Ears Of Wheat From A Cornucopia.

Grand Lodge should likewise be represented , it being UOAV not only their interest but their bounden duty to support and maintain the contract and agreement entered into between the Grand Lodge and Mother Kilwinning . " On this letter coming before the Mother Lodge the folloAving resolution was submitted : " That

Mother Kilwinning considers herself to have nothing Avhatever to do with , nor Avill she be any party in , the disputes or differences that may subsist betwixt the Grand Lodge aud Mary ' s Chapel . Mother Kilwinning Lodge further declares she

will have nothing to do with any third party , but the Grand Lodge alone , Avhom she looks to , and ¦ expects Avill cordially fulfil the treaty so solemnly entered into , ratified , and approved of by both lodges for their rule of conduct in all time

coming . " This was successfully met by a counter motion for the appointment of the Substitute-Grand Master to represeut Mother Kilwinning in the Grand Lodge .

In the nomination of Bro . Inglis to this post , he was spoken of as being " a most warm and strenuous advocate for the rights and privileges of Mother Kilwinning . His abilities ancl extensive knowledge of Masonry ; his high

respectability as the first efficient officer in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and his character as a gentleman , every Avay renders him a fit ancl proper person to be the representative of so ancient and honourable a lodge as Mother Kilwinning . " That

this distinguished brother ' s acceptance of this Proxy Commission was indeed a proof of the interest he felt in the Lodge of Kilwinning , is evident from his hitherto and repeated refusals to accept co in missions from country lodges .

The petition , the presentation of which had caused such uneasiness to the officers ancl leadingmembers of the Grand Lodge , and disturbed the equanimity of the Kilwinning Lodge , was , notwithstanding the exertions of its originators ,

throAvn out by the Grand Lodge—every office bearer and member of which , unconnected with Mary ' s Chapel and its adherents , being represented as unanimous in their condemnation of the conduct of those Avho Avould by a simple vote of

Grand Lodge set aside an " Agreement so solemnly entered into , ratified , and confirmed by both contracting parties , and had been acted upon for nearly eight years Avithout the smallest challenge . " The next occasion on which the inviolability of

the agreement in question was in danger , the Grand Lodge itself took the initiative . It Avas in the spring of 1825 that , in consequence of the great number of new lodges that had been added to its roll , the Gi-and Lodge of Scotland

deemed it expedient to make a new arrangement and classification of the Provinces , particularly Avhere the counties Avere extensive and the lodges numerous , and to divide these counties into two , ancl in some instances into three provinces or

districts ; and in furtherance of this most desirable object , which it Avas proposed should be given effect to at the Quarterly Communication on the 4 th of May next , the Grand Lodge overtured Mother Kilwinning on the subject , under date April 20 , 1825 , and in the folloAving terms : —•

" .... In looking over the lodges iu the county of Ayr , there appears to be no fewer than thirty-four lodges in that province , a great proportion of which are Avidely scattered and lying at a considerable distance from Kilwinning , the

principal seat of the Ayrshire province , and thereby rendering it not only most inconvenient , indeed in some cases almost impractible , for these distant lodges and brethren to attend the Provincial Grand Master when he assembles his

Provincial Grand Lodges , and in that view proves injurious to the interests of Masonry , by not having more frequent opportunities of meeting at the Provincial Grand Assemblies , and assisting at and enjoying together their Masonic labours . The Grand Lodge of Scotland having accordingly taken into their consideration the distance and

detached situation of the lodges , in the widelyextended county and province of Ayr , from the Provincial Grand Lodge—and being highly sensible that it will tend to the good of Masonry , as well as to the comfort and conveniency of the

brethren , to divide the county into two districts or provinces , Avhich they have accordingly done as follows : —

" WEST PBOVINCE . —Alex . Hamilton of Grange , Esq ., E . W . Master of Mother Kilwinning , exofficio Provincial Grand Master . Mother Kil-Avinning ; Loudoun Newmilns Kilwinning ; Irvine or Monkton Navigation ; St . Andrew , Kilmarnock ;

Thistle , Stewarton ; St . Andrew , Irvine ; Thistle and Rose , Stevenston ; St . John , Largs ; St . Clement , Eiccarton ; Moira , Fenwick ; St . Salem , Beith ; Netherholm , Kilmarnock ; Blair , Dairy ; Union and CroAvn , Barrhead ; Caledonian , Dunlop .