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British America.
place at the presentation of Bro . Harris , in presence of a large assemblage of the fraternity at Hamilton . While on this subject I may venture to suggest for your consideration that as yet no recognition has been made of the valuable services rendered to Masonry by our M . W . and faithful brother , W . B . Simpson , during the two years he so ably administered the affairs of this Grand Lodge as your Grand Master .
A G ENERAL G BAND L ODGE TOR C ANADA , The consideration of the subject of a General Grand Lodge for our new dominion has not been overlooked by me during the past year , although no special action has been taken in the matter . The solution of this great question must be left to time , and to the calm consideration of the Craft generally . Any exhibition on our part of too great a desire to secure this result would , in all probability , only delay , if it did not entirely defeat , that union of the whole Masonic body in tbe British dependencies here , which so many are so anxious to secure .
NEW LODGES . I have also to announce for your information that , during the past year I have granted dispensations for the opening of twelve new lodges within the jurisdiction , and , as in every case , the forms and requirements of the Constitution have been strictly complied with , I anticipate that you will at once direct the issue of the usual warrants .
BUSINESS OF THE PAST TEAR . The Masonic business of the past year has neither been less onerous nor less important than those which have preceded it ; the various matters which have come up before me , and which were neither decided by myself , or referred to special committees , or to the Board of General Purposes , were not of a nature requiring special reference here ; all documents connected with them , whether as involving questions of Masonic law or discipline , will bo found ou the file , with the G . Sec , all of which are open to your inspection .
THE ELECTION OE MASTERS . In connection with these matters there * is one evil existing to which I trace many of the difficulties which are now of so frequent recurrence . I allude to the want of a proper care , and to the neglect of Masonic law and principle too often evinced by the members of the Craft in the selection of those who are to Govern our subordinate lodges . Brethren are too often selected as rulers , merely because their social qualities may be
of a high order , and often , also , from their general popularity , without duly considering their ability to work the lodge , their administrative capacity to govern it , ' or their possession of those still higher qualities which are so essential to the successful carrying on of the great work of Masonry . In selecting your Masters , let me entreat you , my brethren , always first to consider your duty to Masonry and to your lodge . This important duty can never properly be performed if you place in the chair one who has to rely upon others for doing that which he is incapable of performing himself .
MASONRY NOT A MERE BENEEIT CLUB . In the course of the discussions which occasionall y take place at our annual meetings , sentiments are sometimes expressed by the younger members of the fraternity which have led me to believe that they neither fully understood nor appreciated the original design and aim of our institution , but had come to regard it as if the great and sole object of our association was the accumulation of
mere funds for the relief of distressed masons , for the support of their widows , and for tho education of their destitute children , forgetting , apparently , the explanations which had been given , and the lessons they had received at their initiation into our mysteries . Charity , ' in its largest sense , in its broadest signification , is a virtue dear to the heart of every true mason , and that Charity , which is not only active , but is exercised b
passive , freely y the genuine brother ; he is ever as ready to assist the distressed as he is to abstain from unkindness , uncourteousness , or the malicious construction of his neighbours' motives . The inculcation of every virtue the improvement of our species—the advancement of learning and science—the study of the liberal arts , and especially the cultivation of brotherly love—these are some of the aims of the Craft and of its votaries . If there is to be found in our ranks any individual who has joined us , actuated by no higher motive than self-interest , and influenced by the idea that he is thereby
making a most judicious investment for himself and family , be will soon discover that he has not only deceived himself , hut that he has altogether misapprehended the genius , the scope , and the great objects of Masonry ; for our brotherhood is not for a moment to be placed on the same level with these mere benefit clubs , which have recently been established , with the sole and avowed intention of making to the contributor , or his legal representativea full and equivalent return in hard cash
, for that which he has invested in their hands . Neither is Masonry to be thus shorn of her fair proportions , nor is she to be circumscribed or fettered as to the discharge of her numerous duties . We are told that the three great tenets of a Mason ' s profession are Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth . And to you , my Brethren , I now say , cultivate them all .
THE WORK . The disappointment felt by many at the non-exemplification of what we technically call the work , at our last communication , was largely shared in by myself , the unavoidable absence of some of those upon whom I had relied for assistance rendered it impossible for me to carry out the promises made on the subject . True , it was suggested that some of those able brethren then present miht lifthe work of the three
gexempy degrees , but this , although of course instructive , would not ' at all have met the object which I had in view , or which you desired ; which was to exhibit to you the pure and standard work , as adopted after much careful investigation and research by this Grand Lodge . I am happy to announce that a part of tomorrow will be devoted to this object , and I have to request for it your earnest attention and most careful consideration .
These views and opinions can be submitted to the Standing Committee on ritual , who will be at all times he ready to receive , and most respectfully and carefully to consider , any suggestion which may be laid before them . In my address of last year in referring to this subject I used the expression that " I regarded with much apprehension any attempt at
innovation or change in the lex non scripta of Masonry , and I have reason to believe that my views on this subject , as there expressed , were not very clearly understood by some , while byothers they were entirely misapprehended . The ritual is not to be considered as a landmark in Masonry ; many parts of it are not essential , they have been changed and may be changed again , though as a learned and reliable writer remarks , such changes should be made with great caution , and perhaps had
better not be made at all ; but , adds he , on the other haud , there are portions of the ritual , and large portions too , which , do constitute landmarks , which never can be changed without a destruction of the very identity of Freemasonry . The beautiful lectures which form so important a feature in our system are most useful , but , as the same author remarks , they are not essential , neither are they to be considered as constituting landmarksfor before the year 1777 no such system existed . Many
, changes , some of them most decided improvements , while others were very much the reverse , have since been introduced which proves conclusively that they have no claim to be regarded as landmarks of the Order . Time will not permit me at present to dwell at greater length upon this very interesting topic 3 and I must therefore make my remarks as brief as possible .
MASONIC CONSERVATISM . It is not difficult to account for the variations which we occasionally find in the working of some of our lodges ; theMastei-j though retaining all the essentials , may slightly deviate in some parts of the phraseology of details : in course of time these changes become as it were established , and after a few years are regarded almost as landmarks of that lodge , a departure from
which would be considered as a dangerous innovation . Now the remedy for all this is to be found in the " Book of Constitution , " under tbe head of "Private Lodges , " sec . 21 : — "All lodges are particularly bound to observe the same usages and customs . Any deviation , therefore , from the established mode of working is highly improper , and cannot be j ustified or countenanced ; and in order to preserve this uniformity , and to cultivate a good understanding among Free Masonssome
mem-, bers of every lodge should be deputed to visit the other lodges as often as may be convenient . " In any action which the Grand Lodge may , in its wisdom , consider it prudent and necessary to take , with reference to this most important matter , I can onlyexpress my earnest hope that you may at all times be guided by a wise conservatism ; and in using this term , I do not wish to be understood as expressing merely the desire or effort to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
British America.
place at the presentation of Bro . Harris , in presence of a large assemblage of the fraternity at Hamilton . While on this subject I may venture to suggest for your consideration that as yet no recognition has been made of the valuable services rendered to Masonry by our M . W . and faithful brother , W . B . Simpson , during the two years he so ably administered the affairs of this Grand Lodge as your Grand Master .
A G ENERAL G BAND L ODGE TOR C ANADA , The consideration of the subject of a General Grand Lodge for our new dominion has not been overlooked by me during the past year , although no special action has been taken in the matter . The solution of this great question must be left to time , and to the calm consideration of the Craft generally . Any exhibition on our part of too great a desire to secure this result would , in all probability , only delay , if it did not entirely defeat , that union of the whole Masonic body in tbe British dependencies here , which so many are so anxious to secure .
NEW LODGES . I have also to announce for your information that , during the past year I have granted dispensations for the opening of twelve new lodges within the jurisdiction , and , as in every case , the forms and requirements of the Constitution have been strictly complied with , I anticipate that you will at once direct the issue of the usual warrants .
BUSINESS OF THE PAST TEAR . The Masonic business of the past year has neither been less onerous nor less important than those which have preceded it ; the various matters which have come up before me , and which were neither decided by myself , or referred to special committees , or to the Board of General Purposes , were not of a nature requiring special reference here ; all documents connected with them , whether as involving questions of Masonic law or discipline , will bo found ou the file , with the G . Sec , all of which are open to your inspection .
THE ELECTION OE MASTERS . In connection with these matters there * is one evil existing to which I trace many of the difficulties which are now of so frequent recurrence . I allude to the want of a proper care , and to the neglect of Masonic law and principle too often evinced by the members of the Craft in the selection of those who are to Govern our subordinate lodges . Brethren are too often selected as rulers , merely because their social qualities may be
of a high order , and often , also , from their general popularity , without duly considering their ability to work the lodge , their administrative capacity to govern it , ' or their possession of those still higher qualities which are so essential to the successful carrying on of the great work of Masonry . In selecting your Masters , let me entreat you , my brethren , always first to consider your duty to Masonry and to your lodge . This important duty can never properly be performed if you place in the chair one who has to rely upon others for doing that which he is incapable of performing himself .
MASONRY NOT A MERE BENEEIT CLUB . In the course of the discussions which occasionall y take place at our annual meetings , sentiments are sometimes expressed by the younger members of the fraternity which have led me to believe that they neither fully understood nor appreciated the original design and aim of our institution , but had come to regard it as if the great and sole object of our association was the accumulation of
mere funds for the relief of distressed masons , for the support of their widows , and for tho education of their destitute children , forgetting , apparently , the explanations which had been given , and the lessons they had received at their initiation into our mysteries . Charity , ' in its largest sense , in its broadest signification , is a virtue dear to the heart of every true mason , and that Charity , which is not only active , but is exercised b
passive , freely y the genuine brother ; he is ever as ready to assist the distressed as he is to abstain from unkindness , uncourteousness , or the malicious construction of his neighbours' motives . The inculcation of every virtue the improvement of our species—the advancement of learning and science—the study of the liberal arts , and especially the cultivation of brotherly love—these are some of the aims of the Craft and of its votaries . If there is to be found in our ranks any individual who has joined us , actuated by no higher motive than self-interest , and influenced by the idea that he is thereby
making a most judicious investment for himself and family , be will soon discover that he has not only deceived himself , hut that he has altogether misapprehended the genius , the scope , and the great objects of Masonry ; for our brotherhood is not for a moment to be placed on the same level with these mere benefit clubs , which have recently been established , with the sole and avowed intention of making to the contributor , or his legal representativea full and equivalent return in hard cash
, for that which he has invested in their hands . Neither is Masonry to be thus shorn of her fair proportions , nor is she to be circumscribed or fettered as to the discharge of her numerous duties . We are told that the three great tenets of a Mason ' s profession are Brotherly Love , Relief and Truth . And to you , my Brethren , I now say , cultivate them all .
THE WORK . The disappointment felt by many at the non-exemplification of what we technically call the work , at our last communication , was largely shared in by myself , the unavoidable absence of some of those upon whom I had relied for assistance rendered it impossible for me to carry out the promises made on the subject . True , it was suggested that some of those able brethren then present miht lifthe work of the three
gexempy degrees , but this , although of course instructive , would not ' at all have met the object which I had in view , or which you desired ; which was to exhibit to you the pure and standard work , as adopted after much careful investigation and research by this Grand Lodge . I am happy to announce that a part of tomorrow will be devoted to this object , and I have to request for it your earnest attention and most careful consideration .
These views and opinions can be submitted to the Standing Committee on ritual , who will be at all times he ready to receive , and most respectfully and carefully to consider , any suggestion which may be laid before them . In my address of last year in referring to this subject I used the expression that " I regarded with much apprehension any attempt at
innovation or change in the lex non scripta of Masonry , and I have reason to believe that my views on this subject , as there expressed , were not very clearly understood by some , while byothers they were entirely misapprehended . The ritual is not to be considered as a landmark in Masonry ; many parts of it are not essential , they have been changed and may be changed again , though as a learned and reliable writer remarks , such changes should be made with great caution , and perhaps had
better not be made at all ; but , adds he , on the other haud , there are portions of the ritual , and large portions too , which , do constitute landmarks , which never can be changed without a destruction of the very identity of Freemasonry . The beautiful lectures which form so important a feature in our system are most useful , but , as the same author remarks , they are not essential , neither are they to be considered as constituting landmarksfor before the year 1777 no such system existed . Many
, changes , some of them most decided improvements , while others were very much the reverse , have since been introduced which proves conclusively that they have no claim to be regarded as landmarks of the Order . Time will not permit me at present to dwell at greater length upon this very interesting topic 3 and I must therefore make my remarks as brief as possible .
MASONIC CONSERVATISM . It is not difficult to account for the variations which we occasionally find in the working of some of our lodges ; theMastei-j though retaining all the essentials , may slightly deviate in some parts of the phraseology of details : in course of time these changes become as it were established , and after a few years are regarded almost as landmarks of that lodge , a departure from
which would be considered as a dangerous innovation . Now the remedy for all this is to be found in the " Book of Constitution , " under tbe head of "Private Lodges , " sec . 21 : — "All lodges are particularly bound to observe the same usages and customs . Any deviation , therefore , from the established mode of working is highly improper , and cannot be j ustified or countenanced ; and in order to preserve this uniformity , and to cultivate a good understanding among Free Masonssome
mem-, bers of every lodge should be deputed to visit the other lodges as often as may be convenient . " In any action which the Grand Lodge may , in its wisdom , consider it prudent and necessary to take , with reference to this most important matter , I can onlyexpress my earnest hope that you may at all times be guided by a wise conservatism ; and in using this term , I do not wish to be understood as expressing merely the desire or effort to