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President, in refusing to put the motion? On the other hand, if approved, it would have come down to Grand Lodge in the report from the Board, and would have had a chance of being rejected or carried months before. But no, such was the system, that if a chance existed of anything being carried in a liberal spirit, the too! of the Grand Master, the President of the Board of General Purposes, put a stop to it altogether.

Bro. LEWIS rose to order, he had been President of the Board of General Purposes, and was not any man's tool.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH was glad to hear it.

He felt sure

The R.W. DEPUTY GRAND MASTER interfered. Bro. Scarborough would not use the expression he had, if an opportunity had been given him to reflect. He would perceive that it was one that would occasion him regret, when he recollected having used it.

Bro. SCARBOROUGH was grateful to the Grand Master for the fraternal and kind manner in which the Grand Master had checked him. He meant nothing offensive. He meant to say that the President of the Board was the mouthpiece of the Grand Master; that he might say and do what he pleased, and no one would correct him. He (Bro. Scarborough) considered the position the President had assumed as highly improper; and, if it were tolerated, would tend to the most humiliating interferences. He should certainly support the original motion. Bro. Havers, it appears, had also had a motion upon the subject of the red apron, but, of course, he had an answer forwarded to him. Why not, also, Bro. Bigg? Because the Grand Master did not have Bro. Bigg's letter. He said this feeling assured that if a letter had been sent to the Earl of Zetland, his Lordship, he was certain, would have condescended to reply. He could draw another inference. The whole proceeding in this affair, from its first introduction to the rejection of Bro. Bigg's motion, was altogether improper.

The GRAND SECRETARY explained when he had received the letter, and when he had delivered it.

Bro. HAVERS objected to a system that had grown up during the past year, or year and a half, of imputing motives to the members of the Grand Lodge. The discussions now were characterized by a species of bravado and uncourteousness before that unknown. Among them it was as unseemly as it was unnecessary. He did not wonder at the mover of the resolution being out of temper at not having been able to bring his project to disfranchise a certain number of lodges forward with the eclât and advantages of being recommended by the Board of General Purposes, in their report. Having failed in doing so, he complained of its being eliminated at the Board, but in reality it was eliminated at the Grand Lodge when it came before it. He considered the proposal one of impropriety and injustice. He was glad, therefore, the President had dealt with it as he had, and protected thereby the unquestioned prerogative of the Grand Master. But it so happened that "ex quovis ligno non fit mercurius." He could cap Latin with Bro. Bigg, as he had shown. He (Bro. H.) had received an answer to his letter to the M.W. Grand Master, as he considered it his duty to make inquiry of him what his sentiments were upon a subject in which his prerogatives were concerned. Having made that inquiry, he should have waited the pleasure of the Grand Master for an answer. Bro. Bigg wrote entirely on his own account.

It was not a communication from the Board, but of a personal nature, and he had not the patience to await a reply. He had brought the refusal to put the question entirely upon himself.

Bro. CRUCEFIX should vote in favour of the motion: and he congratulated the Grand Lodge that the mover was not affrighted from his excellent purpose, by the loftiness of the quarry, at which he struck with such manly dignity; for, exactly in proportion to the confidence reposed was a perfect rectitude hoped for. Bro. Dobie required no eulogy to be passed on his private character-it was surpassingly estimable. From that, however, the question was altogether separate; it was with his duty as a President of the Board of General Purposes. A term had been used in the heat of debate not very complimentary, but it had been withdrawn in the most handsome manner. Still, it would not be denied, the President of the Board of General Purposes was the nominee of the Grand Master; and the Craft might well be jealous of the power thus delegated by the Grand Master, who possessed, according to the constitution a power altogether contrary to the principle of Freemasonry. The power was in itself most unwholesome, and by delegation, became unhealthy to the freedom of the Order. It was probable that the President acted from an error in judgment; but errors in judgment, however pardonable, are not praiseworthy; and, be it observed, that when called on to give reasons for not putting a motion constitutionally prepared, and respectfully worded, what was the reply? "I'll not do so; I'll act on my own responsibility." It was not too much to state, that had he given his reasons, the present motion would not have been agitated. The worst, however, was to come. Not only was it clearly proved that the President acted most improperly and unwisely, but because he had thus acted, the amendment was made actually to praise him for such conduct-thus was one of the most active, intelligent, and useful members of the Craft, placed on the horns of a dilemma; proving his case beyond the possibility of doubt, yet having the mortification of being made the indirect means of fixing a precedent for the future, that must prove subversive of our freedom. He should vote for the original motion, and most gratefully thanked Bro. Bigg for the manly fairness with which his case was so characteristicly sustained.

Bro. M'MULLEN supported the principle that the President of the Board, under peculiar circumstances, could refuse to put a motion.

Bro. SAVAGE was in favour of the original motion, and entered into some forcible remarks on the power of the Grand Master and his socalled prerogative.

Bro. JENNINGS was perfectly satisfied with the Grand Registrar, and thanked him for the course he had taken.

Bro. BIGG was at a loss to conceive how the Brother who had, as he always did, so ably and eloquently moved the amendment, making the most of his subject, in, he might say, poetic language, could ask them to praise what must be admitted to be a source of censure. It had been endeavoured to answer his argument that the President of the Board was like any other Chairman, but such was not the case. A chairman was elected by either the body over which he presided, or an entire constituency. Even the Grand Master was subject to their election. But in the matter under debate it was entirely different. The Board did not elect their President; neither did the masonic body. It was an

office wholly independent and uncontrolled, the President being nominated by the Grand Master, when the Board was being formed; but, as it was attempted to be shown, with a delegated power, much greater than the Grand Master himself possessed. Bro. Havers had performed upon his remarks what might be called the surgical operation of mangling. Whatever knowledge that brother might show of Latin, he was quite prepared to hazard a fall as to his English with a gentleman so self-satisfied; and, as he appeared ignorant of Dr. Johnson's meaning of eliminate, he would tell him it was to get rid entirely of his motion in the way the President of the Board had done. Whatever the vote might be, and he had little doubt how it would go, at past midnight, with the numbers on the dais, it must be admitted that all the arguments, reasons, and deductions were on his side.

The amendment being put, was declared carried.

Bro. Dobie then returned to Grand Lodge, but not the slightest display of either approval or dissatisfaction greeted him on his entrance. The Deputy Grand Master having informed him of the result, he bowed to Grand Lodge, which was closed in due form at half-past twelve, with solemn prayer.

MASONIC ABILITY.

To the Editor of the "Freemasons' Quarterly Review."

"With how little knowledge the world is governed."

SIR,-1 think it will be admitted, that whoever fills the office of President of the Board of General Purposes, should be well versed in the masonic law; and should sustain it, consistently, on all occasions.

Tested by the proceedings of the last Quarterly Communication, what amount of masonic ability can be conceded to the present holder of that office?

He supported the confirmation of the minutes of the previous Grand Lodge, although they contained a proof that the masonic law had been contravened, without any notice of the fact that such contravention had been sanctioned by Grand Lodge !

He proposed to refer a question of expulsion to a private lodge although the Grand Lodge alone, by the Book of Constitutions, can expel any member from the Craft!!

He violated the Book of Constitutions by producing an address, forwarded to him for the Grand Master; thus usurping the functions of the Grand Secretary!!!

He persisted in reading that address, then discovering, as he admitted, for the first time, its indecorous and insulting language; until silenced by the indignant murmurs of Grand Lodge, and the more distinct reproof of one of its members!!!!

All this, too, on an occasion when he knew he would have to answer for his conduct in refusing to put a proper motion to the Board of General Purposes!!!!!

VOL. I.

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But the President of the Board of General Purposes "is an honourable man.” With this we must be content. Being " an honourable man, he was absolved from censure, and glorified by compliment!!!!!!

In a fair way to be overwhelmed with (if not ashamed of) his honours, can you inform me what has become of the "masonic ability vouched for as possessed by the President of the Board of General Purposes? I give you, and your readers, three months in which to make the discovery-enunciate it in the next number of the " Review." I only surmise a negative-prove among you an affirmative, if you I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

can.

ANTI-ARROGATE.

THE MASONIC LAWYER.

Thrice, in one day, we saw the chief expounder
Of our Masonic Law, mistake or flounder;
Yet, on that very day, Grand Lodge consented
That, censured not, he should be complimented!
How foolish, then, to look for true ability,
Where honour gives the palm to inutility?

S.

GRAND CONCLAVE OF ENGLAND AND WALES.

COMMITTEE, July 7.-Present-Sir Knights Claydon, Wackerbath, Wilson, Dover; the latter in the chair.

The minutes of the last Committee were read, as also some letters from provincial Encampments. Owing to the thin attendance, it was considered prudent not to enter into any business of importance. The Grand Chancellor, however, intimated his intention to draw the attention of the Committee to the subject of remuneration to the Grand Equerry Barton; and Sir Knight Dover expressed his intention to propose a sub-committee for the purpose of considering and reporting on a proper mode of uniformity in the various Encampments.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on 6th of October.

CROSS OF CHRIST ENCAMPMENT, Sept. 15.-The early day of meeting permits a timely notice of this, the patriarchal encampment, which commenced its sessional duties with goodly promise, there being a better attendance than usual, and the several addresses having much relevant point, especially those by the E. Commander, Sir Knight Shaw, who prefaced each toast and sentiment with observations that rivetted the attention. Sir Knights Captain Vernon, the Rev. J. W. Carver, and Dover, each responded in turn. Sir Knight Crucefix, who had been an absentee for several years, was received with a cordial welcome, and we hope not to encounter censure for intimating how strong was the desire expressed by all to receive within the bosom of the encampment, as its guest, the distinguished Grand Master of the Order.

COUNCIL

SUPREME GRAND COUNCIL 33d.

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LONDON, June 30.-A fire broke out at the back of Freemasons' Hall, which for some time threatened, for the second time, to destroy that magnificent building. It commenced in a furniture shop, and reached the room in which the property of the Supreme Grand Council was deposited, and which, although not destroyed, is rendered totally unfit for use. To the personal exertions

of Bro. Bacon and the members of his establishment, the preservation of the Hall is, under Providence,

entirely owing. But it is to be hoped that this second warning may not be disregarded by those whose duty it is to see that all proper precautions are taken against so fearful a calamity as fire. The property of the Supreme Council was insured.

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NEW YORK.-At a meeting of the Supreme Grand Council of M. Ill. and M. P. Sov. Grand Inspectors General of the 33d degree, for the northern masonic district and jurisdiction of the United States of America, held at their Grand East, the City of New York, on the 1st day of Veadar, 5608, corresponding to the 6th day of March, 1848, of the Christian era, the following preamble and resolves were adopted :

66

Whereas, since the last stated meeting of this Supreme Grand Council, the Sovereign Architect of the Universe has summoned to himself our worthy and well-beloved, the Ill. Bro. Ruel Baker, of the City of Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, our late Illustrious Grand Master of Ceremonies.

"Resolved, That by the decease of this highly valued brother, we have sustained a loss we shall never cease to deplore. He was a true friend, a kind-hearted and faithful brother, and a zealous advocate as well as examplar of the principles of our illustrious Order and of our ancient and accepted rite.

"Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with his family in their affliction; and they may be assured that, with the tears they shed, are commingled the tears of those who were united to him by a mystic tie,' and cemented by an alliance which death cannot sever. Blessed be his rest, and fragrant the acacia sprig upon the hallowed spot where he reposes!

6

"Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the officers of this Supreme Grand Council, and communicated to the family of our deceased brother, and that a copy thereof be published in the 'Freemasons' Magazine.'

J. J. J. GOURGAS, Sov. Grand Commander 33d.

E. A. RAYMOND,

Gr. Treas Gen. of H.. E..

K. H. VAN RENSSELAER,

Gr. M. of Ceremonies.

CHAS. W. MOORE,

Gr. Sec. Gen. of H.. E..

JOHN CHRISTIE,
G. Capt. of the L. G.

GILES F. YATES, Insp. Lieut. Grand Com.

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