"A Grumble."

"A few years since the lodges in what was formerly Canada East separated from the Grind Lodge of Canada and formed the Grand Lodge of Quebec . This movement was also recognised by our Grand Lodge and the new sister welcomed to tbe family , but with the proviso that the same fraternal privilege be accorded the Scetch lodges as before .

" Recently , I regret to learn , the Grand Lodge of Quebec has undei taken to change this , and eleclares the lodges thus established clandestine . As a necessity of the case , the mother Grand Lodge stands by her offspring , forms them into a Provincial Granel Lodge , and appoints a Provincial Grand Master . Likewise ( we learn this with regret ) , she proposes to strengthen the existing lodges by

foiming new ones . "The Grand Lodge of Illinois , hastily and unkindly , I think , comes out under the hand of a most intelligent Grand Master , and declares non-iutcrcourse . She pronounces in effect that fur this act the old Grand Lodge of Scotland , large in membership , bright in literature , earnest in good works , anil controlling five , hundred lodges ,

dispersed through every civilised country , is a clandestine , irregular organisation , to be treated as the Coloured Lodges , or the Pscudo-Hamburg Lodges , and as all the spawn of irregular Masonry that infest our mountain districts . " Ou behalf of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , which I have the honour to represent near your Grand Loelge , anel

on behalf of the Grand Loelge of Kentucky , over which I had the distinguishcel honour to preside for twelve months , I protest against this hasty anil unkind action , and ask that the Giand Lodge of Kentucky , with such other American Grand Lodges as may consent to it , offer our mediation between these two contending bodies—the Grand Lodge of Scotland and of Quebec—that the difficulty may be settleel upon principles of peace and

harmony , and at the same time that we interpose , in kindly respect , between the Grand Loelges of Minnesota and Dakota and the Grand Lodges of Kansas and Inelian Territory , where the most serious aggressions , tending to nonintcrcouise , arc repoited . All of which is submitted with the desire to strengthen the fraternal ties all over the globe anil prevent the breaking of even one link . " Fraternally , " CAMPii 1 : 1 . i . II . J OIIK-SON ,

" Past Grand Master , " And Representative if the M . W . Granel Lodge of Scotlanel near the M . W . Grand Lodge of Kentucky . " At the sessions of our Grand Loelge , closed on the . : 4 th inst ., the following proposition of my own was unanimously aelopteel : — " Kcso / int that the Giand Lodge of Kentucky

nillcvrdially unite with other Grand Loelges , home and feireign , in an iffort to restore amicable relations between the Grand Lodges of Kansas anel Indian Territory , Missouri anel Dakota , Scotland and Quebec ; and that we receimmend te ) the contending parties the lair of c . tcliisire jurisdiction

so long established among American Grand Lodges and with such harmonious results . This Grand Lodge peremptorily declares that she will never submit to have her own territory invaded by otlur Masonic powers , and she cannot justify the course of any who lose sight of the Golden Rule . "

I send you a copy of my report 011 foreign correspondence made last week to the Granel Lodge of Kentucky ; also the address of our Grand Master , the Hon . Thomas S . Pettit , from which you will make your own gleanings . Our Granel Leielge Officers for 1879-80 arc these : — Bro . Hon . Jacob Rice G . M . .. W . La Rue Thomas D . G . M . .. . 1 .. 1 nue . . num . * .. ... ... . ^ . ~

„ „ W . H . Miffert S . G . W . „ G . D . Buckner J . G . W . „ . John II . Leathers ... ... G . Treas . „ Hiram Bassett G . Sec . „ II . B . Grant A . G . Sec . Yours fraternally , HOB MORRIS La Grange , Kentucky , 30 th Oct .

To Ike Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Let me confirm Bro . " H . L . ' s " letter as to the improved appearance anel convenient arrangement of the Freemason , and to call special attention to the extremely interesting contents of this year ' s "Cosmopolitan Calendar . " I am , yours fraternally , A P . M . IN THE COUNTRY .

AN OLDER FREEMASON . To the Editor if the " Freema-Mii . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Referring to the letter respecting W . Bro . Stephen Austin , Hertford Loelge , No . 403 ( November the < Sth ) , having competed his fiftieth year in Freemasonry , and to the one of P . M . No . 1 ( November the 15 th ) , stating that

W . Bro . Richard Ilerve Giraud had been initiated on the 15 th May , 1824 , 1 have to call your attention to " an older Freemason " than either of them , he being the oiliest Freemason in \ Vest Yoik , anel probably the oldest in England , if he le not so , 1 shall be glad to hear from any tf your numerous correspondents of an older example . Bio . John Greenwood , of Loelges 308 and 40 S , was initiated on the 4 th January , 1822 , in Loelge Prince

George , 308 . Was exalted in R . A . Chapter Affability , 308 , in April , 1823 , was W . M . in 1824 , Z . in 1826 . lie is now Tyler for six lodges , three chapters , two prcccplorie-s , and Rose Croix , also Equerry of Provincial Grand Preceptory of West Yorks . He will be seventy-nine years old on the 1 st January , 1880 , and consielering his age , is remarkably active , and in full possession , of all his faculties , lie is a perfect marvel of Masonic lore and

"A Grumble."

intelligence , and is a striking example of his favourite song " We shall never the like again . " I scarcely need to say that he is held in the greatest respect , esteem , and veneration by all the brethren of the province . Yours fraternally .

P . M . AND P . Z . Halifax , 17 th Nov ., 1879 . P . S . He has been a continuous subscriber from his initiation .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WILTSHIRE .

The Prov . Grand Lodge of Wiltshire was helel on Tuesday , the 1 ith inst ., at Hill's Hall , Trowbridge , which had been handsomely and tastefully adapted for the occasion by the receiving lodge , the Lodge of Concorel , No . G 32 , Trowbridge .

The P . G . M ., Lord Methucn , was unfortunately prevented by indisposition from being present . In his absence the V . W . the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Gabriel Goldney , M . P ., presided over tbe meeting , anil was supported by Bro . Lord Harry Thynne , P . G . W . Eng . and P . G . Supt . ( R . A . ) Wilts , acting as D . P . G . M ., and a large number of officers and brethren of the province , amongst whom were Bros . John Toomer ,

P . S . G . W . ; General Doherty , P . JG . W . ; Rev . H . F . Crockett , P . G . C ; F . Goldney , P . G . T . ; II . C . Tombs , P . G . D . Eng ., P . G . Sec . ; William Nott , P . G . R . ; Walter H . Long , P . 3 . G . D . ; Robert Stokes , P . P . S . G . W . ; John Chandler , P . P . S . G . W . and P . G . D . C ; T . P . Futcher , Colonel Randle Ford , E . T . Pavne , P . G . D . Eng . and P . P . G . W . ; ] . L . Whatley , P . P . J . G . D . ; T . P . Saunders , P . P . J . G . D . ; A . R .

Browne , W . M . 6 ^ 2 ; R . de M . Lawson , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Tucker , W . M . 5 86 ; T . II . Chandler , P . P . S . G . W . ; and amongst the visitors were Capt . Homfray , P . A . G . D . C and D . P . G . M . Monmouth ; W . Pickford , P . G . Tr , Mon . ; — Gratte . P . S . G . W . Mon . ; Rev . J . A . Lloyd , P . P . G . C . Oxon ; R . N . Howard , P . G . Sec . Dorset ; A . Parry , P . P . G . S . B . Dorset ; R . M . Woilock , P . G . Sec . Bristol , anil others .

P . G . Loelge having been opened , the acting P . G . M ., after having expressed his regret at the absence of Lord Methucn , requested the P . G . Sec , Bro . Henry C . Tombs , to call the roll of tbe Joelges in the province , when they were found to be duly represented . Tbe minutes of the last P . <» . Loelge were confirmed , and the Treasurer ' s accounts , which had been duly audited , were

afterwarels nail anil passed . The P . G . Sec . read the minutes of a muting of the Charity Committee , held immediately before the P . G . Lodge meeting , from which it appcireel that two grants were rcvom rm-iidc ' , one to the widow of a rev . brother of Loelge 626 , and the other to a very old member of the Lodge 6-52 , who , by reason of the commercial depression ,

hail failed in bis business as a manufacturer , and been reduced to great distress . These grants and the minutes generally were confirmed . The P . G . Registrar , Bro . W . Ne . tt , ? . P . | . G . W ., read his annual report . From this it appears that the number of members of lodges in the province was steadily increasing , standing now at 45 ^ , which was an increase of 81 , or

nearly 22 per cent ., in three years . The report called attention to the pleasing fact that the general working expenses , including rent , Tylers , refreshments , e \; c ., were reduced from 17 s . 91 I . to 15 s . per member . The average amount contributed to charity was at the rate of (>< . per member , ranging from nothing in one lodge to 13 s . 8 d . in another , though it was to be remembered that some of the

young lodges had not clearcel off their original expenses , and had not , therefore , the ability to elevote so large a portion of their funds to charitable purposes as the older lodges . The Registrar ' s report also called attention to the large amount of arrears outstanding in one or two of the lodges , in one case as much as hal ( -a-year ' s actual receipts , anil to show that there was no necessity for this , he

instanceel two of the loelges where there had not heen for years past a single penny of arrcar when their accounts were closed . The report also brought before the P . G . L . a great laxity on the part of a few of the lodge Secretaries in sending in the necessary returns . Bro . Tombs , J ' . G . Sec , in proposing the adoption of the report , saiel he was very sorry to find that his mother

lodge was one of the greatest offenders as regards the Registrar ' s concluding remarks , and trusted that means would be taken to effect a : i improvement , as unless the returns were delivered in good time-it was impossible for the Provincial Grand Officers properly to fulfil their duty . The acting P . G . M ., in putting tbe motion to the meeting , saiel that the Registrar had very delicately refrained

from indicating the lodges complained of , but tint shoulel the same fault exist next year , they must not expect a similar coiisielccatiim , for P . G . L . woulel have to follow the example of the House of Commons , and name the offenders . The report was adopted . Bio . Nott , who is also Secretary to the P . G . Charity

Organisation Committee , then read the usual annua ! report of the proceedings of that Committee , showing that the province had been successful in carrying two candidates for the Gills' School , one at the April and another at the October election , although at the latter election the province had also aided anil seemed the election of a boy candidate , whose last chance it was . This was a case supported by the provinces of Monmouthshire

anil Bristol , with both of which provinces Wiltshire is working in the most friendly union . To attain these icsults the votes of the province had been considerably pledged in advance , but the Committee felt that the brethren of the province would enable it to redeem its pledge by sending in every possible vote , more especially when it was considered that the children in question through the engagements thus made were enjoying the benefits of the School some time before they otherwise could have dyne so .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

The report stated that the Committee had received from the provinces during ( he year ri / b votes for the various Institutions , shewing a steaely increase year by year , and it mentioned the gratifying fact that the average number of votes per loelge possessed by the Wiltshire lodges was only exceeded in eight of the forty-three provinces of England and Wales .

The report was adopted . Bro . F . M . Goldney , P . G . Treas ., brought before the lodge a subject which had appeared on the agenda paper , in relation to the establishment of a local Benevolent Fund for the province . He referred to the large sums taken up for the various charities from time to time by different brethren from this province ( as evidenced in the fact they

had just heard in the report read by Bro . Nott , that the Wiltshire votes for the year numbered 1176 ) , to the large buildings and great revenues of the Schools , and the large number of scholars educated there . He eliel not propose to take any decided steps at present and without full consideration , but he thuught the time had come when we ought to consider what funds might be likely to be

available for local purposes , whether if a distinct fund were established there woulel be brtthrcn who would like to subscribe to it , whether legacies might not be bequeathed to it , and whether that funel might not be applied in somewhat a different manner to that in which the funds of the existing great Masonic Charities arc applied . He instanced , in aeldition to grants such as those that day made

in aid of present distress , the payment of fees at local schools , the granting scholarships , anel other ways which would ensure good results at a much less cost than the present large expense of the great Masonic Schools , an expense by many considered to be somewhat excessive . He thought that aitcr meeting such local claims they would still be able to aid the funds of the existing Charities .

He proposed the appointment of a committee , consisting of the P . G . Treas ., Registrar , and Secretary , and of one brother from each lodge to be elrcted by the members thereof , such committee to consider the whole subject and report thereon to the next meeting of P . G . Lodge . Bro . Nott , P . G . Reg ., seconeleel the proposition ,

remarking that as it was merely for the appointment of a committee to consider the question he did not purpose going fully into the subject . He might mention , however , that he had studied the working of local educational benevolent institutions in other provinces , and in every case that had come under his notice he had found that these

institutions were very successful , and he saw 110 reason to eloubt that some such institution as that alluded to would succeed in Wilt-shire . Bro . Tombs , P . G . Sec , drew attention to the fact that no leis a sum than £ 1050 was required to purchase a perpetual presentation to one of the Schools . Now this ought in interest alone to produce between £ 4 ° ami £ 50

without touching the capital , and it seemed to him that it was a matter for consideration whether if a province had any large sum to dispose of it mig ht not be employed more advantageously . Bro . Lord Harry Thynne oalled attention to the danger of doing anything that would break up the strong associations they had with the existing Charities . They had , no

doubt , power to devote their funds as they liked , and to educate children elsewhere if they liked , but he was afraid that if such a fund as that alluded to were established it might have the effect of alienating the sympathies of the brethren from the existing Schools and Benevolent Institution and of prejudically affecting them . Wiltshire had been most successful in its support of , and connection with ,

these Charities , and also at the elections , and our position in that respect he did not want to see weakened . Bro . Walter Long suppoited the appointment of the Committee . It did not affect their position . The Committee was merely to consider and report to the next Prov . G . Loelge , anil it would be for that Prov . G . Lodge then to act as it might think fit .

1 he acting P . G . M ., Bro . Goldney , 111 putting the proposition to the meeting , said that , no doubt , the administration of the existing Chaiiiics was a subject of great interest . Was the present mode of s-pending their funds the best one ? Undoubtedly , the expenses of the Masonic Schools were comparatively higher than those of others of which he had some knowledge , and named Christ ' s

Hospital anel the Sons of the Clergy Schools , but he thought that if unnecessarily high this fault coulel be remedied . He was stiongly in favour of getting the feeling of the whole province on the subject of its charitable funds and how they should be applied . The proposition ( with a slig ht amendment proposed by Lord II . F . Thynne , and assented to ) was then put to the

meeting , and carrieel unanimously . The acting P . G . M . then stated that he had a most pleasing duty to peifurm , and that was to invest with the Charity jewels , voted by the province , two brethren , who had each served the office of Steward to two of the Masonic Charities—namely , Bros . William Nott , P . P . J . G . W . and P . G . Reg ., and Samuel Gauntlett , P . P . G . S . of Wks . In

investing Bro . Nott , he mentioned how much the province generally was indebted to him for his work om behalf of the Charities , both as Secretary to the Charity Organisation Committee and also in his two Stewardships , in discharge of which he had taken up a larger aggregate sum than any other Steward , had ever done for the province . In investing Bro . Gauntlett , he congratulated both him cm the way

in which he had always stuck to Masonry and the province 011 his services . Bro . F . II . Goldney was unanimously c- ' e-jteel Treasurer for the ensuing year . The acting P . G . M . then proceeded to appoint anel invest the P . G . Officers for the ensuing year as follows : —

Bro . F . H . Goldney , 626 Prov . G . S . W . „ Walter II . Long , 632 P . ov . G . J . W . „ Rev . Alex . Ileailley , 626 Prov . G . Chap . „ F . II , Gyldney , u 26 ( ic-appoii . ted ) Prov . G . Treas .