Annual Report Of The Great Prior Of Canada.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GREAT PRIOR OF CANADA .

( Continued from page 3 63 . ) Although the Templar body of to-day cannot prove a direct descent from thc Chivalry of thc Crusades , its legend and traditions strongly point that way , and in all tradition there lies a germ ot tiuth , we therefore endeavour to

imitate and assimilate our ceremonies and practices as closely as possible to that of the Ancient Order , strictly conforming to the doctrines of the Soldiers of the Cross , who fought for thc faith on the plains of Palestine . The ceremonies of the United Orders of the Temple and Hospitallers of Alalta are intended to inculcate the cardinal doctrines of the Christian religion , the inspiration of

the Holy Scriptures , the birth , life , death , resurrection , and ascension of the Great Captain of our salvation , and a firm belief in the Holy Trinity , one and indivisible , the chief and indestructable characteristic of the Order , without which , in spite of all sophistry and special pleading , no Templary can exist . If any Templar system admits those who reject the Trinity in unitv , or Hebrews , who adhere

to the Judaical law , they have just as effectually laid aside the principles of the Order as Orangemen would do if they opened their doors to Roman Catholics , in fact the instant the Order ceases to be Trinitarian it also ceases to be a true branch of the 'Templars , and should be treated as such . In Great Britain and Ireland during the last century , the

Chivalric Orders were formally introduced and adopted by the Alasonic Fraternity , but altogether as separate and honorary degrees . At the Union of the English Grand Lodges of 1 S 13 , the 2 nd article , in defining the degrees of Ancient Alasonry , provides for the practice of the Chivalric Orders , in these words : — " But this article is not intended to prevent any lodge or chapter from holding a meeting in any of the

degrees and orders of Chivalry , according to the constitutions of said orders , " thus acknowledging the alliance , and thc historic truth and value of the Chivalric degrees . Templary then , as now constituted , has become part of the Alasonic system , that is to say , the society is based upon Alasonry , in so far that we admit none but such as are Alasons , therefore the basis and qualification arc

Alasonic , but properly speaking , are not essentially so , but at the most quasi-AIasonic . The election of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales to bc thc sole Grand Alaster of the Order was strictly in accordance with ancient usage ; and the wish to have but one governing head ( at least over the English speaking branches of the Order ) had nothing to do with national or political

events , the allegiance being to the sovereign head of the Order , who might , as of old , be chosen from any nationality . This does not appear to have been generally understood by those brethren who merely looked upon it in a Alasonic point of view . The nationalities of England , Ireland , and Canada are justly proud of the honour of having the heir to the throne

as their Supreme Head , and gratified at the interest evinced in the Order b y his Royal brothers , the Duke of Connaught , as Great Prior of Ireland , and Prince Leopold , as Constable of the Great Priory of England , acknowledging with loyal pride the high distinction conferred upon them by Her Alost Gracious Alajesty the Queen , declaring herself Patron of the Order . ~

Our brethren of the United States have taken quite a different view of Templary from what we do , and founded a . system exclusively Vlieit own , loased altogether upon Masonry . It would appear from their own writers on the subject , that although 'Templar Encampments were in existence with them at the termination of the last and commencement of the present century , they had all become

dormant prior to 1 S 11 , when Alasonic Templary was revived , remodelled , and systematised by bodies of the A . and A . S . Rite , and the degrees conferred at that time , according to the Rituals of the Rite , converting the Rose Croix iS ° , and Kadosh 30 , into the Templar degree , adopting lectures suitable to their own views ; and by the year 1 S 16 , the system was fully adopted and placed where

it now stands , when a General Encampment was formed , and the Templar degrees became virtuall y part of the American Alasonic system . From this it will be seen that Templary in the United States does not resemble that in the British Dominions in any particular , and cannot be considered as thc same body . Allusion to thc doctrine of the Holy Trinity is altogether omitted , to admit of its being

open to all denominations of Christian Alasons , if not a greater latitude , and one of their leading members declares " the test of the Trinity could not bc adopted by them , as it would drop 20 , 000 'Templars from the ranks and reduce the influx one half . " For a more complete sketch of the United States system I must refer you to an article in the June number of the "Canadian Craftsman" [ vide

appen-, dices . ] The idea of our forming a Union with the Templar branch of the United States , at one time mooted and brought ^ forward at the last Triennial Alceting of their Grand Encampment , never obtained any favour amongst the Nationalities of the British Empire , and since it has been clearly understood that they reject the Trinitarian

doctrine and test , the objections have become doubly stronger ; besides , the different views entertained by them of Templary would not render a Union advisable , however much wc may be gratified to receive and welcome them as visitors in our Preceptories . Since our last meeting of Great Priory , 1 am happy to say renewed interest in the Order appears to have arisen . I

have granted preliminary warrants for four new Preceptories , and authorised the removal of Sussex Preceptory , of Montreal , back to Stanstead , in the eastern townships of Quebec , revived under most favourable auspices , as also the Mount Calvary , of Orillia , to Barrie , Ont ., where it has been re-opened by our excellent Grand Chancellor , who has taken charge of it . To him we arc greatly indebted for the prosperous turn the affairs of the Order have iiKen

, very lew being aware of the difficulties he had to contend with , or the complicated state the Chancery had got into from the neglect of Preceptories in not remitting their dues , and sending their returns at the proper time , out which his zeal and perseverance is fast relieving us trom , and 1 would earnestly call upon all Preceptories to aid him strenuously in placing the Chancery in its proper Position . Personally , I beg to tender him ray warmest »« j , the su PP ° he has at all times cheerfully a 'tordcd me . Our relations with other Templar jurisdic-

Annual Report Of The Great Prior Of Canada.

tions continue to be most amicable . From our learned and esteemed representative at the Great Priory of Ireland , the Hon . Judge Townshend , 1 hear of the most kindly expressions of good will from our sister Great Priory towards this Nationality , who appear to be following our example , and arranging for a virtual independence of the Irish Nationality , irrespective of "Convent General , " when all thc mistakes and misapprehensions which so lately

disturbed the harmony of the Order will , I have every hope , right themselves , and peace and prosperity be restored . The Great Priory of England is quietly and steadily progressing , and has added many brethren of eminence to its roll . It is with pleasure and pride we hear of the interest taken in the Order by H . R . H . Prince Leopold , lately appointed Constable of the Great Priory of England . The announcement of H . R . H . ' swish not to accept of any

public demonstrations alone prevented our requesting him to honour our Nationality with his presence , and afford us an opportunity of welcoming him to Canada , and assuring him of the love and loyalty we all bear to the Royal family of the Empire . From Scotland alone no advances have been made to any exchange of courtesies . With the United States we continue in the most perfect harmony , although in matters

of detail and doctrine we are at issue , but it is surely no business of ours to find fault or interfere with their views , or any ceremonial they may choose to adopt ; our regret is , that as-the usages of the two branches are so entirely dissimilar , it is impossible to effect a closer alliance . I regretted net being able lately to accede to the request of the Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Vermont , who had urged me to authorise aspirants forthe Templar Order ,

companions of our Royal Arch Chapters on their borders near Stanstead , Province of Quebec , to be installed in Commanderies under his control . I did not feel justified in granting the permission or allowing any interference with our jurisdiction , which for the future there can be no necessity of entertaining ; the Province of Quebec being fully prepared to establish Preceptories wliere and when required . 'The Provincial Priors and Committee of Grand

Council will supplement anything further relating to the affairs of our Nationality , and 1 am satisfied your legislation will tend to the honour and prosperity of the Canadian branch of the Order . In conclusion , let me draw thc attention of some of our brethren who are eager to adopt and advocate public pomp and display to one of the mottoes of the Order . "Fcrro non auro se-mitniunt , " taken from thc expressions of

St . Bernard , when speaking of the Ancient Chivalric Order , commencing : Eqnitcs Christi intus fide fonts fcrro , See ., Sec , which reads : "These warriors of Christ do not array themselves in gold and glitter , but arm themselves inwardly with Faith , and outwardly with [ iron ] the Sword , & c . " No greater mistake can be made than in supposing the Order is correctly imitated by indulging in mock military pomp and tinsel—as it was one of the most

ascetic and severe in its rules and regulations of all thc old Orders of Knighthood , and when these rules were infringed and departed from the downfall of the Order commenced . It has been remarked that a more practical display of Charity in our actions would be commendable ; we do a s * ood deal in advocating this virtue , but where is the fruit ? Surely not in vain shows and high-flown orations . It would

be well indeed if the Order were to follow the example of that of St . John in Anglia , by applying to some practical and useful purpose the teachings of Templary . Fraters , let us ever keep in mind these doctrines ; trusting that as Soldiers of tl \ e Cross , wWlst we weav the viholc armour of the Gospel , we may wear it profitably , and be in Christian Charity with our Masonic brethren and all mankind . V . D : S . A . J W . M . J . B . AI . VCI . EOD AIOORE , Great Prior of Canada .

Masonic Lessons.

MASONIC LESSONS .

The cardinal virtues of Alasonry are temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice ; the theological are faith , hope , and charity—the last " admonishes us to have faith in God , hope of immortality , and charity for all mankind . " The principal tenets , or cardinal principles , are brotherly love , relief , and truth . Brotherly love is so earnestly inculcated by and highly

esteemed among Alasons , that it is not only taught as a tenet or fundamental principle , but that its genial glow , thc ennobling influence of this heaven-born principle , should warm the heart , and illumine the conduct of every Alason , as is impressively taught when he is raised to " the Sublime Degree of a Alaster Alason , " that friendship , morality , and brotherly love are precious jewels that should

ever after adorn his character . The ceremonies , symbols , and lectures of Alasonry are designed to teach and explain these good , pure , and ennobling precepts . With such sublime principles as these to study and discuss , such grand virtues as these to practise , why are there so many drones in tlie Masonic beehive ? Why is there such indifference to the teachings of our

fraternity ? Ihe answer is patent . Too many have been admitted into the Temple who do not appreciate these grand precepts ; who do not desire to practise them in their daily life ; who prefer that our standard should be lowered to the baser level of this money-loving , money-grasping , money-worshipping age . Too many prefer that the performance of the general duties of Alasonry , and lodge attendanceshall be regarded

, as of no more importance than if our lodge organisation were a mere social club . Brethren , the remedy is for you to attend the communications of your lodge promptly ; conscientiously discharge your duty as Alasons , and encourage your brethren to the performance of theirs . If they do wrong , kindly admonish them of thc evil of their way . If they will not heed vour

brotherly warning and abandon their vices , prefer charges against them and let them be disciplined . So far as it is possible , attend every stated communication of your lodge , and if the applicant for your mysteries is not in every respect worthy , unhesitatingly cast a black ball . We want no more inert , immoral material . Let us have good , square , true stones to work into the temple or none . Guard well the ballot . —Bro . J . M . IPINNELL in the Corner Stone .

Old Matured Wines and Spirits . —J . E . SHAND & Co ., Wine Merchants ( Experts and Valuers ) , 2 , Albert Mansions , Victoriastreet , London , S . VV . Price lists on application . —[ ADVT . ]

Sitting Above The Salt.

SITTING ABOVE THE SALT .

It is said that the devil hates salt , because it is the symbol of immortality . Homer calls it divine . In the Swiss Rite of Freemasonry salt is used as one of the elements of consecration , as a type of wisdom and strength . It is certain that throughout the Bible it is used In the noblest sense : it is the symbol of purity , friendship , wisdom , and immoi-talitv . The Hebrews were directed to use it in all

their sacrificial observances : " every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt . " Christ called his disciples " the salt of the earth . " St . Paul admonished his followers : " Let your speech be always of grace , seasoned with salt . " In the Old Testament a perpetual agreement is termed a " covenant of salt . " Even the heathen Greeks and Romans mingled salt with their sacrificial cakes . In the Isle of Alan , to tin ' s day , few of its inhabitants will

undertake any business of importance without putting some salt in their pockets . Mungo Park says that the scarcity of salt in Africa determines the status of its inhabitants . A poor man never uses the precious article , so to say of a person , " He eats salt with his victuals , " is equivalent to pronouncing him to be a rich man . The symbolic character of salt entitles it to consideration . Especially do we all , at this mid-summer season ,

delight to dip in the salt sea waves , and go under the salt ; and who does" not like to occupy one of the chief seats at the feast , " above the salt ?" Freemasons were wise in including the pleasures of the table in Masonry—Refreshment is the complement of labour , as restful to a brother as sleep . It seasons the Craftsman's life , and keeps it equally from stagnating or wearing out . Refreshment , like salt , never loses its savour .

It is said that a tune , style d the "Prelude to the Salt , " was invariably played before the knights at King Arthur's Round Table . In like manner as soon as Freemasons sit down around the mahogany , a low buzz of satisfaction fills the air with melody , the " good time coming" is felt by all to have fully come , so that you may read on more than one countenance the expression , condemned " be him that firstcries , ' Hold , enough . '"

A recent English reviewer says : "VVe have frequently been inclined to think that the most generally delightful passages in fiction are those which describe eating and drinking . To mention no other case , it is interesting to see how carefull y Scott arranges his victualling department . To read of Dandie Dinmont and Van Beest Brown , and the doings of the Knight of the Fetterlock and the Friar of Copmanhurst , is enough to give

oneself an appetite for dinner . Perhaps the same principle may account for the pleasure with which an audience always contemplates the consumption of imaginary food at a theatrical banquet . " He is undoubtedly right , and it is not surprising . Three times a day—at breakfast , dinner and supper—the majority of mankind are happj . What greater pleasure is there than to smack your lips over a toothsome viand ? How it

increases friendship to table one ' s friends . And how often has Lord StowcITs saying been verified , that " a dinner lubricates business . " Few aspire lo win reputation by repudiating the table , and living on air pudding with Dr . Tanner . It is so easy to eat— " 'tis as easy as lying , " and more natural . Whoever would exclude the banquet from Alasonry would turn the Alasonic world upside down , and bring confusion into

the Craft . In thc Temple Church of London there are several effigies of cross-legged UnigWs , presumably memorials of crusaders who did noble battle against the Saracens ; but we pity those wdio " dine with the cross-legged knights , " for they are the ones whogodinnerless to work , and supperless to bed . The English have another saying of equivalent meaning— "to dine with Duke Humphrey "—the son of

Henry IV ., who is entombed and monumented in St . Paul s Cathedral . Alonumental marble may be beautiful to look at , and may even be styled a speaking likeness , but it is a cold host , and spreads nothing before guests . We trust that none of our readers may be compelled to dine with either Duke Humphrey or the cross-legged knights . The salt no longer divides guests at table . Dekkar humorously describes a method to plague or vex any one

in his time : " Set him below the salt , and let him not touch a bit till every one has eaten his fill . " We do not now have dependants to sit with us at table , and all that sit at all sit above thc salt . AH guests are presumably persons of distinction . In Freemasonry all meet upon the level . In the lodge , at labour or refreshment , we know no distinction ,

save among those who best work and best agree . Good fellowship is the soul of Masonry . Brethren harmonise in the light . They greet each other with the fraternal grip , and separate while the echoes of " Auld Lang Syne " are ringing through the air . We all sit above the salt—meet upon the level—and part upon the square . —The Keystone , Philadelphia .

The Whole Duty Of An Obelisk.

THE WHOLE DUTY OF AN OBELISK .

The world owes something to Cleopatra , widow of Ptolemy and relict of Anthony . Not only does she give Plutarch a chance for a famous bit of " theatre " scenepainting on the river , and Shakespeare his plot for a noble K lay , but she is keeping the public in needles , and thc lasonic world , it must be added , on pins and needles of

expectancy just now . She left the the letters of her name on the obelisk at Phila : ( she never could have counted her needles , there were so many scattered about ) to help out the puzzled readers of the Rosetta stone . There was Ptolcmeus in the Greek letter on that famous stone , likewise the letters corresponding to it—or supposed to be , in Egyptian sign , and Coptic letters , a double row . But if the

antiquarians had not got the K . L . P . T . and R . out of Cleopatra's own door plate on a Phil .-c obelisk , they wouldn't have known which was the Egyptian symbol for T . or L . or the rest . The good old lad y ( good for obelisks ) came to the rescue then and there , and out of that cartouche ( which is the elegant for card plate ) of the Egyptian Greek woman in old

Phila ; the whole volume of Egyptian sign reading has been avalanched upon the world . But here is more of her work ; she has set the Masons all agog . The " mysteries " of the Pyramids , of the Druids , of the Hindoo temple at Elephanta , of the Greeks ( though they are modern enough in this light ) , and Assyrians , and , in short , of every ancient people , are now held to have a connecting link and to mean about the same sort of thing , it is claimed , by Freemasonry .