The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-05-19

Grand High Priest, and VIM. F. God
win, same place, is Grand Secretary.
| The GRAND LODGE OF PENNsYLvA-
MA held its Annual Communication on
the 9th December last. The proceed
ings are interesting and instructive. The
valedictory address of the retiring Grand
Master, Richard Vaux, and the salutato-
~ Of his successor, Grand Master Robert
4. Lamberton, are valuable contributions
to Masonic Literature. The former, af-
ter stating that "the Pennsylvania work
is sublime from its simplicity" and that
no innovations or modern verbiage are
tolerated, gives the following timely adj
vice:
Let us raise the standard of this work
by properly understanding what it is and
what is taught by it. Let Masters and
Lodges understand that making members
is not making Masons. Let US endeavor
so to instruct those, on their entrance
into the fraternity, that their lives there
after Will be ever under the guidance of
the lessons there received. The secresy
which is there made imperative, will be
followed by confding and enlightened
till those important relations
which at last are created, will be main
tanned by Masons with faith and fidelity
which are indestructible.
cit may be we here again to avOw the
principle, that in Masonry what is not
permitted is prohibited. 1t is not per-
mitted that a workman should ever be
justified or excused for the introduction
of words or expressions, sentences or
meanings, into the exoteric sections of
the ceremonial, which is not the author
lied version of the Landmarks. If any
such occur, it is violative of the unchange-
able basis and foundation of Masonry
No Mason, no body of Masons can do
this, without mourning the penalty which
the ages have hardened into an unmalla
BILE decree"
On the subject of physical disability in
candidates, he strictly CONSTITUTES the 9th
article of the Gothic Constitutions, adop-
ted at York in 926, in which it is declar-
ed that "a candidate must be without
blemish, and have the full and proper
use of his limbs, for a MANNED can do
the Craft no good" and the further dec
laration of this Landmark, in 1922, that |
the candidate ''be perfect youth, hav-
ing no MAIN or defect in his body"
In reference to the new Grand Lodge |
of Quebec, he suggests that the consent
Of the Grand Lodge of Canada must be
first obtained before recognition is Mason
cally lawful. The Province of Quebec
holding about the same relation to Can
ida that the State of Pennsylvania does
o the United States, we cannot see how
he Masonic law to which he refers is APP
,licable in this instance. We are of
opinion that the recognition of the Grand
Lodge of Quebec by the Grand Lodges in
he United States will be postponed no
onger than each will have opportdnity~o of
arefully and impartially considering the
merits of her claims. She is as fully en-
tiled to this recognition as were the
irand Lodges of Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick. Indeed we are not without
ope that the Grand Lodge of Canada,
t its next Communication, will follow
he example of the Grand Lodge of Vir-
inia in recognizing the Grand Lodge of ;
Vest Virginia. 1t will be a graceful,
reditable and Masonic solution of ex-
sting contention and strife.
OF the 453 Lodges chartered by the
irand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 2S9 are
ow in existence, embracing a total men,
ership of 31,30S; admitted in 1869,
30; initiated, 3,O05; resigned and died,
Ill; suspended and expelled, 542; re- 5
cted, 715.
The proceedings of the Grand Lodge a
Mississippi for 1859, are reviewed by !
lie Committee on Foreign Correspon- |
ence in kind, fraternal terms. The ad-
,ess of Grand Master Gathright, and 2
e report of Bro. Chas. T. Murphy, are
loted liberally-the first because it i
COWS so much right feeling" and the
tier because of the industry and ability
anifest. .