Grand Chapter.

relations were established between the Grand Lodges of England and Canada . At a later date an application was received by Grand Chapter from the Grand Chapter of Canada for the entering into similar relations betiveen the two Grand

Chapters ; ancl after some correspondence , arising out of the circumstance of the Grand Chapter of Canada acknowledging degrees not practised and acknowledged in England , the request was agreed to , and the Grand Chapter of Canada formally acknowledged ; and the Grand Scribe E ., in communicating the determination of the Grand Chapter of England to the Grand Chapter of Canada , said : —

" 1 am instructed to state that , in the name and on behalf of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England , they , the Grand Principals , fully recognise the Grand Chapter of Canada ; reserving , however , to all Chapters now in Canada who are still holding charters under the Grand Chapter of England , as also to all English Arch Masons , all tlieir rights , titles , and privileges , as fully and freely as though the Grand Chapter of Canada had not been formed . "

This was in February of last year ; and subsequently some duly qualified Eoyal Arch Masons , being members of the Dalhousie Lodge ( No . 835 ) , holding under the Grand Lodge of England , applied to Grand Chapter for a warrant enabling them to establish a Eoyal Arch

Chapter in connection with the Jjodge ; and the application was acceded to , there being no other chapter holding under the Grand Chapter of England within many miles of Ottawa , and the brethren of the Dalhousie Lodge being therefore without the means of completing their degrees under the English Constitutions—it being a

fundamental law in Freemasonry , as declared by the Articles of Union , that " pure and ancient Masonry consists of three degrees , and no more , viz ., those of the Entered Apprentice , the Fellow Craft , and the Master Mason , including the Supreme Order of the Holy Eoyal Arch . " Wow , nothing is p lainer to us than that one of the

special privileges of an English Mason- —nay the principal privilege—is that of being allowed , if he so wishes it , to complete his degrees under the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge to which he owes allegiance—and this it is clear he cannot do if there is no Eoyal Arch Chapter within his reach—and it was to enable the brethren

of the Dalhousie Lodge to enjoy this privilege that the warrant for the UOAV chapter was granted , in pursuance of the clause in the agreement with the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Canada reserving the rights of the English brethren .

The granting of the Chapter , however , has been taken exception to by the Grand Chapter of Canada , on the ground that it is an infraction of the arrangements entered into between the tAvo Grand Chapters , and an infringement of the privileges of the Grand Chapter of

Canada . We are at a loss to conceive how the rights of our brethren of Ottawa could have been preserved , had the Grand Chapter refused them the means of taking the

Eoyal Arch degree ; for had it done so , they Avould have been deprived of a portion of their privileges , and perhaps forced unwillingly to throw off their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , and join that of Canada , in order to obtain those privileges unjustly denied them by

the Grand Chapter of England . We therefore can see no just grounds of complaint on behalf of the Grand Chapter of Canada ; and we are sure that the Grand Chapter of England Avill vindicate the position they haA r e taken , and maintain the Dalhousie

Chapter in its rights and privileges . It will be remembered that at the last Grand Chapter the consideration of the subject was remitted to the General Committee , and on their report it is that Grand Chapter will be called upon to take action next week %

and Ave believe nothing can be clearer than the terms iii Avhich the Committee have set forth the right of Grand Chapter to grant to any brethren holding under the English Constitutions the means of completing their degrees in conformity Avith these Constitutions : —¦

"The Committee feel that under the arrangement entered into between the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of England , and the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Canada , they have not only the right , but are bound to afford to all' lodges and Masons in Canada holding under the Grand Lodge of England , the means of completing

under the English Constitutions their degrees , if they do not already possess them , by attaching a chapter to each lodge . But it is perfectly clear thafc , inasmuch as the Grand Master of England has pledged himself not to grant any new warrants for lodges in Canada , the power of the Grand Chapter is limited to those lodges already existing in

Canada ; and no new chapter can be granted , excepting in connection with a lodge existing prior to the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada by the Grand Lodge of England , at the quarterly communication holden on the 1 st December , 1858 . "

With such a declaration as the last , we feel the Grand Chapter of Canada ought to be satisfied that the Grand Chapter of England , Avhilst maintaining intact its own . privileges , has no wish to interfere with those of Canada , and that the Dalhousie Chapter will be duly

acknowledged , and its members received by the companions of Canada with that cordiality aud brotherl y feeling which , they have a rig ht to expect . Indeed , looking at the friendly sentiments expressed by Bro . Harrington , the Grand Master and Grand Z . of Canada , at the recent

Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec and the Three Elvers ., held under English Constitutions , Ave have a right to suppose that , when the question is fairly laid before him , he will acknowledge that the Grand Chapter of England has not overstretched its authority ; but that he Avill use his utmost exertions to prevent any rupture between the

two Grand Chapters on a subject on Avhich the right is so obviously on the side of England , especially when itis seen how limited , it is now acknowledged , is the power which the Grand Chapter of England can exercise in Canada .