Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Canada.
fathers in the mystic art , is not to bo rashly interfered or tampered with ; and if through inadvertence , or because it seemed more consistent with our modern notions , any change has crept in , I would gladly favour an immediate return to the old paths and traditions of our Order , for , as an ancient writer quaintly remarks : " They are the registers , the chronicles of the age they were made in , and speak the truth of history better than
a hundred of your printed communications . " I much regret that the pressure of business will prevent our distinguished and Right A \ orsb _ pfv \ l Bro . Richard Bull fvom assisting in the exemplification of a work , to the careful arrangement of which his best skill and ability has been most earnestly devoted . In connection with this subject , I may add , that it is intended to appoint a Standing Committee on \ Vork , to whom all communications on that subject will in future be addressed .
The Board of General Purposes . Upon carefully examining the published proceedings of our Grand Lodge for the last few years , I have been much struck with the amount of labour which devolves upon , ancl is so ably performed hy our Board of General Purposes ; ancl I am sure that I but express the prevailing sentiment of Grand Lodge when I say that we , as a body , are deeply indebted ancl most
grateful to them for their efficient and valuable services . This Board is composed of our most intelligent and best educated members ; ancl although it is doubtless considered as a very bigh honour to be selected as worthy of a seat among them , yet its members soon discover that high positions are generally accompanied with important duties and great additional responsibilities . Tlie patient and unwearying attention given
by them to minute and frequently tedious details , the constant sacrifice of their own interests for the common good ( for in addition to their labours at Grand Lodge , the heaviest portion of their duties is performed between the annual meetings ) , and the careful and laborious discussion which precedes all their decisions , must be understood and known before they can be fully appreciated . And ivhen we consider also that these
brethren cheerfull y devote their time and talents , without remuneration of any kind , simply from a love of the Order , surely I cannot err in claiming for them not only your cordial countenance and support , but also your most grateful and hearty acknowledgments .
Lodges under Dispensation . Since our last annual meeting I have granted dispensations for fourteen new lodges , which are named and situated as follow : — Oriental Port Harwell 25 tb July , 1866 Petrolia Petrolia 9 th Aug . „ Tuscan Levis 1 st Oct .
„ Prince Albert Prince Albert 4 th Dec . „ Old Light Lucknow 19 th Jan ., 1 S 67 Enniskillen York 21 st Jan . „ Plantagenet Plantagenet 19 th Feb . „ Royal Canadian Sweetsburgh 20 th Feb . „ Ascot , LennoxvUlo 6 tb March „ Filius A 1 dua _ Adolphustown 6 th March „
Belmont Belmont 8 th April „ Ashlar Coaticook 21 st May „ Orillia Orillia 12 th Juno „ Scotland Scotland 27 th Juno „
As each of these applications were accompanied by the necessary certificates and vouchers required by our regulations , I have now much pleasure in recommending that a regular warrant of constitution be issued to them respectively , in lieu of the temporary authority granted by my dispensations .
Masonic Jurisprudence . During the past year I have been called upon officially to decide various questions ot Masonic law , but as none of them possess any peculiar interest or importance , I consider it unnecessary to bring them before you at present . A serious difficulty occurred in one of our subordinate lodges , in which several worshipful brethren became unfortunately involved , but as this
matter has all been happily and satisfactorily arranged , and the lawful authorit y of this Grand Lodge properly vindicated , I have no desire to give it undue prominence , or to refer further to a matter which occasioned me much pain and anxiety at the time . All the documents , however , connected with this and similar matters are in the possession of the Grand Secretary , and can be referred to if necessary .
The Grand Secretary . At the last meeting of this Grand Lodge it was determined that an honorary jewel should bo prepared and presented to our Grand Secretary . This I find has been neglected , but no time will now be lost in giving effect to your wishes , although at tho same time I would venture to suggest for your
considera-, tion whether twelve years of valuable and faithful service might not be moro substantially and appropriately acknowledged than hy a mere jewel of office , which , although valuable as a proof of your appreciation and regard , is otherwise of but little use to the recipient .
Boston . I was honoured by an invitation from the M . AV . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to be present at the dedication of their Masonic Temple at Boston , on the 24 th of June last , and I much regret that circumstances prevented me from accepting the invitation , and from meeting the large and . brilliant assemblage of Masons upon that very interesting
occasion . His Excellency AV . Bro . Andrew Johnson , the President of the United States , with the leading members of the Fraternity in that Republic , and upwards of ten thousand Masons * participated in the solemn and imposing ceremonies of dedication . AA e congratulate the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts upon the successful completion of their superb edifice , and also upon the great success which has thus crowned their labours . We „
as Masons , enter as fully , and participate as heartily in tbe joyous emotions excited by the occurrence of important eventsof this kind , as if they had taken place in our own midst and in our oivn dominion , for Masonry knows neither country nor language ; and although ( as the reverend and eloquent orator said on tlie occasion referred to ) we may be men of different nationalties , men of diverse views in philosophy , men of
widelyvarying types of religious faith , and men of diametrically opposite political sentiments , yet we have been brought into harmonious and abiding social relations by the powerful and controlling , influence of the compass and scpiare .
Distress in Georgia . I regret to announce to Grand Lodge that much distress still prevails among our brethren in the Southern States , and startling , accounts of misery and want uffered by the widows and orphans of Masons in the State of Georgia have been forwarded to the Craft in Canada aud elsewhere . Our lodges in many instances promptly responded to this appeal , and I would
gladly at that time have been the almoner of your bounty , but found upon inquiry that no funds for charitable or other purposes aro now left subject to the order of your Grand Master . I heartily eommeucl this subject to your most favourable consideration , ancl hope that if this distress and want has not already been relieved by a bountiful harvest , no time will belost in forwarding substantial evidence of your sympathy to the suffering widows and orphans of Georgia .
il / . Furnell , TEscp It is also my painful duty to inform you of the death of Michael Furnell , Esq ., the representative of our Grand Lodge at the Grand Lodgo of Ireland . By the death of this distinguished brother wo have lost a warm friend , and our Order a most worthy Craftsman ; his loss will be sincerely regretted by every member of the fraternity in Canada .
I bad much pleasure in appointing R . W . Bro . James Yokes-Mackey , of Dublin , as our representative near the Grand Lodge of Ireland , with the rank of a Past Grand Senior AVarden , assuccessor to our deceased brother Furnell .
" Representatives . I have also made arrangements , on behalf of this Grand Lodge ,, for an exchange of representatives with several other Grand Bodies with whom we have not heretofore been in communication , and I have appointed the following distinguished members of our Order as our representatives at these Grand Lodges and Grand Orients respectively , viz . : —
R . AV . Bro . Andrew Kerr Mackinlay , at Grand Lodgo of Nova . Scotia . R . AV . Bro . E . T . Carr , at Grand Lodge of Kansas . 111 . Bro . J . M . C . Obed , at Grand Orient of Cuba . IU Bro . Dr . Francesco De Paula Romas , at Grand Orient of Brazil . 111 . Bro . J . M . Samper Angiano , at Grand Orient of Ne" * Grenada .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Canada.
fathers in the mystic art , is not to bo rashly interfered or tampered with ; and if through inadvertence , or because it seemed more consistent with our modern notions , any change has crept in , I would gladly favour an immediate return to the old paths and traditions of our Order , for , as an ancient writer quaintly remarks : " They are the registers , the chronicles of the age they were made in , and speak the truth of history better than
a hundred of your printed communications . " I much regret that the pressure of business will prevent our distinguished and Right A \ orsb _ pfv \ l Bro . Richard Bull fvom assisting in the exemplification of a work , to the careful arrangement of which his best skill and ability has been most earnestly devoted . In connection with this subject , I may add , that it is intended to appoint a Standing Committee on \ Vork , to whom all communications on that subject will in future be addressed .
The Board of General Purposes . Upon carefully examining the published proceedings of our Grand Lodge for the last few years , I have been much struck with the amount of labour which devolves upon , ancl is so ably performed hy our Board of General Purposes ; ancl I am sure that I but express the prevailing sentiment of Grand Lodge when I say that we , as a body , are deeply indebted ancl most
grateful to them for their efficient and valuable services . This Board is composed of our most intelligent and best educated members ; ancl although it is doubtless considered as a very bigh honour to be selected as worthy of a seat among them , yet its members soon discover that high positions are generally accompanied with important duties and great additional responsibilities . Tlie patient and unwearying attention given
by them to minute and frequently tedious details , the constant sacrifice of their own interests for the common good ( for in addition to their labours at Grand Lodge , the heaviest portion of their duties is performed between the annual meetings ) , and the careful and laborious discussion which precedes all their decisions , must be understood and known before they can be fully appreciated . And ivhen we consider also that these
brethren cheerfull y devote their time and talents , without remuneration of any kind , simply from a love of the Order , surely I cannot err in claiming for them not only your cordial countenance and support , but also your most grateful and hearty acknowledgments .
Lodges under Dispensation . Since our last annual meeting I have granted dispensations for fourteen new lodges , which are named and situated as follow : — Oriental Port Harwell 25 tb July , 1866 Petrolia Petrolia 9 th Aug . „ Tuscan Levis 1 st Oct .
„ Prince Albert Prince Albert 4 th Dec . „ Old Light Lucknow 19 th Jan ., 1 S 67 Enniskillen York 21 st Jan . „ Plantagenet Plantagenet 19 th Feb . „ Royal Canadian Sweetsburgh 20 th Feb . „ Ascot , LennoxvUlo 6 tb March „ Filius A 1 dua _ Adolphustown 6 th March „
Belmont Belmont 8 th April „ Ashlar Coaticook 21 st May „ Orillia Orillia 12 th Juno „ Scotland Scotland 27 th Juno „
As each of these applications were accompanied by the necessary certificates and vouchers required by our regulations , I have now much pleasure in recommending that a regular warrant of constitution be issued to them respectively , in lieu of the temporary authority granted by my dispensations .
Masonic Jurisprudence . During the past year I have been called upon officially to decide various questions ot Masonic law , but as none of them possess any peculiar interest or importance , I consider it unnecessary to bring them before you at present . A serious difficulty occurred in one of our subordinate lodges , in which several worshipful brethren became unfortunately involved , but as this
matter has all been happily and satisfactorily arranged , and the lawful authorit y of this Grand Lodge properly vindicated , I have no desire to give it undue prominence , or to refer further to a matter which occasioned me much pain and anxiety at the time . All the documents , however , connected with this and similar matters are in the possession of the Grand Secretary , and can be referred to if necessary .
The Grand Secretary . At the last meeting of this Grand Lodge it was determined that an honorary jewel should bo prepared and presented to our Grand Secretary . This I find has been neglected , but no time will now be lost in giving effect to your wishes , although at tho same time I would venture to suggest for your
considera-, tion whether twelve years of valuable and faithful service might not be moro substantially and appropriately acknowledged than hy a mere jewel of office , which , although valuable as a proof of your appreciation and regard , is otherwise of but little use to the recipient .
Boston . I was honoured by an invitation from the M . AV . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to be present at the dedication of their Masonic Temple at Boston , on the 24 th of June last , and I much regret that circumstances prevented me from accepting the invitation , and from meeting the large and . brilliant assemblage of Masons upon that very interesting
occasion . His Excellency AV . Bro . Andrew Johnson , the President of the United States , with the leading members of the Fraternity in that Republic , and upwards of ten thousand Masons * participated in the solemn and imposing ceremonies of dedication . AA e congratulate the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts upon the successful completion of their superb edifice , and also upon the great success which has thus crowned their labours . We „
as Masons , enter as fully , and participate as heartily in tbe joyous emotions excited by the occurrence of important eventsof this kind , as if they had taken place in our own midst and in our oivn dominion , for Masonry knows neither country nor language ; and although ( as the reverend and eloquent orator said on tlie occasion referred to ) we may be men of different nationalties , men of diverse views in philosophy , men of
widelyvarying types of religious faith , and men of diametrically opposite political sentiments , yet we have been brought into harmonious and abiding social relations by the powerful and controlling , influence of the compass and scpiare .
Distress in Georgia . I regret to announce to Grand Lodge that much distress still prevails among our brethren in the Southern States , and startling , accounts of misery and want uffered by the widows and orphans of Masons in the State of Georgia have been forwarded to the Craft in Canada aud elsewhere . Our lodges in many instances promptly responded to this appeal , and I would
gladly at that time have been the almoner of your bounty , but found upon inquiry that no funds for charitable or other purposes aro now left subject to the order of your Grand Master . I heartily eommeucl this subject to your most favourable consideration , ancl hope that if this distress and want has not already been relieved by a bountiful harvest , no time will belost in forwarding substantial evidence of your sympathy to the suffering widows and orphans of Georgia .
il / . Furnell , TEscp It is also my painful duty to inform you of the death of Michael Furnell , Esq ., the representative of our Grand Lodge at the Grand Lodgo of Ireland . By the death of this distinguished brother wo have lost a warm friend , and our Order a most worthy Craftsman ; his loss will be sincerely regretted by every member of the fraternity in Canada .
I bad much pleasure in appointing R . W . Bro . James Yokes-Mackey , of Dublin , as our representative near the Grand Lodge of Ireland , with the rank of a Past Grand Senior AVarden , assuccessor to our deceased brother Furnell .
" Representatives . I have also made arrangements , on behalf of this Grand Lodge ,, for an exchange of representatives with several other Grand Bodies with whom we have not heretofore been in communication , and I have appointed the following distinguished members of our Order as our representatives at these Grand Lodges and Grand Orients respectively , viz . : —
R . AV . Bro . Andrew Kerr Mackinlay , at Grand Lodgo of Nova . Scotia . R . AV . Bro . E . T . Carr , at Grand Lodge of Kansas . 111 . Bro . J . M . C . Obed , at Grand Orient of Cuba . IU Bro . Dr . Francesco De Paula Romas , at Grand Orient of Brazil . 111 . Bro . J . M . Samper Angiano , at Grand Orient of Ne" * Grenada .