Colonial.

Colonial .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CANADA . From the Mirror and Keystone . On the twenty-third day of October last , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada , convened at Toronto , and a committee , was appointed to prepare a petition setting forth the grievances and wants of the brethren who still retain their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England . The committee consisted of the most loyal and intelligent members of the Prov . Grand Lodge . The committee pre .

pared a memorial to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge of England , in which they show from the minutes that for a series of years the Freemasons of Canada have complained of the neglect of the parent Grand Lodge ; that the interests of Freemasonry suffered vitally from such neglect , and that all their petitions , memorials , and correspondence , were unattended to and unanswered . In this matter the intelligent committee fully sustain and establish the grievances complained of by the Lodges which now form the Grand Lodge of Canada . The strong attachment manifested by the brethren of the

Provincial Grand Lodge to the Grand Lodge of England is certainly creditable to them as men and as Masons , but we think that the evidence is clear that they have gone more than one step beyond the bounds of legitimate propriety in their loyalty , as affection and fidelity are not consistent with cringing humility . The memorial referred to intimates that it is to be the last appeal , and that the privilege of self-government is what they want . It appears to be an anomaly in the character of men of sound judgment and undoubted intelligence to waive a . plain act of duty upon

which the welfare of society is dependent for a mere feeling of attachment . The duties of humanity are paramount to partial considerations . It appears to us to be a work of superfluity to discuss the question as to the right of the Freemasons of Canada to establish a Grand Lodge for their own government without the consent of the Grand Lodge of England . How the question can be doubted we cannot imagine . We have , as yet , seen no argument touching the main points of the question from those who argue that the brethren in Canada have no right to establish an independent Grand Lodge without the consent of the Grand Lodge of England . And why have they not that right ? Because they received their warrants from the Grand Lodge of England ? We think that other members of the Provincial Grand Lodge

who have investigated the subject fully , are convinced by this time that they have such right , and they will exercise it . GRAND LODGE OF CANADA . —Having been the first to speak in favour of the legality of the Grand Lodge of Canada , and support its claims to recognition , we confess to no little gratification at seeing our positions so ably sustained by other brethren , so eminent for their masonic lore . While Missouri , Massachusetts , New York , and Virginia , have refused to recognise the Grand Lodge of Canada , many other Grand Lodges have cordially greeted it with the right

hand of fellowship . The Freemasons' Magazine , of Boston , whose editor is an Englishman by birth , and who has a strange idea that the Grand Lodge of England can do no wrong , has opened his batteries on the young organization of Canada ; but his missiles are all incercepted by the Green Mountains of Vermont , and they do no harm . P . C . Tucker , the M . W . Grand Master of Vermont , in a recent review of the case , has so completely silenced the Boston battery—the echo of the Earl of Zetland—that its thunders will hardly be heard again . The argument of Bro . Tucker is a most

masterly production , perfectly unanswerable , keenly sarcastic , and exceedingly eloquent . All hail , Bro . Tucker I The brethren of Canada are quietly pursuing the e \ en tenor of their way , while their noble structure is constantly being strengthened and adorned by valuable additions . Go on , brethren of Canada , your path is plain : " who can harm you ?"—Masonic Review . The March number of the Canadian Pioneer contains that portion of the address of M . W . Bro . Philip C . Tucker , Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Vermont , delivered before the Grand Lodge

at its annual communication in January last , relating to the " Grand Lodge of Canada . " The distinguished veteran in Masonry enters into a critical and historical investigation of the origin of Grand Lodges , and proves conclusively that the Craft in Canada acted in accordance with precedent in the formation of the Grand Lodge . We call the especial attention of those brethren who had not investigated the subject thoroughly aud had some doubts and misgivings as to the legality of the proceedings of the Lodges in Canada in establishing an Independent Grand Lodge , to the verv able address of M . W . Bro . Tucker , aud also that of M . W . Bro . IS . B . French , and we feel assured that upon an attentive perusal of these documents they will be convinced of the correctness and constitutionality of the organization of the Grand Lodge of Canada . With the

light shed upon this subject , contained in the two documents referred to , we shall expect those Grand Lodges which have refused or deferred for further investigation the acknowledgment of the Grand Lodge of Canada , will , at their next communications , extend to the new Grand Lodge the right hand of fellowship , and hail it with a hearty welcome , and enter into fraternal correspondence with it . The subject is now , in our opinion , definitely settled , and we hope that the legality of the organization of the Grand Lodge of Canada will not in future be questioned . —Mirror and Keystone .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

To the Editor of " The Masonic Observer and Grand lodge Chronicle . " Sir and Brother , —As the Masonic affairs of Canada have caused a considerable degree of interest amongst the Freemasons in this country , I think it is right that I should give some information on that subject . It was my endeavour during my stay in that country to ascertain the feelings of the Brethren , and to learn from them their views as to the best method of settling the difficulties which at present unhappily exist . In accordance with my wishes a meeting was held , composed of the Provincial Grand Master of

Quebec , and the three Rivers , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Canada West , and many Masters of Lodges in the latter province . The letter of the M . W . Grand Master was read , and each Brother in turn proceeded to state his opinion with regai d to the course that ought to be pursued . Every one concurred in an expression of gratification at the very handsome manner in which the M . W . Grand Master had alluded to former events , and had granted considerable concessions . They deeply regretted that the time for such an arrangement as that proposed had passed by . It was not that

time had impaired their feelings of loyalty and attachment to the Grand Lodge of England , though much ' dissatisfaction had arisen amongst those who had previously resisted any proposal of a rebellious nature ; but it was the existence of an illegal Grand Lodge . That body had now gained such strength , that any attempt to control them must prove unsuccessful . If decisive measures had been adopted by the Grand Lodge of England in the first instance , the movement might have been checked . It was now too late . The formation of an Independent Grand Chapter had augmented the

difficulties of the case . The Grand Lodge of Ireland also had pursued a course by no means wise or politic . On being applied to for recognition by the independent body , it appears that a letter was written to the Grand Lodge of England asking for advice and information . No answer was returned ; and the Grand Lodge of Ireland witli an undue precipitance consented to acknowledge the Brethren who had applied , as the Grand Lodge of Canada , but was at the same time willing to retain under its jurisdiction any Lodges that

preferred to remain so . Such being the state of things , no hope of agreement was left on the basis of the present proposal from the M . W . Grand Master . It must be evident that antagonistic authorities are most inimical to the interests of Freemasonry . In many instances the best friends are debarred from all Masonic intercourse with each other . One instance might be sufficient to exemplify the present circumstances . On the melancholy death of Bro . Zimmerman , who was beld in high estimation throughout the Craft , the Brethren , anxious to testify their respect , attended the

funeral in great numbers . The Deputy Prov . Gr . Master of Canada West and the Independent Grand Master were present . From the jealousy that prevailed , neither was able to preside on the occasion , and it was necessary to request an American Grand Master to occupy the first place—to the great annoyance of the Canadian Brethren . No exertions had been wanting on their part to maintain the allegiance of the Canadian Masons ; but some were seceding from time to time ; and of those who left them , none ever returned . The Independent body gladly welcomed the new adherents to their

cause . Amongst them might bo counted some of the most energetic Masons in the province . The plan which they unanimously concurred in recommending for adoption was , that the Grand Lodge of England should recognise the Provincial Grand Lodge of Canada as an independent Grand Lodge ; that their Charters should be given up , with a request that they might bo subsequently restored as a memorial of the connection that had subsisted ; that they had reason to believe that in the event of this beiug granted , the independent body would join them ; and that they would in recognising

agree the Grand Lodge of England as a final Court of Appeal . Should it be rejected , the result would be that the Lodges would drop oil ' one by one , and those who had maintained their allegiance hitherto unswerving and true , would sec no course open to them but to follow the example which had so unhappily been set them in an earlier day , —I am , Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , W . WITHER BEACH , M . P . P . M . 10 , 90 , 460 . P . M . S . G , W ., Oxon .