Michigan and Grand (River) Lodge
I am going to read from two little booklets today. From The Newsletter of the Committee on Masonic Education, but first from the historical section in our by-laws:
Around the year 1955 a fraternal visit was instigated between Jefferson Lodge No. 553 of St. Clair Shores, Michigan and Grand River Lodge No. 151. The minutes as recorded in 1955 read as follows: that on October 29, 1955 the Worshipful Master O. M. Keffer accompanied by approximately 30 officers and members journeyed by bus to Jefferson Lodge No. 553. Lodge was opened in the First Degree and Grand River Lodge exemplified the Entered Apprentice Degree for the benefit of the Jefferson Lodge brethren. Jefferson Lodge and Grand River alternate their visits every other year. The installation and investiture of officers is attended by both lodges each year.
This year is also the 150th Anniversary of the Grand Lodge of Canada. Now most masons think we are an off-shoot of the Grand Lodge of England, but in fact the Grand Lodge of Michigan may be our legal parent! Before 1855, masons in Ontario met under warrants of several Grand Jurisdictions but had made many attempts to form a Canadian Grand Lodge. All were rebuffed, or worse, simply ignored by the Grand Lodges in the British Isles.
Here is a motion that was moved and carried October 10, 1855:
Whereas, the existence of Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons in this province, hailing from three several Grand Lodges, is a system productive of much evil to the Craft, creating a diversity of interests and allegiance,—an absence of harmony in action and working, perpetuating local and national feelings and thus estranging the affections of brethren, whose Order knows no country and is confined to no race: and,
Whereas, the Benevolent funds of Canadian Freemasons, small as they are, are constantly taxed to relieve needy brethren from Europe, while our resources are doubly drawn upon by contributions to the Grand Lodges of England and Ireland, and to the Provincial Grand Lodges Canada, thus creating a constant drain upon those funds from which but little return can ever be expected: and.
Whereas, the distance between Canada and the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland presents a very serious difficulty in regard to (he necessary correspondence, as well as the prompt receipt of Warrants and Certificates, which have been delayed for months, and in some cases for years, greatly to the inconvenience of the fraternity in Canada: and.
Whereas, important communications, and even remittances of money, have been suffered to lie for years in the Grand Secretary's office of England, without the least acknowledgement of their having been received in due course, brethren being compelled to leave the Province before they could receive from England the certificates for which they had long previously paid: and.
Whereas, the communications of the Provincial Grand Lodges of Canada to the Grand Lodge of England, - though respectfully and masonically expressed, especially when in the form of petitions or remonstrances, have been treated with silent contempt, their very receipt remaining unacknowledged: and,
Whereas, the Provincial Grand Masters of Canada and their Deputies are not appointed by, and are entirely irresponsible to the Freemasons of Canada, being the mere nominees of the Grand Lodge of Great Britain, - the members of which can know but little of the state of the Craft, or the masonic position of individuals in this Province: and,
Whereas, whilst the Provincial Grand Lodges are thus rendered irresponsible to and independent of the Craft in Canada, experience has shown that they are unable to secure from the parent Grand Lodges that attention and respect which are due to their position:
Therefore be it resolved:
That in order to apply a remedy to the evils - to form perfect fraternal union and harmony, establish order, ensure tranquillity, provide for and promote the general welfare of the Craft, and secure to the fraternity of Canada all the Blessings of masonic privileges, - it is expedient, right and our bounden duty, to form a Grand Lodge of Canada.
Obviously, there were some bad feelings between the brethren in Canada and the Grand Lodge of England, so they would not have sent a representative to consecrate the new Grand Lodge. In fact neither they nor the Grand Lodge of Scotland recognized our Grand Lodge until 1859. (although the Grand Lodge of Ireland recognized us in 1856.) So on Nov. 2, 1855:
The deputation appointed to proceed to the residences of such Grand Masters as may be deemed expedient, to invite one or more of them to assist at the installation of the Grand master of Canada, reported: That they had proceeded to Detroit, and secured the services of the M. W. the Honorable H. T. Backus, Past Grand Master of the M. W. the Grand Lodge of theState of Michigan, who was in attendance, and ready to proceed at once to the consecration, installation, and investiture of the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of Canada.
The M. W. Bro. H. T. Backus was introduced, and took his seat on the Throne.
The M. W. Grand Master and Grand Officers elect of the Grand Lodge of Canada were then presented.
The M. W. Past Grand Master. H. T. Backus performed the ceremonies of consecrating the Grand Lodge of Canada, and installed the Grand Master and invested and installed the Grand Officers in due and ancient form.
Sources:
- The By-Laws of The Grand River Lodge, A.F. & A.M., No. 151, G.R.C.
- Jenkyns, Michael, Evolution to the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada, The Newsletter of the Committee on Masonic Education, Vol. 20 No. 0
Note: The Newsletter can be subscribed to by sending $18 to:
“Masonic Education Newsletter”
c/o 81 Naomee Crescent
London, On
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-- presented during a visit from Jefferson Lodge No. 553, Grand Lodge of Michigan