Knights Templar.

Grand Conclave I defected him as the first ProvmciSl Grand Chancellor and Registrar , these offices he filled for sevent ! years , materially aiding-amd assisting me , and to his zeal arid'efficiency I -attribute ranch of the success which has heeu attained in placing the Order on its present firm and constitutional basis in the Dominion , He also held the rank of a Deputy Grand Commander , and that of a Past Grand Officer ofthe Grand Conclave in England and AVales , with sincere regret I have to

record the loss sustained hy this Grand Priory and the Order generally m Canada , of so illustrious a frater . The Bom'iasion Grand Chancellor will be pleased to direct that tlie Officers of Grand Priory wear the usual mourning for three HM-nths , for their late lamented Past Deputy Grand Commander , snd a memoral record be added to their proceedings , with such other tribute to his memory as Grand Priory may deem proper to adopt .

At > eur last annual assembly I directed a committee to be formed fer the purpose of ascertaining what were the actual requirements of the Order in Canada , that proper measures might he adopted to meet either the grievances complained of by some members , or point out such changes as would add to the prosperity of the Canadian Branch of the Temple . I have not as yet been furnished with this report , aud cannot therefore enter into any further explanation of views

my expressed last year , or determine what course I shall pursue , until I know what the fraters of this jurisdiction have to bring forward . My own feelings continue loyal to the Supreme Governing Authority in England ; and be assured the Order of the Temple under English rule , both in its government and ritualism , is far superior to any fancied advantages tho love of change might lead those who have not thoroughlinvestigated tho matter to

exy pect . The inconsistencies that appear in other systems should ho a warning to avoid invading the purity of our own . The unfortunate differences which have sprung up in Canada by a separation ofthe Craft Lodges of the Province of Quebec from the Grand Lodge of Canada is much to be deplored , and I regret to say has given rise to feelings quite foreign to the principles of Freemasonry .

In this matter as far as relates to the Order of the Temple I have not permitted any interference whatever . I had no official commuuication on the subject , and even if such had been the casd I would not have felt myself justified in refusing admittance to any candidate Royal Arch Mason in good standing , no matter what jurisdiction he belonged to , or fail to recognise any Knight Templar because he preferred being a member of one Grand Lodge more than another . Tlie statutes of the Temple

provide only that its ranks be filled by Freemasons who have attained tbe grade of the Royal Arch , which is in England the climax ofthe 3 rd degree , further than this no other connection exists between the Masonic body aud the Temple Order . Our Euglish Templar system is but a revival of the chivalric order attaching itself during the last century to the Masonic fraternity with which it still continues to be allied .

It has been lately strongly advocated by a section of the Masonic press , ' that a system of rites be established , making it compulsory to obtain several degrees in rotation before receiving that of the Temple , and that the Degrees called " Royal and Select Masters" lately introduced into Canada be preliminary to the Temple . While I myself and many of the Grand Officei-rJire members of these rites , and uphold their principles , or me o assent to such a proceeding would be a direct

violation of the statues of and renunciation of my allegiance to the Grard Conclave of England . You are all aware that I obtained some years ago authority to communicate to the Degree of the United States " Red Cross , " or Babylonish Pass , " to Canadian Templars , for the purpose of preventing any difficulty in visiting United States Encampments , where this degree is a pass to their Templar , system , but is not compulsory with us , nor do I think it would

be of any advantage to grant it in onr purely Christian Order . This Degree is now placed under control of and given in Councils of Select and Royal Masters . Tbe revival lately of several obsolete degrees and orders in England , has unfortunately given rise to so much controversy and unpleasant correspondence , and it is greatly to be regretted the pure system of English Freemasonry should be disturbed by so many Grand Bodies spring up and wishing to imitate what are really incongruities iu any American system .

It is with "' much , pain that I have to announce to GranS Priory that I was under the necessity of suspending the warrant of "The Richard Coeur deLion" Encampment , of London , Province of Ontario . For upwards of twelve mouths a party feeling had sprung up in the Encampment quite at variance with the teachings and principles of the Order , disputes and recriminations took place , relating principally to the election of an Eminent Commander . On carefully investigating the

matter I considered it my duty to suspend the warrant and close the Encampment . The Past Eminent Commander complied with the demand to surrender the warrant to the Dominion Grand Chancellor , stating that the Registrar of the Encampment Prater Thomas McMnllen , who was the Eminent Commander elect—and with whom and the other officers in the disagreement originated , refused to deliver up the minute andcash hooks . I directed the Grand Chancellor to apply to him ;

direct . This application , although sufficient time had been allowed , was not attended to , when I caused another to he made , pointing out the great impropriety of his conduct , and ' that it rendered him liable to the penaltv of suspension . This

frater persisting in his contumacious conduct , violating his vows to the Order , and the duty he owed to his superiors , I have suspended from all the privileges of a Knight Templar , and reported the circumstances to the Supreme Grand Conclave of England . It has been a source of great regret to me , to be called upon thus to exercise my authority , being the first case of direct insuburdination to constituted authority which has come to my knowledge , since the introduction of the Orders into

Canada under English rule . I must again draw the attention of Eminent Commanders to the necessity of greater care being bestowed in the admittance of candidates to our ranks ; they are bound by their terms of office to attend to this point . Sufficient care has not at alltimes been observed , and there lias been great laxity as regards the social position and requirements of persons admitted . There exists no desire or intention to make the order an exclusive or

conservative club , but neither is it right to admit as membeisthose whose social position unfit them as associates iu private life . The Order of the Temple is not strictly a Masonie society , and it never was intended that for the sake of

attainingcoveted high 'sounding Masonic rank , | many , otherwise worthy Masons , should bo taken out of their own sphere , and often to the prejudice of their private'avoeations , brought forward to fill offices in the Order of the Temple . The Grand Conclave in England has already animadverted on the submission of members , who , hy the returns received from Encampments , were shown not to bo persons eligible for admission . Page 37 of the statutes clearly define that no one shall be

installed a Knight Templar unless previously balloted for in open Encampment , and that bis name , place of abode , and his description , profession , avocation , & c , shall have beeninserted in th e summons for the meeting at which it is proposed to take the ballot . It is , therefore , the bonnden duty of all members to attend such summons , and should an objectionable candidate he proposed , the remedy is in their own hands , and I am sure I have only to request that every possible eare and precaution be taken in ascertaining the standing , position and eligibility of all candidates for installation .

The Supreme Grand Master , at my recommendation , has been pleased to grant patents to Eminent Sir Knights Robert Ramsay , the Rev . Vincent Clementi , and James Kirkpatriek Kerr , of this Grand Priory , to hold rank in the Grand Conclave of England as Past Grand Captains . It is truly gratifying to record a continuance of the most fraternal intercourse with our American confreres . An exchange of representatives between the Grand Encampments of

the Stato of Ohio , and this Grand Priory has heen effected this year . Right Eminent Sir Knight R . Babcock is to be our representative at the Grand Encampment of Ohio , and I have nominated Eminent Sir Knight Robert Ramsay to be their icpreseutative at this Grand Priory . The General Grand Encampment of the United States having announced their intention of holding their triennial assembly in September nextat BaltimoreI purpose nominating a

com-, , mittee to represent this Grand Priory , and offer to the Right Eminent the General Grand Master and assembled Knights Templars , of the United States our fraternal and Knightly regards and good wishes for their continued prosperity , trusting that unity , peace , and brotherly love may ever exist between us as members of the same great Christian Order .