who appear and who do not, of our faulty debtors, will be right in my opinion; and those who confess debt and crave days, I think we should spare them. Farewell! Within your dear mansions may wayward Contentions, May Secrecy round be the mystical bound, ROBERT BURNS. On penning for the Kilmarnock Standard a series of four articles, June 1890, dealing with the Poet's connection with the Tarbolton Freemasons, Mr. Peter Watson, Annbank, Tarbolton, was at pains to have some photographs taken of several pages of the St. James's minute-book, on which the signature and handwriting of Burns appear, as also those of Gilbert Burns, and John Wilson (the Dr. Hornbrook of the famous satire). Of some of the more interesting of these minutes, facsimile impressions are given on the following pages; but it may here be stated that the members of the Tarbolton St. James's Lodge take a pride and pleasure in showing their famous minute-book, chair, jewels, mallet, &c., to numerous visitors-brethren of the Craft and others. During the tourist season many admirers of the Poet, coming from all countries, now visit Tarbolton to see and handle the Masonic relics, and to view the various scenes made classic by Burns. The following shows two signatures with the "Burness" spelling, the body of the minutes being in the handwriting of John Wilson (Dr. Hornbrook), the secretary of the lodge: Machline 1st Decem : 1785 Sed Ft James's Lodge, Dept Master Ten : 2 Junṛ Wardens L Masters present The Lodge proccized to Quss Brothers Morrison and Tannoch and also raised them to the dignity Masters notox his promissan Bowie also granted his promissary caution for twelve shillings and Six Pence Sterling as his entery money And Brother Alexer Love paid his entery money being Twelve shillings (And Sixpence Starting unto the Free Treasurer Roob Burness 2.m. Purbolton 10th Novem. $785. Sed: Lodge Mett. Brother John Manson having been duely recomended, The Lodge proceeded and Entered him Rob+ Burness. an Apprentice; www Burns's signature to another minute: Burns; also a full minute, written and signed by Robert Burns; also This Evening the Lodge. This evening raised and எ Partotton 29th July 1786 met & ballanced the Books. Roob + Burns D. M Jarbolton 4 th Aguft 17 86 the Lodge met when Quintin Bone and James paffed and Good being before entered apprentices were, entry moneyo Tarbolton August 18th This night the dodge met, and James Tennant accordingly Reobt Burns D. M. Jarbolton 25 ag! 1786 (This last line is part of a subsequent minute.) |