Great Priory Of Canada.

taken from the crossmlts of their swords , which , when founded and dying on the field , they fixed upright before them in the ground , that their last look might rest on the , oss the symbol of redemption . ° They also used the Latin cross , with the titulens , of bvo bars ! ' , known as the Patriarchal cross , symbolising s 3 lvation both to Jew and Gentile , now assigned to our

p , -ceptors ; but the cross of Salem , or triple-barred , is a ' pal one , and never originally used by the Grand Master of the Temple . It indicates that he is the Sovereign Priest , Supreme Judge , and Sole Legislator . It is common in documents instead of using the title " Sir , " to place the mark of the cross with an F ., f ., ( frater ) before the name , as f Fra . for a Knight , J Fra . for a Preceptor , and the

trip le cross for the Supreme Grand Master . A LTERATION OF STATUTES—CONVENT GENERAL . Having thus endeavoured to give you a sketch of the Order with my own long confirmed impressions as to what our Order of the Temple , in connection with Freemasonry , really is , l must now beg your consideration and attention to the communication I lately received from the " Great

Subprior" of England , Major Shadwcll H . Clerke , the acting head of that Great Priory , who informs me that the Council had recommended , in view of the differences then existing ' , that past rank be in a great measure restored in tnc Great Priory of England , and the Ritual hitherto in use permitted to remain ; and further , that the title " Eminent Commander " be substituted for "

Precep tor , " but as these views may not coincide with those 0 [ Ireland and Canada , the Great Sub-Prior has submitted [ lie following alterations , which , if agreed to by the three Great Priories , would only require the formal confirmation of Convent General , viz . : — "Thateach Nationality have full power to frame their own regulations as to Titles , Past Rank , and Ritual ( with common landmarks ) , but

still remaining , as at present , under His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who might hold triennial Convents General , where subjects previously agreed on by the three Great Priories could be formally passed , and where honours could be conferred . " By these means he thinks the present state of disagreement would cease , and each country kit free to adopt the line which it may think best .

Now , however desirable it might be to have perfect unity on all points , as the name Convent General implies , meaning a " general coming together in agreement and concurrence , " 1 consider this compromise the only way open , and most strongly recommend that this Great Priory pass a resolution to carry it out . Canada would then retain all her present titles , and be guarded against

future changes , excepting by her own consent . The capitation tax would of course be much reduced , and scarcely felt—a small sum to ] the Vice-Arch-Chancellor annually , with postage , stationery , and printing , being the only cliarge . As we arc at present constituted , other * , Nationalities could not well join the Convent General , but with these

alterations in the statutes it would bejemite practicable for the United States Templar Nationality ( an original branch of our own langue ) , w join ur ... f-u—1 -n ; ., nre , of which , with perfect propriety , the parent body has piaexu H . R . H . the Prince of Wales at the head . Scotland could also have no cause of objection . And in time each Nationality might voluntarily take a common view on most subjects , especially as to Ritual , which , it is very

important , should be uniform . The Oreler would then again assume , as in ancient times , its cosmopolitan and united character of one great and powerful Christian association . EXCHANGE OF REPRESENTATIVES . In conformity with the resolution passed at the last Great Priory , I have appointed the V . E . Sir Knight , Richard Woof , Past Pro . Sub-Prior of Worcester , to be

our representative near the Great Priory of England , with the rank of a Past Prov . Prior of Canada ; and the V . E . Sir Knight the Honourable Judge Townshend , Past Sub-Prior of Ireland , and Arch Chancellor of Convent General , to represent Canada near the Great Priory of Ireland , with the past rank of a Great Sub-Prior of Canada . The relations existing between us and our sister Great

Priories continue most satisfactory , as also with the National Grand Encampment of the United States and their State Grand Commanderies . From the M . E . Grand Master , James Herron Hopkins , of Pittsburgh , Penn ., I have received letters conveying his hearty congratulations on the establishment of this National Great Priory , and his earnest wish to co-optrate in every measure calculated

to draw into closer union all belonging to the Order who speak oui common language . From Ireland , it has been announced that his H . R . H die Duke of Connaught has been appointed Great Prior by the Grand Master , but no meeting of the Great Priory has as yet taken place for his installation , owing to the death of the late Great Prior of

England . From this Nationality I am also in receipt of kind expressions towards the Great Priory of Canada . The Calendar of the Great Priory ot England of the nth of May , 1877 , notifies the appointment of our Most ¦ Wt . rttiy Past Sub-Prior t T . D . Harington , to represent the Great Priory of England near that of Canada . THE GREAT Suu-Pitton OF CANADA AND THE CHANCERY .

Before conclusion , I wish to express the deep debt of gratitude we all owe to our Great Sub-Prior , our V . E . Frater , Samuel B . Harman , who , taking upon himself , from the commencement , the burden of organising this Great Priory , ably assisted the Chancery in all matters of detail , and by his well known accuracy and care has placed our Great Priory on a sure foundation ; to him , then , are due

our warmest thanks , and by none more than by myself , the careful revision of the statues , forms , and returns are mainly , if not entirely , his work , and he has also satisfactoril y closed up all accounts with the Great Priory ° t England , procuring numerous missing certificates for members neglected by their own Preceptories . rhe Chancellor of the Great Priory will , I am sure , bear mc out in my estimation of his valuable services and the

Great Priory Of Canada.

I aid and assistance he has received , who , although him self conspicuous for his Masonic and other abilities , wai fortunate in his first year of office to have so proficieni and painstaking an instructor . I may here remark the duties of Chancellor are onerous and not to be acquired in a day , and it is neither wise nor desirable to change that officer when once his duties are

acquired . One little matter in the wording of the statutes appears to have quite escaped the notice of us all . I mean the oversight of continuing the word " Grand " as a prefix to the Officers' names , excepting as regard Past Rank . We are now designated a " Great Priory , " having discontinued the use of the word " Grand " for the more

English one of " Great ; " therefore , in addressing the Officers the prefix * ' Grand " should not be applied , and as " Great" appears to be distinctive of the Prior and Sub-Prior only , the proper mode of address should be thus : The " Chancellor " of the Great Priory , Szc . I am sure this mistake only requires to be pointed out to be corrected before the statutes are printed separately . If the Grand Master chooses to continue the word " Grand " for

his own title , it rests with himself ; but " Great Master " was also applied in ancient times . I would still continue to remind you that although the Order is honoured by the patronage of the Queen , and presided over by our future Sovereign , it will be of little account if merely looked upon as an honorary and honourable society , to which we belong , if we do not perpetuate the sacred and noble principles handed down to us by entering on some practical path of usefulness .

V . D . S . A . It may not be inappropriate , in conclusion , to explain the meaning of the initials , V . D . S . A ., which has been frequently asked me . They stand for Vcut—Dieu—Saint —Amour , " which constantly recur in the Chivalric Rituals of the Order , and at pauses in the ceremonies , repeated by all present , similar to the " Kyrie" in the High

Mass , and are also frequently placed at the head and termination of allocutions , letters , & c , & c , and sometimes with the cross patee between D . and S . " Dieu , Amour , Concorde , Paix a tous . Voila 1 Vobjet des leur travaux—V . D . S . A . —Voila les crix des Chevaliers du Temple "—say the old Chronicles . " Love to God , unity and peace to all . " Behold ! the object of

all their work ; behold ! the exclamation of the Kni ghts of the Temple— " We will love the Most Holy God . Brethren , with that admonition , I am ever , in the bonds of the Order , Yours faithfully and fraternally , W . J . B . MACLEOD MOOUE , G . C . T ., Great Prior of Canada ,

Honorary Member " Abbey Boyle , " Rosscommon , and " Kilmainham , " Dublin , Preceptories of Ireland ; and of the " Odo de St . Amand " Preceptory , Worcester , England ; "Geoffrey de St . Aldemar , " Toronto ; "Hugh de Payens , " Kingston , in Canada ; as also St . John ' s Commanelep > . Ttf- •" ¦ " p-iuo ; w . u ., exi .., w . c , eve .

General Grand Chapter Of The United States.

GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER OF THE UNITED STATES .

The Twenty-third Triennal Convocation of the General Grand Chapter of the United States was commenced at Buffalo , Tuesday , August 20 , the Convocation being opened at St . James ' s Hall . The escort to the General Grand Chapter formed in procession .

The honour of a passing salute was given by the officers to the M . E . General Grand High Priest , Hon . Elbert H . English , when passing the Tifft House . As the rear of the column reached this point the carriages occupied by the members o £ the General Grand Chapter fell into the line . On reaching the hall , the exercises opened promptly

with an overture by the Union Cornet Band , following which , prayer was offered by the Rev . L . Van Bokkelen , D . D . Next , the following song of welcome , written by M . E . David F . Day , and arranged by Prof . Louis H . Plogsted , was rendered with a band accompaniment : As old Niagara pours her tide ,

Resistless , full and free , Along our busy city ' s side To swell the distant sea ; So , Brethren of the Royal Art , The chosen and the true , We give with one united heart Our welcome unto you .

Ye come , as came old Israel's host In good Josiah ' s time , From Mamre ' s plain and Joppa ' s coast To Zion ' s height sublime ; The East and West each other greet In words of love divine—In peace this morn together meet The palm-tree and the pine .

With eager hands and hearts that move As moves a mighty sea , We offer you a brother ' s love , And greetings " three times three j " From thronging streets and opening doors The acclamation comes : Thrice welcome to our teeming shores , Our altars and our homes .

At the conclusion of the singing , Hon . Geo . W . Clintor was introduced , and delivered the address of welcome . The response of M . E . Comp . Elbert H . English , Gen Grand High Priest , was everything to be expected frorr so able and distinguished a Mason and jurist . We quotr the following :

General Grand Chapter Of The United States.

M . E . Sir and Companion , Companions , Sir Knights , Ladies and Gentlemen : We are much gratified to be welcomed here within the territorial jurisdiction of the M . E . Grand Chapter of the State of New York , in the cordial and complimentary terms in which you have been pleased to express such welcome .

Your Grand Chapter is among the oldest and strongest of the Royal Arch Unions , numbering upon its rolls over eighteen thousand members , good and useful men , and among them many distinguished Masons and citizens . New York was present , as you have well remarked , when the General Grand Chapter was founded , gave it support in its infancy , and has faithfully adhered to it

through all of its trials , as well as in its triumphs . Two of her illustrious sons , Dewitt Clinton , your noble father , sir , ant ! Edward Livingston , presided over its deliberations during a period of eighteen years , each one presiding three times three years . Their memories are enshrined in the hearts of all the Craftsmen—monuments more durable and more to be prized than the marble slabs

that mark their resting-places . We feel assured that the people of your great States are pleased that we are convened here , coming , as we do , on a peaceful mission , with purpose to benefit our fellow men New York is an empire of itself , measuring 47 , 000 square miles of territory , occupied by four millions and a half of people—a million and a half more than the population of

our whole country , when our forefathers rebelled against King George , fought the memorable battles of the Revolution , and established our free institutions . In Masonry , in agriculture , in commerce , in the arts , in jurisprudence and in statesmanship , New York has been a leading State ; and her people have faithfully , and in spirit , as well as in letter , clung to the constitution ordained for a free people by our

patriotic forefathers , and guarded with vigilance under all the trying events through which our country has passed , national liberty—which is liberty regulated by law . We rejoice to visit , as pilgrims , the land of Kent , the father of American jurisprudence , and of Washington Irving , the father of American literature . We are much delighted to be welcomed here by the

generous Masons and citizens of Buffalo , a city sitting like a majestic queen on the shore of your inland sea , bathing her feet in its limpid waters , crowned with laurels of lake commerce , with 150 , 000 good-looking and busy children gathered about her—I say 150 , 000 children , because in 1870 they numbered nearly 118 , 000 , and judging from her fruitfulncss during preceding decades , 1 take

it for granted that she has a large increase of her family in the last seven years—and her honoured and honourable Mayor , the father of all these children , may well be proud of his growing family , and deserves credit for keeping them measurably quiet during the recent disturbances . May God grant him bread to feed them bountifully in the future .

We stand uncovered , and pause-. Hdri ' reu countryman , *? .. S 3- . <\ . A \ We ' . ' " ' ' ' We have felt that we were welcome since we reached your city . By your address , sir , so aptly and happily expressed , we are confirmed in this impression . By the presence of this goodly company—this striking array of the local Royal Craft—by the brig ht eyes of beautiful

ladies , blooming like the flowers of my own sunny land , we arc eloquently told that we are welcome . By the enlivcninc ; and cheering strains of vocal and instrumental music , of surpassing melody and harmony , we are told that we are welcome . By the earnest appeals of the reverend Minister to Heaven , and to that God whom all true Masons worship ' for our protection and happiness , we

are assured of our welcome . And by the nodding plumes and flashing swords ot the gallant Templars , who have escorted us to this hall , we are finally and doubly assured of courtesy and hospitality while in your city . These swords , however , do not mean war . They are but symbols , and indicate that the gallant Templars stand ever ready to defend and protect the helpless and innocent .

But if the trumpet calls to war , these chivalric Knights would rally under their banners , and with stout hearts and strong arms , do battle in the cause of justice , liberty , free thought , and freedom of conscience I We are here , sir , as the representatives of thirty-five State Grand Chapters , and a number of subordinates , scattered over the American territories , and some

beyond the deep seas . We also represent in general matters over 130 , 000 working Royal Arch Masons—men neither too indolent to be on the affiliation rolls nor too miserly to contribute small sums for the charities of the Order . We represent principles as old as the rivers , and as firmly fixed as the mountains in their beds—aye , princiht

ples that will endure for ever—for faith is lost in sig , hope in fruition , but Charity , the synonym of Masonry , continues beyond the grave , through all eternity . Charity never faileth I When the Angel ot the last day shall place one foot on the land and the other on the sea , and proclaim trumpet-tongued , that time shall be no more ; and when the smouldering and pent-up fires that consume the heart of our fellow planet shall

explode , and shiver it into atoms ; and when the new earth shall appear , clothed in verdure , charity shall be its first inhabitant . We represent the working-men of our country . In secular matters , we work on the farms , in the shops , at the counter , at the bedside , and the bar , navigate the rivers and plough the seas . And for the good of humanity wc work in the lodges , chapters , commanderies , councils ,

and consistories . We come here from every section of our great country to shake hands with each other , improve ourselves in the noble art by an interchange of thoughts , by obtaining lig ht one from another , and to consult upon such