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Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata to pelure, )n d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 rr*^^-' ""■-T- -y- " • liiYJ TA'Lks With Craftsmen, AND : PENCILLINGS BY THE WAYSIDE. THOUGHTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE EARNEST IN A WORK THAT SERVES A NOBLE END AND BINDS THE HEARTS OF A GREAT BROTHERHOOD IN THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF FAITH, FELLOWSHrP AND FRATERNITY, BV J. ROSS ROBERTSON, TORONTO, CANADA. t!Do vonto : HUNTER, ROSE & COMPANY, PRINTERS 1890. '^- ■•"■•• .i'^-,, .-,-i^. . .,,, -, .^^,. ■■^ ,^^ , .„,„_- _:■:';■ '.••-::■: 7!) 714 il ^«*1'»*^ii'«r,^^Kpi^ TO OK IIAMM.'ntN. r.\N ADA, < PAST o-R-Aisrr: IwIastkr. (HIANI) L(;I)(;K ok CANAhA, A. /'• a- A. .1/.. IV ({IIATKFUL RKCO(;VITION OK MANY KINOLY WORDS AND A STNrERK DESUn-: T<) HONOR A BROTH KR. WHO, AS AN V: X K M P L A H I-M ) H (' U A 1-^ T S M K N , HAS WON TIIK AKI'KCriONATK UKOAItP Ol' ALI- WHO t'fUCKK l{orNI> oru ALTARS, Tiii.-i W(h:k is n(.\Ti;iiNALLV dkdicatkd IIV -^ THK Al'THOK. 'luKONTu, 181U. //^'^ •'«*»«■ <»»■^^>•. twin TO THE READER. »♦• >HE scattered thoughts which, at the request of old friends in the Craft, are preserved within the covers of this vohime, are garnered from the columns of the Masonic press, to which, at times, I have been a contributor. Some were penned while the writer was enjoying the comforts of an Atlantic flyer, and inhaling the helpful breezes that cheer the heart and brighten the mind. Others glided into my note-book in the summerland of the South, where I sought a vacation in the home of the orange groves and amid " the old piney woods. " A few more origin- ated by my own fireside, where the warm-hearted companions of a life-time were talking of Craft work, ' and drawing plans for the future, each with a resolve to be earnest and sincere. Some of those who fash- ioned the pictures in the firelight are yet in the cir- cle — others have slipped life's cable, and sailed into the brightness beyond the dawn. With these pencillings may be found a few extracts from the proceedings of Masonic bodies that have called me to positions, I trust, of useful toil. These marks of esteem quickened my desire to realize the dream of a life-time' by coming closer to the Craft, and lent new strength to an old desire to carry out in every-day life those prin- ciples and precepts which were taught me when fii-st I G TO THE READER. came from the outer darkness of the world into the inner radiances of the Sons of Light. A poor man is he who journeys through the mazes of a busy world with no purpose in view, no ambition to serve. All, in their respective spheres, should try to better our common humanity, and I, as a member of a brotherhood that is without peer on earth, cherish the hope that iny efforts to advance its interests have not been wholly unfruitful, and that those who come after me may have kindly words for one whose ambitions may have been, possibly, too excessive, but whose sincere desire was to cultivate those eternal principles that should pilot us all over the shoals of life. These unpretentious jottings, like clearings in the forest, may mark the way for some, and tend to make those who read, think. The stream that ripples down the hillside contributes its mite to the size and strength of the mighty current that rolls on to the ocean. Thoughts, like seeds of golden grain, have germs of life within. May I, therefore, hope that what I have pencilled in moments of leisure snatched from the crowded hours of an active business life, will be appreciated by all who pos- sess love for (/raft work, who desire to see it prosper, and who never falter in the honest effort to keep our brother- hood pure free from those who enter our fold for revenue only, our primal object being to live our life out on the lines laid down at the altar, and avoid the dangers that await the Craft as it progresses on a pathway that leads ever onward and upward. THE AUTHOR. ■WtH'SSS WWSi ' M ' .l ' , ' :i l i! The whole of the proceeds from the sale of this book wlU be devoted to the Building Fund of the Lakeside Home for Little ChUdren. the Convalescent Branch of the Hospital for Sick Children, on Toronto Island. I l„ "•■IF TALKS WITH CKAFTSMEN. « ♦♦» » MASONRY TS HIS CAPITAL. Always look with suspicion on the man who makes it his business to bring in Masonic talk in mercantile life. MASONRY NEED NOT BF,0 FOR RKCRUITS. We have too many members and not enough Masons. This canvassing for candidates is demoralizing the Order. HE IS A GIANT AT MEAL TIME. The knifo and fork Mason should be kept out of lodge rooms. He is generally an unaffiliate, or a member a long way in arrears of dues. BE NO MANS MAN. When you hold the gavel, govern justly. Let no petty pique or clique turn you from the path of duty. Be sure you are right, and then give your ruling. Y^^'.'/^^n. : „: .'^:LliL-^:r.l:^-.:i... 10 TALKS WITH GEAFT8MEN. THEY ARE FEW, BUT NOT TOO FEW. Keep clear of the brother who blasphemes. Curses heard in lodge ante-rooms sicken many a man who thought that Masonry was free of such ofFensiveness. BE SURE YOU ARE ALL RIGHT. Before you cast a black ball — first think — are your motives pure ? Are your reasons for clouding the good name of a friend or stranger sound ? Brother, think it over. REGULARITY IS A MASONIC VIRTUE. Attend your lodge regularly. Be sharp on time, avoid the smoking room when the lodge is in session, watch the business and the work, and you will make your mark some day. ..^ 2 AMBITION SOMETIMES INSPIRES ZEAL. You often hear a brother say of another, " Oh, he's too ambitious." So the critic thinks, but if he had a little sample of the same he would be a better man and a brighter Mason. • SMOOTH THE WRINKLES OUT OF LIFE. How the asperities of life might be softened, if we had sense enough to think a kind thought, and with a plea- sant word greet the brother with whom we differ, and forgive and forget. '^^ MASONRY BLESSES ALL MEN. Masonry is as full of good as the lofty northern peaks are of snow in winter time. The glad song of its teachings should be as sweet in harmony as the bird music of the tropics. The tree of Masonry blooms all the year round, and finds life in any soil nurtured by true men. MASONRY IS NO INSURANCE CORPORATION. Masonry is a luxury. Many mistake it for a benefit organization, a life insurance corporation, which it is not. If insurance is wanted, go to the associations found- ed for that purpose. There are no pecuniary benefits in Masonry, and its gifts to the widow and orphans are acts of grace. THE WORLD IS ITS FIELD. I I Masonry by its teachings and principles ia like a West- ern prairie in vastness — millions of acres to be tilled, to bring forth the fruits of the earth ; worlds of good to be s «^ i !>' "< ' I HIH ^^Hm TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 15 done by instilling charity and inculcating principlew that will nurture the soul, enlarge the mind and promote uni- versal fellowship. BE SLOW TO SPEAK THAT WORD. ' How many of the bitter animosities of the lodge room might be allayed, and how much happier would we feel with our brethren if, before we utter the harsh word in debate, we give but a thought to the principle, in the key- stone of that arch, which binds us in sweet charity with all, be he brother or friend. WORDS SHOULD REFLECT TRUE THOUGHTS. In love for one another let us be real- — not hollow. The curse of our fraternity is the brother who grasps your hand, utters pleasant sentences, and winds up by some re- mark that savours so much of business that you feel like either casting your apron from you or pitching the so- called brother from the dormer window. TRUE FRIENDSHIP IS IMMORTAL. The first greeting in our brotherly reunions has many a time made us tenants for life in the palace of friendship. Clouds may drift by, storm centres may send forth thunderbolts that even pierce nature's wall, but the bond of friendship remains unbroken, and becomes stronger as we pass from the summer into the winter of our years. \ 'r~ i i - 16 TALKS WITH CliAFTHMEN. WORK GRAFT LESSONS OUT IN LIFE. Masonry should strengthen our faith, intensify our love, and teach us to exercise charity in word and deed to all mankind. We should carry out in life what we teach in our lodge rooms, and the dream of our hearts should be to so fashion our words that w^hatever we do may be emblematic of the pillars of truth that support our beloved Order. i t m EXAMPLE THE BEST PREACHER. Like the tender plant, the young Craftsman should be watched with parental care. Let the example of those gray in the work be so far above reproach that, as they take our young brother by the hand, they may lead him as their own child, in the path of rectitude, sobriety and honor. The turning point in many a brother's career is within the yeai' when first he knelt before the Great Lights. STUDY IS A DOOR TO SUCCESS. Take an interest from the hour of your initiation in the work of your lodge. As you progress, attend to what you hear and read up tho symbolism of the degrees. Read the constitution and study well your by-laws. Keep yourself posted in the methods of the chair, watch the rulings, inform yourself on rules of debate and when you have anything to say, be pithy,' short and to the point. aw<*'W'T»;''rw«ww' W', '' i !' ! ''"' i ''' " ■ ") ' '■ ' ' » » »l » i i ii| am I [ill . ■ ...niiLn^- , .ii: ':;i,.. i.t. ./■■I TALKS WITH CHAFT8MBN. ir THE HARVESTS OF GOOD DEEDS WILL RIPEN. Our meetings should be made attractive. While ordi- nary routine has its place, let it be so mingled with pleasant talk that brethren will carry to their homes thoughts that will make them better men, happier in their home life, and stronger in the desire to sow the seeds of kindness iand fraternity amongst those whom they meet either in the paths of business or of pleasure. IF YOU ARE WRONG GET RIGHT. If you are in the wrong with a brother make the dif- ference right. Do not wait and hesitate and discuss with yourself the matter of dignity, but, assured that you have made a mistake, do your best to rectify the error. It's all over in a moment. A word, a friendly greeting, and the interrupted friendship of years may be renewed, and unhappy memories blotted from the mind forever. PERSISTENT FAULTFINDING IS POOR EMPLOYMENT. Do not go to the lodge to find fault, to raise a row, to talk of friendship when you mean hate, determined to set yourself on edge with any that come near you. Try the antithesis of this. Speak kindly to all. If you disagree with a brother do so in such a charitable spirit that your words will influence your hearers, and perchance you may bring a flood of harmony where discord abounded. Cour- tesy costs nothing. 18 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN, ! I THAT KNOCK IS A TEACHER. The knock of the initiate at the portal gate should re- mind those within that another heart yearns for know- ledge, and that it is the duty of those who circle around the altar to take the youthful brother by the hand, and by deed and word show an example that will lead him in every step of his daily life nearer the goal sought by all who value virtue and have an ambition to do good to their fellow men. THE CHARITY OF MASONRY. The charity of Masonry is emblematical of the life ot Him who, eighteen centuries ago, walked through the Eden of the East speaking words of comfort to those who sorrowed — words of encouragement to those who were weary, and by acts of kindness smoothed the pathway for all who were pressing onward to receive the reward prepared for those whose work is worthy of a place in the building of the Temple. POWER OF THE OBLIGATION. Who has not sometime in his experience felt the re- straining influence of a Masonic obligation ? How often, when our minds are filled with hard feelings against a brother, do we in memory go back to the hour when, on bended knee, we pledged ourselves to charity — not the charity of the hand, but the charity of toleration and TALKS WITT! CRAFTSMEN. 19 good-will, the charity of the heart, the lever that moves the gentle feelings and marks us all as brothers ? EARNED ADVANCEMENT ALWAYS COMES. Let our younger brother practice patience. Ambition is an excellent quality when properly tempered. This life is too precious for us to play with. Every moment has golden value, and so, when we seek for favor and rank at the hands of our biothers, let us merit the promo- tion by years of steadfast work in the Craft (juarries, so that our ashlar may be made as perfect as the model of which we are told in the inspired volume on the altar. CONSCIENCE IS THE TRUEST PILOT. Before you cast a black ball — stop and reflect. Your conscience will tell you what is right, and be guided there- by. How often do we find the black ball cast by someone who delights to stab in the dark, and thus in his own mind secures revenge for an imagined wrong. How unfair is this misuse of the ballot to the man who, in all in- nocence, believes that he is about to enter an association, built on the principles of brotherly love and universal friendship. MASONRY KNITS MAN TO MAN. The bond of fraternity may be found in many as- sociations, but in none are the strands woven so closely MfMMMK ■ >?-■■"' 20 r^LJTS WITH CRAFTSMEN. lit as under the covering of a Craft lodge. Friendships have been formed within the portals of a lodge that death only has severed, and despite the hum of a busy world, the ups and downs of life, its joys and disappointments, its sun- shine and its sorrow, the friendly greeting on the checkered floor makes brighter the sunshine and relieves the shadows. c* MASONRY THE MOTHER OF CHARITY. The spirit and essence of Masonry teach us charity — good-will to one another and to make an effort to carry out precepts that are of value inside and outside the lodge room. The intent of Masonry is to heal difficulties, and by kindly words and gentle advice produce a sovereign remedy for those rifts of discord that occasionally cloud the fraternal gathering, where friendship and brotherly love should reign supreme, and banish in perpetuity dis- cord and unrest. LOOK FOR TROUBLE AND YOU FIND IT. Some brethren have a craze for trouble. They are never satisfied unless a committee of enquiry or a Grand Lodge Commission is in session. These Craftsmen have their quiver full of points on jurisprudence ; and their views, whether right or wrong, are as plentiful as pines in Southern forests. Such Craftsmen like to parade their knowledge and their aprons, and fancy that the Craft structure would tumble, if Atlas-like, they were not on hand to hold it up. immim^mmtf m MmL iii r ^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 21 LEADER AND GUIDE OF THE LODGE. The Master of a lodge has a great lesponsibility. He is the father of the household, the dispenser of wise counsels, the allayer of harsh feelings, and the shining example for the brethren at large. The success or failure of the meeting depends largely on his tact and forbearance. If he is careful he can promote the general welfare of his lodge, make the meetings entertaining, and cement the unity and concord of men who are banded together to promote fraternity and good-will. DISCONTENT A FOE OF UNITY. What bitter feelings are sometimes engendered in lodge disputes ! The little cloud of discontent, at first no larger than your hand, grows month after month, till, thickened by the acts of injudicious and indiscreet breth- ren, it hides from view the harmony that once existed. The years of labor spent by earnest craftsmen in building up the lodge thus go for naught. Why not try and for- give, forget and shake hands ? It may be hard at the moment to do so, but it is better in the end. BE REAL WITH ONE ANOTHER. The phosphorescent s|)arks that glisten like royal gems on the white-capped waves of the Atlantic seas, lighten up the track of the mariner as the fellowship of Masonry should brighten the work drawn for us on the trestle- 22 TALKS WITH CHAFTSMEN. board of the Great Architect. Let us, therefore, be real with one another, and with hearts full of good-will show that our brotherly love comes from the crystal spring in the rock upon which the essentials of Craft -work are founded, and without which all would be chaos. LET MASONIC FRIENDSHIP BE TRUE. There should be true friendship in Masonry. The June mornings with their gladsome rays of sunlight which bring into blossom the golden petals, do no more for the flower than brethren do for one another, when the perfect harmony of brotherhood prevails. Men whose hearts are linked in the bonds of fraternity should so di- rect their thoughts as they glide by life's milestones, that when dust is given to dust the world at large can say he who has gone to the other shore had a record clear of spot or blemish. TOO MANY MEMBERS, TOO FEW MASONS. We are making too many members and not enough Masons. Our committees of investigation are sometimes a farce. We accept a man simply on the name of his proposer — not of his seconder, because the latter very often knows nothing whatever of the person of whose candida- ture he has approved. Some of our lodges are admitting men who should be subjected to a close scrutiny. If we want to keep the Craft respectable and desire to secure the respect of those outside the pale, we must watch the ballot box. - m § mmmmw iimmnmm mi mm mm m TALKS WITH CHAITSMEN. 23 KEEP EVERLASTINGLY AT WORK. Be on time at your lodge. Pay attention to the busi- ness. Be equally attentive to the work. Have a name and ambition to reach the East, not by any royal road, but by diligence and perseverance, and a perfect master- ing of the work of the subordinate officers. Don't ask for a warden's post until you are an expert deacon. If on your road to the East, some one gets there ahead of you, don't be chagrined, and say : " I won't play," but keep at the work ; show the brethren that your soul is in it, and you will reach the goal. WAIT AND WORK FOR HONOURS. Don't be too eager for office. All things come, says the old Spanish proverb, to him who waits. Show yourself enthusiastic in the doings of your lodge. Devote a little time to getting up the work of Inner Guard or Deacon or Warden. Be ready when called upon to till a vacant chair. Cultivate precision in your work. Speak out, and be correct in every detail. Let your voice sound clear as a bell, and show the lodge that your heart is in the work, and depend upon it you will advance in Masonry and in the esteem and respect of your brethren. , IT HAS THE IMMORTALITY OF TRUTH. ~ The struggle for the preservation of the Craft has been fought in every land. The anathema of the Papacy has '! Hil ^mm^^ mmm ¥ i m- TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN, been hurled against it. The power of thrones has been invoked to crush it out of existence. The torture room of the inquisition has tested the fealty of our brethren, and ;yet Masonry lives, the king of all fraternal organi- zations, doing good to bumanity, welding the friendship of men of every clime and tongue, and proclaiming liberty, equality, and fraternity in a spirit of good-will to all whose lives are governed by Faith, Hope and Charity. WARDENS AND MASTERS MUST WORK TOGETHER. The work of the W. M. — even if done well — should have the active co-operation of the Wardens. It is a poor compliment to a Master when his Wardens are drones in the hive — men who mouth their parts in a slip- shod manner. The lessons of the Wardens should be given as if they appreciated the meaning of every word they uttered, and thus not only impress the candidate but all those who are sitting on the side benches. The language of Masonry is too beautiful to be mangled, and the instruction at the Wardens' chairs requires as much attention as the work in the East. WISE WORDS ARE ALWAYS HEARD. The rank and file of the Craft should have more to say on the floor of Grand Lodge. In many instances advice from the Hoor is not only well timed but acceptable and has, before to-day, had its effect in changing the vote on ^WH' i^|iMIWVn|(KWlWB! TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 96 many important questions. The delegates from the lodges should have minds of their own and not be driven like the cattle of the cowboys into the corral upon the plains, by the lash of the whip of the silver-tongued platform ist or the wiles of the wary wire-puller. Enlighten your- selves, brethren, and give your opinion before Grand Lodge, and if it be a sound one, none can be more wel- come. THINKS TOO LITTLE — TALKS TOO MUCH. The brother who is continually on his feet giving hasty expression to opinions on every subject that comes up soon loses his influence with the brethren. Words in season are always acceptable, and brethren are anxious to have a clear exposition on any subject, but this Jack- in-the-box brother, who jumps up and dowu like the child's toy, is a nuisance. His talk is wearisome, his pre- sence irksome. When his weak argument fails he tries to bully,, and then he collapses temporarily. He cannot expect \)0 play the part of Legree in debate without ac- qaaintitig the brethren with the truth that he is a slave- ihiver. RICH IN GOOD OPPORTUNITIES, Opportunities for doing good in Craft work are as the myriad of starry eyes that look down on us. There is not an hour that we live which should not recall the vows in our obligations. Ai eaily dawn we ask a blessing to m 26 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. Illil I guide us in our daily toil ; we strive in our tasks to do to others as we would be done by ; we are thankful for the hour of refreshment when not only the body but the mind is improved ; the body by a diet without excess — the mind by judicious thought and pleasant reading ; we lay ourselves to rest and rise refreshed and re- invigorated to battle anew with life and perform the tasks allotted us by the Master. PAST MASTERS MAY BE POWERFUL. When you become a Past Master, don't think your work is done. As a matter of fact it is only half begun. You were honored as a W. M., and were giateful for the sup- port and attendance of P. M.'s, so do unto other? as you would be done by. Gome regularly to the lodge — assist in the work — aid by your advice. Have kindly words for the brethren, and your greeting will be returned with pleasure by those with whom you have intercourse. Courtesy costs but little, and it goes a long way to make the road easy and pleasant on which to travel. So practice wliat you preach, and you will do yourself and your brethren a world of good. Is it not worth trying ? THIS IS THE GLORY OF MASONRY. How often are we charmod with fraternal friendships, fellowships that ripen as the years roll on. We meet in the lodge and in the busy marts of trade. We march to- gether by the wayside, and while we are young b'ather jmmimMm\mmtmxiiifts0&St^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 27 Time hurries the chariot along at lightning speed and we are pleased. The years begin to creep up the ladder, and as they mount nearer the allotted round, we pray that the scythe-armed climber may hold his speed, but no. He is deaf to our entreaties, and halts but for a moment at the door of the tent " whose curtain never outward swings," and at the summons of the silent sentry the friends of our youth go to join the loved ones gone before. POVERTY IS SELDOM A VALID EXCUSE. What pure nonsense it is for brethren to plead poverty as an excuse for non-payment of their lodge dues. In country lodges the amount averages six cents a week, in city lodges about ten cents, and yet we hear growls and grumbles — always, however, from those who allow them- selves to fall in arrears, and yet have money enough to pay. As a brother put it at Grand Lodge : " one drink or one cigar less per week would cover all that is re- quired for lodge dues." No man has a right to join the Craft unless he is able and willing to pay his yearly assessment. In the A. O. U. W. there is no humbug about non-payment of assessment, and why should there be in Masonry ? JEWELS IN THE KING OF POWER. Faith, Hope, and Charity are the three jewels in the ring of power. Faith reminds us of that essential, with- out which the mission of our sublime degree would be ■aBI&»sm <.m H kmw mii mX f nnc ^ m mnmi t. ■UMii II |i| ' 28 TALKIE WITH CRAFTSMEN. fruitless. Hope nerves us in our march to the gateway which it opens to him who is faithful to his trust, and Charity teaches us that, as we journey by the wayside, we should be kind in heart and generous in speech, not only to our brethren, but to all mankind. What power we have for good in all these jewels — power so renewed by each successive sunrise that we wonder why all on earth are not joined in a great universal brotherhood, to which hate would be a stranger, and love the frontal set- ting in ihe crown. THEIR MONEY DOES NOT TALK. The members of lodges in arrears of dues have gener- ally more to say in lodge matters and in street corner dis- cussion than the members who pay up with regularity. Men offer all kinds of excuses for non-payment of dues, not one of which will hold water. The W.M.'s are gen- erally afraid to deal with the delinquents, from motives of friendliness or for fear of giving offence. It is only by suspension that men can be made to feel their position- Close the door to them, and the treasurer will be laden with a goodly sum to defray expenses. Some W. M.'s have the courage of their convictions, and as a conse- quence their rolls are in good form, but in too many lodges the W.M.'s nefflect their duties. . THEIR NAME IS LEOION. Would that it were feasible to blot out of existence in some of our lodges a class of brother whose sole aim is to -,i.»,«wHi"*«»rt«'*« m TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 33 that our hand-shake was real — that our lips spake naught but truth. Just think over this, next lodge night, and wlien you meet your brother be a brother, not in name only, but in l^eart. Be frank, and if your mind is bur- dened with an imao^ined wrong, act as you are tau^jht at the altar and your heart will be the lighter, your bro- ther happier. You will then have made friends with your conscience in carrying out the great maxim of " for- give and forget." A BENEFICENT INNOVATION. The luxury of doing good should be an inspiration to us all. The healing voice of charity as it echoes from lodge to lodge speaks the language of practical virtue. In the effort to relieve distress, serve our brethren, and be a blessing to those who have a claim, we feel it our duty to say a word for the Charity Box. It is an old world idea and a good one. Our brethren in the motherland are giants in their deeds of goodness, and the open-handed liberality with which they dispense their gifts should make us glad that our forefathers were of the stock that shut not the purse string when the cry for succor came. Some of our Canadian lodges, such as Zetland, Toronto, have introduced this beneficent innovation, and as it cir- cles around the festive board, the sound of falling coins tells that the brethren have hearts that throb for the sorrowing ones. Yet, let us remember that the soft- handed charity of the Craft is unobtrusive. Gifts from the Craft are acts of grace. They should be dispensed and then forjiotten. 34 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. READIiNG, THK SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE. Without a thorough knowledge of the foundation of Ma- sonic law, those into whose hands is committed the gov- erning power, are liable to fall into great error, and, per- chance, by unwise legislation, do irreparable injury to our revered Institution. The Master of a lodge, when in- stalled, is required to give his assent to the ancient charges and regulations, and also to promise to preserve the ancient landmarks which the fathers set up. It is, therefore, liis duty to study those antique laws, not only for his own guidance in the performance of the duties he has assumed as the Master of a lodge, but also, and more especially, that he may become qualified to be the instruc- tor of the lodge over which he has been called to preside. Count up the masters within your ken, and ask yourself how many are qualified ? The great mass of the fraternity are satisfied to pick the bare bones of the ritualistic skele- ton, knowimj nothinij: of the rich marrow which those bones contain. To break those bones requires labor, and, at the present day, labor without a reward mea- sured by dollars and cents is too often foolishness. The few read, think, and urge to progress ; the great mul- titude are satisfied with present attainments, and prefer to " sit down, rest, and refresh themselves." GET OUT OF THE OLD RUT. There are a dozen different ways of making lodge meetings of interest to the brethren. There is the accurate exemplification of the work, which might be supplemented tmnmummmtm^' mm m ip^w iiliiii mmm TALKS WITH GRAFTi>Mh:N. 35 of Ma- e gov- d, pev- ury to len in- incient •eserve It is, >t only ties be :l more nstruc- )reside. ourself bernity skele- those labor, mea- sbness. it mill- prefer lodge icurate nented by a ruiining conmient and explaiiatiuns as to the symbols and the true sigiiiticance of the ceremonies. Another pleasant method of avoiding monotony is to have brief papers on Masonic subjects read, occupying not more than thirty or forty minutes ; the writer may take the degrees either as a whole or section them off, and give a reading on " The Apron," or " The Great Lights," or " Tiie Offices of Master and Warden." Another capital subject is ' The Management of a Lodge." A feature in old lodges is the reading of the minutes of forty years ago. These not only interest the older brethren, but tend to familiarize the younger members with the history of their mother lodge. Yet another idea is the reading of brief liistories of the Craft in neighborhoods or of indivi- dual lodges. A Board of Trial at work on the floor, and the examination of brethren in the necessary queries, in which they are supposed to be perfect, are other features. These are just a few suggestions out of the many avail- able. Any one of these ideas well worked out would render lodge meeting reunions eagerly looked forward to by the brethren. GUARD WELL THE PORIWLS. It is a wonder that, notwithstanding all the safeguards provided in the qualification for membership in lodges, a large number of men creep into our fold, who have no right, morally or socially, to be entered on the rolls. There is good ground for the statement which is fre- quently made, in many jurisdictions, that the gates of the Craft swing open too easily, and that if they were shut for aBttJt'»!9'*l'!«! 36 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. a limited period it might tend to strengthen the Craft in the estimation of the world at large. Of course in some lodges the greatest care is exercised and the mateiial brought in is a credit to the fraternity. In other cases-, especially in city lodges, the idea seems to be with many W. M.'s that a successful year is to be measured by tiie number of candidates biought in for initiation. In- deed, it is only a few months ago that one of our promi- nent city lodges actually called the attention of members, in the monthly circular, to the fact that as many candi- dates as possible should be brought in, so as to make the year a " banner " year in connection with the work of the lodge. We hear the stereotyped cry of too many mem- bers and not enough Masons, and of a truth we think this remark might be applied with full force to many city lodges. The remedies for this fault are at hand, and Craftsmen in the Masonic press have made suggestions so strong that one would almost think Grand Lodge would be compelled to take decided action. There seems to be no way out of the difficulty except Ij either increasing the initiation fee or making the examination by the lodge committee so searching that unless a man has a very fair record he cannot be received. We do not wish to be unreasonable, but when we look at some of the men who parade in Ma- sonic processions and ask ourselves : " Are these men fit to wear the lambskin ?" our inward sense of right tells us that however much the friends who proposed them might justify their membership, a large majority of the brethren of their lodge, if candid opinions were asked, i^Biwawii^'aw??***"; iffi? liaamM TALKti WITH CRAFTSMEN. 3T would sav that thev were not fit to be received into the ranks of tlie fraternity. NEVER. Never take an office the duties of which you cannot discharge. Never fail to watch the ballot box, and thus keep your loll clean. Never join cliques. As a rule they are always in the cold shades. Never talk on every subject up for discussion. Give some one else a chance. Never canvass for office. If you have any value the Craft will seek you out. Never be late for your lodge meeting. Be on hand when the W.M. opens, and go home when lodge closes. Never talk rashly. Think before you speak. Words without thoughts have no mission and are lost in the maze. Never air your knowledge at the expense of j'our younger brother. Be generous, and remember that you were once young yourself. Never walk into your lodge room in a shand»ling man- ner, as if you had no right there. The heft of a brother is oft-times indicated by his gait, when advancing to the altar. Never turn from a brother with a gruff answer. Po- liteness is an essential that should be cultivated by all. It sm.ooths the rough edges in debate, and should never be lost sight of by brethren. i ■ ; [ - [ !■ 38 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. Never revenge yourself with a black ball. It is an un- fair advantage to take. The chances are that you are in the wrong. Rather return good for evil and let the ap- plicant come in. You will both be better friends when clothed in the lambskin. Never bother the W.M. He has enough to do to rule the lodge, and your advice interjected at pleasure is a source of annoyance, not only to the W.M. but to the lodge. When asked for advice, give it, but wait till you are asked, and when giving it be as unostentatious as possible. Say what you have to say in as few words as will express your meaning. Never go to lodge and sit through the business routine, taking part in the discussions, showing that you are a man from head to foot, and then when a degree is to be worked go home or seek the ante room to smoke and gossip. Better stay away altogether. It is such as you that do harm to the Craft. You are always on deck, save and except when you are wanted. Never leave your lodge with temper ruffled. Masonry means friendship, and as the sun should not go down on our anger, so neither should we part with ill-will to a brother. Life's struggle is but a short one, and our mis- sion should bo to clear away the boulders of ill-will, help one another along the road, so that hand in hand we may enter the gateway that guards the portals of the undis- solving lodge. •B»*NWfl. . "I,*-. **. ■MWtHftffiSlWi* Bw^iipiy^pi yii ^ ^ ^ TO THE FRATERNAL DEAD. THE COMMITTEES ON THE CONDITION OF THE CRAFT IN VARIOUS BODIES \:n ASSIGNED TO THE AUTHOR THE DUTY OF WRITING A FEW LINES IN THE REPORTS ON THE FR A lERN AL DEAD. HENfciliilll iiMllli,iiliMWiiii,»i^^WiiMM»WWwato^^*'' TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 43 cheii.sh the recollection of the happy days when they aided us with their voice and inspired us with their zeal, and let their withdrawal from all earthly scenes be to us a talisman that shall keep us loyal to truth, and active in promoting the principles of our beloved Order." — Extract from the Report on the Condition of tlie Order of the Tem- 2de, at Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, Hamilton, 1885. . " The shadowing wings of the death angel have clouded the threshold of not a few of our brothers who made us glad with their voices when last we met in annual com- munication. Our joy is lost in sorrow as we hear our Grand Master read the names of those whose faces we so well remember. And lingering with us still seems the very voice of him who a short space ago cheered us as if the ripened friendships of a score of years were never to be broken, as if the teaching of our Legend had no mean- ing. We stand around the new-made grave, we read our burial rites, we sing our funeral psalms, and, as the earth falls on the coftin-lid, our souls go out in grief for the friend and brother, who, lying in the shades of evergreensi sleeps that iron sleep that all must sleep till wakened by the call of Him who sits where the Great Lights are forever spread. # - # ♦ * "We often speak their names and wonder if in that veiled land, laved by the waters of the Silver Stream, they hear the kindly words falling from our lips, as we extol their virtues, and wrap their frailties in the broad hill 44 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 1 1 li mantle of a Mason's charity. Some were young in years, cut down before the day dream was realized, others had carried the burdens of manhood, and in their prime, death knocked at the entrance of their happy homes. Others, in the mellow of old age have said good-bye to take their places with the shrouded throng. Let it be our care to be ready for the me.Tisenger, and, while we circle around our altars ask that as we hear the wail of the widowed mother and 'ha tiny footfall of our brother's orphan child, we learn well the lesson of the Book that ' he who shut- teth his em ^ga^ ..^! the cry of the poor and needy shall cry himself and not be heard ' " — Extract from Report on the Condition of Craft Masonry, Grand Lodge of Canada, Windsor, 1880. " From the muster roll of our Chapters we miss old familiar names. Not a few from this Grand Chapter have been cut down by the sickle of that great reaper, who, without regard to age, garners the sheaves oft-times before the time of harvest. The memorial tablets speak oui" sorrow for those of our companions who rest in the green fields beyond the shining river, awaiting the glad reunion round the golden throne. They toiled with us in labor, and were constant and sincere. May we not forget the pleasant hours we «spent together, and as we carry out our mission may we extend to those our dead have left behind that kindly-handed charity taught us in the symbols we exemplify." — Extract from the Report on the Condition of Capitular Masonry, Grand Chapter of Canada, Windsor, 1880. •m>^mm:^rtmim>i»'iim tir-^mm'm-iMmvtv,. .• — -J^-"*^- HSi^a^BBSSfi TALKS WirH CRAFTSMEN. 45 " The joy and pleasure of this, our annual greeting, are not unmixed with sorrow. The cold hand of death has beckoned hence some who foregathered with us one short year ago. We miss their friendly grip, we look for their fraternal smile, their faces glowing with goodness, — but in vain. Their eyes are closed, and their manly voices hushed forever, for the vizored knight, whose mount is the pale steed, has ridden through our ranks Seeing the signal from that hand we cannot see, they, like Soldiers of the Cross, have dotied their armour and lain down to peaceful slumber, awaiting the golden dawning of an eternal day. May the bright memories of the by- gone times, when they gladdened us with their counsel, heal the sorrow of our saddened hearts, cheer us as we s[)eed along life's highway, and help to keep us ever ready for the journey's end."- -Extract from the Report on the Condition of the Order of the Temple at Sovereiyn Great Priory of Canada, Windsor, 1886. H " Death, whoso silent signal we must all obey, has dealt sparingly with our Chapter Rolls during the year. While we are grateful to once again meet in fraternal counsel, those whose friendship we cherish, we miss some whose words and greetings are now but a memory. Obedient to the inevitable call, they have gone to their rest, ' be- neath that low, green tent, whose curtain never outwaid swings.* One was a companion whose voice was indeed familiar, who labored for years with us, an earnest Crafts- man and a true friend, the dream of whose life, outside ^ I. Tp '' H""! 40 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. • [ % ■ ' ! ■: ! i jjl Ill I i his daily toil, was for the good of the Craft. By the death of Ex. C-oiiip. Joshua G. Burns, a Past Grand Su- perintendent of this Grand Chapter, on the 28th May, 1887, we lost a companion, well known to the Craft not only in this but in other jurisdictions. He was the in- timate friend of many now sitting in this Grand Chapter, a man whose abiding faith and love in and for our Order earned for him in life the goodwill and respect of all. Now that he has gone * to that dreamless night of long repose,' let us in our speech say of him kindly words, and, for the little ones he has left behind, let us do what we are taught in the Legend of the Temple Builder, shield them in their tender years, and help them as they climb into womanhood to reflect honor upon him who, in the prime of life, has been taken to the shore un- known. ***** " Let the memory of their many virtues inspire us to go higher in our thoughts, as we move through earth's vast throng, awaiting the day when we too shall touch again the vanished hand, and hear the sound of voices now still in death." — Extract Jrom the Report on the Con- ditlon of Capitular Masonry, at Grand Chapter of Ca- nada, Brockville, 1887. " The Board is thankful that the Grand Architect has dealt so mercifully with the membership of the Grand Lodge during the past year, and that so few of our brethren have been called away to end life's journey, and join the host that is ever pressing towards the dawn of imMmv>'(imfW''hm^mmmmtiimmmaii^K*>i mkm.m1» Umi:L.-i;,f: TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 47 tb'^ eternal morning. For those who have entered into the pale repose let us record on the leaves of memory pleasant thoughts of the hours when they communed with us, and cheered us with their words as we together plod- ded past life's mile-stones. The memorial tablets in our records are fitting tributes to the work of these brethren who, so short a time ago, helped us onward to the goal that we too will reach when we shall have finished the lesson tauo'ht us in the Leo-end of the Craft." — Extract from the Ilcport on the Condition of Craft Masonru, Grand Lodge of Canada, Toronto, 1888. " The pleasure that we have in meeting in our annual reunion is darkened by the thought that some of those who counselled with us a year ago are now in the better life. We pause as we listen to the roll call, and, with hearts full of sadness, miss the friendly face, the absent voice of our brother, who so often journeyed with us in our pilgrimage. We look for his kindly greeting, and then remember that one bright May morning, when nature looked her loveliest, we sat in silence and gazed at his dead form from which ' no voice was heard — no sign was given,' and realized that he was gone. Sir Knight Joshua G. Burns, a Past Grand Vice Chancellor of this Grand Prior}'', was one who contributed mucli by his un- tiring zeal and energy to the success of the cause of Templarism in this Province, and his death leaves a blank in the ranks of those who for years have been hand in hand in their efforts to promote, not only the Order of :'i 48 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. : li ■\\ i i ^ i; i: ! ■; 'Ml li . i:: : 1', ' ,1 1^ h ;l i; .J 11 i . f< ii •!■ i \' \ ( 1 : ■i:! ; 1 i i ' i! ;: 1' if ii - :i y ! '■i •■ i P! i ; ! ! i' t I t ■ i 1: the Temple, but those kindred associations from which we receive support. Of many now seated in this Great Priory, he was the personal and intimate fi iend, one whose cheery words and good counsel were like sunshine spoken, for they were always welcome. " Let us treasure his memory in our hearts and with our voice speak kindly of our Frater, who so short a time ago was with us in the full prime of vigorous manhood." —Extract from the Report on the Condition of the Order of the Temple, Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, Broek- ville, 1887. " The heavy hand of the dread angel has again been reaping in this field of Masonic labor. Some of those who have helped in the forest, in the quarry, and at our an- nual reunions, have answered the summons of the silent messengei", and 'taken the path that man must tread, if man would ever pass to God.' The memory of the hours when their friendly voices gave us counsel, re-awakens pleasure. We think of their genial faces and good words. It was but yesterday when they were here, they now are not, for our companions have pierced the everlasting mists that veil our view of the beyond, to realize in ex- perience the truth of all that was taught them in the lesson of the Legend of the Craft. This is the seed time, and the harvest is sure to come to all. Let us emulate the virtues of our companions who have so lately said * Good-bye,' and thus build a sure bulwark around the friendships moulded in our fraternal gatherings. May WM***^!- wm-^'- ■t»-« -^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 49 they be constant and sincere. The place where human harvests grow, whether in the crowded city or the little country village, has marble tablets that look heavenward, inscribed with the names of wo many who, througli the years, have luilped us to success in this Grand Chapter. As time rolls on, and we join the shrouded throngs let our work stand in bold relief, so that when life's mission is complete, and we view the golden sunrise, it may be said by the loved ones left behind, that we earned our reward, and did our duty."- — Extract from the Report on the Condition of Capitular Masonry, Grand Chapter of Canada, Toronto, 1888, " We are grateful that the sickle of the Great Reaper has spared so many of us, once more to form the Arch of Steel. Our gratitude is only tempered by the sorrow that has its source in sad memories of those who were, but are not. They have passed from toil to rest. Time that has thinned our ranks can never deaden our recol- lections of the Fratres who counstdled with us at our last reunion, and whom we shall see no m-. .i> , until we meet them in the fairer country. May the memoiies of all the good qualities of ti/C departed Fratres grow greener with the years. We are but travellers towards the goal they have reached. Let us pay our tributes to the upright dead, and draw strength for the remainder oi the journey that lies before us, so that when we are called into the Golden (Chamber of the King, we too may leav* Ixihind us the fragrant memory of an honest, earnest life." — Ex- D ^"^^'■^ ':>i;;'f 't,^>sfc^^s^X-:;;^. .- ^^^■^ ...^^ ^■rifi \ Jim 60 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. tii -I ^! ' ! r i hi. f I 1 I ! a- 'I I- tract from the Report on the Condition of the Order of the Temple, Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, To- ronto, 1888. " Wliile we rejoice in prosperity, we cannot close our summary of this year's laboi* without a kindl}^ thought and word for those who were, l)ut are not, who, a year ago, counselled with us in all the activities of Craft life. As a fitting sequence to this annual review, we may pause to recall the earnest endeavors of those who gladdened us with their greeting in days gone by, but who have hasten- ed on to answer the voice we cannot hear. We raisF ur memorial tablets, and read the names of those ■' 3 friendship and kindliness we prized in life, and still we scarce realize the grim truth that they no longer inter- change a friendly word, or greet us with the welcome and well remembered voice. We sorrow as we call the roll. Even to a second call no answer is returned, and then memory turns to that day — not so long ago— when we stood on the grassy coverlet of the little country church- yard, and heard the sound of mattocked clay, forever hiding, as it fell, the resting-place of him who was dear to us ♦ * ^|f * ■Sif 4|t " Prominent among those who have been called away, we are reminded of many who were pillars of thought and earnestness, companions who gloried in the work of the Craft, and whose efforts were enthroned in a lesolvo to hold fast to our sacred teachings in word and act. Wo all miss Henry Bickford, a Right Excellent Companion, so *-»»Mi«tv . HiHi4>*-» »J!»- H^M«oi^R^i^^ )«M,i««.T*s ■ H MKiL.tW- v.rim*fnmsr»ia- TALKS WITH CMAFTSMEN. U good, gentle and true, a prince in kindliness and friend- ship, a worthy Craftsman, honored as a man, respected as a citizen, around whose grave the whole country-side circled, and o\ whom naught but kind words were spoken. Others, too, are at their journey's end, and should be honored with our ' In Memoriam.' •it ***** Jf: " We valued their counsels. We miss their friendly faces. Our teachings were to them but primers of what they now know, for they know all, standing as they do before Him who holds the golden sceptre, whose judg- ments are final, whose decrees are merciful, and from whose court there is no appeal. Let us hallow their good deeds, and be firm in our resolve to do right and secure our crown. Let us do our duty by shielding their widows and helpless little ones, who, it is our pride to think, have a claim upon us, and who, as they welcome our offering, thank the day a husband, brother, or son, knelt at an altar, and ^vas brought from the outer daik- ness of the world into the inner light of the Craft." — Extracts from the Report on the Condition of Cajntular Masonry, Qraml CJiai^ter of Canada, Owen Sound,\^SS). TO THE MEMORY OF A WILLING WORKER. ADDRESS AT ST. CATHARINES, 8TII MAY, 1889, ON UNVEIL- ING A TAIJLET TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE M. W. BllU. JAMES SEYMOUR, H. G. M. The tablet w^as presented to the lodges by the sculptor Bio. James Munro, and Bro. Robertson in unveiling it said ; " - 52 TALKIS WITH CRAFTSMEN. I V- fiiP !ii. I ii H " The duty which, at the request of your Worshipful Master and brethren of St. Catharines, I have undertaken, is perhaps not an unfitting sequel to the survey of Masonic history with which I have end.avouied to acquaint you this evening. You with me have been dvvellers for a season in the Masonic past, sojourners with our brethren of the olden time. We have for a little while been sharers of the jo3^s, the sorrows, and the hopes of the early Craftsmen and pioneers of our fraternity. It is eminently fitting, therefore, before we separate, that we should do honor to one of that willing band of workers who, when this country was young, gave his ability and talents to the rearing of the Craft Temple in the old Niagara Dis- trict — a district sacred forever to the cause of the Craft. It has been said of our heroes, whom an ungrateful coun- try allows to sleep in unmarked graves, that the memory of their valor is their only monument. The dead, to whom we as Masons are debtors, live in the grand re- sults to which they were contributing in those distant times. I participate in this last tribute of respect to James Seymour, all the more \villingly because he was active and zealous in Craft work, and not only that, but he was a personal friend, whose advice I valued, and whose many good qualities of head and heart are among my treasured recollections. Standing as I do amongst his fri<3nds, in whose society he lived out his life, it would be presumption on my part to attempt an enumeration of his virtues, and yet I feel tlsat Craft work tliroughout the entire jurisdiction was so aided by his efforts and counsel, ass ■mmmt :^lt»' ■"•^*",W t. TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 53 that his death if not a local bereavement, but a loss to the fraternity in Canada. This silent memorial of the sculptor's art will be valued by the brethren who knew our late brother when in life, and as they read the records of the Order, &,nd recall the activities of the Craft, it will surely stimulate them to follow the example of one who was an earnest and active worker, a worthy Craftsman who, in the busy haunts of daily life, fought the battle on the lines laid ilown in the book that lies open on our altar." — From the St Catharines Journal. RE-OPENING THE TORONTO MASONIC TEMPLE. ADDllFSS DELIVERED OX SlST MAY, 188J), WITH LECTURK ON THE EAIU.Y MEETING PLACES OF THE CHAFT. (Toronto Freemason, June, 1889.) TiiG Masonic Temple on Toronto-Street was re-opened on the 31st May, after renovation and elaborate decoration. A large company of Craftsmen were present and R.W. Hro. E T. Malone, President of the Masunic Hall Trust, occu- pied the chair. For the occasion a lecture on ** The Meeting Places of the Craft," was delivered by R.W. Bro. Robertson, prefaced by the following address : " I may be pardoned if I offer a word of apology in connection with the compilation of my lecture, because it was late in the afternoon of yesterday that R. W. Bio. Malone asked me to prepare something for the brethren who would meet here to-night, and although I l.ave en- III ^1 f; : I' m f I i il 1 i: 1 It < 54 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. deavored to cover the ground satisiactorily, it would have been more pleasant for nie to have had longer time, so as to look up other facts in connection with the sub- ject that is so deeply interesting to all Craftsmen, especially those living in Toronto. T feel somewhat diffident in being called upon to speak to-r' \i before such a large assemblage of brethren, nearly ah of whom are my personal friends, and whose good opinion I ap- preciate to such an extent that they deserve the best that can be given them in connection with the subject. I am diffident for other reasons. True, the brethren with whose presence I am favored to-night, may not be all eyes for the beauty of the recreated interior, but I do not think I am far wrong when I say that they have gathered here to see rather than to listen. Conscious as I am that my style of physical architecture would not jnatch the niHgnificence of this ai)artment, it is with some little re- luctance that I am forced into apparent competition for your attention with the decorations of R. W. Bro. R. J. Hovenden. But still, you have, no doubt, since the open- ing, had ample time to view the elaborate designs and colorings of the artist, and I think I can say with your- selves that the Masonic Hall Trust deserve every credit for the very complete manner in which they have carried out their work. There are two organizations in connec- tion with the Craft that I am always anxious to serve : one is the Masonic Hall Trust, and the other the Masonic Board of Benevolence. I am anxious to serve these bodies because the members give a large portion of their .'•MitM •t^m.-tmtnftltg. TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. && time, without fee or reward, to the service of the Craft, and not only husband the resources of Masorny in Tor- onto, but see that the moneys entrusted to their care are properly laid out. Although I have had the honor some years ago of being the President of the Hall Board, and am at present actively connected with the Benevolent Board, what 1 say is not so much to put in a good word for myself as to honor the twenty or thirty brethren who are associated with me in the work, and who, I am afraid, very often receive but scant recognition at the hands of the Craft. Indeed, I think that with regard to the work of relief, the brethren of Toronto have little conception of the large amount of valuable time given by the otKcers and members of that Board, and the sharp and some- times mer(,*iless criticism to which they are subjected, if they do not meet the views of every brother who has an idea that the funds of the Craft, entrusted to the keeping of the members of this Board, can be ex- pended without great care and precaution. There are no membeis of any organization of the Craft that are more zealous than the members of both the Hall Board and the Benevolent Board, and I am not saying a word too much for the members of either of the bodies, and I refer more especially to the latter — when I state that no thanks that could be tendered them could repay them for the earnest attention they give to the work, and rejjuite their sincere desire to take care of those who, it is our pride to think, have a claim on us. The brethren should have the kind- liest feeling for those connected with such organizations. Il i} I M' m I : I 56 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. They are faithful and true stewards, and discharge their trust as men and brethren, and have no right to be sub- jected to the taunts of brothers who, in the ordinary business of life, would not criticise the work that is paid for, as they sometimes do this wuik, that is one of grace and good-will." Bro. Robertson then proceeded with his lecture, giving interesting facts concerning the cathedral builders of the early days, with the meeting-places of the lodges of con- tinental workmen, who travelled from one part of Europe to another in the erection of sacred edifices. He gave some particulars of the Masonic Temples of Great Britain and the continent, and referred to the earlier lodge rooms and the places dedicated to Masonry in the United States of America. Interesting particulars were also furnished of the meeting-places of the Craft in Toronto, from the days of the old Queen's Rangers' Lodge, when the brethren met in Masonic communion in the little log lodge room in the Old Fort at Toronto, down to the building of the suite of rooms on Toronto-Street, at present occupied by the Craft. The migrations of all the lodges from the beginning of the present century, the meeting-places where the old lodges were organized, and where the early Craft Gi'and Lodges were held, were also described. In the course of the lecture the speaker outlined the primary causes which led to the inauguration of Masonry and establishment of the Craft. Proceeding onward he depicted the numerous difficulties and obstacles which beset the Order on every hand during the eighteenth cen- r>--*.*i*»l^\t-i^(H" -«MtMIM«t*«M#> WWaW'^ UIM'tf iW^W I Ii iMV ^' .rt...„»«*»*M(Ji(^<< TALK.^ WITTI GRAFTSMKN. 5r tury. The most interestinj^ portion of the lecture was the description of the struggles of the first lodges in Toronto, in which eventually they triumphed, and reached their present position of affluence and prosperity. A CRAFTSMAN'S EVENING. A TALK OF THE DAYS OF LONG AGO — THE STORY OF THE PIONEERS OF MASONRY IN OLD UPPER CANADA. (Toronto '' Freemanon" July, 18S9.) On Friday evening, the i^Sth of June, 1889, the Masonic Temple on Toronto Street was favoured with a large and intelligent audience, gathered together to hear an historic recital of the history of Masonry in Upper Canada, from its foundation in 1792 to the present time, by R. W. Bro. J. Ross Robertson, the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada. V. W. Bro. F. M. Morson occupied the chair, as the W. M. of Ionic Lodge, under whose auspices the lecture was oiven. The lecturer opened with a resume of the Craft-history of England, from the mythical period of York in 926 down to the reorganization in England in 1717, with a reference to the Grand Lodges at York, London, and the Athol Grand Lodge, the latter liaving more bearing than any other on Canadian Craft history. He then proceeded with the Craft work in Canada, the life of the Jarvis Lodges, the Provincial Grand Lodge of 1822-1845, the formation of the Grand Lodge of Canada, the merging of the English Provincial Grand Lodge into the Ancient i ! m m TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. ■'M i Grand Lodge of Canada, and Hnally the union of the latter with the Grand Lodge of Canada. After the lec- ture, R. W. Bro. Robertson addressed the brethren. He said : — " W. Sir, R. W. Sirs and brethren — I can assure the brethren of Ionic Lodge, and the brethren of the city lodges, who have been kind enough to favour me with their attendance this evening, that I particularly appreci- ate the honour that they pay me in connecting the toast ' The Most Worshipful, the Grand Master, and the Grand Lodge' with the position that the brethren have favoured me with in the governing body of the Craft. I feel sure that T do not indulge in terms of flattery when I claim that our Most Worshipful Grand Master Walkem will compare more than favourably in earnestness, assiduity, and faithfulness with any Grand Master who has pre- ceded him in the jurisdiction. It is gratifying for me to proclaim this statement, as from personal contact with the Grand Master, and actual knowledge of the feeling of the Craft, as conveyed to me in a tour throughout all the dis- tricts, I can assure yon that towards him the kindest and most fraternal feelings exist. All know the deep interest our M.W. brother takes in Craft v;ork. (Applause.) He is one who merits honor by work accomplished, and in any position he has held the same story can be told, that his heart is in the right place, and that he is resolved to make his mission a success by sincerity and faithfulness in the work of Masonry. He has visited many of the important parts of the jurisdiction, and I only regret that ■■i4HtiM>i ivMH ' '»i » i '^ ilAli m»» v.yiM: nW * "' ■iw»^<»<«iM<|^||;^^:^" TALKS WITH GRAFTSMEN.l 50 wliile he was in this city on his way from Guelph he was unable to remain and be with us this evening. His presence was, however, required in an eastern district to perform the ceremony of hvying a corner-btune, thuscom- peUing his absence to-night. Before Grand Lodge meets he purposes making a few more visits to complete Ids circuit. For the other Grand otficers, especially the Grand Secretary, R. W. Bio. •). J. Mason, and the Grand Treas- urer, R. W. Bro. Edward Mitchell, both lesidents of Hamilton — a city, by the way, an example of absolute Craft harmony, union and good fellowship — I can say that they discharge the distinctive duties of tlieir offices, not in a perfunctory manner, but with a personal interest in the work that should secure for them even more than the ordinary esteem in which we hold our Grand ofhcers. Bro. Mitchell is perhtips one of the most entertaining speakers and best exponent of Craft thought in the entire jurisdiction. I should not forget the chairman of the committees of the Board, brethren like M. W. Bro. Otto Klotz, whose unswerving fidelity to the work of benevolence has so aided us in the distribution and allot- ment of funds, that we are eiiaV)led to do a very large amount of good. Indeed if it were not lor the care witli which claims are enquired into, and the good judgment displayed by the M.W. Bro. and his committee, we might not be the blessing that we are to those who have a claim upon us. "This evening concludes with me my tour through the districts, and in the matter of Craft visitation 1 feel, just il no TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. Ill as the M. VV. the Grand Master does, that in the past our lodges have not been dealt with fairly by Grand Lodge officers, and that by these friendly visits we not only en- courage the active, but quicken the luke-warm, members of the Craft. For my part I feel that it is unfair to the brethren, after showering rank, honour, and regalia on those whom they select at Grand Lodge, that the recipi- ents should be content with returning thanks, embellished with many promises, and then disappear, Jack-in-the-box like, for a whole year, to re- appear at the next session, where they probably want more honour, more rank and possibly more regalia. In the interval they do little or nothing for the bone and sinew of the Craft — for the men whose hearts kindle with enthusiasiu at the friendly visit of an officer of Grand Lodge. It was, therefore, to avoid the slightest approach to anything like that which I have described, and for the good of the Craft, that these lecture tours were inaugurated. I have paid forty visits to different sections of the jurisdiction, visit- ing every district with one exception, and when I talk to my brethren at North Bay and Mattawa I will have com- pleted a work which certainly no De[)uty Grand Master, and possibly no Grand Master, has ever accomplished. " By this visitation a new interest has been awakened in Craft work. Brethren who have been members of the Craft for eight oi^ten 3'ears, and who knew comparatively little or nothing about their Order, have profited by my research. They have heard what I have told them not only in my lecture, but in addresses on Freemasonry in ).-rtrtt»«»vw; »l4*.^i ■at-'AUtfcHi^rt^Mtlt^jJlritolK.^^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. (41 general, and they now see the Craft in a diffei-ent light. Many brethren have been good enough to say that they will attend their lodges more regularly, and do what they can to help on the glorious work of Masonry. Tha^ is the spirit which should actuate all who belong to our fra- ternity. I was very much impressed M'ith my meeting at Ottawa. I had M. W. Bro. General Laurie, the P. G. M. of Nova Scotia, on my right, and M. W. Bro. J. V. Ellis, the P. G. M. of New Brunswick, on my left — two excel- lent brethren, well up in years, and yet as active in Craft work as if they were, with gavel in hand, governing a lodge. I also had around me a large number of visi- tors who fly, like our feathered friends, once a year to climes that are most welcome, and hence even the cold of our northern capital does not chill them. These brethren represented all classes and conditions of men — some were willing to build railways, some canals, some would take a contract to bridge the Atlantic, and all were after the philosopher's stone. Their views of civil government differed in a greater or less degree, and yet all were Ma- sons, and, while gathered around the great lights, had naught but one heart and one wish — the good of the Craft. Ottawa was certainly their Mecca. My Mecca, however, is the spot where our work nears perfection, and where we endeavor in our lives and practice, not to live on the limits of our obligations, so to speak, but, strik- ing for the centre, act in sincerity our part, so that men may see we are not Masons in name only. Might I not say that Toronto is indeed the Mecca of Freemasonry in 02 TALKS WITH CliAF TINMEN. I « ill \\ '■| ■■ III f l?!l Ifii: II Canada ? We show an interest in our work that puts us on a par with more extensive jurisdictions on the other side of the line, and after we cast a retrospective glance to the old-time days we can, I think, look around with pleasure, beholding ij the lodges of Toronto and the brethren of Toronto, worthy descendants of the pioneers whose lives were pledged to the work of the Craft. " No one feels more than I do the importance of the position I now hold. I am following men who were blessed with natural ability, and more immediately, one, who reinforced by an extensive professional experience possesses advantages that I cannot possibly attain. While I willingly recognize their merits, I claim an equality with all in my love for and desire to see the Craft pro- gress. It is nearly a quarter of a century since I first had the honor of entering a lodge room, and during that time I have taken the deepest interest in the work, whether in the private lodges or in Grand Lodge, and I hope that my interest may never wane; and my only wish is that I may be spared to place in acceptable shape the story of the Craft life of the past. Regarding this work, my hope is that in the near future it may be so completed as to be on record in our archives. Some brethren have asked me as to the form of publication, and as to whether it will be in book form. My brethren, there are enough members doing business on the square without the Deputy Grand Master stepping into the arena as an evangelist of commerce. My effort is to gather together the records and so aiiange them that ' „mi»*iit^-jmtvjf^n ^ H ^ ff itK '/- TALKS WITH CHAFTtiMEN. 63 either in my lifetime, or after I am gone, they will be in such form that the Craft may have access to them and derive all possible benefit from the work thus preserved. " The meetings I have attended during the past six months have given me an insight into (Jraft work and life that is gratifying. I have rambled over the entire jurisdiction, and am convinced that there is as much fra- ternity and good-fellowship in Canada as there is in other jurisdictions in the world. My experience in my travels on this continent, and in the old world, shows me that Ma- sonry possesses no peer as a social and fraternal organiza- tion. While kindred organizations may do good in their respective localities, the benefits of Masonry are so wide- spread that there is no doubting the fact that ours is the one universal society, where the responsive heart of friend- ship throbs, and brotherly love is exemplified and taught. It is universal. Be it at the north or south, on the Pacific slope or Atlantic main, it is the same. " The interest taken in our work is not confined to the initiates, and although we have a large number of un- afiiliates, yet we have men all over the jurisdiction, from fifty to ninety years of age, who attend our meetings with regularity. " As you are all aware, Grand Lodge meets next month, and many questions will come up for discussion. On the agenda, or notice paper, we have quite a number of in- teresting subjects. One brother desires that the initi- ation fee be raised from $20 to $25, Another brother de- sires an alteration in the clause of the Constitution, which C4 TALKS WITH CUAFTSMEN. i1 I Hill Ji % ' ii I' , i li li I ; ■I ! refers to the work. Another wants to change lodges from one district to another — and in this case as chair- man of the Coiif^iiiittie on Redistribution, I trust the Ma- sonic map will not he disturbed. Another brother thinks that wliere all or most lodges have concurrent jurisdiction, the names of rejected applicants should be sent to both — an excellent suggestion. Another brother desires that all ballots for the Board shall contain the full number cf names — at present a brother may vote for one, two, three, foui* or five, etc., for the Board. An- other biother desires a new clause aficcting the resigna- tion of officers, and another brother thinks all business should be transacted in the Third Degree. Grand Lodge, as a deliberative organization, stands well, and I have no doubt all the notices of motion will be fullv and freely discussed and 'a true verdict found.' " We can also, I think, congratulate ourselves on the success of Masonry, not only as a social and fraternal or- ganization, but also in the good we have been the means of doing in providing comforts for those whom we have a right to shield and i)iotect. We niay likewise p; 'n a good word for the General l^oard of" i. ' .f of thf* United States and Canada, with which a ire affiliate i, and which has materially aided us in deLcctir..; frauds and tramps, whose aim is to impose on our charity. We have in Toronto, by this connection, reduced our transi- ent relief about sixty pei- cent., and in the Tnited States and Canada we have in three years caught about eight hundi'cd tramps and impostors. The good-hearted — and i«viy»M'.v..Mw»«»^; »-,,;.-<«i»n-i ►,•<«. (rr'-*'';c TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 66 ;lie 01- ans ave n tbo lids We isi- LtOS at the same time cautious — Grand Secretary, R.W. Bro. J. J. Mason, gave me an incident the other day which is worth repeating. One John Tascar — I think that was his name — called upon Bro. Mason and solicited aid. He was admitted into the Grand Secretary's office, and with sorrow stamped upon his face poured out a woeful tale of poverty and wretchedness, asking for aid to carry him as far as Kingston, where he had friends who would help him on to Montreal. * Well,' said Bro. Mason, 'I'm sorry. Step in, for I've just had a letter about you,' and then Bro. Mason reads : * John Tascar, Lodge, clerk, age 40, height 5 feet, 11 inches, weight 170 pounds, blue eyes, etc., a dead-beat, a tramp and a liar — unworthy of relief.' ' Is that you, sir ? ' asked Bro. Ma- son. ' Yes,' answered Tascar ; * and,' he continued, turn- ing towards the door, * those infernal circulars are always following me. This is the third time that circular thing has been read to me. Good morning.' Bro. Mason smiled and resumed labour. " After my lecture at Guelph, I was a listener to the recital of a story, the accuracy and absolute truth of which are vouched for by R.W. Bro. Donald McPhie, of Hamilton, and KW. Bro. J. J. Mason. * At the recent railway accident at St. George, thirty minutes after the ill-fated train plunged into that abyss, scores of willing helpers were on the scene, eager in the merciful work of rescue. While one party was searching amid a mass of flaming wreck, they heard a voice, appar- ently that of a coloured man, calling for their attention 1 1 ! i: 1 -^ I wr 66 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. If* lii- '".' ■ 1 f : «■ ■ li: ! il I: i ; at once, in language that is dear to every Mason's heart. Hands that were eager to rescue a few minutes before were now frantic, and in five minutes a coloured brother, a dining-car waiter and member of an American Masonic lodge, was pulled out of the mass of debris and car tim- bers of the wrecked diner, and lives to repeat his story to the glory of the Craft. While this work of rescue was going on, a second voice shouted from beneath the wreck, words of import for one in distress, for amid the din and noise and shrieks for succour, he who owned the voice had heard his brother's cry for aid. Quick as thought willing hands were at work, and Bro. George Margetts, the conductor of the dining car, was pulled from beneath a car door which pinned him down, and over which streamed hot water from the tank of the cooking range, which had fortunately fallen on the door, for if the door had not protected him his death by scald- ing was certain. A third man on being taken from the wreck frightfully burned, looked up beseechingly at his rescuers and said, ' Is there a Mason's lodge, or Masons here ? ' Hearing the answer of a St. George brother : ' Yes, there's a lodge and lots of Masons,' said, * Then, thank God, I'm all right.' This poor brother, however, only lived a few hours. Brethren,- these are not stories made up for the sake of telling, but true as life, and shed a thrill of an earnest purpose through every Mason's heart. I don't know what more I can say this evening. I fully recognize your goodness and patience in hearing me. I am glad to be with my brethren always, and I ■;i^i>^. TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 67 hope that 1 may be spared to do a little more for the cause, to aid my brethren in the work we have so much at heart, so that, in the years to come, when I am gone, my brethren may be able to say of me that with all my faults I did my duty in this, the grandest of all fraternal or- ganizations on the face of the globe." the door, icald- Q the ,t his .sons Ither : hen, ever, ,ories shed Lson's ining. iring mdl RE-UNIONS OF THE MASONIC PIONEERS. One of the happiest features of our lodge gatherings is the occasional re -union of the old members, the veterans of the Craft who, in the early days in their lodges were active in the work, and wielded an influence that has eventuated for good to their lodges and to the Craft at large. Barton Lodge at Hamilton, St. Andrew's at Toronto, Ancient St. John at Kingston, and the Moira Lodge at Belleville, have ail had such meetings with the most felicitous results. This annual coming together, if judiciously managed, could be made welcome to our brethren who are up in years, and who, on account of age and other infirmities, are not permitted to visit as of yore. We should venerate the gray hairs of the fathers of the Craft. We reap where we did no. sow and enjoy, to a great extent, the fruits of their labours. Their recol- lections of the past and kindly approval of the acts of those who are marching in their footsteps would have a harmonizing influence on the membership. Bring, there- fore, our old brethren to the lodge room, and let us wor- ship together at the shrine of the past. Make the meet- m vsufimmimusiii C8 TALKS WITH CBAFTSME^i, ;i IS l! I If ' i ings interesting, and spice them with brief addresses, interesting to old ^d young. The shadows are deepen- ing around the home of many of our seniors in the Craft, and while they are with us let them know that they are not forgotten. IMMORTAL IN ITS INFLUENCE. The fear is sometimes expressed that the influence of the Craft is on the wane, that the summit of our growth has been reached, that we are off" the Craft line and side- tj'acked among the societies, associations and organizations of men striving to reach the same goal as ourselves, but with more effective methods, which not only popularize but enrich, and thus invite membership. To a certain extent we are ready to admit that the position of the Craft is not as strong as it might be, and still, all think- inof men know that while the wave of benefit association prosperity may not continueto gather strength on its way, its force may soon be exhausted. It is claimed, of course, that all these associations have a tendency to weaken the influence of the Craft. Is it an irrational or unreason- able claim, for we, in thus writing, desire to say naught but kindly words of organizations that, for the time being at least, are doing a certain amount of good. It must be remembered that all benefit organizations are kept up by the young and incoming membership. The old members die off, calls accumulate, at first few in number, and then the increase is gradtial. Members withdraw, TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. and their places are filled with those who have either come in voluntarily or have been canvassed for by active agents. Still, even the success of all these as- sociations has not militated against the Craft influence ; indeed, it may be that the apparent loss in Craft member- ship will have a beneficial effect in the future. We have heard it said that we are making too many members and that true Masons are few. We do find that occasionally zeal exceeds discretion in some of the fields of Craft work. It is wonderful, indeed, that in the struggle we have even held our own, for we offer no inducement save the friend- ship and fellowship of social enjoyment. We win breth- ren to our cause for manhood's sake, for the reason that, as human beings, it is i)art of our mission to do good to our fellow men, to cultivate the fields of thought that are lying waste. The influences of the Craft are world- wide, its pulse-beat is felt on both continents, the obliga- tion, if it does no more than have a restraining eff'ect on the youthful minds, is serving a good purpose. The initiate, unless he is callous to the core, cannot but feel that he is in a circle that possesses all the elements of morality and religion. He cannot shun the influences that prevail where our teachings are appreciated, and we ven- ture to say that a large percentage of those who rever- ently kneel at our altars, do carry away new thoughts and bright resolves of a better future, and a heartfelt pledge to live up to the lines laid down in the promises to which they are pledged. ::M 70 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. ':U A DUTY OF THE CRAFT. LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF TRINITY CHURCH, BLENHEIM, ON THE 7tH AUGUST, 1889. (From The Toronto Mail.) Chatham, Aug. 8. — The ceremony of laying the corner stone of Trinity Anglican church at Blenheim took place yesterday with Masonic honours. The ceremony was per- formed by R. W. Bro. J. Ross Robertson, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada. Rev. David Armstrong, the Grand Chaplain, and about three hundred members of the Craft were present, in addition to about 1,500 of the inhabitants of the town and the surrounding country. The Grand Lodge opened at three o'clock, with R. VV. Bros. T. C. Macnabb, of Chatham, acting as Deputy Grand Master, A. J. Anderson, of Ridgetown, as Grand Senior Warden, and A. H. Clarke, D.D.G.M., of the first Masonic District, as Grand Junior Warden. The proceed- ings were opened by a religious service by the rector of the church, and Ven. Arch. Saunders, of Chatham. The impressive ceremony of the Masonic fraternity was then performed by the officers of the Grand Lodge, after which R. W. Bro. Robertson delivered the following address : Men, Women and Children — Pursuant to the com- mand of our M. W. Grand Master, and at the invitation of you, reverend sir, and those associated with you in this work of works, we are congregated here in TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 71 Grand Lodge to-day to discharge a duty that is pecu- liarly acceptable to the members of the fraternity of Masons, by laying the foundation or corner stone of an edifice dedicated to the worship of the omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent Father — the Great and Glor- ious Architect of the Universe. We, as Masons, regret, and I am sure you will join with us in our regrets, that the esteemed brother who so faithfully presides over the twenty thousand Craftsmen of this fair province is not able to be with us to-day, for no one is more eminently worthy to take trowel in hand and perform the duty that has so happily fallen to my lot than M. W. Bro. R. T. Walkem, the Supreme officer *of our great brotherhood. He is a brother known to so many of you, a prominent and consistent member of your own communion, one to whom we all look up with pride, as an exemplar in word and act of the principles and precepts upon which our institution is founded. Words fail me when I endeavor to express the pleasure that we, as Masons, have in contri- buting by our efforts to place as firmly as on a rock this temple, which shall yet contain another of the ten thou- sand pulpits from which will be preached " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men," Occasions of this kind are deemed opportune, by the presiding officer of the Craft, to refer to the principles on which our Order is founded, and in doing so briefly — with a care not to weary my listeners — I purpose to vary the general rule slightly by pointing out the more im- mediate connection we, as Masons, have in ceremonials of 72 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. i . :« f 4 If 1 f ' • ■ ' ■ ! 1 \ this kind, and I do so because by many outside the pale the brotherhood of Freemasons and its mysteries may not be looked upon as happily and kindly as the institution deserves. From time immemorial it has been the pleasant and agreeable duty of the Craft to take part in the laying of corner stones of public edifices, thus aiding in the advance- ment of the public weal. Indeed, when we look back to the history of early times we find that the corner stones were laid by the Roman colleges of builders, from whom we claim descent, and these works were accompanied by impressive ceremonies, and an ancient writer, in his des- cription of the rebuilding of the capital of Rome, well describes the ceremonial, to which that of to-day is similar in import. The symbolism of the corner stone is to us Masons full of significance, for in its form it must be per- fectly square, and in its solid contents a cube. Now, the square is to us the symbol of morality, and the cube of truth. This stone is set between the north, the place of darkness, and the east, the place of light, illustrating the Masonic progress from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge. The permanency of this chiselled block of granite, this corner stone, which will remain firm after the building falls into decay, is intended to remind Masons of the sure foundation of eternal life, the corner stone of immortality, which survives the tomb, and rises triumph- ant over the grave. And thus the virtues of a Mason — and of all men — must stand the crucial test before being pronounced by the Master Builder of souls to be materials worthy of that spiritual temple, fitted " as living stones mmmsB^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 73 IS )f Is for that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." For this work we feel that by right of heredity, we, as Masons, have peculiar claims. When we look down the long vista of the centuries that have gone by, we find that the early edifices erected and consecrated to the deity, were cut, carved, and hewn out of the original rock by the hands of the Monastic builders, whose work as sculptors and designers we see to-day in the cathedral towers and spires of continental Europe. These societies were suc- ceeded by the fraternities of stonemasons, who, as travel- ling builders, journeyed all over Europe, and engaged in the erection of sacred edifices. In turn these associa- tions of men were sought after by the learned in art and science, and the operative feature became distinct from the speculative. It ceased the building of a material temple, and devoted itself to the erection of a spiritual one, and the working tools of the operative became symbols in the work of the speculative, so that what aided the workman in erecting the building aids us, as Freemasons, in directing the mental faculties, and im- proving the mind that the Grand Architect has given us. Thus while the twenty-four inch gauge, or rule, the com- mon gavel, and the chisel, are used by the workman in his calling, to measure, hew, and shapen the stones, we find in these tools great lessons. From the twenty-four inch gauge we derive a lesson of daily admonition and instruc- tion, for it recalls to our minds the division of the day into twenty-four hours, and directs us to apportion them to their proper objects, viz.: prayer, labour, refreshment '^-^S-:: •irf«■'liA■.>.v,i>».■i^VAt iaAV* .r/'-.yf-.v/^'i'r'T;' li'l ! ■i f i 74 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. and sleep. From the common gavel we learn that skill ■without exertion is of little avail, for the heart may con- ceive and the head devise in vain if the hand be not prompt to execute the design. From the chisel we learn that perseverance is necessary to perfection, that the rough rock receives its fine finish from repeated efforts alone, and that nothing short of indefatigable exertion can induce the habit of virtue, enlighten the mind, and render the soul pure. I might go on at greater length and give you more extended illustrations, but time will not permit. Our institution is founded on the princi- ples of brotherly love, relief, and truth, which are built upon the Scriptural teachings of Faith, Hope, and Charity, Our brotherly love extends to all who circle round our altars, and to mankind at large. Our relief we give, not only to those of our brethren in distress, to the widows and helpless ones, whom it is our pride to think have a claim upon us, but in cases where greater disaster has afflicted the world. Truth we exemplify in our sincerity and honestv one with another, and in our search for know- ledge. Our faith is in the mercy and promises of the Great Architect ; our hope is in that immortality, promised to all who shall follow the teachings of the Master, and our charity is in good-will and aff'ection one to another. Surely an institution founded on such principles should command the love and respect of the world. Further, let me say to you, as has been said by a learned brother on the other side of the line — and I divulge this secret on the strict understandinsr that none of those connected H TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 75 .a with the Young Ladies' Guild of this congjeofation shall flee to the telegraph office and wire the Grand Master — that Masonry is not, in the accepted sense of the term, a secret society. Its aims and purposes are very much the same as those of the very church with which so many of you are connected. True, we may have a language that is known but to the brotherhood, but, surely, in this way it is well to create union, so that we may thus be enabled to do a greater amount of good. The pickets that guard the outposts of our national militia camps at London, Niagara, and other places in the Dominion have secret countersigns^ and yet we do not for a moment claim that an army is a secret society. No, my friends, we justify our methods by the experience of years, and on the same principle that an organized army is better than a mob, so we maintain that by union we gain strength that enables us to carry into the work of every- day life the principles taught us in our lodge-room. As a fraternal organization we, as Masons, may claim honour and dignity. The best men and brightest minds of all lands have their names on our rolls, and her Majesty's representative in Canada, Earl Stanley, is a member of the Grand Lodge of England. The kings, emperors, and rulers of the earth have laid down the kingly sceptre to assume the simple gavel of a W. M., which calls the Craft together, and in our motherland the good Victoria has a kindly heart and eye for the fraternity, of which all her sons, and grandsons too, are bright and shining lights. I am afraid that I have worn out our welcome — and yet ,,,yf%'^»i- -^iK^^^'ji^jn^g.^/^ M Hi if 76 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. I feel that I have your pardon — on this, which must be a red letter day in the history of the faithful band of fol- lowers of the Master Builder, who watches over us as we journey past life's mile-stones. Thic day indeed shall carry with it pleasant recollections, and our hope is that — whether within or without the Masonic fold — we may, with charity to all men, remember as we open the Good Book, which lies unfolded on your and on our altars, the words of him who said : — " He that shutteth his ear to the cry of the poor and needy shall cr}'^ himself and not be heard." THE LODGE QUATUOR CORONATL A PLEASANT EVENING WITH ENGLISH CRAFTSMEN — A FLW WORDS FOR CANADA. R. W. Bro. J. Ross Robertson, Deputy Grand Master, while in London visited the Lodge Quatuor Coronati, which met at Freemason's Hall, London, on Oct. 4, 1 889. This is the literary lodge of Great Britain and its pur- pose is to encourage research in Craft lore and the study of Masonic subjects. It has a large membership, em- bracing many of the leading Masons in the kingdom. Bro. William Simpson, the well-known artist of the Illustrated London News, whose faithful pictures of the Crimean war are so well remembered, occupied the chair. Robert Freke Gould, the Masonic Historian; Col. S. C. Pratt, of Aldershot, S.W. of the lodge, and many other r^.^3 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 77 prominent students in Masonry were present, among whom were noticed : W. M. By water, P. G. Swd. Br., J. W. ; G. W. Speth, Sec. ; Prof. T. Hayter Lewis, S.D. ; W. H. Rylands, P.G. Sd.; W. M. Williams, J. Finlay Finlayson, C. Purdon Clarke and C. Kuferschmidt. Also the follow- ing members of the Correspondence Circle, viz. : Bro. J. Ross Robertson, Dep. G.M. Grand Lodge of Canada ; R. A. Gowan, F. W. Driver, Rob. Roy, E. T. Edwards, G. A. Nock and J. B. Mackey, and the following visitors : Bros. G. Gregson and Dr. B. W. Richardson. The London Freemason of Oct. 12th, after a few in- troductory remarks, reports Bro. Robertson's address as follows : " R. W. Sm AND Brethren, — Words fail to express the gratification I feel in being present with my breth- ren of Quatuor Coronati Lodge this evening, a pleasure enhanced by the fact that I have the honor of being a member of the Correspondence Circle. The kindly words spoken by yourself and Bro. Gould inspire me with the feeling that I am at home, and assure me that, although remote from my own jurisdiction, I am with those who, in thought and speech, are united to me by the bond that cements the fellowship of Canadian Craftsmen with that of those who first received light at an altar of the mother Grand Lodge of the world — the United Grand Lodge of England. Gladly, indeed, did I postpone a visit to the French capital, with its Eiffel tower and array of attrac- tions, to be present with my brethren of this lodge who are doing so much for Craft lore, giving, as they are, re- ;>Wigi!.2^^\H«fe4|iAi ^ijL-Ai^-'i;^'^:' i8 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. f! i i newed life to those who, like myself, are delving into the by-gone days of the Craft, to find facts that will give the modern Mason a knowledge of the work of the veterans of old, who, in the early times, carried the banner of the Craft, and have planted it on the pedestal of victory — in the centre of a jurisdiction that we are proud to hail as Mother, where the pure principles of our Order are ex- emplified in the truest sense — an example to be emulated by the Masonic world at large. We, as Canadians, are proud of our ancestors in the dear old land, and although we inscribe on the banners which hang on our outer walls ' Canada for Canadians,' yet for our kinsmen and Craftsmen on this side of the Atlantic — be they English, Irish or Scotch — we have the feeling that we hail from one common stock, the subjects of an empire that is climbing up to perfection in art, science and literature, having within its realms a myriad of Craftsmen loyal to the old flag and faithful to the obligations of the Order we all love so well. " My visit here this evening is indeed to me one that will be long remembered. You, W. Sir and Bro. Gould, have said many pleasant words for the Grand Lodge of Canada and for myself as Deputy Grand Master, and from my heart I thank you. Indeed, I feel that I would fail in my dirty did I not convey the fraternal message that you send to our Grand Master. He is not personally known to many of you, but I can assure you that M.W. Bro.R. T. Walkem is a brother whom we delight to honour, tlie unanimous choice of a thousand Craftsmen in Grand :'i:K,.s%y iim / TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 70 Lodge assembled, an exemplar in his daily life and Ma- sonic work of all that should endear him to his brethren. Our Grand Master is one whose endeavour is to discharge his duties on the lines laid down in the ancient charges, and within a few months many of you will have the pleasure of meeting him, as he purposes visiting Britain durinof the cominof winter. For the Canadian Craft let me say, that although we are young in years and cannot look very far into the vista of the past, yet we have a history — and one full of interest, and some day soon the types may tell our story as yours has been told — and so well told — by my friend Bro. Gould. We hope in 1892 to celebrate our centennial. " In our work our desire is to emulate all that is good — all that endears Masons one to another, and stand, as we hope to do, at the front of all fraternal organizations in this world. With 3G0 lodges and 20,000 Craftsmen in the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, with 5,000 Royal Arch Masons and 80 chapters, with a score of preceptories and nearly 2,000 Templars, we are surely, as our American cousins would say, keeping up with the procession, endeavouring to avoid as much as possible the mistake of making too many members and not enough Masons. Our membership is active, and by visits of grand officers to all parts of the jurisdiction we hope to inspire with new zeal the active Craftsmen, and quicken those who lag by the way and need but a helping hand and a kindly word to lead them to success. Our friend, Bro. Gould, made an allusion to-night to the work R^n 80 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. h± f '! t h ': of relief pertinent to an application made by a brother in distress, and Bro. Junior Warden has used a term familiar to all engaged in the work of relief, when he speaks of not encouraging ' the Masonic tramp.' We in Canada and in the States have a peremptory method of dealing with the tramp through the medium of the General Board of Relief of the United States and Canada. This Association is composed of representatives from the Grand Lodges and local boards of relief that affiliate in this association on payment of one half penny per head for the entire membership. " Thus, the Grand Lodge of Canada, with 20,000 mem- bers, pays $200 per year. When brethren who are un- worthy apply, we take their names, ages and description. This is sent by the secretary of the local board to the general secretary at Baltimore, U. S. This ofiicer then sends out monthly to all subscribing members a printed circular with a list and accurate description of all the tramps for the month. In three years we have caught about 800, and in that time we estimate we have saved the Craft, by our warnings, the sum of $20,000. We have so few tramps calling now at Toronto that we hope in a year to take the photograph of * the Ia,st Masonic tramp ' to keep as a souvenir of ' the Masonic tourist,' as we call him. But I am wearing out my welcome, still you are so patient and appreciative that in closing, I know that it will please English Masons to hear that in 25 years we have expended nearly $200,000 in the relief of the widows and orphans of those of our brethren wlio have passed away. ■ j?!"?^*^- ■••r^»'**r^ *n,rMm» TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 81 " Many brethren are sometimes inclined to minimize the influence of the Craft. The work of Masonry is, how- ever, not seen to its best advantage in the days of peace and prosperity, but the darker the night of human sor- row the briMiter shines the liofht of the Craft. We are earnest in our work, and if we cannot pour the oceans of gold into the lap of Charity, as the generous Craftsmen of England do, we give as we are able, and in our gifts we try to remember that each is an individual link in the golden chain of Masonic endeavor, and that the sum of good accomplished by the Craft, is increased or de- creased by our faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the obli- gations we assume, when we come out of the winter of the world into the summer of Masonic brotherhood." CRYPTIC MASONRY IN CANADA. bd ^e a > 11 *e .1 '!.F^ OUTLOOK OF THE RITE IN THE DOMINION OF CANADA. Some two years ago the writer published a history of the Cryptic Rite, which was most favourably received by the Craft both on this continent and in Europe. The following is the closing chapter of the work, which em- braces opinions formed as to the outlook of that Rite in this country : " The Cryptic organization, as with other allied rites, has had its struggle for existence. The outlook in Canada in its early years betokened a certain amount of pros- it ■ f:mjn3XZ£^^ ■•^m iil 82 TALKS WITH GRAFTSMBN. ii p perity, and as the Rite climbed into manhood, many had fond hopes that the efforts of its sponsors would be crowned with a long and happy old age. Yet it looks as if this view were disappointing. The writer does not volunteer an opinion as to the prosperity of the Rite in any but the Canadian jurisdiction, and yet he fancies that in other lands the Cryptic banner has been held to the fore only by combined effort of sincere companions, who, marshalled in °olid phalanx, have nerved themselves to keep the organization in a healthy state. In Canada in the early years its prosperity was phenomenal. As to its future there is a deep-rooted doubt. In this and other jurisdictions not only the Cryptic, but other complimen- tary or honorary degrees have had to contend with the competition of benefit societies, and the fact that Crypti- cism has not been in the van of success since benefit societies gained a temporary foothold, is evidence that these organizations have militated against the Cr;^ ptic Rite. We ask ourselves what is t> e future of the Rite i What is the experience in Canada and in the United States ? and we get an answer in one way and another, strengthening the belief that the Rite is not gaining that meed of success to v/hich its history and the beauty of its ceremonial give it a title. Crypticism will always have a struggle for existence. The primal degrees mag- netise and draw men to the Craft fold. The Royal Arch degrees, closely allied as they are to those of the Craft, have also an attraction for the young initiates. Tern- plarism gathers in a goodly number. The Scottish Rite • . ^W^^W^T'Mi^^^W(sWI^W!WI !tul93^ I«s«* '^SUbiJS::' i ii ' iiM r-mmsaaxammiZ ilk^j^ TALKS yVlTR CRAFTSMEN. 83 has a limited constituency, but the Cryptic Rite seems to languish, and in very many jurisdictions is only held to- gether by the natural fraternity of men who cling to the old love, and have enough ambition left to invite others to take part in the work of the secret vault. Companions are thus stimulated to make the completed edifice worthy of those who a century rgo sowed the seeds of a Rite that has in it the germ of all that is essential to the comple- tion of the Royal Arch, with a beauty of ceremonial that awakens an interest in the minds of the initiates leading to higher thoughts, and elevating all Masonry in the esti- mation of the select and happy few whose names grace the Cryptic roll. The charge that we have i.o much Masonry is not an unreasonable one. The Masonic field is replete with degrees. Craft Masonry monopolizes the love, interest, and ambition of thousands of men who go no further. Their fervor for the Order cools at the third degree, and hence the justice of the statement that we are making too many members and not enough Masons. As we glance along the roll of the higher degrees we find that the constituency becomes limited and the interest wanes. Those who do cling to the rock have too much pride to let go, and their enthusiasm kindles a flame in the hearts of those who seek after uKjre light. Whether history wHl repeat itself and the Cryptic and tlie other allied degrees be enabled to star i against the interest created by the benefit societies of the preoent day, is a story for the future. So far in Canada the prospects are not of the brightest, and yet there may be a silver lining t^^flSCiW, in ^:i m f I ( llflf m 84 TALKS WITH CHAFTSMEN. to this cloud of doubt ; the day-dream of our lives may be realized, and a fresh interest, a new-born enthusiasm, an inspiration for another existence, may be waiting for thoso who liold fast to the faith, and feel that in the de- grees of Royal and Select Mastei's, there is enduring strength that can withstand the giant wave of success which seems to attend those modern organizations, planted as they are like pines in Southern forests, all over this great continent." THE PAST OF CANADIAN TEMPLARISM. THE AMERICAN AND CANADIAN SYSTEMS COMPARED — WHO CAN JUSTLY CLAIM THE TEMPLAR TITLE? — THE ORDER AND ITS FUTURE. The following is the concluding chapter from Robert- son's History of the Order of the Temple, published, January. 1890, The article reviews the past of Canadian Templarism, and compares the American and Canadian systems, with an opinion as to the outlook of the Order in Canada : — One ventures on debatable ground and accepts a situ- ation that has the merit, at least, of being aggressive, when he undertakes the task of peering into the Cana- dian Templar past, and out of the work of an organiza- tion, that cannot claim to have been an unqualified success, predicts a future. Could we, with even the scant knowledge of the student in palmistry, examine the ».!Bf'sisy":"f -'i^t *"sr^''3'^s;5^ liEl-.SK^v'fc ■•■Vi 7^"^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 85 Templar hand and to a limited extent trace the life lines as they cross and recross in greater or less degree, it might give us a fair claim to a gift of prophecy. And j'et we are but poor humanity. We air our opinions with a self-satisfied promptness and feel that, guided by our own light, we are dictators of thought that is proof to all criti- cism, and gradually give way and grudgingly give up our vantage ground, and only smile as our critics lose themselves in the hopeless maze of argument, from which we have somewhat unwillingly extricated ourselves. The history and origin of the Knights Templars have been dealt with in the earlier chapters of this work. The variance of opinion of different authors is slight — indeed the tracings are so distinctly marked that the novitiate cannot stray from a pathway that is brilliant with his- toric truth. While the connection of Tornplarism with modern Masonry is aduiittod, the fact stands in the forefront that Craftsmen and Templars, while travelling to-day along the fraternal stream, were in early times as far apart as the poles. The revivalists whose hearts were endowed with love for the Pilgrim Shrine, saw that the tree of modern Templarism could only prosper by being matured and nourished by the waters of the Craft strcani, so the growth of Templarism was diverted, and all over the world, at the present time, a knowledge ef the primal degrees is the pre-requisite of Knighthood. In Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, and Australia the system is founded on Christianity, with its bulwark of the Trinity. uni iirMiMM n ii Igym, ■ li; m^ -('!■ m^ m • 86 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMAN. Proud in strength, it has gallantly resisted the attacks of the aggressor, and in its march of mercy has carried its eagles to victory, the standard-bearers crowned with the laurels of a faith the flower of which bloomed from that spring-bud which opened its petals the day the Christ- Man yielded up his life on the Cross of Calvary. The writer has more than ordinary respect for the opinions of men of the stamp and character of the es- teemed and venerable Grand Master, M. E. Frater Mac- Leod Moore, a respect tempered with an admiration for tenacity of opinion which forces the conclusion that it is not only well founded, but sincere. His assertion, proved by the light of history, of the essentially Christian char- acter of the institution is of course unassailable, and the introduction of any degree not in strict harmony with this idea is foreign to the genius of Templarisni. In the United States, where the Order is open to men of all re- ligious beliefs, a great organization is hold together by fraternal obligations, analogous to those uttered at Craft altai-s ; and while the style and title of the Order imply that it is built on old-time lines, an examination of its system places it in a different sphere from that of the Templarism of both Great Britain and Canada. Its suc- cess is phenomenal, and in earnestness, energy and all the contributing forces which may be legitimately used, it counts in its ranks a host whose thoughts have been taken from the Craft brain, that is really the fountain of light which sheds lustre on every organizati(m that has any claim to Masonic fellowship. Ill Lomm^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 87 This is the trend of thought one is forced to follow after a close reading of the tomes of Templar lore, and it is satisfying to the minds of the men who write with a pen guided by brotherly love for the world at large, The Order of the Red Cross, with all its beauty of legend and ritual, has no connection with the Order of the Temple. The Supreme Grand Master affirmed this years ago, and he is endorsed in his view not only by the Fratres of Great Britain and Canada, but by General Roorae, the Past General Grand Master of the Knights Templars of the United States, who, in a letter written to Col. Moore on the 25th October, 1888, says : " I agree with you that the Order of the Red Cross should never have been introduced into our (Order) sys- tem, and cannot see any connection between it and the Order of the Temple. It in no way refers to the Chris- tian religion, and should never, therefore, have been made part of a system whose foundation is Christianity. Templars in this country, however, believe differently. Personall)^ I also agree with you that Templarism should be Trinitarian, but there are many Unitarians in this country who are earnest Templars, and who find no diffi- culty in their professions of belief in the Christian re- ligion. It is not for me, therefore, to interpose my per- sonal opinions, in view of the harmony now prevailing. I am fully satisfied that the Knights Templars in the United States mean to be thoroughly Christian, and that they will, under the influence of Christianity, to the ut- termost of their ability, promote the happiness an(l ;t:. 88 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. ^1 u \ < welfare of mankind and unite Christian Masons in a sacred bond." There are many reasons which step into the realm of argument when we endeavour, as if with a divining rod, to arrive at conclusions as to the real difficulties in the way of perfect success in the Knight Templar Order in the Dominion. Our environment is peculiar. We have not the pecuniary means which is essential to a certain extent in building up all fraternal organizations. It does not of course necessarily follow that because we are not gifted with surplus wealth, as are our Fratres across the line, we are less contented or less happy, but the luck of means has in a measure a deterrent effect, and is there- fore not a ha])py factor. Again, we have a territory that extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific, without the density of population that is such a material aid in carry- ing on fraternal work. Yet another reason may be advanced in that we of the Dominion have an attachment for home life that is not to be found in other countries outside of Great Britain. Our American neighbours live more on the wing than we on this side of the great lakes, and the craving for fraternal association h much greater than with us. Again, may not the power of the Church act as a preventive to the flourishing of Knight Tcmplar- ism in this country? Templarism is a type of Chris- tianity in its fullest sense, but to some extent secularized, and therefore it comes into competition with the Church as an inducement to make or keep men Christians. Now, the Church is too powerful to feel the effect of any such 1 1 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 80 I Opposition, and Templarism is too weak to compete with it. Further, there are so many societies and associations attached to the Christian Church that it leaves men who are inclined to Christianity little time to indulge in any such luxury as Knight Templarism, even were they not satisfied with the rites and ceremonies of their religion. In countries where the Trinitarian test is not a pre- requisite, Templarism loses its grand principles, and is only an association for show and sociability. Unless a man be an adherent of a church which teaches the doc- trine of the Trinity he cannot be a true Knight Templar, and in this view thoughtful minds concur. On this continent Templars are one in fraternity, but divided on a question that has disturbed the serenity of thinking minds for man}'- years, viz. : the claim to the name they bear. It is argued from a historic stand- point that the rejection of the Trinitarian doctrine shatters, at once, any claim they may possess to call themselves Knights of the Temple. The British system, which is almost similar to that of Canada, is a perpetua- tion, in a modified form, of the Ancient Chivalric Order, which accepted, as a cardinal dogma, the doctrine of the Trinity. The moment we set asicje that for broader views, and become latitudinarian, that moment we forfeit our right to the title we have hitherto borne. If we are to be consistent and honest, we must abandon that to which we have no claim. There can be no objection to a man holding to his opinions in a free country, but he must do so under his own standard, if his freedom is to iiT^^tftfe 90 TALKti WITH CRAFTSMEN. iii! :.' T ..t ti p i f , ' i 1 j' !l I: be purged of all suspicion of deceit. In the United States, a Christian organization, under the name of Knight Templar, has grown in wealth and numbers because, we are told, it discarded at its formation the ancient doctrine for the broad platform of modern re- ligion. It points to its numerical strength and pros- perity as a result of the system, but admits, at the same time, that that system, called by any other name, would not, perhaps, be equally attractive. The question then arises — has it a right to the superstructure while disown- ing the foundation ? The two are necessarily inseparable. History settles that phase of the question beyond per- adventure, but, for obvious reasons, the distinction is conveniently made by our go-ahead neighbours. The martyr De Molay's utterances before the Papal Commis- sioners, at Paris, incontrovertibly connect the Templars and their faith. " I attest that 1 believe in God, in the persons of the Trinity, and all the other articles of the Catholic faith. I believe there is but one God, one faith, one baptism, one church, and that in death, when the soul is separated from the body, there is but one Judge of the good and evil. This is my belief. This is the belief of the Order of the Temple." Such are the words of the last Grand Master of the Ancient Order, and by a singular anomaly, due to what i.s popularly known as advanced ideas, his memory is revered and honoured by men who don his garb and badge, but reject the doctrine to which he subsciibed with his life. •I TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 91 A perusal of old Masonic constitutions, their dates extending over a period of more than two hundred years, show that our brethren of the misty past acknowledged belief in the Holy Trinity. Anderson, in 1717, when he produced his constitution, made many radical changes and omitted the Trinitarian qualification. Brethren noted this and rebelled, but it was not until a score of years had passed that their dissatisfaction took practical shape, in the revival of the Temple Order, where they taught the doctrine which had been recognized in their lodges from time immemorial, and which was fully ex- pressed in the opening sentences of the old constitutions, viz. : " The might of the Father in Heaven, with the wisdom of His Glorious Son, and Goodness of the Holy Spirit, three persons in one Godhead." It is claimed that this opening of the door of Templar- ism to those who do not profess the ancient doctrine may gather in many attracted by the allurements of parade, pageantry, and social reunion ; but it deters, at the same time, the student of history who, without doing violence to his feelings, could not ally himself with so repellent an incongruity. That this is the condition of affairs in the United States, many eminent Masonic writers have asserted. The late Theodore T. Gurney, of Chicago, in 1880, said : " We would advise our Dominion Fratres not to be in haste for a change. Our system is very attractive, but it cannot bear inspection too closely. We claim to be Knights of the Temple, but it is only a claim, neither equipments nor rituals giving us any authority to in^'st upon such a distinction." •P! i(kafc' ■SUSi K%. %^ %.. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. / ^^ tA f/. 1.0 I.I IIIIIM 1 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 -^ 6" — ► VJ <^ /} /y VI <'>^ ?>> ■f'^. O / /(!^ Photograpiiic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (7J6) 872 4503 T 92 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. The Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Vir- ginia, in an address delivered at Richmond in November, 1870, threw a little light on one cause of the prosperity of which our neighbouring Fratres boast. He said : "At the close of the war the best of the Masonic fraternity sought knighthood, not only on account of its Christian principles and high character for noble deeds and good works in the past, but also that by union with those of similar principles, they might either rid the lodges of the many unworthy who had gained admittance during the war, or reform them. The unworthy also, drawn by the name, history, and uniform, favoured by the desire for numbers and the neglect of the officers, found an en- trance into the Temple and assumed vows which they couid not honestly take, professed principles which they could not comprehend, and entered on a professed life whose duties they had no heart to practice. The Order thus became numerically prosperous^ but the seeds of death were in the breath that gave so large a life." As an instance of the extraordinary lengths to which the liberality of our American Fratres led them, and in support of the contention that in seeking to build up the Order by numbers, we may leave it open to reproach or ridicuh^ the following extract from the report of Fra- ter G. B. Edwards, chairman of New Jersey's Committee on Foreign Correspondence, in 1882, is submitted : — " It may not be out of place here to pen a slight mem- orial to a worthy Mason and Knight Templar, who as- sisted at the conferring of the Order upon the writer. TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN, 93 and who was a member of the Commandery. Of the seed of Abraham, he was a Jew — a Jew by education, a Jew by religion, a Jew in life, a Jew in death. One to be greeted in the gi'eat hereafter, whether met with in the bosom of Abraham, or of the Redeemer, both of whom on earth were of his nation and religion." l*ast Grand Master Hopkins of Pennsylvania, address- ing the Grand Commandery, in 1881, on the Trinitarian qualification, said : — " I have always contended that our Order rested upon that foundation or upon nothing ; that all our symbols, lessons and ceremonies declare our belief in the Holy Trinity." Many quotations, of a similar import, taken from the utterances of eminent Fratres across the border, might be added, but the foregoing will be sutHcient to show that there is not that concurrence of opinion respecting the Templar Order as a system in the United States that goes to make a sound success. Numerically, the Templar Order, south of the lakes, was never stronger than it is to-day, The recent Triennial display at Washington may be adduced as proof of this. But take away the glitter of the parade, the seductiveness of martial music, the gre- garian attractiveness, and the pleasurable reunions, and how many would be left to fight the good fight, as " poor soldiers of the Cross," and stay within the fort to battle against infidelity and unbelief, with no reward but the consciousness of their right- doing ^ Would the cause of true Templarism be advanced in Canada by exchanging that to which we have clung for ^m,mx:m.^. .. .'^•,»w.i..^«y.TW«M« m i n oil. H i m m <|fc ' >j »«PM».f«**».w iiJ iiWWi ^ »■ » < '< » w 98 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. (►iiiiiuu only, and while giving a place to the views of others, does not feel justified in advocating either of the courses suggested. That the Order should be maintained as a purely religious organization, with the Trinitarian test, must be admitted if the present ritual is to be pre- served. That to open Preceptories in any place outside of the cities and large towns has been one of the fatal errors of its government is a fact that is well known. That even in the larger towns, it is a difficult matter to secure a large attendance unless on special occasions ; that it would be more in the interest of the Order if the work were exemplified correctly ; that the B^'ratres should comprehend the principles of the Order, and the nature of the obligation, rather than that candidates should be brought in irrespective of qualification, only for the purpose of enriching the coffers of an organization that is held together for the purpose of conferring titles and giving rank to Fratres who wear the insignia of the cross, without a just claim or title, must be admitted by all who will express an impartial judgment. It must be remembered that while in the Dominion the Order has not progressed after the fashion desired by those who admire outdoor show, it has given no evidence of decay. In proportion to the Masonic member- ship, it has shown an unmistakable advance, and although weak spots have exhibited themselves at intervals, they are not of a nature to affect the l>ody. If there is a future for this great and growing country there must be a future for the Order of the Temple, maintained on the TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 99 lines of the British Templar system. To saeritice a single stone in its foundation would be to place the whole fabric in peril. It now rests on the rock bottom of historic truth, and is there to stay, provided there are none am- bitious enough to seek to jack it up with a framework of heterodoxy, which might hold for a time, but, shell-like, must inevitably come down with a fatal crash. The status and future of Templarism in the Dominion are not doubtful. The views herein expressed are gathered from careful observation of the situation and opinions ventured by Fi-atres who are not indifferent to its welfare. The progress of time may bring about changes which others may have to record, but if there be any question of the present stability and assured ad- vance of the Order, it exists only in the minds of the few whose tendencies and sympathies are in the direction of display. AN AMERICAN MASONIC PRESENTATION. On Tuesday evening, 3rd September, 1889, R. W. Bio. Robertson was summoned from a meeting of the General Board of Relief of the United States and Canada, to visit Adelphi Lodge, No. 23, A. F. k A. M., holding a stated communication in the Mascmic Temple, New York, and discharge the duty of presenting to W. Bro. David Ro- senheim, the W. M., a P.M.'s apron, as a token of esteem from his brethren in the lodge. The lodge room was filled with members of the lodge and visitors, and the greeting accorded Bro. Robertson was most cordial. VJ ■:%W UA M f'i imMi »w n r,t»M»ww»«i« w Jn *> « >i »'uW *' » Hl ir* l«>< i <» »*ii i luo TALK IS WITH CJiAFTSMEN. '' I <: At'tt'i- the reception of a number of visitors, R W. Hro, Jlobertson, in makinrethren, when in lodge asseml)led, but this visit has an additional charm, in that it brings me to a lodge in a jurisdiction foreign to my own, and one that has in it many dear per- sonal friends, who have, in business and in Masonic work, been associated with me for the j)ast twenty years. I confess I am somewhat at a loss to properly express my gratitude f)r the privilege of being with you, and the honor you have conferred on me, in asking that a Canadian Ciaftsman shall ))ei-form a duty that could be so much better discharged by on(> of your own, for oratory and elo([uence are truly gifts cultivated to a much greater extent here than on the other side of the chain of lakes that separate two great nations. Moreover, I fraternally submit that it is rather unfair to take me from my duties in tlie Grand Lodge Library and ask me to perform a work that requires not a little preparation and advise- ment. When R. W. Bro. John R. Pope and R. W. Bvo. Carter invited me to this ]>leasant meeting I promptly refused. I do not profess to keep eloquence on tap, ready to tui'n off and on at the will of every brother wdio comes along, even if he be the President of the Board of Relief, or the (Irand Librarian, and yet, when these two distinguished brethren, with a look of contempt and scorn, expressed words of pity for a Canadian who is not always ready, I felt my honor impugned, and, without a word, made my way to this lodge room. You know, m i TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 101 bretlirt'ii, thai tliere is truth in the savinLT iliat tlicio aie only two classes of men in the coininunity who ean afford to address an audience unprepared. Those are foolN and men who aie inspired. You know what to expect from a fool, and certainly you are aware what a brain full of inspiration can give you. " I feel justified in taking this preliminary canter, for I see around me so many exceik'nt talkers that my con- science tells me I must, to save myself from undue Criti- cism, point out that the position 1 occupy to-night is new, novel, and unexpected, hut pleasant in the extreme. The few minutes' conversation I have had with Bro. (barter leads me to believe that your W.M. is a brother faithful to his trust, whose heart is in the work, and whose aim and ambition are to serve his brethren, who have so ap- preciated his labors that they cannot see him relegated to a Past Master's position without some mark of their esteem. For my part, I belong to a profession that never i-eceives testimonials, except in the way of lil)el suits, and, were it not for the generous-hearted jurymen, before whom I had lately the honor of appearing, 1 doubt whether I would have enough left to even put in a decent appearance in your East to-night. I ask, however, no greater honor than your invitation, the more especiallv when it atibrds me an opportunity of saying a word for a Past Master like W. Bro. Rosenheim, who has been as active in his position of Past Master, as he was when first he held a gavel in a Craft lodge. I hold that we all should appreciate the work of active W.M.'s, and, when 1. ■. ; "•ai|c: ^»' « MB < kmt m< *» m mMm i ^ ^ Mi^m yi mm mi^'m «-wwM i«K mi i (<* i»>'mt- 102 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. they pass tlunuirli Uk' ciiair, and contiimc to tjiko, as * »'J W »W i i *ii *'^ li ^L : 10() TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. .stand, 1 felt that I would Ije content to coniinoniisc all claims upon glory as a lecturci- for the certainty of get- ting out with my life. My mind reverted to an enthu- siastic, though importunate and unfortunate, lecturer, who on his first visit to a certain village was heartily welcomed at the station by the omnibus driver, and a few hours later was hurriedly escorted out of town by an enraged Committee of Four Hundred. However, I am pleased to be here, doubly gratified because I am in a city whose chief ma?jta- .:;ii'VA,i;..« j-wiii MMi M nm i wm i 'mK . 108 TALK'S Willi CRAFTSMEN. (M I live year.s' experience in Craft work, [(ossilily I am in- truding thouglits which would come better from older heads, and yet, my bretliren — and believe me, I am ear- nest and sincere — should we not always lemember that we are each individual links in the golden chain of Ma- sonic endeavour, and that the sum of good accomplished by the Craft is increased or decreased by our faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the obligations we assumed when we came out of the Winter of the world into the Summer of Masonic brotherhood ? Ill A WORD FOR TEMPLARISM. The aims and objects of Templarism are such as in other lands have endeared it to many Craftsmen. It re- ceives encouragement and has the good-will of all who work in the field of Masonic endeavour, and no reason can be advanced why, on Canadian soil, the Templar tree should not flourish, and shelter under its benign shade the best and brightest minds of this young nation. If, therefore, we have a mission, wliy should we not, with true fellowship for those who are in kindred work, build up an Order on lines that will make its foundation sure and give us a front place in the ranks of all fraternities whose etibrt is to do good, and add a little to the sunshine of life, gladdening those who sorrow, encouraging those who grow weary by the wayside, and shedding the o^enial warmth of brotherlv lov^e on all, whether within or without the fold ? jH^iiMiR'nVWiM^MlS TALKS nrill CRAFTSMEN. \m SAVED BY A SIGN. The fraternity and felloM'ship of Masonry are shown in the many providential escapes men have had when their lives were in peril, or they were in sore distress. When death has stared Craftsmen in the face, either on the battlefield, or in the midst of some dire disaster, the friendly hand of a Mason has been often outstretched to save those who, by word or sign, could show that they had knelt before the ijreat lio:hts, and been raised to the sublime degree. A story is told of an ancestor of Bro. John M. C/le- ment, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is of interest, al- though rescued from the oblivion of a century, by the discovery of an old paper, a few months ago. Capt. John P. Clement, who died in 1844, was a revo- lutionary hero, a U.E. Loyalist, who fough*t in the war on the side of the British in Butler's Rangers. When the incident occurred he was in command of a company of Indians, and was fighting in the neighborhood of Chippewa, Ontario, between the years 1770 and 1776. Clement's company had advanced and taken an out- post, when the Captain observed one of the enemy wounded, whom the Indians were about to scalp. The poor prisoner, scarcely able to stand, and with his left hand helpless from the blow of a tomahawk, saw that he would have to pay the terrible penalty of Indian wni- fare, and struggled with a powerful Indian, whose keen knife was ready for his scalp. With a wild shout, the iiiMMiMMiMiMaiMiM *>-) » t !i ili Kn iw i « w.y* w «>. ;>- 110 TJLKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. American freed himself, and, seeing an otticer crossing an earthwork, and coming towards him, he hastily gave the sign of a M. M., and appealed for protection, calling on the officer to save him from a cruel death. Capt. Cle- ment took in the situation at once, and, with tleet foot — for he was young and active — rushed to the aid of liis brother, and as in the uplifted hand of the savage the bright blade glistened in the morning sun, ready for its deadly mission, Clement seized the strong arm, threw the Indian on his back, ordered him off', and calling an orderly, improvised a stretcher, and sent the wounded man to a farm house, where the greatest care was taken of him. When sufficiently recovered, he was sent to his home in the State of New York, forever thankful that he had knelt at an altar and taken an obligation. ml SPARKS FROM THE ANVIL. Some W. M.'s have just a bowing acquaintance with the ritual. They hardly speak as they pass by. The W. M. who reads carefully the constitution, may be certain that he can govern his lodge aright, In our work of relief let us remember that liberality to the unworthy is a wrong to those who are the legiti- mate wards of the Craft, The work of Masonry is to some men, like the track- less sands of the desert. They march along, leaving im- prints by the way, which are blurred by the first wind. mmmn TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. Ill They sit in the lodge, hsten to the woik, and carry nothing away — not ev^en a good impression. The warning liand of Time should point Craftsmen to the trutli that the fleeting moments for preparation are very precious. We learn new lessons every night we meet. We are alwavs learninfj, and out^ht to l)e still deep in the mine of knowledge, when the dial marks the day of our departure, and we pass to the land of the everlastinor sun, there to behold the Master. The dial-plate of Time marks many changes. The Craft in Canada, from small beginnings, and over many obstacles, has risen in its might, and to-day can, with gratification, point to a roll of lodges that will compare — and not unfavourably — with some of the best worked jurisdictions. Those who had the Craft in hand, in the early days, scarcely dared to look forward with hope to the time when we should command, in the Masonic world, an infiuence and respect of which we have a right to be proud. Few jurisdictions can claim a greater measure of progress and, considering that those who were at the birth of ours had to suffer by the neglect and indifference of the motherland, we ought to be thankful for the meed of success that has attended the Craft in this grand jurisdiction. The Tree of Faith shields the Craftsman, while ho grows strong in the delights of Craft work. As, in the summer time, he pl'.icks the golden fruit, his heart longs for the monthly re-unioiis, held under the guidance of the Eternal Master, whose revealed will is guarded by the great lights on the altar. j^i^ Ktm»> « M iJm M * wMM i M »m mimm f mt i m - wmmmsA 112 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. The principles of Masonrj'- are as bright and pure as the gems in a royal diadem. The work of Masonry is regal in magnificence, and to exemplify it, as we move on our daily journey, should till our hearts with a joy, unexcelled by even that of the Queen of Sheba, when she gi'eeted the Mason King. The Craftsman who attends his lodge meetings and exercises the sense God has given him, by attention, not only to the actual rendering of the work, but to its real meaning, must come away a better man. The life of Masonry is quickened by the earnest men, who, as the woi'k goes on, drink great draughts of knowledge that should soften the heart, attune it to the better view of life, and enable the pilgrim to journey with joy to the goal where stands the perfect Ashlar. The charity lecture in the primal degrees has in it a well-spring of meaning. Every line — yes, every word — is as bright to the true Mason as the sprays of silver that glisten in the rock laden with precious metal are to the eye of the prospecting wealth-seeker. Who that has ever listened to the Craft picture of charity can be weary in well-doing ? Is it not enough to make us free and open-handed, so that as we pass through this busy world, our [)athway may be paved with blessings. The initiate is welcomed into the Craft fold in the morning, just as the dawn creeps up the eastern sky, and as he kneels, the circle forms, and, brought to light, he greets those bound to him by ties of brotherhood. The meridian is reached as he ascends the steps of the TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 113 middle cluiinber, ;infS£fe«»JSSi4->'» ■'i^lmmkmum^ !*«« ru i 'l m muw w » i » i>j>! i»w>w i»u> ni 114 TALKS WITH (' RAFTSMEN. WITH A SILVKR TROWEl.. I'LIMB, KLLli, LEVP:L, Sl^UARE. Corner Stone of the High School nt Meaford Laid with Masonic Honors, Tlie corner stone of the Higli School at Meaforcl was hiid with Masonic lioiiors on July 9tli, 1890, by R W. JBro. J. Ross Robertson, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. • ••■■•• ••• In addressing the audience of two thousand people who had assembled, R. W. Bro. Robertson said : — I can assure you — the members of the High School Board of Meaford, and you, ladies and gentlemen, who have honored this ceremony with your presence to-day — it is with pleasure that we, the Fraternity of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, of Canada, in Grand Lodge assembled, appear here in response to your invitation. We are here to further an object that is dear to all Canadians by aiding in the erection of an edifice, within the walls of which the boys and girls of this fair Domin- ion shall receive that mental training which is to fit them for the larger life, waiting for them at the end of their school days. A few years must bring them into manhood and womanhood, and they will fall into the ranks of agriculture, commerce or the professions, or, as wives and mothers, will do what they can by lives of integrity and industry to forward the cause of good. We, as Masons, are proud to be here. Our fraternity is identified with TALKS WITH CllAFTSMEN, 115 all that teinls to ]>ioniote the cause of education. As Masons, we view tlie piililic scliool as an institution endeared to lis by its attacliment to the Masonic prin- ci[)les of e(|uality. For, within its walls, as on the check- ered tloor of our lodge rooms, the i nee [uali ties of social rank and wealth are forgotten, and all meet upon a com- mon level. It was a generous and timely compliment to ask our co-operation in this jdeasant task. We deem it a privi- lege, and esteem it a duty, to aid our fellow-men in this good work, the more especially as in the education of the youth of a country the fraternity of Masons is peculiarly interested. When we look at the motherland across the sea in dear old Britain we find stately schools erected for the educa- tion of the children of Craftsmen who have passed away. The United Grand Lodge of England, the most intluen- tial and generous of any Masonic body in existence — the Mother Grand Lodge of the world, has under its care a boy.s' school and a girls' school, which have been the means of sending into the world hundreds of boys and pfirls, trained to fiofht the battle of life and reflecting credit on their sires — the fathers and mothers of the land we love so well. In this countr}'', as well, we can point to the interest our Craft has taken in education. Many of our lodges to-day are aiding in the instruction of children — orphans of our departed brethren — and in my researches in the Cratt lore of our fraternity, I find that away back in the days of 1 820, one of our lodges at Bath took an active part in and largely contributed to the education in that ■^\^: O l iW ii i M ri .rW Iia ' U Mt ' .'y-^OrV-'y '-^M^i» n* t l\ «tH(»l-.a» n 116 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. ! 'I ancient town, on the sliores of the l>ay of <^iiiiite; and of a trutli some of the brightest minds tliat ever graced the bench or })ar come from that liistoric section of ('an- ada. And can we not h)ok V)ack with j»ri(h' to tlie pro- gress wliich e(hication has made in ( ';inaart instruction by the aid of switches 01' <'ads cut from the beeches suno»mdin;L'- the buildinir, down to this era of magnificent edifices and perfected methods of instruction ^ This morning 1 placed in my "grip" a copy of the Government report for 1875-1889. The latter contans the record for 18S8. It was enlivening reading, and, as the train (you all know the train on the Northern Div- ision of the Grand Trunk) leisurely climbed the ( )ak Ridges and crawled past the blue waters of Lake Sim- coe on its way to your thriving place, I mentally noted a few fiofures. In 1888 there were 115 Hiorh schools in ( )ntario, and six new schools were added last year. While in 1875 there were about 8,800 pupils, in 1888 there were 17,800, or an increase of over 100 per cent, in 13 years. It is really marvellous the impetus given to higher education in this country. When High schools were established, the sustenance was derived from a small government grant, with fees and voluntary support of the municipalities ; for the trustees had no power to tax the people. Then, in 1871, authority was given to the Boards to levy taxes, and county councils were required to grant annually to each High school a sum equal to half the government grant, and a few years later, an amount ecjual to the government grant. This '■■'■■■«*■" *'r-'/<«Wia' 7M la:s h'ith cua /'7'n.v/ aw. 1 1 7 increased aid ^y&ve tbom a <;ivat impetus, wliich was much streiigtliencd when the .system of payment by results was estalilislied in 1>S7<», and the amount of pro- vincial and county grants hocame largely dependent upon the average attendance of those pupils, who passed the departmental half-yearly examinations. This system of examination was found to place the masters and pupils under too great a strain in the race for money, and the plan of payment was modified. One might have expected a relapse in the interest, but on the contrary, it steadily increased, and the figures I have (| noted are high testi- mony to the efficiency of this plan of e,ijjf^.f!iFJ».^^f*«!W:(^^-rT^ -r-r ^•-«'/-,^»««Mjfw,-r.. TALKS WITH (RAFTSMEN. 121 orator nor as an instructor to you in anything appertain- ing to the ethics of Masonry, for amid the Gamaliels of the Craft here I indeed would be a very novice. More probable it is, indeed, that among the veterans whom I see about nie, I would more likely be in the way of receiving instruction than imparting, for surely tins place is a most fruitful field, where I can gather information more readily than ;you can gather knowledge from the barren acres of my remarks. As I pi'eviously remarke. mm m 12(') TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. The vote thus moved and seconded was carried by an unanimous standintji' vote and the lionor was supplemented by an ovation. In reply to this ofFeiing Bro. Robertson said : " Votes of this nature are so often the rewards of unsatisfactory, as well as satisfactory, etibrt that it is with reluctance I phice myself in the position of a recipient this evening. If, however, the sincerity of youi* thanks is Uo all equal to the sincerity of my pleasure in being with you, 1 '^an- not regard the vote as the hollow offering of formality. If you are as pleased at my being with you as 1 am, then we are both a pretty well satisfied community." (Ap- ])lause.) THE 15ANQUET. It was shortly after eleven o'clock when the lodge was closed and the brethren called from labour to refreshment. The bancjueting hall being nuich more spacious and poss- essing superior ventilation to the lodge, the atmosphere was more agreeable. The hall was attractively decorated for the occasion, the ceiling and walls weie festooned with brilliant bunting, flags and Craft emblems, while the tables as usual, groaned and sagged a little under the weight of the luscious repast spread for the brethren. Provision had been made for 250 guests, bat the attendance was much greater than the usual prudent committee antici- pated, consequently a score or more brethren were com- pelled to enjoy their repast standing, but fortunately there was no lack of refreshments. The usual liberality which characterizes all Hamiltonian banquets did not fail in this instance. There was ample for all and to ii , .-^^■•»(?WM*~V' TALKb WITH cnAFTHMEN. 12^ spare. It was twelve o'clock when R. \V. Bro. Malloy called the assembly to order, and proposed the " Queen and the Craft." The patriotic toast was honored with cheers and then " God Save the Queen " was sung. Bro. Hannaford sang the " Red, White and Blue," and Bro. Bethune recited "Down by the Rio (Jrande." (Bret Harte.) " The Grand Lodge of Canada," the toast of the evening, coupled with the names of R. W. Bro. J. Ross nobertson, and R. W. Bro. J. J. Mason, was then projtosed. In response Bro. Robertson said : — " Worshipful Sir and Brethren. — What can I say in reply to such a tribute even if I were gifted with the highest range of elo<|uence { Such powers would fail to satisfactorily express my thanks, my gratefulness to the brethren of Hamilton, for the enthusiastic and \^arm-hearted welcome that they have given me this evenini,^ To tell the truth I feel a ijood deal like the boy in the American humorist's story of the Prodigal Son. The father saw that notwithstanding the preparations for the banquet the son looked glum and disappointed, and when questioned as to what was the matter, the boy replied, ' Well father, the provisions arc all right but I have to make an after-dinner speech to- night.' (Laughter.) Possibly you are aware, brethren, that the best after dinner speeches are always delivered going down the stairs after the banquet is over, or, as James Russell Lowell says, to the coachman on the way home, (Renewed laughter.) I am deeply grateful and I feel highly the honor of your token of loyalty to the Grand Lodge, as I am sure the Grand Master would if he were here. I know I can .say without the slightest fear lapPM liMiiH I I ! 128 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. Ill iji? of contradiction tliat no bettci* men ever held oltice in any jurisdiction in this or any other continent tlian those who are connecttMl witli the i^oveinini^ body in our own jurisdiction. (Applause.) Some of the most active officers are in your own city, (Hear, hear.j and the sev- enteen District Deputy Grand Masters who are doing effective work will show to Grand Lodge that the jurisdic- tion has been pretty well covered. You have a corps of oriicers who are men who desirj alike to attain excellence and see the good work progress, because they are earnest and sincere and love the work — the great ends to be accomplished — and not as we find in some jurisdictions, for revenue only. If 1 could accept your enthusiasm as a personal tribute to myself, rather than the position, I would indeed be overpowered by the attentions of my Hamilton brethren, but as it is, the close attention and evident interest with which you followed my remarks greatly strengthened Hamilton's claim upon the gratitude of your guest. If I had the assurance that I have given you a tithe of the happiness you have given me I have need to be a happy man. In the lodge room. I told you the truth, but like many a good witness did not tell you the whole truth. Wounded honor, brethren, was the actual root of my unwillingness to visit Hamilton. I have wandered all over Canada obtaining Masonic manu- scripts to aid me in my historical work, and naturally came to this city for some. I borrowed some from Bro. Mason, our Grand Secretary, and just because I did not return them on time — I only kept them a couple of years — he said that while he had no doubt I might be honest in every other respect, yet when i came within TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 129 sight of a Masonic manuscript it meant in my mind a re- peal of the eighth commandment. (Laughter.) Well, my character may saga little at the point mentioned by Bro. Mason, but it is the best one I have. Taking this reproof as a text, I told my brethren on Tuesday night in Barrie, that their thriving metropolis could add to its natural attractions — and it has many — the artificial glory of being the starting point in my career of crime. There three years ago I started out to talk Craft history to my brethren. I felt that it was an experiment which should be tried away from home. You know that on the slow- flying Northern railway train that leaves Toronto there is plenty of time for reflection ; time to become acquainted with every farmer on the line ; in fact I think by the time the train stopped I secured the right to have a vote in every constituency. (Laughter.) Well, as I was say- ing, I started out on a series of lectures, which has stretched out into a hundred. This is the hundred and first, and they are still going on ; and speaking to-night with the confidence born of prolonged immunity from the vengeance of outraged audiences, I can well remember the ditfidence with which I crawled out of Toronto and into Barrie. With a heavy heart, a return ticket, and a change of clothing in my valise I threw myself upon the mercies of the brethren in the towns and townships, and as I headed for the first one-night stand I felt that I would be content to compromise all claims upon glory as a lecturer for a certainty of getting back with my life. (Laughter.) Speaking seriously, I cannot say too much for the kindly manner in which I have been received by my brethren at all points. I have travelled over 15,000 liiiiiiiiiiMiiaiiii *»p 130 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. IH « rt ;; miles of this jurisdiction, ami have enjoyed the hearty hand-shake, as I said, of one (juarter of the meinl)ersliip of the Grand Lodge of Canada. Everywhere I have been I have met with a truly Masonic welcome. The attend- ance at all meetings has been uniformly large and the at- tention close and intelligent. The interest manifested in the history of our glorious fraternity, and the attendance of the brethren, lead me to believe that I have, in a humble manner, been the means of encouraging the active and quickening the lukewarm brethren who were strang- ers to their lodges. This inward consciousness amply repays me any sacrifice of time or comfort involved in giving my brethren of the Craft information, instruction,, and perhaps entertainment. It would be perhaps unfair to myself, and certainly unfair to you, to weary you with, many more remarks this evening. My endeavoi- is to do my work for the Craft faithfully and well, and whether in the Craft, the Capitular, or in any other bodies, my aim is to advance the interests of the twenty thousand Crafts- men of this broad Dooiinion, My ambition is to serve the brethren, and if I can accomplish one-tenth of all which it is my sincevt; desire to achieve, we may feel sat- isfied. I am willing to serve in any position or capacity that may be assigned to me, either in the front rank or in the rear guard. I hope to live to see an ever-growing army of Masons continuing the grand fraternal march of mercy, and doing something to hasten the time when all men shall summer in tlie suiisliine of perpetual brother- hood. (Applause.) <-,--. k,.''. TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 131 A STORY OF THE WAR OF hsiii. The old records are full of Oraft lore, and when the liis- tory of these pioneer lodges is <^rathered and compiled, the Craftsmen of to-day will feel that in their Masonic sires they had worthy men who lived close to the lines of their obligations, and were worthy to wear the emblem ol purity. The facts gleaned and given me in this story are from the lips of W. Bro. Thos. (Marke, of WaterforJ, a man who for over half a century has been a member of the Craft, and who many a time has heard the tale repeated by Bro. Morris Sovereign, while that brother was in the prime of manhood. Bro. Clarke resides on Lot 8, Con. 8, Township of Townsend. Other inhabitants confirm the truth of the story, and to the Craftsmen of this day it will be an instance of the power of fraternal love in the olden time. A small mounted force of Americans, under Capt. Dun- can McCarthy, had marched from Detroit to Niagara, burning the flour mills, which in those early days had been built on the rivers and creeks of the country where water power could be obtained. Morris Sovereign's mill stood on the north side of the creek or river, which ran then, as it does now, through Waterford, and on the site of the new mill. The old man knowing that the Ameri- cans were on the march, felt that his only earthly pos- session was in imminent peril, foi* word had c^ome that the invaders were destroying all the flour mills situated in Western Canada. It was late in the afternoon of a warm spring day, when the bugle notes of the American Y'^te^^il^Rli»a^i,AUi;>•■ mm 132 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. ■: advance guard were heard at the mill. The miller and his men had for hours been carrying to places of safety sacks of flour. The old mill, with its two run of stone, was complete in every respect, and some hundreds of pounds currency had been spent in its erection. It was the mill of the countryside, for even in those days the farmers brought in their grain, and either had it ground into flour or received the market price from the old miller, whose favorite spot and seat were just within the large doorway that looked down the broad country road which swept past the west side of the mill. Fond of his old Dutch bowl jnpe with its long china stem, the old miller sat chatting with some neighbors who had been west thirty miles to find out what the Americans were doing. They brought word from loyal Indian sources that fire and desolation had marked the march of the enem}'' on their way to Niagara River. The story of the scouts was hardly finished when a sweat- covered steed, ridden by a messenger of a friend of Sovereign, from near what is now known as Tilson- burg, arrived, and his rider gave the warning that the Americans were coming east. The little settlement was startled, and yet not surprised at the news. The men, too few to make defence, scattered to their farms, trusting to the fortunes of war their fields of wheat, nursed by the rays of an April sun that was fast chang- ing the bleak landscape into smiling acres of green and growing grain. The old man, quick of ear, heard a bugle call and the clatter of hoises' hoof^J, and with a shout of warning to his men, he glanced up the road, and saw the advance of the blue-coated invaders, mounted on steeds, :'mm.-W:^'m'r'^*' TALKS WIT [I CRAFTSMEN. 133 iigle It of the eds, many of which a few hours before were the property of loyal Canadians. McCarthy was on a black horse and well mounted. As the troops reached the creek they halted and half a dozen, dismounting, dashed into the mill, fired it and crossed the creek, expecting to see Bro. Sovereign's property ascend to heaven in smoke. The miller's men weic on the watch at the back of the build- ing, and when they saw the Americans ford the water, thought they had gone for good, and with a few pails of ^''^ater and a couple of leathern buckets, which had been left behind by a military company on its way to Detroit, extinguished the flames. The Americans in the meantime had halted on the other side of the creek, and -seeing that the mill did not burn, a young ofticer, with six men, was sent back with instructions to again fire the building, and threatened that it* another attempt were made to save it, those concerned would hang to the nearest tree. In a few niinutes the flames were licking the timbers on the noirV '<'f^ of the building, l>ut by the time the invad- f-rs had got back to their position the fire was again ex- tipg'iished. This was too much for McCarthy, and in a few -ijinutes Sovereifm saw h" ^ .l.ree faithful men draofojed across the stream on their way to death. A rope had been procured and thrown over the branch of a massive tree that stood on tlie lilU nt Waterford, on a spot that is now the site of the pretier-t Baptist Church. The old man followed and begs^rou for l>hoir lives and for his property, without avail. Ordered by the horsemen to go back, he saw the rope arCiiid .he neck of a faithfid neighbor, and with a last rejv»j^ e he dashed in front of McCarthy ^ and, quickly giving him a sign of distress, called out: ^"iipPN mm tmmm mm 1 ^' i \ f *i : ji ■ I 134 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. " Spare their lives, and burn all I have." McCarthy recognized in an instant the miller's action, and to the great delight of the captives, all of w^hom were Craftsmen, and to the astonishment of the troops, shouted to his men : " Let him down, boys, and don't burn the old man's mill." The invaders went their way, and for years afterward old Masons who lived at Waterford used to tell the story of an event that occurred in the lifetime of some of them, and of the day of rejoicing in the old settlerap' t, when a Mason's sign saved, possibly, much valua'. '*" p'jper ty and the old mill at Waterford. WITH THE SCOTTISH RITE. The reunion of the members of the Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Hamilton for the year 1890, closed on Friday the 24th January. After the standard toasts had been honored Illustrious Brothei Hugh Murray, a model chairman in all regards, announcr^; the toast, as the Toronto Freemason of January, 1890, reports, "to the three first degrees of Blue Masonry" The toast was the Grand Lodge of Canada, coupled v^ith the names of 111. Bro. J. Ross Robertson, D. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of Canada, and HI. Bros. Mitchell and Ma- son, the Grand Treas n-er and Secretary, respectively. The assembly sang " For he s a Jolly Good Fellow," and greeted the Deputy Grand Master as he arose with " Hv; s a Daisy." In his reply H), Bro. Robertson sa'.l —Illustrious Sir and Brethren — After the galaxy of rht toric with which ::ii f it^-mtf^- i-o a TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 135 we have been favoured this evening, I think I may be pardoned for feeling somewhat dithdent, standing as I do before an assembly so highly representative in its Mas- onic character, and by its very nature eminently critical. I admit — and that is something for a newspaper man to do in these days of libels and libel trials — I admit difh- dence, though it may be dithcult to justify the claim, yet when I look down aloncr the lon^jf line of those who have preceded me in this office I naturally have some hesita- tion in assuming the responsibility of framing a reply. I thank you for the generous manner in which this toast has been proposed, honoured and received by the brethren present. In the i)Osition which I occupy in the Craft I am following men of eminence and renown ; some of the brightest stars that have ever nrlistened in the Masonic firmament ; men who have illumined the pages of periodi- cal literature with its choicest contributions, men who have attained the most exalted political and judicial posi- tions within the gift of this young nation. Yet while I admit my own inferiority in these respects, I neither admit nor yield to anyone in love for, and fealty to, that brotherhood which has been said to be the benefactor of the world, born in the cradle of the race. (Hear, hear.) No brother has had deeper cause for gratification and gratitude than I have, for on two different occasions I have been called to fill the second position in the govern- ing body of the Craft, and I have shown that 1 deeply appreciate the honour which my brethren have conferred upon me. (Hear, hear.) I trust I err not in saying that in the work I have performed during the past two years I have earned the love of my brethren throughout the MM ■PF I \ V. I ii: f I ■■ 136 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. Dominion. (Applause.) Still I have not moved without perplexity and on many occasions I felt very much as I did when I first ventured " on the platform." When, with a trembling heart in my bosom, a change of clothing and a return ticket in my grip, I started out and threw myself on the mercy of brethren in the towns and townsh^ns, then I felt as if I would dearly love to ex- change ' *"^y ci>»ims to greatness as a lecturer for the certainty f .'etting back with my life. (Laughter.) My mind reverted to an enthusiastic, though importunate and unfortunate, lecturer who on his first visit to a certain vil- lage was rousingly received at the station by the omnibus driver, and a few hours later was escorted back to the station by an excited and enraged committee of about four hundred citizens. (Laughter and applause.) How- ever I am well pleased to meet my brethren of Hamilton to-night, as I have so many friends here, and above all I recognize the Chief Magistrate of the city as one of our own. I can only assure you that, notwithstanding the petty carpings of those who, while looking at his glossy silken tile, sing " Where did you get that hat ? " (laughter) since the day of his inauguration he has filled his civic position in an eminently acceptable manner, and has presided over the representatives of the city with char- acteristic and dignified ability. (Hear, hear.) As regards the Grand Master of Grand Lodge, he has filled the duties pertaining to his office in a manner that gives unqualified satisfaction to the Craft, and I feel sure that I do not fiatter the eminent brother when I claim that his dignity and deportment are characteristic of the man, an exemp- lar for every brother in the Jurisdiction. For all the other mem ■mm^i^m'.' ■C-..::;f'« TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 137 officers of Grand Lodge I can only reiterate the encom- iums I have passed upon them before, that they are faith- ful to their trust, and their attachment to Craft work is bearing fruit in every part of the jurisdiction. Craft work generally is prospering ; as a fraternal and benefi- cial institution I think we require no congratulations. There is no jurisdiction in the universe more harmonious and prosperous than ours, and I need go no further than this city of Hamilton in search of a place where the tenets and principles of Freemasonry are carried out, not only in apirit, but in the very letter. (Applause.) We stand in this Scottish Rite — and I say this with the greatest amount of respect and love for Craft lodges — on the up- per floor of Masonry, and, as in the physical universe, the higher we get the purer the atmosphere, the brethren of this Rite should be able to see, as one of the brethren re- marked to-night, the great aims and objects of Masonry, with the clearer vision of those who climb the summits of the Alpine ranges. We are all hill-climbing — life is full of hills to be surmounted. The valleys where .sorrow sits are too many, yet it is a comfort to know that Mas- onry can and has let a flood of sunshine into many a sad- dened home, and cheered and brightened many a widowed heart. While it is ple;isant to contemplate past achievements, still I thank God that in Masonry the forward look is the brighter. Pleasant it is to think of the time when the dream of Masonic excellence will be realized in every-day life, when men will be men, and it is yet more pleasant to think that the humblest of us, by faithfulness to his ob- ligations, can hasten the dawning of that better day. « iii» i i>uit i rtiiiiiiiwii i .iiiiij ii i i| >i l wi I ' 1il i 'i: 138 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. When 1 look around me and see so many brethren who are, as Bro. Murton remarked., patriarchs in the Craft, I feel that as a young Mason, one who has had but twenty- five years' experience in Craft work, I am possibly in- truding thoughts which woukl come better from older heads, and yet, my brethren — and believe me, I am earnest and sincere — should we not always remember that we are each an individual link in the golden chain of Ma- sonic endeavor, and that the sum of good accomplished by th Jraft is increased or decreased by our faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the obligations we assumed when we came / om the winter of the world into the summer of our Masonic brotherhood ;* (Applause.) ney pre! the Th( ..J II \\ ELECTION OF GRAND MASTER. At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge held at Kingston in July, 1890, R. W. Bro. J. Ross Robert- son was elected Grand Master, and in acknowledging the honor said : — Most Worshipful Sir and Brethren, — There are feelings, as you all know, strong enough to defy speech. A feeling of that kind almost silences me now. Stand- ing as I do amongst so many personal friends and with you, my brethren of Grand Lodge, may I not be pardoned if I find it difficult to express my gratitude for the honor it so unanimously conferred upon me ? The vote de- clared a moment ago crowns the raanv kindnesses it has been my happiness to receive at the hands of my breth- ren. I can assure you that I do not take refuge in hack- TALKS WiTH CRAFTSMEN. 139 neyed phrases when I state I cannot find words to ex- press my appreciation for the honor I owe to you and the lodges you represent. I would rather let deeds speak. The office to which I have . attained would be a lofty summit for the most soaring ambition. I stand to-day upon the threshold of new duties, and while I am natur- ally'' pleased with my elevation, my joy is tempered by the solemn sense of the responsibilities that accompany the honor. The result of the election is another token of confidence which I shall always prize as a princely reward for the efforts and achievements that may have marked my record in the various positions I have held in the Craft. If an honest desire to fulfil my new duties in the most accept- able manner as your Grand Master, will in a measure qualify me for their performance, I shall then at the end of my official term still be able to consider the friendship and esteem of my brethren amongst my most treasured possessions. If my lips fail, my heart keeps on thanking you. (Loud cheers.) BRANTFOllD IN GAY ATTIRE. L A Y r N( J T H K CO II \ K R STO N E O F TH K N E \V P U 1 5 1. IC! SCHOOL. (From the Toronto Freemason, Oct. 1890.) The corner stone of the new public school at Brant- ford was laid by M. W. Bro. J. Ross Robertson, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, on the 15th Oct., 140 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. \ 6 I 1890, some (j,000 persons being present to witness the ceremony. j As Chairman Grant handed to the Grand Master the address of welcome, a little girl, Miss Leone Park, daugh- ter of Bro. H. Park, of Brantford, dressed in approved grandmother style, came forward to the dais and was lifted up beside the speakers. In her hand she carried a gigantic bouquet of white and red roses, bordered by ferns, which she presented to the Grand Master, accom- panying the presentation with a graceful salutation, and as she stepped back daintily threw a kiss to the assembled Grand Lodge officers. In replying to these dual honors the Grand Master said, " I can onlv remark on behalf of the Masonic fra- ternity, whom I have the honor to represent as their Grand Master, that I thank you cordially for such an enthusiastic and graceful reception. I assure you that the compliments are entirely appreciated, and the demon- stration of to-day shows to all visitors conclusively that the cause of education is a dear one to the people of Brant- ford. The phenomenal progress and excellent record in such matters that Brantford has won during the past years will not only be maintained but decidedly increased. It makes my heart leap with joy to see before me the assembled boys and girls, just climbing into manhood and womanhood, of this fair Canada of ours. You may de- pend upon it that their record in future years will show many achievements in art, literature and science, and rest assured, gentlemen and brethren, your visitors will retain many pleasant recollections of this day's visit to Brant- w»T-a iimidiimM m i >t g *^lttilti1mmi'immiitlitiiiiM UM the TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 141 ford. (Applause.) If the young lady who presented me with the bouquet is a fair representative of the feminin- ity of Brantford, the girls of the other great cities of Canada must look to their laurels or they will be com- pletely outstripped in the race for beauty and grace." Chairman Grant then called upon the Grand Master to address the assembly, which he did as follows : — Ladies and Gentlemen, — Perhaps there is no invita- tion that could have been offered me to which I would more willingly respond than that which calls me here to- day with my brethren of the Craft in Grand Lodge as- sembled, to perform at the request of your Public School Board, the pleasing duty of laying the corner stone of a structure to be reared in the interests of true education, and which I feel assured, from a knowledge of your people, will prove a stronghold of intelligence in this important and enterprising city. To Masonry the public schools of any country have a relationship, sentimental, perhaps, but still genuine. In a free nation the public school is the earliest, almost the truest, teacher of equality. It levels all ranks, and through its doors troop the children of the rich and poor to be armed for the battle of life, and gather the knoiv- ledge that will fit them for their places in the daily struggle that engages the energies of all of us — in this country that owns no idlers. (Applause.) Thus early in life they learn that merit in this Canada of ours is sovereign, and this lesson helps them to becouie examples of what the great Province of Ontario can do in the way of education, and to illustrate in their e very-day lives the truth that in the imparting of practical knowledge the '^PippiipiiMWMlii 142 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. III! 11^ i * ■ ! i 11 ii I •.it moral training has not been overlooked. It is rather a coincidence in connection with this ceremony that during my recent visit to Europe — indeed, it is only forty-eight hours since I reached ray home in Toronto — I had occa- sion, along with some friends, to make an examination of some of the systems of minor education, both on the continent and in England. From a practical knowledge previously obtained by actual presence at school examin- ations in Canada, I am satisfied that in respect to schools in England, which stand on the same plane as our public schools, we in Canada have reason to be proud, and can contrratulate ourselves on the success we have attained. Indeed, I feel assured — and I say this with all due defer- ence to our English and continental cousins — that the youth trained in our public schools are in general pro- ficiency and intelligence far in advance of those turned out of what are known as the Board schools of England. (Cheers.) Ontario — and I am glad to see on this platform to-day, in Craft clothing, a Minister of the Crown and a man of advanced thought, in the person of Bro. A. S. Hardy — Ontario, I say, has not been slow to act upon a belief that intelligence is the secret of a nation's greatness, and statistics prove that no people have spent or sacrificed more to give their children the schooling that means opportunity to them. Statistics as a general rule are dry and uninteresting, but on this subject they are really palatable and instructive. Since 1855 the total receipts for public school purposes have increased from .^944,000 to $4,450,000, and the sum paid for teachers' salaries has risen from $080,000 to the large sum of $2,251,000. Dur- tm»mm>>mmtmiB ■ • mil t - — -^^^^ TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 143 ing the same period the number of pupils attending the public schools has increased from 227,000 to 464,000, nearly double, and the number of school buiMings Irom 3,325 to 5,3t^0. Further, since 1860, five years later, the number of brick school houses has increased from 368 to 2,040, while the old log school house — the typical old building where so many of our ancestors became acquainted with the rudiments of education, and were perhaps introduced to the use of the birch — has de- creased from 1699 to 491 — a most satisfactory decrease. In this connection let me say that a few weeks ago I. had the pleasure of meeting at Kingston Bro. Robert Sellars, then the oldest Freemason in Canada — a man born in 1790, who if death had not called him home yes- terday would next Christmas morning have passed his one hundredth milestone in life's journey. As I talked to this veteran of a century and heard his story of early school days in the first log school in the old city of King- ston, my heart went out for the venerable pioneer who could tell me of the years of 1799-1800, when the good Dr. Strachan, whose memory will be forever green in the hearts of the Canadian people, visited the school and examined the boys in their 'Vimitive lessons, with a kindly look for those who did well and a word of advice for those who perhaps had neglected their home studies. When I'first visited our old brother, Sellars, I was shown into his garden by his daughter, a young lady of about 75 years of age, who [)ointed to her father, hale and hearty, spade in hand, turning over the native soil as he had done in the same garden plot nearly a century ago- (Applause.) Here was a man taught in the old log 144 TALKS iVlTH CRAFTSMEN. V. I iili f J :■ \i i .1' t m school, one who in the dark days of ] 812-15 shouldered his musket in defence of his native Canada, and who as a pioneer of Masonry — for he was made a C uuan in 1820 — had carried the banner and worked for Masonry in its early struggles in the days when the way was long and weary. Grateful indeed did I feel to Providence for allowing me the privilege of shaking the hand of this veteran whom I did hope might be spared to see many Christmas morns. I am digressing, however. In 1875 there were 10,000 children between the ages of seven and twelve who did not attend any school and I am glad to learn that in 1888 this number was reduced to 5,744 and, by this time, it is probably under 5,000. In ar own city of Brantford in 1849 you had only t.. ^achers and 268 pupils, while to-day you have 30 teachers and 2,443 scholars. The teachers' salaries then aggregated $500, to-day they total $10,000. Am I not right when I claim that we have reason to be proud of our progress ? (Cheers.) The curious among you are doubtless anxious to know why this ceremon}'- should be entrusted to the Craft. I can only say that from time immemorial, long before practical Masonry gave way to speculative, away back in the olden days, when the colleges of Roman Builders founded the great edifices, many of which lie in ruins in continental Europe, it was the peculiar charge of these handicraftsmen to lay the corner-stones and foundations of public buildings. In justice to these honest workers let me say that the weakest of their structures lasted many centuries beyond the life of modern architectural triumphs. I say this with aU due respect to the master TALKS WITH CHAFTSMEN. 145 builders of Brantford. (Hear, hear.) Our ('raft has ever been foremost in aiding tlie cause of education, and when we look across the sea and see such magnificent institutions as the lloyal Masonic Institution for Boys and the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, supported by the great and genei-ous Grand Lodge of England, and with the records of the centuries behind us, Canadian Masons may well undertake the responsibility of placing this stone, as 1 have [)laced it, in the nortli-east corner of this building, between the north, the place of darkness, and the east, the place of li.,dit, symbolizing the progress not only of Masonry, but of education, art and science from darkness to iiglit. I need hardly tell you that speaking for Grand Lodge and all its officers, we are glad to be in Brantford. \V<^ might recognize this new build- ing as a new proof of Brantford's enterprise, but the char- acter of your city is already established. (Hear, hear.) The scenic beauty of its surroundings is matched by the vigour of its people, and we can only hope that in pros- perity and population it may go on from strength to strength. Speaking for Grand Lodge, I can cordially thank the School Board for the opportunity of officiating, and for myself I must say that I thank you all for your attention which I count a rich reward for the labours of the day. (Loud cheers.) Turning from the audience and especially addressing himself to the assembled Craftsmen, the Grand Master said : — To you, brethren, I must also express my unqualified satisfaction in seeing the ceremony attended by such a large and representative gathering of the Craft. You J mmmwmm iMteiiMiiiiiiiiiriiirii ssssssss Mm • 1: 146 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. know better than anyone the import of the ceremony which hasjust been enacted, and you can appreciate the symbolism with the keen minds of Craftsmen. To the outside world our ceremonials may be meaningless, and yet I believe that as the cause of education progresses, the intelligent men and women of the country will willingly admit that Masonry is the unvfirying friend of man, and that our mission is the cultivation and improvement of the human mind and the promotion at our fireside and in the daily walks of life, of fraternity, fellowship and good- will. My travels during the past quarter of a century have been extensive, and my experience in meeting the intelligent men of this Continent and of Europe has been that our fraternit}^ is a grand one — commanding the re- spect and admiration of the world and without a peer in the realm of fraternal organizations. It warms my heart as I see you, strong in numbers and, I am sure, zealous in the work, aiding me by your presence in the impressive ceremonial whicli has just taken place. To have you here to day is most encourag- ing", and I feel more than ever a realization of the irreat honor the Ci'aft conferred on me when it selected me for the highest position in its gift. The welcome to-day has been a happy one. Our Brantford brethren have given us a reception — just such an one as I would ex[)ect from the brethren of the 8th Masonic District. These brethren are doing excellent work, and in their lodges represent the intelligence of this beautiful city. I again thank you for your attendance, and trust that we may long be spared to meet one another in social and '^■.■\i,im:^^-mm'->~ v *.l^^«--«- mm TALKS WIT If CRAFTSMEN. Wi irreat '0 other gatiierings, and that ceremonies such as those of to- day may inspire you with renewed energy on behalf of the Craft, satisfied that you belong to an honorable in- stitution — one that is doing a good work, and that your executive and otiicr officers and your Grand Master are doing their duty. (Cheers.) To the children — the boys and the girls — whose bright faces I see in thousands before me, I want to say that their cheers and welcome shall never be forgotten. It gladA(iE. The Brockville Evening Recorder of the 29th Oct., gives the followinfj extended and interestin hailin^^ from the noble ancestry of altar of all Masons British fathers. It was, therefore, with ^ratification that I acr^eded to the request made by the incumbent of this parish through our R. W. Bro. Dai'gavel, the District Deputy (Jrand Master of the Fourteenth Masonic District, to add the dignity of our Craft ceremonies to the intense solemnity of this occasion. On behalf of Grand Lodire, its officers and members and for myself as Grand Master, I can assure you that we are delighted to have the opportunity of taking part in what must be an important event in the religious life of this section of country — a district, let me remind you that ought to be sweet to the memory of our Craft, for, but a few miles from here, some of our first altars were reared in the early days of tliis century, wh^re the sturdy pioneers, many of whom were Craftsmen, hewed into squares the monarchs of the forest and built the primi- tive log cabin, that has given way to the comfortable home, with its modern improvements, and guided the plough through the stump-dotted fields, to be hidden at harvest time with the golden grain that to-day is the staple production of this garden of the world, our native province. When I look at the faces of many before me, anxious, I have no doubt, to know the secrets of the Mason's art, I feel that it would be an injustice if I did not satisfy their curiosity and tell them why we as Masons relegate to ourselves the duty of to-day's ceremonial. The corner stone is the most important part of the structure, and those of you who have either of you]- own liWHWM i I T ICO TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. \\ !l;;i free will and accoid, or at the suggestion — please mark the w(»r(l — of your school teachers, delved into the fathoms of ancient history, will remember that at the re- building of the capital at Rome, amid impressive cere- monies, accompanied by solemn prayer, the magistrates* the priests, senators and citizens, with general demon- strations of joy dragged the ponderous load, the corner stone, to its destined spot. This stone, which must be square, speaks to us as an emblem of morality. In its solid contents it must be a cube which to us is a symbol of truth. Its position is important, and exemplifies to us the progress of Masonry from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge, for it is laid in the north-east corner, between the north, the place of darkness, and the east, the place of light, and to the Freemason this signifies and is typical of the corner stone of immortality. We use the square, the level, and the plumb rule as fitting emblems of our calling. The square teaches mor- ality, the level equality, and the plumb rule justness and uprightness of life and action. From the gavel we learn that perseverance is necessary to establish perfection, so that the mind may be enlightened and the soul rendered pure. The corn, wine, and oil are, as you may have observed' also symbolical, as emblems of plenty, cheerfulness and happiness, for with bread we feed the hungry, with wine we cheer the sorrowful, and with oil we pour consolation on those sickened in body or ijorrowed in heart. Reverend Sir, our Masonic ancestors reared the greatest temples of your faith, and, while in England, as 1 gazed llMMlMHMilllliMlliMMiMliiili m jiiiiiiMiiiiiiiMiiiiiJi'fite^^ftaiteMfti TALKS WITH (JUAFTSMEN. 101 razed on the massive minster at York, the noble front of Lin- coln's mighty cathedral, or tlie turreted roof of grand old Peterborough, and knew that the hands of the oper- ative ^lasons of long ago had placed these stones in posi- tion, I indeed felt that the speculative Masonry of to-day might with all its energies, enable each individual Mason to become a stone of that living temple, in which shines a light to pilot those who worship at our altars through the rocks and breakers which mark the ocean of unbelief, in safety to that haven of quiet waters where the .signals of Faith, Hope, and Charity are forever Hying. Masonry, rightly understood, is the ally (^f the church, the friend of the school-iiouse. It is the ili i ^' ■ TALKS niTtl CliAFTSMJ^N. ]63 on of cor- ^hren , and that they appreciated the Grand Master's willingness to oblige even at personal inconvenience. Tlie Brockvills Recorder says of the occasion : At 8 o'clock the large room was tilled to its utmost cap- acity by the members of the Craft. W. Bro. Gorrell, the W. M., presided, and received the (hand Master with grand honours. The Grand Master, in response to the kind woids of the W. M. said : — " It is a pleasure for me at all times to meet my breth- ren of the Craft, but on occasions like the piesent, the in- terest is in^ensiiied by the generous and hearty welcome that has not only been extended me in this lodge room this evening, but also b}'' the cordial greeting of the many brethren who were present at the ceremonies of the after- noon. It is gratifying indeed to me to find that my ef- forts durino; the time I have held of lice in Grand Lodire have been appreciated, and I do not intend to flatter the brethren when I say that I was delighted with the re- presentative gathering of to-day and the success with which the entire ceremonies were crowned. The people, as you might see, were delighted, that is, if applause is an irulieation of their feelings, and the (Jraft certainly did its share to make the event one long to bo remembered in this old Masonic district. The courtesy ani*wfe*'feigNS«^*..'ni>*> ;ii * HR w^ji»i-.iaiii« i« i w i > Wi i li! I \ t r 170 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. ,} ! i (Applause.) We join in expressing our giatitication on account of your royal and enthusiastic welcome in the Mother (Jrand Lodu'e of the world — tlie Grand Lodire of England. From you they learned that in this Canada of ours there was a grand body of Masons, loyal and true, marsliallincf under their banners thousands of Craftsmen ready to maintain at any cost the British empire and British sovereignty. (Apjdause.) We welcome you to your home and native city, to the hearts of your brethren, friends and admirers. This monster meeting must be a great source of gratification to you. It evidences that your good works are appreciated by all. " My brothers on the committee would say I was remiss in my duty if I did not return thanks to W. Bro. Clarke, who has worked manfully and well to make this meetinoj a success. Of course the success of this meetinsj^ is due to the Grand Master, but Bro. Clarke's arrange- ment of the details is worthy of high commendation. On behalf of the city lodges I present you with this address of welcome : — To Most Worshipfid Brother J. Ross Robertson, Esq., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada, A. F. and A. M. Most Worshipful Sir, — The Freemasons of Toronto take this the first opportunity of congratulating you upon your elevation to the most distinguished and im- portant office in the gift of the Craft, and also of express- ing their high appreciation of your eminent services in the cause of Freemasonry and of humanity. Your munificent gifts to public charitable institutions, your earnest endeavors to spread the light of Freemas- TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 171 onry, and your successful antiquarian researches, have marked you as a Mason in act as well as in word, and lead us to believe that you will discharge the iluties of your great ofHce in no perfunctory manner. We also beg to congratulate you upon your entliusias- tic reception in England. Your speeches did much to inform our brethren in the motherland of the condition of Masonry in this country, and to cause them to feel that we are one with them in the bonds of bi-otlierliood. We also appreciate and cordially agree with your loyal expressions of attachment to the throne and person of her Majesty the Queen, and to our grand old tlag, that emblem of civil and religious liberty. And finally we most heartily congratulate you upon your safe return to your family and to our nudst, and beg to express the hope that you may be long spared to them and to the Craft which you so ably lule. We have the honour to subscribe ourselves on behalf of the Craft, yours obediently and fraternally. The address was signed by the following: A. R. MacDonald, Geo. M. Clarke, W. M. St. Andrews, No. IC. fT. M. IVihon, No. 80. Wm. Cooke, W. M. King Solomoits, No. 22. G. Sterling Ryersox, W. M. Ionic, No. 25. Wm. J. Graham, W. M. li>'}ioboam, No. (15. R. R. Harcourt, W. M. St. Johns, No. 75. James Raird, ir. M. Stehnson. No. 218. W. R. Clarke, W. M. Ashlar, No. 247. W\M. McCartney, W. M. Doric, No. lUii. J. C. Craig, W. M. Zetland, No. 320. ii 172 TALK^ WTTfl CRAFTSMEN. E. Sandkkson, IV. M. Orient, No. 339. R. C'HARLTON, W. M. Orrideuf, No. 340. WiTJ.iAM Riddle, yV. M. Sf (iionje, No. 307. W. ('. Heddomk, W. M. Alpha, No. 384. J. G. Dixon, W. M. Zi'hi, No. 410. R W. Hull, W. M. York, No. 4r,(; Yours fraternally, E. T. Malone, Ghaiyman. (lEo. M. Clarke, Secretari/. In reply to the address of welcome the Grand Master said : — R. W. Sir, and my Brethren of the Craft : — There are periods in the lives of all brethren, not only those who have occupied the position of Grand Master, but those who have filled other honoured places in the gift of the Craft, when the hearty, generous, and whole- souled been enabled to do for our common humanity, leave me poor indeed in words although rich to ovorHowing in gratitude. (Applause.) Ill Masoniy, as in };rivate life, those things that are nearest the home are nearest the heart, and after a lengthened and varied experience, extending over nearly twenty-tive years, I have yet to find one instance vviiere my work in and for the Craft has not been ap[)reciated. Few brethren, who have tilled positioiis of resj)onsil>il- ity, have more reason to be grateful than I have, and 1 would indeed be unjjenerous if I did not admit that I have been richlv rewarded, not for what 1 have done, but for what 1 have tried to do in the upbuilding (jf our fra- ternity. The welcome which I have received and the evidences of a[)preciation that have met me on every hand since I have been brought into othcial relationship with the (Jraft generally, have been pleasurable beyond expression. It it-j, perhaps, natural that I should prize, above all the honours paid me where I am little known, the greeting which you brethren have reserved for your Grand Master. I am here in my Masonic biithplaee, almost within sight of the spot where I first saw the great lights spread, surrounded by familiar faces, many who. no doubt, have watched me with fatherly care as I have laboured in the Craft field; others who have encouraged me with kindly words, while some in just zeal, may have deemed it fitting, as was their right, to differ from me. I gladly accept your assurance of esteem as a proof of loyalty to the Craft, that speaks in praise of its head. I am not vain enough to be flattered as an individual ))y the good words which you have spoken and read, and I J KA ' . ' J i jMS W '."! ^;WmmmmmmBmmm 174 TALKS WITH (RAFTSMEN. aorcpt your happy expressions as a sincere tribute to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada. Since my installation in office I have had the oppor- tunity of renderinof some se.'vice to the Craft, and, when within twenty-four hours of my return from Europe I stood surrounded by the officers of Grand Lodire and half a thousand Craftsmen, in full view of an immense concourse of citizens in the city of Brant- ford when I laid the corner stone of their public school, T indeed felt proud of our institution and its intelligent and observant membership ; while another day had not passed ere I stood in the silent acres near old Kingston, with my esteemed M. W. Brothers Walkem and dear old Dr. Henderson — (Jod bless him — and paid the last sad oihces of respect to our Brother Sellars — the old Free- mason — who was not only a pioneer in Craftwork, but whose life had grasped nigh a century of time. And again, last Friday in Hamilton, wiien, as your Grand Master, I receive4lMt?vi: ' sa:; TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 177 m I tir (\i il. Master, Colonel Marriiaduke Ramsay, eveiy inch a Mason, sitting with gavel in hand, shaded l)y the banner of Grand Lodge, the blaze of golden regalia in tlie East, the ro3^al blue collars and the silver jewels of the hund- reds of Craftsmen who sat on each side of the hall, I said to myself that well did the mother lodge earn its royal name, for the face of every brother seemed to beam with fellowship, friendship and good-will. (Cheers.) The (Communication was the (|uarterly one of Grand Lodge. In England and Scotland, as you are aware, the Grand Lodges meet in Quarterly Communication, while in the United States and Canada we meet yearly, except in the case of Massachusetts and PennsylvanH, where the old English custom is followed. The apartment in which Grand Lodge meets is somewhat longer than the one in which we are to-night, and will accommodate, in the crowded session of Grand Lodge, about seven hundred members. It is a room well fitted for the purpose, with the portraits, on panels in the walls, of the Grand Masters who have presided since the union in 181.S. The appoint- ments are elaborate, while the methods of transactinir business are much the same as our own Grand Lodge. The opening of the (Jrand Lodge being completed, as a graceful compliment, the grand honours were accorded to the visitors, and, my brethren, your kindness to-night is bu*^r a repetition of that evening, I shall never forget it, for it was a genuine English welcome, one that truly touched my lieart, and as 1 rose to j-eturn thanks, I thought of you all, and my Masonic home across the sea, and that with all my faults, you would fee! proud to know of the royal manner in which 3*our Grand Master R35SWSm=y^'??*HS?^X'SJii8E5:f,'.i« ■-'*!% 178 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. was greeted in the Grand East of the mother lodge that gave us Jife. (Applause.) It is pleasant for nie to state that the ofhcers of the Grand Lodge of England entertained the most friendly feelings for our jurisdiction, and that they acknowledge that we in CJanada are heirs to the anti(|uity of our an- cestors, the fathers of the Canadian Craft, who, from 1792 until 1855, fought for Masonic freedom, and founded the extensive jurisdiction, which although not well up in years, can look around and see her children growing up in strength, and in the true spirit which should guide and govern those who kneel at Craft altars. My visit to England was rendered more than ordinarily eventful by the courtesy of the Grand Secretary, who allowed me to make an accurate examination of all the old ant,!^%-'i?^ * mmmm TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. 170 niy rand Lodge which came into existence in 175 Ji There were four Grand Lodges up to 171H). The senior was tlie Grand Lodge of 1717 ; then a Grand Lodge, formed out of an old lodge at York, in 172o, wiiicli assumed the title of '■ The (irand Jiodge of all England." Then we had the Grand Lodge of the Ancients, established in 1753, and a fourth Grand Lodge, formed in 1771), by a few members of the Lodge of Anticjuity, in London, under the eofotistical title of "The Grand Lod<;r^*»!.-.^;,.>yift^?«^'.'''^''^ 2iEw:aaa:«ir -»•■!#«« 7 184 TALKS WITH CRAFTSMEN. better mankind and brighten tlie path of human it}^ and instruct those who have just passed the lintels of Craft knowledge. My desire in life is not only to be happy but to try to make others happy. We all owe our duty to humanity at large, nnd if we can gladden the heart, lighten the burden or lessen the tear that creeps down the cheek of those who are down-hearted, we exemplify the feeling that sympathy is the flower that crowns our practical, everyday life. Providence has been good to me indeed, and if I have been able to open the door of comfort to those who are weary, or give a helping hand to those who are sick in body or in heart, I frankly admit that my connection with the Craft has led me in the path which has bettered me as a man and taught me that to gather and to give are jewels in the crown of the brother- hood of man. But to-ni