Address Of M.W. Grand Master Pratt To The Grand Lodge Of California.

to express my disapprobation of whatever seemed to me in any degree unmasonic . From this limited experience I am satisfied that , if a general visitation by the Grand Master , or some proper person chosen for the purpose , could ho had even at intervals of five or ten years , the good which would result therefrom would he almost incalculable . The matter is worthy of serious consideration . But what provision , if any , could be made for such purposesI am at a loss to suggestcertainlysomething ; of

, , , that sort is needed . With one hundred and seventy lodges under our jurisdiction , the correspondence of tins office has grown to a matter of considerable magnitude . Something more than one hundred and fifty letters have been received by me , asking perhaps tuice as many questions of Masonic Law . These have all been answered promptly and in detail . Of all this multitude of questions , but very few are deemed of sufficient importance to report to

youa very large proportion having been already decided by my predecessors and tho Grand Lodge , and others being answered by the plain and obvious reading of our Constitution ; so that it was hardly possible for mo to err . There were some , however , for which I found no precise precedent , and some for which , in my judgment , the rule should he changed , and I submit all such to your consideration .

Address.

ADDRESS .

Delivered by Comp . G . Harrington , to the Grand Chapter of Canada . Companions , —So smooth has been the path of Capitular Masonry in and throughout the Dominion , since we last assembled together , that I have no little difficulty to so prepare the usual annual address , as to make it all interesting . I can , however , at all events , repeat what I said at our last convocation ,

that I feel happy in once more meeting you , and I pray iu all sincerity , that we may be allowed for many a year , to assemble in harmony and good fellowship , —that no cloud may rise in onr Masonic sky , threatening to mar the sympathy of our high and honourable branch of Freemasonry , —and that our future may be as sunshiny as our past has been prosperous , —and so I greet you all well , my companions . And now for a few facts and some biief statistics . We

number thirty-nine subordinate Chapters . I have issued dispensations in favour of four new Chapters , and I hope Grand Chapter will , if all is found to bo satisfactory otherwise , grant the neccssary warrants of Confirmation . The names mid the places where held are as follows : —Seymour Chapter , Bradford ; liotsford Chapter , Moncton , N . B . ; Guelph Chapter , Guelph ; Harris Chapter , Iugersoll . One you will observe belongs to Now Brunswick , —thus adding cement to onr common bond of union ! I am glad to stato to Grand Chapter that one of our oldest subordinates , St . Andrew ' s Chapter , Toronto , is most fully revived , and working worthy its ancient fame . I am

also happy to add that St . John's Chapter , on the registry of Scotland , has surrendered its warrant , and amalgamated with St . Andrew ' s , and in accordance with the desire of the companions members of both , I sanctioned a change of name . The amalgamated Chapter is now called , " St . Andrew ' s and St . John Chapter , " No . A-, Registry of Canada . I have granted several Dispensations for Hie election of Principals ; nil in my opinion being absolutel for the

y necessary welfare and existence of the respective Chapters interested , owing to the paucity of candidates , otherwise qualified under our Constitution . I have also confirmed many of the bye-laws of our subordinate bodies . Since our last Annual Convocation the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia has been formally organized , and although I could not help thinking the action somewhat premature , considering tho

small number of Chapters existing iu that Province , yet acting on my conviction , that where there is a Grand Lodge , a Grand Chapter may of right follow , I had no hesitation about icknowledging the "Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia , " and wishing that body success and prosperity . The " Grand Mark Lodge of England " also claimed recognition , and an interchange of brotherly courtesiesand as the

, Mark Degree is one of those sanctiued by this Grand Chapter , I saw nothing opposed to the allowance of that claim , and the Grand Scribe E . wrote to the authorities in England accordingly hy my desire , conveying the recognition and good wishes of Grand Chapter . Our own subordinate Chapters , I have reason to believe ,

are prospering , ancl our members are increasing in number , and preserving tbe good name aud honour of our Order , — concerning which the several reports of the Grand Superintendents of Districts will give you more full information that I can . So also will the statements and accounts of the Grand Treasurer and Grand Scribe E . put you in complete possession of the financial condition of Grand Chapter . I have caused all the accounts to be paidas sanctioned by youand the

, , voucheis will come regularly before your notice . The report on '' Foreign Correspondence " will , as usual , be submitted by the able Chairman of that Committee , and you will see there how zealously and faithfully tbe interests of Capitular Masonry are guarded and looked alter by other Sovereign Bodies , with all of whom we are , I have pleasure in stating , in close fellowship and neighbourly relationship , —who are ail

flourishing , —and who all manifest a very kindly interest in the welfare of the '' Grand Chapter of Canada 1 " You will observe on the proceedings of last year , a notice of motion for au amendment to clause . No . 4 , " of proposing mem - hers , " in our Hook of Constitution , which , if it becomes law , will specifically add to the dispensing power of your Grand First Principal . I deem it my dutto invite attention to

y your this , as it will be an alteration affecting an important clause . Another and a most serious matter I submit also lor the due consideration of Grand Chapter , is our proposed authorized Ritual . The committee have attended to this very carefully and anxiously , a report is prepared , the work is in readiness for exemplification , —and the result will be submitted to your wisdom and for your determination . And while on this topic , I have to

suggest to Grand Chapter to consider the necessity and propriety of working the degrees of " Eoyal and Select Masters , " as practised in the United States of America , and known as " Cryptic " Masonry . These degrees would seem to be proper appendages to Grand Chapter and Hoy ill Arch Masonry , and are interesting , if not absolutely necessary . Tbe Province of New Brunswick has a recognized Grand Council controlling these degrees , and I have been appointed Inspector in and for Quebec and Ontario . But it would obviously be preferable for Grand Chapter at ouce to assume the government , and grant warrants—which action ,

when three or more subordinate Councils spring into life , will result in the regular organization of a Grand Council for Quebec and Ontario , and thus place the degrees on a correct and prosperous footing . !• - ••¦ The only remaining subject to which I invite your notice is the retirement of tbe Most Excellent Comp . the Earl of Zetland , from the high office of Grand Z . of the Grand Chapter of England—which , all of you know , he has worthily held for

more than a quarter of a century , and now vacates , owing to ill health , —to the great regret and sorrow of all over whom he has ruled for so long and arduous a period . I think the Grand Chapter would honour herself by sending home to England a complimentary address to that courteous and kind-hearted Nobleman and Companion , expressive of our high esteem and . good wishes for his restoration to health and future comfort . Before concluding , I cannot help making reference to an

existing unfortunate condition of affairs in the Province of Quebec . I do not know officially , as your presiding officer , what has occurred there , iu relation to Cvalt Masonry , and therefore I have nothing officially to submit to Grand Chapter . But we are none of us blind to the plain fact that there is in that province division in our ranks , and au unhappy stato of things , attended wiih much personal bitterness , which actually piecludes brotherly recognition of many most estimable members of

our-Institution , and which ought not to exist amongst Freemasons . ' I am sure Grand Chapter will , wiih me , truly regret all these untoward circumstances , and pray for a harmonious and brotherly arrangement of matters that have caused so damaging a shock to our otherwise perfect structure . You all know to what my present allusions point . Let us not , however , permit discord , if possible , to arise out of those events , in our high branch of the

Order . Let us hope and trust that al ! difficulties will shortly disappear , or be removed . Let us work for that ond ! And let us hear in mind , that as we have hitherto steered clear of personal differences , so there need be no future ill-will , or angry feeling , —and Grand Chapter can remain , as now , in a condition to look on calmly , —and quietly accept any result , —always desiring prosperity and God speed to all ; ever looking to the good of our Institution , ind aiding- to establish and perpetuate the good harmony ,