Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Address Of The V. H. And E. Sir Kt. Col. W.J. B. Macleod Moore.
integral part of an order , great " per se , " desiring a continuance of our connection with the parent stock . At the same time 1 fully concur in the steps taken by this Grand Priory , and contend that Ave are entitled to hold the position of a national
or great priory , co-equal with those of the nationalities of the empire , aud under the direct rule of our royal Grand Master . We feel that it is not consistent with the dignity of this vast dominion , or the high position the order now holds in Canada ,
and the confidence and self-reliance of its members in their OAVU ability to sustain its prestige , to be recognized merely as a subordinate body of the Great Priory of England ; and I am fully prepared to assist in attaining this end by using every lawful
means in our poAver , Avhile discountenancing any hasty movement that Avould tend to rend asunder ties Ave have always been taught to consider sacred , nor can I , consistently , take part in any action for independence unless sanctioned by constitutional
authority of the parent body , Avho may themselves desire this separation . i regret to find that amongst some of the preceptories in England much discontent
and dissatisfaction prcA'ails at the recent changes in the Constitution : objections being made principally to the omission of the word Masonic in the title of the order , the abolition of past rank , and change in the officers' titles j and memorials have been fonvarded from some of the provincial
priories to the Great Priory , expressive of their disapprobation , and complaining that the changes had been adopted Avithout time being allowed for a full discussion by the members of the order at large . It appears to me thatin great partsuch
, , complaints in England as to the Avorking of the new statutes are founded on erroneous ideas , and Avant of proper information . The mere non-insertion of the word Masonic in the title of the order is in no Avay an alteration of the Constitution ,
and there has been no severance of the Masonic connection , but the reverse , as the recent rule extends the Masonic qualification , and no change was made in the old law . It is useful to remember that the ^ yol ¦ d Masonic has not been droppedit has
, simply not been inserted in the new title of the order , Avhich was necessary , because the official titles in England , Scotland , and Ireland all differed ; in the same Avay no
new names of officers haA'e been createdthe commissioners appointed to reA'ise the statutes have only made a choice , out of titles already used in England , Scotland , and Ireland , of those Avhich seemed most iu consonance with the spirit of the order ,
taking what seemed best from all , and desiring not to favour any one of the nationalities . Unfortunately , the union of the Grand Body of Scotland has been delayed ; but the committee had no reason to suppose this would be the case , and took
Avhat was good from the Scottish branch of the order , as Avell as from the others . As regards past rank , the number of officers , Avho , in the course of years , carried such rank , rendered the order simply ridiculous , and Avhich mig ht be likened to an army of
officers and no soldiers ; the expressed Avish in this case , has not , hoAvever , been ignored , and the proceedings of the Great Priory in May last , recently received ,
notify that a partial restoration of jiast rank has been recommended by the council , and the subject remains open for further discussion . My OAVU opinion is , that some other ivay of reAvarcling national and provincial officers for their services
during the terms of office might be devised , such as conferring a distinguishing badge for all past officers , and this , I believe , has already been under consideration . Amongst other objections raised against the present titles , a prominent one is
, " That the order , under the present designation , tacitly assumes an identity Avith the Templars of old , which deprives it of its legitimate claim to be treated as an integral portion of the entire system of Freemasonry . " Should this claim to
represent the ancient order be set aside , the craft , at the same time ignoring it as a degree of Masonry , what does it represent ? It seems almost a sufficient and conclusive
ansAver to such objection m England to refer to the last clause of the Articles of Union of the Grand Lodges of England in 1813 , Avhich provides for meetings of the degrees of Chivalry according to the constitutions of the said orders , clearly implying that the Templar degree Avas then
considered one of the orders of knighthood , albeit in emmection with Freemasonry . As this objection goes to the very foundation of the present organization of the Temple , it is of the greatest importance that you should have the fullest informa-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Address Of The V. H. And E. Sir Kt. Col. W.J. B. Macleod Moore.
integral part of an order , great " per se , " desiring a continuance of our connection with the parent stock . At the same time 1 fully concur in the steps taken by this Grand Priory , and contend that Ave are entitled to hold the position of a national
or great priory , co-equal with those of the nationalities of the empire , aud under the direct rule of our royal Grand Master . We feel that it is not consistent with the dignity of this vast dominion , or the high position the order now holds in Canada ,
and the confidence and self-reliance of its members in their OAVU ability to sustain its prestige , to be recognized merely as a subordinate body of the Great Priory of England ; and I am fully prepared to assist in attaining this end by using every lawful
means in our poAver , Avhile discountenancing any hasty movement that Avould tend to rend asunder ties Ave have always been taught to consider sacred , nor can I , consistently , take part in any action for independence unless sanctioned by constitutional
authority of the parent body , Avho may themselves desire this separation . i regret to find that amongst some of the preceptories in England much discontent
and dissatisfaction prcA'ails at the recent changes in the Constitution : objections being made principally to the omission of the word Masonic in the title of the order , the abolition of past rank , and change in the officers' titles j and memorials have been fonvarded from some of the provincial
priories to the Great Priory , expressive of their disapprobation , and complaining that the changes had been adopted Avithout time being allowed for a full discussion by the members of the order at large . It appears to me thatin great partsuch
, , complaints in England as to the Avorking of the new statutes are founded on erroneous ideas , and Avant of proper information . The mere non-insertion of the word Masonic in the title of the order is in no Avay an alteration of the Constitution ,
and there has been no severance of the Masonic connection , but the reverse , as the recent rule extends the Masonic qualification , and no change was made in the old law . It is useful to remember that the ^ yol ¦ d Masonic has not been droppedit has
, simply not been inserted in the new title of the order , Avhich was necessary , because the official titles in England , Scotland , and Ireland all differed ; in the same Avay no
new names of officers haA'e been createdthe commissioners appointed to reA'ise the statutes have only made a choice , out of titles already used in England , Scotland , and Ireland , of those Avhich seemed most iu consonance with the spirit of the order ,
taking what seemed best from all , and desiring not to favour any one of the nationalities . Unfortunately , the union of the Grand Body of Scotland has been delayed ; but the committee had no reason to suppose this would be the case , and took
Avhat was good from the Scottish branch of the order , as Avell as from the others . As regards past rank , the number of officers , Avho , in the course of years , carried such rank , rendered the order simply ridiculous , and Avhich mig ht be likened to an army of
officers and no soldiers ; the expressed Avish in this case , has not , hoAvever , been ignored , and the proceedings of the Great Priory in May last , recently received ,
notify that a partial restoration of jiast rank has been recommended by the council , and the subject remains open for further discussion . My OAVU opinion is , that some other ivay of reAvarcling national and provincial officers for their services
during the terms of office might be devised , such as conferring a distinguishing badge for all past officers , and this , I believe , has already been under consideration . Amongst other objections raised against the present titles , a prominent one is
, " That the order , under the present designation , tacitly assumes an identity Avith the Templars of old , which deprives it of its legitimate claim to be treated as an integral portion of the entire system of Freemasonry . " Should this claim to
represent the ancient order be set aside , the craft , at the same time ignoring it as a degree of Masonry , what does it represent ? It seems almost a sufficient and conclusive
ansAver to such objection m England to refer to the last clause of the Articles of Union of the Grand Lodges of England in 1813 , Avhich provides for meetings of the degrees of Chivalry according to the constitutions of the said orders , clearly implying that the Templar degree Avas then
considered one of the orders of knighthood , albeit in emmection with Freemasonry . As this objection goes to the very foundation of the present organization of the Temple , it is of the greatest importance that you should have the fullest informa-