel Presented 52 Presentation to Tyler . . . 34 Picture of Hall 66 Do. Jewels . 70-71-72 Regulations . ... . . 7 Roll of Members . . 88 .Snuff Box ...... 20 Index. Sabre Presented Titular Saint Theatre .... Thistle, No. 62, Centenary Troon Lodge Jewels . Persons referred to — Armstrong, John Armstrong, Provost Athole, Duke of Adair, John Anderson, Thos. B. Burns, Robert Burns, Robert, Jr. . Buccleuch, Duke of Brander, A. L. Babington, John Browne, W. A. F. B. Bell, Robert Brown, Wm. . Broun, Sir Wm. , Bart. Baird, Chas. Carson, Wm. Crosbie, Andrew Clarke, Sam., Jr. Colquhoun, D. Coupland, J. G. Campbell, Sir Arch., Bart. Dalkeith, Earl of Duncan, Henry, D.D. Dinwiddle, Robert Dykes, Thomas Dinwiddle, W. A. Dinwiddle, L. M. . Dods, J. W. Davidson, John Douglas, A. Johnstone 5-6 36 36 Page. ■ 24 17-21 26-28 30 71-72 5-6 !-25-77 32 . 68 81 •30-33 24 • 13 ■73-81 ■27-29 31 27-79 33-80 . 80 82 • 77 2-84 • 4-S 27 ■46-52 61 • 14 14 80 31 80-86 ■S3-80 S3-8S 33 . 85 Index. xi. Page^ Fergusson, Alex. ........ 4-S"'° • Fairley, Wm 80 ■ Grade, J. Fraser 24-77 Glover, J. J 35-46 Gordon, Wm. 75 Gordon, Henry ......... 86 Hay, Wm 2 Hall, W. E 54- Ilyslop, Edward 4-5-6-74 Halliday, James . . . . . . . . .4 Hughan, W. J 70- Harkness, Thomas ........ 76 Haddington, Lord 61 Inglis, Henry ........ 32-84 Junner, James ......... 54 Jones, John ....... .81 Kerr, Major SI Kerr, John ......... 82 Leven, Earl of .... . . . 2 Lewars, John ........ 4-5-6-74- Lyon, D. Murray 33-69-72 Lennox, James ....... 36-53-73 Lennox, John ......... 40 Locke, Robert ......... 82 Maxwell, Robert 2 Muirhead, Wm. .... . . . fr M'Lellan, R. D 82 Mackenzie, Simon . . . . . 10- Macara, John ...... .83 M'Diarmid, John 22-76- Marshall, J. G -53 Mackechnie, John ..... .68- Mitchell, Donald . 33-80- Maitland, Lauderdale 33-84 Martin, Wm. 82 Marshall, Wm 86 Index. Page. Newall, John ....-••■• 2 Neilson, Richard . . • • - ■ • . ■ 2 Orr, Alex. ....... ■ 2 Phyn, C. S 36-51-59 Primrose, John 53-^4 Pike, James Lee 79 Primrose, Peter .... ... 83 Rosslyn, Lord ......... 33 Robson, John .... ... 36-5°-53 Rennie, James 33-^1 Ramsay, Rev. D. Ogilvy 62 Sharpe, Charles ....... 14 Syme, John 2-3 Spalding, James ...... 4-5-6-74 Spalding, Robert . ..... 83 Shortridge, Saml. ..... . 4-S-6-7S Simpson, Alex. . 83 Stewart, John . . ... 30-31 Smith, James 36-42-53 Scott, W. Irvine ... ... 36-53 Shearer, David ... ... 34-84 Sloan, James ....... 79 Sharpe, Robert ........ 81 Smith, T. F 83 Sanders, Chas. ... 84 Thomson, Wm. . .... 76 Threshie, Robert . ... 22-76 Thomson, George . . ... 36-54 Thomson, Alex. ...... .83 Victoria, Princess ........ 22 Villers, F. K 37-40-54-65-85 Wallace, John ..... ... 3 Welsh, John 10 Watson, Thomas 33 Ghaiftep of St. |VIichael's Lodge. (Tf'O all anb SUUbri? to whose knowledge these ^"^ presents shall come Greeting, — Whereas, upon a peti- tion to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Scotland, by John Newal, Younger of Barskeoch, Esquire, William Hay, of Craufordtoun, Esquire, Robert Maxwell, Esquire, John Syme and Alexander Orr, Writers to the Signet, Andrew Crosbie and Richard Nielson, all Members of the Lodges of Cannongate Kilwinning from Leith, and Edin- burgh St. Giles ; Praying, for the reasons therein set forth, to be disjoined from the said Lodges, and erected into a Regular Lodge under the Title and Designation of The Lodge of §i. (MfltC^aers C^ifSinntng at Dumfreis; The Grand Lodge in respect of t|ie consent of the Masters of the said Lodges of Cannongate Kilwinning from Leith, and Edinburgh St. Giles, indorsed upon the said petition, granted the desire thereof, and granted warrand for expeding the underwritten Patent of Constitu- tion and Erection under the seal of the Grand Lodge in favours of the Petitioners for that effect. Know ye therefore that the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Scotland and xiv. Charter of St. Michael's Lodge. the Grand Lodge aforesaid have disjoined the Worshipfull brethren above named from the said Lodges of Cannongate Xilwinning from Leith, and Edinburgh St. Giles, to the eifect after-mentioned allenarly, and have erected, con- stituted, and appointed, and hereby erect, constitute, and appoint them and their successors in all time •coming to be a true and regular Lodge of Free and accepted Masons, under the title and designation of the Lodge of ^f, ^ic^fxtVz (IttfJStnntng at Dumfries ; and appoint and ordain all regular Lodges to hold, own, and respect them as such, hereby giving, grant- ing, and committing to the brethren aforesaid and their successors full power and authority to meet, assemble, and •conveen as a regular Lodge, and to admit and receive Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, and raise Master Masons upon payment of such compositions for the support of their Lodge as they shall see convenient, and to elect and chuse Masters, Wardens, and other Officers annually, or other- wise as they shall have occasion. Recommending to the brethren aforesaid to reverence and obey their superiors in all things lawful and honest, as becomes the honour and liarmony of Masonry. The said brethren, by accepting of this present Charter, becoming faithfully bound and engaged not to desert their said Lodge so constituted, nor upon any pretext whatsoever Charter of St. Michael's Lodge. xv. to make any separate or schismatical meetings without the consent of their Master and Wardens for the time, nor to collect money or funds separate from the common stock of their Lodge, to the prejudice of the poor thereof. They and their successors in all time coming being also obliged to obey and pay due regard to all the Acts, Statutes, and Regulations of the Grand Lodge already made or here- after to be made for the utility, welfare, and prosperity of Masonry in general, and to pay and perform whatever is stipulated or demanded of them for the support of the dignity of the Grand Lodge, and to record in their Books, which they are hereby appointed to keep, this present Char- ter of Constitution and Erection, with their own Regulations and Bye-Laws, and their whole proceedings from time to time as they shall occur, to the end the same may be the more readily seen and observed by their brethren, subject always to the review of the Grand Lodge. And also the brethren aforesaid and their successors, are hereby required punc- tually to attend the whole General Meetings and Quarterly Communications of the Grand Lodge by their representa- tives, being their Master and Wardens for the time, or by lawful proxys in their names, providing the said proxys be Master Masons or Fellow Crafts of some established Lodge owning the Grand Lodge, to the end they may act and vote in the Grand Lodge, and be duely certiorate of the pro- xvi. Charter of St. Michael's Lodge. ceedings thereof, declaring their precedency in the Grand Lodge to commence from the date hereof. And to the effect these presents may be the more effec- tually kept and preserved, the same are hereby appointed to be recorded in the Books of the Grand Lodge. Given at the Grand Lodge at Edinburgh the ninth day of Aprile, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-five, by the Honourable and Most Wor- shipful James, Master of Forbes, Grand Master of Scotland, David Dalrymple, Esquire, Deputy Grand Master, George Eraser, Substitute Grand Master, John Lumsd^in and Alex- ander Cunninghame, Esquires, Grand Wardens ; and the seal of the Grand Lodge appended hereunto. Witnessing to these presents, Alexander M'Dougall, Grand Secretary, and James Alison, Grand Clerk. JAS. EORBES, G.M. JOHN LUMSDAIN, S.G.W. ALEX. CUNNINGHAM, J.G.W. ALEX. DOUGALL, G. Secy. Apud Edinburgum, ix™°- Aprilig, 1755. — Recorded in the Books of the Grand Lodge, and the seal appended hereunto by me. Clerk and Keeper of the Records, yr. of. JAMES ALISON, G. Clerk. HISTORY OF LODGE ST. MICHAEL'S KlLWINNma No. 68. THE Ancient Royal Burgh of Dumfries may well be called a veritable home of Freemasonry, for, without reckoning irregular bodies which are known to have existed, we have authentic knowledge of the erection and working of six Lodges, from the traditional time when "The Old Lodge of Dumfries " was first convened, to the present day. The list consists of: — Charter granted. "No. S3, Dumfries Kilwinning, gave in ad- hesion and joined Grand Lodge, 7th Feb., 1750. No. 62, Dumfries Thistle, loth Dec, 1754. No. 63, St. Michael's Kilwinning, 9th April, 1755, No. 140, Operative, Dumfries, - 5th Feb., 1776. No. 179, St. Andrew, Dumfries, nth Oct., 1774. No. 204, Union, Dumfries, 4th Aug., 1783, The first four still continue with us. As will be noted, the Charter of St. Michaers Lodge states that the petition had " reasons therein set forth " why the Grand Lodge should issue their Warrant, — but whatever these were, will hardly now be known. The Founders were men of social eminence, and evidently wished to meet under the banner of the Craft> when they became resident in Dumfries and vicinity. 2 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. Of the Founders, John Newall, yr., of Barskeoch ; WiUiam Hay, of Crawfordton, W.S. ; and Robert Max- well of Glenshinoch (on the recommedation of the R.W.M., Bro. James Ewart) ; and Richard Neilson, linen manu- facturer, Canongate (on the recommendation of Bro. John Orr) ; were admitted members of Canongate Kilwinning Lodge from Leith, on 27th February, 1755 ; and Bros. Alexander Orr, W.S., and Andrew Crosbie, from St. Giles Lodge were present on that occasion. John Syme was made a Master in the same Lodge, nth April, 1755. He was S.W. in the year 1758-9, when the Earl of Leven was Master of St. David's, and Grand Master of Scotland. The title, " The Canongate Kilwinning from Leith," was, in 1756, altered to St. David's, No. 36; and St. Giles Lodge, in 1779, amalgamated with Canongate Kil- winning, No. 2. It is evident that these brethren joined the Craft with the view of forming St. Michael's Lodge, for in the year of their initiation we iind them petitioning Grand Lodge for this purpose. Of the names here chronicled little or nothing is known. The only founder whose name is now well remembered being Bro. Andrew Crosbie, of Holme, a son of Provost Crosbie, who ruled the Burgh in 1738-40, who was the first Provincial Grand Master for the Southern District. Com- missioned in 1756, the Commission* speaks of "our Right Worshipful Bro. Andrew Crosbie, of whose zeal for the prosperity of Masonry we are well informed." Bro. Crosbie is perhaps better known as being the prototype of * " The History of the Old Lodge of Dumfries," page 27. History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 3 Pleydell, " the good scholar, . . excellent lawyer, and worthy man," the Advocate of Bertram in Sir Walter Scott's " Guy Mannering," in his day one of the greatest pleaders .at the Scottish Bar. John Syme, proprietor of Barncailzie, Kirkcudbright- shire, was the father of Robert Burns' intimate friend and .executor, John Syme, Ryedale. From M'Dowall's " History of Dumfries " we gather that Bros. Hay and Crosbie were heavy losers in the collapse of the Ayr Bank in 1772, in which they were implicated in ■common with many county proprietors and burgesses of the town. We cannot tell how long the newly formed Lodge kept together, but in the Journeyman Lodge (now Thistle, No. 62) minute book there is a reference to No. 63 on nth Januar)', 1759, when it is recorded that " Bro. John Wallace, visiting Brother from Dumfries St. Michael's Lodge,'' had attended. Any records that may have been in existence during the few years that followed the inception and granting of the Charter of Erection have been lost, and it is apparent that the brethren who reponed the Lodge only possessed the Warrant of Constitution when their petition, which follows, ■was presented to the Provincial Grand Master. The founders of the Lodge were, as we have noticed, men of considerable mark in their day, and it is to be re- gretted that we possess no chronicle of their Masonic work and social actions. The small coterie doubtless died out, .and with them, the light of No. 63 ceased burning for a. generation. 4 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. On nth November, 1789, the following petition was presented to Bro. Alexander Fergusson of Craigdarroch, Provincial Grand Master : — "To the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master for the Southern District of Masonry in Scotland. "The representations and petitions of Edward Hyslop and James Halliday, writers; Samuel Shortridge, surgeon; Samuel Clark, jr., writer ; and John Lewars, all in Dumfries, and others, ' ' Humbly sheweth, — "That the petitioners are all regular Masons and members of the Thistle Lodge of Dumfries ; that of late much confusion and disorder has prevailed in that Lodge ; and that they may enjoy themselves in that concord, harmony, and good fellowship that befit the character of Freemasons, they are induced to submit the following proposal to your Worship for your approbation and authority : — "In the year 1755 certain gentlemen in Dumfries and its vicinity obtained a Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland erecting them into a Lodge called the St. Michael's Kilwinning of Dumfries. This- Lodge in time came to be discontinued, and the Charter is at present in the possession of the petitioners, and they now produce it. " The petitioners are inclined, with the approbation of your Worship,^ to unite themselves into a Lodge, in virtue of the aforesaid Charter, under the denomination of the St. Michael's Kilwinning Lodge of Dum- fries, to be holden of the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; and alongst with that reverence and respect they owe the Grand Lodge, the petitioners declare themselves willing, and pledge themselves, that they will regu- larly pay for such as may hereafter become members of the said Lodge, and that they will in all points pay obedience to the orders and in- junctions of the Grand Lodge. " May it therefore please your Worship to consider the above repre- sentation ; and on finding what is above proposed lawful and expedient, to allow the petitioners to unite themselves into a Lodge in terms above stated, holding the same rank, order, and precedence as if the said St, History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 5. ^Michael's Lodge had not been discontinued, or on such other conditions as your Worship may direct. (Signed thus) " Edward Hyslop. Jas. Spalding. S. Clark, junr. John Armstrong. Jno. Lewars. Saml. Shortridge." The reply was as follows : — " Dumfries, nth Nov., 1789. " Having considered the petition and enquired into the circum- stances tlierein set forth, I hereby authorise the petitioners to meet as ■constituent members of the Lodge of St. Michael, and to assume such ■other brethren as they may think proper, at same time recommending it ^:o them to conduct the Lodge with that regularity and decorum which is so highly consistent with the rules of Masonry. "(Signed) Alex. Fergusson, P.G.M." Bro, Alexander Fergusson of Craigdarroch, as a Free- mason, was one of the most prominent and distinguished ■of his day. He was Senior Grand Warden in 1783; was ■elected Right Worshipful Master of Canongate Kilwinn- ing Lodge, No. 2, in 1784; and presided at the meeting ■of No. 2, on ist February, 1787, when Robert Burns was assumed a member of that notable Lodge. He was one of the guiding spirits of the Nithsdale St. Paul's Lodge, No. 139, Moniaive, erected 8th February, 1768, and pre- sided over its destinies in 1772-73-82-83-86. This Lodge ■enjoyed about a quarter of a century's existence. Bro. Fergusson was appointed Provincial Grand Master of the Southern District of Scotland in 1785, and held this onerous position until 1796. His name has been immortalised by Burns as the hero and winher of the famous whistle contest. " Craigdarroch, so famous for wit, worth, and law." G History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. In a book issued relative to the painting in Grand Lodge, representing Burns being received into No. 2, Bro. Fergusson is spoken of as being " a gentleman of superior attainments, and of amiable disposition." The Thistle Lodge, originally the Journeyman Lodge in Dumfries, "was first constituted on the 6th day of June, of the year of Masonry, 5753, and in the year of man's Redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1753." From the Journeyman records we glean that two members, who had been chosen as office-bearers, were turned off the roll, as having been guilty of entering, passing, and raising men clandestinely out of the Lodge, and it is quaintly stated, " so the said George Walker and Alex. M'Knaught, weavers, was the first rise of that clandestine Lodge, called now The Weavers, or Bridge End Lodge." It is to be deplored that the Thistle minute book of 1789 cannot be found. The brethren allowed little time to elapse after they had received the Provincial Grand Master's Certificate, for on 27th November, 1789, it is recorded : — ■ " In obedience and under the authority of the foregoing petition and deliverance of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master' thereon, convened the petitioners with other brethren assumed by them since the date of said deliverance ; and having, agreeable to the authority foresaid, resolved themselves into a Lodge, they proceeded- to the election of office-bearers, pro tempore, and made choice of — Edward Hyslop, Master. James Spalding, Senior Warden. John Lewars, Junior Warden. Saml. Clark, Secretary and Clerk. Saml. Shortridge, Cashier. John Armstrong, Senior Deacon. William Muirhead, Junior Deacon, History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 7 " The above members to continue in the several offices assigned to them until St. Andrew's Day first to come. The Lodge agreed that such brethren as should propose to become brethren of this Lodge, should, on or betwixt and St. Andrew's Day next, be assumed brethren in the same manner as the petitioners and the present members, but that after that day they shall be admitted in terms of the Regulations." The Regulations, carefully engrossed in the minute book, are nineteen in number. No. r gives power to the Master to call the meetings, and " if any brother shall be absent after being summoned personally or at his dwelHng house, shall be fined in three- pence, and if in office, fourpence," unless sufficient excuse was forthcoming ; also, " every brother must be properly cloathed under the penalty of twopence." No. 2 refers to the order of taking the chair in the Master's absence, which was, "Depute Master; in his absence, Senior Warden ; Junior Warden ; " and if all these were absent the brethren were to " chuse the most able and experienced brother present, . . . that business may not be neglected." No. 3 enjoined "due respect to those in office . . . strict attention to the rules of morality, friendship, and good manners." No. 4 laid down the rules for debate, such as "address- ing himself to the chair," not to " speak oftener than once upon the same subject," with a fine of twopence for offences. No. 5 warns the brethren against "aiding or assisting any brother or brothers to enter, pass, or raise any person or persons in a clandestine manner." No. 6 regulates admission to the Lodge. Candidates to be recommended by two or more brethren — and the dues 8 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. deposited — " . . . balloted for, and admitted if there are not five brethren against him in the course of balloting." No. 7 enacts penalties for appearing in the Lodge when intoxicated. No. 8 fixes the initiation fee at "twenty shillings ster- ling, besides one shilling to the Clerk, and sixpence to the Officer ; " anyone joining who has " received that benefit \i.e., initiation] before, he shall only pay five shillings, besides the Clerk's and Officer's fees." Nos. 9 and lo enforce payment of subscriptions, "and -that monthly ; and if it is not paid at the end of the year they shall pay double or be excluded." No. 1 1 refers to the election of office-bearers on St. Andrew's Day — and if anyone " shall refuse to serve or accept of such office, he shall pay two shillings and sixpence or be expelled." The Cashier was also required to find security for his intromissions. No. 12 placed the jewels, books, etc., under possession of the Master and Secretary, w^ho were required to place them in " the Lodge Box, there to be secured with two different locks and keys." No. 13 stated that "every member of our Society within the district of Masonry who shall be absent on the twenty- seventh day of December, being the anniversary of St. John, shall pay two shillings sterling ; but if he does not give a sufficient reason, and such to be known to one or more of the brethren to be true, such absentee shall forfeit three shillings, and such forfeiture shall be applied to defray the expense incurred that day." No. 14 allowed voting upon questions to be "by ballot, History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 9 rather than by the voices of the brethren," if three brethren request this to be done. No. 15 decreed that "if any member shall be expelled the Lodge for refusing to pay any penalty that may be in- flicted upon him he shall not be re-admitted without giving in a regular petition, . . . and paying such additional penalty as the Lodge shall think proper to inflict ; and every visiting brother shall be subject to the laws of the Lodge while the same is assembled." No. 16 taught firm allegiance to the member's mother Lodge ; for " no brother belonging to this Lodge can be initiated a brother of any other Lodge within this district •without forfeiting his title to be a member of this Lodge, but shall, ipso facto, be excluded from all rights, privileges, and immunities belonging thereto, and he shall not be received ss a visiting brother upon any occasion." No. 1 7 ordains " that secrecy, being one of the most essential points necessary to the holding and conducting the business of a Lodge, so it ought to be held most sacred, and if any member shall divulge any of the secrets of this Lodge, or business therein transacted, or, when out of the Lodge, affect to censure or turn into ridicule the conduct of any particular brother, he shall be fined. . . ." No. 18 shows that great care was exercised in the issue of Certificates of Membership, for it is prescribed " that any member who shall obtain a Certificate upon his representing that he is about to leave the country, if he fails so to do betwixt and the monthly meeting following the date of the Certificate, he shall, at said monthly meeting,'lodge the same in the chest until he leaves the country, and upon his return animo remanendi, he shall, against the monthly meeting after 10 History of Lodge St. MichaeVs Kilwinning. his return, lodge the Certificate in the chest until he find it necessary to again require the same, when it shall be re- turned without any exaction ; and on his refusing to comply with this he shall be denied association with the Lodge." No. 19 relates to keeping of the "accorapts," and ap- points a committee of three to superintend the same, and report each quarter the state of the funds from admissions and fines. The meetings having been commenced, are continued with much regularity. At the meeting on 19th December, 1789, " the Master produced -a letter from Alexander Fergusson, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of this District, enclosing a copy of the petition preferred to him by the brethren of this Lodge, and his warrant therefor, authoris- ing them to assemble, to which Mr Fergusson had added a second warrant to the same effect, and a Commission to Messrs John Welsh and Simon Mackenzie, or either of them, to take the oath de fideli of the office-bearers ap- pointed or to be appointed by the Lodge, . . . and the Master was requested to write to him after St. John's Day, informing him of the proceedings of the Lodge, and to return the thanks of the Lodge for his attention and kind- ness." The first matter of an unpleasant nature laid before the brethren was a letter from the Clerk of the Thistle Lodge to the Senior Warden of St. Michael's, who appears to have been R.W. Master of Thistle Lodge at the exodus, ask- ing him and the brethren "to give their reasons in writing for absenting themselves from the said Thistle Lodge, under the pain of extrusion." The Clerk was ordered to reply to the " different interrogations, which seem to be highly History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 11 absurd." This completed the disruption, and many years elapse ere the brethren of these two Lodges met in friendly relationship. The members, even in these circumstances, which must have been painful, did not forget creature com- forts, for the minute of same date records that " the Lodge agree to order dinner on St. John's Day, to be prepared for fourteen, the brethren to meet in the Lodge-room at three o'clock afternoon precisely." There was a deep feeling that there should be no laxity in the business, for on 4th Febru- ary, 1790, it was minuted that "it being further considered that the brethren did not attend at the hour to which they are warned with that punctuality they ought, it was resolved, and is hereby made a rule, that in all time hereafter any member failing to attend exactly at or before the hour . . . shall be fined in twopence for every such failure." A very wholesome rule, and worthy of modern attention ! A Lodge without jewels would be far from perfect, and in April, 1790, it was agreed that jewels be procured from Edinburgh at a cost of ;^5. Each brother present advanced los, and p^i was taken from the Lodge funds. These sums were duly returned to the brethren when the finances allowed. Only three members appeared, after summons, to the meeting of 27th December, 1790, and they, in a somewhat bad temper, censured the absent brethren, and "in virtue of the powers committed to them by the 13th Article of the Regulations," did " fine and amerciate each absentee in the sum of 3s." The result of this resolution will never be known, for the next meeting recorded did not take place until the following August, when the Provincial Grand Master attended, " and by orders of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, renovated this Lodge in common form." 12 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. But prior to that ceremony the P.G.M. received the following communication from the Dumfries Kilwinning Lodge : — "Old Lodge, Dumfries, i6th April, 1791. " Inconsequence of an advertisement in the Dumfries Journal iroxa the P.G. Master respecting the renovation of the St. Michael's Lodge of this place . . . the following resolutions were come to : — ■ " Primo. This Lodge considers the Call of a Provincial Master to be equivalent to the Call of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and therefore they intend to wait upon the Provincial Master on the day he has Appointed, and pay him the utmost respect in their power, and which his dignity as the representative of the Grand Lodge merits. " Secundo. They do not consider themselves entitled to direct the ■conduct and measures of P.G. Master; but, with respect to the renovation of the St. Michael's Lodge, they humbly suggest, that if three brethren, originally Master Masons of the St. Michael's Lodge, shall appear, and as such can, consistently with the rules of Masonry, Constitute and open that Lodge, the Old Lodge of Dumfries will not only most certainly approve of, but they will solicit the P.G. Master to recognize, approve of, and if it is thought necessary, confirm and renovate the St. Michael's Lodge in its whole rights, privileges, and precedence. But, " Tertio. If three original Master Masons of the St. Michael's do not appear, the Old Lodge of Dumfries do, with the utmost deference and humility, testify their disapprobation of any such confirmation or renova- tion ; because, unless three Master Masons of the Lodge proposed to be renovated do exist, and are present at the time, that Lodge cannot "be opened or Constituted without infringing upon a certain part of the solemn oaths and engagements which all Masons come under at their .admission to the different dignities to which they are preferred. " Quarto. As several of the Lodges of Dumfries have waited upon the Old Lodge and expressed their desire to wait upon the P. G. Master on the evening previous to the meeting advertised, this Lodge agree to ■wait upon the P. G. Master and lay before him these resolutions. (Signed) ROBERT CROCKAT, Clk." History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 13 It is evident that the P.G.M. saw no good reason to upset his Certificate, granted in 1789. The minute of 22nd September, 1791, contains the first record of raising brethren to the supreme dignity of a Master Mason ; and the expenses incurred at the reponal of the Lodge, amounting to £^ 3s, were settled and paid at the meeting on 23rd September, 1791. Meetings continued to be held with regularity. That of ist December, 1794, was "shut with that harmony by which it has been always so eminently distinguished ;'' while a year latefj-^^we are informed that " the brethren met and celebrated the feast of St. John with that conviviality and harmony which distinguishes Masonry, and this Lodge in particular." Six years elapse, and the new century is entered upon with St. Michael's in a flourishing condition. In terms of the Act of Parliament, "the Master and Brother Gordon reported that they had, in terras of this Act, procured from the Justices a certificate of the regularity of the Lodge, to be sent to the Grand Lodge." As fines continued to be imposed on absentees the attendance on St. John's Day was generally large, whether from a desire to escape the fine or partake of a good dinner must be left an open question. On one of these festivals (1806) it is recorded that they " passed an evening of social pleasure, and parted like brothers." The following description of considerable Masonic and general interest is taken from the early pages of the Kelso Mail : — " Gkeat Masonic Demonstration at Dumfries, 1802. "His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, and the committee of sub- scribers, having appointed Monday, the 30th August, as the day for laying the foundation stone of the new Court House and Jail, Dumfries, 14 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwin?iing. the different Mason Lodges of the Southern District of Scotland, met, by direction of Charles Sharpe of Hoddom, Provincial Grand Master, at the new Assembly Rooms, at twelve o'clock noon, to the number of 330, when everything being properly arranged, the procession moved forward in the following order : — "A detachment of the Dumfriesshire Yeomanry Cavalry, com- manded by Captain M'Murdo ; the Magistrates of the town, preceded by their officers, with halberts ; the different Lodges of the district, two and two — the Junior Lodge in front ; the gentlemen subscribers and others attached to no particular Lodge ; the architect of the proposed building (Mr Thomas Boyd) ; the Tyler of the P.G. Lodge, with drawn sword ; the golden compass, square, plumb, and level, carried by operative masons ; the golden mallet, carried by an operative mason ; the cornucopia, filled with corn ; two silver cups, filled with wine and oil, carried by two operative masons ; the plate with the inscription to be deposited on the stone, carried by an operative mason ; the Rev. Mr H. Duncan, Provincial Grand Chaplain ; the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge, two and two ; the Provincial Grand Secretary and Treasurer ; the Provincial Grand Wardens with their batons ; the Right Hon. the Earl of Dalkeith, Grand Master of Scotland, supported on the right by the Provincial Grand Master, on the left by his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, acting as Substitute Grand Master ; a detach- ment of the Dumfriesshire Yeomanry Cavalry. " The procession having reached the place where the building is to be erected, the Grand Master proceeded to lay the foundation stone of this most useful edifice, with the utmost solemnity, the usual and necessary ceremonies on such occasions having been previously gone through." The Earl of Dalkeith here referred to became, in due time, the fourth Duke of Buccleuch. Though the Lodge records do not mention the above event, we may well suppose the members assisted at what must have been an imposing function. A clandestine meeting seems to have been held in June, 1807, at which a Proxy Master was elected, of which the History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 15 following notice appears under date 30th November, 1807, 16 members being present. After the election of ofiSce- bearers, " the meeting, considering the impropriety of clandestine meetings, of which there is an instance on the preceding page, on account of the minute thereof being so evidently incorrect as to bear that Brothers Clark and Glen were present at that meeting, who have in the presence of the Lodge this evening declared they were not ; besides, none of the brethren present were warned of that meeting, nor did it ever happen that the Lodge met upon that day as a. festival or otherwise ; and further, having taken into con- sideration that it was evident this improper and clandestine meeting had been so called for some political purpose entirely contrary to the spirit and harmony of the other members of this Lodge, they are of opinion that the persons concerned or accessory to this unwarrantable pro- cedure are highly reprehensible. Therefore, the brethren here present not only recall all procedure which took place on that occasion, but also the brethren concerned shall make ample apology to the satisfaction of the Lodge. They shall not be admitted of this Lodge in future." It would appear that some of the defaulting brethren were not of the Lodge of that date, having forfeited every privilege as members. There is a postscript to this minute which says, " considering the bad tendency of private or political meetings," (under the segis of the Lodge is evidently meant), "they now unanimously resolve that no meeting of the Lodge shall be held hereafter without an order from the R. W. M. at the time, or, in his absence, the next office-bearer, to the tyler to warn the resident members, and every meeting held otherwise shall be considered illegal 16 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. and not authorised by the Lodge ; and in future it is recom- mended that the Secretary for the time being shall be custo- dier of the minute book. '' It is, however, very pleasant to read that a year later the matter was condoned, and it was resolved that " the proceedings alluded to in the minute of 30th November, 1807, had been entered into without any intention in the brethren present at the meeting of 24th June to infringe on the good order and harmony of the Lodge, or of masonry. Which being considered ... it was agreed that the minute of 30th November shall be recalled, which is done accordingly, by so far as refers to the barring of any brethren from meeting of the Lodge." Harmony once again reigns, and at the next meeting it is mentioned that the evening was spent with " the usual hilarity." Whether through carelessness on the part of the Secretary, or laxity on the part of the brethren, there is no account of any meetings between December, 1809, when they passed the evening " convivially and parted as usual," and December, 18 16, a period of seven years. Perhaps the serious and troublous character of these times, when the genius of Napoleon kept Europe in a state of terror, and when British blood was being shed on many a battlefield, the members of St. Michael's did not feel that these were times to enjoy the practice of the craft. Be that as it may, this is the longest interval between recorded meetings. The Courier of 6th June, 1815, mentions that the brethren of St. Michael's took part in the laying of the foundation stone of the Burns Mausoleum, from which it would be inferred that the Lodge was at least being kept together. The newspaper report of this interesting ceremony states that 400 Freemasons took part. Amongst the Lodges present were — St. Peter's (Mous- History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 17 wald), St. Ruth's (Ruthwell), Union (Dumfries), St. Paul's (Nithsdale), St. Andrew's (Annan), and the Royal Arch Chapter of Annan, all of which are now dormant. On 4th April, 1818, a letter was received from St. Magdalene Lodge (Lochmaben) asking for a deputation to assist at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Church there, and it was intimated that four or five would attend. It was agreed on the loth September, 18 18, that " this Lodge should for the time to come meet annually on 2gth September, being the anniversary of St. Michael, the titular saint of the Lodge," but as far as can be ascertained this resolution was very seldom carried out. An invitation to assist the P.G. Master in the Masonic ceremony of completing the bridge over the Sark, near Springfield, was declined with an expression of regret; but on the 25th December, the brethren met the Provincial Grand Lodge in the Court-House, and walked in procession there- from to St. Michael's Church, where they heard divine service, and returned to the Court-House also in procession. On the evening of the same day the P.G. Lodge and the other Lodges in the district met in the Trades' Hall and spent a joyous evening. A similar joint Lodge on St. John's Day has been held within recent years. During these years, brethren hailing from other Lodges had been admitted to the membership of St. Michael's. Many of these are recorded as having been entered as " honorary members." This term seems to have been even applied to all who desired afiiliation ; for on 30th November, 18 19, an honorary member said "he understood that doubts were entertained by some of the brethren whether he (and others) should be considered merely honorary members, or 2 18 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. fully initiated members, and as such entitled to all the privileges of the Lodge. The meeting are unanimously of opinion that these brethren are ordinary members of the Lodge." From a perusal of the list of members of the T,odge, which is given at the end of this volume, it is evident that many of the professional members had joined the craft in Edinburgh, — when in residence there, attend- ing the University, — and joined St. Michael's upon their setthng in Dumfries or neighbourhood. In this connection it will not be out of place to quote the following ruling of the Grand Lodge of Scotland upon this question, as late as May, 1892 : — "Honorary member- ship and honorary afifiliation are often used as synonymous terms, but this is incorrect. . . . Candidates for affiliation are subject to the ballot, and when admitted, their names require to be returned to Grand Lodge for registration. To admit affiliates without payment of an entrance fee is against the spirit of Rule 174 of the Constitution and Laws." The same ruling states, that "honorary membership carries no privilege beyond that of attending meetings." In 1 8 19, it is minuted that "the Lodge resolved that no proposal for admitting a member of another Lodge an honorary member of this Lodge, shall be made in the presence of the proposed member ; and when such proposal is made the consideration of the same shall be deferred until a future meeting, when the proposed member shall also be absent, and the sense of the meeting upon the pro- posal shall be taken by ballot." On the same date, it was moved " that Bro. James M 'Robert, of the Union Lodge, Dumfries, should be initiated a member of this Lodge. . ." He "was accordingly initiated, but under this reservation. History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 19 that if his mother Lodge, which is at present dormant, should at any future period renew their charter, he should then te entitled to withdraw his initiation from this Lodge, to attend to and obey the bye-laws of his mother Lodge." In the same year the fee for admission was fixed at ^2 2S, exclusive of the allowance to Clerk and Tyler. It is uncertain whether any of the brethren of the Lodge took part in the Masonic ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Waterloo Monument, near Newabbey, which event was performed with considerable impressiveness. A Junior Warden in one of these early years seems to have been of a choleric disposition, and was fined 2/6 for using an expression by no means polite. He refused to pay this, and without any reference to harmony the Lodge was closed. The Junior Warden, however, came to the next meeting with the half-crown and an apology, both of which were accepted. Unfortunately, the matter did not end here, for it was reported to the Lodge that the R.W.M. and the J.W. had been quarrelling, " had laid violent hands upon ■each other, and made use of such improper language to the total subversion of harmony and good order in the Lodge, had been guilty of conduct unbecoming of them as Masons, and particularly as office-bearers, highly derogatory to the dignity and character of the Lodge." The result of the deliberations was that both the R.W.M. and the J.W. were expelled. Whether from a feeling of kindness in the hearts of the brethren, even to those just excluded, or from use and wont, the phrase that " the Lodge was closed with great harmony " does appear somewhat grotesque. Much expla- nation and discussion ensued at the following meetings, as communications were received from these two brethren 20 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. praying for re-admission, and the memorial of the J.W, showed such deep contrition for his offence that he was re- admitted, and received a severe reprimand from the Master. Five years later this unpleasant episode was closed by the- re-admission of the erring Master. These brethren showed such praiseworthy attention to the duties of the Lodge that both were again permitted to hold high office. The Lodge was next exercised because the proceedings of a meeting had been reported to persons not members of the Lodge, which was considered to be " inconsistent with, the rules of Masonry." A committee of inquiry was formed,, and were in due time prepared to report the result of their investigations, but before doing so each brother present declared in presence of the Lodge that he had in no way reported any part of the "proceedings on the occasion referred to." The delivery of the report was postponed' until the other brethren who were on the sederunt of the meeting under investigation had made a similar avowal, and it is to be regretted that this report, so far as the minutes- show, was never tabled, and therefore we are unable tO' discover whether or not there was any truth in the alleged divulgence of the transactions of the Lodge to outsiders. Ever since the resuscitation of the Lodge the most friendly relations had been held with the Kilwinning Lodge, No. 53, (the Old Lodge of Dumfries); and on 1st February, 1821, Bro. Alexander of that Lodge was pleased to present " a; snuff-box of his own manufacture, and also another box with the ensigns of the craft painted upon the top of it by the brother himself, with which the Lodge felt highly gratified, and thanks were duly returned to Bro. Alexander for his- useful and elegant present." History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 21 As has been already noted, some meetings were held on •"the anniversary of the tutelary Saint of this Lodge," (29th September), and on one of these festivals it is recorded that " the brethren spent the evening in great harmony, and in such the meeting was closed." After the election of office-bearers in 1824, the Lodge ■was closed with " peculiar harmony," and a year later we are informed that the brethren spent "a happy evening, while the utmost decorum and harmony prevailed. The Lodge closed after having happily met, sorrowfully parted, and expecting more happily and numerously to meet again." An invitation from the Lodge Caledonian, Annan, to a procession, dinner, and ball to be held on 24th June, 1828, {St. John's day in Summer), was declined with regret, because " none of the members could have the felicity of joining in the celebration of the festival. " It appears that St. Michael's was in arrears with dues payable to Grand Lodge in 1829, and it would seem that these had been re- mitted to the Proxy Master, in Edinburgh, but he had not carried out his instructions, and it is minuted that " the meeting much regret that the Lodge should appear in the annual circular of the Grand Lodge to be so very far in arrears. " At this meeting a letter was read from the Grand Secretary, proposing the institution of " a charity school in Edinburgh for the moral and religious instruction of the children of indigent brethren. " The R. W. M. drew the attention of the Lodge to an item in the Grand Treasurer's financial statement of " By account paid to sundries, ^2'jq i2S 5d, " and he submitted, that until the details of this sum be explained the Lodge should not contribute to the scheme, although it was highly commendable, showing that if the 22 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. Grand Lodge had its eye on St. Michael's, that Lodge was no less interested in the doings of the Supreme Body. It is unfortunate that the sequel of this "Roland for an Oliver, " cannot be traced, so far as the records show. A number of brethren having expressed an opinion favourable to the acceptance of an invitation " from so respectable a Lodge as the Quhytewoollen of Lockerbie to be present at the laying of the foundation stone of the bridge about to be erected over the Annan at Shillahill," it was resolved to consider the proposal at the next meeting, but again there is no re- cord of the subject having been brought before the Lodge. All through the written records of the Lodge there is a tantalising absence of the result of resolutions, and the se- quence of interesting and instructive topics that are only mentioned in their initial stage. The Master elect in 1820 so misconducted himself — how, is not stated, and he was de- posed. He protested against the decision as illegal, but generously waived his right to the chair, so that harmony might be maintained. He regained the confidence of the brethren, and a few years later duly filled the position of R.W.M. It is recorded that on St. John's night, 1831, the Lodge, after "considerable conviviality, was closed." A deputation, consisting of Bros. John M'Diarmid of the Courier, Provost Armstrong, and Robert Threshie, attended the laying of the foundation stone of the monument to be erected near Langholm in memory of Sir John Malcolm, K.C.B., and we are informed that each of the brethren "received the necessary jewels, sashes, and aprons for their appearance at the ceremonial and appropriate to their respec- tive offices." On 24th May, 1837, "being the anniversary of the birth of the Princess Victoria, and the day on which she History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 23 comes of age," the foundation stone of the Third Church (now St. Mary's) was laid with Masonic honours. The brethren of St. Michael's " walked in the procession," and at a meeting held later, on the same day, (the Courier states that "after the ceremony the Lodges returned to their various ' howfs ' and spent the evening"), it was " suggested by Brother Forsyth that it would tend to the revival of the Order of Masonry, and would be the means also of promoting the good fellow- ship which always exists among the brethren, could it be possible for the various Lodges in Dumfries to meet in rotation once a month, or as often as might be agreed upon, in the respective Lodge Rooms of each Lodge.'' This sug- gestion was received " with the greatest approbation by the whole of the brethren." It " was understood that at such meetings the l,odge in whose room the brethren convened shall be the presiding Lodge." At several meetings which followed, members of Thistle and Kilwinning Lodges were present and mentioned in the sederunt. The minute of 30th November, 1837, shows that the affairs of the Lodge were in such a state that its very continuity was threatened. As the crisis was great, the minute is worth producing in full. " The St. Michael's Lodge, observing from public notice in the newspapers as well as from other sources that the Lodge is to be struck off the roll connected with the Grand Lodge of Scotland, earnestly recommend to the brethren who have enjoyed the harmony and brotherly love uniformly mani- fested among the brethren in times past, as well as those who look forward to such enjoyments for the time to come, to subscribe liberally towards payment of those arrears, and to encourage by their presence at the Lodge in future those younger aspirants to Masonic privileges and honours, who 24 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. may desire to enlist themselves in the enlightened, ancient, ■ and holy cause of Freemasonry." The Secretary was instructed to communicate this minute to members, and to call for subscriptions, and this appeal must have been responded to, for the meetings of the Lodge suffered no interruption. At the same meeting at which this urgent entreaty and request was made. Worshipful Past Master Gracie " presented the Lodge with a very handsome sabre and belt to be worn by the Tyler . . . and the Lodge expressed their thankful- ness, and begged to record their feelings that it is a donation which the Lodge does not merit at Bro. Grade's hands." This sabre is still in possession of the Lodge, and in use at meetings. The meeting of 21st March, 1838, must have been a merry one, for it is recorded that " the evening closed with extraordinary hilarity." The first mention of the name of Burns occurs in October, 1838, when Bro. Dick of St. Andrew's Lodge, Irvine, "exhibited several manuscripts of the poet, and amongst others the original of ' The Cottar's Saturday Night.' The Lodge was much delighted with the inspection thereof." In the sederunt of this date is the mention of " Bro. Burns of Dumfries Kilwinning Lodge," a son of the bard, and a year later it is stated that on St. John's Day " a deputation was received from the Dumfries Kilwinning Lodge, consisting of Bros. M'Kinnel and Burns — the latter the eldest son of the poet." Robert Burns here mentioned fillsd the ofiSce of R.W.M. of Dumfries Kil- winning, No. 53, in 1845. The next matter of public interest was the attendance of the brethren at a Masonic ball held on 15th February, 1839. The following account, taken from the pages of the Courier., shows that this social event passed off in a most successful manner : — History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 25 " A delightful Masonic ball was held in the new Assembly Rooms here on the evening of Friday last. Most of the company were punctual to the hour, eight o'clock, and during the brief space the ladies spent in the retiring rooms, the members of the different Lodges assembled uiDstairs and -arranged themselves according to the directions of their respective office- bearers. After a little delay the signal was given by Provost Armstrong, when the whole procession proceeded to the ball-room in Masonic order, and promenaded after the same fashion to the sound of music, which the craft claim as peculiarly their own. The dance kept up till 4 a.m. ; all " went merry as >• marriage bell," even the shadow of stiffness was completely in abeyance, and it appeared that the spirit of Masonry, like the game of curling, creates harmonious republics wherever it is felt, and levels for the time being all distinctions. The refreshments were at once ample and varied, the attendance good, and everything under the super- intendence of the P.G.M., John Babington, Esq., exactly as it should have been. Female beauty was conspicuous during the evening, and .although the ladies outnumbered the gentlemen, the deficiency was made up and more by the extraordinary attentions and exertions of the brotherhood. All departed pleased and impressed with the conviction that they had never attended a better ball, or a happier meeting to- gether. "They please — are pleased — they give to get .esteem And seeming blest, they grow to what they seem. '' This had evidently been a jovial period, for at a meeting held a month prior to the ball, it is chronicled that "the meeting was closed with the hilarity which brought to the recollections of some of the older members their younger days, and to the younger brethren the happy hours they may spend in the future meetings of the Lodge," and at the suc- ceeding meeting "the Lodge spent a very happy and glorious ■evening.'' At the meeting on nth February, 1839, the Secretary " intimated that he had requested the presence of the R.W. Provincial Grand Master on the occasion of the present 26 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. meeting, and that he had just received a message from Bro^ Babington intimating that he was then presiding over the Kilwinning Lodge, and would be very happy to meet the brethren of St. Michael's Lodge there,'' and in consequence^ of this desire a deputation of three brethren was appointed to wait on the P.G. Master. A deputation was sent to Lochmaben, under invitation from the St. Magdalene Lodge there, to assist at the laying, of the foundation stone of the new manse on 26th April, 1839, and as there was to be a procession, then a dinner,, and a ball, we may rest assured that the brethren had a good day's work. The laying of foundation stones was much more common in past days than now, and again the- brethren are asked by St. John's, Thornhill, to take part in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the splendid "new church" there, but after deliberation, "the Lodge- regretted that in consequence of the solemnity of the sacra- ment on Sabbath first, it is doubtful whether or not the Lodge can send a deputation." Three months later the finances did not permit the members accepting the kind invitation of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to attend the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the monument- in memory of Sir Walter Scott in Edinburgh, on isth August, 1840. Later in the same year it was agreed to- co-operate with the other Lodges in attending the Theatre, where Bro. Connor is playing. The attendance at the festi- val of St. John's in this year was so poor that those present caused the following minute to be written : — " The meeting regretted that no less than five of the brethren who had subscribed their names to the paper of those who intended to attend, did not honour the Lodge with their company,. History of Lodge St. MichaePs Kilwinning. 27" and that several of them had not even the civiHty to send any apology or excuse for their absence;" and it was further regretted "that an excellent dinner provided for the occasion must have been attended with considerable loss to the pro- vider.'' The Minute Book (No. 2), which now comes under our review, bears the following inscription on the first page : — " This book has been presented at a meeting of the brethren of St. Michael's Lodge, held on the evening of Monday, the- i6th August, 1841, to the Lodge, that it might contain a record of their proceedings in future times, sufficient to justify the high character for Masonic and social feeling which the past records exhibit, by Robert Bell, R.W. Mas- ter, and D. Colquhoun, Secretary." Once more the brethren send a deputation to Langholm to assist at the laying of the foundation stone of a monu- ment to the late Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm, by His Grace the Duke cf Buccleuch, on 20th August, 1841.* The- R.W M., at the meeting on i6th August, intimated that the P.G.M. (Bro. Babington) had informed him that " he was to superintend the ceremonies of the day, and that he would esteem it a favour if the brethren would assist him in dis- charging the duties of his important office.'' " The Lodge having considered this communication, and considering the high character which Sir Pulteney Malcolm, a native of this district, had attained as an officer, and in many other situ- ations in which his abilities were called into operation, and also the friendly disposition he had shewn in forwarding the views of young men connected with this district, approve- * This monument was in 1887 the subject of considerable litigation and popular- excitement in Langholm on its being removed to another site. "28 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. highly thereof, and request as many members as can attend to support the R.W. Provincial Grand Master upon that occasion." The Provincial Grand Lodge, with the brethren of other Lodges, including St. Michael's, attended the Theatre for the benefit performance of the lessee, Bro. Pritchard. "The Merchant of Venice" and a farce were performed. St. Michael's was evidently looking up, for the minute of St. John's Day, 1842, states that "the greatest harmony pervaded the meeting of each deputation with the principal Lodge." A year later three brethren were sent to pay the usual compliments of the Lodge to the members of the Thistle Lodge, " but on arrival at their usual place of meeting, at twenty minutes to twelve o'clock, it was reported that ■ the Lodge was closed," which must have been earlier than usual. -On this occasion, the P.G.M. presided over St. Michael's. The foundation stone of the Lockerbie Railway Station was laid with Masonic honours on 14th May, 1847, ^^^d a depu- tation from St. Michael's was promised. The deep interest which the community took in the formation of the new mode of conveyance, the railway system, could not but -affect the members of our fraternity, and we find the brethren of St. Michael's anxious to assist in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the " Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle Railway Bridge " over the Nith at Martinton Ford, near Nunholm. It was agreed that the clothing be renewed, the sashes to be of the Lodge colour, and the .aprons should be pure white, without trimming. It was also resolved that a flag should be immediately obtained display- ing St. Michael in the centre, and in a later minute the fact is stated that the cost of this was — To James Watson for History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilivinning. 29* painting, £,2 14s 8d ; to J. M'Gowan for silk, £,\ iis 3d — total, ;^4 5s I id. To meet this outlay a call of los per member was made. The day of deep interest (i6th July, 1847) duly arrived. The account of this demonstration in the Courier is a glowing one. We read — "While the fresh morning air was stealing in at the open window . . . the cannons' roar smote the tympanum — another and another succeeded, the bells jangled or rang in tune (we don't know which), drums rattled a revielle, and every night-capped head was stunned into the conviction that the railway demonstration had commenced in earnest." The procession consisted of police, navvies, railway directors. Provost, Magistrates, and Council, with halbert-bearers, gardeners, printers, school children, incorporated trades, "and all wound up by an excellent muster of the mysterious brother- hood of Freemasons with their numerous imposing para- phernalia. . . . The handsome appearance of many of the brethren, the elegance of their dresses, made this one of the most interesting portions of the gala, and seemed to bear away the palm in the eyes of the ladies." The P.G.M., Bro. Babington laid the stone in proper form. The day was wholly given over to dinners, cake and wine, and similar festivities. A ball in the evening for the Hite, and bonfires and fireworks for the general body of the public, concluded the rejoicings. No sooner have the brethren accomplished their labours at Nunholm than they are invited to aid in similar work at the railway bridge over the Cample, by the Lodge at Thornhill. The Lodge at Thornhill had shown its deep interest in the proposal for a railway through the district, that on St. John's Day, 1838, they voted one guinea "to assist in a survey of the railway about to be made in 30 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. this district.'' Tlie foundation stone of the Cample Bridge was laid on loth September, 1847, but on reading the "Recol- ' lections of the Lodge of Freemasons at Thornhill" (written by the present Grand Secretary, Bro. Murray Lyon), we find that among the deputations present was one from Kilwinning Dumfries, but no mention of St. Michael's. Six years later, the Thistle Lodge invited the Master and brethren of St. Michael's to aid in celebrating "the anniversary of the looth year of the existence of their Lodge." This interesting event was celebrated on 3rd June, 1853. On 15th July of the same year, the brethren of St. Michael's assisted Bro. John Stew- art, P.G.M. and the P.G. Lodge in laying the foundation stone of the Poorshouse at Dumfries. The centenary of the birth of Robert Burns, the Scottish Poet, was celebrated on 25th January, 1859. At a meeting -of the Lodge held on the 24th January, it was proposed and unanimously agreed "that the Lodge meet to-morrow morn- ing (Burns' Centenary) at half-past 10 a.m., and then receive any communication from the Thistle or other Lodges in connection with the procession, and be guided thereby." The foundation stone of the Dumfries and Maxwelltown Mechanics' Institution Hall was laid on that day with Masonic honours by Bro. John Stewart of Nateby Hall, Lancashire, Provincial Grand Master. The function is especially interesting from the large number of English Lodges represented. These were — Sun, Square, and Com- passes, No. 119, Whitehaven; Union, No. 310, Carlisle; St. John's, No. 327, Wigton; Unanimity, No. 339, Penrith; Holy Temple, No. 412, Longtown; Perseverance, No. 371, Maryport ; the local Lodges present being — Thistle, No. 62 ; ■St. Michael's, No. 63; Operative, No. 140; St. Peter's, No. History of Lodge St. Michaers Kilwinning. 31 ^34, Mouswald ; and St. John's, No. 162, Newabbey (the mother Lodge of the P.G.M.) — in all, 142 brethren were present. After the ceremony, Dr W. A. F. B. Browne, President of the Institution, when tendering thanks to the Freemasons for their presence, said — " I cannot claim these gentlemen as ' brothers of the mystic tie,' but although not a Mason, I know enough of Masonry to understand that it has light, the sunshine of knowledge, as its sign and significance ; that it claims from its origin in distant and dark ages . . . to be the depository of principles of order and harmony and brotherhood, and to have the keeping of secrets above all price." The proceedings seem to have been ■of the most interesting character and worthy of the cele- bration. The first record of a Lodge of Instruction is mentioned on 30th November, 1861, when it was agreed to hold such on the second Monday of each month. These meetings would seem to have been kept up for a short time. The directors of the Dumfries and Galloway Horticultural Society asked the Lodge to walk with them in procession on the 50th anniversary show of their society in July, 1862, but " owing to the paucity of members, this Lodge . . could not respond to the kind invitation ; " and the cotton famine of 1862 stirring the hearts of the brethren, a donation from the Lodge funds was devoted to the relief of the sufferers. The Communications of the Provincial Grand Lodge were not held with the regularity that obtains nowadays, for it is recorded that on loth March, 1862, "Bro. Dykes laid before the Lodge a letter received from Bro. John Stewart, P.G.M., regarding the holding a P.O. Lodge in Dumfries, 32 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. in which he intimated that on the following conditions he will be happy to do so : — " I. That a majority of the brethren of the district dis- tinctly intimate to me that it is their wish that the P.G. Lodge meets for business either periodically, annually, or as- business coming before them may demand; this to be decided by the brethren themselves. " 2. That parties of local standing in the district be- requested and appointed by the brethren to fill the different grades in the Grand Lodge, to assist and support me in the carrying out of the duties of the Lodge. "3. That all business connected with the district that may not be settled by any individual Lodge be in thefirsf instance referred to the P.G. Lodge for their decision, and not direct to the Grand Lodge of Scotland in Edinburgh, that Lodge to be looked upon in future (as it should be) as a Court of Appeal irom the decision of the Provincial Grand Lodge." A committee was appointed to consider " this com-- munication and report," but again we are without further knowledge of the termination of this interesting attempt to make P.G. Lodge more than a name. His Grace the Duke of Athole, who had been for twenty years the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Scotland, died in 1864, when the brethren recorded " their deep sense of the real loss the cause of Masonry has sustained by the lamented death, . . . and it is directed that the Lodge shall, according to common usage, go into mourning.'' The foundation stone of Greyfriars' Church was laid on nth May, 1866, by Bro. Henry Inglis, Acting Grand Mas- ter of Scotland. The banner of 'No. 63 duly graced the History of Lodge St. Michael's Kihuinnitig. 3S procession, and in the newspaper account it is mentioned that 31 Lodges were represented. The ceremony was- evidently an impressive one. At a meeting held on 7th December, 1871, it was agreed to purchase for the use of the members a copy of "The History of Freemasonry,'' by J. G. Findell. This book has gone the way of nearly all lent books, and is no longer included in the inventory of the Lodge, At the same meeting, Bro. Thomas AVatson, of the Operative Lodge, "presented the Lodge with a mallet made from the wood of a tree which had grown o\er the original grave of Robert Burns.'' The R.W.M. undertook to get a suitable plate and inscription placed on it. This mallet has ever since been used by the Master.* The first observance of the Ceremonial of Installed Master was held in April, 1874, when Bros. Wm. Brown, James Rennie, and Donald Mitchell of St. Michael's, and Bros. Thos. Dykes, John Wood, and Robt. Wilson of the Thistle Lodge, had this degree conferred upon them. The installing Masters were Bros. L. Maitland (P.G.M.), A. L. Brander(S.W , P.AL, 72 E.G.), and John Davidson, P.M., 360, Glasgow. Relative to this ceremony and in connection with the re-election of Lord Rosslyn as Grand Master, the following appears in p.p. 350 and 351 of Bro. Murray Lyon's "His- tory of the Lodge of Edinburgh :" — " During his Lordship's reign, and at the February communication of 1872, Grand Lodge for the first time recognised the Past Master's cere- mony of Installation. This was sanctioned, not with the view of inaugurating a higher or other Degree of Masonry, but of *The inscription is ag follows : — *' Holland wood from the tree that grew over the original grave of the Poet, Brother Robert Burns. Presented by Brother Thos. Watson to the Master and Brethren of St. Michael's Lodge, No. 63. March, 1872. James Rennie, R.W.M." 3 34 History of Lodge 'St. Michael's Kilwinning. authorising the use of the ritual of Installed Masters as used in England, so as to remove the disqualification which hitherto prevented Scotch Past Masters being present at the Installation of Masters in English Lodges." Several of the members intimated their intention to attend the laying of the foundation stone of the new post- office in Glasgow, in October, 1876. Another interesting ceremony took place on the even- ing of i8th October, 1877, when Bro. David Shearer, who had filled the office of Tyler of the Lodge for 30 years, retir- ing at the advanced age of 84 years, was presented with a silver snuff-box by the brethren. During all these years, the Lodge had been held in hotels — now at one place, now at another — but in 1870 it was considered that it would be to the advantage of St. Michael's and the Craft in general, if a private place of meet ing could be obtained, but it was not until 1876 that the brethren entered into the possession of premises for Masonic purposes alone. These were leased from Bro. Crombie, in Union Street, but were vacated in 1879, when a small hall in the Black Horse Close, High Street, was rented. Soon after St. Michael's took possession of their new premises, the other Lodges in Dumfries agreed to become sub-tenants, so that this hall became a Home of Masonry for a series of years. In 1888, the Lodge agreed upon a design for a seal pre- pared by Bro. A. B. Crombie, P.M. It shows the figure of St. Michael within the Square and Compasses, the scroll round the seal bearing the Title of the Lodge, the motto being "Absque Deo Nihil." Many informal conversations had taken place among the History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 35 members from time to time, relative to the application of part of the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge, and at the meet- ing on 27th April, 188S, Bro. J. J. Glover, P.M., moved " That with a view to this Lodge providing free education at Dumfries Academy for the son or daughter of a deserv- ing or deceased Freemason, a committee . . be appointed to make enquiries and report all necessary information on the subject.'' The report ultimately submitted was as follows: — "That steps be taken to provide free education at the Dumfries Academy for such a child (see motion), and that .a Standing Committee — consisting of the R.W.M., Wardens, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chaplain for the time being, and three other members to be nominated annually — be em- powered to take all necessary steps for carrying out this recommendation.'' The scheme met with the hearty ap- proval of the brethren, and a child was duly elected to the bursary. The increased interest manifested in our Ancient Craft, the large accession of intrants, and consequent large attend- ances in all the Lodges, taxed the accommodation of the Hall to its utmost. So much so, that advantage was taken at the end of the lease to obtain the views of the Craftsmen •upon the propriety of obtaining a larger place of meeting, and the Secretary of St. Michael's was instructed to ask the Dumfries Kilwinning, No. 53, and Thistle, No. 62, to appoint committees of their Lodges to meet one from St. Michael's to discuss the subject. After deliberation, it was reported that "The committees were of opinion that increased accommodation was neces- sary.'' Many reports were submitted, but nothing defi- nite was settled until 30th August, 1889, when the St. 36 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. Michael's committee laid a long report before the Lodge, which stated they had made enquires, and inspected eight different sites in various parts of the town, and they recom- mended that one in George Street should be adopted. The Lodge unanimously agreed to the report. The site was secured, and a plan by Bro. A. B. Crombie, P.M., Archi- tect, selected. This was naturally an anxious time for the members of the Lodge, who had to bear the burden' and responsibility of this large scheme alone, for the other Lodges found themselves unable to incur any liability, though they cordially agreed to continue as tenants. The enthusiasm of the Lodge was aroused, and a sum of £,2(i2, was subscribed from forty-three brethren, which placed the scheme on a good financial basis. One hundred years having elapsed since the Lodge was reponed, it was agreed that the event should be celebrated by a ball in the Assembly Rooms, on Friday, 22nd Novem- ber, 1889, and that the foundation stone of the new hall should be laid the following day. Brothers J. G. Coupland, R.W.M. ; C. S. Phyn, P.M. ; Jno. Robson, J.W. ; James Smith, Treas. ; W. Irvine Scott, Secy. ; James Lennox, S.S. ; L. M. Dinwiddle, J.S.; and George Thomson, J.S., being appointed to carry out the arrangements for the centenary celebrations. A complete set of new clothing (dark blue and silver) for the office-bearers was obtained at this time, and Bro. John Adair, P.M., also presented the Lodge with a new set of silver jewels. The centenary celebrations passed off with considerable klat. The following account, abridged from the pages of History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 37 the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, describes the ceremonies of the day : — " The centenary of the reponement of the St. Michael's Kilwinning, No. 63, Lodge of Freemasons, Dumfries, fall- ing upon the 24th inst., the members of the Lodge cele- brated the event by a grand Masonic Ball on Friday evening, and again on Saturday by the laying of the foundation stone of the new Freemasons' Hall, which they are about to erect in George Street, Bro. F. E. Villiers, Provincial Grand Mas- ter of Dumfriesshire, performing the ceremony. The latter was made the occasion of an imposing Masonic demon- stration, which was attended by the Provincial Grand Lodge .and deputations from the daughter Lodges in Dumfriesshire, .as well as from one of the sister Lodges in the Stewartry. The weather on Saturday was all that could be desired, and .-seemed to have cleared up specially for the occasion. The fine bracing afternoon was the means of drawing large num- bers of the populace out of doors to witness the imposing procession of the Masonic bretliren dressed in their regalia, and carrying their mystic emblems. " Laying the Foundation Stone. " The proceedings on Saturday commenced with a ■Quarterly Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge -of Dumfriesshire, held in the Academy at two o'clock, while half an hour later deputations from the daughter Lodges of the Province and other places assembled in the Academy Grounds, and were at once marshalled into order, and pro- ceeded in procession, headed by the Dumfries Volunteer Band (3rd V.B. K.O.S.B.) to George Street. There were dn all about a hundred and fifty Freemasons in the pro- 38 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. cession, the following being the office-bearers of the different Lodges represented, and the number of the deputations from each Lodge : — " Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfriesshire. — Bro. F. E, Villiers, P.G.M. ; Bro. A. Johnstone-Douglas, P.G.M.D. ; Bro. E. J. Brook, S.P.G.M. ; Bro. John Martin, S.P.G.W. ; Bro. W. A. Din- widdle, J.P.G.W. ; Bro. C. S. Phyn. P.G. Secretary; Bro. John Lennox, P.G. Treasurer; Bro. Rev. D. C. Bryce, P.G. Chaplain; Bro.^ George Crawford, S.P.G.D. ; Bro. James Currie, J.P.G.D. ; Bro. Alexander Steven, P.G. Architect; Bro. Shortridge, P.G. Jeweller; Bro. J. J. Clark, P.G. Sword-Bearer ; Bro. Derby, P.G. Bard; Bro. Theodore Knupper, P. G. Organist ; Bro. James Coltart, P. G. Presi- dent of Stewards ; Bros. Walter Q. Walker and E. J. Woodley, P G. Stewards ; Bro. Higginbotham, Acting P-G. Marshal ; Bro. Joseph Black, P.G.I.G. ; Bro. Charles Sanders, P.G. Tyler. Number pre- sent, 23. " No. 3, Scone and Perth. — Bro. Menzies. " No. 7, Kilwinning, Hamilton. — Bro. Dr Bowie. " No. S3, Kilwinning, Dumfries. — Bro. James Kerr, R.W.M. j Bro. Roderick C. Niven, S.W. ; Bro. Payne, J.W. ; Bro. W. Kirkpat- rick. Secretary; Bro. J. M'Creath, J.D. ; Bro. P. Roxburgh, S.D, Number of deputation, 27. "No. 62, Thistle, Dumfries. — Bro. T. Coupland, R.W.M. ; Bro. Jardine, D.M. ; Bro. Thomas Martin, S.W. ; Bro. A. S. Har- rison, Secretary. Number of deputation, 31. " No. 63, St. Michael's, Dumfries. — Bro. J. G. Coupland, R.W.M. ; Bro. J. J. Glover, S.M. ; Bro. J. Rennie, P.M. ; Bro. John Adair, P.M. ; Bro. John Robson, J.W. ; Bro. J. Smith, Treasurer; Bro. W. I. Scott, Secretary. Number present, 24. " No. 100, St. Magdalene, Lochmaben. — Bro. W. Murdoch, R.W.M. ; Bro. R. M'Millan, S.W. ; Bro. James M'Call, Chaplain; Bro. D. M'Kill, Marshal ; Bro. Thomas Rogerson, J.W. ; Bro. G. Coltart, Treasurer ; Bro. W. Dryden, Secretary ; Bro. Glendinning, S.D. ; Bro. J. M'Vittie, J.D. ; Bro. J. Smith, I.G. ; Bro. F. M'Whiter, p. G. Number of deputation, 22. History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 39 "No. Ill, St. John's, Hawick. — Bi-o. Wm. Grieison. " No. 140, Operative, Dumfries. — Bro. Thomas Milligan, R.W.M. ; Bro. R. M'Queen, S.W. ; Bro. J. Irving, J.W. ; Bro. Thomas G. Johnstone, P.M. ; Bro. T. K. Learmont, S.W. ; Bro. A. Kirk, J.D. ; Bro. P. Roxburgh, Secretary. Number of deputation, 9. "No. 238, Caledonian, Annan. — Bro. W. Underwood, I. P.M.; Captain Douglas, D.M. ; Bro. J. S. Millar, S.M. ; Bro. W. Murray, Secretary; Bro. A. B. Smith, C.E., J.W. Number of deputation, 14. "No. 252, St. John's, Thornhill. — Bro. Brown, R.W.M.; Bro. R. Burgess, P.M. ; Bro. C. Kirkpatrick, D.M. ; Bro. John Waugh, S.W. ; Bro. James Hastings, J.W. ; Bro. J. Lockerbie, J.D. ; Bro. Thomas Hyslop, Chaplain ; Bro. W. Callender, Senior Steward. Number of deputation, 14. " No. 480, Granite Union, Dalbeattie. — Bro. W. Kerr, R.W.M.; Bro. Newall, P.M.; Bro, Thomas Jolly, S.W. ; Bro. M'Kinnel, J.W. ; Bro. Thomas Glendinning, S.D. ; Bro. G. Coutts, J.D. ; Bro. A. Sturgeon, I.G. ; Bro. J. Robson, Tyler; Bro. James M'Millan, Chaplain ; Bro. Burnie, Treasurer. Number of deputation, II. "No. 728, Hartfell, Moffat. — Bro. J. Young, R.W.M. ; Bro. James Berwick, S.W. ; Bro. W. Keith, J.W. ; Bro. Thomas Gibson, S.D. ; Bro. Joseph Garland, J.D. ; Bro. James Forrester, I.G. ; Bro. W. Grant, O.G. ; Br. George Millar, Secretary ; Bro. Robert Knight, Treasurer. Number of deputation, 10. " The procession when on the march was a most imposing sight, and the route — along Church Crescent, Castle Street, Buccleuch Street, and Charlotte Street to George Street — was lined with hundreds of spectators, who listened with pleasure to the Masonic March played by the band. Arriv- ing at George Street, the Masonic brethren took up their station on a platform which the contractors had erected around the foundation stone, and the proceedings at once commenced, the Provincial Grand Jewels being laid on the Provincial Grand Master's table, after which the National 40 History of Lodge St. MichaeFs Kilwinning. Anthem was sung by the choir and accompanied by the band. " Bro. Crombie, Architect, then, on behalf of the con- tractors, presented the Provincial Grand Master with a handsome silver trowel, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone. At the same time, he remarked that the trowel would serve as a slight memento of a very interesting occasion in the annals of local Freemasonry. (Cheers.) '•' The trowel bore the following inscription : — ' Presented to F. E. Villiers, Esq., Provincial Grand Master of Dum- friesshire, by the contractors — Messrs Houston & Robison, J. Welsh, R. M. Glover, J. Dickson, J. Bridges, J. J. Glover, and Grierson Brothers — on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of a new Masonic Hall erected by the brethren of St. Michael's Lodge, No. 63, Dumfries. — 23rd November, 1889.' " The Provincial Grand Master returned thanks, and said he considered that not only had a great kindness been shown to their Provincial Grand Master, but a great honour had also been conferred upon the Provincial Grand Lodge in the presentation of this memorial trowel of the work in -which they were engaged that day. He promised to keep the trowel in memory of that day — a day memorable in the annals of Dumfries and Dumfriesshire. (Cheers.) " The Provincial Grand Chaplain having offered up prayer, the Provincial Grand Treasurer (Bro. John Lennox), placed the coins, &c., enclosed in a copper box, in the cavity of the stone. The box contained copies of the Dumfries and Gallowa^murier and Herald of Wednesday, 20th November, and SBrarday. 23rd November ; a copy of the Dumfries Standard of 23rd Nov. ; a copy of the Scots- History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 41 man, 23rd November; roll of membership of St. Michael's Lodge ; bye-laws of the same Lodge ; a plan of the new building ; current coins of the realm, all coined this year ; the Centenary Ode of the Lodge, by Bro. James Smith ; a list of the Lodges represented at the ceremony ; printed copy of the programme of the ceremony ; and centenary ball programme. " This having been done, the band played a selection of music, during which the memorial stone was lowered into position by a crane, three distinct stops being made in the process. The Provincial Grand Master walked to the east -of the stone, with the Depute on his right hand, and the Substitute and Provincial Grand Wardens to the west, having with them the level and plumb. The customary ■formula of having 'truly and well laid' the stone having been gone through, the Provincial Grand Master then finished the work by edging the mortar with the memorial trowel, after which he gave the stone three distinct knocks with the mallet, and asked for a blessing upon the edifice, the choir responding ' So mote it be.' Another selection of music was played by the band, and during the music the cornucopia was delivered to the Substitute Provincial Grand Master, the vase with wine to the Senior Provincial Grand Warden, and the vase with oil to the Junior Provincial Grand Warden. After the music had ceased, the cornu- -copia was delivered to the Provincial Grand Master, who threw its contents upon the stone, afterwards pouring on the wine from the vase, and the oil in the same manner. The Provincial Grand Master then invoked the blessing on the land, and the choir having given the response, there was more music by the band. On the music ceasing. 42 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. "The Provincial Grand Mastei then said — A great day is this in the annals of Masonry for Dumfries — a greater day in the annals of Masonry is this for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfries, and I may say the greatest day is it for St. Michael's Kilwinning, No. 63. (Hear, hear). When I allude to that Lodge, I can never forget that she is my mother Lodge, and that it is to her to whom I owe all that pleasure, all that honour, which has ever been bestowed upon me in Masonic life. I may feel inclined to ask that which would be an unanswerable question in any other sphere of life, and say, what should I have been if I had not had a mother ? (Laughter). I owe all to that mother in. my Masonic life. We, as brethren and as Masons, are sometimes apt to boast of the ancient lineage of our order.. We at times will romance on together and carry ourselves back to the days of Adam and Eve, and we speak of the manufacture of the first aprons. We carry onward our romancing, sometimes, and we speak of being coeval with King Solomon and his all-glorious temple. Interesting subjects they may be in their way, and there may be truth- fulness on their side ; but to-day I venture to say we can remove even the smallest smile from the most sceptical and unbelieving of those who either are not Masons from choice or from inability to be so. And we can boast to-day that we can prove in black and white that St. Michael's, No. 63, during a life of unbroken continuity for a century of years, has led an active, useful. Masonic life. (Hear, hear, and cheers). Admirable, indeed, has been the .sketch which has- lately been given with regard to St Michael's Lodge — (cheers) — that sketch, that lecture delivered originally with such ability by that indefatigable Mason, Bro. Smithy History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 43- Treasurer to the Lodge. (Cheers). Many of you will have read with intense interest the record which has appeared in one of the leading journals of this place within the last few days — a record, as I have said, of over a century of years of Lodge No. 63. They may have passed through times of anxiety and times of trial. They have passed through times of neglect, and times of indolence, perhaps. They have passed through times of weakness, so far as we can gather, aye, weakness nearly reaching unto death, but it was not so. (Hear, hear). The fire of the life blood of that Lodge has never been extinguished, and to-day, after many vicissitudes in its life, it rises from what were once almost smouldering ashes to be fanned into the full flame of prosperity and suc- cess. (Cheers). Little did we think about a year ago that we should be standing here laying the foundation stone of what I trust will prove a grand, useful, and ornamental building, and which I think will prove a fitting monument and memorial of the life and energy of Masonry in the Province of Dumfries. (Cheers). Brethren of St. Michael's Lodge — my own brethren — let me congratulate you upon the appearance that you make here to-day, as having been those who are about to found this great institution, the Free- masons' Hall ; and let me congratulate those who by their self-denial and by their individual exertions have from small beginnings brought about so great an end to their ideas. (Cheers). But not only as a member of that Lodge can I speak of it, but I feel it my duty as Provincial Grand Master here to express on behalf of the Masons in the Province our appreciation and gratitude for the work that has been done. I believe firmly that the surroundings of life, whether it be the social life, whether it be the artistic life, the scientific 44 History of Lodge St: Michael's Kilwinning. life — aye, and the religious life — have much work to do for good amongst those who come within this sphere, and there- fore I think that the life, the energy, the solemnity, and dignity of Masonry is, increased and enhanced when we find the surroundings such as we are about to make this for the working of the Craft and its work within. ,To-day, I say, is a great day for Masonry in Dumfriesshire. I trust that a great stimulus may be given to Masonry here, and that our numbers may be doubled — aye, quadrupled — in this Province ere long. It is not now the right time or place for giving a lecture on Masonry. I preach no homily, but I say that such an occasion as this, such work, such buildings as this go far to raise the tone of Masonry throughout the country. (Cheers). That to my mind is one of the most important points connected with work such as this. The old days of Masonic revelry and Masonic abuse are fast dying out — nay, I say they are dead — and no longer is it a fact that to be a member of the confraternity is to be associated with the public-house and the tap-room. (Cheers). These days are past and gone, and halls of great beauty are rising in every part of the country, and why? Because it is held that they alone are the fit and proper places for the promulgation of those virtues and truths which we as Masons profess to teach. (Cheers). I think thanks are also due to the other Lodges in the Province who have contributed in one way or another with their moral support and by their presence here to the work that has been going on. (Cheers). I hope that the work in this Province will for many years be carried on under the same roof which we believe will rise over this building — that the work will be carried on amongst all the Lodges together in a state of harmony and History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 45 love such as is dear to us as Masons. (Cheers). Discord did once exist — you will find that it existed between the Thistle and St. Michael's — but these days are past and gone, and now perpetual love reigns instead. Let me with all earnestness use the words of the Apostle, and say 'Breth- ren, let perpetual love continue.' (Cheers). In conclusion, I think that a vote of thanks is due from us to those who have had the preparation and trouble of making the arrange- ments both for us and for the benefit of the public here assembled. I am rejoiced to see them assembled here. Let them learn that there is earnestness in our work, and let us find that our efforts to please and instruct them are not in vain. (Cheers). I am also due the St. Michael's Lodge thanks for allowing me to lay the foundation stone. I personally desire to thank you from the bottom of my heart for that honour, and I can only say that it will be a pleasure for me when next I meet Grand Lodge at Quarterly Communication to give in a report of the excellence of the work going on in my Province, and I know that we have the goodwill and the good wishes of the whole of the Grand Lodge in this Province. (Loud cheers). "After the singing of the looth Psalm, the benediction was pronounced by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, and the choir and band gave ' Rule Britannia.' The procession was then reformed, and returned in inverted order to the place from which it set out. On reaching the Academy Ground the procession was drawn up in circular form with the Pro- vincial Grand Master, the Provincial Grand Master Depute, and the Substitute Provincial Grand Master in the centre. " The Provincial Grand Master thanked the brethren of the Province for the large muster, for he knew that it was a 46 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. matter of trouble and expense to many brethren to turn out upon these occasions. He could not say how gratifying it' was to the Provincial Grand Master to find himself so well supported in the work in which he had been engaged. He hoped that the Masons would take to heart the work that they had been engaged in, and he trusted that it would act as a stimulus for the future. They would remember, how- •ever, that the result of that would depend upon individual exertion. If one member in one year got one new member, then what a number they should have. He asked them to work in co-operation and individually, so that the numbers of Masons in the province would be increased. (Cheers.) " The Provincial Grand Master Depute proposed a vote of thanks, which was heartily accorded, to the Volunteer Band, who had given their services gratuitously. "Cake and Wine Banquet. " The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed, and the brethren adjourned to the Assembly Rooms, where Bro. J. G. Coupland, R.W.M., entertained them to a cake and wine banquet, and presided over the feast. " The Chairman gave the toast of ' Queen and Craft,' and ' The Three Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, and Ireland,' coupled with the name of the Prince of Wales, Grand Master Mason of England, and Patron of Masonry in Scotland. "Acting Senior Warden, Bro. J. J. Glover, P.M., proposed the toast of the ' Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfriesshire.' coupled with the health of Bro. Villiers. (Cheers.) Bro. Villiers' eloquence that day and his eloquence upon many occasions had brought down the History of Lodge St. MichaeVs Kilwinning. 47 applause of the assembled crowds who had heard him. (Cheers.) His ability and rare tact in carrying on the busi- ness of the Provincial Grand Lodge had, he believed, done a very great deal to make Masonry what it was at the present time in Dumfriesshire, and it was a matter of pro- found satisfaction to the members of St. Michael's Lodge that the same Masonic mother had given him the same Masonic light, and that they had had the honour of initiating into Freemasonry such a distinguished Mason as Bro. Villiers. (Cheers.) Bro. Villiers' merits were not only known amongst them there, but they had been recognised, as they were sure to be, in Grand Lodge, and he had been promoted to the position which he was justly entitled to. (Cheers.) It had been said that originality was the chief end of conceit, and would that he were only able to do justice to the original ; but he did not think it was neces- sary for him to sketch a portrait of Bro. Villiers. He had done everything that was possible for him in his position to do, and he asked them to drink the toast of the Provincial Grand Lodge and the health of Bro. Villiers. The toast was drunk with all the honours. " The Provincial Grand Master, in reply, said it was always a little difficult for a man to return thanks to the toast of his health immediately upon the proposition of that toast, when the way in which that toast was received created what might be described as a flutter in his bosom — (cheers) — and it was distinctly with that flutter in his bosom that he rose to return thanks to them for the way in which the toast had been proposed and received, and for the compliment paid to him and with him to the P.G.L. When he listened to the words which had been spoken of him, conscience 48 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. stood forward and gave him one straight from the left ; and conscience said to him, ' Brother Villiers, is there not more that you might have done for Masonry than you have done?' Echo answered to him, 'I will try' — (cheers) — and so long as he presided over the Masons in Dumfriesshire he would certainly do his level best to promote the interests of Masonry here. (Cheers). When he spoke of himself, he remembered that the work of the P.G.L. had been success- ful not on account of Bro. Villiers, but because the P.G.M. had been worthily supported by his office-bearers, and not only this, but because the sister and daughter Lodges of the Province had cordially responded to the appeals made to- them, and loyally acted up to the suggestions made to them. Everything that had promoted the welfare of Masonry in the Province had been done by co-operation. He should like to- have enlarged upon his feelings with regard to the great demonstration, but they knew pretty well what they were. The new undertaking, he hoped, would be prolific of good to the Craft in the south-west division. He craved permission to propose a toast which he considered ought to be the toast of the evening, and that was 'The Health of the Right Worship- ful Master of St. Michael's Lodge.' (Cheers.) They knew how admirably that Lodge had worked and toiled away, and of the position it now held in the reputation of Masons throughout Scotland. They knew how the Lodge had gone on from step to step increasing in its efficiency and every other way, and this was due in a great measure to the efficiency of the Right Worshipfiil Masters. None had proved a more efficient or more popular Right Worshipful Master than he who presided at this board. He did think they might congratulate Bro. Coupland upon one stroke of History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 49 luck in life, and that was having been Master of the Lodge in what they may justly call its centen,ary. It was a stroke of luck to him, but what was luck to a man in life ? It wa& nothing unless he seized it, and Bro. Coupland had not neglected his opportunity. He had seen his chance, and had the ability and courage to take it. (Cheers.) Long, might he continue to do so.^The toast was enthusiastically received. " The Chairman, in reply, stated how deeply he felt the compliment to St. Michael's Lodge, and thanked them for the very enthusiastic way in which they had responded to the toast that had been proposed in all too flattering terms- by the Provincial Grand Master. His (the Chairman's) position there that day was most unique, and he considered himself a very fortunate individual indeed to occupy the chair of St. Michael's Lodge on this occasion. (Cheers.) Going back in the history of the Lodge to the year 1755, he found that Andrew Crosbie of Holm was its first R.W.M. He was so highly esteemed by Sir Walter Scott that he took him for one of his characters — Lawyer Pleydell — in Guy Mannering. When he thought of the position in society which that man occupied, when he considered that he was intimately connected with Boswell and Johnson, both in Scotland and in England, he could assure them that he felt it a very high honour that day to occupy the place filled by the eminent advocate of 1755. (Cheers.) He was- not going into the history of the Lodge, but this much he would say, that this year had been a most remarkable one in its history in more- ways than one. He had felt his unworthiness in the occupancy of the chair, but he had been so well supported by the office-bearers and brethren that 50 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. had it not been for such kindly aid he feared he should have failed many times in the duties that lay to his hand. Dearer to him had been the associations of St. Michael's Lodge, and the many happy meetings that he had enjoyed with the brethren from time to time, than many other associations which he had formed in life. His Masonic year was almost spent, but when it was past and gone and he was relegated to the shelf like the Past Masters, he trusted that he could look back again with pleasure to his twelve months in the chair. The work which the P.G.M. had so ably begun to-day was not yet completed. There was still a very important function for him to perform in connection with this Lodge, and they would not consider the work complete until the P.G.M. had kindly returned to consecrate and dedicate the Hall that was now being erected by St. Michael's, No. 63, for the purposes of Freemasonry for ever. (Cheers.) " Bro. Robson proposed the toast of the ' Sister Lodges,' and gave a short outUne of the movement which led to the adoption by St. Michael's Lodge of plans for the new Masonic Hall, the foundation stone of which had been laid that day. He thought it was incumbent that all Lodges in Dumfries should see it to be their duty to occupy that hall. It would be necessary to ask for an increased rent, but when the greatly extended accommodation and the enhanced benefits were taken into account he thought they might say that they of St. Michael's relied upon the sister Lodges to support them and become tenants. (Cheers.) "The toast wa:s coupled with the names of the Right Worshipful Masters, or the Senior Officers of the Lodges present, who replied, expressing good will and promise of assistance and support. History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 51 " Bro. Phyn, P.M., proposed ' Lodge Granite Union, No. 480, Dalbeattie,' and said they were all delighted to have had such a good deputation from that Lodge, and he hoped that the confraternal greetings between the Lodges of Dumfries and the Stewartry would be a little more frequent than they at present were, and perhaps they might thus be able to infuse a little enthusiasm into the Stewartry. "Major Kerr, R.W.M. of the Lodge, replied, and said that although they in Dalbeattie belonged to another Province, yet they could claim connection with Dumfries- shire, for it was the P.G.M. of Dumfriesshire who had dedicated and consecrated the Granite Union Lodge. Masonic life in the Stewartry was weak, and he thought it would be well if the suggestion thrown out by Bro. Phyn was carried into eifect. " The Chairman gave the parting toast, ' Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again,' and said it afforded him very great pleasure indeed to see so many brethren present that day. " After the toast had been drunk, the proceedings were brought to a close by the company singing 'Auld Lang Syne.' " The Centenary Ode. The current of each year flows on with rapid course. The summers and the winters of the past have fled, Leaving a memory of mingled grief and joy To each and all. To us, a paean of thankfulness Uprises in our grateful hearts as we recall The mystic link that binds us thro' the distant years. 52 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. A hundred years in continuity have passed Since Brethren of our Lodge first gathered in the bonds Of confraternity, to lighten in this town The torch that throws its rays athwart from east to west,. Flashing afar the worthy watchwords of our Craft : " Fraternal love, relief unto the poor, and truth.'' Them do we reverence for the faithfulness and care. With which, tho' trials and burdens much beset their path. They carried on the work and passed to us these rites And signs that thro' the ages have been held so dear. May we, rich in the knowledge of fraternal joy. Aye hold the precious truth and succour those distressed. Relieve the sorrowful of heart, and aid the weak, And ever thereby prove unto the world The precepts of our Order, full of faith and hope ! Let us, then, act our part, that no dishonour fall Upon " St. Michael's " ancient and time-honoured name ; . And when the light fades from our mortal eyes, may we Without a fear, and with a rich expectancy. Reap our reward in Heaven's high Lodge above ! James Smith. At the following Festival of St. John (27th December), Bro. J. G. Coupland, I. P.M., veas presented with a Past Master's Jewel, to commemorate the centenary celebrations in which he had taken such an active part, a compliment all the more honourable because the Lodge has only conferred this distinction upon three occasions. The Jewel bears this inscription, " Souvenir from Brethren of No. 63, to Bro. J. G. Coupland, R.W.M., during centenary year 1889." The completion of the work so ably and brilliantly com- History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 53 ■menced was the dedication of the handsome building to the purposes of Masonry, and again the services of the Provincial Grand Lodge are enlisted in the work of conse- cration. The ceremony took place on the afternoon of Friday, 28th November, 1890, and we are indebted to the pages of the Courier for an account of the proceedings : — The Consecration Ceremony. " The consecration of the Freemasons' Hall was per- formed by Bro. F. E. Villiers, Provincial Grand Master of Dumfriesshire, in presence of a large assembly of brethren, who attended as deputations from the sister Lodges in the County. The hall was decorated with flowering plants and shrubs tastefully arranged, and presenting a beautiful appearance. The following was the deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge :— Bro. F. E. Villiers, P.G.M. ; Bro. A. Johnstone-Douglas, P.G.M.D. ; Bro. E. J. Brook, ■S.P.G.M.; Bro. John Martin, S.P.G.W.; Bro. W. A. Din- widdie, J.P.G.W. ; Bro. John Lennox, P.G. Treasurer; Bro. C. S. Phyn, P.G. Secretary; Bro. George Crawford, P.G. Senior Deacon; Bro. A. B. Crombie, P.G. Architect; Bro. J. J. Clark, P.G. Sword Bearer ; Bro. H. Sawyer, P.G. Director of Music; Bro. T. Shortridge, P.G. Organist; Bro. , A. Derby, P.G. Bard; Bro. J. G. Coupland, P.G. Vice- President of Stewards ; Bro. W. M. Wright, P.G. Steward ; Bro. Joseph Black, P.G.I.G. ; Bro. Charles Sanders, P.G. Tyler. The office-bearers of St. Michael's Lodge present were Bro. John Primrose, R.W.M.; Bro. John Robson, S.W.; Bro. Jas. Smith, J.W. ; Bro. W. I. Scott, Secretary ; Bro. L. M. Dinwiddle, Treasurer ; Bro. Jas. Lennox, Chaplain; Bro. Dr J. G. Marshall, S.D. ; Bro. J. W. Dods, J.D. ; Bro. James 54 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. Junner, President of the Stewards ; and Bros. S. E. Griersorj and George Thomson, Junior Stewards. Owing to the death of Bro. the Rev. D. C. Bryce, of Moffat, and the absence of Bro. Dr Ogilvy-Ramsay, Closeburn, the duties of Acting Provincial Grand Chaplain were discharged by Bro. Rev. W. E. Hall, P.G. Chaplain of Stirlingshire, and P.M. Aber- cromby Lodge, No. 531, Bridge of Allan, Past Grand Chap- lain. " The Lodge having been duly constituted, the depu- tation from the Provincial Grand Lodge was admitted, Bro. Primrose vacating the chair for Bro. F. E. Villiers, P.G.M., who was surrounded by his office-bearers. The first part of the Consecration Prayer was read by the Acting P.G. Chap- lain. Psalm c. sung and Psalm cxxxiii. read, " The Acting P.G. Chaplain then delivered an oration, in the course of which he said — Having been requested tO' accompany you in my office as Acting P.G. Chaplain, and in that capacity to address a few words on this interesting^ occasion to the brethren present, I purpose to take the opportunity presented of directing your thoughts for a moment to a most important as well as interesting question at the present day, viz., the relation that exists between Free- masonry as it is practised among us and the Christian religion, in order more particularly to face an objection t& it with which we are often met in converse with those of the outer world who are not Masons ; and also with a view, as far as my own inability will allow, (especially in the short time at my disposal), to confirm the brethren in an appreci- ation of the advantages of our Order upon the points in- volved, and to encourage them in the faithful practice of its precepts. It is frequently said by inquirers without, and History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 55 the thought may also suggest itself with some degree of force to some of us within, that seeing that the system of religion that prevails in this country takes within itself everything that Freemasonry has to offer in the way of in- struction in faith, morality, and brotherly love, besides embracing even higher considerations and sanctions (or at least it gives these with greater definiteness) than Free- masonry does or can do, what is the use of Freemasonry ? What good is it in this country at all ? To meet such an objection we must remember that whilst Freemasonry offers to us a perfect system of morality and calls our most serious consideration to the volume of the sacred law, charging us to regard it as the unerring standard of truth and justice, and to regulate our actions by the Divine precepts which it contains, and moreover points us to the same bright hope of an eternal future as a reward of well-doing, yet that it in no way presumes to interpret those sacred writings as a guide to our religious beliefs, nor in any way to offer itself as a substitute for any form of religion whatever ; and whilst it gives special honour to the earlier and later religious systems with which the sacred volume stands immediately connected, it most carefully abstains from interfering with them, whilst it offers an easy basis of union of brotherhood to all free men of good report and of mature age who volun- tarily present themselves to share in its privileges. The moral system which it inculcates, and the trust in the pro- tecting care of the Great and AUwise God and Father of us all, which it tends to establish in the hearts and minds of all who faithfully follow its leading, so far from making it to be prejudicial to any particular form of religion, are rather calculated to make it a handmaid for the strengthening of 56 History of Lodge St. MichaePs Kilwinning. the faith of every man whose faith or belief has its source in the revelation of the sacred word, and is founded upon the principles of eternal truth and justice which the sacred writ- ings themselves proclaim. And whilst any particular form of religion is necessarily limited, from the nature of the case, in its influence to men of like creed, Freemasonry, standing upon a broader basis and containing within it the whole body of moral truth that is comnjon to all who accept the teaching of the sacred volume, presents a field of operation for the good of mankind wider than is possible for any religious system to afford, even though that field be upon a somewhat lower level. Freemasonry does not lay claim to more than this, but herein lies its mission and its strength in the present day of religious divisions, and so excellently well does it do its work that no true Mason, no one who strives to practise out of his Lodge the precepts which are inculcated within it, will fail to reflect the honour, not only upon the Craft itself, but also upon that particular religious body to which he individually belongs. The mysteries which are enfolded in a Mason's Lodge can never fail, in respect to those who are willing to be taught by them, to incite to the cultivation of truth, to promote concord among the brethren, and to induce peace with all men. Our ancient and honourable institution rests upon a solid foun- dation. The stamp of permanency, which it bears through its existence from time immemorial, is a powerful witness to the unchangeable character of the truth that it inculcates ; whilst its tendency to build up an honourable character in the persons of all those who are obedient to its precepts bears unimpeachable testimony to its usefulness. In his present and imperfect condition, defiled and polluted as History of Lodge St. MichaePs Kilwinning. 57 human nature is by contact with evil, man, it may well be granted, stands in need of further sanctions and more powerful constraint, brought to bear upon his faith and upon his affections, than Freemasonry itself can supply ; but such a consideration by no means lessens the beneficent charac- ter of its operations, so far as these can be brought to bear upon his spiritual nature. No religious differences, no political rancour, find a place in a Mason's Lodge to mar and hinder the harmonious workings of its moral training. But good as Freemasonry is in itself, and excellent in its ■effects, wherever it is diligently used and faithfully and fairly apphed, like all other institutions which exist for the -amelioration of evil and the cultivation of good, the benefi- cent results produced from it and the value which is placed upon it by public opinion must depend upon the character of the human agency by which it is promoted and maintained. This is strictly in accordance with that universal law which governs the working and growth of good amongst mankind alike in the physical, moral, and spiritual worlds. The mercy of the Great Architect of the universe is over all his works, but He has given to every one of His intelligent human creatures a certain measure of independence of will, not only for the purpose that they may magnify His holy name and the glories of His perfections by a voluntary obedience of righteous service to Himself, but He has made the very fulfilment of that service to depend greatly upon and to be facilitated by the cultivation of kindly thoughts and righteous deeds by man towards his fellow man. Whilst, therefore, God calls upon us in His word to make manifest our love and devotion to Himself by keeping his command- ments, He has made it clear to us at the same time that we can 58 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. only accomplish this by the cultivation of a habit of love towards our fellow man, and a service of devotion to our neighbour's welfare. ' He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen ? ' ' He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.' It is in this inseparable union of service to Himself and to our fellow men that we see most plainly how the Almighty in His unsurpassing wisdom honours us by making us co-workers- with Himself in every work of good, and so lays a responsi- bility upon us to do our part in its propagation, and brings home to our understanding the righteous character of that eternal law which hmits the effect for good of any institution among men, however good, however true, however benefi- cent in its design, according to the intelligence, the honesty of purpose, the faithful labours, and the loving heartedness of its members and promoters. Public opinion, too, generally shapes itself according to experience and observation of result. If we wish to find a practical answer, then, to the inquiry. What is the good of Freemasonry ? we shall find it in ourselves. What good are we working in it ? Are we getting the greatest good we can out of it by giving up our- selves to its rules, to its precepts, and to every opportunity of usefulness for good which it sets before us to acquire? Freemasonry is good, though it has suffered much discredit by the unworthiness of many of its members. Let us take care that our venerable institution, which is so worthy, be not evil spoken of through our own personal unworthiness, or our carelessness in neglecting strictly to guard its privil- eges. We live under the law of solidarity. ' No man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.' No more igno- rant and foolish notion can enter into the mind of a man History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinnitig. 59- than that it is possible for him to benefit himself by confin- ing his effort to his own individual profit to the neglect of his fellows, and the converse is eternally true also. We cannot act to our own injury without doing injury to others. Such a proverb as such a one ' is nobody's enemy but his- own,' although a very common one, is one of the most stupid that can be imagined. Rather let us draw our pro- verb from the wisdom enshrined in the words of the im- mortal poet — ' To thine own self be true ; And it must follow as the night the day, Thou can'st not then be false to any man.' If the blessing which we look for from above depends,. as it is made to depend, upon our own honest endeavour after good, reason teaches us that such endeavour can only be truly made by embracing within it the whole round of duty. By having in mind always to act both in respect of ourselves and also of our brethren according to the laws of the Divine Creator, we may look up confidently for his- approval and for his continual blessing here, and when we shall be summoned from this sublunary abode to ascend to the Grand Lodge above in order to give an account to the Grand iVIaster Himself of the work which has been com- mitted to us, we shall be able to obey that summons with- out fear or misgiving, and having a comfortable hope to occupy the places to which we have become fitted as living stones in that Eternal Temple where the Great Architect Himself lives and reigns for ever. (Applause.) "After another hymn had been sung, Bro. Phyn, P.M., the P.G. Secretary, read the Charter of St. Michael's Lodge. Then followed the chanting of Psalm xcv., i to 7, and the ■60 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. second portion of the Consecration Prayer. The conse- •cration elements were then brought forward, the cornucopia being delivered to the S.P.G.M., the vase with wine to the S.P.G.W., and the vase with oil to the J.P.G.W. In turn the consecration elements were handed to the Provincial Grand Master, who strewed the corn from the cornucopia •over the Lodge room and then sprinkled the room with Tvine and oil. Thereafter the Acting P.G. Chaplain read the Dedication Prayer, and the ceremony was concluded by the reading of a part of the scriptures and the singing of the Masonic Ode. "The- Provincial Grand Master, addressing the brethren, said he rejoiced to meet that night so many from the various Lodges in the Province which he loved so well. He had been requested ere parting at this visitation to say a few words with regard to the ceremony just gone through, and with regard to their position as Masons in the Province. He rejoiced in this privilege of addressing them after so long an absence from amongst them. (Applause.) That absence on his part, he assured them, had been unavoidable, :and it had been a cause of great distress and annoyance to him to feel that upon several occasions at the assembling of the P.G. Lodge of the Province he must appear as a defaulter, :and one who was not doing his proper business. In expla- nation of his appearance that evening, he had to say to them that he was there for lack of a better. When the day was ■settled that this magnificent hall should be consecrated and launched into the full manhood of its vigour in the Masonic world, it was decided that they should endeavour to bring somebody who would be worthy of the occasion. He there- fore most cordially entered into this arrangement, and was History of Lodge St. AlkhaeVs Kilwinning. 61 in correspondence with the Grand Master of Scotland, who- first of all intimated that he would come, but afterwards wrote that he would be unable to fulfil the engagement, an announcement which caused him, and he dare say some of the brethren, very great disappointment. But they all knew what a hard-working man, not only as a Mason, but in every other respect, Bro. Sir Archibald Campbell was. He was loved by Masons throughout Scotland at large, and they knew that there was no trouble he would not undergo to advance Masonry throughout the land. But he had such a very large number of engagements ; he had had calls up- on him from so many queens and princesses, and others representing, he supposed, empires and kingdoms, that for the time being the provinces had to take a back seat, (Laughter.) He had appHed to the Grand Master Depute, Bro. Lord Haddington, but he had received a letter saying it was utterly impossible for him to be here. He wrote — ' I am truly sorry to have to decline the flattering invitation to perform the ceremony of the consecration of your new Freemasons' Hall in Dumfries. I really hardly like, even after mature consideration, to give up duty for pleasure", but in this case it is really duty for another duty.' And then Bro. Lord Haddington went on to tell what his engage- ments were. He had been giving up the whole of his time lately to the great bazaar which was to be held in Edin- burgh, and in going round the whole of his province, which was an extensive one. It was not from any feeling against the Province that he had kept away, they would see. (Cheers.) When he got the programme that morning of the consecration service he looked at it and found that horrible word, ' oration ' by the P.G.M. He hated that word. ■62 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. but on arriving in Dumfries his mind was made clear, and he found that the duties were to be performed not by the P.G.M., but by the Acting P.G. Chaplain ; and he was sure they would all acquiesce in returning him a hearty vote of thanks for the oration which he had delivered, and also for his kindness in having come to help them to carry out their proceedings. (Applause.) It was to him, and also to many •of the brethren, a circumstance of great sorrow that they missed the presence of two of their brethren that evening. Rejoiced as they might be at the good work now done, he thought brethren in the Province of Dumfriesshire would feel sorrow at the absence, through death, of Bro. Bryce, who would have acted as P.G. Chaplain, and also at the absence of Bro. Dr Ogilvy-Ramsay, who was abroad in search of health. It seemed to him extraordinary to be standing there amongst them that night, when he looked back to that very short time ago, when, almost on the -same spot at which he now stood, he was standing bare headed and cold, with ' a scene around him of almost apparent desolation. (Laughter.) Here he was that night addressing them almost within twelve months, standing amongst them in this beautiful building surrounded by all that could be conducive to the reverence for, and the proper carrying out of. Masonic duties and obligations. (Applause.) It did one's heart good, as P.G.M., to come round and see such a build- ing as this, to see everywhere all so decent, so reverent, so much in conformity with all the law and order of Masonic authorities. Here the laws were carried out, not by any ■coercive authority, neither was the carrying out of the laws hindered by anything at all that could be called exclusive deahng. And why? Because the foundation of the Order History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 63 was a union of hearts. (Applause.) There was no denying that it was not all sunshine amongst them at all times. They knew this, and let them acknowledge the fact. But whenever there had been indiscretions amongst Lodges, ill-feeling and wrong done, what then became the watchword of the Masons ? Reparation at once. What greater example could they have of the reality, sincerity, and brotherly love of the Masonic world than what was taking place, not only as it applied to Scotland, but from one end of the world to the ■other, at this moment ? He did not care where they went — to the Antipodes or elsewhere. Take, for instance, this gigantic effort of Bro. Sir Archibald Campbell to bring to a •successful conclusion this great bazaar for the foundation of & great benevolent scheme in connection with the Free- masons of Scotland. (Cheers.) Did it not show the sincerity and the love of Freemasons when they found in the humblest cottage assistance being rendered ; persons en- gaged in business at all hours giving up their time, leisure, and money for the work ; and that the highest as well as the lowest in the land stretched out their hands readily and will- ingly to carry out this work ? (Cheers.) It was on occasions such as the present, when they were, so to speak, to a certain extent parading their virtues, that it behoved them more than ever to look into their own private affairs — how they were carrying out their duties in Lodges. It behoved them to take special care that in their Masonic life they did not give cause to the enemy to blaspheme, and give cause to the outside world to say ' Oh how these brethren hate one another.' He said, on occasions hke this it was their duty to exert themselves to maintain Masonic love. If that were the result of the work here that day he felt they could say 64 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. ' So mote it be,' and if that was the conclusion, then indeed those who had built the hall would not have built it in vain. (Applause.) Praise, he said, was due to those who had had the carrying out of this scheme — due to them for the expeditious way in which it had been carried out. In the work, ornamental as it was, they had beauty and solidity, the very emblems of what the Masonic creed was. Then, he thought, a vote of thanks was due by all in the Province to St. Michael's Lodge itself — (applause) — as a body, to their Working Committee, and also to the workmen who had really thrown themselves so heartily into the carrying out of the work. Curious how the work had been begun under one Master and completed under another — begun under Bro. Coupland — (applause) — and carried to a success- ful issue under Bro. Primrose. (Applause.) The position of affairs reminded him of what was once said of another great Reformation — that Erasmus laid the egg and Luther hatched it. Bro. Coupland laid the egg, and Bro. Primrose hatched it. (Laughter and applause.) He spoke not only for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Dumfriesshire, but on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, when he said from his heart, and from the heart of the Grand Lodge, 'Brethren of St. Michael's, we wish you God-speed.' (Loud applause.) " Bro. Primrose asked that the hearty thanks of the brethren should he given to Bro. Villiers for coming there that day, and also that they would assure th€ P.G.M. they were satisfied that his absence, which he had referred to, was not wilful. He was with them in spirit although absent in body. He asked them also to convey their assurance to the P.G.M. that every time he came there it left them better men and truer Masons than they were when he had History of Lodge St. Michael's Kihvinning. 65 been present with them before. (Applause.) On behalf of St. Michael's Lodge, he would only say that if the brethren of that Lodge had done anything to promote Freemasonry in the Province that was all the reward they expected and asked for. Their purpose had been fufilled if they had done that, and so he hoped that this was only the beginning of much brighter days for the Province of Dumfriesshire, and long might it continue. (Applause ) " Bro. Villiers having replied, the deputation from the Provincial Grand Lodge then withdrew, and the Lodge was immediately afterwards closed in the usual form. "In the evening the R.W.M. and brethren of St. Michael's Lodge entertained the deputations who had at- tended the consecration ceremony to supper in the Hall, when there was a good attendance. The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given, and a pleasant and social even- was spent." The building (of which we give a reproduction from the Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald), is situated in George Street, near the junction with Charlotte Street, is of modest proportions but elegant in design. It has a frontage of 36 feet, extends back- wards 72 feet, and is set back seven feet from the line of street. It consists of two storeys. The hall proper is- situated on the upper storey, and measures 27 feet by 42. A swivel partition in the centre permits it being converted into two rooms when desirable. There are also on this floor two commodious ante-rooms, with lavatory and other accommodation. The entrance is in the centre of the George Street frontage, and is approached by a handsome 5 66 History of Lodge St. MichaeVs Kilwinni?ig. flight of stairs. The doorway is of an ornamental pattern, surmounted by Masonic emblems and flanked by Ionic pillars ; and at each side there is a large two-light semi- circular arched window. In the under storey are apartments for the janitor, and behind these, three rooms which have been let for school purposes. The janitor's house is entered from Charlotte Street, while the school has an independent side approach at the other end of the building. There is an area formed in front, protected by an iron railing, but as the ground slopes to the back the school-rooms are entirely above the ground level. The stone employed in the con- struction is native red freestone, but a good deal of effective terra cotta enrichment is introduced in the front ; this ornament being employed in panels under the windows, round the door, in the main frieze under the cornices, and the front balustrade. History of Lodge St. Michael' s Kilwinning. 67 The furnishings for the new Hall, such as Master's -throne, altar, Wardens chairs and pedestals, candlesticks i(which are all of oak), floor-cloth, &c., were gifted by- various brethren, who vied with each other in making the paraphernalia and surroundings of their new home beautiful, handsome, and comfortable. The recent doings of the Lodge do not call for present ■comment. The members assisted the Provincial Grand Lodge at the laying of the foundation stones Of the new Parish Church at Moffat ; at the new Post Office, Dumfries; "the new Public School at Annan, and the Freemasons' Hall being erected by Eskdale Kilwinning, No. 107, Langholm. From all we can glean from the brief and in many cases imperfect records, we have every reason to be proud of those brethren who have carried on the Lodge through times of trial and difficulty, for by their perseverance and :Steadfastness, the continuity of the work has been maintained through all these years. It may be safely said that at no time has the member- ship been so large, or so influential for good as it is at present ; therefore, let us so bear our part, that we shall hand over to those who succeed, our dear Mother Lodge in every .sense " just, perfect, and regular." " And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing." " As yoti like it,'' Act ii., Sc. 1. LODGE JEWELS. NOTES ON THE FRONTISPIECE. With the exception of the Crossed Pens and the Key,, the Silver Jewels pictured on our Frontispiece (which is- from a photograph taken by Bro. John Mackechnie, No. 63)- are encased in a frame and form part of the valued deco- rations of the Lodge room. Prior to the period of the centenary of the reponement celebrations in 1889, the Lodge only possessed these seven insignia of office, and as all were not strictly in accordance with the Constitutions, it was resolved to obtain a complete set, so that each office-bearer should wear his proper emblem, conformable to Law 249 of the Grand Lodge. The Secretary's and Treasurer's Jewels, being correct and of beautiful workmanship, were retained in use. The Lodge,. however, was not called upon to bear the cost, for the new Jewels were kindly gifted by Bro. John Adair, P.M., and were first used when the brethren assembled to lay the: foundation stone of their new Hall. The elaborate design of the R.AV. Master's Jewel appears to have been adopted by all the Dumfries Lodges, for those used by Lodges Kil- winning, No. 53 (ordered in 1816, "in place of the old brass Jewels''); Thistle, No. 62 (who also possess one of History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 69 "brass); and Operative, No. 140 (obtained in 1776) are ..exactly the same, only larger in size than St. Michael's. The Thistle and Operative Master's Jewels also bear the following inscriptions : — " Sit Lux et Lux Fuit." " Amor Honor et Justitia," " Virtute et Silentio," while St. Michael's and Kilwinning are quite plain. It is, however, to be remarked that St. Michael's Jewel is the .only one that has the Royal Arch emblem engraved on the Star. The Operative Lodge has, in addition, a small silver coffin hanging pendant to their Jewel, upon which is engraved the Square and Compasses, with the letter G enclosed ; and the Thistle Lodge evidently had the same emblem of mortality, as the ring holes for such an appendage remain. A brass Jewel, similar to those under consideration, is still extant and in private possession. In the early days when official Jewels -were first worn, the designs were varied and fanciful, and the ■ornamentation, consisting of the Sun, Moon, Stars, etc., points to the ascendancy of the speculative element in the old Operative Lodges. In 1736, Mother Kilwinning Lodge, No. 0, introduced Lodge Jewels as part of the dress of speculative Masonry. Bro. D. Murray Lyon, who has kindly lent and permitted the use of the accompanying plates, rsays the Jewel here reproduced* was the "first Jewel ever worn by the head of the Kilwinning Lodge as the distin- guishing insignia of his office. This Jewel is of silver, and is similar in design to that suspended from the sash worn by the last hereditary patron or protector of the Craft in the * Freemasons' Magazine, nth April, 1 868. 70 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. picture of St. Clair, in the possession of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, where he was initiated." According to Laurie the Level was, in the early part of last century, the general badge of the Order, " no ordinary Lodges then meeting in the third degree, which accounts for the brethren at large adopting the symbol of the Senior Warden and of the Fellow-Crafts whom he represented."' Bro. Murray Lyon confirms this recently when referring ta our frontispiece, by saying the plain Level "represents the highest degree, F.C., worked by speculative Lodges in Scotland in the early part of last century," and that the opposite one "was adopted when the third degree came into force — the Compasses being introduced as embracing the Plumb and the Level." Bro. W. J. Hughan, the well- History of Lodge St. MichaePs Kilwinning. 71 known Masonic authority, thinks the Centre Jewel, if in- tended for the R.W. Master, " shares the honour with the one on the left, which has the Level, so to speak, within the two arms of the Compasses." He also refers to its simil- arity to the insignia worn by St. Clair, and states that many of the Jewels worn in England about the same period were much more elaborate in character, the designs including many symbols of the Craft. It will therefore be seen that these old Jewels convey to us some idea of the evolution of the esoteric teaching which has culminated in the perfect ceremonies of to-day. . It will not be considered out of place to give representa- tions of two Jewels of a similar period to those in use in Dumfries. These belong to Lodge Navigation, No. 86,Troon, 72 History of Lodge St. MichaeFs Kilwinning. and appeared in The Freemasons' Magazine of 2nd May, 1868, illustrating an article by our present Grand Secretary. The Jewel shown above is of date 1762-3. The other illus- tration is taken from the Jewel at present worn by the Master of Troon Lodge, and Bro. Murray Lyon says, relative to it, " in addition to its value as a specimen of Lodge Jewels of a former generation, there is attached to the subject of this illustration a degree of interest, from the exact resemblance it bears to the ' highest badge ' worn by Burns in his occasional occupancy of the Orient in the Lodge Tarbolton Kilwinning St. Janjes," No. 135. It is to be hoped that a complete collection of these old Scottish Jewels may some day be made, and published for .the information and instruction of the Craft. History of Lodge St. MichaePs Kilwinning. 73 The Lodge possesses two ancient Bibles. The first, '(3 in. X 6;^), a rare copy, is in Latin, and dated " Amstelo- dami, Apud Johannem, Jacobi Schipper, mdclxix. The Psalms collected into English meter, which are given at the end, are dated London, 1646. It appears to have come in- to possession of No. 63 about 1828-30. This V.S.L. was used until 1890, when Bro. James Lennox presented the Lodge with one that had a further interest in having been at one time the property of Bro. A. L. Brander, P.M. This Bible was " printed by Thos. & John Buck, Printers to the University of Cambridge." The date on the pictorial title page is awanting, but the title page preceding the New Testament portion gives the date, "Ann. Dom., 1630." This is, we are informed, the second edition printed in that ■City of the Holy Bible, the first issue being in 1629. EMINENT MEMBERS OF THE LODGE. The Roll of Members, which follows, contains many honoured and revered names — men, who in their day, swayed the destinies of municipal affairs, were leaders of social movements and enlightened progress in our ancient Burgh. We can but refer to a few of these men of light and leading who have been engaged in the management of the Lodge since the reponal in 1789 : — R. W. MASTERS. Edvi'ard Hyslop, Writer, ruled the Lodge in 1789, and again in 1801 ; he was the first R.W.M. appointed when St. Michael's emerged from the gloom of dormancy. He took an active part in carrying on the work of these early days. James Spalding (1792), Clerk of the Peace in Dumfries- shire, died 3rd July, 1838, aged 74. He took some concern in civic affairs, and was a magistrate of the Burgh. He also was a devoted attender to the Lodge duties for a long series of years. John Lew^ars (1793-5), ^l^o ^^^ Supervisor of Excise, died in 1826. The Dumfries Monthly Magazine says, "Itr was from Mr Lewars that Burns received his official instruction on entering the Excise ; and from this circumstance originated a friendship which existed between them without interruption until the death of History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 75 the poet." In one of the poet's letters to Mr Thom- son, of Edinburgh, he says, " This will be delivered by a Mr Lewars, a young fellow of uncommon merit — indeed, by far the cleverest fellow I have met with in this part of the world. His only fault is d-m-cratic heresy. . . If you have a spare half hour to spend with him, I shall place your kindness to my account." Burns had been admitted a member of St. Andrew's Lodge, Dumfries, on 27th December, 1788, a year previous to the resuscitation of St. Michael's charter. His mother Lodge was St. David's, Tarbolton, No. 178^ his entry being on 4th July, 1781. William Gordon (i 795-1 801), Writer, who died i6th August, 1829, was a highly esteemed citizen. His masonic work is shown by the numerous offices he held, and he seems to have been one of the most ardent craftsmen of his day. Samuel Shortridge (1804-6), Surgeon, also gave consider- able attention to the affairs of the Lodge. He was- proprietor of Kelton Head. The following inscription on his monument in Troqueer churchyard cannot fail to interest : — "In memory of Samuel Shortridge, of Keltonhead, M.D. , for many years an eminent medical practitioner in Dumfries. Skilful, active, benevolent, and well in- formed ; he was universally esteemed, and his society highly valued by his friends, who have erected this monument as a testimony of their respect for his many virtues. Born, 12th Feb., 1765 ; died, 26th Feb., 1844." His brother, James Shortridge, was for a lengthened period Provost of Maxwelltown. 76 History of Lodge St. MichaeFs Kihvinning. William Thomson, Junr. (1819-20), Writer, son of Provost William Thomson. Robert Threshie, Junr. (1820-22), Writer, of Barnbarroch, died 4th March, i860, was also a leading man. He was Clerk of the Supply, and a gentleman of great business capacity, holding several important appoint- ments in town and county ; was Age'nt of the Bank of Scotland ; and an active and highly respected . citzen. John M'Diarmid (1822-24), died i8th November, 1852, aged 62 years. This distinguished Brother is perhaps one of the best known among the many eminent names associated with "The Queen of the South." As editor of the Dumfries Courier for some thirty-six years, he gave that newspaper something more than a local name. His literary work embraced " The Scrap Book," "Life of Cowper," "Picture of Dumfries," and " Sketches from Nature " (a reprint of special articles from the Courier). He interested himself in schemes of social progress, and local institutions of a charitable character ever had the support of his purse and pen. His labours were suitably acknowledged in 1847, when he was entertained to dinner by the leading inhabitants of the town and distript. Among the tributes to his eminence as a citizen, one is in these words, "With the single exception of Burns, no man is more imperishably connected with Dumfries, and I am persuaded that the men of Dumfries will long and peculiarly cherish his memory." 'Thomas Harkness (1824-27), Writer, of the firm of Gordon History of Lodge St. Michael' i Kilwinning. 11 & Harkness, died 31st October, 1832. His obituary- notice in the Courier speaks of him as a "gentleman of the greatest talent in his profession, of the most kindly moral qualities, and whose premature decease will not be speedily forgotten by those who could appreciate his numerous excellencies." John Fraser Gracie (1827-33), Writer, son of James. Gracie, Banker, gave long service to Masonry. He held several offices in the Lodge prior to occupying the chair. Wm. Carson (1833-7), Writer, was for a time Sheriff-Clerk Depute, and the Dumfries Weekly Journal, the first newspaper published in the town in 1777, passed into his hands, and for a time he acted as editor. This paper became defunct in 1833. David Armstrong (1837-9), Writer, died 17th August, 1846, aged 48, was a man of considerable public spirit, and was Provost of the Burgh from 1837 to 1840. His civic duties did not debar him from wielding the mallet in St. Michael's, and his masonic reign was one of con- siderable interest and prosperity. He was implicated in a romantic incident, for the details of which we are indebted to the pages of the Dumfries Standard: — " Two suitors for the hand and heart of Miss Grieve, daugh- ter of Mr James Grieve, wine and spirit merchant, ' The Pillars,' Dumfries, were Mr David Armstrong, writer, and Mr George Buchan Vair, a Leith wine merchant. The Dumfriesian engaged the affections of the young lady ; but the suit of the stranger was favoured by the father, and Miss Grieve gave Mr Vair a constrained promise of marriage. The gentleman was led, however, to under- stand that the heart would not accompany the gift of the hand. 78 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilivinning. and he wrote a sorrowful note, relieving the lady of any unwilling pledge. She was subsequently married to the man of her choice — against her father's consent. Mr Vair allowed his feeling of dis- appointment — embittered by reports that Mr Armstrong had not maintained an honourable rivalry — to master him to such an extent that he challenged the successful suitor to a duel, making a journey for the purpose from Leith, accompanied by a Mr Gideon Alston, who was to act as second. They did not allow much time for the acceptance of the challenge. Arriving in Dumfries on 28th January, 1822, Alston carried the defiant missive to Armstrong's residence the same night, calling upon him to meet his enraged rival on the following morning, in the vicinity of Lincluden Abbey, as he valued his honour. The challenge, it was alleged, was not delivered until nine o'clock. Mr Armstrong not un- naturally objected to the short space allowed for him to find a second and arrange other preliminaries, and represented that the friend whom he would wish to consult in such a matter was resi- dent in Edinburgh, and could not arrive for six days. He declined, therefore, to meet his would-be antagonist on the terms proposed. The latter, however, pushed the point, with no serious intention, it was afterwards alleged, of bringing Mr Armstrong ' up to the scratch,' but really to lay a plausible foundation for the after pro- ceedings ; and a second message, delivered at a still later hour, announced that no delay would be granted. This message was disregarded. Mr Vair and his second accordingly walked out next morning, unattended, to the spot which they had named for the encounter. Finding, as might have been anticipated, that they had the field to themselves, they returned to their hotel (the King's Arms of Maxwelltown, which had been selected because of its vicinity to the scene of the proposed duel), and, having celebrated their easy victory by a sumptuous breakfast, penned an insulting letter to Mr Armstrong, to be delivered by post when they were a day's journey on their way back to Leith. This was followed up a week later by the placarding of the town with an insulting printed paper .... and a defamatory pamphlet also was issued, entitled ' Mr Alston's Narrative,' the printer being Mr Joseph Swan, Dumfries. For these calumnious proceedings Mr History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 79 Armstrong brought an action in the Court of Session against both of the parties, the damages being laid at £2,000. The case was tried in Edinburgh, Jeffrey being leading counsel for the pursuer ; and Henry Coclcburn and Thomas Maitland of Dundrennan (both also afterwards Lords of Session) being retained by the defenders. A verdict was given for the pursuer, but the damages were assessed at only ;^20. The 'lady, it may be added, survived her first hus- band, and was afterwards married to a Yorkshire gentleman. She died so recently as 1872, having attained the age of 73 yesrs." Robert Bell (1839-44, 1845-54, 1858-60), Ironmonger, died 3rd October, i860, aged 61, was the longest occu- pant of the Throne of St. Michael's, and in December, 1854, it was "resolved to record in the minutes the high respect entertained by the brethren of the Lodge towards Bro. Robert Bell, who had with much efficiency filled the office of Master for the long period of 19 years." James Sloan, Wine Merchant (1860-1), died 28th March, 1885. He was a member of the Town Council for a number of years, and took an active part in public affairs, and at his decease was Substitute Provincial Grand Master of Dumfriesshire. James Lee Pike, Deritist (1861-2, 1866-7), was ever ready to forward any movement of a useful and benevolent character. He entered the Town Council in the year of his death. He was for some years S.P.G. Master, and at his death, 26th October, 1869, the Provincial Grand Lodge, in minuting their expression of deep regret at his loss, said "he had on all occasions proved himself worthy and anxious to promote the prosperity of Masonry." 80 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. William Fairley, Schoolmaster, Maxwelltown (1862-3), joined the Lodge as an affiliate from Free Operative Lodge, Biggar, No. 167. It is recorded of him that he was "a careful, painstaking, and devoted teacher . . . much esteemed by his professional brethren," and his services to the Lodge were much valued by the mem- bers. Robert Dinwiddie (1863-5), Hosiery Manufacturer, died at the early age of 35. He was a gentleman of whom it was written, "There was only one side to his nature,, which was essentially sincere, straight-forward, and open, and it was unmarred by a single trace of selfish- ness." He was the first of three brothers who have presided over the Lodge. Bro. W. A. Dinwiddie being installed in 1880, and Bro. L. M. Dinwiddie, the present R.W.M., in 1894. This unique and interesting circumstance is, so far as can be gleaned, quite unprece- dented. Sir William Broun, Bart, of Colston (1867-8), the ninth Baronet, died loth June, 1882, in his 78th year. He took an interest in Burgh affairs, was Treasurer for a time, and entered heartily into the business of the Council. He was assiduous during many years in the work of the Lodge, where his fine genial manner and courtesy was greatly appreciated. William Brown, Draper (1868-70), was a very enthusiastic member for a considerable number of years, and com- manded the respect of the brethren. Donald Mitchell, Editor and Proprietor of the Dumfries and Galloway Courier (1870-1), a native of Tain, was History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 81 a gentleman of extensive knowledge, information, and general culture, held in high esteem in private life, and was honoured by all. He filled the office of Provincial Grand Treasurer. He also took considerable interest in the Dumfries Burns Club and other institutions irii the Burgh. James Rennie, Brewer (187 1-4), took a considerable part in municipal affairs for many years, and occupied a seat on the Magistrates' Bench. The Volunteer movement also found in him an enthusiastic supporter. Alfred Langdon Brander (1875-6), after his initiation in the Lodge in 1852, returned to his official duties in the War Office in London. During his residence there, he became W.M. of Royal Jubilee Lodge, No. 72, E.C.. Upon returning to Dumfries, he resumed his connection with No. 63, and duly became Master. Robert Sharpe, Solicitor, (1877-9), ^ highly respected gentleman, who gave diligent attention in many offices, to the work of Masonry. He was an enthusiastic- Volunteer officer, being Captain in the 3rd V.B. King's- Own Scottish Barderers. Thomas Brisbane Anderson, Solicitor (1879-80), for many years acted as P.O. Secretary. John Jones, Chief Constable of Dumfriesshire, R.W.M. in 1874, for a long time acted as Proxy Master for the Lodge in Grand Lodge, and gave considerable attention to the duties. He filled many posts, including P.G. Warden in Provincial Grand Lodge, and was the last holder of the now obsolete office of Provincial Grand Clerk. He was a gentleman of urbane disposition, and 6 82 History of Lodge St. MichaeVs Kilwinning. held in high estimation among all classes of the com- munity. Among other brethren, who, although they did not "pass the chair," still gave useful service to the Lodge, must be numbered the following : — Charles Baird, Writer (1820), who occupied the position of Sheriff-Clerk of Dumfriesshire, was, to quote Mr M'Dowall, " a respectable and accomplished gentle- man." He died in 1855. John Kerr, Writer (1795), Provost of the Burgh, died during his reign in 1826, was a gentleman of "humane, charitable, honourable character, and an upright man." He was Justice of the Peace Clerk for Dumfriesshire, and held 'in very high esteem by his fellow-citizens. Robert Locke, Writer (1803), occupied the ofifice of Town Clerk of the Burgh, and filled most of the important ofHces in the Lodge. William Martin, Town Clerk, for many years was an out- standing citizen. He was in heart imbued with the town's interests, and he did much to promote its welfare. In all schemes of a charitable character he felt greatly in- terested, and his quiet unostentatious method com- manded universal respect. Though he did not fill the chair of the Lodge, he occupied the high position of a Provincial Grand Warden. Robert D. M'Lellan, M.D., died 29th December, 1847, was one of the Infirmary Physicians. In the Courier he is thus happily spoken of as having a " heart full of sympathy and tenderness, charity which never judged History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 83 harshly of a human being, and the whole character per- meated by high principle . . ." John Macara, Writer (1837), after a short residence in Dumfries was appointed Town Clerk of Lochmaben, but it would seem he did not reside there, for in 184c, it being contrary to the terms of his appointment, the Provost was instructed to communicate with him regarding his long absence from the burgh, and to ascertain his future intentions. He wrote from Dun- fermline resigning his appointment. ■ Peter Primrose, Writer, died 23rd December, 1826, at the early age of 30, and during his brief career in the Lodge held the office of J.W. Mr M'Dowall, in his " Memorials of St. Michael's Churchyard," speaks of him as " a gentleman of poetical fancy and literary taste." .Robert Spalding, Writer (1791), a brother of James Spalding, R.W.M. in 1789, held nearly every office but the premier one ; he died 15th February, 1822. Thomas Ferguson Smith, Writer, was a well-known citizen, and was Provost of the Burgh for several years. Thomas Robinson Smyth, Writer, took an active interest in public affairs, and was a. Bailie; he died 21st April, i860. Alexander Simpson, Writer (1842), held most of the important offices in the County, was Clerk of Supply, and a gentleman of influence and position. Alexander Thomson, Writer (1839), also gave valuable service, although he never presided over the destinies of the Lodge. He was a son of James Thomson, 84 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. writer, and Jessie Lewars, the latter the friend of Robert Burns and his wife during their residence in Dumfries. Mention must be made of two brethren who filled the onerous, if humble, post of Tyler. Bro. David Shearer occupied that position for thirty years. Bro. Charles- Sanders succeeded, and for many years gave careful atten- tion to the duties. He held the position of Provincial Grand Tyler, and for forty years was a prominent and widely-known member of the fraternity. He died on the eve of the installation of the present Provincial Grand Master — the light of the time-worn servitor expiring at thiS' time was a pathetic incident attached to an interesting^ occasion. The memory of " Old Charlie," as he was- affectionately called, will long linger in the hearts of the brethren. As has been already noted, the first Provincial Grand Master of the Province, Bro. Andrew Crosbie, of Holm (now Goldielea), was one of the founders of St. Michael's.- Six Provincial Grand Masters, all hailing from other Lodges in the district, followed. On 20th June, 1867, Bro. Lauder- dale Maitland, of Eccles, who had afifiliated to No. 63, from St. Luke Lodge, No. 44, Edinburgh, was installed as Pro- vincial Grand Master by Bro. Henry Inglis, Grand Master Depute. He ruled the Province until his death on 19th April, 1 88 1. He was a gentleman of great- geniality, ur- banity of character, and goodness of heart, and in his public offices commanded great respect. He was the local agent for the City of Glasgow Bank at the period of its disastrous and melancholy failure. History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 85 He was succeeded by Bro. Frederick Ernest Villiers 'Of Closeburn, who first saw light in St. Michael's on 20th June, 1 88 1 . He was animated by a deep feeling of devotion to the principles of the Order. Under his able guidance many errors were corrected ; eloquent indeed were his entreaties for solemnity at the meetings and ceremonials of the Craft; .and to his earnest enthusiasm must be attributed the high toned elevation of purpose that now animates every Lodge in the jurisdiction. His services were duly recognised , by Grand Lodge, where he took an active part in the deliber- .ations. He filled the chair of Grand Warden, and when he resigned his commission as Provincial Grand Master, on .account of his going to reside out of the County, Grand Lodge on 4th May, 1893, unanimously thanked him "for his long and faithful services." During his reign he had the privilege of welcoming the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Bro. Right Honourable The Earl of Hadd- ington, who headed a visitation from the Grand Lodge. A year later, at the banquet given to the Grand Master, after the installation of Bro. Johnstone-Douglas, Bro. Villiers was presented with his bust in bronze (by Bro. J. W. Dods, No. 63, sculptor, Dumfries), and bore into his retirement the good wishes and affection of all the members of the Craft. His mantle, as Provincial Grand Master, has fallenon the shoul- ders of Bro. Arthur Johnstone-Douglas, who was com- missioned as P.G.M. in 1893. He affiliated to St. Michael's in 1887, and has always manifested a deep interest in the Lodge and its working. His mother Lodge is Quhyte- wooUen, Lockerbie, No. 258, and he occupied the throne of that Lodge in 1873. During the period he has acted as Provincial Master, he has shown that he is inspired by -.the devoted spirit of his illustrious predecessor. 86 History of Lodge St. MichaeVs Kilwinning. Among the old members of the Lodge who are still happily with us, honourable mention must be made of Bro. Henry Gordon, Sheriff-Clerk of Dumfriesshire, who ruled the Lodge in 1854. For a long period he gave good service to the Craft, and was a faithful and energetic ofiSce- bearer in the Provincial Grand Lodge, latterly holding the office of Provincial Grand Master Depute. On his resigna- tion in 1888, Bro. Villiers, P.G.M., at a meeting of P.G. Lodge, "acknowledged his indebtedness to Bro. Gordon: for his influence and the help he had given him in fostering" and furthering the principles of Freemasonry in the Province- for so many years . . . The P.G. Secretary was instructed to convey to Bro. Gordon his warmest thanks and feelings- of regret at losing his valuable assistance and' advice in the affairs of the Lodge." The appreciation of the eminent services rendered by Bro. Gordon was also tendered by the- brethren of the Province, who, at a banquet held on 14th February, 1889, presented him with a Past Substitute P.G.. Master's Jewel. Bro. Dr William Marshall, R.W.M. in 1876, held various offices prior to holding the premier position. No Past Master is held in higher regard and affectionate esteem than Bro. Marshall. He still takes a deep interest in the work and Masonic actions of the present day, and we hope- he may long continue to manifest that geniality of tempera- ment he so eminently possesses. His son occupied the- chair in 1893-94. The next living Past Master is Bro. William Alex- ander DiNWiDDiE, who has long been one of the most prominent craftsmen of the Province. He filled one of the Wardens' Chairs in Provincial Grand Lodge- History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. 87 under the commission of Bro. Villiers, P.G.M., and at the installation of Bro. Johnstone-Douglas, the present P.G.M., he was honoured with the commission of Substitute Pro- vincial Grand Master, an appointment at once popular and well deserved. This is hardly the time to speak of the services of the Past Masters of these later years ; they have all proved worthy of the high and responsible position, and fully main- tained the dignity and prestige of the chair of St. Michael's. ROLL OF MEMBERSHIP. Name. Designation. Date. Offi.ce. Armstrong, John Nov. 27, 1789 S.D., D..M., S.W. Aitohison, Wm. Dumfries Deo. 27, 1795 J.D:, S.S. Armstrong, David Hon. from Can. Kil. No. 2 Jan. 28, 1819 D.M., R.W.M. (1837) Alexander, J. W. Hon. from Dfs. Kil. 53 June 17, 1819 Armstrong, Charles Lieut. R.N. Nov. 5, 1827 Treas. Anderson, Honorary. Jan. 30, 1839 Alder, Wm. Daere Solicitor, aflf. from Mary's Chapel No. 1 April 27, 1863 Allan, William Chemist Dec. 31, 1870 J.D.. S.W., Treas. Anderson, Thos. B. Solicitor April 9, 1874 S.D.; Sec, R.W\M. (1879) Adair, John Jeweller April 20, 1875 J.S., Treas., R.W^M. (1883) Alder, Wm. G. B. British India S.S. May 29, 1891 Company Bushby, Charles Hay Inner Temple, London Dumfries, Hon. Aug. 17, 1791 Brand, Wm. Dec. 27, 1806 from No. 62 Booth, Wm. Edgesbaston, Birmingham Feb. 9, 1819 Baird, Charles Writer Feb. 10, 1820 J.D.,S.D.,Clk.,J.W., S.W.,Sec.,Treaa., D.M. Balieff, John HatManufaoturer Deo. 13, 1821 J.D., J.S., J.D. Bell, Robert Merchant Dec. 26, 1821 S.D., Treas., S.W., R.W.M. (1839) Brydone, John Writer Nov. 30, 1829 J.D., S.W., Sec. Broun, Sir W., Bart. Writer Dec. 27, 1830 S.W.,S.D.,S.W.,D.M. Chap., R.W.M. (1867) Brand, John Writer Dec. 16, 1837 J.W., S.W. Brand, Robert Farmer, Guillv- hiU Mar. 21, 1838 Bryden, John H. Wine Merchant Jan. 5, 1842 J.D., Sec. Bryden, Robert Merchant Dec. 11, 1851 J.D., S.D. Brander, Alfred L. Ordnance Office, Sept. 4, 1852 J.W^., S.W., R.W,M. London (1875), (P.M. 72, E.C.) History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. LIST OF MEMBERSHIP— Coniinuerf. Name. Brown, Wm. Berwick, James Berwick, William Beck, Samuel Bingham, Joseph Bingham, James Bell, James Smith Bailey, William Burton, John A. Blaoklock, John Bucher, David Smith Brook, Edward J. Blakely, Samuel F. Blakely, Thomas E. Barbour, Robert Brydone, David A. Biggar, William, jr. Black, Joseph Blacklock, J. B. Blaoklock, J. W. iClark, Samuel, junr. Crawford, Walter Copland, William Clark, Samuel Carson, William Comrie, Robert Crosbie, Thomas Cong, Barkholm Colquhoun, Daniel DesUjnation. Date. Draper Of AUanbank Of Albany Bank Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool Solicitor Editor, Courier & Hnrald Surgeon, Madras Army Solicitor Shipbuilder, Edinburgh Hoddara Castle, aff. from No. 859 E.G. Cambridge Medical Student, Edinburgh. Law Student, Cambridge Solicitor. Max'tn Assistant Factor, Dabton Draper, Dumfries Tyler, aflf. No. 62 Solicitor Accountant Writer Excise Officer, Annan Surgeon Writer Writer, Hon. Writer Writer Comptroller of Customs Jan. 20, 1859 Jan. 20, 1859 Nov. 8, 1860 Sept. 6, 1866 Sept. 6, 1866 Sept. 6, 1866 Feb. 25, 1881 Feb. 23, 1883 April 27, 1885 Mar. 29, 1889 Mar.. 29, 1889 April 26, 1889 July 30, 1890 July 30, 1890 Deo. 16, 1890 July 10, 1891 Mar. 11, 1892 Nov. ,S0, 1893 Nov. 15, 1894 Nov. 29, 1894- Nov. 27, 1789 Nov. 28, 1792 Jan. 21, 1803 Dec. 27, 1803 Dec. 23, 1816 Nov. 5, 1827 Dec. 6, 1827 Oct. 3, 1833 Jan. 30, 1839 Treas., J.W., J.S., E.W.M. (1868) S.D. S.S.,J.D., S.D., Sec, S.D., Sec. LG., S.S., S.D. LG.,J.S.,S.D.,Chap. Sec. P.P.G.M. Depute, Dumfriesshire J.S. S.S., LG., J.D. Tyler Sec. J.W., S.W., E.W.M. (1806) J.D.,S.D.,J.W.,S.W., R.W.M. (1808) J.W., S.W., S.S., R.W.M. (1833) S.D., J.W., S.D. Treas. Sec, D.M. 90 History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. LIST OF MEMBERSHIP— Co»i««u«rf. Name. Designation. Date. Office. Criohton, Thomas Writer Feb. 9, 1839 J.W., S.W., D.M. R.W.M. (1844) Connell, Honorary Feb. 9, 1839 Clark, John Redditch Dec. 17, 1864 Corson, James Dec. 22, 1868 J.D., S.D. Carthew, Ewart Elsieshields June 7, 1870 Carlisle, Bruce Upholsterer Dec. 13, 1872 J.S., Chap. Corrie, John Solicitor May 4, 1874 S.W.. J.W., S.W., Sec. Chap. Crombie, James Architect Mar. 6, 1876 Crombie, Alan B. Architect Mar. 6, 1876 J.S.,J.D.,S.D.,J.W., S.W., R.W.M. (1882) Clynds, John Henry Actor Jan. 11. 1877 Calderhead, Robert Paisley, a£f. from No. 129 Paisley Mar. 25, 1881 J.S. Coupland, Joseph 6. Grocer Jan. 26, 1883 Treas.,S.W., R.W.M, (1888) Coupland, John Moffat Nov. 30, 1883 Crosbie, Wm. G. S.S.G. Mar. 12, 1886 Crawford, George Cal. Ry. Station Master, P.M. No. 62 Mar. 26, 1886 Honorary, (S.P.G.D.) Coulthard, Walter Barnstaple, aiff. from Loyal 251 E.G. Aug. 10, 1887 Carruthers, F. J. C. Of Dixons, Lockerbie Oct. 14, 1887 Carlyle, William Lee Waterbeck April 2, 1890 Costin, William A. Painter, Max'tn Dec. 16, 1890 J.S., J.D., S.D., Chap. Coupland.W.A.F.B. Mill Manager Jan. 29, 1892 J.S. Chicken, John Baker, Max'tn Mar. 11, 1892 J.S., S.S., LG. Dinniston, James Dec. 3, 1789 J.W. Dickson, Feb. 4, 1790 Duncan, George, jr. Lochrutton, Hon. Dec. 27, 1795 Douglas, John Draper, Hon. Sept. 29, 1818 Donald, James April 23, 1819 Duncan, Hon. from Dfs. Kil. 53 Deo. 20, 1833 Douglas, H. R. Hon. from St. Ruth's, No. 255 Dec. 16, 1837 Dickson, D. Hon. from St. Peter's, No. 234 Dec. 16, 1837 History of Lodge St. AtichaeVs Kilwinning. LIST OF MEMBERSHIP -CoBi!in«e(i. 9L Namf. Designation. Date. Office. Dickie, Thomas Draper July 13, 1847 J.S., J.D. Dinwiddie, Robert Manufacturer Jan. 21, 1859 J.D., J.W., S.W., D.M.,R.W.M.(1863> Dickson, Thomas W. Aff. from Peebles Kil. No. 24 June 30, 1862 Dickson, Richat?d A. Merchant Dec. 7, 1865 J.S., S.W., J.W. Dickson, John M.D. June 14, 1867 Dickson, David From Canada Aug. 30, 1872 Dinwiddie, Wm. A. Manufacturer Oct. 27, 1876 S.S.,J.D.,S.D.,S.W.,. H.W.M. (1880) Dryburgh, James Bank Accountant, aff. from No. 335, Dunoon Jan. 28, 1881 Dryden, James H. Physician April 27, 1885 J.W. Dinwiddie, L. M. Manufacturer Feb. 18, 1887 J.S., Treas., Sec, J.W., S.W., R.W.M. (1894) Dods, John Wilson Sculptor, a£F. from No. 62 Feb. 18, 1887 J.D., Chap. Dinwoodie, Samuel Kirkmichael Mar. 25, 1887 Doughty, David S. M.B., CM., Infirmary May 13, 1887 Dykes, Thomas Hairdresser, P.M. No. 62 Dec. 23, 1861 Hon., (P.P.G.W.) Douglas, A. H. John- Comlongan Castle April 26, 1889 P. G.M., Dumfriesshire- stone a£F. from No. 258, Lockerbie Ewart, David James Gatehouse Nov. 27, 1861 J.S. Eraser, Thomas Writer Dec. 29, 1803 S.S.,J.D.,S.D.,J.W.„ S.M^, R.W.M. (1809) Finlayson, Charles J. Hon. from No. 18, Falkirk Dec. 18, 1818 Field, Stephen Leeds. Yorks Nov. 30, 1820 Forsyth, Philip Hon. from No. 53 Deo. 27, 1822 Flynn, Thomas Oct. 3, 1833 Eraser, William M.D., Dumfries Dec. 28, 18^2 Fairley, Wm. Teacher, aff. from Feb. 24, 1859 J.W., S.W., D.M., Biggar Operative, R.W.M. (1862) No. 167 Fridlander, Moss Mar. 21, 1871 Forrest, Thomas Engineer, aff. from No. 354, Glasgow Jan. 26, 1883 J.S., J.D., S.D. ^2 History of Lodge St. MickaePs Kilwinning. LIST OF MEMBERSHIP— CoreiiMttCfi. Name. Designation. Date. Office. Tergiison, John C. Teacher, S'thvfiok Mar, 12, 1886 J.S. Terguson , Andrew M. Solicitor, aff. Nov. 11, 1887 I.G. (P.M. No. 78, ' from No. 78, S.P.G.W., Forfar- Dundee shire, 1804-5) ■Gordon, William Writer Nov. 30, 1789 Treas.,R,.W.M. (1795), J.S., Clk., Treas., Sec. •Graham, William Dumfries, Hon. Nov. 30, 1795 Glen, Darand Writer Dec. 27, 1803 S.D., J.W., S.W., R.W.M. (1807) •Gordon, Thomas Honorary Dec. 27, 1805 J.S., S.S., S.D. •Graoie, James Honorary Nov. 30, 1809 Gracie, John Francis Writer, Hon. Dec. 23, 1816 S.D., J.W., Treas., S.W.,R.W.M.(1827) ■Graham, James ■Dumfries June 11, 1819 Gilfillan, J. A. Hon. from No. 53 Feb. 1, 1821 •Grieve, James Honorary Dec. 17, 1821 Graham, William Deo. 27, 1827 S.D. Grierson, Roderick Writer Dec. 19, 1837 J.D. Goodall, John Do. Dec. 27, 1843 .T.D. Gordon, James Nunbank July 28, 1852 J.D. Gordon, Henry Solicitor, aff. July 28, 1852 S.W., D.M., R.W.M. from No. 48, Edin. (1854) Gillham, Edward Kingholm Mills Nov. 8, 1860 J.D., J.W., S.W., D.M. Geddes, James Writer, aff. from No. 217, Port- Glasgo-«f Dec. 8, 1862 ■Gill, John Gatehouse Nov. 27, 1865 Gordon, Samuel Of Craigadara Nov. 27, 1865 S.D. Glover, Joseph J. Painter April 16, 1878 J.S., S.S., J.D., S.D., J.W., S.W.,KW.M. (1885) Gun, John Munn Solicitor May 14, 1880 I.G., J.D.,S.D..J.W. ■Geddes, James Solicitor Nov. 9, 1888 J.S.,J.D.,S.D.,Chap., Treas. ■Grierson, Samuel E. Builder Feb. 22, 1889 .J.S., S.S., J.D. Gordon, Henry S. Solicitor Mar. 8, 1889 J.S. Geddes, Robert Jas. Surgeon, H.M. Indian Army May 16, 1889 Gordon, William Chief Con., Dum- friesshire, aff. from No. 7, Hamilton June 12, 1891 I.G. History of Lodge St. Michael's Kilwinning. LIST OF MEMBERSHIP— Con