Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
' rulers and patrons of tho Order of Masonry , and their regular successors , supreme and subordinate , according to their stations , and to submit to the award and resolutions of our Brethren in General Chapter convened , in every case consistent with the constitutions of the Order : Our allegiance likewise enjoins us to discountenance all dissenters from the original plan of the institution . We are also pledged to admit that it is not in the power of any man , or in any body of men , to make innovation in the body of Masonry : And further , to pay homage to the G M . for the time being , and to
his officers , when duly installed , and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons , that is not subversive of the principles and ground-worh of Masojiry—such being the terms of our Masonic allegiance , no circumstances Whatever , will induce us to work under any constitution that will countenance the slightest departure from the original plan of Masonry , or any innovation of the antient constitutions , and estab * lished usages and customs of the Order : "And whereaswe firmlbelieve the longer existence of
Free-, y masonry under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England , on the southern side of Tasmania , to be entirely dependent on the decision of tho Grand Lodge , relative to this appeal . " We , therefore , do most respectfully and urgently pray , " That the members of the United Grand Lodge of England , in Grand Lodge assembled , will take the whole of the above circumstances into their mature consideration , and will call for the production of all documents relating thereto , particularly the
recommendation and representation that induced the M . W . the G . M . to appoint the Rev . R . It . Ewing ; no member of No . 781 , the senior Lodge in Tasmania , ever having soon or been requested to sign such document , or to join in such recommendation ; and also copies of the resolutions passed both by Lodge and Chapter in reference thereto ; and likewise the applications for warrants to hold the Pacific and Denvent Lodges , with all correspondence thereon ; and at the same time to carefully peruse the printed and other correspondence hereunto annexed ; " And we further pray , " That for the purpose of restoring Masonic harmony to this portion of our province , and enabling us again to carry on the duties of Masonry in a constitutional manner , which tho recent
events above detailed , have interrupted , the members of the Grand Lodge will , on reviewing the whole of this important case , pass such resolutions and adopt such measures as to them may appear suited to the circumstances , and which may have the effect of causing the issiw of the warrants recommended by Lodge , No . 781 , and the division of the island of Tasmania , into North and South Masonic provinces ; and that they will on our behalf nominate Bro . Charles Toby , or any other of the Past Masters of Lodge , No . 781 , to the M . W . the G . M . as fit and to fill the office of Prov
, proper persons . G . M . for South Tasmania , all such Brethren in the opinion of your memorialists being possessed of the requisite qualifications to insure the confidence of the brotherhood , and such being in accordance with the opinions expressed by the M . W . the G . M ., at the Quarterly Communication in March last , previous to the date of the order of suspension of No . 781 . " And we beg to assure the Grand Lodge , in the event of the M . W . the G . M . using his prerogative to so divide the province , and
appointing any one of the above Brethren as Prov . G . M . for South Tasmania , and legalizing and confirming all the proceedings of Lodge and Chapter , No . 781 , while under the unconstitutional suspension of the Rev . U . K . Ewing , and granting the prayer of the petitions for tho issue of warrants for holding tho Pacific and Denvent Lodges ; or in the event of the M . W . . the G . M ., or the members of the United Grand Lodge , wishing for further information on the subject , before making such division of the island , and appointing a Prov . G . M . for the southern portion of itif the MW
, .. the G . M ., will in the mean time order tho issue of all warrants that may be recommended by Lodge , No . 781 , and exempt all Lodges held or to be held in and near Hobart Town from making returns or payment of dues to , or attendance at , the Prov . Grand Lodge at Launceston ; or being in any way , whatever , subject to the rule of the Rev . R . K . Ewing ; and permit such Lodges to forward all returns , fees , and dues , direct to the G . Sec . in London , as heretoforeuntil further provincial arrangements be completedthat
, may , we pledge ourselves to continue to exert our best endeavours to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Freemasonry , and hereby renew our promise of strict obedience to tho commands of the M . W . the G . M ., and the laws and regulations of the United Grand Lodge of England . " The memorial is signed by Charles Toby , W . M ., No . 781 Z Chapter , No . 781 , and 112 other Brethren ..
The M . W . Grand Master directed the following reply to be sent to Bro . Charles Toby , W . M . No . 781 . " Freemasons' Hall , London ; 15 th December ) 1657 , " W . Sir and Brother , "I have received and laid before the M . W . the Grand Master the Earl of Zetland , your letter , dated September 9 th , and received on the 30 th November ; and I am commanded by his Lordship to express , in the most decided terms , his condemnation
of the conduct which you , as W . Master of the Union Lodge , No . 781 , have pursued towards the R . W . Brother the Rev . R . K . Ewing , Prov . G . Master for Tasmania . " The proceedings of Brother Ewiifg appear to have becii regular and constitutional ; and consequently meet with the approval of the M . W . the Grand Master . I may observe in addition , that his appointment as Prov . Grand Master seems to be acceptable to the majority of the Lodges in the Island : whilst his offer to hold a Prov . Grand Lodge once a year in Hobart Town , and to appoint
his Deputy from amongst the members of No . 781 , evinces no want of inclination on his part to promote the advancement and conVe » nience of the Brethren of that Lodge . Obedience is one of the first duties inculcated by Masonic law ; . that law is one of reason , not of force . The appointment of the Prov . Grand Master was in every respect regular ; and it is , therefore , clearly the duty of the Brethren in the Province to acknowledge his authority as the Representative of the M . W . Grand Master . "That yonas W . Master of No . 781 protest against such
-, , ap pointment , in no way absolves you from tho necessity of obeying the laws which have been enacted by the Grand Lodge , and which all Masons are bound to observe . The Grand Master , equally with all Masons , must administer and obey the law as it is found in the Constitutions . It is provided ( see page 115 ) that where there is a Provincial Grand Blaster of a district or province in which the Lodge is proposed to be holden , the Petition is first to be sent to him , or
to his Deputy , who is to forward it , with his recommendation or opinion thereon , for the Grand Master ; and the Grand Master has not the power ( nor if he had has there been sufficient cause shown to induce him to exercise it ) of permitting that law to be disobeyed . I am further directed to inform you , that although it is the anxious wish of his Lordship to carry out the intentions expressed by him in March last , and referred to in your letter , that in the division , and where necessary , the subdivision—of Districts , he did not contemplate—neither does he think that it would be for the interest of the
Craft that he should do so—the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master to rule over only one Lodge . Wherever , now or hereafter , circumstances may warrant it , his Lordship will not hesitate to appoint additional Provincial Grand Masters . " I am further directed by his Lordship to state that the tone of your correspondence , and especially of your last letter , is one which meets with his serious disapproval . Describing yourself as a Mason of twenty-three years' standing , and as Master of your Lodge , you cannot be unaware of the heavy responsibility are underboth
you , as regards yourself in your own conduct , and the example which you set to your Brethren . You cannot expect continued obedience to your own authority , or to the extended authority which , it appears , you are anxious of obtaining , unless you set your Brethren the example in submitting to lawfully constituted authority . To threaten that , unless the particular wishes of yourself and your Lodge were complied with , you will throw off your allegiance , is as disrespectful as it is unconstitutional and unmasonic . The fact of the suspension of your Lodgeby the Provincial Grand Masterhaving been notified
, , to and confirmed by the M . W . Grand Master , was further reported on and recommended by the Colonial Board , and adopted by the Grand Lodge , at the Quarterly Communication in September last , will , I hope , induce you . to reflect on the course you have hitherto followed , and prompt you to seek a speedy removal of the disabilities under which you at present labor .
" I return the petitions for the warrants , with a strong and fraternal recommendation that you submit them , as tho law requires , for the opinion and recommendation of the Provincial Grand Master . "His Lordship further desires me to express his earnest hope that sufficient time has now elapsed for all feeling of heat and anger to have passed away ; that you will , in the true spirit of brotherly love and sincerity , offer the right hand of fellowship . That bygones being forgotten , you will unite in the determination to work together with that good feeling and harmony which is not onlcharacteristic
y of our order , but is essential to its advancement in itself , and to its reputation in the profane world . "I remain , W , Sir and Brother , vours fraternally , "WM . GRAY CLARKE , G . S . " To Charles Toby , Esq ., Hobart Town , Tasmania . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Colonial.
' rulers and patrons of tho Order of Masonry , and their regular successors , supreme and subordinate , according to their stations , and to submit to the award and resolutions of our Brethren in General Chapter convened , in every case consistent with the constitutions of the Order : Our allegiance likewise enjoins us to discountenance all dissenters from the original plan of the institution . We are also pledged to admit that it is not in the power of any man , or in any body of men , to make innovation in the body of Masonry : And further , to pay homage to the G M . for the time being , and to
his officers , when duly installed , and strictly to conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons , that is not subversive of the principles and ground-worh of Masojiry—such being the terms of our Masonic allegiance , no circumstances Whatever , will induce us to work under any constitution that will countenance the slightest departure from the original plan of Masonry , or any innovation of the antient constitutions , and estab * lished usages and customs of the Order : "And whereaswe firmlbelieve the longer existence of
Free-, y masonry under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England , on the southern side of Tasmania , to be entirely dependent on the decision of tho Grand Lodge , relative to this appeal . " We , therefore , do most respectfully and urgently pray , " That the members of the United Grand Lodge of England , in Grand Lodge assembled , will take the whole of the above circumstances into their mature consideration , and will call for the production of all documents relating thereto , particularly the
recommendation and representation that induced the M . W . the G . M . to appoint the Rev . R . It . Ewing ; no member of No . 781 , the senior Lodge in Tasmania , ever having soon or been requested to sign such document , or to join in such recommendation ; and also copies of the resolutions passed both by Lodge and Chapter in reference thereto ; and likewise the applications for warrants to hold the Pacific and Denvent Lodges , with all correspondence thereon ; and at the same time to carefully peruse the printed and other correspondence hereunto annexed ; " And we further pray , " That for the purpose of restoring Masonic harmony to this portion of our province , and enabling us again to carry on the duties of Masonry in a constitutional manner , which tho recent
events above detailed , have interrupted , the members of the Grand Lodge will , on reviewing the whole of this important case , pass such resolutions and adopt such measures as to them may appear suited to the circumstances , and which may have the effect of causing the issiw of the warrants recommended by Lodge , No . 781 , and the division of the island of Tasmania , into North and South Masonic provinces ; and that they will on our behalf nominate Bro . Charles Toby , or any other of the Past Masters of Lodge , No . 781 , to the M . W . the G . M . as fit and to fill the office of Prov
, proper persons . G . M . for South Tasmania , all such Brethren in the opinion of your memorialists being possessed of the requisite qualifications to insure the confidence of the brotherhood , and such being in accordance with the opinions expressed by the M . W . the G . M ., at the Quarterly Communication in March last , previous to the date of the order of suspension of No . 781 . " And we beg to assure the Grand Lodge , in the event of the M . W . the G . M . using his prerogative to so divide the province , and
appointing any one of the above Brethren as Prov . G . M . for South Tasmania , and legalizing and confirming all the proceedings of Lodge and Chapter , No . 781 , while under the unconstitutional suspension of the Rev . U . K . Ewing , and granting the prayer of the petitions for tho issue of warrants for holding tho Pacific and Denvent Lodges ; or in the event of the M . W . . the G . M ., or the members of the United Grand Lodge , wishing for further information on the subject , before making such division of the island , and appointing a Prov . G . M . for the southern portion of itif the MW
, .. the G . M ., will in the mean time order tho issue of all warrants that may be recommended by Lodge , No . 781 , and exempt all Lodges held or to be held in and near Hobart Town from making returns or payment of dues to , or attendance at , the Prov . Grand Lodge at Launceston ; or being in any way , whatever , subject to the rule of the Rev . R . K . Ewing ; and permit such Lodges to forward all returns , fees , and dues , direct to the G . Sec . in London , as heretoforeuntil further provincial arrangements be completedthat
, may , we pledge ourselves to continue to exert our best endeavours to promote and diffuse the genuine principles of Freemasonry , and hereby renew our promise of strict obedience to tho commands of the M . W . the G . M ., and the laws and regulations of the United Grand Lodge of England . " The memorial is signed by Charles Toby , W . M ., No . 781 Z Chapter , No . 781 , and 112 other Brethren ..
The M . W . Grand Master directed the following reply to be sent to Bro . Charles Toby , W . M . No . 781 . " Freemasons' Hall , London ; 15 th December ) 1657 , " W . Sir and Brother , "I have received and laid before the M . W . the Grand Master the Earl of Zetland , your letter , dated September 9 th , and received on the 30 th November ; and I am commanded by his Lordship to express , in the most decided terms , his condemnation
of the conduct which you , as W . Master of the Union Lodge , No . 781 , have pursued towards the R . W . Brother the Rev . R . K . Ewing , Prov . G . Master for Tasmania . " The proceedings of Brother Ewiifg appear to have becii regular and constitutional ; and consequently meet with the approval of the M . W . the Grand Master . I may observe in addition , that his appointment as Prov . Grand Master seems to be acceptable to the majority of the Lodges in the Island : whilst his offer to hold a Prov . Grand Lodge once a year in Hobart Town , and to appoint
his Deputy from amongst the members of No . 781 , evinces no want of inclination on his part to promote the advancement and conVe » nience of the Brethren of that Lodge . Obedience is one of the first duties inculcated by Masonic law ; . that law is one of reason , not of force . The appointment of the Prov . Grand Master was in every respect regular ; and it is , therefore , clearly the duty of the Brethren in the Province to acknowledge his authority as the Representative of the M . W . Grand Master . "That yonas W . Master of No . 781 protest against such
-, , ap pointment , in no way absolves you from tho necessity of obeying the laws which have been enacted by the Grand Lodge , and which all Masons are bound to observe . The Grand Master , equally with all Masons , must administer and obey the law as it is found in the Constitutions . It is provided ( see page 115 ) that where there is a Provincial Grand Blaster of a district or province in which the Lodge is proposed to be holden , the Petition is first to be sent to him , or
to his Deputy , who is to forward it , with his recommendation or opinion thereon , for the Grand Master ; and the Grand Master has not the power ( nor if he had has there been sufficient cause shown to induce him to exercise it ) of permitting that law to be disobeyed . I am further directed to inform you , that although it is the anxious wish of his Lordship to carry out the intentions expressed by him in March last , and referred to in your letter , that in the division , and where necessary , the subdivision—of Districts , he did not contemplate—neither does he think that it would be for the interest of the
Craft that he should do so—the appointment of a Provincial Grand Master to rule over only one Lodge . Wherever , now or hereafter , circumstances may warrant it , his Lordship will not hesitate to appoint additional Provincial Grand Masters . " I am further directed by his Lordship to state that the tone of your correspondence , and especially of your last letter , is one which meets with his serious disapproval . Describing yourself as a Mason of twenty-three years' standing , and as Master of your Lodge , you cannot be unaware of the heavy responsibility are underboth
you , as regards yourself in your own conduct , and the example which you set to your Brethren . You cannot expect continued obedience to your own authority , or to the extended authority which , it appears , you are anxious of obtaining , unless you set your Brethren the example in submitting to lawfully constituted authority . To threaten that , unless the particular wishes of yourself and your Lodge were complied with , you will throw off your allegiance , is as disrespectful as it is unconstitutional and unmasonic . The fact of the suspension of your Lodgeby the Provincial Grand Masterhaving been notified
, , to and confirmed by the M . W . Grand Master , was further reported on and recommended by the Colonial Board , and adopted by the Grand Lodge , at the Quarterly Communication in September last , will , I hope , induce you . to reflect on the course you have hitherto followed , and prompt you to seek a speedy removal of the disabilities under which you at present labor .
" I return the petitions for the warrants , with a strong and fraternal recommendation that you submit them , as tho law requires , for the opinion and recommendation of the Provincial Grand Master . "His Lordship further desires me to express his earnest hope that sufficient time has now elapsed for all feeling of heat and anger to have passed away ; that you will , in the true spirit of brotherly love and sincerity , offer the right hand of fellowship . That bygones being forgotten , you will unite in the determination to work together with that good feeling and harmony which is not onlcharacteristic
y of our order , but is essential to its advancement in itself , and to its reputation in the profane world . "I remain , W , Sir and Brother , vours fraternally , "WM . GRAY CLARKE , G . S . " To Charles Toby , Esq ., Hobart Town , Tasmania . "