Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

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Religion, which however both poor its spirit and sentiments was neither more
nor less than a complementary address to us for our late dismissing our late
ministers and chusing our present ones in their stead. This address was opposed
on the simple but solid ground that it was completely political and therefore, as
such totally unconstitutional in a freemason lodges. After a great deal of
altercation by Dr. Mitchell and his associates, the matter was put to a vote, as the
easiest way of getting quit of so improper a discussion when the motion for the
proposed address was negatived. It might then have reasonably been expected
of a person of Dr. Mitchell’s Education and experience, that, as he was Master
of the Caledonian Lodge and had a good example to shew, he would have
endeavoured to make amends for his fault and by wise and constitutional means
endeavoured to heal the breach which his own imprudence had nearly made, and
shewn by his future conduct that he was a good mason and wished to cultivate
that harmony and brotherly love which has for many ages adorned the fraternity.
Instead of this however Dr. Mitchell and a few associates contrived by every
artifice and every scheme in their power to stir up mischief through the whole
craft in Scotland in general and to create commotions and divisions amongst the
Edinburgh Lodges in particular.
And having even proceeded the length to promote rebellion in the
Caledonian Lodge (of which he was then Master) against all Masonic authority
in this country and entirely to secede from the Grand Lodge from which he had
obtained a charter making him bound to abide by all laws made or to be made by
the Grand Lodge, and under which his Lodges was solemnly consecrated, a
complaint was at length presented to the Grand Lodge against him for various
improper acts but particularly for advising and instigating a rebellion in the
Caledonian Lodge against the power and authority of the Grand Lodge, a good
deal of procedure was had therein and a proof adduced on both sides, on
advising all which (on printed statements) the Grand Lodge in one of the fullest
meetings ever held within its walls, pronounced (Seventh March Eighteen
hundred and eight) a decision finding Dr. Mitchell was guilty of endeavouring to
Seduce the Caledonian Lodge from their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of
Scotland, and hold masonic meetings independent of its authority, and in
defence of its express orders “that he was likewise guilty of printing and
publishing a pamphlet or letter containing matter highly injurious to the
character and dignity of the Grand Lodge and upon the whole that the conduct of
Brother Mitchell has been in an eminent degree derogatory to the honor and
prejudicial to the interests of masonry.”
The Grand Lodge by the same occasion therefore Suspended Dr.
Mitchell sine die from all Masonic priviledges and declared he should not be
reponed till he made a regular application at a Quarterly communication
previous to the communication at which the same was to be taken up. This
sentence which only Suspended Dr. Mitchell till he made a regular application
expressive of his regret for what he had done, and wishing to be reponed, was
assuredly very lenient. But in place of having the effect which it ought to have
had on Dr. Mitchell and his adherents they immediately grew worse and worse –
instantly met and openly declared that they threw off all allegiance to the Grand