Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 633 Tlie Prince of Wales anil the Mark Deuree 634 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland 635 Provincial Grand Chapter of West Lancashire 636 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( Continual ) 6 3 6 CORRESPONDENCE— I I
The Election of Grand Treasurer 639 Rebuilding of the Temple 639 Grand Ollicers 6 39 The Cremation of Bro . Capt . Hanham ... 640 Field Lane Refuges and Ragged Schools 640 Reviews 640 Notes and Queries ...,.,.. „ -. 641 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 6 41 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 6 4 J
Presentation of Centenary Warrants tn the Koval Lancashire Lodge and Cana Cl . apter , ' Colne .., ( 1 41 RETORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 641 Instruction 643 Royal Arch 643 Mark Masonry ( 143 Ancient aniLAccented Rite 61 .
Red Cross of Constantine 643 The Grand Chapter of Quebec and the Grand Mark Lodge of England 644 Obituary 644 Funeral" of the Late Bro . Hanham , P . Prov . G . S . W . Dorset , Sec 644 Masonic and General Tidings 64- ; Lodge Meetings for Next Week 6 4 6
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WE think that the greatest credit is due to our PRO GRAND MASTER , and not the least to Bro . J HAVERS , P . G . W ., for the very able and successful arrangements , —made , too , on the spur of the moment , —by which that unprecedented throng of vociferous and anxious claimants for admission to
Grand Lodge , on Wednesday week last , was soothed and calmed , and by which disorder was changed at once into order , and confusion into serenity . We congratulate heartily all concerned in this most peaceful and happy consummation of things . At one time the appearance of everything was
most menacing . # * As we read over the proceedings of Grand Lodge , and as we remember the speech of our distinguished brother the PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OK GENERAL PURPOSES , the more wc are at a loss to comprehend on what principle of Masonic reconomyor policy thereport of the Building Committee was submitted
in so peculiar a manner to the consideration of Grand Lodge at all . Our provincial brethren may fairly complain that at an enormous expense they have apparently been literally forced to attend to resist and reject both unwise conditions and extravagant expenditure . The London brethren were equally decided in their disapproval and condemnation of thc scheme , but
certainly few could have expected , except those , like ourselves , who knew the opinions of our leading brethren on the subject , so determined and unanimous a rejection of the report . It is , however , always fair and proper , and especially is it Masonic , to say "Audi alteram partem , " and , therefore , we are bound to consider what has been urged in defence of the report , and
the proposition of Wednesday week last . We do not advert here to the " pitiless logic" and destructive criticism of Bro . J HAVERS , —they were in truth utterly irresistible and unanswerable , —but we prefer to offer our own reasonable and less lucid commentary on what took place before our eyes , the words we listened to half-wonderingly with attentive ears . Sir
J MONCKTON stated that he appeared only in his individual capacity as a member of Grand Lodge , leaving on one side for the nonce any position of dignity , any question of privilege . His view was that the Building Committee were ordered to enquire only , and report to Grand Lodge the result of their enquiries , and not to express an opinion of any
sort . But in this we apprehend the first fatal mistake was made , which vitiated all the subsequent action of the Building Committee , and rendered their report valuleless and useless . We believe , on the contrary , that Grand Lodge meant and wished the Committee to give it a distinct recommendation . As it was Sir J MONCKTON stated in Grand Lodge on Wednesday week , acting on
this idea of neutrality , the Building Committee mentioned three alternative proposals , though , by a happy inconsistency , they did according to their own distinct views " what they ought not to have done , " and unanimously rejected any idea of change of locale . They probably were right in so doing , but according to their own defence they were absolutely wrong , and exceeded
the terms of their reference . Two proposals were then left , the greater and the lesser scheme of rebuilding , either of which Grand Lodge might select . Sir J MONCKTON ' S proposition simply enforced the carrying out of "the report of the Building Committee . " But " under which King BEZONIAN ? " which alternative was the favoured one ? If Sir J MONCKTON ' S
resolution had been carried , the Building Committee was to decide , not Grand Lodge . It was this singularly chaotic and mysterious state ol affairs which roused , as we foretold it would , the opposition of Grand Lodge ; and the most indifferent spectator or auditor must be greatly struck by this most unprecedented fact in the annals of Grand Lodge , that the report of
the Building Committee , moved by so distinguished a brother as the PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES , was rejected deliberately by many hundred votes against four or five—two in the body of the hall and two
or three on the dais . The whole body of Grand Officers as well as of the London brethren voted with their provincial brethren against the proposal . We may all well surely lay to heart and profit by the wonderful scene , the striking results of Wednesday night week . # * # WE hope now that the new Building Committee will set to work at once to re-
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build the old Hall and enable English Freemasons to find again their old home , under even better arrangements for ventilation and acoustics , and notably ( or the accommodation and comfort of the brethren . These two last considerations are sometimes undervalued and overlooked by those in authority , We trust that in future they will be made the main " idea " of all who are delegated by us either to restore . the old or to construct new buildings for our good English Craft .
# * # WE have received several complaints as to [ the arrangements for Wednesday week . Many turn on the forgetfulness of an abnormal pressure which disarranged slightly the usual machinery , and , therefore , we recommend to all such complainants moderation and consideration . But one complaint seems to us so peculiar and so serious that we must find place for it . It is this , —
that the distinguished body of Past Grand Stewards could find no place to clothe in , except the passages , and that they were refused admission to the Grand Stewards' Room . As we think there is some great misapprehension in the matter , we deem it only fair to our authorities to allude to the matter to hear of a correction , or to be assured of a remedy in future for what must be a grave inconvenience , and even injustice , to so distinguished a body of our brethren as the Past Grand Stewards .
# * # WE arc truly rejoiced that the vexed question ' of the " Status of Past Masters" is now settled on the good old lines , and we trust we have heard the last of a singularly inconvenient proposition . We were truly glad to notice also that a large majority of provincial brethren voted for the non-confirmation of the alteration , fully endorsing all that the Freemason has said from the first on the subject .
# * * WE were equally pleased to notice that respect for the " honest , old blue collars " pervaded that great assembly , and that , despite a very active agitation , it stood firm lo the true and lawful condition of Grand Lodge membership and insignia . As our very worthy and distinguished Bro . Sir ALBERT WOODS said so well , much confusion must inevitably ensue if the qualifying
blue collar was practically done awayj . ' with , as it is always most important that those entrusted with the tyling and arrangement of Grand Lodge should be able to discern at once what , and what alone , except in Present and Past Grand Officers and Grand Stewards and Provincial Grand Masters , constitutes the one true , safe guarantee of legal rights , the one safe passport for admission within the portals of Grand Lodge .
- * ; # # THE more we think over the Report of the Cremation in Dorsetshire , the more we regret it , and , above all , the participation of the Provincial Grand Lodge in such very abnormal proceedings . We sympathize much with many very worthy brethren in that excellent province , as , like ourselves , they must have felt somewhat humiliated in being asked to take part in a ceremonial
actually unmeaning under the circumstances , and utterly , as then developed and presented , incompatible with the genuine tenets and avowed teaching of English Freemasonry . Dr . LEACH ' S explanatory letter in the Times , to our humble apprehension , is simply most distasteful and painful . We quite admit that there may be two views of the question , but we are , we know , expressing the opinion of many loyal brethren on the subject .
«* # FROM Quebec we hear that the position of the Quebec Freemasons is so doubtful legally according to the Statutes , as we feared , that a Bill is to be introduced to legalize this body . Our learned legal adviser , the GRAND REGISTRAR , will see the force at once of such an admission , and how it strengthens the position of the English lodges and chapters at Montreal . #
# # As regards the Circular of Excommunication published elsewhere , hastily and foolishly as we deem it , we have only this to say , that instead of settling or ending the controversy it will only add " fuel to the flame . " The whole question turns on the verbiage in respect of the recognition of the Grand Chapter
of Quebec by the Grand Mark Lodge of England . Abstractedly we think the Grand Chapter of Quebec has nothing really to do with the Mark grade , and that the system both of Ireland and Scotland , America and Canada , in this respect is an unsound one , as it is a most modern one . It has never been formally recognized in England , and there are a great many Masonic
objections to it . The Excommunication is in itself utter absurdity and childishness in 1883 . According to the laws of Quebec it is now admitted that the lodges and chapters under the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Quebec are illegal bodies , and that the only legal bodies are those emanating
" inter alios " from the Grand Lodge of England . " Pari ratione , " the only legal Mark Lodges are those emanating from the Grand Mark Lodge of England , if the Mark Grand Lodge comes under the purview of the Statute . At any rate it is a very pretty little quarrel , and our Quebec brethren have been very ill advised to take the step they have taken .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
LEADERS 633 Tlie Prince of Wales anil the Mark Deuree 634 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland 635 Provincial Grand Chapter of West Lancashire 636 The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( Continual ) 6 3 6 CORRESPONDENCE— I I
The Election of Grand Treasurer 639 Rebuilding of the Temple 639 Grand Ollicers 6 39 The Cremation of Bro . Capt . Hanham ... 640 Field Lane Refuges and Ragged Schools 640 Reviews 640 Notes and Queries ...,.,.. „ -. 641 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 6 41 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 6 4 J
Presentation of Centenary Warrants tn the Koval Lancashire Lodge and Cana Cl . apter , ' Colne .., ( 1 41 RETORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 641 Instruction 643 Royal Arch 643 Mark Masonry ( 143 Ancient aniLAccented Rite 61 .
Red Cross of Constantine 643 The Grand Chapter of Quebec and the Grand Mark Lodge of England 644 Obituary 644 Funeral" of the Late Bro . Hanham , P . Prov . G . S . W . Dorset , Sec 644 Masonic and General Tidings 64- ; Lodge Meetings for Next Week 6 4 6
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WE think that the greatest credit is due to our PRO GRAND MASTER , and not the least to Bro . J HAVERS , P . G . W ., for the very able and successful arrangements , —made , too , on the spur of the moment , —by which that unprecedented throng of vociferous and anxious claimants for admission to
Grand Lodge , on Wednesday week last , was soothed and calmed , and by which disorder was changed at once into order , and confusion into serenity . We congratulate heartily all concerned in this most peaceful and happy consummation of things . At one time the appearance of everything was
most menacing . # * As we read over the proceedings of Grand Lodge , and as we remember the speech of our distinguished brother the PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OK GENERAL PURPOSES , the more wc are at a loss to comprehend on what principle of Masonic reconomyor policy thereport of the Building Committee was submitted
in so peculiar a manner to the consideration of Grand Lodge at all . Our provincial brethren may fairly complain that at an enormous expense they have apparently been literally forced to attend to resist and reject both unwise conditions and extravagant expenditure . The London brethren were equally decided in their disapproval and condemnation of thc scheme , but
certainly few could have expected , except those , like ourselves , who knew the opinions of our leading brethren on the subject , so determined and unanimous a rejection of the report . It is , however , always fair and proper , and especially is it Masonic , to say "Audi alteram partem , " and , therefore , we are bound to consider what has been urged in defence of the report , and
the proposition of Wednesday week last . We do not advert here to the " pitiless logic" and destructive criticism of Bro . J HAVERS , —they were in truth utterly irresistible and unanswerable , —but we prefer to offer our own reasonable and less lucid commentary on what took place before our eyes , the words we listened to half-wonderingly with attentive ears . Sir
J MONCKTON stated that he appeared only in his individual capacity as a member of Grand Lodge , leaving on one side for the nonce any position of dignity , any question of privilege . His view was that the Building Committee were ordered to enquire only , and report to Grand Lodge the result of their enquiries , and not to express an opinion of any
sort . But in this we apprehend the first fatal mistake was made , which vitiated all the subsequent action of the Building Committee , and rendered their report valuleless and useless . We believe , on the contrary , that Grand Lodge meant and wished the Committee to give it a distinct recommendation . As it was Sir J MONCKTON stated in Grand Lodge on Wednesday week , acting on
this idea of neutrality , the Building Committee mentioned three alternative proposals , though , by a happy inconsistency , they did according to their own distinct views " what they ought not to have done , " and unanimously rejected any idea of change of locale . They probably were right in so doing , but according to their own defence they were absolutely wrong , and exceeded
the terms of their reference . Two proposals were then left , the greater and the lesser scheme of rebuilding , either of which Grand Lodge might select . Sir J MONCKTON ' S proposition simply enforced the carrying out of "the report of the Building Committee . " But " under which King BEZONIAN ? " which alternative was the favoured one ? If Sir J MONCKTON ' S
resolution had been carried , the Building Committee was to decide , not Grand Lodge . It was this singularly chaotic and mysterious state ol affairs which roused , as we foretold it would , the opposition of Grand Lodge ; and the most indifferent spectator or auditor must be greatly struck by this most unprecedented fact in the annals of Grand Lodge , that the report of
the Building Committee , moved by so distinguished a brother as the PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES , was rejected deliberately by many hundred votes against four or five—two in the body of the hall and two
or three on the dais . The whole body of Grand Officers as well as of the London brethren voted with their provincial brethren against the proposal . We may all well surely lay to heart and profit by the wonderful scene , the striking results of Wednesday night week . # * # WE hope now that the new Building Committee will set to work at once to re-
Ar00101
build the old Hall and enable English Freemasons to find again their old home , under even better arrangements for ventilation and acoustics , and notably ( or the accommodation and comfort of the brethren . These two last considerations are sometimes undervalued and overlooked by those in authority , We trust that in future they will be made the main " idea " of all who are delegated by us either to restore . the old or to construct new buildings for our good English Craft .
# * # WE have received several complaints as to [ the arrangements for Wednesday week . Many turn on the forgetfulness of an abnormal pressure which disarranged slightly the usual machinery , and , therefore , we recommend to all such complainants moderation and consideration . But one complaint seems to us so peculiar and so serious that we must find place for it . It is this , —
that the distinguished body of Past Grand Stewards could find no place to clothe in , except the passages , and that they were refused admission to the Grand Stewards' Room . As we think there is some great misapprehension in the matter , we deem it only fair to our authorities to allude to the matter to hear of a correction , or to be assured of a remedy in future for what must be a grave inconvenience , and even injustice , to so distinguished a body of our brethren as the Past Grand Stewards .
# * # WE arc truly rejoiced that the vexed question ' of the " Status of Past Masters" is now settled on the good old lines , and we trust we have heard the last of a singularly inconvenient proposition . We were truly glad to notice also that a large majority of provincial brethren voted for the non-confirmation of the alteration , fully endorsing all that the Freemason has said from the first on the subject .
# * * WE were equally pleased to notice that respect for the " honest , old blue collars " pervaded that great assembly , and that , despite a very active agitation , it stood firm lo the true and lawful condition of Grand Lodge membership and insignia . As our very worthy and distinguished Bro . Sir ALBERT WOODS said so well , much confusion must inevitably ensue if the qualifying
blue collar was practically done awayj . ' with , as it is always most important that those entrusted with the tyling and arrangement of Grand Lodge should be able to discern at once what , and what alone , except in Present and Past Grand Officers and Grand Stewards and Provincial Grand Masters , constitutes the one true , safe guarantee of legal rights , the one safe passport for admission within the portals of Grand Lodge .
- * ; # # THE more we think over the Report of the Cremation in Dorsetshire , the more we regret it , and , above all , the participation of the Provincial Grand Lodge in such very abnormal proceedings . We sympathize much with many very worthy brethren in that excellent province , as , like ourselves , they must have felt somewhat humiliated in being asked to take part in a ceremonial
actually unmeaning under the circumstances , and utterly , as then developed and presented , incompatible with the genuine tenets and avowed teaching of English Freemasonry . Dr . LEACH ' S explanatory letter in the Times , to our humble apprehension , is simply most distasteful and painful . We quite admit that there may be two views of the question , but we are , we know , expressing the opinion of many loyal brethren on the subject .
«* # FROM Quebec we hear that the position of the Quebec Freemasons is so doubtful legally according to the Statutes , as we feared , that a Bill is to be introduced to legalize this body . Our learned legal adviser , the GRAND REGISTRAR , will see the force at once of such an admission , and how it strengthens the position of the English lodges and chapters at Montreal . #
# # As regards the Circular of Excommunication published elsewhere , hastily and foolishly as we deem it , we have only this to say , that instead of settling or ending the controversy it will only add " fuel to the flame . " The whole question turns on the verbiage in respect of the recognition of the Grand Chapter
of Quebec by the Grand Mark Lodge of England . Abstractedly we think the Grand Chapter of Quebec has nothing really to do with the Mark grade , and that the system both of Ireland and Scotland , America and Canada , in this respect is an unsound one , as it is a most modern one . It has never been formally recognized in England , and there are a great many Masonic
objections to it . The Excommunication is in itself utter absurdity and childishness in 1883 . According to the laws of Quebec it is now admitted that the lodges and chapters under the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Quebec are illegal bodies , and that the only legal bodies are those emanating
" inter alios " from the Grand Lodge of England . " Pari ratione , " the only legal Mark Lodges are those emanating from the Grand Mark Lodge of England , if the Mark Grand Lodge comes under the purview of the Statute . At any rate it is a very pretty little quarrel , and our Quebec brethren have been very ill advised to take the step they have taken .