CHAPTER IV - The General Story
The familiar problems of infancy immediately confronted the young Grand Chapter. Disowned by one of its parents, the Grand Chapter of Scotland, it was not until 1876 that matters were finally straightened out and fraternal relations became established. The Grand Chapter of England, on the other hand, seems to have acknowledged her offspring with some pride, and recognition was immediately granted, possibly because chapters were commonly attached to lodges in England, and the Grand Lodge. of Nova Scotia had been recently recognized.
It must have seemed a matter of no small concern when an emergent meeting of Grand Chapter was called on December 28th, 1869, with the Grand High Priest, Honourable Alexander Keith in the chair, to consider a circular from the Grand Chapter of Scotland refusing recognition. It was claimed that, "the meeting at which the Grand Chapter was organized was not unanimous; that a member of St. Andrews Chapter had written to say that this Chapter was by no means unanimous and that there was no necessity for the formation". A number of companions expressed themselves and a strong resolution was passed:
It must have seemed a matter of no small concern when an emergent meeting of Grand Chapter was called on December 28th, 1869, with the Grand High Priest, Honourable Alexander Keith in the chair, to consider a circular from the Grand Chapter of Scotland refusing recognition. It was claimed that, "the meeting at which the Grand Chapter was organized was not unanimous; that a member of St. Andrews Chapter had written to say that this Chapter was by no means unanimous and that there was no necessity for the formation". A number of companions expressed themselves and a strong resolution was passed:
That the minutes showed complete unanimity.
That the Grand Chapter expressed its unqualified disapprobation of the conduct of the member of St. Andrews No. 2 who had presumed to make a statement so much at variance with the truth.
That the Grand Chapter of Scotland be requested to furnish this Grand Chapter with a copy of the communication referred to and the name of the writer.
That this Grand Chapter considers that portion of the circular of the Committee of the Grand Chapter of Scotland impugning the veracity of the Grand High Priest of this Grand Chapter as highly reprehensible and uncalled for.
That a copy of this resolution and a copy of the minutes of St. Andrews be sent to the Grand Chapter of Scotland.
What discussions may have taken place within the Grand Chapter of Scotland during the next seven years we do not know. Probablythe matter was conveniently forgotten, as the mother country so often did with insignificant colonial affairs which lacked urgency. However on March 4th, 1876, the Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland unanimously recognized the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia and asked for an exchange of representatives.
At the organization of Grand Chapter a delegate from St. Johns Chapter at Pictou had been present but refrained from voting, and no delegate had come from Yarmouth because of the cost. Both of these Chapters had been warranted by the Grand Chapter of Scotland,and both continued that allegiance. Whether there was a connection between their action and the lack of recognition from Scotland we do not know. But with the formation of Keith Chapter No. 4 at Truro in 1871; Eureka Chapter No. 5 at Annapolis Royal in 1872; and Rosignol Chapter No. 6 at Liverpool in 1873, thus doubling the base of operations, Grand Chapter felt mature enough to deal firmly with St. Johns and Union. Both were declared irregular and intercourse was forbidden, and both responded by accepting warrants from the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia in 1876. Earlier affiliation would have placed them higher on the list of constituent chapters, as each was senior to The Hiram.
In the same year, 1876, a warrant was issued to Shannon Chapter of St. Johns, Newfoundland, formerly on the English Register under the name of St. Johns, and two years later, 1878, Alexandra Chapter of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on the Scottish register,was also warranted. It was thought at this time that New Brunswick might also join with Nova Scotia, but a separate Grand Chapter was organized in that province and received recognition from Nova Scotia in 1888. Thus was completed the jurisdiction of Grand Chapter as it exists today. The Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia had finally grown up!
The opening of the new Freemasons' Hall at Halifax in 1924 was an event of more than passing interest to all branches of masonry. Of special concern to Grand Chapter was the presentation by Companion R. V. Harris of a keystone from the original quarries of King Solomon, which was placed over the door to the Chapter Room with appropriate ceremonies. A similar stone was presented to Mount Lebanon Chapter No. 14 at New Glasgow in 1933.
Fire, an ever present threat to wooden buildings that require light and heat, has taken far too frequent a toll. Regalia, however costly,may be replaced, but the written records of persons, places and events, once destroyed, are irretrievably lost. St. Johns, Rosignol, Shannon, Eureka and The Hiram have each suffered severely. Generous gifts from other chapters, vitally helpful though they were, serve to underline the need for adequate insurance and safe storage. The obvious lesson for all is the desirability of frequent examination of storerooms and review of insurance policies in the light of replacement costs.
At the organization of Grand Chapter a delegate from St. Johns Chapter at Pictou had been present but refrained from voting, and no delegate had come from Yarmouth because of the cost. Both of these Chapters had been warranted by the Grand Chapter of Scotland,and both continued that allegiance. Whether there was a connection between their action and the lack of recognition from Scotland we do not know. But with the formation of Keith Chapter No. 4 at Truro in 1871; Eureka Chapter No. 5 at Annapolis Royal in 1872; and Rosignol Chapter No. 6 at Liverpool in 1873, thus doubling the base of operations, Grand Chapter felt mature enough to deal firmly with St. Johns and Union. Both were declared irregular and intercourse was forbidden, and both responded by accepting warrants from the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia in 1876. Earlier affiliation would have placed them higher on the list of constituent chapters, as each was senior to The Hiram.
In the same year, 1876, a warrant was issued to Shannon Chapter of St. Johns, Newfoundland, formerly on the English Register under the name of St. Johns, and two years later, 1878, Alexandra Chapter of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on the Scottish register,was also warranted. It was thought at this time that New Brunswick might also join with Nova Scotia, but a separate Grand Chapter was organized in that province and received recognition from Nova Scotia in 1888. Thus was completed the jurisdiction of Grand Chapter as it exists today. The Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia had finally grown up!
The opening of the new Freemasons' Hall at Halifax in 1924 was an event of more than passing interest to all branches of masonry. Of special concern to Grand Chapter was the presentation by Companion R. V. Harris of a keystone from the original quarries of King Solomon, which was placed over the door to the Chapter Room with appropriate ceremonies. A similar stone was presented to Mount Lebanon Chapter No. 14 at New Glasgow in 1933.
Fire, an ever present threat to wooden buildings that require light and heat, has taken far too frequent a toll. Regalia, however costly,may be replaced, but the written records of persons, places and events, once destroyed, are irretrievably lost. St. Johns, Rosignol, Shannon, Eureka and The Hiram have each suffered severely. Generous gifts from other chapters, vitally helpful though they were, serve to underline the need for adequate insurance and safe storage. The obvious lesson for all is the desirability of frequent examination of storerooms and review of insurance policies in the light of replacement costs.