Lodge St Thomas of Aberbrothock No.40

The Early History of the Lodge

Although the Mason Lodge 'of St. Thomas of Aberbrothock only joined the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1740 there is every reason to believe that it actually dates from around the foundation, in 1178, of the Abbey of Aberbrothock, which was dedicated to St. Thomas. At its reception into Grand Lodge it was undoubtedly of a purely operative character and its strength at that period is strong evidence that it was then of no mushroom growth. The oldest existing record of the Lodge is the minute dated 5th February 1740. The minute opens "The Faithful and Honourable Members of the Ancient lodge of Aberbrothock, alias St. Thomas, being mett all in good order, and, taking into their serious consideration how far the Lodge, and the noble art of Masonrie have been neglected for some time past. Do for the future resolve that this Lodge be kept with as much solemnitie as any other throughout the world." It continues by recording the election of Alexander Crichton as Master.

The Charter ratifies, approves and confirms the erection of the Lodge. It also records "it was made evidently appear by proper documents to us and the other brethren of the Grand Lodge, that for many years ago they had been formed into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in which they keeped due order and admitted Apprentices, past Fellows of Craft and raised Master Masons". Whilst the above two excerpts may be taken as "proof" that the Lodge is older than the earliest existing written records, please allow me to day-dream for a few moments. In the case of Kilwinning in 1140, Melrose 1136, Holyrood 1128 and Scone 1115, operative Lodges were formed for the proper conduct of the work. According to tradition the Lodges of Kilwinning, Melrose, St. Mary's Chapel and Scone & Perth have all worked more or less continuously from the foundation of their respective edifices in the 12th Century to this day. I would dare to suggest that St. Thomas is no different. In common with the above named "Construction Sites", Aberbrothock would have had an operative lodge formed for the proper conduct of the work. Can it therefore be construed that the Abbey, founded in memory of St. Thomas A' Beckett, had a Lodge of operative masons which took the name "St. Thomas"? and that this Lodge has continued to work down through the centuries, as tradition implies is the case with Lodge Scone and Perth, Lodge St. Mary's Chapel, Lodge Melrose and, of course, Lodge Mother Kilwinning.

There is no positive evidence to support this, only traditional knowledge, but knowledge of so strong a character as to leave little doubt that these several Lodges, and many others in Scotland, have every reason to lay claim to an existence extending over at least eight centuries. The origins of Masonry are lost in the mists of antiquity but we do know that our present system is the lineal descendent of an operative system which flourished for at least 10 centuries before the institution of Modern Grand Lodges in the early part of the 18th century. There must therefore be a strong presumption that the Lodge of St. Thomas was founded somewhere about 1178.

In the written records of the Lodge there are frequent references to visits being made to "the Masons' Cave". It is also a tradition that the Masons of Arbroath used the Masons' Cave for the practice of their secret arts and hidden mysteries from the foundation of the Abbey. The cliffs of this area were the quarries for the stones for the Abbey of Aberbrothock - this is a fact. There would have been Masons based at the cliffs working these quarries and they would have needed some form of a shelter. The fact that the wall, which blocked its entrance, was about four feet thick takes us back many ages. To the times when our ancient abbeys and monasteries were built to last for centuries, and to, in this instance, the 12th Century, when St. Thomas Lodge was most probably founded along with the Abbey. The fact that it is, and has always been, known as "The Masons' Cave" is sufficient proof that it has been an important adjunct to the local Lodge since its early days. I will revert to the Cave a little later.

Whilst the minute dated 6th February 1740 confirms Patrick Wallace being chosen as Master, (the day after Alexander Crichton was elected,) until the next St. John's Day, this "one-day Mastership" is not the shortest period on record as others have been elected and then immediately turned down the office. This incurred a financial penalty in accordance with the old Byelaws. There may have been "political" reasons for this particular occurrence as Patrick Wallace was the current Provost of the Town. Following the St. John's Day minute of 1744, the next entry is dated 27th December 1748. This opens as follows "By reason of the troubles that of late happened in the Country there has not been any regular meeting of the Lodge of St. Thomas of Arbroath held since St. John's day 1744." The 1745 rebellion had reared its head within the town of Arbroath! The minute continues with the election of office-bearers, etc. but does not include the fact that a certain Patrick Wallace, still Provost of the Town, had spent a period as a guest of the Government in the Tower of London as a result of his supporting "Bonnie Prince Charlie" and declaring Arbroath for the Jacobites. On 7th January 1761, an officer, was admitted a member of the Lodge. "Lieutenant Bro. Frances Vignoles of the Thirty First Regiment of Foot" is the formal record of his introduction, indicating he was already a member of the Craft. He may even have been one of the original members of a Military Lodge attached to this regiment (possibly the town garrison, stationed there as a result of the' 45), as a charter was issued to the East Surrey Regiment (31st) in 1760. This is also the first record of someone from "out of Town" being admitted a Member of the Lodge.

From 1740 the Lodge met in various "houses" (public) but the Brethren began to cherish a hall of their own and in 1759 they resolved to build, and a subscription list was passed around the members. George Dorward contributed 13 shillings and 4 pence, Alexander Hill subscribes 12 days work, John Corry will work 6 days as a barrowman and about 30 other brethren gave similar promises of work and money. No building work was done at this time. However in September, 1763 "The members met and by a great majority of votes agreed that in case the Magistrates and Town Council would build a sufficient Town house of three stories, where the Clerk's chamber is just now, the members of the Lodge would pay them for the third storie a hundred guineas and pay a third part of the charge of the gable walls and roof. In case the Magistrates do refuse or do not give a proper answer within three weeks; the members agreed to build a Lodge or house for the meetings betwixt the Abbey well (wall?) and the Road." (I am unable to decipher which although I personally tend towards "wall") The Treasurer's books record payments "on Account" for the building of the Lodge Rooms (House) between 1764 and the 1780's but in 1784 the house was sold. One entry in 1768 records "Cash for a large lock to the Main Door of the Lodge - £1/1/0." I mention this item as it represents one hundredth of the original cost spoken of earlier. At the same time as they were looking to spend 100 guineas on premises, the brethren of the Lodge were ever careful of their funds, and here I quote from the minutes. "Having considered the great inconvenience in not having a Bible, they unanimously agree that one shall be bought and it shall be paid by a collection from the members and not out of the fund, and appoints the Secretary to write for it. The price not to exceed fifteen shillings sterling."

A Bible dated 1756, well used in one particular place, the centre of the book, (symmetry at work,) is still in possession of the Lodge and I believe could well be the Bible purchased at this time. It is interesting to note that not one of the now accepted passages at which the V.S.L. is opened, i.e. the 133rd Psalm, the 7th chapter of Amos and the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes, show any sign of usage. Other items of interest from the treasurer's books at this time include

These entries show that the brethren of St. Thomas were ever mindful of those less fortunate than themselves. Not all payments, however, were for benevolence as other entries record payments to a

In December 1877 the Brethren met at two o'clock to revive the old custom of proceeding to the Mason's Cove. The brethren formed a large procession, which was preceded by a brass band. On reaching the cove the Lodge was properly constituted then told off under the care of the Junior Warden. Later Lodge records tell that every "summer" St. John's Day (27th June) the Brethren would go out to the cave and the R.W.M. would carve his initials in the sandstone walls. The Brethren would then toast the Lodge and the new Master. Many other official minutes record events:

24 June 1896 The Lodge opened and called to refreshment. The brethren were driven in "brakes" to the Cove. Nine different toasts and replies were given, as were songs, recitations and accounts of past visits.

27 June 1900 The Lodge opened, including brethren from St. Vigean, Panmure, Malta and others. They were called from labour to refreshment and then conveyed to the Mason's Cove. Full toast list was pledged. As proof that the acrimony which marked the foundation of Lodge St. Vigean has been lost in the dim and distant past, members of the three local Lodges, St. Thomas, St. Vigean and Panmure now combine to make "the walk" an excellent example of the Friendship and Brotherly Love which exist between all members of the Craft.

Summer St. John's avoids the winter storms and the brethren wear casual clothes. This is in contrast with an old photograph from the 1880's or 90's, now hanging in St. Thomas' Lodge rooms. This was taken by a member of the Lodge who was also in business locally as a photographer, and it shows the brethren wearing their Masonic regalia and "best suits and bunnets" in a large group outside the cave mouth. The Lodge and the Master, however, are still toasted. One quick result of the discord was recorded on 3rd January 1766 when a proposal was made to alter that part of the Bylaws relating to the balloting for candidates. It was unanimously agreed that the petitions presented to the Lodge should not be rejected by one negative but by a majority. But as it was provided by the Byelaws that any new Regulations should be signed by the old and new officers, therefore this must be again laid before the Lodge St. John's Day next as a few of the Officers have absented from the Lodge. At the meeting of 23rd December, 1766 - A petition was at the same time addressed to the Lodge by Brother William Couper of the Lodge of St. Ninian's, Brechin, praying that he might be admitted a member of this Lodge and the members proceeded to ballot for him when the desire was unanimously granted and referred to the petitioners' discretion the dues he should pay to the Lodge. The departure of the dissenters showing how things change in a short space of time. Traditions must be maintained and on 26th December, 1766 - Applications were made to the Lodge by members thereof in favour of John Spink, shipmaster, Francis Soutter, Wright and James Low, watchmaker, all in Arbroath. Praying that they might be immediately admitted Masons that they might have the honour of walking in procession with the Lodge of St. Thomas tomorrow.

During 1766 a proposal to build a Lodge on the South end of Alex. Low's (Wright) house on the New Shorehead of Arbroath gained momentum. It was unanimously agreed to build said Lodge and in order to go cautiously, to work and not to exceed in any point, Alex. Crichton, David Aitkenhead and some of the other Brethren were appointed to give an estimate what said Lodge may cost. "Hay's History of Arbroath”??? records that a Lodge room for Lodge 40 was built between Dickfield Street and West Grimsby in 1767. An additional aside notes that the building was between two public houses!! (This does not tally with the earlier comment of "between the Abbey wall and the Road",) Work proceeded according to a plan by David Aitkenhead and the stones for the front were brought from the East Quarries and the rest from that of Newgate. The work was carried on by the following persons, viz. James Sturrock and Robert Wilkie, Overseers, Andrew Dick and James Millar, Inspectors. Alex. Crichton and David Aitkenhead acting as master masons to the building and David Jolly cashier and the work to be begun as soon as possible.

The fact that those were all members of the lodge again emphasizes the predominantly operative nature of Lodge St. Thomas. The lodge byelaws in fact prevented non-operative masons occupying any office higher than those of Secretary and Treasurer. This remained the position until 1866 when proposed revisions to the Lodge byelaws were submitted to Grand Lodge. Approval was received for all, with the exception of Law No. 2, Section 11 which permitted only operative masons to be appointed Master and Wardens. In spite of strong and numerous pleas from the Lodge to allow this requirement to remain Grand Lodge authority prevailed and by the end of 1866 St. Thomas became a "Speculative" Lodge. This Operative/Speculative division has and will "rear its head" at various points in my story. As an indication of the prosperity and extent of trading out with the local area carried on by members of the Lodge an entry in the minute book dated19th June, 1767 records "A petition was presented to the lodge by a member thereof craving that William King, Merchant in Whitby might be admitted a mason in this Lodge." The minute dated 2nd January 1771 "Present the Master; Wardens and other Officers and Brethren as per Taylor’s book," This is the first mention of a separate attendance or "Tyle" Book. This minute also records that a petition was presented by William Barry, a member of the Lodge of Forfar craving that he might be admitted a member of this Lodge. After due examination he was found to have been entered Apprentice, passed Fellow Craft and raised to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason. He was accordingly admitted a member of this Lodge, as such on his paying five shillings sterling for which he has wrought three days for the one half, to payor work for the other. Payment in kind appears to have been an acceptable currency!

The regular meetings are recorded as being held at the St. Thomas Lodge until 1774 when it is recorded the regular St. John's Day meeting was held within the new lodge house, the whereabouts of which are not known. No reference is made to the disposal of the "self built" Lodge. I now return to my earlier comments of operative/speculative friction. There is a gap in the Main Minute Book from St. John's Day Meeting in 1775 to 24th June 1785. This gap would appear to have been caused by a division within the Lodge between the Operative and Speculative Brethren. It would appear that the Operatives retained the main minute book but all others were retained by the Speculatives. Matters reached such a head that this problem could not fail to reach the attention of Grand Lodge and the following is inscribed in the main minute book: (I make no apology for quoting the full minute)

Minutes of Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland so far as relates to the Lodge of St. Thomas, Arbroath. At Edinburgh the third day of November one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three years. Brother Foreman, master of the Thistle suggested to the Grand Lodge of Scotland that unfortunately a Schism had happened in the Lodge of St. Thomas Arbroath and it would appear that both parties had acted with a spirit of rancour and irregularity inconsistent with that Brotherly love and harmony which ought to subsist among the Craft and as the respondent John Airth and his adherents still retain the Books of entry and cash book notwithstanding the sequestration he humbly moved: That the Grand Lodge would avoid giving countenance to either party in conformity to the harmony and good order always observed in the decisions of the Grand Lodge. That the order of sequestration should remain in force and that John Airth and his adherents shall be appointed to produce the books of entry and cash book which fall under the sequestration in the hand of the Grand Clerk within two weeks from this date. That upon St. John's Day next at six o'clock in the evening a meeting of the real brethren of the Lodge of St. Thomas shall be called to meet in the house of William Fielding, Vintner in Arbroath.

That it shall be recommended to our Right Worshipful Brother Provost John Ouchterlony Esquire present master and failing him the right worshipful Brother Bell past master the presiding master, Deputy master and substitute master for the time, in due order and succession of the Lodge of St. Vigean Arbroath assisted by his Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary to constitute the Lodge and preside as Master of the Lodge of St. Thomas that evening and then and there and under his discretion the Grand Lodge appoint and ordain the real brethren of the Lodge of St. Thomas as well speculative as operative to proceed in the election of a Master and Wardens and other presiding officers for the year insuing and that with all decency and brotherly love as becomes Masons, under the certification of incurring the displeasure of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. And in order that the real members of St. Thomas may be readily known authorise the Grand Clerk to send to Brother Ochterlony the said cash book and book of entrys for which he shall be answerable to the Grand Lodge and appoint him or others presiding in the order aforesaid to make a true and faithful report to this Grand Lodge as they shall be answerable betwixt and the quarterly communication in February next and recommend to the said John Ouchterlony to call the foresaid meeting by publick advertisement in the Edinburgh newspapers that all the real brethren of St. Thomas may be certierate to attend.

Which motion being considered by the Grand Lodge they unanimously agreed to it and appointed the same to be carried into execution. At a Regular Meeting of the Real Brethren of the Lodge of St. Thomas of Arbroath, held within the house of Edward Shaw, Vintner, in the said Burgh upon the twenty fourth day of June One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Five years by two O'clock afternoon conform to a Sentence of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and previous advertisements in the publick Newspapers for the purpose of electing Office Bearers to the said Lodge to St. John's Day next, the twenty seventh day of December also next, in presence of George Kyd a Brother of the lodge of St. Vigean, chosen by the Grand Lodge as president to superintend said election conform to their sentence of Date the XXXXXXXX. Compeared the following Brethren who unanimously approve of the said George Kyd's appointment and hereby agree and become bound to stand by his determination confiding in the integrity and brotherly love of the said George Kyd and for that purpose have hereunto set our hands place and date foresaid “Forty signatures follow”

The before named George Kyd having accepted of the commission of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and having made choice of interim office bearers for carrying same into execution the Lodge was duly and regularly opened. The election accordingly proceeded when in the first place a leet was made out for Master of the Lodge of St. Thomas. Whereon were put James Allan and John Milne and the votes being collected by each Brother signing his name below either of the Candidates there appeared a great majority in favour of James Allan whereupon he was declared duly elected. Thereafter and in the same manner a leet was made out for Depute Master; then for Senior Warden, followed by a Leet for Junior Warden. Secretary and Treasurer were likewise elected. All the other office bearers to serve in the lodge of St. Thomas aforesaid till St. John's Day the twenty seventh day of December next. Following the election of the Master and other office bearers "it was moved and agreed that a notice to all absent and outstanding members should be put into the Edinburgh newspapers and every member warned to appear and clear themselves of this Lodge against the first Wednesday in June 1786." The cashbook of this time records a payment of £14 – 10 – 10 relating to "the process with the Operatives". The Lodge Room was sold after this! (To defray the expenses?)

Twenty years after the "split" from Lodge St. Thomas, one of the original fourteen dissenters and now a Past Master from Lodge St. Vigean was instrumental in healing what might have proved to be a "terminal" division within St. Thomas! Matters appear to have calmed down after this controversy and the normal working of the lodge followed a regular basis. On 27th December 1788 - After dinner, the Lodge being called to order, there were presented to the Master several petitions for poor people, the following were granted

which sums were paid by the Treasurer the same day.

27th December 1792 - Alexander Hill was voted an honorary Member of this Lodge. The first person to be so honoured.

The foundation stone of a new Lodge room was laid in July 1794 and the first meeting was held therein on 4th May 1795.

During the 1790's the Lodge played the part of a "Co-operative Society" by buying large quantities, "bargains" as they were called, of coals, meal and other household necessities from local tradesmen and selling them on to the members of the Lodge at a nominal profit. The new century awakened what had been a quiet end to the 1700's and the brethren were shocked to learn that their Master, William Clunas, has absconded with the lodge funds. The minutes record "It being represented to the Brethren of St. Thomas Lodge that our present Master William Clunas has failed in his circumstances and that he has left this place, and that he is also resting a considerable sum to this Lodge of St. Thomas, and as he has left our affairs in a state of great disorder, the members of this Lodge has nominated and appointed Thomas Harris as Preces to continue in that office until the general election on St. John's Day one thousand eight hundred and two years. The full extent of this disaster was made known to the brethren on that next election day.

28th December 1802- The Lodge being duly met and regularly constituted they made choice of John Jamieson for Grand Master. James Peter Junior as Depute Master; John McDonald Sen. Warden; Robert Jamieson Jun. Warden; Robert Hill Treasurer and Hugh Low Secretary and Alex. Spink as Tyler and appointed the third day of January their accounts, when there was found to be a balance of One Pound Nineteen Shillings and Eleven pence Farthing in the Treasurer's hand which will be accounted for by the said Robert Hill.

At same time the Master represented to the Lodge that by the mismanagement and inattention of William Clunas, late Master of this Lodge St. Thomas had brought the office bearers of the lodge into a debt of about Twenty Seven pounds sterling, which they in honour have become bound to pay and as the dividend arising from the bankrupt funds of the said William Clunas will amount to little if any thing. That owing to the embezzlement of the Lodge funds by the said William Clunas they are rendered perfectly inadequate to discharge and pay the same debt, therefore the meeting proposed to raise a sum equivalent to the above by voluntary subscription among the Brethren on the following plan. Many of the Brethren will advance the Lodge by way of a loan a sum not exceeding two pounds nor below ten shillings. The office bearers for the time being and their successors in office shall be responsible for the respective sums so advanced within the span of six months after the same is regularly demanded by those advancing or their heirs. The office bearers are either to pay the interest of the sums so advanced by the subscribers or to account for the same at the end of each twelve months from the date of their several advances until the principal sum is demanded and paid. Each subscriber to receive a certificate of the sum advanced by him, under the hand of the office bearers for the time. And the meeting ordained this minute and the whole transaction following relative thereto to be recorded in the Books of the Lodge St. Thomas of Arbroath.

The cash book records £26 - 17s - 1½d as being collected from the Brethren to clear this embezzlement and this entry is immediately followed by the record "to a poor brother, 7/-". Charity was not forgotten, even in the darkest of hours! An attempt to set up a benefit society in 1800 failed, although the buying and selling of "bargains" continued. In 1808 however this aim was eventually achieved and a benefit society was established with an efficient set of bylaws which are inscribed in the main Minute Book. A copy of these "Rules and Regulations of St. Thomas Lodge of Masons, printed in Montrose in 1810 is still in possession of the Lodge - thanks to the generosity of Bro. Henderson, then the R.W.M. of Lodge St. David, who donated them to the Lodge in 1908. The introduction is worthy of repetition here - "Free Masonry having a direct tendency not only to render its members compassionate and benevolent, but also to administer relief to those among them, who by unforeseen accidents may be reduced to a state of indigence or distress. We therefore, the members and brethren of said Lodge, do hereby agree to form ourselves into a Benefit Society, and in order to raise a fund, in order that we may the more effectually be enabled to assist each other, when the situation of any of our members may so require, and for this charitable purpose, we agree to the rules and regulations following."

During the some twenty years which this Society existed cash from the funds helped many a poor widow, made the lives of many orphans useful and assisted many a brother through times of illness and misfortune. Such assistance was not confined to members of the fraternity, as assistance was often extended when the recipient had no claim on the fund. In order to increase the funds, large sums of money were regularly lent to individuals, Trade Incorporations, and even the local Guildry. The fund showed a balance of over £600 in 1825 and when wound up in 1831, the sum of £475 was distributed among the members. During this period the "operative" nature of the lodge, mentioned earlier, is further emphasized by the recording of admission fees as follows: the son of a working mason, if he be a mason to his trade shall be fifteen shillings, if any other trade than a mason to be one pound and one shilling; the apprentice of a Free Mason of this Lodge one pound and one shilling; for a speculative member one pound eleven shillings and six pence. Try charging different fees for different occupations to-day!

However, article XX of the Rules and Regulations of 1810 removes all doubt of the nature of the Lodge - "Any dissension arising in the Lodge, tending to subvert the end and design of this institution, it is hereby expressly agreed that no law can be made tending to subvert the original laws, bye-laws and regulations of this Lodge, and as an operative Lodge is always and must be governed by operative Masons." I have come across numerous articles concerning other Lodges and their "benefit societies" and the associated claims that theirs is the oldest, but as yet none which pre-dates that of Lodge St. Thomas. In December 1810 the members agreed to the "Clerke" receiving a salary of tens shillings and sixpence (note how everything official is considered in guineas!) and one shilling at entry and sixpence at passing and raising for drink allowed to the Brethren at each of these steps. I feel this is a custom which should be revived. In July 1810 "at a meeting of the Lodge of St. Thomas it was agreed upon by the committee to grant a diploma "gratis" to - - - - Ackerman who has made himself a member of our Society, him being of a forron nation," On St. John's Day 1814 Robert Hill was elected as Master of the Lodge; but on refusing to serve he was fined ten shillings and John Croal was elected in his stead.

In 1815 an invitation was received from the Provincial Grand Master for the lodge to send a deputation to the laying of the foundation stone of the pier at the harbour of Dundee. Five members were to attend, and most importantly - their expenses were to be paid. This heralded the start of what I might call "a Century of Processions, Dedications and Foundation Stone Laying" and it might be appropriate to give an indication here of the many important buildings throughout Scotland which were graced by Masonic attendance - not least by Lodge St. Thomas.

Back to more mundane events however!

James Robb, Master of the sailing ship The Latona was passed and raised on 28th December 1816 and granted a Diploma - being the first of the number 36 of this Lodge since receiving the circular letter from grand Lodge constituting the Lodge of St. Thomas to assume that number. This was the second number allocated to St. Thomas - the first was 44 established in 1776; revised to 36 in 1816 and finally allocated 40 in the 1826 renumbering.

1822 saw St. Thomas eventually support the petition of several brethren to form Panmure Lodge after a five month debate.

The St. John's day meeting of 1822 saw the Lodge agreeing to forward two pounds to St. Cyre Lodge in Auchtermuchty, who had appealed for a donation as they had been ruined by a Law process. (Was this a similar "process" as the Operative/Speculative dispute in St. Thomas, thus attracting some sympathy and financial aid?)

The end of the election for the post of Depute Master came in 1826 when the newly installed Master nominated his Depute - a tradition continued to the present day.

1829 saw the Treasurer reach parity with the Secretary - it was agreed that he should receive a salary for his services - not less than the Secretary.

6/5/1840 (after 100 years) is the first mention of the members meeting for a "Lodge of Instruction" for a few new members.

As time is becoming short I propose to continue with a few interesting "snapshots" of events down the years.

14/7/1852 - It was agreed to purchase 5 shares in the Grand Lodge of Scotland Building Fund.

October 1853 is the first recorded instance of a proposal that the three Lodges in Arbroath should use one hall for all meetings. This subject has since "reared its head" on a number of occasions.

The Junior Warden was fined 5/- for failing to attend a meeting which he had called for in March 1856.

A donation of £2 was sent to the Wallace Monument Committee in 1861.

A harmony was held for two brethren prior top their departure for Australia - Nov 1865

The 1866 St. John's Day arrangements were reported as follows: Hall is hired; ticket prices set; extension of licence obtained; the Lodge to be closed at 10.00p.m.; the ball to commence at 10.30 and to be finished at 5.00a.m. What stamina!

In 1877 an application for a hall let from the Church of the Latter Day Saints was rejected, although similar applications from the Abbey Lodge of Oddfellows and Lodge 37 of Good Templars were approved.

In October 1877 a committee was set up to consult with P.G. Lodge and sister Lodges on the correct manner of giving the knocks of the degrees and the proper style of standing and giving the signs.

In 1879, two brethren, members of Lodge Panmure 299, who had been resident in America for some time, went over the ritual as practised in the States.

In 1882 a committee (our forebears seem to have been great believers in committees) was appointed to have printed in plain and simple form the opening and closing ceremonies of the three degrees.

A debate took place in 1884 on the correct manner of wearing aprons as when working in the fellowcraft degree the brethren had been in the habit of tucking up the left hand corner. After discussion it was agreed that in future all master masons would wear their aprons as M.M. in each degree, and E.A.'s and F.c.'s would wear theirs as taught.

11/5/1891 saw the Musical Service of the 3rd Degree used for the first time in the Lodge.

Also in 1891 the Tyler was instructed to procure 6 spitoons for use of the Brethren while in the Lodge Room.

In 1892 a new ballot box was presented to the Lodge and after discussion it was agreed that the box should sit on the centre altar and the Brethren rise and move to the box rather than the box being carried round the Lodge to the members as hitherto. We have since reverted to the previous custom. Yet another nail in the coffin to the oft used expression "we have always done it this way"!

Seven candidates initiated, five apprentices passed and seven fellowcrafts raised in one evening in 1893.

An appeal was received from Worthing Lodge of Friendship No 851 in Sussex for aid for the sufferers of a great epidemic of typhoid fever in 1893. The minute cryptically records that no mention of any epidemic had appeared in the newspapers.

How many have experienced a candidate in the first degree being able to contribute to the charity box - to everyones' embarrassment. Imagine the horror of the Brethren when the candidate at the meeting on 16/11/93 refused to declare in whom he put his trust in all cases of difficulty and danger!

1894 saw the brethren agree that the Charity Box be placed in the Lodge at every meeting and the proceeds used to establish a Benevolent Fund.

A brother McPherson of Bathgate Lodge - an iron worker on the tramp - applied for assistance which was granted. The first recipient of the Fund.

1895 saw the institution of the Mark Degree in Lodge 40.

11/1/1900 - Letter received and printed programme of proceedings of the installation of Bro. Archibald Birse, a member of lodge 40, as R.W.M. of Kilwinning Lodge No 311, Chicago.

July 1904 saw the Lodge receive an invitation from Lodge Dunnichen No 684, Letham, to attend a Masonic Divine Service. Unfortunately this is the only Lodge in the Province no longer in existence.

20/7/1905 saw the R.W.M. welcome a large number of visiting Brethren, particularly from Glasgow and District. The first of an ongoing tradition of midsummer meetings at Lodge 40 although most of the visitors are now from within the Province.

In April 1909 a combined Masonic Service held within Arbroath Abbey saw 300 members of the craft attend, with a total attendance of approximately 5000. A leader in the Arbroath Herald commented on the service and made reference to the content of the Declaration of Independence and suggested this as a suitable subject for an historical pageant. Fortune telling at its best as the Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society was to be founded almost 40 years on.

March 1911 saw the office bearers work the 3d Degree at Lodge The Bruce No. 593 - the first recorded instance of a working visitation out with the Lodge.

In 1914 it was decided that the Lodge Chaplain should sit on the platform in the East alongside the past Masters - a tradition which continues to this day.

The advent of the First World War saw a marked increase in membership amongst Freemasons and Lodge 40 was no exception with 62 initiates in 1917, 82 in 1918 and 182 in 1919. Multiple ceremonies were the order of the day and figures such as 17 candidates initiated on 23/10/1919 and a further 17 on 30/10/1919. These were followed by 22 initiations on 27/11/1919 - 56 in 5 weeks! In October 1920 three Mark Degree Lodges were held and 61 Mark Masters were made. Arbroath & District Musical Festival takes place annually and in 1926 the Lodge presented a silver medal for competition at the Festival.

17/2/1927 saw R. W.M. Ramsay and the office bearers of Lodge Dalhousie work the 1st Degree in Lodge St. Thomas - the first recorded visitation in the Lodge.

1/1928 provided the first Burns Supper in the Lodge - a formal Masonic event with the Lodge opened and closed in due form. 170 Brethren signed the Tyle.

©Research by the late Grant Langlands