Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

was more cordial and deferential during the entire ordeal are questionable. He
writes that “out of respect for the susceptibilities of its less exalted
contemporary, Grand Lodge was the first to propose a conference on the subject
of the desired Union.” 38 This claim of pity and understanding is contradicted
later when Lyon maintains that
240
while it must be admitted that it was highly desirable that Grand Lodge
should secure the abdication of the only rival Institution in Scotland, it
was surely no less important that it should preserve the inviolability of its
own Charters. An amalgamation of the two bodies that would have
preserved the integrity of Grand Lodge’s prior obligations, and have
satisfied Kilwinning for the sacrifice of its independence…But of all
mundane institutions, a Chief Court of Freemasonry should have been
the last to sacrifice principle to expediency in any of its transactions. 39
Relegated to the second oldest lodge in Scotland, the members
immediately expressed their disapproval over the handling of the situation. On
4 May 1807, the Master of Mary’s Chapel, John Brown, and one of his
Wardens, George Cunningham, complained to the Grand Lodge that
the powers formerly granted to the committee on the business of
Kilwinning were too Exclusive, that instead of granting to the committee
full powers to arrange and finally settle all differences subsisting
between the Grand Lodge and the Kilwinning Lodge, the Committee
should only be directed to ascertain the claims of the Kilwinning Lodge
and to Report leaving it to the Grand Lodge how far these demands were
reasonable. 40
Given its pronounced emphasis on achieving a settlement with
Kilwinning, it is not surprising that the Grand Lodge responded to the objections
38 Ibid.
39 Ibid, 274.
40 Grand Lodge of Scotland Minutes, 4 May 1807.