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Article MASONIC MEMORIAL SERVICE AT CAPE TOWN. ← Page 2 of 2 Article UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND. Page 1 of 1
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Masonic Memorial Service At Cape Town.
All things change , and we ourselves are changed and changing . Change upon change is the sad law of this mysterious tragedy of life ; and of all these changes death is the crown—the greatest and the last change . All other changes are as nothing compared with this , " to pass into wholly altered , wholly untried conditions ; to lose our foothold on the sands of Time ; to fail from the presence of our former selves ; to know that the moment is approaching when we shall be face to face
with the Unknown " it is the greatest of this change which strikes the strongest heart with awe , whichstartles us when the dark shadow of death is suddenly cast over the bri ght sunshine of our daily , busy , joyous , careless , thoughtless , perhaps Godless , lives . It is the greatness of the change which gives its solemnity to this truth that in the midst of life we are in death . Yes , in the midst of life I For death has no choice of time or of season .-
Leaves have their time to fall , And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath ; And stars to set—but all Thou hast all seasons for Thine own , O Death I
In the freshness and gladness of the sweet morning hour ; in the heat and the hurry of the noontide ; in the calm stillness that surrounds the setting sun and the dying day ; in the hushed silence of the solemn night watches , death is there . In the freshness ofthe bri ghtness ofthe budding spring , in the glory of the unclouded summer , in the fading glow of autumn , in the coldness and the gloom of winter , death is there . On days ( such as this ) when Nature seems in sympathy with
Death , and all is dark and dreary , and in harmony with our own sad and sombre thoughts , we have carried forth our dead to bury them out of our si ght , and we left them with a shudder in the cold wet grave . Or we have followed the dead on days of perfect loveliness , when on the air and on the deep the smile of Heaven lay , and it seemed to add a new sting to death to die and leave this fair world . In the innocence of childhood , in the strength and vigour of manhood , in the waning years of later life , and in the evening of old age , death is there .
Death is where billows foam , Death is where music melts upon the air , Death is around us in our peaceful home ; And the world calls us forth—and death is there ! And as death has no choice of time or season , so death—it is a truism to say—death knows no distinction of rank or of fortune . The boast of heraldry , the pomp of power , all the beauty and
the wealth of the world , await alike the inevitable hour—the hour of death . This is the one event that comes alike to all . Widely different though men are in the position and circumstances of their lives ; widely different even in the surroundings of their deaths . One d ying in his full strength , wholly at ease and quiet , and another dying in the bitterness of his soul , yet in the act of death they are not divided . They lie down alike in the dust and the worms cover them . Here ,
indeed , meet on the level the prince and the peasant , high and low , rich and poor ; the wise men also die and perish together as well as the ignorant and foolish , and leave their riches to others ; for he shall carry nothing away with him when he dieth , neither shall his pomp follow him . Virtue is the only true nobility , and does not borrow but sheds lustre upon the external advantages of rank and wealth , which shine with a loftier dignity in the persons of the virtuous and the honourable .
And such was our departed brother and Pro G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon .. Right honourable indeed , not only in title , but in character and in life , " a selfless man and stainless gentleman . " Of illustrious descent , of the noble family of Herbert , a name as distinguished in literature in the persons of Lord Herbert of Cherburg , and of the gentle George Herbert , the ideal " Country Parson , " as in arms and in statesmanshi p , and numbering among its connections
Sir Philip Sidney . Henry , fourth Earl of Carnarvon , was himself distinguished as an accomplished scholar , as an honourable and upright statesman , as a genial and courteous gentleman , and as an earnest and devout churchman . As a scholar he was an author of no mean repute , and had filled the high offices of High Steward of the University of Oxford , as well as Chancellor of the University of tine Cape ; as a statesman he had served his Queen and countr ) in the lofty
position of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Secretary of State for the Colonies . But it is in his character as a Mason that we are specially met to deplore his loss . Here , too , his career was bright and distinguished . Initiated into Masonry in the Apollo Lodge at Oxford , in 1852 , he soon rose to prominence in the Order , and was appointed Deputy G . M . by the Marquis of Ripon , and in this capacity installed the Prince of Wales as Grand Master in 1875 , in the presence of 8000 Masons
from almost all parts of the Empire . By the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , he was himself appointed Pro Grand Master of England—an office which is only called into exercise when a Prince of the Blood Royal accepts the office of Grand Master . In this capacity he also presided , during his visit to the Cape in 188 7 , at the consecration of the new temple of the British Lodge , and all who were privileged to meet him on that occasion will long remember his kindly words and
genial courtesy . Long may his memory be cherished among Masons . His body is buried in peace , but his name liveth evermore . What are the lessons of his life to us ? His death this mourning lodge has brought before us the memento mori which ) Masons should never forget , have reminded us afresh of the truth , so true yet so unwelcome that in the midst of life we are in death . But has his life no lessons for us , who are as yet in the midst of life •> My brethren , is it fanciful
to see in the motto of the noble house of Herbert the war cry of the family which records in quaint chivalrous old Norman-French Rug je Servirai—one will I serve —the unity of purpose which ( I venture to think ) was the guiding principle of Lord Carnarvon's life , the lesson which we , as men and Masons , may well learn from his distinguished career V "The death of Lord Carnarvon , " wrote a recent newspaper critic , " has taken from politics one of the fairest , most candid , and gentle of statesmen . His career was the outcome of a
character singularly attractive in private life , but rarely effectual for public action in stormy times . He tried to rise above prejudice and rancour , and to soften the edge of controversy . Yet his was not an undecided mind , and he could act with firmness . The churchman who was proud to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr . Spurgeon , the Conservative who hoped to reconcile Mr . William O'Brien and Colonel Saunderson , the administrator who passed the Bill for uniting the Canadas in one dominion , was true to himself . He wanted to make all men as kind and fair to each other as he was kind and fair to all men . This is
not the place nor is this the time for political allusions , but may not we South Africans see in his unsuccessful scheme for the confederation of the South African Colonies and States another instance of his desire for conciliation and unification ? It is not given to many of us to occupy positions of rank and influence such as his , but every one of us , each in his vocation and according to his opportunities , may
learn to do what in him lies for the unity , and the softening of the asperities of life—social , political , and , may I add , religious . And for this end there must be an unity of purpose and of mind in ourselves—one must we serve , one must we fear . " Fear our God and know no other fear . " Friend of our hearts , rest in peace , until raised by the Great Master ' s word mayest thou share with us the blessing of immortal life and unfading glory .
After further service the District Grand Lodge retired , and the proceedings concluded .
The German Emperor , who consented a short time since , at the invitation of the Duke of Edinburgh , to become a patron of the Royal Sailors' Home , Portsea , has sent , through the German Ambassador , a cheque for £ 50 to the funds of the institution .
United Grand Lodge Of England.
UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .
The following is the business to be transacted in Grand Lodge on Wednesday , the 3 rd prox . : — 1 . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 4 th June for confirmation . 2 . The following resolution will be moved in the name and on behalf of
his Royal Highness the Most Worshi pful Grand Master on the melancholy occasion of the lamented death of the late Most Worshi pful Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England : That Grand Lodge has received , with the most profound regret , the sad inteU ligence of the decease of the late Right Honourable the Earl of
Carnarvon , who , for upwards of 15 years , had held the exalted position of Pro Grand Master of the Order in this jurisdiction , and it desires to place on record its grateful appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by him to English Freemasonry during the whole of that period .
His wise advice , his just rulings , and his unfailing courtesy will long be re * membered by Grand Lodge , over whose deliberations he has so often presided with conspicuous ability , whilst his unceasing exertions for , and devotion to the best interests of the Craft will ever be recognised as
having signally contributed to the high position it now occupies . It will further be moved : — That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Countess of Carnarvon , with the expression of the deep sympathy felt b y Grand Lodge with her in her sad bereavement .
3 . Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which are recom ^ - mendations for the following Grants , viz .: — A brother of the Burrell Lodge , No . 1829 , Shoreham . £ 80 0 o
A brother of the Duke of Athol Lodge , No . 2 io , Denton ... $ 0 o o A brother of the Gosport Lodge , No . 903 , Gosport ... 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Star in the East Lodge , No . 6 < o , Harwich . . .. ¦ ... ... 50 0 o
4 . REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board have to report that in consequence of the abolition of the duty on gold plate , they have been enabled to reduce the cost of the Charity jewel from its present price , £ 2 , to £ 1 17 s .
The Board also submit a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts , at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 15 th day of August instant , showing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Bank ) of ^ 4 , 97 6 8 s . 4 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and
for servants' wages £ 100 , and balance of annual allowance for library £ 3 6 13 s . 1 id ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 19 th August , 1890 .
5 . Application from a body styling itself " The Grand Lodge of New Zealand , " dated ist May , 1890 , requesting its recognition by the Grand Lodge of England as the sole Masonic jurisdiction in that colony . 6 . Application from a body styling itself "The Grand Lodge of Tasmania " dated 12 th July , 1890 , requesting its recognition by the Grand Lodge of England as the sole Masonic jurisdiction in that colony .
List of lodges for which warrants have been granted by the M . W . Grand Master since the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge ;—No . 2371 . —The Felix Lodge , Felixstowe , Suffolk . 2372 . —The James Terry Lodge , Cheshunt , Hertfordshire . 2373 . —The Hardwick Lodge , Chesterfield , Derbyshire .
2374 . —The William Shurmur Lodge , Chingford , Essex . 2375 . —The Hilbre Lodge , Hoylake , Cheshire . 237 6 . —The Carnarvon Lodge , Leyland , Lancashire ( W . D . ) . 2377 . —The Royal Connaught Lodge , Ahmednagar , Bombay . 2378 . —The Fenwick Lodge , Woolloongabba , Brisbane , Queensland .
The South Australian Freemason says : " Some of our brethren may have noticed that in the list of Grand Lodges with which our Grand Lodge exchanges representatives , the name of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania does not appear . The explanation is this—that Grand Lodge holds that no body is entitled to be recognised as a Grand Lodge unless it holds jurisdiction over every lodge in its district ; and as the Leinster Lodge in Adelaide , by agreement between the Grand
Lodge of South Australia and the Grand Lodge of Ireland , still continues to work under an Irish charter , our Grand Lodge is deemed by that of Pennsylvania to be non-Masonic . Masons therefore made in South Australia cannot be received in a Pennsylvania lodge , and in that State would be regarded as ' Cowans . ' We consider it most unfair that any American Grand Lodge should attempt to force upon us the American doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction . The British and Australasian
doctrine is that on the erection of a new Grand Lodge any lodge desiring to remain in allegiance to its parent Grand Lodge should be permitted to do so . In our eyes this is strictly fair and Masonic . Coercion should be unknown in Masonry . It is unfair that a doctrine purely of American origin , however beneficial it may be in the United States , should be applied to the Masonic affairs of other countries where a different doctrine has been amicably agreed to by the sole parties
interested . The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , too , stands convicted of inconsistency in the pages of its own ' Proceedings , ' as therein is set forth that it does recognise the Grand Lodges of Quebec and Scotland , neither of which possess exclusive jurisdiction within their own boundaries . Quebec certainly ( although illogically ) claims it as a right ; but the Grand Lodge of Scotland recognises the Masonic standing of one lodge in Scotland which is independent of her , namely , the Freemason Lodge , St . John , Melrose . It is a curious thing to note , too , that
not a single Grand Lodge on the Continent of Europe is recognised by Pennsylvania . Do our Pennsylvania brethren mean us to gather from this that they consider Freemasonry in Europe non-existent ? We are g lad to be able to add to these remarks that the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania stands almost alone in its view of what constitutes a legal Grand Lodge . The other Grand Lodges of the States rightly maintain the American doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction in the case of North American Freemasonry , but do not demand that it shall be observed in the case of other countries where they themselves have no foothold . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Memorial Service At Cape Town.
All things change , and we ourselves are changed and changing . Change upon change is the sad law of this mysterious tragedy of life ; and of all these changes death is the crown—the greatest and the last change . All other changes are as nothing compared with this , " to pass into wholly altered , wholly untried conditions ; to lose our foothold on the sands of Time ; to fail from the presence of our former selves ; to know that the moment is approaching when we shall be face to face
with the Unknown " it is the greatest of this change which strikes the strongest heart with awe , whichstartles us when the dark shadow of death is suddenly cast over the bri ght sunshine of our daily , busy , joyous , careless , thoughtless , perhaps Godless , lives . It is the greatness of the change which gives its solemnity to this truth that in the midst of life we are in death . Yes , in the midst of life I For death has no choice of time or of season .-
Leaves have their time to fall , And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath ; And stars to set—but all Thou hast all seasons for Thine own , O Death I
In the freshness and gladness of the sweet morning hour ; in the heat and the hurry of the noontide ; in the calm stillness that surrounds the setting sun and the dying day ; in the hushed silence of the solemn night watches , death is there . In the freshness ofthe bri ghtness ofthe budding spring , in the glory of the unclouded summer , in the fading glow of autumn , in the coldness and the gloom of winter , death is there . On days ( such as this ) when Nature seems in sympathy with
Death , and all is dark and dreary , and in harmony with our own sad and sombre thoughts , we have carried forth our dead to bury them out of our si ght , and we left them with a shudder in the cold wet grave . Or we have followed the dead on days of perfect loveliness , when on the air and on the deep the smile of Heaven lay , and it seemed to add a new sting to death to die and leave this fair world . In the innocence of childhood , in the strength and vigour of manhood , in the waning years of later life , and in the evening of old age , death is there .
Death is where billows foam , Death is where music melts upon the air , Death is around us in our peaceful home ; And the world calls us forth—and death is there ! And as death has no choice of time or season , so death—it is a truism to say—death knows no distinction of rank or of fortune . The boast of heraldry , the pomp of power , all the beauty and
the wealth of the world , await alike the inevitable hour—the hour of death . This is the one event that comes alike to all . Widely different though men are in the position and circumstances of their lives ; widely different even in the surroundings of their deaths . One d ying in his full strength , wholly at ease and quiet , and another dying in the bitterness of his soul , yet in the act of death they are not divided . They lie down alike in the dust and the worms cover them . Here ,
indeed , meet on the level the prince and the peasant , high and low , rich and poor ; the wise men also die and perish together as well as the ignorant and foolish , and leave their riches to others ; for he shall carry nothing away with him when he dieth , neither shall his pomp follow him . Virtue is the only true nobility , and does not borrow but sheds lustre upon the external advantages of rank and wealth , which shine with a loftier dignity in the persons of the virtuous and the honourable .
And such was our departed brother and Pro G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon .. Right honourable indeed , not only in title , but in character and in life , " a selfless man and stainless gentleman . " Of illustrious descent , of the noble family of Herbert , a name as distinguished in literature in the persons of Lord Herbert of Cherburg , and of the gentle George Herbert , the ideal " Country Parson , " as in arms and in statesmanshi p , and numbering among its connections
Sir Philip Sidney . Henry , fourth Earl of Carnarvon , was himself distinguished as an accomplished scholar , as an honourable and upright statesman , as a genial and courteous gentleman , and as an earnest and devout churchman . As a scholar he was an author of no mean repute , and had filled the high offices of High Steward of the University of Oxford , as well as Chancellor of the University of tine Cape ; as a statesman he had served his Queen and countr ) in the lofty
position of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Secretary of State for the Colonies . But it is in his character as a Mason that we are specially met to deplore his loss . Here , too , his career was bright and distinguished . Initiated into Masonry in the Apollo Lodge at Oxford , in 1852 , he soon rose to prominence in the Order , and was appointed Deputy G . M . by the Marquis of Ripon , and in this capacity installed the Prince of Wales as Grand Master in 1875 , in the presence of 8000 Masons
from almost all parts of the Empire . By the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , he was himself appointed Pro Grand Master of England—an office which is only called into exercise when a Prince of the Blood Royal accepts the office of Grand Master . In this capacity he also presided , during his visit to the Cape in 188 7 , at the consecration of the new temple of the British Lodge , and all who were privileged to meet him on that occasion will long remember his kindly words and
genial courtesy . Long may his memory be cherished among Masons . His body is buried in peace , but his name liveth evermore . What are the lessons of his life to us ? His death this mourning lodge has brought before us the memento mori which ) Masons should never forget , have reminded us afresh of the truth , so true yet so unwelcome that in the midst of life we are in death . But has his life no lessons for us , who are as yet in the midst of life •> My brethren , is it fanciful
to see in the motto of the noble house of Herbert the war cry of the family which records in quaint chivalrous old Norman-French Rug je Servirai—one will I serve —the unity of purpose which ( I venture to think ) was the guiding principle of Lord Carnarvon's life , the lesson which we , as men and Masons , may well learn from his distinguished career V "The death of Lord Carnarvon , " wrote a recent newspaper critic , " has taken from politics one of the fairest , most candid , and gentle of statesmen . His career was the outcome of a
character singularly attractive in private life , but rarely effectual for public action in stormy times . He tried to rise above prejudice and rancour , and to soften the edge of controversy . Yet his was not an undecided mind , and he could act with firmness . The churchman who was proud to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr . Spurgeon , the Conservative who hoped to reconcile Mr . William O'Brien and Colonel Saunderson , the administrator who passed the Bill for uniting the Canadas in one dominion , was true to himself . He wanted to make all men as kind and fair to each other as he was kind and fair to all men . This is
not the place nor is this the time for political allusions , but may not we South Africans see in his unsuccessful scheme for the confederation of the South African Colonies and States another instance of his desire for conciliation and unification ? It is not given to many of us to occupy positions of rank and influence such as his , but every one of us , each in his vocation and according to his opportunities , may
learn to do what in him lies for the unity , and the softening of the asperities of life—social , political , and , may I add , religious . And for this end there must be an unity of purpose and of mind in ourselves—one must we serve , one must we fear . " Fear our God and know no other fear . " Friend of our hearts , rest in peace , until raised by the Great Master ' s word mayest thou share with us the blessing of immortal life and unfading glory .
After further service the District Grand Lodge retired , and the proceedings concluded .
The German Emperor , who consented a short time since , at the invitation of the Duke of Edinburgh , to become a patron of the Royal Sailors' Home , Portsea , has sent , through the German Ambassador , a cheque for £ 50 to the funds of the institution .
United Grand Lodge Of England.
UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .
The following is the business to be transacted in Grand Lodge on Wednesday , the 3 rd prox . : — 1 . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 4 th June for confirmation . 2 . The following resolution will be moved in the name and on behalf of
his Royal Highness the Most Worshi pful Grand Master on the melancholy occasion of the lamented death of the late Most Worshi pful Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master of England : That Grand Lodge has received , with the most profound regret , the sad inteU ligence of the decease of the late Right Honourable the Earl of
Carnarvon , who , for upwards of 15 years , had held the exalted position of Pro Grand Master of the Order in this jurisdiction , and it desires to place on record its grateful appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by him to English Freemasonry during the whole of that period .
His wise advice , his just rulings , and his unfailing courtesy will long be re * membered by Grand Lodge , over whose deliberations he has so often presided with conspicuous ability , whilst his unceasing exertions for , and devotion to the best interests of the Craft will ever be recognised as
having signally contributed to the high position it now occupies . It will further be moved : — That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Countess of Carnarvon , with the expression of the deep sympathy felt b y Grand Lodge with her in her sad bereavement .
3 . Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which are recom ^ - mendations for the following Grants , viz .: — A brother of the Burrell Lodge , No . 1829 , Shoreham . £ 80 0 o
A brother of the Duke of Athol Lodge , No . 2 io , Denton ... $ 0 o o A brother of the Gosport Lodge , No . 903 , Gosport ... 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Star in the East Lodge , No . 6 < o , Harwich . . .. ¦ ... ... 50 0 o
4 . REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board have to report that in consequence of the abolition of the duty on gold plate , they have been enabled to reduce the cost of the Charity jewel from its present price , £ 2 , to £ 1 17 s .
The Board also submit a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts , at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 15 th day of August instant , showing a balance in the Bank of England ( Western Bank ) of ^ 4 , 97 6 8 s . 4 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 100 , and
for servants' wages £ 100 , and balance of annual allowance for library £ 3 6 13 s . 1 id ( Signed ) THOMAS FENN , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 19 th August , 1890 .
5 . Application from a body styling itself " The Grand Lodge of New Zealand , " dated ist May , 1890 , requesting its recognition by the Grand Lodge of England as the sole Masonic jurisdiction in that colony . 6 . Application from a body styling itself "The Grand Lodge of Tasmania " dated 12 th July , 1890 , requesting its recognition by the Grand Lodge of England as the sole Masonic jurisdiction in that colony .
List of lodges for which warrants have been granted by the M . W . Grand Master since the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge ;—No . 2371 . —The Felix Lodge , Felixstowe , Suffolk . 2372 . —The James Terry Lodge , Cheshunt , Hertfordshire . 2373 . —The Hardwick Lodge , Chesterfield , Derbyshire .
2374 . —The William Shurmur Lodge , Chingford , Essex . 2375 . —The Hilbre Lodge , Hoylake , Cheshire . 237 6 . —The Carnarvon Lodge , Leyland , Lancashire ( W . D . ) . 2377 . —The Royal Connaught Lodge , Ahmednagar , Bombay . 2378 . —The Fenwick Lodge , Woolloongabba , Brisbane , Queensland .
The South Australian Freemason says : " Some of our brethren may have noticed that in the list of Grand Lodges with which our Grand Lodge exchanges representatives , the name of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania does not appear . The explanation is this—that Grand Lodge holds that no body is entitled to be recognised as a Grand Lodge unless it holds jurisdiction over every lodge in its district ; and as the Leinster Lodge in Adelaide , by agreement between the Grand
Lodge of South Australia and the Grand Lodge of Ireland , still continues to work under an Irish charter , our Grand Lodge is deemed by that of Pennsylvania to be non-Masonic . Masons therefore made in South Australia cannot be received in a Pennsylvania lodge , and in that State would be regarded as ' Cowans . ' We consider it most unfair that any American Grand Lodge should attempt to force upon us the American doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction . The British and Australasian
doctrine is that on the erection of a new Grand Lodge any lodge desiring to remain in allegiance to its parent Grand Lodge should be permitted to do so . In our eyes this is strictly fair and Masonic . Coercion should be unknown in Masonry . It is unfair that a doctrine purely of American origin , however beneficial it may be in the United States , should be applied to the Masonic affairs of other countries where a different doctrine has been amicably agreed to by the sole parties
interested . The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , too , stands convicted of inconsistency in the pages of its own ' Proceedings , ' as therein is set forth that it does recognise the Grand Lodges of Quebec and Scotland , neither of which possess exclusive jurisdiction within their own boundaries . Quebec certainly ( although illogically ) claims it as a right ; but the Grand Lodge of Scotland recognises the Masonic standing of one lodge in Scotland which is independent of her , namely , the Freemason Lodge , St . John , Melrose . It is a curious thing to note , too , that
not a single Grand Lodge on the Continent of Europe is recognised by Pennsylvania . Do our Pennsylvania brethren mean us to gather from this that they consider Freemasonry in Europe non-existent ? We are g lad to be able to add to these remarks that the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania stands almost alone in its view of what constitutes a legal Grand Lodge . The other Grand Lodges of the States rightly maintain the American doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction in the case of North American Freemasonry , but do not demand that it shall be observed in the case of other countries where they themselves have no foothold . "