Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

Lodge of Scotland at thc Grand Lodge of Quebec . I am also directed to say that , had the withdrawal of our charter from Elgin , Montreal , been made sine qua non to the establishment of fraternal relations between thc Grand Lodges of Scotland and Quebec , no such bond would have been entered into . I am , R . W . Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , D . MURRAY LYON , Secretary .

Montreal , 17 th May , 1878 . D . Murray Lyon , Esq ., Grand Secretary , Grand Lodge of Scotland , A . F . and A . M . Dear Sir and R . W . Bro ., —I am directed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to inform you that your communications of the 15 th November last , with its enclosures and 3 rd December last , were laid before

the meeting of the Board of General Purposes of this Grand Lodge , at their meeting lately held , but were referred to the Most Worshipful Giand Master lo take such action upon them as he might consider right and proper pending the annual meeting of Grand Lodge . The Most Worshipful Grand Master desires me to express his extreme regret that the friendly and fraternal

correspondence and intercourse which was apparently so happily commenced should have terminated so abiuptly , by the recall by your Grand Lodge of the commission issued in favour of the Most Worshipful James Dunbar , as Representative of your Grand Body , near the Grand Lodge of Quebec . The Most Worshipful the Grand Master has particularly

noted the remark in your letter of thc 15 th October last , to the Secretary of the Elgin Lodge , wherein you say * ' In opening fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge of Quebec , our Grand Lodge could not have had the slightest intention of recognising any right upon which might be founded a demand for the severance of the tie existing between it and its daughter lodge in Montreal "—and also

the remark contained in your letter of 3 rd December last , wherein , after recalling the commission issued in favour of the Most Worshipful Bro . James Dunbar , you state : " I am also directed to say that had the withdrawal of our charter from Elgin Lodge , Montreal , been made sine tjua non to the establishment of fraternal relations between the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Quebec , no such bonel would

have been entered into . " The Grand Lodge of Quebec was established , as your Grand Body may most probably be aware , upon the well recognised principle on this continent , at any rate , that political and Masonic boundaries should be co-tcrminous , and that the Grand Lodge of Quebec , upon being regularly and constitutionally formed , was entitled to supreme

Masonic jurisdiction in this province . Most Worshipful Bro . Dunbar directed me to state in my letter of 6 th January last , 1877 , in which recognition by your Grand Lodge was solicited , that since the date of its establishment , " the Grand Lodge of Quebec had been acknowledged and recognised very generally throughout the globe , as a legally constituted Grand Lodge , having

and exercising supreme Masonic jurisdiction in and over the Province of Quebec . " Your Grand Body may likewise possibly be aware that at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , held in thc month of September , 1876 , a resolution was passed of which the following is an abstract : — Resolved , — " That the Grand Lodge of Quebec

respectfully declines to accept conditional recognition from any Grand Lodge , and that more especially it is pained to be compelled to decline thc recognition tendered by the Grand Lodge of England on the terms in which it is offered . " Resolved , — " That deeply deploring everything calculated to create discord or want of harmony among those who should be brethren dwelling together in unity , yet this

Grand Lodge , being the equal within its own jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge in the universe within its jurisdiction , cannot in justice to itself recognise the Masonic authority of any foreign Grand Lodge within the limits of the Province of Quebec . " In reply to my letter of the 6 th January last , in which Most Worshipful Bro . Dunbar so plainly asked for

recognition of this Grand Lodge , as having supreme Masonic jurisdiction in this province , your favour of the 17 th May , 1877 , was received with the gratifying information that the Grand Lodge of Scotland , at a Quarterly Communication , held at Etlinburgh , on the 5 th February then last , hael unanimously resolved to open fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge of Quebec , and suggesting the name of Bro .

Robert Wylie as Representative there of our Grand Lodge . In acknowledging receipt of this letter , I was directed by Most Worshipful Bro . Dunbar , in my letter of 3 tst May , 1877 , to state as follows : — " M . W . Bro . Dunbar regards this resolution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland as extending to the Grand Lodge of Quebec the recognition asked for by

my letter of the 6 th January , 1877 , to your Most Worshipful Grand Master , and as its recognition of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , as a legally constituted and established Grand Lodge , having and exercising supreme Masonic jurisdiction in and over the Province of Quebec . " Subsequently , during the summer of 1877 , the credentials of the respective Representatives were interchanged .

It appears to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , that the correspondence eliscloses very plainly , what Most Worshipful Bro . Dunbar desired , namely : recognition of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , as exercising supreme Masonic jurisdiction in and over thc Province of Quebec , and that such recognition was granted , and upon that

understanding Representatives were appointed . It also appears to the Most Worshi pful the Grand Master that there is nothing ambiguous about the words " supreme jurisdiction , " and that such jurisdiction is cnely inconsistent with the existence of subordinate lodges fcis province holding charters from the Grand Lodge of

Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

England or Scotland , and therefore thc Most Worshipful the Grand Master was most pained to receive your letter of the 3 rd December last , recalling so abruptly withou Explanation the commission issued in favour of Mostt Worshipful Bro . Dunbar , and withdrawing the recognition previously extended to this Grand Lodge as supreme authority in this province .

There was no misunderstanding , and you can easily perceive that there could have been none , on the part of Most Worshipful Bro . Dunbar , as to the terms upon which such recognition was asked and accepted . If the Grand Lodge of Scotland had only offered conditional recognition as the Grand Lodge of England did , namely : agreeing not to grant any new warrants within the province , but

that the lodge working under the Scotch charter should continue to do so , the Grand Lodge of Quebec could not have made the same reply as she did to the Grand Lodge of England ; but although the request for recognition in this case was the same as in the case of England , it was granted by your Grand Lodge unconditionally in the terms asked for ; and being so granted the Most Worshipful the

Grand Master had reason to suppose full effect would be given to it , and , therefore , I was instructed to write you , as I did on thc 4 th of October last , that " as the existence of this lodge ( Elgin Lodge ) under present circumstances is inconsistent with the exercise of supreme jurisdiction by the Grand Lodge of Quebec , I am instructed to suggest to the Grand Lodge of Scotland the propriety of directing ' Elgin Lodge' to take such steps as may be necessary to

place itself under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge ; " to which yours of thc 3 rd December last was a reply . The Most Worshipful the Grand Master regrets extremely that he is obliged , owing to the withdrawal by your Grand Lodge of its recognition , to recall , as he now does , the commission issued in favour of Bro . Robert Wylie as Repres-ntative of this Grand Lodge near thc Grand Lodge of Scotland . I have the honour to be , R . W . Sir and dear Brother ,

Yours fraternally . ( Signed ) J HELPER ISAACSON , Grand Secretary . It was only a few days ago that official information reached me , that the Grand Lodge of Scotland had actually granted warrants for the formation of thc two lodges

referred to in my proclamation . This information was obtained from the printed proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , kindly forwarded me by a brother' and from the following announcement and invitation , a copy of which was received by several of the brethren under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge : —

" F . ANO A . M . OFSCOTI . ANP . "To all whom it may concern . " These are to certify that the Grand Lodge of Scotland having chartered the Lodges " King Solomon , No . 622 , " and "Argyle , No . 625 , " at Montreal , —In pursuance thereof have appointed Bro . George A . Bayncs , R . W . Master of Elgin Lodge , Montreal , No . 348 , R . S ., to erect , constitute and consecrate said lodges , and instal their first officebearers , and set the same to work with good and

wholesome instructions . "By order , "D . MURRAY LYON . "Grand Secretary

"D EAR SIR ANO BROTHER , —In accordance with the above you are invited to attend thc Masonic ceremonies at St . Paul ' s Lodge Room ( kinelly ' lent for thc occasion ) , Victoria-street , above the Academy of Music , on Monday , the 29 th June ( St . John ' s Day ) , at 6 . 30 p . m . "G EORGE A . BAYNES , "Installing Officer .

"KINO SOLOMON LODGE , NO . 622 . —FIRST OFFICEBEARERS . —W . Bro . Wm . James Leslie , R . W . M . ; Bro Win . Ross , Dcp . M . ; Bro , Wm . H . Short , S . W . ; Bro . Wm Byrd , J . W . ; Bro . John Short , sen ., Treas . ; Bro . Alex Walker , Sec . ; Bro . John A . Woodsworth , S . D . ; Bro . Thos Isaac , > J . D . ; Bro . Isaac Bickerstaff , I . G . ; Bro . T . Ireland , Tyler . "A RGYLE LODGE , NO . 625 . —FIRST OFFICE-BEARERS . —

R . W . Bro . Wm . McWood , R . W . M . ; Bro . Samuel Warrick , S . W . ; Bro . Chas . Corner , J . W . ; Bro . Andrew Patterson , Treas . ; Bro . James Fenwick , Sec ; Bio . John Munro , Chap . ; Bto . C . Wm . Bolton , S . D . ; Bro . Edward May , J . D . ; Bro . Geo . May , I . G . " Montreal , 13 th June , 1878 . " Please present this at the door . " I have been credibly informed , and there can be no doubt , that the proceedings referred to in foregoing

announcement were carried out . I respectfully ana fraternally , and withoutany comment , submit the foregoing statement for your consideration , confidently believing that you will regard the conduct of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in issuing said two warrants , and in refusing to consider the propriety of withdrawing any claim of jurisdiction in this province , as unfraternal

and unconstitutional , and as calculated to be most injurious to the peace , unity , and prosperity of the Craft therein . I have formally required the Grand Lodge of Scotland to recall the two warrants in question , and to annul all proceedings taken in connection therewith , reserving to the Grand Lodge of Quebec to take such further action to secure to herself supreme and exclusive jurisdiction in this province as in her wisdom she may think most desirable .

And finally , brethren , I appeal to you to uphold and sustain me , in this my action in vindication of our lawful G . L . sovereignty . The principle of exclusive territorial jurisdiction has been uneloubtedly violateel in this instance , and I rely firmly upon your assistance to maintain and uphold a principle so essentially necessary to the efficient working and welfare of our ancient and honourable Society . M . M . TAIT . ( Seal . ) Grand Master G . L . OF Q .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS

Thc meeting of the General Committee was held at Freemasons' Hall on Saturday , the 3 rd instant . Present Bro . H . W . Hunt , in the chair , Bros . Donald M . Dewar , H . Browse , W . H . Perryman , R . T . Morris , F . A . Adlard , J . W . M . Dosell , Hyde Pullen and E . C . Massey ( . £ Vcc » ins («) .

The minutes of the last general Committee , of the 6 th ult ., were read and confirmed , and those of the quarterly general Committee and of thc House Committee were read for information . Thc report of the Audit Committee was also read and the chairman of this Committee was authorised to sign cheques for the accounts passed . There

was only one petition for a candidate ( F . W . Steinham ) which was accepted , and a sum of £ 6 for outfit was voted for W . P . Barrett , lately a scholar in the Institution . Bro . Fredk . Binckes , the Secretary , announced that the result already realised of the last festival was a sum of a little over £ 10 , 400 and that there was still one list to come in , he believed , for a considerable sum .

Consecration Of The Metropolitan Chapter.

CONSECRATION OF THE METROPOLITAN CHAPTER .

The consecration of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 . took place on the 15 th ult ., at the Metropolitan Club , Pentonville-road . Comp . James Terry , Prov . G . D . of C . of Herts , was the Consecrating Officer , and was assisted by Comps . Joseph Smith as I J ., and Thos . A . Adams as J . ; and

the other companions present were Comps . James Willing , Z . designate ; J . R . Stacey , H . designate ; W . J . Ferguson , J . designate ; W . M . Stiles , C . W . Hudson , II . H . Child , B . Swallow , and J . J . Michael . The usual ceremony having been gone through , Comp . . Terry installed thc three Principals , and thcfollowing companionswercinductcd into the respective offices attached to their names , viz ., Comps . W . M . Stiles , S . E . ; Hudson , S . N . ; and Child ,

Sojourner . Comp . R . E . Barnes was invested as Janitor . A vote of thanks and the honorary membership of thc chapter were by acclamation accorded to Comp , Terry for his services as Consecrating and Installing Officer , which was suitably acknowledged . At thc banquet thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and responded to , and the companions separated after spending one of the most pleasant and agreeable evenings it has been our pleasure to witness .

Royal And Select Masters.

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS .

A meeting of the Grand Master ' s Council , No . 1 , was held at the Masonic rooms , No . 2 , Red Lion-square , on Tuesday , the 30 th of July . Present : Bros . Rev . G . R . Portal , M . P . G . W . ; Hyde Pullen , G . P . C . W . ; Frederic Davison , G . Treas . ; S . Rosenthal , T . LM . No . 3 ; Gen . J .

S . Brownrigg ; Rev . Ambrose W . Hall ; Magnus Ohren ; Dr . F . W . Ramsay ; S . C . Dibdin ; D . M . Dewar ; and III . Bro . Robert Morris . LL . D ., of Kentucky . After the minutes of thc previous meeting had been read and confirmed , Bros . T . C . Walls and E . B . Bright were

introduced anil received the various degrees of Most Excellent Master , Royal Master , Select Master , and Super Excellent Master . The other business before the Council having been transacted , the meeting was closed in ancient form , and adjourncel to Wedneselay , the 30 th of October .

CLEOPATRA ' NEADLE . — Notwithstanding that when the Obelisk was fairly poised on its true centre , it has been raised three feet , it would be very rash to attempt to predict from the present rate of progress the day when there will be no longer any mechanical hindrance in the way of the monolith ' s being gently swung into a vertical portion , and then let fall on its pedestal . Still

more precarious would be any forecast as to the date of its public inanguration . Meanwhile , the ingenious artisans from the South Kensington Museum have been busily carrying out Major Festing ' s instructions with a view to making a full-sised plaster cast of the monument for the national collection . Mr . Bullen , who was sent out by the Museum to India eight years ago , to take a similar cast

of the famous Sanchi Tope gateway , is in charge of the operations . Already several scores of plasters moulds have been secured , and so far as thc pyramidion and the portion of the shaft above the jacket is concerned the work is most likely now finished The waist and section of the obelisk below the jacket will be left to be

dealt with after the inauguration . On Wednesday evening shortly before seven , Lord Beaconsfield paid an improvised visit to the monolith . Bro . John Dixon received the Prime Minister and showed him over the works . His Lordship stayed about twenty minutes , and was much interested in what he saw and heard .

Lord Tredegar and Sir George Elliot , jBart ., M . P ., formally opened the new graving dock at Newport , Monmouthshire , on Tuesday , in the presence of several thousand spectators , and in the evening a banquet took place , under the presidency of the Mayor , in honour of the passing of the Bill for power to establish the Pontypridd , Caerphilly , and Newport Railway—a new line which will place thc town in direct communication with

the South Wales coalfields , and thus contribute greatlylto its commercial prosperity . MASONIC SONGS . — A . selection of Masonic Songs , set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Philpots M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome volume , bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 3 s . Sent post free from the office of this paper on receipt of slamps or post-office order value 3 s . 2 d . — ADVT .