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  • Dec. 1, 1856
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    Article QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE. ← Page 4 of 4
    Article Untitled Page 1 of 1
Page 15

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.

about four years ago a compact was entered into between the Lodges under the English Constitution , Nos . 666 and 257 under the Irish Constitution , not to recognize and acknowledge the said St . Andrew ' s Lodge till they had written authority in answer to a communication sent to the G . L . of Scotland respecting the same , as to their application for a warrant which was generally-supposed to have been signed by unauthorized parties not recognized by any other Lodge . In due course an answer was received by the P . G . M . from the GLof Scotlandthe particulars of whichhoweverwere

. . , , , never disclosed . Eight months have elapsed , during which period we have made repeated applications to the P . G . M . and his Lodge for the letter alluded to or a copy thereof , but we have received no answer whatever . Surely in common courtesy , if not by right , we were entitled to expect a reply 1 We were made a party to the affair , and wc have as much respect for the judgment and discernment in our Lodge as in any of the English Lodges . This conduct on their part is notin our opinionat all according to Masonic

, , usage . Eight months having elapsed , and no answer having been returned , our Lodge passed a resolution appointing a Deputation of its members to inspect the Documents of the aforesaid St . Andrew's Lodge , and if found correct to acknowledge and fraternize with them ; and the Lodge proving properly constituted , this was accordingly done . The English P . G . L . now laid hold of this proceeding to debar any and all persons under the Scotch and Irish Constitutions ( except No 267 ) from visiting their Lod and

. ges , refused all communication with us . And further : they passed a resolution that any Brother visiting us should be suspended by them . The St . Andrew's Lodge has recently made an application to this P . G . L . to form a Committee to inspect its Documents , which the P . G . L . declined to do , on the plea that it has written home , and could not interfere till an answer is received . Such is a plain , unvarnished statement of facts which we wish to lay before the Board of General Purposesin order that they make

, may a Communication to the G . Lodges of England and Scotland , and ask their advice and assistance . We may as well state that some of our Brethren have been told verbally that the answer of the G . L of Scotland , was no answer , " & c . ( Signed by the W . M , and Wardens ) .

Bro . Dobie said this was entirely a question of Colonial jurisdiction , and , as such , should be referred to the Colonial Board to discuss and report upon . As to the general principle , he was of opinion that the W . M . of a Lodge had power to refuse a visitor if he thought proper . It was monstrous to suppose that a convict , for instance , or other known bad character , could claim admission into a Lodge of gentlemen . ( Hear , hear ) . Ashe believed the W . M . and Wardens had a right to admit whom they would , he should , to save the time of the Lod move a resolution affirming that

pringe , ciple , which he concluded by doing . Bro . Aria dissented , and referred to the Prussian G . L . which excluded certain Brethren upon other grounds than those which had been referred to by the Grand Registrar . If such powers of exclusion were to be allowed there was no telling what abuses might creep in . As Masonry was universal , nothing but certain known facts against his character should exclude any Brother . Nothing should exclude a Brother from a Freemasons' Lodwhich

ge would not exclude him from any other Society of gentlemen . He trusted that this communication would receive due attention at the hands of G . Lodge . Bro . Williams , D . P . G . M . from Sydney , was not very audible in his observations ; but we understood him to say that the Lodge referred to had received Brethren suspended by the P . G . L . for unmasonic conduct , and he thought that was sufficient reason why they should hold no communication with it . Besides which , men

guilty of certain offences * * * * were admitted into those Lodges which complained of being cut off from communication with the others . ( Hear , hear ) . The Rev . Brother Portal : As G . L . is still very imperfectly informed as to the details of this case , let it be referred to the Colonial Board . ( Hear , hear ) . Bro . Dobie and Bvo . Aria assented to this proposition . BroHavers saidthe RWthe DGMfor Sydney was about to

. , . . . . . return to that country , and it was , therefore , very desirable that he should carry back with him some resolution of G . L . upon this subject . There could , therefore , be no objection whatever to Bro . Dobie's motion ; it bound G . L . to nothing , and only expressed a principle which must m ' ectwith universal approbation . ( Applause ) . Bro . Aria had tried to lead them away from the real question by referring to a case in Prussia which was not at all analagous to the present case . ( Hear , hear ) .

Bro . Binckes said it was no use to attempt to shirk specific case of difficulty merely by affirming general principles . Bro . Newmarch contended that it was the duty of the Tyler to admit all Masons on proof ; but this was assailed by cries of "No no ! " from all parts of G . L ., and in fact it raised such a storm of disapprobation that the Bro . sat down and made no further observations . TheM . W . the G . M . read the law , '' No visitor shall be admitted into a Lodge unless personally knownrecommended well

, , or vouched for , and after due examination by one of the Brethren present ; and during his continuance in that Lodge he shall be subject to the by-laws of the Lodge , and the Master of the Lodge is bound to enforce these regulations . " Bro . Goold said this was not a mere Colonial question . He disapproved of the course pursued by the P . G . L . of Sydney . A man proving himself to be a Mason ought not to be refused admission . The W . M . who refused such a Brother put himself in the position

of a Court to try the Brother ' s character , and that without the Brother being heard in his own behalf . This was contrary to the spirit of Masonic law . A man once a Mason , till under some Masonic suspension , ought not to be refused admission . ( Loud cries of " Oh ! oh ! " and various demonstrations of disapprobation from all parts of G . L . ) . Bro . Roxburgh said it could not be tolerated that any man whatever his characterwas to come to the door of Lod

, your ge and demand admission whether you would or would not . ( Loud applause ) . A man might be a good Mason at one period of his life , but afterwards he might commit himself . ( Hear , hear ) . The Rev . Bro . Westall thought the Scotch and Irish were not sufficiently particular . He had been P . G . Treasurer , and had found hundreds of pretended Masons who made a trade of it and lived by it , and out of all the oases he had known of these itinerant Masonic imposters , only two had English diplomas . ( Applause ) .

Bro . II . G . Warren asked the G . M . if this was not such a motion as required notice to be given of it ? The M . W . the G . M . said , No , as it was simply in answer to the communication from the G . L . of Ireland . It was desirable that the opinion of G . L . should go forth at once to the Colonies , assuring them that G . L . justified them in refusing to receive Brethren of known bad character . ( Applause ) . The resolution was put in the following terms : —

" That it is the opinion of this G . L . that it is in the power of the W . M . and Wardens of any private Lodge to refuse admission to any visitor of known bad character . " Carried unanimously , and ordered to be communicated to Lord Naas .

This was the end of the orders of the day , and G . L . was about to proceed to the notices of motion , but it was eleven o ' clock , and the G . M . enforced the by-law that after that hour no new business can be proceeded with . Considerable amusement was caused by the Brethren , some of them disputing the time and declaring it had not struck the hour , and ergo Bro . Portal was entitled to proceed . The minute or two spent in this way put the question beyond any doubt , so that when Bro . Portal at length rose it really had struck the hourand theMWthe GMon being appealed todecided

, . . . ., , that G . L . must be closed . Bro . Aria said he hoped the G . M . would call a G . L . of Emergency to go on with the arrears of business . The M . W . the G . M . said he would think of it , but made no promise either way . The G . L . was then closed in ample form with solemn prayer .

Ar01501

LOST , on Wednesday livening , 3 rd Dec , between the hours of 8 and 11 , on the Dais of G . L ., some TEMPER , much ARGUMENT , and all PRETENCE to IMPARTIALITY and LOGIC—Whoever will restore the missing valuables will be duly REWARDED with OFFICIAL FAVOUR . —Address , GKAND REGIS .-

TBAE ' OFFICE . N . B . —The Articles in question will be easil y recognized by a plausible but rather flimsy appearance .

“The Masonic Observer: 1856-12-01, Page 15” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 24 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mob/issues/mob_01121856/page/15/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 2
GRAND LODGE OF EMERGENCY, Nov. 19. Article 2
Untitled Article 7
Untitled Article 8
NEW SCHOOL ATLASES. Article 8
Untitled Article 8
Untitled Article 8
Untitled Article 9
Untitled Article 9
Untitled Article 9
Untitled Article 9
Untitled Article 10
Untitled Article 10
Untitled Article 11
QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE. Article 12
Untitled Article 15
Untitled Article 16
"A TUB TO THE WHALE." Article 16
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN BILL SYKES AND THE CREEPING CRACKSMAN ON MASONRY IN GENERAL AND G. L. IN PARTICULAR. Article 16
NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 17
Untitled Article 17
Correspondence. Article 17
Untitled Ad 18
PROVINCIAL MESS. Article 18
Untitled Article 18
Untitled Article 18
Untitled Article 18
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.

about four years ago a compact was entered into between the Lodges under the English Constitution , Nos . 666 and 257 under the Irish Constitution , not to recognize and acknowledge the said St . Andrew ' s Lodge till they had written authority in answer to a communication sent to the G . L . of Scotland respecting the same , as to their application for a warrant which was generally-supposed to have been signed by unauthorized parties not recognized by any other Lodge . In due course an answer was received by the P . G . M . from the GLof Scotlandthe particulars of whichhoweverwere

. . , , , never disclosed . Eight months have elapsed , during which period we have made repeated applications to the P . G . M . and his Lodge for the letter alluded to or a copy thereof , but we have received no answer whatever . Surely in common courtesy , if not by right , we were entitled to expect a reply 1 We were made a party to the affair , and wc have as much respect for the judgment and discernment in our Lodge as in any of the English Lodges . This conduct on their part is notin our opinionat all according to Masonic

, , usage . Eight months having elapsed , and no answer having been returned , our Lodge passed a resolution appointing a Deputation of its members to inspect the Documents of the aforesaid St . Andrew's Lodge , and if found correct to acknowledge and fraternize with them ; and the Lodge proving properly constituted , this was accordingly done . The English P . G . L . now laid hold of this proceeding to debar any and all persons under the Scotch and Irish Constitutions ( except No 267 ) from visiting their Lod and

. ges , refused all communication with us . And further : they passed a resolution that any Brother visiting us should be suspended by them . The St . Andrew's Lodge has recently made an application to this P . G . L . to form a Committee to inspect its Documents , which the P . G . L . declined to do , on the plea that it has written home , and could not interfere till an answer is received . Such is a plain , unvarnished statement of facts which we wish to lay before the Board of General Purposesin order that they make

, may a Communication to the G . Lodges of England and Scotland , and ask their advice and assistance . We may as well state that some of our Brethren have been told verbally that the answer of the G . L of Scotland , was no answer , " & c . ( Signed by the W . M , and Wardens ) .

Bro . Dobie said this was entirely a question of Colonial jurisdiction , and , as such , should be referred to the Colonial Board to discuss and report upon . As to the general principle , he was of opinion that the W . M . of a Lodge had power to refuse a visitor if he thought proper . It was monstrous to suppose that a convict , for instance , or other known bad character , could claim admission into a Lodge of gentlemen . ( Hear , hear ) . Ashe believed the W . M . and Wardens had a right to admit whom they would , he should , to save the time of the Lod move a resolution affirming that

pringe , ciple , which he concluded by doing . Bro . Aria dissented , and referred to the Prussian G . L . which excluded certain Brethren upon other grounds than those which had been referred to by the Grand Registrar . If such powers of exclusion were to be allowed there was no telling what abuses might creep in . As Masonry was universal , nothing but certain known facts against his character should exclude any Brother . Nothing should exclude a Brother from a Freemasons' Lodwhich

ge would not exclude him from any other Society of gentlemen . He trusted that this communication would receive due attention at the hands of G . Lodge . Bro . Williams , D . P . G . M . from Sydney , was not very audible in his observations ; but we understood him to say that the Lodge referred to had received Brethren suspended by the P . G . L . for unmasonic conduct , and he thought that was sufficient reason why they should hold no communication with it . Besides which , men

guilty of certain offences * * * * were admitted into those Lodges which complained of being cut off from communication with the others . ( Hear , hear ) . The Rev . Brother Portal : As G . L . is still very imperfectly informed as to the details of this case , let it be referred to the Colonial Board . ( Hear , hear ) . Bro . Dobie and Bvo . Aria assented to this proposition . BroHavers saidthe RWthe DGMfor Sydney was about to

. , . . . . . return to that country , and it was , therefore , very desirable that he should carry back with him some resolution of G . L . upon this subject . There could , therefore , be no objection whatever to Bro . Dobie's motion ; it bound G . L . to nothing , and only expressed a principle which must m ' ectwith universal approbation . ( Applause ) . Bro . Aria had tried to lead them away from the real question by referring to a case in Prussia which was not at all analagous to the present case . ( Hear , hear ) .

Bro . Binckes said it was no use to attempt to shirk specific case of difficulty merely by affirming general principles . Bro . Newmarch contended that it was the duty of the Tyler to admit all Masons on proof ; but this was assailed by cries of "No no ! " from all parts of G . L ., and in fact it raised such a storm of disapprobation that the Bro . sat down and made no further observations . TheM . W . the G . M . read the law , '' No visitor shall be admitted into a Lodge unless personally knownrecommended well

, , or vouched for , and after due examination by one of the Brethren present ; and during his continuance in that Lodge he shall be subject to the by-laws of the Lodge , and the Master of the Lodge is bound to enforce these regulations . " Bro . Goold said this was not a mere Colonial question . He disapproved of the course pursued by the P . G . L . of Sydney . A man proving himself to be a Mason ought not to be refused admission . The W . M . who refused such a Brother put himself in the position

of a Court to try the Brother ' s character , and that without the Brother being heard in his own behalf . This was contrary to the spirit of Masonic law . A man once a Mason , till under some Masonic suspension , ought not to be refused admission . ( Loud cries of " Oh ! oh ! " and various demonstrations of disapprobation from all parts of G . L . ) . Bro . Roxburgh said it could not be tolerated that any man whatever his characterwas to come to the door of Lod

, your ge and demand admission whether you would or would not . ( Loud applause ) . A man might be a good Mason at one period of his life , but afterwards he might commit himself . ( Hear , hear ) . The Rev . Bro . Westall thought the Scotch and Irish were not sufficiently particular . He had been P . G . Treasurer , and had found hundreds of pretended Masons who made a trade of it and lived by it , and out of all the oases he had known of these itinerant Masonic imposters , only two had English diplomas . ( Applause ) .

Bro . II . G . Warren asked the G . M . if this was not such a motion as required notice to be given of it ? The M . W . the G . M . said , No , as it was simply in answer to the communication from the G . L . of Ireland . It was desirable that the opinion of G . L . should go forth at once to the Colonies , assuring them that G . L . justified them in refusing to receive Brethren of known bad character . ( Applause ) . The resolution was put in the following terms : —

" That it is the opinion of this G . L . that it is in the power of the W . M . and Wardens of any private Lodge to refuse admission to any visitor of known bad character . " Carried unanimously , and ordered to be communicated to Lord Naas .

This was the end of the orders of the day , and G . L . was about to proceed to the notices of motion , but it was eleven o ' clock , and the G . M . enforced the by-law that after that hour no new business can be proceeded with . Considerable amusement was caused by the Brethren , some of them disputing the time and declaring it had not struck the hour , and ergo Bro . Portal was entitled to proceed . The minute or two spent in this way put the question beyond any doubt , so that when Bro . Portal at length rose it really had struck the hourand theMWthe GMon being appealed todecided

, . . . ., , that G . L . must be closed . Bro . Aria said he hoped the G . M . would call a G . L . of Emergency to go on with the arrears of business . The M . W . the G . M . said he would think of it , but made no promise either way . The G . L . was then closed in ample form with solemn prayer .

Ar01501

LOST , on Wednesday livening , 3 rd Dec , between the hours of 8 and 11 , on the Dais of G . L ., some TEMPER , much ARGUMENT , and all PRETENCE to IMPARTIALITY and LOGIC—Whoever will restore the missing valuables will be duly REWARDED with OFFICIAL FAVOUR . —Address , GKAND REGIS .-

TBAE ' OFFICE . N . B . —The Articles in question will be easil y recognized by a plausible but rather flimsy appearance .

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