Canada.

Lodge of Ireland . By tbe death of tbis distinguished brother we have lost a warm friend , and our Order a most worthy-Craftsman . His loss will be sincerely regretted by every member of the Fraternity in Canada . I have much pleasure in appointing R . AV . Bro . James Vokes Mackey , of Dublin , as our representative near the Grand Lodge of Ireland , with the rank of a Past Grand Senior AVarden , as successor to our deceased Bro . Furnell .

REPRESENTATIVES . I have also made arrangements on behalf of this Grand Loclge for an exchange of representatives with several other Grand Bodies with whom we have riot heretofore heen in communication , and I have appointed the following distinguished members of our Order as our representatives at these Grand Lodges and Grand Orients respectively , viz .: —R . W . Bros . Andrew Kerr

Mackinlay , at Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia ; E . T . Carr , at Grand Lodge of Kansas ; 111 . Bros . J . M . C . Obed , at Grand Orient of Cuba ; Dr . Francesco De Paula Romas , at Grand Orient of Brazil ; J . M . Samper Angiano , at Grand Orient of New Grenada ; Antonio M . Mollejas , at Grand Orient of Venezuela ; Adolph E . Pfeil , at Grand Orient of Uruguay ; JoasCaetano D'Alweida , at Grand Orient of Portugal ; Luis Goapil , 33 ° , at Grand Orient of Mexico ; Francesco De Luca , at Grand Orient of Italy ; A . M . Medinas at Grand Orient of Chili .

These diplomatic relations with Grand Orients have been established through the kind and fraternal offices of 111 . Bro . Andres Cassard , the distinguished representative of those Grand Bodies to the Grand Lodges of the United States , and I indulge in the hope that we will soon have the pleasure of receiving and welcoming , in proper form , the accredited representatives of these Grand Bodies among us . By the last mail from England I received an official

communication from our M . AV . Bro . W . C Stephens , announcing the resignation of his position as representative of tho Grand Lodge of England , near this Grand Lodge , a copy of which I herewith lay before you . Although retiring from a high and important position , tbe duties of which he has for so many years discharged with great ability and discretionour distinguished brother cannot by any

, means sever the link which connects him with the Grand Lodge . His past services , and the many pleasing incidents connected with them , will never be forgotten by bis Canadian brethren , and should he again return to this jurisdiction he will find many warm hearts and ready hands to welcome and to greet him .

UNAFFILIATED MASOXS . I would also direct the attention of Grand Loclge to the very large and increasing number of Masons who are not connected with any of our lodges , and who , consequently , contribute nothing towards our fund of benevolence . This subject has occupied much of my attention for many years past , ancl I would suggest for your consideration tbe propriety of directing that every

subordinate lodge should endeavour to ascertain , with as little delay as possible , the names of all unaffiliated Masons residing within the limits of their jurisdiction , and inform them that their names have been entered on the unaffiliated roll of the lodge , and that by instructions received from Grand Loclge they are required to contribute a certain sum annually ( say half dues ) , and that a failure on their part to comply with this requirement

will be followed by such a penalty as Grand Lodge may be pleased to direct . I have discussed this subject with many of our unaffiliated brethren , who , from the pressure of their avocations , and for other reasons , have felt it necessary to retire from an active participation in loclge duties , and in nearly every instance I bava been assured that they would gladly resume their connection with the Order , provided some such scheme as I have suggested was adopted .

FENIANISSI . In the month of September last I addressed letters to tho Grand Masters of the neighbouring States referring to tho wicked and unjustifiable attempts of those reckless and lawless men , known as Fenians , to invade these provinces , and asking them to supply me with any information they might possess as to their plans and intentionsThe lies to " these letters

. rep were most prompt ancl fraternal , ancl while assuring mo that their best services would be rendered to me in tho matter referred to , they , at the same time , convinced me that they and the intelligent and enlightened classes in the United States had no svmpathy with these piratical marauders , who had without a shadow of reason attacked aud still threatened a peaceful and inoll '

ensive community . On this subject I have also been in communication with tho Grand Masters of England and Ireland . HISTORY OE FBEEJIASONRT . Your committee appointed to collect material for a more perfect history of Freemasonry in this jurisdiction , have , under the able superintendence of their chairman , tho R . W . Bro . S . D . Fowlercollected a mass of information relating to the

early-, history of our Order in Canada , of a most interesting and valuable character , and are entitled to the best thanks , not only of this Grand Lodge , but of every member of the Craft in the jurisdiction . The result of the labours of this committee have partially been published in " Tho Craftsman , " and has materially added to the lively interest with which the members of our fraternity look forward to the arrival of the monthly numbers

of this most excellent periodical . In connection with this subject I would earnestly invite the attention of our old lodges to a caroful search in their archives for minutes and documents connected with the early incidents of their history , with a view to forwarding them to this committee with as little delay as possible .

LlBRAEY . I have also to direct the attention of Grand Lodge to the large accumulation of valuable Masonic material , consisting of printed proceedings of Grand Lodges , pamphlets , & c , now in the office of our Grand Secretary , ancl to suggest that if they were arranged ancl cheaply hound thoy would form a valuable addition to our Grand Lodge Library .

INDEX . It is also desirable that a general index to our own proceedings should be prepared and printed , and I would also suggest that in future an index be added to our annual publication of proceedings .

OFFICIAL YISITS . Since our last annual communication I have had the pleasure of paying , official visits to my brethren in Guelph , Montreal , Peterboro' and London , and I need scarcely add that my reception everywhere was most cordial and hearty . I would gladly have visited many of our other lodges , had time and circumstances permitted , as I have long felt that official visits of this kind have a most beneficial effect in promoting the interests of Masonry .

SPECIAL GRAND LODGES . I havo also to state for the information of Grand Lodge , that I authorised the holding of two special meetings of Grand Loclge , since our last annual communications , which , on both occasions , were ably presided over by my Most Worshipful Brother , Past Grand Master Harrington , who officiated at the ceremony of laying the corner stone of two churches in Ottawa , a full account of which appeared in the papers of the day .

INVESTJIENT OF GRAND LODGE FUNDS . About the middle of August last , I observed an official notice emanating from the Receiver General ' s Department , to tho effect that applications would be received up to the 10 th of September for the purcheso of provincial debentures , whicli were to bear 7 per cent , interest , and knowing that a large portion of our funds was lying on deposit at 4 . per cent . I at once

, saw tbe importance of securing so favourable and safe an investment for them . I proceeded to St . Catharines , where I met many members of tbe Board of General Purposes , who were there attending a meeting of the Grand Chapter , and consulted them in reference to tbe matter . Finding that they approved of my suggestion I proceeded to Toronto for the purpose of advising the Trustees of the Asylum Fund to invest that amount

also in provincial debentures . I then visited Montreal , and made tbe necessary arrangements with our much-esteemed brother , the Chairman of the Board of General Purposes , for the transfer of our funds ; after which I proceeded to Ottawa , which I reached on the ISth of August , whore , with the valuable assistance of tho Deputy Receiver-General , I completed all the arrangements I had the power to make . I again

returned to Montreal for the purpose of obtaining the signature of the Chairman of the Board to an order on the bank having charge of our funds , to deposit the same in the Bank of Montreal , as directed by the Receiver-General . You are all probably aware that by tho existing regulations the signatures of the Chairman , the Grand Secretary , and the Grand Treasurer , are required to any order for the payment of money . On again