United Grand Lodge Of England.

General Purposes its powers and functions , I look upon the objections to my ruling as utterly futile . I , as Grand Master , lay down the law , and if any Brother objects to my ruling , let him give notice of motion to alter the law itself . ( Cheers . ) Bro . BINCKES then stated that , in deference to his Masonic allegiance he should forbear to further discuss the matter , but as a man and as a Mason he protested against the decision of the Worshipful Master . ( Oh , and laughter . ) The minutes were then confirmed , with only three or four

dissentients . THE ELECTION OF THE GRAND MASTER . Bro . CROMBIE then said , Brethren , I had the honour at the last meeting of Grand Lodge to nominate our M . W . Grand Master for re-election , and I now rise to propose to you a resolution which will be carried unanimously , without amendment . It would be useless for me to dwell upon his lordship ' s merits and high qualifications for the office , as you are all aware of his business habits ,

his urbanity , his firmness , and , above all , his uniform good temper . I hope that we may long have the opportunity of re-electing him to that chair , where I hope he will ever enjoy that confidence of the brethren which will enable him to preside over the Craft with comfort and satisfaction to himself . I propose that the Right Hon . Thomas Dundas , Earl of Zetland , be our Grand Master for the ensuing twelve months . Bro . BOHN seconded the proposal of Bro . Crombie . Bro . Sir Lucius CURTISas Deputy Grand Masterput the

mo-, , tion , which was carried by an overwhelming majority ( amidst loud cheers ) , only eight hands being held up for the contrary . Bro . JENNINGS , Grand Director of Ceremonies , then proclaimed the Right Hon . Thomas Dundas , Earl of Zetland , Lord Dundas , a Baronet of England , Lord Lieutenant and Gustos Rotulorum of the North Riding of Yorkshire , & c , & c , as M . W , Grand Master for the ensuing twelve months , and called upon the Brethren to salute him in the usual manner . The M . W . GRAND MASTERhaving so received the salutations of

, the Brethren , said , Brethren , as there is much important business to be disposed of this evening , I should think myself very ungrateful for your kindness , if 1 were to interpose by a long speech between you and it . I most heartily thank you for the kindness with which you have so long regarded me , and for the confidence which you have again and again reposed in me . Believe me , Brethren , my most anxious desire is to work for the benefit of Grand Lodge , and for the welfare of ihe Craft in general .

GRAND TREASURER . Bro . Barrett then proposed that Bro . Saul Tomkins be re-elected Grand Treasurer . Bro . SYMONDS seconded the proposition , which was carried nem . con . GRAND LODGE OF CANADA . The M . W . the GRAND MASTER next said , Brethren , before I express to you my views upon the question of the Grand Lodge of

Canada , I shall call on the Grand Secretary to read to you the whole of the correspondence , including an un-official letter from the Grand Master of Canada addressed to myself , and which , though in some respects private , I feel justified under the circumstances in laying before you . The Grand Secretary here read the following correspondence : — " Freemasons' Hall , London , Dec . 16 th , 1858 . " Dear Sir and R . W . Brother , —Your letter of the 13 th November ,

with enclosures , arrived here on the 30 th , and I immediately laid them before the M . W . Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , who had just reached London , in order to attend the Grand Lodge on the following day . " You are aware , that by our laws it is ordered that no business shall be brought into discussion in the Grand Lodge , without notice being previously given at the General Committee , which meets on the Wednesday fortnight before the quarterly communication ; but the Grand Master having heard that a communication was likely to

be forwarded , announcing that arrangements had been made for the junction of the two previously existing ruling Masonic bodies in Canada West , and his lordship being desirous that if such a communication did . arrive , it might immediately be taken into consideration , directed notice to be given at the General Committee , on the 17 th November ; that in case of official intimation being received of the establishment of a Grand Lodge of Canada , he would bring forward n motion having reference to that body , with a view to its recognition , should circumstances justify such a course . " Although the circumstances under which the Grand Lodge of Canada has been formed have been before the Grand Master in an

unofficial form for some months past , the late period at which the official notification arrived , might have justified delay ; still his lordship , feeling strongly the desirableness of some conclusion being arrived at without waiting a period of three months , and the tenour of your communication leading him to the belief that the new Grand Lodge of Canada was actuated by a spirit of truly Masonic feeling , and enlarged views for the welfare of our cherished Craft , did not hesitate to suggest , for the consideration of the Grand Lodge , the following motion , which was adopted , witli a cordial and

Masonic confidence , viz ., 'That official intimation having been received of the formation of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Canada , this Grand Lodge recognizes that body as an independent Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over the province hitherto known as Canada West , and expresses its desire to entertain hereafter with it such a cordial and fraternal intercourse , as will serve to promote the interests of . Masonry in both countries . ' And a resolution was unanimously passed , that the M . W . Grand Master be requested to communicate in appropriate terms to the

Grand Lodge of Canada the resolution to which the Grand Lodge had come upon the question . " Acting upon these resolutions , the M . W . Grand Master commands me to say that he roost cordially extends the right hand of fellowship to the W . M . Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada , formed by the junction of the late Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada West , and the Independent Grand Lodge of Canada , and acknowledges the independence of that body . " As however there are some few Lodges in Canada West who have signified their desire to retain their attachment to , and indicate connection with , the Grand Lodge of England , from whom

they received the warrants , the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master feel that they are not at liberty to withdraw their protection from such Lodges against theif will , and therefore claim for them from the Grand Lodge of Canada recognition of their present position with all their Masonic privileges , and those of their members respectively . The M . W . Grand Master feels that this is simply an act of justice , and based on the same principle as that enunciated in your communication of the satisfaction which an affectionate parent would derive from the well doing of a son whohaving arrived at

, years of maturity , and settled . in a foreign land was able to manage for himself without abating in the slightest degree his filial love ; for in the same way that affectionate parent would " derive satisfaction in assisting and protecting another son who was anxious to remain with him , nor ought that parent to compel him to quit his household while he was desirous of continuing in it . " From a perusal of the document forwarded by you , the M . W . Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of England distinctly

understood—and they as distinctly stipulate—while making this recognition of the independence of the Grand Lodge of Canada , that the districts of Quebec , Montreal , New Brunswick , and Nova Scotia , ( Provinces now under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England ) , form no part thereof ; and that their Provincial or District Grand Officers , and the officers and members of the subordinate Lodges , and their several acts and certificates , and the certificates and acts of the Grand Lodge of England in regard to them shall be recognized by the Grand Lodge of Canada , and its several Lodges , with that cordial good will and fraternal feeling which alone can maintain the honour , the unity , and the advantages of the great Masonic family in its various branches and varifications throughout the nations of the earth .

" I have the honour to be , dear Sir and R . W . Brother , " Yours faithfully and fraternally , ( Signed ) " WM . 'GRAY CLARKE , G . Sec . " Thos . B . Harris , Esq ., Grand Secretary , " Grand Lodge of Canada . " " Grand Lodge of Canada , Grand Secretary ' s Office , " Hamilton , C . W ., 24 th January , 1859 . "Dear Sir and Right Worshipful Brother , —I am commanded by

the M . W Grand Master to transmit you the endorsed extracts from the minutes of a special communication of the Grand Lodge of Canada , hold at Toronto on the 19 th ult ., in reference to your letter of the 16 th December , 18 S 8 . " The spirit which actuated Grand Lodge in coming to this resolution , and which is clearly shown in its terms , was , a sincere desire for the ultimate peace and harmony of the Craft throughout the province , and the members of Grand Lodge from the eastern districts were the most anxious that the resolution in question should be adopted . " It is hoped that the action of the Grand Lodge of England will not be such as to revive and perpetuate in Canada those distinctions made in former times by arbitrary territorial boundary lines which