Canada.

nature's God . " The language used by a distinguished statesman ancl savant of our own day , on a recent occasion , may well and appropriately be applied to our divine art ; for Masonry must make an impression on the minds of its disciples , ivhich cau never wear out by lapse of time , or be effaced by the rival influences of other contemplations , or obliterated by the cares of the world . The lessons then learned , ancl the feelings then engendered or cherished , will shed their auspicious influence over the mind through life

, protecting against the seductions of prosperous fortune , solacing in affliction , preparing the mind for the great change that must close the scene of our earthly labours , by habitual and confident belief in the only wise God , and in the humble hope of immortality , which the study of His word must inspire , and which the gracious announcement of His revealed will , abundantly confirms . Masonry , from its origin to the present time , in all its vicissitudes ,

has been the steady , unvarying Mend of man , it has ( in the language of an eloquent brother , ) gone forth from age to age , the constant messenger of peace ancl love , never weary , never forgetful of its holy mission , patiently ministering to the relief of want ancl sorrow , ancl scattering , with unsparing hand , blessings and benefits to all around . It comforts the mourner ; ifc speaks peace and consolation to the troubled spirit ; it carries relief and gladness to the

habitations of want and destitution ; it dries the tears of the widow ancl the orphan ; it opens the source of knowledge ; it widens the sphere of human happiness ; it even seeks to light up the darkness and gloom of the grave , by pointing to the hopes and promises of a better life to come . All this Masonry has done , ancl is still doing . Such is Masonry , and such is its mission ; and we shonld never forget , while enjoying its benefits , ancl appreciating its value ,. the duties we owe

to the Order , for there is no right , without a parallel cluty , no liberty , without ; the supremacy of law , no high destiny without earnest perseverance , and no real greatness without self denial . Since our last annual communication , I have granted Dispensations for opening 21 new Lodges in various parts of this jurisdiction , the names and localities will be reported to you by the Grancl Secretary . I will addwith reference to this subjectthat in

, , every ¦ case I have insisted upon satisfactory evidence being produced , that the officer who had been selected to preside , possessed the necessary qualifications . In addition to the number mentioned , I have to inform you that the Dispensations formerly issued to " Cassia" ancl ' Stanbridge" Lodges , have been renewed . I have also much pleasure in announcing that " Corinthian" Lodge , of Peterboro , has returned the English warrant under which that Loclge was held ,

and has affiliated with this Grancl Loclge . On the 9 th of September last , I performed the pleasing duty of laying the Corner Stone of St . James' Church , in the City of London , with Masonic honours . On the 25 th of October last , I performed a similar duty in Toronto , laying the Corner Stone of a Reformatoi-y Prison , and on the 24 th of May last , the birth-day of our beloved Sovereign , I had the pleasure of laying the Corner

Stone of the Crystal Palace in the City of Hamilton . On each of these occasions I was supported by a large number of the Brethren ; the preliminary arrangements had been most carefully and admirably made , and the ceremonies appeared to afford much satisfaction ancl pleasure to the large multitude which had assembled to witness them . Indeed , I may say , with reference to the gathering at Hamilton , that it was one of the most imposing and effective I have ever witnessed .

On the 15 th of September last , I assisted in the consecration ancl ¦ constitution of AVilson Lodge , at AVaterford , on ivhich occasion I delivered a public address on Masonry , ivhich was listened to by a large ancl attentive audience . I am pleased to say that this Loclge is in a most flourishing condition , and is most admirably worked and governed . On St . John ' s Day in December , I paid my first official visit to the Masonic District of Prince Edwardancl the hospitality and

, kindness with ivhich I , and tbe Grancl Officers who accompanied me , were received by our R . AV . Brother John C . Franck , Esq ., the D . G . M ., of the District , and the Brethren generally , demand my warmest acknowled gements . Upon that occasion I had the pleasure of installing eight Masters of Lodges , who had assembled nt _ Belleville for the purpose . An admirable sermon , most appropriate to the occasion , was delivered by our AVorshipful Brother , the the Reverend

James A . Preston , M . A ., the District Grand Chaplain . This discourse dedicated to me , was subsequently printed , ancl distributed among the Brethren , to whose careful perusal I heartily eommend it . On the 6 th day of June last , I visited the Grand Lodge of New York , then in session ; from this Most AVorshi pful ancl influential bod tion most kind and fraternalancl indulin

y , my recep was , I ge the hope that my visit to them may have the effect of cementing stiU more closely the bonds of friendship and brotherly love which now unite us . AVhen in New York I had also the pleasure of making the personal acquaintance of many distinguished brethren irom other jurisdictions , from all of whom I received the most

gratifying assurances of the lively interests felt by them in the prosperity ancl progress of Masonry in Canada . I might mention many other occasions in which I have had the pleasure of meeting our subordinate Lodges , and tho members of the Order during the last year ; but time will not , at present , permit ; I must therefore only say that I have reason to believe that the Canadian Craft was never in a more prosperous or happy

ondition than it now is . At the especial communication of Grancl Loclge , held in the city of Toronto in January , 1859 , it was resolved , that in commemoration of the happy union of the Craft , a medal should be struck , and the Grand Secretary Instructed to procure the requisite number , at the cost of Grand Lodge . It gives me pleasure to announce that the committee to whom this duty was assigned have completed

their labours , and are now prepared to exhibit specimens for your approval ; I did not , however , feel justified in authorising so large an expenditure of money as the resolution is apparently intended to sanction , ancl I have therefore delayed the issue of these interesting souvenirs , until this matter should again be submitted for your consideration . I would therefore now suggest that , instead of using Grand Lodge funds for this purpose , that the subordinate

Lodges he called upon to contribute a sufficient amount to pay for the medals which they are entitled to receive ; it would also he advisable to define with more certainty the parties who are to be permitted to wear them . I regret to learn that a serious difficulty has arisen between the Grand Lodges of New York and Hamburg , on the subject of fche exclusive territorial jurisdiction of Grancl Lodges . It appears that the latter Grancl bodhas granted Charters authorising the

estaby lishment of two Lodges in the State of New York , and asserts that , in doing so , she has done nothing either unlawful or unmasonic . On the other hand , tho Grand Loclge of New York has pronounced these Lodges as irregular and clandestine , and has suspended all intercourse with the parent body . I feel it unnecessary to occupy your time with any lengthened expression of my views upon this subject , as I am confident that the course adopted and persisted in

by the Grancl Loclge of Hamburg is nofc only likely to prove most injurious to the peace , harmony and prosperity of the Masonic fraternity , but is one which cannot be sustained by any intelligent Grancl Loclge in the world . I have now great pleasure in announcing to you that , since our last communication , I have received official intelligence of the appointment of our distinguished Brother , the M . AV . AVilliam C . Stephens , as the representative of the Grand Loclge of England to

this Grancl Lodge . A more judicious selection , in my opinion , could not have been' male , and I am quite sure that , when he presents his credentials , he will be most cordially received and acknowledged by you . I cannot here deny myself the pleasure of expressing my warmest acknowledegments to the Right Hon . Lord cle Grey and Ripon , the distinguished Brother who occupies the position of our representative at the Grancl Lodge of England , for the promptcourteous and able manner in which he has

, discharged the-various duties entrusted to him , on behalf of this Grancl Loclge . It is one of the proudest duties of Masons , both in their individual and collective relations , to embody and give practical value to tbe noble principles ivpon which Masonry is founded . In the regular order of affairs , a sublime necessity of this character now devolves upon the Grancl Lodge ; and its existing members may well congratulate themselves upon being called upon to

execute a work so begmgnant and holy . The difficulties which beset the early movements of the Grancl Loclge of Canada , have all disappeared as morning dews . Its course has been blessed by unexampled prosperity . Honoured abroad , advancing at home , free from all disturbing or counteracting influences , the sheen of its glory undimmed by any cloud of discord , it is surely the time to remember those who are called to suffer , to wipe tears from sorrowing eyesancl to shed the beams of hope on despairing

, hearts ; to raise a monument of our gratitude , and to devote it to God and to distressed Brethren . The report of the Committee to ivhich was referred the generous admonition on this subject from " St . Andrew's Lodge , " Toronto , will , I presume , bring up this matter in some tangible shape for your consideration . Whatever form your benevolent efforts may assume , I am assured that they will be worthy of yourselves , of the circumstances of our history , lif

and of the principles which it is our duty to exempy . AVe have the example of the venerable Grand Loclge of England , as an incentive and a guide ; and although we may not hope to equal the regal magnificence of her charitable institutions , animated by the same spirit , we may imitate her zeal , piety , and devotion , and do for our Brethren , for their widows and their orphaned descendants , all that England does for hers . AVe can give to Canadian Masonry " a local habitation and a name , " ancl teach the outside world to regard Masonry ancl Benevolence as interchangeable and synonymous terms .