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  • Sept. 20, 1858
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The Masonic Observer, Sept. 20, 1858: Page 11

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The Colonies.

minutes , Bro . Harmgton road the resolutions , and informed Grand Lodge , that he was deputed by Bro . Stephens to inform the Brethren that the other body had already sanctioned them . A short discussion as to some verbal alterations followed , but finally , by a unanimous vote , they were adopted ; and a deputation , consisting of Bro Harington , P . G . M . ; Bro . Ridout , D . G . M . ; Bro . Whitehead , P . G . S . W . ; and Bro . Barman , P . G . S . W . ; were sent to the other Grand Lodge to inform them of our readiness to meet them . Their reception was most enthusiastic ; and on their return , the Antient Grand Lodge proceeded

to the meeting of the Independent Grand Lodge , and were received with grand honors . The resolutions of union were then proposed by Bro . Harington , seconded by Bro . Stephens , and unity once more was enthusiasticallv restored . Addresses were then delivered by the M . W . G . M . s Wilson and Sir A . N . MaeNab : also by M . W . Bro . Tucker , G . M . of Vermont ; R . W . Bro . Rob . Morris , D . G . M . of Kentucky ; R . W . Bros . Ridout , Harington , and others : after which Grand Lodge adjourned . Next , morning the United Grand Lodmet in the splendid

Mage sonic hall formerly belonging to the Antient Grand Lodge , and elected the following Officers : M . W . Grand Master , Col W . Mercer Wilson ; R . W . D . G . M ., Thomas Gibbs Ridout ; D . District G . M . s , — Toronto , F . W . Cumberland—Hamilton , R . Bull—London , James Moffat—Kingston , W . B . Simpson—Montreal , Edward Morris—Eastern Townships , E . B . Gustin ; G . S . W ., P D . Brown ; G . J . W ., J . K . Brown : G . Chaps ., Revs . S . Ramsay , M . A ., F . J . Lnndy , D . C . L ., E . Dewar , M . A ., and F . Tremayne ; G . Treas , Wm . Bellhouse ; G . Keg ., Francis Richardson ; G . Sec ., Thos B . Harris .

The following were appointed by the G . M .: G S . D ., E . R . O'Brien ; G . J . D ., Curtis ; G . Supt . Works , F . J . Rastrick ; G . Dir . of Cers ., S . B . Campbell ; Asst . G . Sec ., W . R . Harris ; G . Sword Bearer , Henry Bowsell ; G . Org , W . T . Thomas ; Asst . G . Org ., J . P . Clarke , Mus . Doc ; G . Tyler , J . Morrison . The following are the preamble and resolutions for the union , as proposed by the R . W . Bro . T . D . Harington , seconded by the R . W . Bro . W . C . Stephens .

" Whereas , the past condition and future welfare of Freemasonry in Canada rendered it absolutely necessary to organize and establish a ' Sovereign Grand Lodge , ' for the reasons , and on the basis , set forth in various documents from time to time circulated , the correctness of -which has not been refuted , although there has existed a diversity of opinion as to whether the proper time had arrived for severing the connection with the mother Grand Lodges of Great Britain and Ireland , without further efforts being first made to obtain such , necessary conditions as would tend to ameliorate the condition of the

Canadian Craft , and which diversity of opinion has been suffered to operate to the injury of the best " interests of Freemasonry in the province , and thereby to militate against the advancement of the entire order , by creating , as it has done , antagonistic bodies claiming separate and independent jurisdictions , by causing division amongst Brethren bound together b } strong and mutual ties , and by interfering here and elsewhere with that unity which is essentially a first principle of the landmarks of the ancient institution : " And whereas the anxious and generally expressed desire for

consummating a union of the fraternity under one governing and supreme authority testifies that , whether the proper time had or had not previously arrived , all are now agreed that Canadian Freemasonry should possess its own Grand Lodge : " And whereas the maintenance of the dignity of the Grand Lodge of Canada for the future must be an object of equal interest to the entire Canadian Fraternity : "It is resolved : That an impartial review of all the eventful circumstances attending its organizationits priorityits subsequent

, , important proceedings , and its recognition by a portion of the British empire , and by a very large proportion of the Grand Lodges of the United States of America , demonstrates that the Grand Lodge of Canada , organized on the 10 th October , 1855 , and known and recognized as aforesaid by the style and title of 'The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , ' should be acknowledged by the entire Canadian Craft , and should be and is hereby declared to be the Grand Lodge of the Fraternity in and throughout Canada .

"Resolved also : That the diversity of opinion heretofore mentioned , which in various ways retarded the union of the Fraternity , having given rise , amongst other circumstances to be regretted , to the anomaly in Freemasonry of the erection in one and the same territory of a second Grand ' Lodge , styled ' The Antient Grand Lodge of Canada , ' and exercising jurisdiction over a portion of the Canadian Craft , it is necessary for the interests of the institution , and in accordance with the previous resolution , that the said 'Antient Grand Lodge of Canada' should bo dissolved ; therefore the same is now

dissolved ; its Officers ( as Past Grand Officers ) and its members and Lodges hereby uniting with , and becoming enrolled according to their respective rank and seniority in the registry of 'The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , ' in every respect as though tliey had concurred originally in the organization of that Grand Lodge , to which they hereby pledge their willing and faithful obedience , feeling as all do , that the future prosperity and permanent welfare of Freemasonry require unanimity and harmony . " Resolved also : That a committee , to consist of , be appointed

for ascertaining and defining the respective rank and precedence of Brethren and of Lodges , according to the dates of their original warrants or dispensations ; the said committee to report to an especial communication of Grand Lodge , to be convened by the M . W . Grand Master at six months from this date . " Resolved also : That warrants under the seal of' The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , ' to bear date on this day of union , be forthwith prepared for each and every Lodge enrolled on the registry of 'The Antient Grand Lodge' aforesaid , and that the

names of seven members of each such Lodge be furnished with as little delay as possible to the Grand Secretary for insertion in such respective warrants ; the number of each such warrant to be affixed thereto , after receiving the report of the committee aforesaid . "And resolved also : That all Provincial Grand and private Lodges , not at present in alliance with ' The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada' he notified of these proceedings , and be invited to enrol themselves within six months , that they may be accorded their proper rank and precedence on the register of the said Grand Lodge at the especial communication before mentioned . "

Ar01101

GRAND LODGK OF CANADA . —In our last issue we announced to the Masonic World the union which had just been consummated in Canada . We had only time before going to press to state the fact , and publish the preamble and resolutions oi the union , and the names of the officers elected . We were indebted for the information to the indefatigable and devoted Brother , T . D . Harington , who laboured with zeal and perseverance to accomplish this great end with a

singleness of heart and purity of motive ; having no other end in view than the unity of the Craft , and the integrity of the Institution . —Bro . Harington informs us that the Grand Lodge commenced its Communication on the 14 th , and continued its sessions three days . The entire Craft of the Province appear to have been represented in ¦ Grand Lodge . About five hundred delegates were present , representing one hundred Lodges , showing clearly the vast interest taken by the fraternity in the important question of a union The membership of the two Grand Lodges are all now ranged under one headand

, under one banner they will pursue their mission of love and charity , in unity and peace . May the great I AM bless them in the performance of their benevolent duties , and crown their labours with abundant success . The Masonic world will unite in blessing and praise for the strong attachment to the principles of Masonry , and the desire to preserve the Institution intact , manifested by the fraternity in Canada . —A merictm Mirror and Keystone .

Ar01102

The following Correspondence has passed between the GRAND SECRETARY and Bro . HARINGTON , P . P . G . M ., of Quebec , andis the subject of Lord CARNARVON ' S motion in G . L ., in December next . [ The Letter from Bro . HARINGTON to which the following is a reply from the Grand Secretary , appeared in our impression for June 20 th . ] " Freemasons' Hall , London ; 10 th June , 1858 .

"R . W . Sir and Brother , —I have laid before the M . W . Grand . Master your letter received in May , and have taken his lordship's instructions thereon . In reply , I have to point out to you . that your first courteous and Masonic communication received from the M . W . Grand Master a carefully considered and deliberate reply . Not satisfied with that reply you forwarded a very lengthy communication , in which you sought to controvert the judgment of the Grand Masterin which you introduced passages from magazineswhich

; , were couched in objectionable and offensive terms ; and in which you referred to authorities unknown and unrecognized here ; but in which you allege no new facts which either require notice , or could justify the M . W . Grand Master in altering his expressed opinion .

“The Masonic Observer: 1858-09-20, Page 11” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 12 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mob/issues/mob_20091858/page/11/.
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Untitled Article 5
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Untitled Article 7
GRAND LODGE. Article 7
The Colonies. Article 10
Untitled Article 11
Untitled Article 11
Untitled Article 14
UNION IN NEW YORK. Article 14
NEW BRUNSWICK. Article 14
NEW ZEALAND. Article 15
AUSTRALIA.-VICTORIA. Article 15
Mark Masonry. Article 16
Masonic Charities. Article 17
The Provinces. Article 19
Untitled Article 22
Correspondence. Article 23
Untitled Article 24
Untitled Article 24
Untitled Ad 24
Untitled Ad 24
Untitled Ad 24
Untitled Ad 24
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Colonies.

minutes , Bro . Harmgton road the resolutions , and informed Grand Lodge , that he was deputed by Bro . Stephens to inform the Brethren that the other body had already sanctioned them . A short discussion as to some verbal alterations followed , but finally , by a unanimous vote , they were adopted ; and a deputation , consisting of Bro Harington , P . G . M . ; Bro . Ridout , D . G . M . ; Bro . Whitehead , P . G . S . W . ; and Bro . Barman , P . G . S . W . ; were sent to the other Grand Lodge to inform them of our readiness to meet them . Their reception was most enthusiastic ; and on their return , the Antient Grand Lodge proceeded

to the meeting of the Independent Grand Lodge , and were received with grand honors . The resolutions of union were then proposed by Bro . Harington , seconded by Bro . Stephens , and unity once more was enthusiasticallv restored . Addresses were then delivered by the M . W . G . M . s Wilson and Sir A . N . MaeNab : also by M . W . Bro . Tucker , G . M . of Vermont ; R . W . Bro . Rob . Morris , D . G . M . of Kentucky ; R . W . Bros . Ridout , Harington , and others : after which Grand Lodge adjourned . Next , morning the United Grand Lodmet in the splendid

Mage sonic hall formerly belonging to the Antient Grand Lodge , and elected the following Officers : M . W . Grand Master , Col W . Mercer Wilson ; R . W . D . G . M ., Thomas Gibbs Ridout ; D . District G . M . s , — Toronto , F . W . Cumberland—Hamilton , R . Bull—London , James Moffat—Kingston , W . B . Simpson—Montreal , Edward Morris—Eastern Townships , E . B . Gustin ; G . S . W ., P D . Brown ; G . J . W ., J . K . Brown : G . Chaps ., Revs . S . Ramsay , M . A ., F . J . Lnndy , D . C . L ., E . Dewar , M . A ., and F . Tremayne ; G . Treas , Wm . Bellhouse ; G . Keg ., Francis Richardson ; G . Sec ., Thos B . Harris .

The following were appointed by the G . M .: G S . D ., E . R . O'Brien ; G . J . D ., Curtis ; G . Supt . Works , F . J . Rastrick ; G . Dir . of Cers ., S . B . Campbell ; Asst . G . Sec ., W . R . Harris ; G . Sword Bearer , Henry Bowsell ; G . Org , W . T . Thomas ; Asst . G . Org ., J . P . Clarke , Mus . Doc ; G . Tyler , J . Morrison . The following are the preamble and resolutions for the union , as proposed by the R . W . Bro . T . D . Harington , seconded by the R . W . Bro . W . C . Stephens .

" Whereas , the past condition and future welfare of Freemasonry in Canada rendered it absolutely necessary to organize and establish a ' Sovereign Grand Lodge , ' for the reasons , and on the basis , set forth in various documents from time to time circulated , the correctness of -which has not been refuted , although there has existed a diversity of opinion as to whether the proper time had arrived for severing the connection with the mother Grand Lodges of Great Britain and Ireland , without further efforts being first made to obtain such , necessary conditions as would tend to ameliorate the condition of the

Canadian Craft , and which diversity of opinion has been suffered to operate to the injury of the best " interests of Freemasonry in the province , and thereby to militate against the advancement of the entire order , by creating , as it has done , antagonistic bodies claiming separate and independent jurisdictions , by causing division amongst Brethren bound together b } strong and mutual ties , and by interfering here and elsewhere with that unity which is essentially a first principle of the landmarks of the ancient institution : " And whereas the anxious and generally expressed desire for

consummating a union of the fraternity under one governing and supreme authority testifies that , whether the proper time had or had not previously arrived , all are now agreed that Canadian Freemasonry should possess its own Grand Lodge : " And whereas the maintenance of the dignity of the Grand Lodge of Canada for the future must be an object of equal interest to the entire Canadian Fraternity : "It is resolved : That an impartial review of all the eventful circumstances attending its organizationits priorityits subsequent

, , important proceedings , and its recognition by a portion of the British empire , and by a very large proportion of the Grand Lodges of the United States of America , demonstrates that the Grand Lodge of Canada , organized on the 10 th October , 1855 , and known and recognized as aforesaid by the style and title of 'The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , ' should be acknowledged by the entire Canadian Craft , and should be and is hereby declared to be the Grand Lodge of the Fraternity in and throughout Canada .

"Resolved also : That the diversity of opinion heretofore mentioned , which in various ways retarded the union of the Fraternity , having given rise , amongst other circumstances to be regretted , to the anomaly in Freemasonry of the erection in one and the same territory of a second Grand ' Lodge , styled ' The Antient Grand Lodge of Canada , ' and exercising jurisdiction over a portion of the Canadian Craft , it is necessary for the interests of the institution , and in accordance with the previous resolution , that the said 'Antient Grand Lodge of Canada' should bo dissolved ; therefore the same is now

dissolved ; its Officers ( as Past Grand Officers ) and its members and Lodges hereby uniting with , and becoming enrolled according to their respective rank and seniority in the registry of 'The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , ' in every respect as though tliey had concurred originally in the organization of that Grand Lodge , to which they hereby pledge their willing and faithful obedience , feeling as all do , that the future prosperity and permanent welfare of Freemasonry require unanimity and harmony . " Resolved also : That a committee , to consist of , be appointed

for ascertaining and defining the respective rank and precedence of Brethren and of Lodges , according to the dates of their original warrants or dispensations ; the said committee to report to an especial communication of Grand Lodge , to be convened by the M . W . Grand Master at six months from this date . " Resolved also : That warrants under the seal of' The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , ' to bear date on this day of union , be forthwith prepared for each and every Lodge enrolled on the registry of 'The Antient Grand Lodge' aforesaid , and that the

names of seven members of each such Lodge be furnished with as little delay as possible to the Grand Secretary for insertion in such respective warrants ; the number of each such warrant to be affixed thereto , after receiving the report of the committee aforesaid . "And resolved also : That all Provincial Grand and private Lodges , not at present in alliance with ' The Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada' he notified of these proceedings , and be invited to enrol themselves within six months , that they may be accorded their proper rank and precedence on the register of the said Grand Lodge at the especial communication before mentioned . "

Ar01101

GRAND LODGK OF CANADA . —In our last issue we announced to the Masonic World the union which had just been consummated in Canada . We had only time before going to press to state the fact , and publish the preamble and resolutions oi the union , and the names of the officers elected . We were indebted for the information to the indefatigable and devoted Brother , T . D . Harington , who laboured with zeal and perseverance to accomplish this great end with a

singleness of heart and purity of motive ; having no other end in view than the unity of the Craft , and the integrity of the Institution . —Bro . Harington informs us that the Grand Lodge commenced its Communication on the 14 th , and continued its sessions three days . The entire Craft of the Province appear to have been represented in ¦ Grand Lodge . About five hundred delegates were present , representing one hundred Lodges , showing clearly the vast interest taken by the fraternity in the important question of a union The membership of the two Grand Lodges are all now ranged under one headand

, under one banner they will pursue their mission of love and charity , in unity and peace . May the great I AM bless them in the performance of their benevolent duties , and crown their labours with abundant success . The Masonic world will unite in blessing and praise for the strong attachment to the principles of Masonry , and the desire to preserve the Institution intact , manifested by the fraternity in Canada . —A merictm Mirror and Keystone .

Ar01102

The following Correspondence has passed between the GRAND SECRETARY and Bro . HARINGTON , P . P . G . M ., of Quebec , andis the subject of Lord CARNARVON ' S motion in G . L ., in December next . [ The Letter from Bro . HARINGTON to which the following is a reply from the Grand Secretary , appeared in our impression for June 20 th . ] " Freemasons' Hall , London ; 10 th June , 1858 .

"R . W . Sir and Brother , —I have laid before the M . W . Grand . Master your letter received in May , and have taken his lordship's instructions thereon . In reply , I have to point out to you . that your first courteous and Masonic communication received from the M . W . Grand Master a carefully considered and deliberate reply . Not satisfied with that reply you forwarded a very lengthy communication , in which you sought to controvert the judgment of the Grand Masterin which you introduced passages from magazineswhich

; , were couched in objectionable and offensive terms ; and in which you referred to authorities unknown and unrecognized here ; but in which you allege no new facts which either require notice , or could justify the M . W . Grand Master in altering his expressed opinion .

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