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might be fully understood . After some other remarks Bro . Stevens concluded by asking Grand Lodge to appoint a Committee of Past Masters to consider the question ; he did not care how many members the committee was composed of , whether ten , twenty , thirty or forty , he wished that they

should be selected from all grades in Freemasonry , and only asked that they should be men who had a little common sense . ( Cheers . ) Bros . STEERING , BROWSE , and MATTHEW COOKE , made a few remarks , and the motion was carried . Bro . J . RANKIN STUBBING , P . G . D ., moved ,

" That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge no future Grand Master should hold that office for more than three years in succession , unless in the case of a Royal Prince , when , the restriction should apply to the Pro . Grand Master , " but did not wish to oppose himself to . thc general wish

ofthe majority of the brethren if they were in favour of five or seven years . After passing a high eulogium on the Grand Master , who in everything he had done had ennobled himself and gilded Freemasonry , he thought that , like -a change in our ministries , there should be a change in Grand Masters now and then .

He found that during sixty years after 1721 there were thirty-two Grand Masters , all of them peers of England . That would not be . more than two years on an average to each . Yet the institution flourished and was indeed eminently successful . At one time , there sat on the dais no less than ten or twelve peers ofthe realm . It

was no uncommon thing then to have five or six peers on committees , and 400 brethren at Grand Festival . And then the number of Masons in England was only one-third of what it was now . If the limit of duration of one Grand Mastership was three , or five , or seven

years , there would be a greater possibility than now of men of rank attaining that position ; consequently more men of rank would join Masonry , and it would become more influential . Bro . BENNOCH seconded the motion .

Bro . VICTOR WILLIAMSO * - ** enquired whether tlie brethren thoughtitdesirable tolimit the tenure of Grand Master ' s office . If they did , then let them pass their motion . But he would earnestly entreat them to pause before committing themselves to so suicidal a course . He had as a young Mason the profoundest respect for

Bro . Stebbing as an old and valued Mason ; but he thought that under the present regime , the brethren enjoyed more freedom—electing a Master annuallythan they would if they appointed him for three or more years . They might have a highly-efficient Grand Master ; they might have the reverse . AVas that

desirable ? lie thought not . The qualifications for the office of Master were no ordinary qualifications . The office required an immense amount not only of intellect , but of willingness to devote that intellect to the good of the Craft . When they got a Grand Master who could do all this , was it' expedient or wise to replace

him by some one else ? Bro . HAVERS opposed the motion ; he could perceive that the discussion was not directed at the Grand Master , but at the advisers of the Grand Master , nnd he perfectly admitted the right and title of every individual brother to question their acts . He

had listened to the very able and eloquent speech of Bro . Stebbing , but bad not heard one argument or a reason for agreeing with the motion . He would say at the outset—they would forgive him for being egotistical—that having enjoyed a large share of his Lordfhin ' s confidence , and worked very hard for thc

brethren , his powers would expire in it few days , and some fresh blood would come in . Ho was not there to pronounce a panegyric on Lord Zetland , but although Bro . Stebbing had , stated how Masonry flourished in former years , it had never flourished so much as during his Lordship ' s reign . His wise

conciliatory judgment anil good management ofthe Craft after the storms it had weathered , had produced harmony , peace , and contentment , which had paved the way for the prosperity the Craft now enjoyed . There were certain qualifications necessary for thc office . The first win high rank , next influence , a man who

could influence his peers to take office under him , then assistance for the charities , and great administrative capacity . Among the large , number of noblemen whose names graced Masonry ' s rol's there were many who would be most willing to accept thc office of Grand Master , and yet how few would bo able to do

the work . They wanted men high in the councils of the Sovereign , men whose opinion carried weight , and would those men be Grand Masters and perform all the onerous duties of Freemasonry while they had to perform the duties ofthe State . Let them take such men , and sec if they possessed another necessary qualification—zeal iu the cause of Masonry . It was very

difficult to find a man qualified for Grand Master . It took him somo time to get into working order , and if Bro . Stebbing ' - * motion was carried , a man who had learned the duties would be thrown out just at the time ho had acquired a knowledge of them . It appeared to him ( Brother Havers ) that the carrying of this motion would be tantamount to Masons acknowledging that they distrusteil themselves . He was one of those who believed that the occasion had not yet arisen when a Master has given proofs

United Grand Lodge.

that there should be a change , but he was also one of those who believed that when the occasion did arise Freemasons would make that change . He had the fullest confidence in Freemasons ; they were the most intelligent of men , who would not be humbled by having a Grand Master who it was felt ought to be

removed . He was not one to deny for a moment that circumstances might occur in which it might be held desirable to make a change in the Grand Master , and he was quite sure Grand Lodge would make it when the time arrived . But it was first their duty to decide whether the change proposed by the motion was

a beneficial one . The difficulties which would surround a Grand Master removeable every three years were insuperable . He ( Bro . Havers ) would trespass still further by drawing attention to the fact that what was true of the Grand Master was equally true of tho Provincial Grand Master . If the whole of England

were polled and asked whether under the present system they had the right men in the right place , the answer would be " yes . " And yet if a new Grand Master was appointed every third year , they must a fortiori make a similar change in the Provincial Grand Masters . It would take three years for a Master to

become competent , aud then , when they began to feel the benefits of a good Master , they found their hands were tied , and they were obliged to get rid of him . The GRAND REGISTRAR supported Bro . Havers and contended that the brethren had the greatest liberty at the present time . Bro . Col . Cole , Clabon , Udall , Stewart , Symonds ,

and Nunn , added a few words , and after Bro . Stebbing had replied a division was prepared for , but as the numbers upon careful inspection appeared to be as nearly as possible 3 to 2 against the motion in a lodge then mustering 500 , Bro . Stebbing waived the division and Grand Lodge was thereupon duly closed .

Grand Lodge Notes.

GRAND LODGE NOTES .

The Meeting of Grand Lodge , on the 1 st December , 1869 , will long be remembered . After considerableexperience ., wecansafely say that we never witnessed such a muster of the brethren

—it was indeed au assemblage of which the Craft may well be proud . For the first time since the death of the Duke of Sussex , an English Prince has taken his place amongst his brother masons in the Grand Lodge of England ,

and the enthusiastic , the rapturous cheers which greeted the entrance of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales into Grand Lodge on Wednesday , was an evidence of the high importance attached to such an illustrious accession to our ranks .

The reception accorded to the Heir Apparent was truly royal—it was magnificant ; and as an expression of feeling on the part of six hundred and sixty representative English Masons , it is an

assurance that they believe His Royal Highness will persevere in tho path of usefulness in which he has hitherto held so conspicuous a place , and will in every respect emulate the virtues of his father , who was foremost in every good work .

AVe are glad to notice that Bro . Stevens' motion for a committee of enquiry into the various modes of working was carried , and we trust it will lead to a practical result . AVith reference to Bro . Stcbbing ' s proposition for the limitation of the Grand Master ' s tenure

of office , we say deliberately that the decision arrived at is not tho conviction of one-tenth of tho Freemasons of England . The strongest argument that can be used in .

favor of the limitation is this—that by the present arrangement wo in reality exclude all other distinguished masons from even the chance of obtaining the Grand Mastership .

It is true that tho Graud Master is nominated annually—so ho would lie if tho limitation wero adopted , but it is also true that a most invidious task would be imposed upon any brother who desired a change , if he were compelled to opposa the nomination of the Brother who wielded the

power , and prestige of actual Grand Master AA e feci so cei tain that wo have not heard the last of this question , that our disappointment at tho clefeat of Bro . Stebbing ' s motion on this occasion is not so great as it would otherwise havo been . It will be brought on again , and all

thc eloquence and talent that may be arrayed against it will not , we arc assured , prevent the members of Grand Lodge from asserting the principle involved , and reserving to themselves tho real power of selection instead of the nominal choice they exercise at present .

Dedication Of The Freemasons Temple At Halifax.

DEDICATION OF THE FREEMASONS TEMPLE AT HALIFAX .

If the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of the Freemasons'' Temple , on the 30 th of June , 1868 , was are dletter day in the annals of Freemasonry in Halifax , in an especial manner was Wednesday week a day ever to be remembered by the fraternity , not in Halifax only , but throughout th e province

of AVest Yorkshire . The dedication of the building to Masonic purposes by Earl de Grey and Ripon was an event which Halifax Freemasous had looked forward to with very considerable interest , and no effort on the part of either of the two lodges interested had been spared to carry out the ceremony with

success . Their efforts were abundantly crowned with success , for there never was seen in Halifax so large a gathering of Freemason as assembled on AVednesday when the spacious and handsome lodge room was densely crowded by Masons from all parts of the province of AVest York , from London , Lincoln

shire , and East Lancashire ; and at the banquet which was held subsequently to the ceremony of dedication there were nearly 250 present . The Temple has been erected in the Italian style of architecture , having in the front a projecting portico of 7 ft . 6 in . The lodge room , which is on

the principal upper floor , is 48 ft . long by 24 ft . wide , and 24 ft . high , and is enriched with a handsome cored and panelled ceiling with ornamental marginal counter lights . The walls are divided into compartments by pilasters , having carved bases and capitals , and a Corinthian cornice with full enrichments . The

east end is adorned with a large canopy , supported by two massive pillars with carved capitals ; and the west end of the room has single columns , forming central projections . This room is approached by a spacious staircase of stone and opposite the foot of the staircase is the entrance to the diningroom , which

is the same size as the lodge-room , except that it is only 14 feet high . The interior also contains instruction and other rooms , for both the lodges of Probity and St . James , together with smoke rooms , cloak rooms , lavatories , & c . ; and the basement [ contains living apartments for hall-keeper , with every

requisite for cooking , & c . The architects were the late Bros . J . E . Oates , B . AV . Jackson , AV . M . of Probity , and W . H . D . Horsfall , J . AV . of No . 408 . The cost of the building is about £ 4 , 251 , exclusive of furnishing , which is calculated to cost £ 500 , so that when completed the entire cost will be £ 4 , 754 .

The ceremony was commenced shortly before two o'clock , by the lodge of St . James , No . 408 , being opened in the three degrees by Bro . Richard Lord , AV . M . From that time to the entrance of the P . G . lodge the room began to fill , and by the time the business of the P . G . lodge commenced , the room

was densely crowd . The P . G . oflicers formed a procession in tbe corridor of the hall , and entered the room in the following order : —Prov . Grand Tyler , two Prov . Grand Stewards , the Past Prov . Grand Pursuivants , and Assist . Prov . Grand Pursuivants , the Prov . Grand Pursuivant , Past Prov . G-

Swd-Bearers , Past Prov . G . Dir . of Cere ., Past Prov . G . Supt . of Wrks ., Past Prov . Grand Deacons , the Cornucopia with corn , two eivers with wine and oil , borne by Masters of Lodges , Grand Supt . of AVrks ., with plans of building , Members of the Building Committee , Past Prov . Grand Registrars , the Prov .

Grand Registrar carrying the seal of the P . G ., Lodge , the Prov . Grand Treas . and Prov . Grand Sec , Past Prov . Grand Chaplains , Past Prov . G . W ' s . Vsitors of distinction , the Column of Prov . Junior Grand Warden , borno by tho Master of a lodge ; Prov . J . G . AV . with plumb rule , the Column of Prov .

Senior Graud AVarden , borne by the Master of a lodge ; Prov . Senior Grand AVarden with level , Prov . Junior Grand Deacon , the Prov . Grand Chaplain bearing the Sacred Law , the Dep . Prov . Grand Master with square , the Grand Sword Bearer , Steward , the Right Worshipful Prov . Graud Master ,

Steward , the Prov . Senior Grand Deacon , two Prov . Grand Stewards , aud Prov . Graud Tyler . The Right AVorshipful the Grand Master of AVest Yorkshire , Earl de Grey and Ripon , having formally opened the P . G . Lodge , prayer was offered by the Bev . J . Hope , 21 . A ., P . P . G . C , after which the roll

of lodges was called , there being , with two exceptions , representatives from every lodge in AVest Yorkshire , with visitors from East Lancashire , Lincolnshire , & c . The ceremony of consecration and dedication was performed by Earl de Grey and Ripon , according to ancient usuage and custom .

Amongst the P . G . Grand Officers Past and Present , were : —AV . Bentley Shaw , P . G . D . of E ., D . P . G . M . ; W . Hon . and Rev . P . Y . Savile , Prov . S . G . AV . ; AV . E . Armitage , Prov . J . G . AV . ; AV . Anton Engelmanu , P . P . G . AV . ; V . AV . Rev . A . F . A . AVoodford , P . G . C , P . P . G W . ; V . AV . Rev . J . Senior , L . L . D ., P . G . C , P . P . G . AV . * , AV . Sir II . Edward's , Bart ,

P . P . G . AV . ; AV . James Franklin , P . P . G . AV . ; IV . James Peace , P . P . G . W . ; AV . Thomas Perkinton , P . P . G . W . ; W . Manoah Rhodes , P . P . G . W . ; AV . Chas . Oldroyd , Prov . G . Treasurer ; AV . John Fisher , Past Prov . G . Treasurer ; AV . R . R . Nelson , Prov . G . Secretary ; AV . George Normanton , Prov .