Grand Lodge Of Canada.

advantage of the large gathering of Masons to present , on behalf of this Grand Lodge , the testimonial voted at our last meeting to M . W . Bro , Seymour . For a fetll account of this most interesting meeting , and for copies of the very flattering addresses presented to me on that occasion , I refer you to the pages ot the

Craftsman . On the 27 th of May last , I paid an official visit to Ashlar Lodge , No , 247 , Yorkville , and had the pleasure of witnessing an admirable exemplification of correct working . The receptions accorded to me on my official

visits during the past year were most cordial ; and I shall never forget the generous hospitality and the warm greetings I received from my brethren in the various localities I visited . When on niv way to visit Pembroke Lodge , I was met

at Renfrew by W . Bros . Supple and White , who had brought a sleigh upwards of forty miles to convey me in comfort to Pembroke , and on my return the same thoughtful kindness was repeated .

On the 16 th of September last I received a letter from M . W . Bro . D . C . Cregier , President of the Masonic Board of Relief of Chicago , covering a draft on New York for 994 dollars , which he explained was the share , pro rata , of unexpended funds contributed by the Masons of

Canada in aid of the fund raised for the relief of those Masons who had suffered from the great fire at Chicago in October last , and in acknowledgment of which contributions from our Grand Lodge , M . W . Bro . Cregier , writing to our M . W . Bro . Seymour , on the 14 th of October , 1871 ,

says : — " May God bless you and yours , and enable us to repay by lasting gratitude , if not in kind and coin , your generous bounty . " The draft was at once handed over by me to the Grand Treasurer , and the receipt of it acknowledged in suitable terms . As the correspondence was

published at the time , I need not further refer to the matter at present , than to repent what I expressed in my reply , " that the action of the committee in returning funds not required for the purposes for which they were contributed , would ever afterwards be cifed as a noble precedent for future

guidance in all similar cases . " I regret to inform Grand Lodge that the room occupied by Shuniah Lodge U . D ., at Prince Arthur ' s Landing , on Thunder Bay , has been destroyed by fire , by which calamity our brethren lost their dispensation , jewels , and furniture . I directed that a duplicate dispensation should be

issued to them free of charge , and recommend a grant of 50 dollars in money to assist them in refurnishing . A number of dispensations have been issued to enable brethren to appear clothed as Masons at balls and festivals ; and several also to authorize the initiation of candidates who resided without

the jurisdiction of the lodges interested . I received petitions for a new lotlge at Orillia , and also for one at St . Thomas , and , as neither of them had received a recommendation from the nearest lodge , I declined granting the dispensations asked for , and refer the matter to Grand

Lodge . During the year I have granted dispensations for the formation of fifteen new lodges . I regret to announce that our friendl y relations with the Grand Lodg'j of Illinois , have been interrupted in consequence of a cctain resolution

adopted by that Most Worshipful Body at their last annual communication , which I regarded as of a most unfriendl y and dictatorial character towards this Grand Lodge . The correspondence which followed this act has , by my direction , been published and circulated , and it will now devolve upon you to express your opinion upon

the whole question at issue , and to take such further action in the matter as you my consider requisite and necessary . The report of our efficient and most trustworthy Grand Treasurer will be submitted for your inspection during the present session . I notice that on the ist day of July , instant , the financial position of Grand Lodge is as follows

Grand Lodge Funds in stocks , debentures , and bank deposit 47 > 3 . ! 4 Asylum Fund 6 , 193 66 dols . 53 , 518 90

Grand Lodge Of Canada.

Complaints at the instance of Plantaganet Lodge , No . 186 , of irregularities and improper conduct on the part of the officers and members of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 159 , Irish Registration , L'Original , have been received , and have been forwarded to the Grand Lodge of Ireland , for the

consideration of that Most Worshipful Body , with our repuest that the matter might receive their earliest attention . A reply has just been received , from which it appears to me that the Grand Lodge of Ireland has not been sufficiently informed as to all the matters complained of ,

and I now place it on record , so that it may not be lost sight of by my successor . The reports which will be submitted during the present session by the District Deputy Grand Master , will give you ample information as to the condition of Masonry in this jurisdiction ,

and it aflords me much pleasure to announce that , so far as I am able to judge from my own personal observation , it is most satisfactory and cheering . The laudable efforts made during the past year by those in authority to instruct the brethren in the ritual sanctioned by the Grand

Lodge for the efficient working of a lodge , and in the elucidation of interesting points of Masonic law , by opening in several localities , general lodges of instruction , have been most successful , and is most creditable to those distinguished brethren who had thus devoted their time and

knowledge towards the general improvement of the Craft . In December last I received a letter from our R . W . Bro . the Deputy Dist . Grand Master of the Wellington District , announcing that , in consequence or ill-health , he was unable

to perform the d'lties of his office , and , fearing that the Craft might suffer , tendered his resignation . As provided for by the constitution , I request the Grand Registrar to take temporary charge of the District , until our R . W . Bro . was sufficiently restored to health to resume his

duties . The address to our illustrious brother , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , ordered at our last annual communication , was most beautifully engrossed and forwarded under cover to R . W . Bro . Lord De Tabley , our Grand Representative near the Grand

Lodge of England , who presented it to His Royal Highness , and transmitted to me the following gracious reply : — " Sandringham , Nov . 4 , 1872 . " General Sir William Knolleys is desired by

the Prince of Wales to acknowledge the receipt of an address from the officers and members of the Grand Lodge of F ' ree and Accepted Masons of Canada , conveying their warm congratulations on His Royal Hi ghness ' s recovery from his illness .

" His Royal Highness desires to return his cordial and sincere thanks to the officers and members of the Grand Lodge , and to assure them of the grateful sense he shall ever entertain of the kind feelings expressed towards him by the Masons of Canada . "Most Worshi pful Bro W . M . WILSON , Esq ., LI ... D ., Grand Master G . L . C . "

Among the deaths of the past year we have to deplore the loss of the Earl of Zetland , Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , wdio depaitcd this life in May last . For upwards of a quarter of a century our distinguished brother ably filled the Masonic throne of

England . Under his benign sway , the light of Masonry , with all its attendant blessings and advantages , has been widely disseminated ovethe globe , from Japan to Gibraltar , from the Gold coast to the Himalayan mountains , through the ancient empire of Caihav , and the bleak

regions of Newfoundland , the blessings of our friendly Craft have been spread , through his fostering care ; his heart was in the work , and he spared neither time nor labour to ensure success . As an evidence of the lively interest which he felt in all Masonic matters , and the

great ability with which he discussed them , I would refer the brethren of the Grand Lotlge to the published correspondence which took place between his lordship and myself in the year 1850 . By the death of our departed brother

Masonry has lost a fervent supporter , and this Grand Lodge a warm friend . " Among the old familiar faces which in past years gladdened our hearts at our annual communications , we have to mourn one , now at rest .

Grand Lodge Of Canada.

I a'lude to our late R . W . Bro . Capt . Thompson Wilson , 33 ° . Our venerable brother , who had passed the ripe old age of four score years , had served his country for upwards of twenty-seven years in the Royal Artillery , sharing in all the dangers and glories of the Peninsular war . He

was present and took part m the great battle of Waterloo , and subsequently served for three years in the West Indies . On retiring from active service he settled in London , Ontario , in the year 1837 , DUt a S aln at t ' le ct > U ° f n ' country , he rendered valuable service during the rebellion

which oroke out in this country at the close of that year . He was afterwards appointed barrack master on the Eastern frontier , at Prescott and Cornwall , subsequently retiring on half pay , after an additional service of sixteen years as a barrack master . He then returned to London , where he thereafter resided , esteemed and

respected by all who knew him . On examining the Masonic record of our distinguished brother , we find that he was initiated into Masonry in the Lodge of the 5 U 1 Regiment , in the year 1816 , and in the following year was passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason in Military Lotlge 406 of the 91 st Regiment . Our deceased brother havinar been elevated to

the Royal Arch and installed as a Knight Templar , subsequently attained the grade of S . G . T . G . 33 He also held the rank of a Past Deputy Grand Commander in the Grand Conclave of Masonic Knights Templar of Canada , and was an actual Past Grand Z . of the Grand Royal Arch

Chapter of Canada . In his career as a soldier , our lamented brother was distinguished for his loyalty , his zeal and his courage ; and as a Mason , we all know that his love of the Order , as evinced oy his strict adherence to its great leading principles , his

unwearied efforts to promote its establishment and to ensure its prosperity , was only second to his loyalty to the crown and his love to the country of his birth . Ever proud to regard him as a personal friend , it affords me a melancholy pleasure

thus to place on record these evidences of his worth as a man , and his standing and character as a Freemason . The widow and orphan daughter of our R . W . brother can never want friends and protectors so long as Masonry exists in Canada or elsewhere .

We have also to mourn the loss of R . W . Bro . Allio De Grassi , a Past D . D . G . M . of the Toronto District , and a zealous and most useful member of our Order ; and of R . W . Bro . Thomas Drummond , representative of the Grand Lodge

of Scotland to this Grand Lodge . Among the Masonic incidents of the past year , there is perhaps none possessing greater interest to the Craft generally , and to the Masons of this jurisdiction in particular , than the one to which I am now about to relet-.

In the month of February last a petition was presented to me , signed by our distinguished and Most Worshipful Brother Rob Morris , LL . D ., and by M . W . Bro . Alex A . Stevenson , both Past Grand Masters of this Grand Lodge , by Albert G . Mackav , John Scott , De Witt C .

Cregier , John Sheville , Rolla Floyd , Robert Macoy , and many of the most eminent members of our fraternity on this continent , praying that this Grand Lodge would grant them the requisite authority , and constitute the said brethren into a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , under the

denomination of "The Royal Solomon Mother Lodge , ' to meet at Jerusalem , or adjacent place in Palestine . Regarding this as a very high compliment paid to our Grand Lodge , and approving most heartily of a scheme which had for its object the revival of Masonic Light in that grand

old liast , which was the seat of its birth , and from which its brilliant rays had been transmitted to every quarter of the globe , I gave the matter my most favourable consideration , and after consuiting with as many of the Grand Lodge officers as I conveniently could , I instructed the Grand Secretarv to prepare the necessary authority ( a

copy of this document will be found 111 the appendix ) . 1 trust that my action in this matter will meet the approval of Grand Lodge , and I would now suggest for your consideration the propriety of marking the lively interest which , I think , you must feel in this event by forwarding to our distinguished offshoot the Three Great Lights of Masoni y , together wilh the collars , and