The Masonic Mirror.

Ireland to the Grand Lodge of England , requesting them to state officially to the Grand Lodge of Ireland the position which a Past Master under the Irish Constitution occupies , or is entitled to occupy , in a lodge under the English Constitution , and to what extent the Grand Lodge of England recognises the degree of a Past Master under the Irish Constitution . " The D . G . MASTER said he was sure that any communication

that was received from a sister Grand Lodge , from its importance would be received with that affection which characterised Freemasonry in every part of the world . In considering this resolution , lie was anxious to recommend a course that was consistent with the rules ancl practice of Grand Lodge , and with a desire to pay every attention to communications they might

receive from the Grand Lodge of Ireland , or any other of the sister Grand Lodges . He believed that this communication had arisen in consequence of the recent ruling which had proceeded from the M . AV . G . Master , and which ruling was afterwards endorsed by Grand Lodge itself . The ruling was as to the position which a Past Master under the Irish Constitution

occupied in a lodge in this country ; and it was held that before he could exercise the functions of Master in England he must have served twelve months as AVarden in an English lodge . It was unnecessary that he ( the D . G . M . ) should enter into the grounds upon which they came to that decision , ancl why they endorsed

the ruling of the Grand Master ; hut he thought it right that they should explain the reasons on the question , which was put by the Grand Lodge of Ireland , "To what extent the Grand Lodge of England recognises the degree of a Past Master under the Irish Constitution . " He thought it would be difficult in Grand Lodge to say in what terms the answer should be couched ; but he thought he was right in the position when he said they

did not recognise the P . M . in the same way ( as we understood him ) as an Installed Master . It seemed to him , under the circumstances , looking at the technical nature of the inquiry and the importance of sending to the Grand Lodgeof Ireland a full explanation of their news in well-considered language , instead of passing a resolution on that occasion , which might be sent to

the Gi-nd Lodge of Ireland in ambiguous terms , that they r should delegate proper authority to some one to return an answer . He would therefore propose to Grand Lodge that the Grand Registrar , as the constitutional adviser , should draw up a full and complete reply as to the reasons which guided or conducted Grand Lodge in their decision on the subject . That this

answer should be sent to the Grand Master , and having z-eceived his approval , should be transmitted to the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Bro . LLEWELLYN EVANS seconded the motion . The G . MASTER put the question , which was carried unanimously .

ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . Bro . JOHN UDALL , P . G . D ., moved : — " That the sum of fifty pounds be given from , the Fund of General Purposes to supply the inmates , of the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their AVidows with coals , and that the same be placed in the hands of tbe Secretary . " The motion was agreed to .

BLACKBALLING MEMBERS . Bro . J . RANKIN STEBBING , S . G . D ., rose to move the first resolution , of which he had given notice on this subject : —To follow article 21 , page 65 , of the " Book of Constitutions . " " If the conduct of any member or members shall be such as to render it undesirable , iu the opinion of a large majority of the lodge , that such member or members should continue to be a member or members thereof , he or they may be excluded from the lodge , provided that the following conditions be strictly

fulfilled : — ' That the motion for exclusion shall be madeat a regular meeting of the lodge . That seven days' notice of the intention to move such resolution shall be given to themember or members whom it is proposed to exclude , and to all the other members of the lodge . That the decision upon such resolution shall be taken hy show of hands , and shall be carried by a majority of not less than 10 to 1 of the brethren actually

present and voting , exclusive of the member or members to whom the resolution refers . That the resolution be confirmed at the next regular meeting of the lodge . '" He said—From the attention which had been paid to the few observations he made at the last Grand Lodge , he owed no apology for submitting the resolution he had just proposed . It had been a

complaint for many years to the Board of General Purposesthat there were members who made lodges very uncomfortable ,, without breaking any special law of the Craft , and in someinstances had stopped tbe association of the brethren altogether .. Bro . AVatson had stated a case of that kind at the last Grand Lodge , but had withdrawn a motion he submitted ,

beingsatisfied with having agitated the subject , and with the prospect of the difficulty of which he complained being met in another way . There were some brethren who , without committing a breach of any Masonic law , made themselves exceedingly offensive . Now , a private lodge was a social community , indeed it was almost a family party ; and although a man might not

break any positive Masonic law , yet he could render himself extremely offensive to forty or fifty brethren whom he wasfrequently in the habit of meeting , and he thought thereought to be some regulation under which he could he removed from amongst them without removing him from Freemasonry . In some lodges there were two or three brethren whose line of conduct was based unon a sort of ambition , that they were not

weighed and measured according to their own standard of value , who did not get the exact office they required , or who did not . become Master as soon as they deserved , ancl because their own . views were not satisfied they threatened that no now member . ? should be admitted . In doing this they broke no Masonic law —they did not break the law of the lodge , as many men did not break the laws of their country , but , who , after all , might be

greater scoundrels than those who were confined within the walls of a gaol . If they had a wholesome law without having the necessity of drawing up an indictment as would be done at a Court of Quarter Sessions , they might then get rid of a disagreeable member , but at the present time he could not be touched as he did not violate the " Book of Constitutions , " and

he went on in spite of them . Theirs was a remarkable institution , for , when they admitted a new member they made him a Mason for life , and having got possession of their secrets , however disagreeable a fellow he might become , if he did not violate the "Book of Constitutions" they could not get rid of him . The lodge would double its numbers and double its happiness . No ,

he was wrong , they could not double their happiness , for , at the present time , they had none at all . ( Laughter . ) He proposed that it should be competent for a lodge , by a large majority , without assigning any special reasons , to exclude a A ,, B ., or C , from amongst the members of the lodge . He did not care whether it was to be by 3 to 1 or 10 to 1 , but let it

be hy some substantial majority , but without recording any particular offence or assigning why you want to get rid of a member . Like nil other institutions some joined Freemasonry the better to enable them to carry out some nefarious object and make a raid upon the public . He wished to add to his resolution— " without prejudice to any right of appeal , " so that if there was any mal-administration of the law a brother excluded could appeal and see that justice was done him . He