-
Articles/Ads
Article THE MASONIC MIRROR. ← Page 9 of 14 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
appeal may be heard across the Atlantic , when I express my unfeigned respect and sympathy for those who , despite of the disappointments w hich they meet with in England , despite of all the glitter and temptations of a species of independency and false ambition , have been contented to remain true to themselves , true to us , and true to the obligations of their Masonic allegiance . ( Loud cheers . ) There is a better way of thanking them than in mere words for their actions . It is
reasonable to suppose that men who have shown such consistency and firmness , will not be persons likely to insist upon claims which are unjust and unreasonable in their nature . In 1853—I leave out minor matters for the present—they contended for the free and absolute right of electing their Prov . Grand Master . Now , I candidly admit , that on this point I could not concur with them . I think it would lead rather to alienation ; but there are many steps between taking no notice whatever of their complaints , and granting them everything they asked . ( Hear . )
No notice whatever was taken of them till a few months ago , when a member of the Grand Lodge , who has shown the greatest ability in these matters , I mean Bro . Portal ( loud cheers ) , brought forward the subject by a motion in the Quarterly Communication in which he proposed that the Canadian Lodges should elect two candidates for the Prov . Grand Master , and send them to the M . W . the Grand Master , in order that he might select one of them . The Canadian Lodges met and agreed to this in the following resolution : —" That this Grand Lodge heartily
approves of the principle contained in the said intended motion , and would respectfully , but strongly , urge its adoption by the Grand Lodge of England , satisfied as they are—[ mark the words ]—that wide-spread dissatisfaction , resulting in disastrous consequences to the peace and prosperity of the Fraternity in Canada , will follow , should immediate action on their just complaints be longer delayed ;—that this G rand Lodge would suggest that the said resolution be modified so as to provide that the election of the Grand Master be made by this Grand Lodge ,
with this proviso—that if disallowed by the Grand Lodge of England within six months after it shall have taken place , it shall be void , but other wise have full force and effect . " Such is the language of the men who have played the temperate part which I have described . I ask you , Brethren , is it the language of men wavering and uncertain in their opinions' ? I fear very much the results , should we come this evening to a wrong and unsatisfactory conclusion . I entertain the greatest apprehensions as to the news which the next Canadian packet may bring us ; it may be
said , you have a communication from the Grand Master , who proposes that henceforth every third year the Prov . Grand Master should send in a report , and if that report , under the auspices of the Prov . Grand Master , should be unsatisfactory , that it should then be competent to the Grand Master to depose the Prov . Grand Master . But this proposal gives no new power to the Prov . Grand Master . He can at present send his reports , not every third year , but whenever he likes . It is also , at present , in the power of the Grand Master to depose the Prov . Grand
Master whenever he may think proper to do so . What improvement , therefore , I ask , would be effected by the Grand Master ' s proposition ? What further independence or self-government would it confer upon the Colonies ? I answer , none . ( Loud applause . ) The only reception which such a proposition could meet with in Canada would be scorn and irritation . ( Hear , hear . ) We have heard of men slumbering while an earthquake was raging around them . Four years ago , there was a cloud significantly ominous , although , at the time , perhaps , not larger than
a man ' s hand . One single temperate despatch would have prevented the coming tempest . But no notice whatever was taken of it . Our officials went slumbering on from year to year . At length the storm arose which had been heralded by so many warnings ; and the Canadian Lodges burst forth into open secession . For one whole year these slumbers still continued , and 1 . 10 notice whatever was taken even of the secession , —no motion was brought forward ; no change of policy
or principles was announced , and when independent Brethren made motions of a remedial character , they were stifled under the pretence , that an ancient landmark of the Order was attempted to be obliterated . ( Hear , hear . ) A Grand Lodge was attempted to be coerced by an overbearing temper and domineer . ( Loud cheers . ) I have said too much , perhaps . ( No , no . ) One word more on the broad principles which I wish to see adopted in our colonial policy ; it is the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Mirror.
appeal may be heard across the Atlantic , when I express my unfeigned respect and sympathy for those who , despite of the disappointments w hich they meet with in England , despite of all the glitter and temptations of a species of independency and false ambition , have been contented to remain true to themselves , true to us , and true to the obligations of their Masonic allegiance . ( Loud cheers . ) There is a better way of thanking them than in mere words for their actions . It is
reasonable to suppose that men who have shown such consistency and firmness , will not be persons likely to insist upon claims which are unjust and unreasonable in their nature . In 1853—I leave out minor matters for the present—they contended for the free and absolute right of electing their Prov . Grand Master . Now , I candidly admit , that on this point I could not concur with them . I think it would lead rather to alienation ; but there are many steps between taking no notice whatever of their complaints , and granting them everything they asked . ( Hear . )
No notice whatever was taken of them till a few months ago , when a member of the Grand Lodge , who has shown the greatest ability in these matters , I mean Bro . Portal ( loud cheers ) , brought forward the subject by a motion in the Quarterly Communication in which he proposed that the Canadian Lodges should elect two candidates for the Prov . Grand Master , and send them to the M . W . the Grand Master , in order that he might select one of them . The Canadian Lodges met and agreed to this in the following resolution : —" That this Grand Lodge heartily
approves of the principle contained in the said intended motion , and would respectfully , but strongly , urge its adoption by the Grand Lodge of England , satisfied as they are—[ mark the words ]—that wide-spread dissatisfaction , resulting in disastrous consequences to the peace and prosperity of the Fraternity in Canada , will follow , should immediate action on their just complaints be longer delayed ;—that this G rand Lodge would suggest that the said resolution be modified so as to provide that the election of the Grand Master be made by this Grand Lodge ,
with this proviso—that if disallowed by the Grand Lodge of England within six months after it shall have taken place , it shall be void , but other wise have full force and effect . " Such is the language of the men who have played the temperate part which I have described . I ask you , Brethren , is it the language of men wavering and uncertain in their opinions' ? I fear very much the results , should we come this evening to a wrong and unsatisfactory conclusion . I entertain the greatest apprehensions as to the news which the next Canadian packet may bring us ; it may be
said , you have a communication from the Grand Master , who proposes that henceforth every third year the Prov . Grand Master should send in a report , and if that report , under the auspices of the Prov . Grand Master , should be unsatisfactory , that it should then be competent to the Grand Master to depose the Prov . Grand Master . But this proposal gives no new power to the Prov . Grand Master . He can at present send his reports , not every third year , but whenever he likes . It is also , at present , in the power of the Grand Master to depose the Prov . Grand
Master whenever he may think proper to do so . What improvement , therefore , I ask , would be effected by the Grand Master ' s proposition ? What further independence or self-government would it confer upon the Colonies ? I answer , none . ( Loud applause . ) The only reception which such a proposition could meet with in Canada would be scorn and irritation . ( Hear , hear . ) We have heard of men slumbering while an earthquake was raging around them . Four years ago , there was a cloud significantly ominous , although , at the time , perhaps , not larger than
a man ' s hand . One single temperate despatch would have prevented the coming tempest . But no notice whatever was taken of it . Our officials went slumbering on from year to year . At length the storm arose which had been heralded by so many warnings ; and the Canadian Lodges burst forth into open secession . For one whole year these slumbers still continued , and 1 . 10 notice whatever was taken even of the secession , —no motion was brought forward ; no change of policy
or principles was announced , and when independent Brethren made motions of a remedial character , they were stifled under the pretence , that an ancient landmark of the Order was attempted to be obliterated . ( Hear , hear . ) A Grand Lodge was attempted to be coerced by an overbearing temper and domineer . ( Loud cheers . ) I have said too much , perhaps . ( No , no . ) One word more on the broad principles which I wish to see adopted in our colonial policy ; it is the