Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In The Irish Courts Of Law, 1808.*
with a most numerous attendance of the Masters and Wardens of the several Lodges of Ireland . The Grand Master having called upon John Cuthbert , Esq ., of the Grand Master ' s Lodge , to act as Secretary for the day , in order that the proceedings might be signed by a person who had not taken any part in the differences that had unhappily subsisted , and that nothing might appear to he done that should call in question the rihts of the parties
g who had appealed to a court of justice , he took his place at the table accordingly . The Grand Master having desired to he informed whether the several books , papers , seals , and other muniments of the Order , had been laid upon the table of the Grand Lodge , pursuant to the orders he had caused to be served for that purpose , and the same having been presented to his lordshipand laid upon the table accordinglyhis lordship caused to be
, , read a communication from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster , and numerous communications from the several Lodges in the other provinces , in reply to his circular letter of the . 26 th ultimo , expressive of their full confidence in the interest his lordship has always shown for the welfare of the Order—calling upon him to interpose his authority to put an end to the existing differences , and assuring him of their full concurrence in such measures as he should think proper to adopt for
that desirable purpose . Plis lordship , from the chair , proceeded to deliver his sentiments at considerable length upon the various subjects by which the harmony of the Order had been so much disturbed ; and having animadverted upon the conduct of the different parties , and explicitly delivered his opinion
as to their respective rights ; and having stated to the Grand Lodge the only grounds on which , as he conceived , any just hope could be entertained of an amicable and permanent adjustment of these contentions , wliich had so unhappily interrupted the harmony of Masonry—by mutual sacrifices on the part of those whose contests had nearly severed the Order into two opposite interests—armed against each other with a spirit of the most direct and avowed hostility ; and , above all things , by placing
the offices of Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Secretary in such hands as to avoid the giving of a victory either to one party or to the other . And his lordship , for the accomplishment of this object , looking only to the general meeting of the Grand Lodge , at the regular and accustomed period for the annual election of Grand Officers , which period now so nearly approached ; and having communicated his intention of selecting , for the purpose of presiding at the election , as Deputy Grand Master , a member of the Grand Master ' s Lodge most near to himself in blood , in feelings , and affection , who had been unmixed in any of the late differences , and around whom , therefore , all the brethren of the Order ,
nowever they may heretofore have differed m opinion , might assemble with the surest confidence , and the certainty of meeting from him the most cordial efforts for a general and complete accommodation , his lordship declared his Brother , the Hon . Abraham Hel y Hutchinson , his Deputy Grand Master accordingly ; distinctly stating , at the same time , that such appointment was not to be understood as conveying , in the remotest degree , any imputation upon the conduct of his late respectable deputy , or as the withdrawing from him of that confidence and regard , to which his zealous intentions towards the honour and interest of the Craft , had at all limes so fully entitled him . And the Grand Master , not thinking that any good would be likely
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In The Irish Courts Of Law, 1808.*
with a most numerous attendance of the Masters and Wardens of the several Lodges of Ireland . The Grand Master having called upon John Cuthbert , Esq ., of the Grand Master ' s Lodge , to act as Secretary for the day , in order that the proceedings might be signed by a person who had not taken any part in the differences that had unhappily subsisted , and that nothing might appear to he done that should call in question the rihts of the parties
g who had appealed to a court of justice , he took his place at the table accordingly . The Grand Master having desired to he informed whether the several books , papers , seals , and other muniments of the Order , had been laid upon the table of the Grand Lodge , pursuant to the orders he had caused to be served for that purpose , and the same having been presented to his lordshipand laid upon the table accordinglyhis lordship caused to be
, , read a communication from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster , and numerous communications from the several Lodges in the other provinces , in reply to his circular letter of the . 26 th ultimo , expressive of their full confidence in the interest his lordship has always shown for the welfare of the Order—calling upon him to interpose his authority to put an end to the existing differences , and assuring him of their full concurrence in such measures as he should think proper to adopt for
that desirable purpose . Plis lordship , from the chair , proceeded to deliver his sentiments at considerable length upon the various subjects by which the harmony of the Order had been so much disturbed ; and having animadverted upon the conduct of the different parties , and explicitly delivered his opinion
as to their respective rights ; and having stated to the Grand Lodge the only grounds on which , as he conceived , any just hope could be entertained of an amicable and permanent adjustment of these contentions , wliich had so unhappily interrupted the harmony of Masonry—by mutual sacrifices on the part of those whose contests had nearly severed the Order into two opposite interests—armed against each other with a spirit of the most direct and avowed hostility ; and , above all things , by placing
the offices of Grand Secretary and Deputy Grand Secretary in such hands as to avoid the giving of a victory either to one party or to the other . And his lordship , for the accomplishment of this object , looking only to the general meeting of the Grand Lodge , at the regular and accustomed period for the annual election of Grand Officers , which period now so nearly approached ; and having communicated his intention of selecting , for the purpose of presiding at the election , as Deputy Grand Master , a member of the Grand Master ' s Lodge most near to himself in blood , in feelings , and affection , who had been unmixed in any of the late differences , and around whom , therefore , all the brethren of the Order ,
nowever they may heretofore have differed m opinion , might assemble with the surest confidence , and the certainty of meeting from him the most cordial efforts for a general and complete accommodation , his lordship declared his Brother , the Hon . Abraham Hel y Hutchinson , his Deputy Grand Master accordingly ; distinctly stating , at the same time , that such appointment was not to be understood as conveying , in the remotest degree , any imputation upon the conduct of his late respectable deputy , or as the withdrawing from him of that confidence and regard , to which his zealous intentions towards the honour and interest of the Craft , had at all limes so fully entitled him . And the Grand Master , not thinking that any good would be likely