The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

GKAND LODGE . The quarterly communication of Grand Lodge was held on AVednesday evening , the M . AV . G . M . the Earl of Zetland presiding , supported by Bros . Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., Prov . G . M . for Hampshire , as D . G . M . ; Fenwick , Prov . G . M . for Durham ; Sir H . Williamson , Bart ., S . G . W . ; John Havers , J . G . W . ; Clarke

Mclntire , G . Beg . ; W . G . , G . Sec . ; Evans , ( President of tlie . Board of General Purposes ) , ancl Deacon ( D . Prov . G . M . for Hampshire ) S . G . D . ; Captain Creaton and Blake , J . G . D / s ; Eev . , T . Hnvshe , G . Chap . ; Empson , G . S . B . ; Dankes , G . Supt . of Works " ; AA oods , G . D . C ; N . Bradford , Asst . G . D . C ; Farnfield , issist . G-. Sec . ; Stimpson , G . Org .: Farmer , G . Purst . ; Dickie , Assist . G . Purst . ; F . Dundas ancl A . Perkins , P . G . W / s ; W . H . AVhite , P . G-. Sec ; Rev . J . Senior , LL . D ., ancl Sir Warren

Hayes , P . G . Chaps . ; Hopwood , Potter , AVheeler , Savage , J . N . Tomkins , Gregory , S . B . AVilson , AV . P . Scott , ancl H . Lloyd , P . G . D . ' s ; Bridges , C . Elkington , AValmisley , H . Pullen , and LeVeau , P . G . S . B . 's ; Symonds , P . G . D . C ; Smith , P . G . Purst . ; the Master and P . M . 's of the Grand Steward ' s Lodge , ancl about 150 other brethren , being Masters , P . Masters , or Wardens of other lodges . Grand Lodge was opened in ample form with solemn prayer . The Grand Secretary read the minutes of the Quarterly

Convocation of June 4-th . On the motion for their confirmation , the PRESIDENT op THE BOARD OB GENERAL PURPOSES said , lodges 44-5 ancl 325 , were put down in the list at the last Quarterly Communication for erasure , but they have since made returns , and are at the present moment in active working order . He proposed , therefore , that so much of the minutes of the last Quarterl y Communication , as related to the erasure of these two lodges , be not confirmed ,

as the lodges were wow iw working order , and they bad reason to believe that tbey would maintain their position in tie Craft . The GRAND REGISTRAR , seconded the motion , which was put ancl carried unanimously . The PRESIDENT OR THE BOARD OE GENERAL PURPOSES : I have now to inform Grand Lodge , that lodge 648 is in process of resuscitation . They made their last return in 1856 , but we are now informed by the Prov . Grand Master that tbe lodis being

ge resuscitated . I will move , therefore , that so much of the minutes of the last Quarterly Communication as relates to lodge 648 , be deferred , so that we may see whether it can be restored to working order . Bro . MMSTTEE seconded the motion which was unanimously agreed to . THE GRAND MASTER then put the remainder of the minutes , which were confirmed . with the exceptions aforesaid .

ALTERATION OR THE LAWS . The GRAND MASTER : —I now call on the Grand Registrar to move the resolution of whicli I have given notice , and which stands in my name on the business paper . Bro . M'INTYRE , G-. Beg ., said , in obedience to the request of the Grand Master , I bave to move "That law 19 , page 107 , in the Book of Constitutions , be altered by prefixing thereto the following words : —Except when otherwise specially directed by

resolution of Grand Lodge . " On the last occasion of our meeting in the Board of General Purposes , it ivas thought extremely desirable that the property belonging to Masons , under the Constitutions of England , should be so governed ancl appropriated that there should be no question whatever as to its being done with the knowledge and according to the wishes ancl desires of the craft . We felt that the Board of General

Purposes was a changing body irom year to year , and that certainly one year would not be long enough to carry out the many changes deemed necessary by the craft . Such being the case , we felt that the matter ought to be referred to a permanent Committee , appointed by Grand Lodge , to carry it out . I have therefore , in conjunction ivith several legal friends , prepared a motion which is for the consideration of Grand Lod

, now ge ; and the result of that motion will be that Grand Lodge , by a special vote , may appoint a Select Committee , formed from members of its own body , without reference to the powers of the present Board of General Purposes . ' According to the law as it now stands in onr books , the whole control of the property M the craft is placed under the domination of the Board of General Purposes . Till the law is altered , that Board only can

deal with it . In my opinion , and in the opinion of the legal friends whom I have consulted , this resolution will completely throw everything into tbe hands of Grand Lodge , and give Grand Lodge tbe power by resolution to transfer these powers to a body appointed hy itself . I think this will meet all views of brethren desirous of improving tbe property . I am happy to know that it has the approval of your lordship , and I trust it will have the approval of Grand Lodge .

The PRESIDENT OR THE BOARD OR GEXERAI . PURPOSES seconded the motion . BRO HERBERT LLOA * D : —The property of Grand Lodge is undoubtedly vested in Grand Lodge , whicli has the power to make any alteration in the laws and constitution of Freemasonry that it may think proper . It cannot bo said that because the Board of General Purposes possesses at present the of controlling the property of Grand Lodge that they

power have the exclusive control of it in every respect . Grand Lodge , by whom they aro elected , has undoubtedly the right to resume or transfer any portion of that control , or to alter the laws as your lordship bas suggested . They may still make any suggestion they may think proper , and certainly I must say that it seems to me a very reasonable suggestion that this law should be altered as proposed ; but I would put it to Grand Lodge

whether this alteration may not aifect the recommendations of Grand Lodge . I would suggest that the members of the permanent Committee proposed , of which I cordially approve , should he selected from Grand Lodge ; but if your lordship should think of confining- your selection to the members of the Board of General Purposes—if that be intended , then I shall be opposed to itfor I think the members should bo selected from

; Grand Lodge , without regard to their being members of the Board of General Purposes or otherwise . THE GRAND MASTER- —I think the resolution is expressly framed with a view to the selection not being confined to the Board of General Purposes . The words of tbe motion are clear enough . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion was then put and unanimously agreed to .

INTRODUCTION OR COIONIAI BRETHREN . The GRAND MASTER announced that application bad been made for permission to be present at the proceedings , by Bro . Henry C . Collinson P . M . of the Southern Cross Lodge ( No . 398 on the roll of tbe Grand Lodge of Scotland ) , meeting- at tbe Cape of Good Hope , ancl by Charles S . Collinson , of the same lodge . His LORDSHIP directed Bro . Stephen Barton WilsonS . G . D .

, , to go out and examine the said brethren , and if found , to be true and worthy Masons to admit them . Shortly afterwards , the brethren in question were brought into Grand Lodge and saluted tbe G . M . His LORDSHIP then invited tbe brethren to take their seats

upon the dais , which act of courtesy elicited the hearty applause of Grand Lodge . Bro . T . A . ADAMS , PROV . GRAND PURSUIVANT . The M . W . GRAND MASTER .- —I have given notice of a motion for to night , which I trust will meet with the approbation of Grand Lodge . It has heen usual that a brother who has served the office of Grand Pursuivant with credit to himself and benefit

to Grand Lodge , should have past rank ; and I havo now great pleasure in proposing , and I trust I shall be supported by Grand Lodge , "That Bro . Thomas Alexander Adams , late Grand Pursuivant , do take rank , ancl wear clothing as Past Grand Pursuivant . " Bro . LIOYD seconded the motion , whicli was put ancl carried unanimously . THE PRESIDENT OE THE BOARD OR GENERAL PURPOSES .

The G . KEG . said : M . W . Grand Master , the report of the Board of General Purposes in the month of May was proposed to be received and entered on the minutes at the last G-rand Lodge in June , and action was taken , as far as desirable , on the whole of that report , with the exception of the last paragraph . Wo had not time on that occasion to consider the recommendation made by tho Board in the last paragraph of that report .

It did strike me , and all the members of that Board , ancl every brother accustomed to assemble here in Grand Lodge must be aware that the President of the Board of General Purposes is placed in a somewhat anomalous position . He is undoubtedly the hardest worked of any man in Grand Lodge ; he has to prepare the reports of his Board , and to bring those reports before Grand Lodge . Ho has to explain tbem where they may bo ambiguous ; to justify them where they may bo dis-