Grand Priory Of Canada.

and extensive knowledge on all Masonic subjects caused his opinion to be courted and respected . In his immediate connection as our Grand Chancellor with myself I ever found him zealous , ready , and able to assist , with a matured tact and judgment , in promoting the best interests of the Order ,

aud in reconciling conflicting opinions ; in a word , his heart was in his work , and he neither spared time nor labour in whatever he undertook , indeed it is much to be feared , that his self-imposed burden was beyond his strengthand that the anxieties

, consequent on his close and unremitting application to the duties of his various offices insensibly undermined his health , and led to his lamented removal , at a comparatively early age , and in the full vigour of his great usefulness . Our late frater

was born in Bristol , England , on the 22 ud of July , 1819 , and in his 30 th year removed to Canada and settled at Hamilton as his subsequent residence . The various offices he so long and honourably held in the Masonic body are matters of history

in the Canadian craft , and will be recorded by many a sorrowing hand . Suffice it here to say that he was installed a Knight Templar and Knight of Malta in the Genessee Encampment at Lockport , State of New York , in April , 1854 , and in 1855 obtained a warrant from the S . Grand

Conclave of Ireland to open an Encampment to be attached , according to the regulations pertaining to that jurisdiction , to Barton Lodge , Hamilton , at that time No . 231 L R ., of which lie had been W . M . This warrant was subsequently exchanged for one under the S . Grand Conclave of

England , and \\ ales , under which he opened as Eminent Preceptor , the Preceptory so well known as the Godfrey de Bouillon of Hamilton , and although occasional elections of other preceptors have been made from time to time , the fratres seemed ever glad to resort to his lead and presidency , as

evidenced by his reinstatement in that office on eig ht different occasions ; in the Provincial Grand Conclave , which preceded the erection of Canada into a Grand Priory , he held the offices of Prov . Grand Chamberlain , Prov . Grand PriorDeputy Prov . Gr .

, Commander and Prov . Grand Chancellor , and under the Grand Priory those of Grand Chancellor and Provincial or District Prior of the Western Division or District of Ontario . Hs was also appointed by patent

in 1868 to the rank of a Past Grand Sub Prior of the S . Grand Conclave of England and Wales . By his death a foremost place is vacant in our ranks , a true friend and brother has passed for ever from amongst us , but whose name will ever be remembered and respected by every Canadian

Templar , as well as by every Mason , of whatsoever degree , throughout the length and breadth of this vast Dominion . Rest in peace ! our Brother and Companion ! and enjoy the reward of the faithful Soldier of the Cross ! It was with much regret I had to direct our late Grand Chancellor to announce to

you the death of our Most Eminent and Supreme Ex-Grand Master William Stuart , Esq ., of Aldenham Abbey , on the 7 th July last , in the 7 6 th year of his age , and to require that all members attending this Grand Priory , should appear in appropriate mourning , and also to continue to wear it

in private preeeptori . es for the next three months , as a tribute of respect to departed worth , and I feel convinced I only anticipated your wishes , by at once writing in your name letters of condolence to his widow and eldest son , Col . William Stuart , a Provincial Prior of England . Our Ex-Grand Master was of a distinguished lineage , being the eldest son of the Hon . and Most Eev .

William Stuart , D . D ., Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland , his grandfather being the illustrious statesmen and minister of George III ., John Earl of Bute , who married the daughter of the celebrated and accomplished lady Mary Wortley Montague , daughter of the Duke of

Kingston . A distinguished compliment was conferred on the Grand Priory of Canada , in my person as your Grand Prior , in his presenting me , as a special mark of favour , with the insignia of office as an accompaniment to my patent as Grand Prior .

In our own immediate circle a most estimable Brother , Sir Knight James V . Noel of the Hugh de Payens preceptory at Kingston , who was with us at the last meeting of the Grand Priory , has passed to his final rest respected and regretted by all .

And now , even at the time of writing , the electric wires flash the melancholy tidings of yet another and still more illustrious brother taken from the ranks of Masonry , the venerated and venerable The