Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free, & Accepted Masons of Canada

272 Pages·2015·11.6 MB·English

PROCEEDINGS
OP TBB
.GRAND LODGE
OP
OF OANADA,
AT SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Held at Belleville, on the 4th October, A. L. 5881; at Sal
ford, on the 14th June, A. L. 5882, and at Simcoe, on
the 1st July, A. L. 5882; also a.t the
TIEKTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL COMMOKICATIOK
ORDERED TO BE READ IN ALL LODGES AND PRESERVED.
1882:
1• B. T)Uft80 l'BJBDB, 11 OJU.rTIIIUX" S~ l'USB, POaT BOD, Oll'l.
,.
PROCEEDINGS.
At an Especial Communication of the Grand Lodge of An
cient, Free and Accepted Masons, of Canada, held at the
City of Belleville, on Tuesday the 4th day of October, A.
D. 1881, A. L. 5881 •.
PBBSBXT:
R... W. Br.o. . L. H. Henderson, Acting Grand Master.
.. ".. .. B. B. Lazier, as Deputy Gr.a. nd Master•
.. .. .. James Smith, as Senior Warden.
.. .. .. A. Gunn,. " Junior "
.. .. Revd. W. C. Clarke as " Chaplain.
v... .. .. Geo. D. Dickson, as ".. Treasurer.
.. .. Robt. Newbery, as .. Registrar.
.. .. .. W. L. Hamilton, as Secretary.
•
.. .. D. Pitceathly, as " Senior Deac.o. n.
.. .. Dr. Yonker, as .". Junior
R. .. E. J. Bisson, as Bup't of Works.
.. .. Alfred Ellis, as " Dir. of C..e r.
.. .. William Davis, as .". ~ss't
.. W. H. Ponton, as .. Sword Bearer.
" J. Parker Thomas, as Organist,
" " John McKeown, as Pursuiva.nt.
•• " James Ma.ooun, as "}
".. ".. Robert Dick, as "
... .. J. Kemp, as .". Stewards.
..
... J. J. Farley, as
.". Geo. Graham, as ..
Donald Urquhart, as Tyler•
4 GBAXD LODGK OJ' O~ADA..
The lights were borne by W. Bros. J. H. Simpson, W. ~·
Stafford, and R. Finch.
The Corn by W. '.Bro. E. B. Fralick.
Gordon.
Wine Bobt.
II II II
Oil " A. A. Farley.
u u
Together with Masters, Past Masters, a.nd brethren bailin~ .-1lg
from the following lodges, 'riz.:-Moira No. 11; Trent No. 88 ~oS;
Stirling No. 69; Belleville No. 128; La.ke No. 215; Quin~. . te
No. 241; Mystic No. 278; Eureka No. 288.
The Grand Lodge was opened in brll, at 1.80 p. m.
The Acting Grand Master then announced the object ok-~f
convening this Grand Lodge, which was for the purpose oa:.-f
laying, with Masonic ceremonies, the corner-atone of "Chris~=~
Church," nctw being erected in the city of Belleville.
The brethren were then formed in procession by the Ac~
-=
Grand Director of Ceremonies, and marched from the Masonic
Hall to the site of the church, where the procession halted
a.nd opened out, facing inwards, when the Acting Grand Offi-
pera passed through to the north-east corner of the intended
structure, where a spacious platform had been erected for
their convenience.
The procession was accompanied by the band of the "15th
Battalion Argyle Light Infantry," and the Oddfellows' band,
and was witnessed by a large number of spectators along the
line of march.
After the Grand Officers had ascended the platform, the
Acting Grand Master delivered the following address:-
Men and brethren assembled here to-day to behold this cere
mony: Know all of you, that we are lawful Masons, true to
the laws of our country, professing to fear God the Great Az.
ohitect of the Universe, to honor the Queen, to confer benefits
BPBCUL OOJOIUJIIOATION, BBLLB"\'JLLB,
~n our b~tbren, aiJ,d to practice ~nevolence to ..U man-
-.:ind. We have among us, concealed from the outside world,
~ta whiQh may DOt be revealed, but these secrets are hon
c:xable and in no way repugnant to either the laws of God or
xnan. They were wisely and safely entrusted to the Free
'li:Da80DS of ancient times, and having been faithfully~­
:znitted to ~. it is our duty to convey them unimpaired to
~ture generations. Our duties as Masons are, first, a rever·
enee for the Most High God, and a strict obedience to Hi15
lr.Dost holy will and word; obedience to the laws of the country
i.n which we may reside; and, lastly, brotherly love, charity
and truth to our fellow-men. On these grand principles has
«Jur Order been founded and reared up. It is limited to no
s8ot, rank or nationality. Masonry, from its inherent good
:mess, has been diffused over the face of the habitable globe,
-and is patronized by all ranks. Its aims are, as far as human
aid can effect, to promote peace and good-will by inculcating
Jessons of kindness and courtesy to all, in soothing the rough
-ness of our temper and in refraining from allowing differences
~f opinion to -disturb our worst passions. The Bible, ever
open in our lodge, teaches us the duty we owe to our Creator
and likewise to our fellow-men. It inspires us with awe and
reverence for the Great Architect of the Universe; it directs us
to practice truth, justice and charity to all alike. Unlese the
Craft were good and the calling honorable, it could not have
lasted for so many centuries, nor should we have been honored
lV:ith the patronage of so m~y great and illustrious men of
au
a.ges, who have ever been ready and willing to promote
O'Qr interests and defend us from all adversaries. We are
Q.ssembled here to-day, in the presence of you all, to lay the
foundation stone of this edifice, which is to be dedicated to the
llervice of God. May the work prosper to completion, and
'l:na.y the word preached within these walls be instrumental in
bringing many from darkness unto light, and finally lead them
1-.o that great congregation above, where the world's Great
~hitect lives and reigns forever.
6 GBAND LODGB 01' CANADA.
The 15th Batt. band then played "Old Hundred."
The Acting Grand Chaplain, R. W. Bro. Rev. Dr. Clark~­
otfered up the following prayer:-
"0, Thou Great Architect of the Universe, Maker and Rule__:~
of all things, visible and, invisible, vouchsafe from thy Hea. -
venly Temple io help us in all the purposes of our presen..-- -c.
assembly; and grant unto us, at this and at a.ll times, wisdormrc
in all our doings, strength of mind in all orir difficulties, an~·c::::::==•
the beauty of harmony in all our oommunications, to the en•IIIE:3•
ala:
that we may set forth thy glory, illustrate eternal truth in
onr works, and exhibit' in our own lives rectitude of aim, hu,--
mility of deportment, and purity of character. Permit us, 0,
Thou Author of life and light, great and only source of lOV'fl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!""
and happiness, to erect this our earthly temple to thine honor---
to the public good, and to the salvation of those who may
worship Thee therein, so that hereafter this edifice may sub.
serve the sacred use for which it is intended. Grant this,
Father of all, for the sake of thy Great name. Glory be to---
God on high."
The Acting Grand Secretary, W. Bro. W. L. Hamilton.
read the following scroll:-
By the favor of Almighty God, on the 4th day of October, A.
D. 1881, A. L. 5881,
And in the 45th year of the reign of our beloved sovereign.
Queen Victoria,
By the Grace of God Queen of Great Britain and Ireland.
Empress of India, Defender of the Faith.
His Excellency John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, K. T.,.
G. C. M.. G., P. C., Marquis of Lome, Governor
General of Canada.
BPBCUL COIIIIUNtCATION, BJ:LLBVILLJ:. 'T
~Right Honorable Sir John A. Macdonald, K. C. B., G.
C. M. G., P. C., Premier of Canada.
~e Hoaorable John Beverley Robinson, Lieutenant-Governor
·of Ontario.
The Honorable Oliver Mowat, Premier of Ontario.
-:ieut.-Col. James Moffat, M. W. Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Ancient, F1·ee, and Accepted Masons of
Canada.
Rev. W. C. Cla~·ke, Ph. D., Rector.
Robert Newbery and James W. Dunnet, Churchwardens.
The comer-stone of this Christ Church was laid by
IE:::::l. W. Bro. L. H. Henderson, P. D. D. G. M. of Prince Ed
ward District.
4!!!\ttended and assisted by an Especial Grand Lodge of Free
masoDB of Canada, and various lodges and brethren
Whom may God prosper!
~he scroll was then deposited in the casket, which contains
the. following ne)Vspapers :-The l11t.Uigmcw and
Ontario, of Belleville; the Mail, (}lob., Eflaflgll-
ieal Claurclamafl, and Dominion Churchman,
of Toronto; and the Dailg Nev:1, of
Kingston.
The onrrent coins of the Dominion of Canada, namely-50
ee~ts, 25 oents, 10 cents, 5 cents, and 1 cent.
The presentation of the trowel to the Acting Grand Master
was then proceeded with, the preSentation being made by Ml·.
J. W. Dunnet, Chairman of the Building Committee. The
bowel is ave~ handsome one; the plate is of silver, richly
chased, and-the handle of ebony. The following inso1-iption
was engraved on the plate:-
PQS.JfTBJ> TO
Right Worshipful Bro. L. H. Henderson,
P.D.D.G.M.
of the Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Canada, by \he
Building Committee,
upon the occasion of laying the comer-stone of ChristChure5)1,
in the City of Belleville, Oct. 4th, A. D. 1881.
In making the presentation Mr. Dunnet said:-
RiaBT WoRSHIPFUL Sm,-The Building Committee of c~t
Church, through me, present you with this trowel, not only :iJ!
commemoration of the important work to which you and yo'OJ
brethren have so kindly lent their aid to-day, but a.lso as •
slight testimo~ial of their high esteem for you personally.
They trust that while the church which is to be erected rests
upoJI the foundation which you lay, the Church within its
walls may rest upon that sure foundation which is laid in Zion
by the Maker and Builder of all things.
The stone ws.s then lowered into its place, with the usual
~eremonies, the Acting Grand Master saying:-" I spread this
cement as an emblem of that cement of peace and good-will
which I trust will ever prevail in the sacred edifice to be
erected; and may its heaven pointed spire remind the congre
gation, under God's blessing, of the mansions of bliss from
which all good emanates."
The Acting Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior
Wardens, having performed their respective duties, the Act
ing Grand Master struck the stone three times with the gavel
and said;-"Well made, truly laid, true and t111sty, may this
undertaking be conducted and completed according to the
Grand Plan, in peace, harmony, and brotherly love. So
mote it be." •
The com, wine, and oil was then poured upon the stone,
Q
£he Acting Gra.nd Master saying:-" I strew com upon the
sio.one as an, emblem of plenty ; I pour wine upon it as an em:
blem of cheerfulness; and 1 anoint it with oil as an emblem
o~ comfort and consolation. May com, wine and oil, and all
i;he necessaries of life, abound among men, and may ihe bless
ing of the Supreme Architect of the Universe be upon this
edifice and all connected with it."
ResponS&-"Bo mote it be."
The plans having been presented to the Acting Grand Mas
he
tEr, presented them to the architect, saying:-
"The foundation stone of this building being now laid, I
I;nesent to you the implements applied to it, also the plans, in
£oil confidence that as a skilful workman you will use them
.:iin such a. manner that the building will be perfected a.nd will
~se in harmony, beauty and strength."
He also addressed the Rev. Incumbent as follows:-
"Having completed our work according to ancient usage,
I now wish that every success may attend your and the con
gregation's endeavors, that as· the work has been happily be
gun it will, with God's blessing, be carried to a happy ending.
May I remark that when on the chancel arch you will em
blazon that prophetic sentence, • Glory to God in the Highest
wili
and peace on earth, good-will towards men,' you
remember that written within our mystic halls we have in
scribed in letters of gold, on the cope stone of the arch and on
the pillars, these words of far greater antiquity, •Holiness to
the Lord, Brotherly Love, Relief and Tn1th'; and then your
parishioners and our brethren are alike reminded of theu: duty
.to God and man."
10 GRAND LODGE OF CANADA..
The procession was then re-formed, and retu,r.nnead . to the
Ha.sonic Hall, when Grand Lodge was closed in
ATTEST.
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