Canada.

I consider , sacred to benevolent purposes ; aud if tboso aro prudently invested in public securities , wo shall bo enabled , without encroaching upon tho principal , effectually to relievo and assist all who have claims upon our bonovolenco . A BUILDING FOR GRAND LODGE PURPOSES . It has also been suggested that tho time has at length arrived when Grand Lodgo should have a suitable and permanent jilaco

of mooting , and that a building should bo at onco erected in somo central position , whore tho meeting's of Grand Lodgo should bo held , and whoro tho office of tho Grand Secretary should bo permanently established . AA'ith this suggestion I fool disposed to concur , hut , until it is finally determined whether our boundaries aro to bo enlarged , or whether our jurisdiction is to remain as at present , it does not appear to mo that wo could prudently procoou to take action oven in this matter at present .

Tho whole subject , however , as to tho disposal of tho Asylum Fund , and tho various interests connected with it , having now boon boforo Grand Lodgo for several years past , I entertain no doubt but that you will , during the present session , bo ablo to •arrive at a wiso ancl satisfactory conclusion with regard to it .

"TILE WORK . " It having boon decided at our last annual mooting that in ordor to secure uniformity in our lodges , au exemplification of "tho work , " as it is technically called , should bo given upon tho second day of tho present session , I somo tinio since appointed a •committee , composed of Bros . Harris , Bull , and AA'hite , upon whom this duty will dovolvo . Thoso brethrenwith such aid

, and assistance as I could render them , have devoted much tinio and thought to a careful preparation for tho proper discharge of tho duty imposed upon thorn . I must confess that , individually , I am nervously apprehensive as to an attempt at innovation or change in tho lex non scripta of Masonry . A system which has como down to us from our auciont brethren , hollowed , mellowed , and approved by our fathers in tho mystic artis not to bo rashly

, interfered or tampered with ; aud if through inadvertence , or bocauso it soeniod moro consistent with our modern notions , auy change has crept in , I would gladly favour an immodiato return to tho old paths and traditions of our Order , for , as an ancient writer quaintly remarks' "thoy aro the registers , tho chronicles of tho ago they wore made in , and speak tho truth of history hotter than a hundred of your printed communications . " I

much regret that tho pressure of business will prevent our ¦ distinguished and right worshipful Brother Richard Bull from assisting in tho exemplification of a work , to tho careful arrangement of which bis host skill and ability has boon most earnestly devoted . In connection with this subject , I may add that it is intended to appoint a standing committee on work , to whom all communications on that subject will in future bo addressed .

TIIE BOARD OP GENERAL PURPOSES . Upon carefully examining tho published proceedings of our Grand Lodge for tho last few years , I have boon much struck with tho amount of labour which devolves upon , and is so ably performed by , our Board of General Purposes : and I am sure that I but express tho prevailing sontimont of the Grand Lodgo when I say that we , as a body , aro deeply indebted ancl most

grateful to thorn for their efficient and valuable services . This Board is composed of our most intelligent and best educated members ; and although it is doubtless considered as a very high honour to bo soloetod as worthy of a seat among them , yet its members soon discover that high positions aro generally accompanied with important duties ancl groat additional responsibilities . The patient and mv- attention iven bthorn

voarymg g y to minute and frequently tedious details , the constant sacrifice of their own private interests for tho common good ( for , iu addition to their Labours at Grand Lodgo , tho heaviest portion of their duties is performed between the annual meetings ) , aud tho careful and laborious discussions which precedes all their decisions , nwst bo understood aud known boforo thoy can bo fully appreciated . And when wo consider also that those brethren

cheerfully dovoto their time ancl talents , without remuneration of any kind , simply from a lovo of tho Ordor , surely I cannot err in claiming for thorn not only your cordial countenance and support , but also your most grateful and hearty acknowledgments .

LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION . Since our last annual meeting I have granted dispensations for fourteen now lodges , which aro named and situated as follows : Oriental , Port Burwoll , July 25 th , 1366 ; Petrolia , Petrolia , Aug .

ilth , 1 SGG : Tuscan , Levis , Oct . 1 st , 1806 : Princo Albert , Princo Albert , Dec . 4 th , J 1806 ' : Old Li ff ht , Lucknow , Jan . 19 th , 1867 ; Euuiskillcn , York , Jan . 21 st , 1867 ; Plantagonet , Plantagenot , Fob . 19 th , 1 S 07 ; Royal Canadian , Swootsburgh , Feb . 20 th , 1867 ; Ascot , Lonuoxvillo , Mar . 6 th , 1867 ; Filius Vidua . ' , Adolphustown , Mar . ( ith , 1 , 867 ; Bolmont , Belmont , April Sth , 1 S 67 ; Ashlar , Coaticook , May 21 st , 1867 ; Orilla , Orilla , Juno 12 th , 1 SG 7 ; ScotlandScotlandJuno 26 th 1807 .

, , , As each of these applications wore accompanied by tho necessary certificates and vouchors required by our regulations , I havo now much pleasure in recommending that a regular warrant of constitution bo issued to them respectively , iu lion of tho tompornry authority granted by my dispensations .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . During tho past year I have boon called upon officially to decido various questions of Masonic law , but as none of them possess any peculiar interest or importance , I consider it unnecessary to bring them before you at present . A . serious difficulty occurred iu ono of our subordinate lodges , in which several worshipful brethren bocimo unhappilinvolvedbut as this matter has all

y , boon happily and satisfactorily arranged , and tho lawful authority of this Grand Lodgo properly vindicated , I havo no desire to givo it undue jirominonco , or to refer further to a matter which occasioned mo much paiu and anxiety at tho time . All tho documents , however , counoctod with this and similar matters aro in tho possession of tho Grand Secretary , and can bo referred to if necessary .

THE GRAND SECRETARY . At tho last mooting of this Grand Lodge it was determined that an honorary jewel should bo prepared and presented to our Grand Secretary . This I find has boon nogloctod , but no tinio will now bo lost in giving effect to your wishes , although at tho same timo I would venture to suggest for j-our consideration whether twelve years of valuable and faitbfid service might not bo moro substantially and appropriately acknowledged , than by a moro jewel of office , which although valuable as a proof of your appreciation , and regard , is otherwise but of littlo uso to tho recipient .

BOSTON . I was honoured by an invitation from tho M . AV . G . M . of tho Grand Lodgo of Massachusetts to bo present at tho dedication of their Masonic temple at Boston , on tho 2 + th of Juno last , and I much regret that circumstances prevented mo from accepting tho invitation , and from mooting tho largo and brilliant assemblage of Masons upon that very interesting occasion . His Excellency , AV . Bro . Andrew Johnson , tho President of tho United States ,

with tho loading members of the Fraternity in that Republic , ancl upwards of ton thousand Masons participated iu tho solemn and imposing ceremonies of dedication . AVo congratulate tho Grand Lodgo of Massachusetts upon tho successful completion of their superb odifico , and also Jupon tho great success which has thus crowned their labours . AA ' e , as Masons , ontor as fully , and participate as heartily in tho joyous omotious oxcitod by tho occurrence of importants events of this kindas if thoy had taken

, placo in our midst and in our own dominion , for Masonry knows neither country nor language ; and although ( as tho reverend and eloquent orator said on the occasion referred to ) , wo may bo men of different nationalities , men of diverse views in philosophy , men of widely varying typos of religious faith , mon of diametrically opposite political sentiments , yet wo havo boon brought into harmonious and abiding social rolatious by tho powerful and controlling influence ol tho compass and square .

DISTRESS IN GEORGIA . I regret to announce to Grand Lodge that much distress still prevails among our brethren in the Southern States , and startling accounts of misery and want suffered by the widows and orphans of Masons in the State of Georgia have been forwarded to the Craft in Canada and elsewhere . Our lodges in many instances promptly responded to this appeal , ancl I would

gladly at that time have been the almoner of your bounty , but found , upon inquiry , that no funds , either for charitable or other purposes , are now left subject to the order of your Grand Master . I heartily commend this subject to your most favourable consideration , and hope that if this distress and want has not already been relieved by a bountiful harvest , no time will be lost in forwarding substantial evidence of your sympathy to the suffering widows and orphans of Georgia .

BRO . FURNELL . It is also my painful duty to inform yon of the death of Bro . Furnell , the representative of our Grand Lodge at the Grand