Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Thirtieth Of October, 1840.—Conclusion Of The Case Of Dr. Crucefix.
stated he complied out of respect to Grand Lodge , and not as an act of Masonic etiquette . < hi entering the Grand Lodge Dr . Crueefix was received very kindly , and bowing to each of the Grand Wardens , he approached the pedestal , when the Deputy Grand Master requested him to take the seat appointed for him in the centre of the hall . The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER expressed his deep regret that he was
called on to preside on a matter of so grave a nature , particularly on the first time of his acting as Deputy Grand Master ; and enquired of the Brother whether he was desirous of having the charges read . DR . CRUOEFIX then rose , and addressing his Lordship , stated that his first duty was to explain the circumstance of his having appeared as a Scottish Mason ; and requested that his ready compliance with the desire of Grand Lodge to re-enter clothed as a Past Grand Officer of England ,
might not be construed into any change of opinion on his part , or into any abandonment ofthe position he had been compelled to assume . He was not desirous of having the charges read : indeed , he would take up the time of Grand Lodge as little as possible , and would inflict upon them as short an address as was consistent with the importance of the case . He would not plead ignorance of any circumstances that had occurred at the Grand Lodin September last : much that was then
ge said and done was deeply to be lamented by others , as well as by himself . Suffice it that , in conformity with what more immediately concerned the present business , HE APPEARED TO snow CAUSE WHY HE SHOULD NOT BE EXPELLED THE CRAFT . The course he should adopt would surprise many , perhaps those who
were the most hostile to him , but it would gratify many more ; ancl before he showed cause why he should not be expelled , he would frankly avow his intention to make such admission of error , and to offer such ample apology for it as would satisfy the most scrupulous : if his judgment had retreated for a moment , it hacl noiv returned to its sterner duty . In this admission , however , he disclaimed any guiltiness—error was not crime . —( Considerable applause . ) He should not avail himself of a recital of any services he miht have
g rendered to the Craft ; but leave his character entirely in the consideration of the Grand Lodge . He felt no shame—he could fearlessly address his Brethren . He hacl understood that His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master hacl stated in Grand Lodge , that he ( Dr . C . ) would have two months to prepare his defence . This declaration was made on the 2 nd of Septemberbut would the Grand Lodge believe that the citation
, to appear was dated so late as the 10 th of October , which citation however ( for reasons it would not he gratifying to him to give ) did not reach him until the 13 th , thus affording him , instead of two months , merely seventeen days , including that on which they were assembled ? So that the prosecutors had taken to themselves forty-one days , besides the seventeen they had granted to the accused . Was this Masonic ?—was it CHARITABLE ? Or was it an improbable conjecture on his part
that this delay in citing him to appear mig ht not have arisen from some kindly motive ? Was it not even probable that , as week after week passed away , he might not have encouraged a hope that his case was viewed , with less disfa . ov . and that after all tiwi boly principles of Charity might have prevailed to render the present scene unnecessary . In this , however , he had been disappointed .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Thirtieth Of October, 1840.—Conclusion Of The Case Of Dr. Crucefix.
stated he complied out of respect to Grand Lodge , and not as an act of Masonic etiquette . < hi entering the Grand Lodge Dr . Crueefix was received very kindly , and bowing to each of the Grand Wardens , he approached the pedestal , when the Deputy Grand Master requested him to take the seat appointed for him in the centre of the hall . The DEPUTY GRAND MASTER expressed his deep regret that he was
called on to preside on a matter of so grave a nature , particularly on the first time of his acting as Deputy Grand Master ; and enquired of the Brother whether he was desirous of having the charges read . DR . CRUOEFIX then rose , and addressing his Lordship , stated that his first duty was to explain the circumstance of his having appeared as a Scottish Mason ; and requested that his ready compliance with the desire of Grand Lodge to re-enter clothed as a Past Grand Officer of England ,
might not be construed into any change of opinion on his part , or into any abandonment ofthe position he had been compelled to assume . He was not desirous of having the charges read : indeed , he would take up the time of Grand Lodge as little as possible , and would inflict upon them as short an address as was consistent with the importance of the case . He would not plead ignorance of any circumstances that had occurred at the Grand Lodin September last : much that was then
ge said and done was deeply to be lamented by others , as well as by himself . Suffice it that , in conformity with what more immediately concerned the present business , HE APPEARED TO snow CAUSE WHY HE SHOULD NOT BE EXPELLED THE CRAFT . The course he should adopt would surprise many , perhaps those who
were the most hostile to him , but it would gratify many more ; ancl before he showed cause why he should not be expelled , he would frankly avow his intention to make such admission of error , and to offer such ample apology for it as would satisfy the most scrupulous : if his judgment had retreated for a moment , it hacl noiv returned to its sterner duty . In this admission , however , he disclaimed any guiltiness—error was not crime . —( Considerable applause . ) He should not avail himself of a recital of any services he miht have
g rendered to the Craft ; but leave his character entirely in the consideration of the Grand Lodge . He felt no shame—he could fearlessly address his Brethren . He hacl understood that His Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master hacl stated in Grand Lodge , that he ( Dr . C . ) would have two months to prepare his defence . This declaration was made on the 2 nd of Septemberbut would the Grand Lodge believe that the citation
, to appear was dated so late as the 10 th of October , which citation however ( for reasons it would not he gratifying to him to give ) did not reach him until the 13 th , thus affording him , instead of two months , merely seventeen days , including that on which they were assembled ? So that the prosecutors had taken to themselves forty-one days , besides the seventeen they had granted to the accused . Was this Masonic ?—was it CHARITABLE ? Or was it an improbable conjecture on his part
that this delay in citing him to appear mig ht not have arisen from some kindly motive ? Was it not even probable that , as week after week passed away , he might not have encouraged a hope that his case was viewed , with less disfa . ov . and that after all tiwi boly principles of Charity might have prevailed to render the present scene unnecessary . In this , however , he had been disappointed .