Untitled Article

Supreme G . L . to carry out this request . This resolution was abandoned by the mover , on the ground that he believed it did not meet the wishes of the Craft , which he appeared to think pointed to a complete Masonic independence . A petition from the Brockville Lodge was then read , declaring that the Brethren there believed the Craft in Canada had arrived at a sufficient state of maturity to govern itself , and praying the Prov . G . L . to take steps to that end , seeking the

assistance of all Masons in the province , and asking permission from the Sup . G . L . of England to separate from her jurisdiction , and requesting co-operation and acknowledgment from her . This petition was read and received , and on motion for adoption , was debated at great length , and with much warmth , bringing forth many amendments , principally advocating separation from the G . L . of England , some of the Brethren insisting on an immediate separation , and the calling of a convention to elect a G . M . for Canada ; others , equally desirous of

separation , were in favour of receiving permission and a promise of acknowledgment from the G . L . of England . It was very evident to be seen , during this spirited debate , that great dissatisfaction existed with the Supreme Governing Power . As far as this province is concerned , want of attention was alleged to be shown to our communications by the G . L . of England ; tardiness in forwarding certificates of membership ; want of courtesy in not acknowledging returns and money remittances ; an opinion that Canadian Lodges are required annually to transmit

to England considerable sums of money , which should be kept among themselves ; the necessity of relieving many poor Brethren from Britain , while no Canadian Brothers are known to seek relief in British Lodges ; together with an apparent longing for independence from what many consider a foreign control ; the possession of a status which this might be supposed to give , and the undefined feeling of dissatisfaction at felt grievances , which prompts a change without really knowing whether it would be for the better or not . The discussion was kept up

for eight or nine hours without coming to a vote , and several of the amendments ruled out of order , when a motion for adjournment till next morning was at length put and carried . On reassembling , pursuant to adjournment , a much better feeling seemed to prevail , mainly attributable to the fact that many of the Brethren had got a little acquainted with each other , and had talked things over among themselves , and mutually explained matters . A resolution was ultimately carried , directing the Prov . G . Sec . to apply to the G . Sec . of England for a reply to the

petition adopted at the meeting of Prov . G . L ., held in Kingston , in May , 1853 ; and to urge on the G . L . the necessity of coming to a decision on the subject . A second resolution requested Bro . Townend , of London ( England ) , to look after the petition referred to , and press its consideration on the G . L . It was also resolved , almost unanimously , that the Prov . G . M . do appoint the same worthy and intelligent Bro . ( should he consent ) to act as our General Agent in all matters connected with the G . L . of England .

Thus the matter rests at present , but it cannot long remain so . If the Supreme G . L . of England wishes to retain her rule over Masonry in this province , she must pay a little more attention to its requirements ; and although many of our complaints arise from misunderstanding , yet we labour under many disadvantages . The Prov . G . L . is too bulky and unwieldy , and cannot overtake its work ; the Brethren do not know each others' sentiments or necessities ; they cannot combine or cohere together ; scattered as they are , some of them from 500 to 600 miles apart , they have no opportunity of becoming acquainted individually with each

other . In order in some measure to remedy this evil , the Prov . G . L ., which had been previously called at Toronto , has been of late years summoned to meet at several of the larger towns in succession ; but this , although it holds out somo advantages , has led to a very serious inconvenience , which was practically illustrated at our last meeting . At the previous meeting at London ( C . W . ) , few or none of the eastern Lodges were represented , and of course they were ignorant of what was done or debated on . The cause for calling tho Prov . G . L ., as stated in the summons , was to consider the propriety of petitioning the G . L . of England to divide Canada-West into three Masonic districts , with a Prov . G . M . for eacha notice of motion to that effect having been given at the previous meeting at London , to be brought up at next meeting , to consider the case of an expelled