Glasgow.

rashly cannot have attended to the remarks he so absurdly condemns . I have not , surely , so far forgotten what is due to this Provincial Grand Lodge and to the Order , and what is due as well to my own sense of propriety , as to introduce politics into this debate . I assure tbe brother that I have not mooted the subject of politics—what I have done was to show from Bro . Speirs' position , and from the estimation in which he held by all who knew himthat his moral worth and intellectual

, qualifications are of the highest order , and that by implication lie is worthy to rule as Master , even in a province of so great repute as that of Glasgow . The influence that falls to Bro . Speirs from the very high and responsible position which he occupies is necessarily very great , and the possession of it adds another to the many reasons to be advanced iu his favour . The position of Prov . G . Master of Glasgow is accounted a high one ,

and to maintain its dignity aright , aud to conduct in a proper manner the receptions , hospitalities , and civilities belonging to it , necessitates that the brother elected to fill it should hold a position of distinction and influence . No brother , I venture to say , could fulfil these conditions in a higher or more satisfactory degree than Bro . Speirs . But he is also a suitable candidate , because of his Masonic position . Since the time he was initiated into the Order , he has been diligent in the discharge of every

duty that has devolved upon him . He has proved himself a good Mason , actuated hy a sincere desire to see the Order take its proper place in public estimation , and zealous to enthusiasm in promoting by word and act the good cause Avhich he had so heartily espoused . His diligence has given him large Masonic experience , which he has turned to good account for the benefit of the Craft , and which would be available and stand him in good stead in discharging the onerous duties of this large

province . His services , as a Mason , have been duly recognised by the brethren of the Sister Kingdom , in that they have elected liiin to fill one of tha highest and most responsible offices in the Grand Lodge of England , and surely this is guarantee sufficient of Vis moral Avorth and of his eligibity for the office now at our disposal . If more were wanting in recommendation of Bro . Speirs , it is to be found in the readiness with which he assisted the brethren of the province on the occasion of the funeral lode-e . held in memorv of our late lamented Prov . G . Master .

to Avhich event the Depute Provincial Master has so touchingly referred . Not only did he oblige us on that occasion by coming all the way from London to be present , and by doing all that any brother could be expected to do in the circumstances , true to his Masonic obligations and desirous to be of still further service to the brethren , he asked if there was anything else he could do to facilitate our arrangements . This readiness to serve us was highly creditable to Bro . Speirs at the

time , aud enhances the claims he has upon our suffrages in tbe pending election . Looking at Bro . Speirs' Masonic career from every possible point of view , it claims our admiration . Respected Iby all who know him—devoted to the cause of Freemasonry in Scotland—pledged , in the event of his election to do all in his power to advance the best interests of the province , I conceive that in recommending his election to Grand Lodge , the brethren presentwould not only do a worthy actbut at the same time they

, would do tbe very best for the prosperity of the Order in the West of Scotland . I cannot believe that you can possibly overlook his fitness for the office of Provincial Master ; and I am convinced that in looking at the whole argument in his favour , and duly taking into account his gentlemanly hearing , his brotherly courtesy , his obliging and accessible disposition , and his innate kindness of heart , you will carry this motion in his favour by a decided majority . It lias been urged as an objection

to his election that he is too young . I argue that his age is to be reckoned as one of his chief recommendations ; and were it not so , ten years of office would remove the objection , aud his shortcomings , if such existed , would in tho meantime be more than counterbalanced by the benefits that would result from his fresh and unchecked ardour , hopefulness , and enthusiasm . Youth can never be considered a disqualification for any position where the candidate has confessedly the requisite ability to fill it creditably ;

and I am surprised to hear such shallow arguments advanced in the present instance . Bro . McTaggart , after a few words by way of remarks as to the claims of the rival candidate , said : —A close connection with the Order , " an intimate acquaintance with the current topics of interest that are at present stirring the Masonic world , perfect knowledge of its laws and recent enactments , ancl in fine , a large account of work done in support of the cause , are the only qualifications , I presume to say , that can entitle any brother to the honours at our disposal . AA ' ere we to establish

the precedent here that the highest Masonic offices are to be conferred on brethren who have done nothing , and are doing nothing for the Order , would such a course be wise or even politic ? AVould it be just or seemly ? Would it do us credit ? AVould it increase the reputation or the prosperity of the province ? Such offices aud honours are to be given as the reward of services rendered to the Craft , and on this plain ground I cannot seeand after the minutest inquiry I cannot

, understand , what the claims are upon which this candidature of Bro . Speirs' opponent rests . Whatever a man ' s position may be , whatever his abilities , Avhatever his acquirements , his election to such positions as I have indicated , should alone rest on his Masonic worth , and be determined by tbe extent of his Masonic experience and qualifications . I do not press this point farther , although it was in the line of my duty to refer to it in passing . The consideration of it now rests with you .

A contest , such as I anticipate , is always fraught with more or less danger , arising principally from the feelings with which we enter it ; and I would say here for myself and those who act Avith me , that whatever be the issue of the present election , we are only actuated hy the purest ancl most disinterested motives . AVe have no end in view save the good of the province and the prosperity of Freemasonry . In duty to

Bro . Speirs , I am bound to add that he consented to be put in nomination for this office in the true spirit of candour . In writing to a friend on the subject he Avisely remarked that unworthy motives sometimes entered into such contests , and that unworthy means were sometimes adopted in carrying them through , and that could the position of Prov . Grand Master of , Glasgow be attained only by the one or the other , he would decline to accept it . I commend such worthy

sentiments to your best consideration , as the sincere expression of a mincl thoroughly imbued with the noblest principles of Freemasonry . I conclude by asking you to support this motion , on the grounds of Bro . Speirs' social and Masonic position , of his moral and intellectual worth , of his experience and business qualifications , of his devotion to the great and good cause , and , finally , on the ground that he has pledged himself to devote his best energies , to give of'his time and his abilities to promote the well-being of tbe province , and to join heart and

hand with us in carrying out those benevolent and . philanthropic schemes in which we are all at the present time so much interested . Bro . McTaggart concluded amidst the applause of the brethren for the able manner in which he had delivered himself , as the exponent of those favourable to the election of Bro . Speirs . Bro . AV . B . Buchan , S . AV . St . John's Lodge ( No . 3 bis ) ,

seconded the motion of Bro . McTaggart . Bro . John Binnie , Substitute Prov . G . M ., then addressed tbe meeting with marked warmth , prefacing his remarks by stating he had not any set speech to make , but simply appeared before them for the purpose of proposing as a candidate for the vacant Provincial Grand Mastership , a gentleman ancl brother , Avhom the brethren might indeed consider as being one of themselves . He was locally connected with the brethrenand wasmoreover

, , , of high legal and literary attainments . One whose name , the speaker considered , stood A 1 in the city of Glasgow ; and he Avould ask the question , who Avas there did not knoiv the brother to Avhom he referred , ivhen he told them the candidate he had to propose , Avas no other than Bro . Alexander Stratheru , Senior Sheriff' Substitute for Lanarkshire ? Bro . Binnie then proceeded by remarking , with reference to the speech of Bro . McTaggartthat he Avould be sorry to propose as a candidate

, for this important office , one so comparatively young in years as Bro . Captain Speirs , seeing they had already such an excellent Mason as Bro . Sheriff Stratheru , who freely subscribed to every laudable object in connection Avith the great city , and that if he Avas elected as the Provincial Grand Master , ivould be an honour to the brethren who had placed their confidence in him , and a credit to the lodges in the province . Bro . Binnie considered that a more fitting candidate to fill tho shoes of their lamented

late Provincial Grand Master , could not be found than in the person of Bro . Alexander Stratheru , Avhom ho felt convinced had much higher claims to tho support of tbe brethren than tho candidate introduced by Bro . McTaggart . Bro . Binnie ivas prepared to go to Grand Lodge and fight inch by inch in favour of Bro . Stratheru , and he Avas convinced the support of the province Avould be Avith him , ancl that he could also count upon that of Grand Lodge itself . Bro . J . Liliie , l ' . W . M . Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge ( No . 4