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THE question which was raised at the last meeting , as to the power of Grand Lodge to adjourn , is one of such great importance , that our duty to the craft will not permit us to leave it unnoticed . The legality of such a proceeding is questioned on two grounds . First it is maintained that there is no precedent

for it , and secondly , —that in providing for the assembling of " Grand Lodges of Emergency , " and in forbidding the introduction of new motions after Eleven o ' clock , the constitutions —by implication , at any rate—intended to bar any power in Grand Lodge itself , to adjourn . Neither of these grounds however are maintainable . As regards the first , it so happens

that there is a precedent , and that a recent one . On the 2 Gth of April , 1854 , a communication was read from the Grand Master , to the effect that Her Majesty having appointed that day for a National Fast , it was recommended that the Grand Lodge be adjourned to the 29 th , which was put from the Chair , seconded , and carried . If however no such precedent had occurred , it is perfectly competent for Grand Lodge to make one , else it is obvious that no such thing as a precedeet

would ever exist at all . The second objection is equally untenable ; the " Lodges of Emergency , " which may be summoned by the Grand Wardens , in the absence of the G . M . evidently—as their very name implies—point to some sudden event arising between the regular communications ; and the limitation to discussion after Eleven , is nothing more than a

regulation for convenience , —a precise parallel existing in the House of Commons—and in no way that we can see affects the question . It seems to be forgotten that the constitutions were framed with a view to facilitate , and not to impede , the transaction of its business by the supreme legislature of the Craft . We may further observe that the point has now been twice

settled in the affirmative , not only by G . L ., but by the Eepresentative of the G . M . presiding in his absence , who by the hook of constitutions is expressly stated to possess Ids full authority for the time being . If then G . L . consents now to divest itself of the power of adjournment , it will be a new course , adopted for the first time .

We sincerely trust , however , that the executive will not be permitted to make the smallest invasion upon the " inherent power " of the Masonic Legislature .

Report Of Grand Lodge.

REPORT OF GRAND LODGE .

THK Grand Lodge , as adjourned on the motion of Bro . Warren , met on the evening of Oct . 1 , at eight o ' clock . The attendance was very numerous , ( most unexpectedly so , ) considering that it was an adjourned Lodge . The chair was occupied by the R . W . Prov . G . M . for Dorsetshire , Bro . Willett , supported by Bro . Fleming , Prov . G M . for the Isle of Wight , as D . G . M . ; Bros . Phillips as G . S . W . ; John Hervey as G . J . W . ; Col . Buvlton , Beaden , Havers , Rev . J . E . Cox , S . Tomkins , . T . N . Tomkins , Patten , Biggs , Crohn , Smith , & c , & o . CAN GKAND LODGE ADJOURN ?

The R . W . the Grand Master , on rising to open the Lodge in the ordinary way , was stopped by Bro . Bendon , who protested against the Grand Lodge being opened at all , on the ground chat there never was such a tiling as an adjourned Grand Lodge , that it was altogether illegal and un-Masonic ,

and that everything that was done that evening would be null and void . He said the constitution of Grand Lodge was that of four Quarterly Communications , and before any business could be proceeded with at any of these Quarterly Communications , it was necessary that notice should be given to " the Board of Masters and other persons belonging to the Craft , and —( Loud cries of " Order , order . " ) Col Burlton , P . Prov . G . M . for Bengal : " I submit that no one has a right to speak till Grand Lodge is opened . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers ) I maintain that point—refute it who can" ( Hearhear . )

. . . , Great excitement appeared to be felt in all parts of the Lodge , and there were loud cries of " Chair , chair . " The Grand Master then rose and said , that , upon consideration , and with all due deference to the worthy brother , lie thought he ought to open the Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) Ho did trust that he would be supported while he endeavoured to do his duty as well as he could . ( Hear , hoar . ) If , therefore , Brother Beadon had no objection , he would proceed to open . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . Beadon : " But I have the greatest objection to your opening . " ( Laughter , and cries of " Oh , oh ! " and " Chair ! " ) Grand Master : "It can do no harm to open Grand Lodge and go on with the proceedings , and therefore , Brethren , I crave your assistance . " The Grand Lodge was then opened in due form . Bro . Beadon : " Right Worshipful Sir , having now your permission to address the BrethrenI shall proceed to do so "

, . The Rev . Bro . Portal : "There is no question before Grand Lodge . " ( Hear , hear . ) Grand Master : "He has my permission . Go on , Bro . Beadon . " ( Hear . ) Bro . Beadon : '' Having now the permission of the Chair , I do hope that the Brethren will not interrupt me , but reserve their observations till I have concluded mine . I should not have been here to night , on account of indispositionbut from the fact that the Constitution of

, Grand Lodge and the principles of the Craft are being set at nought by the proceedings of this evening . ( Oh , oh !) I hardly know what is the business before us , and I have come with no intention to take any part in the proceedings . I merely wish to protest against anything whatever being done informally . I am not a party man—never was m my life—and those who have known me in Grand Lodge will , I am sure , support me in this assertion . ( Hear , hear . ) I had a great

deal to do with drawing up the Book of Constitutions on the last occasion , and I know that the constitution of Grand Lodge has always been , that quarterly courts should bo held four times a year . This is well known to the Brethren in the provincial districts and in the colonies . Provision is made for letting the provincial Brethren know in good time what is the business to be transacted at these meetings . The Book of Constitutions also provides , that no fresh business shall he introduced after eleven o'clock : but what is the use of making that law if have the of adjourning ? The Grand Lodcould

you power ge never have gone on as it has done , till one or two in the morning , if it had possessed the power of adjourning . But the fact is , that nobody ever thought of such a thing . On one particular occasion , Grand Lodge was put to immense inconvenience in consequence of the scrutineers for the members of the Board of General Purposes not having returned in time , They did not , in fact , return till one o ' clock in the morningr , as I well recollect , having the misfortune to have been one of the Wardens on the occasion . We had finished the business of

Grand Lodge at eleven o ' clock , but what was to be done ? Nobody spoke or thought of adjourning Grand Lodge . In 1850 we actually passed a resolution in Grand Lodge and brought in a new law . I was a party to this . Bro . Dobie and others brought in this new law in order to relieve the Grand Master from the necessity of keeping his seat in Grand Lodge till he received a certain report , and to allow him to close Grand Lodge and receive the report in another room . ( Hear , hear ) Againwhere is the necessity of this of adjournment ?

, power It has not been used , and motions have therefore dropped . It is true that an Emergency Grand Lodge might bo called by the Grand Master if he thought proper to do so . This has been done where the paper has been exceedingly full ; when such a Lodge was called , it was stated in the summonses what the object was , as when the Book of Constitutions had to be read through , and a Lodge of Emergency was appointed by the Grand Master for the purpose . We could not adjourn Grand Lodeven to through the Book of Constitutions

ge go , and so a special Lodge was called by a special summons . If there was this power of adjournment , it would always have been resorted to by the Brethren , to prevent their motions from lapsing ; but they always did lapse , and new notices were accordingly given . It was in the power of the Grand Master , or Deputy Grand Master to call a Lodge of Emergency in the present instance , and no doubt this would have been done , if it had been asked . Again , was there ever a Grand Lodge called by Bro . W . H . White , G . Sec ., instead of by the oom-