SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESEARCH LODGE
F&AM
A Visit to Edinburgh and Lodge Canongate Kilwinning #2. Wor. James T. Watson, Jr.
[From The Trowel, Summer 1994, of the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts]
Edinburgh, the second largest city in Scotland,
was named in honor of Edwin of Northumbria, an Anglian king who
built a fort there in the 600's. On the site of that fort now
stands Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock. From this height
one can look over the tallest buildings of Princes Street to the
coastline of the Firth of Forth and beyond to the North Sea.
The "Royal Mile" leads from this
castle to Holyrood Castle, home of Mary, Queen of Scots, from
1561-1567. On this road are the Norman Chapel of Saint
Margaret, Saint Giles Cathedral and the homes of dukes, earls and
lords in ancient times. From this Canongate run St. John's Close
(demolished in 1966) and St. John's Street. From both these
entries, one gains admittance to the Chapel of St. John, meeting
place of Lodge Canongate #2, Royal Arch Chapter #56 and the
Preceptory and Priory of St. John Canongate Kilwinning.
The traditions of Lodge Canongate Kilwinning #2
date to the building of the Abbey of Holyrood, founded by King
David I in 1128. Skilled builders and craftsmen were brought
from far and near to complete that work, dedicated to the
Holyrood (cross) brought to Scotland by David's mother, the pious
Margaret.
While dating its early history to King David's
Charter, the Lodge identified itself with the general body of
Freemasons in Scotland in 1677 by accepting a warrant from
the Lodge at Kilwinning in Ayrshire, which was exercising the
functions of a Grand Lodge. From this connection #2 derives its
title of Canongate Kilwinning. It is one of the few Lodges which
cannot produce a Charter or Warrant from the Grand Lodge of
Scotland.
The initiative in forming the Grand Lodge of
Scotland was taken by this Lodge. One of its members, William St.
Clair of Rosslyn became first Grand Master. The Lodge motto,
"Post Nubile Phoebus" (After the clouds the sun),
refers to dawn and ancient sun worship. At every communication
the work is closed but not the Lodge. which is only adjourned.
This Lodge preserves the ancient Scottish
arrangement of having the Master and Wardens at the three angles
of a triangle. The Master's chair, dating from the early I8th
century , forms the apex in the center of the East, with a canopy
over the Master's station and the altar directly before it. The
Senior and Junior Wardens' chairs are at the two corners of the
Lodge room in the West. The Annual Festival is held on St. John
the Baptist's Day, June 24th.
The present Lodge building was consecrated in
December, 1736, and is the oldest building in the world built for
Masonic purposes. On entering the Lodge room, one is instantly
drawn drawn to what appear to be four alcoves contining statues,
two on the north wall and two on the south. When approached, they
are found to be cleverly executed mural paintings of Lord Byron
and Sir Walter Scott on the north wall and Robert Burns and
William Shakespeare on the south. These works were completed by
an unknown artist in 1833.
A distinctive fireplace is set into the center
of the north wall. Above the mantel is is a lifesized portrait of
William St. Clair, painted by Allan Ramsay. In a recess in the
center of' the south wall, between the murals, is the
organ built by Snetzlear of London, installed here in 1757. This
organ is similar to that used by Handel at his first performance
of the "Messiah" in 1742. In the center of the west
wall is a mural given bv the Royal Order of Scotland as a
memorial to Bro. Dr. Alexander F. Buchan, Grand Secretary of the
Body for many years, who served as Master of Lodge Canongate
Kilwinning #2 in 1947.
Throughout the world in Scottish-created Lodges
the most frequently seen engravings are of Stewart Watson's
"Inauguration of Robert Burns as Poet Laureate in Canongate
Lodge. "The original painting is in the museum of the Grand
Lodge of Scotland in Edinburgh, Other interesting items contained
in this Lodge are the gavel on the dais presented by William St.
Clair, said to have been used at the construction of Roslyn
Chapel, and the gavel used at the altar, made from cedar from
Lebanon.
Two very old Bibles are used regularly, one a
Breeches Bible from the translation in Genesis 3. This book was
printed in 1589 and presented to the Lodge on November 14, 1735.
The other is a Black Letter Bible of 1642, known is the Treacle
Bible, presented on August 3, 1737. Lighting of the Lodge was
first by candles in the chandeliers, then gas and now
electricity, the greatest change in the last 260 years.
Because of the economics of the times times and
present building and fire regulations, the membership cannot
continue to provide the upkeep of the premises. The Royal Order
Scotland will take over ownership of the site, making the
expansion compatible with the rapidly growing Moray House College
of Education. The membership of the Lodge will enjoy meeting in
the Chapel with many items made more visible than previously.