Canada.

largely of French Canadians , especially in the country parts , forbids the possibility of any very great increase for some time to come . Add to this the further fact—that legislation in that province will doubtless be made to accord , more or less , with the views of a powerful ecclesiastical hierarchy , which places Freemasons in the same category with all other secret societies , of whatever nature ; conscientiously regarding all alike as

unmixed and unmitigated evils , which it is the duty Jp f every good citizen to assist in exterminating . Under the Grand Lodge of Canada , all is secure ; but if a division took place , the Masons of Quebec would not only be shorn of the strength which their connection with tbe Masons of Ontario affords , but they would also be deprived of the protection which they now enjoy , and which they can only hope to enjoy while continuing to he part and parcel of the Grand Lodge of Canada . It becomes , then ,

every prudent brother to consider well , before attempting to efl ' ect a change , which , in my humble opinion , would not only be most detrimental to , if not only destructive of , the best interests of Freemasonry ; but would , in all probability , place in jeopardy its very existence in this province . Yet , it is a lamentable fact that many brethren , without the slightest consideration or forethought , should bo found willing , nay , even eager , to assist in the pursuance of such a suicidal policy .

" What could tlio liretnren or ljuebec gam by separationi Strength ? Influence ? Power ? Dignity ? Greater means of usefulness , or enlarged facilities for carrying on their charitable and benevolent operations ? Nay , in all these respects they would be infinitely worse off than at present . They have always had their fair share , and more than their share of Grand Lodge offices and honours . Their grievances have , in every instance , been carefully considered and properly redressed . Every

application to Grand Lodge , from any quarter , for assistance from its ample Fund of Benevolence , has been responded to iu the most generous and liberal spirit . The utmost deference has at all times been paid to the views of the eastern brethren on all questions coming before Grand Lodge ; and , through the magnanimity and fraternal consideration of their western brethren , they have been enabled to exercise an influence in Grand Lodge affairs , entirely disproportioned to either their numbers , ability , or importance . AVhat more could they possibly desire ?

"My brethren , whilst on legal grounds , I have attempted to show that the late attempt to divide this Grand Lodge cannot be maintained , I also trust that on the score of expediency , I have been ablo to demonstrate to you that it is equally undesirable and unnecessary . Iu this busy , bustling , changing age , it would be well to remember often the quaint but cautionary proverb , "Let well alone . " " Before concluding , it is fitting that I should gratefully

acknowledge the obligations under which I am laid to M . AV . Bros . Judge AVilson , P ' . G . M . ; T . D . Harington , P . G . M . ; AV . B . Simpson , P . G . M . ; A . Bernard , P . G . M . ; R . W . Bros . J . Seymour , Dep . G . M . ; M . Gutmau , D . D . G . M ., Montreal District ; Alex . AValker , D . D . G . M ., Quebec District , aud T . B . Harris , our trusty and most efficient Grand Secretary , for the fraternal counsel and support which they extended to me , during the recent painful crisis iu our Masonic history .

"Having now fulfilled the duty which devolved upon me , I commit this subject to your most careful consideration , praying that the Great Architect of the Universe , will guide your deliberations , and lead you to adopt such measures as will t'jud to promote peace and harmony , preserve the integrity , and uphold tho honour and dignity of the Grand Lodge of Canada , which may God greatly prosper , and evermore perpetuate . So mote it be

. It was moved by JI . AA . Bro . M . AA . AAllson , seconded by M . AV . Bro . T . Doiur ' las Harington , and "That the address of the M . AA . Grand Master reform ! to the following Committee , to report thereon at the session of this Grand Lodge to he held on to-morrow , Thursday , at 10 o'clock , a . m .. viz .: M . M . Bros , AV . M . A \ ilson , P . G . M . ; T . Douglas Harington , P . G . M . ; AA . B . Simpson , P . G . M . ; A .

Bernard , P . G . AI . R . AV . Bias . James Seymour , D . G . M . ; Thos . B . Harris , 1 ) . Curtis , J . Milne , P . J . Brown , M . Gutman , Thos . Matheson , Thos . White , jun ., E . P . Remmi , S . D . Fowler , John Clarke , R . w . A . Clemenii , James Bain , Rev . AV . C . Clarke , Otto Klotz , R . P . Stephens , Daniel Spry , Thomas AA ilkinson , A . S . Kirkpatrick , S , B . Fairbanks , J . J . Gemmill , E . Racicot , AV . II . A'anvliet , and the Rev . H . Montgomery ; and that all documents referring to the subject of the formation of a so-called Grand Lodge of Quebec , bo referred to the same Committee . "

The Grand Lodge was called from labour to refreshment at 6 o'clock p . m , to meet the next day , when the Grand Lodge resumed its sittings at 11 o ' clock a . m . The M . AA " . Grand Master granted poraiission for the admission of all Master Masons in good standing- as visitors . R . AA . Bro . the Rev . Aliment Clementi presented his credentials as the accredited representative from the Grand Lodge of

Chilo , in the Grand Lodge of Canada , which were found most satisfactory . The rev . brother was greeted with the usual Masonic honours , and invited to a , seat on tho dais . V . XV . Bro . Thos . AVhite , jun ., in the absence of the chairman of the committee , R . W . Bro . Seymour , submitted the following as the report of the committee appointed to take into consideration the subject embraced in the address of the M . AA . Grand Master .

REPORT . To the Most AVorshipful , the Grand Lodge of Canada : The committee to whom was referred the address of the M . AV . the Grand Master , at the opening of this Grand Lodge , beg to report : — " That they have carefully considered the subject referred to by the M . W . the Grand Master , and while deeply regretting the

circumstances which have rendered necessary the calling of this emergent communication of Grand Lodge at this unusual period of the year , they at the same time entirely concur with the Grand Master in his opinion that the events which have lately transpired in the province of Quebec are of such a nature as to require immediate action on the part of Grand Lodge , and therefore as fully to justif y the calling together of Grand Lodge .

They have read with groat pain the narrative of facts connected with the organisation of the so-called Grand Lodge of the province of Quebec , so fully and clearly stated in the address ; and after the most careful consideration they have come to the following conclusions , which they respectfully recommend for adoption by Grand Lodge . 1 . That the province of Quebec has been fully occupied , Masonic-ally , since 1855 , and is still so occupied by the Grand

Lodge of Canada . 2 . That the province of Quebec , being fully occupied , Masonically , by the Grand Lodge of Canada , the formation of a second Grand Lodge , within such territory , is illegal and unconstitutional , so long as such occupation continues . 3 . That while unanimously and emphatically condemning the action of the brethren who have presumed to form tbe so-called " Grand Lodge of Quebec , " within the territory , Masonically occupied by tbe Grand Lodge of Canada , this Grand Lodge at

the same time expresses the hope that the seceding brethren will see the propriety of returning to their allegiance to it , and assures them that in doing so they will be received with cordiality and brotherly good will ; but at the same time it deems it due to its own dignity , and its duty to the loyal Masons and lodges in the province of Quebec , as well as to the Craft generally , to withhold any hope of recognition to the so-called "Grand Lodge of Quebec , " and to express its opinion that on a

proper presentation of the facts of the ease , no recognition by other Grand Lodges in correspondence with this Grand Lodge , ought to be accorded to it . " 4 . That all Masonic communication with the brethren and lodges acknowledging allegiance to the so-called " Grand Lodge of Quebec , " be prohibited ; aud that all those whose who fail or neglect to comply with the provisions of the previous resolution , by returning to their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of

Canada within a period of three months , be summoned to appear before Grand Lodge at its next annual communication , to show cause why they should not be expelled from the privileges of Freemasonry . " 5 . That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge , the action taken by the M . W . the Grand Master , in the trying circumstances in which he has been placed b y the contumacious conduct of certain brethren in the Province of Quebec , in seceding from the

jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada , merits the highest approbation oM . lrand Lodge , having been characterised by a strict regard for the constitution of Freemasonry , and for the honour and dignity of the high position he occupies ; and that all the acts , which , in the discharge of his high duties , he has done in this most painful emergency , be , and the same are hereby confirmed . " The committee , in conclusion , expresses its earnest hope that the brethren who have , without due consideration , taken the