Red Tape.

Moreover we cannot be too careful not to drive the brethren to seek protection from Grand Lodges other Jfian that oi England , as we hold—though whilst three © -rand Lodges exist in the United Kingdom , we admit we- do not see how any one can claim exclusive jurisdiction in the colonies—that no greater cause likely to be

poductive of disunion amongst Masons can be introduced into a colony , however friendly they may he for a time , than the existence of lodges under different constitutions , and we cannot forget that great as were the reasons for dissatisfaction at the proceedings © £ the English authorities which existed amongst the

Canadian brethren a few years since , and led to their secession from the rule oi Grand Lodge of England , the first Grand Lodge of Canada was composed almost exclusively of Irish Lodges , and that the flame was fanned hy the present Grand Master of Canada , who was at one and the same time Prov . Grand Master under both the English and Scottish Constitutions , a position which no sssa . ought to he allowed to fill , as it is impossible that

he eanfairly do justice to both , differing as they do in many essentials of Government . The Irish Masons felttheyhad grievances at home which justified them in throwing oil their allegienee to the Mother Grand Lodge , and but for that we have little doubt the differences which existed between the Grand Lodge of England and the Canadian

brethren would have been healed without resort to the sstreme measure of secession—a measure which even at this day , many enlightened Masons and many lodges in Canada , we have reason to believe , regret . One district of Canada , however , still remains to us , { Quebec and the Three Eivers , —the one over which Bro .

. Harrington presided , and notwithstanding that M . W . brother , at the recent laying of the foundation-stone of the Masonic Hall at Quebec , expressed a hope that he might see the day when all the lodges would he brought under ihe rule of the Grand Lodge of Canada ; it is most gratify ing to observe that there was no response to his

wish from the brethren who are perfectly content to live under the rule of the Grand Lodge of England , no doubt believing that they might go farther and fare

worse . "We feel almost convinced that it is only necessary to call attention to the anomaly which exists between the pj / actice of the Grand Master in relation to Craft Masonry , if the practice he as stated , and that of the Grand Chapter , in order to have them brought into

unison , and we hope to have the most liberal construction placed on the words " regularly registered Masons , " ¦ which should apply to all regular brethren hailing from any Grand Lodge with whom we are on friendly relations , they proving themselves to be duly registered in the Book of their own Grand Lodge .

"With regard to the second complaint of the Indian Freemasons' Friend , we admit there is a difficulty in permitting brethren to revive a lodge with which none -if them have ever been connected ; but even here we believe the difficulty might he overcome by the M . W .

Red Tape.

Grand Master deputing to Prov . Grand Masters in distant districts ( in England it is unnecessary , and should never he introduced ) , especially on military stations where the Masonic population is ever fluctuating , to reopen lodges in abeyance ( if not previously struck off the rolls ) either b y themselves or deputy , and to admit new

members to it , of course taking due care that none shall be admitted who are not likely to advance the prosperity of the Craft , and thus prevent the warrant from being forfeited , or the brethren debarred from the benefits of Masonry until a new warrant can be obtained . In conclusion our Indian contemporary says , " "We

trust our Prov . Grand Master in England will be able to induce the Grand Secretary to rescind the rule requiring that none but Masons originally entered in the English Eegister shall sign applications for warrants or charters . " We , too , trust that the rule may he rescinded , but not bj r the Grand Secretary , who has neither

the power to make rules or rescind them ; but that as we have directed attention to the well-grounded complaints of our Indian brethren , they will receive the consideration to which they are entitled from the M . W . Grand Master and his constitutional advisers .

Random Reflections Of A Rough Ashler.

RANDOM REFLECTIONS OF A ROUGH ASHLER .

GENTLE READER , —If you are a Freemason , as I assume you to be , I need not tell you what I am ; and you will readily understand , that , resting in quiet and obscurity on the pedestal of the Junior Warden , with the Level reposing gently on my bosom , I have time and opportunity to observe all that passes in the several lodges ; and this intimate acquaintance with their proceedings has given me

considerable experience in the spirit which actuates , and the mode of working which characterises these assemblies . I purpose , therefore , without any betrayal of confidence , to express in these pages some of the thoughts and reflections which arise , and have hitherto lain concealed , within the centre of what is a reflective , though generally supposed to be an insensiblemis-shapen block of granite

, . I strongly advocate the principle of absolute power in the Worshipful Master whilst ruling his lodge . Once this principle is questioned or infringed , discipline , which is the soul of our Masonic meetings , and the ornament and cement of the Craft , becomes most seriously perilled . This power must therefore be acknowledged by the brethren by a cheerful and , as far as practicable , an implicit obedience . In the

close association of independent men , it is impossible to avoid a difference and perhaps a collision of opinion ; and it is not impossible that a single member , or the majority of a lodge , might be at issue with their Worshipful Master on a question of serious importance . The course to be adopted in such case is still submission for the time being , with a protest against the decision of the Chair , previous

to appeal ; or what would be still more desirable , a notice that the question is reserved for future consideration . The Worshipful Master might then be invited to meet the dissentient brethren , to talk over the matter in a quiet social way , -when , if au agreement is found wholly impracticable , and the opposing parties cannot agree to differ , but are compelled to take action on the disputed point , such

temperate procedure as Masonic Law provides might then be resorted to . But what I contend against most strongly is , even the appearance of indecent hostility or opposition to the Worshipful Master whilst ruling his lodge , where order and harmony , and perfect good fellowship , ought to have uninterrupted reign . But the possession of such absolute power ought to induce , and I have found it most generally does induce