Canada.

ful one to us , and we hope that it may be the means of opening up Masonic intercourse , and of uniting together more closely than heretofore the Masons of Nova Scotia and New Bunswick with those of Ontario and Quebec .. To M . W . Bro . Keith , our fraternal acknowledgements are justly due for the princely hospitality extended to M . W . Bro . Bernard and myself , at his own magnificent mansion during our brief but most agreeable

sojourn in the City of Halifax . Many other events of interest to us , which have transpired during the year , might with propriety be alluded to here . Such as , for instance , the admission into the Masonic fraternity of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , our future ( though we hope far distant ) sovereign , and the enlargement of the boundaries of the Dominion of Canada , extending now from sea to sea , and fixing more firmlthe foundations of a common nationality

y amongst the people inhabiting the vast territory embraced between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans , but ttie consideration of these and all other matters of a kindred nature must be postponed in view of the fact that there is one subject requiring immediate attention , which posseses for us , as a Grand Lodge , a far deeper interest and importance , namely , the unsatisfactory and anomalous position we occupy as a supreme governing Masonic bodyhaving no control whatever over a considerable

, number of lodges still existing in Canada under the authority of the other Grand Lodges , although within our territorial jurisdiction . I do not deem it expedient to refer at present to the reasons which led to such an undesirable state of affairs , nor to any difficulties or misunderstandings which have arisen in consequence thereof . My desire is to find out whether it is not possible now to approach the brethren of those lodges who yet bold aloof from usin such a way as may lead to a solution of

, these differences which have hitherto kept us apart , and secure the consolidation of all the lodges within the jurisdiction in one common Canadian brotherhood . I am led to believe that there exists at present a very strong desire for union on the part of many of the officers and members of these lodges , and I am given to understand that any pacific propositions which this Grand Lodge might see fit to make , would receive their earnest aud fraternal consideration . I would therefore warmly

recommend the appointment of a special committee to open negotiations with these brethren , 'or the attainment of the object already indicated , and I urge this the more from the conviction I entertain that unless something is speedily done in this direction , the very existence of this Grand Lodge , as at present constituted , will be seriously imperilled . This vitally important question will not admit of delay , and therefore no time should be lost in adopting this or some other method of bringing about

this most desirable object . Having thus stated my views in regard to the various matters , to which I deemed it advisable to advert , it only remains for me to express a hope that you will give to every question submitted to the Grand Lodge , a patient and careful consideration , and that in all your deliberations you may he led to such conclusions as will be productive of beneficial results to the fraternity of

which we have the honour of being accounted members , so that on your return to your respective places of abode you may be able to look back with feelings of satisfaction and pleasure to the profitable work accomplished at this communication of Grand Lodge . ( Signed , ) A . A . STEVENSON , Montreal , July 14 , 1869 . Grand Master . Proceedings were opened on July 16 , at ten o ' clock a . m . ; the

attendance was larger than on any previous day . The business was chiefly of a private character . The large district of the Eastern Townships , for the past three years under the jurisdiction of R . W . Bro . Graham , was , at his request , divided into two districts , to be named the St . Francis and Bedford Districts . R . W . Bro . Bro . Macpherson was received as the representative of the Grand Lodge of Uruguay , in South America , near the Grand Lod of CanadaR . W . Bro . Harris as the

ge ; repre sentative of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee , M . W . _ Bro . T . D . Harington , as representative of the ( i . Lodge of Pennsylvania ; M . W . Bro . W . B . Simpson as representative of the Grand Orient of Italy ; and R . W . Bro . S . B . Harman as representative of the Grand Lodge of Texas , near the Grand Lodge of Canada . Telegraphs were received from R . W . Bro . Sir J . A . Macdonald , the Mayor of Torontoand othersexpressing regret at their

, , unavoidable absence . M . W . Bro . Harington , Past Grand Master , and other eminent brethren arrived during the day . Upwards of £ 300 have been appropriated for charitable purposes . x

The complimentary banquet given to the G . Lodge of Canada by the Montreal Lodges took place in the Mechanics' Hall . The hall had been decorated for the occasion with a profusion of flags and festoons of coloured hangings . Mr . Gilbert was the caterer for the occasion , and it is almost superfluous to add that the banquet was of the most recherche description . The high table and various tables running down the hall were adorned

with flowers and various chef d ' ceucres of ornamental confectionary work , among which a Masonic centre-piece was worthy of admiration . It was late—near nine o ' clock—when the dinner began , though eight was the hour intended . M . W . P . G . M . Bernard was in the chair , having on his right hand M . W . the G . M ., W . M . P . G . M . Harington , and other brethren high in the Craft ; and on his loft M . W . P . G . M . Simpson , the D . G . M . Seymour , of St . Catharine ' s ; the G . Sec . T . B . Harris ; A . W . Ogilvie , M . P . P ., and other distinguished Masons .

After due justice had been done to the choice viands of Mr . Gilbert , the Chairman welcomed all the brethren in a cordial manner , and stated that he had received letters expressing deep regret at unavoidable absence , from the M . W . G . M . of New Brunswick , the G . M . of the State of Vermont , and last , not least , from P . G . M . Wilson , whose judicial duties alone had prevented him from being present . He assured the brethren that the committee had spared no pains to contribute to the unalloyed

pleasure of all who attended the festival , and after bidding tho brethren dismiss " dull care , " in order to partake of " the feast of reason and the flow of soul , " proposed the first toast on the list , viz : " The Queen and the Craft . " The excellent band of the Rifles then played " God save the Queen , " which was subsequently sung by the Grand Master , the brethren joining in the chorus .

The chairman in proposing the second toast , "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and members of the Royal Family , " said that it was usually proposed without any special comment , but that on this occason he felt bound to make a few remarks , as Masonry had lately been hououred by the Prince of Wales becoming a member of the fraternity . The prince was the grandson of a distinguished Mason , the nephew of a distinguished Mason , the intimate friend of many great Masons , aud he was

now a Mason himself . ( The chairman might have added , that the prince was also the son of a distinguished Mason . ) Under any circumstances the Craft would ever have pride in him ,, whether as Prince of Wales or Sovereign of the British Empire , a firm friend and brother . The next toast was "His Excellency the Governor General , " which was duly honoured by the applause of the brethren , and by some fine music .

The fourth toast , " The Army , Navy and Volunteers , " was enthusiastically greeted . Past Grand Master Harrington responded on behalf of the Navy , saying that he had commenced life as a sailor , and that , as no other mariner seemed to be present , he could not allow the toast to pass in silence .

Hero the proceedings were interrupted by Bro . Robert Douglas , P . M . of True Briton ' s Lodge , Perth , who enthusiastically volunteered a song , which occasioned considerable amusement . Bros . Hutton and Ogilvie returned thanks for the volunteers of the province of Quebec , and Bros . Fairbanks and Spencer for those of Ontario . A brother who is a Serjeant of tho R . A ., but whose name was not mentioned at the timereturned thanks on

, behalf of the regular army . The Chairman then stated that the next toast was that of "the M . W . the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada , " bis long and well tried friend , whom he had known most intimately from his very childhood . He proceeded to pass a high eulogium upon his zeal , intelligence , industry , anil profound Masonic knowledge , and finally proposed that the toast be

received with the customary grand honours . After this had been done Grand Master Stevenson replied in a modest speech ,, assuring the brethren that he was not vain enough to consider tho compliment a pei-son . il one , but as an honour paid rather to the office than to the man . ( Cries of "No , no . " ) He had . always striven earnestly to discharge in a faithful manner the arduous duties that were inseparable from the office of Grand Master , and ho looked hopefully forward to the time when the

lodges of all the different provinces of Canada would be under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Grand Lodge of the Dominion . He concluded a speech which was listened to with marked attention , by proposing on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Canada ,