Royal Arch.

Grand Lodge of Canada are held , which , if followed by a substantive motion , will require your attention and consideration . The proceedings of the various Grand Chapters have been received , and they tend to show that our order is progressing very favourable . Those Grand Bodies aro in friendly relationship with the Grand Chapter of Canada , and evince their customary kindly interest in our welfare , and credentials will bo

presented by companions , who have been appointed representatives during the past year . I have nominated M . E . Comp . If . P . Deuel , our representative near the Grand Chapter of Nebraska , and R . E . Comp . Charles Woodward near the Grand Chapter of Ohio , subject ot course to your confirmation ; and the names of R . E . Comp . J . S . Bowen near the Grand Chapter of New York , and R . E . Comp . Brinsmaid near the Grand Chapter of A ermont have been submitted to me for approval .

I think of but one other subject , which I conceive it to be my duty to allude to . Last year I had to do so . I mean the unfortunate difficulty connected with Craft Masonry in the Province of Quebec , and which , it is greatly to be lamented , has not yet been satisfactorily terminated , as all true Masons must wish and pray for . Of course you all know to what my present allusion pouita , » u & this continued discord and state of misunderstanding is exercising a baneful influence on our Order . Royal Arch Masonry is indirectly affected bv it , and it is well

calculated to do , and is doing injury in many ways . That the Grand Lodge of Quebec is an accomplished fact it would be absurd to ignore . It has been unconditionally recognised by some twentythree Grand Lodges already , and that other Grand Bodies will pursue a like course I entertain no doubt . This is not a question for Grand Chapters to discuss , but it is my duty to inform yon that I received a very courteous and fraternal communication in my capacity of your Grand First Principal , from the

M . AV . Grand Master of Quebec , who is likewise a member of high standing in this Grand Chapter , notifying officiall y tho existence of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , and seeking for amicable and free intercourse , to which I replied in a similar spirit , and these letters are , of course , ready to be laid before you . 1 am quite without information from the Grand Lodgo of Canada . 1 had given to me , from more than one quarter , clear testimony that bitter feelings were engendered among our Royal Arch

Masons , at Montreal especially , and that greatly to their discredit they were threatening to use , if not actuall y doing so , the ballot-box as an instrument of strife ! This I was resolved to render nugatory if possible , so far as Capitular Masonry was concerned , and it was partly iu consequence of this that I granted dispensations for the two new chapters in that city , the respective petitions coming to me from companions on the one part favourable and the other hostile to the Grand Lodge of Quebec . I believe I did right , aud that I am justilied by the result .

Of course , an address of this kind is not the document for the insertion of details—going before the outside world as it will do like its predecessors—and I would probably have been silent on the subject only that as the principle of having a Grand Lodge for each Province in the Dominion , ha * , we all know , been a measure acknowledged and assented to , it really becomes simply a question of time , as to the formation of separate Grand Chapters , and when the limit for jurisdiction will be still

more curtailed . It is the wisest course to look this contingency full iu the face , and when that time does arrive , carry out the change in a truly Masonic and fraternal way—giving and receiving , bearing and forbearing , making mutual concessions if needful , and avoid heartburnings and strife , scorning word y warfare , hut wishing instead God speed and prosperity to all concerned .

It is marvellous to me that any Royal Arch Mason can so far forget that ( in my eyes ) " ne plus ultra" obligation which ho has voluntarily pledged himself to fulfil as a Master Mason , as to lose light of the Five Points of Fellowship especially , and their full and entire significance , and more particularly when wo call to mind that the Royal Arch is said to bo the perfection of the Third Degree of Craft Masonry . If but the half has been said in bitternessthat is reported to

, have been uttered , in consequence of the Quebec difficulty , which after all originated in a difference of opinion , it is a discredit to the parties u ; ing such language , and a scandal to Masonry—that is all I causay—and I thus record my conviction .

And now , in conclusion , allow me to thank you for your manymarks of favour , and acts of kindness , and also for the long continued distinguished position you have placed me in . You have now to select fresh officers , and I shall not be sorry to be relieved from the duties attached to my high office . You have able members , who can , and will be pleased to attend to your wishes , and conduct Grand Chapter affairs , and , as I saidlast

year , there is a laudable ambition and should have its reward . And now I finish with this prayer , — " May the Great Architect of the Universe grant continuous prosperity to the Grand Chapter , and bless and protect each and all of us . So mote it be . T . DOUGLAS HARINGTON , Grand '/ ,., < £ c . Hamilton , ilth August , 1871 . On motion the foregoing address was referred to the

Execu-Cu ' . umittce . Reports of the Grand Superintendents of the following districts , —London , AVilson , Huron , Hamilton , Toronto , Ontario , Prince Edward , Central , Eastern Townships , Quebec , and New Brunswick , were read , and also referred to the Executive Committee .

The following companions presented their credentials as Representatives : — R . E . Comps . J . R . Kerr , from Grand Chapter of Scotland ; D . McLellan , from tho Grand Chapter of Georgia ; R . Ramsay , from the Grand Chapter of Ohio and Nebraska . On motion the honorary rank of Past Grand J . was conferred upon R . E . Comp . Kerr . The Grand Scribe E . read petitions for new chapters at

Montreal , Colborne , St . Mary's and Chatham , which were received and referred to the Executive Committee . On motion it was decided that the next annual convocation should be held in tho city of Toronto . Statements of the Grand Scribe E ., and Grand Treasurer were received and referred to the Executive Committee . R . E . Comp . H . Robertson , submitted his report upon Foreign Correspondence . R . E . Comp . Macdonnoll , presented the following Report of the Executive Committee on Warrants : —

To the M . E . Grand Council : Your Committee in AA arrants beg leave to report . That having taken into consideration the several petitions for Warrants laid before tnem , and having examined tbe Books and papers in connection therewith , together with such further information as they could obtain , beg leave to recommend that Warrants be granted to the following chapters , viz :

" Montreal , " at Montreal ; " Royal Albert , " at Montreal "Mount Sinai , " at Napanee ; "Excelsior , " at Colborne ; "St . James ' , " at St . Mary ' s ; " Wellington , " at Chatham . AVith regard to the application for a "Warrant for a Chapter at Maitland , your committee cannot recommend the prayers of the petitioners , as in their opinion from facts presented to them , the granting of such Warrant , would he injurious to the interests of Grenvillc Chapter , 22 , which is apparently now in

good working order . Your committee cannot close this report without expressing their satisfaction at the manner in which the hooks presented to them have been kept , particularly that of the "Montreal " Chapter as being a credit to the various Chapters . All of which is respectfully submitted . C . D . MACDONNELL , Chairman .

The Report was received and adopted . R . E . C ' omp . Robertson represented the Report of the Executive Committee on Audit and Finance . The election of Grand Officers was then procteded with , resulting as follows : — Comp . T . I ) . Harrington , Ottawa Grand Z . „ S . B . Ifarnian , Toronto ... Grand If . „ F . M . Snowden , Montreal Grand J .

„ T . B . Harris . Hamilton ., ... Grand Scribe E . „ R . Ramsay , Orilla Grand Scribe N . „ F . J . Menct , Toronto Grand Prin . Soj . „ J . A . Noel , Kingston Grand Treasurer . „ John AVilson , Simcoe Grand Registrar . „ John Dixon , Toronto Grand Janitor . The following District Superintendents were appointed : — Comps . J . A . Mackenzie London . „ C . L . Beard AVilson .