Lodge By-Laws 1848; The Lodge at Muthill had been an Fully Inclusive Operative Lodge since its inception Pre 1735, and being granted the Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, in 1795, it could be presumed that the lodge had made the change from practising Operative Masonry, to Speculative Freemasonry. These By-Laws dated 1848, give a very clear message of just how the Lodge operated at that time.They are reproduced below from the original copy, by kind permission of the Brethren of the Lodge.

Article 1;That the Annual General Meeting of the said Lodge and Society, shall be held in Muthill, on the 27th day of December, except when that day of the month fall upon a Saturday or Sabbath; then it shall be postponed to the following Monday. That the secretary shall request the Brethren to meet precisly at one o clock pm, by letters issued to the Tyler, at least ten days previous to the meeting. That the Tyler shall see them all duly distributed.

Article 2; That the General Meeting, after collecting the yearly dues, shall make choice of the Office Bearers for the ensuing year, either unaminously, or by a majority of votes. The Office Bearers shall consist of a Right Worshipful Master; Depute and Substitute Masters; a Proxy Master; two wardens; a Brethering Master; a Secretary; a Treasurer; and assistant Treasurer; Two Gaurdians; a Chaplain; Two Stewards; a Tyler; and a assistant Tyler if neccessary; all of  whom must be Master Masons. That any Brother nominated for a Office, and refuses to accept, or stand candidate for the same, shall pay to the funds of the society two shillings and sixpence; but no member who has held office for one year shall be liable to the above fine, nor accept an office of lower graduation. That in all General or Committee Meetings, the Worshipful Master shall have the casting vote in cases of parity, and in his absence, the Depute,  Past Master, or Office Bearer next in succession shall preside. That every member when about to speak, shall stand up and address the Master, and only one shall speak at a time. That the committee for managing the Societys funds shall consist of the Right Worsipful Master; Depute and Substitute Masters, Past Master; Wardens, with all the other Office Bearers, and at least ten Brethren run as a committee, elected from the different Districts connected with the society; all of whom must be Master Masons. That the acting Master shall be convener; who shall call General or Committee Meetings on all emergencies connected with the Society.

Article 3; That those who wish to become Members of the Society, shall signify their intentions at least twelve hours previous to their admission, and no person can be initiated outwith the Lodge Hall, except by deputation regularly granted to that effect. That every candidate shall be recommended by at least one Brother of the Lodge, who shall depone that no fraud is intended, that to his knowledge the candidate has no bodily ailment, that he is of a sober and virtuous character, and in a likely way of supporting himself; he shall also become bound that on his admission he shall immediatly pay the Official Dues; being sixpence to the Brethering Master, sixpence to the Secretary and sixpence to the Tyler, also the Grand Lodge Dues, and shall pay into the funds of the Society, one pound sterling, or deposit with the brethering Master an obligation in favour of the acting Master to that effect, payable at first General Meeting, and if entered betwixt the prepatory Committee and General Meeting and paid at that time, or at the settling Committee thereafter; no dues will be eligible for that year; but the age of senority will be calculated from the time the money is paid into the fund. That none can be admitted a member under eighteen years of age, nor can any be entered upon the effective fund above forty. Honorary Members will be received beyond that age, upon conforming to the rules, and paying the Lodge, and Grand Lodge dues. If any Member recommends a person contrary to these regulations he shall be fined and expelled the Society.

Article 4; That when any Apprentice Brother is raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, he shall be liable to every exception in point of character, and bodily ailment, as at first when admitted an apprentice, and shall pay into the Society's fund, twelve shillings and sixpence; with the officials dues; being sixpence each. That each member shall pay at the Annual General Meeting into the funds of the society, the dues current at the time, and failing to do so then, or at the settling Committee thereafter; they shall be considered in arrears, and shall have no claim of benefit on the funds while so, nor have any right to vote, or act, or hold office, nor can any payment be received on their behalf, until next General Meeting. Members who shall allow themselves to fall three years in arrears shall be erased from the role of the effective members and shall have no right, nor claim to any part of the funds of the society. Members going abroad and returning at any time with a good moral character, free from all bodily impediment, appearing personally at a General Meeting within twelve months after their return to Great Britain, and paying up all arrears, shall be received as a newly entered Member. No member while beyond Great Britain and Ireland can derive any benefit from the fund, nor such members cash received unless given as a free donation. And in case of a member dying abroad, no aliment, or funeral money will be allowed, nor annuity to Widow or Orphan.

Article 5; That the capital of the Society shall consist of the present Lodge House and Offices, Stewards room, Preperation Closet, and cellar below, with that piece of garden ground adjoining, as stated in full per Charter, also that house and garden belonging to the Society in New Fues; which in case of emergencies, may be sold by two thirds of the members concerned giving their consent; but the foresaid Lodge with pertinents, can under no emergency be sold; nor can any meeting, managers or Committee, have power to mortgage it, Bond it, or burden it in any manner to alienate its annual income from the funds of the Society. That any member introducinga motion for disposing of the aforesaid, or breaking up the Socirty, shall forfeit to the funds one pound sterling, and be no longer a member till such be paid. That all Bills, Bonds, and title deeds, shall be drawn in name of the acting Master, and Office Bearers for the time being, and their successors in Office, for behoof of St Johns Lodge, Muthill. That the box of the Society where the Bills, Bonds, Title deeds, Jewels and Societys vouchers are contained, shall be always kept in Muthill, and the principal Treasurer must be resident there, That tha box shall have three keys--- one to be kept by the acting Master, one by the treasurer, and one by the secretary. t hat the Treasurer shall receive all money belonging to the society, and dispose of it as he is directed; he shall also have the charge of the jewels. That upon retirement from office, he shall deliver up the full inventory of his charge; have them entered in the secretaries book, and counter signed by the acting Master. That every Secretary upon his appointment to office shall give a certificate to the convenor of the committee, stating the number of books committed to his charge, and promising to record with candour, and fidelity, the transactions of the society, and on his retirement from office, he shall deliver up the full inventory of his charge--- have them entered in the book, and counter signed by the acting Master; the Tyler shall also be accountable to the Society, for the articles delivered to his charge, and on his admission to office, shall claim an inventory, and on his retirement shall deliver up the same to the secretary, and have the transaction fully entered in the book. It shall be his duty while in office, to distribute all the letters--- to warn all committee members, and attend all Mason Meetings.

Article 6; That every Brother who has been five years a Member, and three of these a Master Mason, and who has become so infirm, and indisposed by distress, that he is unable to attend to his ordinary employment, shall be entitled to the full benifit of the Society's funds, - Viz; a Master Mason shall receive for the first three months of his distress, the sum of three shillings per week; and if his trouble continue longer than three months, he shall receive for the second three months, the sum of two shillings per week; and if his trouble shall continue beyond the period of six months, he shall receive the sum of one shilling and sixpence per week, aye and until they be recovered. That if an apprentice, he shall receive for the first three months of his distress, the sum of two shilings per week; and for the second three months, one shilling and sixpence per week; and if his trouble continue beyond the period of six months; he shall receive one shilling per week; and if he shall receive the Society's for a year and a day, he shall receive eight pence per week, aye and until he be recovered. the above being calculated for sick bed allowance; walking aabout applicants will be paid at the second three months rates stated in this article, liable to the reductionat every three months, as stated therein. No member can fall back upon the fund, within three months of being declared of the socirty, and if within six months, he can only receive aliment of the second three months class.Members must be clear of all arrears to the Society, when application is made, or they can receive no benefit.The Committee reserve power to visit those on the aliment list, as often as they think proper, by themselves, their guardians, or medical practitioner, or cause the applicant to produce a Doctor's Certificate; and no person can perform labour or transact business while on the aliment fund, and if a btoyher bring distress on himself, by rioting, drinking, or any other disorderly conduct, he shall receive no allowance from the funds of the Society, and if it be discovered afterwards any who - falling under this description, has received such allowance by a fraudulent representation, he shall be obliged to refund the same, with all expences that may be incurred in recovering it, and stand a reprimand from the Master, at a General Meeting, before he be again entitled to feceive the benefit of the Society's funds. That members may either receive the allowance from the Society themselves, or by any person appointed by them upon producing a certificate to the satisfaction of the managers, agreeable to the schedules annexed.

Article 7 That the Widows of Brethren who have regularly paid their annual contributions, and the widows of brethren whose arrears do not exceed three years, ouystanding at their death, shall, by paying up the same, be entitled to their annuity, and shall continue to enjoy it during their Widowhood and good behaviour. That the widow of a master mason shall receive the sum of twelve shillings sterling per annum; that the widow of an apprentice shall receive ten shillings sterling per annum; and Orphans shall receive their mothers annuity, till the youngest child be ten years of age. That for the funeral of a Master Mason, there shall be allowed one pound sterling; for that of his wife twelve shillings sterling; for that of an apprentice, sixteen shillings sterling; for that of his wife, ten shillings sterling;and these respective allowances shall be paid to any surviving relation or neighbour the committeeof management may deem proper, if applied for in conformiity to the laws of the lodge. The above state of payment to be punctually paid agreeable to the foregoing rules, reserving power to the society to advance any, or all of these payments in the event of the fund being reduced. It is understood that neither this nor any other of the laws of the Soceity shall be altered or departed from, without a minute, sanctioned at a General Meeting, by at least two thirds of the Members Present.

Article 8;That aliments, widows annuities, and the allowances for funerals, shall be claimed by written certificate to the satisfaction of the Committee of Management, addressed to the Treasurers, and attested by two Brothers, a Surgeon, or a Minister of the Parish, and two elders, agreeable to the schedules annexed. That every Brother in distress, who resides in the County of Perth, may claim his aliment after a weeks illness, but if it is not claimed within that time, he shall only receive a weeks aliment previous to the date of his application being lodged with the Treasurer. That every Member without the County of Perth may apply for aid within fourteen days after he is in distress; or if he does not then apply, he shall only recieve fourteen days aliment previous to his application being lodged with the Treasurers. That if the arrears of aliment be not applied for within fourteen days after the recovery of any member, he shall forfeit them to the Society, and shall lose all recourse to the same.

Article 9 That if any Member shall be convicted of defaming the Society; exposing its transactions, deriding its Office Bearers, reproaching or Casting up to any member or person, the benefit he or they have received from the Societys Funds; or of attacking any Brother in the Society; in a personal or scurrilious manner; or shall form Parties to introduce himself to others into office; come drunk to meetings, or take the name of God in vain; behave disorderly; whispering to incite strife, or dictate to others how to vote; he shall be expelled the Society.

Article 10 That if any member become an incorrigible rogue or vagabond, or shall be guilty of any crime which infers capital or arbitary punishment, such as murder, theft, robbery, burglary, incest, adultary, or any gross violation of the Sabbath Day; he shall be forfeit all right and title to the funds of the Society; and for the sake of good order and decorum, it is further agreed, that all debates arising among the members, shall be referred to the Society for their final decision; and upon any member refusing to submit thereto, or to abide by the sentence of the Society, such member shall be expelled the Society, and lose all right to its funds and privileges for ever.That all contamanious members persisting in their transgression, or refusing to stand by the prescription of the Laws, shall immediately be expelled the society; and no member shall have it in his power to bring an action of law, directly or indirectly against the Society.

Article 11 That if any member of the Society shall have an arrestment laid upon his aliment, at the instance of a creditor, it is hereby declared, that the said aliment shall not be attachable thereby, the said aliment being given to such distressed member, purely for his support and maitainance only. It is also declared, that the said aliment may be retained by the Society, or given by the Committee of Management to any relation or neighbour of such a Brother in Distress, to be applied to his support, as his situation may require. This regulation also shall extend to all provisions made in favour of widows, orphans and allowances for funerals, such as described in articles 7 & 8.

Article 12 That any member of the Society shall have arrived at the advanced age of sixty six years, and shall have behaved himself in a sober and virtuous manner, and shall have complied with the Laws of the Society, and shall be unable to earn by his profession or calling, more than four shillings and sixpence per week,in that event, if a Master Mason he shall receive ninepence per week; and if an apprentice shall recieve eightpence per week, with a view to assist him in his avocation, and promote his lawful endeavours to maitain himself and family; but any member claiming and recieving this benefit, can recieve no additional allowance when trouble and distress shall overtake him. The allowances to widows, orphans and funeral, shall continue as formally specified in Article 7. It being understood, that any member who arrives at the above age, shall have it in his choice, either to take the benefit thus prescribed and laid down, or the sick-bed allowances expressed in article 6.

Article 13 That should the Society, or its committee of Management, suspect the demand of any applicant for the benefit of its funds not well founded, it shall be in the power of the society, or of its committee, to send a Surgeon of character, and of their appointing, to report to them such applicants case; and if it shall appear that such application has proceeded from imposition, then in that event, such applicant shall be obliged to pay such Surgeons expenses, being he can be entitled to the benefit of the funds of the Society at any after period.

Article 14 That the Society reserve power to make or alter, or amend any or all of these laws. But notice of such intention to do so, must be lodged with the Preparatory Committee previous to to the General Meeting; and by two thirds of the members of said meeting giving their consent; and by having them entered in the minute book, they will become as binding to act upon as if they were in print.

Article 15 That every member of the society, as well as widows upon its funds, shall purchase a copy of these Laws, that none may pretend ignorance thereof; That the society direct that these Laws and Regulations be recorded in terms of the Act of Parliament, that they may have the benefit of the existing Law applicable to Friendly Institutions.

Article 16 That  the members of the said Society do hereby declare their entire approbation of the preceeding Laws and Regulations for the government thereof, and the same shall be binding on every member indiscriminately and respectfully. That the said Society do declare, that the name of the Society shall continue to be called "" St Johns Lodge Muthill "" and that all General Meetings connected therewith, shall be held in Muthill, so long as five of its members shall remain as a body; but when members fall under said number, to them shall belong the whole Houses, Lands, Monies, Benefactions,Title Deeds, and whatsoever else is the Property of the Society; in witness whereof we ordain our Master, Depute, and Substite Masters,Wardens, Treasurers and Secretarys, to sign the same for us, and by our Authority, this 27th day of December 1848.

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The Honourable William Henry Drummond, Master of Strathallan,

Right Worshipful Master.

WilliamCramb, Muir Of Strageath, Depute Master.

Gillespie Graham Esq, Orchil, Proxy Master.

Donald McNeil &John McRobbie, Substitute Masters,

Peter McOrist Senior Warden.

Robert Cramb Junior Warden.

George Neish Treasurer

James Steven Assistant Treasurer.

John Corner Secretary.

Peter McIlvride Chaplain

Andrew Bryce Tyler

 

To the non Mason reading these by-laws, it should be noted that there is no mention of religion, creed, or colour, as a requisite for membership, only sober, industrious men of good character, as it is today. Masons will observe that in the benefits of the society, there is no mention of FellowCrafts, in the dispersion of the various payouts. Only Master Masons and Entered Apprentices ( fully paid up ) are legible. There are some interesting topics for 192 members, re; the Annual General Meeting held on St Johns Day, 27th December, at 1o-clock, summoned by hand delivered message. The property owned by the lodge at New Fues, the various dedicated rooms at the lodge building, and the 12 hour waiting time for membership. A up to date set of Bye-Laws will be published shortly.