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the Grand Lodged of England , but also the numerous and flourishing Lodges iri Canada , X am therefore anxious that my observations should be completely " understood ; and in order to prevent any mismiderstanding , I have made copious notes , from which I shall now state to you the course I shall adopt . "
STATEMENT OF THE X ^ EAKD MASTER WITH RESPECT TO THE CANADIAN LODGES , The Grand Master said : " Brethren , I regret , as much as any one , the present position of affairs , and I frankly confess that the Canadian Brethren do not comp lain without some degree of truth , and that they have not altogether received at our hands that consideration which they had reason to expect . ( Hear , hear . ) I do not , however , see any advantage which could arise from reopening the subject on its merits . Our chief object now is to amend our past shortcomings ,
and endeavour to keep matters moving more smoothly for the future . ( Hear , hear . ) I am bound to say , however , that I was not acquainted with the whole state of affairs relating to Canada West when I addressed Grand Lodge on a former occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) There has been some confusion with respect to the so-called 'independent' Grand Lodge , and the Prov . Grand Lodge of Canada . With the former I need hardly say that we can have nothing whatever to do , ( Hear , hear . ) They have thrown off their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , and that
without even returning the warrants which they hold under it . It was to them that I applied the term ' rebels , ' and I think Grand Lodge will agree with me that I do not unjustly apply that term . ( Hear , hear . ) Since my former address on this subject , I have carefully reconsidered it . I have now given it the best attention in my power ( cheers ) , and the conclusion at which I have arrived is that I may , without a . ny sacrifice of the privileges with which I am invested as Grand Master , make such concessions to them as shall meet their wants and satisfy them .
In order that I may be understood , I must call your attention to the requests made in the petition . The first was for the power to elect their own Prov . Grand Master ; the second , that they should retain all fees of every sort and kind ; thirdly , that their Prov . Grand Master should grant warrants for new Lodges ; fourthly , that he should be empowered to appoint subordinate Prov . Grand Masters ; fifthly , that the Grand Lodge of England should still retain a supervising power . This , it will beat once perceived , if granted , would make them to all
intents and purposes an independent Grand Lodge ( hear , hear ) , to which I need hardly say we could not give our consent , as it would be a subversion of the constitutions of Freemasonry , and such a demand could only of course be met by a distinct negative , as I wish to maintain in my own person , and to hand to my successor , the prerogatives of my office in their integrity . As far as I am personally concerned , the appointment of officers is an irksome , unenviable task ( hear , hear , hear ); but although , as representing the Grand Lodge of England , I am as anxious
now as I was then to maintain the privileges of Grand Master intact , because I think it conducive to the welfare of the Craft that I should do so , I am , nevertheless , of opinion , that I can satisfy their desires without any sacrifice of my privileges . ( Loud applause . ) The Canadian Masons contend that they have ample means of determining who would best serve their interests and the interests of Masonry as their Prov . Grand Master , while I , at this distance , have not the same favourable opportunity . ( Hear . ) Brethren , I feel that there is force in that
remark ( applause ) , and taking that into consideration , I am prepared to say that I will consider the propriety of appointing as Prov . Grand Master of Canada West any Brother whom they shall report to me as most acceptable to themselves . ( Loud cheers . ) They may do this , if they desire it , either in the form of a resolution of Prov . Grand Lodge , or in such other mode as they shall think proper . Such nomination will be subject only to my approval ; and I shall not withhold
my approval from any Brother so recommended unless for weighty reasons , which I shall be prepared to state and justify . In making this concession , I only announce my personal intention ; I do not propose to consent to any alteration of the laws . ( Hear , hear . ) In nominating as Prov . Grand Master the Brother recommended by the Prov . Grand Lodge , I shall do so of my own free will and accord ; and though I , set the example , I shall not consent to bind my successors . ( Hear , hear . ) As regards the question of fees , that is a matter of secondary
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
™
the Grand Lodged of England , but also the numerous and flourishing Lodges iri Canada , X am therefore anxious that my observations should be completely " understood ; and in order to prevent any mismiderstanding , I have made copious notes , from which I shall now state to you the course I shall adopt . "
STATEMENT OF THE X ^ EAKD MASTER WITH RESPECT TO THE CANADIAN LODGES , The Grand Master said : " Brethren , I regret , as much as any one , the present position of affairs , and I frankly confess that the Canadian Brethren do not comp lain without some degree of truth , and that they have not altogether received at our hands that consideration which they had reason to expect . ( Hear , hear . ) I do not , however , see any advantage which could arise from reopening the subject on its merits . Our chief object now is to amend our past shortcomings ,
and endeavour to keep matters moving more smoothly for the future . ( Hear , hear . ) I am bound to say , however , that I was not acquainted with the whole state of affairs relating to Canada West when I addressed Grand Lodge on a former occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) There has been some confusion with respect to the so-called 'independent' Grand Lodge , and the Prov . Grand Lodge of Canada . With the former I need hardly say that we can have nothing whatever to do , ( Hear , hear . ) They have thrown off their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , and that
without even returning the warrants which they hold under it . It was to them that I applied the term ' rebels , ' and I think Grand Lodge will agree with me that I do not unjustly apply that term . ( Hear , hear . ) Since my former address on this subject , I have carefully reconsidered it . I have now given it the best attention in my power ( cheers ) , and the conclusion at which I have arrived is that I may , without a . ny sacrifice of the privileges with which I am invested as Grand Master , make such concessions to them as shall meet their wants and satisfy them .
In order that I may be understood , I must call your attention to the requests made in the petition . The first was for the power to elect their own Prov . Grand Master ; the second , that they should retain all fees of every sort and kind ; thirdly , that their Prov . Grand Master should grant warrants for new Lodges ; fourthly , that he should be empowered to appoint subordinate Prov . Grand Masters ; fifthly , that the Grand Lodge of England should still retain a supervising power . This , it will beat once perceived , if granted , would make them to all
intents and purposes an independent Grand Lodge ( hear , hear ) , to which I need hardly say we could not give our consent , as it would be a subversion of the constitutions of Freemasonry , and such a demand could only of course be met by a distinct negative , as I wish to maintain in my own person , and to hand to my successor , the prerogatives of my office in their integrity . As far as I am personally concerned , the appointment of officers is an irksome , unenviable task ( hear , hear , hear ); but although , as representing the Grand Lodge of England , I am as anxious
now as I was then to maintain the privileges of Grand Master intact , because I think it conducive to the welfare of the Craft that I should do so , I am , nevertheless , of opinion , that I can satisfy their desires without any sacrifice of my privileges . ( Loud applause . ) The Canadian Masons contend that they have ample means of determining who would best serve their interests and the interests of Masonry as their Prov . Grand Master , while I , at this distance , have not the same favourable opportunity . ( Hear . ) Brethren , I feel that there is force in that
remark ( applause ) , and taking that into consideration , I am prepared to say that I will consider the propriety of appointing as Prov . Grand Master of Canada West any Brother whom they shall report to me as most acceptable to themselves . ( Loud cheers . ) They may do this , if they desire it , either in the form of a resolution of Prov . Grand Lodge , or in such other mode as they shall think proper . Such nomination will be subject only to my approval ; and I shall not withhold
my approval from any Brother so recommended unless for weighty reasons , which I shall be prepared to state and justify . In making this concession , I only announce my personal intention ; I do not propose to consent to any alteration of the laws . ( Hear , hear . ) In nominating as Prov . Grand Master the Brother recommended by the Prov . Grand Lodge , I shall do so of my own free will and accord ; and though I , set the example , I shall not consent to bind my successors . ( Hear , hear . ) As regards the question of fees , that is a matter of secondary