Committee and a few Companions in the secret, and how many remained to represent the body at large on so important a question? But if this was the case with the London Chapters, how was it with the provinces ? Was there present a single provincial Companion?-he believed not. He did not blame the Committee for their charitable views; on the contrary, he wished they could have recommended ten times the amount. What he contended for, was consistency. He took an objection to the construction put by the Committee on the cause of the apparent prosperity, which they imputed to the characteristic influence of the Benevolent Annuity fund. He differed with them, for he attributed the prosperous state of the finance to the establishment of a system of fees for regulation; for if such had not existed, the charitable institution would in vain have preferred its claims. Let things appear in their right case. While the Committee were looking sharp in their movements one way, they were singularly neglectful the other way; for he observed that their report did not touch on their negligence in not directing the circulars of the proceedings in Grand Chapter to be issued. It was nearly two years since any tidings were printed, and yet, at a week's notice, they were directed-for he looked on the circular, under the circumstances, in no other light than a direction-to vote so large an annual amount. The Companion who moved the proposition had observed that the sanction of Grand Lodge must be obtained, and confirmation must follow. Surely if these delays, wisely provided for, were needful, it was only just that sufficient notice should be given to those it more immediately concerned. He did not object to the principle of charity, but to an act of hasty arrangement; for which reason he moved his amendment. The amendment not being seconded, Comp. DOBIE congratulated the meeting on the fact that no real objection existed, for that Dr. Crucefix himself approved the principle, which was the main object. He should take care that a representation should be laid before the Grand Lodge of the transactions of this evening. Comp. HAVERS thought that the Committee were entitled to the thanks of the Grand Chapter for their very zealous exertions in this cause, and trusted that the mover of the amendment might always be in a minority on such occasions. Comp. CRUCEFIX.-Personal allusions are always indecorous. Comp. EVANS observed, that it would be a bad precedent to make any report of proceedings to Grand Lodge, while unconfirmed by Grand Chapter. Comp. DOBIE would take care that no unpleasant result should occur. Comp. CRUCEFIX protested against the presiding officer taking any step whatever, however simple, that was not in accordance with the true discipline of the Order. The original motion was then put and carried with ONE dissentient. Perhaps on no former occasion was there so complete a forgetfulness of all form of business, as was evidenced in the preceding discussion; there was positively only one Companion right. Let us see The committee assume to make a proposition, and ground its propriety on the fact, that the charitable institution they desire to serve has created the impulse and the means—this is so directly the reverse, that it hardly requires refutation. The means were growing before the institution was thought of. Dr. CRUCEFIX was in error, for he did not abide the putting of the motion hefore he moved his amendment; no doubt he thought he had waited long enough, for the pause was considerable; but his not "biding his time," placed him in a false position, and his truth-telling lost much of its importance. Comp. DOBIE was wrong in permitting the Doctor to speak prematurely on an amendment; and also in observing, that he (Comp. D.) should make representations on unconfirmed minutes. Comp. EVANS was right in drawing Comp. Dobie's attention to such a course. Comp. HAVERS was right or wrong, as he may please, in mooting his thanks to the committee, and his courtesy to the mover of the amend ment. In making these observations we are bound to say, that no exception could be or was attempted to be taken, but to the hasty mode of proceeding. QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION. Present-The Right Hon. the Earl of Zetland, M. W. G. M., on the throne. R. W. R. Alston, P. G. M. (Essex) as D. G. M. Major Shute, P. G. M. (Bristol). T. H. Hall, P. G. M. (Cambridge). W. Tucker (Dorset). H. A. Hoare, L. Humfry, Gd. Wardens. Many Present and Past Grand Officers, the Master, Past Masters, and Wardens of the Grand Stewards' Lodge, and the same of many other Lodges. The Grand Lodge having been opened in ample form, the minutes of the last Quarterly Communication were read and confirmed. The Earl of Zetland was then put in nomination for Grand Master for the year ensuing. The GRAND MASTER addressed the Grand Lodge on many important and highly interesting topics; in particular as to the desire of many foreign Grand Lodges to reciprocate Masonic relations.-On the policy of some alteration in the conferring of degrees abroad; and on the delay in issuing the printed circulars of Grand Lodge, by which the provincial Brethren were seriously inconvenienced. Bro. FAUDEL observed-that the Grand Lodge of Darmstadt might be anxious for Masonic alliance, but it would be necessery to examine with the greatest care, not merely into their constitution, but also into their by-laws. He (Bro. F.) entertained doubts on the subject. The GRAND MASTER said that the Grand Secretary should exercise due care. The report of the Board of General Purposes was then read, and ordered to be entered on the minutes. A discussion took place on the proposition of the Board, that certain alterations should be made in the Book of Constitutions, they considering their powers extended as far. Bro. HUMFRY, Junior Grand Warden, in an eloquent address, differed, and thought that the discussion should be postponed to give time for consideration. Bro. CRUCEFIX objected in toto to this portion of the report of the Board of General Purposes, inasmuch as there was even a disrespectful inattention to the directions of Grand Lodge, which had limited their instruction to a mere ministerial office; and expressly stated that it should not be legislative: whereas the Board had not merely transposed words and sentences, but had absolutely entered altogether into new matter. Several Brethren addressed the Grand Lodge, and it was ultimately settled that all the alterations proposed by the Board (as well as those suggested by others then present), should be printed and circulated forthwith, that the Craft "night not be taken by surprise;" the same to come on for discussion at the ensuing Grand Lodge. The Committee appointed to enquire into the propriety of granting £50 to the widow of a deceased Brother, reported that they could not recommend the grant; whereon a very animated discussion took place. On a show of hands, the grant was agreed to by a majority of two. The Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form, and adjourned.* GRAND CONCLAVE OF ENGLAND AND WALES. COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES. Oct. 2.-Present, Sir Knights Stuart, White, Claydon, Goldsworthy, Crucefix, Gibbins. The minutes of the last meeting were read, as was some correspondence. A letter from Bro. Davyd William Nash, Secretary-General to the Supreme Council of the S. G. I. G. 33rd degree, addressed to the Grand Chancellor, was read, announcing that such Supreme Council had been authorized and organized for England and Wales. It was resolved, that in the next summons to the members of the Committee, that it should be announced that the subject of paraphernalia should be considered. The next meeting of the Committee will take place on the first day of January, 1847. The discussion on this grant occupied so much time, that Dr. Crucefix's motion for Widows' pensions could not come on; nor will it, in all probability, in March, as the debate on the Constitutions must necessarily be lengthy. A boon! A boon!! A boon!!! Be it known to all whom it may concern, that this 20th day of November, 1846, there hath been actually circulated, notifications from the Grand Lodge of England, respectively bearing the following dates 3rd December, 1845-4th March, 1846-29th April, 1846-3rd June, 1846-2nd Sept., 1846; and containing references to the following points--Nomination of the Earl of Zetland as G. M.-Address of his lordship on the exclusion of Jewish Brethren from the Grand Lodge of Prussia-Motion for increase of dues to Grand Lodge, for the purpose of annuities to Widows, &c., negatived-Election of Earl of Zetland as G. M.-Fifty pounds additional salary to Brother W. Farnfield, first clerk.-Motion for annuities to Widows negatived the second time.-The Earl of Zetland proclaimed as G. M.-Earl Howe resigned the office of D. G. M.-Lord Worsley (since Earl of Yarborough) appointed D. G. M.--Other Grand Officers appointed-Bro the Rev. W. J. Carver approved as representative from the Grand Lodge of Mass. U. S.-Bro. W. Tucker appointed Provincial G. M. for Dorset, vice Bro. Eliot, resigned-Representatives withdrawn from the Grand Lodges of England and Prussia-Thanks to the G. M. for his upright and independent conduct-Alarm of fire in the Hall-New edition of Constitutions ordered to be printed-A motion being made for £50 to a widow lady, an amendment, referring the case to the Board of General Purposes, was lost; this amendment does not appear, although the second, referring the case to a committee of three, does-Irregularity at Grand Festival noticed; all which, and much more, has already appeared in the F. Q. R., QUEM DEUS Curat. 3 N VOL. IV. SUPREME COUNCIL 33RD DEGREE FOR ENGLAND COUNCI AND WALES. DEUS MEUMQUE JUS. The Supreme Council for England and Wales, and the Dependencies of the British Crown, of Sov. Gr. Insp. Gen. of the 33rd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite, held a Soleran Convocation, at their Grand East, on Tuesday, the 1st day of December, 1846, at the Freemasons' Hall, London, at three o'clock precisely, which being closed, all S. P. of the R. S. of the 32nd Degree, and all G. I C. of the 31st Degree, were admitted to their respective ceremonials. A Grand College of G. E. Kts. K. H. of the 30th Degree was holden on Thursday, the 3rd December, as above, for the reception of candidates. All Kts. of St. Andrew of the 29th Degree, and all Kts. of the Sun of the 28th Degree, were invited to present themselves at four o'clock precisely. A Sov. Chapter of Rose Croix of H. R. D. M. of the 18th Degree was holden at the place and on the day above-mentioned, at six o'clock precisely, when all S. P. Rose Croix were invited to attend, and all others from the 18th to the 27th Degree inclusive. The Banquet took place at eight o'clock. The above meetings may be termed the inaugural celebrations of the high degrees of Freemasonry ever held in the British empire; and whether we announce them as remarkable for the magnificent exposition of their glorious tenets, or as classic delineations of sign and symbol, we are correct in stating that nothing was wanting to elevate the mind or to gratify the eye. At the first meeting, the grand ceremony of the 33rd Degree was fully conducted by the Grand Cominander, Dr. Crucefix, on which occasion Bro. William Tucker, Prov. G. M. for Dorset, &c. was received into the Order. The Doctor was most ably assisted by Brothers H. Udall, Dr. Leeson, and all the members of the Supreme Council-Dr. Oliver excepted, who was not able to attend by reason of indisposition. After the ceremony, several members of the K. H. were inducted into the higher degrees of dignity. At the second meeting, the 32nd, 31st, 30th, 29th, and 28th Degrees were respectively conferred on those entitled to examination and reception. After other ceremonials, the 18th, or Sov. Chapter of Rose Croix of H. R. D. M., was held, in which degree the transactions of this most auspicious day were concluded. The powers by which the Supreme Council has been created were placed before the meeting, and the official declaration of their full and ample authority and organization publicly made known; but as these have already appeared in our pages* it is not necessary to repeat them. We have already observed that nothing was wanting to render intellec * Vide page 367, September, 1846. tual gratification one of unmixed enjoyment. But we ought not to pass over the extraordinary exertions of Dr. Leeson, who, from "early morn to dewy eve," threw himself into the cause with such zeal, patience, and industry, as to entitle him to the heartfelt thanks of all. Nor did Bro. H. Udall second his friend with indifference; and the members of the Council were all worthy fellow-labourers. As a Grand Inquisitor Com. Bro. Cox's talents were brought into prominent observation. The choral music was effectively performed, and the choir, whose voices were heard in the distance (the Brethren being concealed from view), delightfully harmonized with the Organ, as it pealed forth its solemn and sacred melody. Again we say that, to those assembled, the ceremonials were august in character, impressive in effect, and harmonious in spirit. THE BANQUET. The Brethren, from the pressure of so many important ceremonials, could not sit down to banquet until nearly eight o'clock.* The Grand Commander (Dr. Crucefix) presided. Among those present were several provincial Brethren. After the healths of her Majesty the Queen, her illustrious Consort, and Royal Family, followed by that of the Earl of Zetland, were given, and most respectfully welcomed, Dr. C. entered into a brief history of the 33rd, and paid a grateful tribute to the great Frederick, the institutor, by whose protection and care the Order had been so generously fostered. The immortal memory of Frederick the Great, the first Grand Commander of the Order, was then drunk in solemn silence. THE GRAND COMMANDER then commented, at some length, on the moral virtues and the Masonic attainments of the Grand Commander of the Order in New York, Bro. J. J. J. Gourgas, of whom, to speak in deserving terms, would be merely to say that were there many such men the world itself must be happier. Bro. Gourgas was ably supported by a Council, composed of Masons powerful in intellect, warm and enthusiastic in their devotion to the Order. He gave the health of Bro. Gourgas and his Supreme Council; long life to them and perpetuity to the Order. The toast was warmly and respectfully welcomed. BRO. UDALL then proposed the health of their own Grand Commander, Dr. Crucefix, whose enterprizing spirit for the good of Masonry had sustained him through many trying scenes, but through all of which he had come forth with the renewed estimation of his fellow-labourers. He (Dr. C.) had attained an altitude that no other Mason in this country had ever reached; and he hoped the day was far distant when the departure of his spirit to a better world should render it necessary to select a successor. He (Dr. C.) possessed not only the confidence of his Council but of the Masonic World. The Brethren rose, and most warmly welcomed the announcement of the doctor's health. THE GRAND COMMANDER, in reply, noticed the general topics of Bro. Udall's address, and concluded nearly as follows: "As it has been permitted that I should be elevated to the dignity of Grand Commander of the 33rd degree for England and Wales, I will not affect a humility that may be misunderstood, but I will avoid all self-importance, and endeavour to prove that I hold a distinguished office for the benefit of others, and for the advancement of the most important principles. In these views I know that I shall be supported * Bro. Bacon, to commemorate the day, introduced a new refection, viz.-soup "Supreme Council." |