"The burning question of the year has arisen out of the discovery, in the Grand Jurisdiction of Washington, of some Afro-American citizens unjustly deprived of inalienable Masonic rights, and the heroic attempt of an able committee to reverse the recorded findings of history and to reinstate these worthies in their ancient and honorable estate. Here and there in our report may be found expressions from various Grand Lodges on the subject— some temperate and judicial, some fiery and not over-fraternal." Under SOUTH CAROLINA we notice our brother's criticism of the statement from the Grand Master's address having reference to negro Masonry, and it would appear to us that the portions italicized by him are not good grounds of defense for the Grand Lodge of Washington as to their rights in the premises. 66 Supreme control over symbolic Masonry within its territorial limits is conceded to and claimed by all Grand Lodges. That a Grand Lodge is the exclusive judge of who are and who are not Masons therein," is a governing principle, qualified by the fact that they are regular Masons, made in a lawful Lodge and under competent authority. As far as we can see there has been no attempt to interfere with the rights of the Grand Lodge of Washington, but most assuredly our brother must admit that the proposition made by the Grand Lodge of Washington to invest with Masonic regularity such as have been universally held to be irregular and clandestine, must be regarded as an invasion of the rights of other Grand Lodges. Having in last year's report pretty thoroughly discussed the several points advanced in the conclusion to our brother's report, we content ourselves in excerpting the seventh-a just and fraternal conviction: "Seventh. We record our conviction that the Grand Lodge of Washington made a serious mistake in promulgating its views on issues quite beyond any query addressed to them, and which involved the honor of other Grand Lodges. The primary question is one of courtesy to sister jurisdictions, and the rights of courtesy, we think, have been invaded by the far-reaching conclusions promulgated by the Grand Lodge of Washington, and all without any real justification. The alleged 'rights' of BAILEY and RIDEOUT are no nearer concession now than they were a twelve-month ago, if, indeed, their case and that of those whom they represent has not been damaged by this Washington action. We deprecate the severe language which has been dealt out to our brethren of Washington by some jurisdictions; we indorse the firm yet fraternal utterances of the jurisdictions most directly interested in the original question; and we sincerely hope that our brethren of the Chinook jurisdiction will see their way clear, without fear or favor, with no compromise of self-respect, but with fraternal regard for the peace and harmony of the Craft at large, to reconsider their action, and thus restore the friendly relations which have been interrupted by this unfortunate episode." M.. W.. THOMAS LAMBERT (Sabula), Grand Master, and R.. W.. THEODORE S. PARVIN (Cedar Rapids), Grand Secretary, re-elected. 44th Communication. KANSAS. February 21, 1900. M.'. W.. HENRY C. LOOMIS, Grand Master, the representatives of two hundred and seventy-six Lodges, and New York by M.'. W.. MAURICE L. STONE. M.. W.. CORONA H. BRIGGS, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, was present as a visitor. Upon his reception, alluding to the close fraternal friendship existing between the two Grand Jurisdictions, he referred to the fact that the Grand Lodge of Missouri chartered in the (then) Territory of Kansas the Lodges which formed the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and had, therefore, never lost interest in the success and prosperity of this Grand Lodge. The Grand Master, being thoroughly imbued with the importance of a due observance of the Washington Centennial, had not only recommended its local observance by each Lodge, but also "that every Lodge from and after December 14, 1899, display, in open Lodge, at every stated or special Communication, that blood-bought emblem of liberty and equality, the Star-spangled Banner-our country's flag." One hundred and twenty Lodges had held special services, and the Grand Lodge enacted a regulation conformable to the following recommendation: Being firmly assured of the wisdom of the recommendation contained in my official communication to the Lodges relative to the display of the American flag, I would here renew the recommendation to the Grand Lodge, and I would respectfully urge that the Grand Lodge adopt a standing regulation requiring every Lodge in our obedience to display in open Lodge, at every stated and special Communication of the Lodges, the flag of our country, as an abiding memorial of him who designed and planted it among the nations of the earth, our great brother, GEORGE WASHINGTON, and as a token of our adherence, as Masons, to the great principles of liberty and equality which he loved and lived for, and of our possession of that virtue of patriotism ever inculcated at our Masonic altars, and exemplified in the lives and deaths of thousands of our Sons of Light, whose deeds are recorded in our Masonic archives." The Grand Master presented a most interesting account of the ob servance of the Washington Memorial-" the Masonic event of the century." The virtues of the distinguished dead of the jurisdiction had just remembrance, four new Lodges had been created under dispensation, and the pleasures incident to his official visit—accompanied by his associate Grand Officers to the Grand Lodge of Missouri are duly recorded. Growing out of the adjudication of a claim for reimbursement of moneys expended for the relief of a member of a Kansas Lodge, by a Lodge in Missouri, the following rules were adopted: "1. It is the bounden duty of any Lodge and all Master Masons in this jurisdiction to render to any true and worthy affiliated Master Mason who, without fault on his part, is in distress, such assistance as his necessities may require and their abilities permit, without reference to his place of abode or the location of the Lodge to which he belongs. "2. In the absence of an explicit agreement, no Lodge has any claim on any other Lodge in this jurisdiction for reimbursement for sums advanced as charity to, or in behalf of, a member of such Lodge or his family. "3. As under our law, each Lodge is required to have a Committee on Charity, consisting of the Master and Wardens, who shall dispense the charities of the Lodge in such a manner as its regulations may require' (By-law 85); therefore, such committee, or at least the chairman thereof, ought, in all cases, to be consulted by the officers of any other Lodge intending to make a claim on the charity funds of a Lodge. The express and unequivocal consent of such committee, or of the Lodge, should be obtained before any outlay of moneys be made for, or on account of, such other Lodge." The Directors of the Masonic Home presented an interesting report. Twenty-nine inmates had been cared for at a per capita cost of $187.80-the children attend the public schools. A regulation was adopted whereby Lodges failing to make annual returns within the time prescribed by the Constitution" shall not be entitled to representation in the Grand Lodge following such failure." 66 The Oration by W.. T. W. JEFFREY, Grand Orator, on Life," is excellent, and we excerpt therefrom the following eloquent tribute and application: "One character is sufficient to illustrate the influence of Masonry upon national life. Without this one character the world might not have been all that it is to-day. He came when liberty was prostrate. Holland, the first advocate of civil liberty, and dropped to third rank among nations; England, which had a theoretical notion of liberty, was in great danger of the encroachment of the throne; the French government was despotic and corrupt, world without end, and Spain was a proud autocracy. From all outward appearances the world was about to be plunged into an eternal night of despotism. It was then that the torch of liberty was lighted in these ends of the earth by the American Republic, presided over by GEORGE WASHINGTON, the peer of any man who has lived since JESUS CHRIST. And please GOD, this torch shall never go out, for the splendid patriotism of WASHINGTON has been bequeathed to millions of Americans, lovers of the flag. Morally, the influence of WASHINGTON'S Republic has been felt in the establishment of the first French Republic, in the British franchise reform, in the awaking of Japan to a modern state, and in the creation of the federal Republic of Australia. Thus you see how he changed the destiny of men and nations. Masonry had something to do in the formation of his character. He builded upon faith in GOD, remembering how poor, helpless, and blind he was without this divine aid. He learned at a Masonic altar that GOD is interested in the affairs of men and hears their appeals. He here learned the value of moral courage also until he shrank from no obligation, but put his shoulder beneath it and bore it as a pleasure. I am American enough to believe that the country in which he was born-broad, grand, majestic, with mountains reaching to the sky and with rivers sweeping across it, and with two great oceans beating out their music upon its blasted rocks and golden sands-made WASHINGTON in a large measure what he was. But I believe I am student enough to see the influence of Masonry in every great act of his life. A grateful country worships at his sacred shrine and builds a stately shaft to gather the lightnings upon its head, but WASHINGTON lives among the altitudes and receives the acclaim of liberty-lovers for all time. Masons revere him more than all others, for to them he is not only patriot and hero, but brother, bound to them by ties stronger than steel. All hail, mighty chieftain! Receipts, $16,413.04; disbursements, $16,856.63, and balance on hand, $16,555.45. Charity Fund, $4,414.23. Next Annual Communication, Wichita, February 20, 1901. CORRESPONDENCE. M.'. W.. JOHN C. POSTLETHWAITE presents his third report on Correspondence (228 pp.), embracing the proceedings of sixty-three Grand Lodges. Our brother's aim in the preparation of these reports is a high one, and from "the specimens of skill already exhibited," it may be safely asserted that he will be found in the front rank. Under IDAHO we note his very sensible and just presentation: "We do not believe in the principle of enforced affiliation. There are many instances throughout the world where men have become Masons and are not in sympathy with its teachings, who have quietly taken their dimit and ceased to be identified with the Order. Others, entertaining or acquiring religious ideas which in their judgment are inconsistent with the teachings of Masonry, have quietly dropped out, neither of which should be forced to affiliate with the Lodge, and being conscientious in their belief, ought not to be placed under the ban of expulsion. True, there are many cases of brethren who sponge their way through Masonry. There are brethren, non-affiliates, who are always ready to be present at a banquet or other entertainment given by Masons, but are never ready to bear the heat and burden of the Lodge, and who never express in thought, word, or deed any of the principles of Masonry. Non-affiliation should be cured by acts of kindness and true courtesy, and the brother who is forced by a stringent law to become affiliated against his will, will never be of any benefit to the Lodge except the few paltry pennies that he may pay into the treasury for dues during the year.' We incline to the same view as expressed under WYOMING: "We think that the Grand Lodge of Washington will adhere to the true principles of Masonry, and while the resolutions repelling the action manifest some spirit of resentment, we must remember that the admonition and censure were very severe, and it will require some time for our Washington brethren to obliterate the feeling of antagonism to what they claim censured for a misinterpretation of their action. Wise Masonic counsel will prevail, and the Grand Lodge of Washington will gradually modify its attitude until the influence of its hasty action will have passed away. We do not believe that any Lodge within its jurisdiction having the benefits and light displayed by true Masonic literature, including the landmarks of the Order, would knowingly admit within their fort a clandestine Mason, or extend recognition thereto; at least we are inclined to await developments, and in the tenderest manner possible remind that jurisdiction of its error and assist in its reformation. This course, we believe, should be pursued by all jurisdictions in their endeavor to restore, maintain, and perpetuate the true spirit of fraternal relation." New York for 1899 has kindly mention, Grand Master SUTHERLAND being highly complimented on his energy and devotion to his official trust, and for the high standard of his official papers. M.. W.. CHARLES J. WEBB (Topeka), Grand Master, and R.'. W.. ALBERT K. WILSON (Topeka), Grand Secretary, re-elected. 100th Communication. KENTUCKY. LOUISVILLE. October 17, 1899. M.. W.. JAMES E. WILHELM, Grand Master, and the representatives of four hundred and thirty-five Lodges. Congratulations were extended by the Grand Master that the past year had been one of general prosperity, increased membership, and nine new Lodges created. The charter of one Lodge had been arrested; another had been cited to show cause why its charter should not be revoked, and three Worshipful Masters suspended from office-beyond this peace prevailed. He had declined to authorize the circulation of petitions for aid. Kindly mention was made of the decease of M.'. W.'. BROS. HARVEY T. WILSON and REGINALD H. THOMPSON, Past Grand Masters. The Grand Master reported the receipt of an application for the establishment of a Lodge at Ponce, Porto Rico, and, although anxious that Kentucky should have the honor of establishing the first American Lodge on that island, it was found to be impracticable. As we understand the situation, during the war with Spain, the Grand Lodge of Porto Rico, heretofore established and in control of the symbolic degrees, became dormant, and although efforts were made by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York, in 1897, to open fraternal correspondence, it was found to be an impossibility. Efforts in that direction were, however, continued, and at the last session of the Grand Lodge of New York, intelligence was communicated of the reassembling of the Grand Lodge of Porto Rico on the 2d day of April, the election of a Grand Master, and on the 28th day of April formal salutations were exchanged and Grand Representatives appointed. The Grand Master spoke in the highest terms of the Masonic Home and of the systematic conduct of its affairs by the Superintendent-BRO. ISAAC A. KELLY. There appears to be a certain Home privilege which we should think would be a source of great embarrassment to those in charge, viz., the entertaining of the parents of any child (visiting the same) for forty-eight hours. A prompt repeal of this regulation would appear to be desirable. We are also thoroughly in accord with the Grand Master in the opinion that money should not be given direct to the children, but all such gifts should be through the Superintendent. This may be deemed a trivial matter, but nevertheless it is of much importance to those who have the care of the Institution. We note the following, of the decisions reported: 66 "2. In_waiving jurisdiction over a petitioner for degrees or membership (?), a Lodge must do so by unanimous consent, expressed by ballot. 4. The Master of a Lodge has no right to suspend an officer from the rights and privileges of Masonry; he has only the right to suspend from office pending investigation and trial by the Lodge. 7. When the Grand Lodge remands a case for a new trial, that moment the brother is restored to his former standing or membership in the Lodge, consequently it is not within the power of the Grand Master to set aside the action of the Grand Lodge, for a brother can not be deprived of the rights and privileges of Masonry without due trial. "21. To permit the Lodges to establish the limit of jurisdiction is but to cause strife and contention, at times. Hence the Grand Lodge has wisely settled the question, by naming a point midway between Lodges. 24. A Mason who refuses or intentionally fails to pay a just debt, when within his ability to do so, commits a Masonic offense. The statute of limitation does not relieve the debtor from the moral obligation to pay the debt, if he be able to do so. 25. There can be no joint funeral ceremonies. Other orders or societies first have their ceremonies. The Masons then take charge as though no other organization was present, and our ceremonies do not end until the grave has been filled. 29. A special meeting of a Lodge, called and held without the knowledge and consent of the Master, while he is within the limits of the jurisdiction |