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

integral part of an order , great " per se , " desiring a continuance of our connection with the parent stock . At the same time 1 fully concur in the steps taken by this Grand Priory , and contend that Ave are entitled to hold the position of a national

or great priory , co-equal with those of the nationalities of the empire , aud under the direct rule of our royal Grand Master . We feel that it is not consistent with the dignity of this vast dominion , or the high position the order now holds in Canada ,

and the confidence and self-reliance of its members in their OAVU ability to sustain its prestige , to be recognized merely as a subordinate body of the Great Priory of England ; and I am fully prepared to assist in attaining this end by using every lawful

means in our poAver , Avhile discountenancing any hasty movement that Avould tend to rend asunder ties Ave have always been taught to consider sacred , nor can I , consistently , take part in any action for independence unless sanctioned by constitutional

authority of the parent body , Avho may themselves desire this separation . i regret to find that amongst some of the preceptories in England much discontent

and dissatisfaction prcA'ails at the recent changes in the Constitution : objections being made principally to the omission of the word Masonic in the title of the order , the abolition of past rank , and change in the officers' titles j and memorials have been fonvarded from some of the provincial

priories to the Great Priory , expressive of their disapprobation , and complaining that the changes had been adopted Avithout time being allowed for a full discussion by the members of the order at large . It appears to me thatin great partsuch

, , complaints in England as to the Avorking of the new statutes are founded on erroneous ideas , and Avant of proper information . The mere non-insertion of the word Masonic in the title of the order is in no Avay an alteration of the Constitution ,

and there has been no severance of the Masonic connection , but the reverse , as the recent rule extends the Masonic qualification , and no change was made in the old law . It is useful to remember that the ^ yol ¦ d Masonic has not been droppedit has

, simply not been inserted in the new title of the order , Avhich was necessary , because the official titles in England , Scotland , and Ireland all differed ; in the same Avay no

new names of officers haA'e been createdthe commissioners appointed to reA'ise the statutes have only made a choice , out of titles already used in England , Scotland , and Ireland , of those Avhich seemed most iu consonance with the spirit of the order ,

taking what seemed best from all , and desiring not to favour any one of the nationalities . Unfortunately , the union of the Grand Body of Scotland has been delayed ; but the committee had no reason to suppose this would be the case , and took

Avhat was good from the Scottish branch of the order , as Avell as from the others . As regards past rank , the number of officers , Avho , in the course of years , carried such rank , rendered the order simply ridiculous , and Avhich mig ht be likened to an army of

officers and no soldiers ; the expressed Avish in this case , has not , hoAvever , been ignored , and the proceedings of the Great Priory in May last , recently received ,

notify that a partial restoration of jiast rank has been recommended by the council , and the subject remains open for further discussion . My OAVU opinion is , that some other ivay of reAvarcling national and provincial officers for their services

during the terms of office might be devised , such as conferring a distinguishing badge for all past officers , and this , I believe , has already been under consideration . Amongst other objections raised against the present titles , a prominent one is

, " That the order , under the present designation , tacitly assumes an identity Avith the Templars of old , which deprives it of its legitimate claim to be treated as an integral portion of the entire system of Freemasonry . " Should this claim to

represent the ancient order be set aside , the craft , at the same time ignoring it as a degree of Masonry , what does it represent ? It seems almost a sufficient and conclusive

ansAver to such objection m England to refer to the last clause of the Articles of Union of the Grand Lodges of England in 1813 , Avhich provides for meetings of the degrees of Chivalry according to the constitutions of the said orders , clearly implying that the Templar degree Avas then

considered one of the orders of knighthood , albeit in emmection with Freemasonry . As this objection goes to the very foundation of the present organization of the Temple , it is of the greatest importance that you should have the fullest informa-