Grand Lodge.

and could give the report of its proceedings au emphatic and indignant denial . It assembled for no party object , but with the view of making arrangements for so conducting the transactions of Graud Lodge that they should have the confidence of the brethren all over the world , and that purpose was adhered to . It had been said that a list was proposed by Bro . Roxburgh for the adoption of the meeting but that was not the case . On tho contravy ,-the list of which they heard so much was the spontaneous production of those who attended the meeting , and any other

statement was unfounded and scandalous . Bro . Mason thought the motion before Grand Lodge was only whether it was true that such a meeting had been held . Ho entertained a high esteem for Bro . Roxburgh , kuowing and respecting his character and forensic talents . He made this remark that his motive in stating that if such a meeting was held it was a thing which should not exist amoug Masons , might not be misunderstood . Speaking without any party spirit , for ho detested it , he could not help thinking that the

calling of such a meeting by the Grand Registrar was inconsistent with proper legislation among Masons , and ho hoped the expression of an opinion by Graud Lodge on the subject would prevent its being repeated . Bro . Havers—I jam sure that Grand Lodge will boar with mo for a few minutes while I endeavour to bring it back to tho main facts of tho case . It is stated that Bro . Roxburgh held at his chambers a meeting of brethren of his own peculiar views . ( Hear , hear ) . My Lord , if he had doue so , I contend that he would have

been perfectly justified . ( Cheers ) . I believe , from tho bottom of my heart , that a large portion of tho difficulty and discord we have seen of late years has arisen from the circumstance that brethren hi gh in office have not thought it worth their while to consult other brethren on the business of Grand Lodge . I emphatically , aud ou my honour as a Mason , deny that Bro . Roxburgh has done anything deserving the censure of the Craft . He has held a meeting—is that organizing a party movement 1 What is it he has done' He has departed from an old and , as I really believe , a bad custom . He has done openly and publicly what was before

none secretly . Instead of asking men of his own peculiar views to meet him , he invited some thirty or forty influential brethren of all parties , many of whom were persoually unknown to him , aud he invited their counsel and assistance in carrying on the work of the Craft . He saw the time was gone by when two or three brethren could dictate to the Craft ( cheers ) , and there should be no longer anything like exclusiveness . Is ho to be blamed-for this ? ( Cheers ) . If he is to be blamed , let him not be blamed alone , let me say boldly and at once , he acted by and with the advice of his colleaguesand if he is deserving of censure so are we . ( Cheers ) .

, This , then , is what Bro . Roxburgh has done , and no more . It has been alleged in a publication , which there seems to be an unwillingness to name—the Era newspaper—that there has been a base conspiracy concocted ; and it has been farther alleged that none but party men would be put upon the Board of General Purposes . To prove the falsehood of this charge , you have heard to-night Bro . Savage tell you there is no truth in it , nor in the statements made in reference to himself only . I hold in my hand a letter from an old friendStephen Barton Wilsonwho hoped to

, , be present to give it his denial : he writes to me from the hotel , Gravesend , stating that illness renders it impossible for him to move , or that he would be here in person to contradict it . You have here our worthy brother , Joseph Smith , aud he , likewise , will tell you that from beginning to end it is utterly false . ( Cheers ) . My Lord , at your bidding we came forward in times of great difficulty to assist in carrying ou the business of Grand Lodge ; . we have done so zealously and faithfully , 1 believe I might add successfully . ( Hear , hear ) . Since we have held office

wc have been exposed to repeated charges of misconduct ; so long as those charges were general , it were impossible to meet or refute them , but whenever a special charge has been made , we have been ready and willing to reply to and disprove it . You , my lord , were the first object of a specific attack , you wore charged with having prostituted your patronage to political purposes ( hoar , hear ) , you indignantly refuted and repelled that charge ( hear , hear ) , and the Grand Lodge endorsed your refutation . The Lodges in the provinces indignantly echoed that refutation ; anil even from the other side of the Atlantic , from our West India provinces was that denial re-echoed . Thc charge of censure is now upon the Grand Registrar . Of two