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Article THE CAtfADAS. ← Page 2 of 3 →
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The Catfadas.
" Independents ' is obvious from the following observations of our correspondent : — " I will make but very little allusion to the unfortunate complication of matters which lias arisen from the fact of there being now two bodies , each claiming to be the Grand Lodge of Canada—principally because there
is really no antagonism between them , and also because I fully believe that a very short time will see them united as one . There is in reality no cause for division , no bitter feeling , no strife ; on the contrary , all are fully decided that they must and will unite , and the members of the one organization , with the approbation of the ruling powers , visit the Lodges of the otherj their differences indeed are more in form than in reality , and , as far as this communication is concerned , they will be considered as but one body . "
Sincerely trusting that this spirit may continue to grow , until the Canadians stand unitedly to claim recognition from the other Masonic bodies throughout the world , we cannot but acknowledge that there is a large share of truth in the observations our correspondent makes
with regard to the attention paid to the complaints of colonists to Grand Lodge . After alluding to the concessions which the Most Worshipful Grand Master proposed to make to the Colonial Lodges ( concessions now in force as laws ) , " Canadian" says : —
a The fact is > we are too far off , and English Masons know very little about us . I do not mean to speak disrespectfully of either the Most Worshipful the Grand Master or of the Grand Lodge ; but it is well enough known that there are very few indeed in the Grand Lodge of England who take any interest in us or have any knowledge of our affairs . Of course , from what has taken place , matters have been so far forced on their
attention that they cannot help knowing a little of what is going on ; but when has there ever been a calm and intelligent discussion or consideration of our matters ? I believe the whole Canadian question is looked on by the great majority as a bore ; and were it even possible that the affair could be smoothed over for the present , in a very short time no more would be heard of us in the Grand Lodge than if we did not exist , "
Now this description of the leaning of Grand Lodge will apply to other matters as well as the Canadian : calm and intelligent discussion is one of the last things we look for in Grand Lodge , nor can it be expected in a body whose business hours are limited to twelve in the year—more than one half of which are occupied in the carrying out of dry formalities . This has engendered a habit of disposing
of the business either by neglecting it altogether or hurrying it over with too great haste , without giving the Brethren time even to inquire into the bearing of the facts brought before them ; and we presume that every man will admit that there is no question which can be brought under the consideration of an intelligent body of
men—especially if it should be a question between two other bodies , or of disputed jurisdiction—which has not its reverse , and which , if it will not bear the test of argument , will at least be rendered clearer and more satisfactory by consideration , and comparing the statements made for and against it . We have already tasted the bitter fruits of a policy of too great neglect , and we shall be sorry to be
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Catfadas.
" Independents ' is obvious from the following observations of our correspondent : — " I will make but very little allusion to the unfortunate complication of matters which lias arisen from the fact of there being now two bodies , each claiming to be the Grand Lodge of Canada—principally because there
is really no antagonism between them , and also because I fully believe that a very short time will see them united as one . There is in reality no cause for division , no bitter feeling , no strife ; on the contrary , all are fully decided that they must and will unite , and the members of the one organization , with the approbation of the ruling powers , visit the Lodges of the otherj their differences indeed are more in form than in reality , and , as far as this communication is concerned , they will be considered as but one body . "
Sincerely trusting that this spirit may continue to grow , until the Canadians stand unitedly to claim recognition from the other Masonic bodies throughout the world , we cannot but acknowledge that there is a large share of truth in the observations our correspondent makes
with regard to the attention paid to the complaints of colonists to Grand Lodge . After alluding to the concessions which the Most Worshipful Grand Master proposed to make to the Colonial Lodges ( concessions now in force as laws ) , " Canadian" says : —
a The fact is > we are too far off , and English Masons know very little about us . I do not mean to speak disrespectfully of either the Most Worshipful the Grand Master or of the Grand Lodge ; but it is well enough known that there are very few indeed in the Grand Lodge of England who take any interest in us or have any knowledge of our affairs . Of course , from what has taken place , matters have been so far forced on their
attention that they cannot help knowing a little of what is going on ; but when has there ever been a calm and intelligent discussion or consideration of our matters ? I believe the whole Canadian question is looked on by the great majority as a bore ; and were it even possible that the affair could be smoothed over for the present , in a very short time no more would be heard of us in the Grand Lodge than if we did not exist , "
Now this description of the leaning of Grand Lodge will apply to other matters as well as the Canadian : calm and intelligent discussion is one of the last things we look for in Grand Lodge , nor can it be expected in a body whose business hours are limited to twelve in the year—more than one half of which are occupied in the carrying out of dry formalities . This has engendered a habit of disposing
of the business either by neglecting it altogether or hurrying it over with too great haste , without giving the Brethren time even to inquire into the bearing of the facts brought before them ; and we presume that every man will admit that there is no question which can be brought under the consideration of an intelligent body of
men—especially if it should be a question between two other bodies , or of disputed jurisdiction—which has not its reverse , and which , if it will not bear the test of argument , will at least be rendered clearer and more satisfactory by consideration , and comparing the statements made for and against it . We have already tasted the bitter fruits of a policy of too great neglect , and we shall be sorry to be