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CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A 
 COLLECTION MADE BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 1854-1919 
 
 AND BEQUEATHED TO 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
Cornell University Library 
 HS757.M41 AS 1898 
 
 Report of Committee on Correspondence, G 
 
 3 1924 030 372 647 
 olin,anx 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030372647 
 
REPORT 
 
 OF 
 
 COMMITTEE ON CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 GRAND COMMANDERY 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 1898- 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 To the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode 
 Island: 
 
 With some added sense of responsibility we enter upon 
 the preparation of this report. For a number of years we 
 have shared with another the pleasant task of reviewing the 
 Proceedings of sister Grand Commanderies, and remarking 
 upon the various important matters thus brought to attention. 
 Our accomplished associate in such service, since 1894, has 
 removed to another jurisdiction; and this year, in accord- 
 ance with the designation made, the entire work devolves 
 upon ourself — a committee of one. If there is an increase 
 of honor in such an allotment, so also is there an increase of 
 responsibility. 
 
 It requires not a little of time to turn the pages of the 
 various Proceedings of Templar Grand Bodies, issued in a 
 single year, and to make one's self sufficiently acquainted 
 with their contents to give an intelligent review of the same. 
 Time must be taken for needful scrutiny, besides which there 
 must be a due exercise of thought and of a discriminating 
 judgment, if anything like an up-to-date report is to be fur- 
 nished. One year ago we ventured to point out some of the 
 features which characterize the ideal Report on Corre- 
 spondence ; but we were painfully conscious then, as we are 
 now, that it is much easier to fashion an ideal than to realize 
 it. It is well, however, in this line of service, as in other 
 pursuits, to have the large, clear vision, and the understand- 
 ing of what there should be in the performance. Pope's 
 praise of the successful reviewer of general literature is not 
 
GKAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 without its suggestiveness. He is described as one who is 
 
 able 
 
 Happily to steer 
 From grave to gay, from lively to severe, 
 Correct with spirit, eloquent with ease, 
 Intent to reason, and polite to please. 
 
 We enter upon the writing of this report at a time most 
 propitious in the history of Masonic Templarism. The 
 present year discloses our Order advanced to a high position 
 of honor and influence, and favored with ample opportunities 
 for useful service according to what are its benign purposes. 
 Here at home we have special cause to rejoice over the con- 
 tinued progress of the Templar organization, under the wise 
 and efficient supervision of the Grand Commandery of 
 Massachusetts and Ehode Island. In this jurisdiction the 
 Order was never stronger in numbers and resources than 
 now ; and never did it command a more loyal and intelligent 
 following than at the present time. 
 
 The organic life of the Grand Body to which we address 
 this paper began at Providence, May 13, 1805, its first title 
 being " The Grand Encampment of Ehode Island and 
 Jurisdiction thereunto belonging." An amendment to the 
 constitution, made March 3, 1806, changed the designation 
 to " The United States Grand Encampment." Other changes 
 were subsequently made, but it was not until June 8, 1819, 
 that this Grand Body became officially known as " The 
 Grand Encampment of Massachusetts and Rhode Island." 
 On December 13, 1845, a revised constitution was adopted, 
 one section of which declared the title to be "The Grand 
 Encampment of Knights Templars and the Appendant 
 Orders of Massachusetts and Rhode Island ; " and so it re- 
 mained until 1868, when the present nomenclature. Grand 
 Commandery, etc., was adopted. Through all changes of 
 title and administration it has been one and the same Body. 
 It was organized by less than a score of representative 
 Knights Templars, v^dth an entire constituency of not more 
 than two hundred members. Out of weakness it has grown 
 strong — passing through various experiences, some of them 
 adverse and most discouraging, until, in the later period. 
 
EEPOBT ON COREESPONDENCE. 3 
 
 coming' under the observation of the present generation, a 
 most remarkable enlargement has been witnessed, justifying 
 a reference to the ancient prophecy : " There shall be a 
 handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountain ; 
 the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon ; and they of 
 the city shall flourish like grass of the earth." 
 
 Throughout the whole land this same forward movement 
 may be traced, so that to-day we may as Knights Templars 
 congratulate ourselves upon being identified with a strong 
 and resourceful organization, which has nobly gained the 
 vantage ground it now occupies, from which it is privileged 
 to survey the broader field of usefulness now most invitingly 
 stretching itself before the vision. 
 
 To do a reviewer's work at such a propitious time in the 
 history of the Order is a pleasant task, and yet, in some 
 respects, there is not so much of prompting for the service 
 as in the former days, when there was less of harmony and 
 good fellowship prevailing — when there were more " burning 
 questions " presented for discussion — and more matters of 
 historic interest to be passed upon and made clear. The 
 year covered by this review has not been an eventful one in 
 the expression of Templary. As a rule everything has been 
 done according to well considered rules and precedents, but 
 there has been no special enthusiasm manifested, such as 
 sometimes has attracted attention. Grand Commanderies 
 and their subordinates have been getting ready for the 
 Pittsburg Triennial, but the preparations seem to have been 
 made in rather a quiet sort of way, at least they have not 
 been attended with so much of outward demonstration as 
 have characteidzed similar arrangements in former years. 
 
 But while there has been this quiet, orderly course of 
 procedure in the expression of our Order during the past 
 year — this lack of excitement respecting questions pertain- 
 ing to Templar history and polity — it has been far otherwise 
 in the world outside. As citizens, as well as Knights 
 Templars, we have been under the touch of a patriotic and 
 humane feeling such as is only now and then aroused. The 
 whole country seemed on fire for a time with a holy purpose 
 to redress injury and wrong inflicted upon a weak people 
 
4 aEAND COMMANDER!' OF MASS. AND H. I. 
 
 close to our own doors, and to exalt freedom and justice in 
 places where a most oppressive rule had long been main- 
 tained. As President McKinley said, the conditions became 
 insufferable, and war with Spain was declared. The justifica- 
 tion for that war, in our opinion, could only come from the 
 fact that human rights were in peril, and that the American 
 nation, by its position and by its strength, was so placed as to 
 be able to defend those rights — to repress the cruel hand of 
 the persecutor. The war, thus undertaken in the name of 
 justice and humanity, practically ended in a few months, has 
 resulted, we may hope, in a substantial gain for the interests 
 of truth and ciTilization. It has served important purposes 
 in developing the feeling of unity and patriotism among the 
 citizens of our whole country, in showing that the chivalric 
 spirit still lives in the hearts of American freemen, and in 
 attesting the strength of a republican government such as 
 ours. 
 
 Now Cometh peace after victory. Masons and Knights 
 Templars, in common with other brave men not of our Fra- 
 ternity, have done their duty on land and sea, and have 
 helped to make the glorious record that has gone out to all 
 the world. The story will long be told, not only of the 
 fierce conflict at Manila and Santiago, but of that gentle, 
 generous sentiment shown by the victors toward the van- 
 quished, which furnishes a beautiful illustration of that true 
 chivalry the world so much admires. The war has given to 
 us a new list of heroes — men of the regal stamp, like Hobson, 
 and Dewey, and others, whose names even now are as house- 
 hold words throughout the length and l)readth of our land — 
 men whom we delight to honor because of their brave deeds, 
 but who attract us not the less because of their tenderness 
 and humanity. Yes, "the bravest are tenderest;" and we 
 may well rejoice that we have the new object lessons attest- 
 ing this truth, as when the commander of one of the Ameri- 
 can war ships called out to his men, flushed with triumph 
 at the destruction of Admiral Cervera's fleet, " Don't cheer, 
 boys, the poor fellows are dying." Magnanimity, gentle- 
 ness, and a reverent tenderness, characterize the great soul, 
 and serve to mark the genuineness of that chivalry which 
 
BEPOBT ON COERESPONDENCE. 5 
 
 may be shown in every-day life, in the time of peace as 
 well as in war. 
 
 As Knights Templars we wear the sword and promise to 
 wield it, if need be, in the cause of right ; but we hold con- 
 fidently to the thought that the time comes hastening on 
 when all the nations and peoples of the earth shall be at 
 peace,— when the law of God and the love of God shall be 
 universally recognized, and when there shall be no war. We 
 wait patiently and hopefully for that day, long prophesied of, 
 to dawn — that day in which 
 
 All men's good shall 
 Be each man's rule ; and universal peace 
 Lie, like a shaft of light, across the land. 
 
 Alabama, 1898. 
 
 The Thirty-eighth Annual Conclave was held at Selma, 
 May 11 and 12, 1898. Grand Commander Henry H. Matthews 
 presided, and delivered a brief address. In reporting on 
 the condition of the Order in Alabama, he points out some 
 of the causes which in his opinion operate against its enlarge- 
 ment. He says : 
 
 The slow growth of most of our Commanderics mayJse attributed to 
 several causes. Among them can it be a lack of interest on the part of 
 some of our Fratres in the Royal Arch Chapters ? A lively interest in 
 Capitular Masonry would, in my opinion, produce results which would 
 materially develop and build up our Commanderies, and thus would new 
 life be infused into Templar Masonry, in Alabama, as certain as "the 
 waves make toward the pebbled shore. " 
 
 There can be no question that the more of interest there 
 is in Freemasonry the more of prosperity will attend Ma- 
 sonic Templarism. Make the Lodge and the Chapter more 
 attractive by a wise administration of the affairs of each 
 organization, by conferring the degrees in the best manner 
 possible, and by bringing out the social and moral purposes 
 of Freemasonry, and the result will be as declared by Grand 
 Commander Matthews. 
 
 Grand Commander Armstrong in his report names but six 
 
6 GEAOT) GOMMANDERY OF MASS. AND K. I. 
 
 Commanderies as now active in tlie jurisdiction. The ag-gre- 
 gate membership of these Bodies, May 1, 1897, was 303 ; 
 May 1, 1898, the membership had decreased to 288. Nine- 
 teen Companions had been knighted during the year, while 
 the number lost by suspension was 82. Five Sir Knights had 
 affiliated, three had been re-instated, but as offsetting this 
 gain four members had died and five had dimitted during the 
 year, making the net loss fifteen. These figures are not 
 encouraging, to say the least. 
 
 A Eeport on Correspondence, by Sir Knight George F. 
 Moore, accompanies the Proceedings. It comprises thirty- 
 two closely printed pages. Under the heading " Historical," 
 Bro. Moore summarizes the rise and progress of Masonic 
 Templarism in Alabama, and points Avith justifiable pride to 
 the list of able men connected with the Order in that 
 jurisdiction. Under the heading "Grand Encampment of 
 the United States," he expresses his very decided opinion 
 against the activity of that Body. He quotes a number of 
 writers who hold like views with himself, and sums up the 
 matter as follows : 
 
 The consensus of opinion among tliose who have closely observed the 
 Grand Encampment, except, of course, those who are officeholders in, or 
 attaches of, that Body, is that it has outlived its usefulness, even if it 
 ever had any, which appears to be matter of grave doubt. 
 
 To impugn motives and to suggest a selfish and base 
 reason for another's opinion, which does not happen to accord 
 with our own, is pretty poor business. The question as to 
 the value of the Grand Encampment may well be argued ou 
 its merits. There are two sides to the case. 
 
 Philip Mihons, Selma, was elected Grand Commander ; 
 H. Clay Armstrong, Montgomery, Grand Recorder, and Geo. 
 F. Moore, of the same city, was appointed. Committee on 
 Correspondence. 
 
 Arkansas, 1898. 
 
 Grand Commander George G. Latta presided over the 
 Twenty-sixth Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery 
 of Arkansas, held at Fayetteville, April 19 and 20, 1898. One 
 
EEPOET ON CORRESPONDENCE. 7 
 
 of tlie decisions announced by him in his annual address, 
 in answer to the question whether it is proper for Sir 
 Knights to keep their uniforms at home, and to wear them 
 to and from the Commandery meetings, was as follows : 
 
 It is not proper for a Knight Templar, as a rule, to wear his uniform to 
 and from meetings of the Commandery. There should be a place pro- 
 vided for the keeping of the uniforms at the Asylum. If such a place is 
 not provided, then the proper thing for a Knight Templar to do is to put 
 his uniform in his box and his sword in his scabbard, and thus carry them 
 to the place of meeting. It is against the established rule of our Order 
 for Knights Templars to do anything that might subject themselves to 
 the criticism of making an effort to display themselves in their Templar 
 uniforms ; and Knights Templars should only appear in public with their 
 uniforms on Masonic occasions. 
 
 He spoke a word in commendation of the Triennial at 
 Pittsburg, urging all Sir Knights who could do so to attend. 
 The Grand Commandery appointed a committee to make 
 arrangements, and appropriated $200 to meet the expenses 
 of headqiiarters. 
 
 The following resolutions, having the approval of the 
 Committee on Jurisprudence, were adopted : 
 
 Sesolwd, That from and after this date no subordinate Commandery in 
 this Grand Jurisdiction be permitted to receive and act upon a petition for 
 the orders of knighthood when the petitioner is engaged in the saloon or 
 liquor traffic, either as employer or employee ; and that no Sir Knight now 
 a member of a subordinate Commandery in tlie jurisdiction be permitted 
 to engage in such traffic and retain his standing as a Knight Templar. 
 
 Resolved, further. That should there be any Sir Knights engaged in such 
 business at this time, that they may be given six months from the date 
 hereof to disengage themselves therefrom, and in case of failure to do so 
 shall be suspended indefinitely from the rolls of the Commandery of 
 which they may be members. 
 
 Summarizing the report of Grand Eecorder Henry, we 
 note the following particiilars : The 12 Commanderies in 
 Arkansas have an aggregate membership of 502. Twenty- 
 nine Companions were knighted during the year ending 
 April 1, 1898. Eleven Sir Knights were affiliated. The 
 losses by death, suspension, and dimits, were 32, thus leav- 
 ing a net gain of 8. The condition is every way encouraging. 
 
8 GRAND COMMANDEKY OP MASS. AND R. I. 
 
 Jesse Mapes Dill, Little Eock, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; James Austin Henry, Little Eock, Grand Eecorder ; 
 and Charles Edward Eosenbaum was appointed Committee 
 on Correspondence, a resolution being passed that his report 
 should be published with the Proceedings. There is no Ee- 
 port on Correspondence accompanying the Proceedings of 
 the present year. 
 
 Canada, 1897. 
 
 The Fourteenth Annual Assembly of the Sovereign Great 
 Priory of Canada was held in Montreal, August 19, 1897. 
 The Supreme Grand Master, Bro. W. H. Whyte, presided. 
 He delivered an annual address, evidently prepared with 
 care, and covering a broad range of affairs related to his suc- 
 cessful administration. He congratulates the Great Priory 
 on the acceptance by the Encampment of St. John, N. B., of 
 the proposition to become one of its constituents. He says : 
 
 As expressed in my address last year, the consummation which we 
 wished for regarding the affiliation of Scottish Knights at St. John, New 
 Brunswick, has now become " un fait accompli." In January I received 
 word that our Fratres had finally decided to come under the banner of 
 the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada, and in February I granted to them 
 a dispensation to work until such times as a charter was issued. The 
 terras and agreement by which this gallant Body has affiliated were duly 
 approved and ratified last session, and the Encampment of St. John is 
 now a component part of this Great Priory, under their old name, and 
 numbered 3(( on our roll. 
 
 He refers to petitions presented by several of the Precep- 
 tories, requesting the conferring of the rank of Preceptor 
 upon members who have not held the office by the usual 
 course of election, and advises caution as to such proposed 
 conferring of honorary rank. He suggests that the grant- 
 ing of the petitions now before Great Priory may establish 
 a troublesome precedent. He says : 
 
 Occasions may arise when it is deemed unwise to advance Fratres to the 
 chair of the Preceptory, but if it is thought this Great Priory will confer 
 rank upon the request of every subordinate, you will find that Precepto- 
 ries will consider it the easy solution of dropping an incompetent aspirant 
 
EEPOBT ON COKKESPONDBNCE. 9 
 
 by asking Great Priory to grant, as a sop to his wounded feelings, the rank 
 of Preceptor. 
 
 It seems to us exceedingly unwise to confer official rank 
 and titles in the way desired. Such a practice would be lia- 
 ble to abuse, and in the nature of things would lead to not a 
 little of log rolling and ill feeling on the part of members. 
 We are glad to notice that the subject was referred to a com- 
 mittee, instructed to report at the next annual assembly. 
 
 By the report of the Grand Registrar we are gratified to 
 learn of the flourishing condition of Masonic Templarism in 
 Canada. The Great Priory now includes 37 Priories in its 
 allegiance ; and these Bodies have a total membership of 
 1,764. an increase of 268 for the year under review. 
 
 Bro. Henry Robertson again presents the Report on Cor- 
 respondence. He is a forcible writer, and his opinions al- 
 ways deserve consideration. In preparing the paper to 
 which we now refer he has used the scissors somewhat more 
 than the pen, but his selections cover a wide range of sub- 
 jects, and his report is by no means lacking in variety or in- 
 terest. 
 
 The Great Priory elected Daniel P. Macwatt, Barrie, On- 
 tario, Supreme Grand Master ; J. B. Tresidder, Montreal, 
 Grand Registrar ; and continued Henry Robertson, Colling- 
 wood, as Correspondent. 
 
 COLOEADO, 1898. 
 
 It was the Twenty-third Annual Conclave which was held 
 at Masonic Temple, Denver, June 7, 1898. Representatives 
 from 22 of the 25 chartered Commanderies were present, to- 
 gether with all of the Grand Officers and a large number of 
 permanent member and visitors. We note the presence of 
 the Grand Representative from Massachusetts and Rhode 
 Island, Lawrence N. Greenleaf. 
 
 Grand Commander George J. Dunbaugh delivered an in- 
 teresting address, referring at the outset to the war with 
 Spain which was undertaken " for a just and righteous cause." 
 In this connection he made the following expression of 
 wholesome purpose : 
 
10 GEAND COMMANDEBY OF MA8H. AND K. I. 
 
 As true Knights, it is not necessary for me to say we will with one ac- 
 cord, casting aside every political feeling or political aspiration, declare 
 our allegiance to our country and our flag, for there is no more loyal body 
 of men in Christendom than the Knights Templars of America, and we 
 rejoice to see the stars and stripes unfurled side by side with the banner 
 of Templarism. 
 
 In reporting his official acts during the year he announced 
 his constituting of Cripple Creek Commandery, No. 26, sta- 
 tioned at Cripple Creek, on June 26, 1897. Colorado now 
 has 26 Commanderies, with a total membership of 1,668. 
 
 The Grand Commandery took action against the pending 
 amendment to the constitution of the Grand Encampment, 
 which proposes to reduce the rank, and change the method 
 of selecting the Grand Prelates by Grand Commanderies. 
 The following resolution was unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the representatives of this Grand Commandery, in the 
 Triennial Conclave, to be held at Pittsburg, Pa., on the second Tuesday 
 of October, 1898, be invoked to sustain by their votes the present rank of 
 Eminent Grand Prelate as fifth (5th) in line of oiBcers. elective, and the 
 present rank of Prelate in all constituent and subordinate Commanderies 
 as fourth (4th) in line, and elective, in accordance with prescription ever 
 since the formation of the Grand Encampment. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted a report presented by 
 its committee on the Triennial, and appropriated the sum of 
 $500 to procure headquarters and meet other expenses at 
 Pittsburg. 
 
 Bro. Harper M. Orahood furnishes an excellent Eeport on 
 Correspondence. He notes the general prosperity attending 
 the Order, and remarks upon " the absence of contention, 
 dispute, and bitterness." He says at the close of his reriew : 
 " Scarcely a difference of opinion is expressed, and M^hen 
 this does occur it is in the most kindly and courteous lan- 
 guage." 
 
 Under California, whose Grand Commander, in 1897, called 
 attention to the cost of preparing and publishing Eeports on 
 Correspondence, and to the comparatively few readers of 
 such papers, Bro. Orahood makes a statement of his own 
 views on the general subject. He says ; 
 
EEPOET ON CORBESPONDENCE. 11 
 
 We have called attention several times to the question of whether the 
 making and printing of Reports on Correspondence is worth the outlay. 
 On the mere statement as made by the Grand Commander it may seem 
 doubtful. Yet it must be conceded that these reports are lead by the 
 Grand Commanders and other officers for the time being of the Grand 
 Commanderies, and that usually they have in mind what may be said of 
 them when they write their addresses and make reports and perform official 
 acts. The men who read these reports, as well as those who write them, 
 have great influence in making and maintaining the high character and 
 standing of our Order. In our opinion, this high character could not have 
 been attained, and cannot be maintained, without the general diffusion of 
 information and knowledge effected by these reports. Yet we join in the 
 regret that they are not more generally read. 
 
 Reports prepared with care, up-to-date in their presenta- 
 tion of the doings of the various jurisdictions, and sugges- 
 tive in their treatment of important topics, would seem to 
 have value. Such reports deserve to be read. They are not 
 without their use and influence, as is stated in the foregoing 
 excerpt, even though their readers are comparatively few. 
 
 In his kindly notice of our jurisdiction he refers approv- 
 ingly to what we said in last year's report as to the respon- 
 sibility which devolves upon the Templar Order, in this day 
 of its growing strength, of taking a right stand respecting 
 great questions of ethics and morals, and of making its in- 
 fluence felt on the side of humanity as against oppression 
 and persecution of every sort. He endorses the position we 
 took one year ago in the expression of sympathy with the 
 Cubans and the Armenians. So in his " Conclusion " he 
 touches again upon the same subject. We quote him, as 
 follows : 
 
 The ■•Armenian Question,'' suggested by Brother Hedges, of Montana, 
 has received some attention, but the present Cuban war, in which our 
 nation has become suddenly so important a factor, overshadows every- 
 thing else in this line. Let us hope and pray that this war may continue 
 as it commenced, a war for the freedom of our downtrodden, suffering, 
 and oppressed neighboring isle. May it place us before all the nations of 
 the world on the side of liberty, right, and justice, and show that we not 
 only have the force of character to protest by words against the oppres- 
 sion of the Armenians in Europe, but the courage to fight against and 
 prevent similar wrongs and oppression on this side of the ocean. God 
 speed the right and give us victory. 
 
12 GRAND COMMAXDERY OF MASS. AND R. I. 
 
 John M. Maxwell, Leachille, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; Ed. C. Parmelee, Denver, Grand Eecorder ; Harper 
 M. Orahood, Denver, Committee on Correspondence. 
 
 Connecticut, 1898. 
 
 It is an attractive volume of Proceedings, containing 
 nearl}^ two hundred pages, which sets forth the transactions 
 of Grand Commandery at the Seven tj' -first Annual Conclave, 
 held at Hartford, March 15, 1898. Grand Commander Sam- 
 uel M. Bronson, whose portrait forms the frontispiece, pre- 
 sided. 
 
 All the Commanderies of the State, eleven in number, were 
 represented ; all the Grand Officers, except the Grand Treas- 
 urer, AVm. E. Higby, detained by sickness, were in their 
 places ; and there was an uaiisually large number of visitors, 
 including Grand Master ^Tarren La Eue Thomas, Grand 
 Treasurer H. Wales Lines, and Grand Warder Joseph A. 
 Locke, of the Grand Encampment of the United States. 
 
 Grand Commander Bronson delivered a brief and business 
 like address. He made several recommendations, one of 
 them being as follows : 
 
 That Christmas Day, at high 12, be observed to do honor to the M. E. 
 Grand Master, and at that Conclave a voluntary collection be taken, as a 
 Templar Hospital Fund for the sick at the Masonic Home, at Wallingford. 
 
 We are glad to note that the Grand Commandery endorsed 
 the recommendation, and directed that such an offering 
 should be made by each Commandery in the jurisdiction. 
 
 Grand Inspector F. A. Spencer presented his fourth an- 
 nual report, showing that he had visited officially all the 
 Commanderies, and had witnessed the work of the Eed Cross 
 as presented by each Body. Eeferring to the question of 
 paraphernalia, he says : 
 
 The question of paraphernalia, being the one most prominent brought 
 to my attention, induces me to express an opinion regarding it, which may 
 be justly criticised, but upon which (relating to paraphernalia) this report 
 is based; which is, that the work in the Order of the Red Cross is in reality 
 a drama, and each one taking a part in it should be robed to represent the 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 13 
 
 character assumed, in order to produce the best effect, aud Ihat the Com- 
 mandery whose costumes, etc., are the most complete, is entitled to the 
 credit of having the best paraphernalia. 
 
 The Committee on Jurisprudence presented an important 
 report, as follows : 
 
 Your Committee on Jurisprudence, to whom was referred the memorial 
 of Henry K. Simpson, Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of the 
 District of Columbia, and others, concerning rank of Prelate in Grand 
 Encampment, and Grand and Subordinate Commauderies as this may be 
 affected by proposed amendments to the constitution of the Grand En- 
 campment, recommend that no instructions be given to our representa- 
 tives in the Grand Encampment concerning this matter. 
 
 The Committee on Jurisprudence, to whom was referred certain resolu- 
 tions passed by the Grand Commandery of Tennessee, at its last Annual 
 Conclave, concerning the use of the Maltese cross, submit that while we 
 regret the use of this sacred emblem for any purpose aud by any organ- 
 ization of which it has no significance, we believe that it would be unwise 
 for this Grand Commandery, or for the Grand Encampment, to attempt by 
 their votes to control such use of it. 
 
 The printed Proceedings do not show whether or not the 
 report was adopted, . but we assume that such action was 
 taken. 
 
 The committee reported on the Mississippi proposition re- 
 lating to powers of the Grand Encampment, and asked per- 
 mission to report to the Grand Commander for his approval, 
 with the understanding that he might cause such report, if 
 approved, to be brought to the attention of the Grand En- 
 campment at its Triennial Conclave in Pittsburg. The record 
 does not state what was done with this paper, but we have 
 no doubt that leave was granted as desired. 
 
 The Grand Commandery appropriated the sum of $350 for 
 expenses of headquarters at Pittsburg. 
 
 Sir Knight John W. Fellows, of New Hampshire, pre- 
 sented to the Grand Commandery the jewel of Past Grand 
 Commander John D. Patterson, of New Hampshire, de- 
 ceased, who for a number of years had been the Grand Eep- 
 resentative of the Grand Commandery of Connecticut near 
 the Grand Commandery of New Hampshire. This disposi- 
 tion of the jewel was made in accordance with the wishes of 
 
14 GEAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 the deceased. Bro. Fellows' excellent remarks in presenting 
 the jewel are printed in the Proceedings. 
 
 Two pages are devoted to a record of a reception given by 
 Washington Gommandery, of Hartford, on the evening of 
 March 14, 1898, to Grand Master Thomas, Grand Commander 
 Bronson, and other officers of the Grand Encampment and 
 of the Grand Gommandery, respectively. The occasion is 
 described as " one of the most brilliant, successful, and en- 
 joyable receptions ever given in the State." 
 
 The Eeport on Gorrespondence by Hugh Stirling, occupies 
 eighty-six pages, on which we find a review of forty -two juris- 
 dictions, showing both skill and care in its preparation. 
 Under Illinois Bro. Stirling expresses his opinion that a man 
 may be a zealous Templar without being much interested in 
 the Blue Lodge. To Correspondent Smith, of Illinois, who 
 maintains the opposite view, reply is made as follows : 
 
 "We beg to differ with our esteemed Frater, not that ancient Craft Ma- 
 sonry does not give tone and character to Templarism; in that we fully 
 agree. Our difference is on the question of whether one cannot be a zeal- 
 ous Templar and yet be a very indifferent member of the Ancient Craft; 
 our observation is that many are members of our Commanderies because 
 of the special attractions of that body, not necessarily the " sword and 
 feathers," but rather because of the beauty and impressiveness of its 
 teachings and ritual; would that all were zealous in every branch of Ma- 
 sonry, but that is next to impossible. 
 
 There is some force in the words just quoted. "We have 
 in mind a worthy Craftsman and Knight Templar, who has 
 often told us that while he has sincere respect for Freema- 
 sonry in all its branches he has a peculiar regard for the 
 Order of Knights Templars. The Templar ceremony, he 
 says, attracts and edifies him as does no other ceremonial. 
 He is not a military man ; he is rarely seen in the ranks of 
 his Gommandery when on parade, but he is an enthusiastic 
 Knight. Men are affected very differently ; we can under- 
 stand how it is possible for one who is not very much inter- 
 ested in the Lodge, to be S]3ecially devoted to the Gommand- 
 ery by reason of what is peculiar to the last named Body. 
 All the same, however, we hold that both Lodge and Chap- 
 ter should be held in high estimate by the zealous Templar, 
 
BEPOET ON COERESPONDENCE. 15 
 
 and that, unless for very exceptional reasons, he should not 
 think of withdrawing his membership in either of these or- 
 ganizations. 
 
 Massachusetts and Ehode Island receives a courteous and 
 extended notice. Referring again to the question of perpet- 
 ual jurisdiction over candidates, he quotes from our report 
 of last year favoring a modification of the old rule, and fol- 
 lows with a statement of some of the reasons why he holds 
 an opposite opinion on this subject. He says : 
 
 The main trouble is not in the doctrine of perpetual jurisdiction, but 
 rather in the unlawful use of the black ballot. We maiatain that one has 
 no more right to cast a black ballot because of personal differences or 
 business jealousies, or for any other cause that does not affect the moral 
 character of the man, than he has to give his consent to the admission of 
 one that he knows is morally disqualified, but allows his acceptance be- 
 cause he is a "good fellow." We believe also that any modification of 
 this doctrine will be a stepping stone for changes along other lines, the 
 existence of which has placed the Masonic Fraternity in the position it 
 occupies, which is one no member thereof need to be ashamed. 
 
 We quite agree with Bro. Stirling as to the use of the bal- 
 lot. No adverse ballot should ever be cast except for suffi- 
 cient cause, and that justifying cause must be found quite 
 outside of any personal feeling or prejudice ; but with hu- 
 man nature as it is, even among Masons, there is a constant 
 liability to a wrong use of the black ballot, hence we would 
 not vest so much of power in one man's hand for an unlim- 
 ited period as is allowed by the rigid rule of perpetual juris- 
 diction. If a change in one respect seems warranted by 
 justice and right, we could not hold back from making it be- 
 cause of fear that other changes less desirable might be 
 urged. Let each proposed modification stand or fall accord- 
 ing to its own merits. 
 
 The closing words of the report indicate the spirit and 
 purpose of Sir Knight Stirling in its preparation. He says : 
 
 Our aim in the foregoing has been to give a general idea of the transac- 
 tions of the several Grand Coramanderies, together with the opinion of 
 those in command on matters pertaining to the Order, without any ex- 
 tended criticism. In a few instances, however, we have endeavored to 
 •' maintain our position by argument" on the subject under consideration. 
 
16 GRAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 We have arrived at that period of life's journey to know " that the older 
 one grows the more lie wishes he thought he knew wliat he used to know 
 he knew," and therefore accord to the opinion and labors of others the 
 same consideration we trust they will bestow upon ours. 
 
 William E. Withey, New London, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander; Eli C. Birdsey, Meriden, was re-elected Grand Ee- 
 corder ; and Hugli Stirling was continued as Correspondent. 
 
 Florida, 1898. 
 
 Grand Commander James W. Boyd presided at the Fourth 
 Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Florida, 
 held in Masonic Temple, Jacksonville, May 12, 1898. After 
 a word of appropriate greeting, he called attention to the 
 condition of the country, and specially to the fact that Flor- 
 ida had been utilized to so considerable an extent for war- 
 like purposes. We quote from his address, as follows : 
 
 Sir Knights, we meet under circumstances to which this country has 
 been a stranger for over thirty years. We are at w&r with one of the 
 great nations of the earth, battling for the liberties of an oppressed 
 people, whose heroic struggles for the past three years have had our sym- 
 pathies. We see our brave volunteers marshaling to the support of our 
 regulars, and witness the fond mothers of our land kissing their boys 
 Godspeed to the fight. 
 
 Our fair State is the camping ground of a vast army, such as has not 
 been assembled in this Union since the memorable civil war, equipped for 
 active warfare, and momentarily expecting orders to move against the 
 enemy. 
 
 Off our coast and in the Philippines are assembled formidable fleets of 
 ironclads, whose steel tongues have already spoken in no uncertain tones, 
 to the world, that war with the Americans is the most serious business 
 that any nation can engage in. As Knights Templar we owe two unfal- 
 tering allegiances— spiritually to God, whose blessing and protection we 
 invoked at the opening of this session; materially to the country and gov- 
 ernment under whose protection we live, and it seems fitting at this time 
 that we, as Knights Templar and Americans, again declare that allegiance 
 to our country and government, and pledge our undivided support in up- 
 holding and maintaining its honor and integrity, and if need be, our for- 
 tunes and our lives in its defense. Let us bid Godspeed to our army and 
 navy to the end that victory may perch upon their banner, and white- 
 winged peace thereby have an honorable and permanent abiding place, at 
 least on this hemisphere, if not the world at large. War is deplorable, but 
 
EEPOET ON COBKESPONDENCE. 17 
 
 it is not without some compensation; in this instance it has proven that the 
 people of every section of this country, not alone now, but since Appo- 
 mattox, are true to the government, and only needed an opportunity to 
 prove their allegiance, and sets at rest any question as to our united 
 strength against the foreign foe. 
 
 He announces a decision, made in response to the question 
 as to whether Templar work by a Commandery could prop- 
 erly be engaged in on Christmas Day, as follows : 
 
 I find nothing in the laws of the Grand Encampment or of our Grand 
 Commandery prohibiting it— except when the 25th of December falls on 
 Sunday. I see no reason why the orders of Knighthood could not be con- 
 ferred on that day, especially in case of emergency, when the work is 
 arranged so as not to interfere with the appropriate religious observances 
 of the day. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted the system of Tactics 
 approved by the Grand Commandery of Iowa, "as being 
 best suited to the Grand Jurisdiction of Florida." 
 
 A vote was passed authorizing an assessment on each sub- 
 ordinate Commandery, of fifty cents per member, for the 
 purpose of defraying the necessary expenses for the proper 
 representation of the Grand Commandery at the Triennial 
 in Pittsburg. 
 
 Florida has five Commanderies, with a total membership 
 of 210. 
 
 William N. Jewell, Orlando, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander, and William A. McLean, Jacksonville, was re-elected 
 Grand Eecorder. 
 
 Geobgu, 1898. 
 
 A fine portrait of Sir Knight Charles M. Wiley, Grand 
 Commander in 1897, adorns the Proceedings for the current 
 year. 
 
 The Annual Conclave, held at Macon, April 20 and 21, 
 1898, began with a cordial greeting by the local Command- 
 ery, followed by refreshments. Grand Commander Wiley 
 delivered an address pervaded with patriotic and Christian 
 sentiments. His words respecting the duty of the hour, 
 
 3 
 
18 GBAND COMMiNDEBY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 spoken just after the declaration of war with Spain, attest 
 the strength and manly feeling which prompted their utter- 
 ance, and we are glad, in this connection, to quote the fol- 
 lowing paragraph : 
 
 We had devoutly hoped that we should long ho spared a repetition of 
 the horrors of thirty years ago. But we are already in the midst of con- 
 flicts, the deadly engagements have begun. The places of those slain 
 must be filled by others. Some of us, or those dear to us, must go. The 
 pall of apprehension is alrendy on the hearts of our wives and sisters. 
 May the God of all the living save them from more sorrowful experiences. 
 May our conflict be short, quick and decisive, and may we soon see the 
 black cloud swept far away upon the distant horizon, while Peace, sweet 
 angel of Heaven, comes once again to preside over the lives and destinies 
 of our people, leaving our flag waving victoriously, and the proud Eagle 
 of America pluming himself for higher flights. 
 
 He reports that he had made a visit of inspection to each 
 of the ten Commanderies in the jurisdiction, and that he 
 had found them in a generally satisfactory condition. While 
 he commends, he also criticises as follows : 
 
 While I am so well satisfied with the condition of the Order, as before 
 stated, I feel it my duty, as your Grand Commander, to condemn the con- 
 duct of Sir Knights in all the Commanderies that had work when I was 
 present on my official visitations; that is, talking and moving around the 
 Asylum while the orders are being conferred. The beauty and effect of 
 the ceremony through which the candidate passes is destroyed, thereby 
 being a great injustice to the candidate, and depriving the Sir Knights 
 that desire to enjoy the pleasures and teachings of the orders from doing 
 so. 
 
 AMio has not suffered from the practice here complained of ? 
 Thoughtless and inconsiderate Brethren, in Lodge, Chapter, 
 or Commandery, not infrequently detract from the impres- 
 siveness of the ceremony by their ill-timed movements and 
 improper behavior. The officers cannot do their best in the 
 rendering of the work when Brethren are talking and mov- 
 ing about while degrees or orders are being conferred. 
 
 The Grand Commandery by vote commended the address 
 of Grand Commander Wiley, and emphasized his recommen- 
 dation pertaining to the behavior of Sir Knights in the Asy- 
 lum when the Commandery is in session. 
 
REPORT ON OORRESPONDENOE. 19 
 
 A report made by the Committee on Eeturns shows that 
 46 Companions were knighted during the year, 10 affiliated, 
 22 were dimitted, 14 suspended, and 11 died — leaving the 
 present membership 728, a net gain of 9 during the year. 
 
 Among the appropriations we note $100 for music at the 
 next Annual Grand Conclave, and $200 for the Committee 
 on Correspondence. 
 
 Knightly greetings were exchanged with the Grand Com- 
 mandery of Alabama, that Body being in session at the 
 same time, and a telegram of sympathy was sent to Grand 
 Recorder S. P. Hamilton, who was detained from the Con- 
 clave by reason of sickness. 
 
 The Report on Correspondence, comprising 100 pages, is 
 the tenth report furnished by Roland B. Hall. It gives evi- 
 dence of thoughtful preparation. He agrees with Bro. 
 Berry, of Maine, that it is in the fitness of things to charge 
 a fee for dispensations issued to shorten the time on a peti- 
 tion, such fee to be paid into the charity fund. We hold to 
 the same opinion. Under Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 
 he expresses dissent to a decision made by Grand Com- 
 mander Walker, at the Conclave of Grand Commandery 
 held in May, 1897, growing out of a protest made by mem- 
 bers of De Molay Commandery against allowing an applicant 
 to sign the by-laws of that Body, on the ground that at the 
 time when he was declared elected to membership no cubes 
 were available in the ballot box. Grand Commander Walker, 
 after making himself acquainted with the facts, sustained 
 the protest, and his decision was approved by Grand Com- 
 mandery, on recommendation of its Committee on Jurisdic- 
 tion. Bro. Hall says : " In our opinion they have wrongly 
 construed the law bearing on the case. It appears to us 
 that the only recourse left to the objectors was to prefer 
 charges." We cannot see by what process of reasoning he 
 reaches such a conclusion. Does he rest his case on the as- 
 sumption that " objection after ballot " only applies to bal- 
 loting on candidates for the orders — not to candidates for 
 membership? This would be a technical construction of 
 the law governing the case, not in keeping with the equities 
 concerned. He can hardly hold that the protest was not 
 
20 GRAND COMMANDEEY OP MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 equivalent to an objection such as recognized by the statute. 
 Against whom would he prefer charges ? We still think that 
 oiir Grand Commander took the lawful and right course in 
 this matter. 
 
 Bro. Hall gives generous notice to Massachusetts and 
 Ehode Island, presenting several selections from addresses 
 and reports. We appreciate his courteous references to our 
 Grand Commandery and to ourself. 
 
 We quote from his " Conclusion," as follows : 
 
 Again, and for the tenth time, we conclude our labors as correspondent. 
 We are pleased to report that perfect peace and harmony prevails through- 
 out the Templar world. Not a single ripple disturbs the calm and placid 
 sea of Templarism. No question of vital import occupies a place in its 
 ranks. The Mississippi resolution, calling for a change in tixe constitu- 
 tion of the Grand Encampment of the United States, asking that that in- 
 strument be modeled after the constitution of the General Grand Chapter 
 of the United States, has been presented to most of the Grand Command- 
 eries. Some have given it endorsement; some have refused to endorse it, 
 and others take no notice of it. Prom information obtained by a review 
 of the different Proceedings, we venture the assertion that the present 
 constitution will not be amended to conform to the proposed resolutions. 
 For words of approval of our work, both at home and abroad, we are 
 thankful. 
 
 The Grand Commandery elected Almoran W. Walton, 
 Rome, Grand Commander ; Samuel P. Hamilton, Savannah, 
 Grand Recorder, and Roland B. Hall, Macon, Correspondent. 
 
 IiiiNOis, 1897. 
 
 The volume in hand is fair to look upon. It has an at- 
 tractive appearance by reason of its clear print, the skUlful 
 arrangement of its subject matter, under well defined head- 
 ings, and its numerous embellishments. It comprises about 
 400 pages, containing not only the doings of the Grand Body 
 at its Forty-first Annual Conclave, held at Chicago, October 
 26, 1898, but likewise the sparkling Report on Correspon- 
 dence, by Sir John Corson Smith, which includes " My AVin- 
 ter in the Tropics" beautifully illustrated; besides which 
 there are shown valuable statistical tables, regulations of 
 
EEPOKT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 21 
 
 the Grand Commandery, proposed amendments respecting 
 uniform, ceremony to be followed in constituting a Com- 
 mandery, ritual for the installation of Grand Officers, and a 
 standard set of by-laws for the use of subordinate Com- 
 manderies. Surely this substantial volume will be deserv- 
 edly appreciated at home and abroad. 
 
 Grand Commander Edward C. Pace delivered an address 
 of much merit. We quote from it as follows : 
 
 The Graud Commandery of Illinois, ranking fourth in point of numbers 
 and second only in the number of Commanderies, among the Grand Juris- 
 dictions, is an organization of whicli every Templar in this State may well 
 feel proud. Founded on the Christian religion and the practice of the 
 Christian virtues, with its vast army of intelligent and earnest Knights, 
 vehat a vfonderful influence for good it is capable of exerting. Sir Knights, 
 "May our light so shine before men that they, seeing our good works, 
 may glorify our Father which is in heaven." The year has been a fairly 
 prosperous one. 
 
 Illinois is a strong jurisdiction, and stands near the right 
 of the line ; but the fact that it is second in the number of 
 its Commanderies does not seem to count as an element of 
 strength. It is easy to multiply organizations. The Grand 
 Commandery of Massachusetts and Ehode Island has re- 
 fused several applications for the establishment of new Com- 
 manderies in recent years, holding to the opinion that it is 
 unwise to create additional organizations except in cases 
 where the best reasons are shown for such a course. 
 
 Among the decisions announced by the Grand Commander, 
 is the following sensible affirmation : 
 
 Whenever and wherever there is an apparent conflict between the 
 Ritual and the Tactics, the Ritual should govern. The Ritual is the 
 order of the Grand Encampment to which the Grand Commandery is 
 subordinate, while the Tactics is simply a code adopted by the Grand 
 Commandery, and anything in Grand Comandery Code conflicting with 
 Statutes of the Grand Encampment is illegal and void. 
 
 Another decision reported strikes us less favorably. It is 
 as follows : 
 
 I decided that neither of the first three officers of a Commandery can 
 dimit during their official term. 
 
22 GRAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND R. I. 
 
 Inasmuch as the law of the Grand Encampment provides 
 for the order of succession in case of vacancy in the office of 
 Grand Commander, it would seem that a dimit might be al- 
 lowed without prejudice to the interests of the Grand Gom- 
 mandery. In Illinois, however, the feeling seems to be 
 otherwise, as no exception was taken to the decision re- 
 ported. 
 
 The Grand Commander declares that a system of rigid in- 
 spection of Commanderies had been applied, and that ex- 
 cellent results had followed such careful scrutiny. On this 
 point he says : 
 
 Many of the Commanderies of tlie State are to be complimented on their 
 proficiency, both in tactics and rituals, and they are and will be known to 
 the Grand Commanderies, while the others, who fail in these respects, 
 will be known also. Many of the Commanderies that have submitted to 
 rigid inspections feel that they have been benefited thereby, and I trust 
 that all will catch the inspiration and vie with each other in their efforts 
 to attain perfection. 
 
 We note with gratification the strong endowment of the 
 Masonic Orphans' Home, and the Home for Aged Masons. 
 Both institutions are commended to favorable consideration. 
 
 The Grand Commandery refused to concur in the Tennes- 
 see resolutions relating to the use of the Maltese Cross. 
 The Mississippi resolutions as to powers of the Grand 
 Encampment were considered, but went over without definite 
 action. The sum of $500 was appropriated to the Masonic 
 Orphans' Home, thus emphasizing the good words of Grand 
 Commander Pace, spoken in its behalf. The sum of $1,500 
 was appropriated for Grand Commandery uses at Pittsburg. 
 
 Past Grand Commander John Corson Smith presents the 
 Eeport on Correspondence, making 158 pages, including an 
 interesting paper, entitled "My Winter in the Tropics." 
 This paper is profusely illustrated with views of scenery, 
 places, people, etc., taken for the desired use by Bro. Smith 
 during his visit to Jamaica, Carthagena, Uixited States of 
 Columbia, and Costa Eica. Bro. Smith has eyes to see and 
 a ready pen to make record of what he sees, hence his de- 
 scription of places, events, and notable experiences during 
 his trip reads most interestingly. 
 
BEPOET ON COKRESPONDENCE. 23 
 
 His review of Proceedings — the ninth report presented by 
 him — abounds in well chosen selections and clearly ex- 
 pressed opinions regarding several important matters of 
 Templar interest. He favors continuous membership in 
 Lodge and Chapter as prerequisites to good standing in the 
 Commandery. He opposes the doctrine of perpetual juris- 
 diction over rejected candidates, holding such a rule to be 
 absurd and unjust. He favors the parades incidental to the 
 Triennial occasions. He expresses an adverse opinion re- 
 garding any attempt to limit the freedom of affiliation. 
 'Enforced membership," as he says, "is not conducive to 
 strength." 
 
 Brother Smith reviews the whole Templar field with a dis- 
 criminating scrutiny, and shows his usual courtesy in treat- 
 ing all matters passing under his notice. We appreciate his 
 kindly reference to the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts 
 and Rhode Island, and to ourself. 
 
 James P. Sherwin, Chicago, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; Gilbert W. Barnard, Masonic Temple, Chicago, 
 was re-elected Grand Recorder, and John Corson Smith was 
 continued as Correspondent. 
 
 Indian Teeeitoey, 1897. 
 
 The Third Annual Conclave was held at Purcell, Novem- 
 ber 2, 1897. The four Commanderies of the jurisdiction 
 were represented, and all the Grand Officers, with one excep- 
 tion, were in their places. 
 
 Grand Commander James E. Humphrey delivered a brief 
 address. We present herewith the wholesome words of its 
 conclusion : 
 
 In conclusion, we wisU to say that as Knights Templar we ought to 
 come in closer touch with one another. Chority should be our watch- 
 word, not only with our purse, but our good counsel and friendly heart 
 greetings. If a Knight be iu distress, mental or flnauciid, go to him as a 
 brother soldier of the Cross and not wait for him to come to you. All 
 men are proud, and pride may keep your Frater from coming to you ; a 
 touch of the hand and expression of sympathy in his ear, coupled with an 
 offer of aid, will make him your dearest friend for life, and give to him a 
 higher insight into the sublime principles of our magnanimous Order. 
 
24 GEAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 But little biisiness was transacted. We notice the passage 
 of a resolution, making the Indian Mason, published at 
 Chelsea, Ind. Territory, the organ of the Grand Body, and 
 inviting all Sir Knights in the jurisdiction to subscribe for 
 the same. Hospitality and good cheer marked the occasion 
 — witness the following : 
 
 The retiring Grand Commander made tlie announcement of the banquet 
 arranged for visiting Fraters and companions at the Hotel Love for the 
 evening, after the close of the Grand Commandery, and extended a cordial 
 invitation to all Templars present in Purcell to attend. The same was 
 accepted, and not only the delicious spread but the feast of reason and 
 flow of soul was enjoyed by all. Sir Knight Humphrey presided upon 
 the occasion as Master of Ceremonies, 
 
 Edmund H. Doyle, So. McAlester, was elected Grand 
 Commander, and Joseph S. Murrow, Atoka, was elected 
 Grand Recorder. 
 
 Indiana, 1898, _ 
 
 Thirty-nine Commanderies, the whole number in the juris- 
 diction, were represented at the Forty -fourth Annual Con- 
 clave, held at Logansport, April 20, 1898. The Grand Com- 
 mandery was escorted to Masonic Temple, the place of meet- 
 ing, by twelve Clommanderies, who made a fine appearance 
 on the line of march through the principal streets of the city. 
 
 Before the transaction of any business a hearty address 
 of welcome was made to the Grand Body, by Hon. George 
 P. McKee, to which a felicitous response was made by Past 
 Grand Commander N. R. Ruckle. 
 
 Grand Commander John E. Redmond presided. He de- 
 livered an interesting address, containing a complete report 
 of his official acts during the year of his service, and accom- 
 panying papers. One case reported by him is of general 
 interest, as bearing upon the question whether or not resi- 
 dence needs to be considered in receiving petitions for affili- 
 ation from dimitted Sir Knights. Four Sir Knights dimitted 
 from Gorin Commandery, Olney, Illinois, and, stUl resident 
 in Illinois, made application for membership to the Com- 
 mandery at Yincennes, Ind. Grand Commander Redmond 
 
EEPOET ON COERESPONDENCE. 25 
 
 decided that the petitions might be received without any 
 waiver of jurisdiction, not finding any law prohibiting di- 
 mitted Sir Knights from thus applying without regard to 
 residence. Afterwards, before action was taken, he asked 
 the judgment of Grand Master Thomas, who ruled that the 
 dimitted Sir Knights, " being still residents of Illinois, could 
 not become members of any Indiana Commandery, without 
 the consent of Gorin Commandery, expressed through, and 
 approved by the Grand Commandery of Illinois." On re- 
 ceiving this communication Grand Commander Eedmond 
 gracefully revoked his decision. In presenting the facts and 
 correspondence to his Grand Commandery, at the close of 
 his report, he says : 
 
 Now, in conclusion, I obeyed the mandate of my superior, but I do not 
 believe that the statutes limit the locality as to where a Sir Knight hold- 
 ing a dimit may ask by petition to become a member. The decision of 
 Grand Master McCurdy in the case at Maryville, Mo , was approved by 
 the Grand Encampment, not that the statutes required residence, but I 
 think in kindly courtesy to an able jurist. It was, in my judgment, the 
 enactment of additional legislation. I notice in the report of the Com- 
 mittee on Revision, page 238, Section 4, that they specify plainly that it 
 shall be deemed irregular for any Commandery to entertain a petition for 
 membership or to confer the orders of Knighthood, or either of them, 
 upon any sojourner whose place of residence is within any State, district 
 or territory in which there is a Commandery regularly at work, unless 
 the consent of the Commandry having territorial jurisdiction and of the 
 Grand Commandery, where there is one, is first obtained. This is plain 
 law, and no one need plead ignorance when that is adopted by the Grand 
 Encampment. Section 5 explains the discipline of a Commandery violat- 
 ing Section 4. Now, I passed through this controversy with pleasant 
 correspondence with all parties concerned, but would like for the Repre- 
 sentatives of Indiana to Pittsburg at the Triennial to question the right of 
 a Grand Master to interpret the statutes other than what they read, or if 
 it is his prerogative to enact additional legislation by a simple decision 
 uijon a question propounded. 
 
 The Grand Commander's position as here stated was sus- 
 tained by the Committee on Jurisdiction, in the words fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 Your committee agree with the R. . E. ■. Grand Commander, that the 
 decision of Grand Master McCurdy was in the nature of legislation by 
 4 
 
26 GRAND COMMANDBRY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 decision on a matter upon whicli the Grand Encampment had not up to 
 that time specifically legislated. Up to the date of such decision the 
 general practice in Grand Commanderies favored the right of a Templar to 
 choose his affiliation without regard to jurisdictional lines. 
 
 Your committee are opposed to the Grand Master making law by de- 
 cisions upon matters upon which the Grand Encampment has refrained 
 from legislation. 
 
 However just the criticism may be as against the propriety 
 of a Grand Master deciding a matter which the Grand En- 
 campment had not legislated upon, it must be conceded, we 
 think, that after such a decision has been reported to the 
 Grand Encampment, and no adverse action taken, it has 
 some degree of binding force. Grand Master Thomas could 
 not have been expected to nullify the decision of Grand Mas- 
 ter McCurdy, reported in 1895, and indirectly if not directly 
 approved by the Grand Encampment, even if his feeling was 
 sympathetic with the position taken by Grand Commander 
 Redmond. Looking at the question as open to be consid- 
 ered on its merits, we should stand with those who would 
 allow a diniitted Sir Knight to choose his affiliation without 
 regard to jurisdictional lines. Such an allowance seems best 
 to recognize all the equities involved, and to permit such full 
 liberty of choice would sometimes prove a great blessing. 
 
 The Eeport on Correspondence occupies 140 pages. It 
 is from the pen of Bro. N. E. Euckle, who writes both inter- 
 estingly and instructively. Massachusetts and Ehode Island, 
 1897, receive courteous notice. He quotes with seeming ap- 
 proval Grand Commander "Walker, in his criticism of the 
 practice of stating in notices sent out that certain Compan- 
 ions (naming them) will receive the order of the Eed Cross 
 at the next meeting of the Commandery, when, at the time 
 of issuing the notices, no re^jort has been received from the 
 committee to whom the petitions of the Companions had 
 been referred. He also quotes from the Committee on Juris- 
 prudence, who reported, 1897, that an objection, after ballot 
 to the signing of the by-laws, in the case of an applicant for 
 membership, was valid, and expresses his dissent from the 
 conclusion reached by the committee. He refers to some of 
 the positions taken by the present writer, and does not seem 
 
EEPOET ON COBBESPONDENCE. 27 
 
 to be troubled at our suggestion that something less than a 
 unanimous ballot might answer in passing upon a petition 
 for affiliation. 
 
 John H. Nicholson, Richmond, whose portrait forms the 
 frontispiece of the Proceedings, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander; "William H. Smythe, Indianapolis, was re-elected 
 Grand Recorder, and Nicholas R. Ruckle, Indianapolis, was 
 continued as Writer of Correspondence. 
 
 Iowa, 1898. 
 
 It is pleasant to read of the annual gatherings of Knights 
 Templars at their beautiful park on the shores of Spirit Lake, 
 where the Grand Commandery has been accustomed to meet 
 at midsummer time each year. Brethren are drawn to Tem- 
 plar Park for rest and refreshment on each occasion when 
 the Grand Commandery convenes ; many of them plan for 
 an "outing" of a week or more, having the company of 
 families, at the time of such meetings. 
 
 The gathering at Templar Park last July included Sir 
 Knights from all parts of the State, who were drawn together 
 and brought into closer fraternal relations by the conditions 
 of time and place. 
 
 It was the Thirty-fifth Annual Conclave thus convened on 
 July 12, 13, 14, and 15, 1898. Four days were not needed 
 for the transaction of business; but, assembled at Templar 
 Park, there were many things properly claiming attention, 
 and it was not deemed advisable to protract the sittings of 
 the Grand Body at any of the sessions. 
 
 The conclave was attended by representatives from thirty- 
 three of fifty-eight Commanderies of the jurisdiction, all of 
 the Grand Officers except one, a goodly number of perma- 
 nent members. Grand Representatives, and visitors. The 
 number of Commanderies unrepresented was larger than 
 usual. 
 
 Grand Commander Francis H. Loring, whose portrait, a 
 steel plate engraving, forms the frontispiece of the Proceed- 
 ings, delivered an address alike comprehensive and timely. 
 Referring to the war not then ended, he reminded the Sir 
 
28 GRAND COMMANDEBY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 Knights of their duties thus made clear and urgent. We 
 quote a part of his remarks on this subject : 
 
 Sir Knights, if tliere is a time when you should wield your swords in 
 defense of innocent maidens, it is when the passions of men are excited to 
 the pitch of uncontrollable frenzy Ijy the horrors of war. If there is a 
 time when destitute widows are in need of protection, it is when those 
 from whom they should expect it are laid low in death on the field of 
 battle, or detained in the field or hospital with the many discomforts of 
 army life. If there is a time when helpless orphans cry out for aid, it is 
 when the father's guiding and protecting hand is snatched away by the 
 destroying angel of carnage. 
 
 In that portion of his address setting forth dispensations 
 granted, and appHcations for the same received, we find the 
 following statement: 
 
 There was one experience occurring during the year to which I deem it 
 proper to refer : I have been requested to grant dispensations to enable 
 the Commanderies to confer the orders on Companions for the express 
 purpose of rendering them eligible to membership in the Mystic Shrine. 
 Not conceiving it the province of the Grand Commander to precipitate 
 the conferring of orders for any purpose except that of inculcating the 
 principles of the Order, I felt it my duty to decline to issue dispensations 
 in response to such requests. 
 
 Under the heading, " Templar Park," he notes the improve- 
 ments made at this Templar resort, and its growing attrac- 
 tiveness. He reports the failure of endeavors to exempt the 
 property from taxation. He says : 
 
 During the past year an effort was made to have the taxes abated, under 
 the claim Ihat our Order is exempt from taxation under the law. The 
 matter was referred to Sir Knight J. W. Corey, of Spirit Lake, who sub- 
 milted it to the district court of the county for adjudication. 
 
 After a hearing, the court decided that the social features of our Order 
 were so prominent a part of our stay in the Park that it removed it from 
 the list of exemptions for taxes. 
 
 He announced a bequest to the Grand Commaudery from 
 Mrs. Amanda E. Parish, who had recently died, one clause 
 of whose will reads as follows : 
 
 I direct my executor to pay over to the Grand Commaudery of Knights 
 Templar of Iowa the sum of three thousand ($3,000) dollars, to be kept 
 
EEPOET ON CORRESPONDENCE. 29 
 
 and denominated " The Parish Fund ; " the same to be under the care of 
 three trustees, and their successors in office annually elected by said 
 Grand Commandery ; the said amount to be kept mvested in some safe 
 securities, at Interest, the interest to be payable as often as once in each 
 year, and said interest to be expended by said trustees as they may think 
 best for purposes of charity. 
 
 The Grand Commandery took suitable action for the carry- 
 ing out of the intent of Mrs. Parish, who, as the wife of a 
 devoted Sir Knight, John C. Parish, Past Grand Eecorder, 
 had become greatly interested in the Order, and who was 
 gratefully appreciative of the kindness and fraternal friend- 
 ship manifested both to herself and her husband during long 
 years of sickness. She made the bequest in testimony of 
 such appreciation. 
 
 The Grand Commandery, on report of a committee, took 
 action on the subject of uniforms for Prelates and for the 
 Grand Prelate, and prescribed the following attire and uni- 
 form: 
 
 First. Prelate's Robes. — An undergarment of plain white, open 
 behind, reaching to the feet, with flowing sleeves reaching to the middle 
 of the hand ; a black cloak of merino or silk, with wide flowing sleeves ; 
 for a girdle a black silk cord with tassels ; on the left breast a crimson 
 Templar cross, outlined with gold. A stole of white silk, marked with 
 three black crosses, outlined iu gold, trimming of gilt lace and fringe. 
 For a head-dress a baretta of black velvet or silk, marked in front with 
 a triple triangle in silver. 
 
 Second. Unifohm of a Prelate op a Subordinate Commandery. — 
 He shall wear the ordinary dress of a Templar, as prescribed by the 
 Grand Encampment in 1862, but without the baldric. Upon his chapeau 
 and cap and on the cuff of each sleeve he shall wear as insignia the triple 
 triangle, embroidered in silver. His belt and hangers shall be black, 
 edged with a row of silver braid. His sword hilt and scabbard shall be 
 black, with silver mountings, and on a square buckle of black he shall 
 wear the triple triangle in silver. 
 
 Third. The uniform of the Eminent Grand Prelate of the Grand Com- 
 mandery shall be the same, except that insignia, mountings, and lacings 
 sball be of gold. During the year only of his incumbency as Grand 
 Prelate he shall wear the shoulder straps of an officer of the Grand Com- 
 mandery, in accordance with the prescribed regulation of the Grand En- 
 campment in 1862, modified in 1892, viz. -. " Bright red silk velvet, two 
 inches wide by four inches long, bordered with one row of embroidery of 
 gold a quarter of an inch wide, the Templar's cross of gold, with the 
 
30 GEAUB COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 initials of the office, respectively, to be embroidered (old English char- 
 acters) in silver on the low^er end of the strap," 
 
 The sum of $500 was appropriated to be placed at the dis- 
 posal of the Grand Commander for Triennial purposes. 
 
 Seventy-two pages are taken by the excellent report on 
 Correspondence furnished by Eev. J. C. W. Coxe, D. T>. 
 
 Under California, referring to Grand Commander Ward's 
 suggestion to dispense with the report on Correspondence, 
 because of its cost— about $400— and for the additional rea- 
 son that " out of a membership of 3,033 only a few, a very 
 few, about 100, read these reports," Bro. Coxe says : 
 
 "We are confident that his estimate— it could be no other ; he had no re- 
 liable figures before him — of the number of readers was entirely too low ; 
 and it could not have escaped his intelligent observation that the men 
 vi^ho come to the front and rule the craft are invariably from these 
 readers. The mass of the people of the country never attend our higher 
 schools and colleges ; but ;he schools and colleges are essential for the 
 training of the men who are to be the leaders and rulers of the incom- 
 petent masses. Who would abolish West Point or Annapolis because 
 but few boys seek and receive a military or naval training ? These 
 trained boys are the nation's reliance in time of war ; Manila pays well 
 for a naval training for Dewey. The Committee on the Doings of Grand 
 Officers took a sensible view of the case, and recommended that the reports 
 '.' should be placed in the hands of every Templar in this jurisdiction " — 
 to which Frater Davis will say "amen." 
 
 Under Georgia he expresses his opinion regarding the 
 oifice of Prelate, touching upon some related questions, as 
 follows : 
 
 While the work of the Prelate is important, ranking, indeed, with that 
 of the Commander and the Wardens, the office has not been accorded the 
 rank and dignity to which it is really entitled ; and, moreover, it has not 
 been regarded as a position which placed one in the line for promotion, 
 but rather as an honorary oflBce, which practically shelved the incumbent, 
 like the office of lieutenant-governor in some of our States. Occasionally 
 a clergyman is found who has the military instinct, and who does not 
 care to be put in the list of non-eligibles for the highest office in his Com- 
 mandery ; he will naturally decline the office of Prelate, preferring to 
 take his chances of promotion from the floor. Once and forever place the 
 office of Prelate on the same basis of manhood and merit as are the other 
 offices in line, and men of character and worth will no more hesitate to 
 accept this position than any other in the gift of their fraters. But so 
 
EEPOET ON CORBESPONDENCB. 31 
 
 long as the odor of professionalism attaches to it a manly man may be 
 pardoned if he declines the empty "honor." 
 
 Our thought is that no office in a Commandery, except 
 that of Eminent Commander, is more important than that of 
 Prelate, and in the " fitness of things," where conditions are 
 favorable, the office should be held by a clergyman. But 
 the holding of that office by clergyman or layman should by 
 no means bar his advancement to a higher office in rank. 
 
 Bro. Coxe enlightens us in the matter of his reference to 
 the " Stub-Toe Fratres " of Montana. He says : " If Mon- 
 tana is popularly known as the ' Stub-Toe State,' are not its 
 Sir Knights ' Stub-Toe Fratres ? ' " 
 
 He gives courteous and ample notice to Massachusetts, re- 
 ferring with approving words to Grand Commander Walker's 
 address, and to various reports of committees. He kindly 
 mentions the paper presented by the nresent writer in mem- 
 ory of Past Grand Master Benj. Dean. In the " conclusion" 
 of his report, Bro. Coxe indulges iii the expression of pen- 
 sive feelings, as he calls to mind the constant falling of 
 shadows across our way ; but he does not write as one in 
 doubt and fear. We quote a paragraph from this conclusion : 
 
 These reflections are sobering but not cheerless, "The night is mother 
 of the day." A cherished friend once wrote for us in a much prized 
 autograph collection; "Should the sun of thy hopes lie cold and low, 
 the long shadows will point to the morning." The teachings of our 
 Order are full of hope. We are glad to have known so many of these 
 honored Fratres. The memory of their friendship will brighten all the 
 future days of our pilgrimage. 
 
 "The music in my heart I bore 
 Long after it was heard no more." 
 
 Geo. W. Bever, Cedar Eapids, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; Alfred Wingate, Des Moines, was re-elected Grand 
 Kecorder, and J. C. W. Coxe, Washington, was appointed 
 Committee on Correspondence. 
 
 Kansas, 1898. 
 
 A fine steel engraved portrait of Grand Commander Will 
 C. Chafi'ee meets the eye as one opens the volume of Pro- 
 
32 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 ceedings now in hand. The face indicates a man of energy 
 and determination, and corroborative evidence is not lacking 
 to substantiate the inference thus drawn. 
 
 He presided over the Twenty-ninth Annual Conclave, held 
 at Topeka, May 10 and 11, 1898, forty-one of the forty-six 
 Commanderies comprising the jurisdiction being represented 
 in the attendance. 
 
 He delivered an address recounting his official acts, and 
 important movements of Templar organizations during the 
 year of his administration as Grand Commander. He writes 
 in a glowing and somewhat figurative style, not without its 
 attractiveness. Thus he advocates the giving of a generous 
 support to the Masonic Home of Kansas. He says : 
 
 No act of the Masons of Kansas in its history has ever been more com- 
 mendable than that which has led to the erection of an enduring monu- 
 ment to the unselfish impulses of the Fraternity of Kansas. Our duty is 
 to the living, our respect to the dead. How more creditably may we 
 exemplify the broad Christian principles of humanity, interlined in the 
 teachings of our Order, than by the thorough establishment and upbuild- 
 ing of such a inagnificent institution as the Masonic Home of the State of 
 Kansas ? We may rear our stately granite piles that, in the midst of 
 leafy boughs and in the fragrance of sweet flowers planted by tender 
 hands, mark the resting place of departed Fratres, but we can the more 
 thoroughly exemplify the underlying principles of our Order by the 
 care of the living and the rearing of their dependents. Flowers upon the 
 tomb exhale fragrance that reaches not him to whom we pay tribute, but 
 kindness, humanity, and true Christianity to the living, pervades and 
 permeates the very soul in the fragrance of our Maker's love that lingers 
 long after the petals of the flower have withered and decayed. 
 
 He reports ten decisions — among them the following : 
 
 A Commandery cannot waive its jurisdiction over a candidate with any 
 condition, implied or expressed. An understanding or agreement to divide 
 the fees is a conditional waiver, and makes said act nugatory. 
 
 Just why this naming of a condition nullifies the action 
 taken, or proposed to be taken, in a waiver of jurisdiction, 
 we fail to see. 
 
 A Commandery cannot go to a neighboring city in its jurisdiction for 
 the purpose of conferring the orders of Templarism. Its work must be 
 done within its own Asylum. 
 
BEPOET ON COBBESPONDENCE. 33 
 
 A Past Commander, elected as Generalissimo or Captain General, should 
 wear the shoulder straps of the ofBcu to which he has been elected, when 
 on duty in such official capacity. 
 
 Among the five distinctive recommendations presented we 
 find the following : 
 
 In addition to what I have said regarding the use of ritual, I would 
 most earnestly recommend that Eminent Commanders be instructed to 
 "clear the deck" of all "jiggers" or cipher books, which some Com- 
 manderies, I am sorry to state, seem to have in. their possession. Their 
 use should not be countenanced. 
 
 We say Amen. 
 
 Grand Recorder A. M. Callaham shows by returns made to 
 him that there has been a gain in total membership, for the 
 year reported, of 17. The 46 Commanderies in Kansas have 
 an aggregate membership of 3,230. 
 
 A report of the Committee on Necrology, presented by 
 Sir Knight Samuel B. Busser, attracts our notice. It con- 
 tains some fine writing by the author, with quotations from 
 classical writers, intended to show the natural basis of a be- 
 lief in immortality. We appreciate the bendency and value 
 of human longings for another life, as these desires have 
 been manifested in all ages, but better than all these intima- 
 tions are the statements of Christ our Lord, attested by his 
 own resurrection and his ascension. "If Christ be not risen, 
 "then is our preaching vain, and your faith also is vain." 
 
 The'Grrand Commandery, by formal vote, extended a 
 " Knightly and courteous greeting " to the " Grand Chapter 
 of the Eastern Star,'' at that time convened in annual ses- 
 sion. Such a procedure, probably intended only as an act 
 of harmless courtesy, does not commend itself to our judg- 
 ment. 
 
 Grand Commander Chatfee in his address advanced the 
 opinion that the time had gone by for the securing of suita- 
 ble headquarters at Pittsburg, and that only such an appro- 
 priation should be made as would cover the expenses of 
 members of the Grand Encampment, from Kansas, who 
 might attend its session. The Grand Commandery thought 
 differently, appointed a committee to secure headquarters. 
 
34 GEAXD COMJIAXDERY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 and made a generous appropriation subject to the use of the 
 committee. 
 
 No action was taken on the Mississippi resokition. The 
 Tennessee resolution was disposed of by adopting the report 
 of a committee, recommending " that this Grand Command- 
 ery should not undertake to dictate what other societies 
 shall do." 
 
 Bro. A. M. Callaham furnishes the Eeport on Correspond- 
 ence, reviewing the Proceedings of forty -two jurisdictions 
 with his characteristic care and ability. The topical depart- 
 ment — an appendix to the report proper — contains the per- 
 sonal views of Correspondents on topics of Templar interest, 
 brought together under suggestive headings. Evidently the 
 reporter regarded this part of his work with a good degree 
 of satisfaction. He says : 
 
 We take pleasure in introducing to you those dear Fratres, correspond- 
 ents of their respective Grand Conimanderies, whose words of wisdom 
 have made our Topical Department a garden of flowers, a mine of wealth, 
 a collection of gems. 
 
 Then follows the names and titles of the Correspondents 
 whose opinions (some of them) have been thus presented. 
 This department of the report has value as showing in a 
 classified form the opinions of some thirty writers of Tem- 
 plar Correspondence on topics of vital interest. 
 
 Correspondent Callaham disapproves of affiliation fees. 
 So do we. A Sir Knight who is obliged by his business con- 
 siderations or professional interests to change his residence, 
 perhaps several times, is unduly taxed by being subjected to 
 the payment of an affiliation fee each time his membership 
 is transferred from one Commandery to another. A high 
 affihation fee seems unjust. 
 
 He favors charging a fee for the issue of a dispensation to 
 receive and ballot on a petition for the orders in less than 
 the regulation time. The Commandery asking for the dis- 
 pensation should pay the fee, collecting the same from the 
 Companion who is anxious to get forward in the shortest 
 time possible. The cases are very rare where dispensations 
 to shorten the time on ballots seem justifiable. Certainly 
 
rEpoet on correspondence. 35 
 
 the rule otight not to be set aside merely to accommodate 
 the individual who desires to become a Knight Templar in 
 order to participate in some " pilgrimage " or other festival 
 occasion soon to occur. 
 
 Under Massachusetts and Rhode Island he reviews the 
 somewhat peculiar case of a protest made by members of 
 De Molay Commandery, Boston, against allowing an appli- 
 cant for affiliation, who had received a clear ballot, but un- 
 der suspicious conditions as to the arrangement of the bal- 
 lot-box, to sign the by-laws and so complete his membership. 
 Correspondent Callaham quotes the decision of Grand Com- 
 mander Walker sustaining the protest, and also gives the 
 report of the Committee on Jurisdiction approving the de- 
 cision, they being of the opinion that the protest was equiv- 
 alent to an objection after ballot, and that the law in such 
 cases provided " applies to candidates for membership as 
 well as for the orders." 
 
 To this conclusion, as to the judgment rendered, he ob- 
 jects. He says : 
 
 We cannot agree with the committee that the law applies to applicants 
 for membership also. We have no doubt if the question was asked the 
 committee as to the status of one who had received the orders of Knight- 
 hood, but for any reason had not signed the by-laws, that, they would 
 say that he was a member of the Commandery that knighted him ; that 
 the neglect to sign the by-laws did not vitiate his membership. 
 
 Following the ballot on an application for membership 
 there is no ceremony as in the case of a clear ballot on a pe- 
 tition for the orders, hence the distinction noted. If the ob- 
 jection has force it is on the ground that memhershijp in the 
 case cited was not acquired by the ballot, but needed, to 
 make it valid, the signing of the by-laws by the appHcant. 
 Except this distinction is recognized the point made by Bro. 
 Callaham has force. 
 
 He quotes our expression of opinion that the withdrawal 
 of a petition for the orders, when such petition has been pre- 
 sented in open Commandery, is improper, and says : 
 
 With us, when a petition is read by the Recorder, a motion to receive 
 and refer to a committee is required to be made and adopted before it be- 
 
36 GRANB COjniANDEEY OF MASS. AKt) E. 1. 
 
 comes the properly of the Commandery. No vote had been taken on the 
 motion. It had not become the property of the Commandery, inasmuch 
 as it had not been received by the Commandery. The 13th decision of 
 31.-. E.-. Grand Master McCurdy reads: "A petition for the orders of 
 Knighthood cannot be withdrawn after having been properly received by 
 the Commandery, under Section 10, Title 45, of the Code ; that is, unless 
 it shall appear that the Commandery has no jurisdiction over the 
 petitioner." ■\\'e think our law which prescribes the method of receiving 
 a petition does not conflict with Section 10, Title lo, and is in harmony 
 with the decision above referred to. 
 
 In the jiuisdiction to wliicli we address this report, it needs 
 no motion to refer a petition for the orders, but such refer- 
 ence follows as a matter of course, unless objection be made. 
 Should objection be made it would require a majoritj' vote 
 to have the desired force. In Kansas, however, a slightly 
 different order of procedure prevails. Under the practice 
 there, and in view of the decision of Grand Master McCurdy 
 as cited, we are inclined to modify our opinion expressed in 
 last year's report respecting the decision of Grand Com- 
 mander Holmes, and the supporting action of the Grand 
 Commandery. We have a strong feeling, however, that it is 
 not wise to permit the withdrawal of a petition after it has 
 been presented to a Commandery in regular conclave assem- 
 bled. 
 
 George H. Jenkins, Kansas City, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander, and A. M. Callaham, Topeka, was again chosen 
 Grand Recorder and Con-espondent. 
 
 LorisLAXA, 1898. 
 
 Grand Commander Eobert Strong presided at the Thirty- 
 fifth Annual Conclave, held in New Orleans, February 18, 
 1898. 
 
 The four Commanderies comprising the jurisdiction, were 
 all represented. 
 
 Sir Knight H. B. Stoddard, Grand Generalissimo of the 
 Grand Encampment, Avas received with the honors due his 
 exalted rank. 
 
 The Grand Commander made a brief report of his official 
 
KEPOET on COfiRESPONDENflE. 37 
 
 acts. He announced the death of Past Grand Commander 
 J. Q. A. Fellows, deservedly respected and honored by- 
 Brethren and Sir Knights throughout the land. In memory 
 of the departed Sir Knight it was ordered that the jewels 
 and furniture of th6 Commanderies be draped in mourning, 
 and that the Sir Knights wear the usual badge of mourning 
 for sixty days. 
 
 Bro. J. Q. A. Fellows was a man excellently well informed 
 in all matters pertaining to Freemasonry and Masonic 
 Templarism. He had held the highest positions in the 
 various Grand Bodies with which he was identiiied, and iu 
 these honorable stations he had shown signal ability both 
 as a scholar and an administrator. For more than a gener- 
 ation he exercised a large measure of influence both in sym- 
 bolic Masonry and in the Templar Order. While holding 
 the office of Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the 
 United States— 1871-1874— the "Order of the Grand Cross 
 of the Temple" was instituted in England, to consist of 
 thirty members and no more. Sir Knight Fellows was 
 selected as one of these thirty members. The following is 
 the official note, in part, addressed to him by the Secretary 
 of the Order: 
 
 I rejoice to make more certain to you that the Priuce of Wales, of his 
 own motion and peculiar favor, lias conferred upon you, his Brother and 
 Sir Knight, the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order, in order that 
 the bonds of fraternal love between the nations, united in blood, may be 
 more thoroughly drawn together. 
 
 There is no Report on Correspondence. Sir Knight Fel- 
 lows had usually written the report, always having some- 
 thing to offer as the result of his thought, reading, and obser- 
 vation, and always making expression of his views with 
 equal vigor and courtesy. We mourn the taking away of 
 this large minded, true hearted Sir Knight, who wrote so 
 interestingly on numerous topics of Masonic and Templar 
 concern. But he has gone, and another takes his place as Cor- 
 respondent — a worthy and accomjjlished Sir Knight — who 
 will no doubt grace the position to which he is called. 
 
 Eobert Strong, New Orleans, was elected Grand Com- 
 
38 GRAND COMjrAXDEEt OF UtASS. AND R. 1. 
 
 mauder; Eichcard Lambert, New Orleans, was re-elected 
 Grand Eecorder, and Samuel M. Todd was appointed Cor- 
 respondent. 
 
 Maine, 1898. 
 
 The volume in hand contains Hi pages and is without 
 special embelKshment. It is attractive in appearance, how- 
 ever, by reason of clear print, the good quality of paper 
 used, and the arrangement of its contents under the skillful 
 hand of Bro. Berry. It comprises the transactions of the 
 Grand Commandery, at the Forty-seventh Annual Conclave, 
 held at Portland, May 5, 1898, with accompanying papers of 
 much interest, including a complete roster of the member- 
 ship of the nineteen Commauderies within the Templar juris- 
 diction of the Pine Tree State. 
 
 Maine is our Alma Mater in Templarism. As we turn the 
 pages of the Anniial just now received our thought goes 
 backward to the delightful associations of former days. We 
 think of the evening when in company with Ballou, Mc- 
 Lellan, Hayes, and others, we took upon ourselves the obU- 
 gations of a Knight Templar in the Asylum of Maine Com- 
 mandery, No. 1, and of the quickly following organization 
 of Dunlap Commandery, at Bath, then our home, with which 
 Body, during the first years of its establishment, we were 
 pleasantlj' identified. AVe think of Owen, and Ballou, and 
 Hayes, and McLellan, and Fuller, and Shaw, and Duncan, 
 and the others with whom we walked and worked in the 
 communion of Knights Templars, during that first period of 
 the organic life of Dunlap Commandery, when the early love 
 of Masonic Templarism was strong within the soul, and we 
 are conscious of a quickened and gi-atified feeling in such a 
 review. We do not forget— we would not forget — our 
 former associations with the Masons and Knights Templars 
 of Maine. 
 
 Grand Commander Fritz H. Twitchell, one of the promi- 
 nent members of Dunlap Commandery in the early days of 
 its history, whose helpful influence has been felt all along the 
 way of its expansion, presided over the conclave, and de- 
 livered a well considered and timely address. He was able 
 
KEPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 39 
 
 to report the Order throughout the State as united and 
 prosperous. We quote his words on this point, as follows : 
 
 It is especially gratifying to witness the pleasant relations which now 
 exist among the members of the various Commanderies. A desire to 
 work together for the interest of the Order is everywhere manifest. For 
 the past few years there has been a growing tendency to increased interest 
 in the accurate rendering of the ritual and of perfection of the floor work. 
 This, added to the commodious and convenient quarters of nearly all of 
 the Commanderies, has been, in my opinion, one of the causes of the great 
 increased interest. 
 
 He reported the adjustment of the Henry M. Hartleb 
 matter. Sir Knight Hartleb was "legally healed" by the 
 Grand Commander, at a stated conclave of Dunlap Com- 
 mandery, held February 1, 1898. 
 
 The Committee on Jurisprudence, referring to this matter 
 in their report, approved the action of the Grand Commander 
 in the words following : " "VVe congratulate the Grand Com- 
 mandery upon the satisfactory adjustment of a matter which 
 was liable to create friction with a sister Grand Com- 
 mandery." The Grand Commandery adopted the report of 
 its committee. 
 
 It was voted that legislation is inexpedient in relation to 
 the resolutions of the Grand Commandery of Tennessee con- 
 cerning the xise of the Maltese cross. 
 
 It was voted that the Mississippi resolutions " be referred 
 to the representatives of this Grand Commandery in the 
 Grand Encampment, for such action by them as they may 
 deem Avise." 
 
 The sum of $289.35 was " appropriated to the fund for the 
 use of the Grand Officers for entertainment at the next 
 Triennial." 
 
 The reports of the Grand Recorder and of the Grand 
 Treasurer show a year of numerical and financial advance. 
 A net increase of 191 members is reported, the aggregate 
 membership being 3,344, April 1, 1898. The receipts were 
 $1,619; disbursements, *1,434 ; balance in treasury, $2,010.87. 
 
 The Eeport on Correspondence, by Bro. Stephen Berry, is 
 one of his best. He gets an inspiration for his work of re- 
 view at the very beginning, by the beautiful white squadron 
 
40 GRAND COMMAXDEKY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 then swinging at its anchors in Portland harbor, amidst sur- 
 roundings all so delightful in the summer time. He quotes 
 a competent authority, as follows : 
 
 Superinteudent Hilgard of the Coast Survey once sdJ to us that he 
 had worked along the whole Atlantic coast from the Gulf of Mexico to 
 Quoddy Head, but that the coast of Maine was the most picturesque and 
 striking, for it was here that are first found bold headlands, and the 
 denticulated foliage of the tir and spruce. 
 
 He quotes from "^'hittier to show the longings of those 
 familiar with these scenes, and separated from them — long- 
 ings which have been felt, we are sure this present year, bj' 
 many a soldier from Portland and the vicinity, held in the 
 sickly camps of the south : 
 
 And manj' a home-sick tear is shed 
 
 By wanderers miles awav 
 As memory whispers of Old Wliite Head, 
 
 And the islands of Casco Bay. 
 Ah, rarest musses that ever were seen 
 
 Grow briglitly on Old White Head ; 
 Orange, and russet, and emerald green 
 
 Wide o'er the rocks are spread ; 
 And when the sweet June sunlight Klines, 
 
 The gossiping zephyr tells 
 Where ruby and golden columbines 
 
 Are swinging their myriad bells. 
 Ah ! thus, as I lie on my tiresome bed. 
 
 I cheat the dreary da}-, 
 By summer pictures of Old White Head, 
 
 And the billows of Casco Bay. 
 
 After such a preface adorned with true sentiment. Sir 
 Knight Berry applies himself to the more prosaic duties of 
 a reviewer's vocation. 
 
 lender Colorado, commenting upon the display and social 
 features which mark Triennial occasions, he says : 
 
 Even if the Tfiennial display does indicate "the desires of the great 
 body of the Order" it is not wise to infer that the Order does not pursue 
 noble aims and ends ilen who expend lavishly on display often give 
 more in charily of their incomes, in proportion, than those who are thrifty 
 and economical. Some practice better than others preach. We cannot 
 
BEPOET ON COBRESPONDENCE. 41 
 
 tell how much, the lofty ideal of chivalry inculcated by our rituals in- 
 fluences the lives of the members, but we may reasonably hope that 
 many good deeds blossom from it, that many evil impulses are checked by 
 it, and that it is a leaven always working for good in the community. 
 
 Wholesome and timely words are these. We have an ac- 
 quaintance with a number of men belonging to the Templar 
 Order who are fond of the " pilgrimage " and the parade, 
 and contribute liberally to ensure the success of all such oc- 
 casions, but whose generosity in quiet ways has been at- 
 tested over and over again. A man may be attracted by the 
 display and social features attendant on Templarism, and yet 
 appreciate and practice the noblest principles. 
 
 Under Kentucky, he quotes Bro. Woodruff, Dean of Cor- 
 respondents, who, reviewing Pennsylvania, 1897, presents the 
 following query : 
 
 "Pittsburgh" or "Pittsburg," how should the name be spelled ? The 
 Pennsylvania Grand Recorder spells it about as often one way as the 
 other, rather inclining to the use of the " h," while the Grand Commander 
 and the Correspondent are at one in dropping the "h," and Mayo's Grand 
 Encampment Proceedings retains it invariably. 
 
 We are almost persuaded to side with Bro. Mayo, in view of his well 
 known orthographical proclivities ; yet in glancing over the Pennsylvania 
 Proceedings we have made a computation which shows no partiality for 
 either termination, standing sixteen to sixteen for the " g " and the " h," — 
 quite a singularly suggestive "parity" in one sense, and a most in- 
 explicable &>-parity in another. "Who shall decide when Pittshurghers 
 disagree. 
 
 The Grand Encampment, meeting on the spot, would make an admir- 
 able tribunal in which to settle this important matter, as its members have 
 learned to spell in school districts widely separated, but unfortunately, 
 that august body solemnly declared, a quarter of a century ago, that it 
 "has no authority to determine questions of historic truth, literary usage, 
 and the philology and grammar of the English language." So that unless 
 Congress shall fix upon a long standard or a short standard for this per- 
 plexing name, writers will be at liberty to use "burg" or "burgh" at 
 their own sweet will. 
 
 Having this text given him, Bro. Berry adds the following : 
 
 Why not enjoy a little liberty in spelling when we can have it ? The 
 man who never liked Shakspear because he could not spell his own name 
 twice alike, was pedantic and illiberal. Shakspear's versatility was his 
 6 
 
42 GBAND COMMANDEKY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 great charm. There are sixteen correct ways given of spelling Cimetar, 
 and we are always gratified to find that we can never remember one of 
 them except by accident. 
 
 We cannot forego mention of our own experience in this 
 matter. After looking into the matter a little, finding that 
 authorities differed as to the use of the " h," but that it ap- 
 peared in the official documents sent out by the Grand En- 
 campment, we decided to adopt the form thus sanctioned. 
 Having call to -u-rite a magazine article on the " Triennial at 
 Pittsburg," w^e were careful to attach the " h " in our every 
 naming of the place. When the proof came to us the intel- 
 ligent compositor had struck out what to him seemed the 
 superfluous letter, and so we concluded to accept the com- 
 mon usage. It does not much matter, as Bro. Berry says ; 
 but we cannot foUow him in his spelling of the name of the 
 great dramatist. We think it should be Shakespeare. 
 
 Courteous treatment is accorded Massachusetts and Rhode 
 Island. In his reference to our expression of opinion re- 
 specting the Mississippi resolution, he says : 
 
 Bro. Rugg is opposed to the Mississippi "Limitation" resolutions, on 
 the ground that everything being quiet it is better not to disturb the 
 existing relations. Logically, we should say that the best time to reform 
 existing relations is when no dispute exists. But practical!}' we know 
 that it will not he done until some abuse of the power makes the possi- 
 bility obvious. 
 
 If we beUeved there was need of reform, it "would be no 
 question of " time " that -would deter us from advocating a 
 change ; but holding as we do to the opinion that the pres- 
 ent polity works to the prosperity of the Order, and is gen- 
 erally acceptable to its members, we see no occasion to revive 
 the old controversy as to relations. 
 
 Correspondent Berry adds to the value of his report by 
 furnishing a carefully prepared table of statistics. Follow- 
 ing the exhibit, he makes this statement : 
 
 The gain in the United States is 3,879, equal to 2,J per cent., against 
 2,365, or 3 per cent, last year. The percentage of Templars to Master 
 Masons is again advancing, and exceeds 1896. Massachusetts and Rhode 
 
KEPOET ON COEEESPONDENCE. 43 
 
 Island easily maintains her lead over Pennsylvania, while New York is 
 no longer a dangerous competitor. 
 
 We quote his conclusion : 
 
 We began our report with a picture of the beautiful white squadron 
 brooding like doves upon the peaceful waters. Now its color is changed 
 to the leaden hue of war, and its guns are thundering death and destruc- 
 tion among tlie Spaniards, while the noble Maine has gone up to im- 
 mortality in a chariot of Are. Every generation has for itself to learn 
 what war is: 1750, 1776, 1812, 1843, 1861, 1898. Let us earnestly hope 
 and pray that this war will soon be over, and that our brave boys may 
 come marching home again, safe and sound. Then will our good ships 
 again put on their fair robes of white and come sailing back into peaceful 
 waters, where the sun will not smite their gallant crews by day nor the 
 pestilence by night. 
 
 The prayer is answered. Peace returns. Together we re- 
 joice that the war has ended. But, alas ! not all " our brave 
 boys " return. As is always the case there is the minor tone 
 mingling with the peans of joyful exultation. 
 
 Frank E. Sleeper, Sabattus, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; and Stephen Berry, Portland, was re-elected Grand 
 Recorder, and again made chairman of Committee on Cor- 
 respondence. 
 
 Maeyland, 1897. 
 
 All the Commanderies of the jurisdiction, twelve in num- 
 ber, were represented at the Twenty-seventh Annual Con- 
 clave, in Baltimore, November 23, 1897. Grand Commander 
 George Cook, whose portrait forms the frontispiece of the 
 volume now in hand, presided, and delivered an address oc- 
 cupying in its printing twenty-five pages. Referring to the 
 matter of personal equipment, he says : 
 
 During the past few years the proportion of uniforms procured to the 
 number of Companions knighted is so small that it really mars the ap- 
 pearance of our Order on public occasions, especially as you see the Sir 
 Knights who have no uniform lined along the sidewalks instead of being 
 in the ranks with their Commanderies, where they properly should be ; 
 and more particularly is this often used by some Sir Knights as an excuse, 
 that they might more conveniently shirk their duty on occasions when all 
 should be prepared to do their share, namely, that of assisting at the 
 
44 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND R. I. 
 
 funerals of our deceased Fiatres. While I agree with some that morally 
 and theoretically a man may be just as good a Templar without as with a 
 uniform, yet I can not see how a Sir Knight can practically comply with 
 the edicts and usages of the Order unless he is fully equipped to perform 
 his part of the law. 
 
 In accordance with liis recommendation the Grand Com- 
 mandery took action by passing the following resolutions : 
 
 Eeaolved, That no Companion of the Red Cross shall, after January 1, 
 1898, be DUBBED until he shall have been fully uniformed as a Knight 
 Templar. 
 
 Reaolred, That all the subordinate Commanderies within the jurisdiction 
 of this Grand Commandery are hereby ordered to have printed at the 
 bottom of the form of petition the Standing Resolution passed at this 
 Annual Conclave, which requires a Companion of the Order of the Red 
 Cross to equip himself with a full regulation Knight Templar uniform 
 before he can receive the Orders of the Temple or Malta. 
 
 This, no doubt, will go far to remove the evil complained 
 of. The better practice, however, is for the Commandery to 
 furnish the uniform, and include its cost in the fee prescribed 
 for the orders. 
 
 One of the disagreeable duties reported by Grand Com- 
 niander Cook was the deposing of an Eminent Commander 
 from his office on account of charges preferred against him 
 by the Lodge of which he was a member; 
 
 The Grand Commander uses forcible language in resent- 
 ing the " aspersions " of certain Brethren on those who had 
 attained higher degrees. We quote him on this subject, as 
 follows : 
 
 It is with chagrin and regret that I have noted on a number of occasions 
 when speeches were made by some who are looked upon as examplars of 
 Masonic conduct and deportment, but who have not attained the so-called 
 "higher" degrees of Masonry, that in their remarks they have referred 
 to the Masons of the "higher" degrees in terms not at all edifying, and 
 in language sarcastic to our noble Order. 
 
 As Grand Commander I desire to protest against such remarks in the 
 strongest manner possible, but as I did not feel myself called upon to re- 
 fute such remarks at the time, I take this opportunity to resent the same, 
 and will simply say that as Masons, we do not propose to interpret any 
 man's motives. Yet, we Masons of this Templar degree feel that we are 
 legitimate members of the Masonic family, and are not an annex composed 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 45 
 
 of a chosen few who have attached themselves to this family, and do not 
 propose to let anyone, who knows nothing of our Order, interpret our 
 prerogative for us. 
 
 One might suppose that Templars are the arch enemies of the Masonic 
 Fraternity, but, my dear Brethren, let me inform you that we are of your 
 own Brethren and kindred ; that we fire deeply interested in all that in- 
 terests you, and in addition we have assumed graver responsibilities than 
 those by which you are bound to the Masonic Fraternity. We have at 
 heart all that is noble, good and true. 
 
 I have never, in my experience of a number of years of active service, 
 heard the least word derogatory to the Masons of the "lower" degree 
 spoken by a Templar. Such is a far too unexemplary vocation and as 
 Templars we are too busy inculcating the beautiful teachings of our noble 
 Order to stop to engage in such work. It is not square work, true work, 
 or such work as the Sublime Grand Overseer of the Universe would have 
 us do. I need not further enlarge upon this subject. The Holy Bible 
 will remind all of us of our obligations to one another, and tliat as you 
 judge here below so you will yourselves be judged hereafter by one who 
 has not to submit, like our earthly and self -constituted judges, to the sad 
 necessity of inferring the motives, intentions and purposes of other men 
 from the uncertain and often unsafe testimony of their acts and words. 
 
 The fitness of time and place for such comment may be 
 questioned, and those to whom the rebuke applied were not 
 present to hear it ; but there is no doubt as to the provoca- 
 tion to such an utterance. We have heard Masons criticise 
 Knights Templars, as a body, in terms of unsparing severity. 
 It is certainly unkind and unfraternal to indulge in this 
 wholesale condemnation. As a rule, Sir Knights are loyal to 
 symbolic Freemasonry, and active in promoting its interests. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted the report of a special 
 committee to whom the subject was referred, " that in their 
 opinion the proposition of the Grand Commandery of Mis- 
 sissippi should not be approved." 
 
 Grand Master Warren La Rue Thomas was present, being 
 received with the honors due his official position. He con- 
 ducted the service of a public installation of the officers 
 elect, at Music Hall, Baltimore, on December 11, 1898. The 
 occasion was made attractive by music and spectacular feat- 
 ures, as well as by the presence of brave men and fair women. 
 
 The report on Correspondence, by Past Grand Commander 
 Ferdinand J. S. Gorgas, bears the marks of ability and care- 
 
46 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND R. I. 
 
 ful preparation. It is the twenty-first report furmshed by 
 him — and the last, according to his announcement. We re- 
 gret his withdrawal. For a dozen or more years we have 
 read his reports, and always with a large degree of satisfac- 
 tion. He cannot pass out of the remembrance of the Guild 
 with whose members he has walked aU so pleasantly ; the 
 older members of that band will be specially touched by his 
 retirement, and they will render unto him the meed of praise 
 for good work done and kindly fellowship shown. 
 
 Correspondent Gorgas in this last report reviews forty-one 
 jurisdictions. He gives several pages to Massachusetts and 
 Ehode Island, summarizing the doings of Grand Command- 
 ery at the semi-annual conclave held in Providence, May 26, 
 1897, seemingly finding nothing to disapprove in the transac- 
 tions of that date. His kind reference to the present writer 
 is appreciated. 
 
 Dr. Gorgas, in retiring from his position as Correspondent, 
 introduces his successor — our friend for many years — in the 
 following graceful words, with which his report closes : 
 
 For oui- successor, R.-. E. •. Sir Edward T. Scliultz, a distinguished Tem- 
 plar who is most favorably known to the Order throughout the United 
 ytates, and who is now the chairman of the Committee on Correspondence 
 of the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter and Grand Commanderj' of Jlary- 
 land, we respectfully request the same kind and courteous consideration 
 which we have always received from the Correspondents during our 
 twenty-one years of service. With good will for all, and enmity toward 
 none. 
 
 Thomas J. Shryock, Baltimore, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; John H. Wilber, Baltimore, was re-elected Grand 
 Kecorder, and E. T. Schultz, Baltimore, was named as Cor- 
 respondent. 
 
 Michigan, 1898. 
 
 Fair to look upon, as usual, is the substantial volume con- 
 taining the transactions of the Forty-second Annual Con- 
 clave, held at Port Huron, May 17, 1898, with accompanying 
 papers. The Proceedings are printed in large type, plenty 
 of space being taken for the special designation of subjects, 
 
REPORT ON COERESPONDENCE. 47 
 
 the paper is of excellent quality, so that with a skillful ar- 
 rangement of the text and artistic ornamentation, this Michi- 
 gan annual presents a most inviting appearance. 
 
 A portrait of Grand Commander Albert Stiles forms the 
 frontispiece. 
 
 In his address the Grand Commander announced a num- 
 ber of decisions, some of them of interest, but for the most 
 part covering replies to enquirers who only needed to be re- 
 ferred to the code of Templar law to have their questions 
 answered. 
 
 The Grand Commander favors a more rigid inspection of 
 Commanderies. He says : 
 
 I am fully convinced that tliere is the same necessity for an inspector or 
 instructor for the rendition of the work and drill in opening of our subor- 
 dinate Commanderies as there is of a Grand Lecturer in Chapter or Blue 
 Lodge, and I believe it for the best interest of Templar Masonry that 
 some method should be adopted to bring about a reform of the manner in 
 which the work is now being done by many of the Commanderies in our 
 Grand Jurisdiction ; fully believing that the candidate for the orders is 
 entitled to the very best efforts of the Commadnery in conferring the 
 orders of Knighthood upon him, for which they have demanded his 
 money as well as obligations, and the Commandery has no moral right to 
 render to him a farce or defraud him of what he has a right to expect and 
 has paid for, than he has to pay the fees in Mexican dollars. 
 
 We are surprised to learn that the important jurisdiction 
 of Michigan is not quite up-to-date in this matter of inspec- 
 tion. Doubtless the Grand Commander's words of criticism 
 and suggestion will bear good fruit. 
 
 Grand Recorder John A. Gerow in his report shows the 
 generally prosperous condition of the Order in Micihgan. 
 He says : 
 
 An analysis of the returns show that there were Knighted 286 ; ad- 
 mitted from other Commanderies, 31 ; reinstated, 15 ; dimitted, 61 ; sus- 
 pended for U. M. C, 3 ; suspended for N. P. D., 70 ; died, 76 ; leaving a 
 net gain of 113, making a total membership of 5,635. 
 
 The Grand Commandery, having before it the report of a 
 special committee on the subject of inspections, took action 
 as follows : 
 
48 GKAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 BesoU-ed, That tbe Right Eminent Grand Commander-elect, and his suc- 
 cessors in office, be hereby authorized and empowered to appoint said 
 official inspector, who shall be subject to the direct orders of the Right 
 Eminent Grand Commander, and who shall visit and instruct any Com- 
 mandery or Commanderies which in the opinion of the Right Eminent 
 Grand Commander shall be in need of such instruction ; said inspecting 
 officer shall receive for his services his necessary traveling expenses and 
 three dollars per diem for actual time so employed. 
 
 This resolution shall not be construed as abolishing the customary 
 official visits of the Eight Eminent Grand Commander, or such Grand 
 Officers as may be deputized by him to perform such duty. 
 
 We shall look with interest upon the results of this new 
 departure. The plan of an official inspector has worked so 
 well in Connecticut that we are inclined to look upon it far 
 more favorably than we did at the first. But everything de- 
 pends on the selection. He ought to be elected for a term 
 of years, and not be subject to re-appointment from year to 
 year. 
 
 Bro. John A. Gerow, who declines to serve a longer time 
 as Correspondent, furnishes a sensible, well balanced report, 
 which we have read with much satisfaction. 
 
 Under the District of Columbia he presents Past Grand 
 Commander George H. Burnham's plea in favor of " Per- 
 manent Headquarters," a part of which we copy, although 
 quite possibly the matter will be passed upon and settled be- 
 fore the publication of this report : 
 
 Such an establishment as is indicated does not necessarily imply that the 
 body would meet exclusively at Washington, though that would seem de- 
 sirable, but that its headquarters would be permanently there ; neither 
 would it imply that the great triennial gatherings of Knights Templar 
 would be dispensed with, for that would seem to be wholly undesirable ; 
 but it might, and probably would, have the effect of causing a less ex- 
 travagant expenditure of money on such occasions if these meetings were 
 all held at the same place, because the local societies would not then feel 
 called upon to outdo those stationed in the jurisdiction where the previous 
 conclave was held. Conclaves have now been held in all the great cities, 
 and none others can well accommodate the constantly increasing numbers 
 which attend to be a part of, or to witness the parade and participate in 
 the festivities of conclave work. Is it not time, then, to consider whether 
 the condition of the Order will not now permit, and the dignity of the 
 Grand Encampment demand, that its banners be set up in its own house, 
 and that house located in the city of Washington ? 
 
KEPOET ON CORRESPONDENCE. 49 
 
 Bro. Gerow gives ample notice to the doings of the Grand 
 Commandery of Massachusetts and Ehode Island, 1897, and 
 makes kindly reference to Sir Knight St. John and ourself. 
 
 In his " Conclusion," he gracefully presents his successor 
 as follows : 
 
 With this report we close our labors as Correspondent, and in saying 
 adieu we wish to thank the corps reportorial for the knightly and 
 courteous treatment we have received at their hands. Our work has 
 been done, for the most part, in the hours usually devoted to rest and re- 
 freshment;, and we have found the task, pleasant though it was, more 
 than we could sustain. 
 
 The Grand Commander has been pleased to relieve us of this portion of 
 our labors, and we ask for our successor, Sir Henry L. Anthony, P. G. C. 
 a hearty welcome to the Guild. He is a Sir Knight worthy of the honors 
 that the Grand Commandery of Michigan has conferred upon him, one 
 whom to know is to love. Sir Knights of the Guild, I introduce to you 
 R. E. Sir Henry L. Anthony as the future Correspondent for the Grand 
 Commandery of Michigan. 
 
 Francis M. Moore, Marquette, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; John A. Gerow, Detroit, was re-elected Grand Ee- 
 corder, and Henry L. Anthony, Sturgis, was appointed 
 chairman of Committee on Correspondence. 
 
 Minnesota, 1898. 
 
 Grand Commander Benjamin F. Farmer, whose portrait 
 forms the frontispiece of the volume we now review, pre- 
 sided over the Thirty- third Annual Conclave, held at Fari- 
 bault, June 24, 1898. 
 
 Nineteen of the twenty-five Commanderies were repre- 
 sented, and these Sir Knights, with Grand Officers and per- 
 manent members, made an actual attendance of 65 persons 
 present who were entitled to vote. 
 
 The Grand Commander in his address called attention to 
 the unlawful practice of admitting clergymen to the Order 
 without charge. The following is his timely word on the 
 subject : 
 
 It has come to my knowledge that some of our Commanderies have con- 
 ferred the orders of Knighthood on ministers of the gospel, without col- 
 7 
 
50 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 lecting the fee required for conferring the orders on candidates. I quote 
 from the code, which forbids this practice, and whicli should govern all 
 Commanderies in this State : "Title 24, Section 1. The fees for the 
 orders cannot be remitted, directly or indirectly, by vote of money to the 
 candidate. Sec. 3. No custom, however long it has existed, justifies the 
 conferring of the orders upon anyone without payment of the prescribed 
 fees." 
 
 The Grand Eecorder presented a report showing that the 
 Order in Minnesota had made a net gain of 87 members dur- 
 ing the year. The present membership is 2,534. 
 
 The report of the Grand Treasurer indicates financial pros- 
 perity. Receipts have exceeded disbursements ; balance on 
 hand is $3,065.68. 
 
 Correspondent Thomas Montgomery presented his ninth 
 annual report. He makes free use of the scissors, and, as a 
 rule, comments but briefly or not at all, on the excerpts thus 
 used. At times, however, he uses the pen gracefully and 
 forcibly. 
 
 He furnishes an elaborate statistical table, showing many 
 features of interest. By his figures, compiled in July, 1898, 
 the total membership of the Order is 121,400. The number 
 of members in the United States is 115,135. 
 
 Wm. E. Eichardson, Duluth, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander, and Thomas Montgomery, St. Paul, was re-elected 
 Grand Eecorder, and was also appointed chairman of Com- 
 mittee on Correspondence. 
 
 Missouri, 1898. 
 
 The portrait of Grand Commander John Gillies is shown 
 on the first page of the Proceedings. The face indicates a 
 thoughtful and self-reliant man. Another portrait also em- 
 bellishes the volume— that of James Francis Aglar, who was 
 Grand Commander in 1868 and 1869, and whose popularity 
 among the Sir Knights and Brethren has not waned with his 
 advancing years. 
 
 At the Thirty-seventh Annual Conclave, held at St. Louis, 
 April 26, 1898, fifty of the fifty-six Commanderies were rep- 
 resented. 
 
REPOBT ON COEEESPONDENCE. 51 
 
 Grand Commander Gillies, in a clear and concise way, set 
 before the Grand Body his official acts. He had no "de- 
 cisions " to report, having been able to dispose of all ques- 
 tions presented to him by referring the parties interested to 
 the existing law. His sensible course of procedure deserves 
 recognition. 
 
 The Grand Commandery appropriated the sum of $1,500 
 for headquarters at Pittsburg, and other expenses of the 
 Triennial. 
 
 The Grand Commandery accepted an act of incorporation 
 from the State of Missouri. It thus becomes a State corpo- 
 ration in accordance with its own petition, and under the 
 articles of association duly presented and approved. 
 
 The following amendment was passed, not without consid- 
 erable opposition, however, allowing the transfer of member- 
 ship without first obtaining a formal dimit. It seems to be 
 a sensible course of procedure. The amendment thus made 
 valid is in these words : 
 
 A Knigbt Templar desiring to cliange liis aflSliation in this jurisdiction 
 may do so witliout formally dimitting. He shall give written notice of 
 such intention, stating the Commandery with which he desires to affiliate, 
 to his own Commandery, and shall procure from it a certificate that he is 
 in good standing and not in arrears for dues, which certificate shall ac- 
 company the petition for affiliation in place of the now customarj' dimit. 
 Said petition shall take the usual course, and the Commandery receiving 
 it shall certify the result of the ballot to the former Commandery, which 
 shall, if the petitioner be accepted, at once forward to the Commandery 
 selected a certificate of transfer, which shall terminate the former affilia- 
 tion. The petitioner shall pay dues to the former Commandery up to the 
 date of issuance of said certificate of transfer, and to the Commandery 
 selected from the same date. If the petitioner is rejected by the t'om- 
 mandery with which he desires to affiliate, he remains a member of his 
 original Commandery. 
 
 We note the election of several of the Grand Officers " by 
 acclamation." We do not question the lawfulness of such 
 action, but we prefer the ballot when any elective office is to 
 be filled. 
 
 Grand Eecorder Wm. H. Mayo again fulfills the duties of 
 a Correspondent. His report is the twenty -first such paper 
 furnished by him. We have read, or at least examined with 
 
5^ GEAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND B. 1. 
 
 considerable care, all these reports, and are ready to testify- 
 that they contain much excellent writing on a variety of top- 
 ics more or less important. Now that he has attained his 
 majority we may expect that he will do even better things. 
 
 Under Massachusetts and Ehode Island, he presents the 
 action taken in the case of an application for membership in 
 De Molay Commandery, where a protest was made against 
 allowing the applicant, said to have been elected by an im- 
 proper use of the ballot-box, to sign the by-laws. Grand 
 Commander "U^alker held the protest to be equivalent to an 
 objection after ballot, and his judgment on the matter was 
 endorsed by the Committee on Jurisprudence, whose report 
 was adopted by Grand Commandery ; Correspondent Mayo 
 dissents. After quoting the decision and report, he says : 
 
 We are inclined to think that the above ruling would be set aside if 
 taken to the Grand Encampment, if on no other ground than that the 
 officers of the Commandery were negligent of their duty in not providing 
 black balls. If there was one black ball in the box vphen the first vote 
 was taken, what became of it when the second ballot was taken ? 
 
 Some of the elements in this case may suggest doubt as 
 to the correctness of the action taken in sustaining the pro- 
 test ; but the point made, that the officers of De Molay Com- 
 mandery were negligent of their duty in not attending more 
 carefully to the preparation of the ballot-box, does not seem 
 to have force. Suppose they were thus negligent, the fact 
 remains that members intending to cast an adverse ballot 
 were precluded by the conditions from doing so, and as soon 
 as possible entered their protest against allowing the appli- 
 cant, declared elected under such circumstances, to sign the 
 by-laws. "Whatever more they might have done, however 
 else they might have proceeded in seeking to fix the blame 
 for what had occurred, the vital question is as to whether or 
 not their " protest " was equivalent to an objection after bal- 
 lot ; and whether or not such " objection " applies to candi- 
 dates for affiliation, or only to candidates for the orders. 
 
 We quote from the " Conclusion " of Bro. Mayo's report : 
 
 We have paid our respects rather briefly to forty-four Grand Bodies, 
 after carefully perusing some 6,690 pages of printed matter, and have 
 
tlEtOBT ON COfeREStONtlENCE. 5S 
 
 done our best to boil it down into 100 pages and give the most important 
 and interesting matter we could glean from so much of interest. 
 
 We are pleased to note an improvement in the make-up and style of 
 the various pamphlets and books as they reach us ; nearly all are now 
 embellished with good half-tone cuts or steel engraved portraits of past 
 presiding oflBcers and distinguished Fraters, with short biographical 
 sketches. This is very important and satisfactory to all readers of the 
 official Proceedings of our various Masonic Grand Bodies, and will be ap- 
 preciated far more by future generations. 
 
 Morris Fred Bell, Fulton, was elected Grand Commander, 
 and William H. Mayo, St. Louis, was re-elected Grand Ee- 
 corder and re-appointed Correspondent. 
 
 Montana, 1897. 
 
 We made a brief notice of Montana, just at the conclu- 
 sion of our last year's report. A somewhat more extended 
 review seems in order. 
 
 The Tenth Annual Conclave, held at Helena, Sept. 13, 
 1897, was attended by the representatives of the eight Com- 
 manderies which form the jurisdiction. 
 
 Grand Commander Cornelius Hedges, in presenting a re- 
 port of his official doings, offers a number of valuable sug- 
 gestions. Referring to the Triennial, he says : 
 
 We should either apppoint a committee on Triennial arrangements at 
 this Conclave, or leave it for the Grand Commander to appoint such com- 
 mittee when it is ascertained who will be in attendance. Perhaps if times 
 improve many Sir Knights will desire to attend and join io the parade. We 
 would do or say nothing to discourage such, but would not expend our 
 general funds for that purpose. It would yield us much more satisfaction 
 to have a general meeting of all our own Commanderies in the year fol- 
 lowing the Triennial, or perhaps for the year 1900, by which time we may 
 reasonably expect to have our old-time prosperity back with us. It is not 
 too long ahead to be preparing and for our several Commandei-ies to begin 
 out-door drill. 
 
 Notwithstanding the above we think there will be a goodly 
 representation of Montana Sir Knights at Pittsburg, includ- 
 ing Bro. Hedges. 
 
 A thoughtful address, delivered by Grand Commander 
 Hedges, at Helena, on Christmas Day, 1896, is published 
 
54 Grand commandeby of mass, and e. i. 
 
 with the Proceedings, and there is also printed an excellent 
 discourse delivered by the Grand Prelate, Eev. Sir John F. 
 Pritchard, to the officers and members of the Grand Com- 
 mandery, on Sunday, Sept. 12, 1897. 
 
 The report on Correspondence, furnished by Grand Com- 
 mander Hedges, is a vigorous paper. It will be remembered 
 that at the time of his election to the highest office the 
 Grand Cbmmandery passed a resolution asking him to ap- 
 point himself Correspondent. He reviews thirty-nine juris- 
 ' dictions. 
 
 Bro. Hedges favors limiting the powers of the Grand En- 
 campment, and enlarging those of the General Grand Chap- 
 ter. We quote his words on this subject : 
 
 The constitution of both General Grand Bodies needs change. The Gen- 
 eral Grand Chapter needs more powers, and the Grand Encampment less. 
 Evidently the same questions are to be solved as when our present national 
 constitution was adopted. The Grand Encampment and the Grand Com- 
 manderies should have well defined spheres of action, and greater powers 
 should be given to the Grand Conimanderies, which meet oftener, are 
 nearer to the body of the Craft, and are better adapted to mature useful 
 legislation. Unless something is done at Pittsburg very different from 
 recent Triennials experiences, we should favor the calling of a general 
 constitutional convention of all the Grand Commanderies, to frame a funda- 
 mental law to be submitted to the Grand Commanderies and to become 
 operative when adopted by three fourths of them. 
 
 We dissent. Dividing the subject into two parts, we may, 
 in the first place, express our opinion that it would be ex- 
 ceedingly unwise at this time to attempt to increase the pow- 
 ers of the General Grand Chapter. Strong opposition would 
 be encountered, and its very life would be imperiled. As 
 has well been said, " The General Grand Chapter will live, 
 and it will continue its career of great usefulness so long as 
 it stands within its powers. But it transcends those powers 
 at its peril." 
 
 Secondly, as regards the Grand Encampment. It has large 
 powers delegated to it, and is specially recognized in the 
 legislation and practice of Grand Commanderies, willingly 
 allegiant to their Templar mother. Why seek to abridge 
 these ? Does the " yoke," such as it is, press heavily ? " Let 
 
EEPOBT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 55 
 
 well enough alone " seems a good motto to apply to both 
 bodies, as pertaining to their authority and relations. 
 
 Bro. Hedges' report is interesting and thoughtful. We 
 quote approvingly its closing words, as follows : 
 
 The peninsula of Florida points us toward Cuba, where a still more 
 barbarous war is being waged by a so-called Christian nation Tlie 
 Cubans too are our neighbors, whom we are taught to love as ourselves, 
 by the Great Book of the Law, older and more binding than any other 
 code of international law. In congratulating ourselves that our country 
 is at peace and at the day -break of a new season of prosperity which is 
 dawning, we are not doing our whole duty as men, citizens, and professed 
 Christians. Without violating any exaction of recognised international 
 law, we can at least enter our protest loud enough to awake Justice from 
 her slumbers, and recall Mercy from her sacred flight. We propose as 
 our last word to our confreres at this time, a toast to ransomed Greece, re- 
 deemed Palestine, regenerated Armenia, and "Cuba Libre." 
 
 William E. Chamberlain, Great Falls, was elected Grand 
 Commander ; Edward D. Neill, Helena, was re-elected Grand 
 Recorder, and Cornelius Hedges, Helena, was continued as 
 Committee on Correspondence. 
 
 Nebraska, 1898. 
 
 The Proceedings for 1898 appear in the usual form, rather 
 somber in appearance, albeit the black covers are relieved 
 by print and symbolic ornamentation in other colors. 
 
 The frontispiece shows a fine steel engraved portrait of 
 Grand Commander Edwin C. Webster, who presided at the 
 Annual Conclave, held at Omaha, April 21, 1898. 
 
 Nineteen of the Commanderies composing the jurisdiction 
 were represented in the attendance. The report of Grand 
 Recorder Bowen shows the total membership to be 1,655 — a 
 loss of 24 during the year. 
 
 The Grand Commander reported the year as " an unevent- 
 ful one." He sets forth the general duties of Knights Tem- 
 plars in earnest and comprehensive words. 
 
 The Grand Commandery expressed its disapproval of the 
 proposition for the establishment of Grand Encampment 
 headquarters at Washington, D. C, or elsewhere. The fol- 
 
56 GEAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND K. I. 
 
 lowing resolutions were adopted and ordered to be sent to 
 all members of the Grand Encampment residing in the "West : 
 
 Whereas, There is now pending and under consideration a proposition 
 to permanently locate the Grand Eucampment Kuights Templar of the 
 United States at the city of Washington : therefore, 
 
 Eesolced, That the Grand Commandery of Nebraska is opposed to such 
 location. 
 
 Besolred, That the Representatives of this Grand Commandery to the 
 Grand Encampment of the United States be, and are hereby, instructed to 
 vote against the location named. 
 
 Resolved, That the members of the Grand Encampment of the United 
 States from this jurisdiction are earnestly requested to vote with the 
 Representatives of the Grand Commandery in opposition to the location 
 as indicated. 
 
 There is no record of any discussion on this matter, and 
 the only reason advanced for taking this adverse action, so 
 far as the printed report shows, was that the designation of 
 permanent headquarters for the Grand Encampment would 
 result in abolishing the triennial reunions. Perhaps the de- 
 sired action in locating permanent headquarters might have 
 a tendency to restrict the large gathering of Sir Knights 
 every three years, and the elaborate parades ; but " Eeunions " 
 could be provided for from time to time, even though not 
 held in the place designated as headquarters. The proposi- 
 tion to establish permanent headquarters seems to the pres- 
 ent writer a movement in the way of progress. It is certainly 
 in the line of an orderly and dignified course of procedure. 
 
 There is no report on Correspondence. 
 
 Wilton K. Williams, York, was elected Grand Commander, 
 and William E. Bowen, Omaha, was re-elected Grand Ee- 
 corder. 
 
 New Hampshire, 1897. 
 
 Seven of the eleven Commanderies were represented in 
 the attendance at the Thirty-eighth Annual Conclave, held 
 at Concord, Sept. 28, 1897. 
 
 Grand Commander John Hatch reported having visited 
 nine Commanderies during the year, finding them in an effi- 
 
BEPOBT ON COBEESPONDENCE. 57 
 
 cient and prosperous condition. In reporting his official 
 visits, he says : 
 
 The interest and zeal shown by the Brethren was so manifest that no 
 extended admonition or criticism was necessary, and our labors were 
 limited to the pleasant office of observing and praising that which has 
 been well and faithfully done. I have called attention, with gratification, 
 to the constant and healthy growth of the Order, due, I believe, in part to 
 the evidence of the great magnitude and wide extent of the Institution as 
 a whole, shown at the last Triennial Conclave in Boston, and also to the 
 bond of fraternal union and personal regard which is shown by Ihe inter- 
 change of courtesies and visits between neighboring Commanderies. 
 
 We are pleased to notice that he favors adherence to the 
 old rule in the matter of asking permission of a Grand Com- 
 mander, when a Gommandery of another jurisdiction desires 
 to enter upon the territory under the Templar control of that 
 Grand Commander. On this point he remarks : 
 
 The practice of asking permission of the Grand Commander of a neigh- 
 boring jurisdiction for a Commandery to enter or pass through his terri- 
 tory, has, in some of the correspondence with my esteemed Fraters of ad- 
 joining States, been criticised as a useless piece of red tape ; but it is a 
 formality which, if of no great value in itself, is certainly of no harm in 
 this bustling age when acts of courtesy and politeness are apt to be for- 
 gotten. The custom is observed with scrupulous care by our Praters in 
 .Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 
 
 The Grand Commander announces several decisions of in- 
 terest. 
 
 Eeplying to the request of the Commander of DeWitt 
 Clinton Commandery, as to whether or not a Companion who 
 has a stiff leg is eligible for the orders, he lays down the 
 rule that " the petitioner should be capable of enduring pil- 
 grimage and warfare, and should not, by his presence, mar 
 the symmetry of a parade." He moralizes on the subject, 
 as follows : 
 
 A duty is owed to the Commandery and to the Order at large to see 
 that the candidates for Knighthood are of due fitness. Many evils, as we 
 regard them, exist in this world, the reasons for which we fail to under- 
 stand. Some men suffering from natural deformity are in a measure de- 
 prived of the advantages and enjoyments granted to others, aud this with- 
 out our fault and beyond our power to remedy. They must bear tbeir 
 
58 GEAND COMMAXDEKY OF MASS. A^^) E. I. 
 
 oWn heavy burden alone until the Creator in His wisdoni shows us the 
 reason for these things, and they are made perfect in a better world 
 than ours. 
 
 On a question presented by the Commander of Trinity 
 Commandery, as to the propriety of receiying- a petition from 
 a Companion not a citizen of the United States, his ruling 
 was the following : 
 
 I decided that an application for the orders of Knighthood could not be 
 received from a foreign subject. I the more readily reached this conclusion 
 as the decision, if erroneous, could be reviewed at this Annual Conclave, 
 and the only injury done being a few montlis delay to the petitioner ; and 
 I recommend that the question raised be referred to the Committee on 
 Jurisprudence. 
 
 We note that the Committee on Jurisprudence was not 
 prepared to express their opinion, and so action was deferred 
 another year. Our thought is that the Grand Commander 
 well summed up the case by his statement, a part of which 
 we quote in this connection : 
 
 If foreigners are to be admitted there is no limit to the number, even to 
 the formation of a Commandery of men hostile to our form of govern- 
 ment. Societies of foreigners in this country have proved anything but 
 beneficial, and in their own land have perverted the Institutions of ila- 
 sonry to political and selfish ends. Our Commanderies acknowledge alle- 
 giance to our flag. See resolution of Grand Commandery, Annual Con- 
 clave, 1895. The flag is the symbol of sovereignty. Unless the applica- 
 caut is prepared to march under the banner of the United States as well 
 as the grand standard of the Order, he cannot loyally perform his duty 
 as a Knight Templar in this jurisdiction. 
 
 The report on Correspondence, by Past Grand Commander 
 Albert S. Waite, covers lU pages. Evidently he is a cai'eful 
 reader and has a keen discernment. He quotes from Pro- 
 ceedings but sparingly. He summarizes the doings of Grand 
 Bodies in a pleasing and instructive manner. He has views 
 of his own, which he does not hesitate to express on impor- 
 tant subjects. He holds the social features of Masonic Tem- 
 plarism to be of importance. Under Iowa, he has this to 
 offer : 
 
ftEPOKT ON C0fiKllSl>01S(DENC£. 59 
 
 We have no great predilection for the fuss and feathers, but we are 
 much' of the impression that when the Templar orders, if they ever do, 
 get out of touch with the social tendencies of the world, they will have 
 lost the influence which they are now so manifestly exerting upon society. 
 If this is ever the case, the spirit of Knight Templary will have gone out 
 of them and their value for any purpose will have departed. 
 
 John Hatch, Concord, was re-elected Grand Commander ; 
 George P. Cleaves, Concord, was re-elected Grand Recorder, 
 and Albert S. Waite, Newport, was again appointed Corres- 
 pondent. 
 
 New Jersey, 1898. 
 
 Sixteen Commanderies comprise the jurisdiction ; fourteen 
 of these were represented in the Fortieth Annual Conclave, 
 held at Trenton, May 10, 1898. 
 
 A special conclave, held on the day preceding. May 9th, 
 was called for the purpose of trying six Sir Knights, on 
 charges preferred against them by the Grand Captain Gen- 
 eral. Two of the number were found guilty, and were ex- 
 pelled from all the rights and privileges of Masonic Tem- 
 plarism. The charges against the other four were dismissed. 
 
 The printed record does not show the nature of the charges 
 preferred against the accused, nor does it set forth any de- 
 tails of the trial. This was the sensible course of procedure. 
 
 At the regular conclave, Grand Commander John B. Eowe 
 delivered an address setting forth his official acts, and add- 
 ing to his report several timely suggestions. One of these 
 suggestions has reference to an order which he had issued 
 under date of June 5, 1897, bearing upon the duties of in- 
 specting officers, etc. The following is a part of the order : 
 
 Want of care has, at times, been noticeable in the freedom with which 
 the cipher ritual is handled and used in the conclaves of some Command- 
 eries. To guard against this. Eminent Commanders are hereafter directed 
 to see to it that neither Ihe cipher ritual, nor a copy of any part thereof, 
 is allowed to be exposed or used by oflBcers, in the opening of the Com- 
 mandery, or during the progress of the work in either of the orders. 
 Officers will qualify themselves for their several stations between con- 
 claves. 
 
60 GRAND COMMANDEBl* OF MASS. AXD R. 1. 
 
 In his addi-ess Grand Commander Eowe again calls atten- 
 tion to this free use of the cipher ritual in the Asjdum, and 
 recommends that the Grand Commandery should "set the 
 seal of its disapproval on the habit of using the open ritual 
 in the presence of candidates, or indeed in any of the work 
 or technical driU of the Asylum." The committee to which 
 the address was referred endorsed the views of the Grand 
 Commander, and recommended that an edict should be is- 
 sued prohibiting- the obnoxious practice, and the Grand 
 Commandery, we are glad to note, adopted the recommenda- 
 tion. 
 
 The Grand Commanderj' appropriated the sum of !?200 to 
 the Masonic Home. 
 
 Correspondent Peter McGill reviews forty-one jurisdic- 
 tions iu an able and courteous manner. 
 
 Under Illinois, he expresses dissent to the proposition that 
 continuous membership in the Lodge and Chapter should be 
 required for the maintenance of good standing in the Com- 
 mandery. He saj's : 
 
 We do not feel like compelling a Knight Templar to drop his Com- 
 mandery and Chapter and stick to his Blue Lodge if he cannot afford atl 
 three. A compulsory member of any body is not likely to be a valuable 
 one in any sense, except as a source of revenue. 
 
 Bro. McGill gives five pages to his courteous review of 
 Massachusetts and Ehode Island, and copies with approving 
 words the introduction and conclusion of our 1897 report. 
 
 He closes "with stirring words, charged with jjatriotic pur- 
 pose and great hopefulness for freedom and the right. We 
 say amen to the paragraph here quoted : 
 
 The future of our beloved Order is a glorious one if she is but true to 
 her teachings, traditions and profession, and we trust that the star of 
 the Order may shine steadfastly through the clouds of danger and sor- 
 row, now lowering over our beloved country ; that if necessary, thousands 
 of Knights Templar, with brave hearts and willing hands, may carry 
 side by side the Flag of Freedom and the Flag of the Cross, and that un- 
 numbered blessings and privileges may follow first to the unhappy creat- 
 ures we are called upon to assist, and next to those who have stricken off 
 the shackles of slavery from the arms of an oppressed people and given 
 
ftEtOET On COfiEEaPONBENdE. 61 
 
 to them the second greatest of God's gifts to his creatures— Freedom. 
 Truly, it may then be said, "It is better to give than to receive." 
 
 Wm. H. Sebring, Plainfield, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander; Charles Bechtel, Trenton, was re-elected Grand 
 Eecorder, and was also appointed Correspondent. 
 
 New York, 1897. 
 
 The Eighty-fourth Annual Conclave, held at Jamestown, 
 on the shore of beautiful Lake Chautauqua, was numerously 
 attended. Fifty-six of the fifty-eight Commanderies were 
 represented. The date was September 14, 1897. 
 
 As is the custom in the Empire State, there were addresses 
 of welcome by the official representatives of the civil author- 
 ity and of the local Commandery, respectively, before the 
 Grand Commandery was opened for business. Suitable re- 
 sponses were made to these addresses of hospitable saluta- 
 tion. 
 
 Grand Commander John A. Mapes, whose portrait forms 
 the frontispiece of the Proceedings, delivered a thoughtftil 
 address. He announced several decisions, all of which were 
 endorsed by the Committee on Jurisprudence, and approved 
 by the Grand Commandery. One of these decisions, having 
 reference to the suspension of Sir Knights by Lodge and 
 Chapter, was passed upon by the Committee on Jurispru- 
 dence, which recommended that section 87 be amended to 
 read as follows : 
 
 Section 87. Unaffiliation or suspension for non-payment of dues by 
 Lodge or Chapter : That fact having been duly certified to the Com- 
 mandery under the seal of such Lodge or Chapter, shall, after thirty days' 
 notice, and the Knight having failed to reinstate himself in those bodies, 
 deprive a Knight of membership in the Commandery until such unaffilia- 
 tion or suspension shall cease, or his dues be paid. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted the regulation as thus 
 modified, but it goes over, under the constitution, another 
 year for ratification. 
 
 Grand Commander Mapes closed his address with the 
 words following : 
 
62 GRAND COMMANDERy OF MASS. AND R. 1. 
 
 We enter upon a new year with bright prospects; with everything to 
 cheer and encourage us ; our Order was never more prosperous ; never 
 more fully or deservedly commanded the respect of the communities in 
 which we live. Our aims are high, our mission is a noble one. "We shall 
 surely reach those aims and fulfill that mission, if we live up to our high 
 professions and duly Improve our opportunities. The favor of a kind 
 and loving Father ever rests upon those who, recognizing the brotherhood 
 of man, earnestly seek to elevate the standard of true manhood, and to 
 make life sweeter and better for all to whom that life is given. With this 
 as our aim and purpose, and God as our helper, our future success is 
 fully assured. 
 
 The report on Correspondence, by Past Grand Commander 
 Jesse B. Anthony, deals interestingly with various topics now 
 uppermost in the thought of the Templar world, and shows 
 careful preparation. He reviews the Proceedings of forty- 
 three Grand Commandeiies. 
 
 He expresses an opinion in favor of the Mississippi reso- 
 lutions, and thinks the constitution of Grand Encampment 
 should be modified so as to recognize more explicitly the 
 rights of self government by each Grand Commandery. On 
 this point we quote him, as under Mississippi he presents 
 his views : 
 
 We believe that the constitution and code of the Grand Encampment 
 should be simplified, and by classification embrace (1) the organic law ap- 
 plicable to the Order in general, fundamental principles and regulations ; 
 (3) Constitutional provisions applicable to Grand Commanderies, limited 
 to essentials, leaving to each Grand Commandery the adoption of statutes 
 and regvilations for its government and that of its subordinates, conform- 
 able to the special requirements and obligations of the law of the Grand 
 Lodge and Grand Chapter of its jurisdiction; and (3) any special regula- 
 tions necessary for the government of the subordinate Commanderies 
 holding warrants direct from the Grand Encampment. It does not ap- 
 pear to us that any such arrangement will be perfected by the Grand 
 Encampment at the coming Triennial. There is an indispensable necessity 
 for tlie present constitution and code of laws being made harmonious in 
 various particulars, a classification and revision of the various decisions 
 in the Digest of Templar Law, that provisions for the government of 
 Subordinate Commanderies under the immediate iurisdlction of the Grand 
 Encampment should be specific, and that every Grand Commandery 
 should be allowed to regulate its own internal affairs between it and its 
 subordinates, conformable, of course, to the general law of the Supreme 
 Grand Body. 
 
fiEPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 63 
 
 Let the general law of the Grand Encampment have gov- 
 erning force, and great latitude may well be allowed Grand 
 Commanderies within their respective jurisdictions. 
 
 Bro. Anthony gives kindly notice of Massachusetts and 
 Bhode Island. He quotes approvingly our opinions ex- 
 pressed in report of 1896, respecting the Knight of Malta 
 ceremony, the relation of Masons dimitted from Lodge or 
 Chapter, to the Commandery, and the creed of a Knight 
 Templar. We appreciate such extended notice of our views 
 on these matters, as we do their endorsement by so compe- 
 tent an authority. 
 
 Arthur McArthur, Troy, was elected Grand Commander ; 
 John F. Shafer, Albany, was elected Grand Eecorder, and 
 Jesse B. Anthony was continued as Correspondent. 
 
 North Carolina, 1898. 
 
 The Eighteenth Annual Conclave was held at Raleigh, 
 May 18 and 19, 1898. 
 
 North Carolina has 12 Commanderies, the total member- 
 ship of which is 362, a gain of 13 during the year. 
 
 Eleven of these Commanderies were represented. 
 
 Grand Commander J. H. Hackburn delivered an address 
 containing several pointed suggestions of local application. 
 Among other reminders is the following : 
 
 I must here call the attention of the Finance Committee to the necessity 
 of looking into our financial condition : We are now one year ahead of 
 our receipts. In other words, the expenses of this year have to he paid 
 out of next year's income. This matter if neglected may lead us into a 
 very unpleasant situation. 
 
 The Grand Commandery ordered the Grand Eecorder to 
 call in the charter of one of the Commanderies which has 
 been in a dormant condition for several years. 
 
 The Grand Commandery expressed its judgment on the 
 Tennessee resolution by adopting the report of a committee, 
 as follows : 
 
 The special committee to which was referred that part of the address 
 of the Grand Commander relating to the cominimication of the Grand 
 
64 GEAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 Commandery of Tennessee in regard to the Maltese Cross, having duly 
 considered the same, now report that, while we fully concur with the 
 Grand Commandery of Tennessee in the sentiments expressed in said 
 communication and heartily desire that the object proposed could be 
 obtained ; yet we are of the opinion that there is no remedy for the evil 
 complained of, and therefore recommend that no action be taken by this 
 Grand Commandery in the premises. 
 
 Sir Knight John C. Chase furnishes a report on Corres- 
 pondence of 132 closely printed pages — a creditable report 
 in quantity and quality for a jurisdiction of only 362 mem- 
 bers. 
 
 The Proceedings of Massachusetts and Ehode Island, for 
 1897, receive careful and extended notice. Bro. Chase 
 throughout his sprightly report shows the impulse of a kindly, 
 sympathetic feeling, as witness the following, under Missis- 
 sippi : 
 
 Come up to the Triennial next fall. Brother DeLap, and meet your 
 brother Correspondents. They will be more than glad to see you, and if 
 you do not want to attend the sessions of the "Excrescence"' we will go 
 a-tisliing in the opaque waters that flow by the "Smoky City," and you 
 will find that the trip will not harm j'ou " one little bit ;" and who knows 
 but what it would be the death blow to the arch fiend dyspepsia which 
 has tormented you for so long. We are pleased to learn of the improve- 
 ment in your health and trust that your reports may wax more and more 
 "sunny " as the years go by. 
 
 Mumford D. Bailey, Winston, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; Horace H. Munson, AVilmington, was re-elected 
 Grand Recorder, and John C. Chase, Wilmington, was ap- 
 pointed Correspondent. 
 
 NoETH Dakota, 1897. 
 
 The seven Commanderies comprising the jurisdiction were 
 all represented at the Eighth Annual Conclave, held at 
 Devil's Lake, July 1, 1897. 
 
 Grand Commander Wm. T. Perkins presided. In his ad- 
 dress he announces two decisions, both of which are clearly 
 in accord with the code of statutes of the Grand Encamp- 
 ment. We see no sufficient reason for giving a " decision " 
 
EEPOKT ON CORBESPONDENCE. 65 
 
 and reporting the same, when the questibn proposed is ex- 
 plicitly answered by the code of statutes. It would seem 
 that nothing more need be done in such cases than to refer 
 the enquirer to the law. 
 
 Grand Eecorder F. J. Thompson in his report sets forth 
 the propriety of encouraging Companions to become Knights 
 Templars, and a committee endorses the suggestion, recom- 
 mending parades, competitive drill, and other means, as rea- 
 sonable and Knightly efforts to be put forth in seeking to 
 increase the membership. It is all right to seek to increase 
 the membership, keeping within well understood limitations, 
 but ^\e question the expediency of holding competitive drills 
 and other spectacular exhibitions for the purpose named. 
 
 The Grand Commandery voted to provide itself with a new 
 banner. 
 
 There is no report on Correspondence. Under the head- 
 ing " Episode," the Grand Eecorder describes a visit made 
 by the Grand Commandery to Fort Tothu, on the borders of 
 De^-il's Lake, where several thousand Indians were in camp. 
 We copy herewith a part of the account : 
 
 The Grand Commandery had the pleasure of witnessing a Squaw 
 Dance, the participants of which were not only matronly looking squaws, 
 but the dusky belles of the aborigines of our country. And also witness- 
 ing what is known as the Grass Dance, in which the braves, or, as 
 called in the West, the "bucks," participated, a scene which to be appre- 
 ciated must be witnessed ; for no language can describe the grotesque, 
 unique and bizarre costumes, and lack of costumes, which these dowdy 
 red-men possessed, or did not possess. We shall not mention names, but 
 a number of the members of our Grand Commandery are old frontier 
 men, who had hunted the buffalo, and, no doubt, in the past have had 
 many an Indian scalp dangling at their belts, were so vividly reminded 
 of old times that they leaped into the arena and kept time to the beating 
 of the tom toms, and gave vent to such blood curdling yells that not a 
 few of the Indians were scared from the ring. 
 
 John D. Black, Valley City, was elected Grand Commander, 
 and Frank J. Thompson, Fargo, was re-elected Grand Ee- 
 corder. 
 
66 geand comjiin'deey of mass. and k. i. 
 
 Ohio, 1807. 
 
 The handsome volume of Proceedings, about 400 pages, 
 has a Pi'(rludlum of 18 pages, gi^'ing an account of the cele- 
 bration of the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of 
 Toledo Commandery, which took place at Toledo, on the first 
 day of the meeting of Grand Commandery, September 8, 1897. 
 
 This anniversary, we are told, " was fittingly celebrated by 
 many of the Commanderies of the State, accompanied by 
 ladies innumerable, and bj' the citizens of Toledo, generally." 
 The occasion aiDpears to have been successful in all respects. 
 Masonic Templarism is popular in Toledo, as elsewhere. 
 
 The Proceedings record the doings of a special conclave 
 called to pay a deserved tribute of respect to the late Prelate, 
 Rev. Thomas J. Melish. 
 
 Before entering upon the business of the annual conclave 
 the Grand Body was the recipient of cordial words of wel- 
 come by Sir Knight Samuel M. Jones, Mayor of Toledo, 
 and Sir Knight Asa S. Bushnell, Governor of Ohio. Sir 
 Knight AYm. B. Melish responded for the Grand Command- 
 ery in his usual eloquent manner. 
 
 Fifty-four of the Commanderies in the jurisdiction — aU 
 but one — were represented in the attendance. 
 
 Grand Commander Barton Smith, whose portrait appears 
 opposite the title page, delivered an able address. He pays 
 a gi-aceful tribute to " Our honored dead." Making special 
 reference to our old time friend, he says : 
 
 Few men have ever so closely endeared themselves to this Grand Com- 
 mandery as Em. Sir Melish. He was the embodiment of knightly 
 courtesy and Christian kindness. The sweet courtliness of his manner, 
 his ever-ready glad and genial welcome, his sterling honesty and un- 
 bounded generosity, stole like sunshine into our hearts, to open them 
 with love and reverence tor him. 
 
 The Grand Commander expresses his views at considerable 
 length with regard to the inspection of Commanderies. The 
 reports of the inspecting officers are printed in full, occupy- 
 ing fifty-four pages of the Proceedings. Eeferring to these 
 reports he states the conclusions to which he had come by 
 their examination. He says : 
 
hEPOIlT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 67 
 
 The reports of these insijoclions show that the Commandcries of Ohio 
 are generally in a most satisfactory and prosperous condition. They 
 show at the same time (and the verbal reports of the inspecting officers 
 indicate even more clearly) that the inspections hiid come to be needed. 
 While the great majority of the Commandcries were carrying on their 
 work with the highest regard for regularity and uniformity, some 
 were permitting little irregularities and improprieties to creep in to mar 
 the symmetry and beiuily of the work, and in some Commandcries the 
 discipline had become lax, so that the members were deficient in true 
 
 knightly courtesy to their officers and to each other. 
 
 ft 
 
 He also remarks : 
 
 There is a tendency to make the inspection a social reception to the 
 distinguished visitor, but it seems to me that we have succeeded, to some 
 extent, this year in establishing the real purpose and duty of the inspect- 
 ing officer, leaving the pleasures and sociability to occupy a more sub- 
 ordinate place. 
 
 The more we consider the matter the more inclined we are 
 to favor the plan adopted in Connecticut, of having a rigid 
 inspection by an officer elected for that purpose, and paid 
 for his services. A thoroughly competent man must be 
 chosen, or the plan will fail. He should be elected for three 
 or five years. He ought to be considered as holding an office 
 entirely apart from those which are considered in the line of 
 promotion. Such an officer would be able to do a work of 
 careful inspection, giving counsel and admonition, which 
 seemingly has promise of the best results. Then the Grand 
 Officers might make visits, on which occasions the social 
 features, including the banquet, would be in the ascendency. 
 
 The Grand Commandery was liberal in its appropriations. 
 It appropriated the sum of $800 to pay the salary of Grand 
 Eecorder Bell, with the addition of $150 for office expenses, 
 and $300 to its Committee on Correspondence, Bro. Enoch 
 T. Carson. It also adopted the following recommendations 
 of its Committee on Finance : 
 
 We recommend that the E. ■. Grand Recorder be empowered to arrange 
 for the printing of 1,200 copies of the proceedings of this conclave, and 
 draw an order on the Grand Treasurer for the cost of same, subject to 
 the approval of the R.'. E. Grand Commander. 
 
 We further recommend that the sum of ?1,.')00.00 be donated to the 
 Ohio Masonic Home. 
 
68 GBAND COMMANDEBY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 We also recommend that the sum of S500.00, payable to L. F. Lyttle, 
 chaii-man Committee of Arrangements, be paid to Toledo Commandery, 
 No. 7, as the usual appropriation for conclave and entertainment of the 
 Grand and subordinate Commanderiea. 
 
 We also recommend that an appropriation of $1,500.00 be made to de- 
 fray the expenses of the entertainment upon the part of the Grand Com- 
 mandery at the Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment at Pitts- 
 burg, Pa., in 1898. 
 
 The Grand Commandery put itself on record as favoring 
 the Mississippi resolutions. There would be little justifica- 
 tion for the continued existence of the Grand Encampment 
 if it were to be divested of its powers in the way proposed. 
 If its existence was continued, it would have a name to live 
 by. Bro. Carson would have opposed the action, judging 
 by tiie opinion on the subject expressed in his report on 
 Correspondence. He says : 
 
 The organic law of the General Grand Chapter is a great big nothing. 
 Follow it and in a few years the Grand Encampment would be as maud- 
 ling as the General Grand Chapter. 
 
 Bro. Carson's characteristic and able report covers 156 
 pages. He has iDronounced ideas respecting many matters 
 of Templar interest. He thinks as we do, that much of ben- 
 efit to the Order would follow if the Grand Encampment had 
 an abiding place — if its headquarters were located at the 
 capital of the nation. He says : 
 
 We hope that the time is very near when Ihe Grand Encampment of 
 the United States will be permanently located in the city of Washington, 
 and that the Templars will have erected and own a magnificent temple, 
 corresponding in elegance of architecture and beauty with the grand 
 national architectural monuments which now adorn that great capital. 
 
 He praises the Templar pageant in Boston at the Trien- 
 nial of 1895, regarding it as " the greatest the world has ever 
 seen ; " but he criticises the poverty of the legislation in the 
 Grand Encampment and hopes for better things at Pittsburg. 
 So do we. 
 
 He does not hold the orders of the Eastern Star in esteem. 
 He thinks it a mistake to allow its meetings to be held in 
 Masonic haUs and Templar Asylums. 
 
EEPOET ON CORRESPONDENCE. 69 
 
 Under Massachusetts and Ehode Island, Bro. Carson re- 
 turns on6e more to the ritual question, expressing his opin- 
 ion that our former associate, Bro. Finch, made some unwar- 
 rantable imputations. But all this has passed by and is no 
 longer a live issue. Figuratively, we would join the hands 
 of Brother Finch and Brother Carson, both of whom are 
 royal good fellows and sound in the faith. 
 
 Brother St. John in his review of Ohio, last year, replied 
 somewhat at length to Correspondent Carson's criticisms on 
 the Order of the Eastern Star. He does not seem to have 
 converted him, however, as the following rejoinder shows : 
 
 Oui- BroUier's sympathy as bestowed upon us is wasted. Of what we 
 have said on the subject of Androgynal Freemasonry and the Eastern 
 Star we have not one word to retract, not a word of apology to make to 
 any man or woman either. It is an ugly and olTensive excrescence on 
 Freemasonry and should be shunned by everyone who loves the dignity 
 of the Order. It was gotten up as a paying adventure, as two of the 
 very prominent founders or organizers of the Eastern Star in the United 
 States were Masons for revenue mostly, if not only, notwithstanding the 
 high character that some would give them. " De mortvis nil nisi bonum.'' 
 "We believe, however, in changing the Latin apothegm slightly, "De 
 mortuis nil nisi mritas! " 
 
 We regret Brother Carson's impaired health. May abun- 
 dant blessings crown his days on the earth, pointing the waj' 
 to light and peace in the land of the immortals. 
 
 Robert V. Hampson, Salem, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; John Nelson Bell, Dayton, was re-elected Grand 
 Recorder, and E. T. Carson was continued as Correspondent. 
 
 Oklahoma, 1897. 
 
 The Second Annual Conclave was held at El Eeno, Feb- 
 ruary 1, 1897. The three Commanderies which comprise the 
 jurisdiction, having 148 Sir Knights for their total member- 
 ship, were represented. 
 
 Grand Commander Cassius M. Barnes delivered an ad- 
 dress, the printing of which required but two pages. 
 
 One of the Commanderies, which had been working under 
 a dispensation, was granted a charter. 
 
70 GEAND COMltfANDEBY OF itASS. AND R. t. 
 
 A resolution was adopted requiring the Commanders of 
 the several Commanderies to report to the Grrand Eecorder 
 the nature and character of the Christmas observance held 
 by these bodies respectively. 
 
 By the Grand Recorder's report it appears that the candi- 
 date has to pay an extra charge when proceedings in his 
 favor are hastened by dispensation. This might well be 
 made the rule in all jurisdictions. 
 
 De Forest De Francis Leach, Oklahoma City, was elected 
 Grand Commander, and Harper S. Cunningham, Guthrie, 
 was elected Grand Recorder. 
 
 Oregon, 1897. 
 
 The Eleventh Annual Conclave was held in the city of 
 Eugene, October 14, 1897. Sis Commanderies were repre- 
 sented ; eight Grand officers were in their places, and the 
 representatives of seventeen Grand Jurisdictions answered 
 to their names at the calling of the roll. 
 
 Grand Commander Robert S. Bean, in his address, ex- 
 presses his opinion that Masonic Templarism is stronger in 
 Oregon than ever before. We notice, however, by reference 
 to the Grand Recorder's figures, that there has been a net 
 loss of 16 in the aggregate membership, during the year 
 covered by his returns. The present membership, as re- 
 ported, is 414. 
 
 The Grand Commandery endorsed the Tennessee resolu- 
 tions pertaining to the Maltese Cross. We appreciate the 
 feeling prompting the Tennessee Sir Knights to take the ac- 
 tion they did on this matter, and impelling the members of 
 other jurisdictions to endorse such action ; but we do not 
 see that anything can be done in the direction proposed. 
 The use of the Maltese Cross is not within the control of 
 the Grand Encampment. As Knights Templars we cannot 
 claim the emblem to be our property. We have made it a 
 distinguishing sign of our Order, and it is not altogether 
 pleasant to notice that other societies employ it in the same 
 way — making it their peculiar badge. But we cannot see 
 that there is any tenable ground of protest. 
 
KEPOBT ON COBKESPONDENOE. 71 
 
 The Grand Commandery, wisely as it seems to us, adopted 
 the following amendment to the constitution : 
 
 No Commandery shall expel or suspend a member for non-payment of 
 dues, but in case any member shall have refused or neglected to pay his 
 regular dues during a period of one year, he may be notified by the 
 Recorder that unless at the next stated conclave either his dues be paid 
 or sickness or inability to pay be shown as the cause of refusal or neglect, 
 he will be dropped from the roll and deprived of all the rights and privi- 
 leges of a Knight Templar. But any Knight Templar thus dropped 
 from the roll, may at any time restore himself by paying the arrearages 
 due at the time he was dropped from the roll, and such other dues as may 
 be Imposed upon him by lavf. 
 
 The Mississippi resolution, proposing to limit the powers 
 of the Grand Encampment, was adopted. 
 
 A public installation, reception, and banquet made up the 
 evening's programme. The Grand Recorder summarizes the 
 delights of the occasion, as follows : 
 
 No more pleasant assembly has evev been held in Eugene than was this 
 one. The music of the evening was something of which our people were 
 all proud. A noticeable feature of all the addresses was the emphasis 
 laid upon the cooperation of the Eastern Star workers. The decoration 
 of the rooms was the work of the ladies. The dahlia cross in front of the 
 Commandery was one of the prettiest floral pieces ever made in Eugene. 
 The temple, which has long been the pride of Eugene, looked its prettiest. 
 The visiting Knights and ladies were more than pleased with their re- 
 ception, and Eugene is more than pleased with their visit ; they will 
 always receive a hearty welcome. 
 
 Past Grand Commander John M. Hodson furnishes the 
 report on Correspondence, occupying seventy-four pages, 
 and reviewing forty jurisdictions. Bro. Hodson has opin- 
 ions to which he gives clear expression. There is no ambi- 
 guity in his declarations of faith and judgment. He does not 
 like the use of the word " Templarism." He deems it a mis- 
 take to make the Order an ism. Our preference is for Tem- 
 plary, yet we frequently 'use the term Templarism, and in so 
 doing iind ourself in pretty good company. He criticises 
 Bro. Berry for the use of the old Masonic phrase " calling 
 off," and the Maine Correspondent replies as follows : 
 
72 GEAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 Calling from labor and to labor has so long been termed "calling off" 
 and "calling on," that we have used them without thought, but if they 
 are incorrect we have no special objection to dropping them, save that we 
 are somewhat inclined to preserve the old Masonic terms, even though 
 modern grammar condemns them, because they indicate the antiquity of 
 the Craft. We think no apology necessary for using expressions of the 
 Craft in connection with Templary. 
 
 Bro. Hodson devotes four pages to Ms review of our home 
 jurisdiction, 1896, and quotes approvingly from our Corres- 
 pondence report of that year. He thinks we take a too char- 
 itable view of nou-aiSliates, and says : 
 
 Brother Rugg has more patience with and love for non-affiliates than 
 we have, and his arguments would almost persuade us if we did not know 
 that in at least ninety-nine cases out of every hundred the non-affiliate 
 who strives to maintain Templar standing is entirely unworthj- of either 
 sympathy or love. Such Templars are a stumbling block, a rock of 
 offence, a concentrated nuisance which we desire to have abated. 
 
 Our observation has been quite different, else we should 
 not hold to the opinion we have heretofore expressed on this 
 subject. In many cases judgment may be pronounced as 
 Bro. Hodson declares ; but there are other cases — more than 
 one in a hundred — where no such unworthiness exists. 
 
 The report closes with the words following : 
 
 The questions we have discussed are not new, but they are of abiding 
 interest and should command the careful and intelligent consideration of 
 all Templars until properly settled. We trust we shall be honored by a 
 persual of this report by nearly, if not all, the Fraters of our jurisdiction. 
 For each one of you there is a copy prepared, and we are sure that our 
 quotations are very worthy of careful consideration, no matter what may 
 be said of the comments. It has ever been our object, in our humble 
 way, to diffuse true ^Jlasonic light — and in giving you the latest news 
 from the Templar world we trust that every sentiment expressed and 
 cverj' selection made may be for widening and deepening of the best 
 thought in our magnanimous orders. The past, at least, is secure, and it 
 remains for each of us to act well his part that the future may indeed be 
 ours. That the orders whose principal tenet is the practice of the 
 Christian virtues shall continue to wield their mighty influence for the 
 betterment of mankind. 
 
 L. C. Marshall, Albany, was elected Grand Commander ; 
 J. F. Robinson, Eugene, was elected Grand Eecorder, and J. 
 
EEPOET ON COERESPONDENCE. 73 
 
 M. Hodson was appointed chairman of Committee on Cor- 
 respondence. 
 
 Pennsylvania, 1898. 
 
 There is an individuality, so to speak, stamped on the 
 Pennsylvania Proceedings. The covering is of strong paper, 
 violet in color, on which appear text and emblem printed in 
 green. There is considerable of embellishment in the book 
 itself, with no crowding of matter as if paper was scarce. A 
 portrait of Grand Commander Harry M. Van Zandt forms 
 the frontispiece. 
 
 The Forty -fifth Annual Conclave was held at Harrisburg, 
 May 24 and 25, 1898. On the morning of the first day 
 named there was a parade, moving in three divisions, partici- 
 pated in by thirty-two Commanderies. The Sir Knights 
 made a fine appearance ; they were complimented by the 
 Grand Commander for their knightly bearing and orderly 
 movements. 
 
 Just previous to the opening of the Conclave for business 
 an address of welcome was made by the Mayor of Harris- 
 biirg, Hon. J. D. Patterson. The Grand Prelate, Eev. 
 Thomas N. Boyle, responded for the Grand Commandery. 
 
 The Grand Commander presented his annual report — a 
 paper which occupies twenty-two pages in the Proceedings 
 — clearly setting forth his official acts for the year. 
 
 Under the heading "Anonymous Communications" he 
 stigmatizes the anonymous letter writer as he deserves. 
 He says : 
 
 A Sir Knight who will iadite a communication to his Grand Com- 
 mander, and is not man enough to attach his name thereto, is unworthy 
 of the name of man, much less fit to he a member of this Order. This 
 stricture applies without any reservation to the writer of a letter received 
 by me from Philadelphia, signed "A Sir Knight," and to the author of 
 another communication from Wilkes-Barre having no signature whatever. 
 
 Among his decisions we note the following : 
 
 A Sir Knight having been suspended and afterwards restored to good 
 Templar standing, and in the meantime having taken up his residence 
 10 
 
74 GBAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 outside of this State, becomes an unaffiliated Knight Templar and^ can 
 apply for membership only in the Grand Jurisdiction where he resides, 
 unless the Commandery nearest which he resides waives jurisdiction and 
 the same is approved by the Grand Commander of that Grand Juris- 
 diction. 
 
 We subscribe to the foregoing as being the governing law. 
 In equity, however, the unaifiliated Sir Knight might be 
 allowed to make his application for membership without 
 being subjected to any limitation as to residence. 
 
 In passing upon the following case the Grand Commander 
 shows a strict construction of the law — over strict, perhaps, 
 unless the address had reference to the secrets of the Order. 
 If of that character the refusal to grant permission would be 
 universally sustained. 
 
 Commandery, No. , proposed to have delivered in their 
 
 Asylum an address on Templarism by one of its members, and also upon 
 the occasion have music furnished by other Sir Knights, members of the 
 Commandery. They also asked permission "to have the popular young 
 violinist participate," who is not a Knight Templar. In reply I said, "I 
 cannot approve of an innovalion such as you suggest, to wit : the intro- 
 duction of one into your Asylum for any purpose whatever who is not a 
 Knight Templar. It would be perfectly proper for you to do what you 
 suggest at a banquet or social gathering, but not to admit him to your 
 Asylum even, as I presume would be the case, when the Commandery 
 was ' called off. ' " 
 
 The Grand Commander closes his address with noble and 
 patriotic words. He says : 
 
 In answer to the call of war a large number of our Fraters who have 
 been called upon to take up arms in behalf of our beloved nation, and it 
 is a matter to be deeply lamented that at this advanced age of the world, 
 it should be necessary for this nation to resort to force of arms for the 
 maintenance of its integrity and the relief of a downtrodden and oppressed 
 humanity ; yet, if this great nation, founded upon the fundamental prin- 
 ciples of personal liberty, equality of man, human progress, fatherhood 
 of God and the brotherhood of man, has forced upon it an issue such as it 
 is now face to face with, it is only to be expected that in the foremost 
 ranks of brave defenders will be found many members of the valiant and 
 magnanimous Order of Knights Templar, whose teachings and traditions 
 are along these same lines. We therefore invoke the blessings of The 
 Deity upon our absent Fraters, and hold ourselves in readiness to join 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 75 
 
 with them in the defense of our country should necessity demand it. 
 May the God of Battles be with our arms. 
 
 The Grand Recorder's report is very complete. His ex- 
 hibit shows that the seventy-four Commanderies in Pennsyl- 
 vania have an aggregate membership of 11,969, being an in- 
 crease for the year of 478. 
 
 The Grand Commandery voted to grant a charter for the 
 formation of a new Commandery (name to be approved by 
 the Grand Officers) to be located at Carnegie, Allegheny 
 county. 
 
 Approval was given to the long and interesting report of 
 the Special Committee on the Triennial, and the Grand Re- 
 corder was authorized to distribute copies of the same " to 
 the Templars of the United States." 
 
 A public installation of the Grand Officers elect took place 
 in the Opera House, on the evening of May 26th. The pro- 
 gramme included musical and devotional exercises, and an 
 address by the Grand Commander elect. The address is 
 printed in full in the Proceedings. In has the ring of true 
 Americanism and true Templary. We quote the following : 
 
 Templadsm at all times and everywhere has been the staunch, un- 
 swerving friend of humanity, of progress, of good morals and good 
 government ; and to-day we have cause for rejoicing at the universal 
 manifestation in this country of that spirit of the Divine Master that gave 
 life for life. It is in such testing times as the present that the true value 
 of the principles, teachings and practical work of Templar Masonry can 
 be measurably understood and appreciated. He who presides over the 
 destinies of this nation, in this, its trying hour, is a gallant, courteous 
 Knight of this Illustrious Fraternal Order ; the chief magistrate of a 
 nation, of whose government there is none other in existence so bent 
 upon upholding the divine principles of humanity, equality and rational 
 liberty, which are the supporting pillars of peace. 
 
 The report on Correspondence is by Brother Lee S. Smith, 
 who reviews in an able manner the Proceedings of forty 
 Grand Commanderies. 
 
 Under Iowa, he discourses briefly upon the value of Cor- 
 respondence reports. He regards them as of some worth, 
 although he admits they are not read as they should be, and 
 sums up the matter by the following sensible words : 
 
T6 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND B. 1. 
 
 At the same time, there are many new representatives coming upon the 
 field of action every year, being elected to the oflace of Grand Commander 
 or the other subordinate to that office, who have had little or no experience 
 in Commandery or Grand Commandery work, especially the latter, and 
 consequently must find the reports of the various correspondents of benefit 
 in seeking for light. 
 
 At any rate, we must say that some of the Proceedings that come to 
 our hands would be illy worth perusal were it not for Ihe report on Cor- 
 respondence, which furnishes the spice, and this is but natural. Inasmuch 
 as the work of the Grand Commanderies is largely routine, it is seldom 
 that any one Grand Commandery can furuish anything of interest enough 
 to write a book about ; but the culling from all of the various Proceedings 
 forms a volume that Is certainly interesting as well as Instructive to those 
 who are seeking In that direction. 
 
 Under Kentucky, referring to the qitestion as to the proper 
 speUing of Pittsburg, he has this to offer : 
 
 Well, as a Pittsburger, and old-timer also, we pronounce in favor of 
 ending with " g." We do not think it is necessary to waste ink in adding 
 the additional " h." We do not need to say that it Is unnecessary to waste 
 our breath, because even if the " h " Is there, it is so silent that It is not rec- 
 ognized except when it is put in printed or written form. It matters 
 little whether you come to Pittsburg ending with "g" or "h" in 'ISOS, 
 we won't question your credentials on that account, Brother Woodruff, 
 but will admit you to our hearts and homes, and try and make you sec 
 that our waj' of spelling Is the correct one, provided the question of 
 spelling comes up on that occasion. 
 
 Brother Smith gives ample space and courteous attention 
 to the transactions of our Grand Commandery, semi-annual 
 and annual conclaves, 1897, and kindly notices our report of 
 last year, albeit Pennsylvania was omitted in the review. 
 He seems to apprehend what the cause was, viz., the lateness 
 of date when the Proceedings came to hand. This year 
 Pennsylvania is on time, but with slight margin, for the pres- 
 ent paper was well advanced in its preparation when we were 
 gratified by receipt of the volume. 
 
 His " Conclusion " contains noble and generous sentiments, 
 forcibly expressed. 
 
 Henry H. Keehn, Johnstown, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; William W. Allen, Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, 
 was re-elected Grand Eecorder, and Lee S. Smith, announced 
 
EEPORT ON COREBSPONDENCE. 77 
 
 officially as of Pittsburgh— Pittsburg with an " h "—is con- 
 tinued as Correspondent. 
 
 South Dakota, 1898. 
 
 Grand Commander Joseph T. Morrow, whose portrait 
 fronts the title page of the Proceedings now in hand, pre- 
 sided at the Fifteenth Annual Conclave, held in the city of 
 Sioux Falls, June 17, 1898. 
 
 He delivered an address, brief and to the point. He had 
 no decisions to announce, or disagreeable experiences to re- 
 count. Referring to the condition of the Order, he says : 
 
 There seems to be no controversies or difficulties to settle ; no grievance 
 has been presented by any one. And notwithstanding the long continued 
 stringency of the financial world and consequent hard times, our Order 
 has made very substantial increase in members, and is generally in a 
 prosperous condition. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted the report of its Com- 
 mittee on Tactics, and ordered that an official manual should 
 be printed and distributed among the Commanderies of So. 
 Dakota, embodying their recommendations, and showing the 
 " tactics " to be observed. The sum of $125 was appropri- 
 ated to meet the cost of such printing and distribution. 
 
 Brother Samuel H. Jumper furnishes the report on Corres- 
 pondence. Evidently his heart is in his work. 
 
 Under Iowa, quoting Bro. Coxe, who criticises the wine 
 drinking in connection with the Christmas observance by 
 Knights Templars, he says : 
 
 Would it not be well for all of us to halt for a moment and weigh well 
 the influence ? We have always upheld the custom, but if its practice has 
 caused a single heartache in the family of one Sir Knight, then by all 
 means let it be stopped. Would it not be well for the " Guild" to take 
 the subject up for discussion in the correspondence ? Much good may 
 come of it. 
 
 We make place for this excerpt because it indicates the 
 temper of mind with which we should pass judgment upon 
 the question presented, or any other of like character. We 
 should ask what will be the effect on others ? How will the 
 
78 GRAXD COMMAKDEKY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 general good be best promoted ? St. Paul acted on this 
 principle. He saj-s : " If meat make my brother to offend, 
 I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my 
 brother to offend." 
 
 Correspondent Jumper ap^Droves the suggestion of Grand 
 Commander Walker, of Massachusetts and Ehode Island, in 
 the matter of sending oiit notices, stating that certain Com- 
 panions (giving their names) will receive the order of the 
 Red Cross, if elected. Such an announcement is declared to 
 be undignified as well as unnecessary. 
 
 South Dakota has eleven Commanderies, with a total mem- 
 bership of 752, being a net loss of i for the year covered by 
 the report of Grand Recorder. 
 
 William T. Doolittle, Sioux Falls, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; Geo. A. Pettigrew, Flandreau, was re-elected Grand 
 Eecorder, and Samuel H. Jumper, Aberdeen, was appointed 
 Committee on Correspondence. 
 
 Tennessee, 1898. 
 
 The promptness with which the Proceedings were sent out 
 merits a special word of commendation. We find this state- 
 ment on the cover : " Grand Commandery closed May 26, 
 Proceedings issued May 27." " Issued," as used in this con- 
 nection, probably means that the record of the conclave 
 went into the hands of the printer on the day next following 
 the close of the session, the accompanying reports, etc., hav- 
 ing been previously put in type. But the mailing quickly 
 followed. We received our copy in the early days of June. 
 Grand Recorder Foster may pass to the right of the hue. 
 Others have done well, " but thou excellest them all." 
 
 The Proceedings attest the good work of the printers, who 
 did not allow the shortness of time to interfere with their 
 turning out a first-class job. The frontispiece shows a fine 
 portrait of Grand Commander William J. Ely, who presided 
 at the conclave— the twenty-sixth — held at Franklin, May 25 
 and 26, 1898. 
 
 Before the formal opening of Grand Commandery there 
 were antecedent proceedings of interest. The officers and 
 
EEPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 79 
 
 members of the Grand Body, under the escort of several 
 Commanderies, marched from the Masonic Temple to the 
 Tabernacle where an eloquent address of welcome was ex- 
 tended, to which the Grand Commander responded in well 
 chosen words. At this greeting there was present a numer- 
 ous audience, including ladies. 
 
 Following the opening ceremonies. Grand Commander Ely- 
 delivered an address of a business-like character. "The 
 general condition of the Order is good," he says, " and the 
 outlook is one of promise and encouragement." 
 
 Under " Decisions," he reports the following enquiry, and 
 his answer thereto : 
 
 In January last I received a letter from the Eminent Commander of 
 Cceur de Lion Commandery, No. 9, in which he stated they had a Com- 
 panion Royal Arch Mason with one leg shorter than the other, which 
 caused him to limp when walking, but was strong otherwise and all right 
 as far as they knew. I was asked to interpret Title XLVIII, page 63 
 edition 1889 of Digest Grand Encampment, with regard to qualifications 
 to orders. I did not have the above edition, but supposed that he alluded 
 to Title XLII, edition 1894, which reads as follows : 
 
 "If the candidate can give all the signs and go through all the cere- 
 monies, he is eligible, and not otherwise ; but the Commandery should be 
 more exacting than the Lodge or Chapter, and the petitinner should be 
 capable of enduring pilgrimage and warfare, and should not by his pres- 
 ence mar the symmetry of a parade." 
 
 I decided if this was the edict referred to, it was left to the discretion 
 of the Commandery. 
 
 The Grand Recorder presented an interesting report, with 
 statistics. The sixteen Commanderies comprising the juris- 
 diction, are credited with a total membership of 1,075, a loss 
 of 16 during the year covered by the report. 
 
 The Grand Treasurer reported a balance on hand of $143.16. 
 
 Action was taken by the Grand Commandery on several 
 important subjects. A plan of life membership was adopted, 
 copied after that of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The 
 Triennial committee reported that they had secured head- 
 quarters for the Triennial, in the Municipal Building at Pitts- 
 burg. Their report was approved, and the committee was 
 continued. 
 
 Reports were made by the " Grand Visitors," suggesting a 
 
80 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 better system "^of inspection than the present one; and the 
 following resolution was adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the Grand Commander appoint a committtee of three to 
 report to the next Annnal Conclave of this Grand Commaudery the best 
 method of making the system of inspection effective and beneficial to 
 subordinate Commanderies. 
 
 Correspondent W. F. Foster uses one hundred and thirty 
 pages for his very complete and intertaining report. He 
 writes like one who has great love for the work of a Templar 
 reviewer. 
 
 Under Iowa he expresses liberal views respecting non- 
 affiliation. He says : 
 
 We do not think the Lodge or Chapter should have the power to make 
 the Commandery the court in vehich they shall punish delinquent mem- 
 bers, or capture non-affiliates, and force them into their own ranks. 
 
 Under Illinois he makes the following presentation of his 
 views respecting continuous membership : 
 
 AVe are opposed to the principle of enforced membership in any organ- 
 ization whiitever; jMasonic or otherwise. We do not believe that one who 
 has attained to that particular JIasonic field where he finds his tastes, in- 
 clinations, and training to be in sympathy with the especial work to 
 which it is devoted, should be forbidden to give himself exclusively to its 
 promotion by the threat that he will be disgraced, even in his chosen field, 
 unless he maintains equally his zealous work in every other grade. The 
 principle is wrong ; it is unjust, and the analogy is everywhere against it. 
 Its absurdity, even, would be recognized at once in almost every other 
 condition to which it should be applied ; in the army, in the navj', in 
 business organizations, in every profession, in politics, in everything on 
 earth where advancement is by progressive steps. And yet this writer 
 would not be misunderstood. If it became necessary to surrender 
 afiiliation and association wiih every department of Masonry but one, the 
 Lodge would be that to which he would cling with most tenacious love. 
 Neither do we believe that in the ordinary sense there is any superiority 
 attained in the successive steps of advancement ; but, as we pass from one 
 step to another, new truths are developed, new lessons are taught, new 
 methods prevail. Each has its especial charm, and the Brother whose zeal 
 prompts him to devote himself to the work of imparting the impressive 
 lessons of the Council or Chapter should be allowed to do so, if it pleases 
 him, to the e.xclusiou of everything else. 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 81 
 
 Brother Foster gives ample space to a review of the Pro- 
 ceedings, 1897, of our home jurisdiction. He has a kind 
 notice of our report. He does not regard with favor our 
 suggestion that affiliation should be made easier by requir- 
 ing somewhat less than a unanimous ballot for the admission 
 of a petitioner. To relax the rule would, in his opinion, tend 
 to increase the number of non-affiliates. We cannot see the 
 logic of such a conclusion. The suggestion may be all 
 wrong as making the way of entrance too easy, or as calling 
 for a change of an old rule which it would be an innovation 
 to set aside or modify, but it does not appear to us that its 
 practical working would cause the number of non-affiliates 
 to increase. In the nature of things the result would be 
 otherwise. 
 
 "We quote the following paragraph from the " Conclusion:" 
 
 There is a flash of pride in every eye. Men step quicker and stand 
 several inches taller. " Old Glory" floats to the breeze every wliere, and 
 everybody is eagerly telling every other body how the gunboat "Nash- 
 ville" and her gallant Tennessee commander struck the first blow to 
 avenge the "Maine," and for the freedom of Cuba. 
 
 Samuel B. Dow, Knoxville, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander, and Wilbur F. Foster, Nashville, was re-elected 
 Grand Eecorder, and was re-appointed Committee on Cor- 
 respondence. 
 
 Texas, 1898. 
 
 A fine portrait, steel engraved, of Grand Commander L. T. 
 Noyes ornaments the Proceedings, a handsome volume of 
 some two hundred and fifty pages. 
 
 The Forty-fifth Annual Conclave was held at Dallas, April 
 12 and 13, 1898. Twenty-five of the thirty-one Command- 
 eries were represented. 
 
 Previous to the opening the Grand Commandery was 
 escorted to the Methodist Church, where the Sir Knights 
 were welcomed on the part of Dallas Commandery by Eev. 
 J. Frank Smith, who closed his address as follows : 
 
 When the invading hosts of that knightly Southern chieftain, Robert 
 11 
 
82 GEAND COMJIANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 E. Lee, were marcliing to Gettysburg, tbey passed a stately mansion ; the 
 ladies of the house stood at the gates and watched the veterans go by. A 
 little girl stood and flaunted a star-spangled banner in the faces of the 
 Confederates. When General Lee passed, the little child pushed open 
 the gate, stepped on the curbing and let the folds of her flag fall in his 
 face. He reined up his horse, lifted his hat and saluted the little 
 Unionist. In her surprise and confusion, she dropped her banner, ran 
 into the gate and said : " Mamma, don't you wish he were ours ? " This 
 morning we welcome you because of your chivalry, your charity and 
 your Christianity, and we fling wide open our temple and our hearts, and 
 welcome you because you are ours. 
 
 After a fitting response by the Grand Commander, the 
 acting- Grand Prelate, Sir Knight J. E. Carter, not a clergy- 
 man, delivered a discourse from the text, " Quit you like 
 men: be strong." He set forth and well maintained the 
 proposition that man's real, abiding strength lies in his 
 moral nature, which must be cultivated if we would attain 
 to ideal manhood. 
 
 Immediately following the opening of the Grand Com- 
 mandery Past Grand Commander H. B. Stoddard, the Grand 
 Generalissimo of the Grand Encampment, was received with 
 the honors due his official station. 
 
 The Grand Commander at the outset of his able address 
 expresses his gratification that Templar Masonry is firmly 
 established in Texas. He says : 
 
 The subordinate Commanderies, thirty-one in number, are, with a few 
 exceptions, in good condition, while among the Sir Knights, nearly 3,200 
 in number, peace reigns supreme, few contentions exist to mar the fra- 
 ternal feeling that everywhere prevails. The increase in membership is 
 not as great as in some previous years, but I am gratified to report a 
 marked improvement in attention to ceremonial duties by the ofiicers of 
 the subordinate Commanderies, a commendable desire to excel in Asylum 
 tactics, and impressive and proper rendition of our beautiful ritual. 
 
 Among the decisions announced by the Grand Com- 
 mander, we note the following : 
 
 Question— Can the Recorder of the Commandery cast the vote of the 
 Commandery when only one Sir Knight is in nomination ? 
 
 Answer— Title XX, Section 1, Code of Statutes: All elections in all 
 Templar bodies must be by ballot. 
 
EEPOKT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 83 
 
 I know of no authority that would allow the vote of a Comraandery to 
 be cast by the Recorder, or any one else. The ballots must be cast by the 
 individual voters, and in no other way. 
 
 The Grand Eecorder made an excellent report. The 
 Grand Treasurer reported a balance in the General Fund of 
 $739.74— in the Triennial Fund a balance of $1,500.00. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted a plan of life member- 
 ship almost identical with that adopted by the Grand Com- 
 mandery of Massachusetts and Ehode Island two years ago. 
 
 A movement was made to establish the office of Drill 
 Master in Commanderies. It failed, properly as we think, 
 because of the feeling that to appoint such an officer would 
 tend to decrease the sense of responsibility on the part of 
 the regular officers who have a present duty in the way of 
 instructing in all tactical movements. 
 
 The Committee on Jurisprudence reported upon one mat- 
 ter, previously passed upon, concerning which a review had 
 been asked. The committee in their renewed dealing with 
 the question as to whether or not the code permits a ballot, 
 except at a stated conclave, says : 
 
 There is a direct conflict between Title VII, Section 1, and Title XLV, 
 Sections 13 and 14. The history of the enactment of these conflicting 
 enactments, is that Title VII, Section 1, was the deliberate enactment of 
 the Grand Encampment, while the others seem to have grown out of 
 decisions of Grand Masters, which were approved without proper in- 
 vestigation. 
 
 Grand Master Thomas had been appealed to in the mat- 
 ter. He responded in the words following : 
 
 Yours received, and in reply would say that the sections referred to 
 cover only one of the many inconsistencies or conflicts of our code of 
 statutes, or digest, which we hope the Grand Encampment at the Conclave 
 in Pittsburg will rectify. Some of the Grand Commanders are following 
 one law and some the other, according to the practice in their respective 
 States, and as each has a law on his side to back him up, I have not 
 thought it wise to interfere. 
 
 Sensible on the part of Grand Master Thomas, who evi- 
 dently does not care to add to the perplexity by rendering 
 another decision. 
 
84 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 Correspondent E. M. Elgin presents a report of much 
 value. It would have been well, we think, notwithstanding 
 the expense, to have followed the suggestion made to put 
 the Proceedings here reviewed, including the report on Cor- 
 respondence, into the hands of every Sir Knight in the juris- 
 diction. 
 
 The report makes eighty-eight closely printed pages. He 
 expresses his opinion on various matters of Masonic and 
 Templar interest. He does not look with favor on the move- 
 ment to permanently locate the headquarters of the Grand 
 Encampment at "Washington. Under Tennessee, replying to 
 Bro. Foster, he says : 
 
 Take away the grand displays and you eliminate much that inspires 
 enthusiasm and interest in our Triennial Councils. Few will attend them, 
 and there is danger of their degenerating into a sort of close corporation, 
 governed and administered by a few who will become little known or ap- 
 preciated. We prefer too little rather than too much legislation. 
 
 Bro. Elgin beHeves in continuous membership, and holds 
 that the first duty of a Mason is to his Lodge. He does not 
 favor the suggestion of Bro. Coxe that each officer in a Com- 
 mandery be provided with his part of the ritual in a book. 
 Our thought is that it would be better to have the authorized 
 ritual furnished as proposed, rather than keys and unauthor- 
 ized helps, but we do not see the need as strongly as does 
 our Iowa Brother, and we think it quite sufficient if one copy 
 of the official ritual is made available for the use of the 
 officers of a Commandery. 
 
 Brother Elgin notes some of the difficulties in the way of 
 maintaining a strong Commandery. He says : 
 
 The nature of the Knights Templar organization is such that under 
 ordinary circumstances it cannot flourish in thinly settled communities. 
 In most communities it cannot be expected that more than one-third of the 
 Royal Arch Masons will go into the Commandery, and it requires about 
 fifty members to support a live, vigorous Commandery. It takes young, 
 enthusiastic men, with ambition and taste, to learn and practice the tac- 
 tics, as well as capacity to appreciate the religious teachings of the Order. 
 A dozen or two of old Masons may start a Commandery, but they are apt 
 to get tired when it comes to the exercises of the drill and tactics, and 
 never feel at ease under a showy uniform. They soon begin to neglect 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 85 
 
 the Cotnmandery meetings for the enjoyment of the quiet comfort at 
 home, and leave the young men with a taste for " fuss and feathers " to 
 keep up the organization. 
 
 We concur in the main with the foregoing. AVe suggest, 
 however, that if Templary is set forth and exempHfied in 
 the broad way of its teachings and purposes the prosperity 
 of the organization will not depend upon its military features. 
 Men are wanted in the Commandery, as in the Lodge, 
 whether young or old, who appreciate the humane, social, 
 and moral elements of the Institution. The love of this class 
 of men for the Commandery does not grow cold, even 
 though they may no longer march in the parade nor con- 
 form to all the movements prescribed by the last approved 
 system of tactics. 
 
 A. A.Johnston, Dallas, was elected Grand Commander; 
 J. C. Kidd, Houston, was elected Grand Eecorder, and E. M. 
 Elgin, Houston, was re-appointed Correspondent. 
 
 Vermont, 1898. 
 
 The Fifty-sixth Annual Conclave was held at Burlington, 
 June 14, 1898. 
 
 Immediately following the opening ceremonies Sir Knight 
 Joseph A. Locke, Grand "Warder of the Grand Encampment, 
 was welcomed within the Asylum. He responded in fitting 
 words to the hearty greeting. 
 
 Grand Commander Robert J. Wright, at the beginning of 
 his address, refers to the favorable conditions under which 
 the present meeting was held. He says : 
 
 To-day we meet for the first time in our new temple, for which we have 
 looked forward for many long years ; besides we have the representative 
 of the Grand Master of Templars, V. E. Sir Joseph A. Locke, a peer 
 among his brother Masons. It seems more than my due to have the honor 
 of being at the head of the Grand Commandery in such a climax. 
 
 The Grand Commandery expressed its dissent to the prop- 
 osition to change the rank of Grand Prelate, and of Prelates 
 in the subordinate Commanderies. It ordered the purchase 
 
86 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 of an " American flag," ^^'ith pole and belt, suitable for the 
 use of this Grand Commandery on public occasions. It 
 made due arrangements for representation and headquarters 
 at Pittsburg. 
 
 Brother Kittredge Haskins, of well earned fame as a 
 Mason and a Templar, furnishes an interesting report on 
 Correspondence, of ninety-two pages. He writes in an 
 oracular sort of way, but interestingly. Under Ohio he 
 quotes approvingly from Correspondent Carson, on the creed 
 question, as follows : 
 
 Nothing sectarian in our view, Brother Davies. We profess that a be- 
 lief in the Christian religion is sectarian ; we believe it is so taken by 
 some. When, as Knights Templar, we make this profession, we simpl_y 
 want to know what is the true definition of the Christian religion. Cer- 
 tainly, good acts, moral deportment and charity, by a Mahomedan, would 
 not qualify him to be a Knight Templar, even though he should profess to 
 be a firm believer in the Christian religion. Moral deportment and charity 
 may be possessed by Mahomedans and Christians in the same degree, but 
 it won't make the Mahomedan a Christian. This is the extent of our Tem- 
 plar sectarianism, only this and nothing more. 
 
 Don't mistake us, we don't mean to say that good acts are not necessary 
 in a good Christian, but they don't make him a Christian. We still adhere 
 to the old orthodox idea of Christianity. For "wheels" or "bicycle" 
 Christianity, that some are advocating at the present time, we have no 
 use. There is no half-way station, it is either Christianity or Ingersollism. 
 
 After presenting this excerpt he adds, with evident satis- 
 faction, as if scoring a point, the following : 
 
 We are in hearty accord with the foregoing, and invite our Rev. Sirs 
 Rugg and St. John, of jMassachusetts and Rhode Island, to use their ham- 
 mer on the above nuts and crack them, if they can. 
 
 The present writer speaks only for himself in responding 
 to the suggestion of Correspondent Haskins. In the first 
 place, then, we would say there are no nuts for us to crack 
 in the statement made by Brother Carson. We concur in 
 his declaration that good deeds do not make a man a 
 Christian. Cornelius was a devout man who gave much 
 alms to the poor, but while his prayers and his alms 
 had gone up "for a memorial before God," he was not a 
 Christian until he had been instructed by the Apostle con- 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 87 
 
 cerfling Jesus the Christ and had come to believe in Him. 
 Worthy deeds— good works— do not make a man a Christian. 
 There mvist be positive faith, not so much a formal, proposi- 
 tional faith, as a geniiine mind and soul conviction that 
 Christ is the Eternal Son of God, the Divine Leader, 
 Teacher and Savior of men. When one believes in Christ 
 thus heartily and unreservedly and is ready to pledge obedi- 
 ence to Him as the Great Captain of our Salvation, he is a 
 Christian, no matter to what sect he belongs or in what pre- 
 cise forms his religious beliefs find expression. 
 
 In the second place, that we may not be misunderstood, 
 we may add that we accept the Apostles' Creed and have no 
 trouble with the doctrine of the Trinity as therein set forth ; 
 but we do not deem it wise or just to make any doctrine or 
 specific creed a test in determining the eligibility of candi- 
 dates for the Order. We deem it sufficient that an applicant 
 should declare himself to be a firm believer in the Christian 
 religion and be ready to pledge himself to follow our cruci- 
 fied and risen Lord. Templary is a Christian Order ; its rit- 
 ual, symbolism, and most essential principles, bear the stamp 
 of Christian faith and Christian service. 
 
 Under Dlinois Brother Haskins avows the liberal view he 
 has always maintained respecting the position of non-affili- 
 ates. Replying to General Smith, he says : 
 
 We cannot agree with him that it should be made obligatory upon a 
 member of the Commandery to hold " continuous membership in Lodge 
 and Chapter." Nor would we fix the status of the "non-affiliate," holding 
 a dimit, the same as that of a member who has been suspended for non- 
 payment of dues, especially if the eilect of suspension is to deprive the 
 member of all Masonic rights. 
 
 Courteous and generous consideration is given to our home 
 jurisdiction. Extracts are presented from Grand Commander 
 Walker's address at the Annual Conclave in 1897, and the 
 doings of Grand Commandery receive a liberal notice. The 
 " Conclusion " of our last year's report finds place among 
 the excerpts. 
 
 Jesse E. Thomson, Eutland, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander; Warren G. Reynolds, Burlington, was re-elected 
 
88 GEAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AKD E. I. 
 
 Grand Eecorder, and Kittredge Haskins, Brattleboro, was 
 continued as Correspondent. 
 
 YiRsrsTA, 1897. 
 
 Grand Commander Edward H. Miller presided over the 
 members of Grand Commandery, convened at Petersburg, 
 December 6, 1897. There are twenty Commanderies in the 
 jurisdiction, nineteen of which were represented in the Sev- 
 enty-fifth Annual Conclave. 
 
 The Grand Commander congratulated the Sir Knights on 
 the favorable auspices of their assembling. "We quote fi-om 
 his address : 
 
 Three-quarters of a century liave passed since the organization of this 
 Grand Body, and this meeting to-day might with great propriety be 
 termed the " Diamond Conclave " of our Grand Commandery, and if I am 
 rightly informed, there are but two other Grand Bodies in our beloved 
 Order hi this country Jiaving the proud distinction of an earlier origin 
 than the Grand Commandery of Virginia. 
 
 We are here, my beloved Sir Knights, to plant another mile-post along 
 the highway of time in the history of Templar Masonry in our State, and 
 God grant that this landmark, and the inscription we leave upon it, may, 
 like diamond, reflect those acts of knightly love and brotherly affection, 
 that spirit of fraternity, of good will and faithful devotion to the welfare 
 of our Order, with such brilliancy that they may sparkle and shine along 
 the pathways of time and prove to be of help and comfort to many a 
 weary pilgrim warrior or valiant Sir Knight, who, following on after us, 
 plodding down life's pathway towards the goal, out into that great ocean 
 of eternity, where, as we are promised if we but continue faithful to the 
 end, we shall be with the prince in his glory. 
 
 The Grand Commander announced several decisions, all 
 of which were approved by Grand Commandery, in accord- 
 ance with the following report of the committee : 
 
 Your committee recommend the approval of the Grand Commander's 
 decisions : 
 
 1. That a Knight Templar can apply for affiliation in any Commandery 
 in the Grand Jurisdiction in which he resides. 
 
 2. " The law of the Grand Encampment does not permit dual member- 
 ship." To which the committee add, that under this law a Sir Knight can 
 
KEPOET ON CORRESPONDENCE. 89 
 
 not be elected to membership while holding membership in another Com-, 
 mandery. 
 
 8. "A Royal Arch Mason must apply to the Commandery in whose 
 jurisdiction he resides." It is quite apparent to your committee that con- 
 ditions can exist where the family of a Companion may reside within the 
 jurisdiction of one Commandery and he reside wilhin the jurisdiction of 
 another. The decision is in accordance with the law of the Grand En- 
 campment. 
 
 The last of these decisions is all rig-ht, we assume, but a 
 man should not too quickly or easily be allowed to gain a 
 residence apart from his family. If he temporarily goes 
 away from them for the benefit of his health, or for business 
 purposes, he should not thereby establish a new residence. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted Grant's Tactics. Legis- 
 lation was voted inexpedient on the Tennessee resolutions, 
 in accordance with the following report of a special commit- 
 tee to which the subject was referred : 
 
 Your committee appreciate the spiiit which prompted the memorial 
 from the Grand Commandery of Tennessee, and recognize with them that 
 the adoption by other organizations of our insignia, the Maltese Cross, is, 
 in most cases, meaningless and inappropriate. And while we would 
 gladly join them in any effort which would give promise of the result 
 desired, viz., the disuse of said emblem, we are of the opinion that neither 
 the Grand Commandery nor the Grand Encampment has a "fee simple " 
 title to any form of that em'blem which symbolizes the love of God which 
 "gave" his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might 
 not perish, but have everlasting life. We therefore recommend that it is 
 inexpedient to memorialize the Grand Encampment on the subject. 
 
 In the evening the Grand Commandery attended religious 
 services in the Tabb Street Presbyterian Church, where the 
 Grand Prelate, Rev. F. T. McFaden, delivered an able and 
 timely discourse. After the rehgious services came an en- 
 joyable banquet, at which there were " eloquent and soul 
 stirring addresses," with "charming tenor solos," and the 
 singing of " Auld Lang Syne " by the Sir Knights at the 
 hour of low twelve, when the Grand Commandery closed. 
 
 J. H. Capers, Richmond, was elected Grand Commander, 
 and James B. Blanks was re-elected Grand Recorder. 
 
90 geand commandeby of mass. and b. i. 
 
 West Viegmia, 1898. 
 
 The Proceedings are embellislied by four portraits, viz. — 
 John A. Zorn, the present Commander; John W. Morris, 
 Grand Commander in 1891 ; D. W. Emmons, the present 
 Grand Treasurer, who has held the office continuously since 
 1886, and the honored and mourned Sir Knight, Odell S. 
 Long, first Grand Commander, in 1874. 
 
 Brother Long, who died at his home in Charlestown, De- 
 cember 24, 1897, at the age of sixty-one years, became a Ma- 
 son when he was but twenty-one years old, and soon after 
 joined the Order of Knights Templars. He had been active 
 and prominent in both organizations for many years. He 
 held second place in the Supreme Council of the Scottish 
 Rite at the time of his death. Our acquaintance with Bro. 
 Long, although not intimate, was very pleasant. We are 
 glad that the orbits of our lives touched. 
 
 Grand Commander L. N. Tavemer presided at this Twenty- 
 fourth Annual Conclave, held at Parkersburg, May 11, 1898, 
 and delivered an address evidently dictated by an earnest 
 and hopeful spirit. After referring to the gratifying gains in 
 membership shown by the returns of the year, he says : 
 
 Whatsoever may have existed, all differences seem to be healed, all dis- 
 cords and dissensions abated, and throughout our midst there prevails 
 harmony without lethargy, energy and ambition without strife or con- 
 tention, save that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best 
 work and best agree. 
 
 The Grand Commandery voted an increase of salary to the 
 Grand Eecorder. He is now paid $250. A charter was 
 granted to Hinton Commandery, No. 12. The twelve Com- 
 manderies have a total membership of 1,037. 
 
 The report on Correspondence is the second furnished by 
 Sir Knight W. W. Van Winkle, who writes both sensibly and 
 interestinglj'. He has no occasion to deprecate his work, or 
 to feel any apprehension that he has made himself " a target 
 to be shot at." The criticisms of the "Guild," Brother 
 Van Winkle, are mild and harmless. 
 
 Under Iowa, he joins Brother Coxe in expressing disap- 
 
EEPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 91 
 
 probation of the use of Vine in connection with the Templar 
 observance of Christmas. " It is not creditable," he says, 
 " to do this, and if the occasion can only be observed by the 
 use of wine, then orait the Templar observance of the day." 
 Under Kentucky, he quotes from the Grand Commander's 
 address, as follows : 
 
 The custom of soliciting Masons to apply for the Orders of knight- 
 hood, sometimes before they have taken the third degree, and then 
 rushing them through the Chapters, in order to get into the Commandery 
 in the shortest possible time, is an evil greatly to be deprecated. It 
 lowers the dignity of Knighthood and degrades the Templar orders. It 
 is grossly unjust to Capitular Masonry ; and equally so to the unfortu- 
 nate victim of that zeal without knowledge, which hurries him through 
 the whole system of Masonry, with no opportunity to learn its mysteries, 
 or see its beauty, and with no end in view but the poor gratification of 
 wearing a Templar charm dangling at his watch chain. It is a violation 
 of the ancient landmark which requires the postulant to come of his 
 own free will and accord. 
 
 Brother Van Winkle emphatically endorses the foregoing 
 — and so do we. 
 
 Massachusetts and Rhode Island receives courteous atten- 
 tion. He signiiies his approval of our position, that a peti- 
 tion for the orders cannot be withdrawn after it has been 
 presented to and received by the Commandery. 
 
 John A. Zorn, Wheieling, was elected Grand Commander ; 
 Robert C. DunningtoD, Fairmont, was elected Grand Re- 
 corder, and W. W. Van Winkle was appointed the chairman 
 of Committee on Correspondence. 
 
 Wisconsin, 1897. 
 
 Twenty-six Commanderies, all but one of the whole num- 
 ber, were represented in the Twenty-ninth Annual Conclave, 
 held at Milwaukee, October 12, 1897. 
 
 Grand Commander Edmond C. Deane delivered a thought- 
 ful address. We quote the following, as showing his strong 
 faith in the future of Templary : 
 
 Sir Knights, I am not of those who are of opinion that our Order is 
 growing too fast, 1 cannot believe that the sublime truths, the divine 
 
92 GEAOT) COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 teachings of our lectures, can be too often imparted to our wortliy Com- 
 panions. The field from which we draw recruits has been cultivated and 
 improved by the ballot in Lodge and Chapter. Those who come to us 
 are, as a rule, the best in intelligence, attainments, and all that goes to 
 make applicants desirable. 
 
 Then let us not be afraid to display our banners, to let our light shine 
 before our Companions, that tliey may be attracted to us. and, if found 
 worthy, be admitted to a participation in our labors. Templar Masonry 
 is no longer a subject of conjecture. Its merits are known, and its name 
 familiar in almost every home in the land. As members of our Order we 
 should be proud, though not boastful. The past has been grand, the 
 present is assured, the future will be what we make it. 
 
 In reporting his official visitations he refers to one as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 On October 15, 1896, 1 visited Ivanhoe Commandery, Xo. 24, and wit- 
 nessed the advancement of a class of twenty -one candidates to the illus- 
 trious order of the Red Cross. The work was followed by an elaborate 
 banquet and reception, at which a large number of ladies and invited 
 Templar guests were present. The beautiful building, which is the Tem- 
 plar home of this fine body of Templars, and is owned by the Com- 
 mandery, was thrown open to the guests, and the occasion was greatly 
 enjoyed by all present. 
 
 This wholesale way of conferring the order does not com- 
 mend itself to our judgment. The candidates could hardly 
 have been very much impressed by the ceremony through 
 which they passed with celeiity — a score and four of Zerubba- 
 bels Avho must have received abbreviated instruction con- 
 cerning the teachings and legends of the order of the Red 
 Cross. 
 
 The Grand Commander reports a '" unique incident " in 
 connection with another of his official visitations. He says : 
 
 On the eveuing of February 12th it was my pleasure to take part in 
 the most elaborate Templar festivity ever held in Jlineral Point. The oc- 
 casion was the installation of the officers of the Commandery. A large 
 number of guests had been invited, an orchestra from Jlilwaukee was iu 
 attendance, tbe hall had been profusely and handsomely decorated, and a 
 bountiful supper provided. 
 
 All these features have been duplicated at other Masonic and Templar 
 gatherings, but the unique incident worthy of record was the presence in 
 that little city, iu a far awa\' corner of the State, of the respective heads 
 of the several Masonic Grand Bodies of the jurisdiction. 
 
BEPOBT ON COERESPONDENCE. 93 
 
 The first ceremony, after the Commandery, fully equipped, had marched 
 into the hall, was the formal reception of Brother Aldro Jenks, M. W. 
 Grand Master of the Grand Lodge; Companion J. Thomas Pryor, Jr., 
 Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and Miss 
 Annie Phillips, Worthy Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. 
 The Grand Commander was then formally received with the honors due 
 the incumbent of that high office. 
 
 This recognition of the Eastern Star Order must have been 
 peculiarly grateful to those who regard that Order as a " De- 
 partment of Freemasonry," but rather distasteful to those 
 who look upon the Eastern Star Order as " contrary to the 
 true principles of Freemasonry, and unworthy of any official 
 or legal connection with our Ancient Order." We have no 
 strong feeling on the subject ; but our thought is that such 
 recognition, intended to mean much or little, was uncalled 
 for and out of place on such an occasion as that reported. 
 
 The Grand Commandery adopted the sensible report of a 
 committee to whom was referred the Tennessee resolutions 
 pertaining to the Maltese Cross. We copy the report here- 
 with : 
 
 Your Committee on Knightly Courtesy and Jurisprudence, lo whom 
 was referred the preamble and resolulion adopted by the Grand Com- 
 mandery of Tennessee at its last Annual Conclave, report that they have 
 had the same under consideration ; that they fully agree with the state- 
 ments set forth in the preamble, but are not impressed with the desirability 
 of making a protest or of memorializing the Grand Encampment upon this 
 subject matter, believing that it is more in keeping with the dignity of the 
 Order to quietly ignore the appropriating of any of the emblems of the 
 Order, than to call the attention of the public thereto by protesting against 
 such use, so long as it is impossible to enforce any set of resolutions upon 
 this matter, the parties offending being beyond the jurisdiction of the 
 Order. We are of the opinion that no formal action should be taken upon 
 this matter. 
 
 We, therefore, recommend that this Grand Commandery, for the reasons 
 above given, respectfully decline to give its support to the preamble and 
 resolutions submitted. 
 
 The Grand Commandery made a new departure in the 
 matter of providing for the inspection of Commanderies, by 
 approving the selection of a special inspector to make rigid 
 examinations and full reports, such reports to be printed in 
 separate form and not included in Proceedings. 
 
94 GEAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 The sum of $750 was appropriated for headquarters at 
 Pittsburg. 
 
 The Correspondence report, by Brother William C. Swain, 
 covers ninety-one pages. It is creditable to its author, who 
 has written the reports for Wisconsin during the last fifteen 
 years. 
 
 He expresses his opinion in a clear and positive manner 
 on the various mooted questions now under consideration in 
 the Templar world. He opposes the legislation framed 
 against dealers in intoxicating liquors. On this subject, 
 under Tennessee, he remarks : 
 
 The Irouljle is, Brethren are iifraid to speak their minds, for fear of 
 being classed as favoring intemperance. Wines and whislseys, et al., are 
 in themselves good things and useful servants. But because they are 
 abused, and because the traffic is abused, we are too apt to condemn the 
 whole. Our grandfathers did not see anything wrong in ihe business. Is 
 that evidence that they were immoral? De Lap does not think so, because 
 he says the world has degenerated since then. And yet he is the strongest 
 advocate of Masonic prohibition. Let us be logical. In these days it is 
 next to an Impossibility for a man to be a politician and not indulge in 
 methods which he would condemn in private life. Shall we, therefore, 
 cease to go to the polls, or take an interest in the government of our 
 country ? Saloonkeepers are responsible for bringing their business into 
 dlsrepule by disreputable practices. Therefore, keep such saloonkeepers 
 out of our Lodges, by means of the black ball, but not by legislation. 
 
 Elsewhere in his report Brother Swain frees his mind on 
 this subject and gets in several hard hits at the proscriptive 
 legislation of a number of Grand Commanderies. He does 
 not altogether convince us ; but we concur in the suggestion 
 that the use of the black ball is quite efficient to keep saloon 
 keepers out of our Asylums. 
 
 He takes issue with our proposition that a Commandery 
 under dispensation has no organic life, and says : 
 
 Commanderies under dispensation are formed under definitely laid down 
 rules, have officers appointed for them, rules to govern them. Why have 
 they no organic life ? Chartered Commanderies are bound by the terms 
 of their charter and by the laws of the Grand Commandery under vphich 
 they hold. Commanderies under dispensation are bound by the same 
 laws, and also by the terms of their dispensation. The laws for the two 
 differ, but it seems to us they equally have organic life, and there is noth- 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 95 
 
 ing to prevent giving the U. D. Commandery the power to give member- 
 ship. 
 
 " Why should they have no organic life V" Simply because 
 they are but temporary associations, existing under limita- 
 tions, and precluded by the very terms of the dispensation 
 issued from assuming the responsibilities or sharing in the 
 full prerogatives of a chartered Commandery. The power 
 to give membership could hardly exist before there was the 
 grant of a charter and the adoption of by-laws. 
 
 Charles D. Rogers, Milwaukee, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; John W. Laflin, Milwaukee, was re-elected Grand 
 Recorder, and William C. Swain was continued as Corre- 
 spondent. 
 
 ADDENDA. 
 
 [The Proceedings of California and Kentucky came to 
 hand too late for review in their proper place, according to 
 alphabetical order. We give them due notice as follows. In 
 this connection we mention with regret our failure to receive 
 the Proceedings of several jurisdictions, this non-receipt 
 preventing the desired notice.] 
 
 Kentucky, 1898. 
 
 The Fifty -first Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery 
 was held at Maysville, May 18 and 19, 1898. 
 
 The members of Grand Commandery attended public wor- 
 ship in a body, just previous to the formal opening. The 
 pastor of the church. Rev. J. L. Sims, delivered a sermon 
 from the text: "And Pilate said unto them. Behold the 
 Man." The discourse, which is printed in full in the Pro- 
 ceedings, contains a strong plea for the study of the Christ 
 life as setting forth the highest type of manhood. We quote 
 a single paragraph : 
 
 Incomparable greatness is the rightful heritage of the truly good. He . 
 only is a true Knight who in his heart fosters that divine grace which 
 Jesus Christ imparls to righteousness and purity of life Let thy sword 
 
96 GRAND COMMANDERY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 remain forever in its scabbard, unless it be drawn in the cause of that 
 leadership the heroism of whose manly heart exemplifies in conduct and 
 experience the life of him whose only passport to the confidence of man 
 was the singleness of his purpose, the integrity of his character and the 
 purity of his life. Behold the Man, my Fraties. Hear and heed him. 
 He is now our ascended Lord and Master. He inspects our work. How- 
 ever unlimited our benefactions, nolhing avails unless we follow the 
 leadership of him to whom all the prophets give witness. 
 
 At Masonic Hall addresses of welcome were made and 
 responses offered thereto, following- which the Grand Com- 
 mandery was opened in Ample Form. 
 
 Grand Commander Eugene A. Eobinson delivered a 
 thoughtful address. "We quote his recommendation under 
 the head of " Inspection," as follows : 
 
 I did not appoint inspectors for the various Commanderies for the 
 reason that it entails a loss of time and an expense that some of our 
 officers can ill afford. Our system of inspection in this Grand Jurisdic- 
 tion has never impressed me as being as beneficial to the Order as it can 
 be made. 1 have always believed that there should be an inspection of 
 the subordinate Commanderies once a year, and that should be made from 
 purely a business standpoint. To secure this the Grand Commandery 
 should elect an inspecting officer, one that will visit each Commandery, 
 inspect it, and report as to its actual condition. My belief is that you 
 would soon realize the good effects of it, and it would bring your 
 subordinate Commanderies up to a much higher standard. I recommend 
 that you take action on this at this Conclave. 
 
 The Grand Commandery did not concur with the Grand 
 Commander in the matter of appointing an inspecting officer, 
 but adopted the following resolution offered, by the Commit- 
 tee on Work, to which that part of the address was referred : 
 
 Resolved, That the inspection of subordinate Commanderies be per- 
 formed by the Grand Officers of the Grand Commandery, under the 
 direction of the Grand Commander. 
 
 The veteran Grand Recorder, Sir Knight L. D. Croninger, 
 was unable to attend the Conclave, being detained by illness. 
 The following resolution was unanimously adopted : 
 
 Mesolved, That this Grand Commandery has heard with profound regret 
 of the serious illness which has detained from our fellowship our beloved 
 
EEPOET ON CORRESPONDENCE. 97 
 
 Frater L. D. Crouinger. We tender to liim and his family our most 
 affectionate and sincere sympathy in this his great afliiction. We miss 
 Ms venerable form, his sweet and cheerful spirit, which contributed so 
 much to the past Conclaves of this Body, and we pray that our Heavenly 
 Father may lighten his burdens and grant him that peace that passelh 
 knowledge. 
 
 The social features added much to the enjoyment of the 
 occasion. There were elegant entertainments, receptions 
 and excursions, signifying the graceful fellowship and cor- 
 dial good will which were everywhere manifest. We judge 
 the fifty-first annual to have attained high water mark. 
 
 Brother Charles R. Woodruff, Dean of the Correspondents, 
 furnishes a report which is both instructive and interesting. 
 He holds decided views, which he does not hesitate to make 
 known when the challenge is given. He believes in the 
 Grand Encampment and does not wish to see its authority 
 lessened. Under Indiana he says : 
 
 The Grand Encampment has very different duties from the General 
 Grand Chapter, and being partly military in its organization it must, of 
 necessity, be invested with amply sufficient powers to maintain its dignity 
 and enforce its laws and commands. The magnificent ritual of the 
 Knightly Order presents a strong contrast to the less attractive degrees 
 of the Chapter, and Chapters would soon disappear from the Masonic 
 horizon were it not for the diligent and difficult labor of Knights Templars 
 to sustain them in rallying the reluctant Companions to form a quorum in 
 the almost obsolete Chapter. 
 
 It has long been a surprise to us that the Templars have continued to 
 permit this " old man of the mountain" to impede the progress of the 
 Commandery, and we hope the present agitation of this matter will result 
 in a boomerang deflection, and accomplish the desirable object of cutting 
 away the Chapter as a door to the Commandery. 
 
 Evidently Brother Woodruff allows only one side of the 
 case to come into the line of his vision when he passes judg- 
 ment on the question as to whether or not the St. Louis ritual 
 was in substance that which was in use in Massachusetts and 
 Ehode Island. Referring to the statement of Past Grand 
 Master Fellows, of blessed memory, that "the ritual pre- 
 sented by the committee at St. Louis was that delivered to 
 the committee by Grand Master Dean," Correspondent Wood- 
 ruff attempts to close the case as follows : 
 
98 GEAOT) COMMANDEBY OP MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 This authoritative declaration should act as a quietus upon any further 
 assertions to the contrary from the Massachusetts Templar Correspondents. 
 
 We have no desire to revive dead issues, nor have we any 
 taste for personalities in discussion. Certainly we should 
 not allude to this irritating subject again, were it not that 
 our silence might be misunderstood. Therefore we say that 
 the ritual reported by the committee at St. Louis, said to be 
 the old ritual of Massachusetts and Ehode Island, was not 
 that ritual. There are many Sir Knights allegiant to the 
 Grand Commandery, and to which we address this report, 
 who have the same knowledge, for they have used both rit- 
 uals. We impugn the motives of no one ; we accuse no one 
 of bad faith in the matter ; but we do assert that the St. 
 Louis ritual shows the marks of many changes from the old 
 ritual known and practiced in the jurisdiction of Massachu- 
 setts and Ehode Island for many years. 
 
 Brother AVoodruff, in reviewing Massachusetts and Rhode 
 Island, favors the idea expressed by the present writer in last 
 year's report as to the granting of centenary warrants by the 
 Grand Encampment. He su.ggests that the time is close . at 
 hand where a number of Templar organizations will be 
 entitled to such a certificate. 
 
 Correspondent Woodruff, in the " Conclusion " of his re- 
 port, modestly refers to the fact that it is the twenty-fifth 
 such paper which he has furnished to the Grand Commandery 
 of Kentucky. After calling attention to the growth of the 
 Order during the last quarter of a century, he adds the 
 following : 
 
 The progress of the Order has not always been steady and regular ; but 
 after having maintained a solid organization through the trying peiuod of 
 the political persecution of Free Masonry, it soon recuperated with a 
 renewed energy, so that within the last quarter of a century its muster- 
 roll has been augmented nearly three-fold. This is surely a most encour- 
 aging consummation and an overwhelming evidence of the excellence of 
 the principles inculcated by our Order and of the wisely conceived plans 
 upon which it is founded, presenting at the same time the strongest 
 possible reasons to ' ' remove not the ancient landmarks which our Fathers 
 have set." 
 
 Charles C. Vogt, Louisville, was elected Grand Commander ; 
 
BEPOET ON COEEESPONDENCE. 99 
 
 Lorenzo D. Croninger, Covington, was re-elected Grand 
 Eecorder, and Charles E. Woodruff, Louisville, was continued 
 as Correspondent. 
 
 Califoenia, 1898. 
 
 Grand Eecorder Thomas H. Caswell, on an inserted leaf 
 of the Proceedings, explains the cause of delay in their 
 publication. The delay was caused by reason of the Grand 
 Commandery having adopted the following resolution : 
 
 Besolted, That the Grand Recorder be, and he is hereby instructed to 
 delay the Issuance of the annual Proceedings until after he shall have 
 received the certificates of election of officers from the subordinate 
 Commanderies, and that the lists of officers, so certified, be added as 
 supplements to the returns of the respective Commanderies. 
 
 Some of the certificates called for did not reach the 
 Grand Eecorder until after the middle of August, hence the 
 lateness of the publication, for which, of course, he is not 
 responsible. 
 
 April 21st, 1898, was the date of meeting. Grand Com- 
 mander George D. Metcalf, presided. He had the pleasure 
 of welcoming Brother E. H. Lloyd, then Deputy Grand 
 Master, now Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand 
 Encampment of the United States, to the Grand Asylum. 
 
 The Grand Commander gave a report of his official doings 
 and offered several suggestions intended to promote the 
 usefulness of the Order. Eeferring to Past Grand Com- 
 mander Sumner's " Tactics and Monitor," which the Grand 
 Commander had promulgated as the official work for use in 
 California, he adds the following words of just commendation : 
 
 I cannot commend this work too highly. The benefits it will confer 
 upon all subordinate Commanderies that make faithful and studious use 
 of it, are inestimable. It should be very generally and generously dis- 
 tributed, and this body should take some action to cause more general use 
 of same among subordinates, for their benefit and for the promotion of 
 Templar knowledge in forms, ceremonies, laws, etc., etc. 
 
 Grand Eecorder Caswell presented a valuable statistical 
 report, shovnng that the Order had been fairly prosperous 
 
loo GRAND COMMAITOEEY OP MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 during the past year. On February 1, 1898, according to the 
 returns, California had 3,101 aifiliated Sir Knights— an 
 increase for the year of 63. 
 
 The following recommendation was adopted : 
 
 The Triennial Committee respectfully recommend that for the purposes 
 of Grand C'ommandery headquarters at Pittshurg, and the expenses of 
 the delegates of this Grand Body to the Triennial Conclave, an appro- 
 priation be and is hereby made as follows : For headquarters, the sum 
 of $750, and for each delegate and member of the Grand Encampment 
 from this body who shall attend aud serve at the sessions of the Grand 
 Encampment, the sum of §125. 
 
 Brother William A. Da^•ies furnishes a thoughtful, com- 
 prehensive report on Correspondence. He begins by 
 reference to the table of statistics accompanying his report, 
 giving due credit to the "accomplished Grand Recorder" of 
 our jurisdiction, Sir Knight Kowell, for such statistical 
 exhibit. 
 
 Under Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Correspondent 
 Davies responds to our question in last year's report, re- 
 specting Grand Commander Ward's statement made in 1897, 
 viz : that " if they were allowed, a large majority of the Sir 
 Knights of California would have their dimits in their 
 pockets, and pay no dues, and would affiliate onlj- mth the 
 Commanderies." We expressed surprise at the statement, 
 and asked if it were possible that over 1,500 Sir Knights 
 were kept in Lodge and Chapter only by compulsion. This 
 is the response : 
 
 Grand Commander "Ward made his statement on the ground of "firm 
 belief." This, to the writer, seems a very careless statement, and with 
 equal facilities for diagnosing the pulse of the Templars of California 
 upon this or any other question touching the relations of Templar Masons 
 with Lodge and Chapter, and any desire to "cut loose" from those 
 bodies to whom their first allegiance is due, the writer records it as his 
 "firm belief" that the number desiring to sever their relations by carry- 
 ing their dimits in their pockets would be more nearly expressed by the 
 figures 15 than 1,500. In our JIasouic system the Templars of California 
 are not secessionists. 
 
 For want of time we pass over portions of the report 
 which we had marked for notice and review. Brother 
 
BEPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 101 
 
 Davies always writes interestingly, and has a good faculty 
 of selection. 
 
 Eobert M. Powers, San Diego, was elected Grand Com- 
 mander ; Thomas H. Caswell, San Francisco, was re-elected 
 Grand Eecorder, and William A. Davies, San Francisco, was 
 continued as Correspondent. 
 
 The Grand Encampment, 1898. 
 
 The Triennial Conclave of 1898, held at Pittsburg, Penn., 
 has passed into history. For four days — from October 11th 
 to October 14th, inclusive — the members of the Grand 
 Encampment, assembled in the Iron City, gave dUigent 
 attention to business. 
 
 The Conclave week began on Saturday, October 9th, and 
 continued until Satiirday, October 15th, and on all these 
 days the busy streets of Pittsburg were thronged by crowds 
 of visitors, while the plumed Sir Knights were everyM'here 
 in evidence. All sections of the country were represented 
 in the vast gathering called together by the holding of the 
 Triennial Conclave, yet, as we were told by one of the offi- 
 cials of Pittsburg, the vast crowds were easily handled, and 
 there were but few accidents. The prevailing good order 
 reflects credit upon those who were in charge of streets, pub- 
 lic buildings, conveyances, etc., while it speaks well for the 
 intelligence and courtesy of the great army of occupation. 
 
 Pittsburg gave hospitable greeting to the Grand Encamp- 
 ment, and to the accompanying hosts of Sir Knights. The 
 city put on its holiday garb, and signified in various ways 'its 
 purpose to make the occasion memorable and pleasant. 
 There were profuse decorations in all the principal streets. 
 Some of the ornamentation was specially noticeable by its 
 artistic form and fashioning, and by its suggestive symbol- 
 ism. The electrical display, which made the night radiant as 
 with noonday sun, was alike conspicuous and delightful. The 
 decorations as a whole deserve unstinted praise. We are 
 sure that they were highly commended by the Sir Knights 
 and other visitors who took into account the thought and 
 skill, as well as the time and money, which they represented. 
 
102 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 But there was something more than this outward show of 
 gi'eeting and good will. There were the hving actors on the 
 scene — the " men behind the guns " — for the personal element 
 was often in evidence, expressing itself in thoughtful atten- 
 tions and generous service. There were committees repre- 
 senting the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, the host of 
 the occasion, as also committees representing the Command- 
 eries of Pittsburg and Allegheny. At the head of the Gen- 
 eral Committee was Grand Commander Henry H. Kuhn, 
 and at the head of the Executive Committee was Past Grand 
 Commander Lee S. Smith, who rendered an untiring seiwice 
 in the way of preparation and administration, and who was 
 ably supported by his associates of the same committee. 
 Great credit is due these painstaking Sir Knights for what 
 they planned so wisely and executed so well. 
 
 The parade, over a long route through the cities of Alle- 
 gheny and Pittsburg, was witnessed by a vast multitude, who 
 gave hearty acclamations of welcome to the Commanderies, 
 which appeared at their best as they marched over the desig- 
 nated course to the strains of inspiring music. It was a 
 magnificent spectacle. The parade, under charge of Past 
 Grand Master General John P. S. Gobiu, was successfully 
 carried out, albeit the last part of the march ^vas made in a 
 drenching rain. Grand Master Warren La Kue Thomas re- 
 ■^dewed the Sir Knights as they marched all so steadily before 
 him, with Templar banners and " old glory " conspicuous in 
 every passing battalion. On the reviewing stand A^-ith Grand 
 Master Thomas were the other officers of the Grand Encamp- 
 ment, and many of its members, besides prominent officials. 
 
 The first session of the Grand Encampment was held on 
 the afternoon of Tuesday, at the Carnegie Music Hall, which 
 had been selected as the place of meeting on account of its 
 ample accommodations for committees, etc., as well as for 
 the presence of Sir Knights desiring to witness the deliber- 
 ations of the Grand Body. All the sessions were held in this 
 large and beautiful hall, but the number of onlookers was com- 
 paratively small. The galleries showed a " beggarly account 
 of empty boxes." Evidently the attractions elsewhere were 
 too strong to permit any considerable attendance of Brethren, 
 
EEPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 103 
 
 not members of the Grand Encampment. In the body of 
 the house were gathered some two hundred and fifty men, 
 representatives of the various Grand Commanderies through- 
 out the country. Venerable Sir Knights were included in 
 this representative gathering — Withers, Parvin, McCurdy 
 and others, who have rendered long and faithful service to 
 the Order — but the absence of Past Grand Masters Fellows, 
 Dean and Hurlbert, and other prominent Brethren present 
 at the Boston Ti-iennial, and now departed to the land 
 immortal, caused the hearts of many to throb with a tender, 
 pensive feeling. Drummond, Carson, and Palmer, present 
 and active at the Conclave three years ago, were unable to 
 attend; and there were others detained who have been 
 prominent in the Triennials during the last twenty years or 
 more. 
 
 As already intimated, however, the Conclave was well 
 attended. Men of character and influence, some in their 
 age, and some in early manhood, were seated together, all 
 intent upon the promotion of the interests of Masonic Tem- 
 plarism. The new constitution was considered, section by 
 section, the consideration and discussions occupying a good 
 part of three days, and, after being amended in several 
 respects as it came from the hands of the committee, was 
 unanimously adopted. So also the code of Statutes and 
 Eegulations was carefully passed upon, and the governing 
 law approved was brought into harmony with the constitu- 
 tion. The Triennial Conclave of 1898 was a working body, 
 and its action, in the main, we believe, was wisely taken. 
 
 We may not attempt to set forth at this time any of the 
 details of legislation, nor to describe the special courtesies 
 extended to the Grand Master and officers of the Grand 
 Encampment, so numerous and graceful. We may say^ 
 however, that there was a happy innovation at the official 
 banquet, ladies being invited. At this banquet eloquent 
 addresses were delivered by prominent Sir Knights, mem- 
 bers of the Grand Encampment and others. On Thursday 
 evening the privileged few, known as the "Society of the 
 Mutuals," dined together, and enjoyed a delightful com- 
 munion. Past Grand Master Hopkins presided. Eloquent 
 
104 GRAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND E. I. 
 
 addresses were made, which were not reported. The writei-s 
 of Correspondence, who thus touched elbows and hearts at 
 Pittsburg, will recall with pleasure that evening at the 
 Duquesne Club rooms, as some of them remember the pre- 
 ceding meetings at Washington, Denver, and Boston. Thus 
 having in mind these reunions we shall gladly anticipate 
 the next meeting of the Guild, at Louisville, in August, 1901. 
 As already intimated we regard the Pittsburg Triennial as 
 a success. There was a numerous gathering of Sir Knights, 
 who bore themselves creditably in all resi^ects. There was 
 a hearty welcome accorded to visitors by those who were 
 their hosts. The business of the Grand Encampment was 
 transacted in an orderly and dignified manner, and a grati- 
 fying harmony of views was shown both in the deliberations 
 and in the election of officers. Of right we may rejoice in 
 the successful Triennial of 1898. 
 
 CoNCLUSIOX. 
 
 We would have the closing words of our report charged 
 with a grateful and hopeful feeling. As American citizens 
 and as Knights Templars we may well rejoice that our 
 country is again at peace with all the world. The war 
 with Spain, engaged in by the American nation, because of 
 the interests of justice and humanity which were involved, 
 has happily ended, and in a way which we can but believe 
 will be promotive of Christian civilization and the highest 
 welfare of mankind. Most certainly our great republic 
 comes out of the war with augmented power and prestige, 
 as also vnih some increase of responsibility, as pertains to 
 the affairs of other nations and peoples, which cannot be 
 avoided. We may rejoice in the advancement of the United 
 States to a position of larger influence, even though the 
 added obligations are many and gi;eat. xl nation does not 
 live for itself alone, but has a ministry of grace and help to 
 exercise in behalf of the weak and oppressed peoples of the 
 earth. It must accept this position, if it is to justify its 
 right to stand among the foremost powers of earth. It must 
 be a contributor toward those things which mark human 
 
REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. 105 
 
 progress and the deliverance of the human world from 
 ignorance and oppression. God be thanked that the hearts 
 of the best citizenship of our land are throbbing to-day with 
 these lofty purposes of patriotism and humanity ! 
 
 And we may rejoice and be thankful that Masonic Tem- 
 plarism has made such mighty strides during the year 
 covered by this review, holding an assured position to-day 
 of honor and usefulness such as before had not been attained. 
 There have been notable gains in numbers, in material 
 strength, and in the various elements which constitute a 
 great and beneficent Order. The principles of Templary are 
 better understood and applied than ever before ; its oppor- 
 tunities for good are enlarged ; and the opening way before 
 it is luminous with the revealings of Christian faith and the 
 calls to Christian duty. As Knights Templars we march on, 
 cheered and sustained by the feeling of fraternity and true 
 comradeship, not forgetful of our dear friends and fellow 
 workers who have passed on to the rewards of the faithful in 
 the land celestial, but who are still with us in the sweet com- 
 munions of thought and spirit. While we stay here on the 
 earth let us be valiant workers for God and humanity. Let 
 love rule our hearts and direct our lives, that so we may 
 walk and work together in Christian love— in perfect peace ! 
 
 Touch hands, Sir Knights, touch hearts and lives ; 
 At Friendship's shrine we kneel— 
 The compact of fraternity 
 Within this presence seal ! 
 
 We tread earth's pathway side by side, 
 The blue skies bend o'er all, 
 The sunbeams on each life descend. 
 On each the shadows fall. 
 
 Then let us strew the way with flowers, 
 With deeds that never die. 
 With words that shine immortally. 
 As stars gleam in the sky I 
 
 Forgive past wrongs, forget past slights. 
 Ignore the weeds that thrive, 
 Look to the hills whence cometh strength, 
 Keep chivalry alive ! 
 
 14 
 
106 GEAND COMMANDEEY OF MASS. AND B. I. 
 
 Pluck not the thorns ; the roses bloom, 
 Their fragrance fills the air — 
 Life's sunshine far exceeds its shade, 
 Hope triumphs o'er despair ! 
 
 Touch hands, touch hearts, then. Brother Knights, 
 
 Beneath the conq'ring sign 
 
 We'll march to reach the heavenly land 
 
 And gain its peace divine ! 
 
 Be brave, be true — the Holy Grail 
 We seek, as Knights of old ; 
 'Tis found where noble deeds are done. 
 When for the right we're bold ! 
 
 Beneath earth's outward show we see 
 The virtue that's concealed — 
 Fragrant as arbutus in spring. 
 To patient search revealed. 
 
 The art of living is to love 
 
 The best, where'er it be ; 
 
 To know the good, to do the right, 
 
 Makes true nobility. 
 
 Touch hands, touch hearts, 'tis better so 
 To walk the pilgrim way ; 
 The evening shadows soon will come 
 To end life's little day ; 
 
 But morning dawns beyond the clouds, 
 Love conquers even death; 
 And in the cross there's vict'ry, though 
 We lose life's fleeting breath. 
 
 Fraternally submitted, 
 
 Heney W. Eugg. 
 
 OCTOBEB, 1898. 
 
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