Address To The Officers And Brethren Of The Lodge Of Antiquity, Montreal.

aware that it is the prerogative of the Grand Master Mason of Scotland to preside and take the chair of every lodge he enters . Having , by the voice of my brethren in Scotland , been elected to the very high and distinguished honour of

Grand Mason of this country , I feel it to be my duty to support every privilege and every prerogative Avhich may belong to that most distinguished chair ; and it is therefore solely on account of preserving the privileges and prerogatives of the Grand Master Mason of Scotland that I UOAV

assume the chair of the Lodge of St . Mark , No . 102 ; and having saicl this ; which I must likewise do , I take it , solely for the purpose of supporting these privileges . I atn happy to think that the election , AA'hich you have so lately made , is that of

a brother so hig hly worthy to perform the duties of this chair as Bro . Major Barber . I can most truly , and with the most perfect confidence , place this mall in his hand , and request him to take the chair and perform the various duties of this

evening , being assured that he will support the dignity of this chair , ancl will discharge all the duties which require to be performed in a spirit of harmony and good feeling . '" Brethren , the analogy is self-evident , and requires no comment .

On the points maintained the Deputy Grand Master and myself are at issue ; and however ¦ p leased I may be to be favoured with a visit from any or all of my superior officers , I must never be asked to forego opinions gathered in twenty odd

years of Masonic labour and research , Avithout having granted to me the consideration which is due to him who has been considered worthy to hold some of the highest positions in the gift of the Craft , not by accident , but by Masonic age ancl

exertions . Members of Antiquity , Avhile always acknowledging a wrong when convinced , be sure ever to stand firm in your right while you believe yourself to be so , and you will gain the approbation of every right-thinking * man ancl Mason .

I have already given yon the average attendance of officers during the year , I will IIOAV give you the average attendance of members . We have had fourteen meetings , five members attended all fs > ¦ _?¦ __ - > TTJ TU ) S > h § .-1 < -r > - !?> v , seven noneand of those

, latter ones Avho have so sadly neglected their duty , let me ask what Avould they say if any person were to accuse them of perjury in private life or in a court of justice ? and yet hoAV little they think of Masonic perjury , how little of their promises ( which

for obvious reasons I do not here repeat ) , promises made in the evening , remembered only to be forgotten in the morning . Let me warn you , brethren , a Masonic promise is as binding as any other . Let me wain you to attend your lodge as

you have agreed . Let me Avarn you never give your hand to a worthy brother without remembering it must be the sure pledge of brotherhood . Step forward when required , in his defence and support , remember him in your prayers , keep his lawful secrets as your own , and above all protect his character as well behind his back as before his

face . Brethren , if you observe these laws , you will not only be good Masons , but you will likewise exemplify the golden rule , " Do unto others as you AVISII that they should do unto you . "

At the beginning of the year our loclge numbered 59 members ; six Masons joined ns , and seven were initiated , making 72 members . Deduct therefrom five withdrawn and 17 suspended leaves UOAV 50 members of the lodge : of these four are

honourary , and seven have thus far not paid their clues . The number of paying * members may thus for the present be reduced to 39 . I hacl intended here to insert a financial report , which , however , after the elaborate reports of the

Secretary and Treasurer , would seem superfluous . I may nevertheless state for the information of the brethren , that the general fund of the lodge still OAves about 200 dollars , the payment of Avhich is not pressing at present ; that the benevolent fund

has a surplus of nearly 100 dollars , and that the value of the sixth share of the furniture OAvned by the lodge , together Avith their paraphernalia , amounts to about 500 dollars . It remains for me to bear testimony to the untiring exertion in the

interest of the lodge by the retiring officers , excepting only the tAvo already mentioned ; the assistance rendered me by each and every one of the others is beyond all praise ; not only have they sacrificed time , labour , and means in the service

of the loclge , but they have accorded to me personally that cordial respect and deference which I shall ever gratefully remember . As to the Secretary , his work is before you . I cannot say more than that I have never worked with a more

exemplary , a more willing , and more efficient officer . The Committee of General Purposes have shown their good will towards him by presenting him with a small token of their affection on the occasion of his marriage ; the