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Article QUEBEC AND THE ENGLISH LODGES IN MONTREAL. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC. Page 1 of 1 Article THE GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC. Page 1 of 1 Article THE GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS Page 1 of 4 →
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Quebec And The English Lodges In Montreal.
One of my correspondents complains that the English Lodges require smaller dues & c , than those paid under Quebec . This is entirely wrong . The Graud Lodge of England has made no special rule for thc Montreal Lodges tshatcmer . Colonial lodges ate relieved from the payment of the annual subscriptions to the Grand Lodge paid by London and country lodges , but simply because District Grand Lodges are allowed to require larger fees
from their lodges than those payable by Provinces in England . If there are no fees payable to the District Grand Lodge of A Ion trea ] , of which the esteemed judge Badgely is " District Grand Alaster , that has nothing to do with the authorities . The smaller dues thus allowed , is because of the supposed , and usual increase locally , and District Grand Lodges are permitted to have four meetings in each year . Then again a worthy brother suggests that
if our gallant Grand Secretary is at all anxious for thc peace and prosperity of the Craft in Quebec , he should suggest to the District Grand Alaster of Alontreal the desirability of his resigning his office , and then lcavingthe lodges free to join ! When " District Grand Alasters consider it is good for their districts to resign office , they should do so , aind any right thinking Alasons would consider they did well by so doing ; but I never heard any receiving
" quiet hints " to that effect from head quarters , and'to my mind , it would savour of want of confidence to make any such suggestions . Then we are told that no District Grand Lodges are held in Alontreal now by the District G . M . Doubtless the Hon . Judge Badgely has valid reasons for not holding them . Any way , it is not my business to enquire , and it is no part of the argument as to the present independence
( so to speak ) of the lodges in Alontreal . I am ' very pleased ' to hear that the able Grand Alaster of Quebec has in many ways exhibited his fraternal interest in the English lodges by several acts of kindness , and for my part . I hope most ardently that whenever the three lodges decide to unite with the Grand Lodge of Quebec , if ever they do so , it will be under the genial rule of AI . W . Bro . Dr . Graham . However , I am' still of the opinion that the
Grand Lodge of Quebec made a mistake in declining thc conditional recognition of the Grand Lodge of England , and I still fail to see any legitimate reason why the same exchange of Masonic courtesies could not have taken place between England and the Grand Lodges of Canada and Nova Scotia . Notwithstanding this ,
however , the Grand Lodge of England has refrained from granting any new warrants in Quebec , and I trust , in common with many of the fraternity at home and abroad , that the friendly correspondence between thc Grand Alasters of England and Quebec will result in the consummation of a union alike honourable to all concerned . W . J . HUGHAN .
The Grand Lodges Of England And Quebec.
THE GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC .
BRO . GRAHAM'S ADDRESS . Thc following passages are published at Bro . Graham's request , and we do so with pleasure : " Perfectly to complete our destined work , there alone
remains the final , constitutional adjustment ot our relations to the mother Grand Lodge of England , and the fraternal adhesion to this Grand Lodge , of her three daughter lodges—thc St . Paul , the St . George , and the St . Lawrence —still existing within the limits of our recognized sovereign jurisdiction .
" CONDITIONAL RECOGNITION OFFERED . " In response to our application for recognition and the interchange of Grand Representatives , the Grand Lodge of England did formally offer recognition to this Grand Lodge , with the reservation that the three lodges of her'
Constitution within our territory should be permitted to continue at their will on the registry and under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England ; and at the same time reminding us that the Grand Lodge of Canada had formerly accepted recognition from England on the same conditions .
" CONDITIONAL RECOGNITION DECLINED . " i . The Grand Lodge of Quebec most respectfully declined to accept such conditional recognition from England , holding that she was and is justly entitled to have and to exercise exclusive sovereign jurisdiction over every regular lodge of Freemasons , situated within the sreotrranhical limit ' s of the Province of Quebec j that as a
regularly constituted and duly recognised Grand Lodge , Quebec 'lawfully occupies' the whole of the territory of this province j and that since October 20 , 1 SG 9 , no portion of it Alasonically belongs , or can rightfully belong to the Grand Lodge ot England or to any of her daughter lodges
here , either by prior private lodge institution , or otherwise ; and that it was and is thc bounden duty of tlie Grand Lodge of England , either to recall the warrants of her daughter lodges here , or that these lodges should become of obedience to this Grand Lodge , or that ' Quebec ' should exercise her exclusive sovereign authority
thereanent . " 2 . Long sufferance of the evils resulting from the contemporaneous existence of private lodges of multiple Grand Lodge jurisdiction and governance ( or rather often , non-grievance ) within the same territory , had convinced the Craft in this province that the acceptance of said conditional recognition from England , by ' Canada , ' was a
grievous error—that it was , in fact , an abandonment , in part at least , of the principles on which she was founded and on which she had secured " recognition " from most of the Grand Lodges of the world . " 3 . 'lhe Grand Lodge of Quebec held , moreover , that the policy of the Grand Lodge of England thus pursued towards 'Canada' and other 'Colonial' Grand Lodges ,
and sought to bc perpetuated in Quebec , was not in accordance with the fundamental principles of our peaceful Fraternity , since it did not tend to promote peace , harmony , unity and prosperity , but was rather the cause of local dissension and discord , and tended also to produce international Alasonic alienation and strife .
" 4 . It is also held by Quebec that thedoctnne of exclusive Grand Lodge sovereignty ' , to which she has ever adhered , and which so happily prevails throughout North America , is in strict accordance with theConstitutions and landmarks of our ancient Fraternity ; lhat it is not absent from the Constitutions of the Alother Grand Lodge of England and Scotland , and that , therefore , their policy towards Quebec
The Grand Lodges Of England And Quebec.
and other Grand Lodges throughout thc British Empire ought to be in harmony with their own principles , and with their practice towards each other within their own jurisdictions . " OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE . "The various personal and official-efforts hitherto put forth to secure a satisfactory constitutional adjustment of
our relations to the Grand Lodge of England and to the private lodges ot her institution here , not having attained the desired end , and constantly recurring events having apparently become none the better , I- now , therefore , submit for your information the following correspondence
thereanent , which has recently taken place between our distinguished and illustrios Bro . his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Alost Worshipful Grand Master of England , and the Grand Master of Quebec . " [ This correspondence was published in the Freemason for October 29 th last . ] " HISTORICAL FACTS AND DEDUCTIONS THEREFROM .
"RIGHTS OF THE G . L . OF QUEBEC . " In view of the preceding gracious replies from His Royal Highness the Grand Alaster of England , which , I am of the opinion , will not , on due consideration , prove wholly satisfactory , either to himself or to many of the leading members of Grand Lodge of England even , il therefore becomes my duty , in addition to what I have submitted for your information and guidance on other like important
occasions in the past , to lay before you , at this time , something of what is contained in the Constitutions of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , and of record elsewhere , bearing directly on the important questions at issue , and to indicate to this Grand Lodge the course which she may constitutionally pursue , if circumstances so compel ; m vindication of her own rights , and of those of the Craft in genera ) .
"CONSTITUTION OF THE G . L . OF ENGLAND . " In the ' Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , ' Constitution of the ' United Grand Lodge of England , ' edition 'August , 1 S 63 , ' page 62 , Section 10 , * Of Private Lodges , ' is the following : ' 10 . ( Page 62 . ) The precedency of lodges is derived from the numher
of their constitution , as recorded in the books of the Grand Lodge . No lodge shall be acknowledged , nor its officers admitted into the Grand Lodge or a Provincial Grand Lodge , nor any of its members entitled to partake of the general charity or other Alasonic privilege ^ unless it has been regularly constituted and registered .
" CONSTITUTION OF THE G . L . OF SCOTLAND . " In 'The Laws and Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland , ' edition , 'May sth , iS ( 53 , ' page 20 , Section 6 , ' Provincial Grand Lodges , ' and page 43 , Section 1 , 'General Regulations for Subordinate Lodges , ' are the following :
" ' 0 . ( Page 20 . ) Provincial Grand Alasters are strictly enjoined not to recognize any lodge in Scotland acting independently of the Grand Lodge , nor to allow any such to attend any Masonic meeting or ceremonial of which they have thc management and control . ' '" 1 . ( Page 43 . ) All lodges holdingof the Grand Lodge of Scotland are strictly prohibited and discharged from
holding any other meeting than those of three orders , viz ., Apprentice , Fellow Craft , and Master Alason—denominated St . John ' s Masonry ,- the Mark forming part of the Second Degree ; and from giving any countenance , as a body , to anv other Order of Alasonry , or to any lodge in Scotland
which does not hold of the Grand Lodge , or which has been suspended or struck from the roll thereof , either by paying or receiving visits , walking in the same procession , or otherwise , under certification that such lodges as shall act on the contrary shall be struck from the roll of lodges , and their charters recalled . '
" THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND . " Hence , it appears that the Grand Lodge of England , the premier Grand Lodge of the world , in promulgating the 'Constitutions of Free and Accepted Alasons , ' enunciated in her Grand Lodge Constitutions , as a fundamental law , that' no lodge' within the limits of what was formerly the kingdom of England ( no matter when established ,
whether before or after her own formation ) , ' shall be acknowledged' as a regular lodge of Freemasons ; 'nor' shall ' any of' the ' members ' thereof ' be entitled to partake of the general charity' even ( in extremis ?) , nor to partake of or participate in any ' other Alasonic privilege ' whatever , ' unless said lodge has been regularly constituted and registered' on the registry ot the ' . Grand Lodge of England ' . " EXCLUSIVE SOVEKEINGTY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF
ENGLAND . " The above is a clear , distinct , and unambiguous declaration of thc inherent right of the Grand Lodge of England to have and to exercise exclusive sovereign authority over every regular lodge of Freemasons within what was formerly the kingdom of England j and also of her right and duty to put beyond the pale of
acknowledgment and correspondence every lodge within her territorial limits which is not of her obedience , and to deprive the members of any lodge not on her registry of every Masonic privilege whatever , even of the general charity ; declaring , in fact , any such lodge to be an irregular or clandestine lodge . " Here , then , is tbe doctrine of Grand Lodge sovereignty
in the constitution of the premier Grand Lodge of the world , and her method of dealing with lodges within her territory which do not acknowledge her undivided sovereign authority ! " THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland ( in her Grand Lodge Constitution , as shown above ) accepting and acting upon the same principles of the 'Antient' Constitutions , ' strictly
enjoins all her 'Provincial Grand Masters not to recognise , ' or in any way to have fellowship with ' any lodge in Scotland acting independently of thc Grand Lodge , ' even though said lodge had been established prior to the formation of thc Grand Lodgeof Scotland herself , and she also strictly prohibits all her daughter lodges from giving ' any countenance as a body ' to ' any lodge in Scotland which
does not hold of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , either ' by paying visits to , ' or ' receiving visits ' from such lodges , or by ' walking in the same procession , ' or otherwise , under the supreme penalty that any lodges of her obedience as shall ' act on the contrary ' ' shall bc struck from thc roll of 'lodges , ' and ' their charters ' shal ! be recalled . " EXCLUSIVE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRAND LODGE OF
SCOTLAND . " The Grand Lodge of bcotland ( like the Grand Lodge of England , in England ) thus , unequivocall y and emphati-
The Grand Lodges Of England And Quebec.
cally , affirms her right to exercise absolute and exclusive jurisdiction over all lodges of Fre ^ masoTis situated within thc limits of what was formerly the kingdom of Scotland , whether said lodges be of ' immemorial " constitution ' ( as 'Melrose' ) or of ' exterior' Grand Lodge constitution , past , present , or future j ^ and her practice within her own territory consistently corresponds with her professions .
" THEIR TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY HITHERTO UNCHALLENGED . " There principles , common to the Constitutions of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , have , since their enunciation , remained unchallenged as correct statements of the 'Ancient Constitutions , ' relating to the rights , privh leges , prerogatives , and governance of Grand Lodge ( re
exclusive sovereignty ) , and they are so held and acted upon even now within their ancient territorial limits by these Grand Lodges respectively , although there does not now exist a separate ' kingdom of England' or a ' kingdom of Scotland , ' but instead thereof ' The United Kingdom of Great Britain' ( and ' Ireland , ' since the union therewith of the latter ) . " It therefore clearly appears that the principle of coincidence ( or coterminousness ) of political and Alasonic
boundaries is an acknowledged law of the British Constitutions ; that the jurisdiction of each Grand Lodge is exclusive within its geographical limits ; that each of these Grand Lodges is absolutely sovereign ; and that each of them may and does enforce its territorial , exclusive sovereign authority by the most extreme Alasonic penalties against all lodges existing within their boundaries in contravention to , or in violation thereof .
" EXCLUSIVE GRAND LODGfi SOVEREIGNTY . " 1 he doctrine of exclusive Grand Lodge sovereignty is not , therefore , as has been flippantly said , a Alasonic ' Yankee notion , ' nor can it be properly called an ' American doctrine , ' although so generally accepted , and admirably
applied , with the most beneficial results to the Craft throughout the United States and the Dominion of Canada ; but it is the doctrine of the ancient Constitutionsa part of the _ unalterable body of true and genuine Freemasonry , which must be for ever upheld and maintained . " [ The remainder will appear next week . ]
Reports Of Masonic Meetings
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS
Craft fftasonruu
FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This lodgo met on the 29 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , when there were present Bros . T AI . Heaphy , W . Al . j T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., S . W . ; Clark , J . W . ; Carter , P . AL , Treas . j W . Stuart , P . AL , Sec . ; Jordan , S . D . ; Fromholtz , J . D . ; Holmes . W . S . ; Hull , D . C . ; Morrison , I . P . AI . ; Green , P . AL : C . Dairy , P . AL ; Cobham , P . AI , The visitors were
Bros . John Alason , P . P . G . D . Aliddx . ; T . E . Liddierd , P . P . G . ' S . B . Wiltshire ; Cross , W . M . 1194 ; G . Coop , 1612 ; Willoughby , S 7 ( Scotland ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . King was raised , Bro , Allen passed , and Air . Edmund Bye initiated , the three ceremonies being most ably performed by the I . P . AI , A resolution having
been passed altering one of the bye-laws , and a notice of motion having also been given by Bro . Dairy , P . M ., as to a general revision of the bye-laws , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth , the usual toasts followed . "The Health of the W . M . " was warmly proposed by the I . P . AI ., and this toast having been duly honoured , thc
W . AL , in reply , having thanked the brethren most heartily for the manner in which they had received the subject toast , gave a short , but most interesting address upon the antiquity of Freemasonry . "The Health of the Initiate " followed . Bro . Bye having responded , "The Visitors , " came next in order , coupled with the names of Bros . Alason and Liddierd . lhe first-named brother , after
complimenting the Faith Lodge on its prosperity and admirable working , made an energetic speech upon behalf of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . He said that unless the Festival of 1 SS 2 was a great success , the Institution would bc financially in an exceedingly critical position , because in round numbers the liabilities of the Cnarity in the ensuing year will amount to £ 12 , 000 . In conclusion ,
he hoped that thc Steward- would , under the circumstances , spare no exertions to render the Festival in February next successful , as otherwise he was afraid that the vacancies in Alay next , consequent upon the low state of the funds , would not be filled up . In answer to Bro . Alason's appeal , Bro . Bye , sen ., consented to act as Steward at the Festival of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . Bro . Liddierd , in response , congratulated the lodge upon its
excellent working , which , he said , was quite equal to anything lie had ever seen in or out of the metropolis . In concluding his remarks , he paid a graceful compliment to the W . AI . upon the manner in whicn he had presided at the banquet table . " The Past Alasters" followed , and was acknowledged by Bro . Alorrison , I . P . AI . The toast of " The Oflicers , " coupled with the name of Bro . Walls , who replied , brought the proceedings to a conclusion .
LANGTHORNE LODGE ( No . 1421 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held at the Swan Hotel , Stratford , on Thursday evening the 24 th ult ., Bro . G . F . Dix , W . AL , presiding , when Bro . Biggs , S . W . was chosen W . M . for the ensuing year . The officers present were Bros . R . W . Biggs , S . W . ; J . Hunt , J . W . ; G . W . Verry , Sec . ; A . Alyers , S . D . ; Bullwinkle , J . D . ; C .
Alansfield , I . G . ; W . Buckle , D . C . ; T . Loanc , W . S ., P . M . ; H . N . Taylor , I . P . AI . ; C . Lacey , T . S . Taylor , B . Cundick , J . G . Stephens , and C . Hopson , Org . The other brethren present were Bros . Bardoleau , Hirst , A . Walker , Furness , and Judd , and amongst the visitors were Bros . J . B . Reid , 792 ; Wayland , 1227 ; Keeble , 174 ; Ayres , " 95 ; Jones , 1 CS 5 ; Coningham , 1 O 25 ; Wood , 1470 , P . AL ; Sintzenich , 792 ; and H . Tapley , 1076 , P . M . The lodge having been opened in due form , Bro .
Dr . R . G . Ford , was passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . R . J . Grover to the Sublime Degree of Alaster Alason . Air . Samuel Darley , was balloted for and dul y initiated into the mysteries of the Order by the W . AL with impressive effect . After the usual business had been concluded , a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Bro . G . F . Dix , for the able manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office during the year , and that a Past Master ' s jewel be presented to him ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Quebec And The English Lodges In Montreal.
One of my correspondents complains that the English Lodges require smaller dues & c , than those paid under Quebec . This is entirely wrong . The Graud Lodge of England has made no special rule for thc Montreal Lodges tshatcmer . Colonial lodges ate relieved from the payment of the annual subscriptions to the Grand Lodge paid by London and country lodges , but simply because District Grand Lodges are allowed to require larger fees
from their lodges than those payable by Provinces in England . If there are no fees payable to the District Grand Lodge of A Ion trea ] , of which the esteemed judge Badgely is " District Grand Alaster , that has nothing to do with the authorities . The smaller dues thus allowed , is because of the supposed , and usual increase locally , and District Grand Lodges are permitted to have four meetings in each year . Then again a worthy brother suggests that
if our gallant Grand Secretary is at all anxious for thc peace and prosperity of the Craft in Quebec , he should suggest to the District Grand Alaster of Alontreal the desirability of his resigning his office , and then lcavingthe lodges free to join ! When " District Grand Alasters consider it is good for their districts to resign office , they should do so , aind any right thinking Alasons would consider they did well by so doing ; but I never heard any receiving
" quiet hints " to that effect from head quarters , and'to my mind , it would savour of want of confidence to make any such suggestions . Then we are told that no District Grand Lodges are held in Alontreal now by the District G . M . Doubtless the Hon . Judge Badgely has valid reasons for not holding them . Any way , it is not my business to enquire , and it is no part of the argument as to the present independence
( so to speak ) of the lodges in Alontreal . I am ' very pleased ' to hear that the able Grand Alaster of Quebec has in many ways exhibited his fraternal interest in the English lodges by several acts of kindness , and for my part . I hope most ardently that whenever the three lodges decide to unite with the Grand Lodge of Quebec , if ever they do so , it will be under the genial rule of AI . W . Bro . Dr . Graham . However , I am' still of the opinion that the
Grand Lodge of Quebec made a mistake in declining thc conditional recognition of the Grand Lodge of England , and I still fail to see any legitimate reason why the same exchange of Masonic courtesies could not have taken place between England and the Grand Lodges of Canada and Nova Scotia . Notwithstanding this ,
however , the Grand Lodge of England has refrained from granting any new warrants in Quebec , and I trust , in common with many of the fraternity at home and abroad , that the friendly correspondence between thc Grand Alasters of England and Quebec will result in the consummation of a union alike honourable to all concerned . W . J . HUGHAN .
The Grand Lodges Of England And Quebec.
THE GRAND LODGES OF ENGLAND AND QUEBEC .
BRO . GRAHAM'S ADDRESS . Thc following passages are published at Bro . Graham's request , and we do so with pleasure : " Perfectly to complete our destined work , there alone
remains the final , constitutional adjustment ot our relations to the mother Grand Lodge of England , and the fraternal adhesion to this Grand Lodge , of her three daughter lodges—thc St . Paul , the St . George , and the St . Lawrence —still existing within the limits of our recognized sovereign jurisdiction .
" CONDITIONAL RECOGNITION OFFERED . " In response to our application for recognition and the interchange of Grand Representatives , the Grand Lodge of England did formally offer recognition to this Grand Lodge , with the reservation that the three lodges of her'
Constitution within our territory should be permitted to continue at their will on the registry and under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England ; and at the same time reminding us that the Grand Lodge of Canada had formerly accepted recognition from England on the same conditions .
" CONDITIONAL RECOGNITION DECLINED . " i . The Grand Lodge of Quebec most respectfully declined to accept such conditional recognition from England , holding that she was and is justly entitled to have and to exercise exclusive sovereign jurisdiction over every regular lodge of Freemasons , situated within the sreotrranhical limit ' s of the Province of Quebec j that as a
regularly constituted and duly recognised Grand Lodge , Quebec 'lawfully occupies' the whole of the territory of this province j and that since October 20 , 1 SG 9 , no portion of it Alasonically belongs , or can rightfully belong to the Grand Lodge ot England or to any of her daughter lodges
here , either by prior private lodge institution , or otherwise ; and that it was and is thc bounden duty of tlie Grand Lodge of England , either to recall the warrants of her daughter lodges here , or that these lodges should become of obedience to this Grand Lodge , or that ' Quebec ' should exercise her exclusive sovereign authority
thereanent . " 2 . Long sufferance of the evils resulting from the contemporaneous existence of private lodges of multiple Grand Lodge jurisdiction and governance ( or rather often , non-grievance ) within the same territory , had convinced the Craft in this province that the acceptance of said conditional recognition from England , by ' Canada , ' was a
grievous error—that it was , in fact , an abandonment , in part at least , of the principles on which she was founded and on which she had secured " recognition " from most of the Grand Lodges of the world . " 3 . 'lhe Grand Lodge of Quebec held , moreover , that the policy of the Grand Lodge of England thus pursued towards 'Canada' and other 'Colonial' Grand Lodges ,
and sought to bc perpetuated in Quebec , was not in accordance with the fundamental principles of our peaceful Fraternity , since it did not tend to promote peace , harmony , unity and prosperity , but was rather the cause of local dissension and discord , and tended also to produce international Alasonic alienation and strife .
" 4 . It is also held by Quebec that thedoctnne of exclusive Grand Lodge sovereignty ' , to which she has ever adhered , and which so happily prevails throughout North America , is in strict accordance with theConstitutions and landmarks of our ancient Fraternity ; lhat it is not absent from the Constitutions of the Alother Grand Lodge of England and Scotland , and that , therefore , their policy towards Quebec
The Grand Lodges Of England And Quebec.
and other Grand Lodges throughout thc British Empire ought to be in harmony with their own principles , and with their practice towards each other within their own jurisdictions . " OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE . "The various personal and official-efforts hitherto put forth to secure a satisfactory constitutional adjustment of
our relations to the Grand Lodge of England and to the private lodges ot her institution here , not having attained the desired end , and constantly recurring events having apparently become none the better , I- now , therefore , submit for your information the following correspondence
thereanent , which has recently taken place between our distinguished and illustrios Bro . his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Alost Worshipful Grand Master of England , and the Grand Master of Quebec . " [ This correspondence was published in the Freemason for October 29 th last . ] " HISTORICAL FACTS AND DEDUCTIONS THEREFROM .
"RIGHTS OF THE G . L . OF QUEBEC . " In view of the preceding gracious replies from His Royal Highness the Grand Alaster of England , which , I am of the opinion , will not , on due consideration , prove wholly satisfactory , either to himself or to many of the leading members of Grand Lodge of England even , il therefore becomes my duty , in addition to what I have submitted for your information and guidance on other like important
occasions in the past , to lay before you , at this time , something of what is contained in the Constitutions of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , and of record elsewhere , bearing directly on the important questions at issue , and to indicate to this Grand Lodge the course which she may constitutionally pursue , if circumstances so compel ; m vindication of her own rights , and of those of the Craft in genera ) .
"CONSTITUTION OF THE G . L . OF ENGLAND . " In the ' Constitutions of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons , ' Constitution of the ' United Grand Lodge of England , ' edition 'August , 1 S 63 , ' page 62 , Section 10 , * Of Private Lodges , ' is the following : ' 10 . ( Page 62 . ) The precedency of lodges is derived from the numher
of their constitution , as recorded in the books of the Grand Lodge . No lodge shall be acknowledged , nor its officers admitted into the Grand Lodge or a Provincial Grand Lodge , nor any of its members entitled to partake of the general charity or other Alasonic privilege ^ unless it has been regularly constituted and registered .
" CONSTITUTION OF THE G . L . OF SCOTLAND . " In 'The Laws and Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland , ' edition , 'May sth , iS ( 53 , ' page 20 , Section 6 , ' Provincial Grand Lodges , ' and page 43 , Section 1 , 'General Regulations for Subordinate Lodges , ' are the following :
" ' 0 . ( Page 20 . ) Provincial Grand Alasters are strictly enjoined not to recognize any lodge in Scotland acting independently of the Grand Lodge , nor to allow any such to attend any Masonic meeting or ceremonial of which they have thc management and control . ' '" 1 . ( Page 43 . ) All lodges holdingof the Grand Lodge of Scotland are strictly prohibited and discharged from
holding any other meeting than those of three orders , viz ., Apprentice , Fellow Craft , and Master Alason—denominated St . John ' s Masonry ,- the Mark forming part of the Second Degree ; and from giving any countenance , as a body , to anv other Order of Alasonry , or to any lodge in Scotland
which does not hold of the Grand Lodge , or which has been suspended or struck from the roll thereof , either by paying or receiving visits , walking in the same procession , or otherwise , under certification that such lodges as shall act on the contrary shall be struck from the roll of lodges , and their charters recalled . '
" THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND . " Hence , it appears that the Grand Lodge of England , the premier Grand Lodge of the world , in promulgating the 'Constitutions of Free and Accepted Alasons , ' enunciated in her Grand Lodge Constitutions , as a fundamental law , that' no lodge' within the limits of what was formerly the kingdom of England ( no matter when established ,
whether before or after her own formation ) , ' shall be acknowledged' as a regular lodge of Freemasons ; 'nor' shall ' any of' the ' members ' thereof ' be entitled to partake of the general charity' even ( in extremis ?) , nor to partake of or participate in any ' other Alasonic privilege ' whatever , ' unless said lodge has been regularly constituted and registered' on the registry ot the ' . Grand Lodge of England ' . " EXCLUSIVE SOVEKEINGTY OF THE GRAND LODGE OF
ENGLAND . " The above is a clear , distinct , and unambiguous declaration of thc inherent right of the Grand Lodge of England to have and to exercise exclusive sovereign authority over every regular lodge of Freemasons within what was formerly the kingdom of England j and also of her right and duty to put beyond the pale of
acknowledgment and correspondence every lodge within her territorial limits which is not of her obedience , and to deprive the members of any lodge not on her registry of every Masonic privilege whatever , even of the general charity ; declaring , in fact , any such lodge to be an irregular or clandestine lodge . " Here , then , is tbe doctrine of Grand Lodge sovereignty
in the constitution of the premier Grand Lodge of the world , and her method of dealing with lodges within her territory which do not acknowledge her undivided sovereign authority ! " THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . " The Grand Lodge of Scotland ( in her Grand Lodge Constitution , as shown above ) accepting and acting upon the same principles of the 'Antient' Constitutions , ' strictly
enjoins all her 'Provincial Grand Masters not to recognise , ' or in any way to have fellowship with ' any lodge in Scotland acting independently of thc Grand Lodge , ' even though said lodge had been established prior to the formation of thc Grand Lodgeof Scotland herself , and she also strictly prohibits all her daughter lodges from giving ' any countenance as a body ' to ' any lodge in Scotland which
does not hold of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , either ' by paying visits to , ' or ' receiving visits ' from such lodges , or by ' walking in the same procession , ' or otherwise , under the supreme penalty that any lodges of her obedience as shall ' act on the contrary ' ' shall bc struck from thc roll of 'lodges , ' and ' their charters ' shal ! be recalled . " EXCLUSIVE SOVEREIGNTY OF GRAND LODGE OF
SCOTLAND . " The Grand Lodge of bcotland ( like the Grand Lodge of England , in England ) thus , unequivocall y and emphati-
The Grand Lodges Of England And Quebec.
cally , affirms her right to exercise absolute and exclusive jurisdiction over all lodges of Fre ^ masoTis situated within thc limits of what was formerly the kingdom of Scotland , whether said lodges be of ' immemorial " constitution ' ( as 'Melrose' ) or of ' exterior' Grand Lodge constitution , past , present , or future j ^ and her practice within her own territory consistently corresponds with her professions .
" THEIR TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY HITHERTO UNCHALLENGED . " There principles , common to the Constitutions of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , have , since their enunciation , remained unchallenged as correct statements of the 'Ancient Constitutions , ' relating to the rights , privh leges , prerogatives , and governance of Grand Lodge ( re
exclusive sovereignty ) , and they are so held and acted upon even now within their ancient territorial limits by these Grand Lodges respectively , although there does not now exist a separate ' kingdom of England' or a ' kingdom of Scotland , ' but instead thereof ' The United Kingdom of Great Britain' ( and ' Ireland , ' since the union therewith of the latter ) . " It therefore clearly appears that the principle of coincidence ( or coterminousness ) of political and Alasonic
boundaries is an acknowledged law of the British Constitutions ; that the jurisdiction of each Grand Lodge is exclusive within its geographical limits ; that each of these Grand Lodges is absolutely sovereign ; and that each of them may and does enforce its territorial , exclusive sovereign authority by the most extreme Alasonic penalties against all lodges existing within their boundaries in contravention to , or in violation thereof .
" EXCLUSIVE GRAND LODGfi SOVEREIGNTY . " 1 he doctrine of exclusive Grand Lodge sovereignty is not , therefore , as has been flippantly said , a Alasonic ' Yankee notion , ' nor can it be properly called an ' American doctrine , ' although so generally accepted , and admirably
applied , with the most beneficial results to the Craft throughout the United States and the Dominion of Canada ; but it is the doctrine of the ancient Constitutionsa part of the _ unalterable body of true and genuine Freemasonry , which must be for ever upheld and maintained . " [ The remainder will appear next week . ]
Reports Of Masonic Meetings
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS
Craft fftasonruu
FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This lodgo met on the 29 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , when there were present Bros . T AI . Heaphy , W . Al . j T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., S . W . ; Clark , J . W . ; Carter , P . AL , Treas . j W . Stuart , P . AL , Sec . ; Jordan , S . D . ; Fromholtz , J . D . ; Holmes . W . S . ; Hull , D . C . ; Morrison , I . P . AI . ; Green , P . AL : C . Dairy , P . AL ; Cobham , P . AI , The visitors were
Bros . John Alason , P . P . G . D . Aliddx . ; T . E . Liddierd , P . P . G . ' S . B . Wiltshire ; Cross , W . M . 1194 ; G . Coop , 1612 ; Willoughby , S 7 ( Scotland ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . King was raised , Bro , Allen passed , and Air . Edmund Bye initiated , the three ceremonies being most ably performed by the I . P . AI , A resolution having
been passed altering one of the bye-laws , and a notice of motion having also been given by Bro . Dairy , P . M ., as to a general revision of the bye-laws , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth , the usual toasts followed . "The Health of the W . M . " was warmly proposed by the I . P . AI ., and this toast having been duly honoured , thc
W . AL , in reply , having thanked the brethren most heartily for the manner in which they had received the subject toast , gave a short , but most interesting address upon the antiquity of Freemasonry . "The Health of the Initiate " followed . Bro . Bye having responded , "The Visitors , " came next in order , coupled with the names of Bros . Alason and Liddierd . lhe first-named brother , after
complimenting the Faith Lodge on its prosperity and admirable working , made an energetic speech upon behalf of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . He said that unless the Festival of 1 SS 2 was a great success , the Institution would bc financially in an exceedingly critical position , because in round numbers the liabilities of the Cnarity in the ensuing year will amount to £ 12 , 000 . In conclusion ,
he hoped that thc Steward- would , under the circumstances , spare no exertions to render the Festival in February next successful , as otherwise he was afraid that the vacancies in Alay next , consequent upon the low state of the funds , would not be filled up . In answer to Bro . Alason's appeal , Bro . Bye , sen ., consented to act as Steward at the Festival of the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution . Bro . Liddierd , in response , congratulated the lodge upon its
excellent working , which , he said , was quite equal to anything lie had ever seen in or out of the metropolis . In concluding his remarks , he paid a graceful compliment to the W . AI . upon the manner in whicn he had presided at the banquet table . " The Past Alasters" followed , and was acknowledged by Bro . Alorrison , I . P . AI . The toast of " The Oflicers , " coupled with the name of Bro . Walls , who replied , brought the proceedings to a conclusion .
LANGTHORNE LODGE ( No . 1421 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held at the Swan Hotel , Stratford , on Thursday evening the 24 th ult ., Bro . G . F . Dix , W . AL , presiding , when Bro . Biggs , S . W . was chosen W . M . for the ensuing year . The officers present were Bros . R . W . Biggs , S . W . ; J . Hunt , J . W . ; G . W . Verry , Sec . ; A . Alyers , S . D . ; Bullwinkle , J . D . ; C .
Alansfield , I . G . ; W . Buckle , D . C . ; T . Loanc , W . S ., P . M . ; H . N . Taylor , I . P . AI . ; C . Lacey , T . S . Taylor , B . Cundick , J . G . Stephens , and C . Hopson , Org . The other brethren present were Bros . Bardoleau , Hirst , A . Walker , Furness , and Judd , and amongst the visitors were Bros . J . B . Reid , 792 ; Wayland , 1227 ; Keeble , 174 ; Ayres , " 95 ; Jones , 1 CS 5 ; Coningham , 1 O 25 ; Wood , 1470 , P . AL ; Sintzenich , 792 ; and H . Tapley , 1076 , P . M . The lodge having been opened in due form , Bro .
Dr . R . G . Ford , was passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . R . J . Grover to the Sublime Degree of Alaster Alason . Air . Samuel Darley , was balloted for and dul y initiated into the mysteries of the Order by the W . AL with impressive effect . After the usual business had been concluded , a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Bro . G . F . Dix , for the able manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office during the year , and that a Past Master ' s jewel be presented to him ,