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A Masonic Family.
office , so long would he endeavour to deserve their confidence . He thanked them most cordially for the favour and kindness they had shown him ; he was sure after what had passed it was better he should not say one word as to any one charge that had been made . " At the Quarterly Communication on 4 th September , 1850 , the Grand Master was unable to be present , but the terms of the
amalgamation of the Asylum at Croydon with the Male and I emale Annuity Funds having been sanctioned and approved by Grand Lodge , and it being one of the stipulations included in such terms that a sum be raised and funded for the purpose of keeping the building in a proper state of repairs , Grand Secretary read a letter he had received from his lordship , in which he recommended that Grand Lodge should vote
from its Fund of General Purposes the sum of £ 500 for the formation of what has since been generally known as the " Sustentation of Building Fund . " A motion embodying this suggestion was accordingly proposed and carried , a further resolution of thanks to the MAV . Grand Master for having originated the suggestion being subsequently passed by acclamation . On the 22 nd September , 1851 ,
an Especial Grand Lodge was held at Bradford , Yorkshire , when the foundation-stone of St . George ' s Hall was laid by his lordship , attended by most , of his Grand Officers , in the presence of a vast concourse of people . A yeai later we find him dedicating the newh--erectcd Royal Masonic Institution for Girls at Battersea Rise .
Here , on the 2 nd August , 1852 , the M . W . G . M ., attended by Jiis Deputy , Bro . the Earl of Yarborough , and a considerable number of Craftsmen , solemnly dedicated the premises to the purpose for which they had been built , the proceedings terminating with the usual dejetlner .
About this time , however , matters in Grand Lodge went smoothl y enough , nor is there much to chronicle beyond the fact that , having given notice of his intention , his lordship moved the grant of £ 1000 from the Fund for General Purposes towards the Patriotic Fund for the relief of those who suffered by the war then raging with Russia . These few years , however , must be looked upon as the calm which
preceded the stormy period when the Canadian question was continuall y before Grand Lodge , and the Grand Master had to bear the brunt of the very severe attacks made upon the adminstration of our Society by brethren of no slight Aveight and distinction in the Craft . But before I refer to this , there is the question to be disposed of relating to the Mark Degree . At the Communication
of Grand Lodge on the 5 th March , 1856 , a motion by Bro . H . Lloyd , S . G . D ., was carried , to the effect , "That the Degree of Mark Mason is not at variance with Craft Masonry , and that it be added thereto nnder proper regulations . " At the following Quarterl y Communication , however , on the 1 st June , Bro . John Henderson , Past Grand Registrar , moved the non-confirmation of so much of the
minutes as related to the Mark Degree , laying great stress on the Articles of the Union , and contending that " no man , nor body of men , can make such innovations as that now proposed without endangering the stability of tbe whole Institution , " and , in the course he thus adopted , Bro . Henderson was most abl y supported by Bro . Havers , while the M . W . G . M . is reported to have
said that " Seeing that the Book of Constitutions called upon all Masters to declare that no man , or body of men , could make innovation in the lencts of Freemasonry , and that by the Act of Union , their Order was declared to consist of three Degrees and no more , he could not do otherwise than record his vote in favour of the nonconfirmation of the minutes , " and the minutes in respect of this
matter were non-confirmed , while later , at the same meeting , on the proposition of his lordship , it was agreed to grant £ 1000 to each of the two Schools , and £ 1000 to the Male Fund and £ 500 to the Widows' Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . When these moneys had been voted , the Grand Master announced that he had received a petition from tho Deputy Prov . Grand Master of
Canada , which was addressed to the Grand Master , not to the Grand Lodge . For this reason , and seeing also that it had been sent not through the Prov . Grand Master , who was tho proper channel through which all such communications should be forwarded , but from theD . P . G . M ., as before stated , he had taken no notice of it , and had returned no answer . He was fully prepared to do what was
just and proper towards nil Colonial lodges , but he would lend his conntemince to no course of action which could be described as hast y and ill-advised . He , therefore , considered it his duty not to allow a motion which Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal was desirous of bringing forward to be put . At tho next Quarterl y Communication , held under the presidency of Bro . Henry It . Lewis , P . G . M . Sumatra , on
the 3 rd September , time did not permit of the important business on the agenda—which included a scheme for the constitution of a Colonial Board and a proposal for extending the privilege of issuing the Charity jewel to Stewards for the R . M . B . I . —being completed , and , on the motion of Bro . H . G . Warren , Grand Lodge was adjourned till the 1 st October . Accordingly it met on the day appointed ,
under Bro . Willett , Prov . G . M . for Dorsetshire , and , in spite of the remonstrances of Bros . Beadon , Havers , and others , who argued that the meeting was illegal , Grand Lodge was opened , and the business left over in September was dealt with . However , on the 19 th November , a Grand Lodge of Emergency was held , in consequence
of directions issued by the Grand Master , when his lordship , who presided in person , explained why he had called the brethren together , pointing out that the word " adjourn " as used in connection with Grand Lodge , had the same meaning as when used in connection with the House of Commons . " Tn that House , " he is reported to have said , " the question js ' that the House do now adjourn , ' which means
A Masonic Family.
to the next legal day of meeting ; and it is adjourned accordingly to the next day appointed by law for it to meet ; and so , when Grand Lodge adjourns , it adjourns to the next legal day , unless a Grand Lodge of Emergency be called by the Grand Master for special business , on which occasion no other business can be done except such business as appears upon the circular convening the Grand
Lodge of Emergency . T have taken some pains to ascertain the law of the case , and I find that in my view of the law I am supported b y the opinions of the present Grand Registrar , the Past Grand Registrar , and the Grand Registrar before him ; in fact , I have all the authorities with me . I think , therefore , in accordance with the obligations which I have taken an oath to perform—viz ., to adhere to
the ancient usages of the Craft , and maintain the law as , in my opinion , it stands , I can only come to the painful resolution to determine that the meeting of certain members of Grand Lodge held on tbe 1 st October was an illegal meeting , and that all the proceedings there were null and void ; and I now call upon the Grand Secretary to take u ] i the business of this evening at the point tit which it had
arrived when the Grand Lodge closed at its Quarterl y Communication in September . " Many attempts were made to disturb this ruling , but the Grand Master remained firm . " I am bound , " said he , when matters appeared to be reaching a crisis , "by my solemn obligation to maintain the laws and usages of the Craft " . There is only one interpretation of that oath—I must maintain those laws and usages to
the best of my knowledge and ability , and enforce them according to my own interpretation of them . Brethren may dissent from this view , but so long as I occupy this chair I shall maintain order in Grand Lodge . 1 shall interpret the laws to the best of my ability . 1 assert , then , on my own responsibility that , the Worshi pful Bro .
' —who was one of the most persistent objectors to the Grand Master ' s ruling and seemed inclined to continue the discussion— "was following out a line of argument which is disorderly , and which he is not competent to pursue . I therefore call upon him to refrain , " and after some hesitation the W . Brother "refrained . " The business
was taken up at the point at which it had closed in September , and ultimatel y Grand Lodge was closed after adopting the scheme for the constitution of a Colonial Board , and agreeing to the proposal of Bro . H . G . Warren that the privilege of wearing the Charity jewel should be extended to brethren who served as Stewards at the Festivals of
the R . M . B . Institutions , under the same conditions as it was alread y granted to brethren who served in a like capacity for the Schools . As regards the Canadian question , which gave rise to so much discussion and even dissension in Grand Lodge , it is not necessary that it should he considered in the several stages through which it passed ; it is enough to state that in December , 1856 , the Grand
Master announced that the Grand Secretary had tendered his resignation on the ground that in consequence of increasing age and infirmity he was unable to cope with the increased duties and responsibilities which had been thrown upon his office . It was hoped that the infusion of new blood into the Secretarial office would permit of greater attention being paid to the communications from
tho Colonies , the neglect of which , there is no doubt , had given rise to much angry feeling among the Canadian brethren ; and it was assumed that with this greater attention on the part of our Executive Officers , the former happy relations between Canada and our Grand Lodge would be renewed . Moreover , at , the Quarterly Communication in March , 1857 , the Grand Master announced that it was his
intention to grant several of the requests advanced b y the Canadians , which would afford them pretty near all the relief they asked for , while at the same time preserving the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of England . In September following , the intelligence was made known in Grand Lodge that at a meeting held in Toronto on the 30 th June the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada West had felt
itself constrained to declare ( 1 ) "That separate organisation is necessary to the efficiency and stabilit y of Freemasonry in Canada , " . ind ( 2 ) " That on the confirmation of the foregoing resolution ( at the next ensuing meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge ) that this Provincial Grand Lodge shall declare itself an independent Grand Lodge , all warrants from the Grand Lodge of England being returned
thereto . " For a time correspondence was exchanged between our Grand Secretary and Bro . T . Douglas Harington , the mouthpiece of the Canadian brethren ; but at length , on the 1 st December , 1858 , tbe M . W . Grand Master , having first of all stated that official information had been received of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Cr . nada , moved the following resolution : " That official information having
been received of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , this Grand Lodge recognises that body as an independent Grand Lodge , having jurisdiction over the Province hitherto known as Canada West , and expresses its desire to entertain with it henceforth such a cordial and fraternal intercourse sis will serve to promote the interests of Masonry in both countries . "
This motion was adopted after some discussion , but while the Canadians expressed themselves as grateful for the ready acquiescence of England in their desire for independence , they objected to the jurisdiction of their Grand Lodge being limited to Canada West , and further correspondence having taken place which showed that the Grand Lodge of Canada held dominion over ( he whole and not
over ii part only of the province , the M . W . Grand Master , at the meeting of Grand Lodge in March , 1858 , proposed a resolution to the following effect : " That , Grand Lodge , having heard the statement from the Throne request that the M . W . Grand Master will be p leased to fake such steps for the full recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada and for the establishment of fraternal good feeling with our Canadian
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Masonic Family.
office , so long would he endeavour to deserve their confidence . He thanked them most cordially for the favour and kindness they had shown him ; he was sure after what had passed it was better he should not say one word as to any one charge that had been made . " At the Quarterly Communication on 4 th September , 1850 , the Grand Master was unable to be present , but the terms of the
amalgamation of the Asylum at Croydon with the Male and I emale Annuity Funds having been sanctioned and approved by Grand Lodge , and it being one of the stipulations included in such terms that a sum be raised and funded for the purpose of keeping the building in a proper state of repairs , Grand Secretary read a letter he had received from his lordship , in which he recommended that Grand Lodge should vote
from its Fund of General Purposes the sum of £ 500 for the formation of what has since been generally known as the " Sustentation of Building Fund . " A motion embodying this suggestion was accordingly proposed and carried , a further resolution of thanks to the MAV . Grand Master for having originated the suggestion being subsequently passed by acclamation . On the 22 nd September , 1851 ,
an Especial Grand Lodge was held at Bradford , Yorkshire , when the foundation-stone of St . George ' s Hall was laid by his lordship , attended by most , of his Grand Officers , in the presence of a vast concourse of people . A yeai later we find him dedicating the newh--erectcd Royal Masonic Institution for Girls at Battersea Rise .
Here , on the 2 nd August , 1852 , the M . W . G . M ., attended by Jiis Deputy , Bro . the Earl of Yarborough , and a considerable number of Craftsmen , solemnly dedicated the premises to the purpose for which they had been built , the proceedings terminating with the usual dejetlner .
About this time , however , matters in Grand Lodge went smoothl y enough , nor is there much to chronicle beyond the fact that , having given notice of his intention , his lordship moved the grant of £ 1000 from the Fund for General Purposes towards the Patriotic Fund for the relief of those who suffered by the war then raging with Russia . These few years , however , must be looked upon as the calm which
preceded the stormy period when the Canadian question was continuall y before Grand Lodge , and the Grand Master had to bear the brunt of the very severe attacks made upon the adminstration of our Society by brethren of no slight Aveight and distinction in the Craft . But before I refer to this , there is the question to be disposed of relating to the Mark Degree . At the Communication
of Grand Lodge on the 5 th March , 1856 , a motion by Bro . H . Lloyd , S . G . D ., was carried , to the effect , "That the Degree of Mark Mason is not at variance with Craft Masonry , and that it be added thereto nnder proper regulations . " At the following Quarterl y Communication , however , on the 1 st June , Bro . John Henderson , Past Grand Registrar , moved the non-confirmation of so much of the
minutes as related to the Mark Degree , laying great stress on the Articles of the Union , and contending that " no man , nor body of men , can make such innovations as that now proposed without endangering the stability of tbe whole Institution , " and , in the course he thus adopted , Bro . Henderson was most abl y supported by Bro . Havers , while the M . W . G . M . is reported to have
said that " Seeing that the Book of Constitutions called upon all Masters to declare that no man , or body of men , could make innovation in the lencts of Freemasonry , and that by the Act of Union , their Order was declared to consist of three Degrees and no more , he could not do otherwise than record his vote in favour of the nonconfirmation of the minutes , " and the minutes in respect of this
matter were non-confirmed , while later , at the same meeting , on the proposition of his lordship , it was agreed to grant £ 1000 to each of the two Schools , and £ 1000 to the Male Fund and £ 500 to the Widows' Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . When these moneys had been voted , the Grand Master announced that he had received a petition from tho Deputy Prov . Grand Master of
Canada , which was addressed to the Grand Master , not to the Grand Lodge . For this reason , and seeing also that it had been sent not through the Prov . Grand Master , who was tho proper channel through which all such communications should be forwarded , but from theD . P . G . M ., as before stated , he had taken no notice of it , and had returned no answer . He was fully prepared to do what was
just and proper towards nil Colonial lodges , but he would lend his conntemince to no course of action which could be described as hast y and ill-advised . He , therefore , considered it his duty not to allow a motion which Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal was desirous of bringing forward to be put . At tho next Quarterl y Communication , held under the presidency of Bro . Henry It . Lewis , P . G . M . Sumatra , on
the 3 rd September , time did not permit of the important business on the agenda—which included a scheme for the constitution of a Colonial Board and a proposal for extending the privilege of issuing the Charity jewel to Stewards for the R . M . B . I . —being completed , and , on the motion of Bro . H . G . Warren , Grand Lodge was adjourned till the 1 st October . Accordingly it met on the day appointed ,
under Bro . Willett , Prov . G . M . for Dorsetshire , and , in spite of the remonstrances of Bros . Beadon , Havers , and others , who argued that the meeting was illegal , Grand Lodge was opened , and the business left over in September was dealt with . However , on the 19 th November , a Grand Lodge of Emergency was held , in consequence
of directions issued by the Grand Master , when his lordship , who presided in person , explained why he had called the brethren together , pointing out that the word " adjourn " as used in connection with Grand Lodge , had the same meaning as when used in connection with the House of Commons . " Tn that House , " he is reported to have said , " the question js ' that the House do now adjourn , ' which means
A Masonic Family.
to the next legal day of meeting ; and it is adjourned accordingly to the next day appointed by law for it to meet ; and so , when Grand Lodge adjourns , it adjourns to the next legal day , unless a Grand Lodge of Emergency be called by the Grand Master for special business , on which occasion no other business can be done except such business as appears upon the circular convening the Grand
Lodge of Emergency . T have taken some pains to ascertain the law of the case , and I find that in my view of the law I am supported b y the opinions of the present Grand Registrar , the Past Grand Registrar , and the Grand Registrar before him ; in fact , I have all the authorities with me . I think , therefore , in accordance with the obligations which I have taken an oath to perform—viz ., to adhere to
the ancient usages of the Craft , and maintain the law as , in my opinion , it stands , I can only come to the painful resolution to determine that the meeting of certain members of Grand Lodge held on tbe 1 st October was an illegal meeting , and that all the proceedings there were null and void ; and I now call upon the Grand Secretary to take u ] i the business of this evening at the point tit which it had
arrived when the Grand Lodge closed at its Quarterl y Communication in September . " Many attempts were made to disturb this ruling , but the Grand Master remained firm . " I am bound , " said he , when matters appeared to be reaching a crisis , "by my solemn obligation to maintain the laws and usages of the Craft " . There is only one interpretation of that oath—I must maintain those laws and usages to
the best of my knowledge and ability , and enforce them according to my own interpretation of them . Brethren may dissent from this view , but so long as I occupy this chair I shall maintain order in Grand Lodge . 1 shall interpret the laws to the best of my ability . 1 assert , then , on my own responsibility that , the Worshi pful Bro .
' —who was one of the most persistent objectors to the Grand Master ' s ruling and seemed inclined to continue the discussion— "was following out a line of argument which is disorderly , and which he is not competent to pursue . I therefore call upon him to refrain , " and after some hesitation the W . Brother "refrained . " The business
was taken up at the point at which it had closed in September , and ultimatel y Grand Lodge was closed after adopting the scheme for the constitution of a Colonial Board , and agreeing to the proposal of Bro . H . G . Warren that the privilege of wearing the Charity jewel should be extended to brethren who served as Stewards at the Festivals of
the R . M . B . Institutions , under the same conditions as it was alread y granted to brethren who served in a like capacity for the Schools . As regards the Canadian question , which gave rise to so much discussion and even dissension in Grand Lodge , it is not necessary that it should he considered in the several stages through which it passed ; it is enough to state that in December , 1856 , the Grand
Master announced that the Grand Secretary had tendered his resignation on the ground that in consequence of increasing age and infirmity he was unable to cope with the increased duties and responsibilities which had been thrown upon his office . It was hoped that the infusion of new blood into the Secretarial office would permit of greater attention being paid to the communications from
tho Colonies , the neglect of which , there is no doubt , had given rise to much angry feeling among the Canadian brethren ; and it was assumed that with this greater attention on the part of our Executive Officers , the former happy relations between Canada and our Grand Lodge would be renewed . Moreover , at , the Quarterly Communication in March , 1857 , the Grand Master announced that it was his
intention to grant several of the requests advanced b y the Canadians , which would afford them pretty near all the relief they asked for , while at the same time preserving the supremacy of the Grand Lodge of England . In September following , the intelligence was made known in Grand Lodge that at a meeting held in Toronto on the 30 th June the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada West had felt
itself constrained to declare ( 1 ) "That separate organisation is necessary to the efficiency and stabilit y of Freemasonry in Canada , " . ind ( 2 ) " That on the confirmation of the foregoing resolution ( at the next ensuing meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge ) that this Provincial Grand Lodge shall declare itself an independent Grand Lodge , all warrants from the Grand Lodge of England being returned
thereto . " For a time correspondence was exchanged between our Grand Secretary and Bro . T . Douglas Harington , the mouthpiece of the Canadian brethren ; but at length , on the 1 st December , 1858 , tbe M . W . Grand Master , having first of all stated that official information had been received of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Cr . nada , moved the following resolution : " That official information having
been received of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada , this Grand Lodge recognises that body as an independent Grand Lodge , having jurisdiction over the Province hitherto known as Canada West , and expresses its desire to entertain with it henceforth such a cordial and fraternal intercourse sis will serve to promote the interests of Masonry in both countries . "
This motion was adopted after some discussion , but while the Canadians expressed themselves as grateful for the ready acquiescence of England in their desire for independence , they objected to the jurisdiction of their Grand Lodge being limited to Canada West , and further correspondence having taken place which showed that the Grand Lodge of Canada held dominion over ( he whole and not
over ii part only of the province , the M . W . Grand Master , at the meeting of Grand Lodge in March , 1858 , proposed a resolution to the following effect : " That , Grand Lodge , having heard the statement from the Throne request that the M . W . Grand Master will be p leased to fake such steps for the full recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada and for the establishment of fraternal good feeling with our Canadian