United Grand Lodge.

United Grand Lodge .

npHE Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge was held J at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , June 6 th . The Pro Grand Master the Earl Amherst presided , who was supported by the Right Hon . T . F . Halsey , Deputy Grand Master , as Past Master , and the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey acted as Past Grand Master . There was a crowded

attendance , many brethren doubtless being present to record their votes for the men of their choice who were seeking election as members of the Board of General Purposes , while a large number were attracted by the anticipation of a discussion of one or more subjects which have recently been engaging the attention of the Craft , more especially of the

London brethren . One subject , however , had been ruled out of order ; and failing production of the anticipated report of the special committee appointed to deal with the question of the Freemasons' Tavern , much of the interest in the proceedings was lessened . Enough remained , however , to cause animated discussion and a division on a motion to vote a sum of money to the Grand Registrar for legal and Masonic services rendered .

Grand Lodge having been opened , the first business entered on was the recommendation of the M . W . Grand Master that Rule 88 of the Book of Constitutions be amended to increase the number of Provincial Grand Officers in provinces numbering thirty lodges and upwards , the M . W . Pro Grand Master formally moved that the recommendation

be adopted . In doing so he said he hoped Grand Lodge would unanimously agree to it , as the number of Grand Officers had recently been increased to reward a number of deserving brethren , and a similar privilege should be extended to the larger lodges in the provinces . He thought the justice of the recommendation would appeal to themas

, immense difficulty had been found in the provinces in recognising those brethren deserving of it . ' The Deputy Grand Master seconded the recommendation , which was unanimously agreed to . The Scrutineers for the election of members of the Board

of General Purposes having been appointed , the M . W . Pro Grand Master invested Bros . Lord Lilford , S . G . W ., and Lord Desborough , J . G . W . Bro . John Strachan , K . C , Grand Registrar , by command of the M . W . Grand Master , reported a correspondence with

the Grand Lodge of Quebec respecting the recognition of that body . In March , 18 75 , the Grand Lodge of England resolved to accord that recognition subject to the condition invariably imposed of the rights of the lodges under the

English Constitution being preserved . Some exception appeared to have been taken to this , and it was claimed that the warrants of the lodges in Montreal should be withdrawn . This could not be done while the requisite number of brethren desired to hold them . So the three lodges remained under English jurisdiction . He had had much correspond

ence for some years past , and the subject was brought before the Grand Lodge of Quebec . He had received a letter from the Grand Secretary of Quebec enclosing a resolution , and the Grand Master had expressed a hope that this resolution would be accepted in the spirit offered , in order that fraternal relations might be resumed . The Grand Master having taken

that resolution and letter into consideration , His Royal Highness the Grand Master was pleased to accept the resolution in the truly fraternal spirit in which it was offered , and advises the resumption of fraternal intercourse . The first representative of the Grand Lodge of Quebec in their Grand Lodge would be their esteemed M . W . Pro Grand Master ,

whose ancestor took a prominent part in the acquisition of the Province of Quebec by England . He was sure this had been received by the Canadian brethren with acclamation that such a distinguished brother should be appointed . He therefore moved that the Grand Lodge heartily reciprocate the terms of the resolution , and recognise the Grand Lodge of Quebec as a sovereign Grand Lodge in the Dominion of Canada , the rights of the English lodges being still preserved .

Bro . Lieut .-Gen . J . Wimburn Laurie , Af . P ., who seconded the recommendation , said that as it was his duty to preside over one of the neighbouring provinces for fifteen years , he could tell the brethren that during that time they were in a false position . They were compelled to support the Grand Lodge of England , but knew intimately the brethren who

formed the Grand Lodge of Quebec . They were , therefore , in a difficult position , and the resolution would remove this . He welcomed the change , and gladly supported the resolution .

The recommendation was unanimously carried . Bro . Sir Arthur Collins was re-invested as President of the Board of General Purposes , and the Grand Lodge Auditor was re-elected . The reports of the Board of Benevolence and the Board of General Purposes were . accepted , the latter including a

report of the Special Committee appointed to deal with the Freemasons' Tavern and . adjoining premises , which stated that it had been found impossible to complete a scheme in time for this meeting of Grand Lodge . A notice of motion by Bro . John Smithers , P . A . G . D . C .,

was unanimously agreed to , acknowledging that the holding , or having held , the office of Grand Steward was no disqualification for holding the office of Grand Treasurer . Bro . the Hon . Air . Justice Bucknill , Prov . G . Master , Surrey , moved " That , in view of the greatly increased

duties , both legal and Masonic , of the present Grand Registrar , an annual retainer of 500 guineas be tendered to him . " He said that a candid friend had already approached him with regard to this motion , and had told him that in moving it he was acting with boldness that did not denote

wisdom . He wished to define his position in this matter , more { 'specially as another candid friend had told him in the Press that it was a case of one lawyer trying to divert the funds of Grand Lodge into the pockets of another ( laughter ) . He

took that in the same way as Grand Lodge , for he was certain it was not intended in the sense of his doing anything dishonest . One more candid friend—the third—had told him that before this discussion was ended he should hear other expressions of opinions from his friends . His position was this and no other . He was at one time holding the position of Deputy

Grand Registrar at a time when he had to do a good deal of the work , as his senior had been elevated to the County Court Bench . He knew something , therefore , of the work of the Grand Registrar of to-day . He knew there was a great deal of work , requiring a -great deal of ability and a very close attention and indomitable industry . All those qualities were

required , but he did not wish to be misunderstood , as he appeared to have been . By their kind permission he would add an adjective to his notice of motion . It was never intended by him , in bringing this forward , to propose that the office should henceforward be a paid one . Those who had expressed strong opinions to the contrary—and he

thought it would have been better not to have expressed them before discussion ^—should follow the words of the motion . If he had intended it to be a paid office he should not have worded it as he had done , but said at once that it should be so . He was standing in a delicate position , and , therefore , he proposed to insert the word " present" after

the word "the" and before the word •' Grand , " making it read ' * the present Grand Registrar . " He was there for the purpose of asking Grand Lodge to say , for reasons he hoped he should give clearly , and certainly iiot at length—that it was intended for the present Grand Registrar . With regard

to Bro . Strachan , it might be looked at in a general way and from a personal point . From the general point they had to consider what the Grand Registrar had to do , and what he did . Everyone who took an interest in the Craft ought to know what he did ; it was fully reported from time to time , but he would remind them what there was to do . He was , by their Constitutions , the adviser of Grand Lodge . He might be called upon at any moment to advise the Grand