Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
unconstitutional treatment ; and further , has threatened that in the event of the members of Ijfo . 781 refusing to make due submission to him for what he is pleased to call contumacy , that he will recommend the Grand Lodge to proceed to the next step in Masonic discipline , by which it is presumed he refers to the extreme
measure of expulsion : And Whereas , from the circumstances above detailed , we believe that the confirmation by the Grand Lodge of the suspension of No . 781 hy the Prov . G . M . of Tasmania , can only be ratified in the absence of a knowledge of the facts hereinbefore set forth :
And Whereas we , who have hereunto subscribed our names , comprise nearly , if not the whole , of those residing in and near Hobart Town who have ever held office in this or the neighbouring colonies under the Constitution of England have at great expense leased and fitted up a private room or hall , suited for Lodge and Chapter purposes , which we retain exclusively for Masonic ceremonies , at a rental of £ 50 per annum ; and have , therefore , considerable pecuniary , as well as well as other interest in the prosperity of the Craft :
And Whereas we wish to assure the M . W . the G . M . and the members of the Grand Lodge that the steps taken by the Officers and members of No . 781 were not adopted with any view of questioning the validity of the patent of the Prov . G . M . of Tasmania , but on the sole ground , that he had arbitrarily and unconstitutionally used , and therefore abused , the power with which it invested him : And whereas we wish most respectfully to represent ^ io the M . W . the G . M . and the members of the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England , that
although we are anxious to preserve inviolate our allegiance to the G . M . and the United Grand Lodge of England , that our allegiance is pledged to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of the Order of Masonry and their regular successors , supreme and subordinate , according to their stations , and to submit to the award and resolutions of our Brethren in General Chapter convened , in every case consistent with the constitutions of the Order : Our allegiance likewise enjoins us to discountenance all dissenters from the original plan of the institution : We are also pledged to admit that it is not in the power of any man , or in any body of men ,
to make innovation in the body of Masonry : And further , to pay homage to the G . M . for the time being , and to his officers ., when duly installed , and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons , that is not subversive of the principles and ground-work of Masonry—such being the terms of our Masonic allegiance , no circumstances whatever will induce us to work under any constitution that will countenance the slightest departure from the original plan of Masonry , or any innovation of the antient constitutions , and established usages and customs of the Order :
And whereas , we firmly believe the longer existence of Freemasonry under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England on the southern side of Tasmania , to be entirely dependent on the decision of the Grand Lodge , relative to this appeal :
We therefore do most respectfully and urgently Pray , That the members of the United Grand Lodge of England , in Grand Lodge assembled , will take the whole of the above circumstances into their mature consideration , and will call for the production of all documents relating thereto , particularly the recommendation and representation that induced the M . W . the G . M . to appoint the Rev . E . K . Ewing ; no member of No . 781 , the senior Lodge
in Tasmania , ever having seen or been requested to sign such document , or to join in such recommendation ; and also copies of the resolutions passed both by Lodge and Chapter in reference thereto ; and likewise the applications for warrants to hold the Pacific and Lerwent Lodges , with all correspondence thereon ; and at the same time to carefully peruse the printed and other correspondence hereunto annexed ,
And we further Pray , That for the purpose of restoring Masonic harmony to this portion of our province , and enabling us again to carry on the duties of Masonry in a constitutional manner , which the recent events above detailed have interrupted , the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
unconstitutional treatment ; and further , has threatened that in the event of the members of Ijfo . 781 refusing to make due submission to him for what he is pleased to call contumacy , that he will recommend the Grand Lodge to proceed to the next step in Masonic discipline , by which it is presumed he refers to the extreme
measure of expulsion : And Whereas , from the circumstances above detailed , we believe that the confirmation by the Grand Lodge of the suspension of No . 781 hy the Prov . G . M . of Tasmania , can only be ratified in the absence of a knowledge of the facts hereinbefore set forth :
And Whereas we , who have hereunto subscribed our names , comprise nearly , if not the whole , of those residing in and near Hobart Town who have ever held office in this or the neighbouring colonies under the Constitution of England have at great expense leased and fitted up a private room or hall , suited for Lodge and Chapter purposes , which we retain exclusively for Masonic ceremonies , at a rental of £ 50 per annum ; and have , therefore , considerable pecuniary , as well as well as other interest in the prosperity of the Craft :
And Whereas we wish to assure the M . W . the G . M . and the members of the Grand Lodge that the steps taken by the Officers and members of No . 781 were not adopted with any view of questioning the validity of the patent of the Prov . G . M . of Tasmania , but on the sole ground , that he had arbitrarily and unconstitutionally used , and therefore abused , the power with which it invested him : And whereas we wish most respectfully to represent ^ io the M . W . the G . M . and the members of the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England , that
although we are anxious to preserve inviolate our allegiance to the G . M . and the United Grand Lodge of England , that our allegiance is pledged to hold in veneration the original rulers and patrons of the Order of Masonry and their regular successors , supreme and subordinate , according to their stations , and to submit to the award and resolutions of our Brethren in General Chapter convened , in every case consistent with the constitutions of the Order : Our allegiance likewise enjoins us to discountenance all dissenters from the original plan of the institution : We are also pledged to admit that it is not in the power of any man , or in any body of men ,
to make innovation in the body of Masonry : And further , to pay homage to the G . M . for the time being , and to his officers ., when duly installed , and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons , that is not subversive of the principles and ground-work of Masonry—such being the terms of our Masonic allegiance , no circumstances whatever will induce us to work under any constitution that will countenance the slightest departure from the original plan of Masonry , or any innovation of the antient constitutions , and established usages and customs of the Order :
And whereas , we firmly believe the longer existence of Freemasonry under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England on the southern side of Tasmania , to be entirely dependent on the decision of the Grand Lodge , relative to this appeal :
We therefore do most respectfully and urgently Pray , That the members of the United Grand Lodge of England , in Grand Lodge assembled , will take the whole of the above circumstances into their mature consideration , and will call for the production of all documents relating thereto , particularly the recommendation and representation that induced the M . W . the G . M . to appoint the Rev . E . K . Ewing ; no member of No . 781 , the senior Lodge
in Tasmania , ever having seen or been requested to sign such document , or to join in such recommendation ; and also copies of the resolutions passed both by Lodge and Chapter in reference thereto ; and likewise the applications for warrants to hold the Pacific and Lerwent Lodges , with all correspondence thereon ; and at the same time to carefully peruse the printed and other correspondence hereunto annexed ,
And we further Pray , That for the purpose of restoring Masonic harmony to this portion of our province , and enabling us again to carry on the duties of Masonry in a constitutional manner , which the recent events above detailed have interrupted , the