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good fortune to fill . An important feature of the managemen t their august mother , as well as the manly ones of their deeply lamented father . Need I say more , save that Grand Lodge does honour to herself by offering a respectful message of condolence ( mingled with sincere congratulation on the coming happy disposal of the hand of her child ) to the exalted anil admirable , but sorrowing woman , who is the pride of her willing subjects , ancl who rules

them with the sceptre of kindness and affection . Ancl let us look afc home , brethren . Here we miss our much respected and oldest member , the M . W . Bro . Thomas Gibbs Eiclout , Past Grand Master of Canada . Who is it that

remembers not his kind face and familiar honest greeting—oft-times roughly uttered to cover a feeling , generous spirit , crippled ancl debarred from accomplishing its wishes ? Who cannot call to mind his devotedness 10 Preemasonry , and how readily , cheerfully and constantly he met its varied claims upon his time , his attention , ancl his means ? Many have had experience of his kindness . I know that I have . Here again Grand Lodge has the opportunitof condoling with the sorrowing widow and surviving

y relatives , and those who have sorrowed will bear ready testimony to the exceeding great power of sympathy , even if that alone is necessary to be offered . Having thus performed what I deemed my first , though melancholy duty , I will now proceed with those general topics in which you are interested . Our Order in Canada pursues its course of quiet , unobtrusive usefulness ancl progression . Its

members continue to increase , although only three lodges have been added to our roll during the past year * * * * The number of lodges now on our roll is 155 , bufc of these a few have made no returns , and Grand Lodge will perhaps find it necessary to take action thereon . The Grand Secretary will furnish all necesssary information on this head , and the reports of the respective District Deputy Grand Masters will reveal to you more fully the condition of the Craft throughout the province . I have been called upon to make numerous decisions on

constitutional as well as minor points of difficulty referred to me , which are for the most part recorded in my letter book , open for perusal by Grand Lodge , ancl its boards ancl committees , not only as regards decisions , but all other subjects , to which my attention has been needed during the past year . I cannot , however , refrain from here saying that several masters of lodges have shown culpable carelessness in conducting the ballot for initiates , and have permitted any but a proper Masonic feeling

to militate against the admission of men known to be of honourable and irreproachable character . They cannot be too particular in preserving the purity of the ballot . * * * * * The Board of General Purposes will make its report . It has been inaugurated , and the R . W . Deputy Grand Master has been zealous and kind enough to assume , on its commencement , the responsible office of President . The formation of this board renders it necessary to make alterations in the Book of

many Constitutions . The former committees are of course superseded by it . The Asylum Committee will likewise , I apprehend , report progress ; but our aspirations and hopes , in relation to this noble and necessary work , have been a good deal " nipped in the bud , " by the serious and lamentable condition of affairs in the neighbouring States , which you are all aware have affected Canada .

The Committee appointed to' carry out the expressed wishes of Grand Lodge in regard to the Wilson Testimonial to be bestowed on my worthy predecessor , ' M . W . Bro . W . M . Wilson , will , I trust , be able to render a satisfactory report to you . I directed the Grand Secretary to send a circular to respective District Deputy Grand Masters , ancl the E . W . Deputy Grand Master , Chairman of the Testimonial Committee did the same tiling , requesting information as to the result of their labours

in their several districts . I cannot forbear mentioning some additional items , ancl leaving their consideration to the wisdom of Grand Lodge . They suggest themselves forcibly to me , and consequently I conceive I am simply doing my duty in thus introducing them to your notice . 1 st . The formation of a Fund ancl Committee of Benevolence

, subject to ivell-nnderstood regulation , is a great desideratum . At present the Grand Master is obliged to assume the individual responsibility of granting relief , and I can assure the Grand Lodge that many and sad are the applicants ; and the apportioning help , so as to make it speedy ancl effectual , is by no means an easy task , though one from which there can be no shwnkinar .

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2 nd . Would it not be well to decide upon permanent places for the meeting of the Grand Lodge , one in each section of the province , instead of as now leaving the locality to be fixed by annual vote ? The existing plan bears hard upon brethren who reside at great distances , and off the line of railway or steamboat . 3 rd . A large amount of the Grand Loclge ITunds is either invested at a low rate of interest , or they are unprofitable .

Could not a portion be placed out on undeniable security to -the benefit of the Grand Lodge ? As regards "Foreign Correspondence" I have very little to saj' . This is principally in the hands of the Board of General Purposes , or of that most able ancl zealous officer the Grand Secretary . AVith such of the Grand Lodges of the United States as we can reach we are on the terms of the most friendly intercourse , ancl their good feeling towards us is evinced in

many ways . But the lamentable civil war , still raging there , cuts us off from communication from our southern brethren . I regret to state that the Grand Lodge of England and Ireland still insist upon the good standing of those lodges hailing under them , which you declared to be irregular , after much earnest consideration . For a second time I was asked to hold your decision in abeyance , but not feeling justified in so doing , because impressed with the perfect justness of onr proceedings

, I issued an edict forbidding communication with those lodges . As , however , the representatives of those two Grand Bodies stated that further evidence was forthcoming , which might have the effect of inducing a reversal of your decision , I promised out of courtesy and amity , to allude t o this unfortunate difficulty , with a view to its serious re-consideration and settlement , provided the Grand Lodge thought proper to revive the matter .

And now , brethren , I would , in conclusion , bespeak your serious attention as loyal subjects ancl Freemasons—of no insignificant numbers—to the unhappy and unnatural war still devastating the neighbouring country , ancl causing bloodshed , misery , ancl the cutting asunder of the very closest ties of consanguinity and friendship . You all must remember how nearly this country was recently involved in the convulsion , and who can forsee what is yet to happen ? It is our duty as fellow-menand our privilege

, as brethren , to pray ancl hope for peace , ancl a return to its normal condition of the powerful republic between whom ancl us there is only an imaginary geographical line of separation . But whatever the womb of futurity may bring forth ( if peace , so much the greater reason for gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe ) , remember that the defence of " their institutions , their homee , ancl their altars , against foreign attacks , is a duty

incumbent on the inhabitants of this Province . " I quote the language of the representative of our sovereign to the Parliament of this Province . Cast your eyes southward on Mexico . Contemplate what is properly termed the old world , ancl think how small a spark would fire the combustibles there stored . Then , having the signs of the times before you , while earnestly desiring , for the sake of suffering humanity , that the storm will he stilled by the only Power who can alone say with authority , " Peace , ho still , " read and study the fourth chapter of

Nehemiah , in our first Great Light , and ponder at the same time as Freemasons on the symbolic significance of the " sword and trowel . " While we look steadily ancl fearlessly in the face probabilities ancl dangers , still happily at a distance , and ivhich may not approach nearer , while we determine to perform our cluty if our country is menanced , let us never forget , brethren , that the tie of Freemasonry- —the mystic tie—has acted as a curb on human passions , has alleviated the miseries of warfare ;

and that as well in turmoil as in tranquility , we are all bound to acknowledge a brother's claim- —no matter what his countrywhen preferred in difficulty , clanger , or distress . May the Great Architect of the Universe spare us all again to [ assemble in peace , ancl may He grant this fine Province increasing prosperity and years of tranquility . The several District Deputy Grand Masters then presented their reports on the condition of their respective districts , from

which it appeared that the numerical strength of the fraternity has greatly increased , aud that the lodges generally are in very good standing . The Grand Loclge then adjourned till ten o ' clock on Thursday , when the following elections of officers took place : —Grand Master T . D . Harrington , of Quebec , re-elected ; Deputy Grand Master Simpson , of Kingston , re-elected . District Deputy Grand Masters : For Toronto District—De Grassi , of Toronto