Ancient Masonic Lodges, No. 1.

any fresh item of evidence is discovered , it Avill be for the Craft to determine how it affects the matter at issue . We , at the same time , Avish it to bo generally understood that with comparatively few unimportant exceptions , Ave fully endorse Bro .

"Woodford ' s vittAvs on the origin and character of Freemasonry , as Ave also do those of Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s .

As it is very desirable that all the old records should be published either separately or in the pages of The Masonic Magazine , AVO present to the Craft another sketch of an old lodge dating before the introduction of Grand Lodges , and Avhich

has not hiterto been published or made knoAvn in this country . We are indebted to our good brother Eobert Walker , of Park Eoad , Brechin , Scotland—a Past Master of the lodge—for

the following interesting particulars which he has carefully transcribed from the minutes , and kindly forwarded to us for

publication in whatever maimer may appear to us advisable . The first volume of records , which is in good preservation , contains first of all the rules of the lodge from A . D . 1714 , then

folloAV the signatures , the Treasurer ' s statements of receipts for " entries , " and the " minutes " to page 70 , after which the book Avas used for " Cash " purposes from 1760 to 1785 , excepting a small portion Avhich

was deA r oted to the registration of marks , which date many years prior to tlie institution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland . We regret to inform our readers that there is no

version of the ancient charges preserved ; Avith that exception Ave consider the members of the lodge have every reason to be proud of their possessing such valuable memorials of their ancient brethren , and they should at once institute a search for

an older volume , containing in all probability a transcript of the Operative Constitutions , with which every old lodge was undoubtedl y furnished .

Omitting the marginal notes of " contents " the folloAving may be relied upon as being verbatim et literatim . "Att Brechine the 27 day of December 1714 years being the anniversary of the

holly Apostle St . John . The folloAving ordinances and acts were unanimaislie agreed to by the hail members of the Meason Craft of tlie Honourable Lodge of Brechine subscribcing the oblidgement thereto subjoined .

" 1 . It is hereby enacted and ordained that every one Avho shall enter himself to this Lodge , shall at his entry pay to the Treasurer for the common use and behoofe

of the fraternity the sum of forty shillings Scots mony , and that by and att om- satisfieing the company , if ane free prentice or handy Craftsman , if not , and a stranger three pounds sterling . " 2 . It is statute and ordained that none

be entered to this Lodge unless either the Master of the Lodge , Warden , and Treasurer , wh two free Masters and two entered prentices be present , at least other-Avise , the said admission to be null . And

the admittors fined in the sum ten shillings starling mony to be payed in to the box and those refusing to pay their fines , to be raised out of this book and line their freedom .

" 3 . It is statute and ordained that when any person that is entered to this Lodge shall be Eeeeaved by the Warden in the common form that all and every such 23 erson and persons shall pay to the Treasurer for the use forsaid the sum of one shilling

starling . " " 4 . It is statute and ordained that noe person belonging to this Lodge shall Avitness the entry or passing of any person into any other Lodge , unless the dues of entry and passing be payed into this Lodge

and that under the penalty of ten shillings starling mony . " 5 . It is hereby statute and ordained that every member of this Lodge shall at his