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  • Aug. 3, 1861
  • Page 16
  • CANADA.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Aug. 3, 1861: Page 16

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Canada.

ing that kind of vigorous greeting , which makes the heart expand with gladness , and causes any coolness or differences that may have occurred through absence or misunderstanding to vanish under the mellow and sunlike warmth of the fraternal grip . As the sight of land to a seamen , after a long voyage , tacitly banishes every quarrel , and drives into oblivion every harsh word and unfriendly look , so ought the effect to be of our arrival , after a lengthy interval , in this our Grand Harbour of Freemasonry .

The steady progression , increasing importance , and high respectability of the Craft in Canada is a cause of congratulation , and let us hope and pray that its usefulness and excellence may never be marred by blight from our hands . The "Grand Lodge of Canada , " I am pround to declare , is , notwithstanding her comparative youth , regarded with deference , and the steady friendship evinced at her hirth by her sister Grand Lodges , does not waver now that she is of age and vigorous . It has been my repeated privilege during the .

past year to be the recipient of assurances of goodwill and friendly wishes for her continued prosperity . The condition of Freemasonry will , however , be more fully reported to you by the respective District Deputy Grand Masters .

DISPENSATIONS . I have granted Dispensations for thirteen new lodges since our last annual communication , viz . —¦ 1 . Lebanon Oshawa . 2 . Malahide Aylmer , C . AV . 3 . Tudor Mitchell . 4 . Excelsior Morrisburg .

5 . Tecumseh Stratford . 6 . J . B . Hall Millbrook . 7 . Prince of AA ales Newburg . S . Friendly Brothers Iroquois . 9 . Mississippi Almonte . 10 . CivilService Quebec . 11 . Erie Port Dover . 12 . Hastings Hastings . 13 . Grand River Berlin .

The petitions were properly recommended , and in each case I followed the excellent rule laid down by my worthy predecessor , of requiring evidence that the nominated officers were qualified to perform the work . It remains for Grand Lodge to confirm them in their privileges , by granting warrants . Should you do so , I deem it to be my duty fo caution these new lodges not to imagine that their prosperity depends upon the " quantity" but the " quality" of the material admitted , and I admonish them to exercise the

greatest caution , and under no circumstances are they to receive men into our Order , if their characters will not bear the strictest scrutiny . Upon this the purity of Freemasonry mainly depends . It is right to mention that that the "CivilService Lodge" is empowered to hold its meetings at the Seat of Government for the time being , and I sanctioned this , as an act of justice to numerous brethren , who , owing to their many enforced . changes of residence , have been compelled either to withdraw from membership , or incur

the risk of ballot at every removal . The principle is the same by which the grant to a military warrant is governed . It will be necessary also for Grand Lodge to decide upon granting warrants to two Lodges , viz : —

Pythagoras Meaford . Aylmer Aylmer , C . E . AYhich by reference to the proceedings of 1 S 60 , it will be seen , were to continue working under dispensation until this communication . BUSINESS . The agenda published and circulated by the Grand Secretary , in

conformity with a resolution of Grand Lodge , will make known to you what amendments to the constitution , and reports of special committees , will require your attention . The Grand Secretary will also submit other documents , including appeals , recommendations of the punishment of expulsion , & c . ; and a supplementary report accompanied by suggestions from the Committee of Finance and Audit , as to the most convenient method of keeping the books , together with some accounts requiring approval before

paymentone being for Regalia purchased for our representative at the Grand Lodge of England . But there is one subject to which , before alluding to other matters of interest , I cannot refrain from requesting your particular attention , viz ., the resolution of Grand Lodge passed so long ago as January , 1859 , authorising the adoption of a proper testimonial to be presented to the M . AV . Past Grand Master AVilson , for his eminent services . There is no manner of doubt that he threw his whole heart into his work for the welfare of the Craft in this province , to the detriment and neglect of his private interests , and delay in acknowledging this appears to our discredit . I believe

there exists a doubt whether Grand Lodge funds should be applied towards the payment of our debt of honour and gratitude , or if the cost should he more appropriately defrayed in some other way . I do , however , hope that we shall not separate without carrying our own recorded intentions into immediate effect .

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE . A report on foreign correspondence has been prepared , and will be presented by R . AV . Bro . Fowler , who , with the Grand Secretary , I appointed for the purpose , and who , in the kindest manner , accepted the duty , in addition to that of Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee . —The transactions received are very voluminous , and I cannot help feeling that a review of them entails a severe tax upon the time and patience of the brothers who undertakes it .

The Grand Lodges of which I have to make particular mention are those of England , Ireland , Maine , New York , and Vermont . And I confine my notice of those of the United States generally to an axious hope that , pending the continuance of the disastrous national troubles now existing there , Freemasons will not altogether forget the strong ties that bind them to each other , but will allow the obligations and claims of our order to alleviate and soften the sad sufferings that must result from unnatural civil war .

ENGLAND . I have received a very kind and fraternal letter from our brother and representative , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , resigning the appointment on his nomination to the high and important office of Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , and expressing his regret at being under the necessity of so doing . I wrote an acknowledgement in reply , which I believe conveyed the

sentiments of this Grand Lodge , and , at the same time , requested our very distinguished brother to send the name of an acceptable successor ; and I propose , with your sanction , to appoint such brother as may be named to me to represent the Grand Lodge of Canada at the Grand Lodge of England . I have to state , with reference to the decision of Grand Lodge at its last annual communication , declaring the irregularity of two Montreal lodgeshailing under the registry of the Grand Lod

, ge of England , that one—the St . Lawrence Lodge—complained to that lodge , and claimed its protection . This was made known to me by the M . AV . G . M . of England , through his representative , and I deemed it right , as far as that lodge is concerned , to cause to be held in abeyance the effect of your decision , with a view to afford time for such evidence to be produced by the complaining parties , as this communication , as may induce a reconsideration of the subject , and lead to a confirmation or reversal of your present verdict .

I assumed this responsibility as a measure of justice and polity towards a body with whom we are on the most amicable terms of communication and fellowship . AVith the other lodge—the St . George—I have interdicted intercourse . It has made no appeal , and cannot be recognised as a legally conducted lodge . M . AV . Bro . Stephens , the representative of the Grand Lodge of England , who was deputed by you to endeavour to arrange this unpleasant businesswill make known the steps taken bhimand

, y , the entire correspondence is of course at the disposal of the Grand Lodge ; The report of the Colonial Board on the above complaint ancl appeal , " adopted by the Grand Lodge of England , " asserts the regularity of St . Lawrence Lodge , but the conclusion is founded upon a statement made by R . AV . Bro . Badgley , P . Prov . G . M . of Montreal , which is in direct opposition , I am told , to the evidence submitted to your Committee .

IRELAND . In accordance with the suggestion of the special committee , approved by Grand Lodge , I placed myself in communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland , through its representative , R . AV . Bro . Tully , in regard to the legality of a lodge styling itself " St . John's No . 209 , ( I . C . ) " which you declared to be clandestine . The correspondence , as well as the report , which I apprehend R . AV . Bro . Tully will submit , will show the present state of this unfortunate case , and it remains for the Grand Lodge to dispose of it finally .

MAINE . The appointment of R . AA . Bro . Preble as your representative at the Grand Lodge of Maine has been approved , and assurances have reached me , that great gratification was evinced on the ratification of friendly relations between the two grand bodies . R . AV . Bro . Preble ' s name is an historic one , and connected with patriotic , gallant , and distinguished services , and it was a pleasant office to

sign his credentials . I regret to state that the misunderstanding between the Grand Lodge of Maine and the Grand Lodge of England , as to the right of the latter to initiate citizens residing in Maine , and of which mention was made at our last annual

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1861-08-03, Page 16” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 29 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_03081861/page/16/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
MASONIC ADVENTURE. Article 1
MEMOIRS OF THE FREEMASONS OF NAPLES. Article 2
ARCHITECTURE AND ARCHÆOLOGY. Article 3
GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL INTELLIGENCE. Article 4
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 5
NOTES ON LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. Article 6
Fine Arts. Article 7
LITERATURE. Article 8
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 8
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 9
PROVINCIAL. Article 9
ROYAL ARCH. Article 13
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 14
MARK MASONRY. Article 15
IRELAND. Article 15
CANADA. Article 15
Poetry. Article 18
NOTES ON MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. Article 18
THE WEEK. Article 18
TO CORRSPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Canada.

ing that kind of vigorous greeting , which makes the heart expand with gladness , and causes any coolness or differences that may have occurred through absence or misunderstanding to vanish under the mellow and sunlike warmth of the fraternal grip . As the sight of land to a seamen , after a long voyage , tacitly banishes every quarrel , and drives into oblivion every harsh word and unfriendly look , so ought the effect to be of our arrival , after a lengthy interval , in this our Grand Harbour of Freemasonry .

The steady progression , increasing importance , and high respectability of the Craft in Canada is a cause of congratulation , and let us hope and pray that its usefulness and excellence may never be marred by blight from our hands . The "Grand Lodge of Canada , " I am pround to declare , is , notwithstanding her comparative youth , regarded with deference , and the steady friendship evinced at her hirth by her sister Grand Lodges , does not waver now that she is of age and vigorous . It has been my repeated privilege during the .

past year to be the recipient of assurances of goodwill and friendly wishes for her continued prosperity . The condition of Freemasonry will , however , be more fully reported to you by the respective District Deputy Grand Masters .

DISPENSATIONS . I have granted Dispensations for thirteen new lodges since our last annual communication , viz . —¦ 1 . Lebanon Oshawa . 2 . Malahide Aylmer , C . AV . 3 . Tudor Mitchell . 4 . Excelsior Morrisburg .

5 . Tecumseh Stratford . 6 . J . B . Hall Millbrook . 7 . Prince of AA ales Newburg . S . Friendly Brothers Iroquois . 9 . Mississippi Almonte . 10 . CivilService Quebec . 11 . Erie Port Dover . 12 . Hastings Hastings . 13 . Grand River Berlin .

The petitions were properly recommended , and in each case I followed the excellent rule laid down by my worthy predecessor , of requiring evidence that the nominated officers were qualified to perform the work . It remains for Grand Lodge to confirm them in their privileges , by granting warrants . Should you do so , I deem it to be my duty fo caution these new lodges not to imagine that their prosperity depends upon the " quantity" but the " quality" of the material admitted , and I admonish them to exercise the

greatest caution , and under no circumstances are they to receive men into our Order , if their characters will not bear the strictest scrutiny . Upon this the purity of Freemasonry mainly depends . It is right to mention that that the "CivilService Lodge" is empowered to hold its meetings at the Seat of Government for the time being , and I sanctioned this , as an act of justice to numerous brethren , who , owing to their many enforced . changes of residence , have been compelled either to withdraw from membership , or incur

the risk of ballot at every removal . The principle is the same by which the grant to a military warrant is governed . It will be necessary also for Grand Lodge to decide upon granting warrants to two Lodges , viz : —

Pythagoras Meaford . Aylmer Aylmer , C . E . AYhich by reference to the proceedings of 1 S 60 , it will be seen , were to continue working under dispensation until this communication . BUSINESS . The agenda published and circulated by the Grand Secretary , in

conformity with a resolution of Grand Lodge , will make known to you what amendments to the constitution , and reports of special committees , will require your attention . The Grand Secretary will also submit other documents , including appeals , recommendations of the punishment of expulsion , & c . ; and a supplementary report accompanied by suggestions from the Committee of Finance and Audit , as to the most convenient method of keeping the books , together with some accounts requiring approval before

paymentone being for Regalia purchased for our representative at the Grand Lodge of England . But there is one subject to which , before alluding to other matters of interest , I cannot refrain from requesting your particular attention , viz ., the resolution of Grand Lodge passed so long ago as January , 1859 , authorising the adoption of a proper testimonial to be presented to the M . AV . Past Grand Master AVilson , for his eminent services . There is no manner of doubt that he threw his whole heart into his work for the welfare of the Craft in this province , to the detriment and neglect of his private interests , and delay in acknowledging this appears to our discredit . I believe

there exists a doubt whether Grand Lodge funds should be applied towards the payment of our debt of honour and gratitude , or if the cost should he more appropriately defrayed in some other way . I do , however , hope that we shall not separate without carrying our own recorded intentions into immediate effect .

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE . A report on foreign correspondence has been prepared , and will be presented by R . AV . Bro . Fowler , who , with the Grand Secretary , I appointed for the purpose , and who , in the kindest manner , accepted the duty , in addition to that of Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee . —The transactions received are very voluminous , and I cannot help feeling that a review of them entails a severe tax upon the time and patience of the brothers who undertakes it .

The Grand Lodges of which I have to make particular mention are those of England , Ireland , Maine , New York , and Vermont . And I confine my notice of those of the United States generally to an axious hope that , pending the continuance of the disastrous national troubles now existing there , Freemasons will not altogether forget the strong ties that bind them to each other , but will allow the obligations and claims of our order to alleviate and soften the sad sufferings that must result from unnatural civil war .

ENGLAND . I have received a very kind and fraternal letter from our brother and representative , the Earl de Grey and Ripon , resigning the appointment on his nomination to the high and important office of Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , and expressing his regret at being under the necessity of so doing . I wrote an acknowledgement in reply , which I believe conveyed the

sentiments of this Grand Lodge , and , at the same time , requested our very distinguished brother to send the name of an acceptable successor ; and I propose , with your sanction , to appoint such brother as may be named to me to represent the Grand Lodge of Canada at the Grand Lodge of England . I have to state , with reference to the decision of Grand Lodge at its last annual communication , declaring the irregularity of two Montreal lodgeshailing under the registry of the Grand Lod

, ge of England , that one—the St . Lawrence Lodge—complained to that lodge , and claimed its protection . This was made known to me by the M . AV . G . M . of England , through his representative , and I deemed it right , as far as that lodge is concerned , to cause to be held in abeyance the effect of your decision , with a view to afford time for such evidence to be produced by the complaining parties , as this communication , as may induce a reconsideration of the subject , and lead to a confirmation or reversal of your present verdict .

I assumed this responsibility as a measure of justice and polity towards a body with whom we are on the most amicable terms of communication and fellowship . AVith the other lodge—the St . George—I have interdicted intercourse . It has made no appeal , and cannot be recognised as a legally conducted lodge . M . AV . Bro . Stephens , the representative of the Grand Lodge of England , who was deputed by you to endeavour to arrange this unpleasant businesswill make known the steps taken bhimand

, y , the entire correspondence is of course at the disposal of the Grand Lodge ; The report of the Colonial Board on the above complaint ancl appeal , " adopted by the Grand Lodge of England , " asserts the regularity of St . Lawrence Lodge , but the conclusion is founded upon a statement made by R . AV . Bro . Badgley , P . Prov . G . M . of Montreal , which is in direct opposition , I am told , to the evidence submitted to your Committee .

IRELAND . In accordance with the suggestion of the special committee , approved by Grand Lodge , I placed myself in communication with the Grand Lodge of Ireland , through its representative , R . AV . Bro . Tully , in regard to the legality of a lodge styling itself " St . John's No . 209 , ( I . C . ) " which you declared to be clandestine . The correspondence , as well as the report , which I apprehend R . AV . Bro . Tully will submit , will show the present state of this unfortunate case , and it remains for the Grand Lodge to dispose of it finally .

MAINE . The appointment of R . AA . Bro . Preble as your representative at the Grand Lodge of Maine has been approved , and assurances have reached me , that great gratification was evinced on the ratification of friendly relations between the two grand bodies . R . AV . Bro . Preble ' s name is an historic one , and connected with patriotic , gallant , and distinguished services , and it was a pleasant office to

sign his credentials . I regret to state that the misunderstanding between the Grand Lodge of Maine and the Grand Lodge of England , as to the right of the latter to initiate citizens residing in Maine , and of which mention was made at our last annual

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