Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Canada.
111 . Bro . Antonio JL Mollejas , at Grand Orient of A enezuela . 111 . Bro . Adolph R . Pfeil , at Grand Orient of Uruguay . 111 . Bro . Joas Caetano D'Almeida , at Grand Orient of Portugal . ill . Bro . Luis Goapil , 33 ° , at Grand Orient of Mexico . 111 . Bro . Francesco De Luco , at Grand Orient of Italy . Iii . Bro . A . M . Medina , at Grand Orient of Chili . These diplomatic relations with Grand Orients havo been
established through the kind and fraternal offices of 111 . Bro . Andres Cassard , the distinguished representative of these Grand Bodies to the Grand Lodges of the United States , and I indulge in the hope that we will soon have the pleasure of receiving and welcoming , in proper form , the accredited representatives of these Grand Bodies among us . By the last mail from England I received an official
communication from our M . W . Bro . AV . C . Stephens , announcing the resignation of his position as representative of the Grand Lodge of England , near this Grand Lodge , a copy of ivhich I herewith lay before you . Although retiring from a high and important position ( the duties of which he has for so many years discharged with great ability and discretion ) , our distinguished brother cannot by any
means sever the link which connects him with this Grand Lodge . His past services , aud the many pleasing incidents , connected with them , will never be forgotten by his Canadian brethren , and should he again return to this jurisdiction , he will find many warm hearts and ready hands to welcome ancl to greet bim .
Unaffiliated Hasans . I would also direct the attention of Grand Lodge to the very large and increasing number of Masons who are not connected with any of our lodges , and who , consequently , contribute nothing towards our fund of benevolence . This subject has occupied much of my attention for many years past , and I would suggest for your consideration the propriety of directing that
every subordinate lodge should endeavour to ascertain with as little delay as possible tbe names of all unaffiliated Masons residing within the limits of their jurisdiction , and inform them that their names have been entered on the unaffiliated roll of the lodge , and that by instructions received from Grand Lodge they are required to contribute a certain sum annually ( say , half dues ) , and that a failure on their part to comply with this
requirement will be followed by such penalty as Grand Lodgo may please to direct . I have discussed this subject with many ¦ of our unaffiliated brethren , who , from tho pressure of their avocations , and for other 1 easons , have felt it necessary to retire from an active participation in lodge duties , and in nearly every instance , I have been assured that they would gladly resume their connection with the Order , provided some such scheme as I have suggested was adopted .
Fenianism . In the month of September last I addressed letters to thc Grand Masters of the neighbouring States , referring to the wicked and unjustifiable attempts of those reckless and lawless men , known as Fenians , to invade these provinces , and asking them to supply me with any information they might possess as to their plans and intentions . The replies to these letters were and fraternal
prompt , and while assuring mo that their best services would be rendered to me in the matter referred to , they , at the same time , convinced me that they and the intelligent and enlightened classes in the United States had no sympathy with these piratical marauders , who had , without a shadow of reason , attacked and still threatened a peaceful and inoffensive community . On this subject I have also been in communication with the Grand Masters of England and Ireland .
Sistory of Freemasonry . Your committee appointed to collect material for a more ( perfect history of Freemasonry in this jurisdiction have , under the able superintendence of their chairman , tho R . AA . Bro . S . D . Fowler , collected a mass of information relating to the early history of our Order in Canada , of a most interesting and valuable character , and are entitled to the best thanks , not only of this Grand Lod hut of
ge , every member of the Craft in this jurisdiction . Tlie result of the labours of this committee has partially been published iu the " Craftsman , "and has materiall y added to the lively interest with which the members of our fraternity look forward to the arrival of the monthly numbers of this most excellent periodical . In connection with this subject , I would earnestly invite the attention of our old lodges to a careful search in their archives
for minutes and documents connected with tho early incidents of their history , with a view to forwarding them to this committee with as little delay as possible . Library . I have also to direct tho attention of Grand Lodge to the large accumulation of valuable Masonic material , consisting of printed proceedings of Grand Lodges , pamphlets , & c \ , now in the office of our Grand Secretary , and to suggest that if they wore arranged , and cheaply bound , they would form a valuable addition to our Grand Lodgo Library .
Index . It is also desirable tbat a general index to our own proceedings should be prepared and printed , and I would also suggest that , in future , an index be added to our annual publication of proceedings .
Official Visits . Since our last annual communication I have had tho pleasure of paying official visits to my brethren in Guelph , Montreal , Peterborough , and London , and I need scarcely add that my reception everywhere was most cordial and hearty . I would gladly havo visited many of our other lodges had time and circumstances permitted , as I have long felt tliat official visits of this kind havo a most beneficial effect in promoting the interests of Masonry .
Special Grand Lodges . I have also to state , for tho information of Grand Lodge , that I authorised tho holding of two special meetings of Grand Lodgo , since our last annual communication , which on both occasions were ably presided over by my Most AA orsbipful Bro . Hariugton , P . G . M ., who officiated at tbe ceremony of laying thc corner stone of two churches in Ottawa , a full account of which appeared in tho papers of the day .
Investment of Grand Lodge Funds . About tho middle of August last 1 observed an official notice emanating from the Receiver General ' s- Department , to tho effect that applications would be received up to the 10 th of September for tho purchase of provincial debentures , which were to bear seven per cent , interest , and knowing that a largo portion of our funds was ling on deposit at four per cent . I
y , at once saw the importance of securing so favourable and safe an investment for them . 1 proceeded to St . Catherine ' s , whore I met many members ol the Board of General Purposes ., who were there attending a meeting of tho Grand Chapter , and consulted them with reference to tho matter . Finding that they approved of my suggestion , I proceeded to Toronto for tho purpose of advising the trustees of the Asylum Fund to
invest that amount also in provincial debentures . I then visited Montreal , and made the ^ necessary arrangements with our much esteemed brother , the chairman of tho Board of General Purposes , for the transfer of our funds , after which I proceeded to Ottowa , which I reached on the 18 th of August , where , with thc valuable assistance of tho Deputy Receiver General , 1 completed all tho arrangements I had the nower to make . 1 acrain
returned to Montreal , for the purpose of obtaining the signature of the chairman of tho Board to an order on the bank having charge of our funds , to deposit tho same in tho Bank of Montreal , as directed by the Receiver General . You are all probably aware that by the existing regulations the signatures of tho Chairman , the Grand Secretary , ancl the Grand Treasurer aro required to any order for the payment of money . On again calling upon Bro . Stevenson I ascertained that he did not like
assuming tho responsibility of making this change without calling a special meeting of the Board to consider tho mattor , and as the time allowed for the application had nearly expired , I could only urge upon him the necessity of losing no time in ascertaining the views of the members of the Board ( of which , by the way , I entertained no doubt ) , and I then returned home . On the 10 th of September the sum of 16000 dollars was
depo-, sited in the Bank of Montreal , for which amount provincial debentures were duly issued , ancl handed over to the Grand Treasurer . An additional sum of 1 , 500 dollars was ou baud at tlie time , but I am unable to say why this amount was not also invested in the same securities . The Asylum Fund was also invested by the trustees in provincial debentures .
Finances . The accounts of that most trustworthy and valuable officer , the Grand Treasurer , showing the state of our finances up to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Canada.
111 . Bro . Antonio JL Mollejas , at Grand Orient of A enezuela . 111 . Bro . Adolph R . Pfeil , at Grand Orient of Uruguay . 111 . Bro . Joas Caetano D'Almeida , at Grand Orient of Portugal . ill . Bro . Luis Goapil , 33 ° , at Grand Orient of Mexico . 111 . Bro . Francesco De Luco , at Grand Orient of Italy . Iii . Bro . A . M . Medina , at Grand Orient of Chili . These diplomatic relations with Grand Orients havo been
established through the kind and fraternal offices of 111 . Bro . Andres Cassard , the distinguished representative of these Grand Bodies to the Grand Lodges of the United States , and I indulge in the hope that we will soon have the pleasure of receiving and welcoming , in proper form , the accredited representatives of these Grand Bodies among us . By the last mail from England I received an official
communication from our M . W . Bro . AV . C . Stephens , announcing the resignation of his position as representative of the Grand Lodge of England , near this Grand Lodge , a copy of ivhich I herewith lay before you . Although retiring from a high and important position ( the duties of which he has for so many years discharged with great ability and discretion ) , our distinguished brother cannot by any
means sever the link which connects him with this Grand Lodge . His past services , aud the many pleasing incidents , connected with them , will never be forgotten by his Canadian brethren , and should he again return to this jurisdiction , he will find many warm hearts and ready hands to welcome ancl to greet bim .
Unaffiliated Hasans . I would also direct the attention of Grand Lodge to the very large and increasing number of Masons who are not connected with any of our lodges , and who , consequently , contribute nothing towards our fund of benevolence . This subject has occupied much of my attention for many years past , and I would suggest for your consideration the propriety of directing that
every subordinate lodge should endeavour to ascertain with as little delay as possible tbe names of all unaffiliated Masons residing within the limits of their jurisdiction , and inform them that their names have been entered on the unaffiliated roll of the lodge , and that by instructions received from Grand Lodge they are required to contribute a certain sum annually ( say , half dues ) , and that a failure on their part to comply with this
requirement will be followed by such penalty as Grand Lodgo may please to direct . I have discussed this subject with many ¦ of our unaffiliated brethren , who , from tho pressure of their avocations , and for other 1 easons , have felt it necessary to retire from an active participation in lodge duties , and in nearly every instance , I have been assured that they would gladly resume their connection with the Order , provided some such scheme as I have suggested was adopted .
Fenianism . In the month of September last I addressed letters to thc Grand Masters of the neighbouring States , referring to the wicked and unjustifiable attempts of those reckless and lawless men , known as Fenians , to invade these provinces , and asking them to supply me with any information they might possess as to their plans and intentions . The replies to these letters were and fraternal
prompt , and while assuring mo that their best services would be rendered to me in the matter referred to , they , at the same time , convinced me that they and the intelligent and enlightened classes in the United States had no sympathy with these piratical marauders , who had , without a shadow of reason , attacked and still threatened a peaceful and inoffensive community . On this subject I have also been in communication with the Grand Masters of England and Ireland .
Sistory of Freemasonry . Your committee appointed to collect material for a more ( perfect history of Freemasonry in this jurisdiction have , under the able superintendence of their chairman , tho R . AA . Bro . S . D . Fowler , collected a mass of information relating to the early history of our Order in Canada , of a most interesting and valuable character , and are entitled to the best thanks , not only of this Grand Lod hut of
ge , every member of the Craft in this jurisdiction . Tlie result of the labours of this committee has partially been published iu the " Craftsman , "and has materiall y added to the lively interest with which the members of our fraternity look forward to the arrival of the monthly numbers of this most excellent periodical . In connection with this subject , I would earnestly invite the attention of our old lodges to a careful search in their archives
for minutes and documents connected with tho early incidents of their history , with a view to forwarding them to this committee with as little delay as possible . Library . I have also to direct tho attention of Grand Lodge to the large accumulation of valuable Masonic material , consisting of printed proceedings of Grand Lodges , pamphlets , & c \ , now in the office of our Grand Secretary , and to suggest that if they wore arranged , and cheaply bound , they would form a valuable addition to our Grand Lodgo Library .
Index . It is also desirable tbat a general index to our own proceedings should be prepared and printed , and I would also suggest that , in future , an index be added to our annual publication of proceedings .
Official Visits . Since our last annual communication I have had tho pleasure of paying official visits to my brethren in Guelph , Montreal , Peterborough , and London , and I need scarcely add that my reception everywhere was most cordial and hearty . I would gladly havo visited many of our other lodges had time and circumstances permitted , as I have long felt tliat official visits of this kind havo a most beneficial effect in promoting the interests of Masonry .
Special Grand Lodges . I have also to state , for tho information of Grand Lodge , that I authorised tho holding of two special meetings of Grand Lodgo , since our last annual communication , which on both occasions were ably presided over by my Most AA orsbipful Bro . Hariugton , P . G . M ., who officiated at tbe ceremony of laying thc corner stone of two churches in Ottawa , a full account of which appeared in tho papers of the day .
Investment of Grand Lodge Funds . About tho middle of August last 1 observed an official notice emanating from the Receiver General ' s- Department , to tho effect that applications would be received up to the 10 th of September for tho purchase of provincial debentures , which were to bear seven per cent , interest , and knowing that a largo portion of our funds was ling on deposit at four per cent . I
y , at once saw the importance of securing so favourable and safe an investment for them . 1 proceeded to St . Catherine ' s , whore I met many members ol the Board of General Purposes ., who were there attending a meeting of tho Grand Chapter , and consulted them with reference to tho matter . Finding that they approved of my suggestion , I proceeded to Toronto for tho purpose of advising the trustees of the Asylum Fund to
invest that amount also in provincial debentures . I then visited Montreal , and made the ^ necessary arrangements with our much esteemed brother , the chairman of tho Board of General Purposes , for the transfer of our funds , after which I proceeded to Ottowa , which I reached on the 18 th of August , where , with thc valuable assistance of tho Deputy Receiver General , 1 completed all tho arrangements I had the nower to make . 1 acrain
returned to Montreal , for the purpose of obtaining the signature of the chairman of tho Board to an order on the bank having charge of our funds , to deposit tho same in tho Bank of Montreal , as directed by the Receiver General . You are all probably aware that by the existing regulations the signatures of tho Chairman , the Grand Secretary , ancl the Grand Treasurer aro required to any order for the payment of money . On again calling upon Bro . Stevenson I ascertained that he did not like
assuming tho responsibility of making this change without calling a special meeting of the Board to consider tho mattor , and as the time allowed for the application had nearly expired , I could only urge upon him the necessity of losing no time in ascertaining the views of the members of the Board ( of which , by the way , I entertained no doubt ) , and I then returned home . On the 10 th of September the sum of 16000 dollars was
depo-, sited in the Bank of Montreal , for which amount provincial debentures were duly issued , ancl handed over to the Grand Treasurer . An additional sum of 1 , 500 dollars was ou baud at tlie time , but I am unable to say why this amount was not also invested in the same securities . The Asylum Fund was also invested by the trustees in provincial debentures .
Finances . The accounts of that most trustworthy and valuable officer , the Grand Treasurer , showing the state of our finances up to