Note:  This material was scanned into text files for the sole purpose of convenient electronic research. This material is NOT intended as a reproduction of the original volumes. However close the material is to becoming a reproduced work, it should ONLY be regarded as a textual reference.  Scanned at Phoenixmasonry by Ralph W. Omholt, PM in May 2007.
 

GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

 

VOLUME IV 

 

CHAPTER ONE

FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION OF CANADA

AND NEWFOUNDLAND - ALBERTA - BRITISH COLUMBIA

 MANITOBA - MARITIME PROVINCES - NEWFOUNDLAND - ONTARIO - QUEBEC

 SASKATCHEWAN

 

 CHAPTER TWO

FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO

 

CHAPTER THREE

FREEMASONRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA

 BRITISH HONDURAS - COSTA RICA - GUATEMALA - HONDURAS - PANAMA

 NICARAGUA - SAN SALVADOR - SPANISH HONDURAS

 

 CHAPTER FOUR

FREEMASONRY IN THE WEST INDIES

CUBA - HAITI AND SANTO DOMINGO - JAMAICA - PUERTO RICO - THE

 VIRGIN ISLANDS - THE LESSER ANTILLES, OR CARIBBEAN ISLANDS - THE

 LUCAYAS, OR BAHAMA ISLANDS - THE BERMUDAS, OR SOMERS ISLANDS

 

CHAPTER FIVE

FREEMASONRY IN SOUTH AMERICA

VENEZUELA - COLOMBIA, FORMERLY NEW GRANADA

 ECUADOR - PERU - BOLIVIA - ARGENTINE REPUBLIC, OR

 CONFEDERACY OF LA PLATA - PARAGUAY - URUGUAY - BRAZIL

 - BRITISH GUIANA - DUTCH GUIANA, OR SURINAM - FRENCH

 GUIANA, OR CAYENNE - CHILI

 

CHAPTER SIX

FREEMASONRY IN ASIA - CHINA - JAPAN - PERSIA - THE EASTERN

 ARCHIPELAGO - SUMATRA - PALESTINE

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

FREEMASONRY IN INDIA AND CEYLON - BENGAL - MADRAS -

 BOMBAY - CEYLON

 

CHAPTER EIGHT

FREEMASONRY IN AFRICA -  SOUTH AFRICA - WEST

 COAST OF AFRICA - EGYPT - TUNIS - SOUTH AFRICAN ISLANDS

 

CHAPTER NINE

FREEMASONRY IN AUSTRALASIA - SOUTH

 AUSTRALIA - NEW SOUTH WALES - VICTORIA - NEW ZEALAND TASMANIA

 WESTERN AUSTRALIA  -QUEENSLAND

 

CHAPTER TEN

SEA AND FIELD LODGES

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH

 

CHAPTER TWELVE

THE MARK DEGREE

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE

 

CHAPTER

 FOURTEEN THE ROYAL ORDER OF SCOTLAND

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 OTHER RITES AND SMALLER GROUPS - SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA - THE

 PRIESTLY ORDER OF THE TEMPLE - ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR -

 OTHER MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS - NEGRO MASONRY IN THE UNITED

 STATES

 

ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME IV R.‑. W.‑. Brother Colonel William Jarvis, First Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Upper Canada Frontispiece PACING PAGE Bow River Lodge, Calgary 2 Twenty‑fifth Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Alberta 2 Masonic Temple, Calgary 4 Masonic Temple at Edmonton, Alberta 6 Old Hudson's Bay Block House at Nanaimo 10 Masonic Hall, Barkerville, British Columbia 16 Old Fort Garry, Winnipeg 20 Hon. Edward Cornwallis, Governor of Nova Scotia, 1749‑1753 28 Petition for the First Lodge of Halifax, 1750 34 Old Clock Tower and Harbor, Halifax, Nova Scotia 3 8 H. R. H. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent 40 A Certificate of 1807 of the Lodge of Harmony, Placentia, Newfoundland 64 Masonic Temple, St. John's, Newfoundland 66 The Bay at Kingston in 1838 72 Chairs Presented by H. R. H. the Duke of Kent 92 The Masonic Temple, Regina, Saskatchewan 96 The Masonic Temple, Gouan, Saskatchewan 98 ''The West," Gouan, Saskatchewan 98 The Masonic Temple, Port Lemon, Costa Rica 120 Entrance to Masonic Temple, Port Lemon 120 Masonic Lodge at Sagua la Grande, Cuba 126 A Certificate, Port au Prince, Haiti 130 Masonic Temple at Kingston, Jamaica 138 Masonic Temple, Ponce, Puerto Rico 142 Xl ILLUSTRATIONS PACING PAGE Masonic Temple, Bridgetown, Barbados 148 Masonic Temple, St. George's, Bermuda 152.

 

Simon Bolivar 156 Regalia Worn by Bolivar 158 Masonic Temple, Buenos Aires 170 The Caves of Solomon 196 Masonic Grand Lodge, Madras, South India 2‑16 Curious Masonic Apron, Johannesburg, South Africa 2‑2.8 The First Masonic Temple in Egypt, at Port Said 2‑34 The Ordeal of the Egyptian Initiation 2‑36 Reception of the Thirty‑third Degree of the Scottish Rite 310 Warrant for Massachusetts College page 315 Statesmen and Patriots, Members of the Masonic Fraternity William J. Bryan, Edmund Burke, Henry Clay, Stephen A. Douglas, Oliver Ellsworth, Alexander Hamilton, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Henry Laurens, Edward Livingston, Robert R. Livingston, William Pinkney, and Edmund Randolph At end of volume GOULD'S HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD VOLUME IV A HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD VOL. IV CHAPTER I FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND ALBERTA CANON S. H. MIDDLETON A VENTURE, exploration, commercial enterprise, empire‑building and missionary endeavour all played their several parts in bringing Freemasonry to the Province of Alberta. The early traders, Northwest Mounted Police and others, meeting as they ofttimes did around the camp‑fire, trading‑post, and barrack square, made themselves known to each other by sign, token, or symbol.

 

In the late '7o's and the early '8o's the frontier post of Edmonton was already famous as a meeting place for all sorts and conditions of men. That some were members of the Craft was obvious, for in 1882 a Lodge, under the caption of Saskatchewan, No. 17, was organised and received its Charter from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. This was subsequently surrendered about the year 18go. Meanwhile, the Masonic urge for a Lodge and official recognition was strongly felt in Calgary, where in May 1883 a notice was issued calling upon all Masons there to meet in Bro. George Murdock's store, which was then situated on the east bank of Elbow River. Although the meeting was held, as had been planned, only five Masons were present. They were: Bro. George Murdock, Bro. E. Nelson Brown, Bro. A. McNeil, Bro. George Monilaws, and Bro. D. C. Robinson. Although Bro. James Walker and Bro. John Walker had hoped also to attend, they were unable to do so. At this meeting the Brethren expressed the unanimous opinion that the time was not opportune for the formation of a Lodge; there being no suitable meeting place available; that the population was too scattered; and that there was not yet a sufficient number of Masons in Calgary to warrant such a venture.

 

After a few months, however, with the advent of the railway, people began to arrive in greater numbers. On August 15, 1883, the Canadian Pacific Railway track was laid through the site of what is now the city of Calgary. A few days z FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION later the first freight train arrived, bringing with it the first printing plant of what was to become The Calgary Herald. The initial issue of that paper carried a notice calling upon all Masons interested in the formation of a Masonic Lodge to meet in George Murdock's shack, east of the Elbow River. A photograph of this Masonically historic building is still preserved in the archives of Bow River Lodge, No. i. To the surprise of all, a large number of Masons assembled. R. W. Bro. Dr. N. J. Lindsay, at that time District Deputy Grand Master for No. i. (Essex) District of the Grand Lodge of Canada, was elected Chairman, R. W. Bra. George Murdock, Secretary. From then on meetings were held regularly every Friday night, an attendance Register was kept, and Minutes of all proceedings were recorded. No Masonic Work was done and no examinations were made, however, until the Petition for a Dispensation was about to be signed. This Petition was forwarded to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia.

 

After waiting for a period of from six to seven weeks for a reply, the Petitioners then sent a second application, this time to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. A favourable reply was received from both Grand Lodges about the same time. Communications between Calgary and British Columbia at that time had to go from Calgary to Winnipeg, from there to Omaha, thence to San Francisco, and from that seaport to Victoria three times weekly. Under such troublesome conditions of transit, it was therefore considered advisable to accept the Dispensation offered by the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. Accordingly, the Dispensation was received on January 12, 1884, and the first meeting held on January 28 of that year.

 

R. W. Bro. Dr. N. J. Lindsay was designated first Worshipful Master. Subsequently he attended a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, held in Winnipeg on February ii, at which Communication he was elected junior Grand Warden. At that meeting a Charter was granted to Bow River Lodge, at Calgary, recorded as No. 28 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. On the Grand Register of Alberta this Lodge is now known as Bow River Lodge, No. 1. At the same Communication of the; Grand Lodge of Manitoba in 1884, Charters were also granted to Lodges at Regina and at Moosomin. These three newly Chartered Lodges, together with the Lodges at Edmonton and Prince Albert, might legally have formed a Grand Lodge for the Northwest Territories, which at that time comprised the Districts of Saskatchewan, Assiniboia, and Alberta, all of which were ruled by one territorial government. But even at that date it was considered probable that Provincial formations were not far distant, and it was recognised that a Territorial Grand Lodge might eventually be broken by the ultimate division of the Territories into Provinces. It was accordingly decided to leave the matter in abeyance. The events which later transpired proved that those early Masons had been right, the three Districts which then formed the Northwest Territories have since been divided into two Provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, the District of Assiniboia having been absorbed by the latter.

 

Until the formation of the Grand Lodges of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Grand Lodge of Manitoba claimed jurisdiction over all the Northwest Terri‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 3 tories, although the first Masonic Constitution of the Territories declared that the Grand Lodge was formed in and for the Province of Manitoba. The Constitution also provided that in the absence of the Grand Master the Officer next in rank should assume the duties of that Office. In 1893, Dr. Goggin, of Winnipeg, was elected Grand Master, and Thomas Tweed of Medicine Hat, in what was then the District of Assiniboia, was elected Deputy Grand Master.

 

During that year, Dr. Goggin was appointed Superintendent of Education for the Northwest Territories; thereupon he removed to the capital city, Regina. This circumstance occasioned a peculiar situation. The Grand Master had left the jurisdiction, and the Deputy who had been elected lived outside the Province. To add further to this anomalous position, the Grand Lodge had decided to hold the Communication of 1894 at Banff, Alberta. Finally, to overcome the difficulty, an amendment to the Constitution was proposed, whereby the Grand Lodge of Manitoba would add the Northwest Territories to its jurisdiction, thus making it the largest Masonic Jurisdiction in America and the only Grand Lodge ever to extend its boundaries after being once Constituted. Although the proposal was at first opposed, it finally passed.

 

The political changes which culminated in the division of the old Northwest Territories into the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, on September 1, 19o5, also precipitated the division of Manitoba Grand Lodge. Hitherto, though it had long been considered by many Brethren that the large number of Masonic Lodges in the Canadian Northwest, and their separation by hundreds of miles from the central authority, demanded a change, the spirit of loyalty to Manitoba had proved so strong that nothing short of absolute necessity could change it. This necessity arose, however, when Alberta became an autonomous Province. The event had been more or less anticipated and in consequence thereof, on March 21, 19o5, Wor. Bro. the Rev. G. H. Hogbin, then Master of Bow River Lodge, with Bro. Dr. George Macdonald as Secretary, received a letter from W. Bro. Kealy, who was then Master of Medicine Hat Lodge, suggesting that a Petition be made to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, requesting recognition as a Grand Body, at their next annual meeting in June.

 

The Lodges in the Territory that was assumed to be Alberta were circularised to meet in Calgary on May 24. At that meeting, nine Lodges were represented by a total of twenty‑nine Delegates. After prolonged discussion, however, it was decided to postpone definite action, since the Autonomy Bill had not yet been passed, and might possibly become a law on the following July 1. Nevertheless, the whole matter of the formation of a Grand Lodge was discussed, and a Committee composed of Bro. Dr. Lindsay, Bro. Thomas Tweed, and Bro. E. N. Brown was appointed to consider the question of procedure. At that time Bro. Dr. Lindsay was the First Worshipful Master of Bow River Lodge, and Bro. E. N. Brown was also a Master of Bow River Lodge, while Bro. Tweed was Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. The latter would undoubtedly have been chosen as first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alberta had it not been for his deeply regretted death. Consequently, the meeting was adjourned until July 6, when only eight Lodges were represented. As the Au‑ 4 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION tonomy Bill was still being debated in Parliament, it was decided to adjourn the meeting again, until one month after the Autonomy Bill came into force. This Act was passed, some time previous to, and became effective on, September i, i9o5, and the adjourned meeting called for October I2, on which day the Grand Lodge of Alberta came into being. At that time there were eighteen Lodges in the Province of Alberta and seventeen of these were represented by seventy‑nine Delegates, who were responsible for forming and constituting Grand Lodge by adopting the following resolution: " TO THE BRETHREN WHERE'ER SCATTERED O'ER LAND AND SEA " Whereas it has been made to appear by many Brethren of the Ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in the newly formed Province of Alberta, Canada, that it is most expedient and desirable for the proper government of the Craft that a Grand Lodge of Masons shall be formed in the said Province of Alberta.

 

BE IT KNOWN, That at a convention held in the City of Calgary in the said Province on the i2th. of October, Anno Lucis, S9os, in the sixth year of the reign of His Majesty King Edward VII, for the purpose of taking into considera tion a proposition from the Medicine Hat Lodge No. 31, A. F. & A. M. (Grand Register of Manitoba) with this object in view, it was unanimously enacted as follows Whereas, it is the unanimous opinion of the Masonic Lodges of Alberta that a Grand Lodge shall be formed for the said Province, it is hereby RESOLVED, That the Delegates now assembled shall, and do hereby constitute themselves as a true and lawful Grand Lodge for the Province of Alberta, under the Ancient Landmarks existing from time immemorial, to which adhesion is hereby given. The formation of the said Grand Lodge of Alberta being sanctioned by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Manitoba, under whose jurisdiction the said Lodges have been constituted.

 

Such is the direct statement, pregnant with thought, wisdom and understanding, regarding the genesis of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, A. F. and A. M. Proclamation was then made by the Grand Director of Ceremonies In the Name and by the Authority of the "Ancient Charges and Constitutions of Masonry " and the proceedings of a Convention duly called in accordance with the same‑I now proclaim this Grand Lodge by the name of " THE MOST WORSHIPFUL THE GRAND LODGE OF ALBERTA, ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS " duly formed and constituted.

 

The first election of Grand Lodge Officers, which took place immediately thereafter, resulted as follows R. W. Bro. Dr. George Macdonald (28), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. H. C. Taylor (3), Deputy Grand Master. R. W. Bro. T. F. English (66), Senior Grand Warden.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 5 R. W. Bro. O. W. Kealy (31), unior Grand Warden.

 

R. W. Bro. J. T. Macdonald (6;~, District Deputy Grand Master. i. R. W. Bro. C. E. Smyth (31), District Deputy Grand Master. z. R. W. Bro. A. R. Dickson (83), District Deputy Grand Master. 3. R. W. Bro. E. N. Brown (z8), Grand Treasurer.

 

R. W. Bro. J. J. Dunlop (78), Grand Secretary. R. W. Bro. J. Hinchliffe (73), Grand Registrar.

 

R. W. Bro. Rev. J. S. Chivers (4I), Grand Chaplain. Bro. J. Finch (6o), Grand Tyler.

 

The following appointments were made by the M. W. Grand Master: R. W. Bro. M. J. Macleod (65), Senior Grand Deacon. R. W. Bro. R. Patterson (37), junior Grand Deacon.

 

V. W. Bro. C. H. S. Wade (78), Grand Director of Ceremonies. V. W. Bro. G. Murdock (z8), Grand Organist.

 

W. Bro. H. W. Evans (4z), Grand Steward. W. Bro. S. J. Currie (58), Grand Steward. W. Bro. F. J. Bennett (76), Grand Steward. W. Bro. A. M. Kay (85), Grand Steward.

 

R. W. Bro. Rev. G. H. Hogbin (z8), Grand Pursuivant.

 

The election of Officers over and appointments made, Most Worshipful Bro. W. G. Scott, Grand Master of Manitoba, then assumed the Chair, the Grand Lodge being in Ample form, assisted by Most Worshipful Bro. E. A. Braithwaite, Past Grand Master of Manitoba, he proceeded with the Installation of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Alberta and the other Grand Officers. At the close of that ceremony, M. W. Bro. Dr. George Macdonald, Grand Master of Alberta, thanked the assembled Delegates for the great honour they had conferred by electing him to be the first Grand Master of the Craft in the Province. He also expressed appreciation to the M. W. the Grand Master of Manitoba and to the Brethren of the Mother Grand Lodge for their Fraternal support and presence at the inaugural meeting. A resolution was then moved by V. W. Bro. C. H. Stuart‑Wade and R. W. Bro. J. Hinchliffe to confer the rank of Past Grand Master in the Jurisdiction of Alberta upon M. W. Bro. W. G. Scott, Grand Master of Manitoba, and M. W. Bro. E. A. Braithwaite, Past Grand Master of Manitoba.

 

During the meeting an application for Dispensation to form a new Lodge was presented by a number of Brethren from High River, with the request that its name be chosen by the Grand Lodge. The Application was granted and it was decided that the Lodge should be called Cornerstone Lodge. On the receipt of its Charter the following year, Cornerstone Lodge became Lodge No. i9 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Alberta.

 

The first Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alberta was held in Medicine Hat on Tuesday, February zo, 19o6. During his address, the M. W.

 

6 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION the Grand Master, Dr. George Macdonald, gave voice to the following sentiments The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. and A.M. is at last a Body in effect and recognised by our Mother Grand Lodge and the fraternity as a trustworthy offspring, capable of ruling and governing, and, we hope and trust, capable of adding generously to the wealth of our Masonic teachings. As far back as the year 1888 several of our Brethren were looking forward to the dawn of this our Grand Masonic Body, and some of them are still s~ ared to join with us in welcoming the existence of a new star in the Masonic fiprmament. May it soon in its symbolic teachings reach its zenith, paralleling the brilliancy of the mid‑day sun, and may it long continue so, and though at times its brightness may dim as fleeting clouds obscure its lustre, may it ever resume its brilliant path and never find a setting.

 

During this first Annual Meeting of the Grand Lodge, a special Committee on Benevolence was appointed by the M. W. Grand Master to consider ways and means to establish a Masonic Home and School. M. W. Bro. Kealy was elected Grand Master, and R. W. Bro. Rev. George Hogbin, Deputy Grand Master. An interesting sidelight on the history of the Grand Lodge at this stage is shown by the following statement made by M. W. Bro. James Ovas, the revered Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, in his Freemasonry in the Province of Manitoba: At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, Held in June 19o6, Fraternal recognition was extended with the most kindly greetings and the wish that success and prosperity would attend them, to the first daughter Grand Lodge of this Grand Body, the Grand Lodge of Alberta.

 

It was decided to have an authoritative system of " Work " in the jurisdiction. Accordingly, during the 1907 Annual Communication the Special Committee on Ritual made the following recommendation Resolved, That this Grand Lodge recognises and authorises for use in subordinate Lodges either of the methods of conducting the Work usually spoken of as the " Canadian Work " or the "Ancient York Work " according to the rituals hereafter issued by it.

 

This proposal received unanimous support, and from that date until the present both Rites, " Canadian " (Emulation) and "Ancient York " (WebbPreston), have been officially recognised throughout the jurisdiction.

 

Benevolence has always been a cardinal virtue in Alberta. To prove that the Founders were thoroughly imbued with true Masonic principles and traditions, we may point to the Report made to the Grand Lodge in 19o6 by a special Committee regarding the establishment of a Masonic Home. Just as the bursting of the " South Sea Bubble " had aroused our ancient Brethren of England to alleviate the distress caused by it, so were the Masons of Alberta eager to help others in distress. The San Francisco disaster of 1907 and the Hillcrest, Alberta, OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 7 mine tragedy of four years later, which almost wiped out the Officers of Sentinel Lodge, No. 26, weighed upon the Brethren with such overwhelming force that they felt a great need for a benevolent fund. In fact, the mine disaster was probably more responsible than any other cause for the beginning of the present Benevolent Fund. From the inauguration of the Grand Lodge to the year 1915 four Benevolent Funds were established, each dealing with a specific necessity, as the occasion demanded. Then, in 1919, these four funds were amalgamated. In order to meet the increasing demands made upon its resources, the Grand Lodge in 192o adopted a yet more definite policy towards enlarging the Capital Benevolent Fund by assessing its members on a per capita basis. Ten years later the amount paid to beneficiaries had been trebled, thus indicating the wisdom of that enactment. Moreover, the policy of administering benevolence has always been one of serious reflection in Alberta. This was forcibly expressed by the Chairman of the Benevolence Committee in his Reports of 1925 and 1927. In these he said in part: From a review of the Proceedings of foreign jurisdictions we learn that many of them take ride, and justly so, in the expensive and comfortable homes they have created for their unfortunate members. Your Committee are, however, of the opinion that our system, for the present at least, is better for us.

 

Our beneficiaries are left in their homes, when practicable, so that the families may be kept together and the children under their parents' care and interest. Those unattached are residing with relatives or in families of Masons to whom the money paid for their lodging is acceptable, and the unfortunates in this way escape the stigma of pauperism, and their opportunities for becoming again independent are greater, should they be restored to health. A feeling of confident self‑respect is at all times preserved, and due care is exercised that the recipient of our bounty is not humiliated in any way. Your Committee feel we are working the right way with the right kind of policy, by which the cost of administering the fund is reduced to a minimum, where every dollar is working, and, if not being used for benevolence, is earning interest against the inevitable rainy days which will come. In doing this, in assisting to do this, Masonry in the Province of Alberta has more than justified its existence, and as the years go by, with increasing numbers, greater responsibilities will be ours and we have no doubt if we fulfil our duties, the Masons of those future years will assuredly fulfil theirs.

 

During the stress of the Great War, Masonry in Alberta responded nobly to the cause. At least ten per cent of her membership joined the colors, and the Lodges as a whole contributed generously to the Patriotic Fund, which was created in 1915. The Work of the Lodges, however, was seriously impeded, owing to the absence of so many leaders overseas. In many cases the Lodges became so depleted that the older members resumed Office, as an expediency, and to reciprocate for the heroic endeavours of their younger Brethren at the front.

 

Hostilities ceased, and a feeling was developed that the advent of peace would somehow, in some way, clear away the wreckage of the past; that hence‑ 8 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION forth the pathways of life would be straight and simple; that every man would have equal opportunity and equal share in the best things of life. At this time an abnormal influx into all the Lodges took place. The men who sought admittance were representative citisens from legislative halls, from hospital boards and school boards, from churches and civic enterprises, in short, from every walk of life. To meet the need of these new members, Charters were granted, Masonic Halls were dedicated, and Temples were erected throughout the length and breadth of the jurisdiction. At no time before in its history had it been possible for Masonry to play so great a part in moulding public opinion and in exerting an influence for good upon the body politic. It was here that the teachings of the Craft were sublimated. Perhaps their splendid influence in this field is responsible for the maintenance of the unique and high prestige of the Fraternity throughout the Province in general.

 

Among the Brethren connected with the Grand Lodge were two of outstanding merit. One of these was M. W. Bro. Dr. George Macdonald, the first Grand Master, who subsequently held the position of Grand Secretary for ten years during the early days of formative policy. The other was M. W. Bro. S. Y. Taylor, who was Grand Master in 1915 and Grand Secretary during the period from 1917 to 192.8. Bro. Taylor was still Grand Secretary at the time of his death in March 192‑8. Of this esteemed Brother it has been justly said: A fine scholarship enabled him to apply with telling force the supremely spiritual values of our Masonic idealism. In consequence of his untiring zeal and efforts in the exposition of these ideals there was developed a high moral tone throughout the whole Craft in this jurisdiction which will remain as a fitting and enduring monument to his memory.

 

On Saturday, October 11, 1931, a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge to celebrate the twenty‑fifth anniversary of its founding was held in Calgary. Twelve Past Grand Masters, Representatives of four neighbouring Grand jurisdictions, and several hundred Brethren from all parts of western Canada were in attendance. At this unique meeting the first Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Dr. George Macdonald, received a stirring ovation as he rose to address the gathering. The Grand Master, M. W. Bro. Dr. S. N. Sneddon, addressed the Brethren as follows I must, on behalf of myself and the Grand Lodge of Alberta here assembled, express our deep sense of the honour accorded to this Grand Lodge by the presence here to‑day of the distinguished Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, who are here as our guests to celebrate our twenty‑fifth Anniversary. This is an historic occasion, and from the large attendance from distant points in the province, I think that feature of this gathering is uppermost in our minds: but to me our meeting here to‑day should be more in the nature of an act of homage and honour to those who after all are really responsible for this great occasion. I am referring to those members who had the courage and foresight to form a Grand Lodge in what was then OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND sparsely settled country, of whose possibilities little was actually proved, whose development had scarcely begun, communication was difficult, and the Lodges to which these members belonged were widely scattered.

 

I venture to say that if the spirit of the pioneer can be transmitted to this splendid gathering, we need have no fear either for the future prosperity of our Order in Alberta or for the future of this great Province.

 

At the formation in 1905 there were 18 Lodges with 12o5 members. Thirty years later there are 157 Lodges with 12,576 members. Benevolence has always been a cardinal virtue with Alberta, and this is strongly emphasised at the present, with its century mark of beneficiaries receiving assistance. During this time a Library of no mean order has been gradually established, which greatly facilitates the spread of Masonic education. In addition to this a system of holding Annual District Meetings has been evolved, at which the Grand Lodge Officers attend and impart first‑hand information. The Grand Lodge of Alberta is comparatively young, yet withal lusty and strong, and bids fair for an expanding and greater future.

 

BRITISH COLUMBIA R. L. REID N 1858 a veritable city of shacks clustered about the big fort of the Hudson's Bay Company on the southern end of Vancouver Island. There it had grown up almost in a single night, as did Jonah's gourd. It already had a little weekly newspaper, however, and in the issue of July io the following item appeared: The members of the Ancient Order of F. & A. Masons in good standing are invited to meet on Monday July 12th at 7 o'clock P.M., in Southgate & Mitchell's new store, upstairs. The object of the meeting is to consider matters connected with the permanent interests of the order in Victoria.

 

The meeting so convened was attended by seven Masons who drafted a Petition to the Grand Lodge of England asking for a Charter for a Lodge in their new city. So far as we have any record, this was the beginning of Freemasonry in British Columbia.

 

The Colony of Vancouver Island was formed in 1849, and by 1856 it had been granted a representative assembly. But until 1858 the settlement had very few inhabitants aside from officers and employees of the Hudson's Bay Company, which had made Victoria its headquarters on the Pacific coast. The mainlandNew Caledonia as it was then called‑had no organised government until November 1g, 1858, when it became the Colony of British Columbia.

 

News went abroad in 1857 that gold had been discovered in the sands of the 10 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Fraser River and the following year thousands of goldseekers came in search of the New Eldorado. Since it was necessary to pass through Victoria in order to reach the mines, the little village so far from the busy world was immediately transformed from a quiet trading‑post into a noisy, bustling metropolis. Vancouver Island and British Columbia were united under the name of the latter in 11866, and five years later this territory became one of the Provinces of the Dominion of Canada.

 

Once, in 11859, before any regular Lodge had been Constituted, an " Occasional " Lodge was held. It did not come exactly within the meaning of the term as defined by Mackey, for it was not called by a Grand Master; but it did come within the Century Dictionary's definition of " occasional," in that it was " called forth, produced, or used on some special occasion or event." The " special occasion " of this " Occasional " Lodge was the funeral of a Mason. Early in September of that year, S. J. Hazeltine, chief engineer of the Hudson's .Bay Company's steamer Labouchere, died in the city hospital at Victoria. Since he was a Freemason, the resident Brethren decided to honour his memory by a Masonic funeral. An advertisement in The British Colonist, a local newspaper, called a meeting of Masons to take place at the Royal Hotel on September 7. A large number of Masons responded. Several California Masons able to vouch for one another formed the nucleus of the assemblage and examined others who claimed the Master's rank. This done, they exercised their ancient prerogative and formed themselves into a Lodge. Having chosen Bro. John T. Damon as Acting Worshipful Master, and Bro. B. F. Moses as Secretary pro tempore, they made arrangements for the funeral Rite. Next day they again assembled, donned white gloves, and aprons made for the occasion by a tentmaker on Yates Street, formed a procession, and marched to the hospital, and thence to the cemetery, where they interred the body of their departed Brother with due Masonic honours. Following that, they closed the Lodge in due form.

 

The Grand Lodge of England was ready to grant the Charter asked for in 11858, but technicalities delayed its issuance. The reason commonly assigned for this delay is that the Charter sent out proved to be defective and in consequence had to be returned to London for correction. The probable reason, however, to some extent supported by credible information, is that the application was defective in form, and that it had to be returned for amendment before a Charter could be granted. However this may be, it was not until March i86o, that the Brethren in Victoria received their Charter. Further delay was occasioned at the time by the necessity for obtaining and fitting up a suitable Lodge room and for acquiring necessary furniture and fittings.

 

Not until August 28, 1186o, was Victoria Lodge, No. 11o85 E. R. ready to begin work. On that date the premier Lodge of British Columbia was duly Constituted on the second floor of the Hibben and Carswell Building at the south west corner of Yates and Langley streets. The ceremony, which included the Installation of the first Officers, was performed by Robert Burnaby, Past Master of Lodge, No. 6611 E. R., of Surrey, England, a prominent merchant of the little From a photograph by Underwood and Underwood.

 

Old Hudson's Bay Block House at Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, B. C.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 11 city. He was assisted by H. Aquilar, R. N., commander of the gunboat Grappler, then lying in Esquimalt harbour, a few miles from Victoria,who was Past Master of Good Report Lodge, No. 159 E. R. The new Lodge numbered eleven Charter members. During 186o nine Masons became members by affiliation, including W.‑. Bro. Burnaby himself. John Malowansky, a Russian news agent and tobacconist, was the first person to be made a Mason in the Jurisdiction by Initiation. This popular young man soon rose to be J. D. of the Lodge, but some five years later he left for the Cariboo gold fields and in 1866 he went to Kamchatka for the Alaska Commercial Company. In 1875 Bro. Malowansky took his demit in order to join a Russian Lodge in Petropavlovsky. No word was ever afterwards received from him. In 1931 Victoria Lodge had 420 members on its Roll. One of its traditions is that the Grand Master for the time being shall Install its Officers. On only one or two occasions since the organisation of the Grand Lodge has this failed to take place.

 

The example set by Victoria was soon followed by New Westminster, then capital of the Colony of British Columbia. In 186o the Masons there applied to the Grand Lodge of England for a Charter. It was granted, and in December 1861, Union Lodge, No. 12o1 E. R. was duly Constituted.

 

The Lodges at Victoria and New Westminster used the English Ritual. This was unfamiliar to many Masons who had come from the United States where a different Ritual was in use. Consequently, some of the American Masons residing at Victoria, who wished to use the Work to which they were accustomed, applied to the Grand Lodge of Washington Territory for a Charter in 1861. Victoria Lodge protested that since the Colony of Vancouver Island was British, no Masonic Body other than the Grand Lodges of the mother country had any right to grant either a Warrant or a Dispensation for a Masonic Lodge in the Jurisdiction. It was further declared that any Lodge so established would be treated as clandestine. Foreseeing the difficulties which might arise if their Petition were successful, the applicants withdrew it, and joined by some other Masons they applied to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a Charter for Vancouver Lodge, No. 421 S. R.

 

Nine Lodges had been Chartered in the two colonies by 1871. The Grand Lodge of England had established Victoria Lodge, No. 1o85, later .re‑numbered 783, and British Columbia Lodge, No. 1187, at Victoria; Union Lodge, No. 12oi, later re‑numbered 899, at New Westminster; and Nanaimo Lodge, No. logo, at Nanaimo. Besides Vancouver Lodge, No. 421, the Grand Lodge of Scotland had authorised Cariboo Lodge, No. 469, at Barkerville; Caledonia Lodge, No. 478, at Nanaimo; Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 491, at Hastings, now part of the City of Vancouver. At Victoria it also established Quadra Lodge, which should have been numbered 5o8, but which was still under Dispensation when the Grand Lodge of British Columbia was established. In May 1867, the Grand Lodge of Scotland appointed Dr. Israel Wood Powell, a prominent physician of Victoria, as Provincial Grand Master, and in December 1867 the Grand Lodge of England appointed Robert Burnaby of the same place as District Grand Master.

 

11 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION As the number of Lodges increased, the advisability of forming an independent Grand Lodge was much discussed by members of the Craft. There was every reason against the existence of two organisations in a country having such a small population. Consequently, Dr. Powell and Mr. Burnaby, close personal friends, were anxious to see the Craft united. In December 1868 a meeting was held by Vancouver Lodge, No. 411 S. R., at which a number of visitors from other Lodges were present. At that meeting members introduced a series of resolutions reciting the condition of Freemasonry in the Colony, the desirability of forming a Grand Lodge of British Columbia, and the advantages to be secured by doing so. These resolutions were again considered at a meeting held on January 2, 1869. At that time they were adopted and forwarded to the other Lodges for consideration: All the Scottish Lodges, except Caledonia Lodge, No. 478, at Nanaimo, approved them. Except Victoria Lodge, No. io85, the English Lodges disapproved them. The resolutions were then transmitted to the Grand Lodges in England and Scotland. The latter made no reply, but the Secretary of the English Grand Lodge acknowledged the receipt of the resolutions and expressed his regret that the Brethren in British Columbia should " take any step which might lessen their own influence. As a District Grand Lodge of the Grand Lodge of England, the Brethren in Vancouver Island enjoy a far more influential position than they could possibly do if they formed themselves into an independent Grand Lodge, whose paucity of numbers would simply render it ridiculous." Undismayed, Vancouver Lodge, No. 411 S. R., went on with its work. It submitted its plan to the Grand Lodges in Canada and the United States in order to ascertain what reception the proposed Grand Lodge might expect. The result was so encouraging that, at a meeting on January 18, 1871, it was able to announce that all the Grand Lodges to which it had submitted its plan had signified their approval.

 

Various proceedings resulted in the meeting of a Committee from Vancouver Lodge, No. 411 S. R. They met with other members on March 18, 1871, to elect a Grand Master and other Officers and to declare a Grand Lodge of British Columbia duly formed. M.‑. W.‑. Bro. Elwood Evans, Past Grand Master of Washington Territory, was invited to Install the Officers of the new Grand Lodge on March Zo, and he accepted the invitation. Notice of the proposed Installation was given to District Grand Master Burnaby of the English Lodges only one hour before the Installation was to take place; he put in a written protest. District Grand Secretary Thomas Shotbolt attended; protested orally; then took off his apron and retired. What happened after he left the Lodge is not known, but the Installation did not proceed and for the time the matter was dropped. Later, R.‑. W.‑. Bro. Powell, and R.‑. W.‑. Bro. Burnaby had a conference about the affair with the result that they agreed to submit the matter to the vote of the Brethren of the various Lodges. This was then done. It resulted in polling 194 votes in favor of the proposal, and 28 votes against it.

 

Since the majority in favor of establishing an independent Grand Lodge was OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 13 so large, a meeting to be held in Victoria was called for October Zi, 1871, to form a Grand Lodge of British Columbia. All the Lodges in the Province, except Union Lodge, No. 899, at New Westminster, sent Representatives. The Grand Lodge of British Columbia was duly formed, M.‑. W.‑. Bro. Israel Wood Powell being elected as first Grand Master and M.'. W.‑. Bro. Robert Burnaby being given the rank of Past Grand Master. All Lodges within the Jurisdiction, except Union Lodge, No. 899, surrendered their Charters to receive others granted by the new Grand Lodge. Their respective numbers on the Grand Lodge Roll were as follows: Victoria Lodge, No. i; Vancouver Lodge, No. 2; Nanaimo Lodge, No. 3 ; Cariboo Lodge, No. 4; British Columbia Lodge, No. S ; Caledonia Lodge, No. 6; Mount Hermon Lodge, No. 7; Quadra Lodge, No. 8.

 

The absence of Union Lodge, No. 899, from the Convention, and its failure on that account to receive the number on the Grand Lodge Roll to which it was entitled by reason of its seniority‑No. 2‑was due to the determined opposition of Hon. Henry Holbrook, of New Westminster. He took the stand taken by the Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England, namely, that the organisation of a Grand Lodge having such a small number of Lodges was ridiculous. In 1872, however, this Lodge saw the light, surrendered its Charter, and became Union Lodge, No. 9, B. C. R.

 

By the close of 1872 all other Grand Lodges in Canada and all those in the United States, except that of Indiana, which awaited " the action of the Grand Lodge of England in the matter," had recognised the new Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of England gave full recognition and a kind and fraternal greeting in 1874. The Grand Lodge of Scotland granted conditional recognition in 1880, but reserved the right to Charter Lodges in British Columbia if it saw fit. This action was followed by unconditional recognition, granted in 1883. Indiana recognised the Grand Lodge of British Columbia in 1881.

 

From 1870 to 1880 British Columbia was not prosperous. The output of gold from the mines of the Cariboo diminished year by year. The proposed transcontinental railway that was to connect the Province with her eastern sisters was still a matter of negotiation and exploration. Business of the region was nearly at a standstill, and many who had come there during the Cariboo gold excitement of the 6o's were now leaving. As the population decreased, the number of Lodges did likewise. Nanaimo, the coal‑mining town on Vancouver Island, first felt the strain. Since two Lodges were more than it could maintain, in 1873 Nanaimo Lodge, No. 3, and Caledonia Lodge, No. 6, united as Ashlar Lodge, No. 3. Victoria presently discovered that it could not support four Lodges, and in 1877 Victoria Lodge, No. 1, and British Columbia Lodge, No. S, united under the name of Victoria‑Columbia Lodge, No. 1. That year Vancouver Lodge No. 2, and Quadra Lodge, No. 8, united under the name of Vancouver and Quadra Lodge, No. 2. The decrease in the number of Lodges went no further and when the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway caused a revival of business, applications for Charters began to come in. In 1881, residents of Yale, at that time a centre of construction at the Pacific Coast end of the railway, though 14 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION now only a name and a memory, asked for the Charter of a Lodge to be known as Cascade Lodge, No. io. Owing to fires in the town and to changes in railway construction plans, the application was withdrawn within the year and before the Charter was granted. Five years later a Charter was granted to Kamloops Lodge, No. 1o. In 1887 a Charter was granted to Mountain Lodge, No. ii, at Donald, though this Lodge, with the population of the town itself, later removed to Golden, on the Columbia River. In 1888 Cascade Lodge, No. iz., at Vancouver, and Spallumcheen Lodge, No. 13, at Lansdowne (now Armstrong), were Instituted. Since that time the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, whose mere nine Lodges were likely to make it appear " ridiculous " to the Masonic world, according to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England, has steadily grown. In 1931 it comprised 115 Lodges having a membership of 15,577 It early became the custom of the Grand Master for the time being to nominate Brethren of standing to visit Lodges and report to him. In 1888 this course of action received the official approval of the Grand Lodge and the Province was divided into four districts: District, No. 1, Vancouver Island; District, No. z., New Westminster; District, No. 3, Yale‑Kootenay; and District, No. 4, Cariboo. In 1931 there were eighteen such districts with a District Deputy Grand Master for each.

 

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia has never officially used any set form of Ritual. In his address at the first meeting of the Grand Lodge M.‑. W.‑. Bro. Powell pointed out that ... our Grand Lodge is formed by the Union of the English and Scottish crafts of the Province, each of whom are wedded and are partial to, their own particular work. Hence, under any and all circumstances, Lodges taking part in the formation of this Grand Lodge, should have full permission to continue the work they now practise so long as they desire to do so. But I would even go further, and for the present at least ... allow any Lodge that may hereafter be formed, to choose and adopt either ritual at present practised in the Province.

 

This matter was again considered in Grand Lodge in 1893 and it was then decided that Lodges might select either the English Work, as exemplified by Victoria‑Columbia Lodge, No. i ; the Scottish Work, really the American Work, as exemplified by Ashlar Lodge, No. 3 ; or the Canadian Work, as exemplified by Cascade Lodge, No. 12. The latter, which is that form of English Work used by the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario since 1868, should properly be called the Ontario Work.

 

Though the English Work generally used in British Columbia is the Emulation Work, two Lodges use the Oxford Ritual and one, the Revised Ritual. Another Lodge, Southern Cross Lodge, No. 44, whose first Master was R.‑. W.‑. Bro. J. J. Miller, at one time prominent in Masonic circles of New South Wales, uses the Canadian Work with some of the modifications of the Ritual accepted in that part of the British Empire where the Lodge's first Master formerly resided.

 

Union Lodge, No. 9, of New Westminster, having been originally Chartered OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 15 by the Grand Lodge of England, at first used the English Ritual. Since, however, a majority of the members were better acquainted with the Scotch, or American, Work, that form was adopted in 1877. It is said that W.,. Bro. William Stewart, who had been Initiated in Scotland during the early part of the nineteenth century and at different times a member of Union Lodge, No. 9, and of Ashlar Lodge, No. 3, first gave the name " Scotch " to the American form of the Ritual. He probably did so because all Lodges which had been Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland used it.

 

Cariboo Lodge, which was No. 469 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and is now No. 4 B. C. R., merits special mention here. It was the outlying Lodge of all early Lodges. So far out was it, indeed, that a trip of 540 miles had to be made in order to reach it. One had to go seventy‑five miles by steamer from Victoria to New Westminster. Another seventy‑five miles by river steamer took one to Yale, the head of navigation on the Fraser River. From there to Barkerville was a stagecoach trip of 390 miles. The journey required so much time and was so difficult to make that Provincial Grand Master Powell never visited the Lodge. When it received its Charter it began to function without assistance from any but its own members. No Provincial Grand Master or Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia ever visited this Lodge until Grand Master William Downie made the trip to Barkerville in 1892.

 

It was no small community which at that time existed in the heart of the Cariboo Mountains. Gold was the magnet that drew men there. From the mountain streams of that region more than seventy million dollars' worth of precious metal was taken. In the mid‑6o's, so it is claimed, Barkerville had a larger population than any other place on the Pacific coast except San Francisco. Even in 1872, when the population of the Province had greatly decreased, Cariboo Lodge, No. 469, was the second largest Lodge on the Register.

 

Headed by W.‑. M.‑. Jonathan Nutt, a zealous Mason who on account of his service to Freemasonry was given the rank of Past Senior Grand Warden in 1877, Cariboo Lodge, No. 469, got under way, bought a lot, and built a Masonic Hall. Its membership increased rapidly. Nationality or religious faith was no obstacle to membership, for Swedes, Jews, French‑Canadians, Italians, and others were to be found among its members. During its early years the Lodge was financially prosperous. On September 16, 1868, however, just as the prosperity of Cariboo was beginning to decline, a disastrous fire burnt the whole town of Barkerville to the ground. Only one building escaped destruction. The Masonic Hall was destroyed but the Records of the Lodge were saved. The Lodge immediately began to rebuild its quarters, and on February 2‑o, 1869, it met in a new Hall that it still uses. Despite generous donations from outside sources, the Lodge had difficulty in financing the erection of its new Hall. Mining claims were being worked out and the population was dwindling. After a time, however, the Lodge overcame all its difficulties.

 

In those early days Barkerville was by no means a peaceful village, as no prosperous mining town far removed from civilisation could be. Because of a 16 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION clever ruse to which members of Cariboo Lodge, No. 469, resorted, we are led to believe that some residents of the settlement, when in their cups, tried to find out what Masons really do in Lodge. In order to prevent any illicit seeker after truth from succeeding in his quest, some resourceful brain suggested an ingenious " silent " or " mechanical " Tyler when the new Hall was built. The stairs to the Lodge room were hinged in the middle. By means of a mechanical contrivance the lower part of the stairway could be raised and held suspended in mid‑air while the Brethren were at Labour. Besides this interesting piece of handiwork massive and handsome furniture was also made and carved by early members of the Lodge.

 

The Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia is not confined to the Province alone but also includes the Yukon Territory. The Grand Lodge of Manitoba, whose jurisdiction extended over the whole of the Northwest Terri tories of Canada before the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were formed, originally constituted Lodges in Dawson and White Horse. It proved more convenient, however, for those Lodges to communicate with British Columbia than with Manitoba. With the consent and approval of their Mother Grand Lodge, the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia was extended to include Yukon Territory and in 1907 those Lodges became No. 45 and No. 46, respectively, on the Register of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia.

 

As has been the case in other jurisdictions, the Grand Lodge of British Columbia has had to deal with clandestine Bodies. In 1914 a Representative of the so‑called American Masonic Federation was prosecuted and heavily fined for his illegal acts. Since that time there has been no other trouble.

 

In 1921 this Grand Lodge celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in fitting style. Representatives from many other Grand Lodges‑England, Canada, and the United States‑were in attendance. Many of the pioneers in the Craft who were present were fittingly introduced to members of the Grand Lodge. Addresses made by the visitors in the Lodge and by the speakers at the anniversary banquet were worthy of the occasion and of the reputation of the Ancient Craft.

 

As the years go on the Grand Lodge of British Columbia prospers and increases. Many of the Lodges are, of course, in the larger centres of population, but many others, not less worthy of mention, are in settlements tucked away among far‑off mountain mining camps, or along shores of the great inlets that deeply pierce our long seafront. Others are in lumber towns and in the hamlets of agricultural districts. All are working out the great principles of Freemasonry with interest and profit to themselves and with benefit to the communities in which they carry on.

 

The benevolent and charitable work of the Fraternity is by no means neglected in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia. From that September day in 1859 when the Masons of Victoria gathered together to inter the body of Bro. S. J. Hazeltine according to Masonic custom, up to the present, those duties have been carried on unceasingly. Charity has unstintedly been extended to those in need. Among the earliest records of Cariboo Lodge, No. 4, OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 17 far up in the Cariboo Mountains, is the casual mention of a Committee that was appointed to inquire into the case of Bro. Miserve, of Mount Moriah Lodge, Washington Territory.. While digging for gold along Mosquito Creek, he had fallen into bad health, so the report said. Yearly Records of the Lodges in this jurisdiction show large sums expended for relief. A benevolent fund, begun in 1872, has been built up by the Grand Lodge from the donations of individuals and constituent Lodges. In 1931 this fund amounted to $326,849.69. Income from it is used to supplement charities of the various Lodges where necessary. In both Vancouver and Victoria, a Masonic service bureau is maintained by the local Lodges. These bureaus look after and assist Masons and their dependents from other jurisdictions while they sojourn here. During the Great War a special relief fund was raised for the assistance of soldier Brethren and their families. This fund was of special value in those troublous times. All such work is carried on quietly, in true Masonic fashion. Few persons know either the extent of Masonic bounty or the names of those who are succoured.

 

Though British Columbia may not have among its members of the Craft those who are world‑famous, nevertheless many pioneers of the Province who took leading parts in laying the foundations of our Commonwealth were faith ful disciples of the Square and Compasses. Many leaders of bench, bar and church, distinguished business men, and members of the press have been among our members. In the early days, J. J. Southgate, a well‑known merchant, inserted in The Victoria Gazette the advertisement set out in the first paragraph of this article and so initiated the Masonic organisation that has become what it is to‑day. The splendid services to Freemasonry of M.‑.W.‑. Bro. Robert Burnaby, a merchant, and M.'. W.‑. Bro. Israel W. Powell, a medical practitioner, have been in part described earlier in this article. Another distinguished Mason of British Columbia, a man or probity and profound learning, was John Foster McCreight, Deputy Grand Master in 1871, afterwards a judge of the Supreme Court of the Province. Among the well‑known journalists were Amor de Cosmos and David W. Higgins, both at one time residents of Victoria and both men of outstanding ability. The former, regarded by many as a somewhat eccentric person, had his earlier name, W. A. Smith, changed to that given here by an Act of the California Legislature while a member of that body in 1854. De Cosmos was editor of The British Colonist, of Victoria; a member of the Provincial Legislature; and one of the leaders in the movement that resulted in bringing about the union of the two colonies and the subsequent admission of the Province into the Canadian Confederation. He was also a member of the Canadian House of Commons for some years. David W. Higgins was also an editor of The British Colonist. He published two volumes containing stories of early life in British Columbia. These books, The Mystic Spring and The Passing of a Race, are rather fact than fiction. Though long out of print and now scarce, they are still much sought after and eagerly read. Hon. Henry Holbrook, father of Union Lodge, No. 899, at New Westminster, was for many years one of the most influential men in the political life of the mainland colony.

 

18 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Major William Downie was another early Mason of British Columbia who can not be forgotten. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, and brought up in Ayr, he was one of those men who have an itching foot, one of those who heard " The Whisper " sung by Kipling Something hidden. Go and find it. Go and look behind the RangesSomething lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go! Upon the discovery of gold in the North, he came to British Columbia in 1858. For several years he explored the coast for Governor Douglas, a fellow Scotsman. He visited the Queen Charlotte Islands, passed up the Skeena River to the Fraser, then back to the coast. From 1861 to 1873 he mined in various parts of the Cariboo Country. As late as 1886, at the request of Hon. John Robson, then finance minister in the government of British Columbia, he visited Granite Creek, in the Similkameen District, and later reported on the region. He was in Panama and Costa Rica in 1874 and 1875, and at one time he was on the Yukon River in Alaska. Bro. Downie was the first person Initiated into Vancouver Lodge, No. 2, of Victoria. He became a member of that Lodge in 1862. In his application he gave his occupation as " major and miner." The Records of the Lodge show that he visited it nearly every winter, but never in summer. Thirty years after becoming a Mason at Victoria, Bro. Downie affiliated with Ashlar Lodge, No. 3, at Nanaimo. He died there in 1894 at the age of seventy‑four years.

 

In later years many leading men of the Province have been zealous members of the Craft. There have been Representatives on the bench of the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of the Province, and the county courts. Many clergymen have taken part in our work, among them His Grace, Archbishop A. U. DePencier, of the Anglican Church in British Columbia. Rev. E. D. McLaren and Rev. C. Ensor Sharp have been Grand Masters. Among the men prominent in political life who also occupied the position of Grand Master were Hon. Simeon Duck, E. Crow Baker, M.P., Ex‑Premier W. J. Bowser, and J. H. Schofield, M.L.A. Among the journalists was F. J. Burd, of The Vancouver Province. Among the medical men were Dr. R. E. Walker and Dr. Douglas Corsan. Among the railroad men were Lacey B. Johnson and William Downie, founder of Cascade Lodge, No. 12, at Vancouver (not the Major William Downie mentioned above). Among members who were leaders in business life were A. R. Milne, Angus McKeown, R. B. McMicking, Alexander Charleston, Frank Bowser, H. H. Watson, E. E. Chipman, H. N. Rich, John M. Rudd, William Henderson, James Stark, W. C. Ditmars, John Shaw, and W. S. Terry. David Wilson, E. B. Paul, and S. J. Willis, superintendent of education for the Province in 1931, were among the educators that were Grand Masters.

 

It is a matter of great pride to the Masons of British Columbia that the OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 19 present Grand Secretary, Dr. W. A. DeWolf‑Smith, is numbered among our prominent Masons. During his thirty years of Office, first as Grand Historian and later as Grand Secretary, Dr. DeWolf‑Smith has been a tower of strength to the Officers and members of the Craft. In carrying out his duties as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence he has become well known in all jurisdictions as an erudite Masonic scholar and a brilliant and witty writer.

 

MANITOBA JAMES A. OVAS HE first Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons to organise in what is now the Province of Manitoba was authorised by M.‑. W.‑. A. T. C. Pierson, 'Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, under a Dispensation dated September 13, 1863. It reached Canada by way of Pembina, Dakota Territory, and Fort Garry, now Winnipeg, in what was then known as the Red River Settlement in the Canadian Northwest. In his address to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota at the eleventh Annual Communication held at St. Paul on October 2], 1863, M.. W.‑.Bro. Pierson, Grand Master of Minnesota, made the following statement: "About the middle of last month I received an Application signed by W.‑.Bro. C. W. Nash, Bro. J. L. Armington, Bro. A. T. Chamblin, Bro. Charles H. Mix, and eight others, who were en route for Pembina, Dakota Territory, for a Dispensation authorising them to open and Work a Lodge. Pembina is the most northern point in the territory of the United States, a great central point where concentrates a large amount of emigration and of travel between the two oceans. The want of a Lodge at that place has been long felt and often expressed; and as the Brethren named were active, well informed, and discreet Masons, the first two, former Masters, and the latter, Wardens of Lodges within this jurisdiction, and as they expected to remain in that hyperborean region for at least two years, I granted a Dispensation to establish a Lodge at Pembina." Prior to holding the first meeting, it was discovered, however, that no name had been given the Lodge in the Dispensation. " How it was settled," says M.‑.W.‑.Bro. William G. Scott, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, in his article " Early Masonry in Manitoba," " I will leave Bro. Nash to describe." The following description was then given " I wrote to the Grand Master calling his attention to the omission, and took occasion to suggest what I thought would be a proper and very appropriate name, and in case it met with his approval to so advise me and direct that I insert it in the Dispensation. The name that was suggested met with his cordial approval and was thus named. It came about in this way: It was at night that I was writing the Grand Master, and going out of my quarters I observed the grandest display above me that it was ever my pleasure to Zo FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION behold. I never witnessed such grandeur of this character before, and I never expect to again. It was an exhibition of Northern Lights. The celestial globe was grand and beautiful in the extreme, and for a long time my eyes feasted upon the sight with delight. It was witnessed by many in our cantonment. On returning to my quarters to complete my letter to the Grand Master, I narrated the circumstances; hence the name, Northern Light Lodge, was given." The Lodge held its first meeting about the middle of January 1864. During the few months that it remained active in Pembina, several residents of Fort Garry and the vicinity made applications for membership, were accepted, and received the Three Degrees of Freemasonry. Among those who became members at that time were Bro. A. G. B. Bannatyne, Bro. W. B. Hall, and Bro. William Inkster. Then, in the early part of that year, application was made to M.‑.W.‑.Bro. Pierson, Grand Master of Minnesota, for a continuance of the Dispensation and for authority to transfer it to Fort Garry. This request was granted. In his address to the Grand Lodge at the twelfth Annual Communication held in St. Paul on October 12, 1864, the M.'. W.‑. the Grand Master reported as follows: " I also renewed the Dispensation of Northern Light Lodge, removing it to the Red River Settlement." The first meeting of the Lodge in Fort Garry was held on November 8, 1864, in a room over the trading‑house of Bro. A. G. B. Bannatyne. In a letter to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, written in 1895, W.‑.Bro. Schultz described that meeting in the following words And a novelty it was, indeed, in this country at that time! It was spoken of far and wide, and the descriptions, which did not decrease in detail or increase in accuracy, as to what was done therein were listened to with much curiosity, and in some cases, with awesome wonder, which was enhanced by the jocoseness of Bro. Bannatyne's clerks, who spoke knowingly of the whereabouts and propulsive propensities of the goat, and who pointed out from the room below (to wit, the trading‑house), exactly in what part of the upstairs room the W.‑. M.‑. hung his hat while the Lodge was at Work. The Lodge Room itself was made as tasteful as the circumstances of that day would admit, and it may interest the curious to know the exact cost of some of its furniture, as given in a memorandum which I happen to have near me, in the sterling money of the day, namely: tables, &/19/6; inner door, 15/; altar, 19/6; wall‑paper, 39/, 24 black beads, 1 /6; 24 white beads, i /; loo copies of the by‑laws, 40 /. And it may be inferred that the Craft were not always at Work, for I find the following on the same list: 15 tin plates, 15 iron tablespoons, 15 teaspoons, 12 cups and saucers, 1 tin pan, 4 cans of pickled oysters, 1 pound of butter, 1 pound of coffee, and 2 pounds of sugar. This would seem to show that there were intervals for refreshment. The jewels were borrowed ones from the Pembina Lodge; they were used until the following January, the Lodge having commenced Work in November 1864. They were then replaced by finer ones from Chicago, through the good offices of N. W. Kittson.

 

W.‑. Bro. John Schultz was the first Worshipful Master; Bro. A. G. B. Bannatyne was Senior Warden, and Bro. William Inkster was junior Warden.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 21 The three principal Officers mentioned above remained in their respective Offices until December 23, 1867, when Bro. A. G. B. Bannatyne was elected Master; Bro. Thomas Bunn, Senicr Warden and Bro. Juhn Bunn, Junior Warden. I am unable, however, to find any record of their Installation.

 

The Dispensation was continued year by year by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, until the year 1867; then a Charter was granted and the Lodge was registered as No. 68. At that time the Committee on Lodges, U. D. reported as follows: " From Northern Light Lodge U. D., located at Fort Garry, no late Returns or Records have been received. In this the Committee deem it proper to present the following facts: Fort Garry is situated on the northern confines of the State, several hundred miles from St. Paul, and far outside the usual mail or transportation facilities, the mails being carried by dog trains through the intervening wilderness, at long intervals and often lost in transit. Transportation is mostly confined to the spring months. These facts may reasonably account for the non‑representation of the Lodge and the non‑receipt of the Records and Receipts of the Lodge. The Lodge was originally organised under letters of Dispensation granted in 1863 to our present M.‑.W.‑.Grand Master and others by Grand Master Bro. A. T. C. Pierson, and has been continued by Dispensation of successive Grand Masters to the present time. It would seem that now the time has arrived when the Lodge should be relieved from its anomalous position. The Committee have had the fullest assurance from responsible sources that the Brethren comprising Northern Light Lodge, U. D. are men of excellent character, of good Masonic attainments, and of undoubted ability to carry on the Work of the Order. After considering these facts they have arrived at the conclusion that it is wrong to make the remote position and consequently inability of these Brethren to communicate with the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication a reason for depriving them, of the benefit of a Charter. They therefore recommend that a Charter be granted to them, to be issued as soon as they have made their Returns to, and settled their accounts with, the Grand Secretary, to the satisfaction of the Grand Master." The Lodge was never constituted under the Charter, however, for during the troublesome times of 1868‑1869, the members became so scattered that it eventually ceased to exist. In his address at the Annual Communication in 1869, M.'. W .'.Bro. C. W. Nash, Grand Master, made the following reference to this Lodge: " The Lodges which were Chartered at the last Grand Communication have all been properly constituted and the Officers installed, either in person or by proxy, except in the case of Northern Light Lodge, No. 68 located at Fort Garry, British America. The Charter of this Lodge remains in the possession of the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary. The great distance of Fort Garry from an organised Lodge has rendered it impracticable to constitute the Lodge and install its Officers." At the same Sessions, R.‑. W.‑. Bro. William S. Combs, Grand Secretary, also reported as follows: " The Charter issued by the Grand Lodge to Northern Light Lodge, No. 68, at its Session in 1867, has not 22 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION been called for by the proper Officers. I anticipate, however, that the same will be attended to very soon, as I have been in correspondence with the Brethren at Fort Garry." Thus the pioneer Lodge of the great Canadian Northwest, which during the four years of its activity had added to its membership the foremost men of the settlement, terminated its existence.

 

On November 21, 1870, a Dispensation was issued by M .'. W.‑. Bro. Alexander A. Stevenson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, to Bro. Robert S. Patterson, Worshipful Master; Bro. Norman J. Dingman, Senior Warden, Bro. William N. Kennedy, Junior Warden, and six others, to form and hold a Lodge which was designated as Winnipeg Lodge but which, by permission of the Grand Lodge, afterwards changed its name to Prince Rupert's Lodge. The Lodge was located in Winnipeg, Province of Manitoba. It was Instituted on December 1o, 1870, and its Charter was granted on July 13, of the next year. At that time the Lodge was regularly constituted and consecrated as Prince Rupert's Lodge, No. 240 G. R. C., and the Officers were Installed. As Senior Warden, Bro. William N. Kennedy succeeded Bro. Norman J. Dingman, who had removed from the jurisdiction, and Matthew Coyne succeeded Bro. William N. Keenedy as junior Warden.

 

On January 4, 1871, a Dispensation was issued by M:. W .'. Bro. Alexander A. Stevenson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, to Bro. John Frazer, Worshipful Master; George Black, Senior Warden; Thomas Bunn, Junior War den, and four others, to form and hold a Lodge to be designated as Manitoba Lodge, at Lower Fort Garry, in the Province of Manitoba. The name of this Lodge also was afterwards changed, by permission of the Grand Lodge, to Lisgar Lodge. The Lodge was Instituted on February Zo, 1871, a Charter was granted on the following July 13, and the Lodge was regularly constituted and consecrated as Lisgar Lodge, No. 244 G. R. C. Then the Officers were Installed. Bro. George Black succeeded Bro. John Frazer as Worshipful Master, Bro. Thomas Bunn succeeded Bro. George Black as Senior Warden, and William J. Piton succeeded Bro. Thomas Bunn as junior Warden. Permission for the removal of the Lodge from Lower Fort Garry to Selkirk, Manitoba, was subsequently granted.

 

On April 19, 1871, a Dispensation was also issued by M.'. W.'. Bro. Alexander A. Stevenson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, to Bro. Frederick Y. Bradley, Worshipful Master, Bro. W. N. Drew, Senior Warden, Bro. James G. Milen, Junior Warden, and six others, to form and hold a Lodge to be designated as International Lodge, at North Pembina in the Province of Manitoba. This Lodge was never Instituted, however, but when the Dispensation was issued to Emerson Lodge, No. 6, in 1876 Bro. Bradley was named Master.

 

On September 19, 1872, a Dispensation was issued by M .'. W.‑. Bro. William M. Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, to Bro. James Henderson, Worshipful Master, Bro. Arthur H. Holland, Senior Warden, Bro. Walter F. Hyman, Junior Warden, and six others, to form and hold a Lodge OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND z3 to be designated as Ancient Landmark Lodge, at Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba. This Lodge was Instituted on December 16, 1872, a Charter was granted on July 9, 1873, the Lodge was regularly constituted and consecrated as Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 288 G. R. C., and its Officers were Installed.

 

After that no other Lodges were Instituted until 1875, but during that year a far more important step was decided upon, for it was then that the formation of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba was planned. The preliminary steps toward that goal were taken on April 28, 1875, when the following circular was issued: To the Worshipful Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, Officers, and other Brethren of the several Lodges of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in the Province of Manitoba:‑Brethren, at an influential meeting of the Brethren hailing from the different constitutionally Chartered Lodges of the Province, held in the City of Winnipeg, on the twenty‑eighth day of April, A. D. 1875, it was, after mature deliberation, unanimously resolved that a circular be forwarded to all the Lodges in this Province, requesting them to be duly represented at a Convention to be held in the Masonic Hall, in the City of Winnipeg, on Wednesday, the twelfth day of May, 1875, at three o'clock P.M., for the purpose of taking into consideration the present state of Masonry in this Province, and to proceed, if decided, to the formation of a Grand Lodge for the Province of Manitoba.

 

No doubt this undertaking was entered into with much misgiving on the part of many Masons. For 3 Lodges, having a combined membership of only 21o, to sever their connection with such a strong organisation as the Grand Lodge of Canada in order to undertake the direction of the affairs of a Grand Lodge in a new country sparsely settled, must have seemed to many a stupendous undertaking. But their action in this matter serves to show the character of the men who carried the project out to a successful issue. There is no finer accomplishment known to mankind than to gain the honour and respect accorded to those who rise above adverse and obscure conditions, and win. From the Proceedings of the Convention held on May 12, 1875, I quote the following resolutions, all of which were carried unanimously: Resolved, That we, the Representatives of the three Warranted Lodges being all the Lodges in this Province, in Convention assembled, Resolve, That " The Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons " be, and is hereby, formed upon the Ancient Charges and Constitution of Masonry.

 

Resolved, That in severing our connection from the Grand Lodge of Canada we desire to express our most profound gratitude to that venerable Body for the kind consideration and attention they have always displayed towards us, both as Lodges and individually, and we most ardently desire that the same parental feeling may always be entertained towards us by our mother Grand Lodge, our connection with which we will remember with the greatest pride and affection.

 

2‑4 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Resolved, That the Lodges in the Province be numbered on the Grand Register according to their seniority, viz: Prince Rupert's Lodge to be No. i, Lisgar Lodge to be No. 2, Ancient Landmark Lodge to be No. 3.

 

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to assist the M.. W.. Grand Master in preparing the address to sister Grand Lodges, and that R... W... Bro. James Henderson, Grand Senior Warden, R.‑. W.‑. Bro. John Kennedy, Grand Treasurer, and R.‑. W.‑. Bro. the Reverend Canon O'Meara, Grand Chaplain, be that Committee.

 

Then in his address before the Grand Lodge at its first Annual Communication held on June 14, 1876, M.‑. W.‑. Bro. W. C. Clarke, Grand Master, made the following approving statement: " the usual address to the sister Lodges was sent to all the Grand Bodies on the American continent, that to the European Grand Bodies being deferred till after this Communication, and I am happy to inform this Grand Lodge that in no single case has any fault been found with the constitutionality of our proceedure, but that in some instances I have been congratulated on behalf of the framers of the Grand Lodge by high Masonic authorities on the entire correctness of the steps which have been taken and the result attained. It is my pleasing duty to congratulate you upon the marked success which has so far attended your efforts in the interest of the royal Craft." The mother Grand Lodge of Canada was first to extend Fraternal intercourse with the newly‑formed Grand Lodge of Manitoba, under date of July 14, 1875. As the region became settled, other Lodges were formed in the dif ferent towns throughout the Province and throughout the Northwest Territories, the Grand Lodge of Manitoba having extended its Jurisdiction over the Districts of Alberta, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon Territory. By October 12, i9o5, there were 104 Lodges on the Grand Register, and there was a total membership of 5725. On that date 18 Lodges of the Province of Alberta met at Calgary and formed the Grand Lodge of Alberta. M.‑. W.. Bro. William G. Scott, Grand Master, who was present to Install the Officers of the new Grand Lodge, was elected an Honorary Past Grand Master. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, held in Winnipeg on June 13, 19o6, Fraternal recognition was extended, together with the most kindly greetings and the wish that success and prosperity would attend the new Grand Lodge, the first daughter Grand Lodge of the Grand Body of Manitoba. Then, on August 9, 19o6, 29 Lodges of the Province of Saskatchewan met at Regina and there formed the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, the second daughter Grand Lodge. At that meeting, M.''. W.‑. Bro. John McKechnie, Grand Master, and M.‑. W.‑. Bro. James A. Ovas, Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, who were present to Install the Officers of the new Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, were elected Honorary Past Grand Masters. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, held in Winnipeg on June 12, 1907, Fraternal recognition was also extended to the new Grand OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 25 Lodge of Saskatchewan and the same good wishes were expressed for its future well‑being as had been extended to its sister Grand Lodge of Alberta. At this Communication, Yukon Lodge, No. 79, of Dawson City, and White Horse Lodge, No. 81, of White Horse, in the Yukon Territory, applied to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba for permission to surrender their Charters and to be allowed to apply to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia for affiliation. The principal reason advanced for wating to make the change was stated as follows: " The Province of British Columbia is adjacent and contiguous to the Yukon Territory and bound to it by Commercial and other relations which cause continual intercourse between the residents of both Districts." Upon its receipt, this Petition was duly considered by the Board of General Purposes, and upon their recommendation it was granted by the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.

 

No history of Masonry in western Canada would be complete without an account of the life of M.‑. W .'. Bro. James A. Ovas. This faithful and distin guished Mason was born near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on July Zo, 18 He was Initiated in Manito Lodge of Collingwood, Ontario, in 1877, and shortly afterwards he turned his steps to the Great West at that time little known. For some years his business activities were centered in Souris, Manitoba, and in Rapid City. In both places his name appears in the local Masonic histories as an active member, an Officer, and a Worshipful Master. On June 13, 1900) the Grand Lodge of Manitoba elected him to be Grand Secretary, and on June 11, 1934, he was re‑elected for the thirty‑fifth consecutive term.

 

Bro. Ovas's interest in Masonic lore and activities has taken him into practically every branch of Masonic organisation. He was elected Grand Master of Manitoba in 18go. He reached the Thirty‑third Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry in October, 191o. To enumerate all the other Offices and memberships which he has held would occupy more space than is permitted in this brief review.

 

Among the honours which have been showered upon Bro. Ovas, one is represented by a Certificate which hangs framed above his desk in the Masonic Temple. It proclaims M.‑. W.‑. Bro. James A. Ovas to be a Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of England. Combining as it does his wide Fraternal interests and friendships and his fervent loyalty to the land of his forefathers, of all his honours this one is most treasured.

 

When Bro. Ovas was Grand Master, and later when he was elected to be Grand Secretary, his jurisdiction was the largest in area in the world. It extended from Ontario westward to the Rocky Mountains, and from the United States boundary northward to the limits of life. To‑day three Grand Lodges cover this territory. Of them all, Manitoba is numerically smallest. Bro. Ovas remains an inspiring figure, linking the pioneer past with the present, and projecting into a future whose horizon is limited only by his eighty‑one years, an influence and broad‑minded brotherhood which can never know decay. Passed away March 9, 1935.

 

 END PAGE 25  26 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION MARITIME PROVINCES REGINALD V. HARRIS* HE territory commonly known as the Maritime Provinces of Canada, which comprises Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, is to‑day under the jurisdiction of three Grand Lodges. Never theless, until some sixty years ago, the Masonic histories of those three jurisdictions were more or less closely interwoven, and it seems advisable therefore, at least in the earlier pages of this article, to consider as a single unit the entire territory now covered by the three jurisdictions.

 

The reader is doubtless familiar with the chief facts of the early history of the Maritime Provinces‑the early voyages and explorations of DeMonts and Champlain, and of other adventurers and colonisers; the founding of the first settlement at Port Royal, now Annapolis Royal, in 1604, and the numerous sieges of that place; the period of the French regime, which ended in Nova Scotia in 1710, fifty years before its termination in 1759‑176o; the two sieges of the great French stronghold of Louisbourg, the one in 1745 and the other in 1758; the founding of Halifax in 1749; the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755; the establishment of representative government in 1758; the period of the American War for Independence and the coming to Canada of the Loyalists in the period between 1775 and 1785; the setting off of the Provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton; the struggle for responsible government; the Confederation of most of British North America into the Dominion of Canada in 1867; and the subsequent economic and political development of the country to its present status. The story is intensely interesting, as all readers of Parkman, Murdock, and other capable historians can testify. Interesting though the complete history be, this article must, nevertheless, be confined only to the story of Freemasonry in the Maritime Provinces, a story which covers approximately two hundred years. Although some writers claim to have discovered evidence of Masonic activity dating back still farther, their alleged evidence is only inferred from known facts, or is based only on tradition. In fact, fiction and false hypotheses account for much of it.

 

In any history of the Craft in the Maritime Provinces, reference must first be made to the so‑called Annapolis Royal " Masonic Stone of 16o6. In 1827 the eminent geologist, Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, discovered a flat slab of trap rock on the shores of Annapolis Basin, In Nova Scotia. This stone which bore the Masonic Square and Compasses together with the date 16o6, was given to the Honourable Justice T. C. Haliburton, distinguished author of Sam Slick the Clock Maker. Then, about 1887 it was turned over by justice Haliburton's son to the Canadian Institue, in Toronto, for the purpose of being * In the reparation of the following article on Freemasonry in the Maritime Provinces, the writer gratefully ackowledges the he p and co‑operation of M.'. W:. Bro. James Vroom, Past Grand Master of New Brunswick, since deceased, and M::W..Bro. George W. Wakeford, Prince Edward Island.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 27 inserted, with the inscription exposed, in the wall of the Institute's building. Unfortunately, however, some of the workmen stupidly plastered the Stone over and embedded it in the wall of the building! It has since been completely lost. Although it would seem that the Stone once marked the grave of some early Brethren, exhaustive investigation by the writer leads him to believe that the Stone originally marked the grave of either a mason or stone‑cutter, or possibly of a carpenter, who died at Annapolis Royal, then called Port Royal, on November 14, 16o6, and that it was in no way connected with a Speculative Mason.

 

After the destruction of Port Royal by Argall of Virginia in 1614, the refugee inhabitants returned to the settlement, rebuilt their homes, and continued there until the advent of Sir William Alexander of Menstrie and his Scotch Colony, about 1628. Alexander had become the proprietor and grantee of the Colony under a patent from King James I (James VI of Scotland) in 1621. His powers and privileges were, therefore, virtually regal over the territory now comprising the Maritime Provinces and parts of what is now known as the State of Maine in the United States and of Quebec in present day Canada. This vast territory was designated Nova Scotia in the patent. Associated with Sir William in this '' undertaking were Sir Alexander Strachan of Thornton, Sir Anthony Alexander and his son, and William, Earl Marshall. After exploratory expeditions and j financial difficulties which threatened to destroy the venture, Sir William sent { out his son, also known as Sir William, with four vessels and seventy‑two set tlers. In the spring of 1628 these men took possession of the old French fort. After two years of struggle, Sir William the Younger returned to Scotland, leaving Sir George Home (or Horne) in charge of the Colony. But the Scotch j rule of the Colony was destined to be short lived. With the Peace of St. Germain en‑Laye, made in 1632, the whole of Nova Scotia was restored to France, and a majority of Alexander's settlers returned to Scotland, though some joined the Puritan Colony at Boston, in Massachusetts Bay Colony, and others settled in the French settlement at La Havre, in Nova Scotia. As partial compensation for his losses, the elder Sir William was created Viscount Stirling and Viscount Canada. His son thereupon assumed the honorary title of Lord Alexander.

 

This bit of history is given by way of introduction to the statement that in the Minutes of the Lodge of Edinburgh is found a Record which states that on " the 3rd day of Joulay, 1634," Lord Alexander the Younger, Sir Alexander Strachan, and Sir Anthony Alexander, who was at the time " Master of the Work " to Charles I, were " admitet felowe off the Craft." Inasmuch as no other Record of Lord Alexander's Masonic career has been found, it has been suggested that he may have been Initiated into the Craft during his stay in his Nova Scotia Colony.

 

As the reader may know, the Records of Freemasonry in Scotland show that the Speculative element was introduced into the Lodges of that country at a somewhat earlier date than it was into the English Lodges, and it would, of course, be equally possible for a Lodge to have existed in the Scotch Colony as to have existed in Scotland itself. Other than what has been stated here, s s a i 28 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION however, the theory of Lord Alexander's Initiation in Nova Scotia has nothing to support it. It is dismissed by most trustworthy writers as being mythical. It is unnecessary here to follow the fortunes of the settlement at Port Royal through the vicissitudes of the next hundred years. Nevertheless, it should be recalled that the main events of the century were the capture of the fortress by Colonel Sedgewick, in 1654; its cession to France by the Treaty of Breda, in 1667; its capture by Sir William Phips in 16go; the various other sieges of it from time to time, both before and after its capture by Colonel Nicholson in 171o, at which time it was renamed Annapolis Royal; and its cession to Britain by France according to the terms of the Peace of Utrecht in 1713.

 

Although it is unlikely that Freemasonry existed among the French or English settlers in the Colony during this early period, there are some who argue that it did. There is in the library of the Grand Lodge of Massachu setts a work entitled Ahiman Rezon: A Concise of Account of the Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in the Province of Nova Scotia from the First Settlement of It to This Present Time‑1786, in which the following statement is made: "From Europe the Royal Art crossed the Atlantic with the first emigrants and settled in various parts of America. It is said to have been known in Nova Scotia while that region was in the hands of the French. This statement could not have been based upon knowledge of the " Masonic Stone " of 16o6, or upon the theory regarding Lord Alexander's Initiation, however, for the " Masonic Stone " was not discovered until 1827, and the evidence of Alexander's membership was not made public until long after 1786, the year in which the statement was published. In fact, research has so far failed to corroborate the statement that Freemasonry was known among the French settlers. It is not impossible, however, that generations may discover and bring to light evidence to support the supposition of the author of Ahiman Rezon.

 

In this same work, it is also stated that " it is certain that as soon as the English took possession ` of the Colony ' they took care to encourage this charitable institution (Freemasonry)." Just what " certain " evidence in support of this statement existed in 1786 is not known, but there is a sort of corroboration in a statement of M.'. W.‑. Bro. Major‑General J. Wimburn Laurie, Grand Master of Nova Scotia. In his address to the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia in 1884, Bro. Laurie referred to the receipt of a photographic copy of the Ledger of St. John's Lodge, at Philadelphia, dated 1731, which had been sent to him as evidence that the Lodge at Philadelphia was the first Masonic Lodge to be organised in America during the Colonial period. But we know that Bro. Laurie was not completely convinced by the evidence, for in the same address he went on to say that " from circumstances that have come to my knowledge, I believe it to be quite within the bounds of possibility that evidence will in due time be forthcoming that a Masonic Lodge regularly met and transacted Masonic business at a much earlier date than 1731 in our own Province. I have been for some time promised the documents by a gentleman who is not a member of the Craft, and I trust his disinterested efforts to obtain OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 2.9 them will be successful. I may be disappointed either in obtaining the documents or in their authenticity, so I hesitate to say more." Bro. Laurie had previously made a similar statement when addressing the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1883. At that time he stated that " certain antiquarians " had " recently discovered what they. were inclined to believe were the vestiges of a Masonic Lodge which had existed in Nova Scotia very early in the eighteenth century." In any case, any Masonic activity in Nova Scotia prior to 1731 must have been either at Annapolis Royal, then the capital, or at Canso, a good‑sized settlement, especially during the fishing season when as many as 2.000 New Englanders made it the base of operations. Since the population of Canso was not permanent, however, the social life there was meager in comparison with that of Annapolis Royal. Furthermore, since the military detachment at Canso was a detail from Philipps' Regiment, which was quartered at Annapolis Royal, we strongly incline to the belief that any Lodge which may have existed in Nova Scotia prior to 1731 was located at Annapolis Royal and not at Caiiso.

 

From its capture in 1710, until 17So and afterwards, the closest sort of intercourse, military, civil, commercial, and social, existed between Annapolis Royal and Boston. The Council of the Province of Nova Scotia was composed almost entirely of Boston men, and it is a curious fact that all those men from Boston were closely identified with King's Chapel, where tradition says a Lodge was held about 172.0 or 172.1. With all these facts in mind, and after making exhaustive investigation, the writer believes that there was a Masonic Lodge, or at least Masonic activity, at Annapolis Royal between 1720 and 172.6, and that this activity ceased some time between 1726 and 1738. In the latter year a Lodge was established there by Major Erasmus James Philipps, who was one of the soldiers of Philipp's Regiment.

 

This regiment, known later as the 40th Foot of the British Army, was organised at Annapolis Royal in 1717 with the governor, Colonel Richard Philipps, as its commanding officer. Major Erasmus James Philipps, a nephew of Governor Richard Philipps, was made a Mason in Boston, Massachusetts, while he, together with William Sheriff, Dr. William Skene, and Colonel Otho Hamilton, was in Boston to serve as one of the Commissioners chosen to establish the boundaries of Massachusetts Bay and Rhode Island. The Records of " The First Lodge of Boston " show that the date of Bro. Philipps' Initiation was November 14, 1737. At that time Bro. William Sheriff also affiliated with the Boston Lodge. Since Sheriff had been a resident of Annapolis Royal continuously from 1716 until 1737, it is evident that he must have been made a Mason in that place.

 

In The Boston Gazette of March 13, 1738, a notice states that Henry Price, of the Boston Lodge, had appointed Major Philipps to be Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia. On the occasion of his next visit to Boston, in April 1739, Philipps' name is accompanied by that title in the Minutes of St. John's Lodge there. On returning to Annapolis in June 1738, Philipps took with him 30 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION a Deputation from Henry Price empowering him to form a Lodge at Annapolis Royal. The Record says that " Mr. Price granted a Deputation at Ye Petition of sundry Brethren at Annapolis in Nova Scotia to hold a Lodge there." This statement leads us to believe that the Petition was undoubtedly signed not only by Philipps and Sheriff, but also by Colonel Otho Hamilton, who had resided continuously at Annapolis Royal from 1717, and by Dr. William Skene, a resident there since 1715. These facts establish the existence of Masonic activity in Annapolis Royal prior to 172‑7, when Philipps joined the little garrison there. The Lodge established in 1738 was in reality a Military Lodge attached to Philipps' Regiment. Therefore, when the regiment left the town in 1758 to participate in the second siege of Louisbourg, the Lodge left with it. This Lodge is frequently referred to in the Proceedings of the St. John's Grand Lodge, of Boston, between the years 1738 and 1767. Soon after leaving Annapolis Royal, the regiment participated in the siege of Quebec in 1759, and in the capture of Montreal in 176o. Although we know little about the Lodge's activities, we do know that it became dormant before 181o, for in that year the Brethren, then engaged in the Peninsular War in Spain, applied for an Irish Warrant. This was granted as No. 2‑04. Later, in 182‑1, while the regiment was stationed in Ireland, Masonic members of it applied for a second Warrant. This Warrant, issued as No. 2‑84, was surrendered in 1858. The regiment, now known as the South Lancashire Regiment, has seen gallant service in every part of the world; it is notably distinguished for its part in the Great War.

 

By the Treaty of Utrecht, made in 1713, it was provided that, with the exception of Cape Breton, all Nova Scotia should be ceded to Great Britain. The French at once took possession of the island and renamed it Isle Royale. Then they removed a number of families from Placentia, Newfoundland, which had been ceded to Great Britain, to Havre a 1'Anglais, which they renamed Louisbourg. Immediately afterwards they set about to fortify Louisbourg. For the next twenty‑five years or more, the French spent huge sums of money on fortifications, thus rendering the fortress there one of the most inaccessible strongholds in the world. In the opinion of military strategists of the day, the natural position of the fortress, strengthened as it was by all the arts and devices of military science, made it well‑nigh impregnable and justified its title‑" The Dunkirk of America." During the period of construction a great deal of commerce developed among the French and English colonists. To feed the great army of builders and to transport the vast supplies of building materials required was no small task, for supplies were imported from French Canada, the Island of St. John, now Prince Edward Island, the French West Indies, and from Boston and other New England settlements.

 

It is significant that at about this time the Register of the Grand Lodge of England records that the Earl of Darnley, Grand Master, appointed Captain Robert Comyno (or Comins) to be Provincial Grand Master for Cape Breton and Louisbourg. The entry in the Register is repeated under date of 1738, with the additional words, " excepting such places where a Provincial Grand Master is OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 31 already appointed." Comins was one of the New England traders, and since at that time there were no Masonic Lodges among the French in Cape Breton, the appointment must have been made with a view to benefiting the hundreds of New Englanders who frequented both Louisbourg and Canso, at which latter place at least a nucleus for a Masonic meeting existed among the officers of Philipps' Regiment.

 

On March 18, 1744, France declared war against Great Britain, and word was immediately sent to Louisbourg by a fast sailing vessel. At once the French governor fitted out an expedition for the purpose of capturing Canso. The ex pedition was successful, and Canso surrendered to the French forces on May 24, 1744. Among the vessels engaged in this expedition was one commanded by Lewis Doloboratz (or Delabraz), who had charge of its ninety‑four men. After the capture of Canso, Doloboratz then cruised along the coast of New England, searching for evidence of the enemy's commerce. In course of time he encountered Captain Edward Tyng, in the Prince of Orange, Massachusetts' first man‑of‑war. After a spirited running fight which lasted from nine o'clock one morning until two o'clock the following morning, Tyng overhauled the French vessel, compelled Commander Doloboratz to lower his colours, and brought ship and crew into Boston as a prize of war. While there, Doloboratz was allowed a great deal of liberty, and on October io, 1744, Bro. Henry Price proposed him as a candidate for Masonry in the " First Lodge of Boston. " On that occasion, Bro. Price " acquainted the Lodge " that Doloboratz was " a gentleman, who, being a prisoner of war, was thereby reduced, but as he might be serviceable (when at home) to any Brother whom Providence might cast in his way, it was desired he might be excused the expense of his making, provided each Brother would contribute his cloathing, which the Rt. Worsh'1 Mas'r was pleas'd to put to vote when it was carried in affirmative by Dispensation from the Rt. W. Master & Warder. Upon acct. of his leaving the Province very soon, he was ballotted in, introduced, & made a Mason in due form. Bro. P. Pelham moved that the Sec'r grant Bro. Delabraz a letter of recommendation. " The French raid on Canso and their attack against Annapolis aroused the most intense feeling against France in the New England colonies, where the accounts, brought by traders and other travellers, had already caused no small amount of alarm. Believing that Louisbourg would be made the base of operations again the British colonies in America in the coming war, the New Englanders at once adopted the bold course of making an effort to reduce the great stronghold. For this purpose a force of some 4300 men was raised in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. This force was then placed under the command of Colonel William Pepperell, who was to undertake the enterprise in co‑operation with a British squadron under the command of Commodore Warren. Among the officers in the New England forces was a surprisingly large number of Freemasons, several of whom were to win distinction in the Craft later on.

 

32‑ FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION The transports left New England in March and gathered at Canso, the place of rendezvous. There the troops were drilled, and a junction was made with the squadron under Warren. Then on April 29 the British forces left Canso, and the next day they landed some few miles from the city of Louisbourg. In attempting to prevent the landing, the French sent a small detachment under the command of Anthony de la Boularderie, son of the grantee of Boularderie Island, in the Bras d'or Lakes, Cape Breton, and a former lieutenant in the regiment of Richelieu. Boularderie had taken part in the Canso expedition in May 1744, and upon hearing of this British attack on Louisbourg, he had offered his services to Governor Duchambon. The French party, hopelessly outnumbered by some ten to one, soon lost six members. After exchanging a few shots, they turned and fled, leaving behind them, besides their dead, some six or seven prisoners, including Boularderie, and several wounded.

 

The sequel to this little sortie by the French is to be found in the Minute Book of St. John's Lodge, of Boston. The gallant officer and his comrades, being prisoners of war, were removed in due time to Boston, where they were allowed considerable liberty, and where they made a good impression on the authorities and the people in general. It is not surprising, then, that on August 14, 1745, Anthony de la Boularderie and Peter Philip Charles St. Paul, another French prisoner of war, were made Masons in St. John's Lodge. This fact is stated in the Record of the Lodge in the following words: " Wednesday, August: 14th 1745, being Lodge Night, Bro. Price propos'd Mr. P. S. S. Paul and Bro. Audibert propos'd Mr. Anton: D. Laboulerdree as Candidates & were Ballotted in, and by reason the Candidates were but sojourners they were made Masons in due form." Subsequently, Bro. Boularderie was sent to France with a certificate stating that he had behaved like a gentleman and had been of great service to the other prisoners of war placed in his charge. This certificate had been signed and sealed on September 2, 1745, by various distinguished citizens of Boston, among whom were members of the governor's council, and Benjamin Pemberton, its secretary.

 

During the next three years the British kept nearly 4000 troops in the garrison at Louisbourg. Although the New Englanders were gradually relieved of military duty, their places were taken by British regiments of regular sol diers. Fuller's Regiment (29th), three companies of Franpton's (30th), Regiment with Lodge No. 85 (Irish Registry), and Warburton's (45th) Regiment arrived in 1746. At about the same time, two other regiments, Shirley's (50th) and Pepperell's (66th), were raised in the American colonies. But the Peace of Aix‑la‑Chapelle, signed in October, 1748, ceded Louisbourg and Cape Breton to France. Consequently, in July, 1749, Shirley's and Pepperell's regiments were disbanded, and Hopson's (29th) and Warburton's (45th) were transferred to the new British settlement of Halifax.

 

During this disturbing period from 1745 to 1749, Freemasonry was undoubtedly active at Louisbourg. For example, it was during this time that the appointment of Captain Robert Comins as Provincial Grand Master for Cape OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 33 Breton and Louisbourg was renewed by Lord Cranstoun, Grand Master of England. Furthermore, on January 14, 1747, Comins affiliated with the " First Lodge of Boston," also known as " St. John's Lodge." Among the New England forces there were also scores of Masons, among them Captain Henry Sherburne and Captain Joseph Sherburne, of the New Hampshire forces; David Wooster and Nathan Whiting, of the Connecticut forces; and Richard Gridley, Estes Hatch, Benjamin Ives, John Osborne, and Joshua Loring, of the Massachusetts regiments.

 

During this early period Placentia, in Newfoundland, was garrisoned by a detachment of the 40th Regiment from Annapolis Royal. It is significant that on December 24, 1746, " at the Petition of Sundry Brethren residing at in Newfoundland," the Grand Master of Massachusetts, Thomas Oxnard, '` granted a Constitution for a Lodge to be held there." For the next twentyone years the name of the Lodge appears in the Records of the St. John's Grand Lodge of Boston, as having been " not represented " at meetings of the Grand Lodge.

 

In 1749 the British Government resolved upon the establishment of a British settlement in Nova Scotia. Several thousand families, under the leadership of Hon. Edward Cornwallis, were therefore settled on Chebucto Bay, and the present city of Halifax was laid out. Cornwallis had already been the founder of a Masonic Lodge among the soldiers of the Zoth Foot Regiment. This Lodge was afterwards known as Minden Lodge, having been named after the battle of that name in which the regiment had played a conspicuous part. It was in this Lodge that Major‑General James Wolfe, the hero of Louisbourg and Quebec, is believed to have been made a Mason. Early in 1750, Cornwallis and a number of other Brethren applied to the St. John's Grand Lodge at Boston for a Deputation. They were, however, referred to Erasmus James Philipps, Provincial Grand Master, and to him they next presented their Petition. A copy of that Petition, in the handwriting of Philipps, is now to be found in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

 

The Lodge, known as the First Lodge of Halifax, was organised on July 19, 1750, when " Lord Colville and a number of Navy Gentlemen were Entered Apprentices of the Lodge.'' Later, Lord Colville received his other Degrees in St. John's Lodge, of Boston. After that he was for several years closely identified with Boston Masonry, at one time becoming Deputy Grand Master there. Cornwallis, the first Master of the First Lodge of Halifax, was succeeded in 1752 by Governor Charles Lawrence, who presided until his death in 1760. In March, 1751, a second Lodge was formed at Halifax, but it was probably short lived, for we find no record of it in the Proceedings of either the Grand Lodge of England or of the St. John's Grand Lodge of Boston.

 

In 1757 the Brethren of Halifax, all members of the " First Lodge " and all owing allegiance to Modern principles, Petitioned and received from the Ancient Grand Lodge of England, a Provincial Grand Lodge Warrant. This Warrant, No. 65, was the first of its kind ever issued by the Ancients. At the 34 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION same time, Warrants were also received for two subordinate Lodges. These were numbered 66 and 67. The Grand Lodge, thus Warranted, functioned under the leadership of Philipps, who served as Provincial Grand Master until his death in 176o, and then under the leadership of the Hon. Jonathan Belcher, chief justice, until his death in 1776. On receipt of these Warrants, in 1758, the " First Lodge," which had been founded by Cornwallis, was divided into three Lodges. Two of these Lodges Worked under the new Warrants‑No. 66 of the Ancients of England (No. z on the Provincial Register), and No. 67 of the Ancients of England (No. 3 on the Provincial Register), and Warrant No. 4 on the Provincial Register. Two other Warrants‑No. 5 issued (before 1768) and No. 6 (issued in 1769)‑were granted to Lodges in the 59th and 64th Regiments while they were stationed at Halifax. In 1768, Lodge No. 4 and Lodge No. 5 were registered on the Ancient English Register as Lodge No. 155 and Lodge No. 156, respectively. Lodge No. 4, part of the original " First Lodge," has continued uninterruptedly to the present time and is now known as St. Andrew's Lodge, No. i, on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia, the oldest Lodge not only in Canada but also in the British Empire overseas.

 

In 1758 the British Government again resolved to reduce Louisbourg in Cape Breton. For that purpose a large fleet of transports, conveying military forces under Major‑General Amherst and Major‑General Wolfe, was assembled at Halifax. The siege lasted from June 2 to July 26, when the French forces surrendered and the stronghold passed forever into the possession of the British. The troops engaged in this memorable siege were the 1st, 15th, 17th, ZZd, 28th, 35th 4oth, 45th, 47th, 48th, and 58th Foot Regiments; two battalions of the Royal American (both) Regiment, and Fraser's (78th) Highlanders. Of those regiments, all but four are known to have had Lodges attached to them at the time of the siege. It is also known that within a short time after the siege, Lodges were also attached to the four exceptions.

 

In passing it should be noted that the Lodge attached to the 1st Foot Regiment, Lodge No. 11, was the first Military Lodge ever established. It remained in existence until 1847. It is also interesting that Lodge No. 74, at tached to the Zd battalion of this regiment while at Louisbourg, later wintered at Albany, New York, and while there " granted a Deputation " to form the Lodge which is now listed as Lodge No. 3 on the New York Registry.

 

The Lodge in the ZZd Regiment, while wintering at Louisbourg, Worked under an Irish Warrant. This Warrant, we are told, " was lost the following year in the Mississippi." Then, in 176o, the regiment was stationed at Crown Point, New York. Shortly afterwards the Brethren applied for a Scottish Warrant under the title of Moriah Lodge, No. 132. In 1782 the ZZd Regiment was stationed at New York City and there united on December 5 of that year, the Lodge attached to it with eight other Lodges to form the Grand Lodge of New York.

 

The Warrant for the Lodge in the 28th Regiment was granted on November 13, 1758, by Colonel Richard Gridley, Junior Grand Warden of the St. John's OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 35 Grand Lodge of Boston, and a member of the British expeditionary forces. In the following year the regiment and its Lodge were at Quebec.

 

Immediately after the surrender of Louisbourg, Lord Rollo, himself a distinguished and enthusiastic Scottish Freemason, was sent in command of a force to take St. John's Island, now known as Prince Edward Island. There is good ground for believing that Lord Rollo's soldiers may have conferred Masonic honours during their sojourn on the island.

 

In the course of its long history as a garrison city, Halifax has been visited by nearly every regiment of the British Army. Furthermore, from 1749 to 1800, Lodges flourished in practically all the many regiments which visited the city.

 

From a Masonic point of view, the period of the American War for Independence, from 1775 to 1785, was an especially active era in Halifax. At that time many of the Lodges Worked under Irish Warrants. For example, the Lodge attached to the 46th Foot Regiment, No. 227, Working under an Irish Warrant, was established in 1752. Known as the Lodge of Social and Military Virtues, it was located at Halifax in 1757 and 1758, during which time it is recorded as having been " very active, doing good and effective Work, while associated with the Brethren throughout the Province." From this Lodge the presentday Lodge of Antiquity, No. 1, of Montreal, claims descent.

 

Lodge No. 58, attached to the 14th Foot Regiment, and Lodge 322, attached to the 29th Foot Regiment, were in Halifax from 1765 to 1768. Proceeding thence to Boston, the regiments later took part in that unfortunate affair known as the Boston Massacre. Notwithstanding the intense excitement prevailing in Boston at the time, the members of those two Lodges seem to have fraternized with the Boston Brethren and actually to have assisted them in organising a Provincial Grand Lodge under Scottish authority.

 

Lodge No. 136, attached to the 17th Regiment, was at Annapolis Royal from 1756 to 1758, whence it proceeded to Louisbourg, and later to Quebec, where it took part in the capture of that city in 1759. The next year it was lo cated at Montreal. On returning to England, the Lodge, under the title of Unity Lodge, took a new Warrant, which was registered as No. 169. At that time the Lodge's other two Warrants were reported as having been lost through " the Hazardous Enterprises in which they (the Lodge's members) had been engaged." As a matter of fact, one of those earlier Warrants, together with the Lodge jewels, funds, and Records, and the baggage of the regiment, had been captured by the Americans in 1777, while they were being transferred by sea from New York to Philadelphia. Soon afterwards the Brethren had applied for, and obtained, from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, another Warrant, No. 18. The Lodge actually'continued on the Roll of the Pennsylvania Grand Lodge throughout the remainder of the war. In 1779, during the fighting at Stony Point, this Warrant was also captured. Later, however, it was returned by General Parsons, of the American Army, under a flag of truce. It was also accompanied by a fraternal letter. The regiment served throughout the war until peace was declared in 1783. At that time it removed to Shelburne, 3 6 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Nova Scotia, then only a garrison town. There it remained until 1786. To‑day there are in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia a number of letters which were exchanged between the Brethren of that Military Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, all of the most friendly and fraternal nature.

 

Many of those early Military Lodges, especially those possessing Irish Warrants, conferred many of the higher Degrees, the variety of the Degree being limited only by the Lodge's knowledge of the ceremonies connected with it. Chief among the Degrees were those of the Royal Arch and of the Knights Templar. The earliest record of the former's having been conferred in Halifax dates back to 1760, which makes it one of the earliest on the American continent. Besides, there is good ground for believing that the Degree was conferred in Halifax at even an earlier date, perhaps as early as 1757, and probably even before that. In fact the 14th, 29th, and 64th Regiments were stationed at Halifax during the period from 1765 to 1768 before their transfer to Boston, where in 1769, they organised St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, and where in the same year they conferred the Royal Arch and the Knights Templar Degrees. This is usually regarded as being the first time the former Degree was ever conferred anywhere in the world. Undoubtedly the regimental Lodges conferred the Excellent, Super‑Excellent, Royal Arch, and Knights Templar Degrees in Halifax during the period of their stay there.

 

We may be sure that the candidates on whom those Degrees were conferred continued the Work, for there are in existence today the Minutes and Records of meetings of a Royal Arch Chapter at Halifax, dating from 1780 to the present. This Chapter is now known as Royal Union Chapter No. 1. There are also Minutes and Records of the meeting of a Knights Templar Encampment, dating from September, 1782 to 1806. This Encampment was revived in 1839, and is still working. Now known as Antiquity Preceptory, it is probably the oldest Preceptory outside the British Isles. In fact, if it is antedated at all, it is antedated only by the Baldwyn Encampment of Bristol, England, the earliest reference to which goes back to January 25, 1772. Halifax also possesses the earliest Records of the Mark Degree on this continent; these date back to 1780.

 

On the death of the Hon. Jonathan Belcher, Provincial Grand Master, in 1776, the Provincial Grand Lodge became dormant, leaving St. Andrew's Lodge, then Ancients Lodge, No. 155, and a Modern Lodge, which had succeeded Lodge No. 2 on the Provincial Registry, the only Lodges in the Province. The latter died out about 1781, owing largely to aggressiveness of the rival Lodge, which had assumed the authority of a Grand Lodge.

 

In 1780 through the efforts of this remaining Lodge, and with the assistance of Loyalist Brethren who had recently arrived from New England and New York, St. John's Lodge, now Lodge No. 2 on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia, was established. Shortly afterwards St. John's Lodge received a Warrant from the Ancients‑Warrant No. 211. Later, this Lodge, acting jointly with St. Andrew's Lodge, granted a Dispensation for Union Lodge, an offshoot of St. Andrew's. Beginning in 1781, these three Lodges held Quarterly Communica‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 37 tions for the welfare of the Craft in the Province. The beginnings of Masonry in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, at that time forming part of Nova Scotia, were originally derived from this Body and its constituent Lodges.

 

In 1778, because of an attack which had been made on the settlement on St. John's Island in 1775 by American privateers, the British authorities sent four provincial, or independent, companies of infantry from New York to Charlottetown, under the command of Major Timothy Hierlihy. Among the officers and men of those companies were a number of Freemasons, and in May 1781 a Petition was presented to St. Andrew's and St. John's Lodges, in Halifax, praying for a Dispensation for a Lodge in the corps, to be known as St. George's Lodge. This Lodge, the first on the island, was most active until October 1783 when the corps was transfrred to Halifax and merged with the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment. The Lodge was then disbanded. Its Records are now preserved in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

 

On January 21, 1782, St. Andrew's and St. John's Lodges issued a Dispensation to form Virgin Lodge " in Major Anthony Farrington's Company in the Fourth Battalion of His Majesty's Royal Regiment of Artillery." The Lodge Worked under this Dispensation until October 1784, when it was granted a Warrant by the newly‑formed Provincial Grand Lodge. It was then registered as No. 2, and its name was changed to Artillery Lodge. Sixteen years later the original name was resumed by authority of the Grand Lodge. To‑day this Body is Lodge No. 3 on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia.

 

Later in the same year a Dispensation was also granted by the Lodges forming a Quarterly Communication for a Lodge to be formed in the 82d Regiment, known as the Duke of Hamilton's. Later, in 1783, its‑ return from par ticipation in the War for American Independence, the regiment was disbanded at Halifax and the men were settled at Pictou Landing. It is interesting to know that prior to the issuance of the Dispensation for Thistle Lodge, Captain John Moore of the 82d Regiment was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, No. 211. Captain Moore had greatly distinguished himself in the Penobscot expedition of 1781. In later life he became " the finest trainer of men the British Army has ever known." He died in i8o9 in the masterly retreat on Corunna during the Peninsular War in Spain. As a result of the Loyalist emigration from New York in 1783 the Province of New Brunswick was the next year set off from Nova Scotia. This was followed by the incorporation of the city of St. John in 1785. The first trace of Masonic activity in New Brunswick dates from 1783. On January 29 of that year the Provincial Grand Lodge of New York granted a Warrant to Samuel Ryerse and others to form a Lodge to be known as St. George's Lodge, No. 2, in the 3d Battalion of the New Jersey Volunteers, also known as DeLancey's Regiment because it was commanded by Colonel James DeLancey. The Rev. William Walter, Grand Master of New York, was chaplain of this regiment. When the regiment was disbanded in that year many of its members settled along the St John River, either at, or near, Maugerville. Here the Brethren continued their Work under their New York Warrant until OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 39 and Virginia; such relations were also established with the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland. The first project undertaken by this Provincial Grand Lodge was the erection of a building for its own accommodation and for the accommodation of the local Lodges which up to then had met in various taverns. Progress was slow at first, but finally, in 18oo, H.R.H., Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, Provincial Grand Master for Lower Canada, laid the cornerstone of the new building on the site still occupied by the Craft's Temple. As a memento of this occasion, a punch‑bowl, emblazoned with the arms of the ' Ancients," was presented by the Prince to St. Andrew's Lodge. This punchbowl is still preserved as one of the valuable treasures of the Provincial Grand Lodge. At this celebration the two Lodges in the Prince's Regiment, the Royal Fusiliers, took part in the procession. From then on. St. John's Day, in June, was invariably celebrated with a Grand Lodge procession to historic St. Paul's Church, while St. John's Day, in December, was marked by the Installation of Lodge Officers and a Grand Lodge banquet. Participation of the Craft in the public celebrations of the time are frequently noted in the Minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge. Among the events celebrated were the victories of Lord Nelson at Copenhagen, at the Nile, and at Trafalgar; the laying of the corner‑stone of the Province House in 1811, and of Dalhousie College in 1820; and the completion of the Shubenacadie Canal in 1826.

 

During the forty‑five‑year period of this Provincial Grand Lodge's existence, only six men held the Office of Provincial Grand Master. John George Pyke, who served in 1784 and 1785 and again from 1811 to 1820, was one of the original settlers of Halifax. He represented the city many years in the Legislature and also served as its police magistrate. He was made a Mason in the " First Lodge." His apron, which he wore as Provincial Grand Master, now hangs in the Grand Lodge Museum. The Hon. John Parr, who served from 1786 to 1891, had been governor of Nova Scotia from 1782 to 1786. Later, from 1786 to 1791, he was lieutenant‑governor of Nova Scotia. The Hon. Richard Bulkeley, who served from 1792 to 18oo, was aide‑de‑camp to Governor Cornwallis in 1749, secretary of the Province from 1759 to 1793; and judge in admiralty and master of the rolls. He died in 18oo at the age of eighty‑three years. Dr. Duncan Clark who succeeded him, and served during 18oi, was a prominent physician of his day, and a member of a literary group which included the Duke of Kent and other social leaders of Halifax. Sir John Wentworth, Bart , Provincial Grand Master from 1802 to 1810, was born at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1737. Several years after graduating from Harvard, he became governor of New Hampshire, an office which he held from 1767 to 1776. He succeeded the Hon. John Parr as lieutenant‑governor of Nova Scotia, and served from 1792 to 1808. John Albro, Provincial Grand Master from 1820 to 1839, was a prominent Halifax merchant. He held the highest Office in the Provincial Grand Lodge for nineteen years. He also represented Halifax in the Legislature from 1818 to 1822.

 

Many of the Lodges forming the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia have exerted 40 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION an important influence on the Craft. Reference has already been made to several of them. St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 155, successor to the First Lodge of Halifax which was established in 175o, and is now known as Lodge No. 1, Grand Register of Nova Scotia, is the Mother Lodge of Masonry in the Maritime Provinces. During the middle years of the eighteenth century it took a leading part in the Grand Lodge's activities, contributed generously to the project of erecting the Masonic Hall, and had the support of the leading merchants of the town. St. John's Lodge, No. 211, now Lodge No. z, Grand Register of Nova Scotia, had on its Rolls a brilliant list of distinguished names, chiefly military, naval, and professional. This Lodge vied with St. Andrew's Lodge in taking a prominent part in the Grand Lodge affairs. Union Lodge, No. i, Provincial Register of Nova Scotia, was recruited from the naval officers of the warships which frequently visited Halifax. It never exerted any marked influence on Masonic affairs, and finally encountered such difficulties that it became dormant about 1835. Virgin Lodge, later Artillery Lodge, No. 2, and now Virgin Lodge, No. 3, on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia, was originally established in the Royal Artillery in 1782, but almost immediately thereafter it became a civilian Lodge. Throughout this Lodge's long history, its membership Roll is equally as distinguished as is that of St. John's Lodge, No. 2.

 

Other Halifax Lodges of this period were Cornwallis Lodge, No. 15, which was established in 1786 and ceased Working in 18o2‑ Royal Navy Lodge, No. 18, which existed between 1787 and 1804, and provided a Masonic Home for numerous men; Royal Nova Scotia Regiment Lodge, No. 24, which existed between 1793 and 18o2 and was composed of officers of the regiment belonging to the leading families of the town. Sir John Wentworth, the commanding officer of the regiment, acted as Worshipful Master. The disbanding of the regiment, however, terminated the Lodge's career; Trinity Lodge, No. 30, which was established in 1803 and closed its Lights in 181o; and Royal Standard Lodge, No. 39, which was organised in 1815 in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Artillery, and has continued to the present day. It is composed principally of military and naval men. This Lodge has held an English Warrant since 1829. Its members, like those of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. i, enjoy the distinction of being entitled to wear the Centennial Jewel of the Grand Lodge of England. Royal Standard Lodge, No. 39, and St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 1, are, indeed, the only two Lodges in the New World to hold that honour.

 

Freemasonry in Sydney was organised in 1786 under the Warrant for Sydney Lodge, No. 16. This Lodge lasted until 1798, when owing to dissension within the Lodge, the Grand Lodge withdrew the Warrant. Two years later, however, the Grand Lodge issued a new Warrant for Harmony Lodge, No. 28. This new Lodge was composed of part of the membership of the older Lodge. Then, in 18oo, the rival portion of the old Lodge also obtained an English Warrant and formed a Lodge known as Cape Breton Lodge, No. 326. In 1818 Harmony Lodge, No. 28, joined its rival, and the merged Lodge continued active until 1830. Then followed a period of dormancy which lasted OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 41 thirteen years, at the end of which time the Lodge was revived and an English Warrant applied for. This Warrant was granted under the name of the St. Andrew's Lodge of Cape Breton, and was registered as No. 732.. The Lodge is now Lodge No. 7 on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia.

 

Another present‑day Lodge which dates from this period is St. George's Lodge, No. 2.o, of Wolfville, organised at Cornwallis, in 1784, as Lodge No. i 1. Still another Lodge of this period was New Caledonia Lodge, No. 35, estab lished at Pictou in 18io. This Lodge can be traced until 1838, when it seems to have become dormant. Then, in 1849, it was revived, and at that time it received an English Warrant registered as No. 82.6. It is now Lodge No. 11 on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia. Unity Lodge, No. 44, established at Lunenburg in 182.1, has also continued to the present day. Now known as Lodge No. 4 on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia, it is one of the most influential Lodges in the Province.

 

During the period from 1781 to 1790, the city of Shelburne, formed by Loyalists from New York, was the centre of a good deal of Masonic activity. During that time several New York Lodges were virtually transplanted to the new settlement, and there they continued their Work under Nova Scotia Warrants. Among these was Parr Lodge, No. 3, which was Instituted by the Rev. William Walter, Provincial Grand Master of New York in 1784. It was composed largely of members of Lodge No. 169, of New York. In spite of the later decline of Shelburne, the Lodge continued to Work until 18og. Likewise, Lodge No. 4, also of Shelburne, was composed of members of Lodge No. 169, of New York. Because of local dissension, this Lodge was never Instituted, however. Almost equally short lived was Solomon Lodge, No. 5, which was organised in New York in 1783 under the " sanction " of Lodge No. 2.12. This Lodge later Worked at Shelburne from 1784 to 1786. The history of Hiram Lodge, No. 1o, likewise located at Shelburne, is very different, for it had a long and noteworthy record and outlived all difficulties until 182‑9. Since Shelburne was at that time also a garrison town, Military Lodges were at Work there from time to time. Chief among the Military Lodges active there were those attached to the 6th and 17th Regiments. None of the Military Lodges has survived to the present day.

 

In 1794 the Grand Lodge considered the Petition of Brethren residing in the town of Boston, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, " praying for a Warrant " to form a new Lodge to be named the Melchesideck Lodge," to meet at the Green Dragon Tavern. The Grand Lodge, however, felt unable to comply with that request " for good and substantial reasons." Three years later an application was also received from Brethren in St. George's, Bermuda. Again the Grand Lodge felt obliged to decline, but in this case it agreed to recommend the Petition to the Grand Lodge of England (Ancients). As a result, the Lodge was Warranted as St. George's Lodge, No. 307. In 181o this Lodge, the oldest in the Bermuda Islands, was removed to Hamilton, Bermuda. There it still flourishes under the name of Atlantic‑Phocnix Lodge, No. 22‑4, E. C.

 

42 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Other Lodges on the Provincial Grand Register of Nova Scotia, all of which have lapsed, were: Digby Lodge, No. 6, at Digby, established in 1784 and continuing till 1829; Temple Lodge, No. 7, at Guysboro, also established in 1784, by William Campbell, afterwards Sir William Campbell, chief justice of Upper Canada, and lasting till 1832; Hiram's Lodge, No. 8, of Sheet Harbor, which continued from 1784 to 1797; Chester Lodge, No. 9, of Chester, from 1784 to 1809; Concord Lodge, No. 12, of Fort Cumberland, 1785 and 1786; Windsor Lodge, No. 13, of Windsor, from 1785 to 1795; Walmsley Lodge, No. 14, of Pictou, from 1785 to 1794; Union Lodge, No. 2o, of Sissiboo, now Weymouth, from 1790 to 1793; Annapolis Royal Lodge, No. 25, of Annapolis Royal, from 1795 to 1827; Hibernia Lodge, No. 27, of Liverpool, from 1798 to 1817; and Wentworth Lodge, No. 32; of Yarmouth, from 1805 to 1818. Into this group of Lodges also falls Royal Welsh Fusiliers Lodge, No. 33, which was attached to the 23d Foot Regiment while it was quartered in Nova Scotia in 1808. The Lodge was also active while the corps was stationed at St. John, New Brunswick. In 1810 the regiment returned to Halifax, whence it later embarked for Portugal. Still other Lodges of this group were Newport Lodge, No. 36, later Sussex Lodge, No. 834 and finally Lodge No. 563, of Newport, Nova Scotia, from 1812 to 1834; Musquodoboit Lodge, No. 40, of Musquodoboit, from 1815 to 1826; Regent Lodge, No. 41, at Dorchester, now Antigonish, from 1816 to 1834; Fort Edward Lodge, No. 45, of Windosr, from 1821 to 1831; and Moira Lodge, No. 47, of Rawdon, from 1823 to 1831, an offshoot of Newport Lodge, No. 36.

 

Still other Lodges which were established early in the nineteenth century, only to lapse later, were Colchester Union Lodge, No. 48, of Truro, which was Instituted in 1823 and continued until 1831, when it was suspended by the Grand Lodge for non‑payment of Grand Lodge dues and failure to make Returns; Concord Lodge, No. 49, of Barrington, from 1823 to 1829; Cumberland Harmony Lodge, No. 51, of Amherst, which was established in 1822 and continued until 1831. Then, through inability to pay the fees for the English Warrant issued at that time, it was suspended. This Lodge seems, however, to have been revived for a short period about the year 1839; and Royal Albion Lodge, No. 53, a Military Lodge established in 1826 in the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. The battalion was stationed at St. John and at Halifax until 1836, when it was transferred to England. Oxfordshire Light Infantry Lodge, No. 54, also a Military Lodge, was Instituted in 1826 in the 52d Regiment, now the 2d Battalion of the 43d Monmouthshire Regiment. This Lodge was especially active until the departure of the regiment from Halifax in 1831. The Lodge seems to have continued its Work until 1862. St. Mary's Lodge, No. 55, of Digby, from 1827 to 1862, was the successor to Digby Lodge, No. 6, mentioned above. Rising Sun Lodge, No. 56, at Great Village and Londonderry, was organised in 1827 but was suspended in 1831 " for neglect to make returns." All these Lodges did good Work in their day. They prepared the way for the revival of Masonry in the Province following the depression of the OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 43 period from 1825 to 1840. The few which managed somehow to continue existence after 1829 met only infrequently, their numbers dwindled almost to the vanishing point, and only the heroic efforts of men whose names are now mostly forgotten kept the Light burring. The story of the revival is an intensely interesting one.

 

As has already been stated, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia originally exercised jurisdiction over Prince Edward Island. After the removal of the Independent Companies from Charlottetown to Halifax in 1782, how ever, we find no trace of Masonic activity until 1790. In that year a Petition was presented to the Provincial Grand Lodge by the Hon. Peter Stewart, chief justice, the Hon. Thomas Desbrisay, late lieutenant‑governor, and others " for a Warrant to form a Lodge." Although their efforts were encouraged, it was not until 1797 that any real progress was made. In that year St. John's Lodge, No. 26, was Chartered with Dr. Ebenezer Nicholson acting as first Worshipful Master. The first Initiate was Lieutenant‑Governor Edmund Fanning, a Loyalist judge of the Supreme Court of New York, and colonel of the " King's American Regiment." The Lodge still has a Bible presented to it by him in 1797. This Lodge is the Mother Lodge of " the Island Province," having received English Warrant No. 833 in 1829. It is now Lodge No. 1 on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island. Sussex Lodge, No. 821, an offshoot of St. John's Lodge, was Warranted by the Grand Lodge of England in 1828 but ceased to Work in 1837. Some reference has already been made respecting Masonic activity in New Brunswick during the years 1783 and 1784. The story is here resumed. Hiram Lodge, No. 17, of St. John, to which reference has been made before, was composed in part of former members of the famous Lodge No. 169, of New York. The Rev. John Beardsley and Elias Hardy were its most active leaders. After they withdrew the Lodge fell into other hands, and trouble developed over certain civil charges brought against the employer of the Master of the Lodge. The Lodge evidently thought that the Master should have shielded his wrong‑doing employer, who had been dismissed from the civil service as the result of the charges against him. Accordingly, the Lodge deposed the Master " for violating his Masonic obligation " ! After due investigation, however, the Grand Lodge ordered his reinstatement, and demanded an apology, but the Lodge refused to rescind its action. As a result, the Grand Lodge, in 1796, recalled the Lodge's Warrant and expelled its twenty‑two members for " apostacy. " This Lodge had a Royal Arch Chapter attached to it and Working under its Warrant.

 

Although not on the Provincial Register, reference should here be made to a Lodge established at Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1789. Among the officials of the new government set up at Fredericton, the capital of the new , Province, were Masons whose associations and inclinations led them to favour the Moderns. Through the agency of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec, those Brethren obtained a Warrant dated April 2, 1789, for New Brunswick Lodge, No. 541. All its members were Loyalists, the first Master being the 44 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Hon. Daniel Bliss, chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1792 the Lodge was renumbered as Lodge No. 45o. This Lodge, which did not long continue its Labours, was the only one ever Warranted in New Brunswick by the Premier, or Modern, Grand Lodge of England. St. George's Lodge, No. 19, on the Provincial Register of Nova Scotia, located at Maugerville, has already been referred to. It was composed of prominent Loyalists residing along the St. John River. The Lodge was active until about 181o and possibly later. It conferred the Mark and Royal Arch Degrees as well as the Craft Degrees. Sion Lodge, No. 21, Warranted at Kingston, New Brunswick, in 1792, was removed in 1799 to Sussex Vale. Its history can be traced to the year 1829. It seems to have met occasionally between that date and 185o, at which time it resumed activity. In 1863 the Lodge obtained a new Warrant from the Grand Lodge of England, by which it was known as Zion Lodge. In 1868 this Warrant was exchanged for a new one issued by the newly‑organised Grand Lodge of New Brunswick. At that time, by a curious coincidence, the Lodge was registered as No. 21. To‑day the Lodge is active and flourishing. Solomon's Lodge, No. 22, of Fredericton, was an offshoot of St. George's Lodge, No. 19, and was active from 1792 until 1829. Mount Moriah Royal Arch Chapter was attached to this Lodge. Hiram York Lodge, No. 23, also of Fredericton, established in 1793, was virtually a Military Lodge, being composed largely of officers in the King's New Brunswick Regiment. On the removal of the regiment to St. John in i8oo, the Lodge ceased Working. St. John's Lodge, No. 29, of St. John, New Brunswick, was formed in 18oi and has continued to the present day. It has exerted a dominant influence on the development of the Craft in New Brunswick. Its full history was written by Bro. W. F. Bunting in 1895. It is now Lodge No. 2, on the Grand Register of New Brunswick. Midian Lodge, No. 31, was formed at Kingston in 18o5 to replace Sion Lodge, which had removed in 1799 to Sussex Vale. The Lodge was active until 1841. Then followed five years of inactivity, after which the Brethren obtained an English Warrant, No. 770. From then on the Lodge continued to meet at Kingston until 1859, when it removed to Clifton. In 1867 it exchanged its English Warrant for a New Brunswick Charter and became known as the Midian Lodge, No. 9. It has been dormant since about 189o. Orphan's Friend Lodge, No. 34, at St. Stephen, the next Lodge Warranted in New Brunswick, had an interesting origin. At the close of the American War for Independence, a company of New Englanders known as the Cape Ann Association settled on the banks of the St. Croix River on a tract of land reserved for them. In 18og the Masonic Brethren among them Petitioned the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for a Warrant, and were referred to the Grand Lodge at Halifax. Their Warrant, No. 34, was granted, and Oliver Shead, Deputy District Grand Master for the Eastern section of the District of Maine, was deputed to hold a Session of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia and to Institute the new Lodge. Orphan's Friend Lodge, No. 34, had a most active history, and its members lived harmoniously throughout the troublous times of 1812‑1815. The Lodge ceased Work, however, in 1825.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 45 Eastern Star Lodge, No. 37, of St. Andrew's, New Brunswick, was Warranted in 1812. Recent discoveries in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia indicate that the notorious William Morgan, whose so‑called disappear ance in 1826 nearly wrecked Freemasonry in the United States and Canada, was made a Mason in this Lodge in 1815. The Lodge itself became extinct in 1833, probably owing to the anti‑Masonic agitation which followed the alleged murder of its disreputable Initiate. Union Lodge, No. 38, the third Lodge to be Constituted in St. John, began its existence in 1814 and Worked in close harmony with St. John's Lodge. It continued its activities until 1831, when it became extinct, undoubtedly as a result of the " Morgan excitement " and the demands of the Grand Lodge of England. Fortitude Lodge, No. 42, at Miramichi, established in 1818, had only a brief existence because of financial troubles. It ceased Work in 1824. St. Lawrence Lodge, No. 43, of Richibucto, which lasted from i82o to 1828, had a similar experience. Morning Star Lodge, No. 46, of Woodstock, in existence from 182o to 1830, included among its members many residents of Houlton, Maine, and met occasionally in that town. Monument Lodge, at Houlton, is said to have been an offshoot of Morning Star Lodge. The withdrawal of many members of the latter is said to have been one of the causes of its dormancy. Golden Rule Lodge, No. 50, of Hopewell, was established in 1823 and continued until 1831. When the Grand Lodge of England required all Provincial Lodges to exchange their Warrants for English Warrants, Golden Rule Lodge declined to do so, evidently hoping for the establishment of an independent Grand Lodge in New Brunswick. It continued to Work under its Nova Scotia Warrant until 1833, when it was forced to close through the stress of the prevailing anti‑Masonic excitement. Albion Lodge, No. 52, the fifteenth and last Lodge to be established in New Brunswick by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, was Warranted in 1825. In 1829 it obtained an English Warrant under which it continued to Work until 1868. At that time it became Lodge No. 1, on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia.

 

All these Lodges have an interesting history of their own, and the Masonic Labours of most of them left an impress upon the history of the Craft in the Province. The prevailing anti‑Masonic agitation of the decade from 1830 to 1840 accounted for the decline of the majority of them. All were at the disadvantage of being at a great distance from the guiding hand of the Grand Lodge, a circumstance which contributed in no small way to the difficulty of existence. Few continued into the new era of 1829‑1868.

 

In 1797 the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia decided that because of the inconvenience of administering Masonic affairs in New Brunswick, a Deputy Grand Master should be appointed for that Province. The resolution was not acted upon, however, for twenty years. During that interval the Grand Lodge constantly had the advice in all matters of William Campbell, Provincial District Grand Master of St. John, a former resident of Halifax. In 1817 the Hon. Thomas Wetmore, who was attorney‑general of New Brunswick from 1809 to 1828, was appointed District Grand Master. In 1826 Benjamin Lester Peters was 46 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION appointed Deputy District Grand Master for St. John and St. Andrew's. In 182.8 representatives of the Lodges in New Brunswick met to consider the propriety of forming a Provincial Grand Lodge. After difficulty in finding a Provincial Grand Master, and because of the demands of the Grand Lodge of England noted below, the effort to establish independence failed the following year.

 

The formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1814, by the union of the two rival Grand Lodges of England, was the beginning of long years of correspondence which, in 182.9, terminated the existence of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia and left it virtually an independent Body. The demand of the Grand Lodge of England that registration fees be paid to it by all members of Lodges in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, that all Lodges exchange their Nova Scotia Warrants for English Warrants, paying for the exchange a fee of five guineas, and that the Provincial Grand Master be appointed by the Grand Master of England, coupled with the effects of the prevailing anti‑Masonic agitation and the depression following the close of the Napoleonic wars, forced numerous Lodges to surrender their Warrants and close their Great Lights. In fact, only a small number of Lodges were left in the three Provinces to continue under the new regime.

 

Under a Patent dated April 2, 1829, from H. R. H. Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex and Grand Master of England, John Albro convened and formally organised the third Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. This Grand Lodge, organised on November 4, 1829, was destined to continue for the next forty years. The names of the Lodges which continued to Work under the new regime are listed on the following page. In the majority of cases, there was little or no activity apparent. Lodges whose names are followed by the word Erased became dormant early in the period, probably about 1832.

 

During the period from 1830 to 1837, Masonic affairs in the Province were at low ebb. With the exception of electing and appointing Officers and receiving Lodge Returns, little business was transacted by the Grand Lodge. Usually four Lodges in Halifax participated in the Grand Lodge meetings. Sometimes, however, an occasional transient Military Lodge joined the four permanent Lodges. Then, in 1837, a brighter outlook prevailed. A revival of fraternal relations with the Grand Lodges of the United States took place. These relations had been interrupted during the anti‑Masonic excitement. " A Humble and Loyal Address " was presented to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, on the occasion of her accession and coronation. About that time, too, the Deputy Grand Master, the Hon. Alexander Keith, undertook to visit the Lodges in the Province. That visit had much to do with reviving the Craft there. Furthermore, it was largely through Bro. Keith's efforts that Albion Lodge, No. 692., was established at New Glasgow in 1838.

 

In 1839 Grand Master Albro died, and the Duke of Sussex, Grand Master, appointed the Hon. Alexander Keith to be his successor. To Bro. Keith more than any other Craftsman was due the revival of the Fraternity in the Maritime Provinces. For twenty‑nine years he held the position of Provincial Grand OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 47 Master. From the day of his appointment he was untiring in his efforts to further the interests of the Craft in his jurisdiction. Some idea of Grand Master Keith's activity and energy may be gathered from the Record of new Lodges established in Nova Scotia during his regime. They were as follows: Royal Sussex Lodge, No. 704, of Halifax, established in 1841; St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 732, of Sydney, Cape Breton Island, was revived in 1844; Zetland Lodge, No. 821, of Liverpool, established in 1847; Hiram Lodge, No. 868, of Yarmouth, LODGE PLACE OLD NUMBER 1829 1832 1 1863 St. Andrew's Lodge....... . St. John's Lodge.......... Union Lodge.............. Virgin Lodge............. Temple Lodge............. Hiram Lodge............. St. George's Lodge........ St. John's Lodge.......... Sussex Lodge.............. Royal Standard Lodge..... Unity Lodge.............. Fort Edward Lodge........ Moira Lodge.............. Colchester Union Lodge. .. Cumberland Harmony..... Albion Lodge.............. Royal Albion Lodge....... St. Mary's Lodge.......... Rising Sun Lodge..........

 

Halifax................... Halifax.................. Halifax.................. Halifax.................. Guysboro................ Shelburne................ Cornwallis ............... Charlottetown, P. E. I.... Newport ................ Halifax.................. Lunenburg....... :....... Windsor..:.............. Rawdon................. Truro................... Amherst................. St. John, N. B............ Halifax.................. Digby.................... Londonderry.............

 

ISS 2II I 2 7 Io 11 26 36 39 44 45 47 48 51 5253 SS 56 188 265 828 829 830 831 832 833 834 835 836 837 838 839 840 841 842 843 844 137 118 187 161 557 Erased 558 396 559 ~ Erased 56o Erased 561 849 562 1397 563 Erased 564 1 398 565 399 566 Erased 567 Erased 568 Erased 569 Erased 570 400 571 Erased 572 Erased 573 Erased established in 1848; New Caledonian Lodge, No. 826, of Pictou, revived in 1849; Keith Lodge, No. 911, of Hillsburgh, now Bear River, established in 1851; Acadia Lodge, No. 888, of Pugwash, established in 1853; Union Lodge, No. 994, of Halifax, established in 1855 and composed of Negro Masons; St. George's Lodge, No. 561, of Cornwallis, which had been dormant since 1832, but was revived at Lower Horton in 1858 as Lodge No. 1151; Keith Lodge, No. 1172, of Albion Mines, now Stellarton, established in 186o; Westport Lodge, No. 1225, of Westport, established in 1861; Welsford Lodge, No. 1226, of Windsor, established in 1861; Widow's Friend Lodge, No. 1255, of Weymouth, established in 1861; Scotia Lodge, No. 1263, of Canning, also established in 1861; Prince of Wales Lodge, No. 1266, of Milton, established in 1861; Annapolis Royal Lodge, No. 1047, of Annapolis Royal, established in 1862; Thistle Lodge, No. i io9, of Block House, Cow Bay, now Port Morian, established in 1865 ; Cobequid Lodge, No. 119o, of Truro, established in 1867; Tyrian Youth Lodge, No. 1234, of Glace Bay, also established in 1867; and Rothsay Lodge, No. 1245, of Bridgetown, 48 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION established in 1868. In short, a total of twenty Lodges, all but four of which survive to the present day, and one other of which, Mariner's Lodge, of Granville, has amalgamated with Annapolis Royal Lodge, were established during Grand Master Keith's term of Office. In 1846, Hon. Alexander Keith was advised that his jurisdiction had been enlarged to include New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Reference is made elsewhere to the great influence which the indefatigable Grand Master exerted in this additional territory.

 

The Grand Lodge of Scotland invaded Nova Scotia in 1827, when Thistle Lodge, an offshoot of Virgin Lodge, No. 2, was Warranted as Lodge No. 322. The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia refused to have any intercourse with this Lodge and treated it as though it were clandestine. The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia resented the invasion of its jurisdiction. In 1839 the members of Thistle Lodge, No. 322, organised St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter under the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland, and revived the dormant Knights Templar Encampment with a Scottish Warrant. The Encampment then became known as St. John's Priory.

 

In 1844 the Grand Master of Scotland appointed the Hon. J. Leander Starr, then junior Grand Warden of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, to be Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Bro. Starr thereupon resigned his Office in the Provincial Grand Lodge, which protested his appointment, though nothing came of the objection. During his Provincial Grand Mastership, Acadia Lodge, No. 345, Register of Scotland, was organised at Dartmouth. Shortly afterward, in response to the invitation of the Hon. Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master, the Masters and Brethren of Thistle Lodge, No. 322, and Acadia Lodge, No. 345, were present at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. Thenceforth, harmony and cooperation existed. Soon after that Bro. Starr resigned, and the Grand Master of Scotland took the unusual course of appointing the Hon. Alexander Keith, then Provincial Grand Master under the English authority, to act also as Provincial Grand Master under the Scottish authority.

 

In 1848 Burns.Lodge, now Lodge, No. io, on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia, was Warranted, and on May 17, 1849, a Provincial Grand Lodge was convened and formally organised with the Hon. Alexander Keith acting as its head. This was the first and only Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland ever formed in Canada. Another noteworthy fact is that, from 1846 to 1866, Provincial Grand Master Keith also served as Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia under English authority.

 

In 1851 " C," the Deputy Master of Thistle Lodge, No. 322, then Senior Grand Warden of the Provincial Grand Lodge, joined with " F," the Deputy Grand Master, in circulating a letter criticising the Provincial Grand Master for granting a Warrant under English authority for Union Mark Lodge. At the next Provincial Grand Lodge meeting the Provincial Grand Master withdrew the commissions of " C " and " F," as Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 49 Master, respectively, and appointed others in their places. Bro. " C " and Bro. " F " then tried to interfere with the proceedings, and for some time they refused to relinquish their Regalia. Before the next meeting, Bro. " C '' even purloined the Warrant and Jewels of Thistle Lodge, No. 32‑2‑. The Provincial Grand Master then declared the Warrant of the Lodge to be suspended, and issued his Dispensation to the Brethren to continue their meetings and to adopt the name Keith Lodge. In due course the Brethren received a Charter from Scotland Registered there as No. 365. Keith Lodge continued as an influential Lodge, and in 1866 took a leading part in forming the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. To‑day it is Lodge No. 17, on the Grand Register of Nova Scotia. Dating from 182‑7, it is " the oldest Lodge of Scottish origin in the British Empire overseas." In 1851, Athole Lodge, No. 361, Register of Scotland, was established as an offshoot of Acadia Lodge, No. 345, which shortly afterwards returned its Warrant. Other Lodges Warranted under Scottish authority during this period were as follows: Royal Albert Lodge, No. 379, at North Sydney, established in 1857; Virgin Lodge, later Davies Lodge, No. 425, at Wilmot, established in 1859; Scotia Lodge, No. 411, at Halifax, established in 186o; Concord Lodge, at Clarke's Harbor, established in 1861; Albert Lodge, at Shelburne, established in 1862; Scotia Lodge, No. 43o, at Yarmouth, established in 1863; Eldorado Lodge, No. 434, at Wine Harbor, established in 1865; Queens Lodge, at Shelbrooke, established in 1864; St. Marks' Lodge, at Baddeck, established in 1865; and Acadia Lodge, of Bridgewater, established in 1865‑a total of ten Lodges, of which two have since amalgamated with other Lodges, and one of which has surrendered its Charter.

 

During this period the greatest harmony and co‑operation existed between the Lodges under the two jurisdictions. In 185o, on the occasion of the centenary of the founding of the " First Lodge " in Halifax, a joint Grand Lodge was convened by the Provincial Grand Master, and the corner‑stone of an addition to the Masonic Hall was laid. This ceremony was followed by a Grand Lodge banquet. Similar ceremonies marked the laying of the corner‑stones of the City Market in 18 and the Hospital for the Insane in 1855. Joint Masonic ceremonies of the Lodges were a feature of the opening of the Industrial Exhibition in 1854, the unveiling of the monument to Captain Parker and Major Welsford, two Brethren killed in the Crimean War, and the visit of the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII, in 186o. In 1865 the two Provincial Grand Lodges joined in congratulating their chief upon having presided over English Masonry in the Province for a quarter of a century.

 

Despite much progress, a large exercise of Masonic charity, and a great deal of pleasant fraternal intercourse, the growth and energies of the Craft in Nova Scotia were greatly hampered by inexplicable official neglect on the part of the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland, to whom all Masons in the Province then paid homage. This neglect existed for many years. Letters and communications of all sorts were either unanswered or dealt with so tardily that the 50 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION replies were useless. Remittances were unacknowledged, and Warrants and Diplomas urgently required were not issued. In short, all business matters were neglected, and the existence of the Craft in Nova Scotia was practically ignored. Then, in December 1861, Bro. Robert D. Clarke made a motion in the Provincial Grand Lodge, requesting the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the present state of Masonry in the Province. At the same time the Provincial Grand Lodge under Scottish authority was " invited to unite in such inquiry." The report of the joint Committee, adopted by both Provincial Grand Lodges, favored an independent Grand Lodge. This report was forwarded to the Grand Lodges at London and Edinburgh, where it received no encouragement.

 

During the next few years the Canadian Brethren remonstrated, vigorously enough at times, against this state of affairs. Then finally, in 1865, they sent a Delegation to lay their grievances before the Grand Lodge of Scotland. But even this action brought no satisfactory result. It is little wonder, then, that as a last resort to rehabilitate the dignity and substantial status of Masons subject to that Grand Lodge, the Brethren in the Province finally asserted their independence by forming the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. After preliminary meetings and regular procedure, this action was taken on Tuesday, February lo, 1866, at the Freemasons Hall in Halifax. Grand Lodge Officers were elected, and on March zo, they were Installed. The new Body consisted of ten subordinate Lodges, which had until then been under Scottish authority. These Lodges were as follows: Burns Lodge, Athole Lodge, Keith Lodge, and Scotia Lodge, all of Halifax; Virgin Lodge, of Wilmot; Albert Lodge, of Shelburne; Eldorado Lodge, of Wine Harbor; Concord Lodge, of Barrington; St. Mark's Lodge, of Baddeck; and Queens Lodge, of Sherbrooke, to which was soon added the newly‑organised Lodge of St. Mark, of Halifax. Dr. William H. Davies was the first Grand Master, and Charles J. MacDonald was Grand Secretary. In June 1866, those Officers, together with others, were re‑elected for the ensuing Masonic year. The Grand Officers so elected were Installed by Most Worshipful Col. W. Mercer Wilson, Past Grand Master of Canada.

 

During the next twelve months excellent progress was made by the new Grand Lodge. At the Communication held in June 1867, the Secretary reported that a number of Lodges under the new jurisdiction was then seventeen, an in crease of six. Official recognition had come from most of the Grand Lodges in America, as well as from several other Grand Lodges in other parts of the world. It was also reported that members of the local Lodges under English jurisdiction were beginning to show interest in the new organisation. The six new Lodges were Ophir Lodge, of Tangier; Eureka Lodge, of Sheet Harbor; Acadia Lodge, of Amherst; Truro Lodge, of Truro; Harmony Lodge, of Barrington; and W. H. Davies Lodge, of Wilmot. At the Quarterly Communication held on December 1867, Scotia Lodge, of Yarmouth, was added to the Roll.

 

At an Emergent Meeting of Grand Lodge held on May 15, 1868, a Communication was received from the District Grand Lodge under English authority, requesting that a Committee be appointed by the new Grand Lodge of Nova OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 51 Scotia to confer with it regarding a union of the two Bodies. Although this conference took place, nothing definite resulted at the time. R.‑. W.‑. Stephen R. Sircom was elected Grand Master in June 1868. During that year the following Lodges were added to the Roll: Royal Albert Lodge, of North Sydney, Solomon Lodge, of Hawkesbury, Acadia Lodge, of Bridgewater, Philadelphia Lodge, of Barrington, Poyntz Lodge, of Hantsport, Widow's Son Lodge, of River Philip, Orient Lodge, of Richmond, Western Star Lodge, of Westville, and Eastern Star Lodge, of Dartmouth. Union with the Lodges governed by the District Grand Lodge of England continued to be the burning question, however, and finally the time for action arrived. An Emergent Meeting of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was therefore held on January 8, 1869. At that time a proposal to this end was approved and submitted to a Committee of the English Lodges. With one exception, Royal Standard Lodge, No. 398, of Halifax, still (1935) under the English Constitution, the proposal was accepted by all the English Lodges.

 

The happy consummation of these efforts took place in the Masonic Hall on June 23, 1869, when 'the Officers and members of the District Grand Lodge were formally admitted into the membership of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. Union, peace, and harmony reigned supreme. On that occasion several most eminent Brethren from Canada and New Brunswick were present. One of these, M.'. W.‑. Bro. Colonel A. A. Stevenson, of Montreal, took the Grand East during the election and Installation of new Officers; R.'. W.‑. the Hon. Alexander Keith, the most honoured man in the jurisdiction, was unanimously elected Grand Master and Installed with the other Officers on the morning of June 24. After this ceremony the Craft formed in Grand Lodge procession and marched in state to St. Paul's Church, where an eloquent and appropriate sermon was preached by the Grand Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. D. C. Moore. This happy union brought the strength of the Craft up to fifty‑two Lodges. Of those, after due revision of the seniority list and numbers, St. Andrew's Lodge, of Halifax, became No. i, and Harmony Lodge, of Aylesford, No. 52. The total membership was slightly over Zooo. Since 1869 there has been a steady growth, both numerically and financially. The number of Lodges is now (1935) 82, and the membership is io,ooo. Most of the Lodges own their own buildings and are in a sound financial condition.

 

On August 31, 1875, the corner‑stone of a new Freemasons' Hall at Halifax was laid with great ceremony and full Masonic Rites. Its occupation and use in the following year was another and most important step in the path of progress. In 1925 this Hall was rebuilt and enlarged as a fine modern structure valued at over a quarter of a million dollars. It is now the home of the Grand Lodge Masonic library and museum, of the ten Lodges of the City of Halifax, two Royal Arch Chapters, Antiquity Preceptory of Knights Templar, three Scottish Rite Bodies, Chebucto Council, No. 4, of the Cryptic Rite, a Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland, and Philae Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

 

The duty of charity and the pleasure of benevolence have not been overlooked by this Grand Lodge. In 19o8 it opened at Windsor a Home‑bright and 52 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION comfortable in all respects‑for the aged and distressed Masons and their wives or widows. Though this involved a heavy financial outlay, the Craft has nobly met all claims and expenses, and by the maintenance of this Home has relieved distress and made bright and happy the declining days of many worthy Brethren and their dependents. In 1930 splendid additions to the buildings were made.

 

The Masonic museum and library at Halifax contain many books, thousands of priceless documents, ,Jewels, Regalia, and other mementos bearing not only on the history of the Craft in the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland, but also on the history of it in the older portions of Canada and the United States. During the past ten years steady progress in classifying this material, with a view to publishing an authoritative history of Freemasonry in the Maritime Provinces. During these latter years the onerous task of directing the Craft has been in able hands, and its steady advance has been largely due to the energy and wisdom shown by the various Grand Masters of the ,Jurisdiction. A list of those who have filled that high Office in this jurisdiction is given below. Names of members who are deceased are marked with an asterisk.

 

*Dr. W. H. Davies.............................................. 1866‑1867 *S. R.Sircom................................................... 1868 *Honourable Alexander Keith .................................... 1869‑‑1873 *Major‑General J. W. Laurie..................................... 1874‑1879 *A. H. Crowe.................................................. 1880 *William Taylor................................................ 1881 *Major‑General J. W. Laurie..................................... 1882‑1885 *L.Johnstone..................................................1886‑1887 *Reverend D. C. Moore.......................................... 1888‑1889 *Colonel C. J. Macdonald........................................ 1890‑1891 *Honourable D. C. Fraser........................................ 1892‑1893 *W. F. MacCoy, Q. C........................................... 1894‑1895 *J. W. Ruhland.................................................. 1896 *Honourable T. B. Flint, K. C.................................... 1897‑1899 *T. A. Cossman................................................. 19oo *Dr. Thos. Trenaman............................................ 1901 *L. B. Archibald................................................ 1902 *Honourable Wm. Rose......................................... 1903 Charles R. Smith, K. C......................................... 1904‑1908 *William Marshall Black ........................................ 1909‑1910 *A. J. Wolff.................................................... 1911 *William M. Christie, K. C...................................... 1912‑1914 Don F. Fraser.................................................1915‑1917 *John Hay...................................................... 1918 George D. Macdougall......................................... 1919‑1920 *J. Murray Lawson............................................. 1921 J. H. Winfield.................................................1922‑1924 A. J. Davis....................................................1925‑1926 J. C. Mackay..................................................1927‑1928 M. L. Fraser..................................................1929‑1931 OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 53 Among the many distinguished names on the Rolls of the Craft in Nova Scotia that have not already been mentioned, are those of Major‑General Paul Mascareno, colonel of the 40th Regiment and lieutenant‑governor from 1740 to 1749 Major‑General John Bradstreet, later the captor of Fort Frontenac; the Hon. Edward Cornwallis, founder of Halifax and governor from 174.9 to 1572.; Admiral Lord Colville, the first Initiate in the " First Lodge," of Halifax, later " Deputy Grand Master of North America;" General Charles Lawrence, who served in Flanders, the West Indies, and at Louisbourg, and was governor of Nova Scotia from 1754 to 1760; Sir William Campbell, first attorney‑general of the Province of Cape Breton and later Chief Justice of Upper Canada; MajorGeneral John Despard, Commandant in Cape Breton about the year 18oo; RearAdmiral Robert Murray, Commander‑in‑Chief on the Halifax Station; the Hon. Richard John Uniacke, founder of the Charitable Irish Society and attorney‑general of the Province from 1797 to 1830; and his son, a judge of the Supreme Court from 1830 to 1834; Sir Brenton Halliburton, chief justice of Nova Scotia from 183 3 to 1860; Robert Field, one of the most eminent portrait painters of his time; the Right Rev. Robert Stanser, D.D., second Bishop of Nova Scotia from 18 c6 to 182.4; Major F. A. Thesiger, of the Rifle Brigade, afterwards Baron Chelmsford, and Commander‑in‑Chief in the Zulu War; Vice‑Admiral Sir Houston Stewart, K.C.B., Admiral of the Fleet in 1872‑; the Hon. James MacDonald, minister of justice from 1878 to 1881 and chief justice of Nova Scotia from 1881 to 1904; Sir Charles J. Townshend, chief justice from 1907 to 1915; Sir Stanford Flemming, one of the greatest men in Canadian history; Sir John Eardley Wilmot Inglis, probably the greatest military genius in Canadian history and hero of the Relief of Lucknow; Sir Robert Weatherbe, justice of the Supreme Court from 1878 to 1905 and chief justice from 1905 to 1907; Major‑General J. W. Laurie, Grand Master from 1874 to 1879, and again from 1882 to 1885; Sir Edward A. Inglefield, Admiral of the North American Station in 1879; the Hon. D. C. Fraser, lieutenant‑governor of Nova Scotia from 1906 to 1910 and a justice of the Supreme Court from 1904 to 1906; Sir Frederick W. Borden, minister of militia and defence; and Sir Robert L. Borden, wartime Prime Minister of Canada from 1911 to 192.0. Scores of other names might be added‑illustrious in the annals of the Province and of Canada and distinguished in military, naval, legal, judicial, religious, political, and commercial life.

 

We have already referred to the fact that the Royal Arch and Knights Templar Degrees were conferred in Halifax as early as the period between 1760 and 1770; that the present‑day Royal Union Chapter, No. 1, dates from 1780, that our Records of the Mark Degree date from the same year, and that an organised Knights Templar Encampment was formed in 1782. Under the English and Irish systems, each Craft Lodge conferred the Mark Degree, and nearly all enjoyed the privilege of forming a Royal Arch Chapter. In our archives are scores of Royal Arch and Knights Templar Certificates of the period from 1780 to 1830. In fact, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia promoted a knowledge of the Royal Arch and Mark Degrees everywhere throughout its jurisdiction.

 

54 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION In Halifax, Royal Union Chapter, then known as the General Royal Arch Chapter, Working under the Warrant of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 155 (also known variously as No. 188 and No. 137), functioned for all the Craft Lodges. The Knights Templar Body became dormant about 181o. In New Brunswick, Carleton Royal Arch Chapter began Work in i8o5 under the Warrant of St. John's Lodge, No. 29. Then, in 1815, it transferred its allegiance to Union Lodge, No‑ 38. Six years later it obtained a Warrant No‑ 47, from the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland. It Worked under that Warrant until 1887. In 1826 a Grand Chapter was formed in New Brunswick under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. It continued for a few years. Then came the decade of stress from 1827 to 1837, when the Craft in the Maritime Provinces suffered severely, and Royal Arch Masonry became inactive everywhere.

 

In 1839, as has already been stated, the Brethren of Thistle Lodge, No‑ 322 (Register of Scotland), of Halifax, formed St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, No. 55, and revived the dormant Knights Templar Encampment under the name of St. John's Priory, No. 47. This was also under Scottish authority. New life was then injected into the rival Chapter which was Working under the Warrant of St. Andrew's, No. 118 (Register of England). In 1863, Alexandra Chapter loo (Register of Scotland), was formed in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Then followed Shannon Chapter, No. 579 (Register of England), at St. John's Newfoundland, in 1864; Union Chapter, No. 1o8 (Register of Scotland), at Yarmouth, in 1865; St. John's Chapter, No. 130 (Register of Scotland), at Pictou, in 1869; and Hiram Chapter, No‑ 33, on the Register of Canada, founded in August 1869, at Goldenville.

 

On October 14, 1869, Hiram Chapter, No‑ 33, together with Royal Union Chapter, Halifax Chapter, and St. Andrew's Chapter, No. 5 5 (Register of Scotland), united to form the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia, with the Hon. Alex ander Keith, acting as Grand High Priest. Between 1875 and 1878, the other four Chapters came in and four others were formed, thus making a total of eleven Chapters.

 

To‑day there are 22 Royal Arch Chapters, all bearing allegiance to the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia, and aggregating about 26oo members. The Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia exercises jurisdiction over that Province as well as over Prince Edward Island, which has three Chapters, and over Newfoundland, which has one, Shannon Chapter. The Ritual of Royal Arch Work adopted in 1869 and still in use in all subordinate Chapters is similar to that in use in the United States, wherever the Grand Chapter has jurisdiction over the Mark, Past, Most Excellent, and Royal Arch Degrees.

 

The Order of High Priesthood was formed at a Convention held on June 17, 1870, at which time the Hon. Alexander Keith was elected first President of the Grand Council of the Order. The Order remained independent until 1889, when the Grand Chapter assumed control of it. Until 1922 the Degree was optional. In that year, however, the Grand Chapter legislated to make the Degree compulsory for all High Priests, within three months after election to that Office.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 55 St. John's Priory, No. 47, which was formed in 1839, continued to be active until 1854, when it became dormant. In 1858, however, it was revived under an English Warrant. It was then known as Nova Scotia Encampment, No. 58 (Register of England). The Hon. Alexander Keith acted as Eminent Commander. Then, in 1870, a Provincial Grand Priory was constituted for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland under the Grand Conclave of England and Wales. This Grand Lodge also had the Hon. Alexander Keith as Provincial Grand Commander. On the death of Bro. Keith in 1873, the territory was claimed by Colonel W. J. B. MacLeod Moore, who had previously been granted a Patent as Grand Prior of the Dominion of Canada. This claim was conceded by the Grand Conclave of England, which two years later authorised the formation of a National Grand Priory of Canada. In 1876 the Nova Scotia Encampment became Nova Scotia Preceptory, No. 5, on the Roll of that Body. On the establishment of the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada in 1885, a new Warrant was issued bearing the former number.

 

Since 1885, other Preceptories have been formed. These are as follows: Malta Preceptory, No. 27, at Truro, established in 1885, through the efforts of Sir Knight L. B. Archibald, Past Grand Master, Past Grand High Priest, and Supreme Grand Master of the Knights Templar of Canada in 19o9 and 191o; Yarmouth Preceptory, No. 31, at Yarmouth, founded in 1892; Prince Edward Preceptory, No. 35, at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, established in 1895; Cape Breton Preceptory, No. 43, at Sydney, founded in 19o5; Beausejour Preceptory, No. 57, at Amherst, established in 1911; and Champlain Preceptory, No. 71, at Bridgetown, established in 1928.

 

At a meeting held in 1923, the year 1782 was recognised by the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada as being the date of the origin of Nova Scotia Preceptory, No. 5, and as a memorial of this, its members were authorised to wear a distinctive gold‑star decoration. In 1929 the name of the Preceptory was changed to Antiquity Preceptory. With the possible exception of Baldwyn Encampment, at Bristol, England, this is the oldest Knights Templar Body in existence.

 

Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island form a District under the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, having at this time (1935) a Provincial Grand Prior supervising seven Preceptories. Newfoundland, also under the jurisdiction of the Sovereign Great Priory, has no Knights Templar Body. The Orders conferred are the Red Cross, Knight Templar (three sections), Mediterranean Pass, and Knight of Malta, all in accordance with the Canadian Ritual.

 

Keith Rose Croix Chapter of the Scottish Rite was organised in Nova Scotia in 1870, under a Patent from Illustrious Bro. Robert Marshall, Thirty‑third Degree, Inspector‑General for New Brunswick under the Supreme Council of England and Wales. In 1872 this Chapter was under the authority of the Grand Council of the Thirty‑third Degree for the Maritime Provinces, formed in that year at St. John. Then, in 1874, it was under the jurisdiction of the independent Supreme Council of Canada. Until then the English Ritual was in use.

 

56 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION In 1877, a Lodge of Perfection was organised under the name of Victoria Lodge of Perfection. A Warrant for this Body was granted in 1867. Nova Scotia Consistory was constituted in 1884. Royal Oak Lodge of Perfection was active at Kentville from 1889 to 1892, and Cumberland Lodge of Perfection at Amherst from 189o to 1894. In addition to supervising the activities of the three Bodies mentioned, the Illustrious Deputy for Nova Scotia, Illustrious Bro. J. H. Winfield, Provincial Grand Master, exercises jurisdiction over Albert Edward Lodge of Perfection, at Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

 

In 1926 a Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland was formed, with Illustrious Bro. J. H. Winfield acting as Provincial Grand Master. This Grand Lodge has jurisdiction over Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Its membership, numbering fifteen in 1931, is restricted to Consistory members of the Scottish Rite who have rendered noteworthy service to Masonry in the Jurisdiction.

 

The Ancient Accepted Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is represented in Nova Scotia, in Prince Edward Island, and in Newfoundland, by Philae Temple, at Halifax, which was formed in 1911. It now (1935) numbers nearly 5oo members.

 

In March 1858, the Grand Lodge of Scotland invaded Prince Edward Island, and Victoria Lodge, No. 383, was Warranted at Charlottetown. This Lodge is now Lodge No. 2, on the Register of Prince Edward Island. At about the same time, other Lodges were called into being under the xgis of the Grand Lodge of England. They were as follows: King Hiram Lodge, No. 1123, of St. Eleanor's, Warranted on June 4, 186o; St. George's Lodge, No. 1168, of Georgetown, Warranted on June 4, 1861; Alexandra Lodge, No. 983, of Port Hill, Warranted on August 28, 1863; Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 984, of Summerside, Warranted on September 2, 1863; Zetland Lodge, No. 12oo, at Alberton, Warranted on November 6, 1867; and True Brothers' Lodge, No. 1251, at Tryon, Warranted on January 28, 1869. During this period the Island Colony was under the jurisdiction of the Hon. Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia, of English authority. Bro. Keith also held a similar position under the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, of the Scottish authority.

 

In 1869, on the establishment of the present Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, the Marquis of Ripon, Grand Master of England, appointed Adam Murray as District Grand Master for Prince Edward Island. Four years later, June 23 and 24, 1875, Delegates representing the eight above‑mentioned Lodges met at Charlottetown, organised the Grand Lodge of Prince Edward Island, and elected the Hon. John Yeo as Grand Master. Bro. Yeo served from then till 1888. He was Installed by the Hon. John V. Ellis, Grand Master of New Brunswick. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick was adopted mutatis mutandis. At that time the total membership of the eight Lodges in the Jurisdiction was 496. Since 1875, 1o new Lodges have been Chartered, 2 have surrendered their Charters, and 2 others have been amalgamated, leaving 15 Lodges on the Rolls. These fifteen Lodges report a total membership of 125o.

 

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 57 Several of the founders of St. George's Lodge, which was established in 1781, and of St. John's Lodge, No. 26, established in 1797, were Royal Arch Masons, and there is some evidence that the Royal Arch and Mark Degrees were conferred prior to the year 1839. Alexandra Chapter, No. loo, of Charlottetown, was Chartered by the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland on December 16, 1863. It joined the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia in 1878, as Chapter No. 1i, on the latter's Registry. Prince Edward Chapter, No. 12, at Summerside, was Chartered on June 2, 1885, by the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia. In 19o6 was removed to Kensington, where it has since remained. Mount Akron Chapter, No. Zo, at Montague, Prince Edward Island, was Chartered on June 8, 192o, by the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia.

 

Prince Edward Island has been represented in the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia by the following Grand High Priests: An asterisk stands before the names of those Brethren who are deceased. Years of tenure, and number of the Chapter with which each Brother was affiliated stand in parentheses. (1889‑189o) George W. Wakeford (No. 1 i); (1895)* Simon W. Crabbe (No. 1 i); (1897)* D. Darrach (No. 12); (1915) Walter P. Doull (No. 11); (1922) Edward T. Carbonell (No. 11); (193o) Laughlin M. MacKinnon (No. Zo).

 

Kensington Council, No. 11, of Royal and Select Masters, Supreme Grand Council of the Maritime Provinces, was Chartered in 1899, but has not functioned for many years. Prince Edward Preceptory, of Charlottetown, was estab lished under a Dispensation from the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, dated November 12, 1895. It was established principally through the efforts of Dr. Roderick MacNeill. The Institution of the Chapter was at the hands of Sir Knight J. B. Nixon, of Toronto, and others. Warrant No. 35 was granted to the Chapter on September 6, 1896.

 

The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was also established in the same year through the efforts of Dr. Roderick MacNeill, Thirty‑third Degree, who was appointed a Deputy for the Province. On September 23, 1896, Albert Edward Lodge of Perfection was Constituted at Charlottetown by Illustrious Bro. John A. Watson, Thirty‑second Degree, of St. John, who acted as Special Deputy under a Dispensation from Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander J. W. Murton. The Warrant of this Lodge was dated August 1o, 1896. This Body was transferred to Summerside in 1926. At present, Keith Rose Croix Chapter and Nova Scotia Consistory, both of Halifax, and the Illustrious Deputy for Nova Scotia, exercise jurisdiction over Prince Edward Island.

 

From 1829 to 1855 there was in New Brunswick no resident authority over the Lodges under the English Constitution. All business had to be done by correspondence with the Provincial Grand Lodge at Halifax. Then, in 1855, at the suggestion of the Hon. Alexander Keith, the W.‑. M.‑. of Albion Lodge invited the various Lodges of the Province which were Working under English authority, to appoint a Committee for the purpose of selecting and recommending some worthy Brother to be appointed Deputy District Grand Master for New Brunswick. The Lodges in the Province at this time were as follows: Albion Lodge, 5 8 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION No. 570, at St. John; St. John's Lodge, No. 632., at St. John's; Sussex Lodge, No. 705, at Dorchester; St. Mark's Lodge, No. 759, at St. Andrew's; Solomon's Lodge, No. 764, at Fredericton; Carleton Union Lodge, No. 767, at Carleton; Midian Lodge, No. 770, at Kingston; Union of Portland Lodge, No. 78o, at St. John; Woodstock Lodge, No. 811, at Woodstock; Union Lodge, No. 866, at Milltown; St. George Lodge, No. 912., at St. George; Corinthian Lodge, No. 918, at Hampton; and Keith Lodge, No. 92‑7, at Moncton.

 

Ten of these thirteen Lodges convened on August 15, 1855, and unanimously recommended Alexander Balloch, Past Master of Union Lodge of Portland. Bro. Balloch was duly appointed by a Patent dated September 9, 1855, and was In stalled into Office at Halifax on the following October 1o. Shortly afterwards, a Deputy Provincial Grand Lodge for New Brunswick was organised, Officers were elected and appointed, and a Code of rules and regulations was adopted for its government. Quarterly meetings were held each year on the first Wednesday of March, June, September, and December.

 

After four years in this position of being subordinate to Nova Scotia, the New Brunswick Lodges expressed a desire to form a Provincial Grand Lodge of their own. This suggestion was supported by the Provincial Grand Master and was acceded to by the Earl of Zetland, Grand Master of England, who by a Patent dated July 4, 1859, appointed Alexander Balloch to be Provincial Grand Master of New Brunswick. The new Provincial Grand Master was Installed into Office by the Hon. Alexander Keith, at St. John, on October 3, 1859.

 

During Bro. Balloch's tenure of Office, five new Lodges were added to the Roll of Lodges under English Register. These were as follows: Alley Lodge, No. 962, at Upper Mills, St. Stephen; Howard Lodge, No. 966, at Hillsborough; Northumberland Lodge, No. 1003, at Newcastle; Miramichi Lodge, No. 1077, at Chatham; and Salisbury Lodge, No. iiio, at Salisbury. In addition to these, Brunswick Lodge, at Moncton, Worked two years under a Dispensation. A Warrant for Queen's Lodge, No. 932, of Gagetown, was also issued, but the Lodge was never constituted under it.

 

In 1866, owing to the failure of Bro. Balloch's health, Bro. Robert T. Clinch was appointed Provincial Grand Master to succeed him. Bro. Clinch was Installed into Office by the Hon. Alexander Keith, at St. John, on September 5, 1866.

 

The British North America Act confederating the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario as the Dominion of Canada came into force on July 1, 1867. As a result, the movement for the formation of indepen dent Grand Lodges in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec, which had been started some years previously, received considerable impetus. On August 16, 1867, a meeting of Delegates from the Lodges in St. John resolved to summon a Convention of Representatives from the twenty‑six Lodges of the Province which were on the English, Scottish, and Irish Registers. At this Convention, held on October 1o, 1867, fourteen of the nineteen Lodges present declared themselves ready to form the M .'. W.‑. Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 59 Accepted Masons of New Brunswick. Bro. R. T. Clinch was elected Grand Master, but since he had at that time not yet resigned his Office as District Grand Master, he declined the Office. Bro. B. Lester Peters was then unanimously‑elected as Grand Master, and his Installation took place on January 22, 1868. Within a comparatively short time all the Lodges in the Province adhered to the new movement, a result that may be attributed to the wisdom and tact of the first Grand Master.

 

A few of the distinguished names connected with the Craft in New Brunswick since the formation of the Grand Lodge in 1867 are as follows: the Hon. William Wedderburn, member and speaker of the Legislature, provincial secre tary, judge of the county court, and Grand Master from 1870 to 1872; the Hon. John V. Ellis, publisher and journalist, senator, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite in Canada, Grand Master from 1872 to 1875 and again from 1884 to 1887; the Hon. Robert Marshall, Grand Master from 1878 to 1881, member of Parliament, Grand Master of the Cryptic Rite in 1867, and a founder of Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite in Canada; William F. Bunting, first Grand Secretary from 1867 to 1882, author of a history of Freemasonry in New Brunswick which was published in 1895, and Grand Master in 1883 and 1884; Dr. Thomas Walker, Grand Master from 1889 to 1894 and again in 1897 and 1898; and His Honor J. Gordon Forbes, judge of the county court and Grand Master in 1899 and i90o.

 

The Grand Lodge of New Brunswick consists to‑day of about 6ooo Masons organised in 43 Lodges.

 

In 1850, the Rev. Jerome Alley, D.D., of St. Andrew's, was appointed Provincial Grand Superintendent of English Royal Arch Masonry in the Province. In 1856, he formed a Provincial Grand Chapter at St. Andrew's. At that time there was but one English Chapter in the Province, St. Mark's Chapter, at St. Andrew's. The Rev. Dr. Alley died in 1861, whereupon the Provincial Grand Chapter's existence came to an end. Then, in 1877, St. Mark's Chapter transferred to the Grand Chapter of Canada. It ceased Work, however, about 1890.

 

In 1849 Alexander Balloch was appointed Provincial Grand Superintendent of Scottish Royal Arch Masonry in New Brunswick. He held the Office until 1859, when he resigned. No new appointment was then made. The Chapters under Scottish authority formed prior to 1869 were as follows: Charleston Chapter, No. 47, which has already been mentioned; Fredericton Chapter, No. 77, at Fredericton, formed in 1857; Union Chapter, at Carleton, formed in 1859; Corinthian Chapter, No. 85, at Hampton, formed in 1859; Mount Lebanon Chapter, at Chatham, formed in 1864; and St. Stephen Chapter, No. 125, at St. Stephen, formed in 1868. Corinthian Chapter, No. 85, ceased Work in 1863.

 

In addition to the English and Scottish, two other Royal Arch jurisdictions were represented. These were those of Ireland and of Canada. The former was represented by three Chapters. Of the three, Hibernian Chapter, organised in 1834 and attached to Hibernian Lodge, No. 318, of St. Andrew's, was organised in 1830 and ceased Working in 1862. Sussex Chapter, No. 327, of St. Stephen, 6o FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION was Constituted in 1851, and surrendered in 1864. Hibernian Chapter, No. 301, was Constituted at St. John in 1858. In 1864 it changed its name to New Brunswick Chapter of Canada, becoming Chapter No. io on the Canadian Registry. The Grand Chapter of Canada was also represented by Botsford Chapter, No. 39, of Moncton, which was formed in 1870, and by Woodstock Chapter, No. 89, of Woodstock.

 

Upon the formation of the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia in 1869, the various Royal Arch Chapters in New Brunswick continued their allegiance to the Grand Chapters of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, and it was not until 1887 that The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Brunswick was formed. In that year there were seven Chapters in the Province. These were as follows Carleton (Register of Scotland), at St. John, Chapter No. 1; Fredericton (Register of Scotland), at Fredericton, Chapter No. z; New Brunswick (Register of Canada), at St. John, Chapter No. 3 ; Union (Register of Scotland), at Carleton, Chapter No. 4; St. Stephen (Register of Scotland), at St. Stephen, Chapter No. 5; Botsford (Register of Canada), at Moncton, Chapter No. 6; and Woodstock (Register of Canada), at Woodstock, Chapter No. 7. These Chapters formed the Grand Chapter of New Brunswick, with B. Lester Peters, Provincial Grand Master, acting as first Grand Principal.

 

Mt. Lebanon Chapter, of Chatham, remained out of the new organisation for some years, but is now Chapter No. 5, of New Brunswick. Chapter No. 3 has dropped out, and Chapters No. 5, No. 6, and No. 7 are now Chapters No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8, respectively. Chapters at Sussex, Edmundston, and Campbellton have since been Chartered, making 1o (in 1935) Chapters on the Roll. The total membership numbers about 16oo.

 

Cryptic Masonry in New Brunswick was propagated as early as 1828. In 1867, three Councils were formed in St. John, and a Grand Council was formed, having Illustrious Companion Robert Marshall acting as Most Puissant Grand Master, under authority from the Grand Council of Maine. From this new Council, Cryptic Masonry in Canada originated. St. John is now the headquarters of the Grand Council for the Jurisdiction of Eastern Canada, which comprises Quebec and the Maritime Provinces.

 

Knight Templarism in New Brunswick seems to have begun with the formation of Hibernian Encampment, No. 318, at St. Andrew's, under a Warrant from the Supreme Grand Encampment of Ireland. This Encampment ceased Working in 186o. In 1856 the Encampment of St. John, No. 48, was established at St. John under Dispensation from the Grand Priory of Scotland. A second Encampment, known as that of Union de Molay, under English authority, was established at St. John in 1868. In 1915, these two Bodies were merged under the name of St. John de Molay Preceptory, No. 3A, on the Roll of the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada. Other Knight Templar Bodies in the Province are as follows: Ivanhoe Encampment, No. 36, at Moncton, established in 1895; Woodstock Encampment, No. 41, at Woodstock, established in 1904; Fredericton Encampment, No. so, at Fredericton, established in 19o8; and Trinity Encamp‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 61 ment, No. 67, at Campbellton, established in 1924. St. Stephen Encampment, formed in 1872 at St. Stephen, remains under the Grand Conclave of Scotland. A Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland was established in 186o, but in recent years it has become inactive, as has also Moore Conclave, No. 1, of the Order of Rome and Constantine, which was Constituted in 1869. The Scottish Rite was introduced in 187o by the organisation of Moore Chapter, Rose Croix, at St. John, under Warrant from the Supreme Council of England and Wales. In 1871, New Brunswick Sovereign Chapter, Rose Croix, and New Brunswick Council and Consistory of Kadosh‑Thirty Degrees‑were constituted at Saint John under Scottish authority. In 1872, the English Supreme Council Constituted Harington Sovereign Consistory‑Thirty‑second Degreeand a Grand Council‑Thirty‑third Degree‑for the Maritime Provinces. After the organisation of the Supreme Council for Canada in 1874, the several rival Bodies entered into negotiations which resulted in reorganisation. New Brunswick Consistory and Harington Sovereign Chapter of Rose Croix then took the place of the existing Bodies. In 1878 St. John Lodge of Perfection was added. To this day all three Bodies continue under the Supreme Council of Canada. Luxor Temple of the Ancient and Accepted Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at St. John, is the only Shrine Body in the Province.

 

We have now sketched the history of the Craft in the Maritime Provinces for approximately two hundred years. The Fraternity in this, the cradle of Freemasonry in Canada, has advanced steadily throughout all that long stretch of time, and even in the face of difficulties. With the exception of one county in Nova Scotia, there are to‑day Lodges in every section of the Maritime Provinces. Furthermore, there is a steady yearly increase in membership. So long as freedom and good government exist, Freemasonry will exercise its benign influence on men's minds and will lead them to higher thoughts, nobler deeds, and greater achievements. Men do not know, nor will they ever know, the great good that has been accomplished by the plain, simple lessons of our Fraternity. And that great good is still being accomplished. While withdrawing ourselves from the gaze of the active world‑asking nothing of its favors, being independent of its powers and opinions‑Masonry lives as a law and a power within itself. This law and this power have directed and preserved it for ages. Yet, still, under the moral and civil law of the country in which it exists, obedient to that civil and moral law, Freemasonry will continue to fulfill its mission so long as the world exists‑so long as Christianity prevails as its best form of government.

 

The immense and growing army of Freemasons should be ever ready or should be made ready to promote international friendship and world order as the only hope of saving our civilisation from complete destruction. If not ready to do that, then Freemasons should be made ready to do so. Inculcating into Masonic hearts a greater love of the Fraternity as an international brotherhood is the first step in that direction.

 

All Freemasons do well ever to keep in mind the wise saying of Dermott: " To cultivate and establish the true system of Ancient Masonry, Unity, and 62 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Brotherly Love, is the only point in view." Dermott's prophetic vision saw this unity and brotherly love extending to men of every race and language, to men of every class and calling. He saw the possibility of Freemasonry's serving as the disruptor of all barriers of class and creed and color, as the cement of the Brotherhood of Man.

 

NEWFOUNDLAND REGINALD V. HARRIS* HE history of Newfoundland is of great interest, for it dates back to the earliest days of American discovery. In 1497 John Cabot, sailing from Bristol, England, appears to have made landfall at what is now known as Bonavista, Newfoundland. He claimed the country for King Henry VII of England. Three years later, Gaspar Corte‑Real discovered and named Conception Bay and Portugal Cove. In recognition of his achievement he was soon afterwards appointed Portuguese governor of Terra Nova. During the first half of the sixteenth century an extensive and lucrative fishing industry was developed in the region by English, Portuguese, Spanish, Basque, and French fishermen. Later attempts at colonisation by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, John Guy, and Lord Baltimore are the picturesque incidents which mark the history of Newfoundland between 1583 and 1632. Still later, in 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht ceded the region to England. Nevertheless, the treaty also reserved to the French certain fishing rights on the western and northern coasts, which were for many years a source of international trouble. In fact, it was not until 1728 that a settled form of government was established in Newfoundland, under Captain Henry Osborne, and even then progress continued to be slow until the period of the wars between England and France following the French Revolution. At that time, development of the fishing industry brought great prosperity to the Colony. Then, in 1832, representative government was established, and provision was made for education. Responsible government was inaugurated in 1855. Newfoundland did not join the confederation known as the Dominion of Canada, which was formed in 1867 by other colonies of British North America.

 

The earliest record of the practise of Masonry in Newfoundland is found in the Records of St. John's Grand Lodge, of Boston, under date of December 24, 1746. There appears the statement that " at the Petition of Sundry Brethren residing at in Newfoundland, our Rt. Worshipful Grand Master (Thomas Oxnard) granted a Constitution for a Lodge to be held there and appointed the Rt. Worshipful Mr. to be their first Master." From then on, for the next twenty‑one years, we have no record of the " Lodge in Newfoundland " except * In the preparation of the following article on Freemasonry in Newfoundland, the writer gratefully acknowledges the help and co‑operation of V..W..Bro. W. J. Edgar, District Grand Secretary, District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland, English jurisdiction OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 63 that which states that the Lodge was " not represented " at meetings of the Grand Lodge at Boston. Under date of July 25, 1766, however, a second Lodge, designated as St. John's Newfoundland Lodge, is listed in the Records of that Grand Lodge.

 

It is the writer's opinion, though this does not accord with local tradition, that the first Lodge was a Military Lodge held in the garrison at Placentia, where for many years a detachment of Philipps' Regiment was stationed. Masonry was undoubtedly active in the regiment at that time, for it is known that all the officers commanding at Placentia during the period bewteen 1746 and 1758 were members of the Craft.

 

On March 24, 1774, the Athole Grand Lodge of England Warranted St. John's Lodge, No. 186, at St. John's, Newfoundland. The Lodge met at the London Tavern there, and its first Officers were Thomas Todridge, Worship ful Master; Thomas Murphy, Senior Warden; and Peter Snyder, Junior Warden. Later at the union of the rival Grand Lodges of England, this Lodge was renumbered Lodge No. 226, and still later, in 1832, as Lodge No. 159. In the latter year, however, its Regalia and Records were destroyed by fire, and the Lodge ceased Work, although its name was not erased from the English Register until 1859.

 

On December 27, 1785, Lodge No. 213 (Ancients), established on July 3, 1781, in the Fourth Battalion of the Royal Artillery while the battalion was quartered in New York, granted a Dispensation for a Lodge to Brethren in Major Huddleston's Company at St. John's, Newfoundland. In December 1782, Lodge No. 213 had taken an active part in the formation of the Grand Lodge of New York, and at that time had been voted the special privilege of " trimming their Masonic hangings with gold in conformity with the uniform of their regiment." Part of the regiment was transferred to Newfoundland shortly after Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States. Later, the whole regiment was transferred to Woolwich, England. Then, in 1790, the regiment was transferred still another time, this time to Quebec. There, in course of time, the Lodge became permanent. It is now known as Albion Lodge, No. 2, G. R. Q. Of its Masonic activity during its stay in Newfoundland, very little is known except the few facts that can be gleaned from correspondence and returns found in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

 

In 1784 the Premier Grand Lodge of England Warranted the Lodge of Placentia, No. 455 (Moderns). This Lodge was renumbered in 1792 as Lodge No. 367. Its name was erased from the Register, however, in 1813. On April 30, 1785, the same authority Warranted another Lodge in Newfoundland, this one at Harbor Grace, Conception Bay. It was known as Lodge, No. 470 (Moderns). This Lodge was renumbered in 1792 as Lodge No. 381. Its name was also erased from the Register in 1813. Whether or not these Lodges continued their Work for any lengthy period is a matter of doubt.

 

In 1788 the rival Grand Lodge of England renewed its interest in Newfoundland and Warranted three Lodges in the Colony: The first of these was 64 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Lodge No. 247, at St. John's, Warranted on March 31. In 1804 this Lodge was named Benevolent Lodge. Then in 1813, at the time of the union of the rival Grand Lodges of England, it was renumbered as Lodge No. 312. In 1832it was again renumbered as Lodge No. ZZo; its name was erased in 1853. Lodge No. 249 was also Warranted on March 31, 1788, at St. John's. This Lodge lapsed about 1804. Lodge of Harmony, No. Z5o, was Warranted at Placentia on May 2, 1788. A Certificate or demit, issued by this Lodge to Francis Bradshaw, under date of August 7, 1807, still exists. It is signed by Daniel Hodgson, Worshipful Master, Joshua Blackburn, Senior Warden, and Edward Larkin, Junior Warden and Secretary. The Lodge met in the building which had been used as officers' quarters while Placentia was occupied by the French, and later tenanted by the Bradshaw family. Francis Bradshaw was surgeon to H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, afterwards King William IV. Tradition says that during his stay at Placentia the Duke was also a member of the Lodge there. At that time he presented a silver communion service to the church at Placentia. This is now in the possession of the Anglican Cathedral at St. John's. Although the Lodge was renumbered in 1814 as Lodge No. 317, it probably lapsed about 1810. Its name was erased from the Register in 1815.

 

As has been shown then, at the time of the union of the rival Grand Lodges of England, Freemasonry in Newfoundland was represented by only two Lodges: St. John's Lodge, No. 186, later renumbered as Lodge No. 226, and Benevolent Lodge, No. 247, later renumbered as Lodge No. 312, both of Ancient origin and both located at St. John's. Shortly after the union, however, a new start was made. On September 21, 1817, Union Lodge, No. 698 was Warranted at Trinity, Conception Bay. This Lodge was renumbered in 1832 as Lodge No. 451, but in 1859, its name was also erased from the Register. The jewels of this Lodge are now preserved in the Masonic Temple at St. John's. Seven years later, on November 15, 1824, Freemasonry was revived at Harbor Grace, when the Lodge of Order and Harmony was Warranted. It, too, was short lived, however, and its name was erased in 1832. The period from 1832 to 1848 is virtually a blank in the Masonic history of Newfoundland: In the former year, St. John's Lodge, No. 226, ceased Working, and it is doubtful whether Benevolent Lodge, No. 312, at St. John's, and Union Lodge, No. 451, at Trinity, continued their Labours. Neither record of their Work nor tradition of it has come down to us, but it is certain that by 1848 Masonic activity had ceased in Newfoundland.

 

Nevertheless, in 1846, the jurisdiction of the Hon. Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia, was enlarged to include New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. Immediately thereafter Bro. Keith addressed himself to the task of reorganising and reviving the Craft throughout the large territory assigned to him. Fortunately, his efforts were everywhere successful.

 

On October 3, 1848, a notice appeared in The Morning Post, edited by William J. Ward and published at St. John's, stating that a letter had been received from the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia relative to the re‑establishment of a Masonic OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 65 Lodge in St. John's, and asking all Master Masons favourable to such action to meet on the following evening. On October 31 the same paper announced that a Dispensation for a new Lodge had been received from the Hon. Alexander Keith. On the following November 29, the St. John's Lodge was Consecrated at the Albert Terrace. Although no details of the ceremony have come down to us, we do know that the first principal Officers of the Lodge were: Samuel G. Archibald, Master; William Jenkins, Senior Warden; John Stuart, Junior Warden; D. J. Henderson, Treasurer; and William J. Ward, Secretary.

 

The Lodge Worked under its Dispensation until 185o, when a Petition for a Charter was recommended by the Hon. Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master, and was forwarded to the Grand Lodge of England. The Petition was granted, and a Charter numbered 844 was issued on June 5, 185o. This Charter is still in use by the Lodge although it was renumbered in 1863 as No. 579The Charter bears an endorsement, stating that " a Dispensation for holding the Saint John's Lodge, having been granted by the Provincial Grand Master bearing date the , the Proceedings of the said Lodge from that date are accordingly ratified." St. John's Lodge, the senior Lodge in Newfoundland, has had a long and highly interesting history. Its Rolls contain many notable names, among them, that of Oliver Goldsmith, who served as Worshipful Master in 1849, while in Newfoundland as an officer in the British Army. Still other famous members of this Lodge were the Right Hon. Sir William V. Whiteway, P.C., K.C.M.G, first Worshipful Master of Avalon Lodge, second District Grand Master from 1878 to 1908, and for many years Prime Minister of the Colony; Patrick Tasker, Worshipful Master in 1853, 1856, and 1857, and Deputy Provincial Grand Master from 1858 to 186o; Captain Alphonse Duchesne, of the French steamship Vesta, a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour; the Hon. James Shannon Clift, second Deputy Provincial Grand Master from 186o to 1869, and first District Grand Master from 1861 to 1877; Sir Terence O'Brien, governor of Newfoundland and Past Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England, who accepted honorary membership in the Lodge in 18go; the Hon. Moses Monroe, founder of the Masonic Mutual Insurance Company, an active and enthusiastic Craftsman; the Hon. James A. Clift, K.B., C.B.E., third District Grand Master from 1908 to 1923; and Sir John R. Bennett, K.B.E., fourth District Grand Master, who was appointed in 1923.

 

In 1853 Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, in command of the American expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, the lost Arctic explorer, and his gallant men, were welcomed and entertained by the Lodge. At that time Dr. Kane was presented with a silk flag. Copies of the address made in his honour and of Dr. Kane's reply are preserved in the archives of Kane Lodge, No. 454, of New York City.

 

In January 1861, as a memorial of the esteem felt by the Craft for their late Brother, Patrick Tasker, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, St. John's Lodge established a fund " for the purpose of educating the children of de‑ 66 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION ceased Brethren who had been in full communion with this Lodge." The scope of the object of the fund was later so enlarged as to permit the co‑operation of other Lodges, and to‑day the Tasker Memorial Fund is the proud heritage of not only the Lodges in St. John's, but also of other Newfoundland Lodges outside the city. The fund has a splendid record of service, hundreds of children having been helped through its agency.

 

In November 19o8, the Lodge celebrated its sixtieth anniversary with a service of Thanksgiving held in the Congregational Church, followed by a meeting of the Lodge and a banquet at the Osborne House. Then, in 1923, the Lodge celebrated its seventy‑fifth anniversary, at which time it was honoured with a visit by Lord Ampthill, Pro Grand Master of England; Sir John Ferguson, Grand Treasurer; Lieutenant‑Colonel H. Hamilton Wedderburn, P.D.G.D.C.; A. E. Carlyle, P.A.G.D.C.; James H. Winfield, Grand Master of Nova Scotia; and J. C. Jones, Grand Secretary, all of whom were at that time made honorary members. On November 29 a banquet was given, and on December 2 a service of Thanksgiving was held at St. John's Cathedral.

 

In 1858 the Hon. Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master, granted a Dispensation to form a second Lodge at St. John's, to be called Avalon Lodge. Sir William V. Whiteway, who with several other members of St. John's Lodge became its founders, was named its first Master. Subsequently, a Charter for the new Lodge was issued under date of January 28, 1859. It was entered on the Register as Lodge No. 1078, but in 1863 it was assigned No. 776, its present number. Avalon Lodge has co‑operated with its sister Lodges in providing the Tasker Educational Fund and in every other worthy undertaking.

 

On June 24, 1858, it was announced that the Hon. Alexander Keith, Provincial Grand Master, had appointed Patrick Tasker to be Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and on August 6, Bro. Tasker was duly Installed. Avalon Lodge was organised during his term of Office.

 

In 186o, H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, afterwards King Edward VII, visited Newfoundland. At his official landing, the Masonic Body of Newfoundland, consisting of St. John's Lodge and Avalon Lodge, was given the post of honour, and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master made an address of welcome on its behalf. On November 2, i86o, Bro. Tasker, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, died at the early age of thirty‑seven. Thereupon, St. John's Lodge and Avalon Lodge nominated Bro. James S. Clift to the vacant Office, and on June 24, 1861, he was duly Installed.

 

In 1869 a Dispensation was granted for the formation of Hiram Lodge, at Burin, and on September 7 of that year a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of England. The Lodge was entered on the Register as No. 1281.

 

In 1866 the Grand Lodge of Scotland invaded Newfoundland, and Tasker Lodge, No. 454, Warranted by that Grand Body, was established at St. John's. This Lodge has exerted a dominant influence in the development and extension of Scottish Freemasonry in Newfoundland. Largely through its energies and those of District Grand Masters serving under Scottish authority, the follow‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 67 ing Lodges have since been Warranted: Harbor Grace Lodge, No. 476, at Harbor Grace; Carbonear Lodge, No. 1043, at Carbonear; Northcliffe Lodge, No. 1086, at Grand Falls; MacKay Lodge, No. 1129, at Bay Roberts; St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 1139, at St. John's; and Heart's Content Lodge, No. 1275, at Hearts' Content. Among the Lodges under the English authority and those under Scottish authority the utmost cordiality and co‑operation have always existed. The following Brethren have served as Masters under the Scottish authority: the Hon. A. M. Mackay, James Gordon, John Cowan, C. R. Duder, and the Hon. Sir Tasker Cook, the present incumbent.

 

Upon the formation of the present Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, in 1869, the English Lodges in Newfoundland, that is, St. John's Lodge, Avalon Lodge, and Hiram Lodge, were without a District Grand Master. Consequently on June 3, 1870, a memorial was forwarded to the Grand Lodge of England, praying that Newfoundland be made a District, with the Hon. James Shannon Clift acting as its first District Grand Master. This Petition was granted and Bro. Clift was appointed to the Office on August 29, 1870. Then, in the following May, a District Grand Lodge was formally organised, and its Officers were appointed and Invested. At the same meeting preliminary steps were taken for the formation of the present Benevolent Fund. The first Lodge formed under the new regime was Victoria Lodge, at Fortune Bay, which was Chartered on November 27, 1871, as Lodge No. 1378. Later, on December 13, 1876, a second Lodge was established at Grand Bank, under the name of Fidelity Lodge, No. 1659.

 

In 1876 an effort was made to establish a Grand Lodge of Newfoundland, the leaders in the movement being Bro. A. J. W. McNeily and the Hon. Moses Monroe. Delegates from St. John's Lodge, Avalon Lodge, and Victoria Lodge, all Working under the District Grand Lodge, and from Tasker Lodge and Harbor Grace Lodge Working under the Scottish Constitution, met in conference and reported favourably. The report was then adopted by all the Lodges and later was presented to the Grand Lodge of England by the Hon. William V. Whiteway, who happened to be visiting the motherland at that time, but it was not approved, for the advisors of the Grand Master felt that the time was inopportune and the District too weak successfully to support the dignity of a Grand Lodge. As a consequence, the proposals were dropped and they have not since been revived.

 

On the death of the Hon. James S. Clift, in 1877, the District Grand Lodge nominated the Hon. William V. Whiteway to succeed him as District Grand Master. In May 1878, Bro. Whiteway was appointed, his Installation taking place on the following June 12.

 

In 1880 the Masonic Mutual Insurance Company was formed, the Hon. Moses Monroe, its first President, being the prime mover in its establishment. Through its Work it has been of great benefit to its members.

 

On April 22, 1881, Notre Dame Lodge, No. 1907, at Bett's Cove, was Chartered by the Grand Lodge of England. Five years later the Lodge was trans‑ 68 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION ferred to Little Bay, where it is still active. A new Temple was dedicated at Little Bay in September 1931.

 

On June 1i, 1885, a new era in the Masonic history of Newfoundland was inaugurated. On that day the corner‑stone of the first Masonic Temple in St. John's was laid with fitting Rites. The ceremony was performed by the Dis trict Grand Master, the Hon. Sir William V. Whiteway, who was assisted by the Provincial Grand Master, the Hon. A. M. Mackay. Six months later, on December 29, the Temple was dedicated to Freemasonry. Here in 1887 the jubilee of Queen Victoria was fittingly celebrated. The celebration concluded on August 9, with a Grand Masonic ball, at which H. R. H., the Prince of Monaco was a guest. Here, too, in October 1889 Twillingate Lodge, No. 2364, at Twillingate, was Consecrated by the District Grand Master, Sir William V. Whiteway. Three years later, the great fire which swept away half the city of St. John's destroyed the beautiful Temple and with it many valuable Records which can never be replaced. This necessitated the building of a new Temple. On August 23, 1894, therefore, the corner‑stone of the present Temple was laid, the Lodges Working under both the English and the Scottish Constitutitions taking part. This second Temple was formally dedicated on St. George's Day, April 23, 1897.

 

At a joint meeting of St. John's Lodge and Avalon Lodge, held on November Zo, 19oo, the Right Hon. Sir William V. Whiteway, who had completed fifty years of Masonic Work, was memorialised with an address and presented with a golden loving cup.

 

In 1903 a meeting of the city Lodges was held to welcome the Deputy District Grand Master's Association of Massachusetts, which paid a visit to Newfoundland at that time.

 

In 19o8 on the death of the Right Hon. Sir William V. Whiteway, the Hon. James A. Clift, K.C., was appointed District Grand Master. He was Installed in May i909. During his term of Officeäwhich lasted from 1909 to 1923, three Lodges were added to the Roll, and the membership was more than doubled. The three Lodges were Whiteway Lodge, No. 3541, at St. John's, Botwood Lodge, No. 3542, at Botwood, and Clift Lodge, No. 3694, at Bell Island.

 

In July 1914, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, Grand Master of England, visited St. John's and attended a meeting of the District Grand Lodge. On that occasion addresses were presented by both District Grand Lodges. His Royal Highness also visited Botwood Lodge, at Botwood. Connaught Hall, later erected by that Lodge, was so named by permission of the Grand Master. The part played by Newfoundland members of the Craft during the Great War was a very real and practical one. The call for volunteers found a ready response among the Brethren, and the farewell meetings for the departing soldier Brethren were inspiring occasions long remembered by those who took part. During that struggle the Craft undertook the support of ten cots in the Newfoundland and Freemasons' Ward in the hospital at Southport, England, OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 69 and contributed generously to many other patriotic appeals and undertakings. In 1923 upon the death of James A. Clift, K.C.C.B.E., John R. Bennett was appointed to succeed him as District Grand Master. Bro. Bennett was Installed by the Right Hon. Lord Ampthill, M.‑.W.'. Provincial Grand Master of England, who in company with other distinguished English Brethren paid a visit to St. John's on July 1o, of that year. In 1926 the dignity of Knight of the British Empire (K.B.E.) was conferred upon the District Grand Master. It was in 1926 under the regime of Sir John Bennett, that Corner Brook Lodge, No. 4832, at Corner Brook, was established.

 

Clift Lodge, at Bell Island, and Botwood Lodge, at Botwood, own their own Lodge buildings. In July 1927, the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia held its Annual Convocation at St. John's, the home of Shannon Chapter, No. 9 which is under its jurisdiction.

 

The District of Newfoundland is the only one under the United Grand Lodge of England that has had the honour and privilege to welcome both the M.‑.W.‑.the Grand Master and the M.‑.W.‑.the Pro Grand Master of England.

 

The year 1923 is memorable in Newfoundland Masonry, for it marks the first occasion on which a Grand Officer (the M.‑. W.‑. the Pro Grand Master) crossed the ocean to perform the ceremony of Installing a District Grand Master.

 

In May 1931, the Scottish Constitutions of Newfoundland were honoured by a visit from the Grand Secretary of Scotland, R.‑. W.‑. Bro. Thomas G. Winning.

 

To‑day (1935), the Craft of Newfoundland is organised in eighteen Lodges, eleven of which are under the District Grand Lodge (English Constitution), with Sir John Bennett as District Grand Master; and the remaining seven of which are under the District Grand Lodge (Scottish Constitution), of which Sir Tasker Cook is District Grand Master. The total membership of all these Lodges is approximately Zooo Masons. Between the two jurisdictions there is the closest co‑operation. Both unite in supporting Shannon Royal Arch Chapter, No. 9, G.R. of Nova Scotia, the Tasker Educational Fund, and all other relief and patriotic funds and undertakings. The two jurisdictions vie with each other in service and good works only.

 

ONTARIO WALTER S. HERRINGTON HE history of Freemasonry in Ontario naturally resolves itself into several periods corresponding more or less with the political changes of the Province. The one did not always follow closely upon the heel of the other, yet we find that every change in the political status of the country, as a rule, sooner or later manifested itself in the Constitution of our Order.

 

70 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION During the French regime up to the fall of Quebec in 1759, there were no Lodges in any part of the Province: in fact, there were no white men within its present boundaries except the garrisons and traders in and about the trading posts along the line of travel to the hunting grounds west of the Great Lakes. Our next period extends from the taking over of Quebec by the British in 1759 to the division of the Province into Upper and Lower Canada in 1792. It must be remembered that the Quebec Act of 1774 extended the boundaries of that Province to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and included a great deal of territory now forming a part of the United States and of the ten Lodges Warranted during this period four were located at points beyond the present limits of our Province. Most of these Lodges were originally what we might term Military Lodges, the members of which were chosen from the regiments stationed at the various posts. It is true that after the Treaty of Paris following the revolution there was a great influx of United Empire Loyalists among whom were many Freemasons sincerely devoted to the Craft, but they were too busy hewing out their homes in the forest to devote much time to organising themselves into Lodges. Of these ten Lodges three were Warranted by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec, one by the Provincial Grand Lodge of New York, five by the Grand Lodge of England and one by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lower Canada. They were scattered over a vast extent of territory, the two extremes being over 5oo miles apart and up to 1792 no attempt had been made to bring them under one central authority.

 

Although the United States Empire Loyalists had by their sacrifices in the British cause justly earned their title, it must not be supposed that they were contented with their lot simply because they were once more under the British flag. The Quebec Act among its other terms guaranteed to the French subjects the free exercise of their language and religion and the preservation of the French Civil Code. While it was regarded by them as their Magna Charta, it found little favour with the Loyalists. To remedy this and other grievances the Constitution Act was passed in 1791 dividing the Province into Upper and Lower Canada and giving a separate Legislative Assembly to each. John Graves Simcoe was the first lieutenant‑governor of Upper Canada which afterwards became the Province of Ontario and with his arrival in 1792 there was ushered in a new era of Freemasonry. He was accompanied by one William Jarvis who in addition to his appointment as Secretary to His Excellency had previous to his sailing for Canada been Constituted by the Athol Grand Lodge of England Provincial Grand Master of Upper Canada. The Grand Lodge recognising the political separation into two Provinces treated them as separated also in their Masonic jurisdiction and under the same date, the 7th of March 1792, appointed H. R. H. Prince Edward, afterwards the Duke of Kent and father of Queen Victoria, Provincial Grand Master of Lower Canada. While the two offices were created at the same time, the authority granted to the respective incumbents differed in one respect. The prince was authorised to issue Warrants to Lodges, but R. W. Bro. Jarvis was simply given power to grant Dis‑ OF CANADA AND NEVvrvul,,_.__ pensations. The Grand Lodge reserved to itself the authority to issue the Warrants in Upper Canada. The latter disregarded the restriction placed upon him and much confusion resulted therefrom in after years. He could scarcely be said to possess any superior qualifications for the Office, as his appointment followed one month after his Initiation. He does not appear to have been very deeply impressed with the responsibility assumed by him in accepting the position as he made no effort to organise his Provincial Grand Lodge until July 1795. Five Lodges responded to the summons and the necessary Officers were regularly elected and Installed.

 

The seat of the government was changed in 1797 from Niagara to York, now the city of Toronto, and the Provincial Grand Master changed his residence accordingly. Up to that time he was so engrossed in his duties as secretary to Governor Simcoe that he paid very little attention to the affairs of Grand Lodge which were carried on by a number of zealous Brethren at Niagara who deeply resented the removal to York of the Charter and Jewels of Grand Lodge. In the absence of the Provincial Grand Master and the Warrant and Jewels the Brethren at Niagara continued to function as best they could and all efforts to induce R. W. Bro. Jarvis to attend the meetings or return the Warrant and jewels to Niagara were of no avail. Finally a peremptory demand was made upon him in i8oi to attend a meeting at Niagara called for the purpose of putting the affairs of Grand Lodge in order accompanied with a warning that in the event of his failing to attend he would be deposed from office and a successor elected in his stead. There was of course no constitutional authority for such a high‑handed proceeding but the Brethren were driven to desperation and were prepared to take matters in their own hands regardless of the consequences. He ignored the threat and in December i8oz the rebellious Brethren, true to their promise, formed a schismatic Gran d Lodge, elected a Grand Master of their own, and immediately set to work t o extend their field of operations by issuing Warrants to new Lodges. R. W. Bro. Jarvis was finally goaded into action and summoned a meeting of the Lodges at York in February 1804. The object of the meeting was to stamp out the seditious movement at Niagara.

 

Of the eighteen regular Lodges in the jurisdiction only eight sent Delegates to York. All of these were quite outspoken in their loyalty to the Provincial Grand Master and declared war against the Naigara Brethren and summoned them to appear at York to answer for their alleged un‑Masonic conduct. This was the beginning of a long and bitter strife culminating in a feeling far removed from the true spirit of Freemasonry, which continued until the death of the Provincial Grand Master in 1817. The jurisdiction was thus divided into two factions both animated by the best of intentions and at this distance it is difficult to place upon either of them the responsibility for the unfortunate position in which they found themselves. The marvel is that any of the Lodges survived the test to which they were subjected. Each Body denounced the other in letters and Petitions to the Grand 72 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Lodge of England with the result that R. W. Bro. Jarvis received a severe reprimand, but this had little effect upon him. He continued his indifferent attitude towards the Craft and called no further meeting of the Grand Lodge until 1811. At this meeting very little was done beyond denouncing the Niagara Brethren. The latter Body held regular Communications, took an active interest in the Lodges recognising its authority, kept up a correspondence with the Grand Lodge at London, which neither rebuked them for presuming to arrogate to themselves the authority of the Provincial Grand Lodge nor acknowledged their right to do so. The war of 1812‑15 put the finishing touch upon the efforts of the Provincial Grand Lodge to maintain some semblance of organisation and also seriously interferred with the operations of the schismatic Body at Niagara. The Provincial Grand Master died on the 13th of August 1817 and with him passed the last hope of reviving Freemasonry through the organisation that he had brought into being.

 

The Niagara Brethren took full advantage of the opportunity that presented itself to extend their influence and with renewed energy sought to win over the Lodges which up to that time had declined to recognise them. Al though they had, after the death of R. W. Bro. Jarvis secured the original Warrant appointing him Provincial Grand Master the majority of the Lodges, while recognising the zeal and good intentions of the rebellious Brethren felt that their position was unconstitutional and untenable. It was in this crisis that the Brethren at the other end of Lake Ontario conceived the idea of inviting all the Lodges to a Conference in order to devise some means of placing the Provincial Grand Lodge upon a sound basis and establishing harmony throughout the entire jurisdiction. In fact the plan was set on foot before the death of the Provincial Grand Master by the Brethren of Addington Lodge at the village of Bath, but the meeting was not convened until two weeks after his death. This meeting resulted in bringing into being what is known in our Masonic chronicles as the Kingston Convention. Without arrogating to themselves the title of a Grand Lodge or designating their Officers by the regular Masonic appellations, the Lodges participating in the movement performed all the functions of a Grand Lodge, infused new life into the Lodges which had lain dormant for a number of years, and actually formed seven new Lodges. For five years they kept the Masonic fires burning and during this period used every effort to induce the United Grand Lodge of England to appoint a new Provincial Grand Master. They were frustrated in their efforts through the opposition of the Niagara organisation and the apparent inability of the English officials to understand the actual state of affairs in the Province. This confusion in England was largely due to the neglect of R. W. Bro. Jarvis to make the necessary returns during his term of Office. To the Kingston Convention Freemasons in Canada owe a great deal. But for the untiring efforts of the few zealous Brethren who devised the organisation and so successfully managed its affairs the Craft would have become a hopeless wreck. Their efforts were ultimately crowned with success, and there was great OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 73 rejoicing in June 1822 when notice was received from the Grand Lodge of England of the appointment of Simon McGillivray as Provincial Grand Master. The choice of the new incumbent of the Throne was a happy one. He was a shrewd business man, a genial companion and an ardent lover of the Craft. He was a nephew of Simon McTavish, famous in the fur‑trading operations of the North West Company. He had visited Canada as a mere boy in 18oo and ten years later became a partner in the company and became so proficient in the business that he was eventually chosen to negotiate the fusion between the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company. He was peculiarly fitted for the task in hand if he could have found it convenient to devote his time to the duties of his Office. He could be firm without appearing to be autocratic and persuasive without loss of dignity. As it was he brought order out of chaos and reconciled the opposing factions, including the Niagara Brethren, who for eighteen years had maintained their own schismatic Grand Lodge. His first report to the Grand Lodge of England showed Dispensations granted to twenty Lodges, and a hopeful prospect of bringing the remaining sixteen within the fold, Unfortunately his business interests called him out of the country for long intervals and he was obliged to entrust the guidance of Grand Lodge to deputies who failed to rise to the occasion. While a few individual Lodges manifested a deep interest in Masonry during the eighteen years that he presided over the destiny of the Craft, yet throughout the Province there was after the first few years a gradual decline in the activities of many others. No small portion of this lack of interest may be attributed to the unfortunate Morgan incident. Simon McGillivray died in i84o and Freemasonry in the Province was once more without a head. By a strange coincidence there was another political change in our history, but the two events are in no way related to each other. Matters had not been going well in either Upper or Lower Canada. They each had many grievances which culminated in open rebellion in both Provinces in 1837. After a thorough investigation by Lord Durham a solution of the difficulties was sought by adopting his recommendation of a union of the two Provinces, which was effected by the British Parliament in the same year that Freemasonry in Upper Canada for the second time was set adrift. For four years the Grand Lodge of England took no steps to fill the vacancy and the selection, when made, fell upon a man who had not yet received his Master's Degree. In the meantime the Brethren in the eastern part of the Province broke out in open revolt. In 1842 R. W. Bro. Ziba M. Phillips, of Brockville, by virtue of his rank as Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master, an honour conferred upon him by McGillivray twenty years before, took it upon himself to call a meeting of Delegates from all the Lodges to take into consideration the state of the Craft and the necessity of forming a permanent Provincial Grand Lodge. Only four Lodges responded to the summons. The outcome of the meeting was the forwarding of a Petition to the Grand Master in England praying that the Hon. Robert Baldwin Sullivan be appointed Provincial Grand Master. No reply to the Petition was received. Undeterred by this cold recep‑ 74 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION lion of their prayer the Brethren in response to another invitation from R. W. Bro. Phillips met again in 1843 and went through the form of organising an independent body. The Grand Lodge of Free Masons, Canada West, had elected Bro. Phillips Grand Master. For eleven years this Body continued to function but its sphere of influence was limited to a small portion of the eastern part of the Province. Sir Allan Napier McNab was the first Canadian to be appointed Provincial Grand Master by the Grand Lodge of England. Although he received his Warrant in 1844, for some reason known only to himself, he did not disclose the fact until the following year when his Mother Lodge in conjunction with other Lodges was on the eve of petitioning England to appoint W. Bro. T. J. Ridout. A happy compromise was effected by reorganising the Provincial Grand Lodge on the 9th of August, 1845, with Sir Allan in the Grand East supported by Bro. Ridout as Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

 

With the advent of this, the Third Provincial Grand Lodge, the spirit of Freemasonry received a new impetus and there was every indication that the Jursidiction was entering upon an era of prosperity it had never before attained. By 1852 there were no less than thirty‑four Lodges affiliated with the new Grand Lodge, which held its regular semi‑annual Communications and led an active existence in striking contrast with the former provincial bodies. The otherwise clear Masonic firmament was marred by only two clouds. The one was the spurious Grand Lodge, still presided over by R. W. Bro. Phillips, which, however, was losing its influence and was doomed to an early extinction. The other was of a more serious nature. There was a growing feeling that the Provincial Grand Lodge should be permitted to elect its own Grand Master and to have absolute control of the working and operation of the Craft within its jurisdiction‑the United Grand Lodge of England still retaining and exercising a superior and governing power. This state of feeling was brought about by the delays in forwarding Certificates and Warrants, and the absorption of the surplus funds of the Canadian Lodges for the benevolent purposes of the Mother Grand Lodge, which was at the same time sending to our shores many emigrants who, sooner or later, became a charge upon the Masons here. At the meeting held in June 1852 the first step was taken which eventually led to the creation of our independent Grand Lodge. A notice of motion was given that at the next regular meeting a resolution would be introduced that the Grand Lodge of England be memorialised to permit the Provincial Grand Lodge to exercise control over the affairs of Masonry in this Province.

 

Accordingly, at the next meeting a Committee was appointed to draft a Petition which in due course was presented for adoption in the following May. It was couched in the most friendly terms and while it professed the most " fraternal feelings of gratitude and respect and esteem " for the United Grand Lodge of England it made it quite clear that it was the desire, and, we might read between the lines, the determination of the Provincial Grand Lodge to elect its own Grand Master and to have control of its own affairs subject to the governing power of the United Grand Lodge. Six months OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 75 elapsed and no reply had been received to the Petition. At the meeting in October 1853 the Canadian Brethren went one step further. A notice of motion was given that at the meeting in the following May a resolution would be presented calling for the forwarding of a Petition for power to establish an independent Grand Lodge. In the meantime it was learned that there had been some delay in forwarding the first Petition, so no further action was taken at that time further than the forwarding of a letter to the Grand Master in which the complaints of the Provincial Grand Lodge were clearly set forth. Meetings were held in October 1854 and May and July 1855 and still no satisfaction had been obtained from the mother country. At the July meeting an attempt was made to submit a resolution calling for the formation of an independent Grand Lodge, but the Deputy Grand Master ruled it out of order. A large number of Delegates resented this action and after adjournment called an informal meeting and unanimously passed a resolution that a meeting be called for the loth of October in Hamilton to take into consideration the advisability of establishing an independent Grand Lodge of Canada.

 

Forty‑four Delegates assembled at the appointed time and place representing Lodges all the way from Montreal to Windsor, for it will be observed that the resolution embraced Lower as well as Uppper Canada. It was a very anxious time for all concerned. In the hearts of all there was a strong attachment to the Old Country. The efforts to establish in Canada any stable form of government had not up to that time been very successful. There was a tendency to lean heavily upon the motherland, to look to her for support and guidance, to place implicit confidence in her counsels and that same dependent attitude largely prevailed in matters Masonic. On the other hand, they felt that their grievances were real and that the only remedy was complete independence. After the usual preliminaries a resolution to that effect was presented and met with only one dissenting vote. William Mercer Wilson, judge of the County Court of Norfolk, was elected the first Grand Maste rof the Grand Lodge of Canada. To him Freemasonry in Canada owes more than to any other man. His scholarly attainments, amiable disposition, exemplary life, gentlemanly instincts and judicial training peculiarly qualified him for the position. He was at the outset confronted with two very difficult problems, viz. to secure recognition by the other Grand jurisdictions including the Grand Lodge of England, and what promised to be a much more difficult one, to reconcile and bring within the fold those Lodges that had not approved the step that had been taken.

 

Matters were not moving very smoothly at this time with the Provincial Grand Lodge, M. W. Bro. Wilson had approached it with a view of union of the Grand Lodges but a deadlock ensued. Negotiations with the Grand Lodge of England had proven unsatisfactory. The only alternative that remained was to form another independent Grand Lodge of Canada which was accordingly done. This brought about the undesirable condition of two independent Grand Lodges assuming concurrent jurisdiction over the same territory, a condition tantamount to a declaration of war by the new Grand Lodge. It was 76 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION in this crisis that M. W. Bro. Wilson displayed his consummate skill and diplomacy. Although the two Grand Bodies hurled invectives at each other he did not despair of effecting a union, as he realised and bent all his energies towards convincing both belligerents that Freemasonry could not thrive in such an atmosphere. In this endeavour he had an able assistant in the person of R. W. Bro. J. D. Harington, Provincial Grand Master of Quebec and Three Rivers, a member of the Provincial Grand Lodge and, after the union, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada for four consecutive years. Committees were appointed by the respective Grand Lodges, conferences were held under the guidance of these two distinguished Brethren and a basis of union was finally reached satisfactory to both parties. The union was consummated on 14th of July 1858. It was at this gathering that M. W. Bro. Wilson, whose memory is honoured and revered throughout the entire jurisdiction, presented in his address his conception of the essential qualifications of a Master of a Lodge. We tender no apology for presenting it in full, as he himself was a living exemplication of the ideal Master.

 

" To become the model Master of a Lodge should be the ambition of every Brother: and to discharge with efficiency and zeal the duties of that important Office should be his most anxious desire. These duties are not confined to the mere repetition of a few phrases, learned by rote, but he should be enabled to instruct the Craft, not only as to the meaning and origin of our ceremonies, but also to explain to them the philosophy which is veiled in its allegories and illustrated by its symbols. He should be able, also, to convince his Brethren, that all science and all art, legitimately directed, are but lines that radiate towards the great ` I AM,' that the sciences are the media by which we are led to contemplate the goodness, greatness, wisdom and power of the Great Architect of the Universe: and that the arts are the modes we have developed of expressing our sense and admiration of the wondrous glories of an Almighty Father which are scattered around us. The Master of a Lodge should also, in his life and in his conversation, be a model for his Brethren to admire and imitate, and should himself practise virtues which he inculcates within its walls. He should be punctual and methodical in all things, and, both by his character and conduct, command the respect, the esteem, and good will of all men for, as the Master is supreme in his Lodge, and distinguished by his position in the Craft, so should he also be distinguished as the possessor of an irreproachable character, a dignified demeanour, an expanded intellect, and a liberal education. Happy and prosperous must those Lodges be which are governed by such men!‑Their time of meeting is looked forward to by the Brethren with the most pleasing anticipations. Prompt at the hour, every Brother is at his station, and the Work is carried on with pleasure and profit. The Worshipful Master who presides over his Lodge with ability, firmness, and decision for without force of character there can be no force of impression, whose manner is courteous yet dignified: whose decisions are consonant with reason and Masonic law: and who dispenses light and information among the Craft, will ever OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 77 be regarded by his Brethren as one who is entitled to their highest respect and their most fraternal regard." The union of the two Grand Lodges of Canada having been happily effected there was still wanting recognition by the Grand Lodge of England. Although there had been some heated correspondence over the action of the Canadian Brethren, there was never a time when they lost their respect and reverence for the Mother Grand Lodge. Nearly all of the other Grand jurisdictions had gladly extended recognition and it was quite apparent that the Grand Lodge of England could not consistently decline much longer to extend fraternal greetings. The main difficulty was the desire of the English Grand Lodge to protect a few Lodges it had Warranted, and which had not affiliated with the Canadian Grand Lodge. To M. W. Bro. Wilson is due the credit of bringing about a settlement of this problem. On the first of June 1859 an agreement was reached acknowledging the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada, but reserving the rights and privileges of private Lodges and individuals still holding firm in their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England. It was further provided that no more Warrants for new Lodges in any part of Canada would be granted by the English Grand Lodge.

 

M. W. Bro. Wilson ruled the destinies of the Grand Lodge for the first five years of its existence. After this period he was re‑elected from time to time, serving in all ten years in the Grand East. When he first assumed Office there were 41 Lodges owing allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Canada. When he surrendered his gavel at the end of his first term of five years there were 136 holding Warrants and two Working under Dispensations. He had piloted the Craft through threatening storms and treacherous waters and brought it safely into port. It was with a heart filled with emotion and gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe that he used the following words in his valedictory address in 186o " To God and to Him alone, are we indebted for the peace, happiness and prosperity which has attended our efforts and blessed our labours. With gratified hearts and due solemnity, we do therefore earnestly entreat our heavenly Father to continue to us His protection, blessing and guidance." That prayer has been answered in full measure. Complications have arisen and difficulties have presented themselves, but all these problems have been solved and at no time since that prayer was uttered has Freemasonry in the Province of Ontario sustained any serious injury from internal dissensions or strained relations with foreign jurisdictions. The total membership at that time was 3664 but by a steady growth the number has increased to about 116,ooo at the present time.

 

The question of benevolence must sooner or later force itself to the front in every jurisdiction and the Grand Lodge of Canada was not exempt from this perplexing problem of caring for the indigent Brethren and their dependents. In a moment of excessive optimism Grand Lodge committed itself in 1861 to a scheme for the erection of an asylum for the aged and indigent Masons. It 78 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION was proposed to raise $io,ooo by voluntary subscription which as soon as raised was to be supplemented by another $io,ooo from the general funds. For forty years the question was kept dangling before Grand Lodge. Committees were appointed from time to time to report upon the feasibility of the scheme and although the fund with accumulated interest had passed the $io,ooo mark by 1884 Grand Lodge could not see its way clear to undertake the erection of the building. As early as 1867 M. W. Bro. Wilson, who was again the occupant of the Throne expressed himself as decidedly opposed to the undertaking.

 

In commenting upon the attitude of those who were at the time receiving assistance from their respective Lodges or from Grand Lodge he said: " I am convinced that very few of them, if any, would accept your bounty if coupled with the condition that before they could become the recipients of it, they must become the inmates of a Masonic asylum." This was the keynote of the objections presented every time the question was brought forward. It remained for the Committee of Audit and Finance to devise in igoo an ingenious method of disposing of the money which at that time amounted to over $16,ooo, by getting Grand Lodge to adopt its report which gave expression to the opinion that unless Grand Lodge at its next Annual Session otherwise ordered, the Asylum Fund should merge into the General Fund. No action was taken at the next meeting so the merger was automatically effected. Had the subject been introduced it is quite possible that the result might have been different. Entirely apart from any sums expended by individual Masons and constituent Lodges, Grand Lodge paid out during the past year, 1934, in benevolence the sum of $i22,149.oo, and this annual expenditure is likely to increase in the future. The fund is administered very satisfactorily by a Committee of Benevolence assisted in the larger centres by Boards oś Relief. The question of a Masonic Home was again introduced in 192‑2, and a Committee was appointed to enquire into the desirability of establishing one. After a thorough enquiry extending over two years the Committee reported that they did not consider it advisable or practicable to entertain the proposal to build a hospital, home or school.

 

On the first of July 1867 our Province underwent another political change followed very quickly by a demand for a change in the jurisdiction of our Grand Lodge. On that date Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia and New Bruns wick were united under one federal government with a local legislative assembly for each Province. Lower Canada resumed its former name as the Province of Quebec while Upper Canada entered the federation as the Province of Ontario .

 

In the month of October 1869 after some unpleasant preliminaries a Convention of Delegates from the Quebec Lodges went through the form of organising an independent Grand Lodge for that Province. The reason assigned was that Quebec and Ontario had become separate Provinces and should be separate Masonic Jurisdictions. Owing to some alleged irregularities or what we might charitably term misunderstandings between the leaders of the move‑ 8o FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION its reports are very rarely rejected or amended. The Board, of course, has no power to suspend or amend the Constitution and can act independently in only such matters as it is given power to do by Grand Lodge. The Deputy Grand Master is ex‑officio President of the Board and presides at its meetings.

 

Our Ritual is modelled after that of the United Grand Lodge of England. There are a few verbal changes but the casual observer would not be able to detect any difference. Our first Grand Masters spent many anxious moments in their endeavours to overcome the lack of uniformity in the Work. Slight inaccuracies would creep in at one part or another of the ceremonies. These might have been produced through a defective memory or a failure to grasp a correct rendering of the part. For the past quarter of a century very little difficulty has been experienced along this line. Each of the thirty‑four District Deputy Grand Masters is expected, during his term of office, which is for one year only, to visit every Lodge in his District, and to see that every Officer is proficient in his Work. For over twenty‑five years a veteran Grand Master, a recognised authority upon the Ritual, has taken the District Deputy Grand Masters in hand immediately after their election and thoroughly instructed them in the duties of their Office and in the secret Work. This course, extending over a period of years, has produced a remarkable uniformity throughout every part of the jurisdiction. No levity of any kind is tolerated in conferring the Degrees, but on the contrary every effort is put forward to impress upon the candidate that he is embarking upon a serious undertaking, and that he will be expected to observe faithfully the lessons presented to him for his consideration.

 

Grand Lodge has been deeply concerned in recent years over the question of Masonic Education. There was a conviction that the newly‑Initiated candidates were not receiving the attention that they had a right to expect from the Lodge. In the course of the ceremonies they were repeatedly enjoined to pursue certain courses of study, but nothing was done to guide them in their pursuit of knowledge, with the result that in many instances the members became discouraged, indifferent and irregular in their attendance, with the inevitable suspension for non‑payment of dues. The question of seeking a remedy for this unfortunate state of affairs was first brought to the attention of Grand Lodge by M. W. Bro. Martin at the Annual Communication in 192‑9. His appeal received a sympathetic hearing, and a Committee was appointed to investigate the whole matter and to report at the next Annual meeting. The Committee entered energetically upon their duties, but finding the task assigned to them much more complicated than was anticipated they were not in a position to report until 1931‑ In view of the fact that fewer applications for membership were being received the time seemed particularly opportune for devoting some of the spare time to Masonic Education. To secure uniformity of procedure steps were taken to prepare manuals of instruction. These have now been completed for the first and second Degrees. The Committee is now one of the standing Committees of Grand Lodge, and to it is committed the full control through‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 81 out the entire jurisdiction. Competent instructors have been appointed in every District. Each Lodge is expected to introduce some educational topic in the programme of at least two meetings each year. Lectures are delivered or papers read, followed by a question drawer and discussion of the subject brought before the Brethren. The result has been most gratifying. The members have displayed an eagerness to acquire more knowledge of the history of the Craft and its mysteries and symbolism. The attendance at the regular meetings has been increased and a keener interest is manifested in all the proceedings of the Lodge. While the system is still in an experimental stage the consensus of opinion is that it will eventually be put upon a permanent basis, and will go a long way towards solving the vexed problem of the too‑prevailing lack of interest in the proceedings of the Lodge.

 

Selected statistics covering the entire period from the formation of our Grand Lodge to the present time showing the number of Lodges, membership, finances, and benevolent work are shown on the following pages.

 

QUEBEC W. W. WILLIAMSON HE ancient city of Quebec, crowded with historical interest and romance from the day of its foundation up to the very present, and from within whose walls came those hardy explorers who were so largely instrumental in opening up a new world, possesses a peculiar interest for the Masonic Fraternity for the northern half of the North American continent. It was there that the first governing body of Freemasonry was created in Canada, immediately after the capture of the city by General Wolfe.

 

From time to time various claims have been advanced that some form of Masonry had been brought over from France long before the fall of Quebec. While we are not in position to disprove those claims, at the same time we can confidently assert that there is no existing proof that such was the case. In support of these claims, attention has been drawn to the finding in Quebec, in the year 1784, of a Cross of St. John of Jerusalem. On it was sculptured a Templar's shield having the shape of a keystone. The cross bore the date 1647. It is more than likely, however, that the Knights Hospitaller of Malta, or some similar organisation, once maintained the establishments in both Quebec and Montreal, and that this cross may have come from the ruins of one of their asylums. The cross has been preserved and is now embedded in the gateway that leads to the principal entrance of the Chateau Frontenac.

 

At the outset it may be stated that so soon as civilian Lodges had been established in Quebec, the French Canadians of that day formed a good part of the membership. They were apparently very enthusiastic in spreading Masonry over the then known portions of the region. Indeed on important occasions 82 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION YEAR NUMBER OF LODGES MEMBERSHIP REVENUE AMOUNT SPENT FOR BENEVOLENCE 1856 41 1,179 L93 /5 1857 1858 1859 49 113 123 1,581 3,042 3,341 b54/II/2 $1,381.00 4093 i86o 140 3,664 3,947 $75 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 151 154 158 164 172 172 184 195 209 3,993 4,368 4,750 5,249 5,792 6,380 7,000 8,o22 8,797 5,466.oo 4,182.00 4,881.oo 5,o68.oo 5,695.00 6,65o.oo 6,92‑3‑00 8,02‑3‑00 8,612.oo 15.00 30.00 150.00 495 ‑00 33000 401.00 46o.oo 9io.0o 1,245.00 1870 229 9,99, 9,683 2, I9o 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 253 281 297 276 288 303 319 324 334 10,500 12,168 13)750 14,530 15,934 16,719 17,220 17,418 17,587 9793 10,346.oo 11,698.oo 13,532.00 14,070.00 14,130.00 17,013.00 16,945 16,570‑00 3,481.00 4, Ioo.oo 4,870‑00 4,64o.oo 5,6o5.oo 5,925.00 6,o66.oo 7,42‑5.00 g,18o.oo 188o 340 17,474 I5,46o 6.870 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 189o 189i 1892 1893 1894 346 347 349 350 356 357 357 355 354 354 348 347 348 349 17,635 17,967 18,442 18,9II 18,983 1925 6 19,450 19,740 19,818 20,499 2‑o,892 2‑1,42.8 22,o64 2‑2,530 21,499‑00 16,gI3.OO 18,044.00 16,478.oo 16,742.00 16,482.oo 15,604.00 18,673 ‑00 17,007.00 18,4o8.oo 19,477‑00 19,796.oo 21,522.00 18,991.oo I I , o80. oo 8,710.00 9,370.00 9,000.00 9,800.00 9,26o.oo 9,625.oo 9,840.00 9,770‑00 9,61o.oo 5,070‑00 7,07500 8,085.00 9)500.00 OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 83 YEAR NUMBER OF LODGES MEMBERSHIP REVENUE AMOUNT SPENT FOR BENEVOLENCE 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 Igoo 1901 1902 1903 1904 11905 Igo6 1907 Igo8 11909 1910 IgII 1912 19113 1914 1915 IgI6 11917 1818 1919 1920 1921 1922192‑3 192‑4 1925 1926 1927 1928 192.9 11930 1931 19321933 11934 351 357 360 361 361 362 362 372375 383 391 395 397 406 411 413 4113 421 432442445 449 453 458 472 486 501 527 537 538 545 555 559 563 564 567 568 568 568 568 22,705 23,351 23,398 23,996 24,957 25,922 26,939 28,421 30,485 32,708 34,965 37,728 39,795 41,180 43,908 46,40 48,394 50,721 53,699 56,787 58,983 61,062 63,477 66,457 72,029 8o,92o 84,285 91,879 98,036 Io2,o96 105,339 107,676 1110, 549 112,401 114,237 115,981 116,998 116,166 II3,II8 108,887 18,710.00 20,215.00 2o,828.oo 19,798‑00 21,040.00 22,413.00 2‑3,499‑00 25,3411.00 26,724.00 30,263.00 33,01111.00 34,377‑00 37,359.00 38,954‑00 37,446.oo 4I,362.oo 42.,383‑00 43,1144‑00 44,696.oo 47,241.00 47,233‑00 46, 5 6o.oo 65,799‑00 85,34000 95,116o.oo 114,330.00 143,508.00 139,718.oo 1137,794.00 141,43400 143,768.oo 143,74100 153,723.00 153,59200 1155,543‑00 163,142.00 173,482..oo 16g,304‑00 161,419.00 I5o,868.oo 8,570‑00 9,830.00 8,46o.oo Io,0oo.00 10,150.00 io,6oo.oo 11,340.00 II,565.oo I1,88o.oo 12.,905.00 13,94000 22.,I10.00 20,150.00 23, I66.oo 26,372‑00 2.6,774‑00 30,1195 .00 311,89700 33,835 33,7o8.oo 34,745 36,o7o.oo 36,48500 38,705 40,130.00 51,030.00 66,577‑00 78,410.00 102,275.00 I07,86o.oo 103,005.00 100, 500.00 Io7, Ioo.OO 111,803.00 105,370.00 117,075.00 117,86i.oo 119,025.00 122,149.00 Masonic services were held in Roman Catholic churches, This interest of the French Canadians was maintained for nearly a century, or until the decade from 1860 to 1870. At that time they withdrew from membership for reasons best known to themselves.

 

84 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION During the last century and up to the present time, many ardent Masonic historians have made increasing efforts to delve into the past, and though they have added many valuable and indisputable facts to our knowledge of Masonic history in Canada, there are still many links in the chain still missing. Many of these are believed to exist in some form or other, although they are at the moment hidden from view. The Province of Quebec is no exception to this almost universal condition. Perhaps no more striking instance of the recovery of valuable Masonic documents is recorded than the recent discovery of the original Minute Book of the first Grand Lodge of Canada, which had lain in darkness for over a century and a half. Found in a village hundreds of miles from any Masonic centre, it had apparently remained all these years in the possession of the descendants of some noted Mason of the eighteenth century. Happily it was brought to light some ten years ago.

 

The discovery of this precious Record enables us to correct errors made in former Masonic histories of the jurisdiction of Quebec. It can be considered as an authoritative guide to our Masonic past. The writer has been able to verify all the contents of the book by examining the Records in the library of the Grand Lodge of England. As may be readily surmised, the Minute Book is hand‑written, and is partly a Minute Book and partly a Correspondence Record. From it we learn that soon after the fall of Quebec, on September 113, 1759, the members of the Military Lodges, thinking that they would doubtless be stationed in Quebec for quite a length of time, felt the necessity of having some form of supervision, since there were at the time so many Masonic Warrants in possession of the various regiments stationed in or about Quebec. With that love for law and order which has always characterised the Anglo‑Saxon, a meeting of a few of the Military Lodges was therefore called. This resulted in the creation of the Grand Lodge of Canada. Because of the importance of that meeting, the Minutes of it are given here. They are as follows Quebec on the 28th day of November 11759 and of Masonry 5759, which was as soon as convenient after the Surrender of this place to His Britannic Majesty's Arms.

 

The masters and wardens of the following Lodges, viz: No. 1192 in the 47th Regiment, No. 2118 in the 48th Regiment, No. 245 in the 115th Regiment, Dispensation 1136 in the 43rd Regiment, Dispensation 1195 in the Artillery, all of the Registery of Ireland, and No. 11, of Louisbourg warrant: Mett in form at 6 o'clock in the evening when it was consulted and agreed upon, as there were so many Lodges in this Garrison, That one of the brethren present of the Greatest Skill and Merritt shou'd take u on him the Name of GRAND MASTER from the Authority of the above Loges untill such time as a favourable opportunity shou'd offer for obtaining a proper sanction from the Right Worshipful and Right Honourable the Grand Master of England and in consequence thereof our True and faithful Brother Mr. John Price Guinnitt Lieutenant in his Majesty's 47th Regiment was unanimously and to the Great satisfaction of the whole fraternity assembled Proclaimed GRAND MASTER for the En‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 85 suing year, when being properly installed in the chair he chose our worthy Brother Thomas Augustus Span Esq. Captain in the 28th Regiment his Deputy who was thereupon proclaimed as such, and Brothers Huntingford and Prenti.es were Chosen Senior & Junior Grand Wardens and Brother Paxton Grand Secretary.

 

Thus the first Grand Lodge of Canada was launched in good faith and the constituent Lodges at once proceeded to build up a permanent and representative organisation which has continued uninterruptedly to the present time.

 

The first Grand Master did not retain his Office more than six months, for we find that on June 24, 176o, Bro. Simon Fraser, Colonel of the 78th Regiment, was elected Grand Master and that again on November 24 of the same year, Bro. Augustus Span was elected. Thus we discover that that early Lodge had the unique experience of having three Grand Masters in less than one year! On December 27, 1761, Lieutenant Milburne West was elected Grand Master and then on October 30, 1762, he was re‑elected. At the latter Communication a Bro. Walker produced a Warrant from the Grand Master of England empowering him to form and hold a Lodge by the name of Merchants Lodge, No. i. The Grand Lodge of England, not having been advised of the creation of the Grand Lodge of Canada, was quite justified in its action. The confusion which naturally arose brought the fact very forcibly before the local Grand Lodge that it had not been authorised by either of the existing Grand Bodies to erect a governing Body in Canada. At this Assembly seven Lodges were present, and it was immediately decided to appoint a Committee to obtain the sanction of the Grand Lodge of England to convene and hold a Grand Lodge in the city of Quebec.

 

Accordingly the Committee lost no time in preparing a Petition an exact copy of which follows To the Right Worshipfull and Right Honourable Grand Master and Right Worshipfull the Grand Wardens of True & accepted Masons of England etc., etc, etc., The Memorial of the Masters and Wardens of the several Lodges at present meeting residing in Canada, formed into a Grand Lodge, Humbly sheweth; That your Memorialists having nothing more at heart than the Good and well‑being of the Royal Art, having thought it proper (agreeable to these our Sentiments) to transmitt unto you the enclosed Exact and faithfull abstract of our proceedings under the above appellation.

 

We beg leave also to acquaint you that we should not have been this long neglectfull of Transmitting our proceedings, but that we had reason to hope as many Worthy Brothers, particularly Brother Dunkerly of His Majesty's ship the Van Guard, and our late Right Worshipfull Guinnett who so long ago as the year 176o left this place for England, promised to recommend our case to your consideration, but not having the satisfaction of hearing from you by either of them, we take this method of acquainting you that altho' we have been thus convened and done all that in us lay for the benefit of our particular 86 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Lodges & the Good and well being of Masonry in General, we should think our roceedings more on the square and agreeable to the Rules of the ancient Craft if we acted under your Immediate Sanction and sublime Instruction.

 

And shou'd your Superior Wisdom Disaprove of our prior proceedings we flatter ourselves that that Charity which is inherent in every Masons breast (and so particularly shines in yours) will attribute it not to want of Respect for your Honourable Body, but to our particular zeal for the Good of the Craft which must have Greatly Suffer'd in this distant part of the world but for the methods we took upon us to transact.

 

For these reasons we have confided in our Worthy Brother Collins to present this our Memorial and to accompany it with Twenty pounds as a small token of our Respect for you and our Distress'd Brethren, hoping you will excuse our not Enlarging it at present, having had frequent opportunities of Extending our Charitable Collections not only to Distress'd Brethren and poor Widows of Brethren who have fallen in the fields of Battle but even to relieve the distresses and miserys of some hundreds of poor miserable Canadians During the Course of a long and Severe Winter, so that our present fund will not admitt of it, but we trust we shall have future opportunities of continuing our Respects.

 

Requesting you will take our situation under your mature consideration and answer our petition as in your Superior Wisdom you shall deem meet.

 

And should it be the case that we shou'd merritt your approbation and be found worthy your particular sanction, we beg leave to recommend our true and faithfull Brother Milburne West (Lieut. in His Majesty's 47th Regiment) at present acting as our Grand Master to your notice to be by you appointed as Provincial Grand Master for the Conquered Country of Canada under your Sanction and protection, shou'd you think him and us worthy that honour, with such power as to you may seem requisite, such as Granting Warrants & nominating a Successor should he unluckily be removed from us.

 

And your Memorialists as in duty Quebec, 8th November bound shall ever pray, &c, &c. &c. 762.

 

Accompanying this Petition was a list of the Lodges under the supervision of the Grand Lodge. The list consisted wholly of fourteen Military Lodges, only eight of which were then sojourning in Canada. The total membership numbered about iso.

 

It may here be noted that at the meeting held in October 1762, the submission of a Warrant to establish Merchants Lodge, No. 1 was the start of the first civilian Lodge in Canada, and that the Warrant was promptly recognised as such. The only modification made was changing from No. 1 to No. 9 on the Register of the local Grand Lodge.

 

It may also be noted that in the foregoing letter the name of Bro. Dunckerley is mentioned. The activities of that eminent Brother in later years are fully dealt with in Bro. Sadler's valuable Work, Thomas Dunckerley: His Life, Labours, and Letters, published in 1891. Attention is here called to the reference in the above letter merely to show that as far back as 1762 Bro. Dunckerley was a OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 87 Mason of some importance. Indeed, a letter from Bro. Gawler to the Grand Lodge of England under date of February 9, 1769, explaining in detail the situation in Canada, states, " and Brother Dunckerley of His Majesty's ship Vanguard, who was possessed with a power from the Grand Lodge of England to Inspect into the State of the Craft wheresoever he might go honoured them with his approbation of their Proceedings and Installed Brother Fraser in his high office." The Bro. Gawler who wrote this letter was a member of a Military Lodge at the time of the capture of Quebec. Later he took up his residence in England. He was a man of much literary merit, as a reading of his interesting letters will prove.

 

The Petitioning letter was duly received in England, and on May S, 1764, Lord Ferrers signed a Deputation in favour of Bro. West. Meantime, however, Bro. West had returned to England. The Deputation was forwarded to him at his English address, but he never acknowledged the receipt of it, nor did he ever return to Canada. Thus the much‑expected confirmation was again delayed. Then, under date of June z3, 1763, the Provincial Grand Secretary advised the Grand Secretary of England that Bro. West had never returned to Canada, and that since he had never sent any communication to his Brethren in Canada, they therefore Petitioned the Grand Master of England for a Deputation in favour of Bro. John Collins who had been carrying on the duties of the Office of Provincial Grand Master.

 

Thanks to the assistance of Bro. Gawler, who proved an excellent medium for the adjustment of all the difficulties encountered in England by the Canadian Brethren, another Deputation was forwarded to Canada, but it, too, was des tined never to arrive. Under date of October 14, 1766, the Grand Secretary of England advised his Canadian Brethren as follows: " we were greatly chagrined at our being Disappointed therein by their being lost in coming up to this town from Cape Torment in the ship's Pinnace." It was not very clear whether the words " their being lost " referred only to the papers or whether it meant that the passengers, too, had been lost. But a subsequent letter to the Brother who was commissioned to make still another request to the Grand Lodge of England made it certain that not only was the Deputation lost but also the Brethren, who happened to be on board the pinnace referred to. Part of that letter made the following statement: " . . . as they fear the former one is lost with their unfortunate Brethren that were Drown'd in Coming up here last spring." Bro. Gawler then saw to it that another Deputation was at last sent forward on March 18, 1768, and so that phase of a troublesome question was finally settled definitely. It was found, however, that even when the Deputation did at last arrive, it did not give the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada the right to elect its own Grand Master, a privilege which the members ardently desired, since all previous Grand Masters had been drawn from Military Lodges. The uncertainty of their place of residence of military Masonic Grand Officers made it necessary for the Provincial Grand Lodge to have such power unless it was able to appoint a civilian to the Office. The question was then submitted to 88 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION the Grand Lodge of England, and the Grand Master of that Grand Body pointed out quite firmly and courteously that the Office of Provincial Grand Master was not elective, and that his appointment was one of the prerogatives of the Grand Master and was effective only during his pleasure or until his death. The Grand Master of England also stated that he was not agreeable to surrendering his power.

 

During these early years, nothing had been heard of the Masons at Montreal, if such there were, although the city had capitulated in 176o. Nevertheless, on December 11, 1767, a Communication was received from a Bro. Antill. It drew attention to the neglected members of the Craft in Montreal, and stated that there were many Brethren there who were aimlessly drifting along because they had no recognised head to lead them. This communication brought forth an immediate response, and Bro. Antill was appointed Deputy Provincial Grand Master with full power to organise the Fraternity in Montreal. The outcome seems to have been the starting of two Lodges, one of which, No. 374 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England, still exists.

 

At about this time one or two minor difficulties also arose. One of them questioned the right of the Provincial Grand Master to Warrant new Lodges. Another questioned his power to authorise Lodges to dispense with certain regulations in connection with the admission of members. When an amicable submission of these questions was made to the Grand Master of England, he fully sustained the Provincial Grand Master in his decisions. Following this, nothing else of importance occurred during the next few years, except the production of a Warrant from a Grand Body in France authorising Bro. Pierre Gamlin to open Lodges in the Province of Canada. The Warrant was never used, but it seems that Bro. Gamlin was taken in as a member and later was deputed, with other Brethren to form a Lodge in Detroit. This incident gave considerable colour to the claim made that " Masonry was practiced in Quebec under authority of a governing body of France long before the capitulation of that City." It is recorded that in 1777 only five Lodges were then in obedience to the Provincial Grand Lodge. This was most likely caused by the Military Lodges having left the locality and the coming of the American War for Independence, with the consequent slowing down of activities. Soon after the departure of the American colonial troops from Canadian cities, however, the Craft again became fairly active, new Lodges were instituted, and the old ones revived their interest.

 

The arrival in Quebec of H.R.H. Prince Edward, later Duke of Kent and the father of Queen Victoria, who had been made an honorary Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England (Moderns) in August 1791 aroused much in terest in Masonic circles. This interest became pronounced when the Prince received a Deputation (Commission) from the Grand Lodge of England (Ancients), appointing him Provincial Grand Master of Canada.

 

How he became " healed " from the Moderns to the Ancients is not re‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 89 corded, but the change had great consequences. Only a few of the Lodges in Canada had been Chartered by the Ancients; most of them were of Modern origin. Nevertheless the influence of a Prince of the royal blood was sufficient to cause those Lodges of Modern origin to be healed from the Modern to the Ancient Register, and at the time of the amalgamation of the two rival English Grand Lodges in 1813 not one Canadian Lodge remained under the Modern Register. This is all the more remarkable when one considers that the Prince was resident in Quebec only until January 1794, when his regiment, the 7th Fusiliers, of which he was the commanding officer, was ordered to the West Indies, thus removing him from the active duties of his Masonic Office after a little more than three years.

 

But the Prince's absence from the jurisdiction did not prevent the Provincial Grand Lodge from " electing " him every year up to and including 181o. Then, in 1811, the Hon. Claude Denechau was '' elected," apparently without any authority from the Grand Master of England. This " election " was notable in that it chose the first civilian to hold the Office of Grand Master. It was the outcome of a great deal of discontent at not having a Grand Master on the spot to govern the Craft.

 

In 18o9, fifty years after the Provincial Grand Lodge was organised, considerable progress had been made, perhaps the most important change having been the gradual displacement of army and naval Lodges by civilian Lodges. At the close of 18o9 there were twenty Lodges under the jurisdiction of Quebec. Of those, only seven were attached to the military. Fifty years before all Canadian Lodges had been attached to the various regiments, and were, therefore, Military Lodges.

 

From 1812. to 1814 Masonic peace and harmony were again disturbed by the second war between the United States and England, and although Masonic progress was not thereby seriously impeded, yet Masonry did feel the effects of the many invasions to which Canada was subjected at that time. After the close of this war, and after the final victory of the British at Waterloo, in 1815, Canada settled down to developing its resources. This attracted a large number of immigrants from the Old World, most of them British. As a result, the Craft benefited largely by this peaceful invasion.

 

After waiting for a number of years to secure a confirmation of the appointment of judge Denechau, who had been carrying on the duties of Provincial Grand Master, a Deputation was issued in his favour on January 3, 182o. This gave him authority only over the Territory of Quebec and Three Rivers, and thus divided the Province into two Districts. This division was not effective, however, until 1823, when the District of Montreal and William Henry was Constituted, with Bro. William McGillvray as its first Provincial Grand Master. This division was inevitable because of the growing number of Lodges in and around Montreal and the inconvenience of their being so far away from the seat of government.

 

The year in which judge Denechau's Deputation was received, 182o, saw go FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION eighteen civilian Lodges under his jurisdiction. In addition there was one Military Lodge. It may be noted that the original Deputation granted to judge Denechau is now in possession of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. It was discovered in Quebec some few years ago. There it had reposed in darkness for more than a century. It is signed by Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, and is also signed by the two joint Grand Secretaries, Bro. White and Bro. Harper. It is in as good condition as on the day when it was written; not a blemish mars its surface! After 182.o, much material progress was made, the only disturbing element having been the " Morgan affair " which so effectually disrupted the Craft in the Eastern part of the United States. Because of the proximity of Canadian border Lodges to the seat of trouble, the anti‑Masonic agitation had some deterring influence upon Masonic life in Canada. Fortunately, however, it was not particularly felt in the Province of Quebec. Indeed, several new Lodges were instituted there during that unsettled period, among them the present Lodge of St. George, No. 1o, which was Warranted in 182.9 and has prospered ever since.

 

Continued accessions to the population of Quebec for the next twenty‑five years brought in their train a corresponding increase in the number of Lodges and a great increase of membership. Nevertheless, it was not until the decade from 185o to i86o, that anything of particular note occurred. Then commenced the agitation for a Grand Lodge of Canada, brought about especially because of grave complaints of neglect on the part of the Grand Lodge of England. Delays in Canadian affairs were caused, of course, by the region's being so far distant from the seat of government, and by the lack of speedy communication in those days. Too, the Canadian Lodges claimed that they were not only contributing to the upkeep of their Provincial Grand Bodies (Scottish and Irish Lodges were at this time governed by their own Provincial Grand Lodges), but also to the funds of the mother Grand Bodies without enjoying any compensatory advantages. The agitation culminated in a Convention that was held in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, on October 1o, 1855, in which considerably fewer than half the Lodges of Canada took part. Only forty‑one Lodges were represented, of which twelve were from Quebec. After much deliberation, the Grand Lodge of Canada was founded. At once it proceeded to obtain recognition from other Grand Bodies. In this it was only partially successful.

 

This rather bold step met with vigorous opposition from the Lodges that had not been represented, and particularly from the Grand Lodge of England, which denied the charges that had been brought against it. Much bitterness ensued. The majority of the Canadian Lodges remained true to their Mother Grand Bodies for quite a length of time, but finally, in 1857, a Committee of seven Brethren was appointed to meet a like Committee from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada West. They met on August 5, 1857, and considered the question of union, but since they could not agree on some essentials, they separated with the understanding that they would report to their respective Grand Bodies.

 

In September 1857, the Provincial Grand Lodge dissolved and at once de‑ OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 91 clared itself to be the " Ancient Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada." As may be imagined this action did not tend to promote any union of the Brethren. Nevertheless, the negotiations for union were continued by both sides, and finally, on July 14, 1858, the long‑expected union occurred. Thus all differences between the rival Grand Lodges disappeared and much rejoicing resulted.

 

Not all the Lodges of Quebec took part in the establishment of either of these Grand Bodies. Some remained loyal to their Provincial Grand Lodge, and during the next nine years nothing of importance arose to change conditions. Then, in 1867, the Masonic serenity of Canada was disturbed by the political change of that year, which brought into existence the Dominion of Canada. Since this event brought forth a strong feeling that independent Masonic jurisdictions ought to be coterminous with the boundaries of the various Provinces, the Masons of the Province of Quebec carried into execution this praiseworthy idea. On October 2.o, 1869, therefore, the Representatives of an unstated number of Lodges met and formally declared the Grand Lodge of Quebec to be duly Constituted. For some unknown reason, the Lodges represented at that meeting were not listed in the first Annual Report, but we do know that there were Representatives of twenty‑eight Lodges present at the meeting held in 1870. At the time of the institution of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, there were fortyfour Lodges in the Province. Thus more than half of them threw in their lot with the newly erected Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Canada bitterly opposed the formation of an independent Body in Quebec. This seems to have been a strange attitude, when one recalls that that Lodge had been bitterly opposed when it took similar steps in 1855. So strong was its disapproval that its meeting of 1873 was held in Montreal, four years after the formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec! After five years of somewhat acrimonious dispute, wiser counsels prevailed, and in 1874, twenty‑five of the Lodges under the Grand Lodge of Canada came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, and it was not until 1881, that the three Scotch Lodges became obedient to the Grand Lodge of Quebec. This left the three English Lodges still owing allegiance to their Mother Grand Lodge of England.

 

Following events of 1874, nothing was then left to hinder the peaceful progress of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. In fact, the only disturbing episode was the attempt to bring into the fold the three English Lodges. This brought about an unfortunate edict of non‑recognition between the respective Grand Bodies, but it was of short duration and harmony has since characterised their relations. Slowly but surely the Masonic structure in Quebec was erected, new Lodges being opened all over the Province, particularly in Montreal. This satisfactory progress continued up to the time of the Great War, when 600 members served under the flag for right and justice. Of that number, nearly ioo never returned.

 

Immediately following the close of the war, the jurisdiction of Quebec, like 92 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION many others, received a great accession of members. Many new Lodges were Constituted, and places until then almost unheard of made requests for Lodges, so that in ten years' time, the number of new Lodges increased 4o per cent. This very satisfactory progress has since continued. This brings our account of Freemasonry in Quebec down to the year of Grace 1934. During the past four years this jurisdiction has experienced a loss in membership in common with all the Grand Bodies on the North American Continent although not serious enough to shake the confidence of the members in the continued progress of the Craft. The loss covering the period named is slightly over 5 per cent and already there is seen a turn for the better. Although we have endeavoured to record authentic matters as distinctly as possible, there are many interesting events which we have necessarily had to omit.

 

Arising out of the unselfish efforts of those military pioneers of the latter days of 1759, there has been established a stable and ever increasing circle of Masonic influence in the Province of Quebec. This has been accomplished not withstanding the many difficulties encountered at various periods, each set‑back having been only the prelude to greater achievements. This fact may be better emphasised by giving a brief statement of the actual progress that has been made. When the Grand Lodge of Quebec was founded in 1869, the total membership was about 135o. At present, it numbers nearly 16,ooo members, represented by ninety‑five Lodges, ninety‑three of which are constituents of the Grand Lodge of Quebec and two of which still remain under the xgis of the Mother Grand Lodge of the world.

 

Having thus far dealt with Symbolic Masonry in Quebec, it is fitting to say that all the legitimate branches of Masonry have progressed with equal success in the Province. It is difficult to determine when the Royal Arch Degree was first Worked separate from the Symbolic Degrees, but the Minutes of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 2, of Quebec City, record that at the funeral of Bro. F. Anderson, held away back in 1783, the pallbearers were " six Royal Arch Masons in Regalia." Too, many references are made to the Work of the Royal Arch before the end of the eighteenth century, all of them in some wayconnected with the Master Mason's Degree. On April 17, 1821, a Royal Arch Chapter was opened at Stanstead. After some lapses, this became Golden Rule Chapter, No. I, which is still in existence.

 

An interesting item of news to Royal Arch Masons, and indirectly to all members of Symbolic Lodges, has been brought to light by the discovery of old Minute Books which apparently were furnished by the Grand Lodge of England to all Lodges and which contained a full set of Rules and Regulations. These books were set in curious but attractive type, and seem to have been hand‑made. Space was left for showing dues, the date of meetings, and so on. Also bound in these books is a circular, the heading of which is as follows RULES AND REGULATIONS/ for the/ INTRODUCTION to and GOVERNMENT / Of the/ HOLY ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS/ under the protection and support by/ THE OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 93 ANCIENT GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND/ made at several times. / Revised and corrected at a General Grand Chapter held at the/ CROWN and ANCHOR TAVERN In the STRAND, LONDON, October 1st, 5794 / CONFIRMED IN GRAND LODGE, DECEMBER 3, 1794.

 

As indicated by the heading, this circular gives full and concise instructions regarding the formation of Chapters and the granting of admissions to them. It is of interest to members of the Craft because it contains a form which each appli cant for the Royal Arch Degree was required to obtain from his Symbolic Lodge. This form was to show that the unanimous consent of all the applicant's Brethren was necessary before he could be Exalted! This document had to be certified and signed by the Worshipful Master, the two Wardens, and the Secretary. The circular thus shows that in those early days the Grand Chapter was under complete subjection to the Grand Lodge.

 

All the Chapters in Canada were under the government of the Grand Chapters of the motherland until the time was ripe for exercising supreme power. This was realised in the Province of Quebec on December 12, 1876, when seven Chapters met and organised the Grand Chapter of Quebec.

 

The Order of Knights Templar as exemplified in Canada came to us from the Great Priory of England and Wales, a Provincial Grand Conclave having been organised in Kingston, Ontario, on October 9, 1855. In 1868 the name was changed to the " Grand Priory of Canada," and again in 1876 it was changed, this time becoming the " National Great Priory of Canada." On July 8, 1884, the Provincial Bodies ceased to exist, and a supreme organisation was established under the name of the " Sovereign Great Priory of Canada." This is the present title. In Quebec there are four Preceptor.ies, with a membership of about a thousand.

 

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for Canada was established as a Supreme Body on October 16, 1874, after some years of obedience to the Sovereign Body of England and Wales. It was found that their rules and regulations were totally unfitted to the work in Canada; in fact, that they amounted almost to prohibition. Hence the Canadians asked and were graciously granted permission to organise a Sovereign Body for Canada. There are now two Rose Croix Chapters and one Consistory in the Province of Quebec, each having a substantial membership.

 

The Cryptic Rite of Masonry has long been in evidence in Quebec, mostly however, as a side Degree to the Royal Arch. It was so considered until 1867, when the governing Body of Maine granted the necessary power to the Com panions of the Maritime Provinces to erect a Supreme Grand Council of the Cryptic Rite there. This then assumed jurisdiction over the Province of Quebec. It was not until igo1, however, that those Degrees made formal entry into the Masonic life of Quebec. Then a Council was Chartered. There are two Councils in the Province, having about Soo members. The controlling Body is known as the " Supreme Grand Council of the Eastern Jurisdiction of Canada, Royal and Select Masters." 94 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Thus, briefly, have all the recognised Bodies of the Craft built on the Symbolic Body been dealt with, so far as the jurisdiction of Quebec is concerned. In closing this history, it may be pointed out that the more epoch‑making events treated were as follows: The start of Masonry in 1759; the advent of the Duke of Kent in 1791; the granting of Provincial authority to a French‑Canadian in 182o' the establishment of the first independent Grand Lodge in 1855; and the general establishment of independent Grand Lodges in all the Provinces, following the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

 

SASKATCHEWAN REVEREND GEORGE H. GLOVER N its origin, Saskatchewan Masonry,is closely related to that of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba and the Grand Lodge of Canada. The early settlers of Manitoba gradually spread westward along the Saskatchewan River to wards Prince Albert. This was in the days of hunting and early settlement. Since many of those settlers came from the region now known as the Province of Manitoba, their Masonic affiliations naturally were with Lodges there. Thus we can look upon the Grand Lodge of Manitoba as our Masonic Mother, although it is, in turn, linked with the Grand Lodge of Canada.

 

On May 2_o, 1864, a Dispensation was granted by the Grand Master of Minnesota for the Institution of a Lodge in the Red River Settlement. The first meeting of this Lodge was held at Winnipeg on November 6, 1864, the principal Chairs being filled by Sir John Schultz, Hon. A. G. B. Bannantyne, and William Inkster. This Lodge, known as Northern Light Lodge, was held under its Dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota for more than four years. Then, owing to political changes and other changed conditions in the Red River Settlement, and owing to the existence of doubts on the part of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota as to the propriety of its claim to jurisdiction, the Dispensation was recalled and this pioneer Lodge ceased to exist. It had never acquired the status of a Constituted Lodge.

 

After the Northern Light Lodge passed out of existence there was no Lodge of Freemasonry in the Red River Settlement until 1870. Then a Petition was sent to the Grand Lodge of Canada, which resulted in the granting of a Dispen sation to Winnipeg Lodge in the town of Winnipeg, at that time a village of fifty buildings, by actual count, located just outside the palisades of old Fort Garry. This Dispensation was received and entered upon on December io, 1870. As the Riel Rebellion of 1869 and 187o had by this time been put down, a new era of prosperity and expansion began in this section of Manitoba and the West. For several reasons, Western communities, especially those along the Saskatchewan River, sprang into existence, and settlement both for hunting and agriculture rapidly developed. In the course of this development many Masons who found OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 95 themselves scattered about in what we should now call Northeastern Saskatchewan still looked to the East for their Masonic affiliations. Winnipeg Lodge afterwards had its name changed to Prince Rupert Lodge. In 1871 it was duly Constituted on the Grand Register of the Grand Lodge of Canada as Prince Rupert Lodge, No. 244. It must be borne in mind, however, that the term "Grand Lodge of Canada " then referred only to the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over what is now known as the Province of Ontario. This is still the case. The term "Grand Lodge of Canada " does not relate to a Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over the entire Dominion. Prince Rupert Lodge, No. 244, though not the pioneer Lodge of Manitoba, was the first regularly Chartered Lodge in that Province. It may be recorded as the first legally Constituted Masonic authority in Manitoba, and, incidentally, in the Province of Saskatchewan.

 

In 1871 a Manitoban Lodge, now known as Lisgar Lodge, was organised at Lower Fort Garry (Selkirk), and in December 1872, Ancient Land Mark Lodge was Instituted in Winnipeg. These two Lodges, together with Prince Rupert Lodge, No. 244, Worked under the Grand Lodge of Canada until 1875. On May 12 of that year they formed themselves into the Grand Lodge of Manitoba and so became the supreme Masonic authority over a vast territory extending from the western boundary of the Province of Ontario to the eastern boundary of the Province of British Columbia. All the territory included within those confines lay north of the international boundary line. Except for a short period of dispute in 1878, the Grand Lodge of Manitoba continued its exercise of Masonic authority without opposition. Meanwhile the great West rapidly became the home of thousands of settlers.

 

Among those settlers were hundreds of Masons. As they gathered at certain points, they soon began to be interested in the formation of local Lodges where they might enjoy the privilege of fraternal relationships. In the territory west of Manitoba the first Masonic centre to organise into a Lodge was at Prince Albert. Within the territory now known as the Province of Saskatchewan it had the honour of being the premier Lodge in point of age. It is known as Kinistino Lodge. The Institution of this Lodge in 1879 marked the beginning of Freemasonry in the Province. Consequently the Lodge merits prominence from the point of view of both history and Masonic interest. The Dispensation for Kinistino Lodge was issued by the Grand Lodge of Canada on May 22, 1879. It was not received and acted upon, however, until October 13, five months later, owing to difficulties of transportation. The only means of communication with the outside world at that time was by ox‑cart, pony‑cart, or stagecoach, to Winnipeg, some 700 miles distant. Since a Grand Lodge was in existence in Winnipeg at the time, one would think that the Petition would have been made to that Grand Body. Because of lack of harmony in Manitoba at that particular time, however, the Prince Albert Brethren thought it advisable to offer their allegiance to the older and more stable Grand Lodge of Canada. It seems that in those days demarkation of jurisdiction was not very closely observed, so the request for a Dispensation as Kinistino Lodge, No. 381 GRC, was accepted. The 96 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Lodge Worked until the latter part of 188o under this Dispensation. The date of the Institution of this Lodge, October 13, 1879, is of historic importance to the Saskatchewan Masons as having been the natal day of Freemasonry within the territory. The number of Brethren who were responsible for the event was small, but their indefatigable exertions in the face of great difficulties entitles them to an important place in our annals and to high honour in our memories. Major Charles F. Young was Worshipful Master; John McKenzie was Senior Warden; George Ridley Duck was junior Warden.

 

The question of separation from the Grand Lodge of Canada with a view to affiliating with the Grand Lodge of Manitoba was raised on April 6, 188o, with the result that on September 3 of that year the following motion was made by Bro. Duck, recorded in the Minutes, and later acted upon: WHEREAS, Difficulties have arisen with the Grand Lodge of Canada in consequence of the distance we are from our Mother Grand Lodge, and WHEREAS, The Grand Lodge of Manitoba, in whose District we are, privately recommends that we affiliate with the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, therefore be it Resolved, That we enter into correspondence with the Grand Secretary, with the object of withdrawing from the Grand Lodge of Canada and affiliating with the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.

 

As a result of negotiations with the two Grand Secretaries, the question was brought to a solution. Kinistino Lodge, No. 381 GRC, located at Prince Albert, met for the last time as a constituent of the Grand Lodge of Canada on April 21, 1882. On November 3 of that year it held its first Communication under Dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. Thus the territory now known as the Province of Saskatchewan was definitely merged into the jurisdiction of the Mother Grand Lodge of Manitoba.

 

The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railroad and the consequent great influx of settlers and establishment of towns created a condition favorable to the Institution of many new Lodges. During the first few years following the open ing of that railroad, Lodges sprang up in many places, and especially throughout the southern part of the Province. On March 6, 1883, Wascana Lodge was Instituted at Regina, Assiniboia District; in due course it was Chartered as Lodge No. 23. On October 9 of the same year, Moose Jaw Lodge, No. 26, was Instituted. The following Lodges were also Instituted on the dates mentioned: Qu'Appelle Valley Lodge, No. 32, at Fort Qu'Appelle, on September 24, 1886; Indian Head Lodge, No. 33, at Indian Head, on April 3, 1886; Qu'Appelle Lodge, No. 34, at Fort Qu'Appelle, on April 12, 1886; Moosomin Lodge, No. 35, On April 21, 1886; Ashler Lodge, No. 47, at Whitewood, on July 16, i89o; Maple Leaf Lodge, No. 56, at Maple Creek, on July io, 1893; Evening Star Lodge, at Grenfell, on October io, 1893; Northwest Mounted Police Lodge, No. 61, at Regina, on September 5, 1894; Yorkton Lodge, No. 69, on July 4, 1899; Duck OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 97 Lake Lodge, No. 72, on July 27, 1899; Sintaluta Lodge, No. 8o, on February 4, 1go2; Amity Lodge, No. 88, at Carnduff, in 1903; Saskatchewan Lodge, No. 89, at Saskatoon, on January 2, 1904; Carlyle Lodge, No. g1, at Carlyle, on April 17, 1904; Melfort Lodge, No. 95, at Melfort, on January 28, 1905; Battle Lodge, No. 96, at Battleford, on November 15, 1904; Weyburn Lodge, No. 103, at Weyburn, on May 9, 19o5; Arcola Lodge, No. 1o5, at Arcola, on July 18, 1905; Brittania Lodge, No. 1o6, at Lloydminster, on October 30, 19o5; Wolsley Lodge, No. 107, at Wolsley, on November 27, 19o5. The following Lodges were under Dispensation in 19o5 and 1go6: Estevan Lodge, Swift Current Lodge, Alameda Lodge, Hanley Lodge, and Heward Lodge.

 

It must be remembered that on July 1, 19o5, the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were formed, thus organising into the two Provinces the old Districts of Assiniboia, Athabasca, and Alberta, together with considerable other territory to the north. This change of political administration naturally led Masons to the thought of organising the Masonic jurisdictions with the same boundaries as those of the Provinces. To Wascana Lodge, then No. 23 GRM, goes the honour of having first acted upon this principle. The following telegram was sent on May 1, i9o6, to Kinistino Lodge, No. 16, of Prince Albert: Wascana Lodge has unanimously decided, after serious consideration, that the time has arrived to form a Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan. Number of lodges, twenty; membership, about one thousand. Desire that you, being the oldest Lodge in jurisdiction, call Convention at some central point at earliest possible date so that action may be taken before June meeting of Grand Lodge. Please advise.

 

This telegram resulted in calling a Convention to be held at Prince Albert on May 25, 19o6. At that Convention W.‑.Bro. W. M. Martin, of Wascana Lodge, No. 23, made the following motion. It was seconded by R.‑. W.‑. Bro. McLennan, and heartily carried.

 

Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting, the time has arrived that, for the benefit of Masonry, we should form a Grand Lodge in the Province of Saskatchewan. And that said Grand Lodge shall have full control over all Lodges within the Province. And be it further Resolved, That we appoint a deputation to wait on the Grand Lodge of Manitoba at its next meeting, to lay the matter before said Grand Lodge. And be it further Resolved, That this deputation have power to add to its numbers.

 

The Committee appointed to bring the matter before the Grand Lodge of Manitoba consisted of R.‑.W.‑., now M.‑.W.‑.Bros. W. B. Tate and William Fawcett. In the following June the Committee presented the case to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba and received the consent of that Body to proceed in the organisation of a Provincial Jurisdiction for the Province of Saskatchewan.

 

98 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION Accordingly, a Convention of the Representatives of the Masonic Lodges of the Province of Saskatchewan was called to be held in the Masonic Hall at Regina, on August 9, 1go6. Of the twenty‑nine Lodges within the Province, twenty‑one were represented by their officials and four by proxies. At this Session all details necessary to complete the organisation were carried out. A Constitution based on that of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba was adopted. The first Grand Master was M.‑. W . . Bro. H. H. Campkin; the Deputy Grand Master was M.‑. W .'. Bro. C. O. Davidson. This Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan began with goo members. Instead of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba insisting that monies be paid to it, it very liberally made an allowance of a thousand dollars from its own funds to those of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.

 

The first Annual Communication of the Saskatchewan Grand Lodge was held at Prince Albert on June 18, 1907. The Body reached its majority in 1927, and the Communication of that year is regarded as its coming of age. For many years after the organisation of this jurisdiction a tremendous settlement of this new Province took place. New railroads and new towns sprang up as though overnight. Settlers from the East, from across the sea, and from the South, gathered here. Railway stations became villages, and villages became towns. Those were days of happy expansion and tremendous faith. Along with other institutions, Masonry had a rapid and harmonious period of growth. In 1879, Kinistino Lodge organised with 9 members. In 1906, the Grand Lodge organised with some goo members and 29 particular Lodges, while on February 28, 1930 there was a membership of 14,867 and a total of 196 particular Lodges. Through all this period there had been a state of healthy growth and development. Harmony had been evident throughout, no schism had ever taken place, and no forward step had ever to be retraced.

 

Four outstanding phases in the development of Masonry in the Province of Saskatchewan are worthy of particular mention. The first is the development of the Constitution. At the inception of the Grand Jurisdiction, Saskatchewan naturally accepted the Constitution of Manitoba without notable change, and then followed it with few variations until 1912. At the Annual Communication of that year, a Committee was named to revise the Constitution. That Committee took to its task seriously. In 1913 it reported to a special Communication, and as a result we obtained the basis of the present Constitution.

 

The second important matter in the development of the Saskatchewan Grand Lodge has been the growth of the Benevolent Fund. When the Saskatchewan Grand Lodge became independent in 1go6, it received from the Grand jurisdic tion of Manitoba $looo in lieu of the payment of funds to that Body by the various Lodges within the boundaries of the Saskatchewan jurisdiction, as has been explained. This money was at once placed in a savings account as the nucleus of a Benevolent Fund. Amid the rush of doing other things, however, this aspect of the work was left in abeyance. In 1gio, though, the members became concerned about the lack of growth, for in the Proceedings of 1gio the following statement appears: " Our Benevolent Fund does not grow as rapidly as OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 99 we should like to see it. Now is our time to build a up strong fund for future contingencies." Later, trustees for this fund were appointed and a definite campaign was started with the aim of putting the fund on a sound financial basis. This great campaign received splendid response. Many Lodges far exceeded their allocations. Each Lodge and each Brother was given special opportunity to contribute toward this worthy cause. A statement in the report of 1918 sets forth the interest taken in augmenting the fund. The report of 192.9 tells that the fund had already been increased to the sum of $2.54,645. Though the fund is still (1931) growing, demands made upon it are rapidly increasing, so it will need to be further increased in order to meet future needs. The Masons of Saskatchewan cannot ever too highly appreciate the benevolent phase of our work, and it is to be hoped that every member, new and old, will be kept in touch with so worthy a movement, and that the fund will be constantly augmented.

 

The third outstanding phase of Masonic development in Saskatchewan was the development of the Masonic scholarship movement. This idea originated with Dr. Weir, M.‑. W.‑. Grand Master. It was generally believed that the Fra ternity should do something that would be beneficial in moulding into a high standard of Canadian citisenship those people who came from other lands to make Saskatchewan their home. The Fraternity recognised the importance of the public school in unifying citisenship and establishing ideals. Accordingly, it was felt that if teachers of high moral standing, fine training, and splendid ability could be sent out to teach in districts of predominately foreign citisenship, their influence would have a lasting effect. A fund was raised by voluntary contribution, and this was used for paying the expenses of selected students who entered upon the normal school courses. In return for the assistance, the students promised to teach for a year at least in new Canadian settlements. Their only obligation was to teach the true ideals of Canadian citisenship well. Such students were asked to give a report upon the work done, but they were not obliged to do so. Results of this scholarship work have been highly satisfactory and in many instances the object of the movement has been attained. One striking result of the scholarship movement was the work done by Robert England, M.C., who has investigated the problem of immigration. His book entitled Central European Immigration into Canada, is a splendid treatment of this vital Canadian problem.

 

The fourth phase of the development of Saskatchewan Masonry is that of Masonic education and research. This has been continued with growing interest for several years. Each year a Provincial Masonic Committee is appointed, whose duty it is to prepare a course for the season and send a monthly outline to each Lodge within the jurisdiction. This work has created an increase of interest among the Lodges, and has deepened a knowledge of the Fraternity among the members.

 

Though histories always stop, history itself keeps moving ever onward. And with the growth of our Province, Masonry will make an ever‑increasing contribution. The Masonic Fraternity stands for unity, for understanding, for 100 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION mutual confidence, and for brotherhood. It is just these qualities that a growing country needs. Saskatchewan Masonry has, therefore, a real opportunity. One can readily foresee in what ways the Masonic Fraternity will make its mark in the upbuilding of a greater and fairer Dominion.

 

THE GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF SASKATCHEWAN Wascana Chapter, No. 121, took the initiative in forming the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Saskatchewan. After much corresponding, an informal meeting of the Chapters concerned was called to take place in Regina on June 21, 1922, at the time when the Session of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was being held. Forty‑seven members signed the Register, and after a luncheon provided by Wascana Chapter, the Companions proceeded with their business. Companion J. C. Moore, First Principal of Wascana Chapter, No. 121, was elected Chairman, and R.‑. E.‑. Companion F. B. Reilly was chosen to be Scribe. After the purpose of the gathering had been stated by the Chairman, the following motion was made by two members: " Resolved, That a committee of six be appointed, two from each District in Saskatchewan, with a view to looking into the advisability of forming a Grand Chapter, and if, in the opinion of the committee, it is practicable, that they take the necessary steps." The following members formed the proposed Committee: Bro. F. B. Reilly (Chairman) Bro. J. O. Clarke, Bro. W. J. Smith, Bro. G. A. Turner, Bro. W. R. Redington, and Bro. C. A. Needham. After much corresponding, the Committee concluded that the time was opportune for the formation of a Grand Chapter, and at once they sent out the necessary Petitions. These were duly signed by the First Principal and by Scribe E of twenty Chapters. Later they were presented to the Grand Chapter of Canada at its sixty‑fifth Annual Convocation, held in Toronto from February 28 to March 1, 1923. The Grand Chapter granted the request and asked that the M.‑. E.‑. Grand Z personally convey fraternal regards to this newly organised Grand Body.

 

For the purpose of the first election, each Chapter was granted three votes. It was agreed that, should any Chapter find it impossible to be represented by its Officers or Past Principal, then any member of the Chapter might give the vote and act as proxy if duly authorised to do so. In accordance with the call of the Committee, the first Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Saskatchewan was held in the Masonic Temple at Regina on June 12, 1923. Among those present were many who are still active in Capitular service. At about ten o'clock in the morning on that day, the Chapter was called to order. Acting upon a motion made by M.‑. E.,. Companion A. S. Gorrell and E.‑. Companion J. C. Underhill, M.‑.E.‑.Companion R. H. Spencer, Grand Z of the Grand Chapter of Canada, was placed in the Chair, and R.‑. E.‑. Companion F. B. Reilly was made Grand Scribe pro tempore. M.'. E.‑. Companion Spencer then stated that the purpose of the Convocation was to form a Grand Chapter of OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 101 Royal Arch Masons in the Province of Saskatchewan, according to permission granted by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada. Accordingly it was moved by M .'. E.‑. Companion A. S. Gorrell, seconded by R.‑. E... Companion C. A. Smith, and Resolved, That the Royal Arch Masons of the Province of Saskatchewan do now form and establish the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Saskatchewan, and that the Constitution, usages, and ceremonials of the Grand Chapter of Canada be adopted pro tempore with such modifications and adjustments as are necessary for the convenience of the said Grand Chapter of Saskatchewan.

 

The first Officers were then duly elected. After the Installation, happy felicitations regarding this historic occasion were given and received. Then the Grand Chapter closed at four o'clock in the afternoon of that day to begin its first year of fraternal activities.

 

The first Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter was held in the Masonic Temple at Saskatoon on February 2o, 1924. The address of the Grand Z revealed a membership of 2522, a net increase of 35 members for the year just passed. Actual admissions and restorations totalled 174. The Committee appointed to investigate the condition of Capitulary Masonry reported a healthy state, and an increase of three Chapters during the year. Grand Scribe E's report showed that the former Charters had been cancelled and returned to the Chapters. Meanwhile, a Dispensation had been issued to each Chapter. New Charters were ready and a new Seal had been provided for each. A Crest and a Seal for the Grand Chapter of Saskatchewan had also been adopted. Since all forms and office supplies had already been provided, the equipment was nearly complete. At this Convocation the six Grand Superintendents gave splendid reports that showed great progress.

 

The second Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Saskatchewan was held in the Masonic Temple at Moose jaw on February 18, 1925. Reports submitted at this meeting showed that three new Chapters were under Dispensation. Those were Acacia Chapter, at Lancer, Kincaid Chapter, at Kincaid, and Cypress Chapter, at Gull Lake. The financial report of the year showed a substantial balance on hand. There had been a notable increase in membership and complete harmony had prevailed.

 

The third Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter was held in the Masonic Temple at Weyburn on February 17, 1926. The report given at that time showed that four Chapters had been Constituted during the preceding year. Those four consisted of Sheba Chapter, at Kamsack, and the three that had been under Dispensation the year before. At this meeting the Grand Scribe told of a slight decline in membership due to the prevailing financial depression. At the time he suggested that some sort of study course be devised for the purpose of developing interest and holding members.

 

The fourth Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter was held in Regina on io2 FREEMASONRY IN THE DOMINION February 16, 1927. His Worship, Mayor McAra, extended the welcome of the city. M.‑. W .'. Bro. W. J. Smith, Grand Master; M.‑. W.‑. Bro. W. B. Tate, Past Grand Master and Grand Secretary, and M.‑. W.‑. Bro. Gilbert Swain, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, were welcomed and felicitated by the Grand Chapter. The annual report submitted at this meeting showed a substantial net increase in membership and a good bank balance. There were many signs of healthy growth throughout the entire jurisdiction.

 

On November io, 1927, a special Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Saskatchewan was held in the Masonic Temple at Regina to receive M .'. E.‑. the Right Hon. the Earl of Cassillis, First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland. On that day 104 Grand Officers, Officers and Companions, signed the Register. The Grand Chapter conferred upon the distinguished guest honorary life membership in the Grand Chapter of Saskatchewan. At the banquet following the Earl of Cassillis spoke on " Masonry in Many Lands." At the fifth Annual Convocation, held in the Masonic Temple at Saskatoon, on February 29, 1928, the Executive Committee which had met on November io, 1927, adopted an important recommendation made by the Custodians of the Work. The recommendation provided for the adoption of the new Ritual that had recently been issued by the Mother Grand Chapter of Canada. It did, however, also provide for certain minor changes to be made in that Ritual. The Grand Chapter of Saskatchewan was instructed to obtain a supply of the Rituals and to distribute them. At this meeting a net gain in membership was reported for the preceding year, and regret was expressed that so many suspensions had been recorded.

 

The sixth Annual Convocation was held in the Masonic Temple at Regina on February 2o, 1929. At this time an increase of membership was again made known, and it was reported that the Work was continuing in a healthy and prosperous fashion. Only a few days before the opening of this sixth Annual Convocation, on January 21, to be exact, Prince of Wales Chapter of Regina was Instituted under Dispensation. It was Constituted on the following October 11.

 

The seventh Annual Convocation was held in the Masonic Temple at Moose jaw on February 26, 1930. The Sessions were marked by harmony and good fellowship and by an intense interest in the progress of the institution.

 

The eighth Annual Convocation convened in the Masonic Temple at Saskatoon on February 18, 1931. Reports read at the time showed satisfactory progress and a membership increase greater than that of the previous year. In spite of financial difficulties generally existent throughout the country, a favorable bank balance was reported.

 

The Jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Province of Saskatchewan is divided into five Districts. District No. 1 embraces six Chapters; District No. 2, five Chapters; District No. 3, five Chapters; District No. 4, six Chapters; District No. S, five Chapters. In 1931 the Grand Chapter OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 103 had a membership of 2663, which indeed indicated a gradual and consistent increase from the date of the Institution of the Body in 1923. During 1931 M .'. E .'. Companion His Honor Judge H. M. P. de Roche was Installed as Grand Z for the period 1931‑1932. R.'. E.'. Companion F. B. Reilly continued to serve efficiently in the Office of Grand Scribe E.

 

At the time of writing this brief account there seems to be no doubt that in the future harmony and progress will prevail in this Grand Body. With the coming years the increased power of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Province of Saskatchewan will make it even a mightier influence for good not alone within the confines of the Province, but also throughout the vast extent of the whole Dominion.

 

CHAPTER II FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO HE so‑called " Scottish Rite " was introduced into Mexico‑then the principal colony of Spain‑by civil and military officers of the Monarchy during the year 1813. After this, Lodges were erected by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana at Vera Cruz and Campeachy in 1816 and 1817 respectively and the example thus set was followed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, under which body a Lodge was established at Alvarado in 1824. A period of confusion next ensued, during which Masonry and politics were interwoven so closely as to render quite hopeless any attempt at their separate treatment.

 

Soon the entire population of the country became divided into two factions, the Escoceses and the Yorkinos. The former, who represented the aristocracy, were in favour of moderate measures, under a central government, or a constitutional monarchy. The latter were the advocates of republican institutions and the expulsion of the " old " or native Spaniards.

 

The Escoceses‑originally the " Scots Masons "‑numbered among their members all who, under the ancient regime, had titles of nobility; the Catholic clergy, without exception; many military officers ; together with all the native Spaniards of every class.

 

The republican party, according to one set of writers, viewing with dismay the progress of their opponents, resolved " to fight the devil with his own fire " and, therefore, organized a rival faction, on which they bestowed the name of Yorkinos, the members of which were supposed to be adherents of the York Rite. It was in 18zo that Apodaca endeavoured to overthrow the Constitution of Mexico and Bancroft, in his History of Mexico, says that the resolve was hastened by his knowledge of the influence Freemasonry was already exercising in Mexico. There were but few Masons in the country before the coming of the expeditionary forces and these had preserved strict secrecy from dread of the Inquisition. (The first to bring them together was the oidor of Mexico, Felipe Martinez de Aragon. The chief Masons were Fausto de Ahuyar, the mineralogist, two Franciscans and a few others, all of them Spaniards, who belonged to the Order). The Field and nearly all the Company Officers of those troops, as well as of the navy, were members of the Order and it was whispered that Apodaca was one of them, though this was not divulged. He was, however, sure that Masons had effected the Revolution in Spain and feared that those in the army of Mexico had been directed to promote one in the Colony. The instructions received from the Court were therefore rigidly carried out.

 

io6 FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO Shortly after the coronation of Iturbide in 1822 the Freemasons joined with the Republicans in the furtherance of the latter's plans and, according to Bancroft (op. cit., vol. iv, p. 793), were engaged in secret intrigues with Iturbide's generals and the influence in the Lodges over the military members was preponderating.

 

Mackey informs us that authority was obtained in 1825 from the Grand Lodge of New York for the establishment of three Lodges in the city of Mexico. These Lodges, according to the same writer, were formed into a Grand Lodge of the York Rite by Joel R. Poinsett (American Minister), a former Grand Master of South Carolina. Bancroft, commenting on this, says About this time a number of political clubs which wielded great influence began to be organized under the name and forms of Masonic Lodges of the York Rite. Their creation has been ascribed to Poinsett, the American Minister (Zavala pronounces it a pure invention of the aristocrats and of some European agents, who meddled with Mexican affairs much more than Poinsett ever did. After five Lodges had been organized Poinsett was requested to procure a Charter. This step and the installation of the Grand Lodge was all the part Poinsett ever took in the matter. That author declares besides that he, Zavala, was invited to join a Lodge and did so without any political design), but the real founder was the clergyman, Jose Maria Alpuche, rector of a parish in Tabasco and senator from that state. (He is represented as a restless spirit, a sort of Danton, without his brains. In the senate he worried the ministry with questions and bitter reproaches. To his political opponents he gave no rest and they, in their turn, gave him a bad character. His death was sudden.) To Poinsett also was attributed the formation of a plan to do away with the somewhat aristocratic character of the government, which was still influenced by the old families, the clergy and the army and of replacing it, not with a pure democracy, but of introducing a class of men who were merely ambitious office‑hunters, less respectably connected. Alaman has fathered on Poinsett this absurd charge. He would also have us believe that the president had been assured by members of the Scottish Rite Lodges, that though they had opposed his candidacy, they cheerfully bowed to his authority, in which assurance he placed no faith. (For information on origin, political principles and action of the Escoceses party, from 1813 to 1826, see Afora, Pap. Sueltos, I, pp. xii‑xiv.) In these Scottish Lodges were affiliated Barragan [Mexican general, sometime acting president], Negrete, Echavarii, Guerrero [Mexican soldier who displaced Pedraza as president in 1828], Filisola and other prominent generals and colonels, besides many regular and secular priests and civilians of social and political standing. Several deputies and the minister Estava had been officers of such Lodges and seceded to join the new Societies. After the overthrow of Iturbide [Mexican revolutionist and emperor], due in a great measure to the action of the Ancient Rite Lodges, it is true that many of their members forsook them to join the York Lodges, but the Escoceses still had for a time much influence with the government and congress. Later, however, the desertion became so general and simultaneous that some Scottish Lodges held meetings with the object of placing themselves with their archives under the new Order, leaving the Scottish sect or party with the assertion that they could no longer be affiliated with a society that wished to restore the monarchy. Gomez Pedraza [elected president of Mexico FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO 107 i8z8] retired from the old society without joining the new one, but said that the Escoceses desired a foreign dynasty. Victoria [president of Mexico 1825‑1828], Estava and Alpuche at once saw that if a society bearing the name of federal could be formed, it would counteract the labours and plans of the Escoceses. The president wanted the support of such an organization, but did not foresee that the pretensions of a popular society knew no limit. (Copious information in Cor. Fed. Mex. 1826, Nov. i and Dec. 4 ; Gomez PedraZa, Alanif. 32‑3 ; Monteros, Esp. de Jos. Inf. Masones ; Bustamante, VoZ de la Patria, ii, no. 15, 8 ; Mex. Informe Prim. Sac., 22., 25 ; PaZ. Doloroso Rec. A!Ztecas, 4‑5 ; Mora, Obras Sueltes, i, xiv, xvi ; Suarez y Navarro, Hist. Mj. io.) It is said that he had never been partial to secret societies and particularly abhorred the logias escoceses, because of the men belonging to them, particularly his rival Nicolas Bravo; and that he now lamented having patronized the logiasyorkinos, as the government had been belittled by them. Some attempts were made in the congress, weakly supported by minister Espinosa, to prohibit secret societies ; but nothing was then accomplished.

 

The two Societies were now like two armies, facing one another in battle array. Such was the origin of the Yorkino Lodges or, rather, clubs (Minister Esteva was the Grand Master and Arizpe, Master, of one of the Lodges. General Bravo was Grand Master of the logias escoceses) whose sudden development and increased power soon awed their authors and whose subsequent divisions gave a bloody victory to their foes, the old Escoceses. At the elections towards the end of 1826, the Yorkinos were victorious in the Federal District‑the municipal authorities of which possessed great interest‑in the State of Mexico, of which Lorenzo de Zavala was elected governor in March 1827 and in most of the States. The important city of Vera Cruz, however, went against them. Both these societies were strongly represented in the press.

 

However established, the so‑called York Rite, or, in other words, pure English Masonry, flourished and, towards the end of 182.6, there were 2s Lodges, with a membership of about 7oo. The Escoceses, or Scots Masons, finding their Lodges deserted, regarded the Yorkinos as renegades and traitors and, with a view to counterbalance the fast‑increasing power of the latter, they formed the Novenarios, a kind of militia, which derived its name from a regulation requiring each member to enlist nine additional adherents. These ingratiated themselves with the clergy, who, after having been the most embittered enemies of the Craft in past years, now joined the Escoceses almost in a body. The name Novenarios was assumed because each member of the Grand Consistory had to catechize nine men and bring them into the society ; each of these nine had to procure nine others and so on. The members of the Escoceses party also bore the names of Hombres de bien, chequetas, borbonistas, aristocratas, defensores de la constitucion (Bancroft, op. cit., vol. v, p. 37).

 

The Yorkinos, becoming aware of these proceedings, tried to outdo their rivals by recruiting their own Lodges upon the plan of receiving all applicants without distinction, provided they belonged to the federal, i.e. the patriotic party. Thus, the system of Masonry very soon degenerated into a mere party question and, at last, all the adherents of one side styled themselves Escoceses and of the other 108 FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO side, Yorkinos. In 1828 the two parties resorted to open warfare, with a view to deciding the question at issue by the sword and the civil war then commenced lasted for more than a generation. At the conclusion of one of the battles in this civil war, Alaman (Hilt. 11‑1 j., v. 837) alleges that he saw the communication signed by Guerrero, as Grand Master and Colonel Mejia, as Secretary, of the Yorkino Grand Lodge, to the Lodges in the United States, wherein he detailed the triumph, not as that of the government against rebels, but as that of one Masonic sect against its rivals.

 

Somewhere about this time, whilst Dr. Vincente Guerrero‑Grand Master under the York Rite‑was President of the Republic, a law was enacted by which all Masonic Lodges were closed. The Yorkinos obeyed their Grand Master and discontinued their meetings. The Escoceses went on working, but some of their most influential Lodges were suppressed and the members banished. Subsequently all native Spaniards were expelled from Mexican territory.

 

This internecine strife seriously affected the Fraternity in general and gave birth, during the darkest hours of the struggle for supremacy, to an organization called the Mexican National Rite, formed by Masons and composed of distinguished men, but containing innovations and principles so antagonistic to Masonic usage and doctrine, that it was never accorded recognition, even in Mexico, by any Masonic body of acknowledged legality.

 

This new school of Masonry was established by nine Brethren of both Rites, who had belonged to the highest grade of either system, in 183o. To guard against the intrusion of unworthy members and the revival of political antagonism, they resolved to create a Rite which should be national, in the sense of not depending upon any foreign Grand Lodge for its Constitution and to obviate by safeguards and precautions of an elaborate character, the dangers to be apprehended from the reception of either Escoceses or Yorkinos.

 

The Mexican National Rite consisted of nine Degrees, which, omitting the first three, were‑4░, Approved Master (equal to the 15 ░ " Scots ") ; S ░, Knight of the Secret (equal to the 18░ " Scots ") ; 6░, Knight of the Mexican Eagle ; 7░, Perfect Architect (or Templar) ; 8░, Grand judge ; and 9░, Grand Inspector General. All these Degrees had their equivalents in the grades of the A. and A.R. 33░. With the " St. John's " (or purely Craft) Degrees certain special signs were associated, which, however, were not required from foreigners unless they had acted as auxiliaries in any of the party contests.

 

A Grand Orient, composed of members of the 9░, was supreme in matters of dogma or ritual. There was also an administrative body or National Grand Lodge, whose members were elective and met in the metropolis. The Provincial Grand Lodges had their seats in the State capitals and were formed by the " three lights " of at least five St. John's Lodges.

 

But, although still preserving a nominal existence, the several Grand Bodies, owing to political convulsions, were virtually dormant for many years after 1833. A Lodge‑St. Jean d'Ulloa‑was constituted at Vera Cruz, by the Supreme Council FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO log of France, in 1843 ; and another‑Les Ecossais des Deux Mondes‑at the city of Mexico, by the Grand Orient of the same country, in 1845.

 

The Mexican National Rite appears to have somewhat recovered from its torpor in 1863. At that date we find in the metropolis a National Grand Lodge with six working Lodges, though of these one‑belonging to the A. and A.R. was constituted by the Grand Lodge of New Granada and consisted chiefly of foreigners; in Toluca a Provincial Grand Lodge with five Lodges; in Vera Cruz and Guadalajara two Lodges each; and in five other cities single Lodges.

 

In i 86o a Supreme Council was established in the City of Mexico by authority of the Supreme Council of the A. and A.R., U.S.A. Southern jurisdiction, of which Albert Pike was the Sovereign Grand Commander, which claimed jurisdiction over the three Craft Degrees. Shortly afterwards there was a secession when the Supreme Grand Orient of the Scottish Rite was organized, which confined itself to the three Degrees and claimed to be the supreme authority in Symbolical Masonry in the republic, a claim not recognized by the Supreme Council. Some of the Lodges of each section amalgamated and formed Grand Lodges in a number of the districts, with the result that there were Grand Lodges of the Federal District, Jalisco, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Vicente Guerrero, Lower California, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Aguas Calientes and others, all claiming to be sovereign Masonic bodies, some of which were recognized by a few of the American Grand Lodges.

 

After this came the invasion of Mexican territory by a foreign foe, the establishment of the Maximilian Empire, its overthrow and, finally, the war of reform. In vol. ii of the Authors' Lodge Transactions, the late Hamon le Strange, Provincial Grand Master for Norfolk, 1898‑ig2o, relates how, when he was attache to H.M. Legation in Mexico in 1865‑6, he became a joining member of a Spanish Lodge, named the Union Fraternal, which had for its Master a German‑American, named Lohse. This Lodge was working " under the Grand Orient [presumably the A. and A.R.] of the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A." and, at the annual banquet held on June 24, 1865, which he attended, two children were baptized in open Lodge, which ceremony gave them a right ever after to the fraternal protection of the Lodge. Hamon le Strange then goes on to say A meeting was held a few days later to consider the question of forming an independent Grand Lodge for the whole of Mexico and of splitting up Union Fraternal into three Lodges, to work respectively in the Spanish, French and German languages. Action was promptly taken ; Union Fraternal, working in Spanish, became No, i of the new jurisdiction and I was present at the consecration, on July i, of a French Lodge, denominated Les Emules de Hiram, No. 2 ; and, on July 3, of a Lodge working in German and called Eintracht (Unanimity), No. 3. As there were fewer German‑speaking Brethren than French or Spanish, I joined Eintracht and was immediately elected Treasurer thereof, probably because a member of the British Legation was looked upon as unlikely to run away with the bag. The office was no sinecure, as I had to collect a silver dollar from each Brother at each monthly meeting and to keep the amount; we had no bank 110 FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO account and there were no bank‑notes and little gold in Mexico in those days, so the mere carrying home of, say, thirty or forty dollars a meeting made a heavy pocketful, Our meetings took place under somewhat different conditions to those which prevail in London. They were usually held at 8 p.m., i.e. after dark, as in Mexico, even at midsummer, it is never light after 7 p.m. The streets, despite the French garrison, were not over‑safe from chances of casual robbers and everyone going out at night carried a revolver and walked up the centre of the roadway, so as not to be rushed unawares. Our meeting‑place was a large disused convent, of which there were many in the city, as the monks had been turned out of their possessions ! in some previous revolution of the Republic. The Emperor Maximilian, who was a Liberal at heart and well disposed towards Freemasonry, had granted to the Craft the use of an unoccupied convent, approached by a single massive door from the street and containing three large courtyards, one behind the other. A porter gave admission after scrutinizing one through a hole and you then had to walk through the three courts, lighted only by the moon, to a staircase at the extreme end. Ascending this, a door, guarded efficiently by a Tyler, gave admission to a fairsized ante‑room, the principal furniture in which consisted of a large table, on which each Brother, on entering, deposited his loaded revolver. There was no dinner, nor any sort of refreshments, at the monthly meetings, except at the Annual Festival of St. John's Day in Summer. After Lodge was closed we walked off in twos and threes to see each other safely home.

 

Meanwhile the Grand Lodge oś the Yorkinos had ceased to exist and the Scots Rite, which by this time had become divested of its political colouring, had erected‑December 27, 1865‑a Supreme Council 33░ This is the date which has generally been given and accepted, but, according to Hamon le Strange (op. cit., p. 81), it is incorrect. Perhaps it will be better to give his story in detail In July [1865] a Portuguese Brother, Sefihor Manuel B. da Cunha Reis by name, arrived in Mexico as a Deputation from the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, for the purpose of forming an independent Supreme Council for Mexico and, as I already possessed the 3 oth Degree, he officially invited me to take the 3 3 ░ and to become a member of the new Supreme Council. With the object of helping the Craft I accepted the offer, in ignorance of the fact that by taking a higher Degree under a foreign juris diction I was violating the regulations of our own Supreme Council. On my return to live in England some years later, I reported the facts to our Council and was informed that they could not recognize me as a member of the 3 3 ░ ; however, they placed the words " 33' of Mexico " after my name in the official register and, shortly afterwards, promoted me by successive steps to the 33░ of the English Jurisdiction.

 

The first meeting of the Mexican Supreme Council was held on August 9 and I was entrusted with the formation and working of a Rose Croix Chapter under it., I got up the Ritual in Spanish and worked the Chapter for nearly a year, under some difficulties as to language, as in all Masonic work the real second person, with FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO III which I was by no means familiar, was made use of in place of the usual third person invariably employed in colloquial talk. The utmost courtesy was always shown to me by ignoring my mistakes and shortcomings.

 

His Majesty the Emperor had been invited to become Grand Master, but he sent his private secretary to a meeting of the Supreme Council, held on August 3, 1865, to say that he must decline being Grand Master so long as the Roman question remained unsettled. He thanked us for the offer and sent $loo to each of the three Lodges in the capital.

 

During the winter of that year several meetings of the Council were held, at which an elaborate code of General Statutes for the Government oś the Craft was worked out. I was appointed to the office of Grand Chancellor (Guarda‑Sellos) and my name as such appears at the foot of the printed copy of the Estatutos Generales which was published in Mexico on June 24, 1866.

 

It may be that December 27, 1865, was the date on which these General Statutes were adopted, which would explain the discrepancy.

 

In 1868 this General Council joined, or was absorbed by, the Supreme Council of i 860 and, in the same year, the amalgamated body effected a fusion with the National Grand Lodge‑one of whose highest officials at the time was Benito Juarez, President of the Republic. The latter union, however, was not of a thorough nature, but rather assumed the features of a friendly pact, as it left each Rite independent of the other with regard to ritual and internal government. In 1870 the National Rite numbered thirty‑two Lodges and the Ancient and Accepted Rite twenty‑four.

 

It would seem as if the authority of Juarez alone held these Rites together, since at his death in 1872‑although he was succeeded as President by his chief follower, Sebastian Lerdo de Tejeda, also a prominent Freemason‑dissensions arose and they fell asunder, Alfredo Chavero becoming Grand Master of the Grand Orient and Jose Maria Mateos of the National Grand Lodge. In 1876 a Lodge of Germans left the Grand Orient and joined the National Grand Lodge, but in the following year, with the consent of the latter, affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Hamburg‑under which body there was also in 1886 another Lodge at work in Vera Cruz.

 

So far as evidence is forthcoming, upon the re‑establishment of peace and order in Mexico, the Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council throughout the Republic organized State Grand Lodges. A Central Grand Lodge was established in the capital, with jurisdiction over them and, though the Supreme Council made no formal abdication of its authority over Symbolism, this was interfered with very little, save by the Central Grand Lodge. In 1883 there were the following State Grand Lodges :‑Vera Cruz and Jalisco, each with seven Lodges; Puebla, Yucatan and Guanajuato, with six; and Morelos and Tlaxcala, with five; thus making a total of seven Grand and forty‑two subordinate Lodges, exclusive of the Central Grand Lodge and the metropolitan Lodges.

 

It will be seen that at this period there existed at Vera Cruz a State Grand 112. FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO Lodge, but from the fact that it was subordinate to the Central Grand Lodge, it was not deemed by the Grand Lodge of Colon to exercise legitimate authority over Symbolism in that State. Indeed, the whole of Mexico was regarded by the lastnamed body as "unoccupied territory" and it therefore proceeded to charter three Lodges, which, in January 1883, formed themselves, at the city of Vera Cruz, into the Mexican Independent Symbolic Grand Lodge.

 

Two of the Lodges taking part in this movement had originally held Mexican Warrants, but, having quarrelled with their superiors, solicited and obtained Charters from the Grand Lodge of Colon (afterwards Colon and Cuba), shortly after which the third Lodge was formed and then, finally, the Grand Lodge, although the Supreme Council of Mexico had formally protested against the invasion of its territory. Indeed the step thus taken by their former superiors appears rather to have accelerated the action of the three Lodges, as in the record of their proceedings it is stated, " that they hasten to constitute themselves into an Independent Grand Lodge, pending the protest of the Supreme Council of Mexico, to relieve their friend and mother, the Grand Lodge of Colon, from any further unpleasant complications 1 " The Supreme Council of Mexico, in a Balustre numbered XXX and dated April 25, 1883, renounced its jurisdiction over the Symbolical Degrees and promulgated a variety of regulations with regard to Grand and subordinate Lodges. This threw the Craft into the utmost confusion and might have ended in the destruction of the greater number of Mexican Lodges, or, at least, in the establishment of some half dozen Grand Bodies, all claiming supremacy, had it not been for the skill and address of Carlos Pacheco, who succeeded Alfredo Chavero as Sovereign Grand Commander 33'.

 

The former Balustre was revoked and by a new one (XXXII), dated May 27, 1883, the Supreme Council renounced, in favour of the State Grand Lodges then existing, or which might afterwards be formed, the jurisdiction over Symbolism conferred upon it by the Constitutions of the A. and A.R. 33░. The transmission of powers was to take effect from June 24 then ensuing. The Lodges having no Grand Lodge were to remain under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge nearest to them, or the oldest if two were equi‑distant, until they organized their own in accordance with Masonic usage and precedent. The Lodges of the Federal District, however, were directed to form and inaugurate their Grand Lodge on June 15 then following. Balustre XXXII was signed (inter alios) by Carlos Pacheco, Mariano Escobedo, Alfredo Chavero and Porfirio Diaz.

 

On June 25, 1883, twelve Lodges at the capital, all belonging to the Scottish Rite, met and established the Grand Lodge of the Federal District (or city) of Mexico, with Porfirio Diaz as the first Grand Master. The event was announced to the Masonic world in two circulars, the first of which is in Spanish‑an immense document of 18o pages ! The second is in English and its only noticeable feature is a declaration that the American system of State Grand Lodges, each with exclusive jurisdiction, has been adopted. Grand Lodges were afterwards established on the FEEEMASONRY IN MEXICO 113 same plan‑i.e. in conformity with the edict of the Supreme Council, as promulgated in Balustre XXXII‑in the States of Vera Cruz, Tlaxcala, Morelos, Puebla Campeachy and Lower California. The complications, however, already existing in the Republic, were still further increased in 1882 by the action of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, in granting a Charter to the Toltec Lodge, in the city of Mexico, which had been provisionally established at the close of the previous year under a dispensation from the Grand Master.

 

On December 24, 1889, a treaty was made, by virtue of which the Supreme Council relinquished all claim of jurisdiction over the first three Degrees, whilst the Supreme Grand Orient of the Scottish Rite and several of the State Grand Lodges went out of existence, in order that they might reorganize under one supreme governing body. This took place at a grand assembly of representatives or Deputies from nearly all the state and subordinate Lodges in the republic, held, after due notice, in the City of Mexico, on February 5, i8go. The Convention remained in session for ten days and the formation of the Grand Symbolical Dieta of the United States of Mexico was the result, the office of " Most Respectable Grand Master " being filled by General Porfirio Diaz, President of the Republic; that of Grand Secretary General by Dr. Emilio G. Canton, Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States of Mexico. On June 1o following, the General Constitution of the Gran Dieta was adopted and promulgated, to be composed of one Deputy from each State Grand Lodge and one from each subordinate Lodge. All Charters for subordinate Lodges were to be issued by the Gran Dieta. In every State there was to be a State Grand Lodge, consisting of five delegates from each subordinate Lodge within its jurisdiction Fifteen Grand Lodges and 125 private Lodges assisted in the formation of the Gran Dieta. The only exception from the usage of the Scottish Rite was Toltec Lodge, No. 5 Zo, in the city of Mexico, chartered, as stated, in 1882, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

 

On December 27, 18go, the Supreme Council 330 issued a decree creating a new body for the government of Symbolic Masonry, to be known as the Grand Symbolical Scottish Diet of the Republic of Mexico, which body came into existence in February 18g1.

 

By the Treaty of Monterey, signed at the Mexican city of that name on October 26, 1801, by G. W. Tyler, Grand Master of Texas and Porfirio Diaz, Grand Master of Mexico, each recognized the other as the only supreme and exclu sive Masonic power in their several districts respectively, conditionally on the treaty being submitted to the members of the two contracting Grand bodies and it was agreed that, upon ratification, representatives would be exchanged. Such approval was immediately forthcoming, though afterwards regretted. Protests against the formation and recognition of the Gran Dieta were published by the Mexican National Rite, formed in 1825, of which Francisco P. Gochicoa, Postmaster‑General, was the head, the members of which were nearly all officials in the post‑office ; the Reformed Scottish Rite, instituted in 1871, of which Joaquin Pefia was the Sovereign Grand Commander; and the Grand Lodge of the Federal FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO District, of which Benito Juarez, son of the great Juarez, Mexican president, was Grand Master.

 

Richard E. Chism, who was Master of the Toltec Lodge, to which reference has already been made, at the time of the formation of the Gran Dieta, published a pamphlet entitled An Inside View of Alexican Alasonry, in which he stated that the organization of the Gran Dieta was not the outcome of any Convocation or Convention of Masons, but was brought into being by the Supreme Council of the A. and A. Rite and, therefore, could not claim jurisdiction over Masonic units belonging to the York Rite. Immediately upon its formation, however, the Gran Dieta had claimed jurisdiction over everything which called itself Masonic, even to the Rite of Memphis. Toltec Lodge stood aloof from the Gran Dieta, but was afterwards compelled to join it, in consequence of the action of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, to which it owed allegiance, which coerced it into the action by withdrawing its Charter as it " considered it unwise to continue the exercise of Masonic authority in Mexico." Toltec Lodge is now No. i on the roster of the York Grand Lodge, to be mentioned later.

 

With three exceptions all the Lodges transferred their allegiance to the Gran Dieta, which was constituted by i zz out of the 125 Lodges in the republic. One of the first acts of the Gran Dieta was to provide for the initiation of women and to issue Charters for female Lodges, but, in the Report on Foreign Correspondence by T. S. Parvin in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Iowa for 1896, it was stated that the Gran Dieta had repealed the law under which women were authorized to be made Freemasons and the Charters of women Lodges were withdrawn under pressure from American Freemasons. This step was taken at a session of the Gran Dieta Simbolica held on August 24, 1895, when it was decreed that all Charters for these Lodges should be withdrawn, that no recognition of women as Freemasons should be continued and that the Holy Bible and the Square and Compasses should be placed on all Masonic altars of the Symbolical Lodges in the republic of Mexico. This step was hastened by the formation on June 24, 1895, of the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico, No. i of the Federal District of Mexico, in the presence of several women, said to be members of female Masonic Lodges. This action caused the withdrawal of Anahuac Lodge, No. 141, which made a protest to the Gran Dieta, which, accordingly, suspended the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico, along with several members who had committed the irregularities.

 

The Gran Dieta, however, was not received generally with favour in the Grand Lodges of the United States of America and its recognition by the Grand Lodges of New York and Texas was very generally condemned by the Reporters on Cor respondence in several American jurisdictions. In 1894, Dr. Joseph Robbins, Past Grand Master, making his Correspondence Report to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, said The most startling event of the year is the recognition by the Grand Lodge of New York of the Gran Dieta Simbolica of Mexico, in the face of disclosures FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO 115 as to what passes for Masonry in that republic, that, to say the least, have yet far from having been wholly discredited by proof and which, if true, ought to ensure the repudiation of the body or congregation of which they are found to be true, not only by the Grand Lodge of New York, but even by the most careless and least informed Grand Lodges. In our review of New York we called attention to one of these disclosures only‑the admission of women to the Lodges owing allegiance to one of the constituents of the Mexican Gran Dieta, the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico. We there referred to 11 Clio," the Master of Lodge No. 27, who, Brother Chism says (to the Grand Secretary of Missouri) is in private life Dr. Matilda Montoya, the only female physician ever accredited by a Mexican college.

 

The other two women appointed to office in that Grand Lodge were 11 Caliope," who was Mrs. De Kleinhaus, mother‑in‑law of Emilio G. Canton, the Grand Secretary of the Gran Dieta and 11 Amonia," who was the wife of the Grand Secretary.

 

The York Grand Lodge of Mexico, which is the only Mexican Masonic body in fraternal communications with the Grand Lodge of England, originated in October 1823, also as the Grand Lodge Valle de Mexico. It started as a York Rite Grand body, but afterwards changed into Scottish Rite. In 1911 it reverted to the York Rite and the name was then changed to the York Grand Lodge of Mexico. There were a few members who objected to the change and they remained behind and formed an independent Grand Lodge, retaining the old name. According to the latest returns, the York Grand Lodge of Mexico consists of thirteen Lodges with 907 members. A document sent out in June 1934 announces the formation of the Mexican Masonic Council, with member Grand Lodges as follows Gran Logia Benito Juarez Apdo. Num. 87 Torre6n, Coah. Gran Logia Indep. Cosmos Apdo. Num. 171 Chihuahua, Chih. Gran Logia del Estado de Chiapas Apdo. Num. 7o Tapachula, Chis.

 

Gran Logia del Estado de Nuevo Leon Apdo. Num. 309 Monterrey, N. L. Gran Logia de Tamaulipas Apdo. Num. 419 Tampico, Tamps.

 

Gran Logia Occidental Mexicana Apdo. Num. 9 Guadalajara, Jal. Gran Logia El Potosi Apdo. Num. 265 San Luis Potosi, S. L. P. Gran Logia Unida Mexicana Apdo. Num. 56 Veracruz, Ver. Gran Logia Oriental Peninsular Apdo. Num. 61 Merida, Yuc. Gran Logia Valle de Mexico Apdo. Num. io Mexico, D. F. Gran Logia Guadalupe Victoria Apdo. Num. 1o8 Durango, Dgo. Gran Logia Restauracion Apdo. Num. 26 Villahermosa, Tab. Gran Logia Campeche Apdo. Num. 17 Campeche, Camp.

 

ADMITTED PROVISIONALLY Gran Logia del Distrito Norte de la Baja California Apdo. Num. 81 Ensenada, B. C.

 

ADMISSION INCOMPLETE Gran Logia del Pacifico Apdo. Num. Zo Guaymas, Son.

 

Gran Logia del Estado de Oaxaca Apdo. Num. 1o Oaxaca, Oax.

 

116 FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO Of these there are several concerning which but little is known. Requests for information produced the following: The Grand Lodge of Coahuila, " Benito Juarez," was founded in Saltillo, Coahuila, in 18go, under the auspices and jurisdiction of the " Gran Dieta Simbolica " of the United States of Mexico.

 

In 1896, Worshipful Brother Dr. Lorenzo Cantu was elected Grand Master and the residence of the Grand Lodge was transferred to Ciudad Porfirio Diaz, Coahuila. It worked with regularity as an integral part of the " Grand Dieta Simbolica " until July 1, 19oi, when, upon the receipt of a circular announcing the dissolution of that Grand Body, it assumed its independence and sovereignty in the State of Coahuila, pledging itself to uphold the Ancient Charges and Landmarks as laid down by Dr. Anderson, in 172‑1, and acknowledging the complete independence of the Symbolic Degrees.

 

This Grand Lodge shows a list of 31 Lodges with 12‑76 members in 1935Grand Lodge La Oriental Peninsular of the State of Yucatan was formed from three Lodges working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge Unida Mexicana of Vera Cruz, in the year 1913. It was organised to exercise jurisdiction over the State of Yucatan, Campeche and Quitana Roo. It is the only Grand Lodge operating in this territory. It has adopted the British standards. Its statement is as follows II. Since the date of its Constitution this Grand Lodge has been the only Governing Masonic Body in the territory that was granted to her, and her authority has not been nor is at present divided with any other Grand Lodge or Supreme Council.

 

III. That the Laws of this Grand Lodge are formed in strict compliance of the Ancient uses of the Fraternity approved at Stationers Hall, London, England, on June 2‑q., 172‑1, the main parts being: a. Acknowledgement of a belief in God. b. That it makes Masons of men only. c. Secrecy.

 

d. The Symbolism of Operative Masonry.

 

e. The division of Symbolic Masonry in three Degrees, universally known. f. The legend of the Third Degree and ways of recognition, which are unchangeable.

 

g. Controversial politics and sectarian religion strictly excluded from all activities under its auspices.

 

b. The Book of the Sacred Law shall always be open while a Lodge is working.

 

i. That it will not try to interfere in the territory of another Grand Body.

 

Grand Lodge El Potosi of the State of San Luis Potosi was established in the year 1896. It covers the territory of the State of San Luis Potosi and had its headquarters in the city of San Luis Potosi.

 

The Grand Lodge El Potosi works strictly in conformity with the standards of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Like many of its sister Mexican Grand FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO 117 Lodges, it has felt that the Masonry of the United States frowns upon things Mexican, and for that reason it has refrained from begging any American Grand Lodge to extend recognition; the Spanish‑speaking Masonic world has been driven to a self‑contained isolation to a great extent by the attitude of the English‑speaking Grand Lodges, who neither cared anything about them nor knew anything about them.

 

Bro. Juarez tells us then when his Grand Lodge received a copy of Past Grand Master Peter T. Wilson's address to the Conference of Grand Masters, in Spanish, the document created widespread interest and seemed to mark the be ginning of a new era of good feeling. It is desired that he shall express to our Grand Lodge the sincere thanks of the Grand Lodge El Potosi in us, and the hope that this may be the beginning of the best of fraternal relations.

 

This Grand Lodge Works the three Degrees, using the Ritual of the Scottish Rite which is the same that is used in practically all of Latin‑America; it requires the Volume of the Sacred Law on its Altars and a profession of faith in a Diety. It is sovereign and independent and shares its jurisdiction with none other.

 

The following is from the report of the Committee on the Grand Lodge Del Pacifico The chairman made a trip to Mexico for the particular purpose of examining into the merits of the application for recognition of the Grand Lodge of the Pacific and visited several of the cities where are located subordinate Lodges of that Grand Lodge. He had the privilege of inspecting several Lodge rooms and of meeting officers and members of a majority of the Lodges. He also conferred with the Grand Master Octavio A. Serrano, Past Grand Master R. H. Fernando F. Dworak, and other officers of the Grand Lodge. His impression was most favourable. He found those Masons with whom he came in contact to be mostly men of prominence and standing in their respective communities and his inquiries and observations induced him to believe that they were good Masons and that they were loyal to the tenets of our profession and were doing a splendid work in their jurisdictions. At Nogales, Hermosillo, Mazatlan, Los Machis, Navajoa, Culiacan and Cuidad Obregon he found Americans who had been raised in the United States and had cast their lot with the Masons of the Grand Lodge of the Pacific and without exception the expressions of, these Masons were commendatory of the work and the spirit of their Mexican brethren and their lodges. There is a strong American spirit on the west coast of Mexico and the influence of the American Masons there is evident.

 

The Grand Lodge of the Pacific confines its authority to the states of Sonora and Sinaloa and the central district of Lower Cafifornia. It exercises its right and authority over the three degrees of symbolic Masonry only. It requires of its initiates a belief in God and the immortality of the soul and displays the Great Light upon its altars. In 1923 the Grand Master Dworak represented to this Grand Lodge that the then newly created Grand Lodge of the Pacific had no treaty or other connection with the Supreme Council of Mexico, nor any other Masonic body, but that it was sovereign and absolutely independent. The application for recognition has been before us from that time until this and the same representations have been repeatedly made to us.

 

118 FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO We find that the Grand Lodge of the Pacific has 14 Lodges with more than 1400 members, and that all of the Lodges in its territory are of its obedience except a Lodge at Cananea, which is a subordinate of the York Grand Lodge of Mexico. Recognition of the Grand Lodge of the Pacific has been deferred until this time because the York Grand Lodge of Mexico, with which we are in amity and concord, claims exclusive jurisdiction throughout the Republic of Mexico and we were not disposed to take any action that might be objectionable to that Grand Lodge. It appeared to your committee that the only reason for denying the application for recognition would be an objection from the York Grand Lodge and that otherwise the Grand Lodge of the Pacific was justly entitled to our fraternal regard and recognition. With this in mind, we asked the Grand Master of the York Grand Lodge to give us a frank statement of his disposition in this matter, assuring him of our desire to work in full harmony and accord with the York Grand Lodge of Mexico and its members. We have now a reply to our inquiry made by the Grand Master through Bro. M. A. Loeby, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the York Grand Lodge, in which we are advised that it cannot and will not embarrass or hurt York Grand Lodge for the Grand Lodge of California to enter into fraternal relationship with the Grand Lodge of the Pacific.

 

In 1926, the United Grand Lodge of Mexico at Vera Cruz sent out a request for recognition in which the following history, description and declarations occur: We have at all times and places tried to render obedience to those ideals notwithstanding the numerous difficulties and obstacles we have met with from the year 1883 in which our Masonic life began, as a body named " Gran Logia Simb6lica Independiente " (Symbolic and Independent Grand Lodge of Veracruz), with a regular jurisdiction upon the whole territory of the Mexican Republic and adjacent islands in both oceans, according to the cession made in our favour of the said territory by the Very Respectful Grand Lodge of Colon and that of Cuba; and at the same time, by the resignation of the Supreme Council in the city of Mexico to its pretensions to govern all the Masonic Lodges in this country.

 

In order you may have a clear and wide knowledge as to the origin, organisation and rights concerning our Grand Lodge we beg to send you herewith two enclosures or copies, one of the recognition granted to us as far as legitimacy and regularity correspond, by the Grand Lodge of Cuba, and another of the treaty by means of which the Supreme Council in Mexico resigned what they called their rights, recognised and agreed to cultivate and maintain a perpetual friendship with our Grand Lodge, being this also recognised by the Grand Lodges of the States of Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska and District of Columbia in the United States of America, and by those of Edinburgh (Scotland), Manitoba and Nova Scotia (Canada), New South Wales and Victoria (Australia) and some more English and Spanish speaking lodges.

 

It is our duty to clear up that, notwithstanding that the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge embraced the territorial extension mentioned above, it willingly engaged itself, as it has done, to grant the territory of the various federal states of this country to the Grand Lodges which might be established in a regular FREEMASONRY IN MEXICO 119 form and transmitting them the necessary jurisdiction, so they could practise there complete authority as sovereign powers in their respective territories, with the reservation for this Grand Lodge of the right to recover its whole personality upon the granted territories whenever one of those Grand Lodges might abdicate or divide its sovereignty in favour of another power.

 

The Gran Logia Unida Mexicana admits within its circle only free and honourable men (this is why it emphatically rejects as an irregular body any lodge which accepts women within itself).

 

We do recognise the existence of God, and our doors are completely closed for those who do not keep the same thought in their mind; and all the lodges pertaining to our control are instructed to keep open upon the altar the Sacred Book of the Divine Law. It exercises the secret, the Symbolism of the Operative Masonry, the division of the Symbolic Masonry into three degrees and the custom of reading the third one. Its aims are charities and the intellectual and moral education without accepting, at any rate, whatever sectarian controversy either political or religious.

 

Mr. Oliver Day Street in 1922 reported to the Grand Lodge of Alabama as follows Early in January 1882, the Grand Lodge of Colon and the Island of Cuba chartered three Symbolic Lodges at Vera Cruz. On January 28, 1883, these three lodges formed a Grand Lodge at Vera Cruz under the name of the Independent Symbolic Mexican Grand Lodge, claiming jurisdiction over Symbolic Masonry throughout the Republic. So far as we can ascertain its organisation was in strict accord with the rules for the erection of an independent Grand Lodge of Ancient Craft Masonry.

 

FREEMASONRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA 121 Four conclusions were agreed upon: the formulation of a definite programme of Masonic studies to be participated in by all the Brethren (i) for a clear understanding of the meaning of the Symbolic Degrees; (z) the desirability or undesirability of continuing or reducing the number of Lodges in the Capital and at Quezaltenango ; (3) the reorganization of the finances of the Craft in Guatemala. Much good is expected to result from an intensive discussion of the three problems. Two Lodges‑Garibaldi, No. i z, at Retalhuleu and Progreso, No. 14, at Coatepeque‑were deprived of their Charters because of internal difficulties.

 

A new Lodge was instituted (U.‑. D.‑.) at San Felipe under the title of Ideal Orientacion and is working most satisfactorily. The Lodge Estralla de Oriente (Star of the East) was constituted in December 1928, at Asuncion Mita, in the Department of Jutiapa and is reported to be working under favourable auspices and excellent condition, thanks to the enthusiasm of its members and their determination to adhere strictly to the laws of the Craft. Tenidas blancas (public meetings) were held by the several Lodges in a spirit of broad toleration and with carefully prepared programmes of entertainment and information to let the cultured public get a clearer conception of the character and altruistic purposes of the Fraternity. Grand Lodge organized three similar meetings: One in celebration of the annual patriotic festival on September 15‑1a Fiesta de la Patria ; the second in celebration of the twenty‑fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Guatemala, the third in memory of the,Brethren who have " travelled to the Eternal East, . . . preceding us in the completion of human destiny." These meetings, too, have been of inestimable value as a means for dispelling doubts and misconceptions and diffusing the principles of Freemasonry for the good of the country and the world at large.

 

With reference to the Fiesta de la Patria the Grand Master issued a decree calling upon the Lodges to arrange annually, on either the fourteenth or fifteenth of September, a dignified celebration of the anniversary of the Independence of Central America, so as to record and exalt the patriotism of the Masons of Guatemala, demonstrating their love of their country and their constant solicitude for her prosperity.

 

The Grand Lodge of Guatemala is recognised as regular by an impressive list of British and American Grand Lodges.

 

HONDURAS There is in Honduras a Grand Lodge, recognized by several of the American jurisdictions, which, according to the latest return, has six Lodges, composed in membership of native Honduranians, almost every Lodge having among its members some of the best minds of the Republic. There are also in Honduras four Lodges chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, viz. Tela, No. i 196, at Tela ; Ceiba., No. 1266, at La Ceiba ; Puerta Castilla, NO. 1793, at Puerto Castilla ; and Cortes, No. 1315, at Puerto Cortes.

 

122 FREEMASONRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA On May 15, 19zz, representatives of the three Lodges in Honduras then existing‑Iqualidad, No. i, at Tegucigalpa; Eureka, No. z, at San Pedro Sula ; and Augustin Disdier, No. 3, at La Ceiba‑all then subordinate to the Supreme Council of Central America at Guatemala, met in consultation at Tegucigalpa to take preliminary steps towards the formation of an Independent Grand Lodge of Symbolic Masonry. It was resolved to found such a body and Fredrico C. Canales was appointed Grand Master and Ernesto Fiallos V as Grand Secretary. Notice was given the Supreme Council of the resolution thus passed and that body rendered the necessary assistance by releasing the three Lodges from all obedience to it. On July 9 of the same year the Sovereign Symbolic Grand Lodge of the State of Honduras of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was duly formed and constituted. This body demands a declaration of belief in the Supreme Being and the Bible is displayed on the altars of the Lodges.

 

The Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Scotland are composed entirely of English‑speaking people, most of whom are Americans. The Lodges under the Grand Lodge of Honduras work in the language of the country.

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