United Grand Lodge Of England.

The M . W . GRAND MASTER then said , Brethren , in conformity with the notice which I have put upon the paper , I shall proceed to state to you as concisely and as shortly as I can , the views I entertain on this question . When the subject came before us at the last Grand Lodge , I was not aware that the Grand Lodge of Canada claimed a jurisdiction over the entire province ; I was under the impression that all our Canadian Brethren asked was , an independent Grand Lodge for Canada West . It seems we were mistaken on that pointand nowafter having anxiously considered the matterI am

; , , of opinion that we ought to comply with their request , and I shall advise Grand Lodge to accede gracefully and at once to their claim , and recognize them as the Grand Lodge of Canada . At the same time , I have thought it my duty to stipulate for the recognition and protection , in all their Masonic rites , of those Brethren in Canada , who still hold firm in their allegiance to this Grand Lodge . It appears that there are altogether only seven Lodges who still hail from usand it is likely that two or three of them will be soon

ex-, tinct . I have not a doabt , from the kindness and fraternal feeling manifested in the letter you have heard read , that I shall be able to secure that protection for English Masons in Canada , which I think it my bonnden duty to claim for them . The only thing in the settlement of the question which appears difficult is , that we have still a Provincial Grand Master in Quebec ; but I believe that he has intimated his intention to retire . There has been no Provincial Grand Lodge held in Montreal for some years past , so that we may

look upon that province as extinct . I feel confident the Grand Lodge of Canada will accede to the demand I propose to make to it , and acknowledge our Provincial Grand Master , so long as he mayretain office as ruler of the Lodges which still hold under us ; and we shall in turn assure them that we shall issue no new warrants for the district ; and therefore , in course of time , the English Lodges will become altogether extinct . There is one suggestion , however , to which I cannot accede . They suggest that we should ask the English Lodges in Canadawhether it would not be better for them

, to give up their warrants to us , and at once place themselves under the banner of the Grand Lodge of Canada . That is a recommendation which ought not to be given by us , and I am convinced that on explanation , it will appear to the Canadian Brethren themselves , an improper suggestion ; for I cannot but say , that a kind spirit and a most fraternal feeling towards this Grand Lodge , pervades the Canadian Brethren . I have seen copies of the warrants and

certificates of the Grand Lodge of Canada , and they are fac simihes of our own—showing , in a most conclusive manner , that in those matters , as in all their working , they are anxious to adopt the policy and construction of the Grand Lodge of England . Nothing can , I think , be more satisfactory to the Grand Lodge . There is no Brother in this Country who has any feeling , or who has an anxious desire for the good of Masonry , but must rejoice to find it flourish in all parts of the world , and see the Brethren acknowledge those laws which conduce to the welfare and prosperity of the Craft .

That is my feeling , and is , I am sure , the feeling of every Brother in England . There is one point I would call your attention to , because it very much confirms what I have frequently expressed with respect to the secession of the Canadian Lodges . It appears , from the correspondence before us , that the most powerful motive which influenced them , was a desire to establish charitable institutions for educational purposes , and for the relief of aged and distressed Masons and their widows , similar to those we have in this country . This , I think , shows pretty plainly that it is not owing entirely to

the neglect of Grand Lodge , that they were induced to withdraw from us , and establish an independent Grand Lodge of their own . They had , it seems , higher and better motives for their secession . These motives you will , I know , fully appreciate , and very warmly recognize . Then the question arises , how is it best to proceed with regard to the negotiations for the settlement of the question—negotiations which must of necessity be of a delicate nature , and require great care . If it should be the opinion of Grand Lodge , that they should be placed in the hands of the Grand MasterI shall be most

, willing to undertake the task . If , on the contrary , Grand Lodge should think it better that it should itself enter upon these negotiations ,. ! shall have nothing to say against its decision ; but as it will be necessary that notice should be given of the resolutions to be submitted to our consideration , I shall call a special Grand Lodge , that no time may be lost in meeting the wishes of the Canadian Brethren . It is for you now to take one or other of these alternatives ; and , in conclusion , I have only to hope that I . have made myself perfectly understood .

Bro . GREGORY said that , although there was not , in the reply received from the G . L . of Canada , the same suavity which characterized the letter , in which the Grand Secretary had communicated to the Canadian Brethren the resolution adopted at the last Grand Lodge , they were to look for the true interpretation of it to the

letter which the M . W . Grand Master had received from the G . M . of Canada . Seeing the way in which the G . M . had anticipated the feelings of the Canadian Brethren , he ( Bro . Gregory ) would venture to submit that the conclusion of the negotiations should be left in his hands , especially as it was a subject , a little warmth of temper upon which , might lead to irreconcileable estrangement . Looking at the difficulty of the alternative and the delay which must necessarily occur , and being fully confident that the M . W . Grand Master would fully maintain the dignity of Grand Lodge , he would move a

resolution to the effect that , Grand Lodge having heard the statements contained in the correspondence which has been read to them , was of opinion that the M . W . Grand Master should take such steps for the settlement of the question as he might think consistent with the dignity and honour of Grand Lodge , and secure protection to the English Masons in Canada . This he considered the simplest , most dignified , and honourable way of terminating all the difficulties between the Masons in Canada and the Grand Lodge of England . The motion having been seconded

, Bro . BEECH , M . P ., as one who had from the first taken a great interest in the question pending between the Canadian Brethren and the Grand Lodge , fully approved of the settlement of the question being left in the hands of the Grand Master , as being the course most courteous to the Grand Lodge of Canada , and best calculated to avoid all future misunderstandings . Bro . WHITMORE protested against any resolution being put to Grand Lodge , which had not been referred to the Board of Masters . Bro . HAVERSon the contrarymaintainedthat according to the

, , , Book of Constitutions , this was a subject which fell immediately under the cognizance and jurisdiction of the M . W . the Grand Master . Bro . BINCKES felt there . was no earthly use in protesting against the course now proposed to be adopted . He wished Grand Lodge would leave matters of feeling , and come to matters of fact . It was now proposed to agree to a resolution , of whicli they had had no previous notice ; whereas six months ago , when similar documents had been brought before Grand Lodgea Brother who attempted to

, found a resolution upon them was stopped because no notice had been given of it . Bro . DOBIE thought it better to withdraw the resolution , and leave the matter entirely in the hands of the M . W . the Grand Master . Rev . Bro . Cox supported the resolution , and hoped the Brethren would not be intimidated or put down by clamour . The motion was then put and carried by an immense majority .

TASMANIA . A letter from Bro . TOBY , of Hobart Town , surrendering the warrant of Lodge No . 781 , was then read , but no resolution taken on it . In reference to it , however , The M . W . Grand Master said he much regretted the surrender of the warrant . The whole circumstances of the case , however , were under his consideration , and he hoped to be able to make such an arrangement as would still all existing disputes , and prevent dissensions for the future .

THE COLONIAL BOARD . The report of the Colonial Board , having reference to fees , was then laid before the Brethren . Upon the reading of this report some conversation took place between Bro . Evans and the R . W . Provincial Grand Master of Victoria , Bro . Capt . Clarke , in reference to the fees paid by the Colonial Lodges . In his opinion the time must come when Australia would declare its independence of Grand Lodge . The report was received , and the consideration of the subject referred back to the

Board with power to act . BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE . The Grand Secretary then read the Report of the Board of Benevolence , which stated that in December fourteen petitioners were relieved to the extent of £ 151 ; in January , Jive others to the extent of £ 60 ; and in February , six more to the extent of £ 70 . The Board recommended the grant of £ 100 to the widow of a Calcutta Brother , three grants of £ 50 each , and one of £ 40 to Brethren connected with the Provinces . These recommendations were on

the statement of each case—the statements were most painful—at once acceded to . THE REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE . The report of the Audit Committee , from which it appeared there was a balance of £ 147 Os . lOd . to the credit of the Benevolent Fund , and one of £ 1 , 134 10 s . 6 d . to that of the Board of General Purposes , was , on the motion of Bro . ROXBOURGH , entered on the minutes . The M . W . Grand Master having complained that the Brethren who filled the Lodge at the commencement of the evening should have left before the real business of the Craft was entered upon , Grand Lodge was closed in ample form and with solemn prayer .