Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

Upon entry to the lodge, new members were often required to contribute
on “behoof of the poor of the lodge.” 113 Sums varied from lodge to lodge, as
members of No. 1 Mary’s Chapel paid “nyne pounds Scots money for his
admission for the use of the poor.” 114 In 1751, members of No. 1(3) Aberdeen
paid a “half a Crown into the Box Master for behoof of the Poor yearly,” 115 and
in 1787 the sum was two shillings six pence. 116 Some lodges, for example No. 3
Scoon & Perth, charged different fees for operatives and speculatives. Making
such a distinction, the lodge resolved on 8 December 1740 that “in all time
coming every apprentice Shall pay at his Entry as fellows viz The operative and
working ones Ten shillings sterling and the non operatives or dry handed
apprentice twenty shillings Sterling at least for the use of the poor brethren.” 117
By 1744 the amount was half a guinea for all new members, 118 and in
1749 an extra charge of half a Crown was required of all members absent from
stated meetings. 119 The amount of money for the charity fund had fallen by over
half of the sum required in 1740, as all masons upon admission were to pay in
only five shillings, or one Crown. 120 Not requiring a specific amount, No. 27 St
Mungo’s stipulated that members “shall conform to the tenor of their
obligations; give to the poor strangers such charity as their low circumstances
113
No. 1 Mary’s Chapel Lodge Minutes, 28 December 1741.
114
Ibid.
115
No. 1(3) Aberdeen Lodge Minutes, 27 December 1751.
116
Ibid, 10 January 1787.
117
No. 3 Scoon & Perth Lodge Minutes, 27 December 1740.
118
Ibid, 31 December 1744.
119
Ibid, 10 January 1749.
120
Ibid, 30 November 1757.
114