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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND STEWARDS. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Stewards.
for this hew proof of his paternal anxiety in all that pertains to the welfare of the Craft . Nor will it detract in the smallest degree from the acknowledgment- ; due to the Duke of Sussex , nor from my own sincerity , that the particular alteration , and , as it now stands , the undoubted improvement I have to refer to , although it was at first , in its chief feature , negative in proposition , became afterwards affirmative under the consideration of the Grancl Lod because His Royal Highness adopted
ge ; a more perfect view of the case , when properly explained to him , with the most evident satisfaction . Assuming that the Book of Constitutions went not the length of prohibiting Past Provincial Grand Stewards from wearing the red apron in their respective provinces , that custom has generally prevailed throughout England ; ancl it has by no means been unusual to permit its use by such past-officers when attending Masonic meetings in neihbouring
g counties . But this lenient construction of the law , it would seem , has occasionally given umbrage ; and an attempt was made , upon the plea of " personal experience , " to confine the honour of that distinctive badge , after actual service , to Past Grancl Stewards only , and prevent its participation by those of provincial appointment ; yet it is remarkable that when the question was mooted , to add a declaratory clause to the law on that subject , by which Past Provincial Grand Stewards would
have been specially inhibited from using a red apron at all after the expiration of office , the propriety of adopting that course was marked by unintelligible advocacy . I trust through your pages it will be extensively diffused , that on this occasion of " personal experience , " two zealous menibcrs of the Fraternity , who had travelled some forty miles to attend a Masonic festival , were actually prevented from joining the banquet by a
" Straitlaced stickler for the laws extreme . " who , objecting to the wearing of a red apron , even under such peculiat circumstances , by any Past Provincial Grancl Steward , caused them immediately to retire ; not merely disappointed of their expected pleasure , but inclined to doubt the kindly disposition of the Craft , ancl the universality of the system they had hitherto been so anxious to support and extend !
I agree with Brother Lee Stevens—who so successfully advocated the cause of the Provincial Grancl Stewards , as a past officer of their own rank , as well as a Past Grand Steward—that the expenses incurred b y them , the journeys performed , and the loss of time they must experience in fulfilling the duties of their office , entitle them to at least the privilege of wearing the red apron in their respective provinces from and after their period of serviceand thatwere this expresslforbidden to Pro
; , y - vincial Grand Stewards , it would create great dissatisfaction among those who already exercise the privilege , and effectually prevent the acceptance of such office by those whose standing in the Craft would point them out as most deserving of the distinction . And I therefore think that the Brother who proposed the adopted amendment , ancl the Provincial Grand Master who seconded it , are deserving of thanks from the Provincial Grancl Stewards as a body .
I am , Sir and Brother , Your sincere well wisher , A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND STEWARD September 10 , 1838 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Stewards.
for this hew proof of his paternal anxiety in all that pertains to the welfare of the Craft . Nor will it detract in the smallest degree from the acknowledgment- ; due to the Duke of Sussex , nor from my own sincerity , that the particular alteration , and , as it now stands , the undoubted improvement I have to refer to , although it was at first , in its chief feature , negative in proposition , became afterwards affirmative under the consideration of the Grancl Lod because His Royal Highness adopted
ge ; a more perfect view of the case , when properly explained to him , with the most evident satisfaction . Assuming that the Book of Constitutions went not the length of prohibiting Past Provincial Grand Stewards from wearing the red apron in their respective provinces , that custom has generally prevailed throughout England ; ancl it has by no means been unusual to permit its use by such past-officers when attending Masonic meetings in neihbouring
g counties . But this lenient construction of the law , it would seem , has occasionally given umbrage ; and an attempt was made , upon the plea of " personal experience , " to confine the honour of that distinctive badge , after actual service , to Past Grancl Stewards only , and prevent its participation by those of provincial appointment ; yet it is remarkable that when the question was mooted , to add a declaratory clause to the law on that subject , by which Past Provincial Grand Stewards would
have been specially inhibited from using a red apron at all after the expiration of office , the propriety of adopting that course was marked by unintelligible advocacy . I trust through your pages it will be extensively diffused , that on this occasion of " personal experience , " two zealous menibcrs of the Fraternity , who had travelled some forty miles to attend a Masonic festival , were actually prevented from joining the banquet by a
" Straitlaced stickler for the laws extreme . " who , objecting to the wearing of a red apron , even under such peculiat circumstances , by any Past Provincial Grancl Steward , caused them immediately to retire ; not merely disappointed of their expected pleasure , but inclined to doubt the kindly disposition of the Craft , ancl the universality of the system they had hitherto been so anxious to support and extend !
I agree with Brother Lee Stevens—who so successfully advocated the cause of the Provincial Grancl Stewards , as a past officer of their own rank , as well as a Past Grand Steward—that the expenses incurred b y them , the journeys performed , and the loss of time they must experience in fulfilling the duties of their office , entitle them to at least the privilege of wearing the red apron in their respective provinces from and after their period of serviceand thatwere this expresslforbidden to Pro
; , y - vincial Grand Stewards , it would create great dissatisfaction among those who already exercise the privilege , and effectually prevent the acceptance of such office by those whose standing in the Craft would point them out as most deserving of the distinction . And I therefore think that the Brother who proposed the adopted amendment , ancl the Provincial Grand Master who seconded it , are deserving of thanks from the Provincial Grancl Stewards as a body .
I am , Sir and Brother , Your sincere well wisher , A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND STEWARD September 10 , 1838 .