Some Notes Concerning A Dormant Lodge On The Scottish Border.

Yetholm is situated just a p leasant walking- distance from Kelso , being but seven-and-a-half miles distant , and for the benefit of those who are unable to " drive their own pair " there is a dail y public conveyance between the two p laces . To return to the old lodge . The older minute book ( if minute book it can

be called , seeing it contains no regular minutes ) has , in addition to the laws , lists of the various members , with the dates of their initiation , etc . The second book contains the laws as revised on the 27 th of December , 1811 , a register of members , with their marks , who subscribed to the laws , and a list of the members , with the date of their entry , down to the close of the lodge . The meetings seem to have been held pretty regularly until 1820 , but from the 28 th of December of that year until the 27 th of December , 1833 , which is the

last meeting recorded , there does not seem to have been any meetings held . We copy the title page , laws , and other extracts verbatim . The following is the title page : — " THE BOOK .

CONTAINING THE LAWS FOR REGULATION THE LODGE . Also THE NAMES 01 ' ALL THE MEMBERS BELONGING TO THE LODGE , MOM ITS FIRST BEGINNING In Hie year of our Lord , 1745 . January 3 rd day teas a constitute Lodge of free Masons , meet then , at Town Yetholme . The names of the Brethren who constitute this Lodge that day .

Was . ALEXANDER BAILLIE , Gentleman , Master . PATRICK MURRAY , of Cherryfcrees , Esq . HENRY DAVIDSON , in Mowhaugh . WILL . DAVIDSON , Kirk Yetholme . JOHN YOUNG , in Belfoord . WILLIAJI KERR , Toun Yetholme . " On the next leaf are the laws as follows : —

" THE LAWS or THE LODGE . first All the Fellows of the Lodge is to meet at Toun Yetholme , on St . John ' s Day , to Article Dine with the Master o £ the Lodge . Wherever the Lodge is kept , and if any Member is absent , that Day unless a sufficient excuse he is liable to a fine not exceeding one pound Sootts money . Second Every one must that Day appear with a white apron , and Clean White Gloves , or

Article forfeit one shilling sterling . 3 rd If any member is absent three years successively he thereby Deprives himself of Article the benefitt of the Lodge , and cannot then claim , any interest thereto unless upon conditions that the Lodge is pleased with , and then he may be admitted again . 4 th Any member that is guilty of any malverss wheather by word or deed shall be lyable to Article the censure of the Lodge and if he will not submitt thereto shall be extruded the Lodge and not received again unless owning his fault , and giving satisfaction to the Lodge for his misdemeanour .

5 th All Differences that may happen in the Lodge shall be agreed , by the majority of Votes . Article The Master being Preses . who having two votes , in case of Equality in Votes . 6 th Every Member is to pay threepence sterling each quarter of the Year , to the Treasurer , Article no member must be dyficient of his quarter payment , more than a year , or else he obliges himself to pay threepence sterl . for Deficiency . 7 th The Masters and others officers belonging to the Lodge , is to be chosen every two Years . Article On St . John ' s Day by votes , and must serve the Lodge aeording to the office designed them .

8 th A general meeting of the Fellows of the Lodge shall be kept at Toun Yetholm the Article Second Wednesday of December Yearly , to order everything necessary for the use of tho Lodge on St . John ' s Day . 9 fch Erery one that is made a free Mason , is to pay the sum of Ten Shillings sterling , to be Article disposed of as the Lodge pleases , and to eloath the Lodge , with white Gloves , as ordinary .