History of Inveraray Masonic Lodge p.32
…find the following communication had been sent to the Grand Secretary :—
" That the Grand Lodge be immediately made aware of the high standing this Lodge once held on the Grand List, and of the attention it paid, and the regularity it maintained in all its dealings and duties to the Grand Lodge, until March 1831, when the last settlement took place—that shortly thereafter it gradually fell off froze the good footing it held, owing to the mismanagement of the office-bearers into whose hands the disposal of all its arrangements fell, and that consequently it became careless and inattentive to the duties it owed to the Grand Lodge—that among other misfortunes-a sum of money amounting to £30, which was placed in bank, was lost, by the person into whose hands it was placed leaving the country —that of late it has been revived (the Lodge), and that conscious of all the losses it has sustained, the brethren resolve now to use all their endeavours to restore its good name and standing, and respect-fully solicit the Grand Lodge to take their case, under all the circumstances, into their most lenient consideration, and allow it to be continued in that rank in the lit which it formerly held, and which it will be our pride and endeavour to preserve."
But it was no use, the No. was 50 and so remains.
On St. John's the brethren formed into procession, and accompanied by musicians and torch-bearers proceeded to Inveraray Castle, where they met His Grace John Duke of Argyll, who had on the night of St. Andrew's been elected R.W.M. The Deputy Master invested His Grace with the insignia of his office, whereupon the procession was re-formed, and being joined by His Grace they marched to Church, and held service in praise of the Most High. They then returned to the George Inn, and passed the night over a hearty supper in a most harmonious manner, P.W. Master, Walter Campbell of Skipness presiding. It is surprising that we get no information in regard to the death of the late Duke, George William, who held the office of R.W. Master for so many years.*
1843. At a specially summoned meeting of the Lodge on 20th January, 1843, we read " that in consequence of a letter received from William W. Gray, Irvine, offering to purchase our Charter, if we were disposed to part with it, this meeting was called." The Secretary was instructed to take no notice of so ridiculous a proposal. I should think
so!
*George William, Duke of Argyll, died at Inveraray in 1839.
History of Inveraray Masonic Lodge p.33
1844. In 1844, we find among the names of new members, that of the Rev. Colin Smith, Parish Minister, who is still affectionately remembered by not a few of the old inhabitants of Inveraray.
1845. From the Minutes of 10th October, 1845, we learn that Alexander Guthrie, baker, was admitted an apprentice of this Lodge. Bro. Guthrie, Ex-Provost of Inveraray is still with us, and is father of the Lodge, being a Freemason for upwards of sixty years. On the 14th October the brethren met to celebrate the arrival of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lorne, the father and mother of the present Duke of Argyll.
1846. On 28th December, the Lodge met to consider a petition from a brother Mason, which was of a very peculiar nature, involving some rather delicate points. This petition which came from the debtors' prison, called in question the right in a moral sense of one Freemason keeping a brother in confinement for debt. The Lodge after due deliberation came to the following decision :
" that the Lodge cannot in any way interfere in a civil question between parties, or in any matter whatever unconnected with Masonry."
I am afraid that there may be a difference of opinion among Freemasons in regard to such a decision, especially with the concluding clause.
1847. On the 18th August the Lodge marched in pro-cession to the Lawn, close to Argyll Castle, there to await the arrival of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, about 1 o'clock p.m., where the brethren waited till the embarkation of the Royal Party at three o'clock, thereafter returning to the Lodge Room in Masonic order. The Secretary, Bro. Birrell adds, " that the day was exceedingly fine, and the sight on Her Majesty's arrival was upon the whole rather imposing."
Rather an annoying reception, however, awaited the brethren on their return to the Lodge-Room, as the landlord demanded the surrender of said room for the accommodation of others, in consequence of which, the members had to flit, bag and baggage, to another house in the meantime, until proper quarters could be secured. The arbitrary conduct of the landlord mentioned here had…
History of Inveraray Masonic Lodge p.34
…a disappointing sequel for himself. It seems that antici-pating an extraordinary stroke of business from the crowds of visitors who came to see Her Majesty at Inveraray, the acute business man had converted his whole establishment into a huge bedroom, not excepting the billiard-room, in which were several improvised beds. But alas ! before night fell, the great crowds of visitors had disappeared, and not one of the beds thus prepared was even asked for.
At a meeting in November a committee was appointed to look out for a suitable place wherein to hold Masonic Meetings. It seems as if this generation of the members had lost all hope of having a Masonic Hall, and of which the brethren in the past had spoken of so often : and alas such a necessary building has not yet been built.
On the 30th November, we find the office of Bard mentioned for the first time, when Bro. William Rhind was appointed such, under the title of Poet Laureate.
1849. On the 14th December, 1849, the Treasurer Bro. Alexr. Guthrie, presented to the Lodge a handsome sword for the use of the Tyler, which sword was a present from his brother, John Guthrie, a soldier member of the Lodge, belonging to the 71st Regt. Infantry. Thus ends the fourth minute book, and we now find ourselves in touch with a few—a very few members of the Lodge still in the land of the living.
1850. On St. Andrew's night 1850, the Lodge passed an important set of Bye-laws, which were most excellent, and are partly in operation at the present time.
1851. On 1st April, 1851, the Lodge met to arrange for taking part in the Great Masonic Procession in Glasgow, on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the Victoria Bridge, or as the Glasgow people name it the Stockwell Bridge.
On the 15th April, the deputation who had taken part in the above named function, reported that they had been received in a very kind and handsome manner by the R. W, M., and brethren of Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge, No. 4, under whose banner they had joined in the pro¬cession. It was unanimously agreed to record the thanks…
History of Inveraray Masonic Lodge p.35
..of this Lodge to the brethren of No. 4, and the deputation who so ably represented us on that occasion. I understand that the Silver Jewels now in use in our Lodge were worn in the above procession for the first time. At a meeting on the 21st April, it was agreed to pay the new jewels by voluntary subscription, Bro. Guthrie having meanwhile advanced the purchase money.
We are indebted for many advantages provided by our brethren of the past, accomplished often with a great deal of self-denial. Are we as grateful as we ought to be?
1853. On 16th March, 1853, the Lodge expelled a member for having expressed himself in a very insulting manner towards the R. W. M. and other office-bearers.
1854. On the 28th June, 1854, a letter was read from the Grand Secretary, requesting this Lodge to send its Charter to be compared with the copy kept by G. Lodge. The brethren seemed to be a little dubious about parting with this precious document, which has only once been out of Inveraray since 1747, excepting once or twice, with the Lodge meeting in neighbouring villages. At the festival of St. John, Bro. Rhind, Bard, sung a few of his favourite Masonic Songs, and gave a number of patriotic airs on the violin.
1857. The 6th May, 1857, was a busy day with the Lodge. On that day the foundation stone of Pole School, St. Catherine's, was laid with full Masonic honours, by the Inveraray Lodge. From the document deposited in the cavity of said stone, we learn " that this School is to be erected with money collected by Mr John Campbell, tenant of St. Catherine's Hotel, and driver of the Lochgoilhead Coach, and a Freemason, who by his zealous and unaided exertions, collected upwards of D.50 by private subscriptions, and the proceeds of public lectures given by himself, in aid of the funds for building the School, and the Government Grant of £200."
1858. On the 17th June, 1858, we find the brethren arranging for another outing, namely, the laying of the foundation stone of new Grand Lodge premises in Edin-burgh, on the 24th June. A deputation consisting of Bro. Rankin, R.W.M., Bro. Younger, Secretary, and Bro…
History of Inveraray Masonic Lodge p.36
…Napier Campbell, were elected to represent this Lodge on that occasion.
1864. At a meeting of the Lodge on 20th December, 1864, it was moved, " that a brother who had conducted himself in an improper manner should be censured by the R.W.M. on the first occasion he attends the Lodge, and if said member fails to make apology, he be expelled, and prevented from attending the Lodge till he make such apology." The brethren present expressed their regret that such a course was found necessary by the conduct of any member of the Fraternity. At this same meeting- the R.W.M. (Bro. Alex. Guthrie) presented the Lodge with a very handsome sword, which had been sent him by his brother, John Guthrie, an old member of the Lodge. The thanks of the Lodge were ordered to he conveyed to Bro. John Guthrie for his valuable present.
At the next meeting on 20th December, the brother who had incurred the censure of the Lodge, was duly reprimanded by the R.W.M., and made an ample and humble apology for his indecorous behaviour.
1865. On 9th January, Jas. Stewart, slater, was entered an apprentice of this Lodge. Bro. Stewart, lately deceased, lived to see his great-grand-children, and was a most entertaining and wonderful man in many ways, and a great favourite among all classes. On the 27th February, we find the Lodge agreeing to pay the funeral expenses of the brother who had been shortly before censured for misconduct. Is there not something pathetic in this case?
On the 30th August the following members were appointed to proceed to Logierait, to take part in laying the foundation stone of a Memorial to the late lamented Most Worshipful Grand Master, His Grace the Duke of Atholl, viz., Brothers Guthrie, James Ferguson, and Robert McFarlane.
On 16th November, the three degrees were conferred on James Chalmers, Missionary, who was going to the South Sea Islands very shortly. What an honour it is for old, No. 50 to have such a name on its roll. Bro. Chalmers' wonderful career in connection with missions inNew Guinea, and his pathetic death is well known.
History of Inveraray Masonic Lodge p.37