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once related by the late Earl of DERBY , of a great , big navvy who , when one of his companions took him to task for allowing his little wife to pitch into him , humorously retorted ; " Well , it amuses her , and doesn't hurt me . " So with the sentence of excommunication—it " amuses" the little Quebec Grand Chapter , with its membership of under 500 all told , and it " doesn 't hurt " ours , which will doubtless live through the ordeal , as it has lived through

others a thousand-fold more trying . But , to speak seriously—and in what we are about to say we are more particularly addressing ourselves to the Ouebec people—does not this kind of thing look very much like playing the tool with Masonry ? The three English lodges in Montreal and the chapters attached to two of them were in existence long before the Grand Bodies of Ouebec , in all their native modesty , were ever heard of . Whatever may be

the interjurisdictional relations—we apologise for the length of the wordamong the Grand Lodges of the United States , and whether they affect our Grand Lodge and its Grand Chapter or not , there is a distinct treaty , or compact , between the Grand Lodge of Canada—from which the Grand Lodge of Quebec seceded—of the one part , and the Grand Lodge of England of the other part . By the terms of this treaty , or compact , it was

mutually agreed between these two bodies that our three Montreal lodges should be permitted to retain their status undisturbed under our Grand Lodgeof England so long as they wished to retain it . These terms were honourably observed till Quebec appeared upon the scene , and still are observed by the two principals concerned . But Quebec , which , in so far as it was a part of the Grand Lodge of Canada at the time the said treaty was

signed , was a party thereto , is angry because our three lodges are not as deeply impressed as it considers they should be with its style ' of Masonic lite . Being angry , it has gradually lost that nice sense of honour which ought to regulate the conduct of Masons towards each other . It is now making itself ridiculous . For all the effect they are likely to have , these different sentences of excommunication might as well have been passed on

the Heig hts and Plains of Abraham , immortalised in history by the exploit of the heroic WOLFE . However , it is no good trying to argue with angry people . Let Quebec recover its temper and its sense of self-respect , and then a proper sense of respect for others will return . When that happens we shall repeat the advice we have given it before—to let things take their course ; but till then we think we have had rather more than enough of its silly buffoonery .

* * * In the Canadian Craftsman for December 15 th , 1 S 85 , now to hand , is a letter from Bro . J ACOB NORTON , with the heading " Must a Mason believe in the Inspiration of the Bible ? " and in which he declares that " the Grand Lodges of Texas and Ohio , as well as the Grand Master of Canada , have answered in the affirmative to the above question . " We are aware that the

matter has frequently been debated or considered in America ; but it does not trouble us , Masonically , in this country , We take our stand on the first of "The Charges of a Freemason " which adorns the " Book of Constitutions , " which reads : " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided he believes in the Glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth , and practises the sacred duties of morality , "

or , if the orig inal version be preferred of 1723 , which reads : " 'Tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves . " The former ' paragraph is as we received Freemasonry , and the latter is the basis of the Craft jn more modern times , and as solemnly agreed to by the members of the premier Grand Lodge early last century .

* * * WHILST on this point , it will be well tonotice the fact , that Bro . M . C . PECK , the esteemed Prov . Grand Secretary of N . and E . Yorkshire , in his edition of Dr . MACKEY ' S " Cyclopaedia , " is in error in declaring that an affirmation is not admissible in the initiation ceremony in this country , as "Friends " and other religionists are permitted to affirm , just as in a court of law , and several of these have been warmly welcomed into our Society . We take it

that the obligation of a neophyte assumes the form that is binding to him , and so long as he can support such declarations as the foregoing , and passes the test of the ballot , we have obeyed the Constitutions , both in the letter and in the spirit . If Freemasonry is universal in aim and character , as we take it , and includes men of various religions under the sun , it follows that the mode of obligation must vary according to circumstances , so long as the cardinal points are respected .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of England was held on Wednesday evening in the Temple , when about 800 brethren were present . Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , Past District Grand Master of Bengal , occupied the Throne ; Bro . Arthur M . Saunders , District Grand Master of Madras , acted as Deputy Grand Master ; the Marquis of Hertford , G . S . W ., and Lieut .-Col . the Hon . Wm . E . Sackville West , G . J . W ., occupied the two Warden ' s chairs ; and among the other Grand Officers present were

Bros , the Rev . Canon G . R . Portal and R . N . Sanderson , Grand Chaps . ; Major John W . Woodall , G . Treas . ; F . A . Philbrick , ( Q . C . ) , G . Reg .: Thomas Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; E . E . Wendt , D . C . L ., G . Sec . G . C . ; A . Meadows , M . D ., G . S . D . ; F . H . Goldney , G . J . D . ; Sir Albert VV . Woods ( Garter ,, G . D . of C ; J . H . Paul , M . D ., D . G . D . of C . ; Butler Wilkens and G . P . Brockbank , G . Std . Brs . ; E . M . Lott , Mus . Doc , G . Org . ; Henry

Garrod , G . P . ; and A . Lucking , A . G . P . ; and there were also present Bros . General Laurie , Grand Master Nova Scotia ; Sir Hedworth Williamson , P . G . W ., P . G . M . Durham ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; Lieut .-Col . Aubrey Saunders , H . D . G . M . Madras ; tineas J . Mclntyre , O . C ., P . G . W . ; Rev . C . I . Martyn , P . G . Chap ., D . P . G . M . Suffolk ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . H . A . Pickard , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . T . Cochrane , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . E . Cox , D . D ., P . G . Chap . ; Horace Brooks Marshall , P . G . Treasurer ; Baron de FerrieresP . G . D . ;

, Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; J . S . Eastes , P . G . D . ; H . J . Dumas , P . G . D . ; ] . Glaisher , P . G . D . ; Ralph Gooding , M . D ., P . G . D . ; E . Lctchwortb , P . G . D . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; E . ] . Barron , F . S . A ., P . G . D . ; Henry Maudsley , P . G . D . ; F . P . Morrell , P . G . D . ; T . H . Devonshire , P . G . D . j R . Grey , P . G . D . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C ; R . Turtle Pigot , P . A . G . D . C .,- I . Lewis-Thomas . F . S . A .. P . A .

G . D . C . ; Capt . A . H . Look , P . A . O . D . C . ; Lieut .-Col . James Peters , P . G . S . B . j Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; Capt . George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; Charles Greenwood , P . G . S . B . ; Dr . W . R . Woodman , P . G . S . B . j Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . E . Willing , P . G . Org . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . C . P . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . : lames Brette . P . G . P ., & c , & C . Grand Lodge having been formally opened , Bro . Col . SHADWELL H , CLEKKE , Grand Secretary , read the minutes , which were then put and confirmed .

United Grand Lodge.

The next business on the paper was the election of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , whereupon Bro . BURDETT-COUTTS , M . P ., rose and said : R . W . Grand Master in the chair , —I am now about to complete the honourable duty which devolved upon me three months ago , and to make this Grand Lodge a proposal which I am sure the moment it has issued from my hands will have set upon it

the seal ot the unanimous and grateful approval of Grand Lodge . I am aware that in these very practical assemblages nothing in the nature of speeches is permitted , and I am quite ready to obey the salutary ordinance , because I feel that no words are necessary , and perhaps none could express the hearty approval with which Grand Lodge will seal this proposition . The proposition is to elect H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful

Grand Master for the ensuing year . ( Loud applause . ) We owe the Prince of Wales the loyalty that not only attaches to the Heir to the Throne , but this special loyalty which all Masons must entertain towards one who has rendered the Cralt such distinguished services . ( Hear , hear . ) During his Royal Highness's tenure of this office I believe it is just to mention some brief details . During his Royal Highness's tenure of office 600 or 700 new

lodges have been added to the Craft . Every year between Soo and 900 new brethren have been added , and an annual sum of ^ 54 , 000 has been contributed to the three great Charities of the Order . In addition to that , £ 10 , 000 a year has been disbursed by the Board of Benevolence . Right Worshipful Sir , I think I need say no more on this subject , except to remark that it is a most fortunate thing that we should pay the tribute , which I feel sure

Grand Lodge will immediately pay to his Royal Highness , to one who combines in himself not only the dignity of his Royal position , and the special Masonic qualifications to which I have alluded , but whose character is so gracious and genial , that it has endeared him to every man that comes in contact with him . I desire now to propose for re-election to the high office of Most Worshipful Grand Master his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . ( Cheers . )

Bro . CHARLES MARTIN , P . G . Steward : R . W . G . M . in the chair , —I have the honour and privilege of seconding the re-election of his Royal Highness the Prince of VVales as M . W . G . M . His Royal Highness is so beloved , both as a Prince and as a Mason , that I can add nothing to the eloquent

terms in which my Bro . Burdett-Coutts has submitted the motion to Grand Lodge . I shall therefore content myself by expressing the fervent hopewhich I am sure will find an echo in the heart of every Mason—that his Royal Highness may long be preserved to preside over this Grand Lodge . ( Renewed applause . )

The Prince of Wales was then unanimously re-elected amidst loud cheering , and Sir ALBERT W . WOODS ( Garter ) , G . D . C ., P . G . W ., proclaimed his Royal Highness as duly elected M . W . G . M . of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England .

The scrutineers of the ballot for the election of Grand Treasurer were then selected , Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., being appointed Chairman . The balloting papers were collected , and the scrutineers retired . The following motion , in the name of the M . W . G . M ., was the next business : —" That the sum of 200 guineas be voted from the Fund of General Purposes as a donation from Grand Lodge to the Mansion

house Fund now being raised for the relief of the Unemployed in London . " Bro . SANDEMAN , Acting Grand Master , then rose and said : Worshipful Brethren , —The next minute on the agenda of Grand Lodge is in the name of the M . W . G . M ., that he will move "That the sum of 200 guineas be voted from the Fund of General Purposes as a donation from Grand Lodge to the Mansion House Fund now being raised for the relief of the Unemployed

in London . " In bringing this motion before you , brethren , I would mention that I have in my hand a letter from the Private Secretary to H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , stating the very great regret that the Prince of Wales feels in not being able to be present this evening , in order that he might himself put before Grand Lodge a motion in which he feels such very deep interest ; but his Royal Highness is on the Continent , and as he , like others ,

cannot be in two places at once , it is impossible that he can move this himself , and therefore he has delegated whatever brother might be filling the chair this evening to move this in his name . I think I need scarcely , brethren , say very much or anything in favour of this motion . I think it is sufficient for us to know that our Grand Master , with his large heart of charitable feeling and of sympathy for his fellow human beings , should have proposed this , and I venture to think that this alone will be a very great

recommendation in its favour with the Grand Lod ge , which is so loyally inclined towards his Royal Highness ; but , apart from that , we all know the tremendous and very great distress which is existing , and has existed , among the unemployed in London , and , as charitable men , I think I may put this before you without any further remarks . I move , in the name of the M . W . G . M ., that the sum of 200 guineas be voted from the Fund of General Purposes to the Fund which the Lord Mayor has in his keeping for the relief of the Unemployed in London .

Bro . ARTHUR M . SAUNDERS , District Grand Master of Madras , in seconding the motion , said : Right Worshipful Grand Master in the chair , — I have much pleasure in seconding the motion which has been so ably made by yourself on behalf of H . R . H . the M . W . Grand Master . The subject is quite sufficient of itself to enlist the sympathies of every brother this evening , and it is , therefore , unnecessary for me to dilate further upon it . Brethren , I beg to second the motion .

The motion was again read by the acting GRAND MASTER , and carried unanimously amidst cheers .

Bro . SANDEMAN : I declare it carried , and as it is carried with such unanimous feelings , I presume , brethren , you will allow the staff of Grand Lodge to pay this sum at once —( hear , hear)—in anticipation of the confirmation of our minutes at the next General Meeting . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The following grants , recommended by the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , were agreed to :

The orphan daughters of a brother of the Evening Star Lodge , No . 1719 , London ... ... ... ... ... £ 75 o o The widow of a brother of the Priory Lodge , No . 1 SG 3 , Tynemouth 50 o o A brother of the Pru . lent Brethren Lodge , No . 145 , London ... 100 o o A brother of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1046 , Farnham ... 50 o o A brother of the Harmonic Lodge , No . 252 , Dudley ... ... 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Sun , Square , and Compasses Whitehaven

Lodge , No . 119 , ... ... ... . „ 100 o o The orphan daughter of a brother of the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 271 , Brighton ... ... .,, ... ... 50 o o A brother of the Grosvenor Lodge , No . 93 S , Birmingham ... 50 o o A brother of the Canonbury Lodge , No . 657 , London ... ... 75 o o A brother of the Emblematic Lodge , No . 1321 , London ... ... 75 o o A brother of the Dundas Lodge , No . 1255 , Plymouth ... ... 100 o o A brother of the Loyal Welsh Lodge , No . 378 , Pembroke Dock .,. so 0 o