Mark Coleman Wallace PhD Thesis - University of St Andrews

admission of a “teacher of dancing.” 104 As professional representation became
increasingly important, the rise of “gentle recruitment” 105 was embraced by
numerous lodges, although some were more successful than others in attracting
patronage in order to raise the “social threshold of membership.” 106
No. 25 St Andrew, for example, realized the benefits of admitting
gentlemen into the lodge. On 10 December 1767, the members
having taken into their Serious Consideration the present state of the
Lodge, found it to be in Such Condition that it is but few Members that is
fitt for Carrying the Office of Master. Not for Those in capacity of
Being good Measons but Want of ability and Interest to promot the
Prosperity of the Lodge Which is there Chief End. And for Which they
are willing to Dispence with any Gentleman in this Neighbourhood that
is Properlie Tallied And Adopted As Ane Incorporate Member of Said
Lodge. 107
The minute further states that gentlemen shall be entitled to all of the
benefits of operatives. Although initially charged higher entrance fees, a
stipulation made 12 December 1797 set identical admission fees for gentlemen
and operatives, stating “no difference should be made in future of the dues to be
paid by Brethren at their entries, whether they be mechanical men or not, but
that they all should pay the same, namely one pound one shilling sterling.” 108
As stonemasonry began to decline towards the end of the eighteenth
century, operative lodges such as St Andrew began to rely more and more on
non-operatives not only for financial support, but also to increase lodge
membership. These trends support Stevenson’s observation that the admission
104
No. 25 St Andrew Lodge Minutes, 10 January 1783.
105
Clark, British Clubs, 321.
106
Ibid, 324.
107
No. 25 St Andrew Lodge Minutes, 10 December 1767.
108
Ibid, 12 December 1797.
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