Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
Order . This Lodge , I ani happy to say , is also in a most satisfactory condition On the 24 th of the same month , assisted by the Grand Secretary and other grand officers and brethren , I dedicated a new and most commodious Lodge-room , occupied by our brethren of Great Western Light Lodge , at Windsor . While in that neighbourhood I had the pleasure of meeting the Grand Master , the Grand Secretary , and several past grand officers and . Brethren of the Grand Lodge at Michigan ,
with Avhom I had much pleasant intercourse . In my various visits to the Lodges in the London district , I was accompanied by their D . G . M ., tbeR . W . Bro . Captain Thompson Wilson , whose attention to the important duties of his office , and Avhose zeal in the cause of Masonry entitle him to the gratitude and respect of the fraternity . I received an invitation from Golden Rule Lodge , Stanstead , to lay the corner-stone of a church in that vicinity on the 30 th June , but , in consequence of rnj engagement at the west end of the province , I was unable to be present on that interesting occasion .
" An application from certain Brethren in Demerara for a dispensation to enable them to open a Lodge there , under the authority of this Grand Lodge , was forwarded to me in March last by the R . W . D . G . M . of the Montreal district . As this was the first application of the kind I had received from abroad , I felt that it required some consideration before finally deciding upon it ; but I must admit that the idea of thus extending the poAver and authority of this Grand Lodge exercised at first considerable influence upon my mind , but after a consultation Avith a distinguished Bro ., and upon carefully considering the question in all its bearings , I arrived at the conclusion that it Avould have been neither wise nor politic for this Grand Lodge to interfere in the Masonic affairs of that distant territory . It is very true that the British possessions , both in South America and the West Indies , are , masonically speaking , at present unoccupied ground , as no Grand Lodge has yet been there established ; but I did not feel that Ave , as a sister colony , although masonically independent of the mother country , could consistently interfere in
this matter , even at their OAAm request . The proud position Avhich we have attained in this province , and the means by which it was accomplished , are iioav matters of history , and although we have successfully established our own Masonic independence , I do not consider that we would be justified either in assisting or inciting another British colony to follow our example . For these and other reasons I declined granting the dispensation prayed for , and I trust that my decision in this ( matter will be approved of by the Grand Lodge .
c I have also to inform you that the committee to Avhom Avas referred the duty of examining and reporting upon the various modes of working used by our subordinate Lodges , ( of which committee I am a member ex officio ) after a careful and laborious investigation , have at length agreed upon a system which will be submitted for your approval , ancl which I hope will be adopted as a standard in this jurisdiction . The importance of this subject will commend it to your notice . It therefore requires no further comment from me to secure for it your earnest attention and consideration .
" At our last annual meeting I Avas requested by the Grand Lodge to take into my consideration the propriety of making an application to the legislature of this province for an act of incorporation , to enable this Grand Lodge , and the Lodge acting under its authority , to hold real and personal estate in a corporate capacity . In compliance Avith your wishes , I have given the subject my best consideration ,
and without detaining you at present Avith tlie many arguments which might bo adduced , both for and against such a proceeding , I arrived at the conclusion , that , under existing circumstances , such an application would , at present , be inexpedient . As the subject , however , is one of grave importance , I would suggest the appointment of a special committee , with lull power to act in the matter in such a manner as they may deem most conducive to the interests of the Order .
* ' There arealso various other subjects , both of interest and . importance , which will claim your attention during the present session , some of which I can now only briefly allude to . Among these are certain proposed amendments to the constitution , of which due notice has been given . Also certain matters connected with Thistle Lodge , Amherstburg . This subject has already been before the Grand Lodge , and Avas then referred to the District D . G . M . for investigation and Buttle-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial
Order . This Lodge , I ani happy to say , is also in a most satisfactory condition On the 24 th of the same month , assisted by the Grand Secretary and other grand officers and brethren , I dedicated a new and most commodious Lodge-room , occupied by our brethren of Great Western Light Lodge , at Windsor . While in that neighbourhood I had the pleasure of meeting the Grand Master , the Grand Secretary , and several past grand officers and . Brethren of the Grand Lodge at Michigan ,
with Avhom I had much pleasant intercourse . In my various visits to the Lodges in the London district , I was accompanied by their D . G . M ., tbeR . W . Bro . Captain Thompson Wilson , whose attention to the important duties of his office , and Avhose zeal in the cause of Masonry entitle him to the gratitude and respect of the fraternity . I received an invitation from Golden Rule Lodge , Stanstead , to lay the corner-stone of a church in that vicinity on the 30 th June , but , in consequence of rnj engagement at the west end of the province , I was unable to be present on that interesting occasion .
" An application from certain Brethren in Demerara for a dispensation to enable them to open a Lodge there , under the authority of this Grand Lodge , was forwarded to me in March last by the R . W . D . G . M . of the Montreal district . As this was the first application of the kind I had received from abroad , I felt that it required some consideration before finally deciding upon it ; but I must admit that the idea of thus extending the poAver and authority of this Grand Lodge exercised at first considerable influence upon my mind , but after a consultation Avith a distinguished Bro ., and upon carefully considering the question in all its bearings , I arrived at the conclusion that it Avould have been neither wise nor politic for this Grand Lodge to interfere in the Masonic affairs of that distant territory . It is very true that the British possessions , both in South America and the West Indies , are , masonically speaking , at present unoccupied ground , as no Grand Lodge has yet been there established ; but I did not feel that Ave , as a sister colony , although masonically independent of the mother country , could consistently interfere in
this matter , even at their OAAm request . The proud position Avhich we have attained in this province , and the means by which it was accomplished , are iioav matters of history , and although we have successfully established our own Masonic independence , I do not consider that we would be justified either in assisting or inciting another British colony to follow our example . For these and other reasons I declined granting the dispensation prayed for , and I trust that my decision in this ( matter will be approved of by the Grand Lodge .
c I have also to inform you that the committee to Avhom Avas referred the duty of examining and reporting upon the various modes of working used by our subordinate Lodges , ( of which committee I am a member ex officio ) after a careful and laborious investigation , have at length agreed upon a system which will be submitted for your approval , ancl which I hope will be adopted as a standard in this jurisdiction . The importance of this subject will commend it to your notice . It therefore requires no further comment from me to secure for it your earnest attention and consideration .
" At our last annual meeting I Avas requested by the Grand Lodge to take into my consideration the propriety of making an application to the legislature of this province for an act of incorporation , to enable this Grand Lodge , and the Lodge acting under its authority , to hold real and personal estate in a corporate capacity . In compliance Avith your wishes , I have given the subject my best consideration ,
and without detaining you at present Avith tlie many arguments which might bo adduced , both for and against such a proceeding , I arrived at the conclusion , that , under existing circumstances , such an application would , at present , be inexpedient . As the subject , however , is one of grave importance , I would suggest the appointment of a special committee , with lull power to act in the matter in such a manner as they may deem most conducive to the interests of the Order .
* ' There arealso various other subjects , both of interest and . importance , which will claim your attention during the present session , some of which I can now only briefly allude to . Among these are certain proposed amendments to the constitution , of which due notice has been given . Also certain matters connected with Thistle Lodge , Amherstburg . This subject has already been before the Grand Lodge , and Avas then referred to the District D . G . M . for investigation and Buttle-