Grand Lodge—The Canadian Question.

appears difficult , is , that we have still a Provincial Grand Master in Quebec , but I believe that he has intimated his intention to retire . There has heen no Provincial Grand Lodge held in Montreal for some years past , so that we may look upon that province as extinct . I feel confident the Grand Lodge of Canada will accede to the demand T propose to make to it , ancl acknowledge our Provincial Grancl Master so long as he may retain office

as ruler of Provincial Lodges which still hold under us , ancl we shall in turn assure them that we shall issue no new warrants for the district , Sand therefore , in course of time , the English Lodges will become altogether extinct . There is one suggestion , however , to which I cannot accede . They suggest that ive should ask the English Lodges in Canada whether it ivould not he better for them to give up their warrants to us , and at once place themselves under the banner of the Grand Lodge of

Canada . That is a recommendation which ought not to be given by us , and I am convinced that on explanation it will appear to the Canadian brethren themselves an improper suggestion , for 1 cannot but say that a kind spirit and a most fraternal feeling towards this Grand Lodge pervades the Canadian brethren . "

The reasonableness of the position assumed by tho Most Worshipful Grand Master , wo feel assured will bo at once recognised by our Canadian brethren , and tiiat they will be as deeply pained as have been their friends on this side the water , at finding their just claims , as set forth in their resolutions , tortured into a refusal of a

recognition of their authority frankly offered ancl gracefully accepted , with a reservation only to meet the ri ght of entering upon negotiation , Avhich from the first it was admitted they enjoyed , Upon the conclusion of his statement , the Most Worshipful Grand Master

said"Then the question arises , how it is best to proceed with regard to the negotiations for the settlement of the question , negotiations which must of necessity he of a delicate nature , and require great care . If it should be the opinion of Grand Lodge , that they should be placed in the hands of the Grand Master , I shall be most willing to undertake the task . If on the contrary , Grand Lodge should think it better that it should itself enter upon these negotiationsI shall have nothing to say against its decisionbut as it

, , will be necessary that notice should be given of the resolutions to be submitted to our consideration , I shall call a special Grand Lodge , that no time may be lost in meeting tiie wishes of the Canadian brethren . It is for you now to take one or other of these alternatives . "

Here ivas an opportunity of asserting the supremacy of Grand Lodge , of having a field day for rediseussing the whole question , or moving at once " That the demands of the Grancl Lodge of Canada bo unconditionally complied with . " But ive aro rejoiced to say that no one availed himself of that course ; a resolution moved by Bro . Gregory

for leaving tho negotiation iu the hands of the Grand Master , beiti " gracefully supported by Bro . Beech , who has ever taken the greatest interest iu the Canadian question , and carried almost unanimously ,