Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00300
therefore become accessible to every member of this Grand Lodge , and I hope and believe that the independent opinion of each member of this Grand Lodge will ratify the conclusions to which his Royal Highness our Grand Master has been advised to arrive in that letter . It is difficult in such a correspondence as this when read out for the first time to be perfectly intelligible in all its details to every member in a large chamber like this , and
therefore perhaps I should do that which is acceptable to you if in two or three sentences I just point out to you what the question is which is now in issue . In the year 1857 , ajter a long contention , which some members of this Grand Lodge may perhaps remember , Grand Lodge of Canada was established , and was recognised by the Grand Lodge of England ; recognised cheerfully , fully , frankly , and without any reserve ; and , as far as I
know , since then there has been no hitch or difficulty in the relations between this Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Canada . But at the time of the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada there were still some few lodges remaining in Canada which , for various reasons , preferred to continue to work under the Grand Lodge of England , and it was made part of the formal agreement of that day , cheerfully subscribed to by all parties ,
that those lodges that elected to retain their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England should be allowed to do so without any let or hindrance . In the year 186 9 , more than 12 years afterwards , the Grand Lodge of Quebec came into existence as an offshoot of the Grand Lodge of Canada . That is a matter with which we had no concern in this country . It was an arrangement effected , I believe , in all harmony and goodwill on the spot , and
doubtless for very sufficient reasons . But it so happened that in that body of Ouebec there were three of these English lodges , who had bargained at the time of recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada to retain their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . The executive of that time , in accordance with its duty , stipulated for those three lodges the same amount of liberty which had been secured to them at the time the Grand Lodge of Canada was
created . The Grand Lodge of Quebec , I am sorry to say , for reasons which I cannot myself appreciate , declined to recognise the freedom of those three lodges to retain their allegiance , and thus it has so happened that in consequence of our being unable , on the one hand , to obtain from the Grand Lodge of Quebec an undertaking that they would respect the liberty of these threelodges , and on the other hand , because the Grand Lodge of
Quebec declined to enter into any covenant for them , there has not been that full and formal recognition of the Grand Lodge of Quebec which we were in this country perfectly willing to give , and which has been only hindered , as I have said , by that particular state of circumstances . Well , now there arrives this letter from the Grand Master of Quebec which you have just heard read . On the tone of that letter I do not desire to remark , except to
say that it is somewhat broad , curt , and peremptory , and I think is altogether inconsistent with that Masonic unity which it should be the study and object of every body of Freemasons in every part of the world to cultivate . But still all that may be a subject of warmth and misunderstanding , and I do not desire for a moment to dwell upon it . But the point in question is this , that we are informed in that letter that
unless we for our part repudiate the allegiance of these three English lodges in the Province of Quebec , the Grand Lodge of Quebec will place both those lodges and ourselves under whatever stress they may , in order to drive them into allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Quebec , and failing that , they threaten to declare a sevcrence of their connection with us . Now , it is not my object to-night to argue this question ; it is merely my
duty to make the brethren in Grand Lodge fully aware of the bare tacts ot the case , and I have stated the case without any colouring or any complexion given to it . I will only say in conclusion that which substantially has been Said in the letter of our Grand Master , that we have and can have no selfish or jealous wishes or desires in this matter . Our one object is to promote the welfare of our brethren in every part of Canada and all over the world ;
but we undoubtedly do contend that the doctrine which is laid down by the Grand Lodge of Quebec would be a very abnormal and a very dangerous , and a very unjustone , that when lodges enjoy a legal existence in any particular territory it should be lawful for some new body to constitute and connect themselves , and to swamp and declare invalid those lodges which preceded them , and which had that legal existence , No doctrine , it seems
to me , could be more unjust and unfair than that , and , it appears to me , to be our bounden duty , so long as those lodges of their own free will cling to the Grand Lodge of England , to see that they shall not , so far as we can help il , by any word or act of ours be driven or compelled into an allegiance which they repudiate and object to , when we have in years previously specially covenanted for their freedom and stipulated for it ; and further ,
I should be disposed to say that when the Grand Lodge of Quebec came into existence as an offshoot of the Grand Lodge of Canada , it inherited the liabilities , and it accepted , and it was honorably bound to accept , the obligations of its predecessor . Brethren , this has been the principle upon which this Grand Lodge has acted hitherto ; it is the principle upon which it has acted in other similar questions which from time to time arise ; and ,
however painful it may be to us to see Masonic concord in any way disturbed—disturbed , I trust , for a very short time , and in a very small degree —still , I think it is incumbent upon us to maintain the good faith which we have , pledged , and to insist , so far as we can insist , upon those stipulations for the independence and the freedom of allegiance enjoyed by these three English lodges being still enjoyed , no matter what Masonic authority comes into existence now or hereafter in the Province of Quebec . Brethren ,
I am sorry to say that I must ask your permission to be allowed to retire from my chair for the present . I have got some rather important duties and engagements elsewhere , and it is sometimes difficult in these days to combine obligations of a different nature . But there is another reason why I should retire . I observe there is a motion on the paper which comes on later this evening , in which I am personally concerned , and from the discussion of which I would rather be absent .
The Earl of Carnarvon then left Grand Lodge and the Throne was occupied by the Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick . The Earl of LIMERICK announced that the Prince of Wales had reappointed Bro . Joshua Nunn , President of the Board of Benevolence , and that as only Bro . James Brett had been nominated for Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrtine as Junior Vice-President , those brethren were duly elected .
The election of 12 Past Masters to serve on the Board of Benevolence was then proceeded with , and resulted as follows : Bros . George Pole Britten , 183 ; Joseph Clever , 171 ; Thomas Cull , 1446 ; Charles Dairy , 141 ; George P . Gillard , 657 ; Charles F . Hogard , 205 ; William Mann , 186 ; William H . Perryman , 3 ; George Read , 511 ; Francis R . Spaull , 1768 ; Edward Francis Storr , 22 ; and Robert J . Taylor , 144-Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON then brought up the following :
Ar00301
REPORT OV SPECIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Special Building Committee have to report to Grand Lodge the progress they have made in the work committed to their charge .
The Great Hall has now been restored on the same lines as the one recently burned , but advantage has been taken of the opportunity tore-open the old gallery at the entrance end , and lo connect il with the hall by a staircase , thereby providing about 80 additional seals ; other extra seats have also been provided in various parts of the hall , making a total increase of accommodation for over 100 brethren below the dais .
It is proposed to commence the decoration of the hall soon after the December Quarterly Communication , and the whole of the works , decorative and otherwise , will , there is no doubt , be completed and ready by the date of the Grand Festival in April next . So far as the actual renovation of the hall is concerned , the Committee have been enabled to keep the cost of the same within the insurance money , but matter of
, as a course , many items , not of mere restoration , but of necessary and substantial improvements , such as the gallery and its approaches , the new exits in case of fire , the system of ventilation , ihe expense incurred for the pictures above the £ 50 insurance on each , Sec , cannot come under the above head . The Committee will , therefore , be prepared to submit to the Quarterly Communication , in March next , an exact account of the expenditure thus unavoidably and usefully incurred .
The Committee have finally to report that the rearrangement of the internal fittings of the hall has placed an additional half panel on the proper right of the dais , and over the fire door leading to ihe banqueting hall , at the present disposal of Grand Lodge ; and the Committee have , therefore , the greatest pleasure in suggesting that , this half panel should be filled
with a half-length life-sized portrait of the MAY ' , the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , as a memento of the affection and respect with which his lordship is regarded by the Craft , and of the able and valuable services which he has rendered to it for many years as Pro Grand Master .
( Signed ) J B . MONCKTON , Chairman . Freemasons' Hall , London , Nov . 14 th , 1884 . The report was adopted . The following recommendations of the Board of Benevolence were also adoDted :
The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 298 , Rochdale ... ... X 50 o 0 The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Friendship , Noi 202 , Devonport . . . . t . 50 o o A brother of the Alfred Lodge , No . 306 , Leeds . . 100 o o A brother of the Brent Lodge , No . 12 S 4 , Topsham . . 50 o 6 The widow of a brother of the St . Matthew Lodge , No . 1447 , Barton Humber
-on- .. ... 100 o 0 A brother of the Cripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 , London . . 50 o o A brother of the Warden Lodge , No . 794 , Sutton Coldlield . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 935 , Salford . . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Prudence , No . 219 , Todmorden . . . , , . 75 o o A brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 484 , Ashton-in-Makerfield . 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Royal Forest of Dean Lodge , No . 1067 Newnham
, -on-Severn .... 100 o o A brother of the Worcester Lodge , No . 2 S 0 , Worcester . . 100 o o A brother of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 , London . . 50 o o A brother of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 , London . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 141 , London . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Industry , No . 1 S 6 , London . . 50 o o The following Report of the Board of General Purposes was , on the motion of Bro . THOMAS FENN , President , seconded by Bro . J . STEVENS , taken as read , and received and ordered to be entered on the minutes :
REPORT OF THE BOARD OV GENERAL PURPOSES . TO the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board of General Purposes regret having to report that Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , has been reluctantly compelled by the very serious state of his health , to resign his position as chief clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s Office , after a service of 30 years .
Taking into consideration the lengthened services of Bro . Buss , the able , efficient , and courteous manner in which he has at all times discharged his duties , his advanced age , and the fact of his resignation being forced upon him by his state of health , the Board unanimously recommend to Grand Lodge that Bro . Buss be granted a retiring pension of £ 400 per annum , being the full amount of the salary he has been receiving for several years as chief clerk .
The Board further report that Bros . W . J . Hughan and T . B . Whytehead have each presented a book to the library , which the Board have acknowledged with thanks . ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , ' President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C ., iSth November , 1884 .
To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts , at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 14 th day of November inst ., shewing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) of ^ 1466 6 s . 4 d ., and in' the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and for servants' wages £ 100 , and balance for annual allowance lor library £ <) 12 s . 2 d .
Bro . FENN then said : M . W . G . M . in the chair , in accordance now with the recommendations of the Board , I beg to propose " That , taking in consideration the lengthened services of Bro . Buss , the able , and efficient , and courteous manner in which he has at all times discharged his duties , his advanced age , and the fact of his resignation being forced upon him by his state of health , the Grand Lodge grants to Bro . Buss the retiring pension of ^ 400 per annum , being the lull amount of salary he has been
receiving several years as chief clerk . " In moving this resolution , I would beg respectfully to remind Grand Lodge that in dealing with those services this Fraternity ought not to be compared with the Government or Bank of England , and similar establishments ; they have only justice to do to their retiring servants ; but something more than justice should influence us in
this case . YY ' e have not only to propose the retiring pension to a superanuated clerk , but we have also to provide in sickness and in old age a worthy and valued Mason to whom we are bound by ties of brotherl y love and sympathy . I am sure that all those who know Bro . Buss ( and who is there here who does not know him ?) will agree with me that there is no brother among us who has so deservedly gained the goodwill and affectionate
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00300
therefore become accessible to every member of this Grand Lodge , and I hope and believe that the independent opinion of each member of this Grand Lodge will ratify the conclusions to which his Royal Highness our Grand Master has been advised to arrive in that letter . It is difficult in such a correspondence as this when read out for the first time to be perfectly intelligible in all its details to every member in a large chamber like this , and
therefore perhaps I should do that which is acceptable to you if in two or three sentences I just point out to you what the question is which is now in issue . In the year 1857 , ajter a long contention , which some members of this Grand Lodge may perhaps remember , Grand Lodge of Canada was established , and was recognised by the Grand Lodge of England ; recognised cheerfully , fully , frankly , and without any reserve ; and , as far as I
know , since then there has been no hitch or difficulty in the relations between this Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Canada . But at the time of the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada there were still some few lodges remaining in Canada which , for various reasons , preferred to continue to work under the Grand Lodge of England , and it was made part of the formal agreement of that day , cheerfully subscribed to by all parties ,
that those lodges that elected to retain their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England should be allowed to do so without any let or hindrance . In the year 186 9 , more than 12 years afterwards , the Grand Lodge of Quebec came into existence as an offshoot of the Grand Lodge of Canada . That is a matter with which we had no concern in this country . It was an arrangement effected , I believe , in all harmony and goodwill on the spot , and
doubtless for very sufficient reasons . But it so happened that in that body of Ouebec there were three of these English lodges , who had bargained at the time of recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada to retain their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . The executive of that time , in accordance with its duty , stipulated for those three lodges the same amount of liberty which had been secured to them at the time the Grand Lodge of Canada was
created . The Grand Lodge of Quebec , I am sorry to say , for reasons which I cannot myself appreciate , declined to recognise the freedom of those three lodges to retain their allegiance , and thus it has so happened that in consequence of our being unable , on the one hand , to obtain from the Grand Lodge of Quebec an undertaking that they would respect the liberty of these threelodges , and on the other hand , because the Grand Lodge of
Quebec declined to enter into any covenant for them , there has not been that full and formal recognition of the Grand Lodge of Quebec which we were in this country perfectly willing to give , and which has been only hindered , as I have said , by that particular state of circumstances . Well , now there arrives this letter from the Grand Master of Quebec which you have just heard read . On the tone of that letter I do not desire to remark , except to
say that it is somewhat broad , curt , and peremptory , and I think is altogether inconsistent with that Masonic unity which it should be the study and object of every body of Freemasons in every part of the world to cultivate . But still all that may be a subject of warmth and misunderstanding , and I do not desire for a moment to dwell upon it . But the point in question is this , that we are informed in that letter that
unless we for our part repudiate the allegiance of these three English lodges in the Province of Quebec , the Grand Lodge of Quebec will place both those lodges and ourselves under whatever stress they may , in order to drive them into allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Quebec , and failing that , they threaten to declare a sevcrence of their connection with us . Now , it is not my object to-night to argue this question ; it is merely my
duty to make the brethren in Grand Lodge fully aware of the bare tacts ot the case , and I have stated the case without any colouring or any complexion given to it . I will only say in conclusion that which substantially has been Said in the letter of our Grand Master , that we have and can have no selfish or jealous wishes or desires in this matter . Our one object is to promote the welfare of our brethren in every part of Canada and all over the world ;
but we undoubtedly do contend that the doctrine which is laid down by the Grand Lodge of Quebec would be a very abnormal and a very dangerous , and a very unjustone , that when lodges enjoy a legal existence in any particular territory it should be lawful for some new body to constitute and connect themselves , and to swamp and declare invalid those lodges which preceded them , and which had that legal existence , No doctrine , it seems
to me , could be more unjust and unfair than that , and , it appears to me , to be our bounden duty , so long as those lodges of their own free will cling to the Grand Lodge of England , to see that they shall not , so far as we can help il , by any word or act of ours be driven or compelled into an allegiance which they repudiate and object to , when we have in years previously specially covenanted for their freedom and stipulated for it ; and further ,
I should be disposed to say that when the Grand Lodge of Quebec came into existence as an offshoot of the Grand Lodge of Canada , it inherited the liabilities , and it accepted , and it was honorably bound to accept , the obligations of its predecessor . Brethren , this has been the principle upon which this Grand Lodge has acted hitherto ; it is the principle upon which it has acted in other similar questions which from time to time arise ; and ,
however painful it may be to us to see Masonic concord in any way disturbed—disturbed , I trust , for a very short time , and in a very small degree —still , I think it is incumbent upon us to maintain the good faith which we have , pledged , and to insist , so far as we can insist , upon those stipulations for the independence and the freedom of allegiance enjoyed by these three English lodges being still enjoyed , no matter what Masonic authority comes into existence now or hereafter in the Province of Quebec . Brethren ,
I am sorry to say that I must ask your permission to be allowed to retire from my chair for the present . I have got some rather important duties and engagements elsewhere , and it is sometimes difficult in these days to combine obligations of a different nature . But there is another reason why I should retire . I observe there is a motion on the paper which comes on later this evening , in which I am personally concerned , and from the discussion of which I would rather be absent .
The Earl of Carnarvon then left Grand Lodge and the Throne was occupied by the Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick . The Earl of LIMERICK announced that the Prince of Wales had reappointed Bro . Joshua Nunn , President of the Board of Benevolence , and that as only Bro . James Brett had been nominated for Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrtine as Junior Vice-President , those brethren were duly elected .
The election of 12 Past Masters to serve on the Board of Benevolence was then proceeded with , and resulted as follows : Bros . George Pole Britten , 183 ; Joseph Clever , 171 ; Thomas Cull , 1446 ; Charles Dairy , 141 ; George P . Gillard , 657 ; Charles F . Hogard , 205 ; William Mann , 186 ; William H . Perryman , 3 ; George Read , 511 ; Francis R . Spaull , 1768 ; Edward Francis Storr , 22 ; and Robert J . Taylor , 144-Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTON then brought up the following :
Ar00301
REPORT OV SPECIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Special Building Committee have to report to Grand Lodge the progress they have made in the work committed to their charge .
The Great Hall has now been restored on the same lines as the one recently burned , but advantage has been taken of the opportunity tore-open the old gallery at the entrance end , and lo connect il with the hall by a staircase , thereby providing about 80 additional seals ; other extra seats have also been provided in various parts of the hall , making a total increase of accommodation for over 100 brethren below the dais .
It is proposed to commence the decoration of the hall soon after the December Quarterly Communication , and the whole of the works , decorative and otherwise , will , there is no doubt , be completed and ready by the date of the Grand Festival in April next . So far as the actual renovation of the hall is concerned , the Committee have been enabled to keep the cost of the same within the insurance money , but matter of
, as a course , many items , not of mere restoration , but of necessary and substantial improvements , such as the gallery and its approaches , the new exits in case of fire , the system of ventilation , ihe expense incurred for the pictures above the £ 50 insurance on each , Sec , cannot come under the above head . The Committee will , therefore , be prepared to submit to the Quarterly Communication , in March next , an exact account of the expenditure thus unavoidably and usefully incurred .
The Committee have finally to report that the rearrangement of the internal fittings of the hall has placed an additional half panel on the proper right of the dais , and over the fire door leading to ihe banqueting hall , at the present disposal of Grand Lodge ; and the Committee have , therefore , the greatest pleasure in suggesting that , this half panel should be filled
with a half-length life-sized portrait of the MAY ' , the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , as a memento of the affection and respect with which his lordship is regarded by the Craft , and of the able and valuable services which he has rendered to it for many years as Pro Grand Master .
( Signed ) J B . MONCKTON , Chairman . Freemasons' Hall , London , Nov . 14 th , 1884 . The report was adopted . The following recommendations of the Board of Benevolence were also adoDted :
The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 298 , Rochdale ... ... X 50 o 0 The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Friendship , Noi 202 , Devonport . . . . t . 50 o o A brother of the Alfred Lodge , No . 306 , Leeds . . 100 o o A brother of the Brent Lodge , No . 12 S 4 , Topsham . . 50 o 6 The widow of a brother of the St . Matthew Lodge , No . 1447 , Barton Humber
-on- .. ... 100 o 0 A brother of the Cripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 , London . . 50 o o A brother of the Warden Lodge , No . 794 , Sutton Coldlield . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Harmony , No . 935 , Salford . . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Prudence , No . 219 , Todmorden . . . , , . 75 o o A brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 484 , Ashton-in-Makerfield . 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Royal Forest of Dean Lodge , No . 1067 Newnham
, -on-Severn .... 100 o o A brother of the Worcester Lodge , No . 2 S 0 , Worcester . . 100 o o A brother of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 , London . . 50 o o A brother of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 , London . 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Lodge of Faith , No . 141 , London . 50 o o A brother of the Lodge of Industry , No . 1 S 6 , London . . 50 o o The following Report of the Board of General Purposes was , on the motion of Bro . THOMAS FENN , President , seconded by Bro . J . STEVENS , taken as read , and received and ordered to be entered on the minutes :
REPORT OF THE BOARD OV GENERAL PURPOSES . TO the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board of General Purposes regret having to report that Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , has been reluctantly compelled by the very serious state of his health , to resign his position as chief clerk in the Grand Secretary ' s Office , after a service of 30 years .
Taking into consideration the lengthened services of Bro . Buss , the able , efficient , and courteous manner in which he has at all times discharged his duties , his advanced age , and the fact of his resignation being forced upon him by his state of health , the Board unanimously recommend to Grand Lodge that Bro . Buss be granted a retiring pension of £ 400 per annum , being the full amount of the salary he has been receiving for several years as chief clerk .
The Board further report that Bros . W . J . Hughan and T . B . Whytehead have each presented a book to the library , which the Board have acknowledged with thanks . ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , ' President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C ., iSth November , 1884 .
To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts , at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 14 th day of November inst ., shewing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Branch ) of ^ 1466 6 s . 4 d ., and in' the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and for servants' wages £ 100 , and balance for annual allowance lor library £ <) 12 s . 2 d .
Bro . FENN then said : M . W . G . M . in the chair , in accordance now with the recommendations of the Board , I beg to propose " That , taking in consideration the lengthened services of Bro . Buss , the able , and efficient , and courteous manner in which he has at all times discharged his duties , his advanced age , and the fact of his resignation being forced upon him by his state of health , the Grand Lodge grants to Bro . Buss the retiring pension of ^ 400 per annum , being the lull amount of salary he has been
receiving several years as chief clerk . " In moving this resolution , I would beg respectfully to remind Grand Lodge that in dealing with those services this Fraternity ought not to be compared with the Government or Bank of England , and similar establishments ; they have only justice to do to their retiring servants ; but something more than justice should influence us in
this case . YY ' e have not only to propose the retiring pension to a superanuated clerk , but we have also to provide in sickness and in old age a worthy and valued Mason to whom we are bound by ties of brotherl y love and sympathy . I am sure that all those who know Bro . Buss ( and who is there here who does not know him ?) will agree with me that there is no brother among us who has so deservedly gained the goodwill and affectionate