The Masonic Mirror.

in accordance with his views of his obligation , in which I concur . He is bound to put his own construction upon them , and to administer them to the best of his belief . That there are Brethren who may wish to make alterations in those laws I can readily conceive , but I do ask the Grand Lodge to support its own dignity , and not to stultify itself by admitting , by a side wind , alterations in its constitutions . If alterations are to be made , let them be made legally and manfully . ( Cheers . ) The Rev . Brother said the Grand Master refused to let us discuss our

own jurisdiction . I am surprised at such an observation coming from such a quarter . The Grand Master has laid down what he considers the existing state of the law , and the Grand Lodge has the power to alter that law , but such alteration must be made in a regularly appointed manner . You cannot do it by a side wind . ( Hear . ) I hope , for the honour of the chair and the credit of Masonry , that the Brethren will support the chair . The law laid down uy the chair must be respected , however erroneous it may be . To our Grand Masfiter we have confided our sovereignty ; he is the king of the Craft , and he catm ^ i put such an amendment as Bro . Portal ' s .

Bro . Binckes rose to order , on the ground that the Grand Master was allowing that very discussion on the part of those who thought with him , which rn ? denied to those who entertained opposite views . ( Loud cheering . ) Bro . Roxburgh : "It is very evident that the Brother who last snoke did not hear what it was I said ( laughter ); I was not arguing the propriety ot the decision at which the Grand Master has arrived . ( Loud cries of- 'Question , question . ' ) I am speaking to the question , and I say , so long as the Grand Master is in the chair , his decision , whether right or wrong , must be respected . ( Hear , hear . ) It should not be controverted by a motion like this , which would reverse

that decision . " Bro . Harrison ( P . M . of the Royal York ) : "In September last your lordship , not being present , w as represented by a Deputy and——" Grand Master : i ( Order , Brother . " ( Laughter . ) Bro . Harrison : "Most Worshipful Sir , you are proceeding contrary to the Book of Constitutions . " ( Loud cheers , and laughter . ) The Grand Master theu read the amendment of Bro . Portal . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon : " Most Worshipful Sir , before you put the amendment , I shall be glad to have an opportunity of saying a few words upon it . " The Grand Master : " You shall speak after I have read the amendment . " The Grand Master then read the amendment , and decided that it was to call in

question his decision , and that therefore he would not put it . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon : "In accordance with the permission of the Most Yorshipful the Grand Master , I shall make one or two observations . You , Sir , this evening , have said something of the House of Commons , and you have referred to some of our customs as corresponding with theirs ; but whenever the government or any private individual is called in question for any act or policy , so far from stopping the discussion , the government or individual is the first to invite it . ( Loud applause . ) Allow me to say , that it does come with an ill grace . —I speak with the deepest respect , my lord , of you personally , and of your office ; but I must speak with that freedom which characterizes gentlemen and Freemasons ; and I now must say , that it does come with an ill grace from the dais ,

when we consider the circumstances of the case . Grand Lod ^ e was adjourned in September without a word of opposition from those who were in authority upon that occasion ; and it was opened upon that adjournment on the 1 st of October with the sanction of those who were then in author ! tv , having been summoned together by official circulars from the Grand Secretary ' s office . " ( Loud applause . ) The Grand Master : "I must call my noble friend and Brother to order , because he is now entering upon a course of argument which I have decided to be disorderly . "

The Earl of Carnarvon : " 1 sec how difficult a course they 'have to pursue who do not bask in the smiles of your favour and approval ( loud cheers ) ; but , Sir , whether that right do exist , or whether it do not exist , to which I lay claim—I will not say it does exist under the circumstances of the case but whether it does or does not exist , we claim it ay an inherent right , ( Loud cries of * education ,