Ancient Masonic Lodges, No. Iv.

ANCIENT MASONIC LODGES , NO . IV .

( Continual from page 40 .. ) The minute of the 7 th January , 1778 , which we now present entire , fully confirms our view of the subject ; but we are only anxious for the truth

to be known , and "have no side to keep up . " We Avill gladly withdraw our statements if documentary proof is forthcoming to the contrary .

"The Aleeting having taken under their consideration the State and Constitution of the Lodge , and that those members who incline to raise themselves to the degree of Mark Alason and Alark Master Mason , and that in

time past no benefite lias accrued to the Lodge , therefore resolve— ' That in time coming all members that shall hereafter raise to the degree of Alark Mason shall pay One Alerk Scots , but not to obtain the degree of Alark Alason

before they are passed Fellow Craft . And those that shall take the degree of Mark Master Mason shall pay One Shilling and Six Pence sterling in to the Treasurer for behoofe of the Lodge . None to attain the degree of Alark Master Alason until they are raised Master . "

( Signed ) " JOHN EUINJJ , Air . " "At Banff , 6 th May , 1794 , at a monthly meeting , inter alia , Compeared James Lawrence Portsoy , agreeable to his request , was passed Fellow Craft and Alark Alason , and afterwards raised

to the sublime degree of Alaster and Mark Mv ., and paid into the funds the sum of 17 s . 7 £ d . sterling , being the ordinary dues . " The succeeding records will serve to illustrate the connection of the " Super

Excellent Degrees , " with Craft Alasonry in Scotland during the latter part of the eighteenth century , and also to exhibit the intolerance of the Locke , respecting its fraternal rival in the town .

" 1779 . Att the Anuall meeting of the Operative Lodge of Banff , Proceeded to call over the List and Collect the Quarter pence . "It was unanimously agreed to by Ah the Eoyal Arch and Super-Excellent

masons of the Lodge , for the love and favour they bear to George Smith , present Treasurer of the Lodge , and for the Services he has done to Give him these two Branches of Alasonry Gratis .

" Resolved that George Ogston shall be allowed for Entering six Members and Passing six Fellow Crafts as the expenses lie has been at upon that Account , the Sum of Ten Shillings Str ., and also to Give him these two

Branches of Eoyal Arch and Super Excellent Gratis , and Likewise to James Smith , Dt . Air . in Turreff for his good offices to the Lodge . " " Resolutions of the Evening Aleeting of St . John ' s day , 1780 : —

" It is Eesolved that the Alaster do collect all the Members Names belonging to this Lodge , whose names are not inserted in the Books of the Grand Lodge , and that he transmitt the same to Edenburgh acordinglyand get the

, same recorded properly , and get a Certificate of the same . And what money can be spared out of the Box the Eecomend to the office bearers to pay off' the Debts of the Lodge , as far

as the same will go . "The Lodge has allowed George Ogston Five Shillings Ster ., which he lost by making a Fellow Craft who died soon after he was Passed . " "Att the Annual Meeting of the

Operative Lodge of Banff , One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty one Years , Proceeded to call over the Members names , and to Collect the Quarter pence . [ Here follows a list of the names of

35 Eoyal Arch Alasons , 7 Alark Alasters , 9 Alasters , ' 27 Alark Alasons , 26 Fellow Crafts , 41 Apprentices . ] " After Colecting the Quarter pence , the Aleeting Proceeded to elect the Office Bearers , when John Ehind was