Provincial.

motion was about to be submitted to them . Ho had told them that ho had called them earlier than usual ; but he might add , that he would have summoned them at even an earlier date , were it not that he wished the holding of the Graud Lodge of the province to coincide with the regular meeting of the Scientific Lodge—a Lodge of which he was most deservedly proud , as he regarded it as au honour tc the province . Bro . the Eev . A . E . AA ardGrand Chaplain of Englandand D . Prov . G . M . then

, , , rose to move the following resolution , of which lie had given notice : — " That tho members of this Vrov . Grand Lodge , viewing with indignation the unfounded imputations on tho M . AV . Grand Master contained in the Masonic Observer , desire to express their gratification at the manner in which his refutation of those charges has been received by the Craft , their participation in the feelings of confidence and attachment which were unequivocally demonstrated by the Grand Lodge iu September last , and their determination to support the Grand

. Master in the performance of the duties of his high office . " He said , "Brethren , the proposition which 1 havo to bring forward refers to our old Masonic friend ancl Grand Master tho Earl of Zetland . In bringing it under your notice I feel I shall best consult your wishes by being as brief as possible in my observations ; at the same time , I wish to state that , so anxious aud so determined was I that every Brother should be acquainted with the particulars of the matter to which I am going to call your attention , that a fortnight ago I took the

trouble of sending to every Mason iu tho province a copy of the Masonic Observer , containing the calumny upon IheGrandMaster of which I complain , and also a copy of the Freemasons' Magazine—a publication of a far different character—containing the reply of theM . AA . the GrandMaster to that charge so bitterly urged against liim . I believe that every brother present has received those two publications , with the exception of Bro . Eansoin , Prov . G . Eeg . and I can now only express ifiy regret that they wero not sent to him , or rather , that they should have remained iu the hands of the AVorshipful Master of his Lodge ivithout his presenting them in

proper time . IS ow , Brethren , I have to tell you—and I am sincerely sorry that such is the case—that there has been for some time past what I may call a party iu Masonry—a body of men who systematically oppose what they call" tho executive" of Grand Lodge ; meaning thereby the views of the Al . AA . Grancl Master and of his warmest friends . It had been generally believed , that this Masonic clique was connected in some way with tho province of Oxford , but the moment the knowledge of that fact reached the Oxford brethren , they assembled in Grancl Lodge , and most emphatically denied that they hacl any sympathies in common with the

views of the parties connected with , the Masonic Observer . Tho accusation brought against the M . AV . Grand Master in that publication was made six months ago . No doubt you think that six months is a long space of time , but you should recollect that the Grand Lodge of England meets only once in three months , so that a considerable delay takes place iu the settlement of questions of this kind . The accusation which the Masonic Observer has brought against tbe Grand Master is this —I quote the publication itself ; it says-We had occasion this time last to

, year draw attention to the unblushing effrontery with which the principal appointments in Grand Lodge were prostituted to political purposes , and we are sorry to be compelled to occur to this very scandalous subject . ' Now I do think that no accusation could be . brought forward so damaging to the Craft as that ; for , by impeaching the integrity of the M . AV . Grand Master , it completely upsets the universality of the Order . But listen to the Earl of Zetland ' s reply . I now road to you the report of his lordship ' s speech at the Grand Lodgo in September last

as it is reported in that excellent publication the Freemasons' Magazine . [ The A . AA . Brother here read the speech of the M . AA . Grand Master , which will be found in ecdenso at pp . 407 8 of our last volume ( in the Magazine oi Sep . 8 ) , in which his lordship indignantly denied the imputations of the Masonic Observer . and eloquently defended his conduct and policy in the government ofthe Order . ] ' " - 'At the conclusion of this speech , the acclamations , ' we read / were unprecedented . ' In fact a scene took place which those who were then in Grand Lod ge can never forget . The object of my motion is , that our Provincial Grand Lod ge should endorse the opinion of the Grand Lodge of England . I must detain you for one