Freemasonry In British North America.

null and void , so long as it lacks the acquiescence and recognition of the mother Grand Lodge , the fundamental principles of Masonic international courtesy forbidding recognition in other quarters , unless the secession be endorsed by the parent

Grand Lodge . This general rule should be observed more especially where the prerogative of our OAVU Grand Lodge , the alma mater of all Masonic bodies of the civilised world is at stake . Viewed in the light of these principles , the

impropriety of the step taken by our brethren of Nova Scotia will at once become apparent . An application for recognition should never have been addressed to the Grand Lodges of the United States , unless those of the United Kingdom had

been previously appealed to and their assent secured . Without meaning in the least to prejudge or foregtal the final decision of our OAV ' n Grand Lodge , we cannot forbear from expressing our opinion that our colonial brethren have committed an egregious

mistake in the mode of proceeding which they have chosen to folloAV . Moreover we do not think it has been satisfactorily shown that there is any sound reason for establishing an independent Grand Lodge in that colony . We consider it highly objectionable that

every country , hoAvever small , m Avhich a certain number of lodges exist , should have a Grand Lodge of its oivn . On identical grounds the colonies of New Brunswick , Newfoundland , nay , even King Edward ' s Island might set forth a claim

to the same effect . A chief Masonic authority in any one of the small colonies has no more raison d ' etre than those in the small Duchies and principalities of Germany which , on the amalgamation of their provinces ivith Prussia , are likely to be

absorbed by the Berlin Grand Lodges . We can understand , we should even consider as perfectly reasonable a wish on the part of the Provincial Grand Lodges of British North America to secede from the mother Grand Lodge and join that of

Canada , already virtually established ; the greater proximity of that colony , as Avell as the almost certainty of the establishment of a confederacy amongst all the British settlements in that region , might warrant such a step . But the erection of

independent Masonic lodges in small districts , the establishment of Lilliputian Grand Lodges should in our opinion be resisted by the existing Masonic ruling bodies to the utmost of their power . In our issue of the 4 th inst . we reproduced the suggestion of a colonial contemporary to transform the exist-

Freemasonry In British North America.

ing Grand Lodge of Canada into a Masonic central authority for the whole of British North America , aud the refusal of the Canadian Grand Master to recognise the proposed separate Grand Lodge for Nova Scotia ( recorded in the same number , page

95 ) , Avarrants the hope that such an amalgamation may , in due time , be effected , AA'hich , we have no doubt , would meet Avith no serious opposition on the part of the Grand Lodges of the United Kingdom .

Benjamin Franklin,

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ,

Master of the First Warranted Lodge in Pennsylvania , and Provincial Grand Master of that Province . The name of Benjamin Franklin illumines the history of Masonry , and of our country , for more than one-half of the last century . Its diamond

light is not confined to the city , the province , or the country that gave him birth . The orient borrows a ray from it , and wherever the evening twilight lingers , or the polar star guides , or the southern cross gleams , there the torch which he

lighted from the clouds above him irradiates the path-way still of every civilited nation . Of his humble birth in Boston , January 17 , 1706 ; of his early employment in an occupation unsuited to his genius ; of his being indentured to his

brother as a printer ' s apprentice , and fleeing from his petty tyranny to Philadelphia ; of his amusing introduction to that city , and his boyhood success there ; of his leaving it for a voyage to London . Avhile he Avas yet in his minority , and of his first

London life ; every step from tottering infancy to bold reliant manhood has been often told , and we need not repeat them in our sketch of his Masonic life .

Leaving the youth of Franklin with all its romantic incidents and instructive lessons behind us , we find him on his return from England in the autumn of 1726 , in his tAventy-first year , recommencing * his citizenship in Philadelphia , Avith a

body strong and vigorous , a mind active and well cultivated , and with a knoAvledge of his art , and an experience gained in the school of the Avorld , which Avell fitted him to step boldly on to the platform of actiA r e life . His intentions at this period

were to fit himself for a mercantile life , but the death of his employer soon induced him to engage again as a printer , and his industry , integrity , and studious habits soon gained him friends , competence , and distinction .