Gould's History of Freemasonry Around the World - Lodge Prudentia

OF CANADA AND NEWFOUNDLAND 17far up in the Cariboo Mountains, is the casual mention of a Committee thatwas appointed to inquire into the case of Bro . Miserve, of Mount Moriah Lodge,Washington Territory . While digging for gold along Mosquito Creek, he hadfallen into bad health, so the report said . Yearly Records of the Lodges in thisJurisdiction show large sums expended for relief . A benevolent fund, begun in1872, has been built up by the Grand Lodge from the donations of individualsand constituent Lodges . In 1931 this fund amounted to $326,849 .69. Incomefrom it is used to supplement charities of the various Lodges where necessary .In both Vancouver and Victoria, a Masonic service bureau is maintained by thelocal Lodges . These bureaus look after and assist Masons and their dependentsfrom other jurisdictions while they sojourn here . During the Great War aspecial relief fund was raised for the assistance of soldier Brethren and theirfamilies . This fund was of special value in those troublous times . All such workis carried on quietly, in true Masonic fashion . Few persons know either theextent of Masonic bounty or the names of those who are succoured .Though British Columbia may not have among its members of the Craftthose who are world-famous, nevertheless many pioneers of the Province whotook leading parts in laying the foundations of our Commonwealth were faithfuldisciples of the Square and Compasses . Many leaders of bench, bar andchurch, distinguished business men, and members of the press have been amongour members . In the early days, J . J . Southgate, a well-known merchant, insertedin The Victoria Gazette the advertisement set out in the first paragraph ofthis article and so initiated the Masonic organisation that has become what itis to-day . The splendid services to Freemasonry of M .'.W .. Bro . Robert Burnaby,a merchant, and M :. W .- . Bro . Israel W . Powell, a medical practitioner, havebeen in part described earlier in - this article . Another distinguished Mason ofBritish Columbia, a man or probity and profound learning, was John FosterMcCreight, Deputy Grand Master in 1871, afterwards a judge of the SupremeCourt of the Province . Among the well-known journalists were Amor deCosmos and David W . Higgins, both at one time residents of Victoria and bothmen of outstanding ability . The former, regarded by many as a somewhateccentric person, had his earlier name, W . A . Smith, changed to that givenhere by an Act of the California Legislature while a member of that body in1854. De Cosmos was editor of The British Colonist, of Victoria ; a member of theProvincial Legislature ; and one of the leaders in the movement that resulted inbringing about the union of the two colonies and the subsequent admission ofthe Province into the Canadian Confederation . He was also a member of theCanadian House of Commons for some years . David W . Higgins was also aneditor of The British Colonist . He published two volumes containing stories ofearly life in British Columbia . These books, The Mystic Spring and The Passingof a Race, are rather fact than fiction . Though long out of print and now scarce,they are still much sought after and eagerly read . Hon . Henry Holbrook, fatherof Union Lodge, No . 899, at New Westminster, was for many years one of themost influential men in the political life of the mainland colony .