The Perilous Moment.

change of cards with the " silent friends , " who had stepped forward at that opportune moment , Brother Larkin went his way rejoicing that he had neither killed nor been killed . While the veritable Tom Brailey was picked up a week afterwards in a totally unexpected place , and

subjected to one of those hasty initiations , common in the West , where nothing is left of candidates but the stump of a rope and a new-made grave . And this is the story as related to me by Brother Larkin himself , not a year ago , of the " Perilous Moment , "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir anel Brother , — As a Mark Mason I am specially p leased with the first clause of the worthy Mark Mason ' s observation , "to avoid giving offence , " and for belonging to this finishing degree of Craft Masonry .

No Mark Mason woulel willingly offend a " Craft Mason , " or wound his sensibility , but the Mark Mason will not yield his opinion that the " Completion of Craft Masonry is with the Mark Degree , " See the Mark Mason ' s Song , now

publishing by Bro . Kenning . The words of the song arc very remarkable , and evidently founded upon the foregoing quotation . Let ushope that the spirit of the words of the song may soon be realised .

Let no Craft Mason attempt to disparage this beautiful and finishing degree , when they know nothing of its loveliness , but let them perfect themselves in it , by learning its mysteries , through joining the brotherhood . No brother

will repent it , and he will find that to be a Complete " Craft" Mason , he must secure the " Corner Stone , " the " Key ; " only in the posses sion of the Mark Degree . Yours truly fraternally , G . O . Mark i . and i 8 °

PROXIES IN GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have perused the circular in the Freemason ( vol . 6 , No . 2 15 ) , by the R . W . M . of

St . Andrews Lodge , Edingurgh , and beg to support his well considered and expressed communication respecting the evils which must , and do necessarily result from the Proxy System now so prevalent in Grand Lodge of Scotland .

" Proxies" are of value for distant lodges , but certainl y the convenience under present circumstances is much abused , and with the exception that I think lodges under the jurisdiction of Scotland , but existing out of that country should

still have the privilege of appointing " Proxy Masters , " it appears to me that Bro . Douglas ' s notion deserves success . The time has arrived for the method of conducting the business of Grand Lodge to be

strictly enquired into , and the whole of the finances to be carefull y studied and put on a proper basis . As Scottish Freemasons we need not look beyond the " border" for an example of a well conducted Masonic organisation , for in the

Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter , under the able management of E . Comp . Mackcrsey , we have an institution to be proud of ; Bro , Laurie , G . Sec . if supported properly can do likewise . W . J . HUGIIAN .

ROYAL ARCH CEREMONIES . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to Cheshire in No , 2 14 of the Freemason , you must address the Z . as Most Excellent ; IT . and J . as Excellent ; and the P . Zs ., as

Excellent , the rest as Companions ; and by command of the M . E . Z ., is quite correct . Inhere is right , and Within the centre , if Cheshire will look at the pedestal next time he goes to chapter , he will see that it is within the- centre . MAGN ' US OHREN . Chapter and Lodge 33-

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Why have you not published the usual return of the Election of Boys ? In the country we have no means of getting Masonic information , except by reading your Freemason .

Yours fraternally , B . ATWELL , P . M ., 437 . [ We are informed by the Secretary that the advertisement was not given for the purpose of saving the cost of the same . —ED . ]

MASONIC HALL AT GIBRALTAR . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — On finishing the perusal of the letter describing the consecration of V new lodge rooms at Gibraltar , in your edition of the 22 nd ult ,, I could not help arriving at the conclusion

that the account was an extremely one-sided one , and for reasons , which , with your permission , I shall now endeavour to place before your readers . In doing so , I feel that I am only carrying out a truly Masonic precept , viz ., justice , and giving " honour to whom honour is due . "

It may first be mentioned that Lodges St . John ' s 115 , Inhabitants' 153 , and the Mark Lotlge attached to the latter , have entered into joint possession of the new rooms , a fact not deducible from the letter . I do not wash for one moment to detract from

but rather bear testimony to the credit that is due to , Bro . Morgan , W . M . 115 , for his services and general Masonic enthusiasm ; but I feel convinced that he would be the first to deprecate any omission in the account of the proceedings , of the

credit , due also to other brethren ; and it would certainly appear to me that your correspondent has made a very serious omission of this nature as regards the name of Bro . Henry , and also to a certain extent that of Bro . Haynes .

The former Bro . having twice occupied the chair of St . John ' s , working in Spanish , is now occupying that of the Inhabitants ' , working in English . To secure the new rooms , as W . M . of one of the lodges , he necessarily acted in conjunction with Bro . Morgan , and was equally

indefatigable , and untiring in his efforts , indeed , but for his ever ready pocket , and love for Masonry , I feel assured that the interesting ceremony mig ht never have taken place . His practical experience is well known to the brethren in Gibraltar , and his zeal and devotion to our

great cause , have been eminently displayed on two occasions , when mainly by his efforts lodges were resuscitated and placed in their present prosperous condition . To Bro . Haynes also , whose professional skill contributed in no small degree to overcome many difficulties , a just share of credit is due .

I could expatiate at much greater length on this subject , but I do not wish to trespass further upon your space ; I shall , therefore , content myself by asserting that I believe the success of Masonry in Gibraltar is almost wholl y attributable to the heartfelt sympathy and co-operation

existing between Bros . Morgan , Henry , Haynes , and though last not least Cavana , brethren of whom any institution might feel proud . The last named is frequently heard in our midst , pouring forth from his eloquent lips , in pure Castilian , the words of genuine Masonic feeling . In conclusion , and in justice to myself , I may

state that I am a member of more than one lodge in Gibraltar , and that in tendering this explanation , I am not actuated by any feeling of captbusness , but simply by that spirit which should be , par erctil / ence , the characteristic one in all the dealings of Masons one with another , viz ., that of , FAIR PLAY .

NATIONAL GRAND PRIORY . 7 < i the Editor ( if The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As the first National Grand Priory is to be held on the 9 th of May , it is to be hoped those

Knights Templar who are entiiL . d to vote will muster in full force ; for not only arc there several most important questions to be asked , but the traitor who introduced a reporter at the meeting on the 7 th inst ,. and so brought down upon us . the

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

insulting articles in the Spectator of the 12 th inst ., and the Saturday Review of the same date , has to be denounced and chastised . Yours fraternally , A MASONIC KNIGHT TEMTLAR .

The Grand Lodge Of Quebec.

THE GRAND LODGE OF QUEBEC .

The following proclamation and appeal have been issued by the Grand Lodge of Quebec : —¦ To all brethren in obedience to the M . W . the Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons of the Province of Quebec : Whereas , the Grand Lodge of Quebec , at its

last annual communication , passed the following resolutions , namel y : Whereas , the Grand Lodge of Quebec , earnestly desires the peace and harmony of Masonry over the whole habitable Globe , and is solicitous that the tenets of the order be

preserved in all their ancient purity ; and be perpetuated under those wise regulations which the royal craft from time to time enacted for its guidance , in all matters of general government and interest ; And whereas , this Grand Lodge is profoundly

of opinion , that in order to carry out this beneficent and laudable object , every Grand Lodge should possess , hold , and exercise supreme and undivided Masonic authority and jurisdiction over all Masons within their legitimately recognised territory , such territory being always conterminous

with the political boundaries of the state , province , or territory , or as the case may be , whose name such Grand Lodge may elect to assume and may claim to be designated by : Anel whereas , this Grand Lodge more immediately and intimately desires the peace and

harmony of their beloved brethren in the Dominion of Canada , and more especiall y to heaJ the present unhappy differences which exist between this Grand Lodge and our well beloved sister tha Grand Lodge of Canada ; And whereas , it has come to the knowledge of

this Grand Lodge , that the M . W . the Grand Master of Canada has expressed an earnest desire to adjust the differences that exist between this Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Canada ; be it " resolved—That a Committtee of

seven , to be named by the M . W . the Grand Master , be appointed to meet a like Committee to be appointed by the Grand Master of Canada , and effect , if possible , an adjustment of the differences , in accordance with the resolutions passed by this Grand Lodge , at its last Annual Communication .

Resolved—That the Grand Secretary be instructed to withhold the publication of these resolutions for the space of six weeks , in which time , a meeting of the said Committees must take place , when , if an adjustment of difficulties be effected , an Emergent Communication of this

Grand Lodge be held in the City of Montreal , to ratify and confirm the same , but should no adjustment take place within the time specified , then the Grand Master shall proceed as directed by the resolutions of Grand Lodge , affecting this question adopted at the last Annual Communication .

The Grand Secretary is ordered to transmit a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Grand Master of Canada for his information . Be it therefore known unto you all , that in accordance with the aforesaid action of Grand Lodge , I appointee ! , ( together with myself ) , the

following able and prudent brethren as a committee to confer with the like committtee proposed to be named by the M . W . the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada , to consider , and if practicable , effect an adjustment of the very unhappy differences still existing

between our respective Grant ! bodies viz : —R . W . Bro . James Dunbar , D . G . M . Quebec ; J . H . Isaacson , G . Sec . Montreal ; G . H . Ilorlase , P . D . D . G . M . Sherbrooke ; Alex . Murray , P . D ., D . G . M . Montreal ; M . R . Meigs , D . D . G . M .

Bedford ; M . M . Tait , D . D . G . M . Montreal ; I was subsequently informetl through our Grand Secretary , that Grand Master Wilson of the Grand Lodge of Canada , had appointed seven brethren , all from the Province of Quebec , as the committee , of conference to represent that-