W.. JOSEPH H. HORSFALL, Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 266.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON HALL AND ASYLUM FUND. R.. W.. FREDERIC C. WAGNER,

A constitutional number of Lodges being present

The Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form, with prayer by R.. W.. WILLIAM H. KEPHART, Grand Chaplain.

On motion of W.. EDWARD E. PEIRSON, Master of Brooklyn

Lodge, No. 288, all Master Masons in regular standing were permitted to be present during this session of Grand Lodge, except at such times as are prohibited by the Book of Constitutions.

In the absence of R.. W.. JOHN P. MILLER, Grand Director of Ceremonies, R.'. W.. WILLIAM H. WHITING was appointed in his stead.

In the absence of R.. W.. ABRAM M. HOLLISTER, District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-first Masonic District, R.. W.. WILLIAM W. BATES was appointed in his stead.

On motion, R.. W.. HORACE S. VAN VOAST, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Maryland; R.'. W.. JAMES H. MITCHELL, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee; R.'. W.. MILO W. WALDORF, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Mexico; R.. W.. ROBERT ROBERTS, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba; R.. W.. JAMES AITKEN, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland; R.'. W.. WILLIAM G. JANES, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Texas; R.. W.. FREDERICK J. BROWN, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Delaware; R.. W.. GEORGE W. MILLAR, Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and R.'. W.. GEORGE B. ADAMS, Representative of the Grand Lodge of Maine, were excused from attendance at this session of Grand Lodge.

M.. W.. FRANK H. ROBINSON, Grand Master, delivered the following address:

Brethren of the Grand Lodge:

The completion of the first quarter of the second century of our existence as a Grand Lodge marks an epoch in our history crowned with unprecedented success. Everywhere, from the centers of business activities and the remote and sparsely settled hamlets of our jurisdiction come the glad tidings of prosperity and happiness. The conscientious labors of all have been abundantly rewarded and the blessed influence of untiring devotion, unflagging zeal and unselfish actions have

resulted in immeasureable blessings to all our Masonic households. Our hearts go out in gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe for all his mercies and our voices in truth and sincerity can exclaim with the Psalmist, "How beautiful are all thy tabernacles, oh Lord of Hosts."

THE FRATERNAL DEAD.

No mystic charm nor mortal art can impede the onward march of man's implacable foe. Silently as the snow falls upon the house tops the dread Messenger claims as his own the truest and best manhood. Death is remorseless. Before his dread altar the brightness of youth and the decrepitude of age fall alike, victims of a common destiny.

"We march down the aisles of time;

Silently, swiftly, one by one

Musical murmur and mournful moan,
Plaintive pleading and tender tone
Blend in a living rhyme.

"Hope and happiness, faith and fame,
All are swept along,

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Into a future misty and gray,

Peopled with phantoms grim and gray,

Some with a curse and some with a song.

Lives that were full of happiness,
Others that teemed with sin;
Shadowy phantoms of bygone days
On a suffering soul turn full their gaze,

And we long for the 'Might have been.'

'But the longing is vain, for the past is dead,
And a passing present is all we know.

Futurity's riddle we may not read,

But the pains of the past with its lust and greed
Should tell us the way to go.

"Prince and pauper are peers in death,

Their ashes are blown where their feet once trod,
Out of the past with its weal and woe

Into the future of doubt we go,

Christian and pagan to face one God."