The Masonic Mikkor.

independent of the © rand Lodge of England . Application was made to New York to instal their officers , which request was respectfully but promptly declined ; since then , I have understood that several of the Lodges , perceiving their position to be unmasonic , have returned to their lawful mother . "It is a source of regret that our esteemed Canadian Brethren , who have hitherto been the immovable advocates of law , order , and union , should now , at

this late day , so far forget their wonted love of symmetry , as impetuously to mar the beauty of that system of Masonic government which has been , and still is , the admiration of every Mason , We cannot for a moment countenance schisms and rebellions ; they are antagonistic to the spirit of Masonry , and if encouraged would eventually produce its downfall and utter destruction . There are other means afforded by the institution whereby a good object may be effected , without rashly and harshly doing violence to our wholesome regulations ; every disease can find its remedy there , and every grievance its redress .

" I have no doubt but that our Brethren in Canada are labouring under great inconveniences , of which they ought to be relieved , and we sincerely sympathise with them ; but there is a judicious Masonic course , which alone should be resorted to , for effecting their relief . " Masonry affords a legitimate remedy for the cure of any evil , consequently

there can be no justification whatever for a resort to unlawful and unmasonic measures to secure an end , however desirable may be its accomplishment . As the subject will be brought before you more in detail by the Committee on Foreign Correspondence , it is unnecessary for me to dwell longer on it . I will , however , remark that I have been startled to learn that one or more of the Grand

Lodges have acknowledged this spurious Grand Lodge in Canada as legitimate . This we view as strangely mysterious . We can scarcely open a copy of the printed transactions of the Grand Lodges , as they come into the Grand Secre * tary ' s office , but we find expressions of sorrow , regret , pity , and contempt for the Masons of New York , in consequence of the schisms and rebellions they find

here ; and which , by the bye , are deprecated by none more than by ourselves ; and yet there appears to be no hesitancy on the part of some to view such acts in Canada with leniency and favour . What are we to think of such a course ? Are we next to find our sister Grand Lodges hand in hand with every other spurious or expelled body claiming to be Masonic ?

" They may , with the same propriety , acknowledge all such as legitimate , whether in this or any other State . I trust our associates will perceive the great inutility of thus violating the principles of Masonic government , of weakening the power and force of their own strength , and of establishing habits , the effect of which will hurl them from the pinnacle of their greatness to lament vainly in sorrow their departed dignity and influence . Bat we feel satisfied that this action on the part of the Grand Lodges referred to , is premature , unless they wish to take advantage of the circumstances , to give vent to a sentiment they may hold and wish to promulgate , in regard to Masonic revolutions .

" Sinca writing the foregoing , we have learned that the Grand Lodge of England has , at the present time , the following resolution before it for consideration , and which , it is more than probable , will be adopted , viz . ;—[ See resolution of Grand Lodge of England . ] " In the same cornmunication , giving the foregoing information , which was received from the Prov . Grand Lodge of Canada West , and which Prov . Grand

Lodge is and always has been recognised by this Grand Lodge as the true and lawful Masonic body in that province , we are informed that the statements made by the recusants , to obtain the favour and sympathy of the Masonic world , are not borne out by facts . That a very great majority of the Canadian Masons remain true to their allegiance . That out of fifty Lodges , forty-three adhere to the legitimate body ; and that three additional new ones , recently added , swell their number to forty-six .

" Another pleasing and most interesting fact is at the same time communicated , that the Prov . Grand Lodge , and the Lodges and Masons under it , are determined to remain true to their mother Grand Lodge , at the same time employing every legitimate means for obtaining the privileges and immunities they desire . In this