The sixth annual report of the Grand Secretary is as crisp as an east wind, and as juicy as a Seckel pear. There is in it no reminder of codfish or of dried apples. The Grand Master was requested to appoint, in addition to the Grand Chaplain, Associate Grand Chaplains, one for each county of the state other than the county in which the Grand Chaplain may reside. The Committee on Grievances reported "in the language of Josiah Whitcomb, 'there is no complaint; everybody is satisfied.' A per capita tax of $1.00 was levied, twenty-five per cent to be used to defray Grand Lodge expenses, and seventy-five per cent to go to the Masonic Charity foundation fund. The report on deceased brethren is brief, appropriate in expression, and reverently tender in spirit. The "Returns from the Constituent Lodges" show one hundred and nine lodges, with seventeen thousand four hundred and fortysix affiliated Master Masons, an increase the past year of two hundred and fourteen. The sixth annual report on correspondence from the pen of Brother John H. Barlow (173 pages) is a veritable mine of information and Masonic intelligence. He quotes freely, but always with discrimination, comments tersely and pointedly, is keen, incisive, adroit, and unfailingly suave and courteous. Under Alabama he endorses our views as to the injustice of any regulation requiring the payment of dues that accrue during suspension, saying: "What we particularly object to is making the brother pay for what he does not have." He endorses Brother Ruckle's views on Mexican Masonry, as "sound and able," quoting from the latter quite fully. Iowa is credited with "the usual neat and attractive volume," and an "able address" is set down to Brother Bowen's account, generous extracts being made therefrom. "The veteran Grand Secretary, Brother T. S. Parvin, presents his usual interesting report." Of our report Brother Barlow speaks kindly, and honors us by citing our views on the Negro question, and also our conclusion. His conclusion has this sorrowful minor note: "To the writer the past year has been one of sorrow and bereavement. We have been called to stand before the open grave of a loved companion who for many years has shared our joys and sorrows, and without revelation the future is indeed dark and gloomy, but we rejoice that through the merits of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah we can look forward to a joyful resurrection and reunion with the loved ones gone before." Our heart goes out in tender sympathy to our stricken brother in his sorrow and loneliness. We know the bitterness of that experience. We commend to him-as we take to our own heart-the lesson of these beautiful lines from an unknown hand: Perhaps you have heard of the method strange, Of violin makers in distant lands, Who, by breaking and mending with skilful hands, Than ever was possible for them, so long "Have you ever thought when the heart was sad, Was made through sorrow a helper glad, Whose service should lighten more and more "Then take this simple lesson to heart When sorrows crowd, and you cannot sing: Of the wondrous plan that gives, through pain, Most Worshipful John G. Rowland, New Haven, Grand Master. G DELAWARE. RAND MASTER J. Harmer Rile looks at us from the frontispiece frankly, pleasantly, with welcome in his eye, and we doubt not it is in his hand and heart. A special communication was held at Houston, July 6th, 1899, for the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Grand Master presided, and we doubt not all was done according to the ancient rites and usages of the craft. The Ninety-ninth Annual Communication was held in Wilmington, October 4th and 5th, 1899. Seven Past Grand Masters were present. The Grand Master thus began his able address: "As we pause on the threshold of the twentieth century, bright with promise and great with possibilities, and view the marvelous progress of the civilization of the past hundred years, it seems almost incredible that such great things have been accomplished. The sciences and arts have stimulated the inventive mind; steam and electricity have come to be the motive forces of the universe, and we are about to round out a century of progress the like of which has never been known. "Our own country has been pre-eminent in this progress. God has abundantly blessed her and her free institutions, and she has produced a nation whose capacity for accomplishing great things has won the respect and admiration of the world. "There have been times in the history of our country when the hand of Providence seemed to be guiding us and shaping our destinies, but at no time has this been so apparent as in the last two years. "Our nation began the century with a revolution for liberty and independence, and closes it with a war waged in behalf of au oppressed and suffering people. "And it is a source of congratulation and pride to us, that in both wars the head of our nation was one of our craft. "How thankful we should be that in all our warfare, the God of Battles has given us the victory, preserved and prospered us, and made us a mighty nation." He reported "peace and harmony." The membership was two thousand two hundred and thirty-five-a net gain of fifty-nine. On the question of according Masonic burial to a suicide, he decided that the question of sanity must have been previously determined by legal process, and the suicide been under restraint, either private or public, to warrant Masonic rites. His own opinion was that no suicide should have Masonic burial, but the Grand Lodge did not concur, and left a former approved decision as the rule of the jurisdiction, viz.: that a suicide under insanity did not preclude Masonic burial. The Grand Master visited every lodge of his jurisdiction; he also visited the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Two of their three lodges of instruction "were flat failures, owing to causes which should be apparent to all." The uniform work, in consequence, was far from uniform. There was no explanatory lecture in the first degree; a defect which the Grand Lodge ordered corrected. He issued an edict of non-intercourse against the Grand Lodge of Washington, to continue until the meeting of the Grand Lodge; and the latter sustained his action. Noting the more recent action of the Grand Lodge of Washington, he says: "In my opinion the Grand Lodge of Washington stands on precisely the same ground after the repealing of the Negro resolutions as she did when she originally adopted them." He appears to construe the repeal as meaning about this: "If we have done anything that we are sorry for we are glad of it, and we are willing to be forgiven"-which does not indicate very thorough penitence. The Grand Treasurer's "balance in hand" was $1,466.25. The report of the Grand Secretary is brief, yet complete; it contains no self-exploitation. The Grand Masters of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with two Past Grand Masters and the Grand Secretary of the former jurisdiction, were introduced and appropriately honored. A handsome jewel was presented to the retiring Grand Master by Rev. Bishop Leighton Coleman in a felicitous speech. In eighty-one pages Brother L. H. Jackson reviewed sixty jurisdictions wisely and well. His introduction occupies four lines; his conclusion overruns that limit by three words. But the meat is between these brevities, and the sandwich is toothsome. He knows how to pack information as merchants pack treasure for a desert journey. Iowa is accorded nearly two pages. "The volume of Proceedings from Iowa is tastefully bound, beautifully printed, well arranged, and presents on frontispiece portraits of the five elective Grand Officers." Grand Master Bowen, he says, "opened his interesting address with the expression of patriotic sentiments." The chief points of the address are well summarized, and the conclusion is quoted. The report on correspondence is styled "a most valuable and instructive compend of all matters of importance in the Masonic world." His appreciative words are gratefully noted, and his endorsement is an incentive to renewed effort to merit the kind things so gracefully said. Most Worshipful William W. Black, Jr., Laurel, Grand Master. Right Worshipful Benjamin F. Bartram, Wilmington, Grand Secretary. Next annual communication, Wilmington, October 3d, 1900. A DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SPECIAL communication was held in Masonic Temple, Washington, March 30th, 1899, Brother John H. Small, Jr., Grand Master, presiding, for the purpose of witnessing the exem. plification of the degrees. Twenty-four lodges were represented. The newly appointed Grand Lecturer, Brother Thomas H. Young, under the supervision of the Committee on Work, exemplified the three degrees in full, and was highly complimented upon his skill and devotion in his new role. At the Semi-Annual communication held May 10th, twenty-one lodges were represented. A report from the Committee on Jurisprudence with reference to the Washington imbroglio on Negro Masonry presented a resolution fraternally requesting the Grand Lodge of Washington to reconsider and recede from her position announced June 14th, 1898, in the interest of peace and harmony. No other business of importance was introduced. A special communication was held July 1st for the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the Gay Street Baptist church, which was done in due form by the Grand Master. At the Annual Communication, held November 8th, twenty-five lodges were represented, and twelve Past Grand Masters were enrolled; fifteen pages sufficed the Grand Master for an excellent address. Past Senior Grand Warden F. A. Jackson was called from labor during the year. The decisions reported are none of them of general interest. He made twenty-five official visitations. On the 21st of October, 1899, "by virtue of the power vested in me as Grand Master," he conferred the degrees of Masonry, at sight, upon Admiral Winfield Scott Schley, "the Admiral being at that time under orders to proceed to take charge of the South Atlantic squadron, and he having expressed a great desire to become a Mason prior to his leaving this country." We can but wonder what caused the sudden conviction to seize the honored naval hero that it would be desirable to become a Mason; and also whether it is at all probable that the courtesy of a short-cut would have been accorded a "navvy" who might have asked it, he also having been ordered to duty with the South Atlantic squadron. This whole business of making Masons "at sight" is a bit of favoritism that should be relegated to limbo. An appropriation of $150 was made as a contribution to the Washington centennial fund. A communication from a committee of the Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, asking coöperation in establishing a Masonic Home was presented, and referred to a special committee. A resolution in regard to the formation of a General Grand Lodge was rejected. The pertinacity with which that ghost serenely bobs up at intervals is worthy of imitation by more meritorious matters. The membership of the jurisdiction is five thousand five hundred and seventy-nine-a gain of two hundred and sixty-seven. The installation communication was held December 27th. The special committee on Masonic Home asked the postponement of the matter to the May communication, and it was so ordered. The Grand Master-elect delivered a brief address after his installation, which gives a taste of his quality-good, very good, indeed. In one hundred pages the thirtieth annual report of Brother Singleton on correspondence is presented. He quotes quite freely; he comments vigorously, demurring or concurring without fear or favor. He accords to Iowa four and one-half pages. Grand Master Bowen's address, he says, "refers to all matters of interest in connection with his office and the general affairs of his jurisdiction," and he quotes freely therefrom. "As usual, we are confronted with the admirable reports of the Right Worshipful Grand Secretary and the Grand Librarian, which, from their length, we must pass over." From the report on Negro Masonry he quotes freely, and from our report a single extract is taken, commenting on Brother Singleton's contention that army lodges had no right to make Masons of citizens of any country in which regularly constituted lodges existed. Under Texas he has this word on the Gran Dieta: "Since our last report we have received a communication from another United Grand Lodge of Mexico,' at Vera Cruz; also, a paper from the Supreme Council of Mexico; and if Masonry is not in a 'terrible tangle,' we do not know what to call the condition in that country. We have held our breath for several years in great hopes that matters would soon find their level and good would come out of the turmoil, but since Secretary Canton's death we opine that the soul of the Gran Dieta will soon depart." He arose from a sick bed to write his "conclusion," which is: "May our Father who is in heaven have you all in His holy keeping. Amen." Most Worshipful William G. Henderson, Washington, Grand Master. Right Worshipful William R. Singleton, Masonic Temple, Washington, Grand Secretary. Next annual communication, November 14th, 1900. |