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VIRTUAL
MUSEUM -
AN ONLINE TOUR OF THE LODGE RELICS |
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The
Lodge is proud to present images and details of some of the relics
in our possession that date back to the time of Robert Burns. Some
of these have never previously been photographed or displayed to the
public. Visitors are reminded that express Copyright of these images
is retained by the Lodge. Requests to visit the Lodge in person should
be directed to the Lodge Secretary. |
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Robert Burns
as Depute Master |
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CONTENTS
The
Kilwinning Charter
A Letter written by Burns to the Lodge
The Copperplate used to send invitations
out to the brethren
Minute Book - Burns becoming a Freemason
Minute Book Entry - Robert Burness, Depute Master
Minute Book Entry - Robert Burns - First record
of when he changed his name from Burness to Burns
The Bible purchased by Burns for the Lodge
The Master's jewel worn by Burns as Depute Master
The Mallet used by Burns when presiding over meetings
Candlesticks used during meetings when Burns was
DM
Burns' Apron
The Master's Chair used by Burns
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THE
KILWINNING CHARTER
Still
in our possession today is the original Charter from Lodge Mother
Kilwinning dating to 17 May 1771.
The Kilwinning
Charter
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LETTER
WRITTEN BY BURNS TO THE LODGE
Burns
was unable to attend a meeting of the lodge.
In
this letter, written in Edinburgh on 23 August 1787, Burns apologises
for his absence, and intercedes on behalf of loan defaulters who
were due to be prosecuted at the meeting.
The
ending of the letter has become famous, and is shown below.
The letter
was addressed to:
"
The Right Worshipful St Jame's Lodge, Tarbolton.
Care of James Manson, Innkeeper, Tarbolton"
The
lodge used to meet at Manson's Inn, hence the addressee.
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The
beginning of the letter is thus:
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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
Within
your dear Mansion may wayward contention
Or withered Envy ne'er enter
May Secrecy round be the mystical bound
And brotherly love be the center.
Robt
Burns
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The famous
ending to Burns' letter
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THE
COPPERPLATE USED TO PRODUCE INVITATIONS TO THE BRETHREN
This
plate was used to invite brethren to meetings of the Lodge. All
newly entered brethren are given a print using the plate as a momento.
The original
copperplate
Print
given to all newly entered brethren up to this day on day of admission
to the Lodge.
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| MINUTE
BOOK - THE ENTRY WHERE BURNS IS MADE A FREEMASON |
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This
famous entry in the minute book of July 4th 1781 reads as
follows:
Sederunt
for July 4th
Robt Burns in Lochly was entered an apprentice.
Burns
is entered into the Lodge
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| MINUTE
BOOK ENTRY - BURNESS AS DEPUTE MASTER |
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Burns
signed the minute book on many occasions. The one shown here dates
to July 20 1785.
It
should be noted that Burns used to use the name Burness.
Burns
signs the book, "Robt Burness, D.M" when he was Depute
Master
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| MINUTE
BOOK ENTRY - BURNESS CHANGES HIS NAME TO BURNS |
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This
is the first recorded minute where Burns drops the "es"
from Burness. It dates to 25 May 1786
Robert Burns' new signature - without the "es" in Burness
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| THE
BIBLE PURCHASED BY ROBERT BURNS |
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This
is the first page of the Bible purchased for the Lodge by Robert
Burns.
The Bible
purchased by Burns
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| MASTER'S
JEWEL FROM BURNS PERIOD |
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This
is the actual Master's jewel worn by Robert Burns when he
was Depute Master. Burns makes referrence to the, "highest
badge" in his Farewell poem
to the brethren of the lodge.
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Masters
jewel worn by Burns as Depute Master
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THE
MALLET USED BY BURNS DURING MEETINGS
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The
Master's mallet that was used by Robert Burns when he presided over
the Lodge is still in use today.
Visiting
Lodges also take great pleasure in using the mallet during meetings.
The
Master's Mallet
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| CANDLESTICKS |
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Used
at the time of Burns, these candlesticks are still in use today
at every meeting.
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| BURNS'
APRON |
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The
apron worn by Robert Burns is proudly framed and hung on the
North wall of the Lodge and is visible to all on entering
via the South doorway.
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The apron
worn by Robert Burns
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| THE
MASTER'S CHAIR |
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Ever
since Robert Burns sat in this chair, it has been used by all subsequent
brethren who have presided over the Lodge.
Still
situated in the East, the RWM of today's Lodge presides over the
Lodge as Burns himself did.
The Master's
Chair and Footstool
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