Reception Of American Visitors At The Quatuor Coronati Lodge.

RECEPTION OF AMERICAN VISITORS AT THE QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE .

A special meeting of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 4 th inst ., when there were present—Bros . Robert Freke Gould , P . G . D ., in the chair ; William James Hughan , P . G . D ., as I . P . M . ; W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B ., S . W . ; John Lane , as j . W . j G . W . Speth , Secretary j Dr . William Wynn Westcott , S . D . j E . Machean . I . G . j W . M . Williams , Stwd . ; F . H . Goldney , P . G . D . ; C . KupferschmidtS . T . Kleinand the

, , following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros C . P . MacCalla , Grand Master Pennsylvania ; J . Ross Robertson , Grand Master Canada ; J . P . Horner , P . G . M . Louisiana ; Col . Marmaduke Ramsay , D . G . M . Malta ; J . B . Mackey ; A . Howell ; F . H . Miller ; W . H . Kempster ; " S . Saunders ; F . King ; Felix Weiss ; W . Watson ; C . Baxter , G . Stwd . ( S . C ); F . W . Levander ; C . W . Mapleton ;

J . Seymour ; C . B . Barnesj J . J . Pakes ; J . Taylor ; J . Barnett , jun . ; J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C ; G . W . Taylor ; F . A . Powell ; C . F . Howard , P . G . Std . Br . ; E . T . Edwards ; R . A . Gowan ; W . Lake ; A . Hart ; and j . S . Cumberland . The following visitors vvere also present : Bros . S . Scott-Young-, P . M . 226 ; C N . Mclntyre Nortli , W . M . 1559 ; A . Clark , P . M . 2191 ; J . Balfour ' Cc-kburn , P . M . 84 ; C . W . Hughes , 2243 ; VV . W . Lee , 1 S 97 ; VV . Klein , P . M . 238 ; M . Hart , 205 ; and j . M . McLeod , P . M . SS , i . ° J

The lodge having been opened , the W . M . in the chair introduced to the brethren the Grand Masters of Pennsylvania and Canada , and the Past Grand Master of Louisiana , who vvere duly welcomed and saluted . Bro . CLIFFORD P . MACCALLA , Grand Master of Pennsylvania : It has been my good fortune during my stay ol tour days thus far in your grand jurisdiction to visit four lodges of Freemasons . I scarcely could have visited any more . I would

not have visited any less . From the time that , accompanied by my distinguished friend , Bro . Horner , I visited a lodge at York , subsequently the United Northern Counties Lodge in London , and subsequently the United Grand Lodge of England , I have been honoured , and now you have honoured me by an invitation to your midst . I appreciate this honour both as the Grand Master of Masons of Pennsylvania , and also as a member of your own Correspondence Circle . As you are

aware , I have had the largest interest in this Circle from the commencement . I was one of the earliest members , and I trust , with your approval , to continue a member to my life ' s end . My sympathies bave been with the purposes of this lodge as with all the purposes of Freemasonry , and it is one of the glories of our Institution that it has so many sides—each of them running into one groove—and offering to brethren of different inclinations an opportunity of gratifying those

pursuits to improve themselves and derive instruction and pleasure from anything that Freemasonry offers . I beg to return my acknowledgments for the honour accorded to my Grand Lodge , vvhich meets upon the same evening as your own Grand Lodge , because the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is a close follower , as far as may be , of every step of the Grand Lodge of England . We meet on the first Wednesday in September , and every three months consecutively after that . I

knew my Grand Lodge would be interested in my visit , and , therefore , cabled to them , and in five hours received a reply from the acting Grand Master , the elected Deputy Grand Master , which I vvill read— " The Freemasons of Pennsylvania , in Grand Lodge assembled , send their fraternal salutations to their Grand Master , and wish him a pleasant sojourn and a safe return . " It vvas kind of my Grand Lodge thus to remember me . I think they also intended to honour you , for they knew that such good news I could not keep to myself .

Bro . J . Ross ROBERTSON , G . M . of Canada ( Ontario ) : I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without expressing my gratitude to you for the flattering and gratifying reception accorded to me as Grand Master of Canada . I can assure you that ever since my first visit to this lodge—as a member of the Correspondence Circle—I have had pleasant recollections of meeting with so many brethren , and I have endeavoured in an humble way to further the interests and make the work of this lodge known through my jurisdiction . I am pleased to state I have been able in some measure to contribute to Masonic

literature , and I should like to mark my visit by presenting to your library a copy of my " History of the Knights Templar of Canada . " We in Canada are well informed as to the work of this lodge , and vve appreciate its labours , and look forward to the time when a larger number of our jurisdiction will be contributing members . I

can only say I shall , as I said last night in Grand Lodge , retain pleasant recollections of my visit , not onl y to this , but to other lodges in England . My lips fail me in expressing my thanks , but I can assure you that my heart is ever grateful to you for the generous welcome you have extended me .

Bro . J . T . HORNER , P . G . M . Louisiana : I do not know what I can say in addition to what has been said . As a member of the Correspondence Circle , I endorse all that has been said , I am trying in my own jurisdiction—away down Southto increase your Circle , and I think your roll will show we have numerous

members there . I hope we shall do more , as the aim and object of the lodge commends itself to all . It reminds me , particularly as an American Mason , that in our American lodges vve have a special Degree , in which we obligate our members to a practical diffusion of Masonic life , and we call them Most Excellent Masters .

Bro . R . F . GOULD , acting W . M .: This is our first lodge of emergency , and I think you will all agree that there has been a good reason for the meeting called to . night . The brethren will no doubt wish to enjoy the pleasant society of the distinguished brethren who have addressed you , and I therefore do not propose at the present moment to take up your time by alluding to them , but at a later period I shall say a little with regard to them . I am aware it is customary for a W . M . to

introduce the lecturer , but on the present occasion the lecturer—Bro . MacCalla—is sufficiently well known to need no introduction . Bro . Robertson has been kind enough to say that he retains a pleasant recollection of his last visit . You will remember he addressed us in eloquent terms , and we listened to Shim with deli ght . This meeting has been called for a particular purpose , and we can enter upon no

other business . We will next proceed to the business on the summons—the lecture—and here I must observe we vvere glad to have the opportunity of holding a meeting to welcome the Grand Master of Pennsylvania—for one must always have an eye to the main chance—and so we put it to him whether he would read a paper , and he consented . We are consequently much indebted to Bro . MacCalla , and 1 will now call upon him to read the paper which he has been kind enough to

promise . Bro . CLIFFORD P . MACCALLA read a most interesting paper , which occupied about half an hour in delivery , but which vvas full of details of more than ordinary value and importance . What vvas done vvas done well , and evidently by a past master in the art of compiling historical essays . First , the extraordinary growth of the population of the United States of America and Canada , and the

corresponding enormous increase of the Craft were skilfull y portrayed and described , so as to prepare his audience for clue appreciation of the numerical position of the American Craft just now as compared with the same portion of that vast territory about a century and a half ago . Time Immemorial lodges vvere unquestionably working in Philadelphia and elsewhere in 1730 , and in that year Daniel Coxe vvas

appointed by the Grand Master of England to the responsible position of Premier Prov . Grand Master of New Jersey , New York , and Pennsylvania . From this small beginning , and at Massachusetts have arisen the mi ghty host of the present time , consisting of 50 Grand Lodges in the United States of America , and vvith those of Canada 57 in all , vvith over 6 30 , 000 subscribing members . His own Grand Lodge , first of time immemorial origin , but later on ( 1764 ) of "Athol " Constitution , has now nearl y 400 lodges and 40 , 000 members . " Liber B ., " of

Reception Of American Visitors At The Quatuor Coronati Lodge.

one lodge dating from 1731 , discovered by the gifted author , vvas naturally referred to at length , and vve were glad to find that a later discovery was spoken of as the so-called " Bell Letter . " The three great Charities in Pennsylvania were duly noted , one of the latest donors of $ 25 , 000 ( Bro . J . H . Patton , Grand Treasurer )

being a member of the Correspondence Circle of 2076 . The fees and dues , customs and rules , and many other important points vvere noted , but as the able paper will doubtless be printed in the Transactions of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge before it was read vve must not reproduce our notes at any greater length . It vvas a treat to hear , but will be a greater one still when it comes to be read .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER in the chair .- At the conclusion of a paper we are glad to hear any remarks which may be offered , but on the present occasion vve have had what I may characterise as an excellent paper , and one of its great merits is that Bro . MacCalla has steered so clear of controversial matters that he has not roused much

of our combative instincts . lean therefore fancy that the brethren present will not comment upon the lecture with a great deal of energy . We have had much interesting information about the lodges in America , and perhaps our Bro . Robertson may be inclined to supplement it with some observations on the same subject in Canada . There was one subject which was not touched upon in any length , and upon vvhich no doubt Bro . Robertson will say a few words . In America and Canada a Mason is supposed to belong to some lodge , and if he does not it is

looked upon as an offence . I should like to invite an expression from Bro . Robertson , who vvill no doubt give us a few facts , and doubtless there are many points upon which he can enlig hten us . As our brethren maybe aware , a member here who leaves a lodge , although according to the Book of Constitutions he must not visit any other lodge more than once , is practically a dead letter , and he is not looked upon as incurring any reproach . I vvill now invite a few observations from our Bro . Robertson .

Bro . Ross ROBERTSON , in compliance vvith the W . M . ' s request , gave a succinct account of the history of Freemasonry in Canada , bristling with facts and figures , which , as an extempore effort , was simply marvellous and elicited loud approbation . This interesting contribution will also be printed at length in the Transactions . Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , P . G . D .: I do not feel in a position to say much under the circumstances , as our American friends are gifted with great oratorical ability and

vve are content to listen . I have always made a good listener , and they are scarce . It was easy to listen because vve had something good to listen to . I think in Bro . MacCalla ' s paper he has displayed very considerable skill as well as ability . There are a few points on which I should like to say a few words . With regard to the latter portion , we dare not refer to any extraneous matters . We stop at the Royal Arch , and I think we are wise . It is very difficult in regard to origins to tell the

origin of anything , so it is difficult to tell and fix the origin of Masonry in this country or any other . It is certainly difficult in America , and I think , under the circumstances , as expressing in some measure the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts , vvhich takes rather a different view to Pennsylvania—there was scarcely a statement made by Bro . MacCalla which would not be supported by Massachusetts . If there is one thing more difficult than another it is to do that ,

and I therefore congratulate him . I believe Daniel Cox was the first Provincial Grand Master appointed by the Grand Lodge of England in America , and Bro . MacCalla admits that fact , so that whether Cox did any work or not he was the first Provincial Grand Master who governed the Province of Pennsylvania , New Jersey , and New York . I feel sure Massachusetts will admit that also . There are a number of questions he has only mentioned , and only glanced at by him . I did

not believe there was any man in existence who could have written such a paper from the American view and please us . Bro . Robertson has done uncommonly well vvith regard to Canada , and it has been the pride of Canada to trace their direct allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , and if there is one Grand Lodge more than another which prides itself on its English descent it is the Grand Lodge of Canada under English rule , and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in America .

Under the circumstances vve ought to propose a vote of thanks , first to Bro . MacCalla for his excellent paper , which I hope and believe vvill be printed , for we shall " bone " that paper . We shall have it in our proceedings , and we shall then consider all its points . I beg to propose a hearty vote of thanks to our gifted brother , the Grand Master of Pennsylvania , for his admirable and interesting paper , and to my old friend and corresponding Brother Robertson for enlightening us so clearly as to Masonry in Canada , and I make bold to say he is the only man

in Canada who could have done it . There are points which have not been touched upon : personal jurisdiction has not been mentioned . We do not believe in personal jurisdiction . I was glad to hear Bro . MacCalla refer to our W . Master ' s history , for it is the only real history of Freemasonry , and that I am prepared to substantiate . I have no doubt a brother will second the proposition I now make . I do not know that I have ever spent a more agreeable evening , and I make the proposition with a great deal of pleasure .

Bro . BYWATER , S . W .: I have much pleasure in seconding the proposition , as we have had a great Masonic treat . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER : Before putting it I will add to vvhat has been said that there is one little matter which has been quite overlooked—the doctrine of physical perfection . Under some of the Grand Lodges of America it is considered that every candidate should have no physical defect . We in this country look

upon it differently , but in America the practice is not uniform , though in some instances I think the loss of one joint of the little finger would render a candidate inadmissible . I endorse what Bro . Hughan has said of the great merit of Bro . MacCalla ' s paper . The excellence of a paper is to steer clear of controversy—to sum up as a judge rather than to plead as an advocate—and from vvhat is known of Grand Master MacCalla ' s own views on many points , I think all those who are

aware of them will say vvhat a masterful essay has been read . Whilst holding strong views on some points , he has , nevertheless , allowed the advocate to recede into the back-ground , and spoken to us as a judge . On the question of Masonic tramps Bro . Robertson gave us a quantity of information the last time be was with us . There may be some of you who are unable to stop after the lodge is closed ,

hence I will mention what perhaps you do not all know—that , in addition to the powers our distinguished brethren possess in eloquent speech , they are both wellknown authors . I think you should know that . They are brethren who , vvere they English Masons , we should feel it in each case an honour for them to become full members . I need not put the motion , I am sure , but declare it carried by acclamation .

Bro . MACCALLA : I do not desire to inflict upon you any further remarks from myself , but , at the same time , I must thank you for the excessively kind and cordial reception vvhich my paper has received at your hands . I do not like to read papers . I think the chief difficulty of notes is that I have other things in my head , and speak them from my heart . Although my relations have been not merely formal with your lodge , I have been connected vvith those who have been my Masonic friends for years past , and whom I have prized as the choicest of my correspondents . I beg to return you sincere and hearty Masonic thanks .

Bro . ROBERTSON : Votes of thanks are so often the reward of unsatisfactory efforts , that I have some diffidence in accepting , but if the sincerity of your expressions of thanks are equal to the sincerity of my desire to interest you , I regard your thanks with great pleasure . I thank you heartily for your cordial and fraternal reception . Apologies for unavoidable absence from the W . M ., Bro . Col . Pratt , and other brethren vvere then read , and the lodge vvas closed .

After banquet the WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave "The Queen and the Crafi , ' ' and in proposing " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " said that 15 yearn had elapsed since the installation of his Royal Highness . Whatever their M . W . G . M . took up vvas performed with earnestness and determination , and amid