Reception Of American Visitors At The Quatuor Coronati Lodge.

the cares of his exalted station he found time to exercise a wise and prudent control over the largest and oldest of Masonic jurisdictions . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next gave "The Grand Masters of Foreign Jurisdictions , " and said : We have present this evening the Grand Master of Pennsylvania , the Grand Master of Canada , and the Past Grand Master of Louisiana . I shall ask you to drink all their healths , but at the same time I shall only call upon

Bro . MacCalla to respond , because the names of the others will come on at a later period . I think it would be your wish that I , on your behalf , should make it clear to them that vve are looking forward vvith pleasurable anticipation to the addresses they vvill deliver , and do not want their speeches curtailed . It will devolve upon me , therefore , mainly to speak of Pennsylvania . Its Grand Master is the distinguished brother on my right , and I think I shall only be doing what

is most agreeable to you if I take a closer view of the eminent services he has rendered to Freemasonry . Bro . MacCalla vvas initiated in Concordia Lodge , Philadelphia , in 186 9 , vvas W . M . in 1874 , and in 18 7 6 accepted the position of Sec , which he occupied for 12 years ; but higher Masonic honours vvere in store for him . In 1882 he was elected J . G . W . ; in 1884 , S . G . W . ; in 1886 , Dep . Grand Master ; and in 1888 , Grand Master . He is , therefore , in his second year of

service as Grand Master and eighth as a Grand Officer . Very early , indeed , in his life he drifted into literature , but I have not time to tell you about that . He is the author of a number of Masonic pamphlets and books , including " Historical Sketch of the Concordia Lodge of Philadelphia , " " The Life of Daniel Coxe , " " Early Newspaper Extracts of Freemasonry in America , " and other books . But I may say that of all the services rendered to Freemasonry by him , the most

notable , with one exception , to vvhich I shall presently return , vvas the discovery of Liber B ., the Secretary ' s ledger of St . John ' s Lodge , dating from June 24 th , 1731 , and extending to June 24 th , 173 8 . A little later he discovered a code of by-laws proposed in 1732 , in the handwriting of Benjamin Franklin , and thus proved to demonstration that the earliest lodge in America vvas established in Philadelphia . This would have well sufficed to endear him to the

Masons of his own State , but he has done far more than this , and I now come to vvhat I consider to be the most notable service he has rendered to Freemasonry . For the last 20 years he has been the editor of the Keystone , and I challenge contradiction when I affirm that his work in that capacity is the most important and notable he has yet performed . I have pursued his record , and I will now say why we meet to-night . For a good many years a number of brethren have been

in close and intimate communication with him . In writing to say he vvas about to pass through London , vve felt it vvas one of those occasions on vvhich to have a special meeting and ask him to be present . He kindly consented to read a paper , and that vve did well in asking him is proved by the attendance , and especially of several who have travelled very long distances to be present . I have gone over these things a little more briefly than I should

like , but there is something 1 have forgotten . He told us there were 50 Grand Lodges in America and seven in Canada . The Grand Lodge of New York has 718 lodges and 74 , 000 Masons , and is the largest , whilst the Grand Lodge of Arizona is smallest , where there are only eight lodges and a membership of 424 . The second largest is Illinois , and the third is Pennsylvania , the Grand Master of vvhich is present . This jurisdiction has 394 lodges and a membership of about

40 , 000 , and the importance of this can be made a little clearer by comparison . I may mention that in the whole of Germany , including eight Grand Lodges , there are only 390 lodges , and the membershi p is only just over 40 , 000 . You will therefore see that Bro . MacCalla presides over a body of Masons in excess of that of Germany , and it will bring the idea home to you that the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania must be an important one . I have told you at the beginning

of my remarks that I should couple vvith the toast the name of our Bro . MacCalla , and although the other names vvill come in later , I must say a word or two respecting them . You will drink the healths of Bros . Robertson and Horner . Bro . Horner vvas Deputy Grand Master of Louisiana in 18 72 , and Grand Master in 1886 . He is the Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Law , and Chairman of Foreign Correspondence in Grand Chapter . Bro . Robertson vvas

elected Deputy Grand Master in 1888 , and Grand Master in 18 90 , and there is just a word or two I have to say vvith regard to him before bringing my speech to a close . I have told you in lodge that the two brethren who addressed us to our great satisfaction—Bros . MacCalla and Robertson—are distinguished authors . The titles I gave you of the works by Bro . MacCalla will give you but a very imperfect idea of his ability . Bro . Robertson is the author of two valuable works vvhich vvere reviewed in the last number of the proceedings of the Quatuor Coronati .

I will read a few words from that review : " But the record of the Grand Master of Canada would be incomplete without a passing allusion to the fame he has also acquired as a lecturer . During the last two years he has lectured in 100 different places , and travelled over 10 , 000 miles in the jurisdiction . He has talked to about 10 , 000 Masons , and shaken hands with more than half of them . His visits , as I learn from various sources , are always productive of good . They awaken a new interest in Masonry , quicken the zeal of those brethren who are apathetic , and altogether produce a beneficial effect which is lasting . "

Bro . CLIFFORD MACCALLA , Grand Master of Pennsylvania : It is thc misfortune of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to be represented by a brother from whom you have already too much , notwithstanding 1 havc cause to feel grieved , because the W . M . has taken my life and laid it before you , but he has done it for the best , and perhaps you think he has exposed me to you as a little Masonic author , of whom , probably , you would not have heard if it had not been mentioned .

However , vve know it is the motive that should be judged , and is judged by the G . A . O . T . U ., and , therefore , His example should be copied by us who are His mortals , and , therefore , I know the W . M . ' s motive vvas vvhat it should be , and forgive him for taking my life . While I have no doubt that I as a member of the Correspondence Circle should be greeted as a brother beloved , at the same time I know it is also because I am Grand Masterof the great Masonic jurisdiction of Pennsylvania that you have coupled my name vvith the toast . I assure you . you

could not be prouder , or as proud , of that jurisdiction as I am myself . Born a Pennsylvanian , raised a Pennsylvanian , made a Mason a Pennsylvanian , now a Pennsylvanian , and also its present Master , sojourning on your shores , no Pennsylvanian will be as proud as I am myself when in my annual address on St . John ' s day next , I detail the manner in vvhich the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has been received in the person of its Grand Master by this lodge , the way not only in vvhich this toast has been proposed , but when we consider by whom it has been proposed . I must also allude to the individual attendance of members and

visitors , amongst whom I notice Bro . Ramsay , D . G . M . Malta , who had the honour of presiding in the United Grand Lodge last ni ght . I also see the Grand Master of Canada , Bro . Horner , the P . G . M . of Louisiana , and those distinguished English brethren who have left their vacation homes , and when we are upon our vacation you have neglected yours , and have come here to testify your fraternal love for us . We never can forgetand never would forget if vve

, could ; and I assure you it is the happiest moment of my life , and I shall treasure in my memory the recollection of the hours I have spent at labour and refreshment vvith this lodge . And vvhat is the feature of this lod ge . Why , it belongs to that class of individuals who are connected vvith origins . It mi ght presumably be said of whatever ori gins that they are obscure , but this is the exception which

proves the rule . This is not obscure , and to it must be allowed the credit of causing the largest of the wide-developed interest in the antiquities of Freemasonry , and of numbering those Masons who havc thought out those tenets and principles which , long lost , are now found , and are now spread at large before the Craft . I have only to hope and pray that the influence of this lodge may go on increasing , and that it will permeate the entire Masonic Fraternity , and may vve

Reception Of American Visitors At The Quatuor Coronati Lodge.

more and more devote our attention to those ideas which are at the foundation of our Fraternity , for when vve have laid the foundation then vve should prepare and understand the superstructure and value its entirety . I thank you for the honour done me and my confreres , Bros . Robertson and Horner , and I assure you if it shall be the privilege of any , as I trust it will be , the privilege of many of the brethren who surround this table to come to America , I will promise you vve will endeavour to receive you with as firm a grip of the hand and brightness of the eye as you have received us this evening .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in giving " The Grand Officers , " said : You will have noticed that I have given the toast in a different form to vvhich we are accustomed , but it arises from the decease of that worthy and excellent brother , the Earl of Carnarvon . We have been so accustomed to hear it given in one way that it comes as a shock to those who have not been present in lodge . The death of the Earl of Carnarvon is one of those calamities for which an expressive silence will be perhaps the most fitting recognition . Happily , however , I can

ask you to drink the healths of the remainder of the Grand Officers , among whom vve have still our excellent Deputy Grand Master To-night vve have present Bros . Col . Marmaduke Ramsay , Hogard , and Bywater , while one or two have left us . When we have something out of the common , and in the presence of three distinguished visitors , I feel sure you do not wish me to give at any great length the toasts vvhich come before us on ordinary occasions . Therefore , without further delay , I shall ask you to drink to the Grand Officers , coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Ramsay .

Bro . Col . MARMADUKE RAMSAY , D . G . M . Malta , in reply , said they all had to deplore the loss of their Pro Grand Master , which will be most sincerly felt throughout England , for his amiability and geniality , and the immense amount of tact he showed , and it would be a long time before they found a successor who would fill the post as he had filled it . In presiding last night it vvas a matter of extreme gratification to preside at the Grand Lodge vvhich had the honour of

receiving three guests , whom he met again that night , and he vvas certain , and he trusted they would return to their country feeling that the Grand Lodge of England did everything in their power to render them that fraternal welcome vvhich it should be the desire of all Masons to confer to any brother coming amongst them as a visitor . He did think that amongst all Masons visiting was one of the very obligations which devolved upon a brother . He found that when . they

visited a lodge they felt they had received or imparted some instruction of a valuable nature , and had seen some work vvhich had been conducted in a manner different to vvhat they had been accustomed . They sought to know why the variety exists , and by enquiring of the members endeavoured to find out the reasons why the alteration had taken place . He would not occupy their time further , but thank them for the kind manner in which the toast ^ had been proposed and received .

Bro . SPETH , Secretary : In the absence of the I . P . M ., it falls to my lot to propose a toast vvhich I am sure you vvill receive with the greatest enthusiasm , and vvhich vvill require all the lesseulogisms on my part , as it is one you vvill thoroughly appreciate without the eloquence to vvhich I am a stranger . I wish to give you the health of the brother who has so ably presided over us— " The Acting Worshipful Master of this Lodge . " Whilst doing so , I wish once more to repeat vvhat

I have said in lodge—that the Worshipful Master has written me saying how sorry he was he should be so far away as to render it impossible to be present . Bro . Gould has filled the chair on this occasion with all that urbanity , accompanied vvith a masterl y decision , to vvhich vve are accustomed , and which vve expect from a Master whose early life vvas devoted to commanding the rank and file . He

always presides with a certain amount of decision and urbanity , which renders the work simple , and he is gifted vvith a larger share of eloquence than I think should fall to any one man as depriving us of our portion , and he is , therefore , able to place the various toasts in a manner vvhich must commend our approval . For this vve are all indebted to him , and I will , without further words , ask you to join me in drinking his health .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER in the chair : A little more than three years ago 1 vvas at Torquay , a place well known by our J . W ., Bro . Lane , to-night . I visited a lodge with Bros . Lane and Hughan , and I thought I should like to hold Bro . Hughan up to even higher admiration than that which he was regarded at Torquay , but before I could do so he jumped up and said such excellent things of myself that my plans were defeated . To-ni ght I hoped to have had my

revenge , and I had in my mind to say how much we love him and how much he has done for the cause of Freemasonry , but for the second time I am foiled . To-night our Bro . Speth—a very great personal friend—has been sitting on my left , acting as the I . P . M ., and has discharged the duty of proposing the health of the W . M . in the chair . I thank you very much for the kindly expression of opinion , and for the hearty manner in which

the toast has been received . I shall go on and proceed to the next toast , vvhich is that of " The Visitors . " In preparing for these proceedings vve hoped that several brethren would be present who are not here , and it was my wish that at any meeting , especially of this kind , we should have as many speakers as possible . But any arrangements I made have been put out of gear , and therefore I must apologise for addressing you so often . The number

of visitors , as taken with the numbers of the Correspondence Circle , is smal indeed . With this toast I propose to couple the name of Bro . Robertson . 1 have a special motive in doing so , as I said I wished to give each Grand Master an opportunity of speaking . In acting in this way I can assure him I have no idea of calling him a visitor , but I am simply using this toast as a medium for bringing out the eloquent discourse you vvill hear from him . With regard to Bro .

Robertson , I said a few things about him while proposing an earlier toast , for I thought that to which he would be called upon to respond would be proposed b y someone else . ^ He has written a " History of the Cryptic Rite " and also a " History of the Kni ghts Templar of Canada . " Those who possess the proceedings of the Quatuor Coronati will perceive that I have already alluded to him over my own name , an extract of vvhich I read just now . He has travelled over a vast country doing good in Masonry . I believe that no greater amount of good is done than

by brethren who travel from place to place and endeavour to extend the mysteries of our Fraternity , and when a brother does that he is deserving of much credit . I have in my mind the 354 lodges and 20 , 000 Masons of vvhich our worth y brother is the Grand Master . It is not every Grand Master who can travel about as he has done , as you will not often find brethren who can give up so much valuable time to Masonry . But our Bro . Robertson sets an example which I think all Grand Masters who have the requisite leisure mi ght follow with benefit to their jurisdictions . I will now call upon you to drink the toast , coupling with it his name .

Bro . ROBERTSON , Grand Master Canada : What can I say for this wealth of welcome extended to me ? No brother who was ever selected for position in any Grand Lodge has had more reason for pleasure , in that during the past four years I have been called to fill many offices in Grand Lodge—four years ago as District Deputy Grand Master of one of the more extensive districts in our jurisdiction , then for two years as Deput y Grand Master , and finall y , by the unanimous voice of Grand Lodge , as Grand Master . As District D . G . Master I was

enabled to pay 7 8 visits , and , in doing so , travel over 3000 miles , and if I did criticise the work I feel assured that it has had most beneficial results . As Deputy Grand Master my visits to about 100 lodges , covering nearly 15000 miles of railway travel , were chiefly confined to lecturing to my brethren on the History of Canadian Freemasonry . ^ My other duties as D . G . M . were of a happy character , and vvere confined to signing orders on the Board of Benevolence , and in so doing it often occurred to me in providing for the relief of our widows and orphans that they were given as a sacred charge for us to shield . As I said yesterday ,