The Grand Lodge Of Scotland, And The St. John's Lodge Memorial.

colm Oanmore Charter , the genuineness of which it has neA'er acknowledged . On joining Grand Lodge in 1850 Sfc . Johns received its present number , 3 j , in virtue of its connection with the granting , along * with other (

operative ) Lodges , of the Roslin Charter of 1 G 28 , but this confers no special powers or privileges in reference to the question at issue .

2 nd , —It is asserted that the practice invariably exercised hitherto by Grancl Lodge in provinces other than that of Edinburgh has been to concede in courtesy and right the privilege of carrying the Tools , & c , to the Senior Lodge of the province

in which the demonstration took place . No evidence has been produced to substantiate this statement , and , on the contrary , the Journeyman it is proved , has officiated at most of fche demonstrations of Grand Lodge out of the Edinburgh

district for many years pasfc the more important events since 1848 being afc laying foundation-stones of Com Exchange , Haddington , 1 . 853 ; Wallace Monument , 1861 , Corn Exchange , Hawick , 1865 ; Industrial School , Mossbank , 1868 ; and Paisley ,

1869 . If Sfc . John ' s Lodge claims the right , in virtue of its antiquity and precedence on Grand Lodge Roll to carry the tools out of the

metropolitan district , or especially in the Western provinces , why did it allow the Journeymen unchallenged to exercise what they state they consider an ancient and established privilege at the important demonstrations of Wallace Monument , Mossbank ,

and Paisley , afc all of which Sfc . Johns Lodge was present . Ifc is true Sfc . John ' s Lodge carried the Working Tools at laying the foundation stone of Victoria Bridge , Glasgow , in 1851 , but it mus be kept in mind that the Journeyman Lodge was not

present on that occasion . All the other demonstrations in Glasgow , at Avhich St . John ' s performed this duty , Avere promoted and presided over by the Provincial Grand Lodge , and on all such occasions , Avhether in Glasgow or elsewhere ,

tho Journeyman have never claimed the right to carry the tools , as they consider the privilege they have so long enjoyed only extends to demonstrations at which Grand Lodge presides .

3 rd . —There can be no doubt that Chap . XX ., sec . 3 of Grand Lodge laws distinctly enacts that the Lodge No . 8 shall be entitled to carry the working tools in all processions in Edinburgh or neighbourhood . The Journeymen Lodge , in its answers ,

The Grand Lodge Of Scotland, And The St. John's Lodge Memorial.

states " ifc protested against fche law as at present existing when the revised edition of Grand Lodge Laws was printed in 1848 , but that the lodge was requested by the Grand Committee of thafc year not to raise the question as all the draft copies

were by that time issued , but the lodge "was guaranteed the ancient usage should be continued and hence the reason of ifcs being continued to the present time . " No minute or resolution of Grand Committee or Grand Lodge exists to prove this

statement and there can be no question as to the right of members of Grand Lodge to form their opinions of the meaning of the law as now printed and which existed in the 1836 edition . It must be borne in mind , hoAvever , that as has been previously stated and proved the Journeymen have officiated at most of the important demonstrations

since the laws were last revised , and till now have done so unchallenged . 4 th . —The sub-committee are clearly of opinion that the Grand Master had an undoubted right to give a decision on the question of carrying the

working tools when it was brought before him afc the meeting in the Cathedral , and the Sub-Committee consider that it showed a want of true Masonic good feeling on the part of the Office-Bearers of St . John ' s Lodge , present on that

occasion nofc fco have afc once acquiesced in the equitable proposal first made by the Journeymen to diA * ide the tools between the two lodges for the day , by which the good feeling and harmony all were met to promote Avould nofc have been interrupted , and an unseemly break in the procession would have been avoided .

5 fch . —Sfc . John's Lodge states that a correspondence took place with the Grand Secretary as to the carrying of the working tools , and " up till the last minute it had been understood the members of St . John's were to carry them in virtue of

their ancient rights and privileges , and thafc fche Grand Secretary as Assessor to the Grand Lodge should have informed the Grand Master of the right of procedure in this Province and upon all occasions by the Lodge St . John . " The

present Grand Clerk denies that there Avas any correspondence with St . John ' s Lodge Avhatever , in reference to carrying the tools on the occasion referred to , the only communication received being from the Provincial Grand Secretary in reference fco Bro . McGuffie , of Glasgow , Avho requested a $ a favour to be allowed to carry the inscription