THE HOME. Whatever may be the character and measure of our future solicitude for the Home at Utica, whether relating to the comfort and happiness of its inmates, or to our ability to enlarge and maintain the scope of its beneficence, the present happily contains for us the gratifying assurance that—“ All is well." The conduct of such an institution imposes upon its management duties which are not only most exacting, but which are ofttimes of a delicate nature, and yet in their discharge the M.·. W... JESSE B. ANTHONY and his estimable wife have continued to surpass our fondest expectations. The material and financial interests of the Home have never in its history been more wisely administered than by the present Board of Trustees. The financial exhibit submitted by the Board reveals that the annual income for the support of the Home with its 247 inmates is greater than is required by many thousands of dollars. The many vexatious problems which confronted the Craft of this State at the inception of the Home have each, in turn, been happily solved, and, guided by the unerring wisdom of the Most High, we have come upon that day when we may contemplate the successful outcome of our labors and enjoy present immunity from the pressing anxieties which so long beset us. CRAFTSMEN IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN. The gratifying assurance has been given me that the Special Committee on the Spanish War will present, at this session of the Grand Lodge, a final report, accompanied by a completed list, of the names of the Craftsmen of this Jurisdiction who participated in the war with Spain. The duty assigned to this committee has imposed upon its members a vast amount of labor, which has been freely and gratuitously performed, and I gladly convey to these faithful brethren this expression of your sincere appreciation. GRAND OFFICERS. The Grand Master cannot conclude this annual review without referring to the deep attachment he has formed for his official associates. The Grand Officers, without exception, have been faithful to their obligations and constant in the performance of their every duty. It is impossible to distinguish where all have served so well, but I shall not soon forget the pleasure and profit of my fraternal and official intercourse with the R... W... EDWARD M. L. EHLERS, Grand Secretary, whose administration of the affairs of his office cannot be excelled; with the R.. W.. GEORGE W. WHITE, Grand Treasurer, whose advice and assistance have never been denied to me, and whose labors have frequently extended beyond the duties of his office; with the R.. W.. JOHN W. JENKINS, Grand Marshal, than whom no Grand Master could have a more faithful ally, a more capable aide, or more devoted friend, and with the District Deputy Grand Masters, for whom no journey has been too long. nor labor too great taken or performed in the interest of the Fraternity they serve so loyally and love so well. CONCLUSION. The steady growth of our Fraternity in this State, its increased. measure of prosperity, and the multiplied strength of its influence have brought to the Grand Master added duties and enlarged responsibilities. To the performance of these duties and to the sustaining of these responsibilities I have cheerfully given my best energies and practically all my time. There has been with me no thought nor heed of personal sacrifice in the service thus rendered; for no efforts in your behalf, however great, could requite the supreme honor of having been called by you to preside over this imperial jurisdiction. The great trust so generously confided to me one year ago is now returned to your hands with the earnest hope that the usefulness of our Fraternity has not been diminished nor its dignity impaired. We shall have crossed the threshold of the new century ere the Grand Lodge assembles at its one hundred and twentieth Annual Communication. The glory of the nineteenth century is recorded history, while the triumphs of the twentieth century lie beyond our vision. We can only be certain that the by-gone days will create the strength or the weakness of the days that are before us, and that the past will become incarnate for good or evil, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of our fellow men. The consciousness of much accomplished must be to us an inspiration that the future holds for us a realization of our loftiest ideals and noblest aspirations. The past is secure. The future opens rich with promise. Farewell to the past. Welcome and all hail to the future. OFFICE OF THE GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE MASONIC HALL, NEW YORK, June 15, 1899. To the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of every Lodge in the State of New York: Brethren Herewith is transmitted for your approval an amendment to Section 11 of the Book of Constitutions relating to the time of the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. This amendment was unanimously adopted by the Grand Lodge on the 8th day of the present month, at its One Hundred and Eighteenth Annual Communication. To become effectual it must again be adopted at the next Annual Communication, or must in the meantime be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Lodges. This amendment is presented to you directly to avoid the loss of time which must ensue if final action is deferred until the next session of the Grand Lodge a year hence. The proposed amendment it will be observed is designed simply to change the time of meeting of the Grand Lodge from the month of June to the month of May, the substitution of the word "May" for the word "June" being the only change. The amendment herewith submitted for action by the respective Lodges is as follows: SECTION 11. The Annual Communications of this Grand Lodge shall be held in the City of New York, commencing on the first Tuesday of May. Special Communications may be called by the Grand Master, but no legislation affecting the general interest of the Craft shall be made, repealed, or changed at a Special Communication. It is my order that the proposed amendment be submitted to each Lodge at the next communication following the receipt of this letter, and if adopted by the vote of a majority of the members present, the Secretary will at once complete and forward to the Grand Secretary the blank certificate herewith enclosed, attested by his signature and the seal of the Lodge, for which a stamped addressed envelope is also enclosed. MASONIC HALL, NEW YORK, June 30, 1899. To the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of every Lodge in the State of New York: WHEREAS, at the One Hundred and Eighteenth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, held on the sixth, seventh, and eighth days of June, 1899, A. L. 5899, an amendment to Section 11, of the Book of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge, was proposed, and was adopted, so far as could lawfully be done at that time; and, WHEREAS, the said amendment has since such adoption been submitted to the several Lodges within this State, and has been adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of them, as duly certified to me by their proper officers, under their seals respectively: Now, THEREFORE, I, Wright D. Pownall, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, desiring to give effect to the same, pursuant to the authority in me vested, do hereby promulgate the aforesaid action, and declare that the said amendment has in all respects been duly adopted, and that the same is a part of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge from and after the date of this Edict. Said Section 11 of the Book of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge is in the following words, that is to say: "Section 11. The Annual Communications of this Grand Lodge shall be held in the City of New York, commencing on the first Tuesday of May. Special Communications may be called by the Grand Master, but no legislation affecting the general interest of the Craft shall be made, repealed, or changed at a Special Communication." It is my order that this Edict be read in every Lodge at its next stated Communication and spread in full upon the minutes. Witness my hand and private seal the day and year first above written. WRIGHT D. POWNALL, [SEAL.] By the Grand Master: EDWARD M. L. EHLERS, Grand Secretary. Grand Master. |