Address Of The V. H. And E. Sir Kt. Col. W.J. B. Macleod Moore.

ADDRESS OF THE V . H . AND E . SIR KT . COL . W . J . B . MACLEOD MOORE .

Grand Cross of the Temple ; Grand Prior of the Dominion of Canada . DELIVERED to the Sir Knights assembled in Grand Priory at tho Masonic Temple , St . Catharine ' sOut ., on the 11 th August

, , A . D . 1875 . Officers and Members of the Grand Priory , Fratres of the Canadian Branch of the United Orders of the Temple and St . John of Jerusalem—Greeting , —The high confidence and respect of Avhich I have

been the proud recipient at the hands of the Templar Body in Canada from the period of my introduction of the order twenty years ago , and during my presidency ever since , Avould , I feel at this juncture , be ill repaid did I hesitate to reciprocate

that confidence and respect by entering into a calm and dispassionate VIOAV of our position , and any further action it may bo advisable to take in view of certain difficulties and anomalies that undoubtedly surround us , and especially as relating to our status as a grand body in relation to the other Templar organizations on this continent , they Avere most fairly set forth

in our memorial to tho Convent General of England and Ireland , in 1873 . I purpose , therefore , at this meeting to lay before you unreservedly my own impressions , confidently trusting that from a Aviso and temperate course on your parts may result

conclusions calculated to promote the advancement and stability of the "Militia " of the Temple iu Canada . I cannot but be sensible that you have every reason to complain of the manner you have been treated by the neglect of the Chancollerie

in England in bringing forward a plain , matter-of-fact memorial , the grantin" of which Ave plainly showed was in the best interests of the order , and Avas clearly provided for by the Statutes of Convent General ( see pages 17 and 18 ) ; and that

such complaint should be folloived by impatience , and a desire that definite and conclusive action should at once be taken on the matter in England . The resolution adopted at our last Grand Priory asking H . R . H . the Grand Master to assent to the prayer of the memorial , I duly forwarded to his Lordshi p the Great

Prior of England , to be laid before his Royal Highness . In addition to an official acknowledgment , I have had the pleasure of receiving communications from the Great Prior , Lord Limerick , written Avith his characteristic courtesy and friendl y

expressions of interest in all that relates to this Grand Priory , naming that he had written to the Grand Arch-Chancellor , agreeing with Avhat Avas sought for by us ; and he explains Avith regard to the delay Avhich had taken p lacethat the protracted

, absence of the Grand Master on the continent of Europe prevented his signature being obtained to the message relating to the petition ; Avhile the lamented death of the Duke of Leiuster , the Great Prior of Irelandimmediately before the last

Con-, vent General met in Dublin , had caused considerable difficulties to arise in the way of the transaction of any important business , but he assures me that at the next Convent General , to be held this year in London , he Avould see that there Avas no further

delay , and that he had no doubt that a satisfactory result Avould be arrived at . Under these circumstances I am sure that you Avill agree Avith me that no further stops can be taken until a reply is received from tho Convent General . I may add , that I have myself Avritten to the Vice-Chancellor , in London , requesting he Avould send us the earliest information of action

being taken , availing himself , if necessary , of tho Atlantic cable ; and I have just received through this channel intimation of the meeting of Convent General being definitely fixed for the 29 th of October . I am aAvare that total separation from the order in England has been mooted by

members of this Grand Priory , caused , no doubt , by irritation at the apparent contemptuous negligence in attending to our reasonable request , but I have ahvays contended , and still maintain , that our proper position is to continue firm in our allegiance

to the supreme head of the order in England . It is not onl y the most natural , but where else could Ave find so honourable a banner to serve under as that of the heir to the throne , Avho rules us Avith the sanction and approval of H . M . Gracious

Majesty the Queen . Separation would place the Templars of Canada in a very secondary position , as a mere adjunct to the Masonic body , attached to and tolerated on sufferance only whereas we are UOAV an