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Article THE MASONIC MIRROR. ← Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
something beyond the mark , but £ 50 would be altogether out of proportion . Bro . GREGORY AA-as sure that had Bro . Savage been present Avhen the case Avas investigated he AA'Ould himself have been the person to recommend a A * ote of £ 50 . He had often knoiiui Grand Lodge go beyond the recommendation of the Board of BeneA'olenee , but there AA'as no precedent ivith AA'hich he was acquainted of its having ever
reduced the amount recommended by the Board . It ivas true Bro . M hacl only been an operative Mason ; but by his industry he had acquired some little property , ancl become a freeholder in a province which contributed more than any other , except Middlesex , to the Charities of the Order . Owing to Bro . M s fraternal kindness to a brother Mason , the little property he had acquired became involved , and he left his ividoiv in distress . He had been for tiventy -four years and a half a subscribing member of his lodge ,
and had been the support and maintenance , by his Masonic teaching , of more than one loclge in the province . The M . W . G . M . said , as there was so much difference of opinion upon the recommendation of the Board he should require the G . Sec . to read the petition . The G . Sec . then read the petition , ivhich detailed the facts mentioned by Mr . Gregory . Bro . SMITH throughly supported the original resolution . Bro . GEOMBIE inquired Avhether the Board hacl hacl any evidence before it to shoAv the present value of the property left by Bro . M , or if anything had been realized out of the estate of the
brother AA'hose failure had placed him in the pecuniary difficulties mentioned in the petition of the AVICIOAV . The W . M . then put the amendment , altered as suggested by Bro . SaA'age , ancl declared ifc lost by a considerable majority . He next put the original resolution AA'hich AA'as agreed to . Bro . S . B . WILSON then proposed that £ 50 be voted iu relief of Bro . J H , of the loclge Union ( Hio . 45 ) , Chichester . The case had been minutelinvestigated by a full meeting of the
y Board , ancl the amount recommended agreed upon . Bro . SAVAGE seconded the motion , observing that if the last case called for a vote of £ 50 , this Avas one Avell deserving of £ 100 . The motion haA'ing been unanimously agreed to , Bro . POAA'E LL saicl he Avas present as the representative of No . 45 , Chichester , and he felt he AA'Ould not be doing his duty to his lodge if he did not on his own ancl its behalf express his
acknoAiiedgments to Grand Loclge for the kindness it had shown a worthy and esteemed brother . ( Hear and cheers . ) Bro . S . li . WILSON then proposed that a vote of £ 30 be granted to the relief of Bro . R H , of the Lodge of Unanimity ( No . 424 ) , Penrith . The motion having been duly seconded , ivas unanimously agreed to . BOARD OE GENERAL PURPOSES—HONORARY GRAND OFEICERS . The Report of the Board of General Purposes haA'ing been received ,
Bro . M'INIIRE said there were some portions of the Report ivhich it would be necessary for Grand Lodge to confirm . The first to ivhich he ivould call attention was the proposition that the poiver given to the M . W . G . M . to appoint brothers of eminence to such rank as he might confer upon them should nofc be understood to extend to Prov . Grand Masters . It was obvious that , when Grand Loclge passed the resolution conferring the pOAA'er referred to upon the M . W . G . M . they did so the understanding thafc he alone
, upon should have the poiver , bufc , although the case Avas thus clear , still some of the Prov . Grand Masters , from the wording of the Pooh of Constitutions , considered they had a similar right within their OAVII jurisdictions , ancl the resolution IIOAV proposed was to set the question at rest , It ivas desirable that the Grand Master should have the power to confer the honours of the craft upon brethren who had clone good suit ancl service in the cause of Masonry , but
ivho resided so far from London that they Avere unable to attend the meetings of Grand Loclge , ancl therefore partake in its honours ; but if the Prov . Grand Masters were to have the same power , then the only intention of the original resolution would be defeated . Bro . H . SMITH , P . M . No . 10 , seconded the motion . Bro . STEBBING opposed the resolution , as he understood on good authority thafc a resolution ivas to be brought forward at the next meeting of Grand Lodto greatlcurtail the privileges of the Prov
ge y . Grand Masters , ancl he wished to have the whole question of the proper extent of their prerogatives and rights judged of at one and the same time . He did not expect to defeat the present resolution , Avhich Avas fair and reasonable , but as the proposition behind it was odious ancl unfair , he ivould give notice that he would , at the next meeting of Grand Lodge , raise the whole cpiestion upon the confirmation of the minutes , " and he hoped he should have the
support of the provinces on that occasion . The M . W . G . M . said he believed ifc ivould be admit'el that the Board of General Purposes ivished to limit the poAver of conferring these new honours to the Grand Master . He was perfectly indifferent
in regard to the matter , for he hacl no jealousy AA'hatever of the Prov . G . M's ., but it AV . IS only right and just that the reasons of the original resolution should be fully understood . If under the resolution the Prov . G . M ' s . Avere to have the power of conferring these honours , they would become invested with a right ivhich had never been intended for them . It ivas principally with the vieiv of enabling the Grand Master to confer distinctions ' eminent Masons in the provinces
upon , but AA'ho were unable to attend Grand Loclge , that the resolution had been originally adopted , but that object ivould be defeated if the disposal of these honours Aveie to be placed in the hands of the Prov . G . M ' s , who ivould then have so great a poiver as to render it unnecessary for the Grand Master to seek to confer honours upon the provincial brethren . Bro . HOLMES COOTE , P . M . No . 5 , said that there coulcl be no
doubt that the vote was intended to be a personal compliment to the M . W . Grand Master , mainly to enable him to confer honorary distinction on brethren of eminence in the country . As such , the resolution had been passed , and as such it ought to be sustained . After a feiv words from Bro . JOHNSON , of No . 51 Bath , main taining , as it was understood , the granting of further powers to the Prov . Grand Masters , Bro . SPIERS , P . G . S . B ., D . Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire , said he differed entirely from what had been saicl by Bro . Stebbing . He represented a Provincial Grand Lodge , and , from his
experience of the provinces generally , he believed that the honours of the Prov . Grand Lodges were very fairly distributed . Comparing the provinces Avith London , a much larger proportion of the brethren received the honour of the purple than Avere similarly honoured in Grand Lodge ; and it AA * as the general Avish of the provincial brethren to limit the number of Grand Officers as much as possible , that there might be a sufficient number of privates . In Yorkshire , for instance , only one or tAvo brethren were annually
appointed to Grand Office . The first appointment made was thafc of G . Purs ., and the brother so honoured was yearly advanced a stage until he became G . W . Bro . BRADLEY , NO . 17 V , said he came from East Lancashire to oppose the resolution . They had ] in thafc province as many as fifty-two lodges , and unless the Prov . G . M ., concurrently ivith the G . M ., hacl the right of similarly honouring deserving Masons ivho coulcl not attend Grand Lodge , those AA'I IO Avorked hard in the cause of
Masonry AA'ould be debarred from the full share of its honours to which they ivere entitled . Bro . PERKINS , P . G . W ., supported the resolution . Bro . MCINTIRE , in reply , called attention to the fact that ifc was Avholly in the interest of the provincial . brethren that the resolution had been framed , ancl nofc through any desire to infringe upon their rights . The motion ivas then put , and carried by an overivhelming majority .
THE TAVERN . The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD or GENERAL PURPOSES then rose to propose a resolution authorising the re-letting of the tavern to Messrs . Elkington and Co . as yearly tenants , subject to a six months notice , and all tbe covenants of their present lease . The Board hacl hacl many plans for the improvement of the tavern and Grand Loclge property under their consideration ; but finding thafc they
could not come to a- decision in time to lay a report before Grand Loclge at a sufficiently early period to enable it to make the necessary arrangements before the expiration of the lease ) in June , 1862 , for any alterations in the property , they hacl determined to recommend the continuance of the tenancy of Messrs . Elkington and Co . on fche terms stated . This ivas seconded by Bro . STEBBING , aucl unanimously approved .
THE COLONIAL BOARD . The PRESIDENT OE THE COLONIAL BOARD ( Bro . Evans , P . G . S . B . ) said , that in moving the reception and adoption of the report of the Board , which hacl already been printed and circulated , he desired to express the regret Avhich , in common with his colleagues » at the Board , he felt in being obliged to use such strong observations in reference to the proceedings of their Canadian brethren ; .
but he had felt that an aggressive spirit , much to be lamented , had been evinced by the Grand Lodge of Canada against those lodges in Canada Avhich still adhered in their allegienee to the Grand Lodge of England . The case of the St . Lawrence Lodge had been investigated by the Colonial Board in a spirit of the completest impartiality Avithout bias , and the mature opinion of the Board on its merits Avas expressed in the report . " He did nofc intend to ask for the action of Grand Loclge at present , but should ,
unfortunately , the hope of an amicable termination of the differences not be realised , it would be the dut y of the Board hereafter to advise such a course ot proceeding as should appear best adapted for asserting the dignity of Grand Lodge of England . He should
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
something beyond the mark , but £ 50 would be altogether out of proportion . Bro . GREGORY AA-as sure that had Bro . Savage been present Avhen the case Avas investigated he AA'Ould himself have been the person to recommend a A * ote of £ 50 . He had often knoiiui Grand Lodge go beyond the recommendation of the Board of BeneA'olenee , but there AA'as no precedent ivith AA'hich he was acquainted of its having ever
reduced the amount recommended by the Board . It ivas true Bro . M hacl only been an operative Mason ; but by his industry he had acquired some little property , ancl become a freeholder in a province which contributed more than any other , except Middlesex , to the Charities of the Order . Owing to Bro . M s fraternal kindness to a brother Mason , the little property he had acquired became involved , and he left his ividoiv in distress . He had been for tiventy -four years and a half a subscribing member of his lodge ,
and had been the support and maintenance , by his Masonic teaching , of more than one loclge in the province . The M . W . G . M . said , as there was so much difference of opinion upon the recommendation of the Board he should require the G . Sec . to read the petition . The G . Sec . then read the petition , ivhich detailed the facts mentioned by Mr . Gregory . Bro . SMITH throughly supported the original resolution . Bro . GEOMBIE inquired Avhether the Board hacl hacl any evidence before it to shoAv the present value of the property left by Bro . M , or if anything had been realized out of the estate of the
brother AA'hose failure had placed him in the pecuniary difficulties mentioned in the petition of the AVICIOAV . The W . M . then put the amendment , altered as suggested by Bro . SaA'age , ancl declared ifc lost by a considerable majority . He next put the original resolution AA'hich AA'as agreed to . Bro . S . B . WILSON then proposed that £ 50 be voted iu relief of Bro . J H , of the loclge Union ( Hio . 45 ) , Chichester . The case had been minutelinvestigated by a full meeting of the
y Board , ancl the amount recommended agreed upon . Bro . SAVAGE seconded the motion , observing that if the last case called for a vote of £ 50 , this Avas one Avell deserving of £ 100 . The motion haA'ing been unanimously agreed to , Bro . POAA'E LL saicl he Avas present as the representative of No . 45 , Chichester , and he felt he AA'Ould not be doing his duty to his lodge if he did not on his own ancl its behalf express his
acknoAiiedgments to Grand Loclge for the kindness it had shown a worthy and esteemed brother . ( Hear and cheers . ) Bro . S . li . WILSON then proposed that a vote of £ 30 be granted to the relief of Bro . R H , of the Lodge of Unanimity ( No . 424 ) , Penrith . The motion having been duly seconded , ivas unanimously agreed to . BOARD OE GENERAL PURPOSES—HONORARY GRAND OFEICERS . The Report of the Board of General Purposes haA'ing been received ,
Bro . M'INIIRE said there were some portions of the Report ivhich it would be necessary for Grand Lodge to confirm . The first to ivhich he ivould call attention was the proposition that the poiver given to the M . W . G . M . to appoint brothers of eminence to such rank as he might confer upon them should nofc be understood to extend to Prov . Grand Masters . It was obvious that , when Grand Loclge passed the resolution conferring the pOAA'er referred to upon the M . W . G . M . they did so the understanding thafc he alone
, upon should have the poiver , bufc , although the case Avas thus clear , still some of the Prov . Grand Masters , from the wording of the Pooh of Constitutions , considered they had a similar right within their OAVII jurisdictions , ancl the resolution IIOAV proposed was to set the question at rest , It ivas desirable that the Grand Master should have the power to confer the honours of the craft upon brethren who had clone good suit ancl service in the cause of Masonry , but
ivho resided so far from London that they Avere unable to attend the meetings of Grand Loclge , ancl therefore partake in its honours ; but if the Prov . Grand Masters were to have the same power , then the only intention of the original resolution would be defeated . Bro . H . SMITH , P . M . No . 10 , seconded the motion . Bro . STEBBING opposed the resolution , as he understood on good authority thafc a resolution ivas to be brought forward at the next meeting of Grand Lodto greatlcurtail the privileges of the Prov
ge y . Grand Masters , ancl he wished to have the whole question of the proper extent of their prerogatives and rights judged of at one and the same time . He did not expect to defeat the present resolution , Avhich Avas fair and reasonable , but as the proposition behind it was odious ancl unfair , he ivould give notice that he would , at the next meeting of Grand Lodge , raise the whole cpiestion upon the confirmation of the minutes , " and he hoped he should have the
support of the provinces on that occasion . The M . W . G . M . said he believed ifc ivould be admit'el that the Board of General Purposes ivished to limit the poAver of conferring these new honours to the Grand Master . He was perfectly indifferent
in regard to the matter , for he hacl no jealousy AA'hatever of the Prov . G . M's ., but it AV . IS only right and just that the reasons of the original resolution should be fully understood . If under the resolution the Prov . G . M ' s . Avere to have the power of conferring these honours , they would become invested with a right ivhich had never been intended for them . It ivas principally with the vieiv of enabling the Grand Master to confer distinctions ' eminent Masons in the provinces
upon , but AA'ho were unable to attend Grand Loclge , that the resolution had been originally adopted , but that object ivould be defeated if the disposal of these honours Aveie to be placed in the hands of the Prov . G . M ' s , who ivould then have so great a poiver as to render it unnecessary for the Grand Master to seek to confer honours upon the provincial brethren . Bro . HOLMES COOTE , P . M . No . 5 , said that there coulcl be no
doubt that the vote was intended to be a personal compliment to the M . W . Grand Master , mainly to enable him to confer honorary distinction on brethren of eminence in the country . As such , the resolution had been passed , and as such it ought to be sustained . After a feiv words from Bro . JOHNSON , of No . 51 Bath , main taining , as it was understood , the granting of further powers to the Prov . Grand Masters , Bro . SPIERS , P . G . S . B ., D . Prov . G . M . of Oxfordshire , said he differed entirely from what had been saicl by Bro . Stebbing . He represented a Provincial Grand Lodge , and , from his
experience of the provinces generally , he believed that the honours of the Prov . Grand Lodges were very fairly distributed . Comparing the provinces Avith London , a much larger proportion of the brethren received the honour of the purple than Avere similarly honoured in Grand Lodge ; and it AA * as the general Avish of the provincial brethren to limit the number of Grand Officers as much as possible , that there might be a sufficient number of privates . In Yorkshire , for instance , only one or tAvo brethren were annually
appointed to Grand Office . The first appointment made was thafc of G . Purs ., and the brother so honoured was yearly advanced a stage until he became G . W . Bro . BRADLEY , NO . 17 V , said he came from East Lancashire to oppose the resolution . They had ] in thafc province as many as fifty-two lodges , and unless the Prov . G . M ., concurrently ivith the G . M ., hacl the right of similarly honouring deserving Masons ivho coulcl not attend Grand Lodge , those AA'I IO Avorked hard in the cause of
Masonry AA'ould be debarred from the full share of its honours to which they ivere entitled . Bro . PERKINS , P . G . W ., supported the resolution . Bro . MCINTIRE , in reply , called attention to the fact that ifc was Avholly in the interest of the provincial . brethren that the resolution had been framed , ancl nofc through any desire to infringe upon their rights . The motion ivas then put , and carried by an overivhelming majority .
THE TAVERN . The PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD or GENERAL PURPOSES then rose to propose a resolution authorising the re-letting of the tavern to Messrs . Elkington and Co . as yearly tenants , subject to a six months notice , and all tbe covenants of their present lease . The Board hacl hacl many plans for the improvement of the tavern and Grand Loclge property under their consideration ; but finding thafc they
could not come to a- decision in time to lay a report before Grand Loclge at a sufficiently early period to enable it to make the necessary arrangements before the expiration of the lease ) in June , 1862 , for any alterations in the property , they hacl determined to recommend the continuance of the tenancy of Messrs . Elkington and Co . on fche terms stated . This ivas seconded by Bro . STEBBING , aucl unanimously approved .
THE COLONIAL BOARD . The PRESIDENT OE THE COLONIAL BOARD ( Bro . Evans , P . G . S . B . ) said , that in moving the reception and adoption of the report of the Board , which hacl already been printed and circulated , he desired to express the regret Avhich , in common with his colleagues » at the Board , he felt in being obliged to use such strong observations in reference to the proceedings of their Canadian brethren ; .
but he had felt that an aggressive spirit , much to be lamented , had been evinced by the Grand Lodge of Canada against those lodges in Canada Avhich still adhered in their allegienee to the Grand Lodge of England . The case of the St . Lawrence Lodge had been investigated by the Colonial Board in a spirit of the completest impartiality Avithout bias , and the mature opinion of the Board on its merits Avas expressed in the report . " He did nofc intend to ask for the action of Grand Loclge at present , but should ,
unfortunately , the hope of an amicable termination of the differences not be realised , it would be the dut y of the Board hereafter to advise such a course ot proceeding as should appear best adapted for asserting the dignity of Grand Lodge of England . He should