Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

its members
Not surprisingly, in a minute dated 24 June 1808, St Luke recorded that
had witnessed, with grief and indignation, the conduct of certain
individuals belonging to several of the sister Lodges of this city, who,
finding it impossible to render the Grand Lodge of Scotland subservient
to their political views, have, with a zeal worthy of better cause, exerted
themselves to overturn the controuling power of the Grand Lodge, and
subvert the Masonic constitution…Under these circumstances, the
Brethren of St Luke’s consider it their bounden duty, to declare their
unshaken fidelity towards the Grand Lodge. 107
Despite varying opinions, it is clear that such actions were consistently
alienating masons. For example, on 18 May 1808, Lodge Edinburgh St Andrew
passed a series of resolutions stating that the suspensions were an “infringement
upon their rights.” 108 On 13 June 1808, the Grand Lodge of Scotland expelled
all freemasons involved or associated in any manner with Dr. Mitchell. As a
result, these masons – who were led by No. 1 Mary’s Chapel – officially
seceded from the Grand Lodge and formed the Associated Lodges Seceding
from the Present Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Historians have noted that the mishandling of the Mitchell Trial caused
further friction among Scottish freemasons. Furthermore, the issue of
precedence that had dogged the Grand Lodge from its inception in 1736 once
262
the honour done me. All these proceedings have been laid before the Brethren of the Lodge St
Mungo No. 28 over which I have the honour to preside, and while we lament the Schism that has
arisen among the Craft (viz. that when One Misunderstanding is as accommodated, a Wider One
has broke out). We Most Sincerely approve of the Conduct of the Grand Lodge, in Suppressing
every thing that may tend to prejudice the Brotherhood & most Cordially agree with them in all
their late transactions and resolutions, as far as they have been communicated to us; and are
determined to adhere to, and stand by our Mother Lodge, in support of her rights, which go hand
and hand with our own. As On Our Admission we are all bound to Support the Grand Lodge &
of course must do it.”
107
No. 44 St Luke Lodge Minutes, 24 June 1808, cited in Petition and Complaint, Appendix No.
II, 3.
108
Lodge Edinburgh St Andrew Minutes, 18 May 1808, cited in Petition and Complaint, 6-7.