Mackey A G - Encylopedia of Freemasonry - The Grand Masonic ...

284 FREEMASONRY
FREE-WILL
of the speculative element with favor, and
at one time they were arrayed in hostile
camps ; but eventually those who supported
the "Gentlemen" or "Geomatic Masons"
won the day, the "Domatics" having to succumb
. In the Lodge of Aberdeen, the
majority in A.D . 1670 were actually nonoperative
or speculative members .
On March 2, 1653, appears the important
fact of the election of a "joining member."
Again, Lyon declares that the reference to
"frie mesones," in the minute of December
27, 1636, is the earliest instance yet discovered
of "Free-Mason" being applied to designate
members of the Mason craft, and considers
that it is used as an abbreviation of
the term "Freemen Masons ." But while
concurring therein, as did Bro . Hughan,
Gould thinks the word freemason may be
traced back to 1581 when the "Melrose"
version of the "Old t harges" was originally
written .
"Canongate Kilwinning" Lodge, No . 2,
was commissioned or warranted by the Lodge
of Kilwinning, No. 0, granting powers to
several of their own members resident in
the Canongate, Edinburgh, and dated December
201 1677 . This, Bro. Gould says, was
a direct invasion of jurisdiction, for it was
not simply a charter to enable their members
to meet as Masons in Edinburgh, but
also to act as independently as "Mother Kilwinning"
herself, with a separate existence,
which was the actual result that ensued.
(Ibid ., p . 410 .)
" Scoon and Perth" Lodge No . 8 is much
older than No . 2, althougi fourt t on the
roll, though the authorities state that it
existed "before 1658," and the Grand Lodge
acknowledges this date at the present time,
placing Nos . 0 and 1, however, as "before
1598," and No . 57 (Haddington) at 1599,
there being also many bearing seventeenth
century designations . (Ibid ., p. 411 .)
The Lodge of "Glasgow St. John," No . 3,
bis, is next mentioned as "an old Lodge,
undoubtedly, though its documents do not
date back as far as some of its admirers have
declared." (Ibid., p . 413 .) The Rev . A. T .
Grant is quoted as saying that every line is
inconsistent with the charter phraseology of
the period to which it has been assigned. But
Mr. W. P . Buchan states that the first notice
in the minutes of the "Glasgow Incorporation
of Masons" bears date September 22, 1620,
viz ., " Entry of Apprentices to the Lodge
of Glasgow, the last day of Dec ., 1613 years,
compeared John Stewart, &c ." It was
placed on the roll of the Grand Lodge of
Scotland in 1850 as No. 3, bis ; it was exclusively
operative.
"Glasgow Kilwinning" Lodge, No . 4, dates
from 1735 .
"Canongate and Leith, Leith and Canongate"
Lodge, No . 5, is authoritatively acknowledged
as dating from 1688 .
Lodge of "Old Kilwinning St . John," Inverness,
No. 6, was granted a Charter of
Confirmation on November 30, 1737, its exist-
ence being admitted from the year 1678, but
a cloud rests upon the latter record .
" Hamilton Kilwinning" Lodge, No. 7, is
considered to date from the year 1695 .
Thus Bro . Gould, in his remarkable History,
continues quoting old Charters, Laws,
Statutes, etc., back even to the sixteenth century,
in a most interesting manner, dissenting
largely from the early history of Bro .
George H. Fort, and as well from the Antiquities
of Freemasonry, by Bro . Findel. (See
"Four Old Lodges .")
Freemasonry, History of . See : The History
of Freemasonry, by Albert Gallatin Mackey
and William R . Singleton, published in seven
volumes by The Masonic History Company,
New York. The History of Freemasonry, by
Robert Freke Gould, published in six volumes,
London . The History of Freemasonry, by J .
G . Findel, published in eight volumes, Leipzig
; second edition, London, 1869 .
See also : The Antiquity of Freemasonry ;
Origin of Freemasonry ; Operative Freemasonry
and Speculative Freemasonry .
Freemasons of the Church . An architectural
college was organized in London,
in the year 1842, under the name of "Freemasons
of the Church for the Recovery,
Maintenance, and Furtherance of the True
Principles and Practice of Architecture ."
The founders of the association announced
their objects to be "the rediscovery of the
ancient principles of architecture ; the sanction
of good principles of building, and the
condemnation of bad ones ; the exercise of
scientific and experienced judgment in the
choice and use of the proper materials ; the
infusion, maintenance, and advancement of
science throughout architecture ; and eventually,
by developing the powers of the college
upon a just and beneficial footing, to reform
the whole practice of architecture, to raise
it from its present vituperated condition,
and to bring around it the same unquestioned
honor which is at present enjoyed
by almost every other profession ." One of
their members has said that the title assumed
was not intended to express any conformity
with the general body of Freemasons, but
rather as indicative of the profound views of
the college, namely, the recovery, maintenance,
and furtherance of the free principles and
practise of architecture ; and that, in addition,
they made it an object of their exertions to
preserve or effect the restoration of architectural
remains of antiquity, threatened unnecessarily
with demolition or endangered by decay .
But it is evident, from the close connection of
modern Freemasonry with the building gilds
of the Middle Ages, that any investigation
into the condition of Medieval architecture
must throw light on Masonic history .
Free-Will and Accord . There is one
peculiar feature in the Masonic Institution
that must commend it to the respect of every
generous mind. In other associations it is
considered meritorious in a member to exert
his influence in obtaining applications for
admission ; but it is wholly uncongenial with