The following Illustrious Companions were duly appointed by the Grand Master: V. I. Companion D. B. Murray, Winnipeg, Grand Master of Ceremonies. V. I. Companion John Dickson, Hamilton, Grand Conductor. V. I. Companion W. H. Rooks, London, Grand Organist. V. I. Companion H. M. Davies, Ottawa; A. G. Harvey, Maitland; J. F. Kennedy, Perth; James Jardine, Barrie; P. G. Slatter, Toronto; and John Scoon, Guelph, Stewards. And on the nomination of the Representatives of respective Divisions, and approved by the Grand Master as INSPECTORS-GENERAL OF DIVISIONS. R. I. Companion R. McKay, London, London Division. sion. R. I. Companion John Patton, Toronto, Toronto Division. R. I. Companion Henry Duffell, St. John, New Brunswick R. 1. Companion James O'Connor, Winnipeg, Manitoba Division. MEMBERS OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. R. I. Companion James B. Nixon, Toronto. R. I. Companion C. D. Macdonnell, Peterboro'. At this meeting R. Ill. Comp. J. Ross Robertson was appointed representative of the Grand Council of Maryland, and R. Ill. Comp. J. H. Bell, Manitoba, was appointed representative of the Grand Council of Michigan, near this Grand Council. CHAPTER XXXII. TWELFTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE GRAND COUNCIL OF CANADA-THE CAUSES OF INACTIVITY IN CRYPTIC WORK-THE FIRST MOVE TO STRIKE OFF THE RED CROSS FROM THE COUNCIL DEGRees. RAND Council journeyed west and met at London, Ontario, on the 14th day of July, 1882. Most Illustrious Companion Joshua G. Burns, Grand Master in the East. There were present Illustrious Companions Robert Ramsay, of Shekinah Council, Orillia, Daniel Spry, J. Ross Robertson, John Patton, from Adoniram Council; John Moore, from Khurum Council, Maitland; William Gibson, from Salem Council, Hamilton ; Wm. Hawthorne, Robert McKay, H. A. Baxter, Rev. Albert Anthony, and T. Brock from Enoch Council, London; J. H. Thompson, from Nineveh Council, St. Thomas; H. K. Maitland and John Scoon, from Wellington Council, Guelph: John Moore, from Morris Council, Perth; L. H. Henderson, from Ontario Council, Belleville; Daniel Spry and H. A. Mackay, from Heraclius Council, Barrie. The warrants of the two last named Councils were issued in 1881. In addressing the Companions at the opening of session the Grand Master said: "From over the lines intelligence has reached us, from time to time, of some few Grand Councils incorporating themselves with other Grand bodies, thus resigning their positions as such. I expressed my views on this action before. I again reiterate the statement that I see no necessity for so doing. We still exist as the Grand Council of Rites, and a measure of success has attended our efforts. As in all probability this will be the last time I shall have the honour to preside over the deliberations of this Grand Council, or directly address the Illustrious Companions on this subject, I desire to express, unhesitatingly, my views on the condition and prospects of the Rite in the Dominion. "From a careful survey and accurate examination of the records of the Subordinate Councils in this jurisdiction, I cannot say there is much room for loud congratulations. A few of the Councils are still active and prosperous, but I regret to say some are in a state of torpor, which will require energetic action on the part of my successor to awaken to renewed life and vigour. However, I have no fears for the future of the Rite in this Dominion, if but ordinary interest is taken in the working of the degrees. Other orders of Masonry are taking all legitimate means to stimulate the membership to increased zeal in the ceremonies pertaining to the working of the various degrees. Ap propriate paraphernalia, authorized rituals, accurate work, energetic and painstaking officers are procured and sought after. "The cause of this inactivity (without depreciating any of the higher orders of the great body of Masonry, especially those which are organized as legitimate offsprings of the parent stock), truth compels me to state that I attribute want of progress in this Order to the divided interests in so many Rites, which, instead of being a benefit, are in reality a burden to the membership. "The older degrees, which for a time were interesting, became less so, when gorgeous furniture, handsome uniforms, and high-sounding titles are so easily attained. "But Cryptic Masonry, if properly understood, and appreciated in all that true Masonry consists of, is second to none. Its ritual has no peer in our language; its work, if studied, is perfection, and Royal Arch Masonry is not complete without the degrees we confer. A great cause of declension of interest in the Cryptic Rite is the difficulty to procure proper and uniform ritual for the use of our Councils. Officers have looked upon this want as an insuperable difficulty. Their term of office expires without work having been done, because they are not in possession of the proper work. Another reason is that our Inspectors-General do not visit the Councils in their various jurisdictions, and do not urge the necessity of renewed activity. If the visiting of Councils were properly performed, many Councils which to-day are careless and indifferent would be vigorous and healthy. "Many who take office in our Councils are so burdened with office in other bodies that little time is left, and slight attention is given to Council work. It is not an unusual occurrence in some Councils for the Th. Ill. Master to be W. M. of a Blue Lodge, the First Principal of a Chapter and the Thrice Illustrious Master of a Council. This state of affairs will not properly conduce to the success of any of these bodies. "The first remedy I would offer as a suggestion, is the supplying of an authorized ritual to all Councils, so that the presiding officer may be in a position to train his officers properly, thus providing uniform work, that each officer may appear before his Council without fear or hesitancy. I would also suggest that Councils procure proper paraphernalia (which is not expensive), for the working of the degrees, making them at once attractive and instructive; also that all Royal Arch Masons who are members of the Rite, impress upon their Companions the necessity of becoming members of our Order, so complete in instruction to them and to a proper understanding of the sublime degree itself, without which there is a blank in their Masonic knowledge. For here alone is the missing link supplied." The proceedings at this meeting were of a routine character, and ended with the election of the following officers for the current year: M. I. Companion J. Ross Robertson, Toronto, Most Illustrious Grand Master. R. I. Companion Wm. Gibson, Hamilton, Deputy Grand Master. R. I. Companion Adolphus Petitt, St. Thomas, Grand Principal Conductor of the Work. M. I. Companion David McLellan, Hamilton, Grand Treas urer. M. I. Companion Daniel Spry, Barrie, Grand Recorder. R. I. Companion John Patton, Toronto, Grand Captain of the Guard. R. I. Companion Rev. Albert Anthony, Caledonia, Grand Chaplain. R. I. Companion H. K. Maitland, Guelph, Grand Lecturer. R. I. Companion John Sweetman, Ottawa, Grand Sentinel. The following Ill. Comps. were nominated by the Representatives of the respective Divisions, and approved of by the Grand Master: INSPECTORS-GENERAL OF DIVISIONS. R. I. Companion W. R. Browne, Askin, London Division. vision. R. I. Companion John Moore, Ottawa, Ottawa Division. vision. R. I. Companion Henry Duffell, St. John, New Brunswick Division. The Grand Master appointed the following Illustrious Companions to office for the ensuing year: V. I. Companion E. H. Raymour, St. Thomas, Grand Master of Ceremonies. V. I. Companion Philip J. Slatter, Toronto, Grand Conductor. V. I. Companion James A. Carley, Winnipeg, Grand Organist. V. I. Companions T. G. Lowe, London; Samuel Moffatt, Guelph; W. J. Smith, London; W. H. King, St. Thomas; A. Clifford Thomson, Barrie, and Thos. Kennedy, Ottawa, Grand Stewards. The following Companions were duly elected : MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. R. I. Companion E. B. Butterworth, Ottawa. Prior to the close of the meeting a resolution was moved and carried to the effect: "That the Grand Council is willing to surrender to the Great Priory of Canada all control over the Red Cross Degree, and so soon as that Body shall signify its willingness to have the same conferred in Preceptories of Knights Templars, where it properly belongs, the M. Ill. Grand Master shall be, and is hereby, authorized to direct the Councils in this jurisdiction to cease conferring the Red Cross degree upon candidates." But after due consideration, Grand Council having adjourned, the Grand Master, M. Ill. Comp. J. Ross Robertson, ruled that it was an amendment to the constitution of which due notice had not been given, and therefore he declared its passage unconstitutional and inoperative, and directed Councils to continue conferring the degree. |