Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
North America.
pensatiou to Harmony Lodge , North East Harbour , Barrington ; 7 th , Dispensation to AA . H . Davies Lodge , Wood's Harbour , Barrington . Making a total of seventeen lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge is now in fraternal relations and correspondence with forty Grand Lodges , comprising most of those in the United States , many in South America , and some in the continent of Europe . The Grand Treasurer
presented his annual report shewing the total revenue of the Grand Lodge to be 100 , 800 dollars . The Committee of Foreign correspondence reported having received the proceedings of thirty-two Grand Lodges . The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing Masonic year .
Canada.
CANADA .
MEETING OF GRAND LODGE . Annual Address of M . W . Bro . AV . M . Wilson , Grand Master , delivered at Kingston , Wth July , 1867 . Brethren , —It is now seven years since I last had the honour of addressing you from this chair , and on looking back over the record of your proceedings , and when reflecting on the many important events which have transpired during that long period
I rejoice that I am able to congratulate you , not only upon the wise conservative counsels which have hitherto guided your efforts in the cause of Masonry , but , also , npon the deservedly high position which this Grand Loclge has obtained in the Masonic world . The blessing of Gocl has rested upon our labours , and our constant prayer to Him should be that He would still continue to foster and to cherish our venerable and beloved institution , and so to influence and guide our aspirations and our acts , that we may successfully carry out the great objects for whicli we are associated together .
ATLANTIC CABLE . Before proceeding to direct your attention more especially to the various important matters which will occupy your time and attention during the present session , there are two events of more than ordinary public interest which have transpired since our last annual meeting , to both of which I will now briefly refer . The first of these , in order of date , was the
successful achievement of one of the most wonderful undertakings which man in bis restless energy ever attempted . I allude to the Atlantic Telegraph . Tho constant and rapid correspondence now hourl y kept up between England and America must have a tendency to bind still closer together those great nations . May it prove an eternal link of brotherhood between us all , and may the providence of God ivhich has thus directed the genius of man to this crowning victory over difficulties and dangers of no ordinary magnitude , make it instrumental in securing tbe happiness of all nations , and the rights of all people .
THE NEW DOMINION . The royal proclamation , which gave life and power to that great work in which our statesmen have been so long engaged , has been issued by our Most Gracious Sovereign , and tho " Dominion of Canada" now takes her position among the powers of tbe earth . This binding together of the scattered fragments of an empire by closer union , not only doubles our material
strength but our moral influence also , and must exercise a powerful effect in knitting still more closely the ties of reverence and affection which bind us to our beloved motherland . The immediate results of this important measure will depend entirely on the spirit in which our people work out its details , and , as an able writer on the subject remarks , the great ultimate issues which hang upon them will in all human probabilitbe decided
y by the tone which may prevail iu the new dominion , and the policy she may pursue during the next few years . That wise counsels may prevail , ancl that the leading men of all parties in the state may unite in securing a successful and harmonious working out of the great problem now submitted for our solution is , I am sure , tlie earnest wish of every true lover of his country , and all will unite in the heartfelt iration and
asp prayer to the Great Architect of the Universe that he , by whose permission and authority kings reign ancl nations exist , will pour down his richest blessings upon our beloved Queen and upon tbis country and people . A GENERAL GRAND LODGE . The new state of political existence upon which we are now
entering , necessarily brings up for our consideration the effect which it must to some extent have on our position as a Grand Lodge . The name by which for many years we have been known aud recognised in the Masonic world becomes now , it i » claimed , a misnomer . The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia , whicli has supreme authority in that section of the new dominion , is as much a Grand Lodge of Canada as we ourselves are . The distinguished brother who presided at your last annual meeting
approved of the idea of a General Grand Lodge , having Provincial Grand Lodges in each province , and the Board of General Purposes , to whom the subject was referred , also reported favourably upon the suggestion made by my Most Worshipful predecessor , but at tlie same time advised that no immediate action be taken in tlie matter . AVhat at that time was only an anticipation has now become a realityand while I readily admit that there is
, something peculiarly pleasing in the idea of uniting all the members of our fraternity who reside in the various provinces now confederated together into one grand body , and while contemplating also the probability of important territorial additions still to be made to the new dominion , I must confess that I entertain grave doubts whether a union , embracing such an immense extent of country , would have a tendency to promote .
the advancement of the best interests of Masonry on the continent . In Great Britain , as you are well aware , there is no General Grand Loclge , and in the neighbouring republic each state has a Grand Lodge , which exercises supreme Masonicauthority in her owu jurisdiction . In the year 1859 the subject of a General Grand Lodge for tbe United States was brought before a committee of Grand Officers for consideration , and by referring to my address for that year you will find that I at that
time expressed the opinion that tbe creation of a General Grand-Lodge having jurisdiction over the several states of the Unioa would neither be expedient nor desirable . In submiting , however , the whole subject to your careful * consideration , I do uot wish it to be understood that I either decidedly oppose or approve of tbe suggestions which have been made . All I mean to convey to you isthat thus far I have not
, heen able to satisfy my own mind as to the wisest course to be pursued under our present circumstances . But I earnestly request for it that thoughtful and calm investigation which the great importance of the matter imperatively requires at your hands , and I would suggest that its consideration be referred to a special committee , who may be able to report during thepresent session .
THE MASONIC ASXLTJM . The nest subject of importance to which I would now direct your attention is tho proposed Masonic Asylum , Acting upon , the suggestions made by the Board of General Purposes , acircular containing a series of questions has been addressed toeach of our subordinate lodges , their replies to whicli willenable us to ascertain the views and wishes of the Craft
gene rally upon this very interesting and important question . It appears to me that we aro not yet in a position which would warrant so large an expenditure of money as would berequired for the erection and endowment of such an establishment as the Masons of Canada would wish to see associated , with their name ancl Order . Neither do I believe that there exists any urgent necessity for the immediate expenditure of
money for this purpose ; for although we must all admire theprincely benevolence displayed by the Masons of England in their great Masonic charities , we at the same time also know how widely different our position and circumstances are from theirs . Every warranted lodge under this jurisdiction has , doubtless , its little list of widows and orphans , whom it gladly relieves to the utmost extent of its ability -, and this Grand
Body , also , has never yet turned a deaf ear to the appeal of poverty or distress ; but if you were carefully to examine as to . the position and circumstances of the parties respectively who . have thus received relief and assistance at your hands you would , I am convinced , find that but very few of them , if any would accept your bounty , if coupled with the condition , that before they could become recipients of it they must become
tho inmates of a Masonic asylum , and such of you as have had an opportunity of visiting asylums erected for aged and indigent Musous , either in England or elsewhere , and have carefully obsorvod tho inmates of these institutions , must admit tho facts . ; that , in this country , wo have but few representatives of that unfortunate class of casos amongst us . Tho whole funds of our Grand Lodgo ( with tho exception of that portion which is absolutely required to defray contingent aud other expenses ) are ,.
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
North America.
pensatiou to Harmony Lodge , North East Harbour , Barrington ; 7 th , Dispensation to AA . H . Davies Lodge , Wood's Harbour , Barrington . Making a total of seventeen lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge . The Grand Lodge is now in fraternal relations and correspondence with forty Grand Lodges , comprising most of those in the United States , many in South America , and some in the continent of Europe . The Grand Treasurer
presented his annual report shewing the total revenue of the Grand Lodge to be 100 , 800 dollars . The Committee of Foreign correspondence reported having received the proceedings of thirty-two Grand Lodges . The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing Masonic year .
Canada.
CANADA .
MEETING OF GRAND LODGE . Annual Address of M . W . Bro . AV . M . Wilson , Grand Master , delivered at Kingston , Wth July , 1867 . Brethren , —It is now seven years since I last had the honour of addressing you from this chair , and on looking back over the record of your proceedings , and when reflecting on the many important events which have transpired during that long period
I rejoice that I am able to congratulate you , not only upon the wise conservative counsels which have hitherto guided your efforts in the cause of Masonry , but , also , npon the deservedly high position which this Grand Loclge has obtained in the Masonic world . The blessing of Gocl has rested upon our labours , and our constant prayer to Him should be that He would still continue to foster and to cherish our venerable and beloved institution , and so to influence and guide our aspirations and our acts , that we may successfully carry out the great objects for whicli we are associated together .
ATLANTIC CABLE . Before proceeding to direct your attention more especially to the various important matters which will occupy your time and attention during the present session , there are two events of more than ordinary public interest which have transpired since our last annual meeting , to both of which I will now briefly refer . The first of these , in order of date , was the
successful achievement of one of the most wonderful undertakings which man in bis restless energy ever attempted . I allude to the Atlantic Telegraph . Tho constant and rapid correspondence now hourl y kept up between England and America must have a tendency to bind still closer together those great nations . May it prove an eternal link of brotherhood between us all , and may the providence of God ivhich has thus directed the genius of man to this crowning victory over difficulties and dangers of no ordinary magnitude , make it instrumental in securing tbe happiness of all nations , and the rights of all people .
THE NEW DOMINION . The royal proclamation , which gave life and power to that great work in which our statesmen have been so long engaged , has been issued by our Most Gracious Sovereign , and tho " Dominion of Canada" now takes her position among the powers of tbe earth . This binding together of the scattered fragments of an empire by closer union , not only doubles our material
strength but our moral influence also , and must exercise a powerful effect in knitting still more closely the ties of reverence and affection which bind us to our beloved motherland . The immediate results of this important measure will depend entirely on the spirit in which our people work out its details , and , as an able writer on the subject remarks , the great ultimate issues which hang upon them will in all human probabilitbe decided
y by the tone which may prevail iu the new dominion , and the policy she may pursue during the next few years . That wise counsels may prevail , ancl that the leading men of all parties in the state may unite in securing a successful and harmonious working out of the great problem now submitted for our solution is , I am sure , tlie earnest wish of every true lover of his country , and all will unite in the heartfelt iration and
asp prayer to the Great Architect of the Universe that he , by whose permission and authority kings reign ancl nations exist , will pour down his richest blessings upon our beloved Queen and upon tbis country and people . A GENERAL GRAND LODGE . The new state of political existence upon which we are now
entering , necessarily brings up for our consideration the effect which it must to some extent have on our position as a Grand Lodge . The name by which for many years we have been known aud recognised in the Masonic world becomes now , it i » claimed , a misnomer . The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia , whicli has supreme authority in that section of the new dominion , is as much a Grand Lodge of Canada as we ourselves are . The distinguished brother who presided at your last annual meeting
approved of the idea of a General Grand Lodge , having Provincial Grand Lodges in each province , and the Board of General Purposes , to whom the subject was referred , also reported favourably upon the suggestion made by my Most Worshipful predecessor , but at tlie same time advised that no immediate action be taken in tlie matter . AVhat at that time was only an anticipation has now become a realityand while I readily admit that there is
, something peculiarly pleasing in the idea of uniting all the members of our fraternity who reside in the various provinces now confederated together into one grand body , and while contemplating also the probability of important territorial additions still to be made to the new dominion , I must confess that I entertain grave doubts whether a union , embracing such an immense extent of country , would have a tendency to promote .
the advancement of the best interests of Masonry on the continent . In Great Britain , as you are well aware , there is no General Grand Loclge , and in the neighbouring republic each state has a Grand Lodge , which exercises supreme Masonicauthority in her owu jurisdiction . In the year 1859 the subject of a General Grand Lodge for tbe United States was brought before a committee of Grand Officers for consideration , and by referring to my address for that year you will find that I at that
time expressed the opinion that tbe creation of a General Grand-Lodge having jurisdiction over the several states of the Unioa would neither be expedient nor desirable . In submiting , however , the whole subject to your careful * consideration , I do uot wish it to be understood that I either decidedly oppose or approve of tbe suggestions which have been made . All I mean to convey to you isthat thus far I have not
, heen able to satisfy my own mind as to the wisest course to be pursued under our present circumstances . But I earnestly request for it that thoughtful and calm investigation which the great importance of the matter imperatively requires at your hands , and I would suggest that its consideration be referred to a special committee , who may be able to report during thepresent session .
THE MASONIC ASXLTJM . The nest subject of importance to which I would now direct your attention is tho proposed Masonic Asylum , Acting upon , the suggestions made by the Board of General Purposes , acircular containing a series of questions has been addressed toeach of our subordinate lodges , their replies to whicli willenable us to ascertain the views and wishes of the Craft
gene rally upon this very interesting and important question . It appears to me that we aro not yet in a position which would warrant so large an expenditure of money as would berequired for the erection and endowment of such an establishment as the Masons of Canada would wish to see associated , with their name ancl Order . Neither do I believe that there exists any urgent necessity for the immediate expenditure of
money for this purpose ; for although we must all admire theprincely benevolence displayed by the Masons of England in their great Masonic charities , we at the same time also know how widely different our position and circumstances are from theirs . Every warranted lodge under this jurisdiction has , doubtless , its little list of widows and orphans , whom it gladly relieves to the utmost extent of its ability -, and this Grand
Body , also , has never yet turned a deaf ear to the appeal of poverty or distress ; but if you were carefully to examine as to . the position and circumstances of the parties respectively who . have thus received relief and assistance at your hands you would , I am convinced , find that but very few of them , if any would accept your bounty , if coupled with the condition , that before they could become recipients of it they must become
tho inmates of a Masonic asylum , and such of you as have had an opportunity of visiting asylums erected for aged and indigent Musous , either in England or elsewhere , and have carefully obsorvod tho inmates of these institutions , must admit tho facts . ; that , in this country , wo have but few representatives of that unfortunate class of casos amongst us . Tho whole funds of our Grand Lodgo ( with tho exception of that portion which is absolutely required to defray contingent aud other expenses ) are ,.