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not , of course , object to your power ; but when you have a . Grand Master who discharges his duties to the Graft with satisfaction to the body , I think it is for the advantage of the Graft that they should continue to avail themselves of his experience . But when we are to make a change , I think at least it is due to Grand Lodge that we should be assured that the individual who is proposed has given his consent ( hear , and cheers ) , because if every Brother is to be at liberty , without consulting the person whose name he proposes , what will be the
position of Grand Lodge ? Why , you may some day elect some one to the highest honour to which , as a Mason , he can attain , who , from circumstances over which he has no control , or from not taking sufficient interest in the Craft , may refuse to accept the honour . ( Hear , hear . ) I think it is not fit that Grand Lodge should be put in this position . I think therefore , reserving to every Brother the right to nominate any Brother he may think proper , he should always be asked this question , whether he had the consent of the Brother whom he nominated , and whether , if elected , that Brother would fill the chair ? " ( Hear , hear . )
Bro . Aria said , the question before Grand Lodge was the election of Grand Master , audit was but an ill compliment that Bro . Warren , when about to state the course which circumstances had compelled him to take , should have been interrupted as he had been by the Grand Registrar . The worthy Brother was interrupted by calls of u Hear , hear , " and " Order ! order ! V Bro . Havers said : for one moment he would claim attention , but Grand Lodge would not hear him .
The Grand Master being appealed to , said that he was loth to interrupt a Brother on such a question as that which was now before Grand Lodge , but he should be glad if he would keep to the point . Sir Lucius Ourtius then , as acting D . G . M ., put the question with the usual formalities , and the M . W . the G . M was duly elected P . G . M . for the ensuing year , with three dissentients . The "Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Zetland was then duly proclaimed , and saluted in the ancient form .
The Most Worshipful the Grand Master then returned thanks in the following terms : I assure you I find it difficult to express my feelings on this occasion , when you have , in so highly flattering a manner , placed me again in this position . I am not at all unaware of the many disqualifications which I possess . ( No , no . ) I feel that I have not now that activity which I had some years ago , and I feel ,, also , that I have now a much more difficult task to perform . ( Hear , hear . ) At the same time , I have received from you such continual support , and have been
so often re-elected to this chair , and in so flattering a manner , that , however difficult I may find it , I will , to the best of my ability , continue to serve you so long as I can continue to do so with advantage to the cause of Masonry , and do my duty satisfactorily to the Craft . ( Applause . ) In reviewing the state of Masonry in this country since this time last year , I think we have great cause for congratulation . ( Hear , hear . ) The number of Lodges is continually increasing in this country from year to year , and the number of certificates granted show
that Masonry is increasing , and has been increasing , in a progressive ratio , for several years past . But not only is Masonry increasing in this country , it is also flourishing in other parts of the world , such as India , Australia , and other colonies . From those places I am pleased to say that no complaints whatever have been received as to the ruling of Grand Lodge . ( Loud applause . ) On the contrary ( renewed cheers ) , last year the worthy Brother , now present , front Western Australia , where Masonry is increasing and flourishing to a great extent , had a very long interview with me on the subject of Masonry in that part of the
globe ; the suggestions which I then made have since been carried into effect , and have , I believe , given complete satisfaction . ( Cheers . ) But , Brethren , there is one part of our Colonial possessions , upon which we cannot look with so much satisfaction—I mean Canada . ( Hear . ) That subject has had my long and deep consideration ; and I think I shall consult the convenience of Grand Lodge , and I hope I may take away some of tho asperity of fooling which I regret to find now exists , by stating to you the result of the long and anxious consideration which I have given to the subject , ( Applause . ) ' It is a subject which not only affects
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
™
not , of course , object to your power ; but when you have a . Grand Master who discharges his duties to the Graft with satisfaction to the body , I think it is for the advantage of the Graft that they should continue to avail themselves of his experience . But when we are to make a change , I think at least it is due to Grand Lodge that we should be assured that the individual who is proposed has given his consent ( hear , and cheers ) , because if every Brother is to be at liberty , without consulting the person whose name he proposes , what will be the
position of Grand Lodge ? Why , you may some day elect some one to the highest honour to which , as a Mason , he can attain , who , from circumstances over which he has no control , or from not taking sufficient interest in the Craft , may refuse to accept the honour . ( Hear , hear . ) I think it is not fit that Grand Lodge should be put in this position . I think therefore , reserving to every Brother the right to nominate any Brother he may think proper , he should always be asked this question , whether he had the consent of the Brother whom he nominated , and whether , if elected , that Brother would fill the chair ? " ( Hear , hear . )
Bro . Aria said , the question before Grand Lodge was the election of Grand Master , audit was but an ill compliment that Bro . Warren , when about to state the course which circumstances had compelled him to take , should have been interrupted as he had been by the Grand Registrar . The worthy Brother was interrupted by calls of u Hear , hear , " and " Order ! order ! V Bro . Havers said : for one moment he would claim attention , but Grand Lodge would not hear him .
The Grand Master being appealed to , said that he was loth to interrupt a Brother on such a question as that which was now before Grand Lodge , but he should be glad if he would keep to the point . Sir Lucius Ourtius then , as acting D . G . M ., put the question with the usual formalities , and the M . W . the G . M was duly elected P . G . M . for the ensuing year , with three dissentients . The "Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Zetland was then duly proclaimed , and saluted in the ancient form .
The Most Worshipful the Grand Master then returned thanks in the following terms : I assure you I find it difficult to express my feelings on this occasion , when you have , in so highly flattering a manner , placed me again in this position . I am not at all unaware of the many disqualifications which I possess . ( No , no . ) I feel that I have not now that activity which I had some years ago , and I feel ,, also , that I have now a much more difficult task to perform . ( Hear , hear . ) At the same time , I have received from you such continual support , and have been
so often re-elected to this chair , and in so flattering a manner , that , however difficult I may find it , I will , to the best of my ability , continue to serve you so long as I can continue to do so with advantage to the cause of Masonry , and do my duty satisfactorily to the Craft . ( Applause . ) In reviewing the state of Masonry in this country since this time last year , I think we have great cause for congratulation . ( Hear , hear . ) The number of Lodges is continually increasing in this country from year to year , and the number of certificates granted show
that Masonry is increasing , and has been increasing , in a progressive ratio , for several years past . But not only is Masonry increasing in this country , it is also flourishing in other parts of the world , such as India , Australia , and other colonies . From those places I am pleased to say that no complaints whatever have been received as to the ruling of Grand Lodge . ( Loud applause . ) On the contrary ( renewed cheers ) , last year the worthy Brother , now present , front Western Australia , where Masonry is increasing and flourishing to a great extent , had a very long interview with me on the subject of Masonry in that part of the
globe ; the suggestions which I then made have since been carried into effect , and have , I believe , given complete satisfaction . ( Cheers . ) But , Brethren , there is one part of our Colonial possessions , upon which we cannot look with so much satisfaction—I mean Canada . ( Hear . ) That subject has had my long and deep consideration ; and I think I shall consult the convenience of Grand Lodge , and I hope I may take away some of tho asperity of fooling which I regret to find now exists , by stating to you the result of the long and anxious consideration which I have given to the subject , ( Applause . ) ' It is a subject which not only affects