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Article CORRESPONDENCE ← Page 5 of 10 →
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Correspondence
latest establishment will be the most ancient . Late accounts lead to the belief that outrageous means have been used to extort from various Lodges their Warrants under our Constitution . Such illegal steps , even if successful so far as relates to the possession of the documents themselves , can have no effect on the Masonic rights of the victims of such extortions .
Such is the present state of Masonic affairs in Canada "West . Already two combinations exist , each claiming to be a Grand Lodge , and denying the constitutional jurisdiction . How many more of these bodies may spring into short life during these troubles it is impossible to anticipate , but it is clear that any other association of Brethren may , as consistently as either of those two combinations , assume to establish a Grand Lodge .
This state of things suggests considerations variously affecting various classes of Brethren ; Those of the Canadian Brethren , said to be by far the majority , who are still faithful , may rest assured that the G . M . and Grand Lodge will do whatever is necessary and proper to sustain them in the exercise of all their Masonic rights and privileges . They are ^ indeed , placed in circumstances of no common difficulty . A distinguished and excellent Brother who , not long since , made a journey to Canada for the express purpose of personally ascertaining the position of the Craft
in that country , presented , on his return , such a picture of the inconveniences occasioned to loyal Masons by the existing disturbances as made a strong impression here . But , after all , these must be met as trials with w hich it has pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to prove our worthy Brethren . The good Mason , in the hour of difficulty and danger , will gird up his loins and firmly encounter the evils which cannot be avoided , holding fast by his Masonic faith , trusting to the final triumph of Masonic principles , and earning the reward which he will be Sure to meet in the approbation of his Brethren . '
If those Brethren who have been led into Masonic disunion , bestow a due measure of reflection on past events , and their probable consequences , they cannot fail to perceive the truth , —that the step out of Masonic unity is a step into chaos . How far they may have been deceived by improper representations , or deluded by bad advice , we cannot tell , but surely they cannot remain blind to a perception of the anomalous and un-Masonic nature of the position in which they are placed , or of the ruinous and endless confusion which must recoil on all who persist in illegitimate combinations . We must hope that mature thought will lead them , while yet the doors are open , to return to the bosom of that great family of Freemasonry from which they have been seduced .
Foreign Grand Lodges will no doubt continue to be guided , in their relations with English Masonry , by brotherly feeling , and universal Masonic law . In due regard to the principles of Masonic government , and the safety of the institutions committed to their charge , they will recognize and act upon that great rule of Masonic policy which asserts the unity of Masonic rule within each Masonic jurisdiction . Invited to recognize bodies organized in violation of that rule , they
will surely remember the danger , as well as the injustice , of compliance ; the danger of recognizing a practice which , carried out , would be fatal to themselves , the authority of each alike resting on the principle of unity . To sanction such disturbances in other Grand Lodge jurisdictions , would be to feed in their neighbour ' s house a fire which might reach their own . " Proxhins ardet Ucalegon "
The Grand Master , we may feel assured , will use the powers of his high office for the restoration of Masonic order . The Grand Lodge , we may anticipate , will continue to manifest a considerate forbearance , so long as it can properly be extended . As yet , it has done nothing in these affairs , save to redress grievances , and to fulfil , so far as reasonably might
be , the wishes of the Canadian Brethren . As yet it has waited , and probably will for some time wait , the course of events , hoping for the restoration of order , arid reserving for future consideration , if they should finally become necessary , the measures to be adopted to vindicate Masonic discipline . May the spirit of wisdom , justice , and benevolence guide all its counsels ! Yours fraternally , London . 26 th November , 1857 * An Old MASOt f *
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Correspondence
latest establishment will be the most ancient . Late accounts lead to the belief that outrageous means have been used to extort from various Lodges their Warrants under our Constitution . Such illegal steps , even if successful so far as relates to the possession of the documents themselves , can have no effect on the Masonic rights of the victims of such extortions .
Such is the present state of Masonic affairs in Canada "West . Already two combinations exist , each claiming to be a Grand Lodge , and denying the constitutional jurisdiction . How many more of these bodies may spring into short life during these troubles it is impossible to anticipate , but it is clear that any other association of Brethren may , as consistently as either of those two combinations , assume to establish a Grand Lodge .
This state of things suggests considerations variously affecting various classes of Brethren ; Those of the Canadian Brethren , said to be by far the majority , who are still faithful , may rest assured that the G . M . and Grand Lodge will do whatever is necessary and proper to sustain them in the exercise of all their Masonic rights and privileges . They are ^ indeed , placed in circumstances of no common difficulty . A distinguished and excellent Brother who , not long since , made a journey to Canada for the express purpose of personally ascertaining the position of the Craft
in that country , presented , on his return , such a picture of the inconveniences occasioned to loyal Masons by the existing disturbances as made a strong impression here . But , after all , these must be met as trials with w hich it has pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to prove our worthy Brethren . The good Mason , in the hour of difficulty and danger , will gird up his loins and firmly encounter the evils which cannot be avoided , holding fast by his Masonic faith , trusting to the final triumph of Masonic principles , and earning the reward which he will be Sure to meet in the approbation of his Brethren . '
If those Brethren who have been led into Masonic disunion , bestow a due measure of reflection on past events , and their probable consequences , they cannot fail to perceive the truth , —that the step out of Masonic unity is a step into chaos . How far they may have been deceived by improper representations , or deluded by bad advice , we cannot tell , but surely they cannot remain blind to a perception of the anomalous and un-Masonic nature of the position in which they are placed , or of the ruinous and endless confusion which must recoil on all who persist in illegitimate combinations . We must hope that mature thought will lead them , while yet the doors are open , to return to the bosom of that great family of Freemasonry from which they have been seduced .
Foreign Grand Lodges will no doubt continue to be guided , in their relations with English Masonry , by brotherly feeling , and universal Masonic law . In due regard to the principles of Masonic government , and the safety of the institutions committed to their charge , they will recognize and act upon that great rule of Masonic policy which asserts the unity of Masonic rule within each Masonic jurisdiction . Invited to recognize bodies organized in violation of that rule , they
will surely remember the danger , as well as the injustice , of compliance ; the danger of recognizing a practice which , carried out , would be fatal to themselves , the authority of each alike resting on the principle of unity . To sanction such disturbances in other Grand Lodge jurisdictions , would be to feed in their neighbour ' s house a fire which might reach their own . " Proxhins ardet Ucalegon "
The Grand Master , we may feel assured , will use the powers of his high office for the restoration of Masonic order . The Grand Lodge , we may anticipate , will continue to manifest a considerate forbearance , so long as it can properly be extended . As yet , it has done nothing in these affairs , save to redress grievances , and to fulfil , so far as reasonably might
be , the wishes of the Canadian Brethren . As yet it has waited , and probably will for some time wait , the course of events , hoping for the restoration of order , arid reserving for future consideration , if they should finally become necessary , the measures to be adopted to vindicate Masonic discipline . May the spirit of wisdom , justice , and benevolence guide all its counsels ! Yours fraternally , London . 26 th November , 1857 * An Old MASOt f *