The Grand Lodge Of England.

THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

The M . W . Grand Master has given notice of his intention to lay before Grand Lodge , on Wednesday next , the correspondence which has taken place with the Grand Lodge of Maine , TT . S ., and to found an opinion expressive of the sentiments of Grand Lodge on the claim , in respect to territorial jurisdiction , put forward by the Grand Lodge of Maine . In the agenda paper we

are informed that the papers relating to tlie dispute lie at the Grand Secretary ' s office for the inspection of any brother who may desire to see them . As many so desiring will not have the opportunity of inspecting those papers before 'Wednesday next , in consequence of residing in the country , or from other causes , we lay the

following statement before them , without , however , expressing any opinion of our own , in order that they may not come to the consideration of the question altogether unacquainted with tlie nature of the dispute . It appears St . Croix Lodge , located at Calais , is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maine , whilst Union Lodge ( No . 166 , ) located at St . Stephen ' s , New Brunswick , is under the jurisdiction of the M . W . United Grand Lodge

of England . At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine , in 1856 , St . Croix Lodge complained to the Grand Lodge that persons residing in Calais , within her territorial jurisdiction , had been made Masons by Union Lodge . That in one case at least , a person who had been

rejected by St . Croix , had been received by Union Lodge , ancl averred that a mutual agreement entered into by the two lodges had been violated b y Union Loclge . The matter was referred to the Grand Master , requesting him to open a correspondence ivith the Prov . Grand Master of New Brunswick . The Grand Master

accordingly communicated with the Prov . Grand Master of New Brunswick , but was obliged to report to the Grand Lodge of 1857 , that though lie had ascertained that his communication had been received , no answer had been returned . The Grand Loclge thereupon directed that all documents be laced in the hand of the

p G-rand Master , and he be requested to correspond with the M . W . Grand Master of England , to lay before him the grievances complained of , and ask at his hands protection and redress .

The following correspondeuce then took place : — The Rigid Eon . the E . VRL or ZETLAND , Grand Master of tlie United Grand Lodge of England . MOST AVousiiirnm BROTHER —In accordance with a vote of the Grand Lodge of Maine at its last annual meeting , I addressed in regard to a matter of difference between

you two lodges within our respective limits of jurisdiction . It is necessary for mo to go into the details in this communication , as tlie accompanying documents will give a minute history of this matter from its first inception , ' ' with tho action that lias thus far been taken thereon . "From an examination of them it appears , that the Union Lodge of St . Stephen ' sNow Brunswickholding Charter

, , a from the Grand Lodge of England , has invaded tho territorial jurisdiction granted to tho several subordinate lodges of the State of Maine within their respective limits , by initiating individuals whoso residence brings them within the jurisdiction of St . Croix Lodge , at Calais , Maine . It further appears , that the action of Union Lodge in this case , aside from being a trespass on tho long established

usages and courtesies of our Order , was in violation of an express agreement between the two lodges . I do not call your attention to the violation of this agreement as a matter material to the point in issue , except as an instance of bad faith in the party so violating . But aside from all this , a special enactment of the Grand Lodge of Maine , granting to its subordinates exclusive jurisdiction in conferring degrees within their respective territorial

limits , places this matter on higher ground than one of Masonic usage or courtesy . After a failure to put an end to the grievance , and to effect a reconciliation through committees of conference from the two respective lodges , the matter was referred by the Sfc . Croix Loclge to tho G-rand Lodge of Maine—was there reported on , and the Grand Master requested to

communicate with the Deputy Grand Master of New Brunswick on tho subject ; such communication was made , and was placed in the hands of that Officer personally by a Brother of the Craft ; but no acknowledgment of it , either by word or letter , has ever been received . Presuming that you will satisfy yourself as to the of these statementsand not doubting that

accuracy , you , as also tbe Grand Body over which you preside , will act with such enlightened views of justice , and such regard for the fellowship of the Craft , as will conduce to a speedy adjustment of this matter , I deem it unnecessary to enter more minutely into a discussion of its merits . In bringing this matter to your notice , we are actuated by none other than tho kindliest feelings , and in the sincerest

hope and wish , that it may be adjusted satisfactorily to all concerned . Allow me , in conclusion , personally , as well as in behalf of the Grand Lodge of Maine , to embrace an opportunity so rarely offered , of conveying to yourself , and to the Grand Lodge of England , over ivhich you preside , the warmest greetings of fraternal regard ; and may I express the hope

that while tho two nations to which we respectively belong ' are endeavouring to bind themselves together by the Electric Cable , that we , as Freemasons , may strengthen the mysterious ties ivhich bind the members of our Fraternity together as one . I have the honom- to be , with the greatest respect , yours , fraternallj-, EGBERT P . DUXLAP , Grand Master of the G . L . of Maine . Brunswich ( Maine ) , September 21 , 1857 .

M . AA' . S in AND B GOTiiEE , —I am commanded by the M . AV . the Grand Master of England , the Earl of Zetland , to acknowledge the receipt of your communication , informing him that the Union Lodge , No . 866 , meeting ab Milltown , St . Stephen ' s , in tbe province of New Brunswick , has invaded the territorial jurisdiction of tho Grand Lodge of the State of Maine , by initiating individuals whose residence brings them

within the jurisdiction of Sfc . Croix Lodge , at Calais , Maine : and this in violation of a private agreement entered into between the Union Lodge , No . 866 , holding under the Grand Lodge of England , and the Sfc . Croix Lodge , at Calais , holding under the Grand Lodge of Maine , whereby they mutually agreed not to initiate any person into Masonry who resided out of their respective boundaries .

I am directed b } - his Lordship the M . AV . the Grand Master , to inform you that he has instituted an investigation into the circumstances ; and that the result will be communicated to you as soon as fche investigation has boon completed . I have tbo honour fco be , M . AV . Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , AVILLIAM GRAY CLARK , G . S . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . G ., December 11 , 1857 .

ROBERT P . DUXLAP , Esq ., Grand Master of ihe G . Lodge of Maine , Brunswiclt , Ma . M . AA " . SIR A - BROTHER , —I havo the honour to inform you that in obedience to the commands of the M . AV . Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , and in conformity with tho tenor of my letter of the llth December 1857 an inquiry

, , has been instituted into the circumstances that have caused a temporary misunderstanding between the Sfc . Croix Lodge afc Calais in the State of Maine , and the Union Lodge No . 866 at Sfc . Stephen ' s , Now Brunswick . The case divides itself into two parts—First as to the right of a lodge to initiate persons residing in a country under another Masonic jurisdictionand secondlwhat

; y , course of action a lodge ought to pursue which has , by its own act , divested itself of such right . AVith respect to the first part , the M . AV . Grand Master is of opinion that every lodgo possesses the abstract , right to initiate any person whom ifc may consider fit and proper , without considering where his residence may be . Eor ex-