^ L O D OF OF CANADA. ft&pt un foreign {Jorre^pondgnce BEING AN APPENDIX TO THE PROCEEDINGS FOR THE YEAR A. L. 5877. 1878. J. B. TRAYES, PRINTER, CRAFTSMAN STEAM PRESS, PORT HOPE, OST. Class Mk. Pub. Date Rec’d. AUG 1 * 1933 Agent Invoice Date Fund Notify Send to DEPOSITED 3Y Presented MgZQRD museum Exchan ge _ - BINDING Material Binder Invoice Date Cost McGILL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ROUTINE SLIP xxr . n?7 APPENDIX TO PROCEEDINGS OF 1877. Foreign Correspondence. T ° tk qf 'canal/a —^ 1 *** Grand Master a »d Grand Lodye A.F. JL- A.Jf. lour Committee on foreign Correspondence beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of the Proceedings of Fifty-Two Grand Lodges, as under, being all the Grand Lodges in the United btates and Canada. These Proceedings have been carefully read, and their Peport mP ° rtant transactions wil1 be n °ticed in the following Alabama.!S 7 g Arkansas. 187(3 British Columbia. 1877 California.1876 Colorado.1876 Connecticut. 1877 Dakota.1876 Delaware.1876 District of Columbia.1876 Florida.1877 Georgia.!.’l876 Idaho.1876 Illinois.1876 Indiana.1876 Indian Territory. 1876 I° wa . 1876 Kansas.1876 Kentucky. 1876 Louisiana. 1877 Maine.1877 Manitoba.1876 Maryland.1876 Massachusetts. 1876 Michigan.I 877 Minnesota.I 877 Mississippi.1877 In addition to Missouri.1876 Montana. 1876 Nebraska. 7 Nevada.’ ’ .1876 New Brunswick.* .1876 New Hampshire. 1876 New Jersey. . '.‘. ‘. '. '.'. '.1877 Newlork. 1877 North Carolina. 1876 Nova Scotia.1876 .1876 Oregon.. 1876 -Pennsylvania. 1876 Prince Edward Island 1876 Quebec.1876 Rhode Island. 1876 South Carolina.1876 Tennessee. 1876 .1876 U ta h.. \ ermont..1876 S rg j n . ia .. •••• • i 1876 YY ashington.1876 West Virginia...1876 Wisconsin. 1376 Wyoming. .'.’..’.1876 tLe foregoing, we have been favored, through the kindness of Bro. James H. Neilson, of Dublin, t n. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. with some printed circulars, giving information regarding the Grand Lodge of IRELAND. The Grand Lodge of Ireland do not publish their proceed¬ ings, but a circular is issued, giving the names of the Grand Officers and Representatives, the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodges, a list of the Lodges, and an abstract of the accounts of the Grand Treasurer and Charity Fund. Also, a list of suspensions, &c. The Grand Officers for the year 1877 are, M.W. His Grace the Duke of Abercorn, K. G., Grand Master; and R. W. Viscount Bernard, Grand Secretary. Office in Freemason 8 Hall, Molesworth Street. Dublin. There are 18 Provincial Grand Lodges; 18 in Ireland, and one in each of the follow¬ ing Colonies, viz:—Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and New Zealand. The receipts for 1876 were, £4,454.18.5. The balance on hand is £905.7.1. The Charity Fund receipts were £621.- 19.5; and the balance on hand, £415.18.3. Two brethren were suspended, and one expelled. There are about 400 Lodges on the roll, including those in the Colonies, and in Ceylon, Constantinople, Bermuda, Jamaica, and Trinidad. There are 9 Lodges attached to military regiments not stationary. The Grand Lodge meets on the first Thursday in every month, except August and September. The Committee of Charity and Inspection meets twice in each month. There is also a Grand Lodge of Instruction, meeting monthly, except during the summer. ALABAMA. Held at Montgomery, December 4th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Palmer J. Pillans, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 325; represented, 211; initiated, 318; members, 8,538; dues, $4,438.50. Annual Communica¬ tion, 56th. The Grand Master reports 7 new Lodges. He thinks there is a limit to the powers of the Grand Master, and he does not believe in shortening the time for the degrees. We copy his remarks on these points, and some of his decisions:— “ Perhaps I might here, with propriety, enunciate the position that whenever the will of the Grand Lodge is expressed, and the require- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. m. meuts ol' the Constitution or edicts clear and unmistakable, there is J?rf* If tLe Gra ? d Master to set either aside, but that he, like eveiy Brother, is under obligation to obey them.” * * * “In every case, when application was made for authority to confer the degrees in less time than that required by the Constitution, I de¬ clined the request, because unless there should be a most palpable ease, when Masonry would be injuring a fellow man by refusalfcon- sent would be in violation of that instrument with the execution of which I was most specially charged. But in every case when applica¬ tion was made, the individual had lived long within the sound of the gavel without being attracted by it, until duty or inclination provided a journey when lie desired hastily to be clad as a M. M.“ Lodge, if it wishes, may perform the last rites for an un affiliated Mason. No law forbids it. ^ hat afte * a Brother who lias been expelled or suspended, is restored to Ins Masonic rights, but refused membership as provided forth^thefacts* 1 ” S Grand Lod S e ’ ls entitled to a certificate setting }J" £} ia * a Lodge may exercise its charity at its own discretion, the Lodoe E SeCretary has no right to issue a until ordered by present ^vas^oid 60 ^ 011 1161(1 wlien neitlier Master nor Wardens were i 14 ' /^ lla t an election held under the supervision of one of the War- dens (the W. M. and other Warden being absent), though he placed the Secretary m the chair, to direct, is valid.” He thinks the financial depression has some effect on their decrease cf membership, and also their peculiar political condition. He concludes as follows:— “ I think, however, that there is, perhaps, another potent cause for decline—(I hope it is only temporary) and that is, probablv, that we are multiplying the number of our Lodges too rapidly. In “our rather sparsely settled country, I know the inconvenience of having to travel far to enjoy Masomc communication, but bv this increase of Lodges we build up a number of weak Lodges while we, by so doing, weaken “fe stronger. Statistics show us that there are in the United States 10,21o Lodges, with an average membership of fiftv-eight. The aver- a^e m New York is 107. in Pennsylvania 74, in Connecticut 126 in California 57. in Florida 40, in Arkansas 31, and in Alabama 29 We have by far the smallest average, in fact only one-half the membersliip of the average American Lodge in each of our Lodges. Is it astonish¬ ing, then, that annually, some go by the board for inability to pav their dues to the Grand Lodge? Can we hope to be able to do good in tliis our weakness? To be sure, Kentucky, with her average membersliip oi only 37, has reared a monument to Masonic virtue which is destined to be the admiration of succeeding generations. The germ is there of a great and glorious work. I mean her “Masonic Widows’ and Or¬ phans’ Home and Infirmary.” When the glories of the magnificent Temples of our Brethren of New York and Pennsylvania shall have been eclipsed by others more massive and splendid, or have been whelmed in oblivion by time, this proud monument will have only -acquired a greater renown, and in after ages some one of the magnates IV. foreign correspondence. of the land may with pride point to it and say, ‘‘There—there—by Masonic kindness and brotherly affection was I cared for and educated to usefulness and honor.” Let us, then, strive ^ cultavate the Ma¬ sonic virtues, that our Lodges may, by becoming stronger, be the bet ter enabled to assist in rearing some such enduring monument to the goodness of Masonry.” The Grand Secretary offered the following resolutions as to Negro Masons, which were referred to a Committee:— “Whereas, The question of the recognition of Negro Masons has been made more than usually prominent dunng the last year; and whereas this Grand Lodge has a well-settled opinion upon that subject, which she desires most respectfully and fraternally to express to her sister Grand Lodges everywhere, and especially to those of the United States; she deems the present a, fit opportunity to set forth the rea¬ sons which impel her to that opinion. 1. It is indisputable that whatever theory we adopt as to the origin of Masonry—whether that which carries it back to the original father of mankind, and his immediate descendants; or to Enoch and Noah; or to the building of King Solomon’s Temple; or arising from the con¬ stitutions of Pvthagoras; or if we trace it back to the Eleusmian Mys¬ teries; or to those of Ceres, and the institution of the Bacchanalia; or, wliat is most probable of all, the incorporation of the Roman Builders under Numa Pompilius—that theory carries us back to the Caucasian I^ace. 2. Masonry was originally, what it is mainly to-day, a Social Insti¬ tution; intended for those w’ho daily mingled together in the ordinary walks of life, in business, in pleasure, and in the family circle; into which it is not credible that any one of the Negro, or of any other of the inferior races, could have been admitted. 3. That Negroes have of late years been admitted into Lodges of Free Masons Ts due, it is believed, to the sympathy which has been excited for them by anti-slavery societies generally, and particularly by those of the United States; and that any were admitted during the revolutionary war by travelling Lodges belonging to the British Army,, was due to the feeling which existed at that time against the Ameri¬ can Patriots; a proceeding entirely at variance with the object of the formation of such lodges, they having no right to confer the degrees upon any citizen or resident of the country in which they might be sojourning, but only upon members of the army to which such Lodges belonged. 4. Although it is usually said that Masonry is universal, and that in every clime Masons are to be found; yet it is only universal in so far as the Caucasian Race has carried it into every quarter of the globes and if that race has some times admitted Negroes, and others of the inferior races, it has been done in violation of the original and funda¬ mental laws of the fraternity. 5. In view, therefore, of these facts, indisputable as they are conceiv¬ ed to be, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama seizes the present as a fit and proper occasion to declare its purpose, under no circumstances whatever, to acknowledge the legality of negro- masons, such acknowledgment being foreign to the original purpose of the fraternity, and introducing an element of demoralization into- the society.” % FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. V. A Seal was ordered for the use of the Grand Master. The Committee on Appeals conclude their report with the following sensible remarks:— “Iu conclusion your committee asks permission to observe, that there is daily, hourly necessity for us as Masons, “to put a bridle on the tongue.” A careless remark may at times do incalculable mis- ® e * - . slll U e word, spoken, at some particular juncture, may blast reputation as the fire of the Heavens scorches the majestic tree and lesup its fountain of life. To appreciate the importance of circum¬ spection in respect of our intercourse with each other and with pro¬ fanes, let us keep in mind the fact that human influence is well nfrh measureless. A casual remark is often like the pebble tossed upon tne water in repose; the tiny circlets of wave expand and widen, and spiead, and continue to extend until, in the distance, they are lost to view. The cases are analogous. Again; let us be careful how we plight our word as Masons. Some are entirely too free in use of Masonic pledges. Too frequently that expression, “on the word of a Mason" leaps from the tongue with the apiity of a startled hare. Such should not be the case. A Masonic pledge should never be lightly given, but once given, should be held as most sacred. This observation is suggested by almost daily experi- 6nce, and it is trusted that its presence here will not be deemed amiss. -Lo discuss the effect of common violation of Masonic pledges would be as superfluous as would be an argument to prove that “round” is not “square.” The foregoing observations are not censoriously but Kmcliy intended, and are made use of because disregard of such leads surely to strifes and trials. It must be apparent that the great source of ills like these, is remissness in guarding our portals. The question, how is it that we sometimes, nay, often find such miserable material in our grand old edifice? finds its solution for the most part in that remissness.” Kecognition was refused to the Grand Lodge of “Ontario;” “Cuba” and “Brazil” were postponed, and “Prince Edward Island” cordially welcomed. Bro. 0. S. Beers reports on correspondence, and notices Canada for 1876. He says:— “ The strange and, to us, unmitigated imposture attempted in the movement to erect a new Grand Lodge within her territory, the so- called Grand Lodge of Ontario has caused our venerable sister of Canada again to call her host of true men to the rescue of true Masonry from the hands of the Vandals of clandestine ambition.” Under the head of “Mississippi,” he thus answers a ques¬ tion asked by Bro. Gathright, on the right of visitors to see the Charter:— “If a Mason of Mississippi visits a place in .Alabama that he con¬ siders a Lodge, and encounters an examining committee, has he a right to demand an exhibition of the charter before he enters the Lodge? A Lodge in Mobile refused to exhibit its warrant to a member y! FOREIGN COBRESPONDENCE. of the Lodge to which this writer belongs and our brother loused to “sit" with the individuals, representing themselves to be a -Lo^ge- A Brother of another Lodge or Jurisdiction desiring to visit, and giving no other assurance of his right to do so than that mtimatqg in a request for an examination , has no right to demand of the Lodge he nroooses to visit the exhibit of its charter, as a condition precedent to the^xamination. He has elected to visit a Lodge recognized publicly as a Masonic institution and is himself unknown. In such cases the. burden of proof is on the applicant, and for such a visitor to demand the charter without trial is impudent or irregular. After tna a " d J'>" entering the Lodge we always show the charter if requested to do so. The visitor must prove liis right to inspect the charter, and then his reguest (not demand) to that effect, is complied with, 'ft e know of no other rule in Mobile-, and the “Brother of Mississippi alluded to above must have blundered in making his demand before he had proved his right to “sit with the individuals” alluded to. He will probably learn more of Masonry as he grows older and avoid similar errors m the future We have had to do with a few brash visitors of this descrip¬ tion, and always wished them better training in the etiquette of the Lodge.” M. W. Bro. Palmer J. Pillans (Mobile), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. Daniel Sayre (Montgomery), Grand Secretary. ARKANSAS. Held at Little Rock, October 9th, 187G. M. W. Bro. M. L. Bell, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 332 ; represented, 82 ; initiated, 382 ; members 8,081 ; receipts, $5,340.31. Annual Communica¬ tion, 38th. The Grand Master opens his address with some serious reflections on their present situation, and material and moral surroundings, in which he says :— “ While we can but rejoice at the material prosperity of our State, the abundant crops, and the general peace and prosperity that reign throughout the land, can we congratulate ourselves upon equal pro¬ gress in education and refinement, goodness and purity among the people ? It has become too much the fashion to say that the world is growing worse, and to regret the good old days of our youth, lliere are perhaps, more integrity and religion among the people, than there were a half century ago. Because bad men have succeeded in getting into high places, and governments have apparently become conupt, we must not charge humanity with being more corrupt than formerly. There is much good in the world, though it is modest and does not obtrude itself upon public notice.” He again calls attention to St. John’s College, where the orphans of deceased Masons are educated free of charge. He reports six new Lodges. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. yiL The following resolution was adopted :— Resolved, That virtue and intelligence being among the true bul¬ warks of Masonry, and in order to increase the dissemination of useful Masonic literature, the Masonic Jewel, published at Memphis, Tennes¬ see is specially recommended to the Subordinate Lodges of this Grand Lodge, and to members of the fraternity at large.” A pioposition to remit one-lialf of tlie Grand Lodge Dues, on account of the “ extreme pressure in money matters, and low price of produce,” was negatived. On Lodge attendance, the following was adopted:— This Grand Lodge long ago decided, and has reiterated, what ia the rule in relation to Lodge attendance. If a brother, from remote¬ ness of residence, age, infirmity, or other good cause, cannot attend the Lodge meetings, and aid in the work, etc., the Lodge will excuse iiim from attendance ; but surely, until this is done, if he fail or neglect to attend for the time fixed in the By-Laws of his Lodge, and is summoned to show cause for his delinquency, he should, as a anegiance EL52JSiff£. ‘ herefore anomaly of Stt The unity of the Brethren in a State under one Grand Lodge has b i een i hel Ki desi F able; a ^vision into two or more has been con nles of f i? l0rable ' A f nen ? an ? Ia sons have been educated to princi¬ ples of self-government and unity, and hold that the Brethren in a State are not truly Brethren, unless united under one Grand Lodge. An eminent Mason and writer upon this subject says, “ Wherever competmg Grand Lodges have existed in a community, the standard of Masonry has been lowered as a consequence of rivalry, and the Ma- sonic subordination been sadly demoralized.” -J25 ? rand Lod " e of Cuba, however, present claims that at once to f oul sympathies and sense of Masonic justice, and although secedeis from the Grand Lodge of Colon, are entitled to the careful hearing and consideration of their .Masonic Brethren throughout the worid. A proper conclusion would be arrived at, it seems to me bv a satisfactory solution of this question: Shah the Grand Lodges‘ of the l_ork Rite ignore the Lodges of the Scotch Rite (where the q^ntr.f e §?I eS a f e conferred) to recognize a body of seceders from the Scotch Rite, who desire to be acknowledged bv the first-named 9 I submit to your careful consideration the papers accompanvina the Grand Lodge of Cuba, not doubting your disposition to so legislate that exact justice shall be meted to all concerned.” ° ‘ ’ The following was adopted:— "Resolved, That the members of this Grand Lodge have learned with deep regret of the prolonged and severe illnes^ of our worth? Grand Secretary, R. W Brother J. K. Wheeler, and they hereby ex¬ tend to lnm their heartfelt sympathy in his great aflliction, and their smcere wisiigs ior liis speedy and entire recovery.” The business transacted was local in its character; and there is no report on foreign correspondence, owing probably to the illness of Bro. Wheeler. 1 ^ M. W. Bro. E. B. Bowe (New London), Grand Master E. W. Bro. Jos. K. Wheeler (Hartford), Grand Secretary. DAKOTA. Held at Yankton, June 13th, 1876. M. A\. Bro. Thos. H. Brown, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 6; represented, 6; members, 239; re¬ ceipts, $181.37. Annual Communication, 2nd. The Grand Master, in his address, says their Grand Lodo- e has been ushered into existence under the most favorable circumstances, and they have been received with fraternal warmth and kindness. He complains of three Lodges, hold- c foreign CORRESPONDENCE. xYin. mg under the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, which have not joined them, and says:— .. The dot, of these Lodges is pWyset forth inthe Amencan law touching such “K'l .Jwlin.te body, the latter at once jurisdiction in which former and should report to it and comes under the authonty ot Grand Lodge will take such Obtain * XSL be co h n°r^ STwith Its rights and its action m the case aswui u t harmoniously exercise an- gSMT r sa & ZluSonTa 0 s‘ been repeatedly settled In the past.” They have no organized colored Masons in Dakota, but Pro Brown thinks they should discuss the question in the interests of* Masonry .n general. He concludes Ins address as follows:— to'ftisGr^ «. tao-a question Feeling, however, that you appreciate tlie nnportance o this subject, and that you will discuss the question with due delibera ^ The harmony^and prosperity of Masonry within this jurisdiction will depend much upon the action of the Grand Lodge. . _ __ While there is but little in the business of the past y ear viewed or acted upon, we should, as far as possible, anticipate the needs of the fraternity under our care, and supply them as tai as our power.” As regards their relations with Minnesota, it was resolved, “ That in the opinion of this Grand Lodge the M W. Grand Lodge of Minnesota has been infringing upon the rights and authority-oftins Grand Lodge, and that although we cannot undo what lias already been done we protest against the further exercise of authority on the part of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota within our jurisdiction, as the exer¬ cise of such authority is, in the opinion of this Grand Lo ^ge unlaw- ful, without precedent, and subversive of the^peace and harmony which should exist between all Masonic Lodges. ’ M. W. Bro. H. H. Blair was elected Grand Master, but as FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XIX. we cannot find his name among the list of members, we pre¬ sume he belongs to Minnesota, or elsewhere. R. W. Bro. Mark W. Bailey (Canton), Grand Secretary. DELAWARE. Held at Wilmington, October 4th, 1876. M. W. Bro. George W. Chaytor, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 22 ; represented, 21; initiated, 52* members, 1,219 ; receipts, §778.64. Annual Communica¬ tion, 70th. The Grand Master delivered a very good address. They have been blessed during the past year with good-fellowship and a reasonable degree of prosperity. On renting a Lod»e- room to a Society of Grangers, he decided :— I deem it extremely improper to open onr Lodge-rooms to profanes, iso good can result, but much harm may from such a custom. It would be improper to rent to the Grangers, or any other Order not purely Masonic ; and then, only for Masonic meetings.” On shortening the time for the degrees, he says :_ During the year I have had two applications to shorten the time between the degrees. In both cases I refused. The time now fixed by the By-Laws I consider quite short enough under the best circum stances, and quite too short in a majority of cases. Proficiency should govern all advancements. No one should be advanced unless he be proficient , and in the Lodge established Ins right to advancement with- out peradventure. The test fixed by Lodges should be full, complete, thorough. Holding these views it was impossible for me to accede to the wishes of my Brethren.” He issued one dispensation for a new Lodge. On foreign relations, he thus reports action :— Our Grand Marshal, Brother Jacob F. Mynich, intending to visit Europe, I concluded to embrace the opportunity of obtaining informa- sion on certain masonic matters, some of which are frequently brought before the Craft. I therefore commissioned liim as a Special Repre¬ sentative to the Grand Lodges of England. Scotland and Ireland, and furnished him with instructions, which the following is a synopsis: 1st.—A knowledge of the written vouchers required and tests ex¬ acted from visiting brethren. 2nd.—Obtain a knowledge of the work in the three symbolic de¬ grees, and the degree of Past Master. 3d.—The treatment extended to applicants for relief, and the man¬ ner of conducting their general charities. Also if schools or institu- tions for the care of widows and orphans of Masons are maintained by the Grand Lodge. 4th—The style of keeping the records and general mode of keeping accounts, etc., also rates of fees, dues, etc., and what system is used to collect Lodge dues, if any they have. oth—Request a regular exchange of the Proceedings. Brother Mynich, as far as his time and opportunities would permit X X foreign CORRESPONDENCE. lias fulfilled his commission, and his report marked [D] is present for your consideration. England, I regret he was so un- iO.i.vWtto he'^ tW, So I Lave evc ? fortunate as not to meet ti Mason. The person present, reason to believe is a r J entl ^f^ factotum of tlie office, was a fair ex- Bro. Mynicli learned ^^^ptions were very different. There return my acknowledgments. Bro Chaytor is in favor of tlieir Masonic Mutual Benefit Association. He also has his say on the colored question . It ^asserted that Prince Hall and a few other colored men were made Masons in an Army Lodge connectedjftjE General Gage at Boston, on or about the 6tli of M »«h, 177o. 11 tms statement is true, Prince Hall was a legally made Mason. These colS Masons seem to have been greatly pleased with the honors thus conferred, and when the British evacuated Boston, they con oe- g»?ed and eat.blial.ed a Lodge in that City, Ad.they contano«U» l-ork for several years without a shadow of authority. In 1784 they applied for a warrant to the Grand Lodge of England but did not re¬ ceive it for some three years, 1787. At this time and from 1777 there had been an independent Grand Lodge in Boston. This Grand Body possessed a lawful jurisdiction over all lodges located in Boston and Massachusetts, and was the proper and only legitimate Body to apply to and receive warrants therefrom. But Prince Hall made his appli¬ cation direct to the Grand Lodge of England, and owing to the em¬ bittered feeling then existing towards the successful nation of rebels, granted the prayer and issued a warant for a Lodge, to be styled African Lodge, No. 459. At some period it appears that the name was changed to Prince Hall Lodge, and this became subsequently Prince Hall Grand Lodge. . , . While working as a Subordinate Lodge it assumed the right to issue dispensations to form new lodges. In 1797 a dispensation for a colored Lod«e to be held in Philadelphia was issued, and several others after¬ wards: one in Providence, Rhode Island, and one or more m Massa¬ chusetts. Prince Hall died in 1807, and in 1808 two of this Prince Hall Lodge’s illegal subordinates, the one in Pliiladelplna ana one in Providence met with Prince Hall Lodge and formed a Grand Lodge. From this illegitimate source all the negro lodges in this country have their origin. , ,. . __ No matter how honest and sincere the present bodies of negio Masons may he, they are to all intents and purposes clandestine.. And it is needless for me to say to you that clandestine lodges are FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XXI. without the pale of recognition by regular Grand Lodges or their Sub¬ ordinates. The action already taken by the Grand Lodge of Ohio is in violation of law, usage and custom, and that if any such step had been taken by one of our Lodges it would cause its Charter to be ar- lested and all tlie members taking part therein to expulsion.” The report of Bro. Mynich on his visit to Great Britain was read and filed. \\ e regret that it was not published, as it would have probably given some interesting informa¬ tion. From the proceedings, we copy as follows :— Brother Joseph W. H. Watson requested the Grand Master to give his decision on the following : There is a great want of uniformity among our Lodges in voting upon the petitions of candidates. Some vote for each degree as they axe to be gi\en ; and others vote for the three degrees at one and the same time. W e think this irregularity should not exist, and desire the matter to be settled by you. If in order we would be pleased to have your decision.” Decision—“ If it meets the wishes of the Grand Lodge, I will com¬ ply with the request of Brother Watson. Formerly Lodges met and worked only on the First or E. A. De. The foUowhng day was spent in conference, sepcrately and privately, “th as many brethren L I could find. The eouclusKms tcj wdnch I came, resulted in the following proceeding, and winch will tully appear with the records, and everything belonging to St. Thomas Lodge, No. 49, was surrendered to the Grand Master, on his demand for them. This was proper, according; to Ins best judgment, after a full examination into the facts and situation 1U A meeting of all the members who had been notified beforehand and as many more as could be found that day, was had on the night of January'13th. The attendance was large, and everythin^, done was performed in peace and harmony. At the proper time, the Grand Master gave notice, and caused it to he proclaimed, that for good and sufficient reasons moving him thereto, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XXVII. and by virtue of liis authority, St. Thomas Lodge was then and there closed and its charter, jewels, property, and records all forfeited to the Grand Lodge of Georgia, and in his possession as its rightful repre¬ sentative. This proceeding was consented to, and acquiesced in, by all present. J When this had been done, the Grand Master requested certain brethren to retire. He then, as your officer, held quiet and fall pos- sessmn for you, of all the property once that of St. Thomas Lod^e, iNo. 49. The remaining brethren were then constituted into a new Lod^e, under a dispensation granted for that purpose and at that time. When the forms necessary to this object were through, the Grand Master solemnly turned over to the new Lodge all the jewels, property and records of the old Lodge to the new, and caused the proper records to that end to be made on the minutes. Thus, in this case, I have discharged this duty, and believe that Pf ace and harmony ” have been restored to the Craft in that place and hope for good results to follow.” The “ certain brethren ” who were requested to retire, must have been considerably astonished at what took place after,they left. They suddenly found themselves “ out in the cold,”—the Lodge going on as usual, with all the property and books of the old Lodge, and all the old members, except them, and they not able to enter as heretofore. We can fancy them asking each other, “ Why is this thusly ? ” “ How is this so ?” They must have come to the conclusion that tliej were not exactly posted on tlie work, that there was a way of doing things that they never heard of, and that the powers of the Grand Master were not to be sneezed at. Seriously, however, we dare say that these brethren had rendered themselves obnoxious to the rest, but we cannot approve of this method of exclusion. It is possible that peace and harmony, obtained] at the sacrifice of principle, may be purchased too deai’ly. Bro. Butler speaks of the Southern Masonic Female Col¬ lege as doing well. On decisions he says:— “ I have rendered a great many authoritative opinions during the past year. The most of them have been satisfactory-. None, I believe have involved any new question of Masonic law. "Some had compli- cations which I could not readily untangle, and I directed that they siioulci be brought here for your consideration. Such is the perversity of human nature, even among Masons, that an ingenious wrong-doer, sometimes in office, would puzzle the wis¬ dom of our ancient Grand Master Solomon, could he be here, to read the ponderous and conflicting inquiries which are often made. As I have not learned all which can be known, and some of the questions know’^ 6ie t0 ° haid f ° r me ’ 1 have P rom P% said, in reply ‘ I do uot Irom the report on the College we learn that— foreign correspondence. xxvhi. .. It was originally a local and supported ^ the solemn Muonic pledge that we ago it came into oui hands, una . . . The i ate war found it would care for its P«>speng.and otoj• ^ length and dispensing its good with la^sh hand througn pr08 trate. breadth of our oormtvy.The sin ce by its Board In the language o 10 a Sunny South, accustomed to ease of Trustees: “ The the war to indigence and and plenty, were reduced by ^ ade to re-organize a Board evidently m,?Xae^e“^?®aUer.Set the expenses of our people found themsel f d ^ t and on that account the rmmm solemn duty it is to care for the widows and orplians of oui dead and gone.” We agree with the following decisions of the committee on jurisprudence:— “ 1st. Has a brother the right to cast a black ball in a case of ad¬ vancement, without preferring charges ? . olrnfWk Your Committee agree, that a brother, under Masonic ruling almost ^ V hrfeOTe a cy S a C nd ri freedom of the ballot are inviolable But if a brother, in any manner, disclose his reasons, for casting a black the Loii«e should inquire into the force of such reasons, and susta ofoycSe them, as’ in their judgment may seem consent w,th ’"vl'llas a brother the right to file a perpetual veto on the election or advancement of a candidate, without giving any reason fox it Your Committee say emphatically, no— with or withou • Either bv secret ballot, or for cause shown, a candidate may he debar red election or refused advancement. But Masonry knows no such thing as a vernetual protest on file bv any individual biotnei. -* Ml Is a resolution by a Lodge, declaring a brother m good stand- in-^ who died under an erroneous suspension, legal and valid . YoTiT Committee think that it is the dvty of a Lodge whichhas through mistake wronged a brother, to clear his memory, it deceased, so far as they are able, from the injurious effects of that wiong. The Grand Orient of Italy was congratulated on its firm establishment in the City of Rome. A book called “Practical Masonic Lectures, by 13ro. Samuel Lawrence, P. G. M., was strongly recommended, and a copy furnished to each of the Lodges at the expense - of Grand Lodge. The names of all the members of Lodges were ordered to FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XXIX. be printed with the proceedings; but a motion to appoint a committee on foreign correspondence, was laid on the table. In our opinion, these actions should just have been reversed, but there is no accounting for tastes. If our Georgia breth¬ ren prefer seeing their own names in print, to knowing what is going on in the Masonic world around them, we shall not say them nay ? “ Chacun a son gout” but “ the world moves nevertheless.” We are glad to copy part of the report of the Visiting Committee to the Female College :— “ Tli e Senior Class came next upon the stand, and were subjected, by the Faculty and your Committee, to a searching and rigid examin¬ ation on the higher branches of science, languages, and other studies belonging to the graduating class. In this examination each one of the young ladies gave conclusive evidence that they had been “ reut ileretoiore these tendencies have manifestpd fliorv.o«i , witli reference to it, I trust that the Grand Lodge of tHS & ShT On legislation, Bro. Bobbins very justly remarks as follows fatten “om- 18 ™™ aS perfectIy 60ttnd ’ acd weU "<*% and Procedure as the experience of the committee! of the G^S^nda ° qmred 116 L ° dge While “ 8ession ’ has shown to^X sidprrs it?: Home ' *° be ~ of ^M d x’ I deem it my duty to say that the history ot public Masonic cl,,,,.,,;, m this country, educational or otherwise, dies not inspire me wth"infi! E foreign correspondence. XXXIV. dence in the success of such an "wist ££2S S“f'S S?J£ i do not » h l r thejc,ehn 4 that £*-- of P suchan institution »» etShere said/that the true On the contrary, I repeat what I u unsee n with its soften- missionof Masonry in which it exists. An improved o/society is a nobler of'N^enewleMe tpaue'e «£. fhe foundation of costly public chanties. should differ with me on this subject, If, however, the in this enterprise. I would still urge With the utmost caution, and only after t!ie most careful diliberation a. to methods and plans. Postal cards are not to be used, except for the bare notice of time and place of meeting, all other notices are to be sent ““ThVlumol $400 was voted for the relief of a Past Grand Se From\he C rei)ort of the Committee on Jurisprudence, we make the following extracts:— Grand Lodge of Ontario, and fiiUyenaoiheuiep p Canada he ^hat‘vo“loStSeT^ it important and proper for the W.*. to hlt the care and custody of the charter of Iflns edge at ah Gam»| aad that i. Should be invalidate the SS22SW the lodge, nor render the work done during such absence i,r . e Yo”r ‘clmmSS'aie also of the opinion that in case of objections heine made to the advancement of a brother, the brother is entitled to a triaLbased upon such objections, and m the manner provide y disciplinary code of this Grand Lodge. The rest of the business was local. Bro. Theodore T. Gurney reports on correspondence. Canada for 1876 receives due notice. After quoting our ex¬ pulsions, he says:— “It is quite possible that the creations of these expelled Masons FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XXXV S e k "a”dfiV h 4 d „Xlf,.t^ t L °.^“ “yo"”* hundred yearn the ground that they -practice the sam P f °I ^ C0 S^ ti pn, on legitimate organizations. The agent of the » r> auc * Ceremonies” of prompt to visit that ‘Eden'>Som J *the ‘‘Cvnosiire” should be benefited by a pilgrimage to’fche same toXty ^ might be will finrl Pa f e / “ ° f ° Ur , pr0Ceedin S s for 1876, Bro. Gurney t ;i , , f 7 recapitulation of our statistics; following de tailed statements of the work of our lodges.) ° n^ ae co ored question, Bro. Gurney has the follow- O * they start^f witlh^he singula? assimption^V 1 ? H 1 d ° CUr ^ entS ’ is that men are Masons—that the ‘Colored Graid SfJ g , entle ‘ mate organization, and demanding prompt^^oofetiST mi* Iegltl ' that these Col °^ not stop to inquire how thilcom^t J t and ceremon , ie *-’ We will ledge. If a Liter of tZ '^Sfctfon tWs kuow ' knew that Colored Masons nriL+iV^ i m&de the assertion that he modes of recognition, we should certahdy feel cStd ^on^^® *7^ m a position that would force him tn „Loi :, caUed u P on to place him «on. or force him from t£ fratemito ^ ‘ he S0U " C ° f “ s so-tfS f‘» r th ^” »' «>ese £5as^£ss. ! ssr» ■ - - Vi—s.sz ™:,s sa; t slllsiffsssns z at?- H - u without, any warrant or authority, until May 1787 Althmini os on > ssr * been ^ that ,dj " ™LTcharte°° «' t** teSof thi^Lodge^ath 'Frur,cTl""’“ thon S h w « have been taipSui»dto aenSflo France for one; yet we thought it best to send t» P the fonnSe^d XXXVI. foreign correspondence. Which, by the by. from whence we received the light for & warrant, was from Ireland , not England. Italics ours. Eight here, let us review these quotations. In°the first, “there is ‘no doubt' but that Prince Hall and co ¬ mmons received their Masonic degrees in this Army Lodge, holding their authority from the Grand Lodge of Ireland. In the second, !& Lodge started in a British Army Lodge.” Now bear in mind that this Army Lodge No. 243, on the registry of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, was taken under the protection of the Dr. Warren Lodge, Dec. 2d 1774. Yet, with this fact, there is no record whatever that Prince Hall and his companions ever received a Masonic degree. Our Ohio brethren say there is “no doubt" about it, but what of the proof. Would Bro. Caldwell admit a visitor to a Lodge on such testimonjr. We do not believe it; then why ask us to swallow a whole Colored Grand Lodge because you believe that its progenitors were Masons. Is it a reasonable supposition that a dozen or more colored men could have been made Masons in that “Army Lodge’ without any record of the fact either in that Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Ireland, or the Dr. Warren Grand Lodge? Now for that notable charter. Prince Hall and his associates ap¬ plied for it Sep. 29, 1784, but it did not arrive at Boston for nearly three years, May 6, 1787, and was not placed on the registry of the Grand Lodge of England till 1789. Very singular, this! Is it not true, that the officers of the English Grand Lodge were ashamed of their invasion of the rights of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. They had not only invaded her jurisdiction, but had granted a charter to a number of men who, upon their oion confession , had been a clandestine body for eight years prior to 1784, and up to 1787 ! The best of men are fallible; and it is not unlikely that the inevitable bitterness growing out of the conflict between the mother country and her colo¬ nies, had something to do with this strange procedure of the English Grand Body. Be that as it may, let us inquire, by virtue of what law can a Grand Lodge organize a legitimate Lodge from a body of clan¬ destine Masons? ’ Grand Lodges can heal irregularities, but they have no more authority to do an illegal act than has a suboidinate Lodge. Prince Hall and his associates had been at work up to 1784, in defiance of the Provincial Grand Lodges and Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, to whom they could have applied for recognition if they had been Masons. It is not at all remarkable, that under such circumstances, neither the Provincial Grand Lodges, or the later Independent Grand Body of Massachusetts could recognize their Masonic claims. Then “colored Masons” might have been justified if they had law¬ fully received their degrees, in organizing a Lodge, and working even eight or twenty-eight years, if they had been so situated that legal authority, for the time being, could not have been obtained. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was organized March 8, 1777. Prince Hall and his associates did not apply there for Lodge powers. No; they went to England in 1784, seven years after. We have read with some attention Bro. Gardiner’s address of-, and the criticisms of our Bro. Robbins, 1871. There is a generosity in both that excites admiration. Nevertheless, Bro. R. seems to have so much of his political notions mixed up with his Masonry, that he ignores the equitable claims of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts of 1777, to be a sovereign Grand Lodge. Why? Because other Lodges, having a legitimate existence, would not recognize its authority. Novr turn to the records of our own State, and what do we find? We find this,— FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XXXVH. that at the organization of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1840 tWo th?Grand V Lodi 0 of g K the j ur jf diction . holding ’authority from der Slwf, 0 * Kentuck >'- and who would not and did not surren- ■£ Grand T ST® y f 1rS after ' Now > wil1 a »y one claim th?t LodSs hfmS , Massachusetts was authority for the creating of mav’liavel^^ fi b f C8 M Se 8he ' ILLlnols ’ was not a sovereign body. * It SgLizatfon of th^r- the , re T w f re man y irregularities attending the weTe neverth/l. h ti Grand L ? dge of Massachusetts, doubtless there ever of 1^0 ! > meD W ^° com P osed it were Masons, and wliat- solution ? n fbi ^ ty W8 f i m l Xed np with their earli er history, finds a the “PrficeHa§ §21,340.55. Annual Communi- aivtf T S f dece , a ? ed 1 °f the P as t yea, > the Grand Master gives short biographical sketches of Solomon D. Bayless P G. M.; John B. Fravel, P. G. M.; Gen’l Nicholas D. Grow Professor Cyrus Nutt, LL. D., and Caleb Schmidlapp, P. D y- . . H ? arrested the Charter of Huntsville Lodge, for knowingly initiating a member who had been expelled by another Lodge for non-payment of dues. He believes this , ,. e a . w ful and inexcusable violation of Masonic law and obligation. He recommends that blank ballots should not be considered in the election of officers. He thinks that a Worshipful Master can resign his office, in which we do not agree with him. e copy some of his decisions :— 1. Galling for the ayes and nays, and recording the names of members present, and how they vote, is improper.” hrnthJ aSked '' T H f a Mason a ri § ht ’ masonicaUy, to sue a ther of the same Lodge, without first bringing it before the griev¬ ance committee or the Lodge? To which I replied: Unless ™ have a provision in your By-laws, (and you ought not to havef a an/otWm J 8 “° “ S debtS “ a xxxvm. foreign correspondence. “ 6. A brother under charges is presumed to be innocent until he la proven guilty. He has all the rights of any other member until his case is heard and determined by the Lodge. ’ ,, „ “ 8 Has a brother who has been suspended for twelve months, a new trial being granted him, a right to a seat in the Lodge before such trial is had ? I replied : -My opinion is, that the granting of a new trial by the Lodge removes the sentence of suspension, and places the brother in precisely the same condition he was in after charges weie preferred against him and before the trial was had. He is simply under charges, and has a right to be present at the trial, and to a seat in the Lodge until the ballot on his guilt or innocence is ordered. «i). A member of a Lodge applied to another Lodge as a visitor.. He was unable to prove himself by the usual tests. He then present¬ ed his photograph to the Master, who forwarded it to the Secretary of the Lodge in which he was made, who certified, under seal of the Lodge attached to the photograph, that the brother was a member, regularly made and in good standing. I was asked if this was a suffi¬ cient voucher that the applicant was a Master Mason in f 00 “ stand- in a I replied that it was not. The question grew out of “ vV hat is lawful information ?” It is plain that “ strict trial ” and “ due exam¬ ination ” means that the applicant shall possess such a knowledge of the esoteric ritual as to enable him to prove himself to the satisfac¬ tion of the examining committee; but what is termed “ lawful in¬ formation ” seems to be very indefinite. A former rule of the Grand Lodge required the applicant to be avouched for by the Master, by a committee of examination, or by a brother who had sat with him m a Lodge opened in a degree as advanced as that to which he sought admission. How far avouchment may extend I am not prepared to say, but I am of the opinion that no documentary evidence of any de¬ scription whatever is lawful information, sufficient to admit a \isitoi as a Master Mason in good standing.” Bro. McDonald believes that the Grand Lodge is not pro¬ perly incorporated, and has no legal organization. It ap¬ pears that the acts of the Legislature speak of the 44 Grand Lodge of Indiana,” but have no mention of 44 Masonic.” He reports 14 new Lodges. He is in favor of equalizing the payment of representa¬ tives, as compared with the dues paid to Grand Lodge. As great inequalities exist, he thinks each Lodge should pay the expenses of its own representative. He received and answered about one thousand letters; and concludes an able address of 43 pages with a recommendation as to the neces¬ sity of having a History prepared of Masonry in Indiana. There were 36 cases of grievances and appeals, one of which we copy:— u Some five years ago Perry Lodge borrowed from Mrs. Page, the widow of a Master Mason, four thousand dollars, the money having previously been paid her by the Masonic Mutual Benefit Society, giv¬ ing her a mortgage upon the property of the Lodge, assuring her, as she asserts, that it was the only incumbrance upon said property.. This, however, the Lodge denies. Not long after a prior mortgage FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XXXIX, ? P T- S f id Bodge P r °P ert y to the amount of eight sahl LodcJ n Wh ^ h ;f ld mortgage was legally foreclosed upon 1, _:+ pp e P P e ^ v - At the sale, live brothers of Perry Lod^e Bom andoT 6 W^^msCharies T. Mayo, Consider Tinkler, Isaac Bom and George F. Beasley, purchased the property, taking a deed and not St?® Ti names ' holdin g the property individually, thmc to do 1 f ° r the L ° dge ° r ltS creditors - Which they still con- The property so obtained by these five brethren above named now yields a rental value of eighteen hundred dollars per year Wow your committee are at a loss to see anv legal rights that the ShtJshonL r' 6 ' ! norally and masonically, we° believe her 2Kwrt b8 protected by tins Grand Lodge. If it were even ad- Sap Lw l he Wld ° W J aS n ° tlfied 0f the exi «tence of a prior mort- h t fe , w women there who understand the full import and that it L SU f a ? of ^ting. Go further, even, and say tained If l™* ^ i° haV ® f xamined the records, and to have ascer- fZet it A nC T i ranC / dld exist - But ’ brethren, vou must not feat iw i i i e u L0dg i e ^ lea ing with a Mason ’ s widow—the same Lod 0 e that had followed the remains of her husband to the tomb, and om whom, if not from them, could she claim justice and protection? Ihe Lodcje got her money, and your committee are of the unani - sz r;zx^ e shmM r * v h “ b “ k "We believe this matter should be thoroughly investigated. We be- heve the Grand Master should be clothed with power by this Grand and the°Tnda Te 6 ’ T d l h ° U , ld he find the facts as herein stated, and the Lodge, or those five brethren, fail or refuse to deal justly with fennjy id f° W \T then let i tbe - r ch< l rter he revoked, and the severest penalty known to Masomy be visited upon each individual brother who, in any m anner, countenances or gives his support to (as vour committee believe) this great wrong.” We fully concur in the above report, and can hardly imagine a more shameful and disgraceful act of injustice than appears to have been attempted to be perpetrated by Masons upon a brother’s widow. The following is part of the report of the Committee on .By-laws:— ^ ‘‘ 1 committee have had under consideration the By-laws sub¬ mitted for approval by Wolcott Lodge No. 180. For volume, scope and comprehensiveness they are not equaled or excelled by anv other code of By-laws referred to this committee for examination. ‘Cover¬ ing as they do, over twenty pages of legal cap, closely written matter, containing twenty different articles, and these still' further “ strum °id into as many sections, embracing every conceivable phase of the subject. As a specimen of the literature, as well as “ sound doctrine ” SST\m t’hefoUoSgf' ws Section 4, ‘Candidates applying for admission shall be men under the tona ue of good report, of good moral character, and believers in God, twentv- one years of age, upright in body, not deformed or dismembered and with sense and organs of men, in full possession of their moral and intellectual faculties, m the unrestrained enjoyment of civil and per- XL . foreign correspondence. Rules and Regulations of this Grand Lodge. A proposal to reduce the fee for initiation from $25 to $20 was very properly lost. A request to allow a Lod 0 meet To the room of 1 Temperance Society was also pro¬ perly refused. The following Sections, which were left out of their Revised Code last year, were re-enacted by a vote of 344 to 64 “ Sec 8 The moral law of Masonry, founded upon the First Great Light, is the highest law known to man, and it is not in R 1 ® power any legislative body to legalize that which is morally wrong, so as to make it proper and right for any Mason to practice it. manu Sec. 9. The use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, or the m facture or sale of intoxicating liquors to be used asa ^Jne admon- Masonic offense and if a brother persists therein after being admon it is the duty of the Lodge to suspend or expel Sec. 10. Every Lodge is prohibited from conferring any of the de- grees upon any one who is in the habit of becoming intoxicated, or who makes it his business to manufacture or sell intoxicating liquois to be used as a beverage. 1 On the status of representatives to sister Grand Lodges, the following preamble and resolutions were offered, and re¬ ferred to the Committee on Jurisprudence. It appears to us like an attempt to get mileage and per diem for some brothers who could not get paid in any other wa\ “Whereas, There is no recognized rule or statute of tins Grand Lodge governing such representatives, and whereas, it is of i m P°™: ance that their position, duties, rights and privileges should be well defined; therefore, ,, ,, r _ Q _,i “ Resolved ,—That we recognize the appointment by other Grand Lodges of representatives near this Grand Lodge, as an e\ ij ° fraternal feeling and sympathy, and often of manifes u 1 1 \, such representatives during their term of service, until notice shall be given of their withdrawal or the appointment of others, shall be deemed honorarv members of this Grand Lodge, entitled to the com¬ pensation and all the rights of a representative of a subordinate Lodge, except the right to vote on any question before the -Lodge, or for officers of this Grand Lodge: Provided, That in no case shall dupli- cate compensation be made for the same service. . “ Resolved ,—That any member of a subordinate Lodge m tins juris- diction, in good standing, may hold the position of representative of one or more Grand Lodges: Provided, That this appointment shall not continue for a longer period than live years without rene\s al. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XLI. ^ We are glad to see that this idea did not find favor. The Committee very justly say that the duties of Representatives must be defined if necessary by the Grand Lodges who appoint them, and not by those to which they are appointed. We copy the report:— . Plie Committee on Jurispmdence, to which was referred a propo¬ sition submitted by Brother Ellis to define the ‘position,’ duties, rights and privileges of Representatives of sister Grand Lodges near the Grand Lodge of Indiana, allowing all such Representatives the same compensation as is allowed to Representatives from our own subordinate Lodges, and defining their duties and privileges,’ liavin« the subject matter of said proposition all the attention that time will allow, respectfully offer the following report: That in the opinion of your Committee the Regulations heretofore adopted by the Grand Lodge upon this subject, assigns to such Representatives their posi- tions and privileges. And as to defining their duties and rights; we think it is not within the province of tins Grand Lodge to say what their duties and rights are, what they may or may not do. This is and should be done by the Grand Lodges they may respectively repre¬ sent. Under our present regulations we courteously receive and frater¬ nally welcome them to seats in our Grand Lodge, where they have the privilege to enjoy all the rights and perform all the duties en¬ joined upon them by their respective Grand Lodges. Your Commit¬ tee do not deem it expedient to change our Regulations on this subject.” The following were concurred in:— ^ oui Committee on Chanty, to whom was referred the resolu¬ tions relative to the building of a Widows’ and Orpans’ Home, would respectfully report: That we have given the resolutions our careful consideration, and believe the matter therein referred to just and highly commendable. But your Committee are of opinion that, owing to the present status of the minds of the people and the finan¬ cial condition of the country, it is proper and right that any action of this Grand Body thereon should be deferred until the next meeting.” That Bio. T. H. Lynch be requested to collate such facts as may be obtained in regard to the organization and history of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, with appropriate notices of brethren conspicuous for their labors and zeal in behalf of Masonry, and that he report the same to the Grand Lodge at its next session.” Bro. E. L. McLallen reports very fully on correspondence, (170 pages,) in which our proceedings for 1875 receive due notice. He thus criticises our arrangement:— • 1 he anangement of the work in this Grand Lodge’s proceedings is the worst, without exception, to get at and understand what action was finally taken on any given question, that it has been our mourn¬ ful lot to encounter. A report covering many points and settling many questions is made, and, on motion and second, is accepted^ Afterward, in another part of the book, some one moves the adoption of the Board’s report on some subject, as, for instance, Purposes of Finance be adopted, etc.” y F XLII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. In his notice of California/, after quoting a the Saints John being the Patron Saints of remark about the Order, he says:— “ Now we go square back on this “ Patron Saint” business, and think it has no business whatever in Masonic literature.. AVe alwaj s thought 1 the two perpendicular parallel hues,’ etc., a diaphanus and far-fetched item, lugged in in a clandestine sort of way, and certainly inappropriate. Lodges ought rather to be dedicated to Ring Solomon but that, our Utah brother might take it, as au indorsement ol some of his foibles. He had several, we understand.’ Under “ Illinois,’ he says: “ Bro Joseph Robbins reviews the proceedings of forty-six Grand Lodges,'in a report of two hundred and twenty-four pages. «. of Indiana! 1875, he, in friendly mention, devoting over five pa q es to our proceedings, thinks “ the right of a Lodge to grant a new trial is a species of property possessed almost exclusively by Indiana. The law in most jurisdictions being that the only remedy foi sue 1 e ance lies in an appeal, as provided in the land-marks. “ Now Brother Robbins, that land-marks phrase has done our busi¬ ness. When you attack us with land-marks, we surrender at discre¬ tion There is something so tangible in land-marks that equitj. comity, prudence, fortitude, and Justice herself, must incontinently, take to the woods.” And under “ Wisconsin”:— “ He also granted sundry dispensations for Lodges to occupy halls jointly with Odd Fellows and Grangers. From the tone of his remarks, we are led to conclude that he does not over-much approve of such joint occupancy. Nor do we. He says, in most cases the subordinate Lodges applying for such privilege were unable to own a hall ot their own? and, in some cases, could not otherwise get suitable rooms in which to meet. Our own opinion of the subject is that such Lodges, whether in Wisconsin, or elsewhere, could cease to exist without much hurt to the Ancient Craft. u He very properly declined to issue dispensations tor advancing, out of time and without suitable proficiency, a brother who wished to remove to Colorado. “ From our observation, great injury grows out ot such lil-judgeci advancement. To the individual it is worse than sailing under sealed orders, for when he reaches the distant point to vVhich he is mov ing, he finds himself unable to prove himself a Giblemite, fails to read Ins title clear, gets a rebuff for such inability, takes umbrage, settles down into non-atfiliative and Masonic apathy, with a stone on his heait, and a very ill opinion of speculative Masonry as a lively stock in the market, and thus, perhaps, a good man and true is lost by the ill-con¬ sidered kindness of those who make liis a case of emergency, and worked ill-seasoned timber into the edifice. “ Adoptive Masonry (so-called) perished on the rise in Wisconsin.. An enterprising itinerant, with an axe to grind, journeyed that way, saw that the land was fair, and gave notice to the Lodges that lie would meet the members at their halls, and organize Chapters of his specialty, “ in due and ancient form.” FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XLIII. “ Tlie Grand Master, however, investigated the matter, so far as to determine him to issue an edict forbidding the use of Lodge halls for such purposes. Whereat the orbit of this * star’ was so changed that it was no longer visible in Wisconsin.” M. W. Bro. Frank S. Devol (New Albany), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. John M. Bramwell (Indianapolis), Grand Secretary. INDIAN TERRITORY. Held at Caddo, September 5th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Granville McPherson, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 8; represented, 7; initiated, 24; mem¬ bers, 196; receipts, $281.25. Annual Communication, 2nd. This new Grand Lodge has not yet been recognized by the Grand Lodge of Canada. The Grand Master reports two new Lodges. He thinks they had better not agitate the question of color at all, but treat it in silence. There are two Lodges in the jurisdic¬ tion that refuse to come into this new Grand Lodge; and the Grand Master says that further forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and they should be declared clandestine. He de¬ plores the use of “ slang phrases,” by Grand Secretaries, as entirely out of place in a Masonic document of any kind. We concur, and are glad to see attention called to this mat¬ ter. The practice is very objectionable, and it should be altogether stopped, as it tends to lower the dignity of the Fraternity. He says:— “ In looking over the proceedings of some of our Sister Grand Lodges, I have been perfectly astonished, and not only that, but heartily ashamed, to see so many eminent, and in every other respect worthy Grand Secretaries dealing to such an extent in the use of “ slang phrases." Tliis I consider a habit to be very much deplored, as anything of this kind, however pardonable it might be under other circumstances, is entirely out of place in the proceedings of a Grand Lodge. I mention this not as a hint to our eminent and efficient Grand Secretary, for I know he is as much opposed to it as I am, but merely to put myself on the record against it." A proposal to make those only who have served as Warden, eligible to be elected Worshipful Master was lost. The following was adopted:— “ Retolvetl ,—That this Grand Lodge adopt the most approved Esoteric work and lectures of the State of Arkansas, as the author¬ ized work of this Grand Lodge; and the one to be used by the subor¬ dinate Lodges of this jurisdiction.” fobeign cobbespondence. XLFV. The two Lodges that would not join, were thus disposed By;.he M. W-Gg-J the eharters of Alpha Lo^e^tF ^ [alUng t0 comply with SJJK'Sfl h “f°? o, .. tiie M - w - Gr “ a Lodee,i8 hereby declared illegal and clandestine. We do not understand how the Grand Lodge can charters that they did not grant; and if their charters a regular, their work cannot be clandestine-, alt oug 1 J ■not be recognized by the new Grand Lodge. M. W. Bro. Granville McPherson (Caddo), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. R. P. Jones (Caddo), Grand Secretary. IOWA. Held at Des Moines, June 6th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Henry W. Rothert, ^'^^ Mcister Number of Lodges, 374; represented, 249, initiated, 1,4 . , members, 17,800; receipts, $11,852.50. Annual Commum- “o°n dispensations to confer degrees at irregular times, the Grand Master sensibly observes:— ••In but one instance have I deemed the reasons given sufficmnt and adequate to warrant me in exercising this extraordinary p ga i have refused many apphcations for dispensations to victions of duty speak in imperative tones and forbid the giatmcax ° f Stur” said and written discount*,aueingmrd aging the making of Masons at railroad speed, at a time.when the conveniences of travel, or the purposes of business seemto rt, that I have nothing to add, save expressing a sincere hope that in SiS hi future but few instances may occur where a n apphcaht is permitted to tread upon the chequered pavement, receive rs wages in the middle chamber! or enter the sanctum sanctorum ing waited “ a proper time, and with patience ” worked in the quames, and exhibited suitable specimens of his skill. He visited a large number of Lodges, and is satisfied that these visits, if thoroughly made, will result in more good to the Craft than can be obtained by any other instrumentality. He reports twenty-three new Lodges, and thus states his FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XLV. course of procedure, in sanctioning or disposing of the appli¬ cations:— “Assuming the responsibilities thus tendered, I deemed it necessary to subject all petitions to a closer and more rigid scrutiny, and the reasons urged therein to a more thorough and exacting investigation, than, perhaps, would have been demanded under other circumstances. After the reception of a petition for a dispensation, a correspondence was opened with the brother recommended as Worshipful Master, and also with the Worshipful Masters of the three neighboring lodges surrounding the locality in which the proposed lodge was to be organ¬ ized, and which would be more or less affected by a favorable consid¬ eration of the prayer of the petitioners. Certain questions were propounded, the answers to which would give desired information, and absolute endorsements requested, which would remove all objec¬ tions in future. Whenever a link in this chain of evidence so obtained seemed to be wanting, or, from the representations made, I was not thoroughly convinced that “the good of Masonry” demanded the erection of the proposed lodge, I appointed some expert brother as my special deputy, to visit the locality at the expense of the petitioners, and to report to me such recommendation as a personal investigation and his known interest in the welfare of the craft at large would war¬ rant. This course necessitated an extensive correspondence, and con¬ sumed a long time before an affirmative or negative answer could be returned.” Among the Representatives appointed, we notice R. W. Bro. J. J. Mason, near the Grand Lodge of Canada. He authorized the preparation of a Digest of Masonic Law, by Bro. H. J. B, Cummings, who performed his duty after “ ardent study and wearisome research.” Bro. Rothert gives thirty-six decisions. We quote three, as worthy of notice:— “ Query 17.—A party petitioned our lodge and was elected. In due time a meeting was called to confer the first degree. He is waited upon before entering and asked “if he believed in God.” His answer was, he “believed in a controlling power, which some people called God.” To another question his answer was, he “believed in part of the Holy Bible—not in the new.” To the question, “would he con¬ sider an oath on the Bible more binding than on any other book,” he answered “yes.” We thereupon postponed his case indefinitely. He is now anxious to know his fate, and if he is not to be made a Mason, desires his fee refunded. He is an Odd Fellow and a good citizen. What are we to do? Answer. —Masonry unites men of every sect and opinion, subject to one requirement: they must believe in God. Men form different ideas of the Almighty and Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and it is not for us to require that such ideas should conform to any one particular form. Men representing various creeds kneel at the communion altar of Masonry and assume obligations binding alike on all of them. We are not to inquire into the details of his conception of the Grand Architect, but one must know that he is no atheist. We must know that the obligations entered into and made in the name of God, will be con¬ sidered based upon his belief in Diety binding upon him. If you are XLVI. foreign correspondence. satisfied of this, admit him; if on the contrary, you believe him to be an atheist, that is, one who does not believe in the existence of a Creator, who does not look to a supreme and controlling power as his Maker and his God, refuse him admittance, and under such circum- St Query' 18—'We desire to erect a building, but cannot situate it so as to place in the lodge the Master’s chair in the geographical east. Are there objections to so erecting the building? •, Answer _No Circumstances and localities often prevent lodges being situated due east and west. Yet each lodge room has Mason- icallv speaking, no matter how situated its east, west, and south. “Query 34.—A brother, seven years ago, was stricken from the roll for non-payment of dues, by order of the Worshipful Master, without trial and conviction. According to the decision of the Grand Lodge, and by your order, he has been reinstated. He has pa,id his dues up to the time of his exclusion. He has not enjoyed the rights and privi¬ leges of a Mason during that time. Should he have also paid the dues for the time of his illegal suspension? Answer.— No; equitv, at least, if nothing else, demands that lie should be relieved from paying dues for a time during which he had been denied Masonic recognition. ’ Bro. T. S. Parvin, (who is one of the best Grand Secretaries to be found anywhere), gives an elaborate report of his actions, and the state of matters in his knowledge, on a number of subjects. In his report as Librarian, he says:— “HISTORY OF MASONRY.” “The field of Masonic literature has during the past year been en¬ riched by the publication of the most valuable contribution ever made to its history; and it should be a matter of pride to the American Mason to know that it is from the pen of one of our countrymen. Appearing in this, the Centennial year of our nation, may it prove a light in the fraternity to those who have so long wandered in the region of darkness. We are happy to have had our opinion of the value of this work so fully indorsed by the ablest Masonic writer now living in England, from whence our Masonry came with the free institutions that have caused the course of empire to take its way westward toward the setting sun—“ The Early History and Antiquities of Free Masonry, as conected with Ancient Norse Guilds, and the Oriental and Medieval Building Fraternities,” by George F. Fort, 8vo., pp. 490, pub¬ lished by S. P. Putnam, Philadelphia; price, $3.50. No intelligent Mason can afford to do without this book, and no Mason can become intelligent in the history of the institution without a knowledge of its contents. It is “iconoclastic” in its nature, and sweeps away the cobwebs of our parrot teachers, who teach in igno¬ rance that Adam, Enoch, and Solomon, and the whole host of ante and post diluvians were Masons, and assigns the origin of the institu¬ tion to the only age and country where it can be proved to have origi¬ nated. Read it, brothers, and no longer follow those blind teachers, who, with their blind followers, must fall into the ditch. PURCHASE. During the past year, through the efforts of the Librarian, in which FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XLVII. h e lias (as in previous years) been most ably assisted bv Bro. Bower, the best informed Masonic bibliograpliist among us, the library has been unusually enriched by the purchase of some of the rarest and most valuable works devoted to Masonry and its kindred sciences.” He lias also a list of Masonic Periodicals, which will be found useful for reference. We believe our readers here will be glad to see this list, so we give it in full:— “ PERIODICALS—DISCONTINUED.” “ ^Te continue under this head our review from 1874. page 66. and 187o, page 213. 1. 1 he New England Freemason (page 67) was discontinued with the close ot the second volume. As the successor or continuation of The Freeniason 8 magazine, which closed its thirty-second volume with the death of Bro. Moore, its founder and editor, it is a cause of universal regret that the Masons of Massachusetts should have by neglect and indifference killed so valuable a book. • ? fl reema $on (Gouley s—see page 68) discontinued, and merged into / he J oice of Mason)*y with the middle of vol. IX., 1875. Having reached such an age, we had strong hopes of its continuance, but Bro. Gouley, like his “illustrious predecessor,” could not furnish the breth¬ ren a readable magazine, unless they would contribute to its support. There is not now a single periodical devoted to Masonry’ published west of the Mississippi river. 3. The Masonic Tidings (page 68) discontinued with vol. X., 1875. 4. The Secretary (by Rob. Morris) expired with the fourth number, 1874 (page 214). PERIODICALS—NEW ONES. Foreign . The Freemason’s Chronicle—Weekly; small folio; pp. 16. London, Eng.: W. TV. Morgan, publisher. In its third volume. The Australian Freemason—Monthly; quarto; pp. 16. Sidney: Dr. Wazir Beg, Grand Chaplain, editor. Price, 6s. In its third volume. American. The Freemason s Western Magazine—Monthly; 8vo.; pp. 64. Ft. Wayne, Ind.: R. C. F. Rayhouser, publisher. $2.00 per annum. Vol. I. January, 1876. The Antiquarian Magazine and The Masonic Review—Vol. IX Feb¬ ruary, 1876. Monthly; 8vo. New York: Rev. Jas. E. Kenny, editor. $2.00 per year. The Canadian Masonic News—Monthly; 8vo.; pp. 32. Vol. I, 1875. Montreal: Rev. E. M. Myers, publisher. * $2.00 per year. Masonic Journal—Weekly; folio; pp. 8. Vol. I. 1875. Greensboro, N. C.: E. A. Wilson, editor and proprietor. $2.00 per year. Masonic Chronicle—Monthlv; 8vo.; pp. 16. New York* D. Sickles editor. Vol. I. . The Square—Monthly; quarto; pp.8. New York: W. T. Anderson, jr., editor. In its third volume. XL Yin. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. PERIODICALS-RECEIVED AT DATE. American. 1. Masonic Review. 2. Voice of Masonry. 3. Michigan Freemason.. 4. Masonic Advocate. 5. Masonic Jewel. (Form changed to 8vo.) 6. Freemason’s Repository. 7. Loomis’s Musical and Masonic Journal. 8. Masonic Token. 9. Keystone. 10. Kentucky Freemason. (Removed back to.Frankfort.) 11. Corner-Stone. 12. The Square. 13. Masonic Chronicle. 14. Antiquarian Magazine and Masonic Review. 15. Masonic Journal. 16. Freemason’s Western Magazine. Foreign. 1. The Freemason, London. 2. The Masonic Magazine, London. 3. The Australian Freemason, Sidney. 4. The Craftsman, Hamilton, Ontario. 5. The Canadian Masonic News, Montreal. 6. Chaine D’Union, Paris. 7. Bulletin, Paris. 8. Boletin, Florence, Italy. 9. Bulletin, Bruxelles, Belgium. 10. Memfi Risorta, Alexandria, Egypt. 11. Boletin, Lima, Peru. 12. Boletin, Buenos Ayres, Argentine Republic. 13. Boletin, Valparaiso, Chili. 14. Boletin, Rio Janerio, Brazil. During the past three years, Bro. Parvin has added to the Library 206 new hooks of 256 volumes of general Masonic literature; 100 volumes of Masonic periodicals, and 200 vol¬ umes of Proceedings. It was resolved that no Lodge be allowed to send out beg¬ ging circulars without the consent of the Grand Master. Dakota, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island were recog¬ nized. We notice, with approval, that they do not allow subordin¬ ate Lodges to expel for non-payment of dues. We copy one appeal:— “ Right Hand Lodge, No. 281, vs. O. R. Dibble. Charges all right, tried and accused expelled. Appearance by ac¬ cused at trial, filed his objections. Did not want to be tried in a Master Mason’s Lodge because he was a Past Master. Good joke on Master's Lodye . See proceedings for 1875, page 230. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. XLIX. rS^tS!S!S *££££**•£ * WT matter. sonicaUy, made a solemn Masonic promised do a S3 8 ? *,? ay Ma * lated by him We hold if m„i,„ * ^ n * se 10 a ° a certain thing, vio- promise or Mascha ple^e Sho“°- dlffe ^ ence whether that solemn or Dish potatoes^or another Ser refere 1 nce *o money the Lodge affirmed.” ' ^ ccuse( l appeals. Action of lion 7™. tbat a brotller expeUed in another jurisdic Jasaatwr* as sssH •'* Mo^nSslir TO3 T0 ‘ e he2d asfolws:?! nSi0n8 a “ d eSpuIsions are appropriately SUSPENDED FOR UNMA80NTC CONDUCT (22).” “ T1 . ie y threw away the dearest thing As t were a careless trifle.” Let us hold fast to the faith, for “ We know wi,«i „ not what we may be.” 6 Jinow wli at we are, but know “expulsions (32).” Therefore"SiaU ?h?y eat S^he^uhof^ihei^m^^ ^ my re P roof - with their own devices.” ' f their own wa ?’ and be filled enf/ 0 ' t W 'i B ‘ Lan ? rid ^ e re P<*ts (112 pages) on correspond¬ ence. In Ins opening remarks he has the following:— 1 Eighteen years ago the writer hereof donned tim assumed the quill of the Reporter and m^L h^c ^-n armor and your body. Again, but with sobered mind and ^TmoreT^r 1 ' 6 step, he resumes them. Many things which then * mor ® hesitating have since grown strangely inglv clear, have since become clouded with doubt Manva^rfaht dream has lost its roseate hue, and the suns of m» m , 0 * - y & blJ ?bt have set in clouds. In glancing over that effort l ' ' , a11 morning scores of bretliren, leadlrTthen^ wL wi^ d£Ttl£? ""“tS ° f tools and “ have gone home and ta’en their wages ” Of tb p "£ rkm S Masters then in office, we see only the names of°Broth2s BarW^ Arkansas, Hartsock, of Iowa, Heard, of Massachusetts re b ’ 1 Minnesota, and Lewis, of New York' and of ( ' r-m,i o eison, of Brothers Sayre, of AlabamaAiSl, “toUfoSS, pST,^ Sfl7 y '»°ni“ aine, , I l, OUgh ' 0f New Jelse y- Austin, of New York CM FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. relation to the general principles of Masonic law. Moreover, experi¬ ence teaches that the Masters of Lodges, those for whose benefit these matters of jurisprudence are collated, scarcely ever look at them, or care to educe practical results from them. Whenever a case of any kind occurs, they, as do others in every walk of life, hasten to get rid of responsibility and arrive at an easy judgment by reierrmg the matter to the Grand Master, who decides it, in turn reports it to Ins Grand Lodge, which passes on it and publishes it in its proceedings, whence it is again “ taken into the general circulation, to be repeated over and over again. Then, too, we in Iowa are endeavoring to pio- cure a revision of our statute law, to codify it, or in some other way make it plain and accessible to the subordinate Lodges, and, until that is done, it is uselss to expend time and money in doing what, as we said above, experience has proven of small benefit." Canada for 1874 and 1875 is noticed. Under the head of “ Wisconsin,” he says: — “ The Grand Master reports the granting of five dispensations for new lodges, and several other dispensations for various purposes, and that he "refused one to shorten time between degrees; that lie got into a flurry over “Adoptive Masonry,” and forbade the establishing of any bodies of it in the State, which he had as much right to do as he would have had to forbid Masons from joining bodies of Grangers. It is both amusing and instructive to see how prejudice and ignorance influence good and able men. Here is a society, which is as harmless to Masonry as a “ tea-fight,” and in our experience, and we have watched one pretty closely for years, good and useful in its way, affording a pleasant excuse to the ladies of Masonic families, for social meetings; in many instances softening down and removing prejudices against Masonry—prejudices arising just as Bro. C. s do, from ignor¬ ance—which appears to a certain class of Masons as a dreadful and terrible innovation. Bro. C. denouces it as a “ swindling humbug. It may be so to him, and in Wisconsin. It is fortunately not so in Iowa, though it, like many other things, is just what we make it. We are not to be understood as championing this or any other “ side degrees;” but having gone through one or two exacerbations here in Iowa of this same anti-side-degree fever, we are amused when we see it break out, and think we are the better able to appreciate the antics of the “Christian Associations” who use just the same guns, only changing the elevation a little, hoping to reach Masonry instead of the mere amusements of Masons. A few years ago Wisconsin went into a fever over Memphianism—now it is the Eastern Star. What next?” M. W. Bro. Henry W. Kothert (Keokuk), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. T. S/Parvin (Iowa City), Grand Secretary. KANSAS. Held at Emporia, October 17th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Isaac B. Sharp, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 161; represented, 97; initiated, 449; members, 6,896; receipts, $3,414.90. Annual Communica¬ tion, 21st. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LI. The Grand Master reports seven new Lodges. He refused all applications to confer degrees out of time. He suspended Frankfort Lodge, because it appeared powerless to discipline one of its members (a Bro. Auld), who was proved guiltv of the lowest of crimes. He mentions the death of Bro. TL B. Lees, their first Grand Master, “ whose name had become a household word with the craft, a man without spot or blem¬ ish, either in the public or private walks of life.” We quote seveial of his decisions, with which we agree:_ . 4 - When a Lodge, the by-laws of which requires a majority of votes to elect on an election deposits sixteen ballots, as follows- Endit vo es for A. B., six votes for C. D„ one vote for E. F , £d one £ of all ’votes cast" n ° eleCtl ° n ’ &S D ° ° ne haS received a majority th«L^ Vi8iti ?fi br ^ tll f r haS n ° ri S ht to take such an active part in the business of the Lodge as to exclude members of the Lod«e unless mvited so to do, or unless he is acting as counsel for some" brother and a visitor is at all times imder the control of the Master, who has i in Ins power at any time to exclude the visiting brother from the Lodge room, should he become obnoxious, or the peace and harmonv ° f ^odge tlle brethren be disturbed by his presence. y • . A W. Jl. elect cannot be legally installed as such until after he has received the so-called Past blaster’s Degree. “ 21. An elected officer, after installation, cannot resign; therefore the acceptance by a Lodge of the resignation of its Junior Warden cmicv bei Nr g mstaUed ’ 1 f e < g ular and and occasioned no va- during W of office r ' b<>to * ^ “ sWUd ’ «■>* “ 30 A brother has the right to cast a black ball upon the annlica tmn of any person desiring affiliation, and no member, not even the Mastary has a right to question his reasons for so doin<* and it is nn masonic for a Mason to disclose his ballot on a petition for admis- sion. There is a long report from a special committee on Pseudo or Colored Masonry, from which we make one ex¬ tract:— “ It true that the negro, in this country, is not now a slave- liis ■enfranchisement has invested him with all the rights and immunities of a citizen. In a legal sense he is the equal of the Anglo-Saxon. So be it. This brings political duties and civil responsibility but not Masonic rights. He may (if free born) be admitted into the Frater nity m the same way that others are. He has no right to enter it with out permission any more than the Fraternity of Masons have to dra<* him into it without his consent. Neither can we admit any author^ ity to make Masons, except that prescribed by our Ritual. We denv the right of any Masonic body, Grand or Subordinate, to make Ma¬ sons by resolution, or what amounts to the same thin», by recogni¬ tion, or to admit to our Lodges such as are not Masons.° It seems to be contrary to the Ancient Charges, some of which we quote with the remark that when a Mason is asked to do a Masonic act about the propriety of which he has any doubt, a reference to the’ Land- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LH. marks and Ancient Charges will never contribute materially towards- leading him astray.” The report concludes by stating that they are unable to see that any legislation upon this subject is necessary, and they recommend that no action be taken. Bro. Auld, mentioned above, was tried by Grand Lodge, found guilty of the unmentionable crime, and expelled. The Board of Custodians of the work, report four regular schools fii instruction held during the year. They say:— “ You will observe that only four regular Schools of Instruction have been held during the year. The failure to hold such Schools has been no fault of the members of the Board, as they have always held themselves in readiness to respond to all calls upon them for in¬ struction, either in schools or to particular Lodges. Nor indeed do we think it was for a want of a desire on the part of the Craft to re¬ ceive instruction, but is mainly attributable to the fact that the. Lodges most needing instruction, are not in a condition pecuniarly to meet the necessary expense of sending a delegate to these Schools, or employing a lecturer to meet the particular Lodges. Your Boarc! after three years’ trial of the present system of impart¬ ing instruction, are clearly of the opinion that it falls far short of meeting the wants of the Craft. We have now located in different parts of the Jurisdiction, Assist¬ ant Lecturers, who are thoroughly competent to give instruction. Your Board, would therefore recommend, that no more Schools of Instruction be held ior the benefit of Assistant Lecturers, there being now in the field a sufficient number to meet all reasonable demands that may be made by the Lodges for instruction in the Work, and the Lectures of the three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry.” It was decided to employ a Grand Lecturer, to visit and instruct the Lodges in the Work, under the direction of the Custodians. His compensation ($1,000) is to be paid by Grand Lodge. Alpha Lodge, at Fort Gibson, one of the two Lodges in the Cherokee Nation, which were declared clandestine by the new Grand Lodge of Indian Territory, for refusing to join them, and which holds its charter from the Grand Lodge of Kansas, sent forward the following resolutions:— “ From this it will be seen that we decline to surrender our Char¬ ter or suspend our work until you can be communicated with, and your advice be obtained. We have done so through no contumacious spirit or unfriendly feeling, but because we hold ourselves bound by the action of the Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas in refusing to recognize the legality of the Grand Lodge, so-called, of the Indian Territory, and because we have been informed that the Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas, from which the Lodges organizing the Grand Lodge obtained their Charters, has pursued the same course. u This Lodge desires to cultivate none but fraternal feelings and to comply with each and all of its duties in the premises, but it adheres FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Lm. sub Ject of the formation of the Grand pedient on t^counttf t^reSons I ib27state^ ne The a Sdi a rnTeS" The Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge established teis w Lr fl t onned ’ no leg , ai status as a dti2ei1 oT&~£ * I ‘iu’ m common with some other officers of that Lod<*e to be dent of the 6 TInitpd S c^ n + ltS at T7 ^f 16 by tlle direction of the Presi- th,?T U i t 7, d ® tate ®5 and further, the Cherokee Nation, where l Dd {« L ° dge are locate d. owe no legal obhgations to the remainder of the country styled the Indian Territory any more than does the Choctaw or Creek Nation, whose respective* bounds and Lodfe°of t tbrTn!v SOn m We -? r0teSt against the ac tion of the said Grand for vm, !!?? 11 Territory as uncalled for and unfratemal, and ask action w^?ego^S?d“ Cti °° S ““ the Mxae ’ and b >' ' lhioh These resolutions were referred to the Committee on iuris- fows-— Ce> Wh ° Se rep ° rt WaS ado P ted > concluding as fol- “ ] f,y iew of the action taken by this Grand Lodge, your Committee w° P1 T n tbafc 11 A1 P ha Lodge, No. 122, was under no legal obli¬ gation to transfer its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of the Indian Ter- ^ih7,r ef °t e ? rand .Lodge, to which Alpha Lodge, No. 122 is drfend^Nmd^ fon ?aUy re cognized it; and while we maintain and dpr!tlJ h a °f Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction, as now un¬ derstood and substantially settled on the American Continent, we be- tl?Itrmi at + n0 Gia j d Lodge sh °uld recognize any new Grand Lodge un- t W? Ple 1D f f, Dd °PP ortunit y had been offered to investigate fully the claims of the new aspirant for Grand Lodge honors. 7 f bereto ^ e ’ yo . ur Committee would respectfully recommend that the action of Alpha Lodge, No. 122, be and is hereby approved, and of affSr^toTe^K e T T WlU C ° nt i UUe during the Present condition ol affaire to bear this Lodge on our Register of Lodges, and exercise jurisdiction over said Alpha Lodge, No. 122.” The sum of $100 was voted to purchase books for the Grand Lodge Library. Manitoba and Prince Edwards Island were recognized. We copy the conclusion of the report of the Committee on Correspondence, on “Ontario,” which was adopted by Grand Lodge.— J “From the foregoing it will be observed that the so-called Grand Lodge of “Ontario is not only an intruder, but an usurper, infringing upon the Territorial rights of an early established Grand Lodge, with which the Grand Lodge of Kansas, is now and has been for over eighteen years in Fraternal Correspondence. “ These proceedings, are not only insurrectionary, but in plain vio¬ lation of every principle of Masonic Law, and regulations made gov¬ erning the formation of regularly constituted Grand Lodges. ° FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LIY. “ If such usurpation were countenanced, and Grand Lodges irregu¬ larly organized were to receive recognition, it would absolutely sub¬ vert the whole frame-work of Masonic Government, as now under* stood and respected by all True Ancient Free and Accepted Masons: “Your Committee, therefore, recommend that the Grand Lodge of Kansas in no wise recognize the so-called Grand Lodge of ‘ On- tai “°Your Committee further recommend the adoption of the follow¬ ing resolution, and that a copy of the same be at once sent by the Grand Secretary to all Lodges in the jurisdiction: “ Revolved ,—That the so-called Grand Lodge of Ontario is an irregu¬ lar and clandestine organization, and not entitled to Masonic favor by any regular Freemason, and all persons hailing from, or claiming Ma¬ sonic fellowship with said organization, or with any bodies holding under it, are unworthy of our Masonic fellowship; and that all Lodges in this Jurisdiction are strictly enjoined not to receive as visitors or acknowledge as Masonic Brethren, any person or persons, hailing from this pretended Grand Lodge of ‘ Ontario. The following motion was carried:— “ Resolved— That theR. W. Grand Secretary be directed to open communication with the proper officers of the Grand Lodges of Eng¬ land, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany with the view of cultivating and establishing more intimate and friendly relations with these Grand Lodges, and if not inconsistent with their long and well estab¬ lished regulations to get up an interchange of publications, and othei- wise cultivate more intimate relations.” Bro. John H. Brown reports on correspondence. On Canada for 1875 he says:— “ The reports of the various District Deputy Grand Masters are conclusive proof that the Craft in that Jurisdiction are not only pros¬ perous, but taking a deep root in public opinion. Avoiding all blus¬ ter and unmasonic parade, standing firmly by the recognized tenets of the Order, and on every occasion illustrating its principles by discreet management, our brethren in Canada are year by year winning laurels that will last while those of more pretentious but less worthy men fade and wither into nothingness.” Under Mississippi he says:— “With all deference to the Grand Master, we ask where lie finds authority for attempting what his suggestions would seem to indicate? We have yet to find in any authoritative work, the first line that con¬ templates educational training outside of the Lodge, and beyond each Brother’s personal effort. Already the country is overwhelmed with Colleges, every five of which should be suppressed or else consoli¬ dated into one. Why add to the list another depending on the pre¬ carious contributions of constituent Lodges? Better build a home for disabled, worthy Brothers, Masonic widows and orphans; these we are bound most solemnly to aid, and in every Jurisdiction they may be found. Let surplus funds be invested for their benefit, and the world will not decry our pretensions nor distrust our purposes.” M. W. Bro. Jacob D. Bush (Fort Scott), Grand Master, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LV. E. W. Bro. .John H. Brown (Wyandotte), Grand Secretary. KENTUCKY. Held at Louisville, October 19th, 1876. W. Bro. John H. Leathers, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 500; represented, 458; initiated, 1,166- mem era. 21,237; receipts, §23,120.50; Annual Communi¬ cation, 77 th. t Master reports peace and harmony amono the Lodges, and a general degree of prosperity, although acces¬ sions have not been as large as in previous years, owing to the great depression of the times. He strongly recommends increased aid to the Masonic Widows’ and Orphans’ Home which seems to have reached a crisis in its financial affairs.’ Its work is thus stated :— Jlf™ 6 th , e do ? r ; s of the Institution have been tin-own open one i and ei ghty-five widows and orphans of deceased Kentucky Masons have found shelter there; of that number thirty-seven wer£ sent frona Louisville, and one hundred and forty-eight from Lodges tvSn°u LoaisvlUe - . There are, at present, one hundred and twen- commodatedt^ CianeS “ the Home — aU that can be comfortably ac- He reports twelve new Lodges, and many other applica¬ tions refused. He thinks they have too mauy Lodges, and says “ i lie rapid increase of Lodges in Kentucky is a growing evil. We hav . e to ° ma °- v ’ and ’ if properly selected out of the whole number, at least one-third could be dispensed with without detriment to the Order. It is a fact well-known that there are a considerable num¬ ber of Lodges in this State that are not self-sustaining—that is, the mileage and per diem drawn out by the representatives are greater than the amount paid in as Grand Lodge dues. In Kentucky there are now nearly five hundred Lodges, w-itli an agubUshed aiolsls C [oUows:l m Juris P rudence reported on two deci- stated that a'brother 1 in' rood^t f°^ ' fI [ lie address, wherein it is of Ms Lodge upon hi death ' i’‘° ? outesses ‘he Master we confess that^we enteSna^" wf f My °‘ ? crime ' bate the seiitiment which incrm-p • ti ■, \ . adnme and appro- that none but those who qrp « i 1 S tbe decisl °n embracing the idea by the Craft; yet 6 Sasonfc aud ^ e ” should & endorsed Masonic burial, and that is thqf tlinM* 11269 ^!? 116 right to demand in his Lodge; and if he is hf lo j f ^ 11 Sl \° ud be “ S ood Ending there is no power to prevent Wm Sn 8 at - the * ime of his and then discuss the French ques- •f, t [ iat your committee, to whom this matter mav be referred w«rd« n< ? that ou . r actlon was taken under impressions that were after- do the amende°honorable.° US ’ “ “ b,It rigl “ thl ‘ we There are some men so constituted, that they are disposed to exact oi at least expect that, because they happen to differ or quarrel with LX. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. an acquaintance, or friend, that all their friends should quarrel with him also; hut such a sentiment is foreign to the teachings and pre¬ cepts of Masonry, and should neither he practiced nor encouiaged. Whilst we are surely right in our course toward the Grand Orient of France, and whilst I will always oppose our having any mtercourse with her until she respects our rights, fear we will have our hands fu if we undertake to enforce the renouncement of her by the othei Grand Masonic Powers.” He explains and strongly condemns the “ Ontario ” move¬ ment; and had issued an edict prohibiting intercourse with those engaged in it, , . , He is of opinion that a Lodge cannot grant a new tnal. We agree, and we think that the only remedy the aggrieved party has is by way of appeal. We think that Lodges should not have the power to grant new trials, as such a proceeding would be a source of never-ending confusion in the Lodges. Having once disposed of the case, it would be far better to let the injustice, if any, be remedied on appeal to Grand Lodge. , • l t Bro. Fleming has decided views on the impropiiety of Lodges forming partnerships with other societies in holding property. AYe fully agree with him, and we think such pro¬ ceedings should be altogether prohibited. “ There is scarcely anything that gives the Grand Master more trouble than the disposition of the lodges to unite with other secret asso¬ ciations in building or renting halls or rooms in which to meet, some¬ times to save expenses and sometimes to gratify an ambition o e accommodating, notwithstanding the law of the Grand Lodge is wn ten against it. During the past hundred years all, or nearly all, ot the secret societies that have risen have one after the other tried in some way to connect themselves with the Masonic Fraternity, sometimes m renting, sometimes in buying or building property, and in giving public entertainments for mutual benefit, or funeral processions, and in other ways ad infinitum , and experience has long since given us ample proof that such alliances are invariably to our ultimate disadvantage. again, nearly all of these secret societies have—when compared with ours—been purely ephemeral. They have not been erected on such solid foundations, nor established for sucli wise and benevolent pur¬ poses, nor exercised sucb universal influences ; and I cannot see how we, as Free Masons, should either seek to aid in organizing or per¬ petuating them, or to place ourselves in a position where our mis¬ fortunes might aid in their downfall, or prove detrimental to their welfare.” On the subject of new trials in Lodges, the Committee on Jurisprudence were granted till next year to report. The following resolutions were adopted :— 44 Resolved , That the M. W. Grand Master be, and is hereby author¬ ized to appoint a Grand Representative of the M. W. the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, near the Grand East of Canada, as an evidence of our FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXI. ttaf 'JfoSS ‘T“f ? 0ur brethrel1 o' jurMic p “fS r >r*r?Sftfia es«j? m “ «» Masonic^ntercours^wMiThe^pTrn ^ Master P^biting of Ontario,’ be approS/’ ° f the s °- st >’ led ‘ GraQd LodgS ^ ( ' T ' ■ Br , aug ^ tn re P orts on correspondence (180 pages') gi g good extracts and sensible comments. He devotes over five pages to our proceedings for 1876. E W Bro r J H in'f <& F ™“»oille). Grand Master, it. W. Bro. J. C. Batchelor (New Orleans), Grand Secretary. MAINE. Held at Portland, May 1st, 1877. M. W. Bro Albert Moore, Grand Master. mem U bm b s er i 0 O f qfif geS ’ 17 P r 0 e P reseuted > 167; initiated, 703; c“tl 58th ’ ' reC61ptS ’ §5 ’ 8 "* 86 - Annual Communi: The Grand Master reports the moral and financial strength of the order was never better than now. The work of the ^ion geS A b p S beeu , affect ed by the continued financial depres¬ sion. All complaints have been settled amicably or are in course of settlement; and harmony prevails throughout the jurisdiction. He granted no dispensations for new lodges i ffi ear ‘ ? e * ssued seveu dispensations for the election of officers, in cases “ where the freaks of the moon contravened the law of the Lodges.” We quote the following action:— 39,“Mf P SflW h b^“^r£Sr? l P T, bSCOt L ° d ? e ' N °- some clothing and form a procession at Greenville for the mirDo erecting a marble tablet to the memory of Rro !'„ ! / pu fP ose ?| to be once a chief of the fit Sf i i t V S Annau che, said erected and esteem for this noble son of the forest.” respect Among his decisions, we find several worthy of note and which appear correct:— ’ or'a T.VTT foreign correspondence. +llp ATilster should cause an investigation to be made, and if the obiection proves to be groundless, admit him, and it tor goo cau , Still refuse admission and have charges filed and the’ Q xr n wicre is required to reimburse another lodge for expenses voluntarily incurred In assisting its members outside of its own juns- diction; but Masonic comity seems to demand a liberal and equitab adiustment of expenses needfully incurred m such cases 9 An application was received for the degrees, and -e or was had thereon the applicant was taken sick. I am requested to ask ycnir opinion, and to enquire if there is anyway to dispose of the application wt^out^a^ban ^ ^ tQ ren q er the applicant imable “houlstly to acquire the means of subsistence,” the committe so reporting. “ the fact shall be entered of record, and the petition and fee returned,” without a ballot. 1 10 V man born and raised in our jurisdiction, about fo “/ ea f ^ went awav, was employed as a clerk for a short time, and then began ia travel Is a salesman. His route of travel is this way, he coming here about once a month. He calls his residence here, and always has. He wants to apply to our lodge for admission. Would it be sa e for us to reooivo his petition? • , Am. Jurisdiction follows the legal residence of the applicant— where he pays taxes, exercises the right of suffrage etc. It he does neither, on account of his itinerancy, having no such residence else¬ where, your claim would seem best.” The views of Bro. Moore on insurance are, in our opinion, deserving of careful attention. He puts the matter in its proper light:— “ INSURANCE.” “ 1 Resolved, That the Treasurer be authorized to pay to the - - Relief Association fees and assessments, as a loan to such members o this lodge as the Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, as a committee, may recommend. Certificate of membership to be favor of the lodge, to be returned to said Brother (or payable to his family) when said fees and other expenses have been paid. Mv opinion upon this resolution was desired by a District Deputy Grand Master, who was also a member of the lodge before winch the resolution was then pending. With this request for a decision was also submitted a printed circular, issued by the County Rehei Associ¬ ation 1 to the Masonic fraternity,’ suggesting ‘ that the lodges, in their capacity as guardians of the welfare of the craft, and as an invest¬ ment of their surplus funds, in every way safe, should insure such members as may desire it and have not the means to pay the deposit lee, giving the insured the privilege, at any time while in good health and standing, of paying the amount advanced by the lodge as premium and assessments, with interest, and of having the policy made pay¬ able to such legatee as he may designate.’ I made the following • decision:— „ , ., The proposed action of your lodge to pay for the insurance ot its members, directly or indirectly, would be such use of its funds as its contributors never contemplated, and wholly inadmissable. Masomc lodges, as such, can have nothing to do with Relief Associations. The funds are to be devoted to charitable purposes; not to insure the lives FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXIII. 2isT mber8 ’ MrCM1 ““S' 1 * ata “% « indirectly converted to A^ciltiSTnLo^ndiSdnVMSon^l b ? (T obi " ,ions *o Relief nor authority for the Grand tbere ls neither reason ize them, or reSze S m ft the subor(buate lodges to patron- funds to the insm-ance of Seb™ m " ch less to devote then- “orso^d^ No question creates -.Srf- . ereatmg dissatisfaction. fmternd Sd“htrbLSl™t °“. “ i , odges nn<1 so their- finances! “v attemnt to ^ th*»» ““Si m , I ^ th + t aD ? Ual l t r te ? ieu V or 1875 ’ before fcbese Proceedings were in mind, the Grand Lodge of Colon gives a list of twenty-five Lodges among which are the nine chartered Lodges which took part in form mg the new Grand Lodge, but not the four U. D. One of the twenty- five, however, was in Porto Rico. Of the nine Lodges referred to seven were m Havana and two in Matanzas; and sil of the othem “i Havana. In one of the documents it is said that “a majority the Lodges m Havana, Matanzas and Cardenas (nine chartered and four U. D ) met and formed the Grand Lodge of Cuba;” the inference from which is that all the Lodges in those cities were not represent ed. One expression in a letter from Bro. Ilia indicates that there are now more than thirty Lodges in Cuba, of which three have been chartered by the new Grand Lodge In a Balustre dated September 4, 1876, the Grand Lodge of Colon” claims that it has thirty-mr. Po!toRW, th R earl na ,00 ° members - under jurisdiction in Cuba and Porto Rico- Bro. Oclio, in one document, gives a copy of the Balustre P JJf n Gra ? d w 0< ^ e A° f Colon ’” decla ring its independence of the Grand Orient, dated August 20, 1876, and says, “ Here follow the signatures of the Delegates of Lodges Nos. 1, 2, 3 5 14 15 is 00 23, |7, 28 29, 30, 32. 33. 34, a„d in ^ ^“o, wWci, S m Porto Rico, and Jive of wliich (Nos. 5, 14, 22, 30 and 33) were ofTnl --T Part iD forming the “Grand Lodge of Cuba. From the best information we can gather, it would seem that the Convention which formed the new Grand Lodge did not have representahves from a majority of the Lodges in the Island. And as the old Grand Lodge is not claimed to have had any knowledge of movement until after August 16, 1876, it would also seem that the Lodges at St. Jago de Cuba were not notified of the Convention H the Lodges formed under the authority of the Supreme Council are left out as not being regular Lodges, the case stands still worse for the new Grand Lodge, as but six out of the eighteen or nineteen old Lodges were represented, if we take the list published in 1875 as , T^® < ? tb ? r question involved is a very serious one, and should not be lightly decided. Bro. Hla claims that the old Grand Lodge had become extinct, or had formed such relations with the Grand Orient as authorized it to be treated as extinct. But it was a good enough Grand Lodge to create Lodges which could take part in forming a new Grand Lodge; and the question is a very serious one, whether a portion of its Lodges, acting through a Convention, and not in the Grand Lodge itself, can create a new Grand Lodge. Some learned Masonic jurists hold that a Grand Lodge, being a Sovereign Body cannot bind itself to a surrender of its supremacy, and can assert ita lxvui. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. independence when it pleases; and is all the while a Supreme Grand: ^Therefore, considering the doubts whether, upon their own grounds, the Grand Lodge of Cuba was legally formed, and the importance of the other question, and with the hope that our Cuban Brethren will settle all questions by a-union of the two powers, we recommend that further consideration of the matter be postponed until our next An¬ nual Communication. „ , _, We hope there are no personal or local questions to affect the mat¬ ter but we have our fears; for one of the Grand Lodges has its Grand East in St. Jago de Cuba and the other in Havana, and we notice also that the “Provincial Mother Lodge” was dissolved, because it had issued an edict which the Grand Lodge understood as acmsing its Lodges to pay no attention to the edicts of the Grand Lodge. But we trust our Cuban Brethren know their duty too well to allow such considerations to affect them. _ . We suggest also that both Grand Lodges unite in calling a conven¬ tion of all the Lodges in the jurisdiction, and abide its results, unless they can agree upon a consolidation of the two Grand Bodies. Cuban Masonry is in such a condition that it cannot afford an internal dis¬ sension, nor to disturb the peace of the Masonic world by its disputes upon a really mere nominal matter in practice; that is to say, no question is raised as to the regularity of the Masons or the Lodges, and the only question is really one of precedence^ but the settlement of that question involves other very serious ones.” The Committee on Jurisprudence think that a brother suspended for non-payment of dues, should not be required to pay dues during such suspension. They say that a large majority of the Grand Lodges hold that no dues accrue dur¬ ing suspension. We are, then, one of the minority, as we hold that dues accrue during suspension for non-payment of dues, but not during suspension for unmasonic conduct. This distinction is made, because, with us, a brother sus¬ pended for non-payment of dues, can restore himself at any time by paying up his arrears. The edict of the Grand Master regarding Ontario, was ap¬ proved by Grand Lodge, and ordered to be continued in force. The names of the expelled are also given. Bro. Josiah H. Drummond reports on correspondence, in his usual able manner. He reviews all the fifty-two Grand Lodges in North America, except one. In his notice of Canada for 1870, he condemns in strong terms the “Ontario” movement; arid with reference to our name, he says: “ It is true that its name was the Grand Lodge of Canada, and not the Grand Lodge of Ontario: but while all agree that there can be but one Grand Lodge in a State or Province, there is no law requiring the Grand Lodge to bear the same name as the State or Province. If the “ Grand Lodge of Maine” should change her name to the “ Pine Tree Grand Lodge,” we do not apprehend that that would be held to au¬ thorize the formation of a new Grand Lodge in this State: the matter FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXIX. •of name would be held to be a mere question of taste: such a ques- -taon, and no other, is raised by the Grand Lodge for the Province of Ontario s continuing to call itself the Grand Lodge of Canada.” Under the head of “Georgia,” he says:— ‘The Grand Lodge voted not to appoint a Committee on Corres- pondence this year, on the ground of economy, no doubt. Tliis is all right, but we marvel how it can afford to devote 150 of the 240 pages ol the pamphlet Proceedings to giving the list of members of sub¬ ordinate Lodges, of no earthly use, as experience in Maine and other states has demonstrated, except to make work for the printer, delay the issue of the Proceedings, fill up the shelves of libraries, and afford facilities for imposters. Whether brethren persist in voting to print them, in order that they may see their own names in print , or not, we cannot tell, but we have been assured that such was the case in one jurisdiction.” Under “Pennsylvania,” he has the following historical paragraph:— “ * he . introduction, Bro. M. gives a letter from Bro. Huglian, of Lngland, in which he announces the discovery of an edition of the ‘Pocket Companion” published in Dublin, by which he claims to prove the existence of a Lodge in Philadelphia, constituted by Daniel Co xe under English authority, in 1730 or 1731. We have carefully considered the statements in the letter, and the evidence, in our opin¬ ion, utterly fails to prove what is claimed for it, but tends very strong¬ ly in the opposite direction. In the Companion, the Irish Lodges 37 m number, are first given: then the English Lodges, numbered con¬ secutively after the Irish Lodges, so that the English Lodge No. 1 is No. 38 in this list. In it is “ 116, the Hoop in Water street, Philadel¬ phia, 1st Monday.” This would be No. 79 in the English list. In the same year an edition of the “ Companion” was published in London, but, says Bro. Hughan, “evidently a copy of the Dublin Book:” hi that there is no mention of the Hoop Lodge, and No. 79 is a blank , as it is in the edition of the following year, while in the edition of the second year afterwards, No. 79 is a London Lodge. The fact that the London edition omits this Lodge, while copying in other matters from the Dublin book, shows that the editor of the former considered it an error in the latter; and as the London editor had the best means of knowledge, the omission is exceedingly significant. The most natural conclusion is that Hoop Lodge, if it existed at all, was a mere volun¬ tary Lodge, like all Lodges, only a few years before. It is not difficult to conceive that the revolution of 1717 may not have been known and recognized in America in thirteen years after it took place. However, we do not undertake to say that a regularly chartered Lodge did not exist in Philadelphia in 1730 or 1731, but only that Bro. Hughan’s evidence does not show it, but tends to prove that the Lodge in ques¬ tion was not chartered under English authority.” And also another on Germany:— “ While we assent to the doctrine that the German Masonic Diet is • an unlawful body and cannot be recognized, and while we would not consent to recognize as Sovereign Grand Lodges, and as peers of our •own, the Grand Lodges, which are subordinate to the Diet, we cannot LXX. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. assent to the proposition that they and their subordinates are clan¬ destine bodies, and their members clandestine Masons; we hold, rather, that the attempted surrender of a part of their powers was void, and that they have the right to assert their independence, and that the subordinates chartered by them in their own jurisdiction are legal Lodges, and the menjbers of the latter good and true Masons. We would not exchange representatives with them because of their entanglements with the Diet, but we consider that an error in govern¬ ment not so essential as to make the members of their Lodges clan¬ destine. Of course we can have no intercourse with the Grand Lodge of Hamburgh, on account of its violations of the International Ma¬ sonic law: but that is a distinct question.” This very excellent report concludes with the following remarks on matters of general interest:— “Colored Masonry. —The unanimous voice of the Grand Lodges is,, that the plan proposed by the Committee of the Grand Lodge of Ohio would be destructive of the doctrine of Grand Lodge Sovereignty and cannot be entertained; also, that, according to present informa¬ tion, the Bodies in question must be held to be irregular and clan¬ destine. We have notliing to add to our report last year, save that the re¬ cords of African Lodge, after 1808, have been discovered, showing that those who undertook to speak for it in 1824 and 1827, were in error in what they then said. We also made a careless error in relation to the time when the word 44 freeborn ” was struck out of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England, and the word “ freeman ” substituted. But neither of these affect our argument or the conclusions which we reached. It has been said that Prince Hall, in granting a dispensation for a new Lodge in 1797, being only a Master of a private Lodge, followed a precedent established years before. But when Prince Hall did it, he and his Lodge were under the immediate government of the Grand Lodge of England, whose Constitution provided in express terms that 4 if any set or number of Masons shall take upon themselves to form a Lodge without the. Grand Master's warrant , the regular Lodges are not to countenance them, nor own them as fair Brethren duly formed, nor approve of their acts or deeds.’ This is conclusive as to the illegality of the two Lodges formed by Prince Hall. 4 Grand Lodge of Ontario.’ —The Grand Lodges, without a dissent¬ ing voice, unite in declaring this a clandestine organization, and for¬ bidding Masonic intercourse wutli it and those of its obedience. The Grand Lodge of Texas, which had recognized it, as soon as the facts became known, promptly withdrew the recognition. Moreover, it is quite universally held that the Brethren who formed this Body had no excuse for their conduct, and must have been led by corrupt and wicked motives. Non-payment of Dues.— This continues to be the vexed question and seems no nearer a satisfactory solution. Some Grand Lodges have concluded that the best mode is practical expulsion. The num¬ ber of suspensions for non-payment of dues is on the increase yearly, so that the net increase of membership is but trifling. From the statistics there would seem to be about 150,000 non-affiliates within- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXXI. the jurisdiction of the North American Grand Lodges: this is about twenty-five per cent, of the membership, or twenty per cent, of the whole number of Masons. This estimate is based upon the excess of dimissions and suspensions over the affiliations (deducting newly made Masons) and restorations. It is undoubtedly true that the stringency of the times aggravates this evil, and that we have good ground for hoping that with the return of financial prosperity it will decrease. At any rate, the “ hard times” are so large an element that we cannot draw correct conclusions from our present statistics. Mutual Insurance. —This subject has attracted the attention of nearly all Grand Lodges, and while, at first, there was a tendency to favor it, it was soon perceived that the introduction of insurance into Masonry would be a tremendous innovation, and the result has been that there is almost, if not quite, a unanimous decision against it. Masonic relief is not based upon reciprocal pecuniary obligations measured by the amount invested, but upon the obligation of the in¬ dividual members to relieve distress according to the necessity and their ability. It therein differs from other organizations, but the dif¬ ference is fundamental. An introduction of the “mercenary motive” would substantially destroy the Institution.” We are again indebted to Bro. Drummond for bis valu¬ able Table of Statistics, which will be found at the end of this report, with a comparison of the figures for 1875 and 1876. M. W. Bro. Ed. P. Burnham (Saco), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. Ira Berry (Portland), Grand Secretary. MANITOBA. Held at Winnipeg, June 14th, 1876. R. W. Bro. Hon. W. N. Kennedy, Deputy Grand Master, presiding. Number of Lodges, 5; represented, 5; initiated, 57; members, 294 ; receipts, $331.75. Annual Communica¬ tion, 1st. The address of the Grand Master, Bro. W. C. Clarke, who was unavoidably absent, was read by the Grand Secre¬ tary. It states that they have been recognized by 18 Grand Lodges. Among the Representatives appointed, we notice the name of Bro. Julius Irving, near the Grand Lodge of Canada. Bro. Clarke reports two new Lodges. He visited all the Lodges, and expresses his entire satisfaction with the state of the Craft within the jurisdiction. He laid the corner stone of the new City Hall and Market in Winnipeg, on August 17th, 1875. He concludes as follows :— “ In conclusion, brethren, guard well your portals, respect the ancient landmarks, resist all innovations. Should you deviate any from the present established order of things, let it be in the direction of an¬ tiquity, and be solicitous rather for quality than for quantity. Num- Lxxn. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. ber is but a vulgar test of strength—true strength consists in goodness. So let your light shine before men that the world may award you the respect to which Masonry, as the oldest of all institutions, is so justly entitled. Realize that you are still engaged in laying the foundation of the Oi’der in the great North-West, and that much of the future glory of the superstructure depends on your wisdom and Masonic virtues.” * From the report of the Grand Lecturer, we learn that two of the Lodges practice the work cf the Grand Lodge of Cana¬ da, and the other Lodges what is known as the “ Ancient York Rite.” The committee on ritual recommended that no further action be taken at present, and that they be allowed further time to report. It was, however, decided to adopt a ritual at once, whereupon the following action was had :— “ Resolved, That the Lodges at present forming the Grand Lodge are hereby confirmed in the work as now worked by them, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. Moved by W. Bro. E. George Conklin, seconded by R. W. Bro. Col. John Kennedy that this Grand Lodge adopt for its Ritual the Work as at present exemplified by the Grand Lodge of Canada. Moved in amendment by V. W. Bro. A. J. Symonds seconded by R. W. Bro. J. W. Hams that future Lodges within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge be required to work the Rite known as the Ancient York Rite. The amendment was then put and declared in the nega¬ tive by the casting vote of the Grand Master, the original motion was then put and also declared lost.” “ Moved by Bro. S. G. W., seconded by Grand Secretary, and Resolved, That the M. W. Grand Master appoint two Committees of three each to exemplify the two methods of work at the next meeting of Grand Lodge. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Canada, was adopted as the basis of their Constitution. A number of alterations were made, the most important of which is, that all business must be transacted in the third degree. We think this is a great mistake. It alters the whole system of the government, and will assimilate the regulations of the Lodges to those of the Lodges in the United States. The change from the first to the third degree, was made in the States, about the year 1842 ; and we have never seen any good reason why the change was made. It practically does away with all the rights and privileges of the entered ap¬ prentice ; and says in effect that no one is a Mason until he has taken the third degree. We believe our system to be the best, and we hold fast to the Ancient Customs and Usages. The clauses relating to the District Deputy Grand Masters were struck out. A Grand Lecturer was substituted for our Grand Superintendent of Works, and his duties were defined. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Lxxm. M. W. Bro. W. N. Kennedy (Winnipeg), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. John H. Bell (Winnipeg), Grand Secretary. MARYLAND. Held at Baltimore, November 21st, 1876. M. W. Bro. J. H. B. Latrobe, Grand Master, Number of Lodges, 93 , represented., 77 ; initiated, 200; members, 5,657 ; receipts $14,102.68. The Grand Master reports two new lodges and one char¬ ter surrendered. The Grand Inspectors visited most of the Lodges, and found them well versed in the work ; but the attendance was not very good and they complain of dull times. ^ In visiting one Lodge, the Inspector found himself an entire stranger to the members, and he was consequently subjected to an examination before he could be admitted. The following resolutions were adopted. (No. 1.) Resolved , That the Grand Lodge of Maryland extends fra¬ ternal greeting and Masonic recognition to the respective Grand Lodges of Manitoba, Prince Edward's Island and Dakota, and cordi¬ ally accedes to their requests for the establishment of fraternal rela¬ tions. (No. 2.) Resolved y That no Lodge or individual ha ili ng under the so-called Grand Lodge of Ontario can he recognized in this jurisdiction as having any Masonic standing, and all brethren under this jurisdic¬ tion are hereby directed to exercise the greatest caution before hold¬ ing any Masonic intercourse with any person from the Province of Ontario, first ascertaining that the Lodge to which such person be¬ longs is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada.” The Grand Lodge Library will be formally inaugurated during the coming winter. The application of the Grand Lodge of Cuba for recognition was referred to the Committee of Correspondence. # Bro. John S. Tysor reports on correspondence, on a de¬ cision of Alabama, that the reversal of a sentence of expul¬ sion does not restore the brother to membership; he very correctly says: “ We consider this position utterly untenable, and are confident that the very few jurisdictions which continue to hold to it must sooner or later yield to reason and common sense.” Our proceedings for 1876 are noticed. He thinks that we should change our name, but that it is only a matter of taste. He holds, as we do, that a blank ballot should be counted, where it is requisite that a candidate should receive a majority of the votes cast, in order to be elected to office ; and thus answers Bro. Drummond of Maine :— 44 We are so surprised to find a single case in which Bro. Drum- LXXIY. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. mond is not logical that we cannot resist the temptation to point out that one case. On page, 140 of his report he considers the effect of a regulation requiring a vote of “ a majority of those present ,” and says : 14 The language can scarcely have any other meaning than 4 present and votingj otherwise those not voting, in fact do vote." To our mind Bro. Drummond is clearly wrong. We see no ab¬ surdity whatever in adhering to the literal meaning ; on the contrary it is a wise regulation to require that an election shall not be by a mere majority of those voting. And that those who are not for should be counted against the candidates.” He has the following notice of “ Spain — “From the Grand Orient of Spain we have a circular letter under date of June 10th, 1876, announcing the fact that a spurious Grand Orient has been organized in that jurisdiction, and that this rebellious and heterodox power has published a pamphlet entitled “ Official Bulletin of the Grand Orient of Spain,” in which is inserted a mani¬ festo of Mr. P. M. S. (initials only are given,) calling himself Grand Commander and Grand Master of said Orient, in which he announces his acceptance of the office in consideration of the unanimity of his election, which he says is a “ symbol of the union of the whole Ma¬ sonic family of Spain.” We are informed that the pretended right to perform the functions of Grand Master rest upon the election of Mr. S. by the representa¬ tives of imaginary Lodges, the greater part of whom had been ex¬ pelled or belonged to defunct Lodges. The circular further informs us that to avoid the possibility of any imposition whatever, every document emanating from the genuine Grand Orient will be attested not only with seals and other ordinary formalities, but also with a special countersign , without which we are to consider null and invalid every document which may be addressed to us in the name of this Grand Orient of Spain. This circular has the seal of the Grand Master, of the Grand Secre¬ tary, and of the Grand Orient, and other insignia attached, and will be preserved for future reference. In conclusion we are pleased to make a further extract from the circular: “ Nevertheless it is our duty to inform you, that the columns of the Grand Orient have not diminished; that new and excellent workmen continue constantly to reinforce our labors, that the regular and me¬ thodic march of symbolic Masonry authorizes us to indulge the brightest hopes for the future of the Order in Spain; that all the Grand Divi¬ sions, and high assemblies of the Order perform their functions in perfect harmony, and conform to the general laws of Masonry and to their particular constitutions ; in one word, that the illegitimate flag, represented by Mr. S. has neither deprived us of a single worthy brother, nor occasioned the least perturbation in our Lodges; but on the contrary, many unaffiliated Masons, and some Lodges, the columns of which have been broken down, without any grave cause, have recently been rehabilitated in their rights by the Grand Lodge and now work regularly under our auspices. “With profound satisfaction we also announce to you that the Lodges of Cuba and of Philipine Islands continne to render to us due and filial obedience, and that they also prosper as well as the circum- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXXV. stances of these distant countries, and the new material in their JLodges permit.” In the proceedings of a semi-annual meeting, we find, in the address of the Grand Master, the following paragraph, which is a pleasing illustration of one of the many ways in which the fraternity are acting out their professions in the sacred cause of humanity :— ‘‘Among the many persons who apply for aid to the Grand Master, under the impression that he has an inexhaustible Treasury at his command, was a lady, the widow of a Master Mason, who was not ^ rea ^ nee( t °t pecuniary assistance, but whose still greater rouble grew out of her separation from her son, a lad of some twelve yeais old, perhaps, who, in the chances of the times, had been taken om her, and was residing in a remote district of Louisiana, where he was represented to be in a pitiable condition. The mother’s im¬ mediate wants were, in some degree relieved, on application to the Lodges of the City ; but she was still in misery about her child. She would have gone to him, could she have obtained the means to make the long and expensive journey.—In her great trouble, the lady asked the Grand Master if there was nothing that he could do to help her; and at last, to satisfy her for the moment, and, at least, give her some¬ thing to hope for, the Grand Master wrote from her lips an account of her situation, and enclosing the lady’s address, sent the letter directed to “ The Grand Master of the State of Louisiana, at New Orleans.”— Man^ weeks elapsed, and the calls of the mother to know if there was any news, and the uniform answer that had to be given that there was none, became at last painful; and the Grand Master began to regret, almost, that he had raised hopes that seemed to be doomed to disap¬ pointment ; when, one day the lady appeared, as happy a woman as the Grand Master had ever seen, in his office ;—and her boy was at her side. She had come to thank the Masons for the blessing they had bestowed on her in restoring him.—The rest of the storv is soon told : the Grand Master of Lousiana had, after a good deal of difficulty, found the child, whose condition was fully as destitute as the mother had described, in a remote part of the State, had employed the agency of the nearest Lodge, and in due time the little fellow, “ragged and bare almost, was sent to New Orleans; here the Grand° Master clothed him respectably and furnished him with a through ticket to Baltimore, and the money for his expenses on the road; and in a day or two after his arrival here the Grand Master received a letter from his M. W. brother in Louisiana, speaking in the most gratifying man¬ ner of the bright intelligence of the waif thus restored to a °happy mother. This anecdote of Masonry would be imperfect were the name of the Grand Master of Louisiana not to be mentioned. It is M. W. John G. Fleming.” The Grand Master was re-elected for the seventh time. M. W. Bro. John H. B. Latrobe (Baltimore), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. Jacob H. Medairy (Baltimore), Grand Sec¬ retary. LXXVI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. MASSACHUSETTS. Held at Boston, December 13th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Percival L. Everett, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 212; represented, 141; initiated, 1,216; members, 26,141; receipts, $29,571.18. Annual Communi¬ cation, 143rd. In the proceedings of a quarterly meeting, we find the re¬ port of a committee on the application of a Lodge in Italy, to become subordinate to their Grand Lodge. The commit¬ tee says:— “ The committee appointed to consider the application of the Lodge at Palermo, Italy, to become subordinate to our Grand Lodge and also to consider the general question of Grand Lodge jurisdiction, beg leave • to report. In Masonry the right of independence of the Masons of each politi- cal country has always been admitted. Their national organizations rest on the same footing and are governed by the like principles of in¬ ternational law with those existing among separate nations. When the organization of the Freemasons of a country has been once recog¬ nized by other Grand Lodges, the sovereignty and exclusive jurisdic- tion of that Body in that territory are recognized and admitted; and it would be a breach of comity to hold intercourse with, and a breach of faith to recognize, any rebellious or rival authority within the bounds, while the political organization of the country remains un¬ changed. This has been the rule with our State Grand Lodges, and has been the foundation principle governing the action of the Masonic Bodies in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, the two Canadas, and the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland, in relation thereto. Also it has been the rule of conduct among the Craft in the various nations of Europe. It is too well settled to be doubted. The amity and friendship among the various Grand Lodges who have thus recognized each other as Sovereign Bodies within their respective territorial jurisdiction, constitute one of the firmest bonds lat bind Masonry of all nations into one friendly union without any sacrifice of local liberty and independence, and they are supported bv the scrupulous rule of not interfering in the internal affairs of each other. This Masonic comity, like comity of nations, is the rule of peace. We may grant that in the exercise of its independence a Grand Lodge could so far depart from the ancient landmarks of Freemason¬ ry as to cease to be a Masonic Body, but such a case would ensure an appropriate remedy. This Grand Lodge has on many occasions avowed and acted on these principles. Thepetition of the Lodge at Palermo, addressed to this Grand that !t seceded from the Grand Lodge of Italy, and Grind Lodg e reCOgniZed by ’ aud taken Under the P rotection of, this in Thf S?“ d i L °^ e ° f Massachusetts has no disposition to interfere n the internal affairs of the Grand Lodge of Italy. It has no know edge of the merits of the dispute. It has not been requested to act -as referee by the parties to the dispute, and it has no jSctSn of FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXXVTI. its own to establish Bodies in a country Masonically organized with a CJrrand Lodge. The relation of amity and friendship existing between the Masonic r ratermty of Italy and of Massachusetts ought to remain unimpaired by any officious intermedling on our part. We have, by recognition, admitted that the Italian Masons are capable of and entitled to possess self-government; we claim no more tor ourselves. This petition should be dismissed.” In the same report we find some further information as to the origin of the colored Lodges, which took place in Bos¬ ton, in 1787. This information appears to us to be con- chusive as to the illegitimacy of the “ African” Lodges, and effectually disposes of the claims for recognition of the de¬ scendants of these clandestine organizations:— ‘‘Your committee are not unmindful of the existence of clandestine Boffies professing to have the privileges of Masonry in various parts of the United States, composed mainly or exclusively of men of Afri¬ can descent. The origin of these Bodies was in this jurisdiction, where their claims to possess regular or genuine Masonry, frequently presented to this Grand Lodge and carefully examined, have never been found consistent with Masonic law. There is no distinction in this Grand Lodge grounded upon color. Masonry is a social institution, and the Lodges regulate the admis¬ sions they severally make. We know of a good many men of African descent who have received regular Masonic degrees in Lodges under this jurisdiction, and who do obtain thereby all the benefits thereof. At this time, in this Grand Lodge, there sits a Brother of this de¬ scent, who has been a respected member for several years in virtue of his rank as Warden of one of our most respectable subordinate Lodges. We have had and received in our subordinate Lodges visiting Ma¬ sons of regular standing in their own jurisdictions who were of Afri¬ can descent. W*e state these things merely that our position may not be miscon¬ ceived, and our objections to Masonic irregularities be scoffed down on the pretence that we are opposing a class on account of their color. True it is that in 1787 three colored men of Boston received from England a Charter for a subordinate Lodge, at Boston, to be called African Lodge, which had been granted in 1784, but not forwarded to them until three years afterwards. The chief of them, Prince Hall died December 2, 1807. The date of this Charter was after the treaty of peace with England in 1783, by which the independence and sovereignty of these States were recognized. It was also eight years after the Massachusetts Grand Lodge was formed (March 8th, 1777), and had declared the Masonic independence of the Masons of this Commonwealth, whereby the duties of self-government were assumed by the Masons of this Com¬ monwealth, which they have continued to exercise to the present time. Thus this Charter proceeded from a foreign source, which had no political authority in the country, w'here alone it was directed to be used, and which had no Masonic right there; for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts had been for years in the possession of the Masons of lxxvhi. foreign correspondence. the Commonwealth. It is admitted that this Charter wa,s never recognized by any Lodge in Massachusetts. Certainly, after the eva¬ cuation of Boston,'March 17th, 177G, there is no pretence that England had any control in Massachussetts. It is probable that some persons may have worked as clandestine Masons under this Charter for some years after its arrival, but in 181.4 it was struck from the rolls of the Grand Lodge of England, and no returns to England had been made under it for many years previously to this action. Thus ended the Charter of African Lodge and its his¬ tory. In 1808, an organization called the Prince Hall Grand Lodge was started in Boston, but by whom is not known. It professed to grant Charters, and did make some clandestine Bodies in other places. No Masonic power, domestic or foreign, stood its sponsor, and no known Mason belonged to it against whom the penalty of expulsion could be hurled by the Grand Lodge of this State. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts never authorized any Lodge or recognized any person claiming Masonic rights from this source. The next in order of succession we have heard of was the National Grand Lodge, professing to have been established by these counterfeits about the year 1847. It is understood that this Body claims jurisdic¬ tion in and over Masonry in all the States of this Union, but no official intercourse has ever been sought by that Body with this Grand Lodge, or those who pertain to it, and we are ignorant of all that concerns it. No Mason is known to have belonged to it. ... ,, Your Committee find it difficult to trace these organizations further. Existing without Masonic authority, anarchy seems crowned supreme among rival Bodies of mushroom growth, fully conscious of each other’s illegitimate aspirations. The existing Prince Hall Grand Lodge organization is supposed to draw its powers from this National Grand Lodge. In 1827 some persons calling themselves African Lodge No. 459 re¬ pudiated the Grand Lodge of England. The petitions of these pre¬ tended Masons have been considered by the New York Grand Lodge in 1846, and by this Grand Lodge in 1869. Your committee deem it best to append as part of this report that of Bro. Herring, of New York, made in 1846; the petition of Lewis Hayden and others, and the report thereon to this Grand Lodge, 1869, and Grand Master Gardner s address, 1870 for a fuller statement of the history of the organizations of these bogus Masons of the National Grand Lodge, so called. It will be noticed that the petition of 1869 pretends that in 1775 Prince Hall and others were made Masons in an army travelling Lodge at Boston. It is somewhat singular that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, October 1, 1773, passed a vote that “ no travelling Lodge had the right in this jurisdiction to make Masons of any citizens,” and that Gen. Joseph "Warren was the Provincial Grand Master at the time of this vote. The name of the Army Lodg<5 is not given where Prince Hall got his Masonry. Why Hall should apply to Gen. War. ren prior to his death, June 17, 1775, for recognition, is hard to per¬ ceive. The sharp social division between the patriots who constituted the members of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge and the Army Lodges of the English invaders, from the attack on Fort William and Mary, Portsmouth, in December, 1774, to Lexington in the following April, and Bunker Hill in June, does not favor the idea suggested by the petitioners that he did so. Hall himself, in a letter dated March 1, 1784, says they had been working as a Lodge almost eight years. The FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXXIX. ■evacuation of Boston, March 17, 1776, was almost eight years previous to the date of his letter. Probably, before the evacuation, be and his associates sat in the Army Lodge that made them, if there was anv such. No pretence is made that any of them ever sat in a local Lodge, th ey citizens of Massachusetts, as the petition would infer,' no British Army Lodge had the right to make them. Consequently! if made at all, as individuals they were irregular and clandestine under the Provincial Grand Lodge rule, and remained so when this Grand Lodge had declared its independence from British Masonic rule. Prince Hall s letter of 1784 admits there was neither British nor American authority for the Lodge he professes to have held from the date of the evacuation. True it is, the petition to this Grand Lod^e states they had a Dispensation, but does not say from whom. In^a publication of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of 1865 a citation occurs 10 m the address of J. ^ . De Grasse, June 30, 1858, who says he has m Hall s own handwriting that in 1776 he “organized and opened, under Dispensation granted by this British travelling Lodge, the first Lodge of Masons composed of colored men in America.” The power “to grant Dispensations to form Lodges” is a Grand Lodge power, and never was delegated by the English Grand Lodge to any travelling Lodge. This pretence of authority in 1776 falls, leaving their legitimacy to depend on the Charter received by them from England in 1787. Now, however doubtful the Masonic jurisdiction in Massachusetts during the revolutionary struggle may seem to some, none, we think, will claim that the Grand Lodge of England had au¬ thority to charter Lodges in Massachusetts after our independence was acknowledged by Great Britain on November 30, 1782. We recapitulate these facts, because they point to inevitable conclu¬ sions as to Prince Hall and his associates:— 1. No evidence that they were made Masons in anv Masonic Lod^e. 2. If made, they were irregularly made. ^ ^ They ne\er had any American authority for constituting a 4. Their Charter from England was granted at a time when all American Masonic authority agrees that the Grand Lodge of England had no power to make Lodges in the United States, after the acknow¬ ledgment of our independence, November 30th, 1782, and the treaty of peace made November 3rd, 1783. 5. The Grand Lodge of England dropped African Lodge from their list in 1813. Said Lodge does not appear to have worked since Prince Hall’s death in 1807, except this, that in 1827 parties calling them¬ selves African Lodge, No. 459, repudiated the Grand Lodge of England. 6. The Grand Lodge of England did not delegate to African Lodge any power to constitute other Lodges, or to work elsewhere than In Boston. 7. No Masonic authority exists for any of the organizations since 1807, whether pseudo Lodges or Grand Lodges; and no evidence of the Masonry of any of their members has come to our knowledge. 8. Neither English nor any other Masonic authority exists, nor has at any time existed, for these colored Lodges located out of Boston to make Masons or practice Freemasonry. Each of them began its existence in defiance of the Masonic community of the State where located, and continues unrecognized by the regular Masons of the State.” LXXX. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. The Grand Master reports four new Lodges, one at San¬ tiago, in Chili. He states that the committee on ritual have prepared a “ Trestle Board,” which contains as much relating to the three degrees as may properly be published, and also the burial service. The committee on “ Ontario” reported as follows, which report was adopted:— “ That the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada, a Grand Lodge which has been recognized as such by this Grand Lodge for sixteen years or more, extended over the Province of Ontario on the sixth day of February, 1876, when the attempt was made, without its sanction, to form the Grand Lodge of Ontario; that its jurisdiction was then recognized by the Masonic Lodges of Ontario, and had been up to that date by many, if not all, of those Masons who associated together to form this new Grand Lodge, claiming jurisdiction over that Province; that, as far as your committee can ascertain, those Masons who thus associated did not represent any Lodges; that the immediate moving cause of their association seems to have been the action of the Grand Lodge of Canada in a case clearly within its con¬ stitutional authority, and the disappointment and consequent disaf¬ fection of certain Masons in London, Ontario, arising out of that action; and that your committee are necessarily brought to the conclusion that the so-called Grand Lodge of Ontario is a spurious body, with whom it would be improper and unmasonic to enter upon fraternal relationship, as requested.” It was resolved to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of their formation, in an appropriate manner, on the 8th March, 1877. The usual “ Grand Feast ” was held on December 27th, 1876. All the speeches are given in full in the proceedings. This Grand Lodge has three subordinates in Chili, and one in Shanghai, China. This last reports 6 initiations and 47 members. We have also received the proceedings of the special meet¬ ing, held March 8th, 1877, to commemorate the one hun¬ dredth anniversary of their organization as a Grand Lodge; at w r hich Bro. Charles L. Woodbury delivered a splendid oration, which is exceedingly valuable as an historical sketch of their rise and progress. At the quarterly meeting, held June 13th, 1877, the fol¬ lowing report on the Grand Lodge of Cuba was adopted:— “ The committee to whom were referred the papers in relation to a certain Body calling itself the Grand Lodge of Cuba, and asking for recognition by this Grand Lodge, beg leave to report that there appear to be two Bodies claiming jurisdiction over the Lodges in the Island of Cuba; one the Grand Lodge of Colon, so called, claiming jurisdic¬ tion over several of the West India Islands,—the other the above- mentioned Grand Lodge of Cuba; that your committee have not suffi- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. LXXXI. cient evidence to decide between their conflicting claims of jurisdiction even if it was proper for them so to do. They therefore advise that no referred^o^lTein ” F ^ present by tllis Graud Lodge upon the subject M. W. Bro. Percival L. Everett (Boston), Grand Master. K. \\. Bro. Charles H. Titus (Boston), Grand Secretary. MICHIGAN. Held at Grand Rapids, January 23rd, 1877. M. W. Bro. Matthew H. Maynard, Grand Master. Number of Ledges, 335; represented, 321; initiated, 1071 - members, 27,055; receipts, $10,450.82. Annual Communi¬ cation, 33rd. The Grand Master reports five new lodges. He refused a large number of applications for lodge processions on ct Dec- oration Day ” and “ Fourth of July.” From his numerous decisions we take the following, which are instructive and with which we agree. His views on dimits are excellent:— t 'j 1 ' A brother was tried in his Lodge and acquitted; the Grand Lodge, upon appeal, reversed the decision, and expelled him It sub sequently restored him. Held: That the action of Grand Lodge restored him to membership in his Lodge.” ^ “ 8 - Question.—A member of our Lodge applied for a dimit, giving no reasons. I refused to entertain the petition on account of this informality but the brother will, no doubt, apply again, givin« some. reason. It seems to me that his reasons should be good reasons and our Grand Master or Grand Lodge should say what are good reasons I he brother is a prominent resident in our jurisdiction, lives one mile from our Lodge, and is in good circumstances. H we practice giving dimits in such cases, everv brother that mav feel aggrieved about a hundred and one little matters we mffiht men tion, will be applying, and the State yvill be flooded with non-affiliates Please give me what you consider good and sufficient reasons for granting dimits, and upon which only they should be granted. I ask that my question and your answer be published in the “ Michigan Freemason.” A Worshipful Master. Answer.—A Lodge, by virtue of its inherent right, has the power to admit members and to reject any application for membership. [Art. H. of Regulations.^ So, by virtue of the same inherent rig t, it has the power to dimit members and to reject any application for limit The process of attaining membership and of obtaining dismission are precisely similar. Both require the petition of the individual Mason and the consent of the Lodge. Section 9, Article XVI., provides that ‘ a brother in good standing may apply to his Lodge for a dimit place they could find. The occasion must have been one to be long remembered by the participants:— “ On September 8th, 5875, soon after the burning of the Odd Fel¬ lows’ Hall at Virginia City, I was requested to convene Virginia Lodge, No. 3, on the summit of Mt. Davidson. I readily assented, inasmuch as the brethren were without other place of meeting. For the first time in centuries, as I believe, we met as did our ancient brethren, for security and privacy, upon a high mountain, with the canopy of hea\en for our covering and the wide expanse from east to west for oui Lodge room. It was the regular communication of the Lodge, which was simply declare open for the transaction of regular business, without signs or ceremonies. The gathering was so vast that it was impossible w?tli certainty to declare all visitors present in possession of our secrets. Every precaution was observed. Nearly every Grand. Lodge in the United States, and nearly e\ery nation upon the face of the globe, was represented in the assemblage. The occasion was profoundly interesting, and the memory thereof will not cease in Masonic history. The proceedings were regularly recorded in the books of the Lodge, and are in print. The newspapers published extended reports. The enemies of Freemasonry who had pretended to discover Provi¬ dential design in the successive burnings of Lodge rooms ivere sorely discomfited. It was a proud day for Masons and Masonry.” The new Grand Lodges of Indian Territory, Dakota, Prince Edward Island, and Wyoming were recognized. It was decided that the Grand Master has no authority to grant permission to the President of a Masonic Association to inter a brother with Masonic honors; or to grant permis¬ sion to brethren to form a Board of Masonic Belief, and to hold Lodges of Instruction. We agree. We copy part of an excellent report on grievances; in which the practice of bringing business affairs into the lodges re¬ ceives merited condemnation:— u But your committee desire to prevent and discountenance the too frequent* habit of Masons generally, of mixing and confounding ordi¬ nary business transactions with Masonic law and jurisprudence. It is one of the most fruitful sources of trouble and vexation to Masons everywhere, the thoughtless persistency of Masons dragging their un¬ fortunate business ventures into the Lodge for hearing and adjust¬ ment. Properly speaking, dollars and cents has nothing to do with Masonry, and should not be allowed by Masters of Lodges to be made subject to Masonic charges; the cry of ‘fraud 7 is too often raised, and a brother suspended or expelled, when the facts, to disinterested par¬ ties, show nothing more than inability of some unfortunate brother to meet his pecuniary obligations; or if otherwise, if the brother is able to meet his obligations, the negligence in the business matters of every¬ day life, of taking proper securities, or of enforcing their claims before the proper civil tribunals of the country in which we live and whose protection we all enjoy, it is mixing up business affairs with Masonry. One brother accommodates another, and, without taking legitimate precaution to protect himself, expects afterwards to hold his brother FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. cxm. to Ins word and bond of faith by private means well known only to the Cra t. There is no way of executing the bond except by riding a poor brother to death with the whip of charges and specifications, and P fre- quently unjustly pursued to the end, Masonic death.” Bro. R. H. Taylor reports on correspondence. We fully agree with the Grand Master in his praise of Bro. Taylor’s reports, and can quite understand his reluctance to having the Proceedings issued without Bro Taylor’s admirable re- ^ C0T , ers 1 . 50 P a o es > an< ^ is very complete, consider- mg the fact that his work was twice destroyed by the fires In opening, he says:— At *^ e t . une of the destruction, by fire, of the Masonic Hall in the City of Virginia, on the 19th of May, 1875, full sets of proceedings of our sister Grand Lodges in North America, which had been carefully read by your Committee and were fully arranged for review, were lost 01 destroj ed. We immediately addressed a circular to all the Grand secretaries, and obtained duplicates, which were re-read and marked- and a large portion of our report was written, ready for the printer’ when all our work was again destroyed, in the wide-spread conflagra¬ tion which visited Virginia on the 26th of October, 1875.” Under the head of “ Iowa,” he says:— ” So, Bro. Langridge, we have caught you ‘napping’ at last. Whereabouts, some where, did you see it stated that the meaning of the word ‘ Iowa' is ‘ Here we rest?' You are getting Iowa mixed with Alabama,’ which latter does mean ‘ Here we rest.’ The word ‘ Iowa’ means the ‘drowsy ones,’ and as the ‘drowsy’ ones need 4 rest,’ brother, you are not so far wrong, after all. Good night! ” Bro. Taylor gives the following account of their Lodge meeting on Mount Davidson:— “ The meeting referred to was a stated communication of Virginia Lodge, No. 3, and was held on the 8th day of September, 1875. The Masonic Hall, in Virginia, was burned in May; the Lodges then removed to Odd Fellows' Hall, which was burned a few days before the meet- 011 the mountain. Bro. Albert Hires, the Worshipful Master of Virginia Lodge, at the solicitation of many Masons, and with the ap¬ proval of the Grand Master, M. W. Robert W. Bollen, notified the members to meet in regular communication at the summit of Mount Davidson, which is seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven feet above the level of the sea, and nearly seventeen hundreed feet above the city of Virginia. The summit of the mountain is a pointed mass of broken granite, yet almost upon the very apex, and a litttle west of it, where there is a sort of basin, surrounded by cliffs, the Lodge was held. A rude altar of stone had been erected, whereon rested the three great lights, and beside it the representative of the three lesser lights; rude chairs of rough granite had also been built for the Master and Wardens, while the brethren found ample accommodations in the way of seats by availing themselves of stone slabs and boulders which Nature had pro¬ fusely there provided. Around that altar were gathered over three hundred Masons, who, in the heat of the mid-day sun, had toiled up the rugged mountaiu- O CXIV. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. side to witness and assist at the opening of a Masonic Lodge at a place so unusual in our time; and there, overlooking a city of twenty thou¬ sand people, on a summit from which the country for the radius of perhaps a hundred miles is visible, with its towns, lakes, mountains, val¬ leys, hoisting works, quartz mills and railroads, the Lodge was opened and its regular business was transacted. The M. W. Grand Master, by special invitation, presided. A row of pickets, designated by white badges on their left arms, were stationed all around the summit. They were near each other, so that none could pass or re-pass without permission. In that way the approach of cowans and eaves-droppers was effectually guarded against. As the Lodge was opened, the white emblem of the Craft was thrown to the breeze from the flag-staff on the summit, and as the wind unwrapt its folds, and displayed the square, compasses and letter G, thereon emblazoned, it was greeted by three cheers that rang out upon the clear air like clarion blasts. An opening ode was sung by the Lodge quartette, composed of Bros. E. J. Passmore, George N. Bells, C. L. Foster, and George W. Dorwin, and a brief prayer was offered by Rev. Bro. J. D. Hammond. The Grand Master made a very feeling address, thanking the breth¬ ren for the invitation extended to him to preside on the occasion. He gave accounts of some preliminary meetings which had been held on the coast on the top of hills: of one near Ragtown, where the brethren had come together in that way to raise money and provisions for suffer¬ ing immigrants, and over which meeting he had the honor to preside; of a similar gathering in 1851, in Eureka, and of another at Auburn, California. But none of these were gatherings like the present, and he again thanked the bretliren that he had been called upon to preside overjtlieir deliberations. After the regular business of the Lodge had been transacted, and under the head of the ‘Good of Masonry,’ Bro. Charles E. DeLong, late United States Minister to Japan, (who died October 26th, 1876,) was called upon, and responded very happily. He sketched the sur¬ roundings w T ithin which they had erected their altar. Beneath them was the wealth of Ophir, and around them the tumult of trade, etc., etc. He told them how in Japan he had assisted in welding the link in Masonry which made the chain complete around the world. Up to that time there had been one land where the Craft was not known. Now there was none. Masonry belted the globe. The lights of the altar had been lighted, and now there were six Lodges in the empire, and the institution was rapidly spreading. Bro. R. H. Taylor (to whom a subpoena duces tecum had previously been directed by the Worshipful Master.) was then called upon, and responded by reading the following:— The Lord unto the prophet said, ‘Upon the mountain's topmost round, Far as its breezy limits spread, Shall be most holy ground.’ * ‘Neath God's blue dome, on lofty hills, Whose crests first catch the morning heat— Whose heights the evening glory fills— The Craft were wont to meet. ‘Ezekiel, xliii, 12.— ‘Upon the top of the mountain, the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy.’ FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXV. There, far above the busy mart, And from its care and turmoil free, They learned the lessons of the heart, To ‘work' and to ‘agree.’ Oh! sacred hills of olden time. Whose hoary crags resist the gale, Ye have a history sublime. The ages cannot pale! Again, to-day, the sons of light, As did their sires of olden days, Upon the mountain's dizzy height, Their mystic banner raise. Again, above the busy marts, Where human feet have seldom trod, We raise our voices and our hearts In reverence to God. Almighty Father! by whose will The mountains rise, and worlds do move, Thy blessing grant; descend and fill Each Mason’s heart with love. Brothers E. A. Sherman, Thomas H. Williams, R. M. Daggett, M. W. John C. Currie, and M. W. George W. Hopkins, followed in brief and happily-expressed remarks. A touching prayer was then offered by Rev. Bro. S. P. Kelly; ‘Auld Lang Syne’ was sung in full chorus; the Lodge was closed, and at about 5 o’clock, p. m., the concourse wended their way down the moun¬ tain side. And though doubtless weary upon arriving at their homes, all agreed that they had enjoyed and been benefited by the exercises of the day, which, with its many pleasant incidents, will never be by them forgotten.” Besides liis regular report, Bro. Taylor has an elaborate Digest of Decisions, compiled from the different Proceedings. It is arranged under alphabetical headings, and must have cost a great deal of labor and time. In fact, it appears to us, that Bro. Taylor, besides his evident capacity for work, must have a larger modicum of the latter commodity than generally falls to the lot of “ye correspondents.” Our time at this business is nearly all stolen from the “hours of dark¬ ness;” and just now, (2 a. m.) we hear a gentle voice ex¬ claiming in dulcet tones, “Don't you think it is about time you came to bed?” Sometimes there is a slight variation, and the tones are not quite so dulcet; but to-night the baby is sleeping peacefully, and we have not had to walk about with him for more than an hour or so, and we have been im¬ proving the opportunity. But for fear the summons might be repeated in a more imperative manner, we will have to leave off, and so bid you “good night,” Bro. Taylor. CXVI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. M. W. Bro. George Robinson (Gold Hill), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. S. W. Chubbuck (Gold Hill), Grand Secretary. NEW BRUNSWICK. Held at St. John, September 27th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Robert T. Clinch, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 30; represented, 17; initiated, 171; members, 2,246; receipts, §1,349.50. Annual Communica¬ tion, 9 th. The Grand Master congratulates the brethren on their prosperous condition and undisturbed harmony. He urges on “ high constitutional grounds,” the non-recognition of “Ontario,” and gives two objections, either of which he says is fatal to their claim:— “ 1st.—The Province of Ontario is occupied Masonic Territory, un¬ der the exclusive jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Canada, and, therefore, any independent action of Masons in Ontario, in seeking to form a governing body, is an act of rebellion against the recognized and lawful Masonic authority of the Province. 2nd.—On the face of their own statement the mode of proceeding was irregular and unmasonic, as the action was not by a convention of regular Lodges, but was only the insufficient action of individual Masons, contrary to Masonic law and well established precedent. He appointed Y. W. Bro. T. B. Pardee, their Grand Representative near the Grand Lodge of Canada. He de¬ cided that a Lodge must be closed and cannot be adjourned from day to day; also, that the summons should contain the age, addition, residence, and Lodge of a brother applying for affiliation. Two new Lodges were opened. From the report of the Board of General Purposes, we take the following:— “1.—In submitting their Annual Report for 1875 and’76, the Board of General Purposes have very great pleasure in congratulating Grand Lodge on the continued harmony and prosperity of the Craft within their jurisdiction. The various Lodges, in a true spirit of emulation, are endeavoring to perfect themselves in the ceremonial work as authorized by Grand Lodge. During the year (which has been one of general commercial depression) the Craft has most generously re¬ sponded to the many calls for benevolence and charity. The har¬ monious and fraternal spirit which has prevailed throughout the jurisdiction, in the past twelve months, has rendered the labours of the Board comparatively light. No disputes of any kind have arisen, requiring settlement by the Board, either between Lodges or mem¬ bers.” “ 7.—The question of an uniform Funeral Service, referred to the Board by Grand Lodge at the last Annual Session, was submitted to a Sub-Committee, who, after great care and consideration, have pre- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXYH. pared a beautiful and impressive Service, which the Board herewith offers to Grand Lodge for their consideration. On a motion to adopt the Funeral Service, an amendment was carried that its consideration be postponed for the present. The sum of $100 was placed at the disposal of the Library Committee; and $200 added to the Fund of Benevolence. Dakota was recognized, and “Ontario” was denounced as irregular and clandestine. A resolution to transact all general business in Lodges in the First Degree, was ruled out of order. M. W. Bro. Robert T. Clinch (St. John), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. Win. F. Bunting (St. John), Grand Secretary. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Held at Concord, May 17th, 1876. M. W. Bro. "William Barrett, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 73; represented, 59; initiated, 285; members, 7,674; receipts, $1,699.50. The Grand Master declined to grant dispensations in two cases for Lodges to attend pic-nics in clothing, believing that Masons should appear as such in public “ only on purely Masonic occasions.” He did, however, allow several Lodges to hold public installations of officers, which appears to us open to much more grave objections than the pic-nics. A Lodge pic-nic to celebrate a festival on a St. John’s Day is purely a Masonic occasion, but a public installation exposes the secret work of the fraternity, and is a totally unheard-of performance in this jurisdiction. Bro. Barrett believes that the degrees should not be con¬ ferred out of ^tirne, except in very extreme cases; but he granted no less than eleven dispensations for this purpose, four of them for all three degrees, and two of these to the same Lodge. We are at a loss to imagine the serious rea¬ sons for this rushing through of candidates at railroad speed. It is a practice that can do no good, either to the candidates themselves, or to the Craft in general. They can remember but very little of the ceremonies through which they are thus hurried, and the important lessons which should be taught, in order to make them fit for their new duties and obliga¬ tions as Masons, are totally lost. The District Deputies give very full reports of the condi- dion of the Subordinate Lodges, showing a large measure of harmony and prosperity. Bro. John J. Bell reports on correspondence in his usual cxym. FOEEIGN COEBESFONLENCE. excellent manner. Under the head of “ District of Colum- bia,” he says:— “ He is a Gonvert to the new doctrine that since 1717 Grand Masters are the creatures of the Grand Lodge only; from which he deduces an entire change in the Constitution of Masonry as practiced for a century and a half. We prefer llie ways of our fathers. They may have been wrong in their history and in their logic, although we are not yet con¬ vinced of it, but they knew the nature of the society they built, and we prefer that to the modem imitations we are asked to follow. Bro. Singleton lays out the work for another change in our present Consti¬ tutions. Starting from the acknowledged fact that originally E. A.’s were admitted to the business of the Lodges, he discovers that a great and baneful change has been made in restricting all matters of busi¬ ness to the M. M. Lodge. History is a curious thing; and when his¬ tory and legend get mixed,—when laws are made to derive their authority from this mixture, in name at least, it furnishes a fine oppor¬ tunity for much profitless discussion. The writer hereof is almost as tired of such discussion as of the important questions of ritual, i. e. “Is this of your own free will?” or “ Is it of your own free will?” Can we not find something more useful to discuss, or at least cease to be dogmatic about formal reason when a regulation is once established? Our brother, while thus an iconoclast of what we have been accus¬ tomed to hold in the legendary derivation of our laws and usages, has a large number of other legends and ceremonies derived therefrom appertaining to the A. and A. Scottish rite, for which he will push a lance with all opposers. While we still adhere to views hitherto expressed relative to that rite and its legends, we would concede to our brother the right to believe them if lie will, but must wonder at the credulity which sees true history in one legend, while it not only denies another, but also contemns what the fancy of others has ascribed to it, although the true reason may be seen behind the veil of allegory. By quotation from the old by-laws of the Lodge of Antiquity, he shows that fixed dues, with their consequences, are not wholly modern.” And under “ Mississippi,” lie thus explains their semi¬ annual meetings:— “We infer from this that Bro. Gatliright is not aware of the provi¬ sion of our Grand Constitution to the effect that the semi-annual communication to be held in December of each year shall be devoted exclusively to exemplification of the work and lectures in the several degrees. We find it of great value to us, once in each year, to meet together with our minds divested of all the influences which the mere business affairs of the order must necessarily involve, and devote our¬ selves for a day and an evening to a rehearsal of the work and lectures, and to discussions concerning these and the general welfare and progress of the order in a moral point of view; and we find these communications m many respects the most interesting, and by no means the least use¬ ful of the meetings of the fraternity of our jurisdiction; and the attendance is generally quite as large as at the annual communication, though consisting, perhaps, of a larger proportion of visiting brethren whose names do not appear upon the records.” Bro. Bell has the following capital article on foreign rela- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXIX. tions, with regard to the United States doctrine of exclusive jurisdiction:— 41 This claim of jurisdiction by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, toge¬ ther with the utter indifference with which it was treated by that of Scotland, appears thus to have afforded our American brethren of the former jurisdiction, and not improbably elsewhere upon this con¬ tinent, an occasion for more fully informing themselves upon this subject of Grand Lodge jurisdiction which we truly hope will prove of service to the fraternity at large in this country. We do not doubt the wisdom and indeed the necessity among the American States of the doctrine of jurisdiction, which our brethren sought to have recognized by the Grand Lodge of Scotland. It is, however, as they finally admit, a principle which has no existence in the ancient laws or usages of the order, and is wholly unknown except to Ameri¬ can Grand Lodges. The claim set up by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, announced with the same assurance with which they would have communicated a similar one to a sister American jurisdiction, must have sounded strange indeed to our brethren of Scotland, to whom it was a new and until then unheard-of assumption; and it does not seem to us surprising that they did not deign to enter into a discussion of its merits. But although we approve of the doctrine as between Grand Lodges in America, and would go as far as any of our brethren in discounten¬ ancing a departure from it, we think this a proper occasion to say that we do not sympathize at all with the method in which many, and perhaps most, American Grand Lodges seem disposed to enforce it; namely, the treating as alien enemies all Masons owing allegiance to Grand Lodges who have disregarded it. As we understand the report of the Missouri committee, had they determined to adopt the first alternative named, to wit, 4 break up our fellowship with the Grand Lodge of Scotland,’ this would involve the locking of the 4 doors against Scotch Masons,’ and 4 in consistency and effect,’ as they say, debar themselves 4 from visiting any Lodge wherein a Scotch Mason is admitted.’ And this is what we constantly hear as the necessary consequence of withdrawing intercourse between two Grand Lodges. We can see very well that it is possible (for Masons are human) for one Grand Lodge to so far forget the amenities which ought to mark Masonic intercourse, that intercommunication with it ought justly to be suspended. But does this involve a necessary corruption of the Ma~ sonic blood of every individual member of the fraternity belonging to its jurisdiction? and must the doors of every Lodge be closed against them, and must they hence become strangers to every Masonic heart and outcasts from all Masonic charity? No true Masonic heart throbs in sympathy with any such doctrine, and rather than admit it we would see this whole “American system ” of Grand Lodge jurisdiction blown to the winds. When a Grand Lodge persists in a disregard of a rule of conduct regarded as essential to the general well-being of the order, but merely conventional in its origin, not affecting the land¬ marks or ancient Constitutions, it may doubtless be right to withdraw intercourse from that Grand Lodge as an organized body, but that the whole membership of the Order in its jurisdiction are to be visited with the consequences of expulsion, or that recognition from them as Masons is to be withdrawn, neither follows as a necessary consequence, nor is warranted, as we feel confident in believing, by any sound Masonic €XX. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. principle. Indeed, we think this whole doctrine of exclusive Grand Lodge jurisdiction, so far as it applies to the making of individual Masons, ought to be regarded as rather voluntary on the part of each Grand Lodge, than as compulsory by means of any process or proceed¬ ing emanating from other jurisdictions. It should be regarded rather as matter of interjurisdictional comity than of positive law. To this extent it will doubtless always work well, and will produce no want of harmony among Grand Lodges. But this issuing manifestos by one Grand Lodge, calling another to account for a ‘ violation of jurisdictional riyhtss,' and then threatening the withdrawal of intercourse in case of contumacy, has a ring of harshness, to our minds, strangely out of keeping with anything like true Masonry; and we do not doubt that every incident of the kind grates harshly upon the sensibilities of the order from one end of our Union to the other. We hope, in the inter¬ ests of true Masonry, that the day is not far distant when the practice will be abandoned.” The Grand Lodge honored itself by the elevation of Bro. Bell to the Grand East, as a fitting reward, doubtless, for his valuable services as chairman of the Committee on For¬ eign Correspondence for a number of years. M. W. Bro. John J. Bell (Exeter), Grand Master. E. W. Bro. John A. Harris (Concord), Grand Secretary. NEW JERSEY. Held at Trenton, January 17th, 1877. M. W. Bro. Marshall B. Smith, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 146; represented, 133; initiated, 173* members, 11,988; receipts, $5,487.78. Annual Communi¬ cation, 90th. Ihe Grand Master refers to a presentation to their vener¬ able and beloved Grand Secretary, Bro. Joseph H. Hough, who (since the death of Bro. JohnBove, of Virginia,) is now the oldest Grand Secretary in the world. He was Deputy Grand Secretary from 1838 to 1843, and Grand Secretary since 1848—nearly 40 years’ service. A fine portrait of Bro. Hough forms a frontispiece to the Proceedings, and we judge from it that he is a man of great kindness of heart and amiability of character. J->io. Smith mentions his visit to Canada, and his appoint¬ ment of M.W. Bro. J. K. Kerr as their Grand Representative; also his edict against “Onta io.” The Grand Instructor held Lodges of Instruction in each of the seven Districts. lie says:— regard to the state of the work throughout this jurisdiction, I consider it to be in a favorable condition. This is shown, not only in a strong desire to work closely to the standard Ritual, but to present the moral truths of our Institution in an impressive and edifying manner. Where, in years gone by, in some Lodges there was inatten- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXI. »ii t)i hgenCe ’ 1 0r ’ ? erchance ’ frivolity, there exists to-day among f T h a beart / iQterest in the P r °P er rendering of ouf ceremonies as tends more and more to elevate the standard of excel- mklst ” Dd Cannot fajl to exert a lasting good upon Masonry in our A lesolution to abolish the office of Grand Instructor was lost. .Recognition of “Cuba’ - was postponed by a vote of 158 to 104, and the matter was referred to the Committee on foreign Correspondence, to make a special report thereon at the next Annual Communication. Bro. Alex. Fullerton reports on Correspondence, (135 pages,) noticing Canada for 1876. M. W. Bro. M. B. Smith (Passaic), Grand Master. E. TV. Bro. Joseph H. Hough (Trenton), Grand Secre¬ tary. NEW YORK. Held at New York, June 5th, 1877. , M. TV. Bro. James TV. Husted, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 718; represented, 667; initiated, 2,938; members, 81,296; receipts, $97,939.50. Annual Communi- cation, 96th. The Grand Master reports four new Lodges. The ma¬ jority of the questions submitted to him for decision were too simple to be brought before Grand Lodge. On foreign rela¬ tions, he says:— “ W ith the various Grand Lodges on this continent our relations are of the most cordial and fraternal character, such matters of differ¬ ence as may have arisen in questions of Lodge practice not being of a nature to disturb the general harmony. Abroad, matters are differ¬ ent, the chronic invasion of our rights by the Grand Lodge of Ham¬ burgh, and the course pursued by the Grand Orient of France having undergone no change during the year. It is, therefore, unnecessary that I should detain you with a recital of the thrice-told tale of our grievances in this regard; but I deem it proper to say that the action of the German Grand Lodges, through their Annual Diet, though not . yet what we desire, appears to be approaching a definite form in accordance with the wishes of the American Grand Lodges. The difficulty seems thus far to be that our brethren abroad do not seem fully to understand our position and what we claim to be our rights in the premises. We are a nation, hut a nation made up of inde¬ pendent States, united together for mutual protection, but in our domestic matters acting each for itself, and each one jealous that its domestic rights shall not be made the subject of interference either by another State or by the whole nation. Hence, our Grand Lodges act, each for itself, in accordance with the general principles of the Craft, but independently of all others, so far as the concerns of Ancient Craft Masonry are in question. Thus each Grand Lodge is P CXXII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. in itself a Masonic nation, and admits no interference with its rights, of domestic authority. When we say that we claim sole and absolute jurisdiction in our respective territories we mean that no Lodge can be instituted, governed, or withdraw without our consent; we mean that when any other Masonic power, either directly or by implication, undertakes to establish or to countenance the establishment of Lodges within the lines of any of our regularly established jurisdictions, they trespass on our rights and imperil that feeling of harmony and broth¬ erly love which we are anxious to maintain. Now, in Germany they have agreed that we have a right to govern Masonry in our respective jurisdictions; but unfortunately they assume that their recognition of bodies declared by us to be clandestine is not an interference with our rights in the premises, and so they propose to determine what is a sufficiently Masonic organization to entitle the membership thereof to the right of visit in their Lodges, not apparently seeing that this is in reality passing upon the whole question; for if our declaration as to the legality of a body of men styling itself Masonic, located in our midst, is not final, then we might as well not have any rights at all. When the minds of our German friends become clear on this point I am of opinion that the long-mooted differences between us will disappear, and that our relations will thenceforward be harmoni¬ ous and fraternal. In France the prospect is less encouraging. Apart from the con¬ tinued recognition of a spurious body, claiming the right to establish Lodges within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, the fact is now settled, that in France it is not necessary that a candidate for the privileges of Masonry should entertain or declare a belief in the existence of God, or, in other words, that an avowed Atheist can be made, or at least declared, a Mason, without question. This is entirely distinct from the proposition to amend the Constitution of the Grand Orient by striking therefrom the formula recognizing the Deity, and it follows that English-speaking nations, and, indeed all others true to the precepts and landmarks of the institution, and de¬ termined to preserve it unsullied from the polluting touch of infidelity, can under no justifiable pretense continue or renew their Masonic re¬ lations with those who refuse to recognize as a vital tenet the Father¬ hood of God as well as the Brotherhood of Man. Still another point of interest is worthy of your attention. It has long been the policy of this Grand Lodge to hold no official relations except with its peers, that is to say, with sovereign and independent Grand Lodges, having absolute control in their respective jurisdictions, and owing no fealty or allegiance whatever to bodies professing advanced degrees of any kind. While we have no quarrel with Supreme Coun¬ cils or Grand Orients professing to govern symbolic Lodges as well as other organizations, we cannot recognize or enter into correspondence with them. Following this idea, we learn with pleasure of the arrangement by which the Lodges in Switzerland, hitherto under the government of the Supreme Council, have, with the consent of that body, become subordinate to the Grand Lodge Alpina, having its seat at Lauzanna, and constituting the latter power the sole and supreme Government for Craft Masonry in that country. We shall, I trust, take great pleasure in entering into relations with the Swiss Grand Lodge when¬ ever application is made. In like manner, I have great pleasure in announcing the formation of an Independent Grand Lodge for the FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXIIL Island of Cuba and the Spanish West Indies, the application of which or lecognition and interchange of representatives is recommended to your favorable consideration.” Bro. Husted mentions a domestic difficulty, in which a Masonic Convention was attempted to be held at Rochester, without authority. He ordered the D. D. G. M. to forbid the holding of any Masonic Convention, whereupon the organizers repaired to another room, formed themselves into a convention of individuals, and passed resolutions. They afterwards issued an address to the Lodges, but “ had the wise discretion not to append their names” to it. The trouble appears to be about the finances of Grand Lodge, as the circular speaks of “ the necessity of financial reform,” and the continuance of the “fifty cent tax.” The debt on the Temple has been reduced during the vear by $41,430.35. The Library contains $1,232 bound volumes, on Masonry, and 300 volumes of old Bibles, histories, &c. The committee on work report that every District has had instruction during the year, through Conventions held by the Grand Lecturer, which were well attended and great interest manifested therein. $515 were donated in charity to 14 recipients. M. W. Bro. John W. Simons, on behalf of the publishers, presented to the Grand Lodge a complete history of its pro¬ ceedings from its organization to 1815 inclusive, which was on motion accepted, and ordered placed in the Grand Lodge Library. R. . Bro. Charles Roome, on behalf of the donors, pre¬ sented to the Grand Lodge the bust of M. W. Bro. John W. Simons, Past Grand Master, which was accepted by the Grand Master, in the name of the Grand Lodge. The “fifty cent tax” above alluded to, is a compulsory pay¬ ment by every lodge member, annually, towards the Hall and Asylum Fund. A motion to confine it to one year only, was lost by 101 to 1538. An amendment to insert 25 cents, in place of 50 cents, was lost. A motion to continue the tax for four years only, was lost. The continuance of the tax, with¬ out any conditions, was finally carried by a vote of 1314 to 735. Bro. John W. Simons reports on correspondence, in his usual thoroughly excellent manner. Under the head of “Idaho,” he says:— “ On report of a Committee, the Grand Lodge recognized the Grand CXXTV. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Orients of Egypt and Hungary, and appointed representatives near them. This, we respectfully submit to our Idaho brethren, had better have been left undone. Neither of the bodies in question is an independent Grand Lodge, having sole and exclusive jurisdiction in its territory, but, on the contrary, subject to a higher organization, claiming and exercising the right to control their acts. Under these circumstances the bodies in question are not our peers, for they are not free to en¬ force their own acts. For this reason the great majority of Grand Lodges on this continent refuse to enter into official relations with them; and we greatly regret to witness any departure from the gene¬ ral plan which, we are certain, is the best for our welfare on this continent.” And under “Illinois”:— 4 ‘ In response to a question, the Committee on Jurisprudence report¬ ed and the Grand Lodge approved the following: ‘ That your committee deem it important and proper for the W. M. to have the care and custody of the charter of his Lodge at all times, and that it should be present at all meetings thereof. Yet they are of the opinion that its unavoidable absence would not invalidate the action had by the Lodge, nor render the work done during such absence irregular or unlawful.’ To many strict observers this will undoubtedly smack of heresy, yet we are free to acknowledge that it strikes us as being reasonable and therefore correct. We cannot for the life of us see why, if a Lodge has been regularly constituted and enrolled on the registry of the Grand Lodge, its meetings should be invalidated by the mere absence of the charter from the Lodge-room at a communication, though we know it is so, and we therefore take note of the foregoing act of the Grand Lodge of Illinois with great pleasure.” He again comes to the defence of their peculiar frontis¬ piece, which we called “pet names” some years ago, and after quoting, as under, from Bro. Whitaker of Louisiana, he re¬ plies, also as under:— 44 4 Brother Simons defends the use of the horrible wood-cut which stands as a vignette on the initial page of the proceedings of his Grand Lodge, on the ground that it is: ‘An heirloom from the fathers, and has been the frontispiece to our transactions from the earliest date of their publication.’ If the Grand Lodge of New York entertains any peculiar pride in this terrific work of art, they should lay it away in their archives and not wear it out by using it, to the infinite dissatisfaction of all Masons who live outside of the Empire State. Brother Robertson calls it an 4 abomination , 1 but the word does not do justice to the subject.’ While as a matter of aesthetics we should not care to venture very far in defense of our picture, yet it cannot be denied that it is the work of an 4 Old Master,’ and on that ground entitled to respect; but for us it is like the battle flag of a regiment that has seen fire, and its rude lineaments tell us of a past history no modern work from the most accomplished burin could convey. * It has faced the battle and the breeze for nearly a hundred years, and we want to see it at the FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXV. head of the last transactions it mortal eyes are sealed forever.” may be given us to look upon ere our There is no use saying any more about it. When Simons writes hke that, we give in at once. He and Bro. Austin wih stick to that wood-cut till the last. We small fry may a . wa y at ? ur pop-guns, and the more it is riddled, the better they like it. It is like an old friend to them, and the more it is abused the closer they stick to it. They wouldn’t haul down that flag now for the world. We do hope, however, that it will be many a long year ere Bro. Simons looks his last upon any transactions. He reviews our Proceedings for 1876 . On the “Ontario” movement, he says:— ‘‘The principal matter, however, is the erection of a spurious Grand Lodge within the territory of the Grand Lodge of Canada. In order to a clear understanding of the matter, it may be well to explain that originally, the Grand Lodge of Canada had jurisdiction over all that part of British North America, known as Canada. By Act of Parlia¬ ment. the Dominion of Canada was subsequently erected and divided into Provinces, similar in many respects, to our States, each having a separate Legislature and distinct political existence. Out of this it came that each Province established its own Grand Lodge, until at last the jurisdiction of the Mother Grand Lodge was reduced to the Province of Ontario, and its title is, therefore, a misnomer, since in effect it is no longer the Grand Lodge of Canada, but really the Grand Lodge of Ontario. That the brethren did not see fit to change their title is a matter that concerns themselves, but it certainly cannot be offered to reasonable men as an excuse for violating their jurisdiction and setting up a so-called Grand Lodge m the very domain they have occupied for the past twenty years. However, the Grand Lodge hav-. ing refused a warrant to a certain number of persons who had been working under a dispensation as Eden Lodge, they not only refused to return the dispensation, but set themselves up as a Grand Lodge of Ontario, filed a certificate of incorporation under the civil law,°and then had the assurance to ask the regular Grand Lodges of the world to recognize them. We do not deem it worth while to take up time and space in discus¬ sing this matter. The whole proceeding is an outrage on Masonic law and propriety, and the Grand Lodge of Canada was entirely justi¬ fied in expelling its promoters from the rights and privileges of Masonry. The brethren should, however, be on their guard lest they be im¬ posed on by any one hailing from the spurious and clandestine organ¬ ization styling itself the Grand Lodge of Ontario. We would respectfully suggest that our brethren of the Grand Lodge of Canada should add to their title, ‘ For the jurisdiction of Ontario.’ ” He agrees with us on the question of counting blank bal¬ lots, and puts his views in very forcible terms:— “ A case came up on appeal which presents the blank ballot ques- * CXXVI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. tion in this wise: At an election for officers of a Lodge there were twenty-two voters present. Eleven votes were cast for Bro. Smith, ten for Bro. Jones and one blank, whereupon the presiding officer declared Bro. Smith elected. Appeal being taken, the committee decided and the Grand Lodge approved, that there was no election on the ground that a vote is the expression of the opinion of the voter, a majority not having concurred in expressing a preference for Bro. Smith he was not elected. This is the view we take not only for the reasons stated, but because there is no law in Masonry authorizing any one to cast out the vote of a qualified voter, or what he chooses to call a vote, or in other words, the expression of his personal opinion. The right to vote for officers of his Lodge is a personal franchise of each member qualified under the by-laws, and we insist that there is no power in the Grand Lodge to say to a voter you must vote for an eligible person or your vote will not be counted, for if we admit any such power then the election is not the will of the electors but the operation of a statute. ^ We, therefore, very emphatically approve the finding of our Nova Scotia brethren.” This report notices England and France, and submits a resolution of recognition of the Grand Lodge of Cuba. It also gives the following information regarding Germany:— “ We think it proper here to give some statistics of Masonry under the Grand Lodge League in Germany, so far as we can take them from the documents received, without claim of an absolute correct¬ ness. In the German Empire there are at present in existence eight Grand Lodges, with about 326 Subordinate Lodges, and five independent Lodges of English origin. Their classifications are as follows: In Berlin, the ‘ Grand Lodge of the Three Globes,’with 111 Subordinate Lodges; the 4 Grosse Landes Lodge,’ (Swedish System), with 82 Lodges; and the 4 Royal York Grand Lodge,’ with 49 Lodges; in Frankfort-on-the-Main, the 4 Grand Mother Lodge of the Eclectic Union,’ with 12 Lodges; in Hamburg, the Grand Lodge, with 23 Lodges; in Beyreuth, the 4 Grand Lodge Zur Sonne,’ with 22 Lodges; at Dresden, the 4 Grand Lodge of Saxony,’ with 18 Lodges; at Darmstadt, the 4 Grand Lodge Zur Eintracht,’ with 9 Lodges. The five independent Lodges are in the Saxony Duchies. The Kingdom of Prussia contains 220 Lodges, or two-thirds of all German Lodges, of which “The Three Globes” has 113; the “Grosse Landes Lodge,” 63; Royal York Lodge, 46; Hamburg, 1; Eclectic Union, 6; Zur Eintracht, 1. German Lodges are in activity in 269 cities, and one is in a village, • of which Berlin has 17; Hamburg, 13; Frankfort-on-the-Main, six Lodges. Six cities each three Lodges; sixteen cities each two Lodges, and the balance of cities each one Lodge. Germany lias, in a population of 41,100,000, 331 Lodges, or one Lodge to 124,242 inhabitants. France has, in a population of 36,100,- ' 000, 248 Lodges, or one Lodge to 141,536 inhabitants. There are, altogether, in existence 465 German Lodges, which are ■ situated as follows: Germany, 331; Switzerland, 9; Hungary, 20; Roumania, 1; England, 1; Italy, 2; Turkey, 1; Egypt,-2; China, 1; Peru, 1; Brazil, 1; United FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. cxxvn. Hamburg' ° f Wllicl1 three are work ing under the Grand Lodge of In conclusion of our report on the German Grand Lodge League Safi'S th ® 4th of . A P ri1 ’ the following letter, dated Dres¬ den, March 19, 1877, was received from our Representative near the Grand Lodge of Saxony, Bro. Von Mensch, directed to the Grand Secretary, Bro, James M. Austin: 4 Right Worshipful Brother and Dear Sir: XT 11 kav e the honor to remit to you under this cover, the Protocol, ^ odge of Saxon y- Referring to mv last letter oi October 12, 18/6, I have been a short time ago acquainted bv the Grand Master, Bro. Eckstein, of this Grand Lodge, that the Grand Lodge of the ‘Three Globes, 5 at Berlin, has not, thus far, received 10 m the M. V . Grand Lodge of New York an answer to his com¬ munication of 30th of June. It consequently appears that your Grand Lodge has not taken, as yet, a definitive resolution on the thorough prosecution of the ‘ricfiit of jurisdiction 5 and the ‘colored Grand Lodges 5 in the United States. The next German Grand Lodge Diet will this year take place at Dresden, on the 20th of June. F ‘ 1 liay e the honor to be respectfully and fraternally, yours truly, ‘(Signed), F. A. YON MENSCH, 4 Representative . 5 The following answer was sent to Bro. Von Mensch: ^ 4 New York, April 5th, 1877. 'My Dear Bro . Von Mensch: 4 Your favor of March 19th ult., with printed Protocol of the Saxony Grosse Landes Lodge, No. 115, has been received and referred fo me as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondenc. Touching the answer of the letter from the German Grand Lodge League, you will please bear in mind that the Grand Lodge of New York only meets once a year, in June, and hence that until it does meet on the 5th June, of the present year, nothing official can be done. ‘I may, however, say to you, that the action of the Diet at its last meeting is not satisfactory; for while on one hand it recognizes our right of jurisdiction, on the other, it denies it, by reserving the right, 4 as an act of domestic authority, 55 to admit as visitors members of clandestine and irregular Lodges planted in our territory. This is in effect adding insult to injury; for the German League having decided the Negro Grand Lodges to be sufficiently regular for visitation, thus, in fact, admits their right to exist in our territory, and the same is the case with the daughter Lodges of Hamburg. What, then, be¬ comes of our right of jurisdiction, if others may decide for us who is to occupy our territory? If the German League prefer the Negro Grand Lodges to the regular Masonic Powers of the United States, very well; but they cannot have both, nor can they deceive us with words, the meaning of which we understand as well as they do. If peace is to be maintained, they must recognize our sovereignty, with¬ out reservation. 4 Thanking you for your long and faithful service as our Representa¬ tive, I have the honor to be, fraternally, 4 (Signed), JOHN W. SIMONS, P. G. M: cxxvm. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. REMARKS. It will be seen by the foregoing that we have furnished the full text of the proceedings of the German Grand Lodge Diet, so far as the same relates to us, together with the official response of the Diet to the letter of M. W. Bro. Thome, as well as some expressions of individual (German) opinion, and after a very careful examination of the whole, we are compelled to remark, that the Diet does not appear to comprehend the situation; for while it resolves to accord us the same right in our own territory 7 that it claims for itself in Germany, it immediately contradicts itself, by declaring that it will judge for itself, whether Lodges clandestinely planted in our territory are regular or not, and if it finds them conducted on what it assumes to be correct principles, then, notwithstanding our rights in the premises, notwithstanding our conceded right to govern and regulate Masonry in our respective jurisdictions, it will acknowledge and encourage these spurious organizations by admitting their members to visit in their Lodges. Thus the so-called Grand Lodges of colored persons—we believe there are two or more of them in the State of New York—are declared to be sufficiently regular for the purposes of recognition by visitation, though not by formal interchange of representatives, and this, too, in the face of the fact that the Grand Lodge of the State of New York has occupied this territory since 1781, and that, therefore, any Lodge claiming to exist in this State without the direct authority of our Grand Lodge is of necessity clandestine and irregular. Precisely the same state of facts exists in the case of Ohio and that of Massachu¬ setts, the colored organizations there being held in the very teeth of the pre-existing and lawful Grand Lodges of those States. Again, the Diet has no word of condemnation for the continued trespass of the Grand Lodge of Hamburg on that very right of juris¬ diction which the Diet professes to respect. Let us once more repeat, therefore, that each one of the Grand Lodges in North America, for itself and for the rest, claims the sole , undivided, and imperative right of jurisdiction within the respective limits of the States or Terri¬ tories in which they are located. These words mean neither more nor less than they express, and therefore when the Diet by its resolutions speaks of recognizing parties located in our territory in defiance of our law and our right, and at the same time professes to recognize our right of jurisdiction, it simply belittles our intelligence by making it appear that we do not understand our own language nor appreciate our own laws. The resolutions of the Diet are not satisfactory, and will not be re¬ ceived by the American Grand Lodges as an acceptable solution of the questions at issue, as indeed, nothing will, but a frank recognition of our exclusive right of juinsdiction with all the consequences thereto at¬ taching ■. The Diet has traveled pari of the way by its conditional re¬ cognition, and we most earnestly and fraternally urge it to finish the journey by a complete withdrawal from so much of its position as we have demonstrated to be untenable and unsatisfactory to the Grand Lodges on this continent. We fraternally request the Diet and its constituents to consider that, although they may agree to concurrent jurisdiction among themselves, we do not and cannot now establish any such law here, and that, consequently, what the American Grand Lodges require of and concede to each other must ex necessitate be the rule of action in regard to all others in this country. When this is FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXIX. ha°rmony^ lder8t00d frankly a ° ted U P 0U there wiU be peace and In his notice of the Mother Grand Lodge of the Eclectic Union, Frankfort-on-the-Main, we find the following:— “A very lively and comprehensive debate took place at this session of December, 1876, m reference to the expulsion from the Masonic Fra- termty of Bro. G. A. Schiffmann, P. M., at Stettin, and Deputy Lod«e MaSter ° f the < - rr03se Landes Lodge at Berlin, by this Grand The case of Bro. Schiffmann, although really an internal matter only, of a German Grand Lodge, has, notwithstanding, a general inter¬ est, and we propose, therefore, to give a short narration of this extra- ordinary and exciting event. Bro. Schiffmann was the second highest Grand officer of the said Grosse Landes Lodge,’ at Berlin, which works in accordance with the so-called Swedish rite and system, as practiced and founded in Sweden on strictly Protestant-Christian principles. This system of Sweden claims for its origin and for the general origin of Freemasonry quite other sources than the English branch of the Fraternity can show; does not acknowledge the revival of the Craft by the Grand Lodge of England, in 1717 and 1721, and pretends to have in posses¬ sion true and original documents of the real (original Jacob’s) origin of its peculiar chivalric order of Freemasonry, from immemorial times thereby proclaiming that only ‘Christians’ can be admitted as regular I reemasons to the symbolic and high degrees. The Cruvm Prince, 1< redenc William, was formerly Grand Master of this Grand Lod^e and of this so-called Swedish system in Germany, but he resigned the position about six or seven years ago, giving, without concealment, as his reasons, the untenable nature of the historic documents and the whole system. By the inducement and order of the Crown Prince, Lro. Schiffmann made very thorough examinations and scholarly re¬ searches of the so-called historic documents of the ‘ Grosse Landes Lodge,’ kept secret and concealed from all the lower, especially the symbolic degrees. He found that these documents were partly spuri¬ ous and forgeries, partly totally valueless, and that the English Version and the English origin was the only true and rightful source. Bro. Schiffmann, who is a much respected and distinguished theo¬ logian, scholar and Dean of the Cathedral at Stettin, did not hesitate to lay the result of his investigations before the Crown Prince and the highest Chambf'.r for Ritualistic matters of the Grand Lodge; but the answer of the Grand Lodge, or rather of the reigning Grand officers, was his expulsion from the Masonic Brotherhood, on the ground that he violated his oath to keep secret such matters, and his obligation as a Freemason, by making such investigations into sacred documents and by communicating the result to others. All the other Grand Lodges of Germany and their Subordinate Lodges declared the expulsion of Bro. Schiffmann illegal and lacking good reasons. The whole matter created an unusual excitement on both sides, inasmuch as the ‘ Grosse Landes Lodge ’ irrevocably insist¬ ed on the expulsion. We understand that the subject will be brought before the next Grand Lodge Diet, and it is to be feared that the same will eventually give an impulse for a division or a separation unless a better and more peaceable sense shall prevail.” R cxxx. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Under “ Switzerland,” he says:— “ The first Masonic Lodge in Switzerland was opened at the city of Geneva in the year 1737, from where Lodges at Lausanne and in the interior of Switzerland Were constituted. At the end of the last century about a dozen Masonic Lodges existed in the country, but nearly all of them ceased to work in consequence of the war. As soon as time and circumstances became quiet, the Lodge “ Zur Hoffnung” (Hope Lodge) was constituted at Berne. September 14, 1803. At the same time, the idea to bring about all Masonic Bodies in Switzerland together in one Grand Body, originated from this Lodge at Berne, but could not be brought about. Again, in 1817 and 1820, the result now before the Swiss Fraternity could not come to a final decision, not¬ withstanding the labors, endeavors, and working of brethren in Berne, Bale, and Lausanne. Only a partial union of eight, later of twelve Lodges in the cantons of Berne, Neufchatel, Waadt, and Geneva was effected, under the name of the 4 Grosse Landes Lodge of Switzer¬ land,’ with the seat at Berne. In 1836, on the occasion of the twenty- fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Lodge at Zurich, it was again considered and taken in view that the Swiss Lodges assume nearer relations, and that a Grand Lodge should be erected. But only in 1838, or rather in 1840, it w T as finally decided and resolved by seventeen Swiss Lodges to create a Grand Lodge for Switzerland; the same, under the name “ Alpina,” was legally constituted at Zurich, and the first Grand Master, Bro. Hollinger, was then elected and installed. At last the compact and concordat between the “Alpina” Grand Lodge, now’ located at Berne, and the Supreme Council, as executed and exchanged in October, 1876, brings the Masonic condition of the Fraternity in Switzerland to a regular and honorable standard.” In the Netherlands, the Grand Orient has 70 subordinate Lodges, forty-one in Europe, and twenty nine in the Colonies. The Grand Secretary is Bro. B. L. Rasch, at The Hague. We also copy Bro. Simons remarks on the Grand Lodge of Hungary:— “ Grand Lodge of Hungary. —This Grand Lodge, located at Pesth, has, according to the latest reports, twenty-two Subordinate Lodges, with about nine hundred members. It seems, however, that the supreme Masonic authority in Hungary is yet on a very uncertain base, divided between a Grand Lodge and a Supreme Council, and the situation remains the same as in our report for 1876. As long as the Grand Orient, or Supreme Council, does not turn over its Lodges ex¬ clusively and strictly to an existing Grand Lodge, a sound develop¬ ment of Freemasonry in Hungary cannot be expected. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge for the Three Symbolic Degrees, founded January 30, 1870, was formerly Bro. Francis Pulzky, but, as will be seen below T , no other Grand Master is chosen to take his place. Bro. Peretz is Deputy Grand Master, and Bro. Alexander Uhl is Grand Secretary. We learn from our exchanges that the yearly communication of the Grand Lodge of Hungary was held at Pesth in November, 1876. Internal matters and also matter of general interest were transacted. Among the internal matters, the affair of Grand Master Pulzky with FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXXI. the Countess Hadick was prominently discussed, and created also in SL-™' Pr6SS a excitement. The main point of this in fe Wa the P les e n °e of the Grand Master of Hungary, Bro. Pulzky, of -, a . Lodg , e ^^. er the Supreme Council and Grand Hadirk tf d ^. cce P t i ed Kite) of Hungary, when said Countess k /£ If d th t^ asomc Degrees according to a so-called Scotch S lL > + l 6 imtiat,on T as fimshed ’ B ro. Pulzkv entered the Lodge without protesting against the initiation or presence of said lady. Bro. ulzkv justifies his non-action by the assertion that he had no right or business to interfere with the doings of a Subordinate Lodge under the Supreme Council, and that he has often seen in Italian Lodges ladies participating m Lodge work. An investigation of the matter was ordered. A later resolution of the Grand Lodge, however, decided against interference, and it was postponed indefinitely. Anyhow Bro Pulzky has not been re-elected, or, rather, no Grand'Masted was elect- ea, and the office of Grand -Master was declared vacant As a matter of general interest, it may be mentioned that a new, or lather, amended, Constitution and a standard work for the Three De¬ grees were adopted. All other transactions, especially in relation to the Subordinate Lodges, are only of a local interest. The charitable institutions of the Grand Lodge of Hungary appear, according to the several reports, to be in a flourishing condition. The Grand Lodge of Hungary adopted nearer relations with the Supreme Council at Luxenburg' and the Prince Hall Grand Lod«e at New Bedford' (sic). Furthermore, as the Grand Secretary reports’ piehmmary negotiations for a mutual representation with ten generally recognized Grand Bodies are pending. J From the Supreme Council (Grand Orient, Ancient and Accepted Kite), the other Masonic Grand Body in Hungary, we hear that all the officers, including the Grand Master, Bro. Joanowics, resigned their offices in January last, and that an extraordinary session is convoked on the lltli March, 1877, for election of new officers. It is further re¬ ported that the trouble was caused bv the disappearance of the Grand Treasurer Bro. Felix Lucksics, Thirty-third Degree, with the assets (about l,o00 florins) of the Grand Treasury. A new organization of the Supreme Council is proposed, and efforts will be made to draw over the Symbolic Lodges under the Grand Lodge to the Supreme Council, but a proposed division of the jurisdiction for the Symbolic Lodges and the high degrees is not talked of. The condition of Freemasonry in Hungary appeal's, therefore, not at all satisfactory.” The Craft are greatly indebted to Bro. Simons, for his in¬ teresting and valuable reports, which contain a large amount of information, not readily accessible, and we feel that no apology is necessary for the length of the above extracts. To all who take an interest in European Masonry, Bro. Simons’ reports are simply invaluable. M. W. Bro. Jos. J. Couch (Brooklyn), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. Jas. M. Austin (New York), Grand Secretary. NORTH CAROLINA. Held at Baleigh, December 5th, 1876. M. W. Bro. George W. Blount, Grand Master. CXXXII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Number of lodges, 240; represented, 161; initiated, 360^ members, 9,424; receipts, $4,333.26. Annual Communi¬ cation, 90th. In opening his address, Bro. Blount thus speaks of the past year:— “ The year just ending has been one of great trial to individuals and to Lodges. Much suffering and distress have been the consequence. Many, very many who have never done so before, have had to strug¬ gle hard for the necessaries of life to the exclusion of those duties which pertain in the Lodge-room. The unusually long and exciting political campaign has absorbed the attention of a great many others. These causes have combined to distract our minds in a great measure from the business of the craft, and the consequent neglect of the du¬ ties of Masonry has greatly paralyzed our work and brought discour¬ agement to many of our most active agencies. Since fruitful harvests have in a measure assuaged the anxieties about the necessaries of life, and the political cauldron has simmered down to something like placidity, let us enter again upon the great work of Masonry with re¬ newed vigor.” He refers to the work of the lodges, and their condition in this respect does not seem to be satisfactory:— “When I affirm that we are much in need of reform in Work, when, in fact, I say that the Lodges of the State have not uniformity in Work, and in many Lodges no work at all, or none such as good Masons would recognize as the work of Masonry, I may be excused for urgently calling the attention of the Grand Lodge to the subject and to ask for the proper provision to enforce conformity to the true Work* A bright Mason who visited a flourishing town on one of our lead¬ ing thoroughfares, where hundreds of visitors congregate during the summer, informed me not long since that he visited the Lodge in that town and witnessed the ceremony of raising a candidate to the sub¬ lime degree of Master Mason, and that he was utterly confounded, and could not imagine where such Work came from, as it did not even smack of Masonry,—unless it came from some book which he had never seen. And I now venture the assertion that of the two hundred and fifty Lodges working under charter in this Jurisdiction not fifty have the Work as taught by our Grand Lecturers Walker, Rountree, Palmer, Davis and Rice. It is perfectly inexcusable that such a state of affairs should exist, and it is not to be wondered at that the benevolent work we have in charge should languish and con¬ tinue a beggar, when the fundamental primal , initiatory steps are so completely ignored and neglected.” The Grand Secretary reports 7 new lodges, and 7 charters forfeited on account of financial troubles. The Orphan Asylum still carries on its good work. Dur¬ ing the year they fed, clothed and taught more than 150 or¬ phans, at a cost of §11,021.63. A special committee was appointed to perfect a plan for FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXXHL obtaining uniformity and correctness in the work of the sub- ordinate lodges. M. W. Bro. Horace H. Munson (Wilmington), Grand master. R. A\. Bro. Donald W. Bain (Raleigh), Grand Secretary. NOVA SCOTIA. Held at Halifax, June 7th, 1876. M. W. Bro. John W. Laurie, Grand Master. Number of lodges, 68; represented, 45; initiated, 352; members, 3,404; receipts, §2,584.50. Annual Communica¬ tion, 11th. On August 31st, 1875, the Grand Master laid the corner stone of the new Freemasons’ Hall, in Halifax, in presence of about one thousand Masons, and a large assembly of citi¬ zens. He made a number of official visits, and opened one new lodge. We quote his decisions:— “Question —When a member of a sister Lodge prefers a charge or lodges a complaint against a member of our Lodge, are we to exercise the same discipline as if the charge had been submitted by a member of our own Lodge? Answer —Yes. It is not necessary that both accuser and accused should belong to the same Lodge. Any affiliated Mason may prefer a charge against a member of his own or any other Lodge; the charge must be in writing, signed by the accuser, and forwarded to the Sec¬ retary, and by him read to the Lodge at a regular meeting. The usual course will then be proceeded with. Question —If a candidate, after being elected, is entered, and after due time passes a satisfactory examination in open Lodge, can any brother object to his being passed. Answer —Yes. But a charge must be preferred by the member ob¬ jecting, and trial must be had, in order that the brother objected to may have an opportunity of defence.” With us, it is not necessary that the accuser should be affiliated. Bro. Laurie holds that a brother in good standing and clear of dues, is entitled to a dirnit without a vote of the Lodge. A case came before Grand Lodge, where at an election of officers, there were twenty-two members present entitled to vote. One candidate received eleven votes, another ten, and one ballot was blank. The Master declared the candidate having eleven votes elected, and from this decision an appeal was taken. The committee on appeals reported, sustaining the appeal, and the report was adopted unanimously by Grand Lodge. The report says:— CXXXIY. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. “ No doubt would have arisen in the minds of your committee rela¬ tive to the proper construction of this part of the Constitution—that on the election of Grand Lodge Officers they should be elected by the majority of votes present—were it not for a similar case that came before the Grand Lodge of Quebec at an Emergent meeting in Jan¬ uary, 1874. The case was an election of a Senior Warden, and was precisely similar to our own, as may be seen in our Proceedings for 1875, page 268. The decision in that case was that it required a clear majority of the voters present to elect. The ruling of the Master of the Lodge (St. Andrew’s) was sustained by the D. D. G. Master and sanctioned by the Grand Master. This ruling was set aside on appeal to the Grand Lodge, that body holding that votes present meant the votes present in the ballot box. In consequence of this ruling your committee have taken particular pains to ascertain the law on the subject and the proper construction of votes present. Your committee entirely dissent from the view taken by the Grand Lodge of Quebec that votes present in substance mean the votes present in the ballot box. Your committee are of opinion that a vote is nothing more than the act of the voter to express his views. Worcester defines it as a voice of the people, showing that it is the voice or expression of those present, that is to govern; the ballot itself is not a voice. There are many legal decisions to be found under the election law of the United States and England, deciding that the word “vote” means a voter or the right of voting. Your committee are of opinion that the words “ majority of votes present ” mean a majority of votes cast by all the members present, and recommend that the said appeal be sustained.’' In the report of the D. D. G. M. for the Third District, we find the following paragraph in noticing Annapolis Royai Lodge, No. 83:— M The Lodge, I consider, lias good reason to complain of the conduct of a Lodge in Scotland. I think these are the facts: Two young men (of good social standing, and by no means needy in regard to money matters), shipped as common sailors, for the first time, from Annapolis for Scotland. They were not Masons. However, soon after returning, after an absence of three months, only one week of which time was spent ashore, they presented themselves to Annapolis Royal Lodge for examination.. They presented their G. L. certificates, passed and were admitted as visitors. They then stated that imme¬ diately after landing in Scotland they sent in their petitions to a Ma¬ sonic Lodge, were balloted for , Initiated , passed and raised all in one night , and for the enormous sum of eight dollars each. This, proba¬ bly will be brought further to your notice by the Lodge, having just reasons for complaining/’ They have a committee to collect old Masonic documents, who report as follows:— “ The committee, appointed to collect old Masonic Documents, beg leave to report that they have, since last session of Grand Lodge, col¬ lected quite a number of old documents relating to the early history t FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXXY of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia; some of them very valuable, amongst which may be enumerated the Minute Book of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, under English authority, from September, ^-784, to December, 1/95; which, with those previously reported upon by your committee, complete the Chain of Minutes of English Ma- sonry from 1 1 81 to the Union of the Craft in this Province in 1869. The Minute Book of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, under Scottish authority, contains, as your committee believe, all the records of Scottish Masonry in this Province, from the establishment of the Provincial Grand Lodge, up to the Union before referred to.” The following resolutions were adopted:— “ Resolved , That while this Grand Lodge recognizes the right of a Master of a Lodge to refuse a visiting brother admittance to his Lodge for good and sufficient reason, it is of opinion that, when such admis¬ sion is refused to a Mason in good standing, the reason for such re¬ fusal shall be furnished by the Master refusing said brother, and if he is not satisfied with such reasons the brother shall have the right to ' appeal to Grand Lodge, by whom the said shall be investigated.” 11 Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia hereby recognizes the newly organized Grand Lodges of Wyoming, Dakota, Prince Ed¬ ward Island and Manitoba, and cordially welcomes them into the great family of Grand Lodges.” “ Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia refuses to recog¬ nize the so-called ‘ Grand Lodge of Ontario,' and will not therefore hold any Masonic intercoui’se with it.” Bro. Fraser W. Dakin reports on correspondence in a very able manner. Canada for 1875 receives due notice. In bis conclusion, be says:— “In concluding this Report we beg to congratulate the Craft at large on the possession of an amount of talent which we believe would be looked for in vain among other and kindred institutions. That men possessing the Literary attainments which these reports evince, many of them engaged in the active pursuits of life, can be found willing to devote the time necessary to a thorough review of so many thousands of pages of closely printed matter, mainly for the delectation of their brethren, is a striking proof of the vitality of our time-honored insti¬ tution as well as of the indomitable zeal and sturdy pluck of its adherents.” M. W. Bro. J. Wimburn Laurie (Halifax), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. Benjamin Curren (Halifax), Grand Secretary. OHIO. Held at Columbus, October 7tb, 1876. M. W. Bro. Charles A. Woodward, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 466; represented, 438; receipts, $11,302.00. Annual Communication, 67th. The Grand Master reports peace and harmony prevailing throughout the jurisdiction, with the healthful and fruitful seasons. He opened two new Lodges, and thinks caution CXXXYI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. is necessary to ascertain that all new Lodges are likely to prove self-sustaining. We extract as follows:— 44 I have received numerous applications from Lodges for per¬ mission to ballot for and confer degrees upon candidates at times other than tiiose prescribed by the regulations. The candidates were all represented as being good-men and true, who, having received the first degree or the first and second, were about to remove out of the juris¬ diction. I would gladly have avoided acting contrary to the wishes of these brethren could I have done so without violating a law of the Grand Lodge. Rule 31 of the Code is imperative, and cannot be suspended or set aside without due process. “ I have received a number of communications asking for an ex¬ planation of the Rule adopted at our last session in relation to Mason¬ ic burials; also several communications containing substantially the following question: “ Is it competent for a Lodge to perform the Masonic funeral service at the burial of a member if the funeral service of any other secret Order or Society is performed at the same funeral?” One of the writers gave a statement of a real or supposed case as follows: 44 A Lodge had been assembled for the purpose of at¬ tending the funeral of a deceased member, and, on arriving at the late residence of the deceased brother, it was ascertained that another Society or Order was present, and requested to be assigned a place in the procession, and it was intimated that services would be held by the said Society or Order after the Masonic services had been conclud¬ ed.” The writer then asks the question: 44 What was the duty of the Master of the Lodge?” To these communications I replied that a Lodge assembled for the purpose of attending the funeral of a deceased brother performs the work for which it has been convened, and then returns to the Lodge room entirely unconcerned as to what other ceremonies may be sub¬ sequently performed by any other Society or Order, secret or other¬ wise. A communication was received in which the writer expressed him¬ self as inclining to the opinion that a brother can be tried and sub¬ jected to Masonic discipline only for a violation of some specific law, rule, or regulation of the Grand Lodge, or of the subordinate Lodge of which he is a member, and he asks the following question: 4 What have been the rulings of the Grand Lodge or of Grand Masters as to unmasonic conduct, or of what does unmasonic conduct consist, or what are the positive requirements of the above named authorities in relation to that subject.’ To this I replied that Masonry requires its votaries to be good men and true, and that any conduct unbecoming a good man and true Mason is unmasonic conduct. The celebrated “ colored question,” went off on a side issue; a point of order having been raised and decided to be well taken. A number of motions were made, to postpone, to refer, &c., and considerable discussion took place. The resolution proposed and the point of order taken were as follows:— “ Resolved , By the ‘ Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honor¬ able Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Ohio,’ that this Grand Body will recognize the so-called Grand Lodge of FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXXVII. Colored Free Masons of the State of Ohio as a legitimate and inde¬ pendent Grand Lodge, on condition that the so-called Colored Grand Lodge shall change its constitutional title, so that it shah read as foUows; TheAfrican Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Mason* of the btate of Ohio. And if the said so-called Colored Grand Lodge shall accept tins recognition and make the suggested change in its constitu- tional trfcle, uhen, and m that case, upon said action being reported to the M. W. Grand Master of this Grand Lodge, under the seal of said body, then the M. W. Grand Master is hereby authorized and in¬ structed to issue his proclamation to the subordinates to this Grand Lodge, and to the Grand Lodges throughout the world, with which we are in fraternal correspondence, recognizing the said so-called Colored Grand Lodge as an independent Grand Lodge in the State of Ohio under the title of ‘ The African Grand Lodge of Free and Ac¬ cepted Masons of the State of Ohio.'" Bro. TV. M. Cunningham, R. TV. Deputy Grand Master, thereupon filed, in writing, his point of order, as follows:— r “ An }' regulation affecting in any manner the status of the Grand .Lodge of Ohio, its absolute individuality, or its superiority within its own jurisdiction, must be construed as an amendment to Article XV of the Constitution, and must be treated in the same manner as any other amendment thereto.” (Mem. — Preamble of Constitution of Grand Lodge of Ohio : “ Whereas , 'every Grand Lodge possesses the inherent power to form a constitu¬ tion as the fundamental law of its Masonic action; and to enact such by-laws from time to time as it may deem necessary for its own gov¬ ernment; and to make such rules and prescribe such regulations for the administration of its subordinate Lodges as will insure the pros¬ perity thereof and promote the general good of Masonry; and, where¬ as, every Grand Lodge is the true representative of all the fraternity m communication therewith, and is in that behalf an absolute and independent body, with supreme legislative authority; provided , al¬ ways, that the ancient landmark of the Order be held" inviolate. “ Therefore, upon these principles, wdiich have never been disputed, The Grand Lodge of Ohio does hereby ordain, establish, and promul¬ gate the following Constitution and By-laws for its future govern¬ ment. and does make and prescribe the following Buies and Regula¬ tions for the government of the Lodges under its jurisdiction.” (Mem. — Article XV, of the Constitution of this Grand Lodge: “The Grand Lodge has original and exclusive jurisdiction over all subjects of Masonic legislation, and appellate jurisdiction from the decisions of the subordinate Lodges; and its enactments and decisions upon all questions shall be the supreme Masonic Law of the State. It shall prescribe such rules and regulations for the government of the Subor¬ dinate Lodges ijs will, in its arbitrament, conduce to the welfare, prosperity, and happiness of the Craft; and may require of these such dues and fees as will at all times discharge the engagements of the Grand Lodge.”) The Grand Master held the point of order not well taken. Bro. Cunningham then appealed from the decision of the Grand Master, to the Grand Lodge; and a call was made for a vote by Lodges, which resulted in the Grand Master s CXXXVIIL FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. not being sustained, by a vote of 329 to 389. Afterwards* we find the following action was had:— “ Bro. W. B. Sloan, J. W. of O. H. Perry Lodge, No. 341, Port Clinton, Ottawa County, presented the following preamble and reso¬ lution, which, failing to be seconded by the required majority of votes, can not be submitted to the several subordinate Lodges, as de¬ signed by the mover, for their approval or rejection. Whereas, the vote taken on the question of the point of order, that any regulation affecting in any manner the status of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, its absolute individuality, or its supremacy within its own jurisdiction, must be considered as an amendment of Article 15 of the Constitution, and must be treated in the same manner as any other amendment thereto, on which the Grand Master ruled 4 the point not well taken, as the Grand Lodge itself had decided the matter, and he, as the Grand Master, could not overule that decision.’ And, whereas, on an appeal from the decision of the Grand Master, a vote was taken, resulting in a failure to sustain the decision of the Grand Master by a vote (332 to 401), showing that the entire brother¬ hood are not agreed or satisfied; therefore, Be it resolved, That Section 15 of the Masonic Code be amended by adding thereto the following:— “ Provided, that the words 4 Exclusive jurisdiction over all subjects of Masonic legislation shall not be construed to prohibit this Grand Lodge from having the powers to recognize or delegate any authority, Lodges, or other Masonic Powers, as in its wisdom it may deem expedient.’ ” We may therefore deem this question settled, as far as Ohio is concerned, for another two years at all events. The Committee on Jurisprudence report on dimits, as un¬ der, and their report was agreed to:— 44 1. The Regulations of this Grand Lodge provide that membership in a Lodge is voluntary; hence, all dues being paid, and no charges pending, a dimit must issue. 2. It is unmasonic for any Lodge to make conditions for granting a dimit other than as provided by the By-laws of a subordinate Lodge, or the Rules and Regulations of this Grand Lodge, as, if a brother asking a dimit is believed to be dishonest, charges should be preferred against him, and if found guilty he should be punished therefor, whilst if the brother was found to be innocent a wrong would be inflicted upon him by withholding his dimit.” A proposal to increase the dues from twenty-five to thirty- five cents, was lost, and another to pay representatives no more mileage and per diem than their Lodges pay for dues to Grand Lodge, was indefinitely postponed. * All the elective Grand Officers were re-elected, and the others re-appointed. Bro. John D. Caldwell reports on correspondence, chiefly on the colored question and some historical researches. He- winds up with the following letter from Bro. Hughan:— FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXXXIX. “ To the Grand Lodge of Ohio: -Cear Brethren,—T he zealous chairman of your ‘ Foreign Com¬ munications Committee’ has so frequently and kindly noticed my yanous contributions toward a universal Masonic history in his valu¬ able and original reports, that I feel bound to fraternally respond to his call , and write a special Centennial letter to him and my warm taends in Ohio, and through them to the fifty Grand Lodges in the United States, whose prosperity is the delight of the Craft in Great Britain, and the joy in particular of the writer. The ‘ New Day and the New Duty,’ alluded to by our esteemed Bro. Caldwell, has spe¬ cial reference to the United States, and so does not suit my pen. The longer I live the more am I convinced that the Grand Lodge jurisdic¬ tion theory, mainly propounded by my American friends, is the ri«ht one. One Grand Lodge only for each State, country, or Dominion. 0 I am also convinced that so long as a candidate believes in God, and is a freeman, of mature age, sound judgment, and strict morals —these five con¬ ditions are the only desirable pre-requisites for proposition in a Masonic Lodge , all other questions with respect to color, physical qualifications, and - so on oeing left to the secret ballot for decision. Carry this law in Ameri¬ ca, and the Eastern and Western Hemispheres will join ‘ hand in hand in Masonic legislation, and the Centennial year will be the Ma- some year. TV lth respect 4 to the relation Masonry bears to the early Guilds of London , I have already, in connection with my brother, the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, traced the connection plainly, and so have several of your leading Masonic scholars—Dr. Albeit G. Mackay, General Al¬ bert Pike, and more recently George F. Fort. I have, however, re- cently been favored with transcripts by my friend Bro. Wm. Clarke, of Shepton Mallet, England, of several early allusions to Freemasonry o an important character, and which have hitherto been unnoticed by the Craft. They are of interest to Masonic students, and I have, therefore, decided to copy them for reproduction through the medium of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and I feel sure the time and trouble in- vol\ ed in tracing and authenticating such references by me will be well employed. With respect to early Freemasonry, you will be aware of the con¬ tents of that truly magnificent work, the “ Histoiy of the Lodge of Edinburgh,” from 1599, by my dear friend David Murray Lyon. It is quite clear that the evidence submitted by Bro. Lyon proves that Modern Freemasonry was introduced into Scotland bv Dr. Desaguliers in 1721. Before, however, the Past Grand Master was permitted to visit the Ancient Lodge of Edinburgh, he was examined and found to be 4 duly qualified in all points of Masonry ,’ so that whatever differences (or additions) there might have been between Modern and Ancient Freemasonry 7 , they were not sufficient to obliterate the original character of the society or prevent visitation. Many Lodges continued working in Scotland and in England for years after the Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717 (and the Grand Lodge of aU England at York, A.D. 1725, and the Grand Lodge of Scotland, 1736), which had been in existence prior to the advent of the first Grand Lodge in the world, and visitations between the old and new regime were not uncommon. At times an old operative Lodge accepted a warrant from a Grand Lodge; at other times some old. Lodges were allowed to retain their Ancient privileges to meet with¬ out warrants, so long as they gave in their adhesion to the new sys- X3XL. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. tern, and of this class many still exist in Scotland, notably the Lodge of Kilwinning, No. 0; the Lodge of Edinburgh, No. 1; the Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, No. 2 (an offshoot of Mother Lodge Kilwinning in 1677); the Sevon and Perth, No. 3; the Ancient Lodge at Aberdeen; St. John’s Lodge, Glasgow, No. 3; Canongate and Leith, No. 5; and the Journeyman Lodge, No. 8 (an offshoot of the Lodge of Edin¬ burgh in 1704), and others. Also, in England, the Lodge of Anti¬ quity, London, No. 2, and the Somerset House Lodge, No. 4. Others also in England have joined the Grand Lodge who date now from their warrants, but their real origin goes back long antecedent to that period. Some, like the old Lodge at Alnwick (whose history I have written from A. D. 1701, and which is to be found in the Voice of Masonry, Chicago, and the Freemason , London), never joined the Grand Lodge, and finally collapsed, while others accepted warrants and still exist, of which some of the following extracts furnish examples. Then again there is the history of the old lodge at York to be con¬ sidered, with records of MS. constitutions from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and which constituted itself a Grand Lodge in 1725, but died out about 1790, not before, however, forming other lodges in England (but nowhere else), which children, however, also expired during the last century, no representative now being alive. All these instances prove that Freemasonry was worked in lodges before the period of Grand Lodges; that they were mainly for operative purposes, though not alicays , for the Aberdeen Lodge in 1670 had more speculative or non-operative members than operatives , and an old lodge at Haughfoot, Scotland (extinct), was, so far as we know, not operative at all when there were no Grand Lodges and also afterward. The following extracts also serve to show the spread of Freemasonry through the medium of the Grand Lodge of England, which really gave the impetus to the progress of the Craft throughout the world, and the towns and cities mentioned generally saw the light of Modem Masonry for the first time as narrated: St. James Evening Post , September 7,1731*. ‘We hear from Paris that a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was lately held there at Her Grace the Duchess of Portsmouth’s house, where His Grace the Duke of Richmond, assisted by another English nobleman of distinction there, President Montesquieu, Brigadier Churchill, Ed. Yonge, Esq., Registrar of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and Walter Strick¬ land, Esq., admitted several persons of distinction into that most An¬ cient and Honorable Society.'' September 20 , 1735 . 4 They write from Paris that His Grace the Duke of Richmond and the Rev. Dr. Desaguliers, formerly Grand Master of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, and now authorized by the present Grand Master (under his hand and seal and the seal of the Order), having called a lodge at the Hotel Bussy, in the Rue Bussy, His Excellency the Earl of Waldgrave, His Majesty’s ambassador to the French King, the Right Honorable the President Montesquion, the Marquis de Lomurea, Lord Dursley, son to the Earl of Berkley, the Hon. Mr. Fitz-Williams, Messieurs Knight, father and son, Dr. Hickman, and several other persons, both French and English, were present, and the following noblemen and gentlemen were admitted to the Order; namely. His Grace the Duke of Kingston, the Honorable the Count de St. Florentin, Secretary of State to His Most Christian Majesty, the Right Honorable the Lord FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXLI. Chewton, son to Earl Waldegrave, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Armiger, Mr. Colton, and Mr. Clement, after which the new brethren <*ave a hand¬ some entertainment to all the company.’ The origin of Freemasonry in France has yet to be written. The statements current for years that a lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge were started in Paris under authority of the Grand Lodge of England requires to be authenticated, and so far we have evidence only of the constitution of a lodge in that city, noted in the foregoing, which, ac¬ cording to the constitution of 1738, occurred under the Grand Master- ship of \ iscount Montagu. The list of lodges by Pine, published A. D. 1734, states that the lodge held at 44 au Louis d’Argent, dans la Rue de Boucherie a Paris” was warranted 3rd April, 1732. This is the earli¬ est lodge that is mentioned in any authorized publication of the Grand Lodge of England. In the list of 4 Deputations beyond the Seay in¬ serted in the Constitutions 1738, prior to the Parisian Lodge, we find the following: Gibralter, 1726-7; Madrid , 1727-8; East Indies , 1728-9 * Lower Saxony and New Jersey, America, 1729-30; The Hague and Russia, 1/32. Doubtless, Freemasonry in France will yet receive the attention it deserves, and as a contribution toward the accumulation of historical facts we continue the extracts from old newspapers. May 12, 1,3/ . 4 By a private letter from Paris w T e are assured that the Order of Freemasons, established long since in England, has be¬ come lately so much in vogue in Paris, there being great striving to be admitted even at the expense of ten Louis d’ors. Eighteen or tw T entv persons of distinction have lately been created Masons, amongst whom was the Marshal D Estrees, and five lodges are already established, which makes so great a noise and gives so much offense to people igno¬ rant of their mysteries, that't is expected they will shortlv be sup¬ pressed as they have been in Holland.’ In the next issue of the Post the following brief announcement is made, 4 The King forbids the lodges ,’ and of date April 26, 1737, it is noted that * there are spread about at Paris copies of an apologizing letter wrote by a Freemason. He says amongst other particulars ‘ that the things imputed to the disadvantage of the Brotherhood obliges him publicly to undertake the defense. That the views the Freema¬ sons propose to themselves are the most pure and inoffensive, and tend only to promote such qualities in them as may form good citizens and zealous subjects, faithful to their prince, to their country, and their friends. . . . That the name of Freemason is far from being an insignificant title; that the duty it prescribes to those who bear it is to endeavor to erect temples for virtue and dungeons for vice/ He adda that 4 he is by no means afraid of violating the secret inrposed on him in publishing that their principal design is to restore to the earth the reign of Astrea and to revive the Time of Rhea/ He assures 4 the fair that the wiiole Brotherhood is full of respect and veneration for them, but that these sentiments are not exempt from fear, and that even this same fear obliges the Freemasons to exclude their sex from their assemblies.’ He concludes in this manner: ‘This exclusion ought by no means to provoke the indignation of those w r ho are the objects of it. To prevent such an effect, they need only recollect from wdiorn Adam received the apple. Sad present! Since, had it not been for that fatal apple, Adam would have remained the first Freemason/ ’ A collection of the various attacks on Freemasonry at home and abroad, from 1720 to 1750, would prove especially interesting, but can not now’ be made excepting in parts, for many have doubtless long ceased to exist, pamphlet literature being generally of very short dura- CXLIL FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. tion. Many of the early ‘exposures' and manuals published in France and Germany early last century furnish information on many points of value, and especially as to the general work in the lodges, and the absence of all degrees but the three first. Then, as time rolls on, other degrees are gradually added, and the character of the Third is vastly altered. But, to continue the extracts, we furnish a few more foreign clippings. September 13, 1737. Versailles. —‘The Lieutenant-General of the Police at Paris has published an order against the assembly of all un¬ authorized societies, and laid a fine upon the master of an ordinary for suffering a lodge of Freemasons to be held at his house.’ In the so-called ‘ Secrets of Masonry, by S. P.,’ London, 1737, is print¬ ed the ‘Paris letter of January 13, 1737,’ which purports to be ‘the secret of the Order of Freemasons and the ceremonies observed at the reception of members,’ and which is reprinted in the St. James Evening Post , with the date from Paris of January 2, 1738, O. S. Many of the particulars afforded are most ludicrous, and doubtless intended to amuse the bretln’en as well as the public. There is an evident inten¬ tion on the part of the author to do justice to the Fraternity; for he makes the orator say to the candidates: ‘ You are going to embrace a respectable Order, which is more serious than you imagine.* There is nothing in it against the law, against religion, against the State, against the king, nor against manners. The Venerable Grand Master will let you know the rest.” The editor states that the foregoing and other particulars are taken from the Utrecht Gazette , and if the expose be con¬ tinued his correspondent promises not to fail in communicating all to the public. It is substantially the same as the Paris letter, and reads like a copy, which it doubtless is. There **re other references to Continental Freemasonry in these 4 Posts' Holland , November J, 1784 . ‘ Besides the lodge of English Freema¬ sons at Rotterdam, another is erected at The Hague, depending on the Grand Lodge here (London), where six members were admitted on the 19th inst., N. S.’ November 6,1785. They write from The Hague ‘that on Monday, 24th October, N. S., there was opened a Dutch lodge, at the new Doole, of the Noble and Ancient Order of Freemasons, with all the order, regu¬ larity, and magnificence due to that Illustrious Society. The solem¬ nity was honored by the presence of their Grand Master, William Cornelius Rudemaker, Treasurer to His Highness the Prince of Orange, etc.’ Then again, Lisbon , of date June 3, 1736. They write from Lisbon k that by authority of the Right Honorable the Earl of Weymouth, the then Grand Master of all Masons’ lodges, Mr. George Gordon, Mathe¬ matician, has constituted a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in that city; and that a great many merchants of the Factory and other people of distinction have been received and regularly made Freema¬ sons. That Lord George Graham, Lord Forrester, and a great many gentlemen belonging to the English fleet, being brethren, were present at constituting the lodge, and it is expected that in a short time it will be one of the greatest abroad.’ Florence , Leghorn , Smyrna , Aleppo. Letter from Florence , dated May ^ f u 1 / 88. ‘ The Freemasons’ lodges, which had been interdicted here as n^t t eY i rth e eleUeiT Planati0n * * “^date, if all the preliminaries took place FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXLIH. q. R V 7 7? oluu a-ppears as uo. under the Earl ot Strathmore a deputation was granted ‘ to eleven German <»entle- There must have been many more lodges constituted than appears on the regular list of lodges to account for the rapid increase of Free¬ masonry throughout the habitable globe, and we know that in several instances lodges were constituted whose names have not been found on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England in early days. In many cases Provincial Grand Masters issued Warrants without the signa¬ tures of any of the Grand Lodge officers, and were allowed to do° so not only in England, but also abroad. Apparently at times the Pro- vincial Grand Masters neglected to report such constitutions, for which reason at the present time we are in ignorance as to what lodges (if any) were formed in New Jersey and New York by virtue of n Xe ® Deputation, though we know one was instituted at Philadel¬ phia (if not more) in 1730. We might multiply instances of this kind, but forbear; for year by year we are all accumulating facts instead of theories, and ere long shall know more as to Freemasonry during the last century. The next cutting from the Post is amusing, and 1 might be true: Pome , June 27, 1738. 4 We learn by private letters from Rome that the Pope, upon his having a sum of money collected from the several lodges of Masons in London to be disposed of in his way , has issued orders to have his Hull recalled, and has sent several inessen- gers to prevent its appearing before the Grand Duke . It is further said that he and several of the Cardinals have been proposed in different lodges in Lurope, according to their Jesuitical desire, and are in a manner accepted of—so that it is not doubted that he will soon issue an order to excommunicate those who are not of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons.’ Not a bad reply to the Pope’s harmless Bulls! Often the childish attempts of modem Popes to extinguish Freemasonry have proved more damaging to Roman Catholicism than have “ Bulls in a china- shop” to the preservation of the potter’s art.” The initiation of His Royal Highness Francis, Duke of Lorraine (afterward Grand Duke of Tuscany, etc.), gave an impetus to the Craft which no Pope could smother, and especially when we remem¬ ber that distinguished initiate was accepted by a special deputation from the Grand Lodge of England, of -whom Past Grand Master Dr. Desaguliers was the chief. Much information as to the progress of the Craft in Europe is to be CXLIV. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. found in that excellent work, the 4 History of Freemasonry,’ by our good Bro. Findel; a work of great research, and invaluable to the Ma¬ sonic student, especially for Continental Masonry. Students will do well also to consult Dr. Mackay’s magnificent Encyclopedia of Free¬ masonry. The last extract is from Jleiv England , the Post being dated August 20th, 1737. Boston , June 27th. ‘Friday last being the Feast of St. John the Baptist, the annual meeting of the Free and Accepted Masons, they accordingly met. The Right Worshipful Mr. Robert Thomlinson, Grand Master, nominated and appointed his Grand Officers for the year next ensuing, viz: Mr. Hugh M’Daniel, Deputy Grand Master; Mr. Thomas Moffat (Doctor of Medicine), Senior Grand Warden; Mr* John Osborne, Junior Grand Warden; Mr. Benjamin Hallowell, Grand Treasurer; Mr. Francis Betellie, Grand Secretary. After which the Society attended the Grand Master in procession to His Excellency Governor Belcher’s, and from thence the Governor was attended by the Grand Master and the Brotherhood to the Royal Exchange Tavern in King Street, where they had an elegant entertainment. It being the first procession in America , they appeared in the proper badges of their Order , some gold and some silver. The procession was closed by the Grand Master.’ This extract will doubtless prove interesting to my friends in Mas¬ sachusetts, as I believe the Minutes of the old Lodge at Boston, start¬ ed A. D. 1733, say but little of this period. The report states that the procession mentioned was the fiust of its. kind in America; so that if such a statement be correct the city of Boston will have started the first American Masonic procession, though it did not contain the first regular American Lodge. It is not a matter of much moment either way, but the origin of Masonry in America is a matter of consequence, and its decision worth much study and research. Bro. M’Callen, in the Keystone , has discoursed on this subject w’itli much ability, and brought to modern light several old documents. I have been successful in another department of the same subject, and proved that a regular Lodge, under the wing of the Grand Lodge of England, was held in Philadelphia, A. D. 1730, and I have also been pleased to trace the Lodge at Boston in the authorized list of Lodges for A. D. 1734. Much still remains to be done, and more than can possibly be ac¬ complished from the present sparse materials, but it may now be safely assumed that Freemasonry was introduced into America during either the years 1729 or 1730, and that most likely under the Grand Mastership of Coxe, and also directly by the Grand Lodge of England. I shall now come nearer home in my communication, and present sketches of the constitution of Lodges over this countrv, in evidence of the spread of Freemasonry, through the agency of the Grand Lodge of England, and that what is known as the “modern &iistem?' is due to that body. Not that ancient Freemasonry was “snuffed out” by the formidable rival , for two of the Lodges which worked in this country prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge still exist, and are in a flourishing con¬ dition; but the ancient, simple, and unpretentious mode of reception was incorporated with the new order of things, and the Society be¬ came wholly speculative by degrees. foreign correspondence. CXLW Many of the following notices of old r me. and doubtless to the Craft «ener2lv ^th ?!? mg8 are uew ' to- terest for English Brethren as”wellJ aI? th *? P ° ssess an in ‘ hoped their perusal will not only please‘bSt7nIn' HenCe lt is to be to hunt up old Lodge archives and SU-T i? duce “any Craftsmen documents. ° ’ aUd dlsmter other and more valuable . Barnes Evening Post, February lo 1777 ip,, yr j mterred at Allhallows, London Wall the mmo t ^r ,D< ^S V m &bt was mason, belonging to the Lod<*e at tlie Ant™? 86 °m EUis > a Free- Royal Exchange. The whole Society att^S^ vTT.' behind the entertaining sight. Tie like lmWbee„ “eSLed S • «■» Considerable latitude appears to bav-^ iL .V 1 ™ r twenty years/ ancient times in attending P ?imeill procetSn t0 ? e in were generally made use of to exhibit the eWn J^ SUC , h occasi ons position of the Fraternity in the neighborhood a “ d num erical r « funerals, to make a display the period of moirnineT'Sf/’'' ,or ° f *» time. We hope that ere long processions ofTnx-%* ^ most ^suitable. Freemasonry, will be things of tlie past un w'f’ “ CODUectiou with able object. 1 - unlesb for some great charit- mg spoken freely about by friends and foes Tn Soci f et - v waa be- 173/, occurs an advertisement of the Frlimn J*‘V 0 ?' for May 13, m which the contents are made known in fSTand C j° m P an *°*r Masonry made knoicn to all men bn S P " ti * Fhe secrets of eeedingly scarce now, andthe foit n* 6 * Wobooks ®ei- Masonic bibliographers The latter «-a es b e< “ lP ' > J s of value to all one of the scarce!*rf the^^iou^tTon/o^ 1 ^ 1>ricl,aid ’ aud * copy is in the magnificent Masonic lit viJ? J tbat erratic book. A Robert Tanner Bower, of Keokuk, Iowa. " ° my fnend and brother, Righ^Honm^djle'the^Ma'rquds' of Ca^on^Gr „ W' Ue8day the «t hi, house, the New Ertehange P, '£ r*'" 1 ',* a? was •” 4 “« r-P .--to. our bly the first of these two. The places of , *V vas P r °ba- or hotels, sometimes changed several times in f ’ When he,d ht “ns names of such public places of resort are of i tY aiid 80 tb e Lodges; and unfortunately, in earlv days tho T i Use ni trac ing old languished by permanent names as'now. The Marouis o'/ f lareI ‘ V dls ' was installed Gran d Master at Fishmongers Halh April 27™« | Date of Constitution, 16 May 173b ,k ’ 1(1 G don 3 Punch-house in the Strand Lodged EnSd^ n em\\^Klv h d e avi d ° th , er places iu "««* the Grand ►,K’ifrwJS’wsssS •CXLVI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. after the customary “ Procession of march, with the band of mudck. In the St James' Evening Post occur several most interesting and curious notices of Provincial Masonic meetings. We reproduce a few, as their preservation, as well as circulation, for the information of Ma¬ sonic students, is most desirable. Doubtless also my friends will re¬ print this article for tlntf purpose, and thus increase its circle of ^aSun/, September 1 , 1733. * We hear from Salisbury that last week there was held a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at Mr. Edward’s Randall's at the sign of the ' Three Lions and Greyhound, in the same city, at which were present His Grace the Duke of Rich¬ mond, one of the late Grand Masters of that ancient and honorable society, and Stet Fox, Esq., M. P. for Sliaston; and we hear that a Lodge will be held /it the same house the first and last \N ednesday of each, month.’ , There was a Lodge constituted at k Salisbury at the ham. ^/tli -LJ6- cernber, 1732, and meet first and third Wednesday" (constitutions 1738) After surviving the effects of many changes in that ancient city, the lodge finally collapsed in 1801, at No. 34, having been erased for “not conforming to the laws of the society. A strange fatality appears to have affected the lodges warranted in 1732, for the one at Salisbury was the last of that year. To this day there are several on the roll of the preceding and succeeding years. Gloucester (St. James' Evening Post), Slag IS, 1738. “ Lodge consti¬ tuted at the Wheatslieaf, at Gloster, by virtue of certain powers of the Earl of Damley.” _ „ Halifax, May 22, 1738. “ Lodge constituted at the Talbot. These two notices, brief as they are, serve to announce the advent of two old lodges. The warrant of the former was dated 28th March, 1738.. It had not a long existence. At Halifax the lodge was warranted or constituted on the 1st August. 1738. At the “ Union of 1813," the number was changed from 61 to 84, in 1832 to 73, and in 1863 its present number was fixed at 61. The name of the lodge is the Probity, and it is held at the Freemasons’ Hall, Halifax having been held for a period of one hundred and thirty-eight years in the same town for which the warrant was originally granted. Bath, October 30, 1738. The Prince of Wales being at Bath for the henefit of his health. “ an extraordinary lodge was held at the ‘ Bear ’ Tavern, at which were present Earl Damley, late G. M.; .John W aid. Esq., D. G. M.; Sir Edward Mansell, Bart.. Dr. Desaguliers, and other brethren, in honor of the day, and in respect to his Royal Highness, who is a brother. Note.— The day was the king’s birthday.” A warrant was granted for a lodge at Bath. A. D., 1733, and it has been regularly worked in that city from that time to the present. It is called the “ Royal Cumberland," and meets at the Masonic Hall, old Orchard Street. Its history has been well written by one of its esteemed Past Masters, Brother Ashley; and a curious and interesting account has been woven by that experienced craftsman, particulars of which I gave in the Coice of Masonry, a magazine well-known in the United States. The initiation of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, is thus described in the Book of Constitutions, and is of special interest at the present time, when three members of the royal family of England are enrolled as brethren. “ An occasional lodge was held at the Prince of Wales Palace of Kew, near Richmond. . . . The Rev. Dr. Desa- <;uilkks (formerly Grand Master), MASTER of this Lodge. . . . FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXLVII. .f * «»»*»i since, botli in thp Cnnri r 1 i .° ai11 * 01 ^kat purpose; and ever joyfully reuSmbeSd Rov\f u “ particular the Fraternity manner-’^Pagels?.) Highness and his , 0 „ in the proper ^SSfy^Sk SfW^p^Tnteh d° ° f ?5 ^ St saat^it:«r &3S-. D s :r,.sfTe * ** oo^rrstj assistance hath called upon all the enriMi^ ttf 8 "'°meu to their £%$rr* “ either b >' «* »ite. the wo.d’d-bl^STrX ‘ aafs&iafsss; sas,. . T , h f foregoing is said, by the St. James' Evening Post, to be an ‘ «. particularly described by a Freemason.’ (Small 8vo. Tl ppj “ 4 11 have their Masons—Free Which help to form society; By signs and Marks thev*ll know each other In num rous crow ds spy out a brother." * This wonderful publication, now lodged in Bro. Bower's m-and ™l lection, was soon followed by numerous other extraordb,!^ h^?' and pamphlets, full of the secrets of the Freemasons. The Grand. Vys Pry Discovered was issued in 1724, though what was discovered has not Tf* a T?? : and a few >’ eurs later the impostor Prichard, a reject¬ ed candidate, came on the stage and amused the public for some years; and when his wares ceased to take with the fickle multitude various hashes were re-dished and furnished to the indiscriminate’ and so down to the year 1876. There have always been peoplTfoS of being made the dupes of designing and unscrupulous persons. Edinburgh (July 15, 1738, St. James' Evening Post). ‘Jab, nth Tuesday last the Society of Masons had a Lodge here, and it' seems the} were very early m their reprisals against the Roman Pontiff in nin m nSnn; XC r nUl atmg ° ld Father ’ thou 8 h « of the frater- o!S P^P 0 ®^ a suspenmon of any such hostilities, till at last it should appear that the late Bill was Billa viva This is doubtless an allusion to the Bull issued April 28 1718 which was the first of its kind launched against modern Freemasonry’ Bro. Findel considers that on’ ^ et ifc can be proved thabeven m London and neighborhood there were operative Lodges which took "P!i? ““ ; Ke "T‘*V “<* » BedfU wMch SqSy i cepted WaaTants; and some Lodges in the country, like the old Atelier T, lck ’ ne 7f r J° med in the new movement, while others, like the one at Newcastle, gave in their adhesion to the vigorous and prosper- was aSt g n '^ ther ° ld L ° d ^ e Whicb i° in ® d the Grand Lodge M^o ti on ^“ all - v working at SwallweU, near Gateshead, a suburb of Newcastle-on-Tyne. The tradition is that the Lodge was founded by the operative Masons brought from the South of England by Sir An? ton!lbo r ut W A y b W ?6?0 e8tablished his celebra ted foundry at Winlan- fVi J b fi e old ® st Mmutes are written in sheets, bound up with a copy of , ° f Constitutions (1723), and many are exceedingly fhfj, ’ , th ° Ugh n ? fc of a oy antiquity, none dating beyond 1725; but then value consists in their operative character and being evident- 1} based upon older documents. Swallwell. (St. James' Evening Post.) June 20, 1735. ‘How Ma- sonry flourishes in the North of England may be seen by the follow- mg account: Yesterday being the Festival of St. John the Baptist, the r reemasons, according to annual custom, met at the house of Mr. at the sign of • The Two Fencing-masters,' and were constituted into a regular Lodge, according to the London Constitu- ons. • ai ly in the morning the Brethren prepared every thing for the reception of the Grand Officers, and conducted them from the bqnare to the Lodge room m very decent order, where, after the Grand Master had read Ins Deputation, and the whole Brotherhood present had promised their constant and hearty obedience to him and his Grand Officers, and steady adherence to the Charges and Regulations or the Supreme Grand Lodge of London, he proceeded to constitute them, which ceremony, to the high honor of the Grand Lodge, was performed with all the exactness imaginable. After constitution, they ail set out in grand procession through the town in manner fol¬ lowing, etc., . . . ‘Mr. Jos. Laycock being Provincial Grand Master of the Bishopric of Durham/ Joseph Laycock was appointed Provincial Grand Master of Durham under the Grand Mastership of Earl of Crawford (1734-5). The first Provincial Grand Master was appointed, 1727, to represent the Grand Master in Wales. The year 172G has generally been fixed for this ap- pointment, and doubtless because in Entick's ‘Constitutions’ that year is recorded above the first Provincial Grand Master, but the exact dates -are given of the two brethren who first held that distinction in the ‘Constitutions’ of 1738—viz: 10th May and 24th June, 1727—for North ^and South Wales, respectively. Similar Deputations for abroad were granted to Captain Ralph Far Winter, for East India, in 1729-30; to CL. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Daniel Cox, for New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; and to Monsieur Du Thom, for Lower Saxony. Then follow other appoint¬ ments for Russia, Spain, France, Portugal, Africa, Switzerland, Up¬ per Saxony, etc., all illustrative of the spread of Freemasonry through the medium of the Grand Lodge of England. The Lodge— an operative Lodge —which accepted a Warrant from the Grand Lodge, and was constituted according to the foregoing re¬ port, appears to have quite ignored the Grand Lodge of all England, which was working at the City of York, which as a Grand Lodge was formed A. D. 1725, but as an independent Lodge had been actively engaged in Masonic labor many years prior to the 4 Revival .’ For some reason the York authority was but little patronized by the old Lodges in the North of England. Likely enough the latter were jealous of the prominent position assumed by the York Lodge, and considered they had as good a right to call their meetings the assemblies of a Grand Lodge. All true enough . No doubt either might have resolved itself into a Grand Lodge, according to the London pattern, as the York Lodge did, and later on the Mother Lodge intervening did; but, as these Northern lodges did not , they could not well avoid being ab¬ sorbed in the York Grand Lodge, or the more successful London rival. Some, like the old lodge at Alnwick , never gave in their adhesion, and finally collapsed. The history of the lodge at Gateshead (or Swallwell) has lately been written in the Masonic Magazine, by the able Masonic student, the Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, M. A. The lodge, however, has no Minutes beyond last century. April 19, 1735 . On Thursday last, Procession of Freemasons from Grosvenor Square to Mercer’s Hall, headed by 4 1 kettle-drum, 4 trum¬ pets, 2 French horns, 2 hautboys, 2 basoons, all on white horses. The musick had all leather aprons and white gloves. Afterwards (3 coaches with the 12 stewards, followed by an infinite number of gentlemen’s coaches, etc. Lord Viscount Weymouth, Grand Master, and Grand Wardens, closing the procession.’ These Grand Lodge processions have been entirely abolished for many years, either with the accompaniments of kettle-drums or with¬ out. It is generally felt that the Masonic Society is pre-eminently a private one, and all needless exposure of the paraphernalia of the Order is indiscreet. * I also inclose a former article of mine on the early meetings of lodges in the Masonic Magazine, to complete the series:— EARLY MEETINGS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND. 4 Students of Masonic history will be aware that but little is known about the institution of the Grand Lodge of England in 1716-7, and for that little we are mainly indebted to the Rev. James Anderson y Eh There are, however, other indications of the importance and position of Freemasonry in the early part of last century than those furnished in our Books of Constitutions— historical introductions —from A. D. 1723. One important work especially, written in 1721, and printed in 1722, dedicated to the Grand Master of the Freemasons of Great Britain and Ireland (there being but one Grand Master at that period, namely, in England), and containing many curious allusions to the Fraternity, has not yet been fully considered as it deserves, and it is our intention to treat of it shortly. 4 Because, however, we obtain our knowledge of the Grand Lodge aud its meetings from the source indicated— Book of Constitutions— FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLI Xta* JEE ‘^ gh ‘ ?*, to ,,0,lb ‘ »>“»"* ite ve '- v »"«' **** JSSL^f 1 and hence any other evidence of its condition be- comes % aluable and should be carefuUy noted. Our good Bro. Clarke kin^K Pt01 V MaUet ' i ha '7 ng co P ,es of t] *e Whitehall Evening Post , lias “ ll whic " *“ StMIbSf Pmt ' J)ecember 28 ( o 1788), ‘ Friday last being timers-W»i? wi here i WH Y ^ eat a PP earaDce of Freemasons at Sta bv h zi re % hand ? om ® ^tertainment was provided for them 1 stewards chosen for that purpose, after which the following th ^ S r° year ’ viz " the Rt - Honorable the L.ord t oleraine, Nathaniel Blackesby, Esq.. Deputy Grand Master in Esq '’i and Sir James Thornhill and Mar. and S^Toseph r °°“ of the ““ Mr - B “«by Ar *’j! s 1 remarkable that there were present the blaster of the Lodge at theil^hi 1 S Sp ^ m \v T 1 t ie l Vardens belonging to the Lodge of Carmar¬ then m South \\ ales, and a commission was signed by the Grand Master to constitute a lodge in the East Indies. . VA ud a * tbe same t!me the Grand Master and Wardens, and most of the gentlemen present took tickets to appear in white gloves at the TV p r ^ I TT 5 ' a1, m Dru T y Eane ’ as last night, where the play of Henry TV. Fart n. was acted for their entertainment, and a Prologue and society 0 ’ 6 WM Sp ° ken ' suitable to tb e occasion, and in honor of that ‘ Iliis was a very long report for the Post, the paragraphs generally only averaging four or five lines, and is an indirect proof, with others we might mention, of the wonderful prosperity of the Grand Lodge at that time though only some eleven years from its constitution. The fact indeed points to the great probability that the Grand Lodge is an outgrowth of numerous lodges, and many members scattered over the country, m addition to the four old lodges, and the brethren who c irectly instituted it—lodges which were content to accept warrants om the new Grand Lodge, though previously working according to ancient usage. & ‘In the Constitutions of 1738 is the following account of the meet¬ ing, not quite in agreement with the foregoing, and a much shorter nan ati\ e of the business. The editions since simply perpetuate the same meagre extract:— J L 1 ‘‘ A * sembl y a nd Feast at Mercer’s Hall on St. Jolin’s Day, Friday, -ith December, 1728. D. Grand Master Choke with his Wardens, several noble brothers former Grand officers, and many brethren, duly clothed, attended the Grand Master Elect, in coaches from his Lord- ship s House, in Leicester Square, to the hall Eastward; and all things being regularly transacted as above, D. G. M. Choke proclaimed aloud our noble Brother. ^ J am es King, Lord \ iscount Kingston, Grand Master of Masons! who appointed Nathaniel Blakesbv, Esq., D. G. Master. 4 4 Sir James Thornhill, | ~ , T „ , ‘ ‘Mr. Martin O’Conner, j >*ordeiu *. 4 ‘and the Secretary was continued/ ’ ‘ Iu tlje Post, for November *21-23, 1732, is the following.— tu night a Quarterly Com-was held at the Devil Tavern, in licet Street, etc., present Rt. Hon. Lord Inchiquin, Rt. Hon. Earl Sutherland, Pro. Grand Master, Ireland, dc., d:c. Between £40 and £50 was brought in for charity from different Lodges/ -CLII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. * The account in Constitutions, 1738, and others read thus: ‘Grand Lodge in due form at the Devil ’foresaid, on Tuesday, 21st November, 1732, with Lord Coleraine, Lord Southwell, and other former G. Officers and those 49 Lodges.’ 1 -The amount contributed for charity was surely large for the period, and proves that our predecessors forgot not to cherish that ‘distinguish¬ ing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart.’ ‘ From the Post, December 7tli to the 9th, 1732, Bro. Clarke has ex¬ tracted the following:— 1 here was a Grand Committee of the Free and Accepted IVlasons fioni several Lodges met at the Horn Tavern, in Palace-yard, to consider of proper measures for raising by subscription, a‘sum of money for the relief of their poor Brethren throughout England and Ireland.' It is important to note that the historians of the Grand Lodge of England are silent as to this meeting, and doubtless at that time were not anxious for the poverty of many of their members being published to the world. ‘ This paragraph preserves the account of the first meeting of the Grand Lodge of England to provide for a systematic benevolent scheme, and was. in all probability, the beginning, in a humble way, of our present Grand Lodge of Benevolence. But let us also note the fact that the revival, as it is called, of the .Society only occurred some fifteen years before this meeting, and yet funds were being accumulated to relieve distressed brethren, and the casual sums previously obtained—even as much as upward of £40 at a meeting—were insufficient for the purpose. ‘ Surely all this points to the fact that there were more Masons in existence than those initiated since 1717, and that in all probability it was the operative portion of the Fraternity who required assistance. ‘ At the period in question, a great many noblemen belonged to the Order, and it is not likely that a society of ‘ yesterday’would have secured their patronage to the extent that Freemasonry did, neither is it probable that the class of their members was such as to want pecuniary aid; so that we may relieve in distress as formerly, because of the great accession of gentlemen who did not want such sums, were feeling the need of their old system being restored, under the Grand Lodge, determined to make strenuous efforts to help them. ‘ From St. James' Evening Post , 1733, is extracted as follows:— • ‘On Monday next, at eight in the morning, the Society of “Honor- ary Freemasons will proceed from Whitehall in several barges to Richmond, with a grand concert of music, and return to Fulham, wlieie an elegant entertainment will be provided for them.’ At the Grand Lodge held March 30, 1734, the same paper states, ‘1 hey also appointed Rev. Mr. Orator Henley for their Chaplain for tlie ensuing year, and that John Ward, Esq., appointed Senior Grand Warden, ‘was M. P. for Newcastle under Lyne.’ ‘ We look in vain for any report of the appointment of Bro. Henley m any of the Books of Constitution, but there is no reason to doubt the fact of such an office being then customary, though no wal'd is said about such office (Grand Chaplain) until many years subse¬ quently, when the unfortunate Rev. William Dodd. D.‘D., was ap¬ pointed. F ‘ The Rev. Bro. Henley signalized his appointment by the following advertisement in St. James Evening Post , June 23 , 1733:_ B\ command of the Rt. Hon. and Rt. Worshipful the Grand l FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLIII. 5 S: A r pM tertamment of the Brethren at tb n™! + , Hal1, aud for the e n- Inn Fields, near Clare Market, on Thisdav nex^Zf^-t^- 11 ? 111 ! 8 June, at 6 in the evening, will be deliveredL^Pnl’JS h lns ‘ ant > masonry, the first oration on that subject. g Um Upon Free ' • m*; * ' ' ^ ^ be Feast the Brethren were desired w f v>„ r\ Officers to come clothed to this oratinn t+ ^iif red , y t5ie Grand per habiliment. oration. It will be spoken in the pro- Two^mngs the SeatS t0 aU PerS ° nS wllatsoev ’er, Masons or others- ?srsssar - houId much G r isxssr- ^ u,e Gr “ d Beheve me, a faithful Brother of the Craft, Truro, England, 1876. William James Hughan. UJttJL, al Communica-’ tVl J be GranC * 1 I Iaster °P eus nia address with a reference to I y f 1 “P° rtant e r>t »f Uve Ee-union of the Grand G S I 0 fd° r TS S 4 , Washington, and their visit to the vust 187? g V British Columbia, which took place in An- cran'd time l!l“ r‘ tLa Vappears, they must have had a as follow™ — H reference t0 tbls oujojable event concludes Tr ,‘‘ 0n *hia trip several feats in traveling were accomplished wl> iel, who a ^ ain |°° n and are worthy of mention. The Brethren %£}Z\?n l P ° mtS UOrth v° f that on the railroad on he S=5 S «J2£t5$£ hSmlred m,w k ? r , 0llnd tnp uone of us traveled less than five i l ’ a “ d ou bls return to Jacksonville, Bro. C. C. Beckman >uld have traveled over one thousand miles. Bi^tlmen^wii 6 - ^ Say ^ ^> h ° m we were best treated; bv our be inS^ Tl! ° r ° f British Columbia - Distinction would f ,°Vi U The ) vbole was a grand affair, and years will not efface on ie memory of the Brethren who accompanied us the regal and we v C isited! anner 1DWhich We Were received aud treated’at everyplace lie reports two new Lodges; also the appointment of R. Un J f^ rt i CUl S r8 * of t ? is eccent ric divine are afforded in a racy article in the Voir* of Masonry, for September, 1875, to which we direct our readers. * ° f U CLIV. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. W. Bro. C. D. Macdonald as their Representative near Can* ada; also the saie by auction of lands belonging to Grand Lodge for $5,100. He advocates the following rather start¬ ling change in the method of balloting. We were going to call it a novelty, but he is probably right in terming it a return to the ancient custom—so ancient and so long buried that we think it would be a great pity to have it now resur¬ rected:— “ I would recommend the adoption by this Grand Lodge of the fol¬ lowing Standing Resolution, believing it to be true Masonry, and that it will be for the best interests of the Craft: ‘ Resolved, That all Master Masons in good standing, members of Subordinate Lodges of this jurisdiction, shall have the right, when present, to ballot upon the petition of any person for the degrees of Masonry in any Lodge in this jurisdiction.’ This may at first seem to you like a new departure, but I assure you it is not, it is ancient Craft Masonry, and I firmly believe that it will be the means of working great good to the Craft in this jurisdic¬ tion. It will save the Brother of any other Lodge who may be present when the ballot is spread, from making public his objections, winch generally causes more or less evil find ill-feeling. All Masonic author¬ ities agree upon this one point, ‘that when we make a profane a Mason, that it does not make him a member of the Lodge in which he receives the degrees: that he is a Mason at large and can elect to what particular Lodge he will belong, the members thereof not object¬ ing.’ Now, if we make the candidate a Mason at large, that is to say a member of the great Masonic Brotherhood, why should every mem¬ ber of that great Brotherhood not have the privilege of saying w r ho shall, or who shall not be admitted into its fold. I ask you to adopt this Standing Resolution, and do not doubt but that other Grand Lodges will do the same, and that it will be but a few years before Masonry will be actually and not nominally universal. Brethren, think this matter well over and I will risk the verdict.” He strongly condemns gambling and intemperance among Masons, and believes in stringent laws being enacted against these vices, and their rigid enforcement. The past year lias been one of unprecedented harmony and progress. W. Bro. Alex. "Watt presented his credentials as the Re¬ presentative of the Grand Lodge of Canada, and was received with honors. The Grand Lodges of Utah and Prince Edward Island were recognized. The adoption of the report of the Committee on Jurispru¬ dence, as under, carried with it the sanction of Grand Lodge to the change in balloting above mentioned:— “ Your committee recommend the adoption of the following resolu¬ tion, reported by Grand Master Congle, with the addition thereto that the right to object shall be exercised by any Brother whenever, and wherever in this jurisdiction he may feel it to be his duty to use it: CLV. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. -^at aU Master Masons iii good standing, members of Subordinate Lodges of this jurisdiction, shall have the right when present, to ballot upon the petition of any person for the degrees of Masonry m any Lodge in this jurisdiction, and also the right to object to the advancement of any Brother.” ° J +1 W r not at aU a PP rove of this action. The members of the Lodge in whose jurisdiction the applicant resides are undoubtedly the best judges of his character.. Occasionally a visitor might know something of him that his neighbors do not know, but such cases will be few and far between. It may have been the custom in old times, but the altered con¬ dition of society and Masonry is responsible for far greater changes than have taken place in this particular. We look upon this regulation as placing a mischievous and totally unnecessary power in the hands of visitors. The harmonv and prosperity, and, in some cases, the very existence of a Lodge, will be at the mercy of some ill disposed or even care- less sojourner. Besides, to be consistent, our Oregon breth- ren should have allowed all Masons the right to ballot, and should not have restricted the rule to members of their own junsdiction. The reasons given for the adoption of this rule are equally applicable to all Masons of all other jurisdictions as well as to those of Oregon. The following amendment was adopted:— ‘After a petition has been received and noted upon the minutes it shall not be withdrawn. In no case shall more than a second ballot be had to correct real or supposed mistakes." Bro. S. F. Chadwick reports on correspondence in a very able manner. He reviews our Proceedings for 1875. Under the head of “ Minnesota, he has the following remarks on the subject of the abolition of dues:— In the liist place, this system of paying dues is no part of the ancient plan of Masonry, and since its adoption it has created more trouble, and to-day it is engaging the attention of more Grand Bodies tnaii any other question. In all the reports received at Brother Pier¬ son s table there is not one scarcely that has not something in it touching the status of a Mason stricken from the roll for non-payment of dues. Minnesota at this session defines its position on this question as will be seen in this review. There are several Masonic writers and some Lodges advocating the cutting off of this system of dues as a means of perpetuating the life of their Lodges. We may refer to the able treatise of Bro. Parvin, of Iowa, on this subject. Grand Bodies. diner in their mode of punishing Brethren thus decapitated, hence we have no penalty that is satisfactory to all jurisdictions. This svs- tem of dues and the non-payment of them has led Grand Bodies so far astray that their legislation in many instances is the severest criti¬ cism that can be made on their attempt to regulate this matter. For instance read the following from Minnesota adopted at this session. CL VI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. After declaring those stricken from the roll for non-payment of dues to be non-affiliated, the Grand Lodge goes beyond its rightful power, and virtually condemns them in the following words: 4 While a deceased non-affiliate is not entitled to Masonic burial, yet. it may be accorded him by courtesy, or as a favor.’ What an absurdity. A Mason worthy cannot be buried by Masons because he is not a member of some Lodge. If it read that a non¬ affiliate could not claim the privilege of a particular Lodge as such, then it would answer, but the statement as it stands is clearly unmar sonic. Since when, Brother Pierson, has a M. M. and a non-affiliate to beg this observance for himself or for a deceased Brother? Since when, has this duty we owe to a brother Mason, become a matter of courtesy or favor, depending on the payment of dues? If a non-affil¬ iate is worthy, why withhold from him a Masonic burial if it is requested? Is the fact that he pays no dues sufficient excuse? This decision says that it is, and unless it can be done through courtesy or favor it cannot be done at all. There is a duty which one Mason owes to [another that is older than the Lodge system. Masons bury their dead, not from courtesy or favor, but from a conscientious duty. There are aside from this many worthy Brethren who cannot become members of Lodges, because their applications for membership have been rejected, many of whom are no doubt better Masons in principle than those who rejected them. This class is to receive Masonic ben¬ efits out of courtesy or favor or none at all. Away with such a doc¬ trine. If all there is in Masonry lies in dues to a Lodge, Minnesota is right. Brother Pierson, inasmuch as we are prominent as old fogies, let us place our names on the record for good, and unite in an effort to abol¬ ish this system of paying dues, now so prolific of mischief. Lodges can be sustained by a small collection every evening. By a willing offering, however small. Brethren will sustain their organizations. Every one will contribute something, and no Lodge will have a mem¬ ber who will not do so and remain within its doors. We invite a careful examination of this important proposition.” We also copy the following:— 44 ‘A Mason may bring disgrace upon himself, but he cannot upon Masonry.’ This rendition of the case will not do. If a body of Ma¬ sons tolerate the disgrace, as is often the case, the odium is shared by every member. Those who indulge are held responsible for the indulgence and the example, and those who do not indulge are held accountable for a want of sufficient moral character to enforce the edicts of Masonry in such cases. And hence the whole institution is held to be weak and of little moral force. We think a Mason may bring disgrace on Masonry, not only so, but may add reflections daily. How? By omitting to notice the practices of some men who use the Masonic name for their protection. Circumstances that are notorious and which point with one hand directly to the offender in a Masonic garb, and with the other to the Fraternity with impunity, are con¬ stants before us. It is not that an 4 ism' is to be introduced into the institution of Masonry, but that a Brother shall be made to feel his relation to the Craft that we plead. Who is to prevent this discuace fioin falling on the Fraternity, but Masons. Is it making a fanatical body out of a Lodge if it will cleanse itself of all those of intemperate habits. Wipe them out in such a manner that the act shall go to the FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLVII. glor\ of the Craft. Are not Brethren bound by a principle that wrmi/i indicate this course as the only one to be pursued^in these cases. So ar as wine bottles at a banquet are concerned we have but little to offer - They can be dispensed with if the occasion is abused by their sbfk* Th° se characters that bring disgrace on Masonry by a haffit that sinks them below the social standing of their Brethren' very seldom SJ the q fold.” Brethren sbould reclaim their own, and kUp them W.Bro. .T. H. Kanzie (Umatilla), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. Pi. P. Earhart (Portland), Grand Secretary. PENNSYLVANIA. Held at Philadelphia, December 27th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Robert Clark, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 370; represented, 163; initiated, 1 781- members, 38,236; receipts, $71,431.73. The Grand Master visited a number of the subordinate Lodges. Fewer accessions to their numbers have been made than in previous years, owing to the depression in business communites, which has made itself felt in the Ma¬ sonic Fraternity. The Grand Lodge finances are in a flour¬ ishing condition. They have cancelled $150,000 of their loan; which is now nearly ten per cent above par in the market. He issued an edict against the “ Ontario” brethren. The Library Committee say:— “ Your Committee uote with pleasure, the growing interest in Ma¬ sonic Libraries as manifested—not only in this citv—but throughout the Jurisdiction and the world. From all quarters come tidings of the formation of Libraries for the use of the Craft. Most notable of these is the Sheffield Masonic Library, (Worshipful Bro. S. B. Ellis, President,) of Sheffield, England, and the Library of Santa Rosa Lodge, F. & A. M., (Worshipful Bro. John Carlevitz, Chairman), of Milton, Florida. Also by a large number of Grand Lodges, &c., and individual members. These brethren deserve commendation for their earnest efforts in their great labor. A liberal encouragement of the Libraries will make those who come after us, no doubt, better versed in the history and traditions of Ma¬ sonry than a majority of those of our own day. The over-zealous brethren of 1717,—who destroyed the early re¬ cords of the Craft, rather than furnish them to the first Grand Lodge of England for preservation,—could not have realized the conse¬ quences of their foolish act. It opened the door for the introduction of traditions, io. B. W. Hisfgs (Charlottetown), Grand Secre¬ tary. QUEBEC. Held at Montreal, September 27th, 1870. M. W. Bro. J. H. Graham, Grand Master. Number of Lodges 63; represented, 56; initiated, 306- membeis, 2,/16; receipts, S2,338.50. Annual Communica¬ tion, 7 th. The Grand Master reports four new Lodges. On “Grand Lodge sovereignity,” and “England and Scotland,” he says:— " The exclusive sovereignity of each Grand Lodge within its own territory must be maintained. It is the foundation and copestone of our Grand Lodge existence, and the principal source of our unity, harmony and prosperity. The irregular interference of certain Euro- pean Giand Orients or assemblages, in certain jurisdictions on this continent, the establishment of a clandestine Lodge by one of these in the city of London, England, and the intermeddling of officious innovators with the “ body” and established “ order” of Freemasonry, under the pretended guise of reform and progress, deserve and should receive the severest condemnation. In accordance with a resolution passed at the last annual communi¬ cation of Grand Lodge, I appointed a committee consisting of B. W. Brothers O Halloran, Stearns, Copeland, Tait, and Isaacson, to con¬ fer with delegates (if appointed) from the Lodges, four in number, in the city of^ Montreal, still continuing in allegiance to the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland. I exceedingly regret to report that no conference has been held, chiefly on account of the non-co-opera¬ tion of said private Lodges. It did not appear to me that the resolu¬ tion referred to as passed at last session in restricting the action of the Grand Master in the matter to one particular course of action, was well calculated to facilitate the consummation so earnestly desired by many leading members of the craft in England. Scotland and Quebec. I cannot, for many obvious and important reasons, recommend the acceptance by Grand Lodge of the conditional recognition proffered by the Grand Lodge of England. CLX. % FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Tlie present, however, seems to me to be an auspicious time for the final adjustment of our relations with these mother Grand Lodges and their excellent daughter Lodges here, and thus secure that per¬ fect unity within our Grand Lodge jurisdiction without which com¬ plete harmony and the highest welfare of the craft cannot be fully secured.” He thinks they should not accept the recognition tendered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri for the following rea¬ sons:— “ At the Annual Communication in 1875 the Grand Lodge of Missouri passed the following preamble and resolutions, namely:_ Whereas, The Grand Lodge of Quebec has been recognized by‘the Grand Lodge of Canada, therefore, Resolved , That the Grand Lodge of Missouri hereby recognize the Grand Lodge of Quebec, A. F. & A. M., having jurisdiction in the Province of Quebec as at present defined, said recognition not to in¬ terfere with the vested rights of the Grand Lodges of England, Ire¬ land and Scotland over such of their daughter Lodges as may prefer to remain under their original charters. Unsolved, That the Grand Lodge of Missouri extends to the Grand Lodge of Quebec her best wishes for peace and prosperity. And while grateful for and heartily reciprocating the good wishes expressed in the last resolution, I cannot recommend this Grand Lodge to accept recognition from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, or from any other Grand Lodge, on any such conditions as are contained in the preamble and the first resolution. The Grand Lodge of Quebec will cheerfully accept fraternal recog¬ nition from the Grand Lodge of Missouri on the condition that tins Grand Lodge has the same right of exclusive sovereign jurisdiction within this Province of our Dominion that the Grand Lodge of Mis¬ souri claims and exercises within that State of the American Union.” He is of opinion that we should have changed our name to the Grand Lodge of Ontario, and thus have avoided trouble. The proceedings at London have not his ap¬ proval. 1 From the report of Bro. E. M. Copeland, the D.D.G.M., tor the Montreal District, we learn that there “Are twenty-one Lodges in this district, working under warrants Irom this Grand Lodge, and three under Dispensation. There are also three under the Grand Lodge of England, and one under the Grand Lodge of Scotland.” ) We note one appeal case in which the opinions of the Board, and their recommendation, as under, were concurred in by Grand Lodge. It seems to us an outrageous case, and deserving of more severe punishment than was awarded:_ i U P 011 *^ le f° r( -'going facts the Board are of opinion:_ L That W. Bro. Boon in allowing the ballot to be passed a fourth time, after he had declared the candidate rejected and the Lodge had proceeded with other business, acted in direct violation of the consti- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXI. S^2S-»^S5;SJ31 ,I ‘ hi * ow “ L<> ^ »* a- fr* th ( f‘ he ““ M &T b c? n ^ 5 tie a? ignorance, was cleariysvron^hi conferringthe'sec* 6place from Ward, after the nnconstitutionaSvAf« g * SeCOnd de § ree U P 0U Mr. ft sss,-»• B - It is well known to the Board that W -d his admission to the Order been one of its mA«?°° n i h&S ev ! r since members, and has bv his attend .5 ! f ealous aild active comparatively short space of time- but tWR gai ? ed a lu S h P lace in a if such proceeding in nrivSe T^ the ® oard cannot but feel that the ancient landmarks and con; tit in inn a to ^ >ass UJ moticed, Sigsig^ii terests of the Order, and recommend that r™tT b ^ f the ln ’ from all Masonic privileges kthei! 2 B °°* sus P eud ed Goodrick for three P month°s from thfa ” not ,he votes blank blilots ’ WC PreSUme ’ 13 t0 8 "° w <*• •»"•!»« f Montreal District was divided, and the northern section HullTas D a D G District ’ ™ th Bro * E * B ’ E <%’ of the^otwT/g:- 00 ‘“ e addleS8 ° f ‘ he Grand “*«. we and “ The Board would strongly recommend the appointment of a n*r fszl ;SSSS “ d "“*■ tt&XZ V CLXII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. In addition to the important suggestions of the M. W. the G. M. as to Lodges’ incomes and outlays, the Board feel it an imperative duty to call the attention of private Lodges to the expediency and im¬ portance of keeping Lodge property fully insured. The Board suggest the appointment of a committee with a view to arrange, if possible, for the publication of a Masonic Magazine in con¬ nection with this Grand Lodge. The Board recommend that a provision should be made by the Lodges of each District for the payment of the necessary expenses of the D.D.G.Ms. incurred in visiting the various Lodges in their re¬ spective Districts. With regard to the all-important question of Grand Lodge Sov¬ ereignty, the Board feel that it is a matter requiring the most care¬ ful and thoughtful consideration of this Grand Lodge. 'While the Board cannot do otherwise than heartily agree with the principles of Grand Lodge Sovereignty, as enunciated in the address of the M. W. the G. M., and heartily agree with his observation that this Grand Lodge cannot accept conditional recognition from any Grand Body, such as prof erred by the Grand Lodge of England, yet the peculiar circumstances under which Lodges under the jurisdictions of England and Scotland have existed in this Province, even from a time prior to the existence of the Grand Lodge of Canada, should not be lost sight of; and the Board cannot but suggest that this circumstance, as well as others well known to the Grand Lodge, render the connection of these Grand Bodies with this Province of a very exceptional char¬ acter. With these observations, the Board confidently leave the de¬ cision of this weighty matter to the consideration of Grand Lodge. The remarks of the M. W. the Grand Master, in the sense that this Grand Lodge should not recognize so-called Colored Lodges claiming to exist where regular and duly constituted and recognized Grand Lodges of Masons exist, meet with the hearty approval of the Board.” The Board also recommend that active measures should be taken for the erection of a Masonic Temple. A special committee reported as follows:— 44 Your Committee appointed in pursuance of a resolution passed at the last annual communication of Grand Lodge for the purpose of 4 conferring with the Lodges now existing in this Province under war¬ rants from other jurisdictions, with a view to effect, if possible, the amicable junction of said Lodges with this Grand Lodge,’ beg re¬ spectfully to report:— That, having assumed the duties of their appointment, they put themselves in communication with the Lodges referred to in said re¬ solution, both by formal mitten communication and by personal in¬ terviews with leading members of said Lodges, the result of which will be seen by the printed copy of the correspondence now read and in the hands of members of this Grand Lodge. Your Committee are pained to be compelled to report that the rea¬ sonable hope that an amicable arrangement might be affected, by which a union of said Lodges with this Grand Lodge would be accom¬ plished, has proved unfounded, and that at present they see no ground for any expectation that such a desirable consummation can at pre¬ sent be realized. Having, therefore, taken into consideration the communication of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of England, of the 31st of FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXIH ^J3rSs5S^»s«5 liesolved, Thattlie Grand Lodge of Ouebep /j r accept conditional recognition from any Grand Lod^e and tlinf DeS ^° Resolved, That deeply deploring everything calculated to create dis- fno^ 01 )' 1 ant . of harrnon y among those who should be brethren dwell mg together in unity, yet, this Grand Lodge being the equal within its own jurisdiction, of any; Grand Lodge In the urdverae witwf^ jurisdiction, cannot m justice to itself recognize the Masonic authority Qv'Zc ^ Gr “ d L0 but have claimed an inde¬ pendent existence, an original jurisdiction, but never claimed or at¬ tempted any Masonic control or jurisdiction over the white people of this State. These rejected petitioners, finding our portals closed against them, and thinking that anything called by the name of Mason would enable them to claim fellowship with and enforce recognition from us, sought the way by and through, as we are informed, one of these organiza¬ tions of so-called colored Masons, but through which we are uninform¬ ed. The organization applied to, departing from its practice of the past, gave such authority and took such steps as by it were deemed necessary to form a Lodge, which is now said to consist of white men, but is held under the authority and by permission of the said colored Grand Lodge. These men so made and this body so constituted now claim to be Masons, and have impudently or ignorantly endeavored to hold Masonic intercourse with regular Masons. I ought perhaps to say, that some have made application to this bogus Lodge, under the mistaken belief, founded as they have said, upon the false representa¬ tion that such organization existed under and by the permission of this Grand Body, or under and by the authority of the Grand Master of Masons in Rhode Island—but being in time informed of their mis¬ take, immediately dropped the matter, being content to leave in the hands of those having their petition the money that accompanied it_ How far such false representations were made for the purpose of pro¬ curing that money is a matter of easy determination. What rites are practiced or what principles are at the foundation of this organization, is unknown to us, but this is known, that this Grand Body has the sole and exclusive Masonic jurisdiction in the State of Rhode Island, and haring such sole and exclusive jurisdiction, none of the organizations referred to can be Masonic. In consequence of the aforegoing information, on the 27th day of January, A. D. 1876, A. L. 5876, we issued our edict to our several subordinate Lodges, which if carefully heeded and obeyed will protect our Lodges from these people. We now enjoin upon you and our Brethren within our jurisdiction, to be watchful lest the secrets of the Craft be unlawfully obtained through your unworthiness. Already we are assured that many who have connected themselves with this irregular and bogus organization, have found out their mistake and regret their course, and it cannot be doubted that as soon as it is found that they neither are nor can be recognized as Freemasons, the balance will conclude to put aside their claim to be deemed Masons, and be content with denunciation of the Craft, and will seek connection with some society not so strict in its requirements as to qualification or it. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXV. MaLns.” ° in tbat malicious and unreasoning band known as anti- m^v„°n n thr fl v^rb7 e a “™yi oUo '■** «■ ** S viWiSVSy SnTdXSe^ S ^°?orTts^ erC r * j0i £ tly With anoth -’ but must exercise it may govern its action.” ^ permitted to ho P e tha * wise counsels He reports four new Lodges. We also copy his sentiments pubhcfty W — nDg ° f MaSOmc emblems > which deserve wide “ T b- 13 a desire upon the part of many to wear showy emblems 0?der aU Wehave 8 ’ wluch desir e has led them to do great harm to the no honor^to thJ r™f? em ^ ems Runted to the public by persons doing r»i«.^° n £ t0 th e Craft, and llave been informed of their bein« worn in places where no Masonic light could penetrate. Again there°are those tTon nf P ?E aU ? CCaS1 T and in the most P u bhc places make procW tion of their being Masons, and boast of the* doing thinfs on Te effppf 6 -’ etC ,i i Whenever this is done in the presence of a true man its So? 8 tt OrE A? throu i h th * t » “ °pS“ L g feu or the Order m the minds of right thinking persons and an opportunity is given to the malicious to attack it. When one boasts Son thEw y ' 0 ,'; pa^a,ie , , h ! 8 *“*>«• «'■ «Iigion, it is” meS Ile .'» rotten; and when a man attempts to trade upon his be- be SrtlS £ e 0rde . r and *? personal or selfish ends yon may be certain he is a stone not ‘fitted for the builder s use.’ Shun such a man and warn the unwary against him.” The recognition heretofore accorded to the Grand Lodge of Indian Territory was withdrawn, for the following reasons:— and duly constituted? 6 m ” 9t be by Lod S es warranted TOV “' c T i iere must , b f. bad the recognition of the Grand Body out of j Qnsdic f t °io“ er JUmdlctlon the new Grand Lodge claims to exercise 3. Every Grand Lodge must take on the character of independent ’•!“ llSt *tf kn f ,wledge aUe g iance to uo other Grand Lodge, and must wield its authority m accordance with the well-defined laws and usages of Freemasonry.” “ We call attention to the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Indian lerntory as ordered at the Annual Communication of this Grand o ge in_i ay ast, beheving that the action then taken was somewhat nasty, llie facts m the case are briefly as follows: Three Lodges, (for •the most part composed of Indians) chartered by the Grand Lodge of ArKansas^participated in the proceedings of organizing the new Grand liOOge. lhe Grand Lodge of Arkansas has not as yet recognized the legality of the proceedings by recognizing the newly formed organiza- CLXVL FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. tion as a Grand Body. Indian Territory has no definite civil status; it has never been organized by Act of Congress; for judicial purposes it is attached to Arkansas. The Indians, composing the membership of the three Lodges, are said to represent three tribes, each claiming a sort of independence of its own, making it extremely doubtful whether a proper Masonic sovereignty can be secured and maintained by the newly formed Grand Lodge.” Bro. Maxfield invited the Grand Lodge to observe the en¬ suing Festival of St. John, at Silver Spring, and to partake of “a clam bake and shore dinner, without money and with¬ out price;” whereupon the invitation was unanimously ac¬ cepted with thanks. A Standing Committee on Foreign Correspondence was added to the Constitution, and the following resolutions were adopted:— “ Resolved, That a committee be appointed to prepare forms of pro¬ cess and proceedings for the conduct of Masonic trials and report the same, if possible, at the next Semi-Annual Communication. Resolved , That a committee be appointed to consider the expediency of so amending the Grand Constitution as to provide for a Board or Commission on Masonic Trials, whose duty it shall be to supervise the trial of a Brother accused in any Lodge, or, if the Lodge so elect, to conduct the trial of such Brother.” At the semi-annual Communication, the new Grand Lodges of Dakota, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba were recog¬ nized; and it was resolved:— 44 That the Grand Secretary be directed to communicate with the proper officers of the Grand Lodges of England, Heland and Scotland, with the view of establishing more intimate relations with these Bodies, and obtaining, if possible, an interchange of publications and Representatives.” We also extract the following curiosity:— 41 The M. W. Grand Master addresses the Grand Lodge upon the Edict issued requiring the wearing of Black Silk Hats on the 24th of. June last, stating the reason for the suspension of W. , of Lodge, No. , to be because he, as Master of the Lodge, did willfully violate the commands of the Edict, thereby publicly expressing his contempt for the authority of the M. W. Grand Master. The suspension of W. having expired by limitation, he presents himself before the M. W. Grand Lodge, and declares upon his honor that his disobedience of the Edict was because he denied the right of the M. W. Grand Master to prescribe the style of dress which officers and members of Lodges shall wear in public processions of the Craft, and because he believed the Edict in question to have been beyond the prerogatives and authority of the M. W. Grand Master;, for these reasons and not intending any willful disrespect to the Grand Master or to Masonry he disobeyed the requirements of the FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXYIL Having been fully heard and after a discussion of the matter the W. Brother retires from the hall. J homas A. Doyle, P. G. M., offers the following resolution, which is adopted by 68 in the affirmative against 2 in the negative:— Resolved , That the suspension of W. by the M. W. Grand blaster of Masons be, and the same is, hereby approved and connimed, and that said is hereby suspended from all the rights and privileges of Masonry until he shall make suitable ac¬ knowledgments to the M. W. Grand Master of Masons or to this M. W. Grand Lodge for the error by him committed. is again admitted to the Grand Lodge and offers ample apology for the error committed, saying in conclusion, ‘ I bow to the assembled wisdom of the Grand Lodge and beg the pardon of the M. W. Grand Master and Grand Lodge.' On motion of M. W. Thomas A. Doyle, P. G. M., it is . Oideied, That the suspension of W. be, and the same is, hereby revoked, and that he be, and is, hereby restored to all the rights and privileges of Masonry.” M. . Bro. Nicholas ^ an Slyck (Providence), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. Edwin Baker (Providence), Grand Secretary. SOUTH CAROLINA. Held at Charleston, December 12th, 1876. M. W. Bro. Wilmot G. DeSaussure, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 184; represented, 160; members,. 7,846; receipts, $9,147.00. Annual Communication, 100th. The Grand Master delivered a verv able address, from which it appears that the Craft in the Palmetto State are enjoying a fair degree of prosperity, and have peace within their borders. The system of visitations by District Deputies is now being tried by them, and is being received with satis¬ faction, as productive of good results. He reports four new lodges, and condemns the Ontario movement; recommends Dakota and Prince Edward Island for lecognition, and does not recommend Indian Territory and Cuba. We extract two paragraphs:— a i B> £ he fraternal courtesy of Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Albert Pike, I have been placed in possession of a Warrant of Consti¬ tution granted to Pea Ridge Lodge, No. 85, on 4th June, 1852. The Lodge is now known as Flint Hill Lodge, No. 85. I recommend that the warrant be given to such Lodge, to be placed in its archives, and that the thanks of this body be returned to Brother Albert Pike for its restoration. An old Grand Lodge Seal has come into my possession, bearing the following device and inscription: Device, 4 Square crossed bv Compass/ and beneath, a wavy sword. Inscription, 4 Virtue and Silence, Grand Lodge South Carolina.’ I am induced to believe this was the seal of the body known as the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, Ancient York Masons, and which first appeared in the Masonic history of the State clxvui. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. about 1783. Probably upon the union of the two Grand Lodges in 1817, this seal was placed in the archives of the united body. The adoption, in 1818, of the seal now used, and described in Mackey’s History 7 , 138, appears to corroborate such supposition. I recommend, that it be placed among the archives. There also came into my possession a minute book, extending from to 1810 of Lodge No. 6, held in Winnsboro’. This book has been ( ^ nn . s ^ oro, Hodge, No. 11, the successor of Lodge No. 6. Masonry 7 was inaugurated in this jurisdiction by the organization of Solomon’s Lodge, No. 1, on 29th October, 1736. A Provincial Grand Lodge was organized certainly as early as 1737. In 1754, a new organization was made of the Provincial Grand Lodge. In 1777, the Provincial Grand Lodge declared itself the Independent Grand Lodge o the State of South Carolina. The next year will, consequently, be the Centennial year of the Independent Grand Lodge of the State oi South Carolina, of which Colonel Barnard Elliott was first Giand Master. It is proper that such event be appropriately ob- seived, and the attention of the Grand Lodge is invited to the sub¬ ject. From this statement it will be seen that the present Communi¬ cation could appropriately have been called the one hundred and thirty-ninth. It has, however, been preferred to number it as the nintv-ninth, dating from the organization of the Independent State Tiand Lodge. As a Grand Lodge, that of South Carolina is one of the oldest, if not the oldest in America.” An amendment to the Constitution was carried, providing that a Lodge cannot be opened in the absence of the Master and both Wardens. A Master w T as expelled for conferring the degrees upon a maimed candidate, who had lost his right leg below the knee, and had an artificial leg, by which he could place his feet in every position required by the ritual. It was decided that there was no excuse for this action. The W. M. was expelled, and a special committee was appointed to find out how far the Lodge was guilty in assisting at this violation of the Constitution, and to report thereon at the next meeting. V e copy one decision of the Committee on Jurisprudence: “In the last case and decision submitted by the District Deputy Grand Master of the Tenth Masonic District, the Committee concur only m part. While agreeing with him that the proceeding was en- an< ^ ^ * s i ncum bent upon every brother present to ballot upon the petition of every candidate, they do not concur that such brother can be excused from so voting by the unanimous consent ot the Dodge. To scrutinize the entrance of new members into the Urder is a duty which every Mason owes, not only to himself individ- -L- t0 tlle bod y of Masonry at large. The responsibility of admitting an unworthy candidate rests upon every member of the Dodge considering the application, and he cannot free himself there- irom by declining to vote, nor can the Lodge so free him even bv unanimous consent. If an improper man be admitted, the damage is not only to that Lodge, but to the Craft. If the brother knows that ot the candidate which prevents his favorable vote, it is his impend tive duty to vote negatively, and he cannot be relieved from it. They foreign correspondence. clxix. recommend that the decision be confirmed, with these modifications.” Also the report on the Centennial:_ ■i Committee appointed by the M W ft \r • , si deration that part of his addre«« bTJitV . Jr take mto cou ‘ versary of the Inauguration of this M w fw the Centennial Anni- iliSp G M Rfr p fc n ° f '}"* Commit tee the Grand Master 5th That in SS. ’ of Spartanburg, to be the Centennial Orator, tinn nf * m ,^ dd ^ lon to the usual ceremonies of a public installa sonic Comm,Uee propriety of haring „ Ma- n Q +! h r T J mt 'u addition t0 the Grand Lodge ceremonies, the Subordi Soon th°S eS be r ! qUested to have P ublic installations of their officers upon their respective anniversaries.” nicers Bro. Charles Inglesby reports on correspondence, and notices Canada for 1876. Under “ Missouri,” he says:_ ^ J 1S , tbe custom in this jurisdiction for an Examining Committee and t th - ake th f charter ^th them, so as to satisfy the visiting brotli- er, and this custom prevails, because we agree with Louisiana in viStltn fh P° wer Grand Lodge, which ffives the L ° d | e —° f w hich grant the parcliment or paper is only ^ u hence, while the charter is unsuspended and unre be ffi d the e T^dtf 18 eDtltled *° work whether the paper or parchment homo the nh°* ge 7“’ ° r “ the ant e-room, or in the W. M.s safe at home. Of course, for convenience, for just such purposes as the satis faction of visitors, the charter should be at hand E Lod4 com mumcation; but to say that the mere presence of the parchmen ts doctHnS neCeSSaiT iD tbe , Lod S e room. is. we think, larrving the unr « as °nable extent. Suppose the Grand Lod^e would not h Bro e ro?? the ™ e “ bersr f use to surrender the parchment, nortanoTtn n G . oul fy and those who attach such tremendous im- about ft?” ^ aCtUa parchment or P a P er > b e in a rather difficult fix And under “ Texas,” he has the following on the authen¬ ticity of the Bible:— “5 ^^ewing us and in very many other portions of his very able report. Brother Cuslnng staunchly defends the Texas doctrine with reference to the Divine Authenticity of the Bible. He repeatedly acknowledges himself an iconoclast, and would smash up many theo¬ ries m Masonry which we have most delighted in. He doubts the w CLXX. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. great antiquity of the Institution, and laughs at its legends and tradi¬ tions. But on this authenticity question, he attempts to tear down what we have always considered one of the most beautiful features of the whole Masonic system—its universality. To sustain his argument, it is absolutely essential that we should do so, but in his place, we should have passed the question, or let the argument fall, sooner than seek to sustain it at such a cost. He says that the universality of Masonry is a worn-out dogma, challenges us to show him a Masonic Lodge in a Mahommedan Country, in Africa, Persia, China, Tartary, in aboriginal Russia, aboriginal Ireland, in aboriginal Norway. We have not, we confess, visited Lodges in any of those countries—are scarcely old enough to have been in aboriginal Russia, Ireland or Nor¬ way, but we have been taught to believe that it has there existed, and believe it as we do any other history. For the benefit of Brother Cushing, we insert an extract from the address of the Grand Master of Virginia, delivered at the last Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of that State: 4 But a few days ago a brother, the prospective Soverign of an Em¬ pire on which the sun never sets, performed certain Masonic rites in the distant land of India. Parsee, Hindoo, Mahommedan, Jew and Christian, European and Asiatic, thronged in full clothing of the Craft, to participate in the ceremonies of the occasion—and whilst the native princes had been slow to honor the heir expectant to a throne, the native Masons were emulous and eager to pay respect and homage to the Grand Master and the Prince of England. What an illustration of the conservatism of Masonry.’ Now, if our Most Worshipful Brother of Virginia knew what he was talking about, it is certain that there are some Parsee, Hindoo and Mahommedan Lodges in the world. But the annals of Masonry, both in Europe and America, demon¬ strate that the Texas doctrine is an innovation, and is unmasonic. We are told that a Lodge in Dresden initiated a Mahommedan, named Galtha Sadick, who, true to the faith of his fathers, appeared in his national dress, and after satisfactorily answering, in the Arabic lan¬ guage, the questions propounded, was duly initiated. The New York Committee on Correspondence, in commenting on this, gave a similar instance which occurred in their jurisdiction in 1839, when a Mahom¬ medan, named Mahomored Jumah, who was a lieutenant of a frigate of the Inman of Muscat, lying at anchor in the harbor of New York, petitioned St. John’s Lodge, No. 1, of that city, to be made a Mason. On the occasion of his initiation efforts were made to procure a Koran, but it was found to be impossible. When the candidate was so in¬ formed, he enquired whether the book of the law used by the Lodge contained the doctrine of a belief in the Supreme Being. Assured that it did contain such a doctrine, he answered that it then was a good enough Koran for him, and was accordingly initiated.” M. W. Bro. W. G. DeSaussure (Charleston), Grand Master. R. W. Bro. Chas. Inglesby (Charleston), Grand Secretary. TENNESSEE. Held at Nashville, November 13th, 1876. M. W. Bro. J. C. Cawood, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 399; represented, 348; initiated, 693; FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXKI, members 18,635; receipts, $8,291.90. Annual Communi- cation, 63rd. The Grand Master reports two new Lodges, and a degree of prosperity commensurate with the stringency of the money market. Harmony and brotherly love prevail. He condemns of authori™” m ° Vement ’ as “ entirel J without any semblance Lodge- ^ ommitfcee on By-laws, in their report, say as to one “ Che ap V ailcy 46 7 —Ail. V. requires unanimous consent for the withdrawal of petitions, which is contrary to Edict 27, wherein a ma jority vote is sufficient Art I., provides for the election of all The officers, as do the By-laws of Rose Creek Lodge No 480 and Mf- Pisgah Lodge, No. 481. This is in conflict witfr Effict U, whShS qmres the Master to appoint the Senior Deacon and Tyler, the Senior Warden to appoint the Junior Deacon, and the Junior Warden the Stewards. Your committee are of the opinion that this Edict is an lSTTw T UP ^° n ^ r ,'f hts - the inherent rights-of subordinate Lod 0 es, that Lodges should not be restricted in the making and adopt- mg of any By-law not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, the Ancient Constitutions, or Landmarks of the Order. We can find nothing herein inconsistent with Lodges electing all the officers, or electing some and appointing some; and, in the appointment of the officers, we believe that the Master—the proper appointing power- should have the privilege , this being, as we think, one of his preroga¬ tives. We therefore recommend a repeal of Edict 44, and that these By-laws stand approved.” Edict 44 was afterwards amended so as to read as fol¬ lows:— That Lodges possess the inherent right of electing the Deacons, lyler, and Stewards, or appointing them, as they mav deem best. If appointed, the appointments shall be made by the Master.” We agree that it is the prerogative of the Master to make all appointments. In the report on appeals we find an expulsion upon a charge of miscegenation. We copy another case in which a new point is involved—whether a Mason is bound to keep silent as to the faults of his brethren. We can hardly agree with the committee. Cases may arise in which it would be very wrong to keep silent as to a brother’s faults, and yet it might not be judicious or desirable to bring charges:— “ 15 - J - K - Stephens against Dukedom Lodge, No. 169. J. K. Ste¬ phens appeals from the action of the Lodge, in expelling him, upon a charge of traducing the good name of a brother Mason. The question, involved in this case is whether or not a Mason is justifiable in publicly- proclaiming the errors or misdeeds of a brother Mason, even when such brother has unquestionably been guilty of the same. The appellant was tried for traducing the good name of a brother, in publicly pro- CLXXII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. claiming him a liar . In defense he offered to prove that said brother had lied. The W. M. ruled out of order all evidence introduced for that purpose, and placed himself and the Lodge upon the broad, high ground that whatever might be the faults of a Mason, they would not justify a brother in publicly proclaiming them, and in denouncing the culprit, until he had been brought to trial and proved guilty. In this, your committee believe, the Grand Lodge should concur. The W. M., in this case, certainly struck the key-note of our Order. It is the essential point in which Masonry differs from the ordinary associa¬ tions in civil life. In a court of civil law the defense offered by this appellant would be admissable, and for the simple reason that he is, from a legal stand-point, under no obligation to cover the faults and errors of his brother with the broad mantle of charity. With us the case is different. A solemn covenant, which is not to be lightly dis¬ regarded or forgotten, must ever be paramount. With us “ to traduce” means not to “willfully misrepresent, or defame,” but, in its broader, higher, and primal sense, to “represent as blamable, or condemn.” The lips of a Mason should be sealed as to the errors of a brother, so far as the outside world is concerned. Only in the Lodge, or in the sacred privacy of a personal interview, should such faults be plainly set forth, and reform demanded. That fading, trial must be had and the unworthy brother expunged from an Order which he disgraces, after which, all worthy men are justifiable in denouncing his crimes. We believe the Grand Lodge should emphatically proclaim this inter¬ pretation of our Masonic obligations, and thereby stamp with its seal of disapproval the unfortunate habit of lightly discussing or carelessly proclaiming the supposed faults of brethren, into which many have thoughtlessly fallen, and which, in many cases, works irreparable in¬ jury. We therefore recommend that the appeal be dismissed, and the action of the Lodge affirmed.” One of the objections brought against Masonry by its op¬ ponents is, that it is improperly used as a shield to screen and conceal the guilty and criminal, and prevent proper punishment from reaching them. If the above doctrines are carried out, we fear our opponents will have good reason for their objections. We believe that it should be distinctly un¬ derstood, and clearly stated, that our Fraternity has no sym¬ pathy with the violators of civil law or moral duty—that a Mason who transgresses the law is amenable to punishment just the same as a non-Mason; and that while we endeavor to reclaim our erring brethren, and to make them better men and better citizens, it is no part of Masonry to shield the guilty from the just consequences of their wrongful actions. The Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary were appointed a Standing Committee, to procure and place in the Grand Lodge Hall the portraits of all their Grand Masters who have presided, or may in the future preside over them. The Committee on Correspondence submitted a report, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXXIH. recommending that “Ontario” be not recognized, which re¬ port was adopted. A resolution to repeal Edict 47 was lost. This Edict pro- mbits all Masonic processions, except for Masonic burials, festivals of St. John, or laying of corner stones. It was decided that the installation of a W. M. is not com¬ plete without the conferring of the chair degree. No report on correspondence, although we are glad to see GreeS ° f ^ ° W fri6Ud ’ Br °' Ge °‘ S ' Blackie ’ as Present. M. W. Bro. E. Edmundson (Pulaski), Grand Master. B. \Y. Bro. John Frizzell (Nashville), Grand Secretary. TEXAS. Held at Houston, December 2nd, 1876. M, W. Bro. Marcus F. Mott, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 305; represented, 81; receipts. $5,. 716.10. Annual Communication, 41st. The Grand Master reports seven new Lodges and thirteen applications refused. On foreign relations, he says:— Our fraternal relations witli other Grand Lodges remain unim¬ paired. I have become convinced that our recognition of the Grand Lodge of Ontario was premature, and was calculated to do injustice to the Grand Lodge of Canada. The Grand Lodge of Ontario, after its organization, issued a circular signed by its Grand Master and Grand becretary, in which the following expression occurs; 1 At a conven¬ tion of Masons from various Lodges, etc.’ This implied that those Masons were there in a representative capacity as delegates from Lodges, especially in the view of the fact that the circular stated that i S t' 9 eorge Lodge 42 ’ Kilwinning Lodge 64, Erie Lodge 149, &t. Mark s Lodge 94, were elected officers. This circular fur¬ ther set forth that no Grand Lodge of Ontario was in existence, that Province having remained, since the act of Confederation, in regard to Provincial jurisdiction, masonically unoccupied territory. Here then seemed to have been a new Grand Lodge organized in compliance with the American rule. The representatives of at least three chartered Lodges meeting in convention in unoccupied Masonic territory, the geographical bounds of the same politically considered. Assuming upon the entire correctness of this circular, both in letter and spirit , Grand Master Sayers and the Committee on Grand Officers’ Reports, recommended the recognition of this new Grand Lodge. Shortly after the close of our last Communication, I exchanged cre¬ dentials with Ontario, and appointed W. H. Street, of London, as our Representative. Soon afterwards, I received the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Canada, from the perusal of which I learned that the latter treated the so-called Grand Lodge of Ontario as clandes¬ tine, and expelled all those engaged in the movement. The Grand Lodge of Canada claims exclusive jurisdiction over the Province of Ontario, and it turns out that the Grand Lodge of Ontario was a self- constituted and self-incorporated body, and did not have the concur- CLXXIV. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. rence of a single Lodge in the Province. I at once requested the able Chairman of your Committee on Foreign Correspondence, Bro. E. H. Cushing, to make a thorough investigation of the facts, and give me the benefit of his conclusions. In the meantime, I received an official communication from R. W. Bro. Philip C. Tucker, Repre¬ sentative of the Grand Lodge of Canada. He shows that the last named Grand Lodge has sole and exclusive territorial jurisdiction over the Province of Ontario, and argues with great force and per¬ spicuity that the so-called Grand Lodge of Ontario was organized in violation of every acknowledged principle governing the formation of such bodies in America. I have the pleasure of laying this letter be¬ fore you. On the 23rd of November, Bro. Cushing informed me, as the result of his investigations, that he was satisfied the Grand Lodge of Ontario was a spurious body, and I immediately revoked the ap¬ pointment of W. H. Street. The Committee on Foreign Correspond¬ ence have prepared a full report upon the subject, and will submit the same for your action.” He decided that the loss of the first toe of the right foot disqualifies an applicant from being made a Mason, and says:— “In regard to the physicial qualifications of a candidate, I know of but one safe rule to follow. The candidate must be without maim or blemish. In other words, he must be sound in mind and member. In the ancient charges, it is said that no master should take an ap¬ prentice unless he has sufficient employment for him, and unless he be a perfect youth, having no maim or defect in his body. To adopt any other rule than this would be to leave the question of physical qualification to the discretion of the Masters of Lodges. Each would judge for liimself to what extent the candidate was qualified, and per¬ haps no two would determine the question exactly alike. If the rule is to be relaxed, and the general idea promulgated that the candidate must be possessed of only such physical qualifications as will enable him to make himself known, no one but the Master under whose con¬ trol the work is performed, can determine the question. It might seem to one that a one-eyed man is capable, to another that a man with a cork leg is eligible, and so on, almost through the entire cate¬ gory of physical defects. I am aware that for some years after the war a strong effort was made to relax the ancient rule, and in some instances the effort was successful. It had its origin in the generous sentiment which prompted brethren to bestow upon the disabled soldier, who bore the scars of honorable battle, the benefits of the mystic tie, and in many cases the appeal was irresistible. Calm re¬ flection, however, is illustratiirg'the mistake of ever having permitted principle to be sacrificed to the dictates of expediency or sentiment, and Grand Bodies are gradually drifting back to the safe anchorage of the ancient regulations and usages. Our distinguished and lamented brother, Past Grand Master Gray, as Chairman of the Committee on Jurisprudence, in 1866, used the following language:— 4 We fully concur in the statement that the rationale of the law excluding persons physically deformed or imperfect lies deeper and is more ancient than the source sometimes ascribed to it. It is grounded on a principle recognized in the earliest ages of the world, and will FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXXV be found identified with that which obtained among the Jews In ttus respect the Lexica 1 Law was the same as theMasonic whidh Tnd howl T y ‘ t0 g ° int ° the vei1 ’ wh0 bad a blemish? * * * h?smi?fol?L We T y regret ]t and s y m P a thize with a man in nH! f o rt ’ ? a ?° ot , conscleu tiously receive him into our Order- ‘ t • , Q ,ii re b llfSUaded tba t, at aR times and under all circumstances a staet adherence to every landmark, both in letter and spirit will be found to enure to the honor and benefit of Masonry ' P ’ These views were adopted by the Grand Lodge, and I think are conclusive of the question in this jurisdiction.” 8 On this subject his ruling was sustained by Grand Lodge, by the adoption of the report of a committee, as follows?— the S^ C °w m i ttee eXpr .1 SS their "Qualified assent to the decision of ^ Iaste £ u P on th ? a ue stion presented him, in regard to the loss of the member mentioned as rendering the applicant nnfif tn hesInVlrilfdh 8 ^ M ?°?r ' The 0uly safet >' for ^ organization Masonl h °- 6 anci f nt lan was established in much wisdom and is m strict analogy and beautiful harmony with the moral idea of the institution—that is, it is not the office of Free Masonry to legenerate, but rather to preserve, to brighten and to expand.” Bro. E. H. Cushing, Chairman of Foreign Correspond- e ? C -fr PL eS f nted T tiie following resolution, which, on motion ol AI. W. Bro. Joseph D. Sayers, was unanimously adopted: *• Resolved, That the resolution extending fraternal greeting to and intimate intercourse and acquaintance with the Grand Lodge •ol Ontario, passed by this Grand Lodge in June, A. L. 5876, found on pealed ” ° f ^ prmted Proceedings, be and the same is hereby re- solitary foothold gained by the disorganizes, through false representations, falls away from beneath them, and they are left without the countenance of a single Ma¬ sonic body. It was found necessary, in order to prevent irregularities, to pass the following resolution. We are surprised that the opposite practice should ever have been allowed:— Resolved , That all applications for dispensations for new Lodges and for charters for Lodges, shall be actually signed by those wliose names appear thereto, each petitioner signing for himself.” CLXXVI. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Bro. E. H. Cashing reports on correspondence, and notices- Canada for 1876 . Under the head of “ Nebraska,” he says: “ The problem how to get the light of knowledge into the minds of the Masters and members of Lodges is one that puzzles fifty-odd Grand Masters, and as 'many Correspondence Committees, every year. The Grand Masters are continually repeating the simplest of propositions in the plainest of terms. They decide sometimes a thou¬ sand questions, or rather answer them, of matters that the youngest Entered Apprentice ought to have sense enough to see through. They repeat year after year, and in Grand Lodge after Grand Lodge, the same dreary monotonous set of queries and replies, and send them all around among the Lodges, and yet such is the blank of Masters of Lodges, that these replies do not reach a day or a mile beyond the occasion that called them out, and the next term will bring them to the surface again. It is now scarcely possible to raise.a new point. Our own impression is, that the difficulty lays solely in the dispo¬ sition of Lodges, borrowed from another society of modern origin, to encourage the ambition of their members by making rotation in office the rule in their elections. A Master, after a year’s service, has found out something of the rules and principles of Lodge jurispru¬ dence, and can rule and govern his Lodge without referring trivial matters to the Grand Master. He is then passed, and a new” Master takes his place, to learn over again the same routine. So also of Grand Masters. The annual change of Grand Masters tends some¬ times to confusion in ruling. The remedy is, when a good Master is found, to keep him. The office of Worshipful Master is for the bene¬ fit of the Lodge, and not for the individual; and the brother should fill it who can fill it best for the Lodge. Now, shall that be one who has learned the laws and mode of governing, or shall it be year after year for a new man ignorant of all these.” In speaking of our recognition of Quebec, he says we yielded to the almost universal opinion of American Grand Lodges.” We beg to inform Bro. Cushing that we did nothing of the sort. The opinions of other Grand Lodges had no influence whatever, in determining our course of conduct. It was simply a question with the Masons living in the Province of Quebec. About one-half of them joined in the formation of the Grand Lodge of Quebec. The rest preferred to remain with the Grand Lodge of Canada, and so long as they did so, we refused to cast them adrift. \\e could do no less. $.nd as soon as the ojjposing parties in Quebec , reconciled their differences, and our ° loyal ” Lodges there consented to join the Dew organization, up- on teims mutually and amicably settled among themselves, (in spite of some outside interference,) then, and not till then, did we recognize Quebec, and cede the territory. All the Grand Lodges in the United States had expressed their opinions about the matter years before, and we thought those were the most sensible and the best informed as tn FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXXVn. E w.' Bro George H ( ° alvest ™>' Grand Master. Secretary g6 H ' Bm, « harst (Houston,, Grand UlAJt1. Held at S3.1 fc Lake City, November 14th, 1876. t/* ^Y‘ Edmund P. Johnson, Grand Master hers™ ! 61 «cMptf $l 6 MrT ted '.^“ iliated ’ ^ “*»- The Grand Master reports the 821 - 10 - Annual Communica- The Grand Master, Bro. T. T. Minor, was not present. His address was read by the Grand Secretary. We make one extract:— oY^°- her CaS T„ haS c ? me U P wbich 1 refer to y°« for examination and decision. It arose between Baker City Lodge, No. 47, of Oregon and Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, of this jurisdiction. A brotlie°r of ^f° Unt ^ m L . 0< ? ge wh [ le in Baker City was taken sick and com¬ pelled to ask assistance from the brethren of Baker Citv Lodee I hey generously responded and administered to his wants as his neces- S 80 e 7 ^ r t qU t\ red V aft i erWa J d the biU of their expenditures, viz., the , L ° dge . i O f whl <; b he was a member. Blue Mountain Lodge then asked an itemized bill, which was furnished as requested Blue Mountain Lodge then adopted the report of their committee" stating in substance that Masonic charity was a universal dutv. and a sojourning brother had the right to receive aid and assistant from the Lodge within whose jurisdiction he might be, which aid should thfrWW fP- ° n ° r cbarg ® able to his Lodge. The position I tliink thus far is correct. No representation was made that the bill m any of its items was exorbitant or unreasonable. The matter was Mm^o^me Baker Clty Lodge to tbe Grand Master of Oregon, and by On examination, I could find no precedent to govern me in the mat¬ ter. none at least which seemed to me to apply properly to this case. I therefore wrote to Blue Mountain Lodge recommending that they pay said bill not as a charge upon them justly collectable, as a debt ^ ut urging what 1 beheve is the proper hght to look at it, that to care foi and minister to the sick is one of the highest privileges of Masonry. Masonic chanty to the true Mason is no hard task or stern duty. It should be done as eagerly and come forth as readilv as sweet waters rash out from the bubbling spring or silver notes from the lark. I he air we breathe is not a greater necessity to the physical man than the exercise of chanty to the true Mason, and an amount to pay like this in behalf of one of their own members who was contributing towards their own support, was a privilege Blue Mountain Lodge shouid esteem highly and not hesitate in regard to strive or avoid. I believe it lias been the custom in this jurisdiction for the Lod«e of which a sojourning brother is a member to pay the expenses of sickness or any assistance afforded. No decision, I believe, has been given on the subject. The reply of Blue Mountain Lodge, declining in part to act upon my suggestion, 1 have the honor to enclose herewith for your action. I think it well to give this matter careful attention, and come to some suitable understanding thereon. For my part, for the sake of the good name of Masonry in Washington Territory, I desire to see this bill paid, but desire still more that it be done only so as to establish a precedent that shall stand every test of Masonic Jurisprudence.” CLXXXVL FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. On this subject, the following report was adopted:— “ That the claim set up by the said Baker City Lodge for nursing and' otherwise waiting upon the sick member of Blue Mountain Lodge, is in the opinion of your committee unmasonic. We consider the duty of Masons everywhere, and they should esteem it a privilege to min¬ ister to the wants and necessities of sick brethren temporarily sojourn¬ ing in their midst. This it one of the rights to which every Mason is entitled by virtue of his profession. And while we consider the very extraordinary claim of Baker City Lodge—which is without precedent so far as we are informed—at variance with the spirit and intent of our Institution, and calculated, if countenanced and encouraged, to- destroy that true fraternal love and charity which has ever character¬ ized the Order, we would respectfully recommend that Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, be requested to pay the claim of the said Baker City Lodge, not as a debt, justly due, but as the best means of promoting that fraternal courtesy that should always exist between Lodges of neighboring jurisdictions.” Dakota and Indian Territory were recognized, and the following resolutions adopted:— “ Resolved , That the M. W. Grand Lodge of Washington, in Annual Communication assembled, do publish and declare its inflexible pur¬ pose and determination to support and ever maintain that principle of Masonic law inherent in every Grand Lodge, of supreme and exclusive jurisdiction overall matters of Ancient Craft Masonry within territor¬ ial limits established by its lawful authority,—a principle sacred to every Grand Lodge exercising such authority in and over territory unoccupied by another,—a principle conservative in action, preserva¬ tive in polity, productive of peace and confraternity, and as maintain¬ ing the independence and fortifying the legitimate rights and preroga¬ tives of every Masonic Grand Body. Resolved , That in order to guard against imposition, and for the guidance and protection of the Craft in this jurisdiction, and to pre- seve the peace, concord, and amity existing between the Grand Lodge of Washington and the Grand^Lodge of Canada, this Grand Lodge hereby interdicts and prohibits all Masonic intercourse by or on the part of the Fraternity in this jurisdiction either as individuals or in Lodge capacity, with the so-called 4 Grand Lodge of Ontario,’ or any bodies or individuals in anyway connected with "the attempted forma¬ tion of said 4 Ontario Grand Lodge,’ in defiance of the rights of the Grand Lodge of Canada.” “ Resolved , That the Grand Masters of the several Grand Lodges in the Lnited States be requested to meet at such time and place as may be deemed most convenient and take into consideration and recommend a plan for the organization of a National Grand Lodge for the United States.” ^ A National Grand Lodge has often been spoken of for the I nited States, but so far the idea has met with very little encouragement. It remains to be seen what will result from this new movement in that directon. Their limited financial resources have hitherto prevented the printing of a full report on correspondence. A resolu- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXXXVII. tion to have full reports in future, was lost by a vote of 34 to So. The receipt of our proceedings for 1876, is acknow-. ledged. M. W. Bro. P. A. Preston (Waitsburg), Grand Master. B. W. Bro. Thos. M. Keed (Olympia), Grand Secretary. WEST VIRGINIA- Held at Wheeling, November 14th, 1876. M. W. Bro. K. D. Walker, Grand Master. Number of Lodges, 76; represented, 52; initiated, 270; members, 3,431; receipts $2,633*00. Annual Communica¬ tion, 12th. The Grand Master delivered one of the best addresses we have perused. He reports three new Lodges, and a healthy prosperity in the general condition of the fraternity, which is “a subject of congratulation for the good it is accomplish¬ ing in the present, and of hope for what it may yet do.” On their relations with the parent Grand Lodge of Virginia he says:— 44 1 take pleasure in communicating to you that on the third day of October last Indian Creek Lodge, No. 145, located at Indian Creek, Mon¬ roe County, West Virginia, and heretofore reporting to the Grand Lodge of \ irginia, in accordance with the terms of agreement between this Grand Lodge and that of the parent State, voluntarily transferred its allegiance to this body. In your name I extend to the brethren of Indian Creek Lodge a hearty and fraternal welcome. I am informed that some negotiations are in progress having for their object the merg- ing of Greenbrier Lodge, No. 49, on the Virginia register, and Fort Union Lodge, No. 42, of this allegiance, into one Lodge, to be obedient to the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. I hope the movement may be successful, and that thus the anomaly in Grand Lodge jurisdiction presented in two of the southern counties of this State may soon, by the voluntary, free and unconstrained action of the Lodges in question, cease to exist. The terms of separation agreed upon between the parent Grand Lodge and this body have been most amicably and fully adhered to on both sides, and the determination of what might have been a fruitful source of discord has been left to the free, unbiased action of the Lodges, a course whose wisdom has been vindicated by the lapse of time, the result of which affords another exampleof the triumph of fraternal compromise over the evils of arbi¬ trary and dictatorial pow T er.” Among the representatives appointed, we find R. W. Bro. J. E. Harding, near Canada, and R. W. Bro. W. H. Free¬ man, fi’om Canada. We copy his decisions, and also his remarks on the Scottish Rite; the Eastern Star; the joint occupancy of lodge rooms; the fourth of July; begging circulars; and the negro question.. CLXXXVIII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. These quotations will be found interesting and instructive, and will well repay perusal:— “ Is a person whose fingers of the left hand have been amputated at the second joint eligible to the mysteries of Freemasonry? Answer—He is not. A gentleman petitioned a Lodge, but before the petition could be acted upon the applicant died. What shall be done with the fee ac¬ companying the application? Answer—Return it to the executor of his estate. A widow of a deceased M. M., who was a member of-Lodge, moves into the jurisdiction of another Lodge and asks the latter Lodge to support her. Is it the duty of the Lodge to do so? Answer—A Lodge should relieve the widow and orphans of a deceas- €cl bi other when in distress, but no one can claim entire support from a Lodge when physically capable of supporting themselves. Has the W. M. a right to enroll the name of a person upon the list of members of the Lodge without a vote having been taken bv the Lodge? J Answer He most certainly has not, nor has any one else such a right. Can an unaffiliated M. M. petition any Lodge other than that near¬ est his residence for membership? Answer An unaffiliated M. M. in good standing can join any Lodge that sees proper to admit him. Is a person who does not believe in a devil a proper candidate for the mysteries of Freemasonry? Answer—Masonry only requires a belief in God as the Supreme Architect of the Universe. The devil is a personage with whom we have nothing at all to do, and it does not matter whether he believes m one devil, seven devils or no devil at all. Does it necessarily follow that because the charter of a Lodge was not present at a stated Communication, the proceedings on that occa¬ sion were illegal? Answer—It does not. The proceedings of a Lodge are always legal, so tar as the charter is concerned, until the charter is revoked by the Grand Lodge, or suspended by the Grand Master, whether the sheep¬ skin on which the charter is printed is present or not; but for reasons not necessary to mention, it should be one of the first cares of a Master to see that his charter is always present. A brother asks for a dimit, but fails to give any reason therefor 1 is the Lodge compelled to give it to him? "j ns ^ e1 ' Lodge must grant any brother a dimit who asks for one, and who is clear of the books, and not under charges. A. B., who has been suspended by his Lodge for non-payment of dues, writes to his Lodge proposing to pay his dues, and asking for a dimit. In the meantime information has been received by the Lodge offenses become § rossl y dissipated and guilty of divers Masonic Held:— That charges should be preferred, and that the dimit should not be granted until said charges were satisfactorily disposed of, and the petitioner was clear of the books. During the past year I have received information of the successful establishment of bodies of what is known as the Ancient and Accepted bcottish Rite of Freemasonry within the jurisdiction ot this Grand FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CLXXXIX. Lodge. Between these bodies and those of the York Rite, whose ritual we teach, there is no necessary antagonism. The Supremo Council of the Scottish Rite concedes to us full jurisdiction over bodies of the three degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason; what is taught in these degrees of one Rite is equally acces¬ sible to those who have received the other; and for the Masonic Stu¬ dent who wishes to explore all the depths of science and tradition from which the forms and ceremonies of our fraternity have been formed, and by which they have been perpetuated, the A*, and A. S. Rite pre¬ sents an attractive field of research. Several communications have been received in relation to the Adop tive Rite of Masonry, a Rite which relates almost exclusivelv to what is known as the Eastern Star degrees. The system is of modem inven¬ tion, and cannot be classed among the duly recognized Masonic de¬ grees. It is entitled to no more respect among Masons than is any other of the thousand and one so-called side degrees, and no true Ma¬ son should be guilty of the fraud involved in representing the cere¬ monies of the Eastern Star, as in any manner connected with Ancient Freemasonry. The wives and daughters of Free Masons are always and every¬ where under the watchful care of the fraternity, and I can see no particular use for a separate organization for those for whom the car¬ dinal rules of the fraternity have already provided. With all due deference to the illustrious matrons of the Order of the Eastern Star, I cannot see why any plain Master Mason’s wife, or daughter, or widow should not receive the same recognition and respect as that of the chief of the sisterhood. For these reason I have declined to give vour sanction to the propagation of the Adoptive Rite in this State/ but leave the brethren and their wives and daughters as free to join the Eastern Star Lodges as they may desire, only admonishing them that their system is not Masonry, and will not be generally recognized as such. From several Lodges has come the question whether joint occu¬ pancy of Lodge rooms with other secret societies was permissible. I have answered that it was always preferable that a Masonic Lodge should have a room of its own, to which no profane should be admit¬ ted, and I have therefore refused my sanction to Masonic Lodges per¬ mitting the use of their rooms to farmers’ granges or any other unrna- sonic association. The Masonic fraternity rightfully claims an origin far remote from and earlier than any of the mutual benefit associations, which are now so common, and must stand upon its exclusive rights. I would earnestly exhort Free Masons to own and occupv their own halls, and exclude all other associations as rigidly as thev would close the private doors of their dwelling-houses from the common gossip of the street.” ° 1 “Actuated no doubt by what was a common patriotic impulse, Graf¬ ton Lodge, No. 15, and Fairmont Lodge, No. 9, asked for permission to appear in public parade on the 4th day of July last, in celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence. I was albeit reluctantly compelled to withhold my permission for the pro¬ posed parade. Freemasonry is not a political institution. It knows nothing of kingdoms or republics, or empires or States. It deals with men only as children of a common father, and has nothing to do with the political controversies that distract nations. It labors to relieve the sufferings of the living, and give decent sepulture to the dead, and amid all the formulas of Masonic w r ork found in its rituals I find no cxc. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. form of procedure for the 4tli day of July, or for any other National holiday. No peculiarly Masonic work was to be done upon that day, and I think that the awkwardness of the position in which those who turned out as Freemasons found themselves placed will constitute a sufficient punishment for -their forgetfulness of Masonic duties in their excess of national zeal,” I have been unofficially informed that one of the Lodges in this jur¬ isdiction, finding itself somewhat embarassed by debt, issued, some time last summer, a begging circular addressed and sent to its sister Lodges. Such a course should not have been resorted to without the consent and endorsement of the Grand Master, which in this case was neither asked nor obtained. Indeed, had it been asked, I would have probably refused my consent, and forbidden a resort to such a project for raising funds. Where the property of a Lodge has been destroyed by fire or other casualty, and the members are too poor to to repair the loss from their own resources, there may be some propri¬ ety in appealing to their brethren for help. But when a Lodge is bur¬ dened with a debt by reason of its own follies or mismanagement, its members ought to assume the burden and extricate the Lodge without appealing to their brethen of other Lodges. There is too much Ma¬ sonic mendicancy extant, fortunately little of it as yet in West Virginia and I fervently hope there may be less.” “ A history of the organization of colored men in Ohio and elsewhere, claiming to be Fremasons, leads inevitably to the conclusion that their Lodges are clandestine in every Masonic signification of the term. V e can have no Masonic communication or conversation with them, except in violation of our obligations and of the well-established theo¬ ries of Grand Lodge government. We cannot sit in their Lodges nor they ours; nor, so far as I can see, have they any more claims upon us for recognition than a Farmer’s Grange, or the Cavaliers of the Golden Baloon, or the Devotees of the Wooden Corkscrew, or any otliei such associations. It is to be hoped that the good sense and conservative spirit of the brethren in Ohio will continue to avert the calamity which some restless spirits seem disposed to precipitate upon the fraternity m that State and in the country at large.” In the report of the D. D. G. M. of the Seventh District, we notice the following:— Moriah Lodge, no doubt unintentionally, transgressed Masonic law in ha\mg its Wardens installed before they had received the F. 1YT . degree. I gave it as my opinion that the installation being contrary to law was null, and advised them to have the P. M. degree conferred on the W ardens as soon as possible, and then install them in obedi¬ ence to law, which they promised to do promptly, and fortunately this piocess was consistent with their By-laws. In other respects Moriah is doing well.” On the same subject, the Committee on proceedings of Grand Officers say:— -A s ie g^ d s the question alluded to in the report of the D. D* G. M. of the 7th District, we report that in our opinion Moriah Lodge is without legal Wardens, and that the degree of P. M. should dl] 0 !^ 63 upon the Wardens el<3ct 5 and they should then be in- FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXCI. We were rather astonished at this, and on looking up their Constitution we find it provides that “each Master or Warden elect must have received the degree of Past Master, previous to his installation, and as a necessary part of his qualification for the duties of his office.” All this appears very strange and wrong to us. We un¬ derstand the degree of Past Master to contain the secrets re¬ stricted to the Master’s chair; and how it can be conferred on a Warden is a mystery to us. We are not posted on the OB. they have in West Virginia; but their action would in¬ volve here a distinct violation of our OB. We say that none but those elected to the Master’s chair, have any right what¬ ever to the Chair Degree. The Committee on Jurisprudence reported, among other things, as follows:— “In answer to enquiries, we submit the following opinions:— 1st. That re-installation is unnecessary except when a term has intervened. 2nd. That the W. M. elect cannot open and preside over his Lodge before he has been installed. 3rd. That the D. D. G. M. should not constitute a new Lodge except under instruction from the G. M. 4th. That the D. D. G. M. cannot authorize another to do the work specially imposed upon him/’ 44 In regard to the decision of the M. W. G.M. to the effect that a person the fingers of whose left hand were amputated at the second joint was not eligible to the mysteries of Masonry, your committee would say that, while such decision is clearly in accord with the An¬ cient Regulations, they, at the same time, suggest that such regula¬ tions were adopted for the government of the craft at a period when they united the character of operative with that of speculative Ma¬ sons, and that the modem construction of such regulations by most of the Grand Lodges of this country and of Europe would seem to permit initiation in cases when the deformity of the candidate is not such as to prevent him from meeting fully the requirements of the ritual, or from honestly acquiring the means of subsistence. In this case the deformity was not such as to debar the applicant from initia¬ tion. While expressing this opinion, however, your committee do not wish to be understood as advocating any loose construction of the re¬ quirements of the regulations in cases of physical deformitv.” We also copy the following :— “Your committee to whom was referred the communication of In¬ dian Creek Lodge No. 145 and Greenbrier Lodge No. 49, A. F. and A. M., (now working under charters from the M. W. Grand Lodge of West Virginia) asking to be admitted as members of this Grand Body by surrendering their present charters and accepting charters from this Grand Body, respectfully report: That the M. W. Grand Lodges of Virginia and West Virginia in the year 1868, prompted by the fraternal feelings which characterize our 'Order, and anxious to remove all obstacles to the rapid growth and CXCH. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. prosperity of the same in our jurisdiction, amicably adjusted all sub¬ jects of dispute then existing, and earnestly recommended “all sub- ordinate Lodges in the territorial limits of West Virginia to surrender their present charters to, and ask new charters from, the Grand Lodge of West Virginia.” & Acting upon this recommendation all Lodges working under charters Mailed by the 3/. W. Grand Lodge of Virginia within the limits of V\ est Y irginia, have surrendered them, and accepted new ones from this Grand Body, except three, including the two herein mentioned. Ine two cases submitted to your committee, are entirely distinct and must necessarily be treated separately. t ^. 0ur committee take great pleasure in endorsing the application of Indian Creek Lodge No. 145, and in extending to the brethren of that jurisdiction eameSt ^ fraternal welcome of the fraternity in this In this case we would recommend that the surrender of the charter of Indian Creek Lodge No. 145, granted by the M. W. Grand Lod«e of \ irginia, be accepted, and that the M. W. Grand Lodge of West Virginia issue a new charter to the bretliren of said Lodge, as request¬ ed in their application returned with this report. * Your committee would further recommend (in answer to a question suggested by that Lodge) that Indian Creek Lodge No. 145 should pay to the M. Jr. Grand Lodge of Virginia its dues for the past fiscal yean Your committee feel somewhat embarrassed as to the proper action mr be j t ^ eu ,‘ n re . s P onsc to the application of Greenbrier Lodge No 49 The difficulty arises from the delicacy and yet frankness with which the subject should be treated, to avoid a misunderstanding of the earnest and fraternal feelings of this Grand Body to a subordinate Grand Bodv” 1 ^ Junsdlctl0n ’ workin g under a charter from another n a PPh ca ti O I f . • • • ) a > 06 i > Illinois,. 40472 246*^ [ no] > it 140 c y i 1 QC ► . . . . . 1 1 AC l ) b ) GA 4 Indiana. 27879 1751 46f ) 131 ^ y vc > 1 A? > .... * A1 HOC c * *±4.: [ or- > 804 Indian Territory,. 196 31 13 ! 6 j 1UC f c ) l ilc 1 s o U J ') . L . Iowa. 17890 1315 • 729 i 933 1 32 ! 22 t 221 13( • Kansas, . 6896 433 > 476 l 394 12 > *143 I 6c 5 102 Kentucky . 21237 116? 1 973 i 33 11Q1 OQJ Louisiana . 6449 211 158 165 f tltJ i 2 1 315 11 VI 22 ii.: b. ). Maine, . 19472 710 ' 918 297 6 3 163 21? { 332 Manitoba . 294 46 14 8 0 • 0 0 2 l Maryland . 5657 200 103 3 *i9a Massachusetts, ... 26292 1360 .. 1785 523 1 3 -LOO 316 i 4 284 481 Michigan, . 26704 1351 522 857 60 *530 246 641 Minnesota,. 6569 497 208 263 3 22 179 47 Mississippi, . 11170 378 454 509 15 26 231 206 Missouri . 23379 935 876' 884 81 62 282 301 442 Montana . 677 22 26 51 1 4 3 7 o Nebraska . 2761 175 317 106 7 19 88 20 58 Nevada . 1383 173 256 145 6 0 57 49 91 New Brunswick, .. 2246 162 33 76 3 *73 29 New Hampshire,.. 7674 285 New Jersey, . 11988 539 261 181 3 5 431 145 New York . 81882 4253 1512 1179 63 15 ’3789 924 1257 North Carolina,. .. 11917 337 179 176 21 20 532 115 85 Nova Scotia . 3404 319 67 127 0 3 86 43 101 Ohio,f . 30608 1810 1391 1114 91 44 1134 367 Oregon, . 2248 147 139 108 5 9 61 24 Pennsylvania . 38137 1974 600 642 *946 427 P. E. Island . 557 Quebec . 2716 276 104 167 0 0 58 35 Rhode Island, .... 3910 130 131 15 1 7 257 47 73 South Carolina, .. 7346 342 215 • • ■ . 333 108 Tennessee, . 18635 658 oil 870 36 2491 455 249 Texas, . 18206 856 1832 1555 45 *451 275 491 Utah . 341 28 13 32 0 6 30 3 13 Vermont,. 8169 267 102 37 2 12 229 84 93 Virginia,. 8992 . 7 32 Washington. 720 58 45 49 1- * 4 25 IVf/ 11 22 West Virginia,.... 3431 270 130 117 7 1 107 34 86 Wisconsin,. 10515 614 274 384 4 9 150 107 256 Wyoming,. 255 27 10 8 1 0 1 2 Total.f >02089130695 1 L7976 1 .8920 ] 1039 1064 1 7261 - 102 6142 tFor 1875: no statistics this year. ^Including Suspensions of all kinds. We still have ground of complaint against some Grand Secretaries. But generally we find the statistics and their recapitulation. Ohio, however, gives us none, and we especially wonder at this oversight in Bro. Caldwell, who so rarely forgets anytliing which ought to be in the Proceedings. CXCVIII. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. Comparison of Statistics. Members, Raised, Admissions, Ac., Dimissions, Expulsions, Suspensions, 1877. 1877. Gr. Lodges. Totals. Or, 52.602,089.. 50.30,695.. 46.17,976.. 49.18,920.. 49.1.039.. 37.1,064.. 1876. Totals. npt. dues, 49.17,261.. Deaths, 50.7,102... Rejections, 28.6,142... 1876. , Lodges. . .50.. .594,617. ..48. ...34,208. ..46. ...19,231. ..47. ...18,475. ..47.908. ..31.775. .47. ...15,984. .48.6,804. .28..,..6,340. 1875. 1875. Gr. Lodges. Totals. ...48....585,269 ...48.37,984 ...43.17,091 ...45.18,472 ...44.1,117 ... 31.563 . .44.12,620 ..46.6,357 ...31.8,871 "V\ e have prepared the following Table, giving some ad¬ ditional information, from the Proceedings above noticed:— Table. GRAND LODGES. Alabama,. Arkansas,. British Columbia,.... California,. Canada,. Colorado,. Connecticut,. Dakota,. Delaware,. District of Columbia, Florida,. Georgia,. Idaho,. Illinois,. Indiana. Indian Territory,.... Iowa,. Kansas,. Kentucky,. Louisiana,. Maine,.. Manitoba,.. Maryland,. Massachusetts,. Michigan,. Minnesota,. Mississippi,. Missouri. Age. No. of Lodges. Represented. i—- Initiated. I —- Members. Receipts. 56 325 211 318 8538 $4438 50 38 332 82 382 8081 5340 31 6 8 7 18 312 579 25 27 201 175 580 11931 20033 70 22 319 240 1614 17220 17013 46 16 23 17 126 1413 1526 70 89 113 105 461 15011 1257 00 2 6 6 239 181 37 70 22 21 52 1219 778 64 66 21 20 133 2783 1806 60 48 71 51 119 2212 2307 00 90 307 271 529 14475 14981 72 9 11 11 36 389 1546 50 37 694 597 2458 40472 30326 00 59 527 478 1616 27879 21340 55 i 2 8 7 24 196 281 25 33 374 249 1448 17890 11852 50 21 161 97 449 6896 3414 90 77 500 458 1166 21237 23120 50 65 160 78 216 6449 25321 80 58 179 167 703 19365 5899 86 1 5 5 57 294 331 75 89 93 77 200 5657 14102 68 143 212 141 1215 26141 29571 18 33 335 321 1071 27055 10450 82 24 113 105 509 6569 4051 75 59 315 219 419 11170 10611 19 56 490 183 1076 23739 12400 98. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. CXCIX. GRAND LODGES. Age No. Rep. Init’d. Mem. Receipts. Montana,. 12 19 17 22 677 82055 50 Nebraska,. 19 56 54 196 2761 3507 15 Nevada,. 12 20 14 178 1383 5853 25 New Brunswick. 9 30 17 171 2246 1349 50 New Hampshire,. 87 73 59 285 7674 1699 50 New Jersey,. 90 146 133 173 11988 5437 78 New York,. 96 718 667 2938 81296 97939 50 North Carolina,. 90 240 161 360 9424 4333 26 Nova Scotia,. 11 68 45 352 3404 2584 50 Ohio,. 67 466 438 1810 30608 11302 00 Oregon,. 26 57 57 190 2248 4217 88 Pennsylvania,. 112 370 163 1781 38236 71431 73 Prince Edward Island,... 1 9 7 584 590 90 Quebec,. 7 63 56 306 2716 2338 50 Rhode Island,. 86 31 27 138 3910 2789 00 South Carolina,. 100 184 160 342 7346 9147 00 Tennessee,. 63 399 348 693 18635 8291 90 Texas,. 41 305 81 856 18206 5716 10 Utah,. 5 6 5 21 341 1092 00 Vermont,. 82 99 87 267 8169 2112 50 Virginia,. 99 199 133 8992 4260 00 Washington,. 19 20 19 58 720 1821 10 West Virginia. 12 76 52 270 3431 2633 00 Wisconsin,. 32 184 173 622 10515 5200 55 Wyoming,. 2 4 4 25 255 419 00 Total. “1 9767 7376 29049 600597 $532991 61 CONCLUSION. The late appearance of this Report is owing to the same causes as are explained by the Grand Secretary, in his Post¬ script to the Report for 1876, which was issued last month. We retired from this position in 1875, with no expectation of ever being called on again to perform this labor. In Feb¬ ruary last, we were solicited by the Board of General Pur¬ poses to take in hand the completion of the Report for 1876, and to write the Report for 1877 and 1878. This involves the compilation of nearly three of these Reports in one year—a task of considerable magnitude, and which is only to be accomplished by a great deal of hard work, a large ex¬ penditure of valuable time, and a considerable sacrifice of other interests, probably more important to the individual. None but those who have been engaged in this sort of work, can know the full extent of the time and labor required to produce a good Report. These Reports have now become almost a necessity. The ' ^ CC. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE. desire for information lias become so great, that they form almost a necessary adjunct to the Grand Lodge Proceedings: and we have been informed that they are eagerly looked for by a very large number of the brethren. It is, then, re¬ quisite that they should be so prepared as to give as much information as possible; but we are also of opinion that it is not necessary to make comments on many of the subjects that appear in the various Proceedings. These comments are not taken as an authoritative expression by Grand Lodge on the points involved, but are merely the opinions of the individual writer, and entitled only to such weight as he is able to give them. Still, they tend to make the Report more readable, and will often be of assistance in elucidating doubtful points. We hardly think our brethren would be satisfied with a Re¬ port made up entirely of extracts. With a feeling of considerable relief, (for the present), we lay down our pen and present our work to your favorable consideration. All of which is fraternally submitted. HENRY ROBERTSON, „ , Chairman. Colhngwood, Ont., May 14th, 1878. HI IQ 05