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Article CORRESPONDENCE ← Page 3 of 10 →
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Correspondence
opinion only as to which of the two parties was legitimate , and the adherents of each party refusing Masonic intercourse with those of the other party , on the specific ground that withdrawal from allegiance to the true Grand Master produced a forfeiture of all Masonic privileges . These troubles were terminated by the Act of Union , and that constitution which is now the Magna Charta of English Freemasonry , framed with the
greatest care , on the fullest consideration , and after communicating with Brethren in every part of the jurisdiction of the Grand Master of England . It permanently fixed the laws regulating the public business of Freemasonry . It gave to the more distant Brethren District Grand Lodges , and Masters invested with powers extended so far as to prevent the inconveniences arising from distance . It necessarily reserved to the Grand Lodge the powers of general legislation , but left to the Provincial , and still more to the District Grand Masters and Lodges ,
the power of controlling all local interests , subject only to appeal . While this constitution is observed , the functions of Grand Lodge and its boards must be practically limited to the details of London business and to the decision of appeals from other parts . Hence it is that the very short space , little more than twelve hours in the year , allotted by the constitution , has generally proved sufficient for all the true business of Grand Lodge . It would be a breach of faith towards distant Brethren to alter that constitution , in reliance on which they have intrusted
to the Brethren present in Grand Lodge the power which they possess . That trust has hitherto been faithfully performed ; and , although ill-advised attempts at organic changes have sometimes been made , the Brethren in Grand Lodge have steadily maintained the constitution in its integrity . While they continue to do so , the general interests of English Freemasonry are safe , local interests being left to the local Brethren , who have full authority over them , subject only to appeal .
Such is the constitution under which nearly all living Brethren of the Grand Lodge of England received Masonic light , and which , for more than forty years , has not only provided for all the interests and exigencies of English Freemasonry , but has also given to it unexampled prosperity . Erom this retrospect I turn to the late disorders in Canada . Complaints w ere preferred as to neglects and short-comings imputed to certain administrative officers of the Grand Lodge , and affecting Canadian Brethren . These complaints were fully attended to as soon as they were known to the Grand
Master and to Grand Lodge , and measures were adopted to redress the grievances complained of , and to prevent their recurrence . The zeal , the enthusiasm with which the subject was entertained in Grand Lodge , afforded a decisive proof , if any were necessary , of the determination there to watch over the interests of distant Brethren as vigilantly and effectually as if they were present . Many now begin to think that some of the measures adopted in the heat of a generous ardour in favour of those Brethren were needless and inexpedient . The stripping the Board of General Purposes of a part of its ancient functions , and the establishment
of what is called the Colonial Board , as if Lodges out of England stood in some peculiar relation of dependence , and had interests severed from those of the rest of English Freemasons , were exceptional measures , and the results of the experiment have not been such as to encourage its continuance . Be that as it may , all the grievances were thoroughly redressed , and means taken to guard against their renewal . But those who thus energetically did their duty , never intended or expected that the temporary miscarriages which they had obviated should be used as stock grievances , as standing subjects of perpetual complaint , as a stalkinghorse of discord . Such a use , however , has been made of them .
In so widely extended a body as that of Masonry , it is not to be wondered at that some men are to be found who are too much influenced by a love of notoriety , and by political , local , and personal considerations . Such men have become the advocates of disunion , and have disturbed Masonic order by systematic agitation , like that which has too often disgraced politics . The grievances which have been redressed have been industriously paraded . As it is evident that occasional negligence on the part of those who conduct official communication could not justify rebellion against Masonic authority , other excuses were sought for , The VOL in . 6 M
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence
opinion only as to which of the two parties was legitimate , and the adherents of each party refusing Masonic intercourse with those of the other party , on the specific ground that withdrawal from allegiance to the true Grand Master produced a forfeiture of all Masonic privileges . These troubles were terminated by the Act of Union , and that constitution which is now the Magna Charta of English Freemasonry , framed with the
greatest care , on the fullest consideration , and after communicating with Brethren in every part of the jurisdiction of the Grand Master of England . It permanently fixed the laws regulating the public business of Freemasonry . It gave to the more distant Brethren District Grand Lodges , and Masters invested with powers extended so far as to prevent the inconveniences arising from distance . It necessarily reserved to the Grand Lodge the powers of general legislation , but left to the Provincial , and still more to the District Grand Masters and Lodges ,
the power of controlling all local interests , subject only to appeal . While this constitution is observed , the functions of Grand Lodge and its boards must be practically limited to the details of London business and to the decision of appeals from other parts . Hence it is that the very short space , little more than twelve hours in the year , allotted by the constitution , has generally proved sufficient for all the true business of Grand Lodge . It would be a breach of faith towards distant Brethren to alter that constitution , in reliance on which they have intrusted
to the Brethren present in Grand Lodge the power which they possess . That trust has hitherto been faithfully performed ; and , although ill-advised attempts at organic changes have sometimes been made , the Brethren in Grand Lodge have steadily maintained the constitution in its integrity . While they continue to do so , the general interests of English Freemasonry are safe , local interests being left to the local Brethren , who have full authority over them , subject only to appeal .
Such is the constitution under which nearly all living Brethren of the Grand Lodge of England received Masonic light , and which , for more than forty years , has not only provided for all the interests and exigencies of English Freemasonry , but has also given to it unexampled prosperity . Erom this retrospect I turn to the late disorders in Canada . Complaints w ere preferred as to neglects and short-comings imputed to certain administrative officers of the Grand Lodge , and affecting Canadian Brethren . These complaints were fully attended to as soon as they were known to the Grand
Master and to Grand Lodge , and measures were adopted to redress the grievances complained of , and to prevent their recurrence . The zeal , the enthusiasm with which the subject was entertained in Grand Lodge , afforded a decisive proof , if any were necessary , of the determination there to watch over the interests of distant Brethren as vigilantly and effectually as if they were present . Many now begin to think that some of the measures adopted in the heat of a generous ardour in favour of those Brethren were needless and inexpedient . The stripping the Board of General Purposes of a part of its ancient functions , and the establishment
of what is called the Colonial Board , as if Lodges out of England stood in some peculiar relation of dependence , and had interests severed from those of the rest of English Freemasons , were exceptional measures , and the results of the experiment have not been such as to encourage its continuance . Be that as it may , all the grievances were thoroughly redressed , and means taken to guard against their renewal . But those who thus energetically did their duty , never intended or expected that the temporary miscarriages which they had obviated should be used as stock grievances , as standing subjects of perpetual complaint , as a stalkinghorse of discord . Such a use , however , has been made of them .
In so widely extended a body as that of Masonry , it is not to be wondered at that some men are to be found who are too much influenced by a love of notoriety , and by political , local , and personal considerations . Such men have become the advocates of disunion , and have disturbed Masonic order by systematic agitation , like that which has too often disgraced politics . The grievances which have been redressed have been industriously paraded . As it is evident that occasional negligence on the part of those who conduct official communication could not justify rebellion against Masonic authority , other excuses were sought for , The VOL in . 6 M