Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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champ ions of Canada , have been chiefly found amongst her sons . We cannot but think that Oxford Masons , after the part which they have taken , and well and worthily maintained , before the face of the whole Craft , might with advantage to then - own consistency have paused
before they felicitated their guest upon " the advantages which have resulted from the exercise of your sound and considerate judgment during the many years that you have presided over the Society ; " or , while the defiances of Canadians and the indignant remonstrances of Mark Masons are ringing in our ears
, characterized the G . M . as one who would " consolidate that peace and union which should always distinguish the Society of Freemasons , and which , under your Lordship ' s salutary government , has been so liappily attained . ' " We are not insensible to the many excellencies of
our present G . M . ; we would be the first to pay every mark of respect to his hi gh office and character ; we believe that his advisers are far more to blame than he is for the lamentable misgovernment which has been so injurious to our character and prospects ; but we have always heard that a truthful discrimination lends
value to comphments , and prevents their becoming mere meaningless adulation , as little grateful to the recip ient as it is in good taste on the part of the donor . We believe the P . G . L . of Oxford , having never been consulted about the matter , is not responsible for the address from which we have quoted , and whichunless
, it be a piece of the most biting satire , would lead us to fear that the spirit of the immortal ' JEAMES , ' like some unholy phantom , is to be found lurking even amid the classic groves of the Isis .
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WE commend to the attention , of our Brethren of the MARK Degree , the steps that have been , and are being , taken for the promotion of Mark Masonry in this country . The P . G . M . of QUEBEC tells us that the degree is "imperative on this side of the Atlantic , " and that the Independent G . L . has accordingly made no small amount of Masonic capital out of the refusal
of the G . L . of England to recognize it . We regretted that decision at the time , arising as it did from an ignorance of the first principles of Masonry , or , . as we call them , " ancient landmarks ; " and a consequent exaltation of second principles , or modern red-tapeism in their lace .
p There can be no question but that the Mark degree was anciently an inherent element in every R . A ., if not in every M . M . Lodge ; and just as any true Masons wherever met , constituted a lodge , without any warrant from a superior body , because there was anciently no superior bodto grant one ; sowherever there was a
y , chapter or a lodge , the Mark degree was conferred . Now however the degree has become isolated ; and the question arises , how are Mark Masters to perpetuate their Order ? Some Brethren are for going to the G . C . of Scotland
for a warrant . Some again , priding themselves upon a timo-iinmemorial existence , continue their independent working ; while others have obtained the sanction of a Scotch Chapter for doing in London what that Chapter would do for them if they were in Aberdeen . We foresee endless conflicts of Jurisdictions unless first principles are kept steadily in viewand red tape
, stoutly resisted . We can see no reason for asking from Scotland for authority to separate degrees which ought to be united , and which , anyhow , Scotland has no power to dissociate . If Mark Masons find themselves unable to work in a Craft Lodge , owing to the veto of the G . L . of Englandthey are at perfect liberty to
, work separately and to form Lodges wherever a sufficient number of Mark Masons can be assembled to do so . Or they may , if they jjlease , do as the four London Lodges did ill 1717 , meet together and constitute a united body under the name of a G . L . This latter course has been adopted by several influential and distinguished
Brethren , who have nominated Lord LEIGH their G . M . ; and we think it will be found to be of advantage to the degree that as many Lodges as possible should join ' this associated body . A powerful organisation will thus be formed at once national and comprehensive , which cannot fail to result in the extension and consolidation of Mark Masonry .
Grand Lodge, June 3rd, 1857.
GRAND LODGE , JUNE 3 rd , 1857 .
Published hj the authority of the M . W . the G . M . The Quarterly Communication was held on the 3 rd inst .: the M . W . G . if . the Earl of Zetland presiding ; supported by Bros . T . Hall , Prov . G . M . Cambridge , as D . 6 . M . ; Earl of Durham , S . G . W .: H . Fenwiek , M . P ., J . G W . ; Eev . J . E . Cox , G . Chap . ; I . Henderson , G . Eeg . ; W . Gray Clarke , G . Sec . ; P . Roxburgh , S . G . D . ; S . B . Wilson , J . G . D . ; W . Jennings , G- Dir . Cer . ; Tlios . Hatchings , G . S . B . ; C . G . Horsley , G . Org . ; VV . Farnfield , Asst . G . Sec . ; Joseph
Smith , G . P . ; with several P . G . M . sj Past Grand Officers ; & c , Sc . Grand Lodge having boon opened in ample form—the Minutes of the Quarterly Communication of March 4 th were read , upon which V . W . Bro . HENDERSON , G . K ., proposed , that so much of them as enacted that no person not being a Brother should be allowed to bo present at any of the Masonic Festivals be not confirmed . It was on all hands allowed , that the Grand Stewards discharged their duties in a most excellent manner ; and he therefore was at a loss to see what occasion there was for the introduction of the rule referred to , which would have the effect of interfering with their arrangements . In addition to their providing the banquet at the Grand Festival on a most liberal scale , they also furnished the Brethren with
a musical entertainment ; but if the Grand Lodge were now to confirm the law laid down in the minutes , the effect of it would be to prevent them from doing so . In these remarks , he referred only to the Grand Festival , for there was nothing strictly Masonic in the Charity Festivals , with the exception of the circumstance that the Brethren who attended them appeared in Masonic clothing . All these entertainments were witnessed—not only by those who never could be Masons , the ladies , —but also by waiters who were not Masons . W . Bro . SLIGHT had great pleasure in seconding the motion . It
was perfectly clear to his mind , that the proposed alteration in the law could only refer to the Grand Festival , as the entertainments in support of the separate charities were not strictly speaking Masonic meetings . As regarded the Grand Festival , the Grand Stewards were bound to see that the regulations laid down by the M . W . the G . M . for its management were fully carried out . Having lately served the office of Grand Steward , he " ( Bro . Slight ) must say that he saw in them nothing to bear out the proposal , that no person who was not a Mason should be allowed to sit down at any of their Masonic banquets . If it had been the desire of the G . M . that all non-Masons should be excluded , the regulations to which he referred would have expressly stated so . The worthy Brother , who on the occasion of the last quarterly communication proposed the resolution which now appeared
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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champ ions of Canada , have been chiefly found amongst her sons . We cannot but think that Oxford Masons , after the part which they have taken , and well and worthily maintained , before the face of the whole Craft , might with advantage to then - own consistency have paused
before they felicitated their guest upon " the advantages which have resulted from the exercise of your sound and considerate judgment during the many years that you have presided over the Society ; " or , while the defiances of Canadians and the indignant remonstrances of Mark Masons are ringing in our ears
, characterized the G . M . as one who would " consolidate that peace and union which should always distinguish the Society of Freemasons , and which , under your Lordship ' s salutary government , has been so liappily attained . ' " We are not insensible to the many excellencies of
our present G . M . ; we would be the first to pay every mark of respect to his hi gh office and character ; we believe that his advisers are far more to blame than he is for the lamentable misgovernment which has been so injurious to our character and prospects ; but we have always heard that a truthful discrimination lends
value to comphments , and prevents their becoming mere meaningless adulation , as little grateful to the recip ient as it is in good taste on the part of the donor . We believe the P . G . L . of Oxford , having never been consulted about the matter , is not responsible for the address from which we have quoted , and whichunless
, it be a piece of the most biting satire , would lead us to fear that the spirit of the immortal ' JEAMES , ' like some unholy phantom , is to be found lurking even amid the classic groves of the Isis .
Ar00300
WE commend to the attention , of our Brethren of the MARK Degree , the steps that have been , and are being , taken for the promotion of Mark Masonry in this country . The P . G . M . of QUEBEC tells us that the degree is "imperative on this side of the Atlantic , " and that the Independent G . L . has accordingly made no small amount of Masonic capital out of the refusal
of the G . L . of England to recognize it . We regretted that decision at the time , arising as it did from an ignorance of the first principles of Masonry , or , . as we call them , " ancient landmarks ; " and a consequent exaltation of second principles , or modern red-tapeism in their lace .
p There can be no question but that the Mark degree was anciently an inherent element in every R . A ., if not in every M . M . Lodge ; and just as any true Masons wherever met , constituted a lodge , without any warrant from a superior body , because there was anciently no superior bodto grant one ; sowherever there was a
y , chapter or a lodge , the Mark degree was conferred . Now however the degree has become isolated ; and the question arises , how are Mark Masters to perpetuate their Order ? Some Brethren are for going to the G . C . of Scotland
for a warrant . Some again , priding themselves upon a timo-iinmemorial existence , continue their independent working ; while others have obtained the sanction of a Scotch Chapter for doing in London what that Chapter would do for them if they were in Aberdeen . We foresee endless conflicts of Jurisdictions unless first principles are kept steadily in viewand red tape
, stoutly resisted . We can see no reason for asking from Scotland for authority to separate degrees which ought to be united , and which , anyhow , Scotland has no power to dissociate . If Mark Masons find themselves unable to work in a Craft Lodge , owing to the veto of the G . L . of Englandthey are at perfect liberty to
, work separately and to form Lodges wherever a sufficient number of Mark Masons can be assembled to do so . Or they may , if they jjlease , do as the four London Lodges did ill 1717 , meet together and constitute a united body under the name of a G . L . This latter course has been adopted by several influential and distinguished
Brethren , who have nominated Lord LEIGH their G . M . ; and we think it will be found to be of advantage to the degree that as many Lodges as possible should join ' this associated body . A powerful organisation will thus be formed at once national and comprehensive , which cannot fail to result in the extension and consolidation of Mark Masonry .
Grand Lodge, June 3rd, 1857.
GRAND LODGE , JUNE 3 rd , 1857 .
Published hj the authority of the M . W . the G . M . The Quarterly Communication was held on the 3 rd inst .: the M . W . G . if . the Earl of Zetland presiding ; supported by Bros . T . Hall , Prov . G . M . Cambridge , as D . 6 . M . ; Earl of Durham , S . G . W .: H . Fenwiek , M . P ., J . G W . ; Eev . J . E . Cox , G . Chap . ; I . Henderson , G . Eeg . ; W . Gray Clarke , G . Sec . ; P . Roxburgh , S . G . D . ; S . B . Wilson , J . G . D . ; W . Jennings , G- Dir . Cer . ; Tlios . Hatchings , G . S . B . ; C . G . Horsley , G . Org . ; VV . Farnfield , Asst . G . Sec . ; Joseph
Smith , G . P . ; with several P . G . M . sj Past Grand Officers ; & c , Sc . Grand Lodge having boon opened in ample form—the Minutes of the Quarterly Communication of March 4 th were read , upon which V . W . Bro . HENDERSON , G . K ., proposed , that so much of them as enacted that no person not being a Brother should be allowed to bo present at any of the Masonic Festivals be not confirmed . It was on all hands allowed , that the Grand Stewards discharged their duties in a most excellent manner ; and he therefore was at a loss to see what occasion there was for the introduction of the rule referred to , which would have the effect of interfering with their arrangements . In addition to their providing the banquet at the Grand Festival on a most liberal scale , they also furnished the Brethren with
a musical entertainment ; but if the Grand Lodge were now to confirm the law laid down in the minutes , the effect of it would be to prevent them from doing so . In these remarks , he referred only to the Grand Festival , for there was nothing strictly Masonic in the Charity Festivals , with the exception of the circumstance that the Brethren who attended them appeared in Masonic clothing . All these entertainments were witnessed—not only by those who never could be Masons , the ladies , —but also by waiters who were not Masons . W . Bro . SLIGHT had great pleasure in seconding the motion . It
was perfectly clear to his mind , that the proposed alteration in the law could only refer to the Grand Festival , as the entertainments in support of the separate charities were not strictly speaking Masonic meetings . As regarded the Grand Festival , the Grand Stewards were bound to see that the regulations laid down by the M . W . the G . M . for its management were fully carried out . Having lately served the office of Grand Steward , he " ( Bro . Slight ) must say that he saw in them nothing to bear out the proposal , that no person who was not a Mason should be allowed to sit down at any of their Masonic banquets . If it had been the desire of the G . M . that all non-Masons should be excluded , the regulations to which he referred would have expressly stated so . The worthy Brother , who on the occasion of the last quarterly communication proposed the resolution which now appeared