Letter From A Brother In England To A Brother In Scotland.

at x , the indefinite ; while the oipolloi of country gentlemen possess that amount of common sense and talent , which a wise but merciful Providence bestows upon those who have no occasion for brains to bring them in bread . In fact , the Grand Lodge of Scotland cannot

particularly flatter itself upon its roll of Provincial Grand Lodges , and the Provincial Grand Masters , to show their respect for their appointments , their fidelity to the Craft , and their oaths of office , religiously desist in twenty-two cases from holding a Provincial Grand Lodge at all ! What is

the consequence ? The Grand Lodge looks to tbe Provincial Grand Lodge to direct the daughter lodges in the way they should go ; but the Provincial Grand Lodge being a myth , tlie expectations of the Grand Lodge are never

realised . It is notorious that , with one or two exceptions , all the cases which come up from the country for decision by Grand Lodge originate in provinces where the Provincial Grand Master and officers are only names upon paper .

The ordinary manner of election of a Provincial Grand Master , is by appointing , upon application of one or two members of distinct lodges , a brother of some standing in his province , either on account of rank or property . Brains are always a secondary consideration by

Freemasons . A son is often appointed to succeed his father . Of course it is desirable to have a brother of position and wealth , if such can be procured , at the head of the province , but these should not be the sole qualifications , and we insist that no brother should be appointed who

has not displayed interest in Freemasonry , shown his capability to discharge the duties of his office , and have served some time in a subordinate lodge asaMaster . The uttertoadyism of Freemasons is a lie to their doctrines , and their boast that worth and worth alone is a passport to their offices and honours is a falsehood .

The provinces should be remodelled , and where there is no Provincial Grand Master , or when , by death or resignation , the office is in abeyance , the Worshipful Master of the Senior Lodge in the Province should act as Master for the time being . The Depute should always be a brother of great experience , and who should

reside in the principal town of the province . The Secretary and Treasurer also should have the qualifications necessary for the Depute . All the office-bearers should be chosen from the leading office-bearers of the subordinate lodges , and everything clone to draw the bonds of relationship closer between the liege lodges and the

sovereign . Each office-bearer and each lodge should contribute a trifle towards defraying the expenses of tlie Provincial Grand Lodge , and fines should be exigible from such brethren as fail to be present at the statutory meetings . These meetings

should be held at least twice a year , while a committee of management should meet once a month for the transaction of business . The Grand Master , or his Depute , should personally visit each lodge in his province once a year , see its members at work , and fully examine into its

affairs for the preceding year , and thus at once guarantee correctness in ritualand the formal business of the lodge . By this means the disgraceful state of many country lodges , which want not only proper instruction in the Craft mysteries but even the ordinary tools , would be remedied , and what must be a blot on our escutcheon

removed . The Provincial Grand Master should annually see that the Secretary forward to the Grand Secretary a report of the province , and this report should be embodied in thc Grand Lodge Annual Circular . By so doing , not only would a correct veiw be obtained of the progress of Freemasonry , but a wholesome rivalry would be introduced into the provinces .

Not the least step in the right direction would be for the Grand Lodge occasionally to visit the Provincial Grand Lodges , when its presence would bring a warmer feeling into thc relationship of the daughter lodges with it . Grand

Lodge isolates itself too much from the subordinate lodges , and thus forfeits not only much of their friendship and esteem , but actually money . It is notorious in some provinces , many lodges arc in that humour that they would have no hesita-

Letter From A Brother In England To A Brother In Scotland.

tion in joining a standard of rebellion , and sailing under an alien flag . We have briefly pom ted out the causes of much which renders Freemasonry of little account in the provinces , and the manner in which the same

could be remedied . Till some such change takes place it is impossible tbat Scotland can at all rise in the scale of Grand Lodges , and without the assistance of the provinces she must sink . We have legislated too much for the head , and done

nothing for the members . There are other places than Edinburgh , and other interests than those of Mary ' s Chapel and the Celtic , to be studied . These can only be attained by united action on the part of the too long-suffering provinces .

Aid To The Sick And Wounded In War.

AID TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED IN WAR .

The following letter has been addressed by the Grand Mark Master Mason to the W . M . of all English Mark Lodges , enclosing a list of the materials required for the sick and wounded , as published by the National Association , 2 , St . Martin's-place .

Office of the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters , 2 , Red Lion-square , Holborn , W . C . Worshipful Sir and Brother , —I am anxious that the brethren of our Order should take an active part , in their several localities , in the organisation of help for the sick and wounded in thc present war .

Thereby showing the value wc attach to the great principles of " brotherly love and relief . " I should be obliged , therefore , if you would be so good as to call the brethren of your lodge together as soon as possible , and consult with them as to the most effectual steps to be taken .

If no committee exist in your locality for the organised collection from house to house of money and materials , the Mark Masters might at once form such a committee with the help of any friends they can enlist , both ladies and gentlemen . If such a committee exists already , they can co-operate with it . Some central place should be fixed upon at which

contributions can be received , and thence forwarded to Bro . Captain Burgess , 2 , St . Martin ' s-place , London , W . C , the Secretary to the National Associon for the relief of the sick and wounded . I enclose a list of the articles which are most needed , and I am , dear sir ancl brother , Yours fraternally , G . R . PORTAL , Grand Master .

FREEMASONRY AND THE WAR . —The following letter has been addressed to Sir Edward Borough , Bart ., as representative of the Grand Orient of France , by the Grand Master ofthe Order : — " Rue Cadet , Paris . Freemasonry has always deplored the calamities which are the inevitable consequence of war . If her aspirations for peace are this day inopportune and useless , at least there

remains for her a duty of humanity tofulfil . Incorporating , as it does , in one fraternal solicitude all thc victims of the war , the Grand Orient of France takes the initiative in an international Masonic subscriptior , the proceeds of which will be employed in the succour of all who have been wounded , and in the aid of Freemasons serving on land and sea , as well as of their families , without distinction

of race or creed . Our appeal will be responded to by all Masonic authorities . We hope and trust all lodges throughout the world—all Freemasons will , we are satisfied—associate themselves together in carrying out this work of humanity ; all will hasten to bring their offerings to this good cause ; and that , on this occasion , as on all others , Freemasonry will know how to fulfil her mission , —( Signed ) BAHAUD LAUIBIEKE . "

THE GOOD SAMARITAN . — -It may be in the recollection of many oi our readers that Mr . James G watkin , of Newport , Monmouthshire , and a Captain liinney , were drowned thc other day at Mountsbay , near Penzance , and that the bodies were picked up by E . St . John Aubyn , Esq ., M . P . for Cornwall , and thc crew of his barge , who were cruising near at thc time . These

dead bodies were taken lo thc nearest hotel , and there searched in Mr . St . Aubyn ' s presence . The cash found was taken possession of by the police authorities , and in Gwatkin ' s coatpocket was found a Masonic circular sent to him by Bro . William Williams , of 16 , Dock-street , Newport , just before he left home , and it was from this they found who the deceased was . Mr . E . St . John

Aubyn , finding that Gwatkin was a brother Freemason , and a member of the Silurian Lodge , No , 471 , immediately gaveordcrsto the hotel-keeper togive Mrs . Gwatkin everything that was necessary for her sustenance ; and on that lady recovering consciousness , he , in the kindest manner imaginable , waited on her , gave her money to pay all

expenses she had inclined , and would incur through the funeral , and handed her over a further amount to pay her expenses home . Thus he proved himself a worthy Freemason and a Good Samaritan ; and to cacli and every one of our Masonic brothers—when placed in a similar position , and who have it in their power—we would say , " Go , and do thou likewise . "

Annual Communication Or The Grand Lodge Of Canada.

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OR THE GRAND LODGE OF CANADA .

( Continued from page 412 . J " During the year a great variety of questions have been submitted to me for opinion or decision , to all of which I gave such attention as the respective cases seemed to require ; and it occurred to me , while performing- this duty , that if it were possible to preserve and publish , in a condensed form , the various decisions of Grand Masters from

year to year , and the action taken by Grand Lodge on subjects not embraced within the scope of the provisions of the Book of Constitution , it would form a very valuable Canadian Masonic Jurisprudence , which might be often referred to , and prove exceedingly useful alike to Grand Lodge Officers and those of subordinate lodges . "During the past two years several District Grand

Lodges of Instruction have been organised within this jurisdiction , which have been attended with most beneficial results . Two of these were held since our last annual communication—one in the district of Toronto and the other in the Ontario district . R . W . Bros . Kerr and McCabe , the D . D . G . M . 's for these districts , conducted the business with great ability , and the marked

success which crowned their efforts must have been extremely gratifying to these R . W . brethren , and to all who had the good fortune to be present at those meetings . I trust that the good example set by these zealous brethren will be followed in every district throughout our jurisdiction . I regard such meetings as one of the most effective methods of imparting Masonic instruction , and under

proper management they might be made conducive to the speedy accomplishment of what has long been a desideratum—entire uniformity of work . " The reports of the various District Deputy Grand Masters , on the state of Masonry , are on the whole satisfactory . But for the unhappy differences existing in the Province of Quebec , the Craft might be said to enjoy

almost undisturbed harmony . .... " The lodges at present working in the Province of Quebec , under our jurisdiction , are eighteen ( 18 ) in number , viz .: — Lodge of Antiquity Montreal . Dorchester , No . 4 St . Johns . Nelson , No . S Phillipsburgh .

St . George ' s , No . 19 Montreal . Zetland , No . 21 „ Shefford , No . 53 Waterloo . Yamaska , No . 130 Granby . Shawenegam , No . 134 Three Rivers . Aylmer , No . 138 Aylmer . Quebec Garrison , No . 160 ... Quebec .

Browne , No . 163 Adamsville . Victoria , No . 173 Montreal . St . John ' s , No . 175 Mansonville . Royal Canadian , No . 187 ... Sweetsburgh . Mount Royal , No . 202 Montreal . Broine Lake , No . 211 Knowlton . Mount Moriah , U . D Montreal . Sutton , U . D Sutton Flats .

" In resigning into your hands the gavel , with which I was entrusted at the last annual communication of this Grand Lodge , I can truly say , that although conscious of much unworthiness , and deeply sensible of numerous imperfections , yet I have always endeavoured to discharge the duties of my position faithfully and conscientiously ,

whether those duties were of a pleasant or of a painful nature ; and in divesting myself of the clothing appertaining to the office of Grand Master , permit me to indulge the hope that in time to come I may be ever encompassed with the mantle of your Masonic charity . "A . A . STEVENSON , Grand Master . "

( The reading of the address was frequently warmly applauded , and at its close the manifestation of approbation was loud , and long continued . ) Several distinguished visitors from the Grand Lodge of New York , including R . W . Bros . C . E . Young , G . J . D . ; W . J . McCredie , P . D . D . G . M . ; and John A . Lockwood , P . D . D . G . M . ; and W . Bros .

W . H . Dee , H . Kleim , John H . Andrews , H . B . McCullough , S . L . Watson , and J . B . King , were received with grand honours , and introduced to Grand Lodge . W . Bro . Ramsay presented his credentials as representative of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska , near tlie Grand Lodge of Canada ; M . W . Bro . Bernard for the Grand Lodge of New Jersey ; and

V . W . Bro . White for thc Grand Lodge of Nevada . These brethren were respectively received with grand honours , and welcomed in their representative character , a compliment which they each briefly acknowledged . After a number of notices had been given , Grand Lodge was called off until Thursday morning at 11 o ' clock .

SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS . Morning Session . M . W . Bro . Alexander A , Stevenson , Grand Master , presiding . Grand Lodge having been called to order , it was moved by M . W . Bro . Wilson , seconded by M . W . Bro . T . D . Harington , and unanimously

Resolved , —That the Grand Lodge of Canada hastens to convey to the M . W . and Right Honourable the Earl de Grey and Ripon , its warmest congratulations on his elevation to the high and dignified position of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England ; this Grand Lodge retaining a grateful recollection of the valuable services rendered by Lord de Grey , when acting a ** its re «