Burns and Freemasonry in Ayrshire.

By R.T. Halliday

 

Robert Burns has frequently been called the “Poet Laureate of Freemasonry.” This distinction has been accorded by a consensus of opinion – so many of his works breathe the true spirit of the Fraternity; but he never occupied the official position of Grand Bard of the Order, although a lesser and purely apocryphal Masonic laureateship was posthumously foisted upon him in Edinburgh.¹ Yet it may safely be asserted that all the Grand Bards combined have not given us anything to compare with the Masonic odes and songs and prayers left to us by Brother Robert Burns.

“Time but th’ impression stronger makes.

As streams their channels deeper wear.”

So many erroneous statements have obtained currency regarding the Masonic life of the poet that a brief authentic narrative based on available documentary evidence may fitly form part of the Burns Chronicle.

We are informed by one writer that after his initiation Burns “quickly rose to a prominent position in the lodge [i.e., St. David], for within three years he appears as Deputy Master”; we learn from another equally veracious scribe that “at St. James Lodge he was a frequent visitor”; and in a volume entitled Robert Burns and Freemasonry, which professes to record his Masonic career, there is printed a wholly fictitious minute of his passing and raising, while the actual minute is still in existence to refute the print. Meantime, this narrative may be restricted to the Masonic record of Burns in his native shire of Ayr, leaving other controversial topics for discussion on a future occasion. For a full understanding of the peculiar situation in which Burns found himself involved we shall explain the foundation of the two Tarbolton lodges concerned.

When the Grand Lodge of Scotland was established for the supreme government of the Craft in 1736, following an example set by England in 1717 and by Ireland in 1725, there were scattered throughout the country numerous lodges which took no part in the establishment, but for many years retained their independence. The premier lodge in Ayrshire, that of Kilwinning, which had itself founded and warranted a multitude of Lodges, took part in the institution of the new central organisation, but through subsequent dissatisfaction, which does not concern us here, resumed its independence in 1743 and continued to warrant other daughter lodges. The first Tarbolton Kilwinning Lodge was warranted by the Kilwinning Lodge in 1771, for the sum of one merk Scots; but the differences of opinion then agitating the Craft soon manifested themselves acutely at Tarbolton, and in 1773 a secession took place. Twenty brethren, headed by Sir Thomas Wallace, Bart., petitioned Grand Lodge of Scotland for a charter, and this was granted to them on 26th February, 1773, as Lodge St. David, No. 174, on 26th February, 1773, as Lodge St. David, No. 174, on the Grand Lodge roll. It was signed by, among others, the Earl of Dumfries, then Grand Master Mason. The remaining members of the original lodge soon realised the growing importance of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and in 1774 they likewise made application for a charter, which was granted on 27th May of that year to St. James, Tarbolton Kilwinning, No. 178. The Grand Master for that year was John, third Duke of Atholl, but his signature does not appear on the charter, although it was granted under his authority. The proceeding of those days were not so elaborately recorded as they are now, but a carefully preserved minute of 15th March 1774, concludes; “As nothing pertickler passed from March 15, 1774, to March 1, 1775, the sederants are left in the old book.” Despite diligent search this old book has never been discovered. Assuredly, something “pertickler” did happen.

In 1781 there was a union of the two Tarbolton lodges. No mention of this fact is made in the minutes of the original lodge; but Lodge St. David recorded the proposal for union in a minute of 6th December, 1780, while in the following June we find: “and having considered on our offers to St. James Lodge respecting a junchen, also their answer, finds by a majority of votes that both lodges may unite on terms offered and exchanged this day.” This “junchen” on 25th June, 1781, resulted in the combination being known as Lodge St. David, “being the oldest charter.” This obviously refers to the Grand Lodge charters for Mos. 174 and 178, and takes no cognisance of the original charter from Lodge Kilwinning. Whatever feeling was aroused on this score can only be read now between the lines and by the subsequent proceedings.

Nine days after the union thus consummated Robert Burns was entered as a member of the combined Lodge St. David, through the good office – it is said – of Brother Alex. Wood, a tailor in Tarbolton. At this time Burns, aged twenty-two, was labouring for his father at Lochlea Farm, and the minute book of Lodge St. David, still extant but now in non-Masonic keeping, has the record, “Sederant for July 4th. Robt. Burns in Lochly was entered as Apprentice. Joph. Norman, M.” His entry fee of 12s 6d was paid on that date. The mother lodge of Robert Burns was therefore St. David, during its brief period of union with Lodge St. James.

There has been much controversy regarding the meeting-place of the lodge at the time. It has been claimed that the poet was initiated in Mason’s Inn, which is intimately associated with his Masonic work at Tarbolton. But Manson’s Inn does not figure in the records of St. David, which had a lodge-room of its own, and which was more closely associated with another public-house carries on by another prominent member, John Richard, some time Steward of the lodge. The first official mention of Manson’s is in the minute book of Lodge St. James in 1784 as we shall presently note. Manson was Treasurer of St. James Lodge from its foundation till the union. The probability is that Burns was initiated in the Bachelors’’ Club room, which was connected with Richard’s public-house. Burns was a leading member of that Club.

Shortly after his initiation Burns left Tarbolton for his unfortunate flax-dressing adventure in Irvine, and while resident there he travelled to Tarbolton on 1st October, 1781, for his next step in the Craft. The minutes reads; “Robert Burns in Lochly was passed and raised, Henry Cowan being Master, James Humphrey Senr. Warden and Jas. Manson Treasurer, and John Tannock Taylor and others of the Brethren being present.” (Taylor here is meant for Tyler) Humphrey was the “noisy polemic” on whom Burns wrote the epitaph beginning “Below thir stanes lie Jamie’s banes.” Wodrow became notorious shortly afterwards in the secession proceedings which now fall to be recorded, but in which the name of Burns does not appear. From his associations we can therefore only deduce his attitude, each for himself. It is highly improbable that he was a disinterested spectator, as an interesting document in his handwriting – an appeal for a meeting, penned probably in 1782 – states inter alia: “We who subscribe this are both members of St. James Lodge, Tarbolton, and one of us in the office of Warden. . . . We are sorry to observe that our lodge’s affairs with respect to its finances have for a good while been in a wretched situation. We have considerable sums in bills which lye by without being paid or put in execution; and many of our members never mind their yearly dues or anything else belonging to the lodge. And since the separation from St. David we are not sure even of our existence as a lodge. There has been a dispute before the Grand Lodge, but how decided, or if decided at all, we know not,” . . . . But this is anticipating.

Manson and Wodrow, as members of the original lodge, had never been agreeable to the suppression of its name and its supersession by St. David. Along with Captain James Montgomerie, Secretary Wodrow called one evening upon John Richard, who kept the charter chest of the lodge containing the archives and other belongings. After ordering “two gills of punch,” they sent Richard to Manson’s Inn on a trumped-up message and, abstracting the effects of Lodge St. James from the charter chest during his temporary absence, carried them off. Proceedings in the Sheriff Court at Ayr followed, and eventually the matter was carried to Grand Lodge. Gran Committee ordered restitution, but the Secretary was made of sterner stuff and refused to submit. A decision by the Sheriff recorded that as the union had been a voluntary one, there was nothing to prevent a voluntary separation. We find this minute in the St. James Lodge book : Tarbolton, June 17, 1782. St. James Lodge met upon the same footing as it was before the junction. James Montgomerie, Gr. Mr. for the night.”

This was the union dissolved, and we next find Burns among the seceders. His name does not appear again in the minute book of either lodge until 27th July, 1784, when he was elected Depute Master of St. James Lodge at Manson’s Inn. The lodge had moved its quarters to Manson’s a month previously, and there its meetings were held during Burns’s regime. Burns, it may be noted, never was Master of the lodge; but the Master-ship being usually an honorary and sinecure post, the Depute took the chair at the meetings and signed the minutes. The minute book which is a highly prized relic of the early days of the lodge contains three minutes entirely in the handwriting of the poet, and 29 more signed by him as Depute Master. It is still preserved by the lodge and is shown to visitors, though under more careful supervision than in former days. The first minute, holograph but unsigned, is dated 1st September 1784, and reads thus; “This night the lodge met and ordered four pounds of candles and one quire of eightpence paper for the use of the lodge, which money was laid out by the treasurer and the candles and paper laid in accordingly.” The first minute signed by Burns as D.M. is that of 29th June, 1785, and the last that of 23rd May, 1788. Up till 1st March, 1786, they are signed “Robt. Burness.” On that date his brother Gilbert got his second and third degree in the lodge, and both he and the Depute Master spelled the name “Burns.” During Burn’s tenure of office Professor Dugald Stewart became an honorary member of the lodge, as also did Claude Alexander of Ballochmyle, brother of the lady immortalised as “The bonny lass o’ Ballochmyle.”

Despite the assertion made by Robert Chambers in his Land of Burns, the last date of the poet’s signature was not that of his last appearance in St. James Lodge, for on 21st October and again on 11th November, 1788, the minutes record his presence in the chair.

On St. John the Baptist’s Day 24th June, 1786, St. James Lodge held an annual gathering. This was the occasion which drew from Burns the well-known lines to Dr. John McKenzie:

Friday first's the day appointed

By the Right Worshipful Anointed,

To hold our grand Procession,

To get a blade o' Johnie's Morals,

And taste a swatch o' Manson's barrels,

I' the way of our Profession:

Our Master and the Brotherhood

Wad a' be glad to see you;

For me I would be mair than proud

To share the mercies wi' you.

If Death then wi' skaith then

Some mortal heart is hechtin,

Inform him, and storm him,

That Saturday ye'll fecht him.

When misfortune overtook him and arrangements had been completed for his emigration to Jamaica, Burns penned his “Farewell” to St. James Lodge, beginning

Adieu! a heart-warm, fond adieu!

Dear brothers of the mystic tye!

Ye favour'd, ye enlighten'd Few,

Companions of my social joy!

Tho' I to foreign lands must hie,

Pursuing Fortune's slidd'ry ba',

With melting heart, and brimful eye,

I'll mind you still, tho' far awa'.

The reference in the concluding verse of the piece is to Major-General James Montgomerie, Master of the Lodge, whose Depute he was, and who as Capt. Montgomerie was one of the conspirators at the severance of the “junchen.”

Burns connected with two other Ayrshire lodges. On 27th March, 1786, he was admitted a member of Loudoun Kilwinning, at Newmilns. He was introduced by the Master, who at that time was his friend Gavin Hamilton. The minute adds, “John Morton, merchant in Newmilns, is answerable for Mr. Robert Burns’s admission money.” On 26th October 1786, the poet was admitted an honorary member of St. John Kilwinning Lodge, Kilmarnock, now No. 22, but originally No.24. The minute reads; “Robert Burns, poet from Mauchline, a member of St. James, Tarbolton, was made honorary member of this lodge. (Signed) Will. Parker.” It was on this occasion that he composed the song;

Ye sons of Auld Killie, assembled by Willie,

To follow the noble vocation;

Your thrifty old mother has scarce such another

To sit in that honoured station.

 

I've little to say, but only to pray,

As praying's the ton of your fashion;

A prayer from the muse you well may excuse,

`Tis seldom her favourite passion.

 

Ye powers who preside o'er the wind and the tide,

Who marked each element's border,

Who formed this frame with beneficent aim

Whose sovereign statute is order,

 

Within this dear mansion may wayward contention,

Or withered Envy ne'er enter,

May secrecy round be the mystical bound

And brotherly love be the centre.

The original has the inscription: “This song, wrote by Mr. Burns, was sung by him in the Kilmarnock Kilwinning Lodge in 1786, and given by him to Mr. Parker who was Master of the Lodge.” The concluding lost lines were used later by Burns in an apology for his absence from St. James Lodge, dated from “Edinburgh, 23rd August, 1787.” The text is as follows –

Men and Brethren,

I am truly sorry it is not in my power to be at your quarterly meeting - If I must be absent in body, believe me I shall be present in spirit. I suppose those who owe us monies by bill or otherwise will appear; I mean those we summoned. If you please, I wish you would delay prosecuting defaulters till I come home. The court is up and I will be home before it sits down. In the mean time, to take a note of who appear and who do not of our faulty debtors will be the right in my humble opinion; and those who confess debt and crave days, I think we should spare them. Farewell. [Then follows the stanza, but beginning “Within your dear Mansion.”] Robt. Burns.

The so-called defaulters were brethren who had borrowed from the lodge – a common practice in earlier days.

Burns’s Masonic mark appears in minute books; it appears also twice in the Bible which he presented to “Highland Mary” when he parted from her on the banks of the River Ayr in May, 1786, prior to his intended departure for the West Indies. He fashioned it thus:

 

  

Article by R.T. Halliday sourced from The Burns Chronicle( Second Series Volume IV) 1929, pp 137-145

This lecture was first used in the SRA76 Masonic Magazine for January 2018

This Article was extracted and transcribed in this format by Bro. J. Stewart Donaldson.