the principle that to be regarded as a Mason, membership must be retained and Lodge dues paid. "Resolved, That dimits of withdrawing members, which are held for the term of two years, following their issuance, shall become void, and shall not support an application for affiliation, nor shall said withdrawing member thereafter, have any rights now enjoyed by dimitted Masons; but said dimits may be renewed at the end of every two years, upon payment of intervening dues." Receipts, $41,358.59; disbursements, $23,306.75, and balance on hand, $18,051.84. Next Annual Communication, Macon, October 30, 1900. CORRESPONDENCE. The report on Correspondence (116 pp.) is a good presentation of the proceedings of fifty-seven Grand Lodges, by W.. W. S. RAMSEY. In reply to certain criticisms upon the "harsh and uncharitable nature of the penalty inflicted in this jurisdiction for failure to pay Lodge dues," our brother replies: "We have no idea that there ever was a Mason in Georgia expelled for non-payment of dues, who made the least effort to avert it; knowing the result of continued and willful neglect, with money at his control and ample means to meet his dues. He, after two years' suspension, made no effort for restoration, and preferred death to life. Dues are in every instance cheerfully remitted from inability to pay. Our Lodges invariably advance dues for those who ask an extension of time. Expulsion is resorted to only in the most extreme cases, where the parties are irreclaimable. "I do not pretend to defend the law, but desire to show that it is not as harsh in its operation as many would make it appear. It is an act of mercy to a distressed family, to bury its dead out of sight. It is no less an act of mercy to a Lodge to remove that which is dead and endangers the life of living members. We presume the operation in Ohio is not dissimilar to than in Georgia." "mas New York for 1899 has fraternal notice. M.'. W.. BRO. SUTHERLAND being complimented on his "lucid and dignified address," and the special addresses delivered upon ceremonial occasions, pronounced terpieces, well worth preserving, an important addition to the Masonic literature of our libraries." We fancy our Grand Master-elect will not adopt our brother's spelling of his name, viz., Poundall. M.. W.. W. A. DAVIS (Macon), Grand Master, re-elected, and R.'. W.'. W. A. WOLIHIN (Macon), Grand Secretary, re-elected. 32d Communication. IDAHO. September 12, 1899. M.. W.. GEORGE H. STORER, Grand Master, the representatives of twenty-four Lodges, and New York by M.'. W.'. CHARLES HIMROD. The Grand Master noted the deaths of two Past Deputy Grand Masters, R.'. W.. BROS. GEORGE W. RICHARDS and JOHN HALLENBECK, and also furnished an eloquent tribute to the memory of General ED McCox VILLE," who was killed in battle on the morning of February 5, 1893, while leading the Second Battalion of Idaho Volunteers in the charge against the Filipinos at Santa Ana bridge, near Manila." He had (without previous notice) visited many of the Lodges, and had found-as in all jurisdictions-some wherein there was a lack of interest, owing to the incapacity and lack of zeal on the part of the officers. Speaking of the rapid growth of the Craft throughout this jurisdiction, his earnest and thoughtful words should not be unheeded. The popularity of a Fraternal Society may easily become a source of danger. "We ought to teach more earnestly that those who become Masons do not become so through any personal motives, but to practice its principles and maintain it in its ancient integrity. Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masonry was originally intended for the few whose intelligence was such as would enable them to appreciate its beauties, and whose morals were such as would enable them to exemplify its virtues. Though not another Mason should ever be made, we should guard our doors securely against those who seek to wear our badge for mercenary purposes and whose daily lives of debauchery, profanity, and vulgarity, give the lie to their professions of faith in the tenets of our Craft.' The Grand Secretary presented a good business report, and we have no doubt it was an unpleasant surprise to discover that the Grand Lodge Register of membership had not been written up for the past five years. He covered it, however. Disbursements under the Grand Lodge Orphan Fund had amounted to $894. The Grand Orient of Belgium was recognized, and telegraphic salutations exchanged with the Grand Lodge of Wyoming. Invitation accepted to attend reception and banquet given by Boise Lodge, No. 2, and the ladies of Adah Chapter, No. 8, O. E. S. The following amendment to the Penal Code received approval. Under its provisions the mill would be in constant operation. It appears to us preferable that the report of the Secretary should be made once a year at a time approximating the date of the annual returns: "It shall be the duty of the Secretary to report at each regular meeting of the Lodge the names of all members in arrears for dues for one year or more, when, if not excused by a vote of the brethren present, the Worshipful Master shall order a notice to be served upon them to appear at the next regular meeting of the Lodge, and show cause why they should not be suspended for non-payment of dues. If they do not appear or otherwise satisfactorily answer the notice, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to report the facts, and suspension may immediately ensue by a vote of a majority of the brethren present.' The Oration by the Grand Orator, M.. W.. FRED G. MOCK, upon "Masonry and Our Duties,” is most excellent. Its brevity permits a busy man to benefit himself by its perusal. The Grand Lodge ordered that the non-affiliation resolution adopted in 1897, providing "that Masons holding dimits, who had not affiliated with any Lodge within this jurisdiction, should, within six months from and after the date of adoption, petition the Lodge within the jurisdiction of which they reside for affiliation, and in default thereof shall be proceeded against even to expulsion," should be strictly enforced. In the event of failure on the part of the Master of a Lodge to carry out the resolution, he shall be removed from office by the Grand Master, and on default of any Lodge to carry out and enforce said resolution, then its charter shall be arrested by the Grand Master. Ofttimes the thorough enforcement of a bad law compels its repeal, and possibly such may be the effect in the present instance. The proceedings have as a frontispiece a half-tone of the officers and members of this Grand Lodge taken at the date of the annual meeting. The finances of this Grand Lodge are divided into six different funds, and the balances on hand amount to $12,293.51. Investments Orphans' Fund, $19,819.71. Next Annual Communication, Boise, September 11, 1900. CORRESPONDENCE. M.'. W.. FRED G. MOCK presents his second report on Correspondence (85 pp.), covering the proceedings of fifty-four Grand Lodges-suffice it to say it is equal to any. We trust our brother may have fully recovered from his physical disability. Sitting up nights digesting these reports is not conducive to an improvement of eyesight. Considering that by the action of the Grand Lodge of Washington, 1899, the resolutions recognizing negro Masonry had been repealed, he passes the subject by without further attention. New York for 1899 has due notice; not omitting "the noble document of Grand Master SUTHERLAND'S annual and a happy reference to the pleasantness of method in the election of M.. W.. BRO. POWNALL. "Proud son; proud father; we extend them hearty congratulations." Our statistical work has the approval of our brother. Never mind that picture, most of them are as you say. M.. W.. JOHN C. MUERMAN (Moscow), Grand Master, and R.'. W.. THEOPHILUS W. RANDALL (Boise), Grand Secretary, re-elected. 60th Communication. ILLINOIS. CHICAGO. October 3, 1899. M.. W.. EDWARD COOK, Grand Master, the representatives of seven hundred and nine Lodges, and New York by W.. WALTER A. STEVENS. The Grand Master expressively says that with the success and prosperity of the year, an undertone of sadness nevertheless prevails, owing to the vacancies created by the messenger death, viz.: M.'. W.'. DEWITT C. CREGIER, Past Grand Master; M.'. W.. JAMES A. HAWLEY, Past Grand Master; R.. W.. ASA W. BLAKESLEY, Past Grand Senior Warden, and R.'. W.'. HENRY C. CLEAVELAND, Past Grand Junior Warden. During the session eloquent memorials were presented on the deaths of M.'. W.. BROS. CREGIER and HAWLEY, and their portraits grace the printed volume. As an interesting and valued memento of M.. W.. BRO. CREGIER, the Grand Lodge became the recipient of the Past Grand Master's Jewel, presented to the distinguished brother upon his retirement from the station of Grand Master in 1872. In accordance with the ex pressed wish of the deceased brother, the "Cregier Jewel " will form a part of the official paraphernalia of the Grand Masters of this Grand Lodge. The Grand Master had made sixty official visits, and reports that the schools of instruction had been well attended, a great improvement being . noticeable in the work and ceremonial observances of the Lodges. He had issued an edict enjoining a strict conformity to the standard work and prohibiting the use of robes, costumes, scenery, etc. He recommended that a blank form of petition for degrees and for affiliation be adopted, and their use made compulsory, and the Grand Lodge agreed therewith. The Grand Master offered wise suggestions in reference to "rotation in office," holding correctly that the custom prevalent in many of the Lodges of "advancing the line regularly every year was detrimental to the best interests of the Lodges. By such a course" the Lodge in large measure loses its right of free choice and becomes a slave to custom." The experience of everyone who has occupied the position of Worshipful Master of a Lodge is that the first year is very largely preparatory, and it is for the benefit of the Lodge to continue the Master in office, at least, for another term. A limitation to one year, or the retaining of the same brother for an indefinite period of years, may in each instance be denominated bad policy. The Grand Master's solution is pertinent: "It is to be hoped that the golden mean which will prevent monotonous service on the one hand and break the rule of annual rotation on the other, can be reached by our Lodges through a more general exercise of that freedom of ballot which impels every member to vote for the one he honestly thinks best fitted for the place." It would be a pleasure to present the eloquent conclusion of the Annual Address, but in the interest of brevity, we forego. The representatives of several Grand Lodges were presented, duly welcomed, and conveyed the cordial greetings of the Grand Lodges represented by them the same being duly recorded. R.. W.. FRANK CRANE, Grand Orator, delivered the Annual Oration. We will frankly confess that it is not often we read the whole of these Grand Orations, but we have this, and we commend it to others. It is suggestive of "the right way of looking at things." An appropriation of one thousand dollars was made to the "Illinois Masonic Orphans' Home" to aid in its maintenance, and also a donation. of the same amount to the "Eastern Star Home," Macon, Ill. A proposition to make the annual dues fifty cents instead of seventyfive cents comes up for final action next year. Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters, and Past Grand Wardens are, by present legislation, hereafter to receive per diem and mileage. Query: Why not Past Grand Treasurers and Past Grand Secretaries? Preliminary to the Installation ceremonies M.. W.. BRO. ROBBINSnow Senior Past Grand Master, residing in this jurisdiction-had the pleas ure and honor of investing Grand Master Cook with the "Cregier Jewel," to be worn in the discharge of his official duty as Installing Officer. In the course of the ceremonies the Grand Master-elect was put in possession of the above jewel, and it will in future years-like the signet ring in some jurisdictions-be placed in charge of the Grand Masters in regular suc cession. A phototype of M.'. W.. BRO. COOK, retiring Grand Master, embellishes the proceedings. Receipts, $45,705.67; disbursements, $45,618.27, and balance on hand, $50,042.25. Investments, $85,800. Next Annual Communication, Chicago, October 2, 1900. CORRESPONDENCE. M.. W.. JOSEPH ROBBINS continues the topical form in the report on Correspondence (212 pp.), but we have the impression that he prefers (as we certainly do) the old method. It seems to comprehend more particularly the purposes of reports of this character. New York for 1898 has careful attention by our brother. We desire to assure him that we would not, knowingly, pervert his (or any other brother's) position, and if we have inadvertently done so, we apologize therefor (not to ourselves, but personally). In our report of last year, referring to the action by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Peru, we said, in part: "We are loath to think that our brother does not consider that the Bible is an essential in the furniture of every Lodge of Freemasons in a Christian land.' We do most emphatically; and it will be a sorry day for Freemasonry when a contrary belief becomes prevalent. This is a vital question upon which no Craftsman can afford to split hairs. 'It is not material to us what may have been the custom in the earlier ages of Freemasonry; we are satisfied to be governed by the custom of the present day. This belief is not to be circumscribed by the tenets of any religious creed, but comprehends the doctrine that the Holy Bible is the inestimable gift of God to man, the rule for our guide, the embodiment of sure promises for the future." Striking out the words italicized by us, prefacing the quotation, to which a just exception is taken as having an unwarranted, personal inference, we must reaffirm the position therein stated. We agree that the Holy Bible is to be regarded for its Masonic uses, and not by the limitations of any system of religious dogma or belief. We may have been unfortunate in some allusions, but, seemingly, we are not far apart upon the essential fact. We quote from our report of 1898 our position: 66 Freemasonry comprehends the requirement of a belief in the existence of God-a Supreme Father-and upon that platform men of all shades of religious belief are upon an equality. In the free exercise of individual opinion, we concede to others the right to determine for themselves as to certain principles embraced in that sacred volume. There can, however, be no exception to that which is an essential-a belief in the existence of Goda Supreme Ruler." |