Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Obituary.
A meeting of tho Board of General Purposes was convened ou the 2 Sth . January , 1840 to examine into tho truth of those allegations , and Brothers AVood ancl Stephens emphatically pronounced them to bo untrue . Bro . Crucefix , when called on for his answer , replied , that "ho thought the Board had travelled out of the recordin fcrretting him out as an accessoiybefore they had
, , proved the charges against the principals . That his position as Chairman had been most difficult ; and his best solace was , that he had concluded the business of that evening with as much satisfaction as circumstances permitted . In fact , that parties prosecuting should change with the accused , as the whole of the disturbance complained of , was owing to their unmasouic conduct . Nevertheless
he stated his willingness to meet tho charge , provided the case was honourably proceeded with ; but that he should except to two members of the Board , by reason that as they had publicly declared their belief in the truth of the charges , they were disqualified from sitting in judgment , and he was not safe in their hands . He also adverted to the fact , that he could except to several other members
of the Board , owing to certain well-grounded causes ; and even to the President himself , from his general unfriendly bearing towards him ( Dr . C . ) in Grand Loclge , but he would trust his honour , nevertheless , to the President ' s high-mindedness . " AVe have nothing to do ou the present occasion with the further proceedings against Brothers Wood and Stevens ; the former was pardoned , and the latter suspended from all Masonic privileges for three calendar months . Our business is with the case of Dr .
Crucefix . Every one who had the happiness of his intimate acquaintance at that period can testify , that he had not the slightest feeling of disrespect for the Grand Master , ¦ of whom he always spoke in a manner which was highly honourable to his feelings as a man and a Mason . And it is a question whether he would not have secured his own peace of mind , and the dignity of His Boyal Highness more effectuallyby imitating the prudent conduct of
, Alderman Wood , in making " a qualified declaration to the Board . " But Dr . Crucefix acted on a higher principle . He knew himself to be guiltless of the charges brought against him , and was determined to suffer the extreme penalty of Masonic law , rather than falsify the truth by confessing and making himself responsible for a fault he had never committed .
He himself spake calmly and deliberately on the subject , and used no recrimination against those who had originated the charge against him . "The Treasurer of the Asylum , " these are his own words , " is among those who have fallen under displeasure : his crime is attributed to his not having interrupted two Brethren in their remarks at a meeting of their institution , at which he presided as chairman ; the charges grew out of some disgraceful circumstances that will probably , hereafter , be more fully entered into . How short-sighted , however , are some folks ! thoy would
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Obituary.
A meeting of tho Board of General Purposes was convened ou the 2 Sth . January , 1840 to examine into tho truth of those allegations , and Brothers AVood ancl Stephens emphatically pronounced them to bo untrue . Bro . Crucefix , when called on for his answer , replied , that "ho thought the Board had travelled out of the recordin fcrretting him out as an accessoiybefore they had
, , proved the charges against the principals . That his position as Chairman had been most difficult ; and his best solace was , that he had concluded the business of that evening with as much satisfaction as circumstances permitted . In fact , that parties prosecuting should change with the accused , as the whole of the disturbance complained of , was owing to their unmasouic conduct . Nevertheless
he stated his willingness to meet tho charge , provided the case was honourably proceeded with ; but that he should except to two members of the Board , by reason that as they had publicly declared their belief in the truth of the charges , they were disqualified from sitting in judgment , and he was not safe in their hands . He also adverted to the fact , that he could except to several other members
of the Board , owing to certain well-grounded causes ; and even to the President himself , from his general unfriendly bearing towards him ( Dr . C . ) in Grand Loclge , but he would trust his honour , nevertheless , to the President ' s high-mindedness . " AVe have nothing to do ou the present occasion with the further proceedings against Brothers Wood and Stevens ; the former was pardoned , and the latter suspended from all Masonic privileges for three calendar months . Our business is with the case of Dr .
Crucefix . Every one who had the happiness of his intimate acquaintance at that period can testify , that he had not the slightest feeling of disrespect for the Grand Master , ¦ of whom he always spoke in a manner which was highly honourable to his feelings as a man and a Mason . And it is a question whether he would not have secured his own peace of mind , and the dignity of His Boyal Highness more effectuallyby imitating the prudent conduct of
, Alderman Wood , in making " a qualified declaration to the Board . " But Dr . Crucefix acted on a higher principle . He knew himself to be guiltless of the charges brought against him , and was determined to suffer the extreme penalty of Masonic law , rather than falsify the truth by confessing and making himself responsible for a fault he had never committed .
He himself spake calmly and deliberately on the subject , and used no recrimination against those who had originated the charge against him . "The Treasurer of the Asylum , " these are his own words , " is among those who have fallen under displeasure : his crime is attributed to his not having interrupted two Brethren in their remarks at a meeting of their institution , at which he presided as chairman ; the charges grew out of some disgraceful circumstances that will probably , hereafter , be more fully entered into . How short-sighted , however , are some folks ! thoy would