Page 278 - PGM Compendium

administration as Grand Master, and of course I cannot expect you to be; yet I have this to say, I have done
all I could for the time I had to work.” The brethren accepted this unnecessary apology and re-elected him
as Grand Master.

The 1887 communication of Grand Lodge was held in Vancouver and Grand Master Ziegler once again
begins by describing the scenic beauty of the area. He delivers an elegant and scholarly description of the
Columbia River where he follows its course from the mountains of British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean.
He likens the River’s course to the varied duties of human life. The opening to this message concludes
with the following exhortation, “if we but persevere in the proper discharge of our duties, we shall emerge
from the mysterious recesses of intellectual darkness and enter that state of light and wisdom which is
bestowed as an inheritance of perpetual keeping on those who are faithful to every trust and obedient to
the laws and duties of true manhood.” Like his 1886 message, the opening to Grand Master Ziegler’s 1887
message is considered by some to be a classic which is well worth reading in its entirety.

Much of the 1887 message is devoted to a description of the Kellinger/Mitchell affair and should be read
by anyone with an interest in Masonic jurisprudence. By this time the situation had become so tangled that
it now involved Temple Lodge #42 in Cheney in addition to Spokane #34. Because of these events, Grand
Master Ziegler lays out a valiant argument for the duties and powers of the Grand Master.

Grand Master Ziegler’s philosophy is summarized in the following statement, “…during the recess of this
Grand Lodge the Grand Master is the only exponent of Masonic laws and principles, and that this high
prerogative must not be exercised by ignoramuses of the deepest die, who arrogate themselves to the rare
accomplishment of being Masonic jurists, with a view to leading the Craft to insubordination and
disobedience to the lawful powers that be.”

He argues that the Grand Master’s powers are derived from the Landmarks and ancient usages and cannot
be questioned by Lodges or Masons. He also argues that these powers cannot be abridged or limited by
Grand Lodges without perpetrating an innovation in the body of Masonry. In other words, the Grand
Master’s powers are absolute and cannot be questioned or constrained by anyone. Here he is arguing for
changes in the constitution which would allow the Grand Master to dispense justice as he deemed
appropriate rather than being muddied by, “legal technicalities and delays.” The changes he argued for
were never adopted and the Grand Master’s powers continue today in much the same way as they did
then.

Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler reiterates some of the topics in his 1886 message especially that of
making Masons too quickly. He makes the statement that, “Masonry is too cheap and easily attained,”
which is fascinating to hear in the year 1887. He also again argues against the joint occupancy of Masonic
Halls with other groups arguing that, “The design of Masonry is of an exclusive character and it cannot
be associated or mixed with other societies without marring its beauty and purposes.”

Following his service as Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Ziegler continued to be a pillar of the
Grand Lodge. In addition to serving as the Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee from 1888 through
1893, he served in a variety of other roles. In 1893 he drafted a resolution limiting the powers of delegates

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