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A HISTORY OF THE EARLY DAYS OF FREEMASONRY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA By

R.W.Bro. William G. Gamble

 

Author's Preface

 

The pioneers of Freemasonry have laid broad and deep the

foundations of the Craft in this province, and not only does our

Order owe tribute to their memory, but so also does the State, for

they have given strength and stability to citizenship, and have set

intellectual, moral, and spiritual standards for men in every walk

of life.

 

We should remember also those who by Masonic addresses or by Lodge

work have helped in the forward march of Freemasonry, and that

great body of men who have in their writings translated the best

Masonic concepts into a living language, and have beyond measure

enriched Masonic ideals.

 

Would that all the great in Freemasonry could pass in mental review

before us, as on a moving picture screen, and could flash into our

lives even the merest spark of desire to live the life of true

Freemasons, so that, influenced by their words and works, but most

of all so inspired by their ideals, that we might turn away from

deceptive shadows and, facing the East, see as we progress ever

onward and upward a vision of Masonic perfection shining straight

before us, bright and clear as our spiritual concept of the City of

God; but nothing else in Freemasonry can take the place of a deep,

strong, and constant belief in the first and great Commandment:

"Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, and with

all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

 

When Joshua sent the two and a half tribes into the land of their

possession, on the other side of Jordan, he said: "Take diligent

heed to do all the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant

of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord Your God, and to walk in

all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him,

and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

 

Thus were summarized the commandments on the first Table of the

Law; and those on the second Table may be even more briefly

summarized in the single commandment: "Thou shalt love thy

neighbour as thyself."

 

Therefore, as Freemasonry is founded on the Volume of the Sacred

Law, its highest ideal is a strong and constant belief in the

Fatherhood of God, and the Brotherhood of Man.

 

W. G. Gamble.

 

Chapter 1

 

Freemasonry in British Columbia, as in other parts of Canada,

followed the path of settlement. In the early days in eastern North

America, and later in the North and West, the chief attraction was

the fur trade.  The demand for furs in Europe, and the potential

wealth of furs everywhere in the land that is now British North

America led to the formation of fur companies, chief of which was

the Hudson's Bay Company established in 1670 by the Charter granted

by Charles II to Prince Rupert and his Associates.

 

After the British conquest of Canada the North-West Fur Company,

formed by Scottish merchants in Montreal, sent out explorers and

constructed a line of fortified trading posts which became

important centres of the trade in furs with the Indians.  This

company was first to push its operations into the Pacific slope.

East of the Rockies there was a bitter rivalry, even to bloodshed,

between the two companies.  The British Parliament put an end to

that rivalry by uniting the companies under the name of Hudson 's

Bay Company.

 

John McLoughtin was made Chief Factor of the whole territory west

of the Rocky Mountains, and James Douglas became his first

assistant.  Chief Factor McLaughlin established the main centre of

trade at Fort Vancouver on the north bank of the Columbia River.

That place did not seem desirable as a permanent site because Fort

Vancouver might be found to be in American territory when the

boundary line was settled between American and British territory.

 

James Douglas was therefore sent northward to discover a more

satisfactory place for the chief centre of trade.  He chose the

southern tip of Vancouver Island, which selection was approved by

the company.  In the following year, 1843, he set forth with

fifteen men in the Steamer Beaver, the first steamship to sail on

the Pacific, and erected a palisaded fort, which was officially

named Fort Victoria.  A few years later when the boundary line was

being settled, it proved to be an important factor in keeping the

whole of Vancouver Island in British territory.

 

At first the settlement grew very slowly.  However, in 1857 gold

was found in the sand bars of the Fraser River, and the following

year, when some gold dust was sent to San Francisco, a great rush

began to the new fields.  Almost overnight Victoria became a city

of shacks and tents.

 

Victoria Lodge, No. 1085, E.R.

 

In that same year on July 10, 1858, notice was given in the

Victoria Gazette of a Masonic meeting to be held on the evening of

July 12 to consider matters relating to the Craft. It was to be

held in the new store belonging to Southgate and Mitchell, at the

south-east corner of Yates and Langley Streets.

 

So far as it can be determined the men in attendance at that

preliminary meeting were: Joseph J. Southgate, George Pearkes,

William Jeffray, James N. Thain, William H. Thain, Ronald J.

McDonnell, and Allen McDonald.

 

In due course application for a charter was made to the Grand Lodge

of England.  It was issued, dated March 19, 1858 and signed by the

Earl of Zetland, Grand Master.

 

Before the Lodge could be formed a Freemason, Samuel James

Hazeltine, Chief Engineer of the Labouchere, was injured in an

accident, and died in the Royal Victoria Hospital on August 26,

1859.  The Masonic Brethren formed an "Occasional Lodge," and

wearing white gloves and aprons made by a tentmaker, marched to the

hospital, and from there to the cemetery beyond Christ Church,

where they interred the remains of their late Brother with Masonic

Honours.

 

The Warrant for Victoria Lodge, No. 1085, arrived on March 14th,

1860. It was constituted on August 20th, by R.W. Bro. Burnaby, P.M.

of Royal Somerset and Inverness Lodge, No. 4. He was assisted by

Henry Aquilar, P.M. of Good Report Lodge, No. 158, London.

Installed were: Joseph Johnson Southgate, W.M.; George Pearkes,

S.W.; William Jeffray, J.W.; James Nealon Thain, Treasurer; Amor de

Cosmos, Secretary; William Henry Thain, S.D.; Kady Gambitz, J.D.;

Lumley Franklin, I.G.; R. J. McDonnell, Tyler.

 

Union Lodge, No. 1201, E.R.

 

Union Lodge, New Westminster, was organized on December 16th, 1861,

and was constituted as No. 1201, E.R., on June 24th, 1862, by R.W.

Bro. Burnaby. Installed were: R.W. Bro. Henry Holbrook, W.M.; Dr.

J. Vernon Siddall, R.E., S.W.; Valentine Hall, J.W.; Capt. J.

Cooper, Treasurer; George Frye, Secretary; Dr. S. E. Crain, S.D.;

R. Dickenson, J.D.; B. F. Moses, I.G.; D.B. Hickey, Tyler.

 

Vancouver Lodge, No. 421, S.C.

 

Vancouver Lodge, Victoria, was formed by Brethren who wanted the

American Work.  They were opposed, at first, by the English

Freemasons at a meeting of Victoria Lodge because they considered

that a dispensation to form a new Lodge should emanate only from a

Grand Lodge of the Mother Country. Therefore, Dr. Israel Wood

Powell, who had recently come to the colony, advised the

petitioners to apply to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a Charter.

To this procedure, Victoria Lodge offered no objection.  A charter

w as issued by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, on August 4th, 1862 to

Vancouver Lodge, No. 421, S.C. The Lodge was constituted on October

20th, of that year.  The three principal officers were: William

Jeffray, W.M.; Samuel Goldstone, S.W.; and Alex. Cain, J.W. In a

few months W. Bro. Jeffray resigned, and went to the United States

and Dr. Powell became Worshipful Master. George Coe became

Secretary.  Eventually he too went to the United States, but

visited Vancouver Lodge in April, 1867 and was made an Honora ry

Member. In December of that year he became the first Grand Master

of the Grand Lodge of Idaho.

 

On June 3rd the Freemasons laid the Corner Stone of the Jewish

Synagogue, at Blanshard and Pandora. The Congregation Emanuel, the

German Verein, the Hebrew Benevolent Society, St. Andrew's Society,

the Masonic Lodges, the band of H.M.S. Topaze, and also many ladies

were present. John Malowanski, the first initiate of Victoria

Lodge, offered prayer in Hebrew; and S. Hoffman informed the

assembly that it was the 2675th year from the erection of King

Solomon's Temple.  Kady Gambitz presented the silver trowel, and

R.W. Bro. Burnaby laid the Corner Stone. The Scroll recorded the

names of all those who had taken part in the ceremony, many of them

well known in the history of the Colony. The Colonist reported:

"Thus ended an eventful day in the History of the Jews on Vancouver

Island, and it must ever be a source of infinite gratification to

that body that the ceremonies of the day were participated in by

all classes of our community with a hearty good wi ll and brotherly

feeling, evincing the highest esteem in whic h they are held by all

their fellow citizens in the City of Victoria."

 

R.W. Bro. F. W. Howay wrote of a tragic accident at Hope: "The

winter of 1861-1862 was very severe. The snow at Hope and Yale was

from four to five feet deep.  On Front Street in Yale it was even

with the tops of the houses.  The mercury fell to thirteen degrees

below zero and the Fraser was frozen from below New Westminster to

the canyons.  On January 28th, 1862 Mr. E.W. Crowe, with an Indian

companion, undertook to travel on the ice to New Westminster.

About two miles above Harrison River he stopped to d rink at an air

hole.  The ice gave way and Mr. Crowe was precipitated head

foremost into the river. The Indian, one of Billy Ballou's express

messengers, returned to Hope with the sorrowful news.  Mr. Crowe

was one of the early settlers in Hope and one of its most

enterprising merchants.  The Masonic fraternity of the village met

on January 31st at Hope and passed resolutions of sympathy."

 

In the year 1861 some miners at Cayoosh wrote to Victoria Lodge:

"We find that our number consists of seventeen worthy Master

Masons, and we meet on occasion, for the purpose of brightening and

improving ourselves in Freemasonry.  We have had a dinner on our

great Patron's Day.  There are many here of the proper material,

wishing to be received into the Order, and our being so far away

from other Lodges induces us to petition in this wise, so that we

may be able to assist many worthy distressed Brethren wbo pass and

repass, but our being so far away and not properly organized, we

are unable to meet these demands upon us. Also to keep from

rusting, as well as for the diffusion of Masonic knowledge, and

maintaining brotherly love and our beloved Order, we have appointed

a Worshipful Master and Wardens, pro tem. in the hope of receiving

a dispensation from your honourable body."

 

R.W. Bro. Burnaby and Bro. Lewis drafted a reply, and enclosed

forms and instructions, and these were forwarded by the secretary,

T. C.  Nuttall, on May 10th, but the miners had dispersed to the

gold fields.

 

These incidents show that Freemasonry meant something to the

brethren in those pioneer days.  Now when the radio, television,

and the automobile and aeroplane have done so much to annihilate

distance, it is difficult to understand pioneer life as it was in

those days.  Men struggled day by day for a mere existence;

aboriginal conditions threatened, and the encircling forest

oppressed with inexpressible loneliness, but the memory of a Lodge

recalled to Freemasons the pulsating influence of Masonic

brotherhoo d, and the sublime teaching of the omnipresence of the

Eternal.

 

Nanaimo Lodge, No. 1090, E.R.

 

Thus far, Masonic Lodges had been confined to Victoria and New

Westminster.  The discovery of coal on the Island led to the

founding of Nanaimo, and the formation of Nanaimo Lodge.  In 1849,

a S'nenymo Indian, who was havinc, his rifle repaired by a

blacksmith in Victoria, saw the rifle being heated by the burning

coal, and he said he knew where the "black stones" could be found.

Thereupon, he was taken to Mr. McKay, a Hudson's Bay officer, who

promised him a reward if he would bring some of the "black sto nes"

to the Fort. 71-his he did the following spring, and two years

later, on August I 4th, Douglas wrote to Mr. McKay thus: "Sir, you

will proceed with all diligence to Wentyuhuysen Inlet, commonly

called Nanymo Bay, and formally take possession of the coal beds

lately discovered there for and on behalf of the Hudson's Bay

Qompany." The name of the city is derived from the Indian word

"Sue-ny-mo" or from S'nenymo, the nane of the Indian tri 'be .

 

     Application was made for a Warrant in 1865, and it was granted

to Nanalmo Lodge, No. 1090, E.R., in that year by the Gra,-id Lodge

of England, but it was lost in the wreck of the Labouchere, and the

new Warrant did not arrive until 1867.  The Lodge was constituted

by R.W. Bro.  Henry Holbrook on May 15th.  He was assisted by

Victoria Brethren who had come on the Steamer "Sir James Douglas."

R.W. Bro.  Burnaby was unable to attend.  The officers installed

were: W. H. Franklyn, W.M. and founder; William Clarke, S.W.;

William Stewart, J.W.

 

 Cariboo Lodge, No. 469, S.C.

 

     The discovery of gold in William's Creek, Barkerville, in

1861, by William Dietz, for whom the creek was called, and William

Barker, for whom the town was called, led to the formation of a

Lodge, after the completion of the road, in 1866.  The petition was

signed on December 8th of that year, and was presented to Vancouver

Lodge on January 16th, 1867 by Jonathan Nutt.  It was endorsed and

given to Dr. 1. W. Powell, to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of

Scotland, as Vancouver Lodge had made application, previously, to

the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a Provincial Grand Lodge, and bad

recommended Dr. Powe!@ for the office of Provincial Grand Master.

He was appointed to that office by Commission, dated May 8th, 1867.

The Charter for Car'iboo Lodge, No. 469, S.C. was received on

December 7th, 1867, and the Lodge was constituted on June 24th,

1868.  The first officers were: Jonathan Nutt, W.M.; D. McNaughton,

D.M.; John Muir, Substitute Master; J. W. Hill, S .W.; George

Grant, ,J,W@; R. Borthwick, Treastircr: W. Cochrane, Secretary; J.

S. Thompscn, S.D.; A. Campbell, J.D.; W. Jones, I.G.; G. C.

Webster, Tyler.  Otber Charter Members were: Henry E.      Seeley,

W. Muesta, I. W. Powell, B.       P. Anderson, W. H. Fitzgerald,

and N. F. Foster.

 

 

 

      British Columbia Lodge,

 

            No. 1187, E.R.

 

     Meanwhile, Victoria, Union, and Nanaimo Lodges were working

for a District Grand Lodge, as, by a regulation of December 6th,

1865, all Minor Grand Lodges outside of England were to be so

named; but they required another Lodge.  A petition, signed by

Thomas Harris as W.M.; John Banks as S.W.; and Henry Nathan as

J.W.; and also by: George Creighton, A. Finlay Main, and Eli

Harrison, was forwarded to the Grand Lodge of England.  A Wartant

was issued to British Columbia Lodge, No. 1187, E.R. R.W. Bro.  Bur

naby installed the following officers: Thomas Harris, W.M.; A.

Finlay Main, S.W.; Henry Nathan, J.W.; Paul Medana, Treasurer; A.

Theakstone, Secretary; E. Harrison, S.D.; George Creighton, J.D.;

1. Ragazzoni, I.G.

 

     -1-he Grand Secretary of the Grand lodge of England noted that

John Banks had left the Colony, and A. Finlay Main had been

appointed ii-I his place, and he said: "If it is 'intended that he

has been appointed to the office, I beg to inform you that such

proceeding is irregular, as it is not in the power of anyone, save

the Grand Master himself, to put anyone ir. a Warden's Chair at the

institution of a i-iew Lodge." He also noted that certain persons

had been appointed to office although their names we re not

attached to the petition; also, that the Lodge had not been

consecrated.

 

      Thus early, difficulties began to arise because of the

remoteness of final authority.  R.W. Bro.  Burnaby constituted the

Lodge on October 27th, 1867; and he was appointed District Grand

Master by patent from the Grand Master of England on September

10th, 1867. The officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge (S.R.) were

installed on December 24th, 1867; and the Provincial Grand Master,

R.W. Bro.  Israel Wood Powell, and his Officers conducted the

installation of the Officers of Vancouver Lodge on December 27th,

1867.

 

Caledonia Lodge, No. 478, S.C.

 

     Half the number of members of Nanaimo Lodge wanted the

American work.  They made application to the Provincial Grand

Master for a dispensation to form a Lodge, to be named Caledonia

Lodge.  The Lodge was instituted by R.W. Bro.  Powell on November

18th, 1868, and the two Lodges agreed to an equal division of

assets and liabilities.  Caledonia Lodge, No. 478, S.C., was

constatuted on April 5th, 1869.  The Principal Officers were: S. D.

Levi, W.M.; William Stewart, S.W.; James Harvey, J.W. The principal

District Grand Lodge Officers (E.R.) were: R.W. Bro.  Robert

Burnaby, D.G.M.: R.W. Bro.  Henry Holbrook, D.D.G.M.: R.W. Bro.  J.

F. McCreight, D.S.G.W.; R.W. Bro.  W. H. Smith, D.J.G.W. The first

meeting was on August 20th, 1868.  After the open-

 

 

 

ing, the Brethren attended a Service in St. John's Church, and on

their return to the Lodge Room, R.W. Bro.  Powell presented R.W.

Bro.  Burnaby to R.W. Bro.  Holbrook for installation, after which

the visitors retired, and R.W. Bro.  Burnaby installed the other

officers.

 

      Mount Hermon Lodge,

 

            No. 491, S.C.

 

     The next meeting of the District Grand Lodge (E.R.) was held

in New Westmirster.  In the absence of R.W. Bro.  Burnaby, R.W.

Bro.  Holbrook presided.  He not only dismissed a comvlaint against

Union Lodge for accepting a candidate without previous notice to

the brethren at Burrard, but severely reprimanded those who made

the complaint.  This the Brethren at Burrard considered the more

unfair, as the candidate in question was a personal friend of R.W.

Bro.  Holbrook.  In consequence of this and other co nsiderations,

the brethren of Burrard determ;ned to withdraw from Union Lodge and

from the English Jurisdiction, and to form a Lodge of their own at

Burrard Inlet, where Bro.  Sewell Prescott Moody's mills were

situated.  Bro.  Moody helped them to build a Hall, and his

accountant, Bro.  J. C. Hughes wrote to the Provincial Grand

Secretary, R.W. Bro. licisterman, who advised him to apply at once

for a dispensation.  This the Burrard brethren did. and the

dispensation was issued on January llth, 1869.

 

      -1@he Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro.  Powell, came to

Burrard on January 15th, and some of the Brethren mct him at the

wharf and escorted him to the Lodge Room.  Dr. A. W. S. Black, a

visitor, acted as Secretary, and Bro.  J. C. Hughes acted as Tyler.

All the other officers took their own places.  The Lodge was then

opened, and R.W. Bro.  Powell, Provincial Grand Master,

cons,@crated it and installed the officers, namely: J. C. Hughes,

W.M.; W.  0. Allen, S.W.; Philander W. Swett, J.W. The Lodge was

nanied Mount Hermon, and numbered 491, S.C. The Charter was dated

May 5th, 1869. At a meeting of the District Grand Lodge, on March

Ilth, 1869, the Brethren invited the co operation of the Provincial

Grand Lodge in forming a Fund of Benevolence, and they appointed to

the Committee Hon.  J.  F. McCreiglit, Joshua Blackbourns, and Ell

Harrison.  At the second meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge

Simeon Duck, W. Jackson, and James Harvey were appointed to the

Joint Committee.

 

     At that meeting, the Provincial Grand Master said that

discussion 'ifter an unfavourable ballot was productive of evil and

a slur upon the Lodge; that, whether in or out of the Lodge, no

brother had a right to say how be voted; and that comment is

unlawful.  He also advised that the greatest care should be taken

in admitting visitors, and that the most convincing proof of true

and honest

 

 

 

fellowship should be demanded; and, that if a single doubt existed,

the portals of Freemasonry should be firmly closed to the

applicant.

 

     He mentioned a complaint that a i,cjected candidate had been

received into a Lodge of the sister jurisdiction, but that R.W.

Burnaby had claimed that the Lodge had a perfect right to receive

and deal with the application.  He said that there were other

instances, and he added: "Lodges located in the samc town which

give encouragement to the immediate, or 'f you w@ll, acceptance of

peremote 1 t tations of candidates rejected by a sister Lodge, not

only open 'Aide our portals to the questionable, if not the

unworthy, but loxk,er the respectability and uttcrIN@ destroy, in

so far as their influence is concerned, the l,restig@ of

Freemasonry."

 

     IZ.W. Bro.  Burnaby made a careful investigation, but could

find no eN@idence of solicitation, as charged by R.W. Bro.  Powcll,

and that the requited time had elapsed between rejection and

re-application in the case of the candidate in question.  He also

contended that the candi(,iate, in applying to another I-odge, was

only exercising the right that would have been his, had he chosen

once more to risk a second application to the Lodge that had

rejected him.

 

  TI)c  wliolc  truth  was   that   l@.W. Bro.   Powell   believed

in   perpetual

 

i .urisdiztion  over  reiccted   material. and R.W. Bro.  Burnaby

did not.

 

 Movement for an Independent

 

            Grand Lodge

 

     On December 10th, W. Bro.  A. H. Adams brought the matter

before Vancouver Lodge by a series of resolutions in which he noted

that eight Lodges with a total membership of three hundred were

supporting two Grand Lodges and contributing to two others, which

were ten thousand mi @les distant; that no money was left for local

or charitable purposes; that two @urisdictions tended to create

jealousy and rivalry, and that decisions were not final.

 

     When the resolutions were brought before the Provincial Grand

Lodge, on May 1st, 1869, the Provincial Grand Master would take no

part in the movement until he had submitted the resolutions to the

Grand, Lodge of Scotland. At the request of Victoria Lodge, R.W.

Bro.  Burnaby wrote to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of

England, and informed him that there were many Americans, and

Canadians also, who came from jurisdictions where they bad an

Independent Grand Lodge and were acquainted with some form of the

American work.

 

     The Grand Secretary in his reply said that as a District Grand

I.,odge under the Grand Lodge of England, they had a far more

influential position than as an Independent Grand Lodge, "whose

paucity of numbers would simply render it ridiculous." He did not

even consider R.W. Bro.

 

 

 

Burnaby's letter of sufficient importance to lay it before the

Grand Master, but trusted that the judiciousness of R.W. Bro.

Burnaby's measures and the good sense of the Brethren would not

render such a proceeding necessary.

 

            Quadra Lodge

 

     The Provincial Grand Lodge held its third and last meeting on

June ?5th, 1870, but no mention was made of an Independent Grand

Lodge.  The Brethren of the Scottish Jurisdiction concentrated

their efforts on the formation of a fifth Lodge, which was

instituted as Quadra Lodge, on January I Ith, with James Allen

Grahame as Master. On January 18th, 1871, Vancouver Lodge decided

to form an Independent Grand Lodge, and appointed Simeon Duck, G.

C. Keays, H. F. Heisterman, and George Grant to carry out the

Resolutions and to invite the co-operation of the other Lodges in

the Colony. On July 14th, 1870, R.W. Bro.  Robert Burnaby issued

the following Commission: "Know all men by these presents that we,

Robert Burnaby, District Grand Master of F. and A.  Masons, in

British Columbia, balling from the United Grand Lodge of England,

by power in me vested, do hereby appoint, constitute and nominate

our well beloved and trusty Brother W. W. Francis, to act for us

and duly to represent us in any and all regular Communications of

the Grand Lodge of Oregon, when

 

 and wherever convened." This was the first appointrnl'nt of a

Grand Representative from this Province to a foreign Jurisdiction.

At a meeting of the District Grand Lodge on March Ilt]), 1871, the

following resolution was passed: "That the Board of General

Purposes do not think it desirable to take steps at present towards

the formation of an Independent Grand Lodge of British Columbia,

whilst they feel that circumstances may occur in the future to

render such pr(>Ceeding desirable."

 

     A Convention for the formation of an Independent Grand Lodge

was called by Vancouver Lodge for March 18th and 20th, 1871,

although Dr. Powell was in England.  At that Convention, all the

Scottish Lodges were fully represented.  W. Bro.  Eli Harrison was

the only Freemason present from the English Jurisdiction.  He was

given full voting 1 'leges.

 

pr vi

 

     The Convention elected a full slate of officers, and arranged

to meet on Monday, the 20ti) for installation, which Past Grand

Master, Ellwood Evans, of Washington, agreed to conduct.  M.W. Bro.

Evans advised by telegram, that he would be in Victoria on Monday,

at 7:30 in the evening, but although the telegram was received

early on Monday morning, R.W. Bro.  Burnaby did not receive notice

until 4:30 in the afternoon.  Then he received an invitation to be

present as one who had always taken a great inte rest in

Freemasonry.

 

 

 

     Just before the meeting, the District Grand Secretary

delivered to V.W. Bro.  H. F. Heisterman, the Convention Secretary,

a letter from R.W. Bro.  Burnaby, demanding to know by what

authority they met; and a letter was delivered to M.W. Bro.  Evans,

protesting against the proceedings.  The District Grand Secretary

then protested personally and retired.  Thereupon, M.W. Bro.  Evans

asked the Provincial Grand Secretary to read the minutes of the

Proceedings.  He found that a number of the Lodges refused to take

part in the formation of an Independent Grand Lodge and that the

Grand Master elect was in England.  He therefore refused to conduct

the installation, and carly next morning returned to Olympia.  A

somewhat lengthy correspondence then took place between M.W. Bro.

Evans, and R.W. Bro.  Burnaby, but, while it doubtless led to a

better understanding between them, it added little to the

situation, except to halt what might have been a disastrou s

proceeding from Masonic point of view.

 

     Dr. Powell  arrived home early in June.  He took no steps

towards forming a Grand Lodge.  As soon as possi 'ble he had an

interview with R.W- Bro.  Burnaby, and together, they reviewed the

whole situation.  They agreed that, since neither Grand t,odge had

shown any real interest in their problems, the solution depended on

themselves alone.  Therefore, they decided to take a per capita

vote of

 

 all the Freemasons in the Colony; and, if a clear two-thirds

iiiaj'ority favoured the establishment of an Independent Grand

Lodge, it should be established; if not, matters would have to

remain as they were, at least for the present. Dr, Powell then

wrote a circular letter to the Lodges under his J'urisdiction,

expressing regret at the differences of opinion that had arisen

between the Jurisdictions.  In his opinion, first, last, and

always, the most important object of a convention of Freemasons

should be the unity and unanimity of both Jurisdictions in British

Columbia.

 

     He said that when he had received the high honour of being the

representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, previous to the

appointment of a District Grand Master, his first action was to

endeavour to bring the government of both Crafts under one head, as

they were in Nova Scotia at that time.  He said that if it were the

wish of the Brethren of his 3ur sd'ction, as would appear from the

action of the several Lodges, that the time had arrived for the

establishment of an Independent Grand Lodge, and t he consequent

resignation of his trust, he appealed with confidence to their

sympathy, support, and co-operation in making his efforts for unity

gloriously successful.  He said: "Let us all practise that great

Masonic virtue of mutual forbearance, and we shall have the great

satisfaction of making permanent provision for the future

preservation

 

 

 

of perfect harmony, and brotherly love of all Freeniasons of this

Colony, which will be your highest and best reward."

 

     He said the conference with the District Grand Master bad been

beset with many difficulties; and he bore evidence to the more

kindly spirit which had actuated the distinguished Brother in all

their consultations, without which any effort of his would have

been vain and valueless.  He said he though it proper to make no

comment on the past in view of the greater importance of the

future.  He commended to them the example of the Right Worshipful

Brother, wbo had assured him of his cordial assent and futu re

co-operation, as proof of which he quoted from R.W. Burnaby's

letter to the  Lodges of the English Jurisdiction, dated June 26th,

1871, as follows:  "After long and full discussion with R.W. Bro.

Powell, Provincial Grand Master, we have consider@d together that

it will bc for the best interests of Freemasonry in the Colony to

ascertain the views of the Craft generally, as to the formation of

an Independent Grand Lodge, in which all should be ab le to unite;

and for that purpose to take a per capita vote, yea or nay, on the

subject.  The Brethren under my jurisdiction are requested to

dismiss from their minds all questions that bave been raised, and

to give their unbiased vote on this important point, with a view to

the preservation of harmony, and unanimity in our Ancient Craft."

 

      According to the instructions, the secretary was to read the

circular at the regular communication in July, but no vote @vas to

be taken then; the Brethren were given time to con"der the matter.

Then a special si meeting was to be called under seal of the Lodge,

and, after due discussion, a vote was to be taken, vtoa Lloce, or

by ballot, as the Lodge should decide.  The result was to be sent

to the Grand Secretary of the Jorl,@dictioii, in a letter signed by

the Master and Secretary, and sealed with the seal of the Lodge.

 

     Union Lod,e did not vote, at first, but the Secretary, John

Murray, wrote to the District Grand Secretary, cin August 28th,

1871, stating tll, obj*ections made by R.W. Bro.  Holbrook, but h,2

was informed that it was necessary to send in the returns

-iccord@ng to the Instruct@ons, as the District Grand Master was

pledged to return the numerical result to the Grand Lodge of

England.  The New Westminster vote was received on September 2 1

st, 1 8 7 1. The result of the vote in the English Jurisdiction wa

s: Victoria Lodge, 1 8 for and 3 against; British Columbia Lodge,

19 for and 7 against: Union Lodge, 2 for and 9 against: Nanalmo

Lodge, I for and 6 against.  Thus, the total vote in the Englisl)

Jurisdiction was 42 for and 25 against.  In tl)c Scottisli

Jurisdiction the vote was unaninious for an Independent Grand

Lodge.

 

     On September 21st, tfie Grand Secretary of the Provincial

Grand

 

 

 

Lodge sent the following notice to the Lodge,,;: "Referring to the

Grand Master's circular of June 2 5 th, 1 8 7 1, requesting a per

capita vote of the Brethren of our Jurisdiction on the question of

an Independent Grand I-odge of British Columbia, I am requested to

enclose herewith for the information of your Lodge the resulting

returns of such votes.  In accordance therewith, your Lodge is now

desired o authorize the Worshipful Master, Past Masters, and

Wardens to meet like representatives from all othcr Lodges in the

Province, in Convention, on the 21st of October, 1871, at 7:30

p.m., in the Masonic Hall, Government Street, Victoria, to

determine details, and to take such action as may be deemed

necessary for the formation of an Independent Grand Lodge of

Freemasons in British Columbia.  Proxies, in lieu of Officers, may

be appointed only if there is no possibility of the latter being

able to attend."

 

Formation    of    the    Grand    Lodge

 

            of British Columbia

 

     Representatives from all I-odges, except Union, met at the

appointed time ind place; at 7:00 o'clock; as many members of the

former Con-@ vention as were present had mct and cancelled the

proceedings of the former Convention.

 

     At the Convention of the day, a Credential Committee had been

appointed.  When the meeting was called to order by the Chairman,

W. Bro.  James Allen Grahame, and

 

 wben called upon they reported as follows: Victoria Lodge, No.

783: C. Tborne, W.M.; R. Burnaby, P.M.: J.  F. McCreigbt, P.M.;

Henry Nathan, P.M.; John Banks, P.M.; S. L, Kelly, S.W.; 1.

Ragazzoni, J.W. Vancouver Lodge, No. 421, S.C,: W. Dalby, W.M.; Dr.

1. W. Powell, P.M.; Simeon Duck, P.M.; M. W. Waitt, P.M.; Joshua

Davies, Proxy for G. C. Keayes, P.M.; James Crump, S.W.; and John

Stafford, J.      W.

 

        Nanaimo Lodge, No. 1090, E.R.: W.      H. Thain, proxy for

A. Allport, W.M.; George Booth, Proxy for W. Clarke, P.M.: George

Bevillockway, S.W.; Edward Quennell, Proxy for Mark Bate, J.W.

Cariboo Lodge, No. 469, S.C.: H. F. Heisterman, proxy for J. S.

Thompson, W.M.; Jeremiah Madden, proxy for Jonathan Nutt, P.M.;

Alex.  Giliiiour, proxy for John Bruce, S.W.; R. F. Rithet, proxy

for Edward Pearson, J.W. British Columbia Lodge, No. 1187, E.R.:

Thomas Shotbolt, W.M.; J. Winger, S.W.; and R. Brown, J.W,

 

     Caledonia f-odge, No. 478, S.C.: Ell Harrison, proxy for

William Stewart, W.M.: S. D. Levi, P.M.; W. R. Willson, proxy for

J. Kenwick, S.W.: J. Kreimler, proxy for A.      Muir, J,W.

 

        Nlount Hermon Lodge, No. 491, S.C.:  Dr.  W.  Jackson,

proxy   for John    %IcDonald,    W.M.:    Simeon

 

 

 

Duck, proxy for J. C. Hughes, P.M.; Charles Taylor, proxy for Coote

M. Chambers, P.M.; W. Dalby, proxy for G. W, Haynes, S,W. Quadra

Lodge, U.D.: James A. Grahame, W.M.; Eli Harrison, P.M.: C.

Strouss, proxy for W. Fraser, S.W.; H. B. Willson Aikman, J.W.

 

     The Report was submitted by S. D.  Levi and W. H. Thain,

Credential Committee, and adopted.

 

     Moved by R.W. Bro.  Butnaby, and seconded by R.W. Bro.

Powell: That in order to establish perfect I)armony and accord, and

to promote the lasting welfare of the Masonic Fraternity in British

Columbia, it is expedient to form a Grand lodge in and for the

Province of British Columbia.  This was carried tinanimously, and

with great applause.

 

     Moved by W. Bro.  S. D. Levi, seconded by M. W. Waitt: That

the representatives, now in Convention assembled, on behalf of

their respective Lodges, do hereby declare themselves to be, and

that they now proceed to organize, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge

of Antiant, Free and Acc@pted Masons of Britisl) Columbia.  This

was carried.

 

     It was then moved by R.W. Bto.  Burnaby, seconded by R.W. Bro.

Powell: That the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England, in so

far as it may be found applicable to existing circumstances, be

adopted, except that the following officers shall be elected: Grand

Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens, Grand Chap-

 

 lain, Grand Treasurer and Grand Tyler, This resolution was

carried.

 

     R.W. Bro.  Powell and R.W. Bro.  Burnaby then retired.  The

officers elected were: Dr. 1. W. Powell, Grand Master; Hon.  J. F.

McCreight, Deputy Grand Master; Simeon Duck, S.G.W.; Henry Nathan,

J.G.W.; F. Gribble, Grand Chaplain; M. W. Waitt, Grand Treasurer;

P. J. Hall, Grand Tyler.  H. F. Heisterman was appointed Grand

Secretary.

 

     R. W. Bro.  Burnaby was made Past Grand Master, and W. Bro.

James Allen Grahame was made Honorary Past Deputy Grand Master.

 

     The date of Installation was set for December 26th, and R.W.

Bro.  Burnaby was requested to act as Installing Officer.

 

     The last meeting of the District Grand Lodge was held on

December 21st, 1871.  The Brethren from New

 

 

 

Westminster could not attend because of the breaking up of the ice.

R.WBro.  Holbrook, however, was present, having left by an earlier

boat.  He objected to their becoming part of the Grand Lodge.  The

District Grand Master said he could not see any reason why Union

Lodge could not work in harmony with the Grand Lodge, but he hoped

that R.W. Bro.  Holbrook would convey to the Brethren of Union

Lodge the fraternal desire of himself and the District Grand Lodge

to be at all times on the best fraternal interc ourse with them.

 

     R.W. Bro.  Burnaby thanked the Brethren most cordially for the

support they had given him during his term of office, and he hoped

they would pardon his shortcomings.

 

     The District Grand Lodge was then closed for the last time.

 

      M.W. Bro.  Israel W. Powell

 

     On December 26th, 1871, M.W. Bro. 1. W. Powell and the other

elective officers were installed, and the followinc,, appointive

officers: H. F. Heisterman, Grand Secretary; William Clarke, Senior

Grand Deacon; I.       Ragazzoni, Junior Grand Deacon; E.

Lewis, Grand Superintendent of Works; Ell Harrison, Grand Director

of Ceremonies; William Dalby, Grand Marshal; Thomas Shotbolt, Grand

Sword Bearer; J. Austen, Grand Organist; J. Winger, J. Crump, R.

Brown, J. S. Thompson, J.  C. Hughes, Grand Stewards: S. L, Kelly,

G. Pursuivant. R.W. Bro.  Burnaby, after congratulating the Grand

Master on the high honour he had attained, said he wished to state

his complete satisfaction in the work just consummated.  Although

at first he had felt it his duty to oppose the movement, he had

duly appreciated the efforts of those who had tried to unite the

discordant elements, and as soon as he had seen his way clear to do

so, hc had j@oined with them. He then read a letter from the Grand

Secretary, informing him that he had received the papers regarding

the formation of the Grand Lodge, and the Colonial Board thought he

had conducted himself with great judgment and tact in the difficult

position in which he had been placed, and that he could not have

been better advised.  The Grand Secretary

 

 

 

referred to a letter be had received from R.W. Bro.  Holbrook,

stating that Union Lodge was adhering to the Grand Lodge of

England, and that its rights and privileges would be reserved.  The

Grand Secretary sal 'd that although they would not be intimately

connected, he would have his unalterable esteem and respect.

 

     R.W. Bro.  Burnaby had sent his resignation as District Grand

Master, and he wrote: "It will always be a source of pride to hail

from and be connected with the Grand Lodge of England, and it is

not without a pang that I feel myself compelled, in however slight

a manner, to sever the connection that bas bound us together.

Nothing but the urgent neceasity of it would have led me to take

such a step." He hoped the Grand Lodge of England would recognize

that necessity and would officially recognize the Gr and Lodge of

British Columbia. He expressed the wish that all the members of the

Craft would unite in striving to maintain and uphold the Grand

Lodge of British Columbia, so happily and so harmoniously

inaugurated, and that all would endeavour tO CCrnent our Order with

the bond of brotherly love and concord. The Grand Master, after his

investiture, thanked R.W. Bro.  Burnaby for the important part he

had taken in the inaugural ceremonies, and he said that if anything

could add to the honour of being elected Grand

 

 Master, it was the perfect gratification of being installed by

him.  It was not to be wondered at, he said, that the Craft had

unanimously asked him to be the first Past Grand Master.  He hoped

their future efforts, to establish the principles of the Order on a

sure and lasting basis, would be bencfittcd by his valuable

assistance and co-operation.  He said in conclusion: "A true

Masonic patriot, a faithful British Columbian, may you be long

spared to shed light and love upon the Craft, and to give good de

eds of faithful citizenship to your adopted country.

 

     R.W. Bro.  Burnaby made an eloquent reply, and then the Master

Mason Lodge was closed. and the Grand Lodge was opened in ample

form, a procession was formed, and the Grand Lodge was fully

consecrated.

 

     At the evening session, the Grand Master thanked the Brethren

for the honour conferred upon him, and appealed to them for harmony

and love.  He asked them to remember that the excellence of the

superstructure would depend on the excellence and solidarity of the

foundation.  He said the eyes of the world were upon them, and that

they must give proof of their capabilitics for self-government, and

of their ability and intention to form a worthy link in the great

chain of Grand Lodges on this Continent.  " Let us render grateful

thanksgiving to the Most High for having prospered us in ttic past,

and let us unite in imploring His blessing in our

 

 

 

present union, and with reverence and fervor, seek His guidance in

time to come. He said be had forwarded his resignation to the Grand

Lodge of Scotland on July 21st, 1871, and had previously sent the

resolutions passed by Vancouver Lodge, but bad taken no part in the

movement for or against an Independent Grand Lodge, as it had not

the sympathy of the English Jurisdiction.  He believed that such a

change would only cause envy and jealousy, and would mean the

frustration of the very objects for which a Grand Lodge should be

formed. Union Lodge was outside the Jurisdiction, but he hoped they

would not long so remain.  "Every enlightoned Brother," he said,

"whose heart is in his home, and whose home is in British Columbia,

miist see that bis first duty is to the Craft, and that the bighest

intere:3ts of the Brotherhood require him to give his cordial

assistance and co-operation in maintaining the exclusive and

undivided supremacy of this Grand Lodge within the boundaries of

tl)is Province."

 

     On behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge, be pr,@sented their

regalia to the Grand Lodge, and he said they could also have the

regalia and jewels of the District Grand Lodge by assuming a debt

of  $450.00 due thereon.  He recommended the formation of a Board

of Relief, the erection of a Masonic Hall, and the sending of

notices to sister Grand Lodges.

 

      In conclusion, he said: "Only tb Corner Stone of the great

Temple we bave united to build in this young Province has been

auspiciously laid.  Care, supervision, unremitting zeal, and the

most steadfast devotion will enable us to crown our honourable

efforts with the cope-stone of success.  Let us all work faithfully

in the interests of this great work, and may it finally meet with

the approval and acceptance of the Grand Master above, Who is the

Most High and the Great Architect of the Universe." He recommended

the granting of intermediate warrants to Victoria Lodge, No. 1;

Vancouver Lodge, No. 2; Nanaimo Lodge, No. 3; Cariboo Lodge, No. 4;

British Columbia Lodge, No. 5; Caledonia Lodge, No. 6; Mount Hermon

Lodge, No. 7; and Quadra Lodge, No. 8. After several resolutions of

thanks, the First Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of

Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia was closed in

Ample Form, and so proclaimed, on St. John's Day, December 27tb,

1871.

 

      Early Years of Grand Lodge

 

     Although British Columbia bad become a Province of the

Dominion on July 20th, 1871, there was continued depression.  The

Province was depending chiefly on mines; for lumbering, which later

became such an important industry, was confined almost entirely to

the two mills on Burrard Inlet.  In 1858, James Allen Grahame, by

order of the Hudson's

 

 

 

Bay officials in London, had relinquished Fort George, and two

years later had moved the Company's headquarters from Fort

Vancouver to Victoria, but even the Company's trade was reduced to

a minimum, because of the failure of the fur market in Europe. So

great was the depression that a petition was circulated for

annexation with the United States.  Doubtless the depression was,

in part. responsible for Masonic as well as for political change.

It recalls the Annexation Manifesto of 1849 in the two Canadas, a

movement which was countered by the British America League, which

sponsored three resolutions: to maintain inviolate the connection

with the Mother Country; to advocate Confederation ; and to

institute a commercial National Policy.

 

     During the early years of Grand Lodge, membership remained in

a somewhat static condition.  The number of Lodges was reduced,

without detriment to the membership, for Freemasonry depends more

on the strength and character of the Lodges than on their number.

The amalgamation of the two Lodges in Nanaimo, and the reduction of

four Lodges in Victoria to two, by the same means, was an

advantage, as it strengthened the Lodges, and did not lessen the

total membership in the Province, but there could be no h ope of

material advantage until the completion of the railroad brought

people and capital.  It was necessary, therefore, to consolidate

what they had.

 

      The Grand Secretary had sent to Union Lodge copies of the

Proceedings of the Convention and of the Grand Lodge Communication,

and also a copy of the Constitution.  In the accompanying letter,

he expressed the Grand Master's regret that no representative of

Union Lodge had been present at the meeting of the Grand Lodge, but

he hoped the members of Union Lodge would approve of the action

taken, and he hoped they would see their way clear to become a

constituent of the Grand Lodge, as it was desirable to have Masonic

affairs in the Province controlled by its own members; and, if

Union Lodge would agree to what its name implied, it would give im

unfeigned pleasure to accord to it the rank of second oldest Lodge

in the Province.

 

     About that time, it so happened that Union Lodge had acquired

some land in Sapperton for a cemetery, and had planned to erect a

chapel, and to have the Grand Master and his officers present at

the laying of the Corner Stone, and they sent a letter to M.W. Bro.

Powell to that effect.  However, soon afterwards the Grand Master

received a letter from R.W. Bro.  Holbrook, expressing indignation

at his acceptance of the invitation, although there was nothing

definite in the letter from Union Lodge, nor had the Grand Master

even written a reply.  After the recelpt of R.W. Holbrook's letter,

he wrote to Union Lodge that he refused to have anything to do with

the lay-

 

 

 

ing of the Corner Stone until they had received a reply from the

Grand Lodge of England, or until they had resigned their English

Charter, as he wished to avoid any unfortunate in'dent @n the

matter of an @nteresting cl ceremonial where the utmost harmony

should prevail. The result was that Union Lodge held a meeting, and

passed a resolution that they did not recognize R.W. Bro.

Holbrook's authority, and that they decided to off er the Hall to

the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, and to inform the Grand Master

accordingly.  The Grand Master, therefore, agreed to lay the Corner

Stone on July 30th, 1872. On that date, the Grand Lodge was opened,

and a procession was formed on Columbia Strcet, the Victoria Band

leading, followed by the Officers and Members of the Oddfellows'

Lodge, and by the Royal Arch Masons and the Freemasons, and then

the Grand Master with the Grand Stewards and Grand Tyler.  On

arriving at the site, the procession countermarched, the officers

took their places, and the Grand Master delivered an eloquent

address, and then laid the Corner Stone with Masonic ceremony.  The

procession was then re-formed, and the Freemasons returned to the

Hall, where the Grand Lodge was closed in due form. Soon

afterwards, Union Lodge met, and passed a unanimous resolution to

join the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, The Grand Secretary

forwarded a copy of the

 

 tesolution to the Grand Lodge of England, and Union Lodge sent a

petition requesting a Warrant from the Grand lodge of British

Columbia. When the Grand Lodge of British Columbia was formed, the

English Lodges paid to the Grand Lodge the money due to the

District Grand Lodge, and if Union Lodge had wished to do the same,

it would have been ranked as No. 2, but the members preferred to

rank as No. 9. rather than pay the required sum.

 

     The Grand Master sent his congratulations, ond said he thought

that their becoming a constituent of the Grand Lodge would result

in their future prosperity.

 

     The Grand Secretary reported to the Grand Lodge of England on

December 12th, 1872, and suggested that the District Lodges be

allowed to keep their Warrants, as memorials of their parent Grand

Lodge.

 

     After Union Lodge decided to 'oin the Grand Lodge, R.W. Bro.

Henry Holbrook, at a Lodge meeting, had a serious difference with

the other members, and, deeply incensed with their decision, he

left the Lodge without ceremony.  This, and other actions no less

indiscreet, led to his exclusion; and, though he made several

appeals at various times, he was unable to obtain a reversal of the

decision of the Lodge.

 

     At the second Annual Communication of Grand Lodge, December

7th, 1872, the Grand Master said

 

 

 

that it was especially gratifying to have Union Lodge as a

constituent of the Grand Lodge. Of Confederation, he said they had

reason to rejoice in the hope of prosperity that brightened the

present and illuminated the future of the Dominion.  He looked

forward to the time when they would have rapid communication with

the East, and thus be able to participate in the common thrift, and

in the propitious advancement of our magnificent conIn conclusion,

he said: "If I

 

 

 

 

 tinent. were without the liope of still continuing to aid in the

good work, as a grateful labourer, the resignation of the gavel'

would indeed be attended with sorrow and regret." At the Third

Annual Communication, December 6th and 7th, 1873, the Grand Master

reported that he had visited all the Lodges except Cariboo, but the

Deputy Grand Master had visited it, and had reported that he was

well pleased with his reception, and he mentioned particularly the

interest manifested by the brethren and the prosperous condition of

the Lodge.  On April 20th of that year, William Henry Fitzgerald, a

Charter Menber of Cariboo Lodge. died at Germanson Creek; and, on

the day appointed for the funeral, Freemasons came from Manson's

Creek and bore the body of their late brother to a suitable burying

place, and interred it with Masonic Honours. William Henry

Fitzgerald, Engineer, at the age of 22, was initiated

 

 in Albion Lodge, No. 17, now No. 2, G.R.Q., on June 12th, 1857,

passed on July 12th, and was raised on August 14th.  He served as

Inner Guard from the Annual Meeting following until June 17th,

1858, after which there is no mention of him in the Lodge minutes;

but he is recorded in the records of the Grand Lodge of Scotland as

a Charter Member of Cariboo Lodge, Barkerville. On April 12, 1872,

he was appointed Gold Commissioner and stipendiary magistrate of

Omineca, and he spent the following winter at Fort St. James, but

having received a complaint from the Department, relative to his

wintering there, he wrote: "Since I have had charge of this

District, I have endeavoured to distribute my services and those of

the officials under my control, with a view to meeting the

requirements of the public service." Bro.  W. H. Fitzgerald should

be remembered as one of the pioneer Freemasons of the Cariboo, as a

pioneer of Northern British Columbia, as a Brother who was a true

Freemason, and as a man who was faithful unto death.

 

            Ashlar Lodge, No. 3

 

     In the absence of the Grand Master from the Jurisdiction, the

Deputy Grand Master authorized R.W. Bro.  J.  F. McCreight to lay

the Corner Stone of the Masonic Temple at Nanaimo, on October 15th,

1873.  He was accompanied by R.W. Bro.  Burnaby and the Grand

Secretary,

 

 

 

and by other officers and members of Grand Lodge.  The ceremony was

performed with dignity and efficiency, and was marked by complete

harmony between the Lodges.  When the Temple was completed, the

brethren decided that if they could work in harmony in the

construction of the Temple, they should be able to work as one

Lodge, but Caledonia insisted on having the American work and the

Scottish regalia.  As these were conceded, they united as Ashlar

Lodge.

 

     The Grand Master consecrated the Hall on October 2 1 st, 1 8 7

4, and that was the only meeting of Grand Lodge in that year. The

Fourth Annual Communication was held in Victoria on February 20th

and 22nd, 1875.

 

     The Grand Master in his address referred to the need of a

Masonic Temple in Victoria.  He said over Twelve Thousand Dollars

had been spent in rents, enough to have built a temple of their

own.  The Committee agreed, and the Board of General Purposes was

authorized to select a site.  Simeon Duck, Eli Harrison, H.  F.

Heisterman and Thomas Shotbolt were appointed as a Committee.

 

     The Grand Master thought the use of dimerent rituals was

responsible for the lack of interest in the Lodges, and he asked

that Grand Lodge consider the matter, and the Board of General

Purposes was asked to communicate with the Lodges in order to

ascertain their views.

 

      Recognition was accorded to the Grand I.odge of Hungary, as

it had seceded from the Grand Orient of France.  Recognition was

accorded to Grand Lodge "Zur Somme," head of the Grand Lodge

League.  R.W. Bro.  Heisterman was appointed representative.

 

 

                               CHAP

 

                      M.W. Bro.  Simeon Duck

 

     One of the outstanding events of M.W. Bro.  Simeon Duck's

Masonic Year was the re-union of Grand Lodges at Olympia, on August

17th and 18th, 1875.  Representing British Columbia were: Frederick

Williams, D.G.M.; Eli Harrison, P. J. Hall, E. Crow Baker, A. A.

Green, and Frank Richards.  They sailed on the Steamer Facorl'te,

but arrived a day late, because of fog.  They were received by M.W.

Bro.  Hadyn, Grand Master of Washington, and by M.W. Bro.

Rothschild, P.G.M. After breakfast, they were taken to a grand clam

bake in a large orchard near the water's edge.  The Deputy Grand

Master, replying to the honours given to the Grand Lodge of British

Columbia, gave a cordial invitation to all present to visit

Victoria, and to receive such hospitality and welcome as time and

circumstances would permit.

 

     In the evening, hundreds of brethren with their wives and

daughters embarked on the steamers North

 

 

 

     M.W. Bro.  Powell had filled the office of Grand Master for

three years and two months, and he refused reelection, and SirTieon

Duck was chosen as the next Grand Master.

 

 

 

 

 

      ill

 

Pact@fic and Favorl*te, and arrived in Victoria in the afternoon of

Thursday, August 19th.  They were welcomed by the four Victoria

Lodges, by Columbia Royal Arch Chapter, and by the Grand Lodge of

British Columbia.  The ladies were taken to Philharmonic Hall, on

Fort Street, and the Lodges, led by a band, formed in procession

and marched to the Philharmonic Hall.

 

     R.W. Bro.  Williams introduced the two Grand Masters: M.W.

Bro.  Hadyn, of Washington; M.W. Bro.  Congle, of Oregon; and also

M.W. Bro.  Ellwood Evans, P.G.M. of Washington, and other

distinguished visitors.

 

     Grand Master Simeon Duck, in welcoming the visitors, said in

part: "I know that there are many who denounce the Order for all

that is low and mean and as something from the Evil One, and that

strong effort is being made in some parts of the country to

accomplish its entire destruction; but if ever there existed a

human institution more distinguished

 

 than any other for the principles and practice of Brotherly Love

and genuine morality, it is the one in which we have assembled

today."

 

     The Grand Orator of Oregon said: "May ttie Grand Master of the

Universe grant that no differences may arise between people having

a common origin, speaking a common language, worshipping the same

God, and largely governed by the same unwritten law; but let us

rather rejoice in the prosperity of each, and in the glory which

both may claim in common.  I feel justly proud that my country

sprang from so great and glorious a country as Great Britain."

 

     At the end of the day, a brief farewell was given by Bro.

Nasmith, a former Senator of Oregon.  He said: "A people speaking

the language of Shakespeare, Milton, Locke, and Bacon, and drawing

their inspiration of Liberty from the Magna Carta, in which we

claim equal rights with you, should never be divided."

 

     As the ship sailed out, the visitors' band played "God Save

the Queen," and the Victoria Band replied with "Hall Columbia," and

those on the ship and those on shore waved salutations until

distance dimmed their forms.

 

     Unfortunately, this year that gave such a gleam of sunshine to

visitors and liosts alike, a few tiioiitlls later overcast with

shadowed gloom the hearts of thousands, for the Pact@hc, outward

bound from Victoria, went

 

 

 

down off Cape Flattery at 10:00 o'clock on the night of November

4th, 1875, with over three hundred men, women and children on

board.  A sail vessel, the Orpheus, had struck her a glancing blow

amidships, and the doomed -vessel sank in ten minutes; but the

Orpheus continued on her way without ever attempting to save any of

the victims, although the night was clear and the sea comparatively

calm.  The only survivors were Neil Henley, a quartermaster, and

Henry T. Jelly, a C.P.R. survey man from St. Thomas, O ntario.

Among the lost were: J. H. Sullivan, Gold Commissioner from the

Omineca; Captain Otis Parsons and his wife, a Mandeville, and other

members of the Mandeville family, well known in the theatrical

world; also, Sewell Prescott Moody.  A month after the disaster, a

state-room stanchion was found on the beach below Beacon Hill, with

this brief "All lost' S. P. Moody."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

message:

 

     Mr. Secretan, of the C.P.R., said the bodies were recovered by

all the British and American craft available, and laid out

reverently in the City Hall for identification.  He told of the

heart-rending sight and of the anguish of the bereaved.  The

thought of it saddens the soul and we wish that it had not been.

According to the enquiry, there were grave doubts as to whether or

not the ramming of the Pacthc had been accidental; but, whether by

design, or by decree of Fate, the

 

 Orpheus was wrecked a few hours later.  There appears to bc no

record as to what view the Insurance Company took of the disaster.

The Pacific had been condemned, and was taken off the service in

1872, but was brought back during the Cassiar gold excitement.

Well did Virgil say: "O accursed hunger of gold, to what dost thou

not compel human bearts!"

 

     When we reflect on the countless lines of circumstance, many

of them emanating in a remote past, that had to centre or cross at

a particular point of time on that fatal night, we must surely

realize that all the teachings of Freemasonry must continually be

directed towards strengthening faith in the Divine, in order that

man's work, whether in the erection of an @difice or in the

building of a ship, or even in the performance of bis daily tasks,

may be marked by honesty and sincerity of purpose, in ord er that

disasters may be avoided or reduced to a minimum; and that man's

resolution may be steeled against the souldestroying power of gold,

and that the heart of man may be transformed by that love which

shall fortify his soul against the dark inscrutable mystery of

Death!

 

M.W. Bro.  Frederick Williams Frederick Williams was the third

Grand Master.  He was elected at the Fifth Annual Communication of

Grand Lodge, held on the 19th, 22nd and 24th of February, 1876, at

Victoria.

 

 

 

     During his first year of office, he visited every Lodge except

Cariboo, a report of wbicb was given by W. Bro.  Jonathan Nutt. On

September 12th, be went to New Westminster to visit Union I-odge,

but he was informed that there would be no meeting as there was

smallpox in the building.  On the following day, he went to Burrard

Inlet to visit Mount Hermon, but, as all the members were employed

in the lumber busincss, and the sawmills were running night and

day, not many could meet him, but he said: "I spent a pleasant

evening in their handsome Lodge Room, and was gr ati 'lied to find

the Lodge in perfect barmony, and financially strong.  "

 

     The next day, he went back to New Westminster and held an

informal meeting in Good Templars'Hall.  He said: "This Lodge has

suffered much from mismanagement and discord in the past, and

circumstances even now are anything but conducive to barmony." The

Grand Lodge Officers for the Masonic Year 1877-1878 were: M.W. Bro.

Frederick Williams, G.M.; R.W. Bro.  Ell Harrison, D.G.M.; R,W.

Bro.  J. G. Vintner, S.G.W.; R.W. Bro.  C. M. Chambers, J.G.W.; M.

W. Waitt, Grand Treasurer; Ell Harrison, Grand Secretary; P.

J. Hall, Grand Tyler. The Grand Lodge was closed on February 19th,

1877, thus concluding the Sixth Annual Communication.

 

 Building of the Masonic Temple One of the very important prcjects

of the year 1 8 7 7 was the building of a Masonic Temple.  The

plans were submitted on October 20th, 1877, and that of Bro.

Teague was accepted.  On December 22nd of that year tenders were

accepted as follows: W. E. Wright, stone and brick work

-$4,500.00 John Bennett, carpenter work

2,600.00 D. Heal, unwork                   900.00 J. Spratt,

ironwork               100.00 T. R. Mitchell, painting        3

28.00

 

   Total for the Building   $   8,428.00

 

The two lots are 120 feet wide and 1 20 feet long, and cost $ 1,7 5

0. 00. The Building is 49 feet by 67 feet, and is situated on the

corner of Douglas and Fisgard Streets.  The Lodge room is 30 feet

wide, 57 feet long and 27 feet 6 inches high.  The building is 'ust

opposite to the Hudson's Bay Company's Store, and faces on Fisgard

Street. To finance the building 500 Shares were issued at $20.00

each.  Victoria Lodge subscribed $ 1,400. 00; Vancouver Lodge,

$500.00; and Columbia Royal Arch Chapter, $300.00. The Grand

Master, in his Report, sal @d that the Brethren of the Jurisdiction

mourned the loss of M.W. Bro.  Robert Burnaby, who died on January

12th, 1878, in Leicester, England, where he had gone for the

benefit of his health.

 

 

 

     The Grand Master said: "Grief and mourning fill our hearts.

His life had been devoted to the happiness of his fellow men, and

he died as he l-,ad lived, an honoured member of an Order which he

loved." The Committee on the Grand Master's Address expressed

regret at the loss of M.W. Bro.  Burnaby, " whom the members of the

Craft might well regard as the brightest ornament in the history of

Freemasonry in this Jurisdiction." The Grand Master in his address

noted that Victoria Lodge, No. 1, and British Columbia Lodge, No.

5, united to form Victoria-Columbia Lodge, No. 1, and he had

installed the officers on April 3rd, 1877. Also, Vancouver Lodge,

No. 2, and Quadra Lodge, No. 8, united to form Vancouver and Quadra

Lodge, No. 2. He had installed the officers on May 16th, 1877. In

concluding his address, the Grand Master said: "May God, Who

protected our fathers in ages gone, Who is our shield for the

present, and our hope for the future, guide, guard and protect us

in the work wbicb we have undertaken, until its termination shall

unite the whole human family in indissoluble bonds of sympathy and

love." The Board of General Purposes reported: "The Annual

Communication of Grand Lodge shall bc holden in the City of

Victoria on the Saturday in June immediately preceding St. John's

Day in each

 

 year, provided that the next Annual Communication shall be held in

June, 1879.  The Report was adopted.

 

      M.W. Bro.  Eli Harrison

 

     Eli Harrison, a member of Vincouver and Quadra Lodge, No. 2,

was elected Grand Master at the Sevento Annual Communication, held

in Victoria on February I 6th and 18th, 1878.

 

     On April 22nd of that year he laid the Corner Stone of the

Temple, and he consecrated it on October 18th, in the presence of a

distinguished company of some five hundred people, including

representatives of the Judiciary, the Clergy, the Provincial

Government, and Freemasons of many sister Jurisdictions. In the

conclusion of an eloquent address, the Grand Master said: "We ought

to trust God, and obey the Moral Law, to be charitable, to be just,

upright and honourable.  We are taught temperance, prudence,

fortitude, and to conform to the law of the land.  We are taught

lessons of virtue from our working tools, and sublime lessons from

our ritual.  Genuine manhood is our aim; and, if a brother be but

faithful to the cause he has espoused, most cert ainly he 'II be

true to h*mself, to his fellow-

 

wi               1 men, to his  country  and  to  his  God"' The

whole Craft mourned the passing of the Deputy Grand Master, R.W.

Brother James Gordon Vintner, in the prime of his manhood.  The

funeral was on February 8th,

 

 

 

1 8 79, and it was conducted by Vancouver and Quadra Lodge. The

Grand Master stated that recognition bad been accorded to the Grand

Lodge by more than sixty Jurisdictions, yet no communication was

received from the Grand Lodge of Scotland; but the Grand Lodge of

England, after due consideration, had acknowledged this Grand

Lodge, and, by request, bad returned the Charters to the Lodges

formerly ander its jurisdiction.

 

     At the Annual Communication of 1879, recognition was withdrawn

from the Grand Orient of France, by resolution of R.W. Bro.

Cornelius Thorne and V.W. Bro.  H. H. Long, Grand Chaplain, as

follows: "Resolved that this Grand Lodge of British Columbia deeply

regrets that the Grand Orient of France has departed from the

ancient Landmarks of the Craft by erasing from ber Constitution,

and ignoring the namc of God, and by not requiring a belief in the

Deity as a prerequisite for initiation, and further, does hereby

express its indignation at the course pursued by the Grand Orient,

and now severs all relations that liavc heretofore existed between

this Grand Lodge and the said Grand Orient, 't such t*me as she

shall acknowlunti 1 edge the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and

otherwise act and abide by the ancient usage of the Honourable

Fraternity to the satisfaction of the Grand Lodge of England and of

other Grand Lodges."

 

      At the Ninth Annual Communication, on June 19th and 2 1st, 1

880, at Victoria, the Grand Master gave particular attention to

Charity.  He said: three of every four persons applying for relief

were not entitled to it as members.  Of those assisted that year,

one had paid no dues for twenty years; another had paid no dues for

nine years; and another had paid no dues for seven years.

Notwithstanding this, the common ties of humanity demanded that

they should receive relief.  Some of the recipients were from

France; some from the West Indies; and some from New Brunswick.  He

noted that more relief was given by private persons than by others.

He expressed indebtedness to Joseph Spratt, shipowner, and to

Captain Rudlin for passage and care of the sick while travelling.

He thought care should be taken before suspending members for

non-payment of dues, as many who appeared to be comfortably

provided for needed our sympathy and forebearance. At the Ninth

Annual Communication, June 16th and 18th, 1881, at Victoria, the

Grand Master expressed disappointment that no ncw Lodges had been

formed, but he noted that, while so many people had left the

Province, the Lodges had increased in wealth, and had not

diminished in the number of members.

 

     The Grand Master looked upon Charity as the groundwork of the

Order, and hoped he would always

 

 

 

tolerate the poor and upright of every race and religion, for

without such toleration universal brotf)erhood is impossible.  He

said every Brother should interest himself in Charity and

Benevolence. and thus brl'.ng JOY to the sorrowful, comfort to the

wretched, relief to the destitute, and consolation to the troubled.

He said: "T have endeavoured to T,,crform my work in accordance

with the ancient landmarks of the Craft.  My desire has been to

avoid giving offence to anyone; and at the same time not to swerve

from the path of rectitude.  I pray the Great Architect of the

Universe to continue to preside over our Temple: and, under his

protection, may we always perform our duties with fervency and

zeal." W.  Bro. J. Spencer l@hompson dried on December 21st, 1880.

Vancouver and Quadra Lodge co.'iducted the funeral.  In 1861, W.

Bro.  Thompson was a member of the Committee to discuss with

Governor Douglas the finishing of the Cariboo Road: and he was also

a member of the Conimittec sent to discuss the question of granting

representative Government to the Colony.  In 187 1, he represented

the Cariboo in the Dominion Parliament. The Tenth Annual

Communication was held in Victoria.  A Warrant was granted to

Cascade Lodge,,, No. 10, at Yale, then the construction centre of

the railway from Fniory's Bar to Port Moody, but before the Lodge

could be formed,

 

 Yale was destroyed by fire, and the Masonic Hall with most of its

contents was burned.  The Grand t,odge arranged for a re-issue of

the Charter, if a sufficient number of members could be found to

re-establish the Lodge, but the Construction Centre was moved from

Yale, and with it went the hopes of establishing a Lodge.

 

      M.W. Bro.  C. M. Chambers

 

     M.W. Bro.  Coote Mulloy Chambers was Grand Master for

18811882, but bis year was one of apparent inactivity.  In Quebec,

Elgin Lodge, to wl)icti Dr. Powell had belonged, King Solomon Lodge

and Argyle Lodge, formerly under tl)e Jurisdiction of the Grand

I-odge of Scotland, became constituents of the Grand Lodge of

Quebec on January 27th, 1881.

 

     On July 2nd, 1881, Prcsicient Garfield was shot by an

assissiii, and died at Elberon, September I 9th, 188 1. On July

21st of that year, Dr. Albcrt Gallatin Mackey died. f-le was

r,iourncd by the whole Masonic N@,orld. The Eleventh Annual

Communication was hcld at Victoria, June 17th, 1882.  M.W. Bro.

Coote M. Chambers rulcd: "That to confer the l,onour of Past Master

on any Brother who had not been duly elected as Master of Iiis

Lodge would b,,, at variance with the Ancient I indmarks."

 

 

 

     At this Grand Lodge Communication, the rank of Past Senior

Grand Warden was conferred on Bro.  E. Crow Baker.

 

     There was some trouble in Utah over the exclusion of Mormons

from the Craft, according to the report of the Grand

Representatl@ve, V.W. Bro.  Heisterman.  The Lodges concerned

claimed that the chief tenct of the Mormon Church is polygamy,

which is contrary to United States Law, whereas Freemasonry must be

loyal to the Government, and yield a ready obedience to all its

laws.

 

     The Grand Lodcle was closed on June 20th, 1882, at Victoria.

 

      M.W. Bro.  Henry Brown

 

     The Grand Master of 1882-1883 was M.W. Bro.  Henry Brown.  One

of the most important events of I)IS year was the visit of the

CiovcrnorGeneral the Marquis of l,orne, and his Royal Consort, the

princess Louise, the daughter of Quecii Victoria.  The vice-regal

visit was of very great importance to Britisl) subjects in the

Province, and especially to residents of Victoria.

 

     The Steamer Grappler was burned on April 29th, 1883, and Bro.

Sid-1@homas 1,@ranklyn d*cd bravely ney at his post in Iiis

endeavour to save the lives of those on board.

 

     The Brethren also mourned tl)c passing of R.W. Bro.  Ebenczer

Brown, P.Ci.W., and of Phi'llp @J. H.,ill, Grand Tyler.

 

      Fraternal sympathy was extended to the Grand Lodges of Ohio,

Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, where devastating floods had taken

dread toll of lives and property of Masonic brethren and their

fellow citizens, for disaster makes a brotherhood of all sufferers,

even of those not bound together by Masonic ties. The Twelfth

Annual Communication, commencing on June 23rd, 1883, was held in

New Westminster, and it was the first Annual Communication to be

held outside of the City of Victoria. The Grand Master in his

address 'd he had rece*ved no application

 

sal                1 from the Yale Brethren for a re-issue of the

Charter, provision for which had been made at the last meeting of

Grand Lodge, but he recommended that the time be extended for

anotl)cr year, in order that the Brethren of Yale might take it up

again without further expense, if they should be in a position to

do so.  Of the fifteen petitioners, only two had affiliated with

other Lodges. The Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge of Scotland

had rec(,,remended that recognition be accorded to the Grand Lodge

of British ColurTibla, afid that our represciitativc iie.ir that

Grand Lodge be R.W. Bro.  Sava(,c, Provincial Grand i%,Iaster of

the Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeen.  The Grand Master had

issued a Commission to R.W. Bro.  Savage upon receiving notice of

the recommendation.

 

 

 

     The Grand Master reminded the Brethren that the giving of

pecuniary aid is not the only form of charity we are called upon to

exercise, but there are other ways, such as visiting the sick,

lending a helping hand to an erring brother, and throwing the

mantle of charity over the faults of others. In conclusion, he

said: "Let me assure you that I will return to the ranks, a willing

worker, in the cause of Freemasonry, ever ready to perform any duty

that may fall to my lot, to the best of my ability." The Grand

Chaplain spoke from the text: "We are members one of another."

Ephesians, 4, 25.  He said: "We owc our happiness iii a large

measure to the presence of others.  We justly glory in our

civilization, but it is the product of the workers of all time.

Our religious liberties have flowed to us in streams of buman

blood.  We speak of being independent.  It is a vain boast.  We are

members one of anotl)er." The following principal officers were

installed: M.W. Bro.  Edgar Crow Baker, Grand Master; R.W. Bro.

Tlionias Trounce, D.G.M.; R.W. Bro.  Robert Kelly, S.G.W.@ R. W.

Bro.  Robert Beavcn, J.G.W,; V.W. Bro.  M. W. Waitt, Grand

Tre.isurer; V.W. Bro.  A, R. Mllnc,, Grand Secretary; V.W. Bro.  R.

H. Smith, Grand Chaplain: and Bro.  W. Trickey, Grand Tyler. The

Grand Lodge wis closed June 24th, 1883.

 

      M.W. Bro.  E. Crow Baker

 

     M.W. Bro.  Edgar Crow Baker, Grand Master for the Masonic year

1883-1884, had served as Grand Secretary during the previous four

years.  He had retired from the Navy in 1872.  He was accountant at

Halifax for the Intercolonial Railway.  He came to British Columbia

in 1874, and for three years he was accountant at Hastings Mill,

and for the next three years he was employed in the Finance

Department in Victoria by the Provincial Government.  He organized

the pilotage system in Victoria and the Esquimalt Telephone System,

and was elected to the Dominion Parliament in 1882, and retired in

1889. The Grand Master I)ad affiliated with Victoria-Columbia

Lodg6, and was Master in 1880.  He was absent on Parliamentary duty

for a great part of the year, but he had a very capable Grand

Secretary and a very faltbful Deputy Grand Master. At a special

Communication of Grand Lodge on July 28th, 1883, the Grand Master

laid the Corner Stone of the British Columbia Protestant Orphans'

Honic in Victoria.  He was assisted by Grand Lodge Officers and by

Victoria Lodges and members of the Victoria Royal Arch Chapter.

The Mayor and Council also attended.  The President of the Home,

Bro.  A. A. Green, presented the silver trowel, and Bro.  George

Frye, on behalf of the Masons of Victoria, handed to the Grand Mas-

 

 

 

ter, for the Home, a purse of $250-00; and the Brethren marched

around the Stone and deposited thereon their contributions,

totalling $372.40. The Oration was given by Senator Macdonald; the

closing prayer was offered by Bishop Cridge, and the benediction

pronounced by Rev.  R. H. Smith, the Grand Chaplain.  We regret to

say that V.W. Bro.  Smith passed away on November I 2th of that

year, @ust ten davs after the death of his wife.  The sympathy of

the whole jurisdiction was felt for the three daughters, tt lus

sorely bereaved of both parents.

 

     The Grand Master said that Very Worshipful Bro.  Smith bad

left an invaluable legacy in the example of Virtue and Piety, which

his life so eminently exhibited.  The funeral was conducted by

Vancouver and Quadra Lodge.

 

     The Brethren of Calgary wished to apply for a Charter, but

eventually received their Charter from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.

The Lodge was named Bow River.  One of the Charter Members, Bro.

William McGillivray, became a charter member of Pacific 16, Mission

City.

 

     The Thirteenth Annual Communication was hcld at Nanaimol

commencing on June 21st, 1884. -1@he attendance was small, as a

loss of ten days was necessary for brethren from the mainland, and

many could not afford to lose so much time from busincss affairs.

 

56-

 

      The Grand Master said that in all their deliberations they

should endeavour to keep that amity of feeling and sentiment which

should cbarztcterize all our intercourse as true Freemasons; and

that we should carefully scrutinize the character of every

candidate for the mysteries.  The strictest examination should be

made into the life and character of applicants.  No one should ever

pass the portal of our mystic edifice, nor enter the Middle

Chamber, until be has been fully and duly prepared.  He also t ried

to impress upon them the great necessity of obedience to our motto:

"Audt', Vide, Tace." On July 12th, 1884, Bro.  Albert Pike, a

distinguished Freemason, visited Victoria, and was welcomed by M.W.

Bro.  Baker and the Grand Lodge Officers.  He was accompanied by

many distinguished and high ranking Brethren from the United

States.  On the following evening, Bro.  Pike delivered an eloquent

address on "The Symbolism of Our Order." Later, at the banquet

table, there were numerous responses by the Brethren.  The Grand

Master said their only regret was the shortness of their stay. The

Grand Master said: "I trust the day is not far distant when the

uniform and salutory, though silent and unseen influences of our

principles will effectively silence the tongue of calumny and

weaken, if not forever extinguish, the unj'ustiliable rancour and

hatred of enemies.

 

 

 

     Recognition was accorded to the Grand Lodge of Victoria,

organized in Melbourne, July 2nd, 1883, with 19 Lodges, of which 11

were Irish, 6 Scottish, and 2 were English.

 

        R.W. Bro.  Thomas Trounce The Grand Master said that he

could not attend the Fourteenth Annual Communication on June 20th

and 21st, 1885, R.W. Bro.  Trounce, therefore, presided.  The Grand

Master wrote: "Freemasonry meets with the virtuous of every

persuasion, in the firm and pleasing bonds of fraternal love, and

all are taught to view the errors of mankind, with c by v'

compassion and to striv of our own conduct to demonstrate the

superior quality of our faith, which we ourselves profess to a

dmire, so that Freemasonry may be, in reality, what we allege it to

be: the centre of union between good men and true, and the happy

means of conciliating friendship among those who must otherwise

have remained at a perpetual distance." Bro.  John Buie reported

the laying of the Corner Stone of the Episcopal Church at Surrey on

August 6th, 1 884, and that group photographs had been taken by

Bishop Sillitoe.

 

     The Deputy Grand Master said: "In entering upon our business,

let us divest our minds of all selfish considerations, and as true

Freemasons, enter upon the performance of our labours with a steady

purpose to promote the good of our Order, that

 

 tbe work may be completed in such a manner that it may redound to

our credit as Freemasons, thereby gaining the approval of the

Supreme Grand Master, Wbo is above all, Whose judgments are always

perfect, and to Whose guidance and approval all Freemasons look."

The coming year beralded the dawn of progress for British Columbia,

and especially for Freemasons here.  The progress was primarily due

to the reaction of the tide of industry that had receded with the

decline of gold production and th,, failure of the fur market in

Europe, as the demand for beaver skins, the staple article of the

Fur Trade, had ceased, especially as beaver hats had gone out of

style.

 

                      Kamloops Lodge, No. 10

 

     Confederation had linked the Prairie Provinces with the

Canadas and the Maritimes, and the long stretch of intervening

prairie had been linked with the Pacific Province by the steel

bands of the Canadian Pacific Railway.  Towns had come into being

with the coming of the railway, and new life was added to the older

towns and settlements. Masonic development needed no forcing.  In

each growing settlement there were Freemasons, and when a

sufficient number could be found, usually a meeting was held and a

movement begun for the formation of a Lodge.  Since the formation

of the Grand Lodge, the most important

 

 

 

Masonic event was the founding oll, Kamloops Lodge, No. 10.

Kamloops was a fur trading post in the early days, and it attained

great importance after the coming of the railway.  It is the

commercial centre of the Southern Dry Belt. The Lodge was formed by

railwaymen and business men of the city, but the leader was a

clergyman, the Rev.  Darrall R. W. Horlock, who came to British

Columbia in 1862, and was resident at Yale during the time of its

prosperity.  Afterwards, he was sent to Kamloops by Bishop

Sillitoe; and, from that time until Iiis return to England, he was

closely associated with Freemasonry in this Jurisdiction. Kamloops

Lodge was approved by Union Lodge, No. 9, in 1885.  After receiving

its dispensation, the first meeting was held January 5th, 1886.

There does not appear to have been any fornial institution. Another

event of great importance was the unanimous decision of Mount

Hermon Lodge, on February 20th, 1886, to move across the Irilct to

Vancouver.  Evidently the Brethren came a little too soon, for

Vancouver was destroyed by fire that year, on June 13th, and Mount

Hermon Lodge lost its regalia and other Lodge eff ects. The

Fifteenth Annual Communication was held in Victoria on June 19th,

1886.  M.W. Bro.  Trounce c(:)mmented on the prosperous condition

of the Craft.  He was particu-

 

 Jarly pleased with Kamloops Lodge, for by the end of April it had

initiated five new members, received four by affiliation, and had

two applications on hand. With reference to bis own work, the Grand

Master said: "Permit me to say that, although we bave not been able

to see eye to eye in all mattets, I do claim that, in all my Ma..on

c l@fe, my guiding thought has been, above all other

considerations, to maintain the honour and integrity of our beloved

Order, notwitbstanding there may bave been times of friction in

some matters of rulings, I can conscientiously say that I have been

guided by a feeling of duty to the Craft, based on the solemnity of

my oblig ation, to preserve the Landmarks of our Order, and to

maintain the ancient usages and constitutions on which I was

obligated." This would appear to indicate that M.W. Bro.  Baker's

reference to some of the lessons in the Ancient Charges, and his

admonitions against any change in the Landmarks were carefully

considered, and that th,Grand Master had carried out will) some

determination his predecessors ideas in these matters. The

Committee expressed regret that the Grand Master had not been able

to visit the Lodges, because of illness in bis family, but while

they expressed fraternal sympathy, they ventured to hope that his

successor would be able to carry out in the ensuing year his

evident desire in this respect.

 

 

 

     By resolution of Grand Lodge, a Warrant was granted to

Kamloops Lodge, No. 10, Kamloops. Three trustees were appointed to

increase the scope and efficiency of the Benevolent Fund.  Grand

Lodge also voted Five Hundred Dollars to purchase regalia to

replace that lost by Mount Hermon Lodge in the Vancouver fire.

Grand Lodge closed June 21st, 1886, at Victoria.

 

      M.W. Bro.  William Dalby

 

     The Grand Master for 1886-1887 was William Dalby, of Vancouver

and Quadra Lodge, which he had i . oined in 1867 by affiliation and

of which he was Master of 1870.  His wife was a sister of Sewell

Moody. On July 13th, 1886, be welcomed to Victoria Hon.  Thomas

White, a distinguished member of Parliament.  The Deputy Grand

Master said be would always remember bis reception of them, which

was worthy of a statesman and a Freemason.  It was also the Grand

Master's privilege to welcome Sir John A. Macdonald, Prime Minister

of Canada and Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of England.

He received them cordially, and his reply to the address was

courteous and appreciative and bore the marks of the creat

statesman.

 

                                0 The Grand Master asked W. Bro.

Angus McKeown to constitute Kamloops Lodge No. I 0, which he did on

November 7th, 1886.  The Grand Master said that the Consecration

and Installation were completed to

 

 the satisfaction of Kamloops Lodge, and that it was done in a very

able and satisfactory manner, as was all Masonic work performed by

Bro.  McKeown. George Anthony Walkem, a young lawyer who affiliated

with Kamloops Lodge, became Premier of British Columbia; and

another young lawyer, William Ward Spinks, who i I oined by

initiation, became a County Court Judge, and also he was the author

of Tales of the Bri'tt*sh Columbi'a Fror2ti"er.  Henry John Cambie,

another member, was a Civil Engineer, and took a leading part in

the construction of the C.P.R. Camble Street, Vancouver, was named

for him.

 

      Mountain Lodge, No. 11

 

     The Grand Master issued a dispensation to Mountain Lodge,

Donald.  It was named for Donald Smith, afterwards Lord Strathcona.

The Lodge was instituted by R.W. Bro.  Horlock, assisted by Dr.

Sibree Clarke.  It was the first Lodge in th@is Jurisdiction to use

the Canadian Work.  When the construction centre moved from Donald,

Mountain Lodge moved to Golden. On May 4th, 1887, there was a

terrible calamity at Nanaimo, an explosion in a coal mine, in which

four brethren lost their lives.  Bro.  Samuel Hudson, hearing of

the disaster, hastened from Wellington, organized a rescue party

and went down into the mine, but having ventured too far,

 

 

 

he was caught by the deadly afterdamp.  He was brought to the

surface. but all attempts to resuscitate him proved unavailing. The

Grand Master expressed sympathy to Ashlar Lodge and to the

bereaved, and also to the citizens of Nanaimo, and he said: "Let

us, my brethren, practise that greatest of all virtues, Charity,

and give to those who need, as the Lord has prospered us. Thus we

may truly honour the names of our brethren, who so nobly perished,

and for whom we grieve: let us shelter those who were dependent on

them and who were bound to them by ties of love an d kindred." The

Grand Lodge met at Nanaimo on June 18th, 1887.  The Grand Master

said in his address: "While it is desirable that we should have as

many members as possible, I have always believed in the old axiom:

that it is better to have good men re@ected than to bave one bad

man elected, for we have learned by experience that a troublesome

man will caus@@ so much dissension in a Lodge in one nic.,ht that

it will take months to replace the good feel ing and unity of

purpose that should at all times exist." He thought that something

should be done about the Benevolent Fund.  He said: "It is

acknowledged the world over that Charity in its true sense is the

source of our strength. -1@he dispensing of charity is one of the

fundamental tenets of Freemasonry; and when a strange brother

 

 from a strange land applies to us for charity, we should have our

Fund in such shape that we can immediatelv render the relief

sought. The Grand Lodge arranged that all money paid into the Fund

after December 31st, 1879, with interest at five per cent, should

be equally divided amongst the two Victoria lodges and Mount Hermon

Lodge, and that all money paid in previous tc that time should

remain in a Fund of Benevolence.  This was agreed to, and a

Committee was appointed to draft rules for the government of the

Fund. The Grand Master visited VictoriaColumbia and Vancouver and

Quadra Lodges.  He attended the funeral of R.W. Bro.  Hughes, who

died on November 8th, and the funeral was arranged for the

following day.  Interment took place at New Westminster. He also

presided at the installation of Victoria-Columbia and Vancouver and

Quadra Lodges.  He did not visit Cariboo Lodge because of the

distance and the expense to the Grand Lodge. He had arranged to

visit Mount Hermon Lodge and to dedicate the Hall, but was unable

to get transportation, as the Pri@ncess Louise had to cancel the

Vancouver sailing.

 

                      M.W. Bro.  A. R. Milne

 

     The Grand Master for the Masonic year 1887-1888 was M.W. Bro.

Alexander Roland Mitne, who was

 

 

 

born in Morayshire, Scotland, on December 29th, 1839.  He received

his higher education in Marichal College, Aberdeen.  The family

came to Ontario in 1855, and A. R. Milne came to British Columbia

in 1864, and after some time in the Cariboo, he came to Victoria

and worked in the Customs Department.  He was appointed appraiser

in 1882 and Collector in 1890.  He rendered valuable service in the

Behring Sea Seal Arbitration; he prepared and presented the case,

and was made a Companion of St. Michael and St. Ge orge.

 

     He was a member of Pythagoras Lodge, Meaford, Ontario.  He

affiliated with Vancouver and Quadra, and was Worshipful Master in

1882.

 

     On August 27th, 1887, lie laid the Corner Stonc of the Masonic

Temple in New Westminster.  The Architect was George Grant and the

Contractor was Henry Hoy.  In his address, the Grand Master said:

"The Master Mason niay perforni his work never so well; the

apprentice and craftsman may labour in subordination to his

authority: the Masonic walls may rise in all their solid strength;

the costly 'ewels of our work may adorn the various chambers; the

fire may be kindled upon the inner altars; and the entranc es may

be well guarded: but all will be in vain unless there is a deeper,

underlying foundation of Masonic love and Masonic unity.  With that

beneath the material foundation, the Temple is indeed

 

 secure and indestructible.  The solid foundations of the Globe

have need of no more permanent Corner Stone than that structure

under whose deep bases repose Truth, Charity and Brotherly Love. On

November 22nd, 1887, Dr. Sibree Clarke constituted Mountain Lodge,

at Donald, and installed the officers.  He was assisted by Canon

Cooper. Dr. Robert Morris, well known as poet laureate of

Freemasonry, was welcomed by Grand Master Milne at a joint meeting

of Victoria Lodges.  He gave a very interesting and irxstructive

address on "The Symbolism of Freemasonry." He also recited a number

of his shorter poems; and he wrote a poem in honour of the Grand

Master, whose guest he was while in Victoria.

 

     In accordance with the Grand Lodge Resolution, a monument was

erected to the Memory of Samuel Hudson; and the Grand Master, by

request, unveiled it at Nanaimo on May 5th, 1888, in the presence

of his principal officers and the Freemasons and citizens of

Nanaimo and visiting Brethren. He recalled the terrible calamity of

the previous year, which had overwhelmed in death some of their

bravest and most honoured citizens. He said: "Our dead are not

forgotten; the memory of them shall not perish.  May this monument

become a centre of interest and local pride, a monument to the

generosity,

 

 

 

wisdom and gratitude of the living to the devotion and sacrifice of

the dead.  "

 

     "Wbo that believes in the immortality of the soul, who that

has faitf] iti a brighter world, who that looks beyond the horizon

of Time to a reunion with the good and the pure, does not value

such a tribute, and aspire by his devotion and charity, and love of

humanity, to such a Crown upon the efforts of his life?"

 

     "Tbe last bonours are paid to the dead, but the life he left

us is here to admonish us by its speech that want and suffering

have not died, that the wi 'dow and the, orphan remain, that man

has yet need of charity, that oppression and wrong hold their

carnivals, and that the vigils of Liberty and Right yet demand the

constancy of their watchmen."

 

     At the dedication of the Temple in New Westminster on June

23rd, 1888, th,- Grand Master said: "We congratulate you, my

Brethren, upon the possession of this new and beauti 'ful Temple,

the finest and most complete in the Province, a Masonic home, so

admirably adapted to the necessities and conveniences of your Lodge

duties and associations.  Wc commend your wisdom in the conception

and plan, your zeal in constructing, completing, ornamenting, and

finishing.  We recognize in its erection your devotion to

Freemasc.nry, your fidelity to the interests of Union Lodge, and

your allegiance to the Grand Lodge."

 

      "You have put your house in order, and dedicated it to high

and holy purposes.  See that those purposes are well fulfilled.

Let this be your epoch from which to date a generation of Masonic

excellence.  Let each resolve to be more attentive, more active,

more solicitous to become not only a brighter, but a better

Freemason." The Seventeenth Annual Commur.ication of Grand Lodge

was openec.1 at New Westminster at 4:00 o'clock in the af ternoon

of June 2 3 rd, 1 8 8 8. The Grand Master said, in opening his

address: "We meet under auspices the most cheering, under

circumstances the most favouring, and it becomes us to acknowledge

that protecting Providence that has upheld and sustained us.  May

we now ever look to Flim for support and gul 'dance." All

Freemasons throughout the Jurisdiction were sorry to hear of thL

passing of Jonathan Nutt, Past Senior Grand Warden, and first

Worshipful Master of Cariboo t-odge.  The Grand Master said: "He

was a patient sufferer, and faithful and zealous in the cause of

Masonry.  His early labours during the pioneer days of our Province

will cver be remembered and his memory cherished." As the Grand

Secretary, V.W. Bro.  Ncufelder, was about to leave the Colony, the

Grand Lodge, in -tccordance with the desire of the Grand Master,

conferred upon him the Honorary rank of I'ast Grand Senior Warden.

in iccognition of his

 

 

 

valuable services.  Also, by request of Union Lodge, the rank of

Past Grand Treasurer was conferred upon Benjamin Douglas, who, for

many years, had been treasurer of Union Lodge.

 

     The Grand Master welcomed the Honourable Thomas White, Past

Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario, and a Federal

Cabinet Minister.  He regretted to announce his death on April 2]st

of that year. He also regretted to report the explosion of a coal

mine at North Wellington on January 25th last.  He sal 'd our

deepest sympathy went out tc the bereaved and our prayers to the

throne of Grace. A dispensation was issued to Cascade Lodge on May

I I th, 18 8 8, and a dispensation to Spallumcheen Lodge on June

20th, 1888.

 

     On May 22nd, 1888, Right Rev.  Bishop A, W. Sillitoe laid the

Cor ner Stone of the Episcopal (-hurch at Kamloops. 'I@he

Jurisdiction was divided into four Districts, namely: Vancouver

Island, New Westniiiister, Yale Kootenay, and Cariboo. The Grand

Chaplain, V.W. Bro.  Canon Cooper, spoke from the 133rd Psalm:

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell

together in unity." He said: "Such unity can only be obtained by

the faithful and searching reformation of each community by itself

and for itself, and by the returning of each and all to the

simplicity and purity of the Faith that was once delivered to the

Saints."

 

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