R... W... J. MORRIS WARD, Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey near New York, were also present. The greetings extended by M... W... JOSIAH W. EWAN, Grand Master, were most gracious, and the extreme cordiality of the relations now existing between the two jurisdictions was conspicuously apparent.

The numerous requests for waivers of jurisdiction passing between the Grand Lodges of New Jersey and New York are a fruitful source of vexatious annoyance to the former, and in this connection I gladly record my high appreciation of the uniform and courteous forbearance at all times displayed by the Grand Master of our sister jurisdiction.

THE GENERAL MASONIC RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

The General Masonic Relief Association of the United States and Canada, to which this Grand Lodge has for some years been a contributor, is doing most excellent work in discovering and bringing to light those who prey upon the credulity of the Craft, and who are unworthy of the relief generously though often mistakenly bestowed. Whenever an impostor is discovered by this Association, its Secretary promptly forwards his name and description to all subscribers to the Association, and the deceiver's ability to impose further upon the benevolent impulses of the brethren is speedily terminated.

Nearly twenty-seven hundred names of unworthy persons to whom aid has been extended have been reported to the lodges through this Association since it was first organized.

GERMAN MASONIC TEMPLE ASSOCIATION.

The German Masonic Temple Association, composed of the lodges in the Ninth Masonic District, has been most successful in the splendid work in which the Association is engaged. Entirely free from debt, with a substantial amount in its treasury, the care and maintenance of the Home at Tappan which it supports is absolutely assured. All the lodges of that district, with a single exception, are now members of that Association.

LODGES WORKING IN THE GERMAN LANGUAGE.

The Ninth Masonic District is composed exclusively of lodges working in the German language, and its brethren are to be highly commended, not alone for their generosity in maintaining the Home at Tappan, but for their marked fidelity to Masonic principles and their loyal adherence to Masonic practices. A praiseworthy custom prevails among the lodges of this district. The semi-centennial anniversary of any one of its lodges is made the occasion of a Golden Jubilee, in which representatives of all the lodges of the district participate and to which they come bearing rich gifts, consisting of a square, compasses, and trowel of solid gold; of a set of gavels handsomely mounted in gold, and a full set of officers' jewels of silver. It not infrequently happens, also, that the wives of the members contribute a banner or altar cloth beautifully embroidered with gold.

It has been my privilege to attend many Masonic functions, but upon no other occasions have I been permitted to observe the beneficent operation, in fuller measure, of those subtle forces which unite kindred souls than among our German brethren when celebrating these Golden Jubilees.

HISTORIAN.

The labors of the Historian, R... W... PETER ROSS, LL.D., are of a character which, unhappily, precludes his appearance and the sound of his instructive tongue within our lodges as frequently as our brethren could wish; but, as will be shown by his report, the diligent efforts of this silent worker have produced. results so gratifying as to entitle him to the plaudits of the brethren of this jurisdiction. The Historian receives no compensation for his services, nor is he an officer of the Grand Lodge. I respectfully submit that it would be a graceful act upon the part of Grand Lodge to recognize the very acceptable character of the services rendered by this brother by amending Article 1, Section 5, of the Book of Constitutions so as to give the Historian a place among the Grand Officers, and a vote and voice in the deliberations of the Grand Lodge.

The Historian's report deals wholly with our brethren who

fought with Washington in the Revolutionary War. He presents for the first time a complete list of the lodges operating in New York State from 1775 until 1783, including those belonging to the British forces, fifty-six in all. As many of these British army lodges made Masons while in New York and Brooklyn, their influence upon the New York Craft was greater than is generally supposed. He has unearthed the names of some two hundred and forty of the New York brethren who fought on the side of the colonial forces, identified many of their lodges, located their regiments, and, in some cases, their actual services. It is possible that in the list thus prepared two hundred names are presented for the first time to this or any other generation.

It is the opinion of BROTHER ROSS that five hundred members of lodges in this State took part in the war, a most gratifying proportion when considered in connection with our Masonic strength at that time.

A perusal of the Historian's report again discloses and reaffirms the truth that the greatest statesmen and generals of the Revolutionary period were members of our Fraternity.

LIBRARY.

The Grand Librarian, R.·. W... ALEXANDER A. CLARK, like the Historian, seldom occupies the center of the Masonic stage, but the fruits of his indefatigable and time-consuming labors throughout the year are apparent in the enlargement of our library and in the perfected system of care-taking that is now maintained.

Each of its many volumes has been inspected, duplicates have been eliminated, blanks have been filled, and the card catalogue has been revised and improved to meet the growing demand by our many Masonic students for a rapid reference to the literary treasures which have thus far come into our pos

session.

COMMITTEE ON ANTIQUITIES.

Our collection of Masonic relics and curios, through the unremitting efforts of the R.. W.. WILLIAM H. ANDREWS, Chair

man of the Committee on Antiquities, and his faithful colleagues, has received many accessions during the year, and has now become a notable exhibit of surpassing interest to our brethren and to visitors from abroad.

WORK AND LECTURES.

That the uniformity and efficiency of the system of work and lectures practiced in this jurisdiction are seriously impaired by too frequent changes in the office of the Grand Lecturer cannot be doubted and will not be denied. During the many years of my activity in Grand Lodge I have consistently and persistently adhered to the belief that when once a brother eminently worthy and well qualified has been installed as Grand Lecturer, he should not be deposed from office except upon unmistakable proof of neglect or incapacity for its responsible duties.

It has, therefore, been with the deepest satisfaction that I have received throughout the year numerous and unsolicited expressions by the brethren of their unqualified approval of the reappointment, in June last, of the R.. W... WILLIAM H. WHITING as Grand Lecturer.

The Grand Lecturer has now completed his third consecutive term of service, and the advantages accruing to the Craft because of the continuance of this brother in office are apparent in the increased knowledge of the secret work displayed by the officers of our lodges; by the added smoothness with which the work is now rendered; and by the closer adherence, everywhere observed, to the forms established by this Grand Lodge as its standard of work and lectures.

Conventions for the exemplification of the work have been held by the Grand Lecturer in each of the forty-one Masonic Districts in this Jurisdiction, with what measure of success will best appear from the reports of the District Deputies, who unite, almost without exception, in the statement that never before have these conventions been so numerously attended, and never has the enthusiasm of the brethren been greater or their interest more successfully sustained.

NEW LODGES.

An unmistakable token of the activity and zeal of our brethren is afforded by the unusually large number of applications received throughout the year for dispensations to erect new lodges. The number of lodges, generally speaking, is already sufficiently great, and should only be increased for exceptional and sufficient reasons. In this belief I not only scrutinized the prayers of the petitioners with the utmost care, but diligently strove to ascertain the measure of prosperity and permanency which these lodges, if instituted, might hope to enjoy. The failure to pass the latter test rather than the honesty of purpose and entire good faith of the petitioners, which could not in any instance be impugned or doubted, constrained me, most reluctantly, to refuse all save two of the numerous applications.

All the circumstances surrounding the applications to erect Welcome Lodge at Amsterdam and Eunice Lodge at Caledonia were such as seemed not merely to justify, but to demand, favorable action, and I accordingly granted dispensation to a goodly number of petitioners in each instance, under the dates of July 14th and October 16th respectively.

I am reliably informed that the brethren in these lodges have proved their proficiency in the work and their ability to maintain their respective lodges. I therefore recommend that the Grand Lodge grant a charter of constitution to each.

Before taking leave of this subject, I desire to add, that the prayer of petitioners for leave to erect a new lodge at Millbrook would have been granted but for the fact that the application reached me after the time had elapsed during which I was empowered by the Book of Constitutions to take action.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

At the last session of the Grand Lodge a resolution presented by W.. AARON MORRIS of Dirigo Lodge, No. 30, relating to the reception to be tendered to Admiral GEORGE DEWEY, U. S. Navy, upon his return home, was referred to the incoming Grand Master with power.

The character of the demonstration and its participation therein by many of our Fraternity, members of other organiza