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North America.
" Freemasons' Hall , London , AV . C , Feb . 28 th , 1866 . " Right AVorshipful Sir ancl Brother , —I am commanded by the most AVorshipful Grand Master , the Earl -of Zetland , to inform you that he has been graciously pleased to nominate von to the office of Provincial Grand Master of New Brunswick , void by the supercession of the Right AA'orshipful Brother Alexander Balloch . Your patent will be transmitted with the least practicable delay .
" Pending the arrival of your patent , you will , however , assume the office and exercise all the functions appertaining to a Provincial Grand Master , and which you are empowered to do by virtue of this Communication written by the Grand Master's orders and sealed with the seal of the Grand Lodge , as fully as though you wore in possession of the more ^ formal patent . " Having regard to tho circumstances that have so recently
taken place in New Brunswick , the Grand Master cannot but impress upon you the necessity of exercising great moderation in the discbarge ' of your duties , and his Lordship enjoins you to forget so far as possible , any acts that may appear to have been taken by others in opposition to you . The welfare of the Craft placed under your rule must for some time , at least , depend on the skill and ability with which you discharge the functions of the high office in which you are placed .
Firmness and moderation must be so blended that the discontented , should there unfortunately be any , must be made to learn that obedience is one of the principles of our Order and must be enforced , whilst on the other hand , that conciliatory measures will have their full influence and will be your guide in all your decisions .
" I have the honour to be , Right AVorshipful Sir , "Your faithful servant and Brother , " ( Signed ) AVM . GRAY CLARKE , G . S . " " Bro . R . T . Clinch , " Provincial Grand Master of New Brunswick . " The D . G . Master then stated : that having received that authority and direction from the M . AA . G . M . of England , delivered to him hy the Hon . Alexander Keith , D . G . M . of Nova
Scotia , he had summoned this meeting of Past Masters , Masters , and present AVardens of Lodges holding their warrants from the Grand Lodge of England , and past officers of former District Grand Lodge , for the purpose of organising tho District Grand Lodge of New Brunswick , and appointing and installing the officers thereof . Before proceeding with such appointments , the D . G . Master addressed the brethren present , expressing the great regret with
which they would learn that the mental { and bodily health of Bro . Balloch had not improved . He referred to the Masonic wisdom and discretion with which Bro . Balloch had , during many years of bodily health and mental vigour , managed tht affairs of tho Fraternity in this province , and to the respece with which he had been universally regarded as the head of the Craft , and the profound regret and cordial sympathy with which the Craft had received the intelligence of the illness
which had clouded an intellect of great natural power , and had exhausted energies , ivhich up to advanced age , and to the very day of his last violent attack in November , 1864 , sustained the brother in the constant fulfilment of his social and Masonicduties .
The D . G . Master said : In accepting the appointment with which the Most AA'orshipful Grand Master of England had entrusted him , and in entering on the onerous and responsible duties of the office of District Grand Master of New Brunswick , he relied on the support and assistance of his Masonic brethren , without which bis best efforts for the welfare of the Craft must he unavailing . That the questions of difference that had agitated the brotherhood recently , being now settled ,
he hoped and believed , that any unpleasant feelings that may havo arisen during the discussions would be allayed , ancl that each brother of the Craft would unite with him in exertion for its maintenance and the advancement of its prosperity in this province . The D . G . Master then directed tho attention of the brethren to the greatly increased duties ancl responsiblities which certain changes in the Constitutions relating to Provincial
Grand Lodges in the Colonies , had devolved upon the officers and members of such lod ges ; and read from the circular of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of England in December last , an extract setting forth what those increased powers were , as follows : — 1 That it is desirable to increase the powers of Provincial
Grand Lodges in the Colonies and Foreign Ports , and to provide for their continuance notwithstanding the death , resignation , removal , or suspension of the Grand Provincial Master . 2 . The Most AVorshipful Grand Master may confer on Provincial Grand Masters , in the Colonies ancl foreign parts , a power of dispensation , in cases of emergency , for a brother to be advanced [ to a higher degree , at an interval of one week , instead of four weeks .
3 . Provincial Grand Masters and Provincial Grand Lodges in the Colonies ancl Foreign parts are designated District Grand Masters and District Grand Loclges , to distinguish such officers ancl such bodies from the Provincial Grand Masters aud Provincial Grand Lodges at home . 4 . It being necessary on account of the distance from England of District Grand Loclges , and the consequent delay in their communications with the Grand Lodof Englandthat
ge , their powers should be more extensive than those of Provincial Grand Lodges , tbe Grand Lodge delegates to its several District Grand Loclges respectively meeting under District Grand Masters , duly authorised and appointed by the Grand Master of England , in addition to the powers specified under the head of Provincial Grand Lodges , the power of investigating , regulating , and deciding on all matters relating to loclges and
individual Masons within their respective districts , which power they may exercise either of themselves or by a committee of their body . 5 . District Grand Lodges have the power of expelling Masons , and erasing lodges within their districts . 6 . All powers given by the Book of Constitutions to the Board of General Purposes in cases of Masonic complaint , or
irregularity , may be exercised by District Graud Lodges , or by such committee as aforesaid . 7 . Complaints against lodges or brethren may be preferred either to the District Grand Master or to the District Grand Lodge . 8 . 'The proceedings and decisions of District Grand Lodges , and of any such committee as aforesaid , shall in all cases be strictly governed and controlled by the laws of the Craft , as laid down in the Book of Constitutions and by the Ancient Landmarks .
9 . District Grand Lodges may pass rules and regulations for the management and conduct of their own proceedings , and of those of any committee of their body , and may define or limit , as they may think fit , the powers of such committee ; but no such rules or regulations shall bo binding or in force until approved by the M . AV . the Grand Master of England . 10 . In all cases an appeal lies from the decision of District Grand Lodges to the Grand Lodge of England .
11 . District Grand Lodges may fix stated times for their meetings , not exceeding four times in the year ; but the District Grand Master may as at present , summon and hold a District Grand Lodge of Emergency whenever the interests of the Craft shall in bis opinion require it . The particular reason for calling such District Grand Lodge of Emergency shall be expressed in the summons . 12 . In tbe event of the deathresignationremovalor
sus-, , , pension of the District Grand Master , the District Graud Lodge shall continue to exercise its functions , and the Deputy District Grand Master , if there be one , and if not ( or in the event of his being absent from his district , and until his return ) , the District Grand Officer , or Past District Grand Officer next in rank then in the district , shall assume and exercise the functions of District Grand Master until another District Grand Master shall have received his patent of appointment from the Grand
Master of England , and shall have notified the same to the District Grand Secretary . 13 . The brother so exercising the functions of a District Grand Master shall not assume that title ; nor shall such brother , in consequence cf his so acting , be entitled to rank as a Past District Grand Master , or to wear the Masonic clothing appropriate to that office . Tho D . G . Master then said that in view of the greatly increased
powers that had been conferred on District Grand Lodges , he considered it desirable to select the Officers of District Grand Lodge , as far as possible , from among those who are by right members of District Grand Lodge , and that , in making his appointments , it had been his aim to choose representatives from various parts of the province , and he hoped that a punctual attendance of the brethren from the country districts at the meetings of this Grand Lodge would evince their wish to support him in this endeavour and that this
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
North America.
" Freemasons' Hall , London , AV . C , Feb . 28 th , 1866 . " Right AVorshipful Sir ancl Brother , —I am commanded by the most AVorshipful Grand Master , the Earl -of Zetland , to inform you that he has been graciously pleased to nominate von to the office of Provincial Grand Master of New Brunswick , void by the supercession of the Right AA'orshipful Brother Alexander Balloch . Your patent will be transmitted with the least practicable delay .
" Pending the arrival of your patent , you will , however , assume the office and exercise all the functions appertaining to a Provincial Grand Master , and which you are empowered to do by virtue of this Communication written by the Grand Master's orders and sealed with the seal of the Grand Lodge , as fully as though you wore in possession of the more ^ formal patent . " Having regard to tho circumstances that have so recently
taken place in New Brunswick , the Grand Master cannot but impress upon you the necessity of exercising great moderation in the discbarge ' of your duties , and his Lordship enjoins you to forget so far as possible , any acts that may appear to have been taken by others in opposition to you . The welfare of the Craft placed under your rule must for some time , at least , depend on the skill and ability with which you discharge the functions of the high office in which you are placed .
Firmness and moderation must be so blended that the discontented , should there unfortunately be any , must be made to learn that obedience is one of the principles of our Order and must be enforced , whilst on the other hand , that conciliatory measures will have their full influence and will be your guide in all your decisions .
" I have the honour to be , Right AVorshipful Sir , "Your faithful servant and Brother , " ( Signed ) AVM . GRAY CLARKE , G . S . " " Bro . R . T . Clinch , " Provincial Grand Master of New Brunswick . " The D . G . Master then stated : that having received that authority and direction from the M . AA . G . M . of England , delivered to him hy the Hon . Alexander Keith , D . G . M . of Nova
Scotia , he had summoned this meeting of Past Masters , Masters , and present AVardens of Lodges holding their warrants from the Grand Lodge of England , and past officers of former District Grand Lodge , for the purpose of organising tho District Grand Lodge of New Brunswick , and appointing and installing the officers thereof . Before proceeding with such appointments , the D . G . Master addressed the brethren present , expressing the great regret with
which they would learn that the mental { and bodily health of Bro . Balloch had not improved . He referred to the Masonic wisdom and discretion with which Bro . Balloch had , during many years of bodily health and mental vigour , managed tht affairs of tho Fraternity in this province , and to the respece with which he had been universally regarded as the head of the Craft , and the profound regret and cordial sympathy with which the Craft had received the intelligence of the illness
which had clouded an intellect of great natural power , and had exhausted energies , ivhich up to advanced age , and to the very day of his last violent attack in November , 1864 , sustained the brother in the constant fulfilment of his social and Masonicduties .
The D . G . Master said : In accepting the appointment with which the Most AA'orshipful Grand Master of England had entrusted him , and in entering on the onerous and responsible duties of the office of District Grand Master of New Brunswick , he relied on the support and assistance of his Masonic brethren , without which bis best efforts for the welfare of the Craft must he unavailing . That the questions of difference that had agitated the brotherhood recently , being now settled ,
he hoped and believed , that any unpleasant feelings that may havo arisen during the discussions would be allayed , ancl that each brother of the Craft would unite with him in exertion for its maintenance and the advancement of its prosperity in this province . The D . G . Master then directed tho attention of the brethren to the greatly increased duties ancl responsiblities which certain changes in the Constitutions relating to Provincial
Grand Lodges in the Colonies , had devolved upon the officers and members of such lod ges ; and read from the circular of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of England in December last , an extract setting forth what those increased powers were , as follows : — 1 That it is desirable to increase the powers of Provincial
Grand Lodges in the Colonies and Foreign Ports , and to provide for their continuance notwithstanding the death , resignation , removal , or suspension of the Grand Provincial Master . 2 . The Most AVorshipful Grand Master may confer on Provincial Grand Masters , in the Colonies ancl foreign parts , a power of dispensation , in cases of emergency , for a brother to be advanced [ to a higher degree , at an interval of one week , instead of four weeks .
3 . Provincial Grand Masters and Provincial Grand Lodges in the Colonies ancl Foreign parts are designated District Grand Masters and District Grand Loclges , to distinguish such officers ancl such bodies from the Provincial Grand Masters aud Provincial Grand Lodges at home . 4 . It being necessary on account of the distance from England of District Grand Loclges , and the consequent delay in their communications with the Grand Lodof Englandthat
ge , their powers should be more extensive than those of Provincial Grand Lodges , tbe Grand Lodge delegates to its several District Grand Loclges respectively meeting under District Grand Masters , duly authorised and appointed by the Grand Master of England , in addition to the powers specified under the head of Provincial Grand Lodges , the power of investigating , regulating , and deciding on all matters relating to loclges and
individual Masons within their respective districts , which power they may exercise either of themselves or by a committee of their body . 5 . District Grand Lodges have the power of expelling Masons , and erasing lodges within their districts . 6 . All powers given by the Book of Constitutions to the Board of General Purposes in cases of Masonic complaint , or
irregularity , may be exercised by District Graud Lodges , or by such committee as aforesaid . 7 . Complaints against lodges or brethren may be preferred either to the District Grand Master or to the District Grand Lodge . 8 . 'The proceedings and decisions of District Grand Lodges , and of any such committee as aforesaid , shall in all cases be strictly governed and controlled by the laws of the Craft , as laid down in the Book of Constitutions and by the Ancient Landmarks .
9 . District Grand Lodges may pass rules and regulations for the management and conduct of their own proceedings , and of those of any committee of their body , and may define or limit , as they may think fit , the powers of such committee ; but no such rules or regulations shall bo binding or in force until approved by the M . AV . the Grand Master of England . 10 . In all cases an appeal lies from the decision of District Grand Lodges to the Grand Lodge of England .
11 . District Grand Lodges may fix stated times for their meetings , not exceeding four times in the year ; but the District Grand Master may as at present , summon and hold a District Grand Lodge of Emergency whenever the interests of the Craft shall in bis opinion require it . The particular reason for calling such District Grand Lodge of Emergency shall be expressed in the summons . 12 . In tbe event of the deathresignationremovalor
sus-, , , pension of the District Grand Master , the District Graud Lodge shall continue to exercise its functions , and the Deputy District Grand Master , if there be one , and if not ( or in the event of his being absent from his district , and until his return ) , the District Grand Officer , or Past District Grand Officer next in rank then in the district , shall assume and exercise the functions of District Grand Master until another District Grand Master shall have received his patent of appointment from the Grand
Master of England , and shall have notified the same to the District Grand Secretary . 13 . The brother so exercising the functions of a District Grand Master shall not assume that title ; nor shall such brother , in consequence cf his so acting , be entitled to rank as a Past District Grand Master , or to wear the Masonic clothing appropriate to that office . Tho D . G . Master then said that in view of the greatly increased
powers that had been conferred on District Grand Lodges , he considered it desirable to select the Officers of District Grand Lodge , as far as possible , from among those who are by right members of District Grand Lodge , and that , in making his appointments , it had been his aim to choose representatives from various parts of the province , and he hoped that a punctual attendance of the brethren from the country districts at the meetings of this Grand Lodge would evince their wish to support him in this endeavour and that this