Grand Lodge.

direct with the Grand Lodge of England . I have felt it to bo my duty to stipulate that the rights and privileges of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec shall be fully recognized and respected , inasmuch as that Provincial Graud Lodge has existed and held authority from a period long anterior to the formation of any Grand Lodge in Canada , and none of its Lodges have at auy period joined , or expressed a desire to join , the Grand Lodge of Canada . I have claimed , therefore , that the privileges which they have possessed for years should still bo secured to

them . In reply to the claim thus put forth , it is urged that Provincial Grand Lodges are of recent origin , and that their rights and privileges arc ill-defined . I am glad to perceive that though there is an evident dislike , on the part of the Grand Lodge of Canada , to the existence of a Provincial Grand Lodge within its jurisdiction , that the claim I have made is acceded to , and I rely with full confidence on the assurance given me by the Grand Master of Canada , [ ' That no one connected with his Grand Lodge will attempt to interfere with either their rihts or

g privileges , whatever they may prove to be . ' I congratulate Grand Lodge on the happy result at length arrived at . I must express my gratification at the courteous and fraternal spirit exhibited by the Grand Master of Canada , aud say how entirely I reciprocate the feeling expressed in the last sentence of ^ his letter , dated 23 rd April . I feel that I cannot take leave of this subject better than by quoting that sentence to Grand Lodge . The following are the words of his letter addressed to mo : — ' Again I thank youMost Worshipful Sirfor the kind and fraternal feeling

, , evinced by your last communication , and indulge in the hope that nothing will hereafter occur to disturb the harmony and good feeling which I now regard as firmly established between our respective jurisdictions . '" His Lordship concluded by saying—I need scarcely assure Grand Lodge of the satisfaction which I feel in seeing the matter thus settled , and I hope Grand Lodge will join with mo in expressing its satisfaction at the result which has taken place in the arrangement of this complicated aud embarrassing affair . ( Cheers ) .

Bro . Rd . Havers , Prov . G . W ., Oxfordshire , then said—M . W . Grand Master and brethren , the communication which has been just made to us , must , I think , bo a source of the greatest satisfaction to Grand Lodge . That communication will , as a matter of course , come upon the minutes of our proceedings ; but 1 am sure I only speak the feelings of every brother present when I say , that we should regret to see it placed on those minutes unaccompanied by a declaration of our satisfaction at the able and judicious manner tho negotiation has been carried out . Believing that there is no question of Masonic law which has been overlookedand that there

, is no fact connected with the negotiation which has not been already given to Grand Lodge , I trust I shall not be out of order in founding on what we have just heard a motion , as follows : — lt That this Grand Lodge expresses its gratification at the happy result which has attended tho labours of the Grand Master in the settlement of the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Canada , and offers its best thanks to the M . W . Grand Master , for the able and judicious manner iu which he has brought this important matter to a successful termination . " ( Cheers ) .

Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal said : M . W . Graud Master and brethren , I have great pleasure in seconding the motion of Bro . Havers . There cannot , my lord , be two opinions upon the subject of the negotiations which have taken place . First of all , they have been conducted with all the dignity and courtesy which wc might justly expect from you ; and , in the second place , there is no right or privilege which we could wish which has not been conceded to our brethren in Canada . Having on the one hand regard to our privileges and dignity , and on tho other the

concessions made to the Canadian Masons , we may congratulate ourselves on thc issue to which your lordship has brought this peculiarly delicate and distressing subject , Bro . Sir Lucius Curtis , in putting the resolution , expressed the satisfaction ho felt in doing so . The motion was carried by acclamation , THE liOAltD OE GENERAL PURPOSES , The Grand Secretary having read the report of the Board of General Purposes )