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The Lodge is more than fortunate to have in its possession a complete set of minute books with the exception of the years 1855,56 and 57. These give a complete and detailed account of its formation and its growth. From the first minute of 5th March 1757 when a number of Masons interested in the formation of a Lodge in Eyemouth met at the home of John Simpson, Vintner in Eyemouth; the granting of its Charter by the Grand Lodge of Scotland on the 14th November 1757 and the building of the Temple in 1758 and 1759, it can be seen that this small community on the south east coast of Scotland took to Freemasonry with a passion. The Temple was completed in 1759 and we believe that it is the third oldest Masonic Temple in the world. The ground floor, which is now the harmony room, was originally the Tyler's house. The Temple, on the first floor, is distinct in that it is longer north to south than east to west.
In addition to the regular meetings on the first thursday of each month, our early brethren also met on the three festival days, namely St. John the Baptist on 24th June, that of St. Andrew on 30th November and that of St. John the Evangelist on 27th December. Although we no longer meet on the 24th June and 30th November, our Annual Meeting and Installation of the new Right Worshipful Master and Elected Office-bearers is still held on 27th December each year.
Our Lodge derives its name from Princess Ebba, daughter of Aethelrid the King, who after setting sail for East Anglia, was driven ashore, after a perilous journey, close to the promontory of Coldburgh Head (now St. Abbs) where she was given shelter by the brethren of Culdeeham (now Coldingham). She built a sanctuary to the glory of God in gratitude for her deliverance from the perils of the North Sea and spent her remaining days in holiness and good works. She died in 679 AD and was buried in her own Monastery.
ROBERT BURNS.
Wherever you go in Scotland, most towns will have a plaque somewhere saying that Burns stopped there on one of his journeys, or that he is believed to have penned a poem or song within a certain hostelry. We can go one better than that.
On 19th May 1787, Robert Burns and his good friend Robert Ainslie came to the Temple in Eyemouth and were made Royal Arch Masons.
Excerpt of Minute.
Eyemouth 19th May, 1787
At a general encampment held this day, the following Brethren were made Royal Arch Masons, viz, Robert Burns from the Lodge of St. James, Tarbolton, Ayrshire, and Robert Ainslie, from the Lodge of St. Luke's, Edinburgh, by James Carmichael, William Grieve, Daniel Dow, Robert Grieve etc, etc. Robert Ainslie paid one guinea admission dues, but on account of R. Burns' remarkable poetical genius, the encampment unanimously agreed to admit him gratis and considered themselves honoured by having a man of such shining abilities for one of their Companions.
There are also times of sadness.
Friday 14th October 1881.
Black friday. A storm without equal lashed the east coast while the fishing fleet was at sea and 161 men, 129 from Eyemouth alone lost their lives in a single day. 97 widows and 256 children were left. Six members of the Lodge were amongst the lost.
250th Anniversary
The Lodge celebrated its 250th Anniversary on 3rd November 2007 when the Right Worshipful Depute Grand Master Brother Kenneth D. Kennedy and a deputation of Grand Lodge Office-bearers attended and carried out a ceremony of re-dedication.
After the ceremony, an anniversary dinner was held within the Royal British Legion, Eyemouth, which was attended by 70 Brethren from the Province and the Provost of Eyemouth and the Mayor of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Front row end left: Bro. Eric Young PM who was present at the 200th Anniversary
250th Anniversary Jewel
For a small country Lodge St. Ebbe is fortunate in having had a Grand Master Mason from within its ranks. George 5th Duke of Gordon was Grand Master Mason 1792 - 94. Another George, George Donnelly PM was installed as Provincial Grand Master of East Lothian and Berwickshire in 2006.
Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master
Bro. Sir Archibald D. Orr Ewing Bro. George R. J. Donnelly