Masons in its territory, and forbade Masons of its obedience from holding Masonic Communication with any others. This declaration was communicated to other Grand Lodges, and the correctness of the declaration affirmed by several of them." In a word, for more than a century the Grand Lodges of the York Rite have stood together in recognizing the exclusive jurisdiction of every Grand Lodge in its own territory. It would be of interest to follow the argument presented, but our space will not admit. We excerpt the following points convincingly established:

"Moreover, every Grand Lodge is the exclusive and final judge of the regularity of any body, claiming to be a Lodge of Masons situate within its territory: from its decision there is no appeal: by its determination of the case every Grand Lodge, every Lodge, and every Mason in the world is absolutely bound. No greater insult to a Grand Lodge can be offered than to disregard knowingly such a decision.

"But it is said that white men have done the same thing that PRINCE HALL did, and their work has been universally accepted. This statement is not true. We have quoted the law showing the only method by which an irregular Lodge can be made a lawful Lodge, viz., by the warrant of the Grand Master, approved by the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction. In every case that has ever existed in the York Rite, in which an irregular Lodge has been recognized, it has been regularized' by the action of the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction. For instance, St. Andrew's Lodge had proceeded very much as Prince Hall Lodge did before receiving its charter: and when objection was made against it on that account, it frankly admitted the charge, but claimed that when the Grand Lodge constituted it under its charter, all those irregularities were healed-as they were. So when PRINCE HALL and his associates were constituted under their charter, all irregularities in their making was healed, if there were any.

"But no Grand Lodge, lawfully existing and having jurisdiction, ever 'regularized' the Lodges which PRINCE HALL attempted to create, and they were, and have remained, clandestine Lodges; and their acts, whether in making Masons, chartering Lodges, organizing Grand Lodges, or forming a National Grand Lodge, are Masonically, absolutely void, and will remain so until they shall be legalized by the Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction, save that the Grand Lodges and the National Grand Lodge never can be made regular.

The difference between the course pursued by PRINCE HALL and those who came after him, and that pursued in the other cases is a very wide one -as wide as between error and truth. The ultimate legal status of the Lodges depends entirely upon the action of the Grand Lodge and not upon what happened before that action, precisely as stated in the Old Regulation.

"For example, if one of these colored Lodges were in existence in Washington to-day and should ask to give in its adhesion to the Grand Lodge of Washington, and that Body should accept, and issue a charter to it, that Lodge would thereby become, as to all the world, a regular Lodge, but made so by the act of the Grand Lodge of Washington acting within the scope of its rightful jurisdiction: and on the other hand, if that Grand Lodge refused to regularize the Lodge, all the other Grand Lodges in the world would be powerless to do so.

"The point, that irregularities in the formative period of Grand Lodges can not be precedents for disregarding irregularities after the system had become in full operation and its laws well fixed, is well taken, especially when it is remembered that in all the former cases the irregularities were healed by competent power, in accordance with the Old Regulations, while in the latter case, they never have been."

Under WASHINGTON for 1899, our brother comments upon the text of the declaration, adopted by that Grand Lodge in repealing its former action

recognizing negro Masonry, but as we design to present our views thereon, we shall forego entering largely into our brother's work. Its thoroughness and fairness will commend it to the judgment of all, unless it may be two parties.

He holds that the obnoxious resolutions have been repealed, at the same time taking exceptions to the repetition of certain false theories embraced within the declaration.

"The Tenth,' that seems so terrible, we can assure our brethren, is perfectly harmless, like the fireworks and tom-toms of old Chinese warfare.

66

Of course the Grand Lodge of Washington has the power to do unmasonic acts; but it is equally as certain that, if it violates the laws binding upon all Grand Lodges, it will take the consequences, precisely as any other Grand Lodge would: it has the power to hold Masonic Communication with clandestine Masons, but if it does, its Masons will take the consequences, precisely as other Masons would. Nor will the false history and erroneous law in the last two sentences be of any avail to avert those consequences. While we have no idea that the Grand Lodge of Washington will ever again undertake to practice the doctrine adopted in 1898, and to a certain extent reaffirmed in this report of 1899, and while the latter, standing upon its own merits or the authority of its author, would call for no notice whatever, yet, as it is signed by the committee and adopted and published by the Grand Lodge, and considering the vast importance of the subject matter of it in connection with the harmony of the Fraternity, we have deemed it necessary to discuss it, and to speak plainly in spite of the unpleasant nature of the task; and if our brethren of the committee deem that we have written more warmly than Masonic courtesy warrants, we can only say that we have done so in sorrow, and because in our view the welfare of Masonryin our judgment superior to all considerations of courtesy-absolutely demanded it. And we desire to say further, that the very large majority of the Craft in Washington are entirely blameless in this matter. The report of 1898 came into the Grand Lodge under such circumstances that it could scarcely be expected that it would challenge opposition, especially as immediate action upon it was taken. But the manner in which the Craft rallied to undo the wrong is worthy of all praise. The only regret is that the Grand Lodge, while fully rescinding the erroneous legislation, should have allowed the author of the mischief to repeat his false theories and to indulge in unwarranted denunciations of sister Grand Lodges."

We present our brother's "comparison of statistics":

New York for 1898 has discriminating attention. While there may not be in some instances any practical use in attempting to give notice to a Mason who has absconded and in hiding, yet we think it advisable to carry out the regularity of procedure established for Masonic trials. We still hold that proof of guilt must be established and that even absconding is not conclusive proof thereof.

We have never known of any evil growing out of the usage of allowing a Past Master to open a Lodge in the absence of the Master and Wardens, but, nevertheless, as in most jurisdictions, it is essentially necessary that one of these officers must be present we regard it as the wisest course. The Lodge is in charge of the Master, and in his absence the Warden in seniority, and these officers should be more conversant with contingencies which might arise in the business and work of the Lodge than would any Past Master.

Possibly no evil effects may have followed the exercise of the ancient prerogative of a Grand Master in making a Mason at sight, but wherein in these times is there any necessity for, or propriety in, its exercise?

M.. W.. WINFIELD S. CHOATE (Augusta), Grand Master, and R.'. W.. STEPHEN BERRY (Portland), Grand Secretary, re-elected.

113th Communication.

MARYLAND.
BALTIMORE.

November 21, 1899.

M.. W.. THOMAS J. SHRYOCK, Grand Master, and the representatives of ninety-nine Lodges.

Semi-annual Communication, held May 9, 1899.

It was ordered that "the remaining copies (250) of R.. W.. BRO, SCHULTZ'S History of Freemasonry in Maryland "" be purchased by the Grand Lodge, and that, through the courtesy of our brethren, the Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York is to become the possessor of a set of this valuable publication.

It must have been indeed gratifying to the brethren to learn, through the Grand Master, "that for the first time since the corner-stone of the Temple was laid, thirty-three years ago, the Grand Treasurer's report would show a balance in the treasury, and that the floating debt had been entirely wiped out."

The Lodges were requested to hold suitable memorial services commemorative of the Centennial Anniversary of the death of BRO. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

66

Upon the subject of negro Masonry," this reference is made by the

Grand Master:

"It is a matter of congratulation that the Grand Lodge of Washington has, at the suggestion made to it by our Grand Lodge, at the last Annual Communication, rescinded its resolution in reference to what is known as 'negro Masonry' and the establishment of dual Grand Lodges. I know that you, with me, sincerely trust that this will close the incident in the United States, and that peace and harmony will once more prevail among all of our sister Grand Lodges. It is a matter of pride to us that the Grand Lodge of Washington, in its determination of the subject, complimented highly the action of the Grand Lodge of Maryland as being truly Masonic in its treatment and admonition to their Grand Lodge."

The Grand Orient of Belgium was recognized, and action deferred upon the application of the Grand Lodge of Porto Rico.

Receipts, $44,877.10; disbursements, $48,578.49, and balance on hand,

$10.69.

Next Annual Communication, Baltimore, November 20, 1900.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Notwithstanding that our esteemed brother is entirely blind, we are favored with a report on Correspondence (114 pp.) covering the proceedings of fifty-six Grand Lodges, including New York for 1899. We are glad that brother-R.. W.. EDWARD T. SCHULTZ-continues, and trust he may be privileged to do so for many years.

Under WASHINGTON, reciting the declaration adopted by that Grand Lodge (1899), his views are in harmony with those of many other brethren:

"While the Grand Lodge of Washington has complied with the request of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the other Grand Lodges named to rescind what we regarded as obnoxious legislation, the tone of some parts of the foregoing declaration is not to be commended. On the contrary, in the opinion of your committee, some of the declarations are almost as objectionable as the resolutions repealed. But the Grand Lodge of Washington, having complied with the request of the Grand Lodge of Maryland to reconsider its legislation, the incident, so far as we are concerned, may be considered closed."

As addenda we have the form recommended to be used in the observance of the Centennial of BRO. GEORGE WASHINGTON's death by the Lodges and the report from thirty-two Lodges thereon. We also have a very valuable historical paper on Washington as a Freemason," by R..

W.. EDWARD T. SCHULTZ.

M.. W.. THOMAS J. SHRYOCK (Baltimore), Grand Master, re-elected, and R.'. W.. JACOB H. MEDAIRY (Baltimore), Grand Secretary, re-elected.

47th Communication.

MINNESOTA,

ST. PAUL.

January 17, 1900.

M.'. W.. ALONZO T. STEBBINS, Grand Master, the representatives of two hundred Lodges, and New York by M.. W.. JACOB A. KIESTER.

The Grand Master fittingly referred to the deaths of two valued members of this Grand Lodge M.'. W.'. ALPHONZO BARTO, Past Grand Master, and R.. W.. STILES RAYMOND, one of the Custodians of the Work. Six new Lodges had been created under dispensation. An interesting account was given of the Washington Centennial memorial observance-the Grand Master being in attendance. Quite a number of visitations had been made by him, and upon his recommendation a committee was appointed to make arrangements for the Semi-centennial of this Grand Lodge, which occurs in

1903.

We note the following decisions:

Question. Can a Past Master open Lodge and order a ballot spread on a petition for the degrees when the Junior Warden is present, when said

Past Master was not requested to take the chair by the Junior Warden, the Master being absent and the Senior Warden not having arrived at the time of the opening?

66

Answer. No. (See Section 20 of Grand Lodge Constitution.) The meeting held under these conditions was unconstitutional, and consequently

void and of no effect.

66

Question. Is it necessary to secure a waiver from all the Lodges having concurrent jurisdiction?

"Answer. No Lodge has any jurisdiction over a non-resident; hence in the case referred to the city Lodges had no jurisdiction to waive. The applicant will have to wait until he has acquired a Masonic residence."

The Grand Secretary presented a clean balance sheet. A plan was presented having for its purpose a more thorough dissemination of the work.

The Grand Orator, W.. H. H. DICKINSON, delivered a most excellent oration upon "Character and Duty "-well worth careful reading. The usual customary appropriation for the benefit of the widow of a justly esteemed Past Grand Master of this jurisdiction was made.

In view of the long and faithful service of R.. W.. JOSEPH H. THOMPSON, Grand Treasurer-installed for the twenty-third time at this Communication-the Grand Lodge honored itself in the publication of his portrait in the printed proceedings.

Receipts, $9,079.16; disbursements, $8,381.02, and balance on hand, $10,911.04. Widows' and Orphans' Fund, $21,767.70.

Next Annual Communication, St. Paul, January 18, 1901.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The report on Correspondence (130 pp.) is a critical and well-digested review of the proceedings of fifty-five Grand Lodges, by W.. IRVING TODD, including an excellent notice of New York for 1899.

As to some extent indicative of the impression held by many, in reference to the declaration of 1899, adopted by the Grand Lodge of Washington, we append our brother's judgment thereon:

"This labored manifesto is a practical illustration of how not to do it. While professing to repeal the obnoxious legislation of last year, the Grand Lodge, or its committee, or both, assume to recognize any Masonry derived from or unquestioned by the Grand Lodge of England, a still more sweeping assertion than the one complained of. Such juggling with words is not creditable to the Grand Lodge of Washington or its committee. Had the sixth declaration ended with the phrase said resolution is repealed,' the tom-tom allusions to self-invited attacks might possibly have been overlooked, and the peace and harmony so hypocritically invoked become at least a semblance of reality.

66

Your committee does not propose to enter into an extended review of a paper evidently carefully prepared to avoid the disagreeable effects of a square backdown or a yielding of the precious hope to become the messiah of the so-called colored Masons of this country. If the brethren in Washington derive any satisfaction from the anomalous position in which they have allowed themselves to be placed they are certainly welcome to it. The Fraternity at large, however, is not satisfied, and will not be until the disavowal is couched in language that can not be misunderstood or explained away."