Whereas, This Grand Lodge entertains a very high appreciation of the Masonic character of the "Freemasons' Magazine," published monthly by Brother Charles W. Moore, at Boston-a work which furnishes sound doctrine and a vast fund of invaluable information; and whereas, it has been proposed by Brother Moore to reprint the first three volumes of said work whenever a sufficient number of new subscribers can be obtained to justify the expense: Resolved, by this Grand Lodge, that the subordinate Lodges, and the Brethren composing them, are most earnestly and fraternally recommended to extend a liberal subscription to said work-a work, which, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, is better calculated than any work now published, to spread and disseminate true Masonic light and knowledge. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary continue the subscription of this Grand Lodge to said Freemasons' Magazine. NON-AFFILIATED BRETHREN. The following resolution was offered by R. W. Br. Howard, and laid on the table, we suppose for action at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge. The principle of the resolution is sanctioned by high authority. It seems to us to be just and expedient: Resolved, That it is the sense of this Grand Lodge that no Brother has a right to the charities or privileges of the Order, who withdraws from the Fraternity and does not in any way contribute to its support, when he has the ability so to do. EXPULSION. Resolved, That the decision of Clinton Lodge, No. 54, expelling E. C. Crisp from all the privileges of Masonry, be, and the same is, hereby confirmed. DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS. The following report was read and accepted: The committee to whom was referred that portion of the Grand Master's Address which relates to the appointment of Deputy Grand Masters in each of the three grand divisions of the State, have given the subject a mature consideration, and beg leave to report That they find from an examination of the proceedings of your honorable body, for several years past, that the amendment to the constitution now under consideration has received the sanction, and had the recommendation, of several of our recent Most Worshipful Grand Masters, distinguished for their Masonic zeal and intelligence. Your committee find no where, either in the records of your proceedings, or the ascertained sentiments of their Brethren of the Grand Lodge now in attendance, any decided opposition to it. The failure on the part of the subordinate Lodges to adopt it as a part of their supreme Law, seems to have originated rather in its having been connected with other amendments deemed objectionable, or from its having been overlooked in the multiplicity of business of more immediate local interest, than from any conviction of its uselessness or inexpediency. Your committee, therefore, would respectfully recommend, that the amendment be again submitted to the subordinate Lodges, unincumbered by any other question. The undersigned feel confident, that when thus submitted, the benefits it promises will be so apparent as to command prompt and favorable action. Among these benefits, not the least that may be expected, will be the promotion of uniformity in the mode of work, and the pruning away of those "strange inventions of men's fancies," which experience tells us are continually growing up as ugly excrescences upon the body of the Order. A spirit of inquiry will be excited by the visitations of intelligent Deputy Grand Masters, which will not be satisfied with aught else than the "searching out of the old paths, to walk therein." Your committee, however, forbear to enter upon the discussion of a measure, which, from having been long before your honorable body, is familiar to the minds of its members; and would beg to close this report by recommending for your adoption the following resolutions : Resolved, That the Constitution of this Grand Lodge be so amended as to authorize and require the appointment by the Grand Master of one Deputy Grand Master in each of the three grand divisions of the State, whose duty it shall be to visit the Lodges in their respective divisions, and otherwise to aid the Grand Master in the various duties appertaining to his office. Resolved, That the subordinate Lodges be requested to take action thereon at their earliest convenience, and report the result to the Grand Master; and if the amendment shall be adopted by the requisite number of Lodges, the M. W. Grand Master shall, so soon as the fact is ascertained, appoint said Deputy Grand Masters, who shall immediately enter upon the duty of their offices. All of which is respectfully submitted. J. H. MCMAHON, GRAND CHAPTER. The Grand Chapter of Tennessee, held its annual communication at Nashville, on the 13th October. We make the following extract from the report of the committee on foreign correspondence: We find in these proceedings, renewed assurances that the progress of the principles of our ancient and time-honored Fraternity is onward, and that our Companions in every portion of our land are arousing to the performance of the duties so sublimely inculcated by every step taken in Masonry. Old Chapters are reviving, and new Chapters are opening. The desire for instruction and improvement have thronged the vestibule of our ancient temple with numerous applications for the sublimer mysteries of our Order. With this reviving, a new era has commenced in our history, and every Companion is incited by a noble spirit of emulation or rivalry to press forward in the good work. The principles we teach have been sanctioned by the wise and good in almost every age of the world; by the patriot and philanthropist, as well as the devout and sincere christian. Meeting on one common level, no invidions distinctions are recognized, except the distinction of superior knowledge and merit, and it becomes us well to protect those inviolable land-marks handed down to us through so many successive ages, and preserve them unimpaired to generations that shall succeed us. Comp. Norvell presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, Since the last meeting of this Grand Chapter, it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to call from his earthly labors our late worthy and Most Excellent Companion, WILLIAM G. DICKINSON, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Tennessee, and as a testimony of his great moral worth, and the high regard and esteem in which he was held by the Masonic Fraternity and circle in which he moved: Therefore be it Resolved, That by the death of Companion Dickinson, the Fraternity have been deprived of the services of an enlightened and zealous advocate and friend; and that whilst we deplore his loss, we sincerely sympathize with his afflicted family in their sad bereavement. Resolved, That the foregoing notice and testimonial be spread upon the Journal of this Grand Chapter, as a tribute of respect to the memory and moral worth of our departed Brother and Companion. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary communicate a copy of the foregoing to the widow and family of our departed Companion. MARYLAND. WE continue our extracts from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. GENERAL GRAND LODGE. We believe that the adoption of this measure would be highly conducive to the welfare and prosperity of the Order. They are aware that this subject has been spoken of heretofore, and the most common objection now made thereto, is consolidation. If they correctly understand what the word consolidation means, instead of being an objection, it is one of the strongest arguments in favor of the project. The primary object of the Institution, is, to promote Benevolence, Friendship and Brotherly Love. To unite men of every country, sect and opinion is our boast, and why then should we hesitate to unite into one common mass or band, Brothers, among whom no contention should exist, no envy, no distrust, no jealousy, but an "emulation of who can best work and best agree." Were there no other argument to be urged in favor of a General Grand Lodge, that of consolidation alone, your committee deem sufficient and unanswerable. They offer all they have said, as reasons why this object should engage the early and earnest attention of all the Grand Lodges of the U. States; by it many differences that now exist could be reconciled, difficulties settled, uniformity produced, and Masons, indeed, become one uniform, united, and happy family. And should any difficulty or danger beset a State Grand Lodge, as has been, and may again be, the case, here would be a protecting head with power and will to succour and save. Those members constituting that body, could, without transcending their powers or infringing on the rights of others, indulge the promptings of Fraternal benevolence toward the oppressed, without incurring even the suspicion of interference. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That the several Grand Lodges in the United States, that agree to the proposition of this Grand Lodge to form a General Grand Lodge, be requested to send delegates to meet in Convention for that purpose, in the city of Baltimore, on the first Thursday after the third Tuesday in September, 1847,-and that the Grand Secretary communicate this resolution to the Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries of all the Grand Lodges in the United States. REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM. The M. W. Grand Master, Chairman of the Committee to whom this subject was referred at a previous communication, submitted the following report, which, with resolution appended, was adopted: The Special Committee appointed at the last session to obtain information in relation to the origin, objects, and organization of the Representative System, who were also directed to report such steps as they might deem requisite for carrying it into effect, should this Grand Lodge think proper to adopt the system, ask leave to submit the following report: That, without having the necessary documents before them, conclusively to show the fact, they believe the system originated, some few years ago, in our Sister Grand Lodge of N. York; the object of which, was to facilitate a more familiar intercourse between the different Grand Lodges, both here and in Europe, and thereby to extend the benevolent designs of the Institution. The mode of effecting this object is, that each Grand Lodge shall appoint a representative at all other Grand Lodges, to whom all communications may be sent from the Grand Lodge he represents, necessary to be transmitted to that to which he is appointed a representative. This representative is not intended to be a member of the Grand Lodge he represents, or even a citizen of the State or County in which his appointment is made; but a citizen of the place where he is to perform the functions of his office; and, perhaps, a member of the same Grand Lodge in which he is to represent a foreign body. In order to carry out the system in a manner to do honor to this Grand Lodge, should it be thought expedient to adopt it, your committee are of opinion that, in the first place, the Grand Secretary should open a negotiation with each Grand Lodge, with which you wish to stand in this relation, and ascertain whether it will be agreeable to that body to accept your terms of friendly intercourse. If accepted, some suitable person, residing near that Grand Lodge, should be appointed, to whom you will issue your commission, and at the same time furnish him with the appropriate clothing and jewel of this Grand Lodge. Your committee might, perhaps, with propriety stop here, and consider that they had executed the duties of their appointment; but they will take the liberty to suggest, that, in as much as it is a generally adopted rule that each Grand Secretary shall communicate with all others, at least, so far as to transmit printed copies of the journal of the proceedings of his Grand Lodge, and as all matters proper and necessary to be communicated from one Grand Lodge to another can (as it should seem) be as well communicated through that officer, as through a representative who is not presumed to have greater knowledge of the affairs of the body he represents than any other stranger, until it shall be specially transmitted to him, they do not understand how a greater familiarity, or a more friendly intercourse can be effected through the one channel than the other. The Committee would further suggest, that the appointment of representatives by this Grand Lodge, would, in their opinion, be attended with a very considerable outlay of expense, while they are not satisfied that the system is likely to effect any important good to the Fraternity. They therefore offer for adoption the subjoined resolution : Resolved, That this Grand Lodge deems it inexpedient, at the present time, to adopt the so called Representative System. SIR KNIGHT MOORE,-Rev. WILKES ALLEN, of North Andover, died December 2d, aged seventy years. The Order has lost one of its firmest supporters, and christianity a brave defender. As one more link in the chain of fraternal affection has been severed by the tyrant death, it should remind us to have our armor on, and be ever ready to obey the summons with Christian fortitude, when our inmortal souls shall take their flight to guard the watchtowers of our celestial home-"where we shall have no need of the light of the sun, or the moon, or the stars; for the Lord God is the light thereof." Let us improve every moment in all that is noble, and holy-that our enemies, seeing our good works, will rise up, and hail the Institution, as the harbinger of Christianity, Charity, Peace and good will to every human being. Yours, Fraternally, LUTHER S. BANCROFT. 66 EXPULSION. Ar the regular communication of Marengo Lodge, No. 28, held at their Hall in Dayton, November 15, A. L. 5845-It was resolved, that WM. H. BONDS be expelled from all the rights, benefits and privileges of Masonry, for "gross unmasonic conduct." Resolved, That the Secretary of this Lodge, cause notice of the expulsion of said WM. H. BONDS, to be given to the Editor of the Masonic Magazine, printed in Boston, and request him to publish the same in his Magazine. THOMAS W. PRICE, W. Master. Attest, W. A. D. WHITE, Secretary. |