The Masonic Mirror.

cial Grand Lodge of Canada AA est and the Independent Grand Lodge of Canada , and acknowledges the independence of that body . ' ' As however there are some few Lodges in Canada AA est who have signified their desire to retain their attachment to , and immediate connection with , the Grand Lodge of England , from whom they received their warrants , the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master feel that they are not afc liberty to withdraw their protection from such Lodges against their willand therefore claim for them from the Grand

, Lodge of Canada recognition of their present position with all their JIasonie privileges , and those of their members respectively . The Jl . AA . Grand JIaster feels that this is simply an act of justice , and based on the same principle as that enunciated in your communication , of tho satisfaction ivhieh an affectionate parent would derive from the well doing of a son who , having arrived at years of maturity and settled in a foreign land , was able to manage for himself without abating in the slihtest degree his filial love ; or in the same way that affectionate parent

g ivould derive satisfaction in assisting and protecting another son who was anxious to remain with him ; nor ought that parent to compell him to quit the household while he was desirous of continuing in it . " From a perusal of the document forwarded by you , the JI . AV . Grand Master and the Grand Lodge of England distinctly understand—aud they as distinctly stipulate—while making this recognition of the independence of the Grand Lodge of Canada , that the districts of Quebec , Montreal , New Brunswick , ancl Nova

Scotia ( provinces now under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England ) form no part thereof ; and that their Provincial or District Grand Officers , ancl the officers and members of the subordinate Lodges , and their several acts and certificates , ancl the certificates and acts of the Grand Lodge of England in regard to them , shall be recognized by the Grand Lodge of Canada and its several Lodges , with that cordial goodwill and fraternal feeling which alone can maintain the honourthe unityand the advantages of tho great JIasonie family in its various

, , branches and ramifications throughout the nations of the earth . " I havo the honour to be , dear sir and R . AA . Brother , " Yours faithfully and fraternally , ( Signed ) " AVM . GRAY CLARKE , G . Sec . " Thos , B . Harris , Esq ., Grand Secretary , Grand Lodge of Canada . "

" Grand Lodge of Canada , Grand Secretary ' s Office , "Hamilton , C . AV ., 24 th January , 1859 . "Dear Sir and Right AVorshipful Brother , —I am commanded by the JI . AA * . Grand JIaster to transmit you the enclosed extracts from tho minutes of a special communication of tho Grand Lodge of Canada , held afc Toronto on the 19 th inst . , in reference to your letter of the 16 th Dec , 185 S . " The spirit which actuated Grand Lodge in coining to this resolution , and which is clearly shown in its termswasa sincere desire for the ultimate peace and

, , harmony of the Craft throughout the province ; and the members of Graud Lodgo from the eastern districts were the most anxious that the resolution in question should be adopted . " It is hoped that the action of the Grand Lodge of England will not be such as to revive and perpetuate in Canada those distinctions made in former times by arbitrary territorial boundary lines , which were never of any benefit , and whose removal byjudicious enactment of the imperial and provincial legislatures has been

of tho greatest advantage to the province . " I have the honour to remain , clear sir and R . AA . Brother , " Yours faithfully and fraternally , " AVm . Gray Clarke , Esq ., "THOMAS B . HARRIS . " Grand Sec , Grand Lodge of England . " " Grand Sec .

[ ENCLOSURE ] . " Grand Lodge of Canada , Grand Secretary ' s Office , " Hamilton , Canada AVest , " Extract from minutes—> ' The letter from the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England