An Update of Rituals in Canadian Jurisdictions by WBro John E. Taylor

Sunday Masonic Paper No. 842 An Update of Rituals in Canadian Jurisdictions by WBro John E. Taylor Additions and corrections are from: Freemasonry through Six Centuries by Bro. Henry Wilson Coil Sr. Coils Masonic Encyclopedia 1993 Lodges and rituals used in Canada by R.W. Bro. Wallace McLeod former GL Historian, GL of Canada in the Prov. of Ont. It has been edited by V.Wor. Bro. Barry D. Thom P.M. Lodge McLeod #27 Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador (updated Nov. 2011) History of Grand Lodges and Rituals Used in Canada Today Canadian society today takes many Masons from one province to another. This is usually work related or involves retirement. When these brethren visit, or affiliate with lodges in their new communities, they may be surprised to find differences in the workings. They may wonder what accounts for the diversity within one nation. The purpose of this paper is to review the ritualistic practices of Freemasonry throughout Canada. The first Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717. Later they would be called the Moderns while the second English Grand Lodge was formed in 1751 and claimed the name of Antients. The Grand Lodge of Ireland was formed in 1725. (actually 1730 but they are claiming back to when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Munster was formed). Many early lodges were formed from Irish and later English military lodges. The military carried travelling warrants with them wherever they went. The Grand Lodge of Scotland, was formed in 1736. The American colonies had not yet become the United States of America when Masonry first came to Eastern Canada. Communications, between Nova Scotia and the New England colonies were common. This influenced Masonry in what are now the Maritime Provinces and serves to explain why the Ancient York Rite, a.k.a., American Working of ritual prevails there. Every Grand Lodge has had to face a decision about uniformity in ritual. The United Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodge of Scotland do not endorse any one ritual in particular. Among the English workings the influence of one became dominant in Canada. This is the Emulation ritual, more commonly called the Canadian Working that was brought here from England in 1824. It was developed by the Lodge of Reconciliation, after the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813. In surveying the Canadian scene from East to West, the intention is to relate the present workings to the backgrounds of the several Grand Lodges. There are 16 Regular Grand Lodges operating in Canada. Six Provinces have multiple Grand Lodges (or lodges under a different jurisdiction) operating within them. They are Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. NEWFOUNDLAND and LABRADOR The records of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Boston, Massachusetts show that, in 1746 Thomas Oxnard, first Provincial G.M. to be given authority over North America, warranted a lodge in Newfoundland, probably at Placentia, but nothing further was heard of it. In July 1766, St. John's Newfoundland Lodge is listed in the records of the Massachusetts Provincial Grand Lodge. This lodge disappeared after a few years. In 1774, the Antient Grand Lodge of England warranted St. John's Lodge No. 186 at St. John's Newfoundland, but it ceased work in 1832 due in part by a fire that destroyed all records etc. A number of other lodges were warranted by both the Moderns and the Antients,but, in 1813, at the time of the Union of that year, there were but two lodges in Newfoundland. They were St. John's No. 186 and Benevolent No. 247, both at St. John's and both Antient (second GL of Eng). In 1816 the new Emulation Ritual (United GL of Eng.) was ready to be used by all constituent lodges. In 1848 St. John's Lodge was re-established and today is listed as #1 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Nfld. & Labrador. Under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England, Newfoundland became a District under Nova Scotia. The Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia at that time was, R. Wor. Bro. Alexander Keith. In 1858 Wor. Bro. Patrick Tasker was appointed as the first Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the colony. Many lodges under the UGLE, use the Emulation ritual, however, no one ritual is enforced. The Grand Lodge of Scotland issued their Standard Ritual of Scottish Freemasonry printed in 1836. Its use is also not enforced. Some additional Scottish rituals are as follows: Modern, Duncan (Antient York), McBride and Rainbow. Lodges may write their own ritual or modify a ritual, however, it must be approved for use, by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. When the Premiere Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717, they only had four speculative lodges to deal with. England then developed ritual for three degrees, plus the opening and closings. These degrees found their way into Scotland. Most of the Scottish lodges were Operative only, some of which had been around for well over a hundred years, while others contained a mixture of Speculative members as well. I assume the different lodges took what they wanted from the English degrees and incorporated them into what they were already using under the grade system, the grade system being the entered apprentice and fellowcraft. So that, when the Grand Lodge of Scotland was trying to form, lodges were not willing to accept a standard ritual or apron. A compromise was then struck: If they joined they were allowed to keep their rituals and aprons, and in 1736, the Grand Lodge of Scotland was founded. Of the 100 lodges invited, only 21 lodges joined. In 1866 the first Scottish lodge was formed here in NL and is named Lodge Tasker. Four lodges here, use the Ancient York Rite, a.k.a. American Working. They are Avalon Lodge, founded in 1859. Her daughter lodges, St. George s Lodge, founded in 1949 and Neptune Lodge, founded in 1972. These three lodges, while mainly Antient York, with innovations, are strongly influenced by English and Scottish Masonry, with a dash of Royal Arch. It is a ritual found nowhere else in the world. The fourth, Polaris Lodge, was formed in 1950 under the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, it continues to practice the same ritual as used in N.S. It came under the United Grand Lodge of England in 1975. All four lodges are now under the GL of NL.

-2- In 1997 the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador was formed. The UGLE turned over its jurisdiction to the new Grand Lodge. Four lodges under the G.L. of Scotland voted to join the new Grand Lodge leaving 11 lodges under the GL of Scotland. The lodge rituals and aprons used in both the English and Scottish lodges, were grandfathered in. The GL of NL s official ritual is called, The Work and is mainly based on Emulation. Any newly instituted lodges must use this ritual. NOVA SCOTIA In 1733 Henry Price of Boston was appointed Provincial Grand Master of New England. Price thereupon established the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and chartered First Lodge, later to merge with Second Lodge under the new name of St. John's Lodge. This lodge, located in Boston, is still active and is the oldest lodge in North America. The second Provincial G.M. of Massachusetts was Tomlinson, (1736-1740). In 1738, Major Erasmus James Phillips was given a deputation to form a lodge at Annapolis Royal. He was also appointed as Provincial Grand Master of Nova Scotia. This Provincial G.L. was illegal, as only the Mother Grand Lodge has the power to create Provincial GL s. Phillips founded what today is the oldest lodge in Canada, Annapolis Royal Lodge. It is located in the city of the same name. Phillip s was Installed as the lodge s first Master. Upon the founding of Halifax in 1749, Masons there desired a lodge and in due course Phillips granted a warrant in 1750 to form St. Andrews Lodge. Eramus Phillips probably realized that his office of Provincial G.L. was illegal as he applied to the Grand Lodge of England (Antients), requesting to be made Provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia. In 1757 this request was granted and more lodges were then formed in Halifax. The Grand Lodge of Scotland chartered Thistle Lodge in 1827. In 1866 the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia was established, with the English lodges joining in 1869. One lodge remained in allegiance to the United Grand Lodge of England, that being Royal Standard Lodge No 398. When the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia met in 1906 the "Ancient York" ritual, as practiced in the State of New York, was adopted. This ritual was printed in 1947 as "the authorized work", which has been adopted by most of the lodges. Today they use the Ancient York Ritual 5th edition that allows them to open and do business in any degree. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Prior to 1875 lodges received their Charters from England with the exception of Victoria Lodge No. 2 whose Charter came from the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1858. In 1875 the GL of PEI was formed with all existing lodges on the island becoming a part thereof. The ritual used at that time was the Webb Ritual. During WW ll, some lodges had trouble obtaining copies of the Webb Ritual, however, the Ancient York Ritual (a.k.a. American Working ) as used by Nova Scotia was available and several lodges adopted its use. During the 1953 Annual GL Communication, the Webb Ritual was authorized as the official ritual, however, lodges already using the Ancient York Ritual, (as used in Nova Scotia), could continue to do so. Today there are 15 lodges on the island, 8 are using the Webb Ritual and 7 use the (Nova Scotia) Ancient York Ritual 4th edition meaning that they open and close in the 3rd degree. Webb Ritual follows this procedure as well. NEW BRUNSWICK New Brunswick became a separate colony in 1874 but remained Masonically, under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Halifax, which was known as, "The Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in the Province of Nova Scotia in North America and the Jurisdiction Thereto Belonging". Quite a cumbersome title don t you think? There were military lodges in what is now New Brunswick, however, when they left they took their warrants with them. Hiram Lodge, a non-military lodge was instituted in 1784. The present Grand Lodge was formed in 1867 and has a ritual based on that used in Massachusetts. This "Ancient York" or American Working, only varies slightly from the workings in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. In 1944 the ritual named, "The Ceremonies of Craft Masonry From Standard Authority" was put in print, with all words being abbreviated to one letter. Known as in cipher. QUEBEC Freemasonry was brought to Quebec by the military lodges in the British regiments. These regiments participated in the siege and capture of the City of Quebec in 1759. Subsequently a provincial grand lodge was established under the authority of the Grand Lodge of England (Moderns). The first Provincial Grand Lodge lasted thirty-three years. In 1792 the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lower Canada was formed, and H.R.H. the Duke of Kent was appointed Provincial Grand Master by a warrant issued from the Grand Lodge of England (Ancients). It was an active body and warrants were issued to constitute lodges as far west as Detroit. The Emulation ritual was introduced into Canada in 1823. In 1855, the Grand Lodge of Canada was formed. At that time it was comprised of Upper and Lower Canada. The present Grand Lodge of Quebec was established in 1869, thus separating from the Grand Lodge of Canada. Scottish lodges joining the Grand Lodge of Quebec in 1881 were permitted to retain their Scottish working. Today

-3- only one Scottish lodge remains. There are two lodges under the Grand Lodge of England, that being St Paul and St George Lodges in Montreal. Three lodges in Montreal work in the French language, and one of these preserves some elements found in early French rituals. A few lodges in the Eastern Townships close to the border of United States use the Ancient York ritual. There are two Prince Hall Lodges also using the Ancient York ritual, a.k.a., the American working. ONTARIO In 1791, Upper Canada came in being, and a year later William Jarvis, was appointed Provincial Grand Master in the new Provincial Grand Lodge (Antients). The first lodge Charter, issued by Jarvis, was Niagara No. 2, which still remains senior in the present roll of lodges. With the growth and expansion of Upper Canada the number of Masons increased, and the Grand Lodge of Ireland became represented by a number of lodges. The Grand Lodge of Canada was formed in 1855. When Quebec formed their Grand Lodge in 1869, Ontario changed its name to The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. They are the only province allowed to use the title of The Grand Lodge of Canada. The ritual used in this Province, is called, Canadian Working ; it is based on the Emulation Ritual. The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario strictly enforces this ritual. There are, however, two London lodges with Irish roots that have permission to practice the Irish working. I sat with an Irish Grand Lodge officer as we witnessed this Irish third degree. Afterwards he stated, that while it was most interesting, he had never seen anything like it in Ireland. The degree, to me, looks very similar to the Ancient York ritual. There is a Prince Hall Grand Lodge here in Ontario, with 9 lodges. They use the Ancient York Ritual. MANITOBA The earliest Manitoba lodges had their origin either in Ontario or Minnesota. The first Charter came from the US in 1863. The Grand Lodge of Manitoba was formed in 1875. At this point the ritual to be used became a major problem. The issue was between those who preferred "The Canadian" working, which was the Emulation ritual from Ontario and those who favoured the "Ancient York" working, also called the American working. Agreement was reached finally in 1880, and both workings were approved. SASKATCHEWAN The influence of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario continued to spread further westward in the area which became the Province of Saskatchewan in 1905. The oldest lodge is Kinistino; they received their Charter from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba in 1881. All but two lodges use Emulation that is called the "Canadian Working". Two lodges stayed with "Ancient York", also known as the American Working. ALBERTA The Grand Lodge of Alberta was formed in 1905, the same year that Alberta became a province. Lodges formed prior to that were under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. Lodges use the "Ancient York" ritual and the "Canadian working. Masons brought the Ancient York ritual from Nova Scotia. The grand lodge constitution was based on that of Manitoba, which permitted the lodges a choice of the two workings. Today 60% of lodges use the Canadian working and the rest use the Ancient York ritual. This includes the Prince Hall Grand Lodge with its three lodges in that province. BRITISH COLUMBIA The Grand Lodge of British Columbia was formed in 1871 by eight lodges holding charters from the United Grand Lodge of England and five lodges from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. These founder lodges were permitted to practice the workings that they had been using, namely, Emulation and the Scottish rituals. In 1867 the Grand Lodge of Scotland granted Charter No. 469. Most of the founder members came from the U.S.A. and wished to use the Ancient York ritual. This was allowed as the Grand Lodge of Scotland does not enforce their Standard Ritual. Summary The rituals used in the beginning of Freemasonry, in what is now Canada, came from the Irish or early English lodges and, in some cases, via the American colonies later to become the United States. In time, Emulation was introduced and, under the guise of the "Canadian Working", spread across the country. The Ancient York ritual is practiced in Newfoundland and Labrador and the Maritime Provinces; it is also known in Quebec, Manitoba and west to British Columbia. Two lodges in Ontario claim the Irish Working but in fact it is not. There is one Scottish lodge in Quebec and two under the UGLE. The most predominately used ritual in Canada today is Emulation. The practice of Lodges opening and doing the general business in the Third Degree came out of the Baltimore Conference held in Baltimore, 1843. This may have been influenced by the anti-masonic sentiment caused by the William Morgan affair. While it would slow down an infiltrator it would not stop him/them from eventually seeing the business of the lodge.

-4-1813 saw the coming together of the two Grand Lodges of England, the Ancients and the Moderns to form the United Grand Lodge of England. It was necessary to have a ritual that was agreeable to both sides. The Lodge of Reconciliation was formed for this purpose and by 1817 they had produced the Emulation ritual; Canada received this ritual in 1823. For nearly 150 years the Emulation Ritual was supposedly only to be passed on by word of mouth. Some people who had learned that ritual did write it down and made copies. By the year 2008 Prince Hall Masons had been recognized all across Canada. They have two Grand Lodges, one located in Ontario the other in Alberta. They have a total of 15 lodges in Canada and use the "Ancient York", a.k.a. the American working. Nfld. & Labrador - As of 2011 GL of Scotland -11 Lodges total 11 Scottish GL of Nfld & Labrador -31 Lodges total 23 Emulation 4 Scottish 4 Ancient York As of 2009 Canada - Prince Hall Masons -15 Lodges total 15 Ancient York As of 1993 Nova Scotia -114 Lodges total 112 Ancient York 2 Emulation PEI -15 Lodges total 15 Ancient York New Brunswick 51 Lodges total 51 Ancient York Quebec -100 Lodges total 89 Emulation (Canadian Working) 6 French Emulation 3 Ancient York 2 Scottish Variant of Ancient York Ontario - 649 Lodges total 647 Emulation (Canadian Working) 2 Variant of Ancient York Manitoba - 80 Lodges total 72 Emulation (Cdn. Working) 8 Ancient York Saskatchewan - 133 Lodges total 131 Emulation (Cdn. Working) 2 Ancient York Alberta 147 Lodges toatal 85 Emulation (Cdn. Working) 62 Ancient York British Columbia -169 Lodges total 80 Emulation (Cdn. Working) 75 Ancient York 12 Emulation 2 Australian Work Summary- As of 1993 Nfld. & Labrador is correct as of 2011 Prince Hall as of 2009

There are 1,516 lodges in Canada. 1,148 use Emulation 352 use Ancient York 15 Scottish 2 Australian -5-