p J'b S J r/ ■ V . /V {?/ ANNUAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE M. W. GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, BEGUN AND HELD IN THE CITY OF NASHVILLE ON THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER. A. L. 5860. ORDERED TO BE READ IN ALL THE LODGES. M. W. James McCallum, Grand Master, Pulaski. B. W. Charles A. Fuller, Grand Secretary, Nashville. PRINTED AT THE SOUTHERN METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENN. 1860. ANNUAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE I. W. GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, BEGUN AND HELD IN THE CITY OF NASHVILLE ON THE FIRST MONDAY IN OCTOBER. A. L. 5860. ORDERED TO BE READ IN ALL THE LODGES. M. W. James McCallum, Grand Master, Pulaski, H. W. Charles A. Puller, Grand Secretary, Nashville. PRINTED AT THE SOUTHERN METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENN. 1860. PROCEEDINGS. The Forty-eighth Annual Communication of the M. "W. Grand Lodge oe Tennessee, Free and Accepted Masons, was begun and held at the Masonic Temple in the City of Nashville, on the first Monday of October, (being the first day of the month,) A. D. 1860, A. L. 5860. present. M. W. JOHN FRIZZELL, Grand Master. R. W. ALFRED P. HALL, Deputy Grand Master. u " JOHN F. SLOVER, Senior Grand Warden. u " JAMES McCALLUM, Junior G. Warden, pro-tem. " (C and Rev. R. B. C. HOWELL, Grand Chaplain, a u "WILLIAMSON H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretaiy. Bro. W. W. WARD, Senior Grand Deacon. " JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Junior Grand Deacon. « M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tyler. past masters. W. M. Reed, B. B. Bass, J. M. Harwell, J. H. Devereux, I. F. Crane, W. D. Brigance, S. H. Stout, W. J. Mahan, B. H. Anderson, H. T. Hunnicutt, J. J. Abernathy, T. W. Hines, G. S. Miles, J. W. Carter, Wm. Palmer, M. Drummond, B. T. Johnson, W. N. Bicknell, J. M. Rogers, F. A. McElyea, L. H. Rogan, J. W. Saunders, T. M. Jones, J. V. Jones, S. B. Riggsbee, H. P. Carney, J. M. Witherspoon, W. L. Farmer, S. Kirkpatrick. H. J. Patterson, I. R. Sherrod, H. McCall, W. G. Horton, J. Gingry, J. A. Wright, T. B. McDowell, D. H. True, A. G. Mason, R. H. Powell, W. C. Larue, M. J. Irvine, H. H. Harrison, S. K. Orr, J. T. Sparkman, T. B. Hamlin, W. M. Knott, J. A. Bostick, Henry Cooper, M. W. Winters, J. W. Johnson, J. P. Doss, W. B. Parker, W. F. Abernathy, J. F. Ziegler, H. P. Keeble, A. J. Campbell, J. M. Peebles, D. Kincannon, G. W. Crouch, M. Whitten, W. H. Allen, Thos. Taylor, W. M. Johnson, S. J. Crawford, J. M. Bates, A. S. Underwood, J. P. Roach, J. D. Easley, J. T. Edgar, Jr. W. P. Massengale, E. A. Wright, B. S. Rhea. Abe Frizzell, W. A. Marshall, X Tlvul o-Pff. F.. D- WheploTv 316 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., PAST GRAND OFFICERS. Samuel McManus, P. G. M. A. M. Hughes, P. G. M. John S. Dashiell, P. G. M. Thomas McCulloch, P. G. M. D. R. Rawlings, P. D. G. 3VI. Thomas W. Wisdom, P. D. G. M. James A. Thompson, P. D. G. M. Francis G. Roche, P. S. G. W. LODGES REPRESENTED. Overton Lodge, No 5., Hiram 7. Cumberland 8., Western. Star 9. Wliitesides 13., Carthage Benevolent 14. Mt. Moriah 18., Elkton 24. Columbia 31., Union 38. Rising Star 44.. Jackson 45. Rhea 47. Meridian Sun 50. Olive Branch 53. Clinton 54. Mt. Pleasant 57. Brownsville 58. Mt. Libanus 59. Constantine 64. Blair 67. Jackson 68. Somerville 73. Liberty 77. Tellico 80. Lagrange 81. Trenton 86. AVestern Sun 88. Clarksville 89. Dresden 90. Hess 93 King Solomon 94. Germantown 95. Caledonia 96. Charlotte 97. Lebanon 98. Sparta 99. Ripley 100. Pulaski 101. Savannah 102. Union 104. St. James 105. Huntingdon 106. Lawrenceburg 107. Paris 108. Marshall 109, Benton Ill, Dillahunty 112, Union 113 Harrison 114, .J. Huntington. .W. D. Andrews. ,S. Kirkpatrick. ,B. H. Anderson. Not represented. ,W. AV. Ward. H. P. Keeble, G. AV. A. Anthony. ,S. H. Stout, H. T. Hunnicutt. J. M. Harwell, A. M. Hughes. .0. A. Fuller.* ,G. H. Grove. Not represented. A. G. Mason. .John F. Slover, W. G. Horton. Not represented. .T. B. McDowell. Not represented. .F. A. Claiborne, W. M. Sims. .L. H. Rogau, Wm. Palmer. .J. H. Andrews. Not represented. . Not represented. Not represented. .W. H. Magness. .W. N. Bicknell. .W. L. Farmer. Not represented. .A. J. Meacham. [W. Wisdom. .Thos. McCulloch, D. Shropshire, Thos. .Isaac C. R-eavis. .W. J. Mahan. .F. G. Mackay. .John Gray. Not represented. .J. B. Cording, J. D. Trimble. .John C. AVhite. .AV. B. Cummings. By Proxy. .E. Edmondson, Jas. McCallum. Not represented. .1. R. Sherrod. .AV. A. Brinn. Not represented. Not represented. Not represented. Not represented. ..John T. Sparkman. ,.R. H. Powell. Not represented. ,.Thos. H. Roddy. * Names in italics are Proxies. I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 317 Yorkville 115..., Tannehill 116.... McLemoresville 117.... South Memphis 118... Greeneville 119.... Macon 120.... Boydsville 121.... Shelbyville Benevolent 122..., Petersburg 123..., Spring Hill 124... Warren 125... Cornersville 126... Waynesboro 127..., New Providence 128..., Mars Hill 129... Sandy Hill 130... Phoenix 131... Purdy 132... Tannehill 133... Cleveland 134... Triune 135... Oakland 136... Hampton 137... Pleasant Grove 138... Vale of Tempe 139... Union 140... Martin 141... Morning Sun 144... Conyersville 145... Holly Springs 146... Andrew Jackson 147... Whiteville 148... Lafayette 149... Dunham 150... Hatchie 151... Colliersville 152... Cotton Grove 153... Denmark 154... Acacia 157... Cumberland 158... Washington 159... Chapel Hill 160... Boon's Hill 161... Raleigh 162... Mason's Grove 163... Quincey 164... Dancey ville 165... Medon 166... Bigby ville 167... Angerona 168... Dukedom 169... Berlin 170... Owen Hill 172... Clifton 173... Lavinia 174... Alexandria 175... Limestone 176... Mt. Pelia 177... Como 178... Camden 179... A. S. Underwood. .R. M. Prouty. Not represented. ,.A. J. Wheeler. Not represented. .Jas. A. Thompson. .J. W. Hood. [Cooper. .John T. Edgar, Jr., R. F. Evans, Henry ,.F. N. Cole. ,.J. N. McDonald, Henry Forbes. ,.H. H. Harrison. ,.S. K. Orr. ,.Wm. James. Not represented. ,.W. A. Marshall. Not represented. ,.M. B. Howell, H. Sheffield, Jas. Lumsden. Not represented. ..Jos. Lepsheets. ,.D. Kincannon, J. Alex. Davis. ,.J. M. Peebles, Jas. A. Bostick. ,.Jas. A. Thompson. ,.L. D. Moody. ..And. J. Campbell. Not represented. Not represented. ..Jas. B. Hale. ..W. H. Allen. ..John Martin. ..N. R. Yarbrough. ..G. S. Miles. ..W. M. Johnson. ..H. S. Young, B. M. Satterfield. ..I. R. Sherrod. ..Thos. Taylor. Not represented. ..W. D. Brigance. By Proxy. ..R. A. Wilson. ..John Burrough. Not represented. ..E. T. Williams. Not represented. Forfeited. ..W. W. Boykin. ,.W. E. Matthews. ..H. L. Douglass, T. C. Coppage. Not represented. ..S. J. Crawford. ..W. H. Fitch, Jr., Lee Aldrich. ..A. M. Clemons. ..J. M. Richardson. ..J. T. Wilson. ..Allen Jones, T. M. Jobe. Not represented. ..J. P. Doss. ..B. F. Brittain. Not represented. ..C. A. Breedlove. ..F. A. McElyea. 318 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., Evening Star 180 Not represented. Washington 181 Not represented. Nolensville 182 M. J. Irvin. Hugh I. Pa e Polk 183 J. D. Easley. Harmony 184 By Proxy. Lynnville 18-5 W. F. Abernathy, J. W. Johnson. Morning Star 186 P. M. Pate. Hiwassee 188 J. M. Bates. McCulloeh 189 J. J. Dilling. Brazleton 190 1. E. Rudezinske. Shady Grove 191 J. P. Roach. Merriwether 192 W. M. Collier. Spring Creek 193 Not represented. Bethel 194 B. B. Bass, Wm. Parkes. Roche 195 J. H. Devereux, W. H. Whiton. Mountain Star 197 By Proxy. / Moscow 198 R. T. de Aragon. Chattanooga 199 Danl. R. Rawlings. Pearl 200 1. F. Green. Bethosda 201 J. D. Warren, Wm. M. Knott. Shiloh 202 Not represented. Milton 203 W. W. McKnight. Tennessee 204 J. H. Harrison. Eaton 206 Not represented. Lineport. 207 A. C. Richards. New Portland 208 A. W. Askew. Baker 209 W. M. Carson. Linden 210 A. D. Paulus. Woodlawn 211 G. W. Crouch. Ocoee 212 Not represented. Meigs 213 J. F. Ziegler. Harmony 214 S. N. Burger. Sulphur Well 215 G. R. Thompson. Green Mount 216 Not represented. Vernon 217 B. B. Satterfield. Decaturville 218 Not represented. Hamburg 220 By Proxy. Smyrna 221 J. H. Adkerson, J. P. H. Weakley. Montezuma 222 J. N. Hunter. St. James 223 Not represented. Lanefield 224 By Proxy. Fredonia 225 J. E. Cage. Tipton 226 M. Drummond. Cherry Mount 227 S. B. Riggsbee. Valley Forge 228 W. B. McGregor. Friendship 229 G. L. Ross. Cuba 230 T. W. Hines. Morristown 231 Lewis A. Garrett. Gravel Hill 232 Not represented. Salem ....233 Not represented. Newport 234 By Proxy. Woodbury 235 Jacob B. Hawkins. Washington 236 Not represented. Laguardo 237 W. H. Harris, T. E. Ross. Dashiell 238 Not represented. Hermon 239 Not represented. Beech 240 Robt. Taylor. Ducktown 241 Robt. Steele. Thyatira. 242 J. M. Witherspoon, E. A. Speer. Taylorsville 243 Not represented. I860.] grand lodge op tennessee. 819 Masters 244. Woodville 245.. New Market 246.. John Hart 247. Vesper 248. New Middleton 249.. Centre Point 250.. Friendship 251.. Bone 252. Chota 253., Edgefield 254. Sycamore 255,, Bradshaw 256.. Livingston 259., Clarksburg 260., Mountain 261. Tullahoma 262.. Ellen 263., Adams 264.. Farmville 265 , Cookville 266.. Saltillo 267.. Reliance 268.. Fuller 269. Phoenix 270., Tannehill 271., Burton 272.. Caldwell 273.. Johnson D ,274.. New Castle 275.. Turley 276.. Sneedville 277.. Tyre 278.. West Point 279.. Sale Creek 280.. Jamestown 281.. Crystal Fountain D 282.. Union Chapel D 283.. Felix Grundy D 284.. Newbern D 285.. N ewburgh D 286.. Farmington D 287.. Marlboro D 288.. Leila Scott D 289.. .E. F. Lyons. .Jacob Gingry. ,W. P. Massengill. .H. P. Carney. .W. B. Pursley. .J. A. Wright, J. G. Bridges, E. A. Wright ,Wm. C. Larue. Not represented. .M. Whitten. ,J. M. Rodgers. .T. B. Hamlin, J. B. Canfield. .M. W. Winters, M. P. Frey. .J. B. Neill. Not represented. .Henry McCall. .W. B. Parker. .James Grizzard. Not represented. .W. T. Topp. .A. P. Hall. .J. W. Crutcher. .Jas. W. Saunders. .M. H. Webb. .Jacob Gingry. J. E. Rice. .J. H. Galbreath. .J. V. Jones, W. G. Jones. .W. C. Wyatt. Not represented. .Thos. Taylor. .W. P. Owen. Not represented. .A. J. Meacham. .D. H. True. Not represented. Not represented. .Charles Payne. ,R. AV. Cooley. ,H. S. Sheid. ,M. AVhitten. ,S. A. Whiteside. ,W. M. Robinson. .John T. Irion. .Charles Scott. The roll of subordinate Lodges was called, when the foregoing Repre¬ sentatives answered to their respective names. After an invocation to the Throne of Grace by R. W. and Rev. Grand Chaplain, the M. W. Grand Lodge of Tennessee was opened in ^Itltplf Jfotttt- The M. W. Grand Master then delivered his Annual Address, which, on motion, was unanimously ordered to be printed with the Proceedings, and is as follows : Brethren of the Grand Lodge :—I submit herewith a statement of my official acts, to which it is proper for me to call your attention : dispensations, commissions, etc. October 8, 1859, a commission was issued to R. W. Jonathan Huntington, Past 320 proceedings of the [Oct., . . . kirn fr> net as Deputy Grand Lecturer. Tlie "brother Grand ^aplain, authorizing^^^ .q ^ department of Masonry so fully appre- cSedUby the Fraternify in this State, and which has been acquired while filling thG^o/jer0lV^ II- Reid> J- M- Gilbert, and A. S. Cur- rey were appointed a Special Committee to investigate a charge filed with me against Dresden Lodge, No. 90, and were directed to report as soon as practicable. No report has been received from the Committee—it will probably be submitted to you at this Communication. December 5, 1859, Dispensation was granted to Woodville Lodge, No. 245, to assemble and transact its appropriate business, until the present Communication, the charter of the Lodge having been destroyed by fire. March 6, 1860, permission was granted to Bone Lodge, No. 252, to remove its place of meeting from " Pond Hill" to "Rutherford Depot," in Gibson county. March 15, 1860, The Dispensation heretofore granted to Johnson Lodge, No. 274, was renewed, and the Lodge authorized to act under it, until this Communi¬ cation of the Grand Lodge. April 27, 1860, a Dispensation was granted, authorizing the formation of Leila Scott Lodge, No. 289, at Memphis. This is the only one which has been issued for the formation of a new Lodge, although several other applications have been made, none of which justifying, in my opinion, such action. May 1, 1860, Dispensation was granted to Morning Star Lodge, No. 186, to as¬ semble and transact its appropriate business, until this Communication, the charter of the Lodge having been destroyed by fire. May 5, 1860, permission was granted to Shiloh Lodge, No. 202, to remove its place of meeting from " Shiloh" to "Humboldt," in Gibson county. grand inspectors. In accordance with the directions of the Grand Lodge, at its last Communication, commissions were issued, appointing Grand Inspectors in each Senatorial District in the State, and their names printed with the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge for 1859. R. W. Brother William M. Bradford, Grand Inspector for the Second District, on April 17, 1860, resigned his position, and on May 5, 1860, a commission was issued, appointing in his stead R. W. Brother Lewis F. Leeper, of Morris- town, who accepted. This system has worked well, and has been of essential aid to me in the discharge of my duties; and from all the information in my possession, I am satisfied it has operated materially for the advantage of the Subordinate Lodges. I strongly urge the propriety of continuing the system and rendering it permanent. From reports received from Grand Inspectors, and which are herewith submitted, it will be seen that the Subordinate Lodges in the State, with but few exceptions, are in a healthy and flourishing condition. representatives. In pursuance of the resolution adopted by the Grand Lodge at its last Commu¬ nication, the following brethren have been appointed to represent the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, near other Grand Lodges which have adopted the Representative system: Minnesota—M. W. A. T. C. Pierson, St. Paul. New York—M. W. John L. Lewis, Jr., Penn Yan. Louisiana—M. W. William M. Perkins, New Orleans. Arkansas—M. W. Luke E. Barber, Little Rock. Alabama—R. W. Hu. Parks Watson, Montgomery. The list is not yet complete, and it is desirable that it should be made so as soon as practicable, that the fraternal relations existing between this Grand Lodge and the other Grand Lodges with which it is in correspondence, may be perpetuated. decisions. A synopsis of the decisions made by me, since Oct. 1, 1858, is herewith submitted for your action. Many of these decisions are upon questions so well and so long I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 321 settled, that it might seem unnecessary to have embodied them in the synopsis ; hut the fact that they have been made in answer to interrogatories submitted to me, will explain why they are there. This synopsis is submitted, that the Grand Lodge may agree to or dissent from the decisions made, so that the Fraternity of the State may know the position of the Grand Lodge on the subjects embraced by them, and in this manner relieve future Grand Masters from much of the very onerous labor which they will be called upon to perform. AMERICAN MASONIC HOME. It is proposed to establish in the city of Washington a " well-endowed national institution for the maintenance and education of the widows and orphans of Am¬ erican Free Masons." The object of this institution commends it to the favorable consideration of every member of our Order, and the " statement and appeal of the Regents of the American Masonic Home for Widows and Orphans" is submitted herewith, that the Grand Lodge may take such steps in the matter as it may deem most advisable. This course is taken in response to an urgent appeal from the General Superintendent of said institution. CHARTERS FORFEITED. Olive Branch Lodge, No. 53, Vale of Tempe Lodge, No. 139, and Raleigh Lodge, No. 162, having forfeited their charters by failing to make Returns to the Grand Lodge, and failing to send Representatives to the Grand Lodge, the Grand Inspect¬ ors for the Districts in which those Lodges are located were directed to take charge of their charter, and books, and property, and have them before you at this Com¬ munication. CHARGES AGAINST LODGES AND W. MASTER. Charges have been preferred against two Lodges : one against Dresden Lodge, No. 90, which has already been noticed; the other against Washington Lodge, No. 181, was referred by me to the investigation of the Grand Inspector for the Third District, and his action in the premises may be seen by reference to his re¬ port. The Grand Inspector for the Third District, while investigating the charge against Washington Lodge, deemed it proper, acting by my authority, to suspend until this Communication the late W. Master of said Lodge, and his action in this respect is submitted for your consideration. Brethren, once more, in the providence of God, we are permitted to assemble at our Annual Communication; and I know not how you may feel, yet methinks I read upon each cheerful countenance an emotion kindred to my own. There is, for me, no more delightful season than that of meeting my brethren of the Grand Lodge. Varied as may be the position in life of each one around me, here we meet upon one common level—the broad platform of brotherly-love firmly fixed beneath our feet, and the rich firmament o'er our heads bestudded with the bright stars of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Amongst our number, I see the white-headed pilgrim who but awaits, for a short time here, the call of the Great Architect above. Again, I see the brother in manhood's rich and glorious prime, ready to seize the Trowel or the Square, and assist in rearing the great edifice in which we are all co-laborers. Here, too, are those who have just emerged from the floral halls of youth—just ceased to chase the bubble of Fancy, or to look upon life as one green oasis, whose flowers are ever fresh and rare, and whose streams never grow turbulent. But notwith¬ standing this great disparity in hopes and hearts, I perceive a chain of purest, gold binding together the whole, as a band of brothers, with a common object. Let us fervently pray, my brethren, that its links may never be broken, or its brightness tarnished. And now, in vacating the office which I have held for the past two years, it is my duty, as well as my greatest pleasure, to express my sincere gratitude for your flattering partiality, your gentle forbearance, your words of encouragement, and your smiles of approval, which have been as bright lights in the path which other- 322 PROCEEDINGS OF THE wise would have been uninviting. For, much as I love the Art, and delightful as the study of her mysteries has ever been, my heart would have long since fright¬ ened at the innumerable difficulties which so frequently occur, and ceased to as¬ pire to any elevation in the Order, had not you, as one great band of brothers, steadied my tottering steps, and held me up when I otherwise would have trem¬ blingly fallen. pew nor do I say it in any spirit of egotism—have attained the elevation upon which I stand, at so early an age; and none, I am sure, could feel prouder of the position than myself. No position in the political, or even intellectual world, would be considered by me equal to the worthily wearing the honors which you have conferred on me. And when Time shall have left his footprints on my brow, and Fame and Fortune have cast all the honors at my feet which they may see fit to bestow, I shall cherish this era in my history as the " greenest spot in memory's waste." On motion of Bro. Charles Scott, the Address of the M. W. Grand Master was referred to the consideration of a special committee. The R. W. Deputy Grand Master appointed Bros. Charles Scott, Samuel H. Stout, and Thos. McCulloch, as said committee. On motion of Bro. E. Edmundson, it was Resolved, That the Grand Lodge proceed to the election of its Grand Officers for the ensuing year, at 7 J o'clock to-morrow evening. Bro. Charles Scott then read the following communication, which, on motion, was ordered to be entered on the minutes : To the M. W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Tennessee : Having been requested by your body, two years ago, to prepare a work on Ma¬ sonic Law, it is due to you to state the reason why my labors have not been finished. The work is nearly completed, and would have been ready for the press, had not domestic troubles, and my own feeble health during the past summer, prevented. So it is; and I presume it will turn out for the best, in affording me more time for study and reflection. Permit me, here, to suggest that Masonic Law is in its in¬ fancy, and while there exist so many conflicting opinions upon various questions, it would be, perhaps, prudent for this Grand Lodge not to adopt any work as the Law of the Order. While it may be proper to recommend a work of merit, it is doubtful, in my mind, whether we should endorse that as the Law, without the most critical examination. I hope, therefore, the Grand Lodge will permit me to finish my book at my leisure, and, when finished, to publish upon my own responsi¬ bility. Fraternally, CHAS. SCOTT. The M. W. Grand Master then announced the presence in the Grand Lodge of the following brethren as Representatives of sister Grand Lodges, viz.: Bro. Charles Scott, for Dominican Republic. " Francis G. Roche, for Louisiana.. " Thomas McCulloch, for Minnesota. " F. N. Porter, for New Hampshire. " Charles A. Fuller, for Kansas. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until to¬ morrow morning. I860.] grand lodge of tennessee. 323 Tuesday, October 2, 1860. The Grand Lodge resumed labor according to previous order. Present: M. W. JOHN FRIZZELL, Grand Master. R. W. ALFRED P. HALL, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN F. SLOVER, Senior G. Warden. <( " JAMES McOALLUM, Junior G. Warden, pro tern, u u yf h. HORN, Grand Treasurer. Cl u CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. W. W. WARD, Senior G. Deacon. « JOHN H. DEYEREUX, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. Together with the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. The M. W. Grand Master then announced the following Standing Committees, viz. : On By-Laws.—Brothers A. S. Underwood, R. F. Evans, and Wm. Palmer. On Returns.—Brothers L. H. Rogan, John C. White, and G. S. Miles. On Dispensations.—Brothers M. B. Howell, W. D. Brigance, and J. H. Harrison. On Accounts.—Brothers J. F. Slover, Wm. L. Farmer, and S. N- Burger. On Appeals.—Brothers H. H. Harrison, W. W. Ward, James A. Thompson, E. Edmundson, and T. B. McDowell. On Correspondence.—Brothers Charles A. Fuller, Saml. McManus, and F. G. Roche. On Unfinished Business.—Brothers E. F. Lyons, James Grizzard, and W. W. Boykin. On Work.—Brothers J. Huntington, W. H. Fitch, Jr., and D. R. Rawlings. On Masonic Jurisprudence.—Brothers Charles Scott, Thos. McCulloch, S. H. Stout, Thos. W. Wisdom, A. P. Hall, and A. M. Hughes. On Examinations.—Brothers D. Shropshire and M. E. DeGrove. The committee on Correspondence made their Annual Report, which, being in printed form, was distributed to the members of the Grand Lodge. On motion, the report was referred to the consideration of the committee on Masonic Jurisprudence. For report, see page 212. On motion, the M. W. Grand Master appointed the following brethren 324 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [OcL> as a committee to make arrangements for the delivery of the Annual Ad¬ dress by the Grand Orator, viz.: Bros. John H. Devereux, John McClel¬ land, and Theodore B. Hamlin. Bro. F. N. Porter, Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Hamp¬ shire near the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, on behalf of the Grand Lodge represented by him, presented a copy of the reprint of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, embracing a period of fifty years. On motion of Bro. Thos. McCulloch, P. G. M., the thanks of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee were ordered to be tendered to the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, for this token of their fraternal regard. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until 3 o'clock this evening. Tuesday, October 2, 3 o'clock P. M. The Grand Lodge again assembled according to previous notice. Present: M. W. JOHN FRIZZELL, Grand Master. R. W. ALFRED P. HALL, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN F. SLOVER, Senior G. Warden. il " J AMES McC ALLUM, Junior G. Warden, pro tem. u u W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. H. P. KEEBLE, Senior G. Deacon, pro tem. " JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Junior G. Deacon. « M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. And a large number of the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. The special committee on the M. W. Grand Master's Address made the following report, which was agreed to : The Committee on the M. W. Grand Master's Address and the accompanying re¬ ports and documents, respectfully report, that the sentiments contained in the Address are worthy of the careful attention and consideration of the Fraternity. They, ask that they be discharged from the consideration of the accompanying decisions and reports, and recommend that they he referred to the committee on Masonic Jurisprudence. CHAS. SCOTT S. H. STOUT, ' THOS. McCULLOCH. The special committee appointed to make arrangements for the delivery of the Annual Address, made the following report, which was received and concurred in: I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 325 The committee appointed to name the time and place, and to make arrangements for attending the address of the Grand Orator, respectfully report as follows:—That the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, on Thursday afternoon next, at three o'clock, as¬ semble in the Concert Room of the Masonic Temple for the purpose of hearing the address of Bro. Thos. Tayloe, Grand Orator, at which time and place the citizens of Nashville are most respectfully invited to be present. J. H. DEVEREUX, T. B. HAMLIN, jno. McClelland. The R. W. Grand Secretary read the following communication, which was ordered to be entered on the minutes: Claeksville, Tenn., April 11, 1860. Chaeles A. Fullee, Grand Secretary: R. W. Sir and Brother: At a stated communication of Clarksville Lodge, No. 89, held on the first Monday in January, 1860, the undersigned were appointed a committee to wait on Bro. Thos. McCulloch, Past Master of said Lodge, and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Tennessee, and request of him the privilege of having two photograph likenesses of him taken—one to be hung up in the Lodge room of Clarksville Lodge, No. 89, and one to be presented through us to the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. The committee have discharged the duty assigned them, and have the pleasure of forwarding herewith the photograph likeness of Bro. McCulloch, which you will have the kindness, on behalf of Clarksville Lodge, to present to your Grand Lodge. We take this occasion to bear testimony to the zeal and fidelity of our worthy Brother, and offer to your Grand body this slight token as an evidence of our warm regard for him, and our high appreciation of his moral and Masonic worth. Very respectfully and fraternally, THOS. W. WISDOM, B. R. PEART, E. M. CLARK. Whereupon, on motion, the photograph likeness of Bro. Thomas Mc¬ Culloch, P. G. M., was accepted, and ordered to be suspended in the Grand Lodge room; and the thanks of the Grand Lodge to be transmitted to Clarksville Lodge, No. 89, for their valuable present. The committee on Masonic Jurisprudence made a report, which, after some discussion, on motion, was laid on the table. The following report was received, read, and adopted: The committee on Dispensations present the following report:—We have examined the proceedings of the following Lodges, working under Dispensations, viz.: Crys¬ tal Fountain Lodge, No. 282 ; Union Chapel Lodge, No. 283 ; Felix Grundy Lodge, No. 284 ; Newbern Lodge, No. 285; Newburgh Lodge, No. 286; Farmington Lodge, No. 287; Marlborough Lodge, No. 288; and Leila Scott Lodge, No. 289, and find them generally correct, with the following exceptions: In the minutes of Newbern Lodge, No. 285, it is recorded, that a candidate being rejected, the ballot was, on motion, reconsidered, and being again taken, the can¬ didate was elected. On another page, two candidates were severally rejected; afterwards, during the same meeting, these ballots were, on motion, reconsidered, and the petitions laid over until the next stated meeting. At the next meeting the candidates were again rejected. These proceedings your committee consider improper, and worthy of notice We find also in the minutes of Newburgh Lodge, No. 286, a record of the fact 326 proceedings oe the [Oct., that a petitioner was rejected by two black balls. This also we consider im- P We consider however, that these errors were made by the Secretaries, and per¬ haps ought not to be ascribed to the Lodges, and recommend, therefore, that the Lodges above named receive Charters from this Grand Lod^e.^ ^ H0WELL, J. H. HARRISON, W. 1). BRIGANCE. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until 7 o'clock this evening. Tuesday, October 2, 7 o'clock P. M. The Grand Lodge again called from refreshment to labor. Present: M. W. JOHN FRIZZELL, Grand Master. R. W. ALFRED P. HALL, Deputy G. Master. u " JOHN F. SLOVER, Senior G. Warden. " " JAS. McCALLUM, Junior G. Warden, pro tem. u " W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. W. W. WARD, Senior G. Warden. " J. H. DEYEREUX, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROYE, Grand Tiler. And a full attendance of the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. Brother Thomas W. Wisdom offered the following resolutions, which were adopted: Resolved, That new charters be issued to Morning Star Lodge, No. 186, and Woodville Lodge, No. 245, free of charge, the originals having been destroyed by fire. Resolved, That hereafter when a Lodge loses its charter by fire, or any other unavoidable accident, it shall be the duty of the M. W. Grand Master to issue a new charter to such Lodge, without the usual fee being paid for the same. The hour having arrived for the election of Grand Officers for the ensuing year, tellers were appointed and ballots taken. On counting the ballots, the following brethren were declared to be duly elected, viz;.: Bro. James McCallum, of Pulaski, Grand Master. " John F. Sloyer, of Athens, Deputy G. Master. " John H. Deyereux, of Nashville, Senior G. Warden. u Timothy B. McDowell, of Bolivar, Junior G. Warden. * It is presumed that the error here objected to by the committee, refers to stating upon the record the number of black balls by which a candidate was rejected. It is sufficient to record the fact, without mentioning the number of balls cast against the petitioner. Grand Secretary. I860.] grand lodge op tennessee. 327 Bro. Williamson H. Horn, of Nashville, Grand Treasurer. u Charles A. Fuller, of Nashville, Grand Secretary. u Samuel D. Baldwin, of Lebanon, Grand Orator. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment, until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Wednesday, October 3, 1860. The Grand Lodge again convened according to previous notice. Present: M. W. JOHN FRIZZELL, Grand Master. R. W. ALFRED P. HALL, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN F. SLOVER, Senior G. Warden. " « DAN'L. R. RAWLINGS, J. G. Warden, pro tern. " " W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. « « and Rev. R. B. C. HOWELL, Grand Chaplain. Bro. W. W. WARD, Senior G. Deacon. " J. H. DEYEREUX, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. And the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. Prayer by the Rev. Grand Chaplain The hour having arrived for the installation of the Grand Officers elected on last evening, the following brethren were duly installed, M. W. Charles Scott, P. G. Master of Mississippi, in the,Chair: Bro. James McCallum, of Pulaski, Grand Master. " John F. Slover, of Athens, Deputy G. Master. u John H. Devereux, of Nashville, Senior G. Warden. " Timothy B. McDowell, of Bolivar, Junior G. Warden. " Williamson H. Horn, of Nashville, Grand Treasurer. " Charles A. Fuller, of Nashville, Grand Secretary. The M. W. Grand Master then made the following appointments, and the brethren took their several stations, viz.: Bro. and Rev. W. M. Reed, of Nashville, Grand Chaplain. " William H. Fitch, Jr., of Memphis, Senior G. Deacon. " L. H. Rogan, of Knoxville, Junior G. Deacon. u John T. Edgar, Jr., of Shelbyville, Grand Sioord Bearer. " George W. Parrott, of Danceyville, Grand Marshal. 328 proceedings op the Bro. Lewis A. Garrett, of Morristown, Grand Pursuivant. " John McClelland, of Nashville, Grand Steward. " Michael E. DeGrove, of Nashville, Grand Tiler. Brother Samuel H. Stout offered the following: Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge are due and are hereby tendered to M W. John Frizzell, P. G. M., for his able and efficient performance of the duties of' Grand Master of Masons in the State of Tennessee, for the past two years; and that in vacating the Chair at the expiration of the time prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, he is hereby unanimously tendered our warmest wishes for his health, happiness, and prosperity, in every station he may be called to fill. The foregoing resolution was unanimously adopted, by a rising vote. The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence requested permission to withdraw their report made on yesterday; which was granted. The Committee then submitted the following, which was adopted: Your committee have endeavored to discharge their duty, and now present the result of their labors. They have had a careful consideration of the M. W. Grand Master's address, and its accompanying documents. Among the most important of those documents is one containing the decisions of the Grand Master during the time he has so faithfully served the Craft. Your committee must be candid. They do not agree in opinion with the Grand Master, in many cases; but your committee are not desirous of entering into a discussion of any of the cases decided. They would, however, suggest the propriety of not publishing the decisions of the Grand Master, unless all could be properly endorsed as Masonic law. The system of appointing Grand Inspectors they have considered, and a major¬ ity of the committee are decidedly of the opinion that it should be abolished. The Report on Correspondence, of course, has attracted the attention of the committee. It is an able paper, and we recommend it to the careful perusal of the Craft. CHAS. SCOTT, S. H. STOUT, A. M. HUGHES, THOS. McCULLOCH, THOS. W. WISDOM, A. P. HALL. On motion of Brother Thomas McCulloch, it was Resolved, That the sum of three hundred dollars be paid to the Chairman of the Committee on Correspondence. Brother T. B. McDowell, a member of the Committee on Appeals, having been elected to the office of Junior Grand Warden, the M. W. Grand Master appointed Brother J. E. Rice as a member of said committee. On motion, it was unanimously Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to procure the portrait of Brother Samuel McManus, P. G. M., to be placed in the Grand Lodge room with those of other Past Grand Masters. The following report was received, read, and adopted : The committee on Unfinished Business report, that they have examined the I860.] grand lodge oe tennessee. 829 printed Proceedings of the last Annual Communication, and find the following items referred to this session of the Grand Lodge : On page 158—The committee to whom was referred the Grand Master's Address, report, that so much of the same as relates to the adoption of a work on Masonic Jurisprudence, be referred to a Special Committee, who shall report at the next Annual Communication. On page 165—A committee to be appointed to report a code of By-Laws to the next Annual Communication, for the government of Lodges that may have occa¬ sion to form by-laws. On page 171—On motion of Brother D. B. Thomas, it was Resolved, That Dukedom Lodge, No. 169, be required to send to this Grand Lodge, at its next Annual Communication, a copy of the record and proceedings in the case in which Lewis Graves was expelled, in the year 1858. On page 174—On motion of Brother Thomas McCulloch, it was Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to take into consideration and report to this Grand Lodge, at its next Annual Communication, upon the expediency of this Grand Lodge becoming a member of the North American Masonic Congress. On page 175—The Revised Constitution to be submitted to the subordinate Lodges. On page 177—The addition to Section 1, Article I., in the proposed revisal of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge. On page 179—A proposal to so amend the Constitution, in Article I., Section 3, as to provide that no Lodge shall be represented unless its dues are paid. ED. F. LYONS, W. W. BOYKIN, J. GRIZZARD. In consequence of the continued illness of Brother J. Huntington, Chairman of the Committee on Work, the M. W. Grand Master appointed Brothers J. T. Edgar, Jr., and John Frizzell as additional, members of said committee. On motion of Brother A. P. Hall, it was Resolved, That Shady Grove Lodge, No. 191, be authorized to remove its place of meeting from its present location to Milan D6pot. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until 3 o'clock this evening. Wednesday, October 3, 3 o'clock P. M. The Grand Lodge called from refreshment to labor. Pre¬ sent: M. W. JAMES McCALLUM, Grand Master. R. W. JOHN F. SLOYER, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Senior G. Warden. " " T. B. McDOWELL, Junior G. Warden. " " W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. A. J. CAMPBELL, Senior G. Deacon, pro tem. " HENRY SHEFFIELD, Junior G. Deacon, pro tem. " M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. And the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. 2 330 PROCEEDINGS OF THE The following report was received, read, and adopted: The committee on Dispensations recommend that Dispensations be granted for Lodges at the following places, viz.: Pleasant Ridge, Benton county ; Pleasant Green Gibson county; and Sweetwater, Monroe county. They also recommend that petitions for Lodges at the following places be not e-ranted viz ; Union City, Obion county; Grand Junction, Hardeman county. s ' MORTON B. HOWELL, WM. H. HARRISON. The following report was received and read : ON APPEALS. The committee on Appeals report as follows: 1. John W. Davis was expelled by Clifton Lodge, No. 173, for unmasonic conduct, and appeals to this Grand Lodge, which appeal is accompanied by a memorial and some proof taken by him since the date of his expulsion. This case was before the Grand Lodge at the last session. (See Proceedings, page 170.) The Grand Lodge held that a motion to reconsider the action taken at one meeting of a subor¬ dinate Lodge, in cases of punishment, should not be entertained at a subsequent meeting, and that the brother not having been regularly notified to attend at the meeting at which he was expelled, the proceedings were irregular. The decision of the Lodge below was reversed, and the case remanded for a new trial. The brother was duly notified, a new trial was had, and he was unanimously expelled. The com¬ mittee are of opinion that the charge was sustained by the proof, that the pro¬ ceedings were regular, and recommend that the action of Clifton Lodge be affirmed and the appeal dismissed. 2. J. S. Goforth, a member of New Market Lodge, No. 246, was suspended for twelve months, for unmasonic conduct, and the Lodge directed that then he receive a reprimand from the W. Master in open Lodge. The Junior Warden who preferred the charge, appeals to this Grand Lodge. The committee are of the opinion that the proceedings are regular, and that the action of the Lodge should be affirmed. 3. Jesse Downing, expelled from Waynesboro Lodge, No. 127, for unmasonic conduct, appeals to this Grand Lodge. Your committee are of the opinion that the charge is fully sustained by the proof in the cause, the proceedings regular, and they recommend that the action of the Lodge be sustained, and the appeal dis¬ missed. 4. W. A. Sigler was expelled by Cuba Lodge, No. 230, for unmasonic conduct, and presented to the Lodge a Bill of Exceptions, but which Bill of Exceptions is not a part of the record before your committee. The proceedings are regular, the proof justifies the action of the Lodge, and we recommend that the action of the Lodge he affirmed. 5. W. F. Simpson was expelled from Bradshaw Lodge, No. 256, and appeals to this Grand Lodge. The committee find some irregularity in the proceedings of the Lodge in the case, and therefore recommend that it be remanded to Bradshaw Lodge for a new trial. HORACE H. HARRISON, w. w. ward, j. a. thompson, e. edmundson, t. b. Mcdowell. The foregoing report was adopted, each case being separately considered and voted upon. The Grand Lodge called from labor to refreshment until 1\ o'clock this evening:. I860.] grand lodge oe tennessee. 331 Wednesday, Oct. 3, 7i o'clock P. M. The Grand Lodge assembled according to adjournment. Present: M. W. JAMES McCALLUM, Grand Master. R. W. JOHN F. SLOVER, Deputy G. Master. " « JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Senior G. Warden. " " T. B. McDOWELL, Junior G. Warden. " " W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. W. H. FITCH, Jr , Senior G. Deacon. u L. H. ROGAN, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. And the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. The following reports were received and read: ON BY-LAWS. The committee on By-Laws report, that they have examined the By-Laws and proposed amendments to By-Laws of the following Lodges, and find them correct, viz., Felix Grundy Lodge, No. 284; Newbern Lodge, No. 285; and Farmington Lodge, No. 287. We find in the By-Laws of Greeneville Lodge, No. 119, as we conceive, some errors. Article 6, strike out "and approved by the committee of accounts," and insert " and consent of the Lodge." Article 12, Section 2, strike out after the word By-Laws, "and whether he has ever been rejected by any regularly consti¬ tuted Lodge of Free Masons." Article 12, Section 6, strike out all in relation to the forfeiture of the fee. Article 16—strike out all of this Article that relates to life-membership. In the By-Laws of Danceyville Lodge, No. 165, Article 6, Section 4, strike out, "shall forfeit his fee," and insert "his fee shall be returned to him." Article 7, Section 1, strike out the word "satisfy," and insert "manifest." Article 12, Sec¬ tion 2, strike out. Article 15, Section 1, strike out the word "forever," and insert "concealing the name of the accused at his discretion." Article 15, Section 10, after the words "Lodge room," insert "the accuser shall also retire if the matter of grievance is of a private nature." In the By-Laws of Dukedom Lodge, No. 169, Article 2, strike out all after the words "Junior Warden." Article 4, Section 5, strike out of the fourth question propounded to a candidate, all after the name of Deity. Strike out Sections 6 and 7 of Article 4. In the By-Laws of Ducktown Lodge, No. 241, Article 3, Section 2, strike out after the word "books," "settle all disputes that may arise, report the character of all candidates, and take cognizance of the conduct of the brethren," as we think that is the duty of other committees. Strike out Article 6, and create an Article in conformity with the duties required of a Chaplain, as laid down by the ancient landmarks of the Order. Article 12, Section 2, strike out the word "standing," and insert "select." Article 13, Section 1, strike out "which shall be paid in all cases before balloting," and insert "which fee shall accompany the petition." We find the By-Laws of West Point Lodge, No. 279, correct, with the exception of Article 3, Section 3, in which we strike out all of last sentence of said section. In Article 4, Section 1, strike out all in relation to forfeiture of fee. The By-Laws of Union Chapel Lodge, No. 283, are informal, and we recommend that they be remanded to said Lodge. The By-Laws of Hiram Lodge, No. 7, ask for an amendment to Article 5, Section 332 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., 1 which we recommend be granted, and that the same be constituted a By-Daw for raid lodge. The remainder is correct. ^ g DNI)EBW00I)i WILLIAM PALMER, R. F. EVANS. ON APPEALS. The committee on Appeals report, that a majority of Triune Lodge, No. 135, at a regular meeting on the 31st day of August, 1860, permitted the "Home Guards," a military company, to hold their meetings in the Lodge room. From this action of the Lodge, James A. Bostick, a member of the Lodge, appealed to this Grand Lodge. Your committee are of the opinion that a majority of a Lodge, at a regular meeting, have a right to make any arrangement in reference to the occupation of their Lodge room they may see proper, unless it may tend manifestly to destroy the peace and harmony of the Lodge. They therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolution : Resolved, That this Grand Lodge earnestly recommend to Triune Lodge, No. 135, and all other Lodges under this jurisdiction, to refuse the use of their Lodge rooms for any other than Lodge purposes, where such grant has or may have the effect of disturbing or destroying the harmony of the Lodge. HORACE H. HARRISON, W. W. WARD, J. A. THOMPSON, E. EDMUNDSON, t. b. Mcdowell. The foregoing reports were severally considered and adopted. On motion, Bro. S. H. Stout was added to the committee on Appeals. On motion, so much of the report of the committee on Dispensations as refers to the rejection of the petition for a new Lodge at Union City, Obion county, was reconsidered. The Grand Lodge then ordered a dis¬ pensation to be issued to the brethren at Union City. The committee on Work reported through Bro. John T. Edgar, Jr., on the First Degree of Masonry. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until 8 o'clock to-morrow morning. I860.] grand lodge op tennessee. 333 Thursday, October 4, 1860. The Grand Lodge assembled according to adjournment. Present: M. W. JAMES McCALLUM, Grand Master. R. W. JOHN F. SLOYER, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Senior G. Warden. " " T. B. McDOWELL, Junior G. Warden. (( u jj HORN, Grand Treasurer. u " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. WM. H. FITCH, Jr., Senior G. Deacon. " L. H. ROG-AN, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROYE, Grand Tiler. And the representatives of subordinate Lodges. Prayer by Rev. Grand Chaplain. On motion, it was Resolved, That Vale of Tempe Lodge, No. 139, he reinstated upon the roll of Lodges, provided said Lodge shall, within three months after receiving notice of this resolution, make to the Grand Secretary a full report of its work since its last report, and pay the fees due the Grand Lodge. On motion, it was Resolved, That the dispensation of Johnson Lodge, No. 274, he renewed, provided said Lodge shall file in the office of the Grand Secretary a full transcript of its proceedings, and the M. W. Grand Master is satisfied that the same are correct. The following report was received, read, and each case therein men¬ tioned considered separately, and adopted : ON APPEALS.—II. The committee on Appeals have examined the case of Thomas W. Gamewell, who appeals from the action of Jackson Lodge, No. 45, which Lodge expelled him for habitual drunkenness. We find the proof clear, and the proceedings such as to justify sustaining the action of the Lodge; they therefore recommend that the appeal be dismissed. J. B. Sharpe was ordered to he reprimanded, upon a charge of " improper and unmasonic conduct," by Angerona Lodge, No. 168. Your committee find the proof sufficient, the proceedings regular, and think the punishment exceedingly light and well deserved; they therefore recommend that the decision of the Lodge be affirmed and the appeal dismissed. J. L. Cooper, a member of Mars Hill Lodge, No. 129, was suspended for six months upon a charge of unmasonic conduct. The committee do not think the proof sustains the charge, and they recommend that the decision of the Lodge be reversed, and that the suspension in the case be set aside. M. D. Driver, member of Petersburg Lodge, No. 123, charged B. B. Merritt, a member of the same Lodge, with unmasonic conduct, by traducing his good name and speaking evil of him since May, 1859. The Lodge refused to consider said charge, without assigning any reasons on the record furnished this committee. The record, however, shows that both these brethren were charged in October, 1859, with speaking evil of each other, found guilty, and Bro. Merritt was reprimanded on the 2d of January, 1860, and Bro. Driver on the 9th of April, 1860. Your com- 334 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct., mittee are of opinion that the charge in this case should have been entertained by the Lodge, and that they should have proceeded to act upon it, as the charge would have covered evil words spoken by Bro. Merntt after January 2d, 860, if upon the trial the proof showed they had been spoken after that time. Ihey therefore recommend that the Lodge proceed to try Brother Merritt on the charge. The committee find the proceedings of Yorkville Lodge, No. 115, in the case of L. E. Mills, regular; and while they are not satisfied that the charge as in specification 1st is fully sustained by the proof, the charge in specification 2d is fully sustained. They therefore recommend that the action of the Lodge in ex¬ pelling L. E. Mills be sustained, and the appeal dismissed. The committee have had under consideration the case of Lewis Graves. In the absence of the proceedings in his case, which are called for by resolutions of this Grand Lodge at the last annual communication, (to be found on page 171 of the printed proceedings,) they recommend that the case of Lewis Graves be laid over to the next annual communication, and that the Grand Secretary notify Dukedom Lodge, No. 169, to have on file in his office the proceedings above alluded to, at least three months before the next meeting of this Grand Lodge. While they think it the duty of every subordinate Lodge to promptly and punctually obey the man¬ dates of the Grand Lodge, the committee in this case forbear from the expression of censure against Dukedom Lodge, No. 169, presuming that some unavoidable cause has prevented a compliance with the requirements of the Grand Lodge. The committee have had under consideration the case of Washington Lodge, No. 181, and think that said Lodge should be deprived of the privilege of assembling and performing the functions of a Lodge until after the next annual communica¬ tion of this Grand Lodge—that the M. W. Grand Master appoint some suitable person to take possession of the charter and property of said Lodge in the name of the Grand Lodge, and that the members of Washington Lodge, No. 181, be re¬ quired to appoint a commissioner to attend the next annual communication, to show cause, if any, why said Lodge should not forfeit its charter. They recommend that the Grand Secretary be required to notify M. L. Teferteller, the W. M. of Washington Lodge, No. 181, who was suspended by R. H. Hodsden, G. Inspector, by order of late Grand Master John Frizzell, from the performance of the duties of W. Master, to appear and answer the charges for which he was suspended, at the next- annual communication of this Grand Lodge—that the Grand Master, if in his judgment he deems it necessary and proper, shall appoint a commission to take the proof and transmit the same to the Grand Secretary for the use of this Grand Lodge at its next annual communication. H. H. HARRISON, J. A. THOMPSON, S. H. STOUT, W. W. WARD, E. EDMUNDSON. Bro. F. N. Porter, on behalf of Bro. John Sherer, presented to the Grand Lodge a copy of his large size Master's Chart; whereupon the thanks of the Grand Lodge were tendered to Bro. Sherer for the same, and Resolved, That it is recommended to the subordinate Lodges working under this jurisdiction, to procure one of Brother Sherer's Charts, whenever their funds may justify such purchase. The committee on Work then reported on the Second and Third Degrees. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until 2 o'clock this evening;. © I860.] grand lodge of tennessee. 335 Thursday, October 4, 2 o'clock P. M. The Grand Lodge again convened, according to adjourn¬ ment. Present: M. W. JAMES McCALLUM, Grand Master. ft. W. JOHN P. SLOVER, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Senior G. Warden. " " T. B. McDOWELL, Junior G. Warden. " " and Rev. W. M. REED, Grand Chaplain. u u W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. Bro. WM. H. FITCH, Jr., Senior G. Deacon. " L. H. ROGAN, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. And the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. The following reports were received, read, and adopted: ON RETURNS. Your committee, to whom was referred the Returns from subordinate Lodges, beg leave to report that they have examined the same, and find the following correct, viz.: Overton, No. 5; Hiram, 7; Cumberland, 8; Western Star, 9; Whitesides, 13 ; Carthage Benevolent, 14; Mount Moriah, 18; Elkton, 24; Co¬ lumbia, 31; Union, 38; Rising Star, 44; Jackson, 45; Rhea, 47; Meridian Sun, 50; Clinton, 54; Brownsville, 58; Mt. Libanus, 59; Constantine, 64; Jackson, 68, for 1859 and 1860; Liberty, 77; Tellico, 80; Western Sun, 88; Clarksville, 89; Dresden, 90; Hess, 93 ; King Solomon, 94; Germantown, 95; Charlotte, 97 ; Lebanon, 98; Sparta, 99; Ripley, 100; Pulaski, 101; Savannah, 102; Union, 104; St. James, 105; Huntingdon, 106; Paris, 108; Benton, 111; Dillahunty, 112; Union, 113; Harrison, 114; Yorkville, 115; Tannehill, 116; South Mem¬ phis, 118; Greenville, 119; Macon, 120, for 1859 and 1860; Boydsville, 121; Shelbyville, 122; Petersburg, 123; Spring Hill, 124; Warren, 125; Cornersville, 126; Waynesboro, 127; Mars Hill, 129 ; Sandy Hill, 130 ; Phenix, 131 ; Purdy, 132; Cleveland, 134; Oakland, 136; Hampton, 137; Pleasant Grove, 138; Mar¬ tin, 141; Morning Star, 144; Conyersville, 145; Holly Springs, 146; Andrew Jackson, 147 ; Whiteville, 148; Dunham, 150; Hatchie, 151; Cotton Grove, 153; Denmark, 154; Acacia, 157; Cumberland, 158; Washington, 159; Chapel Hill, 160; Mason's Grove, 163 ; Quincey, 164; Danceyville, 165 ; Bigbyville, 167 ; An- gerona, 168; Dukedom, 169; Berlin, 170; Owen Hill, 172; Clifton, 173; Lavinia, 174; Alexandria, 175; Limestone, 176; Mt, Pelia, 177; Camden, 179; Evening Star, 180; Nolensville, 182; Polk, 183; Harmony, 184; Lynnville, 185; Morn¬ ing Star, 186; Hiwassee, 188; McCulloch, 189; Brazelton, 190; Shady Grove, 191; Merriwether, 192; Spring Creek, 193; Bethel, 194; Roche, 195; Moscow, 198; Chattanooga, 199; Pearl, 200; Bethesda, 201; Shiloh, 202; Tennessee, 204; Lineport, 207; New Portland, 208; Baker, 209; Linden, 210; Ocoee, 212; Meigs, 213; Harmony, 214; Sulphur Well, 215; Green Mount, 216; Hamburg, 220; Montezuma, 222; St. James, 223; Lanefield, 224; Fredonia, 225; Tipton, 226; Cherry Mount, 227; Valley Forge, 228; Friendship, 229; Cuba, 230; Mor- ristown, 231; Gravel Hill, 232; Salem, 233; Newport, 234; Woodbury, 235; -Washington, 236; Hermon, 239; Beech, 240; Thyatira, 242; Masters, 244,; Woodville, 245; New Market, 246; John Hart, 247; Vesper, 248; New Middle- ton, 249; Centre Point, 250 ; Bone, 252 ; Chota, 253 ; Edgefield, 254; Sycamore, 255; Livingston, 259; Clarksburg, 260; Mountain, 261; Tullahoma, 262 ; Adams, 264; Farmville, 265; Cookville, 266; Saltillo, 267; Reliance, 268; Fuller, 269; 336 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE [0C^'> Crystal Fountain, 282 ; Union Chapel, 283 ; Felix Grundy, 284; Newburg, 286; Farming-ton 287; Marlborough, 288 ; and Leila Scott, 289. The following Lodges are incorrect in the following particulars, viz.: Mount Pleasant No. 57, fails to report four members that have been reported heretofore; fails to give the dates of membership of Thomas Marshall and Eli B. Marshall. Overcharge on dues, fifty cents. Lagrange, No. 81, overcharge on dues, $1 50. Lawrenceburg, No. 107, omits the names of nine members that were reported last year; does^not say when James T. Gibson became a member, nor when H. C. Angel and E. McMillon received the first degree, nor when H. F. Appleton and S. H. Martin received the first and second degrees, and reports fifty cents too much dues. Marshall, No. 109, owes $1 25. Triune, No. 135, owes twenty-five cents. Union, No. 140, omits the names of three members that were reported last year. Otherwise correct. Lafayette, No. 149, reports $1 too much dues. Boon's Hill, No. 161, fails to report five members that were reported last year. Otherwise correct. Medon, No. 166, fails to report three members that were reported last year; does not give the dates of membership of Major Croons, D. A. Carter, A. J. Johnson, and W. W. Lockard; does not say when S. Williamson took the first degree. Overcharge on dues, twenty-five cents. Como, No. 178, does not give dates of conferring degrees. Otherwise correct. Washington, No. 181, fails to report seven members that have been heretofore reported; no date to W. Henderson's membership. Otherwise correct. Mountain Star, No. 197, fails to report three members that were reported here¬ tofore ; does not give the dates of membership of E. Hodges, John Mitchell, and A. C. Murphy. Owes fifty cents. Milton, No. 203, reports twenty-five cents too much dues. Eaton, No. 206, fails to report two members that were reported last year; does not say when Wm. M. Patterson received the second and third degrees, nor when J. C. Ward became a member. Otherwise correct. Decaturville, No. 218, fails to report three members heretofore reported, and does not give the date of A. W. Idlett's membership. Smyrna, No. 221, reports twenty-five cents too much dues. Ducktown, No. 241, owes seventy-five cents for 1859; no report for 1860. Bradshaw, No. 256, reports $1 too much dues. Ellen, No. 263, does not say when Elijah P. Strickland became a member. Otherwise correct. Sneedville, No. 277, reports seventy-five cents too much dues. Newbern, No. 285, reports seventy-five cents too much dues. Tannehill, No. 133, and Vernon, No. 217, have so many errors that your com¬ mittee recommend that they be referred to the Grand Secretary for disposal. All of which is respectfully submitted: L. H. ROGAN, Chairman, J. C. WHITE. ON BY-LAWS. The committee on By-Laws report, that the amendments to the By-Laws of Lebanon Lodge, No. 98, are correct, with the exception of Article 5, on fee for the degrees, which conflicts with the Edicts of the Grand Lodge; and we amend said article by inserting that the fees for the degrees shall be in accordance with the Edicts of the Grand Lodge, and shall accompany the petition. We also strike out that portion of said article relating to the retaining of the fee. In the By-Laws of Huntingdon Lodge, No. 106, Article 3, Section 3, strike out all in relation to Past Masters holding office under Junior Warden. Article 4, bee ion 7, strike out all of said section after the words stated meetings, and insert I860.] GRAND LODGE OE TENNESSEE. 387 "called meetings may transact the business for which they are called." Article 5, Section 5, strike out all after the word Deity. In the By-Laws of Whiteville Lodge, No. 148, Article 3, Section 1, we would strike out all after the word Junior Warden. Same Article, Section 2, strike out all after the word communication. Article 3, Section 6, strike out all after the word chair. Article 3, Section 8, stricken out, and insert, "The Secretary shall have control of the books and papers of the Lodge, Treasurer's excepted. He shall keep a correct record of all the proceedings of the Lodge proper to be re¬ corded ; collect all moneys for initiation, passing, raising, and for dues, and pay them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor; issue summons to the members for stated and called meetings; make out a transcript of the business of the Lodge, for the Grand Lodge, when required. In consideration of his ser¬ vices, the Secretary shall be exempt from quarterly dues while acting as Secre¬ tary, and as much more as the Lodge may determine." Article 3, Section 13, strike out all in relation to fines. Article 4, Section 1, strike out all after the word same, composing the last sentence of said section. In relation to fines occurring frequently in the By-Laws of this Lodge, the committee are of opinion that the assessing of fines against members is contrary to the ancient usages of Freemasonry, and that they should be stricken out wherever occurring in the By-Laws of this or any other Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Under the head, " Rules of Order," in said By-Laws, we would strike out all in Rule 3 after the word order. Rule 8, after the word member, insert "voting in the majority." In "General Provisions," Section 1, the Secretary and Treasurer have the power of appointing officers in their stead, pro tern., which we would strike out, and leave the power of appointing officers pro tem. in the hands of the presiding Master of the Lodge. A. S. UNDERWOOD, WM. PALMER, R. F. EVANS. On motion, the committee on Returns were directed to examine the Returns from subordinate Lodges, and ascertain the vote of the Lodges on the revised Constitution, and report to the Grand Lodge. The report on Unfinished Business was again taken up for considera¬ tion, and the several committees mentioned therein discharged. The hour having arrived for the delivery of the Annual Address, the Grand Lodge called from labor to refreshment, and repaired to the Con¬ cert Room of the Masonic Temple, where the Address was delivered by Brother Thomas Taylor, Grand Orator. At the conclusion of the Address, the members of the Grand Lodge returned to the Grand Lodge room and resumed labor. The following report was received, read, and concurred in : Your committee on Returns report that they have examined Returns from one hundred and ninety-nine Lodges. Of this number fifteen have voted to retain the present Constitution, twenty-four in favor of the Revised Constitution, and one hundred and sixty make no report of having taken a vote either for or against the new Constitution. L. H. ROGAN, J. C. WHITE. The following resolution was unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be and they are hereby tendered to Rev. Bro. Thomas Taylor, for the able address delivered before the Grand Lodge to-day, and that the Grand Secretary be directed to request a copy of the same for publication with the minutes of the Grand Lodge. S38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct- On motion of Brother H. P. Carney, it was Solved That the subject of the revised Constitution be again referred to the „uS nafe L ^es, and that they be required to vote upon the same on or before their stated meetings in May next, and immediately thereafter report such action ^^Lf^rTharCm^mendment to the revised Constitution, submitted at last sestion, in' relation to Past Master, be again referred to the subordinate Lodges, and that they be required to vote as above directed. Resolved, That the amendment to the present Constitution of the Grand Lodge, offered by' Brother A. B. Jewell, be again referred to the consideration of the subordinate Lodges, and that they be required to take action on the same as directed in the preceding resolutions. The Grand Lodge then called from labor to refreshment until 7 o'clock this evening. Thursday, October 4, 7 o'clock P. M. The Grand Lodge called from refreshment to labor. Pre¬ sent: M. W. JAMES McCALLUM, Grand Master. R. W. JOHN F. SLOVER, Deputy G. Master. " " JOHN H. DEVEREUX, Senior G. Warden. 11 11 T. B. McDOWELL, Junior G. Warden. u u W. H. HORN, Grand Treasurer. " " CHARLES A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. u " and Rev. W. M. REED, Grand Chaplain. Bro. WM. H. FITCH, Jr., Senior G. Deacon. " L. H. ROGAN, Junior G. Deacon. " M. E. DeGROVE, Grand Tiler. And the Representatives of subordinate Lodges. The following report was received, read, and adopted : ON ACCOUNTS. The committee on Accounts report, that they have examined the books of the Grand Secretary, and find that he has received the sum of forty-nine hundred and thirty-three dollars and thirty-five cents; that he is entitled to a credit of five hundred and sixty-two dollars and thirty-five cents, for salary, postages, etc.; leaving a balance of forty-three hundred and seventy-one dollars, which amount he has paid over to the Grand Treasurer. (See tabular statement, page 312.) Your committee have also examined the books and vouchers of the Grand Trea¬ surer, and find that he had a balance at the last settlement of twenty-fight hundred and thirty dollars and ninety cents; that he has received from the'Grand Secretary at the present session the sum of forty-three hundred and seventy-one dollars, making together the sum of seventy-two hundred and one dollars and ninety cents; and that he has paid out on proper vouchers the sum of fifty hun¬ dred and nineteen dollars and sixty cents, leaving a balance in his hands of twenty-one hundred and eighty-two dollars and thirty cents. JOHN F. SLOVER, WM. L. FARMER. I860.] grand lodge op tennessee. 339 The following, offered by Brother B. F. Brittain, was adopted: Whereas, There is a difference of opinion among the subordinate Lodges as to Low much of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge should be read in their respective Lodges; therefore, Resolved, That it is the duty of the subordinate Lodges to have read all the proceedings of this Grand Lodge, except that part relating to Correspondence. On motion of Brother Slover, it was Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be and are hereby tendered to the publishers of the Nashville Union and American, for their kindness in fur¬ nishing the members of the Grand Lodge with copies of their daily papers. No further business appearing, the M. W. G-rand Lodge of Tennessee was closed in jFot'llt, after prayer by the Grand Chaplain. • JAMES McCALLUM, Attest: Grand Master. Charles A. Fuller, Grand Secretary. REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. The Committee on Correspondence, in presenting their Annual Report, take the occasion to state that the proceedings coming under their notice still exhibit the same gratifying degree of prosperity as announced in former reports. Peace and harmony generally prevail among the Craft in every jurisdiction, with scarcely a ripple on the surface to disturb the steady progress of each. Greater zeal is manifested, and slumbering energies awakened. Greater care, we believe, from the evidences before us, is exercised in selecting quality rather than quantity from the vast material offered; and yet, with all that has been done in this direction, we may safely say that much more is required. Masonry was never designed to be a popular institution, and in its popularity consists its greatest weakness. Wafted on a popular breeze, Lodges are very apt to be careless in obtaining full and accurate knowledge of the character and habits of those who so freely press for admission within their portals. However, a new spirit seems to have been infused into the membership, and we may be permitted to express, notwithstanding the present unex¬ ampled prosperity, that "all is well" with our brethren. The proceed¬ ings your Committee have examined show, in an eminent degree, that greater efforts are being made towards elevating the minds of the brother¬ hood above the mere ceremonials of the Order—its symbols are better illustrated, and its moral teachings more perfectly enforced. Observing the course adopted in the preparation of former reports, we proceed to lay before you an abstract of the proceedings of other Grand Lodges, and in the order in which their several meetings occurred. 1. Texas—Annual Communication, at the Town of Crockett, June 13, 1859. M. W. Henry Sampson, Grand Master; R. W. A. S. Ruthven, Grand Secretary. One hundred and seventeen Lodges represented. The Grand Master, in his address at the opening of the session, assures the Grand Lodge "of the happy and prosperous condition of Free Masonry in Texas," 342 PROCEEDINGS OP THE and that he has "found but little error to correct amid so large a number of Lodges, and much to satisfy him that due regard and reverence are paid to the moral tenets of our Order." He reported having granted fifteen dispensations during the j'ear. An excellent report on Correspondence is presented by Brother E. H. Ctjshing, in which he approves of Past Masters and Past Grand Officers being members of Grand Lodges, but that such membership is a matter of courtesy and not of right —disapproves of granting dispensations for conferring degrees—and asserts the doctrine that a Grand Lodge may restore an expelled Mason, but that it cannot force him upon the Lodge which expelled him, without its consent. A memorial was presented, and referred to the Committee on Grievances, setting forth that a petition for advancement had been rejected, through unworthy motives, and praying the Grand Lodge to overrule the objection. The Committee state the case, and their conclusions: The Brethren, it seems, after the ballot, canvassed the matter, and fixed their suspicions on a Brother, who subsequently acknowledged that he cast the black ball. He refused to be reconciled to the applicant. We can only say that the ballot is sacred, and cannot be overruled, whatever may be the motives of the per¬ son casting it. The Brethren of this Lodge did wrong in canvassing the matter or asking any questions after the ballot was closed. A Brother should not even tell another how he voted. The rule is strict, and although it may occasion hard¬ ship sometime's, it is necessary to the good of the Fraternity. Better keep out ten good men than admit one bad one. A disturbance of the ballot might open the door to the admission of ten bad men to one good one. Much business was transacted by the Grand Lodge, principally on matters of local interest only. The Grand Lodge of Texas was organized in the year 1837, since which date fifty-nine different individuals have held the several offices of Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Secretary, and Grand Treasurer. Of this number twenty-eight have died, leaving only thirty-one now living, showing an amount of mortality unparalleled in the history of any other Grand Lodge. M. W. James F. Taylor elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 2. Oregon—The Grand Lodge convened at Eugene City, June 13, 1859. E. W. Amory IIolbrook, D. G. M., acting as Grand Master; R. W. W. S. Cald¬ well, as Grand Secretary. Kepresentatives from nineteen Lodges were present. The Address of the acting Grand Master is a brief account of the official acts of himself and the Grand Master; and, in conclusion, remarks: What has already been accomplished, must be cherished and magnified. The Institution has proved so efficient and necessary an auxiliary to humanity's wel¬ fare, that it cannot now be spared. Its very existence and prosperity show its necessity. Imagine for a moment, that it were abandoned through the length and breadth of the land, and who shall devise a system of beneficence that can supply its place? Who will care for the orphans thus again made homeless—for the widows bereaved anew of their truest protectors ? Whose duty shall it become, not as hirelings, but as brethren, to watch and wait by the dying stranger, far from home, and its sacred ties and blessings ? By whom shall his stiffened frame, when the vital spark has fled, be composed for its long and solemn repose, or car¬ ried reverently to the fraternal cemetery, and there committed to its kindred dust, to rest in the hope of a glorious resurrection ? A proposition was submitted, to allow any Master Mason in good standing, a I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 843 member of any Lodge in the jurisdiction, to cast a ballot in any Lodge he may visit, upon the application of a candidate for initiation or advancement. The sub¬ ject was referred to a Committee, who subsequently reported: That they have carefully considered the question suggested in the resolution, and are unable to discover any reason for extending the privilege, or of imposing the duty of balloting upon any, except the members of the Lodge in which the ballot is taken. The sixth of the General Regulations, provides that, "No man can be entered a Brother in any particular Lodge, without the unanimous consent of all the members of that Lodge then present when the candidate is proposed;" manifestly proving that the privilege and duty of voting were restricted to members only ; and while it is admitted that the election of a candidate, and his subsequent initiation, gives him a fraternal claim upon all Masons wheresoever dispersed, it is difficult to see why the privilege of voting, if extended for this reason to mem¬ bers of other Lodges in this jurisdiction, should not also be allowed to all Masons who may be present, no matter whence they hail: for the candidate is admitted, if elected, none the less to the fraternity in California, New York, and England, than to that portion of it which resides in Oregon. The reasons here so briefly given, we regret, were not sufficiently convincing against the proposition, to determine the Grand Lodge to immediate action. The question was deferred until the next session. The Report on Correspondence is a document of much merit, in which Brother Holbrook feelingly alludes to the death of Brother Tannehill, P. G. Master of Tennessee, and quotes approvingly Grand Master McCulloch's remarks on the same subject. A practical illustration of one of the virtues inculcated by the Order, was given in the appointment of a committee to attend to the wants of the orphan children of a deceased Brother, who are authorized to draw upon the "Education Eund" for their support and education. Our brethren in the far North-West have taken early measures for providing a fund for just such emergencies, and already the fund amounts to $4766. We observe that the several degrees were conferred in open Grand Lodge, the brethren receiving them having previously been elected in a subordinate Lodge, and among the number we find the name of the present Governor of the State. The Grand Lodge so amended its constitution as to provide for the permanent location of the Grand Lodge; therefore its annual sessions will hereafter be held in the city of Salem, on the third Monday in September. Among the standing regulations of the Grand Lodge are: No petition shall be received by any Lodge from a person who has not resided one year within the State; and that any Master Mason, in good standing, is eligible to any office in the Lodge of which he is a member. M. TP Amory Holbrook, elected Grand Master; R. TP W. T. McF. Patton, elected Grand Secretary. 3. Rhode Island—Proceedings for the year ending June 24, 1859. M. TP". James Hutchison, Grand Master; R. TP. William C. Barker, Grand Secretary. Among the local matters of interest to the Craft everywhere, was the appoint¬ ment of a committee to cooperate with similar committees of other Masonic bodies, to erect a monument to the memory of Thomas Smith Webb, a name dearly asso¬ ciated with the earlier history of Freemasonry on this Continent. The Grand Master refers with feelings of pleasure to the continued peace and g44 PROCEEDINGS OP THE Lw '' prosperity of the Fraternity in his jurisdiction, and that "it is with unfeigned gratitude I am now able to say, since our meeting one year ago, we have not been called to mourn the loss of a single member of this Grand Lodge—a circumstance the more remarkable when we consider the large number who have arrived at the age of threescore years and ten, and the goodly number who are now upwards of fourscore years." Perhaps while the Grand Master was thus exultingly making this announcement, the aDgel of death was already hovering over the band of bre¬ thren that the shaft was even then fitted to the bow, whose speeding was to turn their hymns of rejoicing into the notes of bitterest sorrow; for we learn from a note appended to these proceedings, that William C. Barker, the talented and efficient Grand Secretary, has been summoned to partake of the joys of the Celes¬ tial Grand Lodge. The Grand Master calls the attention of the Grand Lodge to the haste with which initiates are hurried through the several degrees, and insists that "no person should ever be installed Master of a Lodge who is not perfectly conversant with all the work and lectures of the three degrees." He also notices complaints made to him of individuals having received the degrees in other jurisdictions who had been rejected in Lodges in the vicinity of their residence. This matter has be¬ come somewhat common, and perhaps no effectual stop will be put to this violation of the courtesy, not to say any thing of the rights, belonging to every Lodge, until each Grand Lodge shall adopt an imperative rule forbidding any Lodge to confer degrees upon any one who has not for at least the preceding twelve months re¬ sided within its jurisdiction. Brother Hutchison positively declines a reelection to the responsible position of Grand Master, and says: I have now been an active worker in our beloved Institution for more than thirty-eight years; and in that time what mighty changes have taken place in the world ; but Masonry, notwithstanding persecutions from within and from without, remains the same, unchanged and unchangeable. I see on one side a very few of my old compeers, who stood manfully side by side when it required great moral fortitude to be a Mason, and who, by their courage and constancy, carried our Masonic Ark through the conflict to a place of safety. On the other side, I see all young men, and between them a gulf of nearly one generation, which occurred during the dark and stormy days of persecution through which we had to pass. These younger men will soon be called upon to fill the places we now occupy, and take up the responsibilities which we must very soon lay down; and that they may be so directed by wisdom from on High, that their work may be supported by the strength of virtue, and their every action adorned by the beauty of holiness, is the earnest prayer of your Grand Master. We find in the proceedings before us the result of an effort made by a commit¬ tee of the Grand Lodge to settle a difficulty that had arisen in one of the Subor¬ dinate Lodges. The committee fully detail the facts in the case, and as the diffi- culty grew out of a question of some interest everywhere, we are induced to copy their statement. They report that they visited the Lodge, and that After the business of the Lodge was disposed of by the proper officers, your committee assumed their stations, and called upon the members of the Lodge to state the causes which had led to the present unpleasant state of their affairs; when we found that it arose entirely from the election of their present Master, over their former, and from a misconstruction of one of the ancient regulations, where it says, "No Mason can be a Warden until he has passed the part of a Eel- low Craft, nor a Master until he has acted as Warden." I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 345 This is sound doctrine, but like many other doctrines equally sound, it is now¬ adays differently understood; some contending that a Mason must have served as a Warden before he can be elected Master of a Lodge, while others take the view which this Grand Lodge has always held and acted upon, namely, that the candi¬ date must be a Fellow Craft, before he can be entitled to the degree of Master, and must "act" (not serve) as Warden before he can be permitted to see the beauties of that sublime degree. This your committee believe is the true intent and meaning of the regulation. If it had meant that every person to be elected Master of a Lodge, must previously have been elected and served as Warden, in order to be eligible for Master, it would have been more explicit, and have made provision for organizing a Lodge, when there were no Wardens from whom to select a Master, as in the case of a new Lodge, or other contingencies which might arise. Your committee are therefore satisfied that the above construction which has been always held by this Grand Lodge is the correct one, and the most proper for her in future to pursue. We endeavored to convince the minority that their Master was legally elected ac¬ cording to the regulations of this Grand Lodge, and duly installed agreeable to the "Ancient Regulationsthat there was no way in which it could be set aside; and that it was now their duty to submit to the majority of their Lodge, and the regu¬ lations of the Grand Lodge; but they declare that nothing will satisfy them unless the Grand Lodge set aside the election as illegal and void; and that unless this is done, no additions shall be made to Franklin Lodge while the present Master holds the chair. The minority had also several other complaints, but all arising from this same trouble. We consider them, however, too frivolous and personal to merit any further notice in this report. We deeply regret that our labors have not bteen more successful; but when we were met with the positive assurance that nothing would satisfy the minority ex¬ cept the performance of an act which would unseat half the members of this Grand Lodge, and declare much of the Masonic work done within this jurisdiction for the past sixty-eight years, clandestine, we found that further efforts would be useless and unavailing. The committee was authorized, in the event they could not effect a settlement, to ■ demand the charter of the Lodge; but they simply offered a resolution in Grand': Lodge, affirming the practice which has in this instance given offence to the mino¬ rity. In view of the declaration of the minority, "that no additions shall be. made to the Lodge while the present Master holds the chair," we are somewhat surprised the Grand Lodge did not at least order their arraignment on charges of unmasonic conduct. An excellent report on Correspondence was presented by Bro. Thomas A. Doyle. . Among the resolutions adopted, is the following: Resolved, That the use of Masonic emblems in connection with business pur¬ poses, particularly on cards and signs, is declared to be unmasonic, and should be discontinued. M. W. Jervis J. Smith elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 4. Delaware—Fifty-Third Annual Session, held in the city of Wilmington;. June 27, 1859. M. W. John R. McFee, Grand Master; R. W. William Si Hayes, . Grand Secretary. Twelve Lodges represented. From the address of the Grand Master, we learn that two Past Grand Officers. have departed to "the unseen land"—Brother Alexander Porter, P. G. M., and, Brother Daniel R. Rolfe, Past Grand Secretary. The G. Master pays a feeling- tribute to their memory, and two pages of the printed proceedings are inscribed, with their names. He also gives an interesting account of his official visit to his 3 346 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., subordinate Lodges. Some of these he found in excellent condition, and all "Well conducted; but he takes the occasion to read a lecture upon the evils of non- attendance of members. He says : It prevails, I am sorry to say, to too great an extent in every Lodge I have visited, with the exception of Lodge No. 7. Such Brethren as are guilty of it, seem to forget what they owe to their Lodge, and what is equally as pernicious; they also seem to forget their own plighted honor and covenanted engagements. "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." It is a common error to suppose that Lodge meetings are held for no other purpose than to increase its numbers and its funds by initiating, passing and raising candidates, and that to attend only when work is to be done, is a fulfillment of the whole duty of a Mason. And it is no less error to imagine that a knowledge of its ritual alone is a knowledge of Masonry. A Mason may be perfectly acquainted with the ritual, and able to perform satisfactorily the work, but if he knows nothing else, what to him are the mysteries of those deep recesses that pertain to Masonry? "If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" Can the mere manual labor of the workman compare with the intelligence and skill of the Master- Builder ? Are there no hidden beauties in the Order to be sought out and brought to light? No Masonic authors to be studied, or Masonic subjects investigated? Where is the history, the antiquity, the jurisprudence, and the literature of Masonry ? And what are its uses, aims, principles, philosophy, and power ? In order therefore to understand and appreciate the real mysteries of Masonry, they must be diligently and thoroughly studied, and the proper place in which to pro¬ secute this study is the Lodge. How important and necessary then becomes a regular and faithful attendance upon its communications! Furthermore, to ensure such an attendance, the Lodge should be made pleasant, profitable, and attractive. Its place of meeting should be comfortable and con¬ venient. It should be fitted up in good taste with furniture, and its walls adorned with paintings, charts, or engravings. A library of entertaining and instructive books should be established, and lectures on moral and Masonic subjects introduced. With these appliances, it would be passing strange if Brethren continued to absent themselves from the meetings of the Lodge, except in cases of absolute necessity. But if any should wilfully persist in doing so, then let the Master exercise reso¬ lutely the power which has been entrusted to him. Let him require the attendance of every brother, and especially of every officer, or demand reasons for his absence. Let him enforce attendance, except in case of necessity, by admonition, or by reprimand in open Lodge; and should these measures fail, let him peremptorily summon the offending brother, who, if he proves disobedient to the summons, may then be proceeded against in accordance with the immemorial usages of the Order. The reason for the exception of "Lodge No. 7," above given, may be found in the following extract from another part of the address: This Lodge, erected upon the ruins of an old Lodge whose lights were extinguished many years ago, received the name and number of the old Lodge, and has been working under its present charter only about eighteen months. Its progress, however, has been such as would put to the blush many Lodges of older date. It has a handsome Lodge room, which is elegantly and even luxuriously furnished; an intelligent membership ; skilful and laborious officers; and in work will com¬ pare favorably with any Lodge in our jurisdiction. I witnessed the conferring of the first degree by the present Worshipful Master, and though it was his first work, I must express my high satisfaction at the manner and completeness with which it was performed. The Brethren of this Lodge pride themselves upon the punctuality with which it is opened, and its stated meetings held. The inquiry,, I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 847 so often heard elsewhere—Does the Lodge meet to-night?—is never made here. It is sure to meet, no matter what excitement or attraction may prevail without. On the night of the last general election-day in this State, after a severe contest all day at the polls, where the Brethren found themselves, as they had the right to be, arrayed politically and actively against each other, and notwithstanding the suspense and anxiety in the evening as to the result of that contest, yet at the usual hour the Lodge was opened calmly and peacefully; all political differences and jarring elements were left beyond the Tyler's guard; and the Brethren, glowing with brotherly love, and true to their principles, engaged in no other than "that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree." There is something suggestive in the foregoing extract, and we wish our Brethren to give it heed. In answer to the question, "Can a Warden of a subordinate Lodge, having received the degree of Past Master, confer degrees in such Lodge in the absence of its Master ?" he replies : In my judgment, a Warden succeeds to all the duties of the Master in his absence. This is the almost universal usage, and accords with the views I have long entertained. Nor do I regard the degree of Past Master as essential to a Warden's filling the East, and conferring degrees in the absence of the Master. The Past Master's degree is necessary only for the government, and not for the work of a Lodge; and if a Warden can open and govern his Lodge in the absence of the Master, which is universally conceded, what occasion can he have for the Past Master's degree in conferring the three symbolic degrees ? It is certainly less difficult for a Warden to confer degrees than govern the Lodge. I need hardly enter into an elaborate argument in support of this decision. I would also refer you to the installation service of the Wardens; and if it is an unchangeable law of Masonry that "a Mason's responsibilities are commensurate with his pledges," what other construction can be placed upon the charge to the Senior Warden, "In the absence of the Master, you are to govern the Lodgeor upon the charge to the Senior and Junior Wardens jointly, " In the absence of the Master, you will succeed to higher duties; your acquirements must therefore be such, as that the Craft may never suffer for want of proper instruction?" But chiefly would I refer you to the highest human authority known in Masonry, The Book of Constitutions, wherein it is declared that, "When a Fellow Craftsman is chosen Warden of the work under the Master, he shall be true both to Master and Fellows—shall care¬ fully oversee the work in the Master's absence to the lord's profit; and his Brethren shall obey him." In our opinion, a Warden, in the absence of his superior, can preside in the Lodge, confer degrees, and do any work the Master could do if present, whether he has ever received the Past Master's degree or not. For argument on this point, see above extracts. Quite a novel question was presented for his decision. There is a good deal of sly humor in the Grand Master's reply, as well as good sound sense; we are, therefore, tempted to place the whole matter before our readers. I received on the 14th day of April last a communication from the Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge, No. 1, informing me "that Delaware Lodge of I. 0. 0. F., had, through private subscription, bought a Bible for their Lodge, and they had asked the Master and Brethren of Washington Lodge, No. 1, at the last meeting, to present the Bible to them, and that Washington Lodge, No. 1, by a vote of the Lodge, agreed to do so. He therefore asked my permission; if I can see any thing wrong in it to let him know; at the same time, by request, he invited me to be present on the evening of the 22d April." He further stated that "it does not cost Washington Lodge, No. 1, any thing, and that he cannot see any thing wrong in presenting it. It will take place either in a church or large hall." My reply .to the Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge, No. 1, was, very nearly, as follows: I have given the matter, as was my duty, my careful consideration, and I have to 348 PROCEEDINGS OF THE say that I cannot grant my permission to Washington Lodge, No. 1, for any such purpose; for that, in my judgment, the contemplated presentation would be highly objectionable; would contravene the general policy of our Ancient Order; and would be prejudicial to the true interests of the Craft in this State. This contem¬ plated Bible presentation may be regarded in a two-fold aspect: First, as it affects Washington Lodge, No. 1, itself; and secondly, as it affects the Masonic Order generally. First: As it affects Washington Lodge, No. 1. It appears that the Bible to be presented was not purchased by, nor is it the property of, Washington Lodge, No. 1, or the individual members of that Lodge; but that a certain Lodge of the In¬ dependent Order of Odd-Fellows have bought the Bible for their owif Lodge by private subscription. They are therefore the rightful owners of that Bible, and yet they coolly request your Lodge to present them with their own rightful property. Why did they not request you at once to purchase a Bible for them, and present it to them ? This transaction would have possessed the elements of truthfulness, which the case in question does not. May not the whole of this pre¬ tended Bible presentation be regarded as puerile, undignified and unmanly ? More than that; does it not savor of deception and falsehood? In complying with their request, you virtually engage with them in a scheme of deception towards the public, by pretending to present that which does not belong to you, to the very body of men to whom it truly and properly belongs. Reflect, upon the scene for a moment. A subordinate Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity on the face of the earth appear in a public hall or church, clothed in the habiliments of their venerable Order, and headed by their officers, and then and there, before the world, gravely, and with set phrase, present a Bible to which they have not a shadow of claim or title, to whom? A sister Lodge of their own Order? No; but to a number of persons composing an association of which they do not, and cannot, know any thing; who, as gravely and with measured speech, accept that Bible, which they had previously purchased for themselves with their own money, and which, of course, as fully and completely belonged to them before the pomp, parade and circumstance of such presentation, as it did or could afterwards. And for whose benefit does this scene take place ? Certainly not, in any manner, for the benefit of Washington Lodge, No 1. It seems to me that the affair is an attempt on the part of the Lodge of Odd-Fellows to make use of your Lodge as an instru¬ ment to gratify their own vanity and pride, and that they seek to obtain your presence as a Lodge in order to make the occasion more imposing, and to give themselves more importance and notoriety. Will Washington Lodge, No. 1, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of her own free will and accord, lend herself to, and become a participant in, such a ridiculous and farcical scene as the one I have above described ? And will you, Sir and Brother—I ask it in all kindness and respect—will you, as the Worshipful Master of that Lodge, by any act of yours or hers, suffer to be brought into ridicule and contempt the character and dignity of the Lodge which you have been and are solemnly bound to cherish and protect? I will not, and cannot for an instant believe it. Secondly: As it affects the Masonic Order generally. A Lodge of Masons is a more or less number of indi¬ vidual Masons affiliated for Masonic purposes. Such a Lodge comes not in contact with, or before the world, for the mere object of idle display, but for some Masonic purpose only, such as the burial of a deceased brother, the laying the foundation stones of public buildings, and the like. Masonry is not ostentatious in her character or her practice. She is no aspirant for popularity. She seeks not to attract the public gaze, or to court the public favor; she vaunts not of her good deeds and her charities ; but contents herself to be, like the gentle dew of heaven, unseen in her agencies, but felt and effective in her influences upon society and the world at large. Her work "is that of the secret chamber. It is the work of universal charity, in which the left hand is to be kept in darkness in relation to what the right performs." Masonry knows of no other Order in the world than Masonry. There may be other associations, and very praiseworthy ones, too, of men secretly united for the promotion of their own peculiar tenets and principles; but as Masonry does not, and cannot know any thing of those tenets and principles, she never publicly recognizes or allies herself with any such associations. It has I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 349 always been, and still is, her policy, as an Order, to not fraternize with, but to keep herself strictly aloof from all other associations or consociations of men, no matter by what name they may be called. Hence, though the presentation of a Bible by one to another is in itself a highly meritorious action, yet, when such presentation is made by a Masonic Lodge to an association of persons styling themselves a Lodge of some, so-called, Order, such an act is most assuredly un- masonic, for the reason that it conflicts with the general scope and purposes of Masonry; it is not the performance of Masonic work, or the execution of a Masonic duty, but is a direct departure from the established usages and settled policy of the Masonic Order. Moreover, it would establish a precedent unheard of and unknown in our annals in this jurisdiction, and which would prove greatly detri¬ mental to the interests of the Order, if followed by other subordinate Lodges. For if one Lodge has the right to make a presentation to the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, another has the equal right to make a presentation to the Sons of Temperance, the Sons of Malta, the American Protestant Association, or any other of the numerous affiliated societies of the day. Masonry, standing conspicuously before the world for ages, venerable by her antiquity, and honored and honorable for her own character as well as the character of her children, has every thing to lose, and nothing whatever to gain by fraternizing with other associations, even were it lawful and in accordance with her policy to do so ; and I do most earnestly hope and trust that Washington Lodge, No. 1, the first in number within our jurisdiction, and entitled to precedence over her sister Lodges, will be indeed the first, and will precede all others, in setting the example of respect for, and strict conformity to, the policy and usages of the Order; that she will be the first to pre¬ serve and uphold the high reputation which the Lodges within this State have ever maintained in the Masonic world, and that she will be the first to discount¬ enance a procedure, like the one in question, so dangerous and prejudicial in its tendency, and so derogatory to the character and dignity, both of herself, and of the noble Order, whose interests I know she has deeply at heart. Finally, permit me to say that my disapproval of the contemplated presentation arises by no means from the fact that it is to be made to the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows; but that I should equally disapprove of it were it to be made to any other associa¬ tion of persons, of what name soever they might be called, save only to a regularly warranted Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. And, in conclusion, I expressed the earnest hope that Washington Lodge, No. 1, would reconsider the vote and rescind the resolution by which she agreed to make the presentation in question. To the honor of the Lodge, it did not become "a participant in such a ridiculous and farcical scene,1' but very promptly declined to join in the demonstration. The objection to the proceeding, as the Grand Master justly remarks, is not because the Society requesting the demonstration is called by this or the other name. It was not a Masonic society, and that ought to have been an all-sufficient reason for its prohibition. Whilst we honor the members of any organization, having charity for its base of operations, we can see nothing but evil to all in amalgamation. The world is wide enough for each and every one of them, and surely there is dis¬ tress enough for each to pursue its own course without amalgamating in its public demonstrations, or seriously incommoding other organizations having the same object in view. Some years since, several individuals—some of them members of Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Delaware—applied to the Grand Lodge of Ireland for authority to open and hold a Lodge in Delaware under its jurisdiction, which was very properly denied, and their names given to the Grand Lodge of Delaware. Action was taken on the subject, and postponed from session to session until the present, when a report was made by a committee embodying the following conclusions 350 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., 1st. Disrespect and contempt towards this Grand Lodge and its committees. 2d. Refusal on the part of some of them to obey the regular summons of this Grand Lodge and its said committees. 3d. Their application to the Grand Lodge of Ireland to obtain a "warrant to institute a subordinate Lodge within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge expelled one of the individuals signing the petition, suspended one for two years, and two for one year, and reprimanded another. The report on Correspondence is very brief—covering less than two pages of its proceedings—barely mentioning proceedings and documents received. The com¬ mittee find time, however, to say : These reports indicate a rapid spread of the Order: material appears to be abundant for the erection of the mystic piles, though there is danger to be feared from the very popularity of the Order. There is a rush to enter within the veil, and, alas! not the preparation requisite. Is there not danger that the want of selection, the indiscriminate entering of candidates to swell the catalogue of mem¬ bership, may produce as big, and unsymmetrical, and weak a moral edifice as the same causes, materially applied, produce in American Architecture ? But your committee must not "write unintelligible prose," and confines itself to the statement that Masonry is literally going with a rush over the United States, and that each Grand Lodge seems to be in harmony with itself and its neighbor sovereigns, and principally engaged with its own duties as it should be so long as there is no General Grand Lodge. At the risk of being liable to the charge of "writing unintelligible prose," we regret our Brethren of Delaware did not find it in their hearts to give the world the benefit of their experience. They have the material and the workmen where¬ with to erect a grand superstructure, and we trust they will hereafter let their light shine. A circular from the Grand Master of New York, announcing the full union of the Craft in that State, was received. After consideration, it was resolved, "that the right hand of fellowship be extended to them, with the earnest hope that the altar fires may burn brighter and clearer unto the day of Perfect Light." Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 5. Canada—Especial Communication, held at Toronto, January 19, 1859; and fourth Annual Communication, held at Kingston, July 13, 1859. M. W. William M. Wilson, Grand Master; H. W. Thomas B. Harris, Grand Secretary. Eighty-eight chartered Lodges were represented; also six under dispensation. An Address was delivered by the M. W. Grand Master at the Annual Communi¬ cation, in which he congratulates the brethren upon the happy union of the Craft, which took place in July, 1858, as "an event, not only of the greatest importance to the Masons of this Province, but one which has elicited expressions of un- mingled satisfaction and delight from our sister Grand Lodges, and which proved to the Masonic world that the Masons of this jurisdiction, deeply impressed with the belief that union was essential to the prosperity of the Order, could cast aside and forget the unhappy differences which had kept them so long apart, and, ignor¬ ing all personal and local feeling, did unite for the purpose of promoting the great objects, to attain which, we as Masons are all associated." He reports that all differences between his Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of England have been amicably arranged, "and that the fullest and most fraternal intercourse between the brethren of the respective jurisdictions is now established." I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 351 Among the questions on Masonic Jurisprudence, submitted for his decision, he brings to the notice of the Grand Lodge one in reference to which a great diver¬ sity of opinions has been expressed, and the settlement of which has been differ¬ ent in different jurisdictions, viz., Exclusion and Expulsion. He says: The view which I have taken of this question, is similar to what I believe to be the practice of the Grand Lodge of England, and is also in accordance with the opinions expressed by Dr Mackey, and many other intelligent writers upon this subject; aud that is, that exclusion from a Lodge for non-payment of dues, does not affect the standing of the member excluded, in his relation to the Craft in general: were it not so, there would, it appears to me, be but little difference between the penalties of exclusion and expulsion; and yet, how broad is the distinction be¬ tween them! From the disabilities of the former, the member is at once relieved by paying up his arrears, while from the latter he can only be relieved by the action of Grand Lodge; the one affects simply his engagements with his own Lodge, the other his relation with the Order everywhere, and is the highest penalty known in Masonry. It is of course scarcely necessary for me to say, that there is a broad distinction to be drawn between the mere exclusion of the mem¬ ber of a Lodge for non-payment of dues, and his exclusion for gross, immoral, or infamous conduct. The conclusion to which I have arrived in my own mind is, that the mere non-payment of dues should not carry with it such a penalty as would deprive a Brother of those privileges, which are generally regarded as inherent in him as a Mason. At first glance, it may appear somewhat harsh to visit with the extreme penal¬ ties of the Institution the failure to pay Lodge dues, and much sympathy is excited thereby for delinquent brethren; but when we reflect that this failure is a violation of Masonic duty, a duty voluntarily assumed by the most solemn vows, we can see no difference between a wilful violation of this more than of any other obligation. Has the delinquent not promised, just as firmly and as pointedly, to "stand to and support the By-Laws" of his Lodge? and why should a violation of this pledge be visited with a less punishment than for any other dereliction of duty? On the subject of non-affiliated Masons, the Grand Master concurs "with Brother Mackey, when he asserts that the position of an unaffiliated Mason is contrary to the spirit of our Institution, and that affiliation is a duty obligatory on every Mason." He further says: We at once admit the right of every man to withdraw from a voluntary associa¬ tion, but, at the same time, (following the argument of Dr. Mackey and others,) while we regard it as an undoubted precept of the Order, that every Mason should belong to a Lodge, and contribute, so far as his means will allow, to the support of the Institution, we also hold that by his demission he violates the principles and disobeys the precepts of the Order, and by his own act he dissevers all con¬ nection between himself and the Lodge organization of the Order, and divests him¬ self of all the rights and privileges which belong to him as a member of that organization, still remaining, however, subject to the government and discipline of the Order. He also directs the attention of Masters of Lodges to the necessity of more fre¬ quently consulting the "Ancient Charges," and urges their being read in open Lodge for the information and instruction of the Craft, as they "contain a concise but succinct summary of a Mason's duties, and have been in the possession of the Fraternity for many generations, and are regarded by us as containing the funda¬ mental laws which govern the Order:" 352 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., TllDOD „n(j principles should, upon every opportunity, be pressed upon the .ttSn of the brPethre£ and ever> violation of them should be condemned and punished. Strict discipline and honest dealing are essentia1 to the preservation of the high character and standing of the Order, and should ever distinguish its members; and yet, in breach of that very confidence which the nature of our own Institution creates, how often are we pained to hear of instances where this has been grossly abused! Prompt and exemplary punishment should follow such conduct, and the unworthy member should be at once dealt with by his Lodge. The Grand Master very properly rebukes the attempt, on the part of one of the subordinate Lodges, to influence the selection of Grand Officers through the medium of a printed circular, issued and circulated among the Lodges prior to the meeting of the Grand Lodge, advocating the claims of certain brethren as worthy of preferment, and expresses a "hope that no attempt, thus improperly to influ¬ ence the brethren in the exercise of their rights, will ever again be made; as the attempt, in his opinion, would almost invariably defeat the object aimed at, besides being, to a certain extent, calculated to injure the feelings and standing of the individual whose advancement it was undoubtedly meant to secure." Referring to uniformity of Work, he expresses much anxiety for the adoption of a correct standard, and regards this as the most important duty now devolving on his Grand Lodge. He says: In my researches among the records of the Order for light on this subject, I have found much that has amply rewarded my labor, and from intelligent brethren in England and elsewhere, I have also acquired much valuable information. We have, as you are aware, adopted what is technically called the English mode of work, as a basis, and I have come to the conclusion that to England we must look for the pure and ancient work. After the union of the two Graud Lodges in !81.3, a Lodge of Reconciliation, composed of the most intelligent Masons from both of the for¬ mer bodies, was named by the United Grand Lodge. These brethren met and agreed as to the exact form of work to be adopted; and in 1814, this system, after the most careful examination, and the fullest deliberation, was exemplified and solemnly sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of England; and I would now suggest for your consideration the propriety of a careful examination of the work, before you ven¬ ture to decide upon a standard for Canada. And in concluding this excellent address, the Grand Master says that peace and harmony prevail among the Lodges in his jurisdiction, and earnestly and affection¬ ately recommends, "as the most efficient means of ensuring the permanency and extending the influence of the Craft, the more earnest cultivation of that beautiful code of morals which runs like a rich vein through the entire system of Free Ma¬ sonry, well assured that nothing can tend so effectually to crown the science with the verdant wreath of public approbation, as the virtuous life and guileless de¬ meanor of its assiduous professors." The reports from several District Deputy Grand Masters are printed with the proceedings, and afford gratifying assurances that the Lodges are steadily moving forward in unity and harmony. We always look upon reports from these officers with as much interest as any other part of the proceedings of a Grand Lodge, affording, in many cases, more accurate insight into the workings of subordinate Lodges than can be obtained in any other way; and if the duties of the office are discharged in a conscientious manner, the internal affairs and practical workings of the Lodges are brought more fully to the notice of the Grand Master and Grand ge, showing where corrective discipline may be applied, or encouragement I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 353 awarded, with certainty of its being efficient for good. One of the greatest diffi¬ culties encountered by a Grand Lodge in its legislation, is found in not knowing the actual necessities of the Lodges themselves; and this ignorance, excusable though it may be, very often leads to the passage of laws in too many instances oppressive rather than beneficial to the best interests of all concerned. If it were possible for the Grand Lodge to examine with critical care the records of every Lodge under its jurisdiction, the necessity for the appointment of District D. G. Masters would be unnecessary; but this being impossible, the nearest approach to the performance of this duty can only be attained by the appointment of "skil¬ ful brethren" to visit the Lodges in person, and, after carefully examining into their condition, report the result of their examinations for the information of the proper authority. The report on Correspondence forms an interesting portion of the proceedings before us, and was prepared by Bro. F. J. Lundy. The committee approve of the recommendation made to the Grand Lodge of Alabama, "that a dispensation shall not be granted for the establishment of a new Lodge within fifteen miles of one already established;" but cannot agree to the proposition, that when "the Senior or Junior Warden succeeds to the duties of the station of the Master, he has the power, and it is his duty to confer degrees, as the Master might do if present." The committee do not give their reasons for their dissent. Referring to the "rights of Entered Apprentices in a Lodge," the committee believe the English practice to be the correct one. " In the Lodges of England, Entered Apprentices have the right of voting on all questions of business and of mere routine; they also have the right to ballot for a candidate; but when any thing comes before the brethren relating to the position or standing of Master Masons or Fellow Crafts, then the Lodge is raised to the appropriate degree." This was undoubtedly the practice of " our fathers," and we are not sure but more has been lost than gained in the change. The business of the Grand Lodge was transacted with much harmony, and evinces an earnest effort on the part of our Northern brethren to fulfil to the utmost the duties they owe to the Craft. M. W. William M. Wilson reelected Grand Master; R. W. Thomas B. Harris reelected Grand Secretary. 6. Wasliillgtoil Territory—Annual Session held in the City of Olym- pia, Sept. 5, 1859. M. W. T. F. McElroy, Grand Master; R. W. T. M. Reed, Grand Secretary. Four Lodges represented. Congratulating the Fraternity on the propitious circumstances under which they had assembled, the Grand Master says: It is particularly gratifying to me to inform you of the happy and prosperous condition of the subordinate Lodges throughout the Territory. They are acquir¬ ing new value, and extending their benign influence to new participants. No other institution of human origin can point back with such just feelings of pride to its history, through the changes and revolutions of centuries, as embodying the same fundamental principles of morality as Free Masonry. Amid all the revolutions of time, through all the changes and convulsions of the world, while all other insti¬ tutions, social, moral, and political, that started with ours in the race of associated existence, have one after another sank beneath the wave, Free Masonry alone stands forth in its original strength, where it stood for near four thousand years, upon the same broad platform of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. 23 354 PROCEEDINGS OE THE Three dispensations for new Lodges were granted by the Grand Master during the year. The Grand Lodge adopted an installation service, same as that of Mis¬ sissippi ; also ordered a publication with the proceedings of the " Old Charges" and "General Regulations." The most noticeable portion of the proceedings before us is the report on Cor¬ respondence, which shows that our brethren of this far-distant Territory, although few in number, have the "ring of the true metal." We copy a single extract on the " power of a Grand Lodge to restore to membership in a Lodge." Saying that they have neither time nor inclination just then to argue the question, the com¬ mittee remark: We will, however, go so far as to say, for opinion's sake, that in the restoration of a suspended brother to the rights and privileges of Masonry, he is ther eby re¬ stored to membership (or should be) in the Lodge that suspended him ; but in the restoration of an expelled Mason, it does not necessarily follow that he is restored to membership, for the positions they occupy while under sentence are entirely different, the one implying partial, the other total absolution from the Order. We have no doubt, however, that in so far as the question may be considered as a legal proposition, and viewed strictly in that sense, a restoration, whether from expul¬ sion or suspension, places the party precisely in the same relation to the Lodge that he occupied prior to any charges being preferred, which of course will include membership. But we think law is sometimes ruinously arbitrary, if a strictly literal construction be at all times placed upon it, and carried out to the letter. Some of the "Ancient Charges" furnish striking instances. In many instances it is proper and right to restore an expelled Mason to mem¬ bership, but in no instance should it be done at the sacrifice of harmony and pros¬ perity in a Lodge, or among the Craft. It is better that he be not restored at all. When there can be no positive infraction of law, policy and justice should be gov¬ erning principles for all courses of action in this regard. We are averse to wring¬ ing in every technicality and constructive law in the administration of justice; they generally fail in the production of good, and often produce a germ of strife and contention which grows to a demon in magnitude and power. A wise discrimina¬ tion is better than mere feudal laws with their thousand technicalities. M. W. James Biles elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 7. Illinois—Annual Convocation at Springfield, October 4, 1859. M. W. Ira A. W. Buck, Grand Master; R. W. Harmon G. Reynolds, Grand Secretary. Two hundred and twenty-two Lodges represented. The Grand Master reports having granted twenty-six dispensations during the past year. At the preceding session thirty-six new Lodges were chartered, and sixteen dispensations were issued for new Lodges—some of the latter were re¬ newal of dispensations already issued. In addition to these, four dispensations were ordered by the Grand Lodge itself. We presume this increase in number of Lodges has no parallel in the history of any other Grand, Lodge; and great fears may well be entertained whether such an unexampled increase may not be indi¬ cations of precocity rather than a healthy manifestation. Judging from the pro¬ ceedings, however, we must confess we see no particular reason for alarm. Gen¬ erally the Lodges are reported to be doing their work well, and exercising prompt discipline over their members, and we can but hope that all is well. Considering the number of Lodges, but few cases of difficulty have occurred, and those few readily disposed of, and generally satisfactorily. Brother Buck finds the office of Grand Master in his jurisdiction a position of much toil, and gives utterance to his feelings in a few well-timed sentences: I860.] grand Lodge of Tennessee. 355 The past year has fully demonstrated to me that the possession of official rank and power is not a post of ease and comfort; it soon becomes stripped of all that is alluring and fanciful, in the actual work of the office. It has given me a deep insight into the true condition of our Order. Outwardly, it presents a flattering picture, but on close inspection many painful truths are to be found. Dissensions, strife, and bitterness already rear their heads in our Lodge-rooms ; extreme anx¬ iety to hold official station in our Lodges, and the spirit of progress, as it is called, are continually devising new and better plans for the working of our ancient and honorable Institution, and extreme anxiety to have a large membership, regardless of the material. Masonry was never intended to make men, but to make Masons. Upon this point there can be but one opinion. You will often hear a young and inexperienced brother say in behalf of the petitioner, " The Lodge may improve him, may make a man of him." Shame on a brother that knows no better than this, for assuredly he needs making over himself, if the pattern admit of it; and yet, unpleasant as the fact may be, we have numbers of this caliber. The time was when this was not so. By this unwise course, many have been received into the Lodge who from their natures cannot but disgrace it. Some individuals, from their very attributes, can never become Masons, I care not what positions they may occupy, or how much of this world's goods they may possess: if they are not Masons at heart, they have no right in a Masonic Lodge. We were early taught in Masonry, that there were three great duties which, as Masons, we were charged to inculcate : To God, our neighbors, and ourselves. To God, in never mentioning his name but with that reverential awe which is due from the creature to the Creator. Is this observed? My ear has been pained when I have heard profanity in our Lodge-rooms. At the same time, we were instructed that temper¬ ance was one of the cardinal virtues of our Institution ; but by many of our mem¬ bers it is forgotten. He also laments the evils of intemperance, and frankly says : It is a truth patent to every one, that intemperance to a great extent is in our midst; and will any brother at this time pretend that an intemperate man can be a good Mason ? It is an impossibility! Nearly all the difficulties in the Lodges, either directly or indirectly proceed from this vice, and it is a crime that is very lightly dealt with generally. There are honest accusations, but I should be untrue to the trust you have reposed in me, and false to the teachings and doctrines of Masonry, did I not call your attention to them. The remedy must be applied; our Lodges must enforce discipline. This is alike due the offender and the Craft. We ought to feel it to be our duty firmly and courageously to administer the correc¬ tion if they persist in error, so that scandal shall not be brought upon the whole Fraternity. But there is a moral cowardice about this that reflects but little credit upon our professions. We pause, and hope, while we are being condemned by a censorious world as participants in the evils we do not check. This is also true of the whole range of offences against the moral law. Every Lodge should see that discipline is enforced upon all its unworthy members. He recommends the raising of funds for the purpose of building a Grand Lodge Hall,, and presents a plan to accomplish that object. His plan was favorably re¬ ported upon by a committee, but laid upon the table by the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Illinois is called to mourn the loss of one of its Past Grand Officers—Brother Patrick A. Whitaker, a native of Tennessee, who settled in the city of Rock Island, in 1847, and became prominent not only in his own Lodge, but also an active participant in the business of the Grand for several sessions. He was highly esteemed. As a citizen, he was among the foremost in every good work; in business, a man of sterling integrity. He loved the institution of Free Masonry, and his devotion and attachment were beautifully interwoven in all his habits and feelings. As a husband and father, a son and brother, he was greatly beloved, for he ruled and 356 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., presided in the domestic circle by the power of kindness and love. His last sick¬ ness was long and painful, but he retained all his mental faculties until the very last A few moments previous to his final departure, he sank away, apparently in the'embrace of death. He heard the sobs of anguish from his wite and her mother and upon rallying, he observed : " Mother, you thought I was dead, but I have 'yet to die the death." Reposing a few moments, with great composure he observed, " Good bye, friends," and quietly fell asleep in death. The report on Correspondence is one of the best that has come under our no¬ tice and its perusal has been a rich intellectual feast. We fear, however, that the labor bestowed in its preparation has not met with the approval of the brethren its merits demand. The committee discuss the question of " appeal from decisions of Grand Masters," and quote the opinions of various eminent brethren against the allowance of such a right. Referring to the action of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, in cases heretofore quoted as sanctioning the practice, they give the peculiar circumstances of each, showing that they ought not to be considered as precedents. Our opinion has been freely expressed on this subject in former re¬ ports, and therefore need not be repeated at this time. We will merely say, that we regard a Grand Lodge as a legislative body with executive powers, and, as such, the presiding officer has no more " inherent right" to wisdom than those who com¬ pose the body itself. The committee's definition of the qualifications of a Secretary of a Lodge so fully meets our own views, that we take pleasure in calling the attention of our brethren to the following: First. As the Secretary receives the dues and fees paid into the Lodge, it is necessary that his honor and integrity should be above reproach or suspicion. A brother who is strictly honest will seldom experience serious difficulty with his brethren, because, as he only wants his own, he will be ready to render the same to others. Second. The Secretary shall keep debt and credit with the Lodge, debt and credit with each brother, and debt and credit with the Grand Lodge. He should, there¬ fore, be a clear-headed, skilful accountant. Third. The Secretary conducts the correspondence of the Lodge, and of the Master, if he desires it. He should therefore be able to write a good legible hand, and to express his ideas with perspicuity, easily and grammatically. Fourth. The Secretary keeps the records of the Lodge. He should therefore be so conversant with the work and ritual of the Order, with its usages and laws, that he may be able to make up a clear, terse record, and properly to distinguish be¬ tween what should be written, and what unwritten. Fifth. As this officer and all his work are under the direct control of the Master, it is highly necessary that he should be familiar and ready in the By-laws and business of the Lodge, so that he may not be a mere clerk in the hands of the Master, but a competent, candid, and useful adviser. Sixth. As he must do business with all the members, and must necessarily often be placed in an embarrassing or vexatious position, it would be well for the Lodge after looking for the above qualifications, to select an amiable, patient brother, who, while he would be firm and punctilious in discharging his duties, would be careful about giving offence, and be considerate and temperate with his brethren. The committee are opposed to the organization of the " Masonic Congress," as proposed by the Chicago Convention, and give their reasons under the following heads: 1. It will produce confusion in the Craft; 2. The system is unequal; 3. The present system is as equal as can be made; 4. It is an indirect blow against the independence of Grand Lodges ; 5. It will be valueless, because not general. I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 357 As a part of the labors of the committee, a statistical statement of the condi¬ tion of other Grand Lodges is made a part of their report. In this table Tennes¬ see is included; but in another table of "Grand Lodges in Correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Illinois," Tennessee is omitted. Why is this? In concluding their report, the committee append a series of resolutions, among which we find the following : Resolved, That the use of Masonic emblems in dress, or as ornaments, ought to be discouraged and discontinued. Resolved, That the use of Masonic emblems is hereby prohibited in all adver¬ tisements within this jurisdiction, except in case of advertising Masonic goods or wares. The resolutions were not adopted by the grand Lodge, leaving an inference that the membership approve rather than condemn the practices to which they refer. The business of the Session was conducted with much harmony. A special committee reported an " Installation Ceremony," which was adopted. Thirty-nine Lodges, heretofore under dispensation, received charters. The officers of the Grand Lodge were publicly installed, and an address delivered by Brother Abraham Jonas, P. G. M., from which we cull a short extract: Masonry is emphatically and peculiarly an institution of social benevolence, forming its members into a universal and harmonious brotherhood, governed by one set of principles, animated by one feeling, and pronouncing but one shibbo¬ leth, understood in all tongues, countries, climes, and ages. Indeed, this is the grand distinguishing feature of the institution; for, notwithstanding the high im¬ portance of the moral and scientific parts of the system, they have been, and con¬ tinue to be, quite too much neglected for the highest good of its members, and the reputation of the Order itself, and it is more particularly its social and benevolent character that now receives paramount attention. True, its original and leading design was to serve as a social compact, but that compact was designed to em¬ brace, in its special provisions and peculiar benefits, only such as diligently sought the moral affections and intellectual attributes of our nature, that thereby the bro¬ therhood, being virtuous and intelligent, might become cemented by bonds of the most social and moral character. We may contemplate the system as a universal and social platform, upon which all good men, governed by correct moral prin¬ ciple, the love of virtue, and a desire for mutual and intellectual improvement, may meet on a ground of equality and brotherhood, irrespective of diversity and peculiarity of religious and political opinions. It is in the Lodge alone that the descendant of Israel, the Christian and the follower of Mohammed, believing and declaring that his "trust is in God," can meet on the level of Masonic faith, union, and love. It is in the Lodge alone that sectarian strife and contest is hushed, and men of all creeds and denominations can unite, and, with loud voice, exclaim to¬ gether, while laying their hands on the Holy Bible, " In God we put our trust." It is in the Lodge that political rancor is hushed, and sectionalism, North and South, for a time forgotten and crushed out, and men of the most opposite views and opinions, all uniting in the universal cry, " In God we put our trust." Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 8. Kentucky.—Annual Session, held in the city of Louisville, October 17, 1859. M. W. Robert Morris, Grand Master; R. W. J. M. S. McCorkle, Grand Secretary. Two hundred and thirty Lodges represented. We learn, from the address of the Grand Master, that this was the sixtieth session of the Grand Lodge—"the mother Grand Lodge of the Mississippi Valley"—it 358 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., being organized in the year 1800. Referring to the establishment of new Lodges, he says: I am much at a loss what to advise in relation to the establishment of new Lodges. That many of the old ones are in a dying state, and ought to be closed, is unquestionably true, and, in such cases, new Lodges, within a few miles of them, would not be so much amiss. But how much better it would be for zealous brethren to affiliate with these Lodges, infuse new blood into them, warm and animate them, and thus obviate the necessity of establishing new Lodges to the certain death of those old ones. A Lodge itself is but a myth ; it is not a tangible thing; it is the brethren who make it, who work it, who give it character, who are to be considered in all questions relative to it.. A few earnest, self-sacrificing brethren, understanding the true purposes for which Masonry is established, can renovate a decaying Lodge, in a year or two, to their own honor and credit, and the lasting benefit of the Craft. I find throughout all the older Grand Lodges an indisposition to increase the number of their Lodges. There are already at work 4800 Lodges in our country, including British America—an increase in the last ten years far outrunning the increase of population, and there are few places capable of sustaining Lodges that do not possess them. This indisposition I acknowledge to have shared, and I am free to admit that the results of my observations during the past year would rather incline me to reduce the number of Kentucky Lodges one-third, than add a single one to their number. That this would be for the interest of the whole society, and the pleasure and advantage of the individual members, I think may readily be demonstrated. If the whole truth were told, we presume other jurisdictions would come to the same conclusions. That there are too many Lodges, is a fact too self-evident to need illustration; and the efforts of good Masons—those who have the best in¬ terests of the Fraternity at heart—should be directed to their diminution, rather than to their increase. But the great—we might almost say, enormous—increase in the number of Lodges, is traceable more to the action of Grand Lodges than to Grand Masters. While the latter are using their best efforts to prevent a rapid increase, by insisting upon certain qualifications preparatory to granting a dis¬ pensation, Grand Lodges themselves will order them to be issued almost indiscrim¬ inately. The question, how shall this state of things be prevented, is more easily asked than answered. As an effort, however, in the right direction, we would in¬ crease the fee for dispensation and charter to a much larger amount than is now charged, which would have a tendency to discourage many of the applications. The Grand Master reports the decease of Past Grand Masters Marcus M. Tyler and George Breckinridge. He also reported having suspended the W. Master of Hancock Lodge, No. 115, on account of his religious views; he declaring "that he considers the Bible only as a good sort of history, not sacred, still less Divine, and that an obligation taken upon it is only binding because the law of the land makes it so." The subject was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, who reported a resolution sustaining the decision of the Grand Master. Statements were made by the suspended Master, explaining his views in such a manner as very materially to lessen their offensiveness, and thereupon the Grand Lodge restored him to office. The Grand Master brings to the notice of the Grand Lodge many irregularities on the part of the subordinate Lodges—such as having no seals, carelessness of secretaries in keeping a correct record of proceedings, neglect of representation in Grand Lodge, etc., which, we opine, would be fully as applicable to other juris- I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE, 359 dictions. But lie alludes to one point, ■which your committee has heretofore brought to the attention of Lodges in Tennessee, and will bear repetition. He says: Another most serious error, on the part of Lodges, is the neglect to collect, regularly, the Lodge dues. The practice of giving credit for degrees, once so common here, has, I believe, now entirely ceased; but there is a custom prevalent among us, which, in its effects, is working even a greater evil to the Craft than the former ever did. Many of our Lodges never collect up their dues with closeness. They are embarrassed with debts; they cannot disburse a dollar from the treasury upon the most pressing calls of charity; they are pleaders to the Grand Lodge year by year for remission of dues, while, at the same time, their members are in arrears for one, two, and often an indefinite term of years, and so remain until excused by action of the Grand Lodge. The report on Correspondence is a valuable document, prepared by the Grand Secretary. Referring to a resolution of the Grand Lodge of Oregon, "that any Master Mason in good standing is eligible to any office in the Lodge of which he is a member," the committee "think it a departure from one of the landmarks of the Order;" though admitting that "there maybe cases where necessity would require a brother to be elevated to the chair of Master without having served as a Warden;" and that "to learn to govern it is necessary he should first learn to obey." To the last sentence we freely assent, but cannot see in what respect a Warden can learn to obey any more than non-official members of a Lodge. There is a good rule for construing fundamental laws, that one part must not be brought into conflict with another. The i' old constitutions" nowhere assert that a brother must serve as a Warden before he can be eligible to the office of Master; but they do say "that all preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and per¬ sonal merit only;" " therefore, no Master or Warden is chosen by seniority, but for Ms merit." The committee corrects an error in our report for 1858, in quoting an extract from the proceedings of Alabama, as follows: "Kentucky, by Grand Master Tyler, recommends a law requiring all non-affiliated Masons to pay a sum certain to the nearest Lodge for charitable purposes, and to punish the failure, except from inability, with expulsion." The committee say: "This extract, we notice, has been frequently quoted in reports of committees of other Grand Lodges; and we would simply remark that it was only a recommendation of our late Grand Master Tyler, which was not adopted by the Grand Lodge. The usage in this jurisdiction is to permit a brother, who is not under charges, to dimit from his Lodge upon payment of all dues." We cheerfully make the correction. On the subject of confining the business of a Lodge to Master Masons exclu¬ sively, the committee say: We are glad to see that the Grand Lodge of Ohio has abandoned the regulation requiring all business of the subordinate Lodges, except conferring the inferior degrees, to be done in a Lodge of Master Masons. This return to the old practice we think is right. We have always considered the regulation an innovation. It was introduced into the Grand Lodge of Kentucky several years ago, and adopted without debate, and we are satisfied has been the cause of much confusion in many Lodges. It has had the effect of disfranchising in fact all Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts, and we have no doubt has had much influence in inducing initiates to hurry through the degrees so as to become Master Masons, thus pro¬ ducing the evil complained of as "hasty work." We may be wrong, but we are 360 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., old-fashioned enough to look upon an Entered Apprentice, as soon as he has been initiated as a member of the Lodge. AVe call him brother—how, then, can we denv him the rights of one ? This innovation, for we have always regarded it as such originated, we think, at Baltimore, at a convention of Masons, in 1842, we believe, who, instead of seeking for the ancient work, gave their own notions of what the work ought to be. We hope our own Grand Lodge will speedily return to the ancient paths, in this respect. A new constitution was submitted, but no action was taken upon it, except to refer it to the next annual communication. Appropriate resolutions were adopted commemorative of Past Grand Masters Tyler and Breckinridge, and P. J. Grand Deacon Dudley, and a page of the proceedings set apart in memoriam. The following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That a Mason, suspended for non-payment of dues, who is otherwise in good standing, by the payment of the amount due by such member at the date of his suspension, shall be thereby reinstated in all his former Masonic rights and privileges. The Grand Master especially notices a case brought before him, wherein the offence consisted in the violation of a rule of the Grand Lodge, which "strictly forbids all law suits, save where real or personal property is involved." The matter was referred to the committee on Jurisprudence, who made a report; pend¬ ing discussion thereon, the brethren concerned agreed to refer their difficulties to the arbitrament of Past Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge. A committee on Work reported that there are serious discrepancies in the work of the subordinate Lodges, and that many of them have, "incautiously, made so many departures from the ancient text, that it can hardly be recoguized," and favor "Schools of Instruction," as adopted and carried into operation by the Grand Master during the year. The committee reported the following resolution: Resolved, That this Grand Lodge does earnestly disapprove of all innovations introduced, and recommend to subordinate Lodges under this jurisdiction a speedy return to the Work and Lectures of Thomas Smith Webb, as taught in the Schools of Masonic instruction during the past year. The report and resolution were laid on the table. On a subsequent day they were again taken up, and, after due consideration, were adopted, after striking out the last clause of the above resolution, "as taught in the Schools of Masonic instruc¬ tion during the past gear." We must confess to some surprise at this amendment of the resolution. Does it imply that the true Webb work has not been taught in these "Schools of Instruction," about which so much has been said in some of the Masonic periodicals, or is it because the peculiar mode adopted for its dissemina¬ tion does not meet the approval of the Grand Lodge ? Much business of a local nature was transacted. 31. W. Harvey T. Wilson, elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 9. Obio—Annual Session held at Columbus, October 18, 1859. 31. W. Ho¬ race M. Stokes, Grand Master; R. W. John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary. Two hundred and fifty-seven Lodges represented. Eight dispensations granted last year. The Grand Master's address is mostly devoted to topics immediately concerning his I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 361 own Grand Lodge; but he takes occasion to refer to the work, as revised and approved by his Grand Lodge three or four years since, and which is now fully practiced by a large majority of the Lodges, the changes made being in expression merely, not affecting the lessons intended to be taught, and were adopted to produce uniformity throughout his jurisdiction. He says : An Ohio Mason, well instructed in his profession, according to our teachings, will pass current in any jurisdiction. He needs not instruction from teachers of other States, who pretend to have discovered the "Webb work," and who are en¬ gaged in circulating their rituals as merchandise in the most reprehensible manner, to be known and acknowledged as a genuine Mason in any well-instructed Lodge in this or any other country. These remarks are called forth by information recently received by me, that notwithstanding the repeated resolutions of the Grand Lodge against itinerant lecturers, the evil is not entirely eradicated. Vend¬ ors of Masonic merchandise visit our Lodges to dispose of their wares. As a pre¬ liminary step, they obtain permission to address the brethren on Masonic topics, and generally take occasion to rehearse and exemplify the work, claiming that their version is the literal, unadulterated, ancient ritual. A desire for knowledge upon this important subject prompts many to listen attentively ; and, if they do not become proficients in these unauthorized teachings, they adopt many of the ideas and expressions of the lecturer, and thus elements of confusion are intro¬ duced. While the hearts of the brethren are warm with gratitude for these dis¬ interested labors, the lecturer takes occasion to bring forth his merchandise, and a rich harvest is frequently reaped. Monitors and charts are in this way circulated, with notes by the compiler, denouncing as unmasonic rules and regulations adopted by this Grand Lodge for the government of the subordinate Lodges in this jurisdiction. I commend this matter to your serious consideration. We have seen, in our day, not a few of these disinterested teachers of Masonry, who professed the wisdom of Solomon and the jurisprudence of Solon. The evils and confusions introduced by such itinerant pedlers were numerous and annoying. Several years ago the Grand Lodge of Tennessee applied a corrective in the shape of a regulation prohibiting "itinerant lecturers" from holding forth in the Lodges without a special permit of the Grand Master; but yet we fear that still some few of our Lodges are so much attracted by oily words and smoothly flowing sen¬ tences as to give them occasional entrance, notwithstanding the edict of exclusion,. There is, however, no good rule without exceptions. On the subject of a "National Masonic Congress," after giving a brief synopsis of the object and powers embraced in the form of a constitution submitted by the Chicago Convention, he says that "it is simply a voluntary association of Grand Lodges for mutual consultation upon matters of interest to all." There are many arguments offered in favor of such an association; and could we be assured beyond doubt that its objects will not be changed or perverted here¬ after by ambitious aspirants for Masonic dignities, and by that love of power which such organizations are too apt to manifest, it might commend itself to your favor, and receive your cooperation and support. I am of opinion, however, that through the instrumentalities of committees on Foreign Correspondence, and the system of representation now in process of establishment, the aims and objects of a national association can be obtained without the feeling (at least) of that subor¬ dination which must exist in a Grand Lodge, connected with an organization of greater territorial jurisdiction than its own. Experience, which is the best teacher,. admonishes us that national organizations in Masonry are dangerous ; that instead of remaining the creatures of the Grand bodies creating them, they may in time, and by degrees, gather unto themselves power and might, and not only divest their- constituents of their natural and proper independence, but render them subordi- 4 362 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., nate to the national body, or some dignitary thereof I hope this enterprise is so ■well guarded as to prevent such consequences. _ If it is not, the true interests ot Masonry will not be subserved by its organization. In a case of appeal from the decision of a subordinate Lodge, one of the rea¬ sons assigned why the same should be reversed was, that the Lodge received the testimony of witnesses, not Masons, without having them sworn as in courts of law. A majority of the committee reported a resolution requiring such persons to be sworn before giving their evidence. The minority, however, contended that this was not necessary on Masonic trials; that such an oath is not binding and extra-judicial; that the Lodge may and should be the judges of its weight and value, having reference to the character and standing of the witnesses. The Grand Lodge sustained the opinion expressed by the minority, which we think correct. An interesting question was presented to the Grand Lodge, in the shape of a memorial, inquiring into the propriety of Masonic Lodges fraternizing with secret societies, by leasing or renting their Lodge-rooms to such organizations. The com¬ mittee report: That they have examined the memorial of said Brother C. IIuebner, and the papers accompanying the same ; and while your committee would throw no ob¬ stacles in the way to prevent brethren or the subordinate Lodges from the dis¬ charge of common acts of courtesy and kindness, they do most sincerely regret that the Craft in many places manifest so great a disposition " to be all things to all men," and to grant or let Masonic halls to almost all societies for almost all purposes. This custom having so long obtained, without any definite action of the Grand Lodge being had in relation thereto, your committee do not consider the Somerset Lodge, No. 76, very materially erred in granting to the I. 0. 0. F. the use of their hall for the period of one month, in order that they might effect an organization. But while your committee are thus lenient toward Somerset Lodge, they do fully endorse the sentiment expressed by the M. W. Grand Master, in his letter to Bro. Stillman, of Somerset Lodge, under date of May 30, 1359, viz. : " If a Masonic Lodge cannot procure and retain a Lodge-room, devoted and set apart to its own exclusive use, it had better cease labor, and its members become attached to one which can." Assenting to the remarks of the Grand Master on itinerant lecturers, as quoted above, a special committee says : The motives which actuate these distinguished laborers in the Masonic field are, in most instances, purely selfish. Their design is not to disseminate light, but to make money. Free Masonry is based on pure morals. No human institution was ever founded on better principles; and he who makes it subsidiary to purposes of trade, should, like the vendors of "oxen, and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money" of old, be driven from the sacred precincts. The Grand Lodge decided "that it is inexpedient to become a member of the proposed "North American Masonic Congress;" that a dimit "takes effect from and after the vote of the Lodge granting it, and that the act of the Lodge severs the membership, not the issuing of the paper by the Secretary, or a removal be¬ yond the jurisdiction of the Lodge ;" denying the right of a Mason who has spoken slanderous words of a brother in public places, to come into the Lodge when com¬ plained of, and on trial plead justification, and introduce evidence to show that the I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 363 words publicly spoken by him were true. In this last particular, the Grand Lodge of Ohio — Does not recognize this as a Masonic right, but, on the contrary, believe that a Mason has no right to publicly promulgate charges against the moral character of a brother, and accuse him of acts alike disgraceful to a gentleman and a Mason, even if he knows these charges to be true; but, on the contrary, if he believes that a brother has perjured himself, or been guilty of any other unmasonic con¬ duct, he should prefer charges against him in the Lodge, and have them there in¬ vestigated, that the truth may be known before making them public ; and the plea that such charges are true is no justification for giving them publicity; and such a plea should never be permitted in any Lodge as a justification. The Grand Lodge also decided, that not only its law but usages "declare that an officer of a regular Lodge, after having been elected and installed, cannot resign his office so long as he remains a member of the Lodge." Among the decisions of the Grand Msster, printed in the proceedings, we find the following which are of general application: 1. A non-affiliated Mason is not chargeable with ordinary Lodge dues. 2. A brother charged with unmasonic conduct should not be examined as a wit¬ ness on the trial. He may, and in most cases ought to, be permitted to address the Lodge in defence after the evidence is heard. 3. A Lodge to which a charter is granted, cannot meet or transact business until it is regularly constituted under its charter by the Grand Master, or his regularly appointed proxy. The officers named in the charter should be installed at the time the Lodge is constituted; and they remain in office until the Lodge elects others, at the time and in the manner pointed out by its By-Laws. 4. A ballot cannot be reconsidered. 5. A brother cannot legally be elected W. M. while charges are pending against him in his Lodge. 6. A brother suspended for a definite period, is fully restored to membership and Masonry upon the expiration of the time of suspension, without action of the Lodge. 7. The Secretary of a Lodge has no authority to fill up and deliver to a brother a diploma or dimit, without express order of the Lodge at a stated meeting. A Lodge cannot legally entertain a petition for restoration from a Mason expelled or suspended by another Lodge of this or any other Grand jurisdiction. We suggest the propriety to our own Grand Lodge of requiring the Grand Mas¬ ter to keep a copy of his decisions, and after having been examined by a com¬ mittee of experienced brethren, that a digest of them be printed for general infor¬ mation. Doing so would undoubtedly save much labor to their successors, and besides would give them more authoritative force. Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 10. K.ailga.S—Annual meeting, held in the city of Lawrence, October 18, 1859. M. W. Richard R. Rees, Grand Master; R. W. Charles Mundee, Grand Secretary. Twelve Lodges represented. The Grand Master reported having granted eleven dispensations during the year. One of these, "Auraria Lodge, is the first advance of Masonry, this far north, into the confines of the Rocky Mountains, and is located within the newly discovered gold regions of the West, and literally amid the highest hills and lowest valleys, where the sun, reflecting from perpetual snow, warms the rich vale in its constant verdure." Notwithstanding the granting of so many dispensations, the Grand Master reiterates the warning so frequently given: 364 proceedings of the [Oct., I must again admonish you that our success is not in numbers. I sometimes tremble at our rapid growth, for fear that some discordant elements may shake the long-cemented band of brothers, and scatter into fragments an association which has so long withstood the storms of persecution and oppression which have purified its membership in every age; but let me hope that our expanding increase argues a proportionate advance of moral culture in the world, and pray to Iiim, who rules the Universe, to save us from insidious foes. It is hardly probable that citizens of the older States can appreciate the rapidity with which the States upon our western borders are becoming populated, and no greater evidence can be given of what might properly be termed the ezpansiveness of our people. Day by day new towns and cities are making known their names, filled with a population active with all the varied pursuits of life, and this too in places where but yesterday a dreary wilderness seemed to bid defiance to man's farther progress. And as a concurrent necessity, the Masonic Lodge follows the footsteps of the advancing pioneer. For these reasons we do not view the great increase of Lodges in the Western States with the same suspicion as in those whose population may be considered more permanent, or at least not subject to similar rapid changes. We therefore can only repeat the warning of the Grand Master of Kansas, and trust that all may be well. It will be recollected that, some years since, the Grand Master of Kansas recom¬ mended the assembling of the Masonic world in one vast convention. His remarks thereon gave rise to some playful badinage in other jurisdictions, which he seems to have misconstrued into serious reflection upon his capacity as a writer, etc. After giving a slightly rasping rebuke to some of these criticisms, he continues: The subject of a world's convention has attracted general notice, but seems to meet with but little favor. The project, I must still maintain, is feasible; nor has it yet met with any rational objection. It is said the scheme is too expensive. It is strange to say, a common head is too expensive for a common cause. The head should be commensurate with the body, nor should the one be disproportioned to the other. It has seemed to some a source of strange amusement that a jurisdic¬ tion, young as ours, should have expansive views of Masonry. If they have not yet learned that our affiliation is coextensive with enlightenment, and is ever found among the semi-barbarous races, it is their misfortune; or, if the fact that distant nations should share with us a knowledge of the Craft, grates harshly on their ears, and they desire to circumscribe the Order to their cities and their en¬ virons, so let it be; they are welcome to the glory of their efforts; but the Masons of the world will still dispense the light and beauties of the Order, although a few enlightened cities may claim its sole paternity. A testimonial, in the shape of a handsome cane, was presented to Brother Rees, in consideration of the services he has performed for the Craft, the head of the cane being ornamented with "net-work, lily-work and pomegranates;" and was accepted by a brief address, in which he says: This staff shall be the companion of the remainder of my days; it shall sustain my tottering limbs through all the varied walks of time, and on the wearisome declivity of life I'll lean upon it for support; when trembling age shall bring me to the verge, this shall assist my worn-out limbs and prop my feeble frame; when standing on the grave's cpld confines, and tottering on its crumbling edge, I'll cling to this, my last sustaining help, in memory of those who gave it; conscious to the last that this rich emblem represents the kindred hearts whose kind emotions tendered me the gift. And should misfortune frown upon my latter years, sup- P°r.t®d,on this cane, I'll come to you with confidence for that condoling sympathy, which burns lively within your bosoms now. I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 365 The Grand Lodge adopted the report of a committee, allowing the Grand Secre¬ tary one hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and providing for the payment of mileage and per diem to delegates in Grand Lodge. Twelve Lodges received char¬ ters at this session, and one dispensation issued. A special committee reported in favor of the Masonic Congress, and concurred in by the Grand Lodge. The committee say they "have been opposed to the organization of a General Grand Lodge for the United States, for several reasons. First, that such an organization, as a supreme authority, was sectional—as Masonry belongs to the world and not to any nation; and because it is unnecessary—the local Grand Lodges having ample capacity for all purposes of legislation." But the committee now believe "that such a convention, as indicated, would result to the good of the Order, from the inter-communication of thought, and as a concentrating point on the continent, from which delegates may ultimately go to a convention of the whole world !" and therefore recommend the appointment of delegates to meet at Memphis, Tenn., in 1862. No delegates, however, were appointed. The Grand Lodge, on the second day of its session, laid the corner-stone of a University, about to be erected in the city of Lawrence. An address was delivered before the Grand Lodge by Brother J. M. Pelot, from which we make a few extracts: There are periods in the history of every government—even the most conservative of governments—when questions of public interest appeal to the business and bosom of every man in the community, and when the camp usurps the functions of the forum. On such occasions, popular excitement necessarily runs higher than where one nation is arrayed against another. Motives which the calmer and more thoughtful portion of the people would not have dreamed of entertaining, now take full possession of their breasts, and deeds of excess are committed under the pleas of self-defence, retaliation, and even patriotism. The revolutionist, when not a knave, is generally a monomaniac, wherever found. One grand absorbing idea takes possession of his soul, and all his faculties are engaged in its development. Thus it was with us. But, as in the case of the monomaniac upon any other sub¬ ject, human nature, even in its fiercest, aspect, can be tamed and brought under control by the agency of some fixed, habituated principle, so there were displayed some brilliant examples of mercy, brotherly love and forgiveness, by men usually foremost in the bloody drama. For Masonry, although universal in its sway, un¬ fortunately does not, in every instance, exert a universal influence over all the passions. A man may be a Mason who would respond to the cry of distress, or relieve the destitute with as much alacrity as any of us, and yet be brutal in the extreme to all else than his brethren. Witness the case of Tecumseh, viewing with pleasure the inhuman butchery of his traditional enemies; and yet how quick was he, on seeing the mystic sign, to command, "Let the slaughter cease!" It is not a valid charge against the institution to say that Masons are sometimes found in the camp of the rebel, or the den of the outlaw; for rebellion is frequently patriotism, and outlawry may be resistance to unjust oppression. There is so much liability to error upon questions of politics, that it is scarcely safe to impugn motives at variance with the tenets of Masonry, as the origin of political creeds. Hence, laying aside all prejudice and passion, the brethren, when about to stake their lives and fortunes on the issue of the combat, scruple not to extend the fraternal grip and exchange the fraternal greeting with the enemy. What beau¬ tiful illustrations are exhibited, in the scenes of war, of the strength of the mystic tie! With us in Kansas, it was the only link that bound together brother Amer¬ icans of opposite politics, though the same Anglo-Saxon blood coursed through their veins. It was not an uncommon spectacle to see brethren arrayed against each other, with arms in their hands, "meeting on the Level and parting on the Square," with mingled emotions of pain and gratitude ; pain at the unhappy dis- 366 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct., sensions that separated them, and gratitude towards the Institution that conferred the high privilege of joining hands. Our history is rich in illustrations of this kind, but I can relate only a few that came under my personal observation. In August, 1856, when the citizens of Lawrence and Lecompton met only at the point of the bayonet, I had the honor to accompany Acting Deputy Grand Master 0. C. Stewart, to Lawrence, for the purpose of constituting the Lodge and instal¬ ling the officers at that place. We saw numbers of armed men, and heard of numbers of prisoners who had been arrested for encroaching on the bounds of a corps d'armee, and without that universal passport which Masonry gave us, we certainly would have shared the prisoners' tent. But we were not molested nor insulted in our peaceful mission, and the brethren received us hospitably and parted with us fraternally. On what was thought to be the eve of a great battle, a certain commander-in- chief of one party blundered into the camp of his adversary. Of course he was detained a prisoner of war, until it was discovered that he was a Mason, when he was immediately released and escorted beyond the reach of danger. A colonel, who had rendered himself conspicuous, was, after a hard-fought battle, taken prisoner and conducted to headquarters for court-martial, when it was confidently expected that his life would pay the forfeit of his unenviable notoriety. An officer, who knew him to be a brother, declared that he would die before the prisoner should be injured. The court sat, and for some inexplicable reason his judges were lenient and the prisoner released. I heard of a judge whose court was broken up and whose life was spared only by the interposition of his Masonic brothers. I saw a poor fellow brought into camp as a spy. He protested his innocence, and pleaded to be allowed to return to his unprotected wife and children, who were suffering in his absence. But all in vain. Finally, he resorted to a mystic sign, when the commander immediately saw the force of his arguments and turned him loose. Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. The next session to be held at Atchison. 11. Minnesota—The eighth Session was held at St. Paul, October 25, 1859. M. W. A. T. C. Pierson, Grand Master; R. W. Geo. W. Prescott, Grand Secre¬ tary. Eighteen Lodges represented. The Grand Master thus beautifully expresses himself in the beginning of his address to the Grand Lodge: The angel of Death has for another year passed us by. The first great lesson taught us in Masonry is our duty to Deity, to invoke his aid in all our undertak¬ ings, and to return thanks for his mercies; it is, then, but obeying these instruc¬ tions when we assemble in Grand Lodge to open its sessions with prayer and thanks. When we separate for twelve months, subject to the vicissitudes of life, we naturally expect a loved face will be missing at the next Communication; how grateful should we be, then, on this assembling, to find our numbers still complete. With what warmth does each hand grasp hand, and as each heart pulsates in uni¬ son, how pleasant the glow of brotherly love that pervades the bosom of each one as he embraces his brother! In all our deliberations, let us be mindful of these emotions; should any thing arise in the course of discussions to mar our feelings, let us keep in mind that this may be the last time we shall meet on earth; our session will then be conducted and closed with that peculiar Masonic harmony which has characterized our Communications from the organization of this Grand Lodge to the present time. He apologizes for not having been able to visit the Lodges as extensively as he lesired, but "sickness in his family, absence from the State, and hard times," revented, and he therefore hoped the brethren would accept his apology for the ap- I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 367 parent neglect. Three dispensations for new Lodges during the year. The Grand Master reports a list of the names of brethren appointed by him as representatives of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota near other Grand Lodges; and it is a brilliant list, for there are more honored names gathered into the service of his Grand Lodge than has ever fallen under our notice. The Grand Master has done himself honor in his selections.* Grand Master Pierson is a warm as well as a strong advocate of the "North Amer¬ ican Congress," a body organized in September of last year. It will be recollected that the "Articles of Confederation" were submitted to the Grand Lodge of Tennes¬ see at its last session, and ordered to be submitted to the subordinate Lodges for an expression of their opinion thereon. Final action will be had at the present ses¬ sion, and as the benefits to be derived from this new organization are somewhat doubtful in the minds of many of our brethren, we here give them an extract from Brother Pierson's address on the subject, and more particularly as the plan adopted was suggested by him: A new body is proposed to be formed, to be called "North American Congress," with limited and defined powers; the body to be composed of delegates selected by the Grand Lodges; to meet triennially, at such time and place as the General Grand Bodies meet. Should the Grand Lodges select as their representatives those of most Masonic experience, who are the best versed in the jurisprudence of Masonry, of clear perception, and sound judgment, this new body, which is re¬ garded with feelings of distrust by a few, would soon be found of incalculable value, and the wonder would be why it was not sooner formed. Its decisions of questions would be promptly adopted by the Grand Lodges, and its published re¬ cord of proceedings would be sought after with avidity, and be of more value than thousands of the pseudo Masonic documents that are constantly issuing from the press. Discussions conducted by the aged, learned, discreet, and experienced Masons of the age, their united conclusions would be adopted at once and unques¬ tioned. Uniformity in practice, sameness in laws, harmony in action, and peace among all, would be the result. A spirit of Masonic inquiry would be aroused all over the country which would bring to light histories of the past that are now hid¬ den in the rubbish, laid up in the unused garret, tucked away in the old wooden chest as useless; books, pamplets, essays, addresses, and manuscripts long since forgotten, would be restored to memory, sought after, found, and given to the Ma¬ sonic world. The writings of the fathers breathed more charity, more brotherly love, more of the genuine spirit of Masonry than those of the present day. No motive of pecuniary gain, of ambition, of preferment, of connecting their names with new rituals, new ceremonies, or new symbols, actuated them ; Masonry was recommended and taught for its own intrinsic value, for the benefits it conferred upon man's moral nature, for its beautiful symbolism, its sublime ceremonies, its religion. The plan proposed is a very simple one. The sovereignty, power, authority, or usefulness of Grand Lodges is not impaired or interfered with in the remotest degree, nor can be, as especial care is taken that no great central power can grow out of it. On that account no fears need be entertained of its future. It has been urged by the opponents of this measure that it lacks the power to compel obedience to its decisions. It claims no power or authority to enforce its decisions, and requires none; the moral force of opinion would be amply sufficient for its wants. We adopt the opinions of others just in proportion as their intellect or standing in the world gives them character; where is there one who would refuse to acquiesce in the decisions of the combined wisdom of the best members of the Craft in the United States ? Are we to rest content in this age of progress with the meagre developments of Masonry within our individual Lodges; be satisfied with the work as it is tech¬ nically called; our only aim to be able to confer a degree with eclat; to excite the admiration of the lookers-on with our gesticulation, enunciation, command of 868 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., lancuace or fitness for the stage; and our only aim to find some new word, phrase,°or sentence, instead of the good old language that our fathers used .' It this is 'all of Masonry, then cease publishing the proceedings of Grand Lodges, stop the issue of Masonic publications, and let there be darkness rather than light; but . Masonry has a History extending away back in the annals of the past, a subject worthy of the most profound historian. A Jurisprudence that men of the highest attainments have been engaged in elu¬ cidating. Is the subject exhausted ? A Literature—poetry and prose—worthy of the pen of the most polished writer. A Science that has commanded, and will continue to invite, the admiration of the scientific of all ages. A Symbolism, extending back through countless ages, that well may require the investigation of the most erudite scholar. A Philosophy that challenges comparison. A Religion, where all creeds, sects, and shades of opinion can meet on an equa¬ lity with perfect harmony. The antiquarian, too, has a field for research, to which no human institution offers a parallel. Is not the subject sufficient to challenge the admiration of man, and to enlist the best efforts of the brightest minds in the fraternity ? To concen¬ trate their minds, secure their cooperation in laboring in this field, is one of the great objects to be gained in the formation of the North American Masonic Con¬ gress. He also recommends, as a means of giving interest to the meetings of Lodges, the devoting of one half to an hour of each meeting of a Lodge to hearing disqui¬ sitions upon Masonic or other scientific subjects. We learn from this address that the first Masonic meeting for the establishment of a Lodge in the then Territory of Minnesota, was held at St. Paul on the 16th day of July, 1849. Among the brethren who attended that meeting, we find the name of Aaron Goodrich, previously a resident of Tennessee. A dispensation was issued by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, dated August 4, 1849, and a charter was granted January 24, 1858. The second Lodge was organized under authority of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin ; and the third by the Grand Lodge of Ilinois. We quote from the address: February 23, 1853, the delegates of the three Lodges met in convention and formed a Grand Lodge. At the next session, two charters were granted; the next, one; the next, two; the next, ten; the next, six; and the last, four, making twenty-five Lodges chartered since our organization. In September, 1853, a dispensation for a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was obtained, and chartered by the name Minnesota Royal Arch Chapter, No. 1, at St. Paul. In August, 1857, a dispensation was obtained for Vermillion Chapter, at Hast¬ ings; and in January, 1858, for St. Anthony Falls Chapter, at St. Anthony, each of which was granted a charter at the recent meeting of the General Grand Chap¬ ter at Chicago. I presume a Grand Chapter will be formed the present month. In June, 1857, a charter for a Council of Royal and Select Masters was ob¬ tained from the Grand Council of New York, which soon ceased its labors; but it is understood that Cryptic Masonry will soon again receive the attention of the Companions under other authority. In August, 1856, a dispensation was received, followed in September of the same year, by a charter for Damascus Commandery of Knights Templar. Thus, in three years from the establishment of the Grand Lodge, each of the other branches of Masonry has been cultivated, as also the Order of Christian Knight¬ hood. While our increase of members, Lodges, Chapters, etc., has been rapid, a due observance has been had to the requirements of the institution. Participating in all the Masonic action in this, first Territory, and then State, I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 369 from 1850 to the present time, it is but a justifiable vanity, brethren, that prompts me to avail myself of this opportunity to give the facts on record for further re¬ ference. Facts like these are worthy of being placed upon record, and we trust the ex¬ ample will be followed. From this address we also learn that Brother Pierson has been engaged in "compiling from Grand Lodge proceedings, for the use of this jurisdiction, all the questions of Masonic law, custom, and usage, that can arise in a subordinate Lodge;" but the reasons given for his not visiting the Lodges also prevented its completion. We hope our brother will soon be in a con¬ dition to place his work before the public, as any thing coming from his practiced pen will prove a valuable addition to Masonic literature. The Grand Lodge struck out of its Constitution so much thereof as gives per¬ mission to Past Masters to become members of the Grand Lodge. We are not certain of this being a good move, or in the right direction. While we do not con¬ sider that Past Masters have any inherent right to membership in a Grand Lodge, we have always regarded the permission as an element of conservatism that ought not, for slight reasons, to be done away with. If all the other members of a Grand Lodge—we mean the representatives of Lodges—were brethren of mat ured experience, and well versed in the usages, customs, and ritual of the Order, then perhaps there would be no necessity for the presence of Past Masters. But is this always the case ? How often is it, that the representative of a Lodge is found to be a very young Mason—one who has just passed through the several degrees, filled with a zeal scarcely proportioned to his knowledge of the deep mysteries of the inner sanctum, ambitious to distinguish himself among those whose age and experience have taught them to tread with solemn awe and reverence where the young tyro—with his vows still fresh and warm upon his lips—rushes in and thrusts the veteran aside! It is very true that age does not always carry with it wisdom, nor does experience certify matured judgment. And instances come to our mind, where the younger brother was much better qualified to sift the dross from the purer metal—where study and calm reflection had so ripened and ma¬ tured the mind, as to give him a decided advantage over the duller intellect of the other. But instances like these are exceedingly rare. There is, however, more safety in trusting to the cautious movements of those who may have grown grey in the service of the Craft, than in the impulsive action of youth: zeal cannot make up for a lack of knowledge. The Grand Lodge also adopted a resolution prohibiting a non-affiliated Mason from visiting a subordinate Lodge after a residence of six months within its juris¬ diction. Several representatives of sister Grand Lodges were received with ap¬ propriate honors. Brother Hodsdon, P. G. S. W., representative of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, made an appropriate address, from which we make an extract or two, as peculiarly pertinent under the present "signs of the times It is an honor to represent Masonry, for Masonry is honorable. Where there is most of Masonry, there is most of peace, harmony, charity, brotherly love, and whatever other grace is prominent in the upright and perfect man. How little do the nations know the influence of this "Ancient Institution," in compacts of peace. When soldier meets soldier, the plains of Italy are deluged with blood. When Mason meets Mason, the "Peace of Villafranca" takes the wisest by surprise, and baulks the prospect of a general war. 24 370 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., We love Masonry, for her mission is always the same—for God and humanity. She is the great conservative power that holds the world in a bond of union. Churches may divide, some cleaving to the North, and some to the South. Ques¬ tions of State policy may arise, gathering weight and importance from year to year, begetting belligerent feelings, tearing up old landmarks, dividing parties into factions, and uniting factions into geographical oppositions. But Masonry never divides ' Whether in the palace or in the cottage, in ancient or in modern times, Masonry is one—one in language, one in principle, one in love. She rejoices with the fortunate, and sympathises with the distressed. With an invincible fortitude, she defies the ocean's tempest, and the icy blast, and from year to year with untir¬ ing zeal seeks her emblems amid polar glaciers, and reveals the fate of Franklin, her intrepid son The warmth with which you have greeted me as the representative of a Grand Lodge from the southern border of this Union, is peculiarly striking when con¬ sidered in connection with the political complexion of the times—a complexion begotten by contact of opposite p'inciples—a red complexion generated by fire, like the flaming sword that hung over Jerusalem. God forbid that it should prove alike portentous. As Masons, we are not disturbed by such'phenomena. The harmony of our Temple is never marred by the sound of " the axe, or hammer, or any tool of iron," for Masonry embraces not merely the four cardinal points, but with the whole thirty-two encircles the world. Her unity is sealed with the signet of Jehovah. " So mote it be." The report on Correspondence maintains the reputation of the accomplished Grand Secretary, who wields a trenchant blade that glitters and flashes in the sun¬ light with the brilliancy of any Knight Paladin of the olden time. Upon the ques¬ tion whether a new trial can be had, after a brother has been once tried and ac¬ quitted for want of sufficient evidence to convict, Brother Prescott decides in the affirmative. As this is a question of much importance, we quote the remarks of the Iowa committee on the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Alabama for 1858: An interesting question in jurisprudence was raised, but not settled. A Mason was tried for a heinous offense, and by a vote of fourteen to ten was found guilty. On the question of punishment the vote was the same, the sentence of suspension and expulsion failing for the want of the constitutional two-thirds. The vote for reprimand carried, that being decided by a majority. It was conceded that a re¬ primand was not adequate punishment for the offence of which the offender was convicted, but the proof was not satisfactory to the minds of the minority. After the sentence had been executed, new and conclusive testimony was discovered, sufficient to convince the most skeptical. The question now is, Can a new trial be had? The Alabama committee was divided; Past Grand Master Wood with the ma¬ jority, in favor of a new trial; David Clopton, Past Grand Master, with the mi¬ nority, opposed. After considerable discussion, the Grand Lodge recommitted the reports to the committee, and ordered their publication. Upon so grave and important a question, the writer of this report hesitates to express an opinion. The views of other members of the committee would have a weight that would render them important, but distance and want of time forbid consultation. He is inclined to agree with the majority report. It must be con¬ ceded that Masonic trials are not to be governed in all respects by the laws, rules, and regulations of the civil courts. The technicalities of law, under which so many rascals go unwhipt of justice, are not for a moment to be tolerated in Ma¬ sonic courts. These are composed of the brethren of the accused, who have a duty to perform to the Order which they represent, no less sacred than the rights of the accused which they are so solemnly bound to respect. In view of all diffi¬ culties arising from an act which afterwards may be proven to be injustice to one ot the parties, whether resulting in the unjust exclusion of a worthy brother, or in what may be the no less wrongful retention in the Order of a dangerous man, it would seem that the power should exist somewhere to order a new trial. And I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 871 ■why not, where the wrong is done to the body of Masonry as well as to the indi¬ vidual ? The aggregate wrong is certainly not less in the former case than in the latter. Next, as to where the power exists to order a new trial. If it exists at all, it is to be found in the Lodge that has acted on the case. A motion made therein to that effect, in regular order of business, of which all parties should have due no¬ tice, and for the purpose of correcting manifest errors in law, or to do substantial justice, should receive attention. If it be overruled, an appeal would lie to the Grand Lodge. This new trial would then be conducted as the former had been, in the absence of all technical rules, upon the broad principles of justice and sound policy—much more nearly allied to the proceedings of a court of conscience than a court of law. To all objections on the score of supposed persecution and need¬ less annoyance to an accused brother, let us suppose that the Lodge would be governed by a sense of charity as well as justice. Is this a violent presumption? Is virtue extinct ? If not, the rule fiat justicia, etc., may be safely applied. Let each Lodge so understand it, and "do justice though the heavens fall." On which Brother PRESCOTr comments as follows : We will only add to the above that, in our opinion, Masonry can be easily Jef¬ ferson's- Vlanualed (verb) right to perdition. Civil law cannot reach all cases of wrong, and the limits of its exercise must be arbitrarily defined. It is a fine and wise maxim that "that government is best which governs least." Such a maxim is not good, however, of moral law, which is the law of Masonry. A man who is tried for murder, may be acquitted for want of sufficient evidence. That evidence once judicially passed upon, however, the power of the civil law is completely exhausted. The confession of the party, and the testimony of an army of eye¬ witnesses to the guilt, cannot revive it. But the moral law gives a new trial; and although the life and physical liberty of the criminal may be inviolate, yet the verdict which is recorded upon every heart, makes that criminal expiate his crime by being for ever an outcast from the social world, like the branded Cain of old. Now suppose that a murderer had been tried in a Masonic Lodge. He was ac¬ quitted. It afterwards became apparent that beyond possibility of a doubt he was really guilty. Is his blood-stained soul to find rest and fellowship, and his blood¬ stained hand to be clasped in friendly companionship, in a place dedicated to Him who said, " Thou shalt not kill," merely because a second trial may not be had ? It is for offences against moral law, not civil law, that Masonry has its discipline. Its power to punish is only a moral power. The report of the minority says, "The very first principle of justice as well as true liberty, so far as it is applicable to the administration of criminal law, whether in State, Church, or elsewhere, is that there must be a determinate period when prosecution shall finally cease." We believe that the plea of "former acquittal," should never be valid in a Masonic Lodge. Trial should follow trial even for forty times save one, if the Lodge so decide. Were it unfortunately so to happen, that an unworthy brother should un¬ warrantably avail himself of this rule to carry on a persecution, he is himself ever within reach of our discipline ; but, since either an acquitted criminal must find our portals barred against him, or the good must desert our altars, all these dangers of persecution and injustice in individual cases, must be risked. The civil law owes its existence to the necessity for a mutual truce; the Masonic law is a law of brotherhood. We find in this excellent report, (from which we would like to quote more ex¬ tensively did space permit,) an extract from the committee of Correspondence of Maine, which escaped our notice last year. It is pertinent, and so fully meets our approbation, as to entitle it to a place in these pages even at this late day. Its truthfulness will be recognized by every brother: It has got to be quite a common practice with some Masons, whenever a brother dies, for some one or more of the brethren to busy themselves to find out if the deceased brother did not express a wish to be buried with Masonic services, or if 372 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., his friends do not wish to have him so buried. They have even gone so far in their anxiety to have our ceremonies performed, as to write notes to the relatives of the deceased brother, and to call at his late residence, and ask the question. I have instructed them that although every brother in good standing has the right, after his decease, to be buried with Masonic honors, still it is only done at his re¬ quest, or by wish of his family, and that some one of the fraternity will be sure to be notified, if such is the wish; and that it is very bad taste, were it not also contrary to the principles of Masonry, to be thrusting ouiselves unasked upon the notice of the mourning friends of a departed brother. Grand Master and Grand Secretary both reelected. 12. €*eorg'ia.—Annual Session, held in the city of Macon, October 26, 1859. M. W. William S. Rockwell, Grand Master; R. W. Simri Rose, Grand Secretary. One hundred and ninety-four Lodges represented. The Grand Master, in his address, says, " he is gratified to announce the con¬ tinued prosperity of the Order within his limits," and continues: So far as appears from the proceedings of the Grand Lodges of the Union, un¬ broken harmony now reigns among them all. The various schisms and dissensions once painfully disturbing the peaceful current of Masonic events, are now com¬ posed and set at rest—no longer the vivid topics of earnest and exciting debate : their huge and darkening forms, as they loom up amid the recollections of the past, warn us emphatically how easy it is even for brethren to disagree, and what fatal results can flow from an obscure and trivial source. Let us remember and rely upon the doctrine which Israel's royal Psalmist teaches: "Abundant peace is theirs who delight in the law of Jehovah; they shall never be made to stumble." He reviews, at some length, the criticism of Florida on the constitution of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, whose membership is composed exclusively of Masters of subordinate Lodges; and, by quotations from ancient records, refutes the charge that Masters and Wardens are the legal representatives in Grand Lodge. It is, however, a custom, sanctioned by long usage, that the three first officers of a Lodge are its proper representatives ; but of the power to restrict the representa¬ tion to Masters only, there can be no doubt. It is a matter that may be arranged by each Grand Lodge for itself, and is just as right and proper to do so as to form a Grand Lodge. Many brethren fall into serious errors by making no distinction between what are called Ancient Charges and Regulations. While the former are considered im¬ mutable and unchangeable, the latter may be changed to meet the convenience or views of propriety of the supreme power in each jurisdiction. The thirty-ninth Regulation expressly says: "Every annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make new regulations, or to alter these for the real benefit of this ancient Fraternity: provided, always, that the old landmarks be carefully preserved." There is also another error, not unfrequently committed, in assuming that, pre¬ vious to 1716, the Annual Assemblies of the Fraternity were Grand Lodges in the sense that term is used at the present time. In all the copies of old documents that have come under our notice previous to the above-named period, such meet¬ ings are called "General Assembly," "General Lodge." The term Grand Lodge is of comparatively modern origin. The history of the Craft in England distinctly shows that various changes were made in the Regulations respecting membership I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 873 in Grand Lodge, and each successive change enlarged its constituent members. In the language of Brother Rockwell : Previous to 1717, the legislative power of the Craft belonged to the Assembly, and the oldest document extant specially binds the Master to attend. When the Grand Lodge, at the revival, consisted of the officers of the Lodges, the Masters and Wardens alone were commanded to attend the Quarterly Communication; that the Grand Lodge of England, in 1717, was revived by four Lodges and some old brothers, not by Masters and Wardens alone. In 1721, the Grand Lodge of England was declared to consist of the Masters and Wardens and the Grand Offi¬ cers ; that afterwards such brethren as had borne certain offices were declared to be members of the Grand Lodge; and, finally, that brethren—not Masters and Wardens—but simply individual members of a particular Lodge—were made mem¬ bers of the Grand Lodge; certainly it would seem from this array of authorities, that the idea that Masters and Wardens are the only legitimate members of a Grand Lodge, ought to be ranked with the anomalous absurdities that somehow pass for truth until submitted to the test of examination. Reports were presented from D. D. G. Masters, showing the beneficial operation of such supervision of the Lodges. Errors in practice—such as permitting the initiation of a candidate where only one negative vote is given—or requiring the brother casting the black ball to give his reasons in open Lodge—defects in By- Laws—and many other irregularities, are corrected by these officers. They all show that our brethren in Georgia are exercising a salutary discipline over its subordinates; and we have no doubt much evil is thereby prevented. And we would especially commend the industry of Brother George L. Barry, who visited forty-five of the fifty-four Lodges in his district; a full report of which he gives to the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge appointed a committee to prepare a code of By-Laws for use of subordinate Lodges. The necessity of doing this is fully exhibited in the re¬ ports referred to above, and the argument in favor of doing so is thus briefly stated: An examination of the By-Laws of some of the Lodges has convinced me of the great benefit the Craft would derive by the adoption, by the Grand Lodge, of a uniform code for the Lodges. I know that this has been objected to as uncon¬ stitutional—an infringement upon the rights of subordinate Lodges; but, in my opinion, this argument is more specious than solid, for if the Grand Lodge has not the power to prescribe the laws by which its subordinates are to be governed, what authority has it to prohibit them from enacting any law they may choose to to adopt ? And this authority is in constant exercise. The Grand Lodge now vir¬ tually prescribes the By-Laws for each subordinate Lodge individually—why may it not be really done en masse ? The reports of the Trustees of the Masonic Female College, and the Board of Visitors, show this Institution to be in a highly flourishing condition. We are gratified to note this fact, and also that the Grand Lodge has taken measures to endow the same. Much business of a local character was transacted. The report on Correspond¬ ence, from the pen of Brother D. H. Walker, is an interesting document—review¬ ing, in a brief manner, the proceedings of other Grand Lodges. Grand Master and Grand Secretary both reelected. 13. Arliansas—Annual Communication, held at Little Rock, November 7, 1859. M. W. Luke E. Barber, Grand Master; R. W. T. D. Merrick, Grand 374 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., Secretary. Seventy-seven Lodges represented. Twelve dispensations were issued during the year. The address of the Grand Master is a plain and circumstantial account of his official acts, and asks the attention of the Grand Lodge to the various matters sub¬ mitted to their consideration. He approves of the " North American Masonic Congress," refers to the evils arising from the creation of so many new Lodges, and advises that no more dispensations be granted, "unless it be made to appear that the brethren have provided a safe and suitable hall, secured to the Lodge free of debt; and that the charters of all Lodges that shall fail to procure such halls be withdrawn." The Grand Master is by no means sparing in his admonitions to his brethren; and, although the following extracts do not present flattering pic¬ tures, yet they are, no doubt, truthful, and will apply with equal force to other latitudes: My information in relation to the condition of Masonry within our jurisdiction is mostly derived from my official correspondence with officers and members of Lodges. From this I learn that the Order is, generally, in as healthy and flourish¬ ing a condition as we could reasonably expect. In some locations, however, it is languid and feeble, showing a want of zeal and of vitality. This is, to the true- hearted Mason, a source of much regret. But a more serious consideration to me, involving somewhat of apprehension, is presented in the number of letters asking my advice in reference to charges of Masonic misconduct. I have been forcibly struck with the unusual number of trials for moral delinquencies during the past year—at least, the number presented to my notice has been unusually great. To what cause to attribute this, I have been unable to determine. If to a more ener¬ getic effort, on the part of the worthy members, to discharge, conscientiously, their duty in purifying our Lodges from the contamination of the impure and worthless—a desire to cut off from our communion those whose lives are a blot and a disgrace to the order—then I can freely and fully commend the spirit that would seem to have become active in our Lodges. But if the cause be that an un¬ usual number of our brethren have fallen during the past year into the ways of iniquity, how sad the train of reflection! Be it, however, the result of either cause, one thing is certain—and I pray you bear it in mind, for I intend it as a serious admonition—there must have been, in the past, great negligence in those whose duty it was to guard our doors against the approach of those who were un¬ fit to be initiated into our sacred mysteries—there must have been too easy a facility in the admission of those who should have been excluded—too little regard to the Masonic standard of character. I am disposed to attribute nearly all the confusion that arises in our Lodges to this cause—the lukewarmness and want of zeal too often found to pervade them—the careless disregard of known duty some¬ times seen—the existence of that large class known as non-affiliated Masons, whose anomalous position as among, but not of us, is a visible reproach to the Order, and however it may affect their own character and reputation, their relation to us seems antagonistic and inimical. How careful, then, if these, or either of these, should be the evils inflicted upon the Order by the admission of unworthy members, should we be in weighing well the character and fitness of the applicant! But there seems to be little use in impressing upon our members the duty of guard¬ ing well the doors of our Lodges. It has been done, from time to time, in this and other Grand Lodges. Our Grand Masters and committees have, again and again, warned our brethren in this respect, but, as it would seem, the voice of warning has scarcely ceased to sound before it is forgotten or unheeded. I would that I knew some mode by which to impress it in indelible characters upon their hearts and minds. Another matter of grave consideration and anxious reflection to myself—I refer to it, also, in the spirit of admonition. It is the last time I shall address you as your Grand Master, and I hope that my admonitions may be kindly received, and sometimes remembered and reverted to. A brother presses for some particular I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 375 action on the part of the Lodge; it is voted down. A candidate presents his petition; it is rejected. What then ? One might think that in neither case would the harmony of the Lodge be disturbed—that each member would recognize in the other the right to vote according to his own judgment and his own conscience. Not so, say many letters that I have received. On the contrary, applications for dimits—threats of leaving the Lodge, are not unfrequently heard on every side. Is this as it should be, my brethren ? What if, at such a moment, the Master should arise and exclaim, "Behold! how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity !" Would not this beautiful and sublime exhortation be¬ come a bitter sarcasm ? That there should be bad men and worse Masons in our Lodges—men who care more for the gratification of their own wishes, and the ac¬ complishment of their own purposes, than for the peace and harmony of the frater¬ nity—is not to be wondered at in these days of easy facilities and slumbering sentinels, in which some of our brethren seem to regard with such extreme delicacy the feelings of a candidate's friends. But how a good Mason should become offended—turn his back upon the Order—join the ranks of our household enemies, by dimitting, as it is now called, because another has exercised a right that he himself deems inestimable, and which he would not forego under any circum¬ stances—the right of voting according to his own judgment, with no responsibility except to his own conscience—is to me incomprehensible. The only consolation that I could suggest—I do not know whether it was esteemed as such—to those com¬ plaining of such a state of feeling existing in their Lodges, was, that the Order could lose nothing by the withdrawal of those who thus acted and felt. Brother Bakber congratulates the Fraternity on the success that has thus far attended the attempt to establish "St. John's College." It is now in operation, but still needs the fostering care of the Grand Lodge to provide for its endowment, and urges his brethren to increased activity in gathering the necessary means to place it beyond the reach of any contingency that might, impede its progress. He says—and his remarks have a general as well as special application— Our labors are not yet ended; nor will they ever be. As Masons, we have too high an appreciation of life's duties and responsibilities to indulge the notion that there is any place for entire rest or cessation from labor in our pilgrimage oil earth. There are times for refreshment; but they are given to the diligent crafts¬ man to repair his wasted strength, and renew his vigor for the labors of life. Let us not, then, cease to labor for the full success of the college. We may refresh our Masonic spirits in the contemplation of the college building, of its lofty walls, its pinnacles and towers, its imposing appearance, and its beautiful proportions— in the contemplation of our own labors in this great work—in the reflection that we have contributed to its advancement—we shall find an enduring refreshment in the reflection that we have an investment there that will yield large returns for long years after our labors here shall have ended. Then, after a time given for refreshment in the enjoyment of these pleasurable emotions, let us gird ourselves for a more united and greater effort. A proposition was submitted to the Grand Lodge, to so amend the By-Laws of subordinate Lodges as to dispense with committees upon the characters and quali¬ fications of candidates, etc. On this subject, we quote from a report of the com¬ mittee on Jurisprudence, who deem it inexpedient to adopt the proposed alteration, and say: If not an "indispensable landmark" of Masonry, it has always been the custom to appoint a committee on the character of the applicant for the degrees, and your committee know of no sufficient reason for changing this old and generally prevailing custom ; the objections to making it the duty of the whole Lodge to en¬ quire into the fitness of the candidate, is, that while there is some hope that a committee, specially charged with the duty, may faithfully discharge it, there is but little or no ground to believe that it would be attended to, if left to the whole 376 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., Lodge. There is an old saying, founded on good sense, that "What is everybody 3 business, is nobody's business." The same committee also reported against another amendment, requiring the Junior Warden of a Lodge to prefer and prosecute all charges for unmasonic conduct, "because it would be imposing upon that officer an unpleasant duty, to make him general informer and prosecutor of evil-doers, and render the office so undesirable as to cause most of the brethren to avoid it." We think the committee is correct in its conclusions. It is no more the business of the Junior Warden to perform this duty than it is of any other member of a Lodge; and no Lodge has the right to force him to act the part of a spy and informer. Where this idea originated we have no means of knowing, but it is certainly of quite recent intro¬ duction, and the sooner it is got rid of the better it will be for all concerned. There is no ancient regulation compelling its performance, though Brother Mackey, in his last work on "Principles of Masonic Law," says, "It does seem to be a very natural deduction from his peculiar prerogative, as the custos morum, or guardian of the conduct of the Craft, that in all cases of violation of the law he should, after due efforts towards producing a reform, be the proper officer to bring the conduct of the offending brother to the notice of the Lodge." The committee also report, "that it has not been the practice in their jurisdic¬ tion, and they are not aware that it is the custom anywhere, to charge Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts with Lodge dues," and think dues should not com¬ mence until the candidate has been raised to the degree of Master Mason. The practice in Tennessee is different, where the matter is left entirely to the discretion of the Lodges, as may be provided in their By-Laws; and we believe a majority of the Lodges use the privilege thus accorded them. The report on Correspondence is a brief detail of the most important of the transactions of other Grand Lodges. Commenting upon reports made to the Grand Lodge of Alabama, on the subject of trying an offending brother a second time upon newly discovered testimony, and, in reply to the argument that the "civil law does not place a person twice in jeopardy for the same offence," they say: It is true that, so far as the law is concerned, it is the salvation of our country, and absolutely necessary to the interests of society,,that when a matter has been once adjudicated, a final rest should be put to it. The reason is simple. The law does not pretend to prescribe a course of morals or conduct to any individual in the community, so long as it does not interfere with the conducting of the matters of the State. Thus, many offences against morals and strict right, so long as private, are ignored by the law. Each individual in the community is, however, entitled to its protection; and, therefore, where his rights are interfered with, the law interposes in his behalf—gives him a forum where he can obtain redress. He must there seek it—when he does so, he must abide by its decision. If not, and he would be allowed to renew his complaint again and again, government would come to a stand-still; for it would be unable to afford redress from the multitude of applications for its interposition. Besides, it is but a matter between the offender and the party injured. It in no manner affects the great body of society. Others are not bound to notice the offender, even if he is acquitted by the law. His interests and others are in no wise affected; there is no privity or connection between them; and the community pursue their proper course, with no thought of the offence, or heeding it, except the loathing one feels for a villain. But in Masonry it is different. As long as the offender remains in the society, he must be treated as a worthy member of it. We proclaim to the world that our Order is based upon the principles of justice and true morali ty; that our institution is one I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 377 that advocates the doctrine of love for our fellow-man ; that, as to one another, we are brothers; that we rejoice with one another's success; that we sympathize with each other's woe, and, in distress and misfortune, solace and comfort him. Then, if one who has committed an offence that is described as too vile to be printed, can, because he has merely been reprimanded on account of not sufficient testimony having been produced, set that forth as a bar to further action, after sufficient testimony has been procured, and the other members of the Order are bound to treat him as a brother, and hold him forth to the world as a man, good and true, it is giving the lie to the principles of our Order, as proclaimed by us. This cannot be so. His connection with our Order is a living blot upon it; his offence is a continuing one against its principles; and we maintain that we have a right to exclude him from it when his offence can be proven, as much as, in social life, one person has a right to refuse social connection with one whom he knows to be a scoundrel, although he may have been tried for the very offence by the laws of the land and acquitted. The Grand Lodge recommended contributions to the "American Masonic Home for Widows and Orphans of Master Masons," and to the "Ladies Washington National Monument Society." An interesting episode occurred in the reception of Brother Albert Pike, as the representative of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota and of the Grand Lodge National of the Spanish Republic of St. Domingo, near the Grand Lodge. The addresses on the occasion are warm effusions from truly Masonic hearts. Brother Pike says: Most Worshipful Grand Master, one of these Grand Lodges is composed of brethren of that race that manned the ships which first dropped their anchors in the quiet harbors of our North American Islands—of that race whose flag, over its indomitable infantry, flew unconquered over every field of glory in Europe, and first of all flags flung down its shadow upon the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and the palpitating bosom of the Great Pacific. The anchors of Christoval Colon first dropped upon the sea's floor in the waters that throb along the shores of Hayti; Spain, whose flag then, for the first time, and first of all flags, waved over the waters of the great Gulf, subjugated the Is¬ lands, and Mexico and Peru; and now, from the beautiful Island where her child¬ ren first landed, from some of the descendants, perhaps of the fellow-voyagers of Columbus, come Masonic greeting, and the tender of alliance and confraternity, to • the representatives of the Order in that which was once a part of Louisiana, owned and possessed in turn by France and Spain; it and Hayti once appanages of the same Crown, and now, naturally, after many years, once more clasping; hands. At the same time comes from another quarter the youngest of the sisters of the American Confederacy, also part of Louisiana, and yet peopled principally with men of another race, descendants of those who, sailing from the harbor of Delft, landed, not very many years since, on the inhospitable shores of New England. The world has seen many strange and startling tilings; but none more so than this ; that here, on soil which France and Spain have owned in turn; here, where, within the length of an ordinary life, no foot but the Indian's had trodden since the making of the world, I, the plain citizen of a Republic, should present to a Grand Lodge of Masons, the Letters of Credence which constitute me, near it, the- Representative of two Grand Lodges—one planted on the island first discovered by Christopher Columbus, and on which, first of all soil of the Western Hemisphere, the foot of a white man trod; and the other, that of the youngest of the States of the American Confederacy, planted far to the north, in a region-wliich yet, only a little more than half a century ago, with Arkansas and the lovely Island of Santo-- Domingo, belonged to Spain, and afterwards to France. These two bodies represent two of the races that have peopled Europe, and that divide between them the whole of this Western Continent, except the unimportant portion over which Russia rules. Here, as it were on common ground, owned in.! 5 378 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., turn by the Iberian, the Gaul, and the Norman, the representatives of the old races may well meet in council; and here, the children of those who swept the Moors from the soil of Spain, and of those who wrung reluctant New England from the savage and inclement seasons, by me, their representative, hold out fraternal hand's to the descendants of the Cavalier and the Huguenot, glad that over the great northwest and the great southwest of this Union, Masonry extends its peace¬ ful sceptre, and its banners dally with the wind, instead of the castled flag of Spain, the Eagles and Lilies of France, and the Leopards of England. After welcoming the distinguished brother to the fraternal courtesies of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master further replies: It has been well said that Masonry is a universal brotherhood; that worthy Masons of every clime and of every tongue, from the North and the South, from the Eastern and Western Continent, and from the isles of the ocean, meet upon the same chequered pavement as friends and as brothers—as such we esteem the fraternity of the Dominican Republic. As to our sister Grand Lodge of Minnesota—some of us know there are warm hearts there—hearts that beat with noble and generous impulses—that know neither latitude nor longitude in their estimation of Masonic relations, but hold in fraternal affection the whole Masonic brotherhood. M. W. E. H. English elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 14. South Carolina—Annual Session held at Charleston, November 15, 1859. M. IV. Henry Buist, Grand Master; R. W. Albert G. Mackey, Grand Secretary. Sixty-six Lodges represented. Past Masters become members by special vote only of the Grand Lodge itself. The Grand Master reported that he had granted ten dispensations, and that he had "made a Mason at sight." He says: In the month of March last, Col. Charles Augustus May, a well-known and dis¬ tinguished officer of the Army of the United States, being on a visit to this city, and having expressed an ardent desire to be initiated into Masonry, which he had been heretofore prevented from doing, in consequence of the cosmopolitan cha¬ racter of his profession, I exercised the prerogative vested in me by the Land¬ marks—and the existence and legitimacy of which has been repeatedly recog¬ nized by this Grand Lodge—of summoning an occasional Lodge, and making him a Mason by sight. The funds accruing from this initiation, were, by my. direc¬ tion, presented to Mrs. , the widow of a Master Mason who was in destitute circumstances, and had, on former occasions, received relief from the fraternity of this city. If any excuse could be offered for this exercise of power, it would readily be found in the disposition of the fee received. As we have suggested our views on this point elsewhere, we refrain from further comment here, only remarking, that if the constitution of his Grand Lodge gives him this power, it is all right; but we conceive the sooner it is amended the better. Notwithstanding the number of dispensations granted during the year, and which no doubt were all right and proper, the Grand Master thinks " there is no power more dangerous or difficult of exercise than that of granting dispensations to open new Lodges," and suggests some restrictions in its exercise: As soon as they receive Warrants of Constitution, which in most cases are granted by the Grand Lodge, after the issuance of dispensations, and have an authorized existence, they seem to regard it necessary to strengthen themselves by the enlargement of their numbers ; and, in some instances, in consequence of the paucity of population in the vicinity in which they are located, are constrained to effect it by the indiscriminate admission of the incompetent and unworthy. Re- I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 379 strictions of an unequivocal character are essential to check this evil, and I concur in the recommendation of the Grand Master of New York, that a general regula¬ tion be adopted on this subject. No plan more feasible or appropriate suggests itself than this—namely, that no new Lodge be formed by dispensation, or other¬ wise, except with the written concurrence and sanction of the three Lodges nearest to the place where it is proposed that it be organized, and its meetings held; except in the city of Charleston, where, for the establishment of a Lodge, the written sanction or consent of four Lodges shall be first obtained. If this plan, or some one substantially similar, could be adopted, it seems to me that some guarantee would be afforded us against the abuses which are so common in connection with the formation of new Lodges, and that great progress would be made in accomplishing, what all admit to be a desideratum, the healthful and legitimate extension of the Institution. He sees nothing objectionable in the articles of confederation of the "Masonic Congress," and therefore recommends his Grand Lodge to become a member. He also suggests some improvement to the Grand Lodge Hall, and the appointment of some competent Brother to prepare the Masonic history of the State—the first being laid over for consideration at the next meeting of the Grand Lodge, and the last approved by the election of Brother A. G. Mackey, Grand Secretary, to per¬ form the duty. The selection we regard as a fortunate one, as Brother Mackey is not only preeminently qualified for its performance, but, having been long con¬ nected with the affairs of the Grand Lodge, in a responsible position, he has the data to facilitate the enterprise, and we hope ere long to see the work issued fronl the press. In concluding his address, the Grand Master says : We have every reason to congratulate ourselves on the harmony which prevails among the Fraternity, and the prosperity which attends it. It is said that the Institution has accomplished its purpose, and that, like all the relics of the past, it is unsuit.ed to the refinements and civilization of the age. But those who know it best and love it most, subscribe not to this annunciation, and indulge not in these forebodings. We live in an age of progress, and he who does not keep pace with that progress is unworthy to be a participant in those great measures of use¬ fulness, which in modern times have done so much for the amelioration of the human family. And it is well that it should be so. The theory which would dis¬ card all innovation and improvement, is at war with sound philosophy. There is a steady, onward march, and with it we should keep pace. The discoveries in the arts and sciences would be profitless—the great and good men, whose genius has accomplished so much for the advancement and happiness of our race, would have lived and labored but for little purpose, were it not that their influence was to be appreciated. He knows little of Masonry, who supposes that it repudiates the refinements and progressiveness of the age. Ancient and venerable as it is, looming up from the mighty past as an Institution grand and peculiar, encircled as it is with a halo of glory, it would scarce fulfil its destiny were it to do so. It has a mission—one of transcendent interest—of mighty consequence. It wages the great irrepressible conflict—that of truth against falsehood, of ignorance against error. It would, therefore, be little calculated to effect its objects; it would illy stand forth as a combatant, and achieve its victories, were it not to recognize the developments of the age, and yield some little obeisance to their requirements. But while we may not repudiate this spirit of improvement, and not neglect to accommodate ourselves to its behests, there is no axiom more worthy of inculcation, than that the preservation of the Institution is dependent on a rigid and uncompromising adherence to its landmarks. These are the great lights by which we are to be guided, and if they become extinguished, we will be envel¬ oped in Cimmerian darkness. They need no change. They have stood, and ever will safely stand stationary in the countless mutations to which all things human have been subjected. They need not vary with time, or place, or circumstance, but will ever, as they have in times long past, unchanged and unchangeable, serve as 380 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., beacon-lights to guide us through the storm and the tempest, and preserve our Institution pure, unsullied, and immaculate. It is not in the power of any man, or set of men, to make innovations upon the body of Masonry. It stands forth as a system, unique and symmetrical, and to mar its fair proportions would be to inflict a fatal wound upon its vitality. Its course is onward, silent and impercep¬ tible though it be. Unhurt by the fall of empires or the struggles of revolution, it still stands firm and immovable as the mighty rock around whose base the broad billows of old ocean roll and beat without injury. Advancing, step by step, over barrier and obstacle, it lifts its proud head to claim the obeisance of the nations. In the burning plains of Africa, the frozen regions of the North, in the favored and sunny spots of the South, it may be found, prosecuting its noble designs of beneficence and love. In the North and the South, and the East and the West, on whatever spots its brilliant star has shed its radiance, joyous voices join exultingly in the anthem, "Hail, Masonry Divine.!" The Grand Secretary's report on Correspondence, like every thing else from the pen of its distinguished author, is characterized by his usual ability. " Questions which, seventeen years ago, were matters of polemical discussion among the Masonic authorities of the country, have now ceased to engross attention, simply from the fact that the principles which they involved have been satisfactorily adjusted. This is a pleasing evidence that the science of Masonic Jurisprudence, which was a quarter of a century ago in its infancy, has now assumed a deter¬ mined character, and its principles been established on the fixed basis of philo¬ sophic investigation." This is true, and the largest share of influence brought to bear to bring about this result, has been effected through committees of Corre¬ spondence of the various Grand Lodges. Brother Mackey warmly approves the formation of the "Masonic Congress" upon the basis adopted by the Chicago Convention. In commenting upon the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Mis¬ sissippi, he says: The most important subject of Masonic law which was brought to the attention of the Grand Lodge during its session, was that of the restoration of expelled Masons. It is well known that a very large majority of Masonic writers in this country contend that when the Grand Lodge restores a Mason who had been expelled by his Lodge, such restoration can only be to the rights and privileges of Masonry, and not to membership in his Lodge. There is, however, a small but very respectable number of jurists who hold a contrary opinion, and who contend that when a Grand Lodge is satisfied that the sentence of expulsion by a subordi¬ nate Lodge has been unjustly inflicted, and that the party expelled was not guilty of the crime alleged against him, it may not only restore him to the rights and privileges of Masonry, but also to Membership in his Lodge; in one word, that it can, under such circumstances, declare the sentence of expulsion thus wrongly imposed to be utterly null and void in all its parts, and place the aggrieved brother precisely in the status which he occupied before his trial and condemna¬ tion. These conflicting views on a very important subject of Masonic law are thus dividing the Masonic jurists of the present day—in the olden time there was but one opinion—and the subject has been discussed in the Grand Lodge of Mississippi with much learning. On an amendment to the constitution proposed in 1858, a Committee had been appointed, and at the last session two reports were read, one from the majority and the other from the minority. The former takes the unpopu¬ lar, but what I always believed to be the true ground, that the Grand Lodge pos¬ sesses the power of complete restoration to membership, as well as to the Order. This report is from the pen of Brother Giles M. Hillyer, and I need not, there¬ fore, say that it is an able and logical document. The minority report, which was written by Brother Gray, contends for the converse of this proposition, and asserts that the Grand Lodge may restore to the Order, but not to membership, in the Lo ge from which the party had been excluded. I have never for a moment I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 381 doubted that this last was a monstrous proposition, at war with every principle of equity and justice; and I have been surprised. to find so many good and intelli¬ gent men defending it. I trust, however, that under the nervous blows of such antagonists as Pike and Hillyer, it will not long survive. "We make this quotation from Brother Mackey's report, mainly for the purpose of presenting to our own brethren sentiments from which your Committee totally dissent. They are from one, however, who has thought much and written more upon Masonic Jurisprudence than any other member of the Order, and exercised great and deserved influence on every subject upon which his pen touches; yet he has shown that, when convinced of error, he readily and willingly abandons posi¬ tions no longer tenable or consonant with the correct principles of the Institution ; and we are not without hopes that even our respected brother of South Carolina, upon further reflection, will yield his present convictions. Turning from this to another subject, we are gratified to find his opinion accord with those heretofore expressed by your Committee. It treats of the question, "Can a Mason, having been once tried for an offence, be tried a second time for the same offence ?" To come to a correct apprehension of the question before us, we must remember that it is a long-settled principle of Masonic law, that every offence which a Mason commits is an injury to the whole fraternity, inasmuch as that the bad conduct of a single member reflects discredit on the whole Institution. This is a very old and well-established principle of the Institution; and hence we find the old Gothic con¬ stitutions declaring that "a Mason shall harbor no thief, or thief's retainer," and assigning as a reason, "lest the craft should come to shame." The safety of the Institution requires that no evil-disposed member should be tolerated with impu¬ nity in bringing disgrace on the craft. And, therefore, although the minority of the committee referred, in defence of their position, to that well-known maxim of the common law—nemo debet bis puniri pro uno delicto—that is, "that no one should be twice placed in peril of punishment for the same crime;" yet the majority might with better effect have referred to that other and fundamental maxim—salus populi suprema lex — which may, in its application to Masonry, be well translated: "the well-being of the Order is the first great law." To this every thing else must yield ; and, therefore, if a member, having been accused of a heinous offence, and tried, shall on his trial, for want of sufficient evidence, be acquitted, or, being con¬ victed, shall, for the same reason, be punished by an inadequate penalty—and if he shall thus be permitted to remain in the Institution with the stigma of the crime upon him, "whereby the craft comes to shame;" then, if new and more sufficient evidence shall be subsequently discovered, it is just and right that a new trial shall be had, so that he may, on this newer evidence, receive that punish¬ ment which will vindicate the reputation of the Order. No technicalities of law, no plea of autrefois acquit, nor mere verbal exception, should be allowed for the escape of a guilty member; for so long as he lives in the Order, every man is sub¬ ject to its discipline. A hundred wrongful acquittals of a bad member, who still bears with him the reproach of his evil life, can never discharge the Order from its paramount duty of protecting its own good fame, and removing the delinquent members from its fold. To this great duty all private and individual rights and privileges must succumb, for the well-being of the Order is the first great law in Masonry. Brother Mackey's views on the subject of "rejection of candidates" are worthy of consideration: A great misapprehension in relation to the principle which should govern the rejection of candidates, arises, I imagine, from the mistaken supposition that such a rejection is a wrong inflicted on the candidate. But this is by no means the case. A wrong is defined by the jurists to be "a privation of right." Now, no man possesses the right of initiation; it is only a favor to be asked, and to be 382 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct., granted or refused at the good pleasure of those who have the power to grant or refuse. If it were a right, then the Lodge would he bound in every case of rejec¬ tion to inquire into the motives which led to it, because a wrong would have been inflicted, and such wrong must have its remedy. But as it is only a favor, every member has the inalienable prerogative to cast his own vote tor giving or with¬ holding it; and no human tribunal can inquire into his motives or reasons. His conscience must be the only judge, and thus the secrecy and independence of the ballot is maintained. I agree, therefore, with Brother Barber, [ot Arkansas,] in holding that no matter whether the disqualification be personal, moral, or politi¬ cal, if it be of such a nature as to render the admission of the candidate inexpe¬ dient, any member is entitled, with these views, to vote for his rejection. It has been contended that the practice of a separate ballot for each degree, is not in accordance with ancient usage; and different Grand Lodges have different regulations on the subject, most of them, however, requiring the separate ballot. Only one or two adhere to the single ballot, while a few declare that the additional ballot is to decide upon proficiency alone. Brother Mackey says : I have no hesitation in believing that the theory of one ballot for all the degrees is radically wrong. As to the inxpediency of the confident assurance implied by such a regulation, that the man who may now be fit for the Entered Apprentice's degree, will, some months hence, be equally qualified for the Master's, there can be no doubt that the whole spirit of the law, as well as the general usage of the Masons of the first part of the last century, was to ballot on each degree. When subordinate Lodges were permitted only to confer the first degree, the remaining ones being given in the Grand Lodge, it is evident that the ballot taken in the Lodge must have been for the Entered Apprentice's degree only, and that he who wished to go higher, was compelled to make a new application to the Grand Lodge, by whom alone he could be received. It is fortunate that at the present day the influence of the old custom still prevails, and that the general usage is to ballot in each degree. Such repeated ballots may be regarded as renewed ordeals and trials of character, which constitute one of the greatest safeguards of Masonry. On the "nature and amount of evidence which should be uniformly required to substantiate the claims of a visitor to admission within the portals of a Lodge," a committee reported, "that every visitor applying for admission to any Lodge not duly vouched for by some brother present, shall be denied, unless he shall pass a strict and careful examination before a committee of not less than three worthy and intelligent brethren appointed by the Master," and in addition to the usual tests be "required distinctly to recite the OB. of the several degrees, and express, in proper Masonic manner, the sincerity of his intentions." This is all right and proper, for examinations cannot be made too rigid; but we suggest the propriety of refusing admission to Lodges, all visitors who have not been examined by a committee appointed by the Master, notwithstanding some brother may be willing to vouch for such on his private examination. It cannot be denied that many of our Lodges are too lax in this respect—but we have given our views on this matter elsewhere, and need not repeat them. Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 15. Maryland—Proceedings of several meetings of the Grand Steward's Lodge, from June to October, 1859, inclusive, and of the Annual Communication, held November 21, 1859. It appears that the Grand Steward's Lodge has original jurisdiction over trials on charges preferred—one case only occurring in the proceedings before us, the defendant being the Master of a Lodge, who was tried and expelled; but on his I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 388 appeal to the Grand Lodge, the whole matter was referred to the consideration of a committee of five, with instructions to report at the succeeding semi-annual ses¬ sion of the Grand Lodge. Of the merits of the case in question, we know no¬ thing, as neither the charges nor proof were allowed to be published; but we notice one point in which our Mai-yland brethren encounter difficulties common to most of our Grand Lodges: we allude to the postponement of unpleasant decisions to future meetings. Whilst we would freely condemn hasty decisions upon a matter vitally affecting the character and standing of a brother, we fear more injury ac¬ crues from not deciding promptly upon his guilt or innocence. In these remarks we mean no invidious reflection upon the Grand Lodge of Maryland, for we are well aware that our own Grand Lodge is equally, and perhaps more amenable to censure in this particular. The idea we wish to convey is this: investigate with prudence, act calmly, and decide promptly, without leaving a decision as an em¬ barrassing legacy to successors, who possibly may not have the same opportunity of knowing all the facts presented. The annual session was held in the city of Baltimore, M. W. Charles Good¬ win, presiding. Representatives from thirty-five Lodges were present. From the brief address of the Grand Master, we learn that the contemplated sale of the Grand Lodge property in the city of Baltimore to the United States Government was not effected as expected at the preceding session. He therefore proposes that a specific portion of the receipts of the Grand Lodge shall be set apart as a " building fund," to be added to as occasion may suggest. He also no¬ tices the reception of an "Appeal to the Masonic Fraternity" for the establish¬ ment of " The American Masonic Home for Widows and Orphans of Free Masons" in the City of Washington, but " cannot recommend the adoption of any plan for the accomplishment of the object that would, in the slightest degree, interfere with one of the most cherished objects of the Grand Lodge," which object, we presume, is the erection of more commodious and convenient apartments for the use of the Fraternity. The establishment of an Institution of the kind proposed by our bre¬ thren of the national metropolis is certainly commendable, and deserves serious consideration; but such an enterprise is in advance of the opinions of the age— there is an antagonistic feeling in the minds of the Fraternity—a feeling opposed to centralization, that will render the success of an enterprise, involving so large an outlay of funds, as altogether problematical. There can be no doubt as to the ability of the Fraternity to erect and endow, not only one, but even a dozen, of simi¬ lar charities; but one great and essential element to success is wanting—that of unanimity of effort and harmony of action. The Fraternity of each State could, if it so pleased them, establish homes for the destitute, and the accomplishment would only be a question of time and perseverance. Take our own State, for ex¬ ample, where there is an active membership, according to the Lodge returns of last year, of over ten thousand. Suppose every one of these should contribute one dollar each for ten years, an Institution could be founded whereat all the Masonic orphan children of the whole State could be gathered together and receive a prac¬ tical home education, and its future support placed beyond any contingency that could possibly arise. And how insignificant the sum required of each brother, when compared with the results that might be worked out in the future through the instrumentality thus brought into active operation ! "The poor ye have with 384 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., ye always," and our greatest glory should be that the orphan's cry has been hushed, and the tears of the widow dried up. We feel sure that much good is even now done by our Lodges, but much more might be more perfectly accom¬ plished by combination of effort. The Grand Master declined a reelection to his responsible position, and declared that his most anxious desire has been the "accomplishment of the great purposes for which the Order was established—the full and free exercise of Masonic Charity, in the three prominent agencies of its action—Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth." Desires like these ought to animate the hearts of all. The Grand Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge, as stated, amounts to $28,381 28, and is invested in bank and other dividend-paying stocks. The interest of $15,- 000 of the above sum is annually disbursed under direction of a committee of the Grand Lodge, and the interest on the balance is yearly added to the principal. One of the Grand Inspectors, in his report to the Grand Lodge, submits the fol¬ lowing: It is conceived that the Worshipful Master of that Lodge, [Eureka Lodge, No. 105.] a very zealous and devoted Mason, has fallen into an error respecting his qualification to act as Worshipful Master. He has never taken the Past Master's degree, and, so far, I have been unable to convince him that it is necessary. My object in reporting this is not for the purpose of censuring Brother Grove, but to call the attention of the highest authority to the question whether he can be legally installed as Worshipful Master until he has taken this degree; and whether his installation last Spring by a Past Master does legally entitle him to the preroga¬ tive due to all Past Worshipful Masters in the Grand Lodge of Maryland. The report was referred to the committee on Grievance, but they made no report on the subject. The ceremony of Installation being the most important portion «f the degree of Past Master, and the brother having been inducted into office by a Past Master, we cannot see any doubt about the legality of his maintaining his position. However, our Maryland brethren may think differently, and we must confess to some curiosity to see their decisions on the question presented. From the report of another Grand Inspector, we make the following extract. The sentiments uttered are such as will meet a hearty response from every true friend of the Order: In a former report we adverted to an evil to be avoided, as manifesting itself in some of the Lodges, viz. : an undue anxiety to increase in numbers, without a proper regard to the character of the applicants. At a time like this, when, among all our Lodges, the notes of gratulation are heard upon the progress of the Fraternity— its increase in numbers, its advancement in science, its overflowing coffers, its ap¬ preciated and extended usefulness—is it surprising that the watchful eye of the zealous Mason, which ought ever to guard the threshold, should slumber and sleep at its post ? We fear, that in some instances, such is the case. Then how im¬ portant it is to remember, that numbers alone never yet gave strength—that real, sterling moral worth only will elevate Masonry, and give it that high stand among the "good and true" to which it is entitled. Masonry was made only for the man —one who discharges every duty of life faithfully and diligently, one who has a heart to love, a heart to feel for, soothe, comfort, relieve, and support the suffering and afflicted, a head and mind to work—a man that has and will maintain his good name, and sustain the character of a worthy Craftsman—one that will bring credit, and not reproach to the name he bears. This is the man that Masonry needs, and can justly admit to her privileges. The report on Correspondence is from the able pen of Rev. Brother J. N. I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 385 McJilton, and is worthy of the reputation he has so justly earned in this depart¬ ment. It covers no less than two hundred and fifty-six pages, and yet the review only notices the proceedings of fourteen Grand Lodges. We have ourselves been delighted with its perusal, and feel disposed to let our brethren have a taste of the good things so abundantly prepared as a feast for the Masonic family of Mary¬ land. In doing this we must necessarily, in some degree, mar the harmony of arrangement so well observed by our talented brother. We make our quotations under heads of our own adoption : Intemperance.—We have heard of brethren who have desired to introduce their intemperate friends into Masonry for the purpose of effecting their reformation. If Masonry were a moral hospital, and intended as a kind of cure-all for the vicious, it might be proper enough to hunt up the morally infirm, and place them under its discipline. But Masonry is no such Institution. It is intended for none other than the best of men—the choicest of the communities among which the Lodges are located. None other can gain admission without the perpetration of the most palpable falsehood and deception. The bad man goes through the Ma¬ sonic forms with a lie on his lips, and his Masonic friends that recommend him and attend upon him, assist him in the utterance of a lie. Were it known that such conduct were admitted by a Lodge, that Lodge ought to be suspended. And yet in how many cases is the deed enacted where the facts are known to the members of the Lodge ? It is impossible that Masonry can sustain its an¬ cient landmarks, and maintain its position and character while such acts are tolerated and allowed. We have good reason to believe that the cases and the con¬ duct we denounce are exceptions to the Masonic practice. The great body of our brethren are the good, and the true, and the faithful. But, unfortunately for us, the exceptions are generally more apparent than the regular order. One drunken Mason may do more harm to the Institution than one hundred of the faithful may be able to overrule. While the quiet and orderly characters of the hundred might be entirely overlooked, the staggering and swaggering of one inebriate might excite a whole community. The damage thus done to the Institution by the intemperance of a single member may never be reached nor repaired. Worthy men without, who may be anxious to enter the Masonic temple, may be, perhaps often are, deterred from applying for admission in consequence of their unwillingness to associate with the deformed characters which they know as members of the Order. It is a mean-spirited man that will allow him¬ self to be the agent through which such injury may be done, merely because he will indulge in habits of drunkenness. Let brethren be careful, and not allow a drunkard, under any circumstance whatever, to pass into their companion¬ ship. Let them remember that they must assist him in the lie that he tells in order to accomplish his purpose ; and in keeping him out of the temple, they will relieve it from the impress of his profanity, and perhaps do him service by the deed. Improvement.—Our steady aim for years has been to arrest the disposition, apparent in Masonic documents, to improve the Institution. The landmarks are the lines that distinguish Masonry from other institutions. Those landmarks show that there is no other organization that at all resembles the Masonic fra¬ ternity. It is set otf as a brotherhood by itself; and it is peculiar in itself. It knows affiliation with no other body, and it is like no other body. Modern attempts at improvement are all innovations, and as far as they are success¬ ful, they are destructive of the peculiar character of the Institution. Much of the damage of this modern innovation is done in the Lodges by the invention of lectures, and the introduction of new features or formulas for the purpose of rendering them more beautiful, and more conformable to modern notions of the Craft. Masonry admits of no such advancement. Like Christianity, it is purest nearest its fountain-head, and is not improved by any thing it gathers in its passage through time. The wisest and best of the expounders of Christian ethics declare that if pure doctrine and usages are required, it is necessary to go back 25 386 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., to the origin of the system. The Great Author of the scheme, and his apos¬ tles, are the best exponents of the religious law, and the moral tenets which they introduced and taught. So also for the simplicity, and beauty, and strength, and manliness of the Masonic Institution, we must cling to the landmarks. Sectarianism is as intolerable in Masonry as it is in religion. And as with religion, so with Masonry: whenever men attempt improvement, they introduce sectarianism. Such has been the case from the very beginning, and it is likely that it will continue so to the end. Inherent Rights.—As a system, Masonry cannot be subjected to the fluctu¬ ations and changes which agitate other bodies. In order to prevent this, the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master have inherent rights and prerogatives "which can neither be altered or annulled. The Master and the Lodge have also their position and duties just as well and as clearly established. The idea of the surrender of rights by Lodges, and their embodiment in Grand Lodges, is unknown in Masonry. The surrender of just so much of its prerogatives by a Lodge, and the retention of just another quantity, is altogether inadmissible. A Lodge has no right, nor never had, to say what portion of its power it would surrender, and what portion it would retain. Its place and powers are matters of record, and so with the Grand Lodge. A Grand Lodge is an organization effected by Master Masons, not by Lodges. They may represent Lodges in the convention in which they assemble, but they are a convention of Master Ma¬ sons, and not an assemblage of Lodges. All the Free and Accepted Masons of England were assembled at York, in the year 926, for the purpose of forming the Grand Lodge, which they did by electing Prince Edwin their Grand Master. The Masons so assembled brought with them their old records of the Craft, some of which were written in Greek, others in Latin, others in French, and various other languages, and from these they formed the Constitution of the English Lodges. From the papers they presented, it was ordered that the rights, prerogatives, and duties of the several departments of Masonry should be recorded. Accordingly, we have the character, duties, position, etc., of the Master Mason, of the Lodge, of the Master of the Lodge; of the Grand Lodge, and of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. The character, position, and duties of the Master Mason are considered as having been conveyed to him by powers that conferred the character upon him, and that they are inalienable, ex¬ cept in consequence of misdemeanor. The Lodge has its powers which no other power has the right to invade. Such right is not vested in the Grand Lodge, or Grand Master, because it ought to be unknown in Masonry that any Mason or Lodge was interfered with unlawfully and without giving offence. But if a fault be committed, both the Mason and the Lodge may be arraigned for examination. The Grand Lodge is vested with superior powers, for the reason that it has con¬ trol—absolute control—of its subordinates. In case of appeal, the Grand Lodge can reverse or sustain at pleasure the acts of its subordinate, and it can summon the subordinate to examination upon any just complaint properly presented. The Grand Master is vested with peculiar prerogatives. He has inherent powers which reside in his office, and which he can exercise at pleasure. Lodges under Dispensation.—In relation to Lodges under dispensation, there appear to be many crude and conflicting opinions among members of the Craft. We have heard it said that they were of no sort of use except for the mere pur¬ pose of organizing a new Lodge; that they could neither enter, pass, nor raise to the several degrees of Masonry, or that they could merely go through the forms of entering, passing, raising, and that all their work had to be done over. We regard this as an absurdity. If the Lodge under dispensation uses the forms in the admission of candidates into Masonry, are not those candidates to all intents and purposes Masons ? And where can be the use of repeating the ceremonies of the degrees to brethren who have received them ? Masonry does nothing blindly, nor does she ever perform her work so that it must be done over. A Lodge under dispensation, it is true, exists and acts in the will of the Grand Master. The dispensation comes from him. He authorizes the officers and mem¬ bers to work the Lodge, and they work it in his name. The officers are nothing more than his proxies, and work by his will. The Grand Master has authority to I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 387 make Masons, or to authorize other Masons to do so. He exercises this preroga¬ tive when he authorizes a Lodge to work by dispensation. It is true, also, that a Lodge under dispensation is a thing of temporary existence. But this cannot im pair its authority, or invalidate its legitimate acts. Installation by Proxy. — An installation by proxy is one of the anomalies that in some way or other has found its way into the Masonic Institution. We conceive it to be a bad perversion of the purpose on account of which the ceremony was provided. That purpose is to impress the officer with a proper idea of the char¬ acter of the position to which he has been appointed, and to receive from him his pledges upon every essential point of duty. The effort is lost upon a proxy, who is not expected to have any personal interest in the proceedings. Suppose we ex¬ tend the view of this anomaly a little, by asking if it would answer for a Lodge to initiate, pass, and raise a candidate by proxy ? What sort of a Master Mason would such process make ? I he thing is so supremely ridiculous that the smile of contempt is excited by the mere propounding of the inquiry. How much better is it, then, we would ask, to admit a proxy in the installation of an officer of a Lodge? And let the proxy system once become universal in Masonry, and it will not be long before the admission to the degrees will be done in the same way. This is a very good way to open a leak through which the entire Masonic character will speedily run out of the Institution. But there is a question that starts up in this connection that deserves some consideration. Can a Masonic officer—Master of Lodge or Warden, for instance—be installed by proxy ? Is the Master or Warden installed at all by such process ? We think not. We look upon the thing as a farce—a farce in relation to a ceremony which is too essential, too important, and too serious to be trifled with. Masonic character does not admit of such innova¬ tion ; and wherever it is used, it ought to be at once abandoned. Non-affiliation.—But why should we attempt to compel a brother,*against his will, to unite himself with a Lodge? And why should brethren who are enjoying the privileges of Masonry become restive and uneasy, and desire to punish those who seem to have no concern in regard to them? It is impossible to compel an obstinate brother to perform a service that he is determined not to regard, and we do not think it by any means a dignified position for a Lodge to assume in arraign¬ ing a brother and ordering his suspension, merely because he does not think pro¬ per to join a Lodge. The best way to discourage non-affiliation is to preserve the good order and harmony of the Lodge, to render the work instructive and inte¬ resting, and to let it be seen and known how the brethren love one another, and how they labor together for each other's prosperity and happiness. Such is the exhibition that Masonry ought to make of its character ; and if it were generally done, there would be but little cause for legislation about non-affiliation and the compelling of brethren to become members of Lodges. Drones in the hive are worse than drones without; and if drones there must be, for the sake of peace, let them remain without. We have no objection to denying the privileges of the Order to all such. We do not believe that the non-affiliated Mason has any claims upon the Lodge, upon his brethren, or upon the Masonic association. He volun¬ tarily disconnects himself from his brethren, and while he continues in that posi¬ tion, he is the drone without, and there let him remain. His own act is voluntary suspension, and if that does not punish him, no edicts his brethren may enunciate will reach him. And if he ffias pleasures in his exile, induced by his own free will, let him enjoy them. Cases of Emergency.—Emergency in making Masons is a rare thing, as far as the necessity implied in the very term is concerned. The term emergency in¬ cludes that of necessity. And we would ask wherein the necessity of the case appears. It cannot be on the side of the Lodge, for the Lodge is never in an emergency through the absolute necessity of receiving any man into her fellow¬ ship The emergency, then, is on the side of the applicant; and as he is on the outside, and has nothing to do with the Order, how can his emergency render it necessary that he should be introduced ? In fact, we believe in nine cases out of ten, the greater proportion of the emergency is in the desire of members of the Lodge that their friends should be introduced. But this desire ought to be curbed. It certainly ought not to be indulged in inflaming that of the applicant, until his 388 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., curiosity renders him impatient. The rule ought to be sufficient. Let ]t, ^ all cases^ be carried out, and if it disappoint brethren or applicants for admission, let it, be so. Let them be disappointed, rather than Masonic law violated. Let them burn in their impatience, rather than the Order be overrun with hastily-made and utterly uninformed members. What constitutes a Brother.—It is also a question, whether a candidate becomes a brother by initiation. By initiation he becomes an Entered Appren¬ tice. But do the ancient regulations admit an Entered Apprentice as a brother ? By his passing to the second degree, the candidate becomes a Fellow Craft, which is a little closer in its proximity to the brotherhood than the Entered Apprentice; but he is not yet in the Fraternity : he is only on his way; and can we call him a brother? It is the third, or Master's degree that brings up the equality, and places the Mason upon the level with his associates of the Lodge. He then be¬ comes a member, and is truly a brother. Brother McJilton is decidedly opposed to suspension for non-payment of Lodge dues, and cites an instance, which we will quote : We were present on one occasion when a Lodge was about to suspend one of its oldest members—one who had been over forty years in the Order, and had done as much service to the Lodge as ought to have satisfied his dues for the balance of his life. When the vote was about to be taken, we arose, and stated that we had seen the brother during the day, and that he had said, if he were suspended, he would be wounded in the house of his friends, and that the memory of the deed would follow him to the grave. We were not disposed to allow the injury to be inflicted, and paid the old man's dues. By the next time that it would be neces¬ sary for the Lodge to take action in his case, a change had come over its views and feelings ; and it is quite likely that none afterwards were subjected to a like infliction. We do not believe it proper that any Master Mason should be sus¬ pended from membership in his Lodge simply because he was not able to pay his dues. If he were able and would not pay, dismiss him at once. But do not hold up poverty as one of the greatest sins in the Masonic Calendar, and punish it ac¬ cordingly. In all our experience in Masonry, and the workings of Lodges, we must confess never having encountered an instance like the above, and heartily commend the brother for the noble rebuke he administered to the brethren. But we venture the assertion, that in not one out of a thousand expulsions for non-payment of dues, is the delinquent too poor to pay his dues. On the other hand, it is because they will not pay, notwithstanding their ability to do so, that they are punished for their delinquency. Cases of this kind frequently occur, and simply dismissing them from membership is only offering them a reward for the non-fulfilment of a most sacred obligation. If a brother desires to be relieved from the payment of dues, let him take the proper steps to sever his connection with the Lodge, and depart in peace. Poverty is no evidence of crime, and if we knew of a single case of expulsion, or suspension even, for non-payment of dues, where the indi¬ vidual was too poor to discharge the duty required by the By-Laws, we would most heartily join our brother in his indignant cry of "Shame on such Masons." But the largest majority of cases originate not so much in the inability of the brother to pay the small sum annually required by the By-Laws of his Lodge, as it does in a spirit of procrastination—a sort of putting off to a "more convenient season" the performance of a duty he has solemly promised to perform. In many cases, how¬ ever, the delinquent is not the only one to whom blame should attach. Secretaries of Lodges are too frequently neglectful of their duty in promptly notifying mem¬ bers of their arrearages. Show us an efficient officer in this respect, with a prompt I860.] GRAND LODGE OE TENNESSEE. 389 response on the part of members, and, our word for it, a prosperous Lodge will be the result, notwithstanding- its arwiual return to the Grand Lodge may not show a single degree conferred during the year. Such a Lodge will possess all the elements of success within itself, harmony will prevail, and every brother will feel a just pride in having his name enrolled upon its register. We feel assured that poverty is no bar to membership in any Lodge, notwithstanding the instance cited by Brother McJilton; and we will give one case in point which happened in a Lodge not far removed from the city of Nashville. An aged brother, whose whole life has been an exemplification of the pure principles of the Order—whose con¬ stant attendance upon the duties of the Lodge has shown his faith by his practice— in his old age, becoming embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs, and feeling his inability to pay even the small sum demanded for Lodge dues, without doing in¬ justice to those having prior claims, solicited permission to withdraw from mem¬ bership. This application was refused by the Lodge, and, by its order, his name is always first called among those whose dues have been paid. And still another, in our own knowledge, where the dues are regularly remitted rather than allow the worthy brother to withdraw. But why multiply instances ? they are more numerous than our Maryland brother seems to suppose. Brother McJilton, how¬ ever, does not argue the real point involved in the controversy; which is, is it right in principle to suspend or expel for non-payment of dues ? In arguing the question, it is not fair, and, in our humble opinion, pre-supposes a weakness in argument, to appeal to sympathy in cases where the delinquent is too poor to pay. Such cases are as rare as they are unusual. In this report we find a fact recoMed which escaped our notice in reviewing the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire for 1859. It is too valuable to be lost to the readers of this report: we therefore reproduce it here. The Grand Master of New Hampshire, giving an account of his installing the officers of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, at Plymouth, says: An incident occurred here, which may probably never occur again in any Lodge; and it is not only worth relating, but should be entered upon the printed Journal. It is this: the united ages of six of the officers of this Lodge—83, 81, 72, 71, 64 and 59—being 430 years, average 71f- years; yet all apparently as much interested in Masonry as they could have been in their younger days. Such are the pillars which sustained our Order in the time when it required great moral courage to do so. They are pleasant to behold. We join heartily in the remark of Brother McJilton, that " it is pleasant to look upon the Masonic sage as he occupies his seat among his brethren. His very pre¬ sence is counsel. He appears as a standing lecture upon Masonic doctrine and faithfulness. It is, indeed, remarkable that six of the officers of a Lodge should be Masons of such advanced age." "Blessings on the hoary heads of those old Masons, especially upon those heroic veterans of 83 and 81 years! May they be able to continue in the service until summoned from the earthly Lodge to witness the glories of the celestial, and to live and labor in the higher Temple, where the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe presides." And we add, may their example and faithfulness be imitated by scores who now think that age has re¬ leased them from active duties in the Lodge. It is an erroneous idea, and ought to be corrected, that the younger brethren are best qualified to execute properly the work of the Lodge. Aged veterans of our beloved Institution, you who have 390 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., grown grey in the service of the Craft, we urge upon you the duty of giving to your younger and" less experienced brethren the advantages of your experience, your counsel, and encouragement, by frequently meeting with them in their stated assemblies. We find in the report of Brother McJilton a brief account of the powers and duties of a "Grand Stewards' Lodge," as organized in Maryland, which we copy for the information of such of our own brethren as are unacquainted with such an organization, at the same time expressing an opinion that something similar would facilitate the transaction of business in almost every Grand Lodge, by relieving it from the performance of such business as may very properly be referred to it: The Grand Stewards' Lodge of Maryland is composed of the Deputy Grand Master, who is the presiding officer; the Grand Secretary, who is ex-officio Secretary; the Grand Treasurer; a Past Master from each Lodge in the city of Baltimore, who is nominated and elected by the Grand Lodge, and the Masters of the several Lodges of the jurisdiction. The Lodge meets quarterly. Special meetings may be called by the Deputy Grand Master, or, in his absence from the city, by any three members signifying their wish to the Grand Secretary. In the absence of the Deputy Grand Master, the Past Master from the Senior Lodge represented presides. In the absence of all the Past Masters, the Master of the Senior Lodge represented takes the chair. The Past Master from the Senior Lodge in the city of Baltimore is ex-officio Senior Warden. The Past Master from the next oldest is ex-officio Junior Warden. If no Past Master be present, the Masters of Lodges by seniority act as Wardens. The Grand Stewards' Lodge has power to hear and determine all matters con¬ cerning Free Masons and Masonry, that may come before them, (except making new regulations, or altering established laws or usages, which power is vested in the Grand Lodge only,) and its determinations are final, unless an appeal be taken to the Grand Lodge prior to its next stated meeting; in which case, if the appel¬ lant shall neglect to prosecute his said appeal, the appeal shall be dismissed, and the decision of the Grand Stewards' Lodge affirmed. The Grand Stewards' Lodge is empowered to pay all bills and expenses incurred by the Grand Lodge, and such as are incurred by the Grand Stewards' Lodge in the execution of its duty. M. W. Anthony Kimmel, elected Grand Master; R. W. Joseph Robinson, reelected Grand Secretary. 16. Alabama—Annual Communication, Montgomery, December 5, 1859. M. W. R. H. Ervin, Grand Master; R. W. Daniel Sayre, Grand Secretary. One hundred and ninety-nine Lodges represented. The Grand Master, in his address, unites with his brethren "in the pleasing reflection that the principles of Free Masonry have generally been maintained in their purity, and the Craft seems to be gradually but perceptibly improving in their social, moral, and intellectual standing; yet in all this bright picture there are, here and there, touches indicative of sadness," and proceeds to announce the decease of three Past Grand Officers—Brothers John A. Whetstone and Syd. Smith, P. Deputy Grand Masters, and William A. Ferrell, P. G. Lecturer. He feelingly refers to the loss sustained by the Grand Lodge in the removal of these brethren. During the year the following question was submitted for his decision, "Whether a brother committing suicide under the influence of delirium tremens should be buried with Masonic honors ?" and says: Not disposed to arouse a painful feeling on a subject which excites so deeply the I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 391 feelings of mankind as the burial of the dead, or to obstruct in this ceremony the gushings of the Masonic heart with sympathy, or to refuse tp extend the broad mantle of charity over the foibles of a fallen brother, I did not deem it necessary to interdict by my authority the performance of this ceremony; but left it where it seems to have been left by this Grand Lodge, to the wisdom and discretion of its subordinates. And yet I felt constrained to advise the non-performance of this last sad rite, so sacred to the memory of Masons. We think the brother should have done more than simply give his advice. We may sympathize with the friends of the deceased, but as he came to his untimely end by continued violation of one of the cardinal virtues of a Mason—Temperance —the Lodge ought to have expressed its abhorrence of the cause of the catastrophe by abstaining from the performance of the usual funeral ceremonies. In their individual capacities they might have testified their respect for surviving relatives by attending the funeral, but not as Masons. The Grand Master very justly observes: That the occurrence of such cases awakens the conviction that our Lodges are not taking as high grounds in Masonic discipline as they should. We should counsel, admonish, and exhort in all brotherly kindness our erring brethren, for it is human to err, and we are not exempt; but. when all this has failed, we should resort in time to the extirpation of the diseased portion to protect the organization. Nine dispensations for new Lodges were granted during the year, and we notice with especial gratification the fact that he has refused all applications for Special Dispensations for conferring degrees out of their regular course. We commend this example to the consideration of others. It is rare—remarkably rare—that a case of emergency arises requiring the interposition of the dispensing power, and the less frequently this power is exercised the better. No doubt many good brethren are influenced to petition for the exercise of this extraordinary power by a sincere belief that the exigencies of the case before them demand it. But if they will reflect for one moment, and take an impartial view of the circumstances under which it is desired, they will undoubtedly think otherwise. Because a man intends leaving his home and travelling in a "far distant country," or for the purpose of dwelling among strangers, affords no reason why the Lodge should venture out of its usual course. Generally, at the bottom of all such cases, it will be found that self-interest is the moving cause that prompts the application; and Masons made under such circumstances are, in a majority of instances, perfectly worthless to the Lodges, so far as a real love of the Institution is concerned. So long as their purposes are subserved, they are zealous and run well; but just so soon as they think they can do without the protecting influence of the Fraternity, that moment will find them swelling the ranks of the non-affiliated, and no more is heard or seen of them, except on Festival occasions, when they again appear, and to a great extent usurp places that should only be occupied by the long-tried and faithful workman. And this, we fear, will always be the case, so long as Lodges can be persuaded by importunities of too partial friends to petition, and Grand Masters are willing to grant dispensations for conferring degrees out of their usual course. We hope, however, to see the day arrive when this evil at least will become as one of the forgotten things of the past; and we are glad to find one Grand Master who has the firmness to decline all such applications. The Grand Master also brings to the notice of his Grand Lodge a document 392 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., from the "Washington National Monument Office," and also the "Articles of Con¬ federation" of the* Masonic Congress adopted at Chicago last year. The last- named subject was referred to a committee, with instructions to report at the next session of the Grand Lodge. On the first, we extract the following from the report of a committee to whom the subject was referred: It is unnecessary to undertake an expression of our admiration and love of the Masonic character of Washington, or the reverence which we feel for his memory, which this movement is intended to perpetuate. Washington, as a man, as a general, a statesman, and a Mason, is fixed in our hearts, and there exists in the bosom of every lover of his fellow-man, a monument to his fame and great virtues, more enduring than marble, or brass, or iron. It is the gratitude of a world for which he toiled. No appropriation was made, in consequence of "the peculiar condition of the finances of the Grand Lodge," which is explained by the following extract from the address of the Grand Master As far back as the year 184G, the Grand Lodge of Alabama pursued the policy of loaning out its surplus funds, and subsequently had a committee on Trust Fund, who superintended the loaning and collection of the same. A necessity occurring to the Grand Lodge to call in this fund, and to apply it elsewhere, a number of the brethren who were recipients came promptly forward, and paid up their notes; others postponed a settlement, until it became necessary to insti¬ tute suit for the recovery of funds loaned them. Some of these brethren acknow¬ ledged their obligations to pay the amounts thus due the Grand Lodge, but repre¬ sented that their circumstances were such that should the Grand Lodge enforce the collection, it would oppress them to pay. A committee was therefore appointed by the Grand Lodge at its session of 1857, as well as that of 1858, with power to "settle, compromise, compound, or arrange, by release or otherwise, (subject to your approval,) with these debtors, some of whom were not Masons. This com¬ mittee will doubtless report to you their action in the premises; but it becomes an unpleasant duty on my part to report, also, that some of those parties have so far disregarded your propositions of clemency or compromise, as to obtain a judicial decision in their favor, and upon the plea that the Grand Lodge by its charter was not empowered to loan money, and consequently could not recover. The report on Correspondence was prepared by that sterling Mason, Brother S. A. M. Wood, P. G. M., and is a brief synopsis of the acts of other Grand Lodges. Our brother is rather dubious of the policy of combining different rites, though he does not express any decided opinion, but hopes "at some future day, when better informed," he may be in a condition to express his convictions more fully on the subject. On the subject of non-affiliation, Brother Wood gives utterance to the following just observations, in which your Committee coincide: Masonry is voluntary, in so far as concerns its active duties. Its obligations are binding for life—such as the necessity of being men of honor and honesty, as obeying the moral law, and living creditably and acting honorably by all men. From these duties no dimit, no withdrawal, no power can free that man who has taken upon himself the name of a Free and Accepted Mason. He may, however, withdraw from active labor in the quarries. He may take no delight in doing good—lie may cease his acts of brotherly love, of relieving the distressed, of social intercourse, of membership in a Lodge ; but by thus becoming a useless and fruit¬ less tree, he may be, and of right ought to be, cut off from the benefits of Masonry. The Lodge should then withdraw from him. The covenant is mutual, and he has no right to expect that from me which he declines to yield to any brother. Hence, his funeral I will not attend as a Mason. His calls for relief I listen to only as I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 393 from one of the millions of unfortunates that fill our earth, and the tie of brother¬ hood is severed by his act, not mine. We think this the true solution of the question. Brother Wood also writes approvingly of the plan adopted by several other Grand Lodges in the appointment of District Deputy Grand Masters, to act as over¬ seers and advisers of subordinate Lodges. He says, "They are needed now, and the experience of every day teaches us that without something of this kind, the lukewarmness already prevailing in some parts of the State, will grow into dis¬ content." In commenting upon the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Maine, wherein the Grand Master "takes strong ground against requiring a clear ballot for a candi¬ date for advancement to the second and third degree," quoting the opinions of va¬ rious writers upon Masonic law to sustain him in his position, Brother Wood remarks: This may all be true, but it does not shake our faith in the necessity of a secret ballot for each degree, and that ballot to be had at a stated meeting of the Lodge. Such is our law, and such we believe to be the law of Masonry. Let us reflect, for one moment, that anciently, particular Lodges conferred but one degree. They initiated—the Grand Lodge passed and raised all candidates. Was there no bal¬ loting in Grand Lodge, or did they take the ballot of the particular Lodge as suf¬ ficient? We cannot see any good reason why, since the conferring of the degrees has been by custom, or some rude shock, removed to particular Lodges, they should thereby forego the necessity of a ballot. There are many reasons why a Mason should not progress. And they are such as do not attack his moral qualities—and in rejecting him, all the reasons for secrecy as fully apply, if not more so,than tliey do when he first applies for admission. We trust Brother Chase's view will not prevail. Referring to remarks of the Grand Master of Canada, deprecating the practice of expelling for non-payment of dues, and asserting "that the mere non-payment of dues should not carry with it such a penalty as would deprive a brother of those privileges which are generally regarded as inherent in him as a Mason," the com¬ mittee say: Your committee regard the manner in which this question has been settled in our jurisdiction as eminently calculated to subserve the interests of Masonry. The Master of each subordinate Lodge is empowered to have the brother in default more than two years declared suspended. This jumps over charges, trials, and all difficulties; but it does nothing of which the brother has not had previous notice. And then we find the further provision that payment will reinstate him. We are satisfied with this, and cannot perceive where the inherent rights are attacked. We are constrained to say that we do not believe much in inherent rights. We be¬ lieve more in declared law. The last is at least most easily understood, and gene¬ rally more uniformly followed. We should be pleased to quote more freely from the report before us, but must refrain. We learn from these proceedings that Brother Wood also occupies the respon¬ sible position of " Historiographer of Masonry in Alabama," and that he is indus¬ triously engaged in gathering materials for a history of Masonry in his State. He calls upon his brethren to assist in this most important effort, by communicating any facts in their possession, either old records or personal recollections, to which we trust they will cheerfully respond. The committee on Masonic Jurisprudence were directed "to inquire whether a 6 394 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., member who has been tried and suspended for unmasonic conduct, or other offence, and after such suspension commits a second offence, can, whilst under the sen¬ tence of suspension, be taken up and tried for such second offence," reported in favor of so doing. This opinion is undoubtedly correct, as otherwise the ends of justice might not be attained. The same committee had also under consideration a case of appeal from a sub¬ ordinate Lodge, somewhat novel in its character: The facts of this case are briefly these: On a charge of gross unmasonic conduct, a member of the Lodge was regularly arraigned, tried, and found guilty; but in favor of his suspension or expulsion from the privileges of Masonry, two-thirds of the members present could not be induced to vote—there being twenty-four for, and fourteen against such exclusion. Subsequent to this action, a motion to repri¬ mand was carried by a large majority, and the accused was introduced and made to undergo such discipline. After the time had expired in which an appeal could be taken to the Grand Lodge, the aggrieved party represented to the Master of the Lodge that he had discovered new, important, and hitherto unknown testimony, which he believed was amply sufficient to convict; and on this representation prayed for a new trial. Under the circumstances, the Master of the Lodge did not feel at liberty to reject this petition. The brother was therefore again cited to appear before the Lodge to answer, substantially, to the same charge and specifi¬ cations to which he had previously pleaded. When the rehearing of the matter came on, the question was raised, Could the Lodge proceed again to try and punish this brother for the same offence for which he had already been convicted and repri¬ manded ? The Master of the Lodge decided that it could, and the trial proceeded. To test the correctness of this decision, the appeal was taken. As this is an entirely new question, we quote somewhat at length the arguments presented by a majority of the committee: Without expressing any opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the accused, for the object of the appeal does not require it, we maintain that the crime, for the alleged perpetration of which this brother was arraigned, is one of the most odious prohibited by the laws of our fraternity. No reprimand, however severe, is com¬ mensurate with the magnitude of such an offence. Without repentance, coupled with proper efforts to make reparation, nothing less than expulsion could have vindicated the honor of our Institution. This, we are assured, was not done, be¬ cause the fourteen who by their votes prevented such punishment, did not believe the accused was guilty. Now, to come to the question, if, as one of the appellants affirms, sufficient testimony has been discovered to change their conviction, is there any way through which the error of these brethren may be corrected? There are two reasons why it cannot be done by an appeal to this Grand Lodge. First : Because the alleged new and important testimony was not discovered until the sixty days had expired, in which an appeal could be taken. Second: Because the 17th Rule of Article VII. of the Constitution shuts out all new testimony from the consideration of the Grand Lodge. From these facts we argue that on the discovery, after a first trial, of sufficient testimony to convict, if the subordinate Lodge has not the power to rehear the case and inflict appropriate punishment, such power does not exist anywhere under your jurisdiction. In its absence, a legal technicality, unknown to the Ancient Land¬ marks and General Regulations of the Order, may not only disturb our harmony, but even break up and disperse the Lodge, which ought to be guarded against by all good Masons. But this power does exist somewhere. In Masonic as well as in municipal law, it is held a maxim that where there is a wrong there is a remedy. To compel a Lodge to retain, and be responsible for the moral character of a mem- er whose unworthiness it has formally declared, is certainly a wrong. If the accused is guilty, and would be excluded by the effect of another trial, this is pre¬ cise y the condition in which a reversal of the decision of its Master would place I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 395 the Lodge from which this appeal comes. Had an appeal been taken to the Grand Lodge on the first trial, it would have settled the matter finally without consider¬ ing the newly discovered testimony. Nothing, therefore, would have been gained by recourse to this Grand body. Outside of the Lodge, Masonic sentiment would have been equally impotent. Preston informs us that, at the time of the revival of Masonry in the south of England, about the year 1717, our ancient brethren vested all their inherent privileges, as individuals, in the Lodges of which they were members. If it ever did, this makes it certain that a remedy no longer resides in the action of individual Masons. Hence, we conclude that it vests exclusively in the Grand and subordinate Lodges, and, under our constitution, can only be reached in the manner indicated by the decision under consideration. The majority of your committee are aware that this conclusion is opposed by a plausible objection, growing out of the fact that the common law forbids that a man shall be put twice in jeopardy of life or limb for the same offence. To this we reply, that Masonic bodies are not governed by the technicalities of law, but by the great principles of justice. Their rules of action are not formed on the forms of judicial proceedings, but on their own unchangeable landmarks and ancient constitutions. Where these are silent, as in the case we are reviewing, we are required to seek instruction, not from the precedents of civil government, but from the great light which is open in every Lodge, and comprehensible to every mind. Our authorities plainly teach that the Holy Bible is the only Masonic guide of faith and practice. If, then, we examine its sacred pages for information on this sub¬ ject, we will find that for the one offence of not permitting the children of Israel to depart out of bondage, God punished Pharaoh and the Egyptians more than seven times, and each time in a different way; David's curse on Joab for the murder of Abner; Elisha's curse on Gehazi; and Noah's curse on Canaan the son of Ham, may all be regarded as so many instances of repeated punishments for single offences. And to make this principle still more impressive, let us apply this case to the standard of Christian discipline. Suppose this brother had been a member of the Christian Church, and had been tried in it on the charge alleged against him and acquitted—or, to make the case still more analogous, suppose he had been reprimanded for this offence, though the testimony was not sufficient to expel him. After this had been done, and after the time had passed for an appeal, sup¬ pose the proof had become undeniably notorious that he was guilty of the imputed deed, which he continues to deny, and for which he shows no disposition to make reparation; acting under the Divine law, would not his Church have the right— would it not be the duty of his Church—to try him again and expel him ? If any think it would not be, have they reflected on the condition in which the want of such a right would place that Church ? In consequence of its devotion to a legal quibble, it would not only be compelled to retain in its communion an unrepenting offender against God's Holy Law, but it would also require an outraged brother, either to forego the performance of his Christian duties, or fellowship the destroyer of his sister's purity and the happiness of his father's family. A refusal by a Lodge or Church to remove such an one would shock the moral sense of every Christian and of every upright Mason. Under such circumstances, we believe the Divine precept is, "From such separate yourselves, that you be not partakers of their sins." But aside from these considerations, we think the point presented in this case has been virtually settled by the principles of Masonic law. That point is, whe¬ ther a Mason who has been properly tried and reprimanded, can afterwards, on the discovery of new and important testimony, be again tried and acquitted, or suspended, or expelled by his Lodge, for the same offence. In his Masonic Juris¬ prudence, Brother Mackey declares that "The Grand Lodge being dissatisfied, either with the sufficiency of the testimony, the formality and legality of the pro¬ ceedings, or the adequacy of the punishment, may simply refer the case back to its subordinate for a new trial. If the reference back has been made on the ground that the testimony was not sufficient, or the proceedings irregular, then the trial in the Lodge must be commenced de novo, and if the brother is again convicted he may again appeal; for no number of convictions can abrogate the right of appeal which is inalienably invested in every Mason." After contending that it is com- 396 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., petent for the Grand Lodge to receive any new evidence or to inquire into any new matter which will throw light on the subject, Brother Mackey also affirms that, "unless the case be one of aggravated wrong, or very palpable error, which the new evidence brings to light, a due sense of courtesy, which is a Masonic virtue, will prevent the Grand" Lodge from at once reversing the decision of the subordinate Lodge, but it will remand the case with the new evidence to the Lodge for anew trial." If these principles be admitted, it is clear that under proper circumstances, a Mason may be tried and punished by his Lodge more than one time for the same offence. The only question is, whether a subordinate Lodge can impose such discipline, without being commanded thereto by the Grand Lodge. If a new trial and acquittal from the odium of an erroneous decision, or a new trial, and the substituting of a higher grade of punishment, is wrong in itself, no edict of the Grand Lodge can make it right and proper. That more than one trial and punishment for the same offence is not wrong in itself, the enforcing princi¬ ples of Masonic law and the mandatory precedents of different Grand Lodges suffi¬ ciently prove. Such action, then, not being malum in se. may be had by the sub¬ ordinate Lodges, when in their judgment it is deemed necessary, unless it is pro¬ hibited in the Ancient Constitutions and General Regulations of the Order, or by the legislation of the Supreme Authority. So far as we are informed, there is no such prohibition in the Masonic code. On the contrary, our researches convince us that it is always in the power of a Lodge to retrace its steps, whenever there is an error to be corrected, or an injustice to be redressed. They therefore report a resolution sustaining the decision of the Master of the Lodge. The minority of the committee submitted an adverse report; and as the matter is of sufficient interest, we give the material portions of their report also: The facts of the case are sufficiently and correctly stated in the report of the majority, and we will not repeat them. In our opinion, the majority of your com¬ mittee have erred in an attempt to make the law bend to the hardness of the par¬ ticular case under consideration, when it should be understood as an abstract ques¬ tion of Masonic law, of universal application. That simple question is: After a member of a Lodge, against whom charges have been preferred, has been tried, found guilty, and punished, can he be charged and tried again for the same offence ? We contend that he cannot, and that the former trial constitutes a bar to all fur¬ ther proceedings, on account of the same offence, that can originate in that Lodge. The common law and the Constitution of our country forbid that a man shall be put twice in jeopardy of life or limb. We do not assert that Masonic law must be governed by the law of the land, but we do insist that this provision of the com¬ mon law, and of the Constitution, had its origin in an enlightened sense of justice and humanity, and is conclusive of what educated England and republican Ame¬ rica have deemed necessary, both for the protection of the rights of the citizen and for the administration of justice. Can Masonry be less just and humane than the law, when one of its cardinal virtues is justice, and its distinguishing charac¬ teristic is charity ? It may be said, however, that Masonry is a moral institution, and that by Masonic trials neither life or limb is put in jeopardy. To this we might reply, that the civil and criminal law of the country also have for their foundation the principles of the moral law; but, independent of this, the moral and Masonic char¬ acter are put in jeopardy, which, to the conscientious and upright Mason, are of far greater value than life or limb. The very first principle of justice, as well as of true liberty, so far as it is appli¬ cable to the proper administration of criminal law, whether in State, Church, or elsewhere, is, that there must be a determinate period when prosecution shall finally cease. Adopt the principle submitted by the majority of the committee, and there will be no point where it can be said that, even for the same offence, a Masonic trial is finally ended—all certainty in Masonic trials, all steadfastness in Masonic law, and, we fear, all confidence in Masonic justice will be gone. Observe what might be its legitimate results. A Mason may be charged with an offence, tried, found guilty, and reprimanded. Six months thereafter, he may be charged I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 397 "with the same offence, found guilty, and suspended for a definite period. After the time of his suspension has passed, he may again be tried, convicted, and sus¬ pended indefinitely. Subsequently, and for the fourth time, he may, for the same offence, be tried, found guilty, and expelled. Thus, for the same offence, a Mason may be made to suffer, successively, all the four penalties known to Masonry. We cannot believe that our organic law can be made the instrument of such mon¬ strous injustice and oppression ; and yet such might be, and it needs but a slight stretch of fancy to believe often would be, the result, if the majority report be adopted. But reference is made to the usages of ecclesiastical courts, to establish the views of the majority of your committee. We reply that we have been able to discover nothing there, that has any tendency to shake the position we have taken on this question. We have yet to learn that any other than the common law prin¬ ciple has ever been applied in such cases, in courts of any kind; and it is saying much for the righteousness of that law, and goes far to prove its foundation upon the fixed and eternal principles of abstract justice—its universal adaptation to all governments, whether political, moral, or religious. In a case, precisely in point, which came before the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, this identical question was decided by the ruling of Bishop Paine, that a man cannot be tried twice for the same offence, (see Minutes N. C. Conf. M. E. Church, 1858.) Thus, in the absence of any proof, we cannot bring ourselves to relinquish this sacred and time-honored principle. But, it may be asked, if a member is beyond all doubt guilty of the most gross unmasonic conduct, and yet, through inadequacy of testimony, or any other cause, he escapes justice, must he continue a foul blot upon the escutcheon of our frater¬ nity ? Must he still be fellowshipped as a brother ; is there no remedy ? We an¬ swer, Yes, there is a remedy, a perfectly simple, easy, and legal remedy. That remedy is suggested by the action of St. Stephen's Lodge, which involved the same question, and the report of the committee in that case, adopted by the Grand Lodge during its present communication: "The Grand Lodge, at all times, when any of the great principles of Masonic polity are at issue—whether the humblest of its children may have received an injury, or one of its Lodges have abused its char¬ tered privileges and inflicted an act of injustice—is not to be governed by the tech¬ nicalities of law, but by the great principles of justice. Like the Roman consuls in the hour of great public danger, it is invested with a dictatorial power 'to see that the republic receive no harm.'" But such extraordinary power does not, and cannot, rest anywhere else than in Grand Lodge. Much business of a local character was transacted, and, taken altogether, the proceedings were such as to confer honor upon the brethren of our sister State. Among the pleasing incidents of the session was the presentation of a Past Grand Master's Jewel to Brother J. McCaleb Wiley, P. G. M. 31. W. R. H. Ervin, reelected Grand Master; R. W. Daniel Sayre, reelected Grand Secretary. 17. IVortls Carolina—Annual Session at Raleigh, December 5, 1859. 31. W. Alfred Martin, Grand Master; R. W. William T. Bain, Grand Secretary. Eighty-nine Lodges represented. An excellent address was delivered by the Grand Master, from which we take the following: The season that calls us together around the chief altar of our grand jurisdiction, would seem to be peculiarly appropriate for a few reflections upon some of the prominent characteristics of our institution, and the reasons why we, especially, should feel for it a profound veneration. Though Masonry, as an operative as¬ sociation, or school of architects, existed among the heathen nations long anterior to t he building of King Solomon's Temple, yet it had none of the vital character¬ istics necessary to inspire a general interest,, or to render it particularly attractive to any other class. It was then and there, under the reign of a monarch pecu- 398 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., liarly endowed by the Almighty for the advancement of his glory, and of the hap¬ piness of his people, nnd with the cooperation of a powerful neighbor and ally, in the person of the Tyrian King, that Masonry was born again. At the building of that great Temple the spirit and attributes that govern the institution at the present day, were incorporated into the operative Order. On that great day, when the cap-stone was laid, when the triumphant shout of Israel proclaimed that the Almighty had received with approbation that stupendous offering of patient and pious labor, the seal of speculative principle was affixed to the organic system of the fraternity of operative Masons. Radiating from that glorious source and centre, the genius of Free Masonry began to diffuse its light through the surround¬ ing nations. And very soon we find her humble altars erected in the chief cities of°Palestine, of Persia, and of Egypt. Thence, with the march of empires she has maintained an equal pace, and as each one in succession reached its culminating point and began to decline, the succeeding wave has borne her ever upward and onward. Though every human institution must, of necessity, suffer by the vicis¬ situdes that overturn governments and social systems, however imperfect, yet, in the institution of Masonry, there is a compensating principle, against which ad¬ versity wars in vain. This feature in her organization affords a most interesting subject for contemplation. The mutability of all the works of man inclines us to attach the greatest value to those things upon which we have learned to look, as the most lasting, and the least variable in their nature. In this respect our in¬ stitution stands preeminent. That great Temple, the pride of Israel, and the won¬ der of all nations, fashioned with so much skill and elegance, and of the most durable material known to the architect, is not even classed among the ancient ruins; it has been literally annihilated ; and that no less spacious and magnificent structure, erected upon the same hallowed spot, four hundred and seventy years later, has shared a fate equally sad, equally disastrous. The two powerful nations, by whose wealth it was built, are known to the world, as such, no longer. The builders of Memphis, of Thebes, and of the Pyramids, with all the characteristics of their race, have passed away; and Egypt, once supreme in wealth, in power, and in learning, the very Mecca of the aspirant after knowledge, is now, perhaps, of all the ancient kingdoms, the most desolate. In contemplating that chaos of a once mighty empire, there is a melancholy pleasure in the reflection, that the only testimonials of her ancient splendor that have survived the wreck, were planted there by the hands of our brethren, and that those monuments of the Masonic art, with the mould of centuries clinging thick and dark around them, still have power to charm the scholar, the painter, the sculptor, and the architect of every clime. The once rich and powerful Idumea lies buried beneath the sands of the desert, or in sterile, dreary, barren and uninhabitable waste, and her chief city, hidden from the eyes of men, until the story of its existence began to be re¬ garded as fabulous. Greece, once glorious in arms, and in all the refinements of learning, of art, and of architecture, the prolific mother of great men, the land of Cadmus, of Homer, and of Hesiod; where we may " Hold high converse with the mighty dead, Sages of ancient time, as gods revered; As gods beneficient, who blessed mankind With arts, with arms, and humanized a world," yielded successively to the Persian, the Macedonian, the Roman, the Goth, the Catalonian, and the Ottoman. And when Rome was gathering into her iron grasp the reins of political dominion, and, flushed with the hope of eternal sway, Numa Pompilius instituted the Ancilia, with sacred rites and imposing ceremonies, as a symbol of the perpetuity of the empire; yet that stupendous power, raised upon the ruins of a world flushed with the pride of unlimited sway, and looking to the uttermost verge of time as the meridian of her supremacy, could not command exemption from the common fate. "As year by year each crumbling fragment drops From time's dull wreck into oblivion's void," so have the revolving years lopped off the States and Kingdoms that poured I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 399 their tribute into the treasury of "Imperial Rome." The sun of her glory has set for ever, and mental darkness and physical imbecility brood over the collossal ruin. Thus have kingdoms, empires, and republics risen, flourished, and decayed with age, since the advent of the Order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The institutions of learning for which old Rome and Greece were distinguished, their schools of philosophy and religion, have all passed away. Their ancient mysteries, notwithstanding their alluring promises that the souls of the initiated should have their future abode in the habitation of the gods, are gone, and their rituals forgotten. Of the innumerable institutions, founded at different ages of the world, for the amelioration of the mental, moral, and physical condition of man, there is not one extant that has attained to a tithe of the years that number the age of Masonry. It must not be supposed that- she has passed unscathed through all the chances and changes of her eventful pilgrimage. Few institutions have been more relent¬ lessly persecuted. Alternately fostered and interdicted by monarchs and govern¬ ments, cherished and anathematized by a most powerful hierarchy, her votaries dragged, under every conceivable pretext, to the dungeon, the scaffold, and the inquisition, yet her march has been ever steadily and peacefully onward. Silently and unobtrusively she has pursued her course, a passive witness of political and religious conflicts that scattered ruin and desolation over the fairest portion of this fair globe. Her mission is emphatically one of peace, and most faithfully has she fulfilled it. No plots or conspiracies against legal authority, however oppres¬ sive, have ever been traced to her sanctuaries. She uses no carnal weapons in defence of her rights, or the enforcement of her principles. Mental darkness is her great adversary, and, with the Sword of Truth, she has ever maintained the conflict. Under the Banner of Love, she has, in her silent march, spread a zone of philanthropy about a world. The Trustees of "St. John's College," an institution under the control of ,the Grand Lodge, made a report. They show that there has been expended the sum of $23,584—leaving a balance still due of $10,679. To meet this liability, the Trustees hold bonds and subscriptions of individuals to the amount of $4214. To meet the balance of the liability, they make an earnest appeal to the liberality of their brethren. They also complain of a want of interest, on the part of the fra¬ ternity, in the success of the institution, by withholding their patronage and bestowing it where equal advantages are not presented. The report on Correspondence, by Brother P. W. Fanning, is the result of much labor in its preparation. He calls attention to the fact, (which is true of almost all similar reports,) that his report is simply an expression of his own opinions on the subjects embraced therein, for which the Grand Lodge is not responsible, not¬ withstanding its reception. The report is made for the benefit of the membership throughout the State, and for this purpose the proceedings of each State is pre¬ sented in a condensed form, giving information in this way which in no other could possibly be brought before them. He says : We are even warring in some of our opinions, as well against the Grand Lodge we represent, as against many others who claim high Masonic distinction; such influences, however, can never change the honest convictions of our own heart, nor deter us from the plain path of duty. We can never be induced to pander to the false theories set up by any- one, however lofty his pretensions, nor follow in the wake of error, however tempting the garb it may assume. Our attachment— nay, our devotion, to the glorious Order we would for ever perpetuate, forbids that we should ever, by any instrumentality, be the means of basely tarnishing its fair escutcheon, or of encouraging, in the remotest degree, any movement or scheme calculated to dim its lustre or impair its usefulness. Our apology for introducing these reflections, may be found in the cause that provoked them. For years we 400 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., have discovered, with fearful forebodings, a disposition to improve upon the struc¬ ture that our forefathers have erected; it has been found to be defective in many particulars : modern progressionists and penetrating intellects have conceived the elating idea of adding, by an ingenious process, to its proportions, beauty, strength, and grandeur. If, by the united action of those who revere the Institution for its antiquity and the unchangeableness of its laws, rights, and customs, the lines be not speedily drawn and an effective check be given to these persistent inroads, it will soon have become so disfigured as to bear so faint a resemblance to its original, as hardly to be recognized or owned. It is vain to attempt to make it assimilate to other associations by engrafting upon the body of Masonry any of their pueril¬ ities— Masonry is unlike all other institutions, and must remain so. It is an in- sti* ition by itself and to itself, and seeks no unholy alliances. It pursues the even tenor of its way, quarrelling with no one for opinions' sake—infringing upon no consecrated ground—trust in God and charity to all mankind its motto. The term is of universal import, affording its embrace to all who seek it and claim the attributes of a man, acknowledging his responsibility. The subject of non-affiliation, which our brother characterizes as a theme of ceaseless agitation, is thus disposed of: To sustain his position, [that of recommending the Grand Lodge of Mississippi to take stringent action thereon,] the Grand Master lays down two propositions; which are, that "the brother who will not affiliate with the Lodge nearest him, not only avows disrespect to the Order, but leaves himself fairly chargeable with the meanness of evading the payment of his just share towards its supportand that " the brother; belonging to a Lodge, who neglects to meet with it, and pays no dues, stands in a position morally similar." The second proposition we fully en¬ dorse—the first cannot justly be sustained. Before you talk of compelling Masons to join a Lodge, the Lodge must first be compelled to receive them. If an individual complies with all the obligations imposed upon him on his admission, no others can be justly demanded of him. It is optional with him, on his initiation, to join the Lodge or not; if he neglect it beyond the prescribed time, a ballot has to take place, and he may be rejected. What then becomes of his duty to affiliate ? An individual, once made a Mason, cannot be deprived of any of the characteristics with which he was then endowed, except for Masonic offence. Notwithstanding these very rational views of the case, we do not envy the feelings of that conscience- seared Mason who is ready to participate in all the sociabilities of Masonry, with¬ out manifesting a corresponding disposition to aid, according to his ability, in enlarging and perpetuating that privilege. M. W. Lewis S. Williams, elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 18. Virginia—Proceedings of the Annual Session, held at Richmond, De¬ cember 12, 1859. M. W. Powhatan B. Stakke, Grand Master; R. W. John Dove, Grand Secretary. A special meeting of the Grand Lodge was also held October 11, 1859, convened for the purpose of "placing the Cape-stone" on the newly-erected walls of William and Mary College. R. W. John Dove presiding as Grand Master. In his brief address on this occasion, Brother Dove remarks : This duty, at all times a labor of love with us, is rendered doubly so by reason of the venerable and renowned Institution at whose instance we perform it. Venerable, indeed, as having been continuously in existence for the long period of one hundred and sixty-seven years, and persistently engaged in diffusing the inestimable blessings of a highly polished education to her numerous Alumni, and that, through all the wonderful mutations of men, of times, and of policy, which have transpired from the accession of William to the present eventful period. Thrice venerable and dear to us as Masons, because it was under the immediate auspices of our last Most Worshipful Grand Master of Operative Masonry, Sir Christopher Wren, that the model was given and the corner-stone laid. It was this illustrious chief who, under Providence, was appointed Grand Master of Ma- I860.] GRAND LODGE OE TENNESSEE. 401 sons by Charles II., on his restoration in 1660, and continued in that office until the reign of George I., when he died at a ripe old age and full of honors. It was he who gave the model for St. Paul's, and laid the corner-stone in person in London, and, thirty-five years after, under the same bishop, with his own hands placed the Cape-stone thereon, and united in the dedication thereof to the service of Almighty God, the Great I AM. It is in humble imitation of that august cere¬ mony that we, the Masons of Virginia, are convened to-day, under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Powhatan B. Starke, Grand Master of Masons of Virginia, to place the Cape-stone on this edifice, and dedicate it to Literature and Science. An address was also delivered by Brother B. R. Welford, Jr., from which we had marked several extracts for insertion in these pages, but are reluctantly omitted. To say that it abounds with thoughts clothed with the true poetry of eloquence, is bestowing faint praise. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the brethren attended a banquet, provided for the Fraternity, accompanied by the Rector and Faculty of the College—the Rector, Hon. John Tvler, late President of the United States, officiating as President. In response to the toast, " The Grand Lodge of Virginiagiven by the Rector, Brother Dove again made a short speech, from which we make the following extract, on account of the historical facts embodied in it: Mr. President: When memory traces back the history of this Grand Lodge to its organization, and recalls the men and times which gave it existence, the giant proportions of your toast entirely overwhelm my puny ability either to do justice to the world-renowned names who have occupied the office so feebly represented by me to-day, or to thank you for the appreciation which called forth the compli¬ ment. Sir, it was in this city of Williamsburg that a Convention of Masons met on the 6th day of May, 1777, to organize an independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Virginia, at which James Mercer, of Fredericks¬ burg Lodge, No. 4, presided—that Lodge, in which, only twenty-four years before, the man had been made a Free Mason who was then, as Commander-in-Chief of the invincible American Army, giving evidence of characteristics which have in¬ scribed his name on the scroll of Fame as having no equal. With entire unanimity this Convention tendered the Grand Mastership to their Illustrious Brother George Washington, which he declined for reasons readily appreciated by Masons, but which, when scanned by them, serve only to exalt his unequalled worth. The office was next tendered to Warner Lewis, of Botetourt Lodge, No. 7, who also declined the honor, when it was offered to Right Worshipful John Blair, of Wil¬ liamsburg Lodge, No. 6, who was pleased to accept, and was accordingly installed on 13th October, 1778, and the Grand Lodge of Virginia thus duly organized in this venerable city. It was at no inconsiderable hazard of place, position, and, perhaps, of life, that this devoted patriot entered upon the duties of his office. I need not detain you to say who .John Blair was—his position in the Colonial Government—these are familiar to all who have read the history of Virginia; but only to add, the man who had the self-sacrificing devotion to principle, and the indomitable energy to proclaim aloud and exemplify that devotion by public acts, deserves, and must, and will receive the hearty plaudits of all good and true men. Sir, this Grand Lodge of our glorious old Society of Brotherhood has been governed in succession by such men, sages, and patriots as James Mercer, Edmund Randolph, John Marshall, Robert Brooke, and a host of others, who, in their day and time, as Statesmen, Jurists, and Legislators, have had no superiors and few equals. At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, ninety-one Lodges were represented. The Grand Master reported having granted seven dispensations for new Lodges. The report on Correspondence is very brief—noticing the more prominent acts of only nine Grand Lodges, although the committee acknowledge the reception of the proceedings of thirty-one others. The committee reported in favor of the 26 402 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., Masonic Congress, but the Grand Lodge non-concurred. The committee also notices the fact that, in consequence of the action of the Grand Lodge, at its pre¬ ceding session, relative to the union of the Fraternity in -New York, some of the Lodges in Virginia refuse to admit visitors hailing from that jurisdiction. The matter was referred to the consideration of a committee of three, which was subsequently increased to five, and ordered to make their report at the next session. A large portion of the proceedings is devoted to reports on the "Mount Vernon" purchase. But little business was transacted of special interest outside the juris¬ diction of Virginia. The Grand Lodge decided " that no brother can be installed Master of a Lodge while charges are pending against him and undisposed of;" that the Grand Secretary be instructed not to publish in the printed proceedings the rejections made by subordinate Lodges; that every member is made such by the Lodge, and only by the Lodge can he be deprived of his membership ; and that no withdrawal is perfect until entered of record. The following are among the standing regulations: That the practice of no Rite, except the Ancient York Rite, shall be sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of Virginia within its jurisdiction. That the Grand Secretary shall hereafter furnish to every Lodge, to which a Dispensation shall be granted, a form of By-Laws, under which such Lodges shall be required to work, until it shall have received a charter from the Grand Lodge. That the Grand Lodge of Virginia disapprove and forbid the introduction in Virginia of "Adoptive Masonry," or Side Degrees, and earnestly recommend to the subordinate Lodges to discontinue and repudiate all such connection. That the Grand Lodge kindly, but urgently, insists upon every Mason in this jurisdiction becoming a member of some Lodge, unless excused from so doing by the subordinate Lodge in the jurisdiction of which he resides. That a Non-Affiliated Mason, who has not been excused from becoming a mem¬ ber of a Lodge, shall not be entitled to join in any Masonic procession, or be en¬ titled to Masonic burial, or to any pecuniary aid from a Lodge. That the Grand Lodge disapprove of the practice of referring petitions, for ad¬ mission into Masonry, to special committees, and hereby direct the discontinuance thereof in the subordinate Lodges in which such practices obtain. That all funeral service at the grave of a deceased brother is unnecessary, unless it take place at the time of the burial. That, in the opinion of this Grand Lodge, every suspension should be for an indefinite period of time. M. W. John Robin McDaniel elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 19. District Of Columbia—Abstract of Proceedings for the year ending December 27, 1859. M. W. Geokge C. Whiting, Grand Master; It. W. G. A. Schwaezman, Grand Secretary. At the annual meeting, held November 1, 1859, a lengthy report was presented from a committee of Masters—one from each Lodge—on the subject of Lodge dues, and suspension for their non-payment. Although we cannot agree with the committee in their argument, nor the conclusions to which they arrive, we copy the whole of the report as a matter of information, as it is the best of all the arguments we have seen on the subject. And besides, we hold it to be our duty to place before our readers both sides of all questions, that they may judge fairly, and come to right conclusions. The report is somewhat lengthy, but it will amply repay the time spent in its perusal: I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 403 Your committee, to whom at the last meeting of the Grand Lodge was referred the question as t.o the power of subordinate Lodges to inflict the punishment of suspension upon their members for the non-payment of dues, beg leave respect¬ fully to report: That feeling deeply impressed with the importance of the subject, and recog¬ nizing fully the difficulties which have surrounded it, they have endeavored earn¬ estly and faithfully to avail themselves of all the light which could be brought to bear upon it, calculated to settle some uniform rule of practice among the Lodges of this jurisdiction, which might be regarded as consonant with the spirit of Ma¬ sonry, and, at the same time, remedy, to some extent at least, an evil which seriously cripples many of these bodies, and limits the usefulness of all. The subject of Lodge dues is one that has been of late frequently considered and fully discussed in the various jurisdictions of our country ; but the conclusions arrived at have been very different. Several of the Grand Lodges have permitted their subordinate Lodges to inflict the severest punishments known to Masonry, in order to compel their payment. This, in general, has been permissive merely, al¬ though in one or two instances it has been formally decided that the use of such means was proper and right. On the other hand, the exercise of such a power has been reprobated by many of the Grand Lodges, as well as by the most eminent Masonic writers of the day. Your committee, however, do not deem it necessary to specify in detail the actions of other Grand Bodies, as precedents for that to be adopted here, regarding the question as one of very easy solution when viewed simply as a matter of Masonic jurisprudence, and divested entirely of all notions of mere expediency. In order to arrive at a just estimate of the power of subordinate Lodges in re¬ ference to the matter under consideration, it will be necessary to institute a brief inquiry as to their origin. Until a comparatively late period, no such bodies as distinct chartered subordinate Lodges were known. The requisite number of bre¬ thren convened together at any one time, had full and ample power to make Ma¬ sons, without any warrant of constitution. Those who were thus made, became members of the fraternity generally, and assumed only the duties and responsibi¬ lities common to the whole body of Masons. In the discharge of those duties, they were not bound to discriminate in favor of any member or any association of mem¬ bers. They were, however, if any faith is to be attached to the traditions of our Order, as fully and truly Masons, as to all the physical, social, and moral require¬ ments, as those of our own day ; and, as such, were quite as liable to trial and punishment, and for the same offences, so far as the general Craft was concerned, as are our members of the present period. Thus the Masonic system continued until the year 1717, when warrants or char¬ ters were granted, by which certain numbers of brethren, petitioning for the pri¬ vilege, were constituted into distinct Lodges, with authority to confer degrees, receive members, dispense charity from a common fund, etc., etc. Upon the first organization of such Lodges, a system of rules for their government was pre¬ scribed by the Grand Lodge, to which was added a clause authorizing their alter¬ ation when deemed necessary by that body, "provided, always, that the old land¬ marks be carefully preserved." Subsequently, the subordinate Lodges were granted the privilege of framing their own By-Laws, under the supervision of the Grand Lodge, but with the same provision as to a sacred observance of the ancient limits. Under this system of organization, thus solemnly restricted by a proviso, which has been, and must continue to be, a vital principle of our Institution, it is evi¬ dent that these chartered associations could not, by acts of their own, make any change in the essential principles of the Order. They could not, in making Ma¬ sons, receive them in any other way, or upon other terms than had been done before. They could not relieve them of any duty towards the fraternity which had been required, nor impose any additional responsibility to the brethren at large that had not been previously recognized. Their powers were limited to the administration of their own internal affairs, and the By-Laws which they adopted were simply articles of association, containing the terms of the contract by which each brother held his membership; and, as such, they have been found to vary, 404 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., according to the different circumstances in which Lodges have been placed, in al¬ most every particular, and to embrace every conceivable subject of non-essential legislation, from the adoption of prohibitory or exclusive initiation fees to the fashion of a coat or the elevation of a shirt-collar. The glance which we have thus taken at a portion of our Masonic history en¬ ables us to recognize a distinction, and a plain and palpable one, between the responsibilities assumed by the individual brother, to Free Masonry on the one hand, to the Lodge on the other. By the assumption of these responsibilities, cor¬ responding distinct rights are acquired from Masons generally, and from his Lodo-e. Of those rights due to him in his general character of a Mason he cannot be deprived, except for immoral conduct, or such a violation of his duty, as a member of the fraternity, as would have subjected him, previous to the introduc¬ tion of any system of By-Laws, or would now subject him, if a non-affiliated Ma¬ son, to such a punishment. His relations to the Craft at large cannot be suspended, nor can he be exposed to the detestation and contempt of the brethren generally, except for the commission of some Masonic crime, known and recognized by the common law of the Order. If these views are correct, the only remaining question pertinent to the pre¬ sent issue is, Whether the payment of fixed and regular Lodge dues is an in¬ trinsic, essential, and original part of Free Masonry. It is scarcely necessary to assert here, the facts so well understood and uni¬ versally admitted, that until a very recent period, long after the establishment of subordinate Lodges, no such thing as an assessment of dues was known. That period is within the recollection of many of our older Masons, who must view with astonishment an effort to make what was originally a mere rule of convenience of a single Lodge, the vital law of a wide-spread fraternity. But, further, the re¬ quirement is not general, much less uniform, even at this day. Many of the Lodges in our own country are supported by the voluntary contributions of their mem¬ bers, or by revenue derived from heavy initiation fees; and in our own jurisdic¬ tion, where dues are universally required, their amount ranges from one dollar and a half to ten dollars per annum. If, then, this duty is one of modern origin, of but partial enforcement, and of irregular and arbitrary character, it cannot certainly be regarded as an essential part of Masonry, but merely as one of those responsibilities which the individual brother assumes towards his own Lodge alone. In the language of Brother Mac- key, in his principles of Masonic Law, "It is not an obligation on the part of a Mason to the Institution at large, but is in reality a special contract, in which the only parties are a particular Lodge and its members, of which the fraternity as a mass are to know nothing." For these reasons your committee are of opinion that the failure or neglect to pay Lodge dues does not constitute a Masonic crime; that it is no breach of any general law of Masonry, and that therefore it cannot upon any just principle war¬ rant the infliction of a punishment upon the defaulting brother which would disturb the relations existing between him and others as members of the fraternity at large, or which would deprive him of any purely Masonic privilege. They are also of the opinion, that the failure to comply with the requirements of the By- Laws in this respect is such a breach of the contract existing between the indivi¬ dual brother and his Lodge as justifies the termination of his membership, and his exclusion from all mere Lodge privileges. Your committee are fully aware of several objections which have been and are still urged against the view here taken, some of which it may not be improper to notice. 1. It is claimed that the failure by a member to pay the required dues, amounts to such a violation of his duty to observe the By-Laws, as should subject him to the penalty of suspension. Without placing any stress upon the fact that at the time of his admission to the Lodge a M. M. cannot know all, nor indeed many of the requirements of the By-Laws, it will be sufficient, in order to show the fal¬ lacy of the argument, to point out some other requirements usually found in them, disobedience to which would, on the principle claimed, as certainly justify the penalty of suspension, as the offence now under consideration. As, for example, I860.] GRAND LODGE OE TENNESSEE. 405 it is made the duty, respectively, of the officers to attend all meetings of the Lodge; of the Secretary to keep certain books in a prescribed form; of the mem¬ bers of committees to report within specified periods; of the Tiler to keep the furniture of the Lodge in good order, etc. Now, as far as an infraction of the By- Laws is concerned, a failure to perform either of these duties is as definite an of¬ fence as the failure to pay dues, inasmuch as they are all required by the same instrument, and under precisely the same sanction; but can it be conceived that a neglect of them could possibly be construed into so grave an offence as to subject the offender to the penalty of suspension from Masonry ? 2. It is argued, that the failure to pay the dues required, is a wrong done the Lodge, and, as such, constitutes a much higher offence, and deserves a much more severe punishment than has been indicated. If, however, this be true, then the same construction would establish a criterion by which to judge of the relations existing between individual Masons, and would thus create a grade of Masonic crime which has never as yet been suggested. Wherever positive fraud is committed or attempted, the party is guilty of a crime known and recognized by the fraternity, and should be punished accordingly. But in the absence of any fraudulent intent, a failure to pay cannot be construed into a crime. 3. It is said that a mere dropping a member from the rolls, or excluding him from Lodge privileges, is not such a penalty as will protect the Lodge and secure the objects of a common fund. In replying to this objection, your committee beg leave very briefly to refer to another subject, which, although not specially in charge, is intimately connected with that under consideration, and with it is equally entitled to the careful attention and recommendatory action of the Grand Lodge. Your committee allude to the distinction, so well known to exist, but so little ob¬ served in practice, between the claims of affiliated and those of non-affiliated Ma¬ sons to relief from Lodge funds. Previous to the organization of subordinate Lodges, the relations existing among Masons were for the most part, at least so far as charities were concerned, of a personal character. Common funds, out of which relief could be given, were gen¬ erally unknown. But when Lodges were chartered, each with its own treasury, one of the rights acquired by the individual joining was that of obtaining relief out of the funds raised by the contributions of himself and his associates. This was over and above his ordinary Masonic privileges, which only entitled him to the aid of his brethren as individuals, and therefore to the brothers who never joined, or to him who, having joined, lost his membership, this fund was not available. This distinction, so just in its character, and involving facts so readily estab¬ lished, should, it is believed, be more carefully observed and uniformly acted upon than has heretofore been the case within this jurisdiction. If our Lodges would thus limit their charities to those who could show conclusively a present member¬ ship in, and regular contribution to, some Masonic body, they would not only be relieved in a great measure from the payment of the present large amounts to visitors, (oftentimes, too, to unworthy ones,) but would likewise offer a strong in¬ ducement to their own members carefully to preserve their Lodge privileges by the prompt payment of dues, without which neither they nor their families would be entitled to receive aid from the funds of any Lodge. Under the operation of such a rule, exclusion, or dropping from the roll, would, we believe, be a much more effectual mode of keeping our lists clean, and our treasuries full, than that of suspension, which, in the great majority of cases where inflicted for this cause, would lose the subjects of it to us and to Masonry for ever. But while we are willing to concede that so far as the common funds of a Lodge are concerned, they partake in some measure of the nature of insurance, and that he who does not contribute is not entitled to avail himself of their benefits, yet, beyond this, we join heartily in the opinions of our R. W. D. G. M., who some years ago submitted an able report upon this subject. Masonry itself, with all its time-honored principles, its solemn lessons, its grand illustrations, and its glorious examples of faith, and truth, and love, should never be bartered for silver and gold. It is our duty and our pleasure to adorn and beautify the outside of the edifice with our money; but if any are excluded from this, let us remember, that 406 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct., behind the glittering portico of full treasuries and successful Lodges, the old tem¬ ple still demands the labor and the love of all. There each must work for himself m brotherly love, relief, truth, justice, and, above all, in that " charity which suf- fereth long, and is kind." As an embodiment of the views herein expressed, your committee have appended a series of resolutions, for which they ask the consideration of the Grand Lodge : 1. That suspension, in Masonic parlance, is from all the privileges of Masonry, and cannot be otherwise construed, without a change in the established usages of the fraternity, and in no case should this punishment be inflicted for non-payment of dues. 2. That sentence of " exclusion" may be pronounced against a brother for non¬ payment of dues, under the operation of the By-Laws of a Lodge, upon a report of the facts by the Secretary, and a vote of the Lodge. 3. That this punishment shall exclude the brother from visiting his Lodge, and shall prevent his receiving a diploma or demit; and, during his exclusion, his name shall be dropped from the roll of members. Forty-eight pages of the proceedings are devoted to the report on Correspond¬ ence. Noticing the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee for 1858, the committee quote extracts from the address of Grand Master McCulloch, and from a report of the committee on the same, and then add: The report of the committee on Correspondence is an able document, from the pen of R. W. Grand Secretary, Brother C. A. Fuller. From the perusal of this document we find that Brother Fuller coincides with Brother Abell, of Califor¬ nia, upon the subject of the judicial power of a Grand Lodge over the Grand Master. On all other points, the chairman of the committee appears to be thoroughly conservative. We italicise the concluding sentence, and assure the committee that even on "the subject of the judicial power of a Grand Lodge over the Grand Master," we in¬ tend to be " conservative" also. Much has been written, and more has been said, in discussing the various "Charges of a Free Mason," regarded as landmarks of the Order, and considered as inviolable. The most authentic form in which these charges have come down to us is the compilation prepared by Brother Anderson, Deputy Grand Master, under the immediate supervision of the Grand Lodge of England, in the year 1723. This compilation is made from the most "ancient re¬ cords of Lodges beyond sea, and of those in England, Scotland, and Ireland," and are universally recognized as the base or foundation principles of Masonry. Examining these charges for the special and inherent prerogatives claimed for Grand Masters at the present day, we are compelled to express surprise at the slight foundation upon which they are based. Much stress is also placed upon the "General Regulations" of 1721, but even these do not sustain, by any fair con¬ struction of language, the position assumed that the Grand Master of a Grand Lodge, by virtue of his office, is thereby rendered infallible on questions of order, and the various other questions that generally come before a Grand Lodge. And even supposing that these "General Regulations" conferred the power claimed, there is express provision made in them for their repeal or modification. There¬ fore we contend that it is within the province of every Grand Lodge to regulate these matters as each may deem best, and to suit the convenience of its own legis¬ lation. If a Grand Lodge, by constitutional regulation, shall declare there is no appeal from the decisions of the Grand Master, in that jurisdiction there cer¬ tainly can be no appeal legitimately entertained without an amendment of its "Gen¬ eral Regulations." But in all others, appeals from the decisions of the Grand I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 407 Master are not only right and proper in themselves, but may be lawfully exercised if desired. As remarked in another part of this report, our brethren confound the " Gen¬ eral Regulations" with the "Charges," and many good brethren are disposed to rely more upon the opinions advanced by eminent brethren than upon an examin¬ ation for themselves. We are so "conservative" on this subject that we are will¬ ing to accord to Grand Masters, and all others placed in authority, even more than can be rightfully claimed for them ; but when these things are insisted upon as "inherent rights," we are too "conservative" to admit the assumption, and to contend for a more strict construction of the Landmarks of Masonry. In this same report of Correspondence, we find an extract from the report of a similar committee in the Grand Lodge of Texas, for 1858, prepared by Brother Neill. Having failed to receive the proceedings of Texas for that year, we here place it before our brethren : Of the Provincial Grand Lodge extracts, the committee cannot overlook that of Lanarkshire, and from the Lodge of St. John, of Glasgow. During the year 1856, this Lodge met in St. Mark's Hall, Buchanan Street, and celebrated their seven hundred and ninety-ninth anniversary, by the election and installation of their officers, and a supper, at which some seventy brethren participated. A pleasant and happy evening was spent; pledges of prosperity, toasts and presents enlivened the scene, and a speech from the Sub-Provincial Grand Master, Brother Walker Arnott, tracing the history of Masonry, and proposing the prosperity of the Lodge of Glasgow, St. John; the feast closed by the effective toast, "Happy to meet, sorry to part, and happy to meet again." What a glorious spectacle must this have been, and how confounding to the enemies of Masonry, who assert that the Order is of modern origin, dating little over a century back, whilst here, without any effort, we have a record running back into the middle of the eleventh cen¬ tury, and extending as far back as the reign of Duncan, King of Scotland, Edward the Confessor of England, and Philip the First, of France, some ten years before the Saxon government was overthrown by the battle of Hastings, and the acces¬ sion of William the Conqueror to the crown of England. Whilst Macbeth was about usurping the throne, having put Duncan to death, and caused the flight of Malcolm, the rightful heir, into England, we find that in such times as these Ma¬ sonry had a hold in this land, and whilst the conflict was raging without, the Order was flourishing, and in the ancient city of Glasgow, this Lodge (St. John's) was instituted, and has kept the even tenor of its way through scenes which cluster and gather around the vivid imagination whilst contemplating a subject fraught with so much interest to the antiquarian, as well as the history of Masonry. Truly kind and fraternal resolutions were adopted on the death of Bro. William C. Barker, Grand Secretary of Rhode Island, expressive of the sympathy and sorrow for the loss of one so eminently worthy. The remarks of the committee introducing the resolutions we copy elsewhere. We quote the following question submitted to the Grand Master, and his reply: Is it competent or proper for a subordinate Lodge within this jurisdiction to is¬ sue and serve a regular Masonic summons upon its members to appear in person or otherwise, to show cause why they should not be suspended for the non-pay¬ ment of their dues, or whether the By-Laws of the Lodge in this respect should not be enforced against them? In reply, the Grand Master stated that the exposition of a member's inability or other motive to pay the dues exacted as a condition of his continued member¬ ship, or to offer reasons why the prescribed penalty should not be inflicted upon him, was among the privileges of a Mason, of which he might avail himself or not 408 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct.? at his option, and consequently that it was not only highly inexpedient, but that, in his opinion, it was not competent for a Lodge to issue a summons to compel him to do so. The Grand Lodge does not recognize the principle that a restoration to the privileges of Masonry restores to membership in the subordinate Lodge. Pending the voting upon a question of removing an indefinite suspension, the Grand Master decided that the adoption of the resolution would not restore the individual to membership, " that not being within the power of the Grand Lodge to do." If this decision had been made in a case of expulsion by a subordinate Lodge, we would have cordially agreed with the Grand Master. Perhaps, however, our failure to do so in the present instance, may be another evidence of anti-conserva- tiveness on our part. Among the standing resolutions of the Grand Lodge we find the following : Resolved, That where the deformity of the candidate is not such as to prevent him from being instructed in the mysteries of the Craft, the admission will not be an infringement of the ancient landmarks, but will be perfectly consistent with the spirit of Free Masonry. And the following, which we respectfully recommend to the careful consider¬ ation of brethren in our own jurisdiction: Resolved, That it is the duty of the Worshipful Masters of subordinate Lodges, and those under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge are hereby required to see that the ballot-box is so presented that each officer and member may cast his ballot unobserved by others; that it is unmasonic for a member to declare whether he intends to cast a black or a white ball, or at any time thereafter to make known to any one how he voted ; that it is equally unmasonic in any member to endeavor in any manner to ascertain how any other member intends to vote or has voted, or to disclose the fact, should it by accident or otherwise come to his knowledge, and all who do so shall be subject to Masonic discipline. Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 20. Massachusetts—Special meetings from March to December, 1859, and annual session held in the city of Boston, December 14, 1859. M. W. John T. Heard, Grand Master; R. W. Charles W. Moore, Grand Secretary. Also pro¬ ceedings on the occasion of the dedication of Free Mason's Hall, on December 27, 1859. The business of the Grand Lodge was confined to matters of local interest, with the exception of the dedication of the new Temple. From the address of the Grand Master, we learn that there are now one hundred and ten Lodges under the juris¬ diction of the Grand Lodge—ten of which are working under dispensation. The number of members, September 1, 1859, was 6741; and of initiates, for the year ending the same date, 1188. He also shows that, although during the preceding three years, the number of initiates amounted to 3231, yet the increase of mem¬ bership was only 2153—leaving 1078 to be accounted for. "After allowing for deaths and removals beyond their jurisdiction, there still remains a large number of initiates who have not connected themselves with Lodges as members." He asks, "Why is this so ? May it not be owing to our requiring them to fraternize with those who stand in bad repute in general society ?" and expresses the opinion that "nine-tenths of the non-affiliations complained of so generally in the United States, are occasioned by the unworthiness of so many members whose presence I860.] GRAND LODGE OE TENNESSEE. 409 repels that of better men, to the great injury of our institution." The reply to his own question, here given, is worthy of deep consideration by every member of a Lodge. Let each one ask himself whether he, or his Lodge, is entirely guiltless in this particular. The Grand Master commends the effort made (and successfully accomplished) by Corinthian Lodge, at Concord, in publishing a complete history of the Lodge from its organization, in 1797, down to the present time. We heartily concur with him in the suggestion that this example is worthy of imitation. We quote a single paragraph from this excellent and business-like document, for the purpose of calling the attention of officers of Lodges to a matter they seem, in too many instances, to have disregarded: One Lodge has failed two successive years to pay into the Grand Treasury the fees required of it by our regulations. The reasons assigned for this delinquency do not appear to me to justify it. It is worthy of serious consideration, whether a Lodge ought not to be suspended on its first omission to meet its pecuniary en¬ gagements to the Grand Lodge. A Lodge has no right to appropriate moneys re¬ quired by the Grand Lodge on initiates as the dues of that body, to any purpose of its own whatever; they should be set aside immediately on receiving them, and be kept ready for transmission to the Grand Treasurer. They are in no sense the property of the Lodge, and cannot be converted to its use without a violation of the rights of others. At the annual meeting, Brother Winslow Lewis was elected M. W. Grand Master, and installed December 27th, at which time he delivered an address to the brethren assembled on the occasion, from which we would like to make many extracts. One or two must suffice. He says : Free Masonry is a great conservative link in that chain which should entwine the North, South, East, and West; and if ever that most disastrous hour should come, when we must separate as fellow-citizens of a once-glorious Union, the last tie to give way will be that strong, well-forged link, which now bands together the Free Masons of the United States as brothers and citizens. It is now more than sixteen years ago, that a committee, of which your now presiding officer was chairman, made a report, of which the following is an extract: " Your committee agree that the assembling of the delegates from the Grand Lodges from every section of the wide domain of these States, must be, of itself, productive of great advantages to the whole Fraternity. The opportunity of in¬ terchanging sentiments among delegates, selected for their general and Masonic intelligence, will tend much to strengthen and expand the feelings of that philan¬ thropy, which is the profession as well as the practice of Masonry. If unity of action and ceremonial should not be the consequence of the deliberations of that Body, at least, it will have produced unity of soul and heart, and thus their labors shall not have been in vain." The subject is now left for your consideration. There are obstacles which maybe, perhaps, impossible to surmount. You have some brilliant exemplifications of what may be effected by brothers living locally distant, being brought together, where differences and politics, religion, profession, and station are laid on the altar of the heart, and these divinities forgotten ; for in spite of all the Rochefoucaults who have libelled humanity, in spite of all the cynics who have snarled at its character, the tendency of the knowledge of our fellow-men is to make us love mankind. The more extensive our knowledge of human nature is, the better acquainted we make ourselves among ourselves, the greater will be the indulgence towards the errors of our species, and the more will our affections become enlarged. Recall an event of the past year for an illustra¬ tion. May we not almost truthfully say, do we not all feel, that the visit of our Virginia brethren here, and the thrilling, warm-hearted, unbounded hospitality 7 410 PROCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct., of all Richmond extended to us there, has left such an impress on the hearts of all, that the recollection of this shall never die, that it will temper the asperities of the present, and ever bind together now, as in the times gone by, the Old Bay State and the Old Dominion ? Who can doubt the beneficial operation of the Masonic Institution in its civil aspect ? Holding itself aloof from the turmoils of politics—in this respect allow¬ ing its members the "largest liberty"—making no interference in sectarian dis¬ putes, it pursues the even tenor of its way. To the patriot, as well as to the philanthropist, it presents a grand problem that will only be solved when the history of men shall be closed. And when the fabric of this Union shall be de¬ stroyed, when the stars and stripes shall no longer be regarded as the symbol of our greatness as a united people, when discord and contentions shall usurp the place of peace and happiness, even then there will still remain one retreat from the terrors of factions—one altar around which all may still gather as brethren, and, for a time, forget animosities engendered by the fiend of sectionalism. De¬ stroy the Masonic Institution, and we verily believe the heaviest blow will then be struck in annihilating the liberties of a free people. Massachusetts has never appointed committees on Correspondence. Brother Lewis suggests the propriety of hereafter making such appointments, as their re¬ ports in other jurisdictions "embody much that is valuable and important to be known by all well-informed Masons, who are interested, or should be, in the con¬ dition of this widely-extended organization." We trust the suggestion will meet with favor, for even our Massachusetts brethren have no right to withhold their experience from the treasury of the general good; and, if not deemed impertinent, we could point to the brother, who, of all others, could prepare a report that would command universal attention. What say you, Brother C. W. Moore, to donning the harness ? On the subject of increase in membership, we cannot refrain from making the following quotations: The accession of members has been so unprecedented, that the necessary labors of the Lodge have left no intervals for the improvement of members in the lectures, or to allow of such social communion as is necessary to form the primary acquaint¬ ance which, among us, should ripen to intimate friendship. Thus, even pros¬ perity has its evils. Our institution is now under the fostering approbation of public opinion, and with this prestige, great numbers are seeking admission. Is there a remedy needed for this plethora ? Is it a diseased condition, requiring a remedy ? I am not prepared to say that there is any indication to that effect. It is not in our power to prevent applications. Any man, provided he possesses the pre-requisitions, can present himself as a candidate for reception. Our portals are not barred to any such. If found worthy, they are, or should be, received. Now, what should constitute that worth ? That is the great question to deter¬ mine, and it is at least questionable whether that standard has been of a sufficiently elevated character. Too many are received on qualifications wholly negative. Committees report nothing against the applicant; his moral character is unblem¬ ished ; he is honest, temperate, truthful, etc., etc. All this allowed, shall such be received ? Certainly not. Cannot each one of you, here assembled, call up some, within the sphere of your acquaintance, who, with all the requisites thus detailed, are deficient in the heart's best feelings, the heart's best actions, and, in addition, the mind's cultivation; whose hands grasp the sordid pelf without ever opening to the plea of charity and benevolence, whose minds are as barren as their hearts; men whose souls soar not above their pockets. Of such you may call Masons by name, but their nature is earthy, and earthy it will remain. They are nothing- I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 411 arians in Masonry—" Haut nominis umbrae." Prefer the charitable, uneducated solicitor for your suffrages, to the accomplished, but pernicious seeker for admission. On the subject of admission, there is one more remark which I feel compelled to make, which I do with pain. There is a difficulty as to the reception of some who would add increased dignity and respectability to the Order, but whose social position in life, strange to assert, would be the cause of their rejection; for no man, for instance, placed in a high official station, can fail to have his enemies; no man who has made himself con¬ spicuous by the advocacy of sentiments calculated to affect the community, can make himself acceptable to all. Therefore, he, who is almost unknown, and even illiterate, can more readily pass our portals, than the refined, the learned, the public man. I speak this with regret, but from the fact, and some recent instances have strengthened my convictions, of its truth. In some of our largest bodies, committees have reported warmly in favor of applicants, and their report sanctioned and confirmed by nearly all present, and still one has been found willing to place his personal pique against the united wishes of all his brethren ; to place a seal of condemnation on one, obviously from purely selfish considerations alone. Such a one may shake the prosperity of a Lodge, and undermine its prospects, would indulge his petty malice, irrespective of its wicked consequence, lost to all the considerations which should actuate the true man, more especially the true Mason. Every year an invitation has been received from some subordinate Lodge, re¬ questing the presence of the officers of this Grand Lodge on the festival of the 24th of June, which has usually been accepted. The proper observance of that day should be preserved by all Masons ; but might it not be effected by less open manifestation ? by less public show ? The Grand Lodge should not be called on to leave the respective bodies, of which its officers are members, in order to present itself as an addition to a public show. The more unobtrusive as a fraternity, the more we keep ourselves within our own precincts, the better. On no occasion, save an imperative Masonic one, should the Order be seen in public; and it is to be hoped that this expression of the opinion of the Chair may be considered as a sufficient indication of his individual judgment, only to be overruled by the wishes of the majority constituting his advisers. One more remark ere closing this imperfect address—one dictated by truth, and one most agreeable to my feelings to announce. During my previous administra¬ tion, Germania Lodge was chartered, though not without considerable opposition from some of the most eminent of our Order; with the sincerest satisfaction, it can now be thus openly stated, and in justice to the members of that Lodge it should be done, that there is not in Massachusetts one more orderly, better disciplined, or which fulfils the high mission of a Lodge more satisfactorily than this band of our Teutonic brethren. Once more we are gathered together under our own roof. These Halls of Ma¬ sonry are ours. May they be sanctified by its influences and teachings. Here may brotherly love be engendered and perpetuated. May the good and the true be added to its numbers, and all who shall here receive light, find it not in vain, that they have sought the communion of that venerable Order whose grand char¬ acteristics are unwearied zeal in a brother's cause and universal benevolence. And can I better close these few remarks, than, in the language of one of the most ardent and pious of our departed members: "Supreme Architect of all worlds! Vouchsafe to accept our services to the glory of thy holy name! Make these walls salvation, and its arch praise ! May the brethren, who shall here assemble, meet in unity, work in love, and part in harmony! May Fidelity keep the door, Faith prompt the duties, Hope animate the labors, and Charity diffuse the blessings of the Order. May Wisdom and Virtue distinguish the Fraternity, and Masonry become glorious in all the earth." We reluctantly pass the remainder of this address, commending the thoughts and ideas we have copied to the calm consideration of our own readers, and trust that they may be as "seed sown in good ground." At the conclusion of the ad- 412 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., dress, a procession was formed and repaired to the Banquet Hall, where the "An¬ nual Feast" was celebrated " according to ancient Masonic usage." The pamphlet containing the proceedings on the occasion of dedicating the new Masonic Hall is one of no ordinary interest. In its pages is embraced a history of the earliest efforts made to erect a Grand Lodge Hall, and the successive stages through which those efforts passed until their final success in 1832. Had we space, we should be pleased to extract whole pages from this pamphlet, but we can only refer to one item. From this publication, we learn that the Grand Lodge of Mas¬ sachusetts was organized in the year 1733—one hundred and twenty-seven years ago—and, without interruption, has regularly assembled for the transaction of business. In the year 1817, the Grand Lodge received a charter of incorporation from the Legislature of the State, enpowering it to hold real estate to the amount of twenty thousand dollars, and personal estate to the value of sixty thousand dollars. When the old Temple was completed, at a cost of about forty- five thousand, application was made to the legislature of 1833 for a change in the grant, so as to authorize the Grand Lodge to hold an increased value of real estate and less personalty. This application was refused—the spirit of anti-Masonry being rampant in the councils of the State. Immediately thereafter, the Grand Lodge resolved to place its property in the hands of trustees, specifying the pur¬ poses for which it was to be held, at the same time determining to surrender its act of incorporation, and appointed a committee to present the same to the State authorities, and, in a memorial, gave their reasons for so doing. The document, prepared by a special committee of the Grand Lodge, is a calm and dignified de¬ fence of the Masonic Institution, and although the matters treated of more par¬ ticularly concerned our brethren of Massachusetts, yet we are sure we can do our own brethren no greater service than by copying the memorial entire, as a remi¬ niscence of times that but few of the Masons of the present day have any knowledge of : To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled : The Memorial of the undersigned, the Master and Wardens of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons, within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, respectfully represents: That the said Grand Lodge was established and organized in the then town of Boston, in said Commonwealth, as a voluntary association, on the 30th of July, A. D. 1733—assuming and exercising all the powers, rights, and privileges which, by the ancient laws and usages recognized by the Fraternity of Free Masons, in their consociated capacity, it was empowered so to assume and exercise ; that, in the legitimate exercise of those powers and privileges, and in its oflBcial capacity, as the head of a prosperous and growing Benevolent Association, by the liberal donations of individual Free Masons, and by the usual contributions of the subor¬ dinate Lodges, it was, in time, enabled to create and establish the Fund known as the "Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts;" subject to the pro¬ vision that the income thereof should be held in sacred trust for, and faithfully applied to, charitable purposes—to the relief of the distressed and suffering. 'And your memorialists have the gratification to believe that the letter and spirit of this provision have ever been, and they trust will long continue to be scrupulously observed and performed. Your memorialists further represent: That from the period of its establishment until the year 1817, this Fund was held by and under the control and direction of the said Grand Lodge, acting as a voluntary association. This tenure was not only I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 413 thought to be insecure, but the management of the Fund was found to be attended with the various and unavoidable difficulties which are always incident to the con¬ duct of property thus situated. Under these circumstances, and in the belief that an Act of incorporation would increase the security of the Fund, and facilitate the distribution of its charities, Francis J. Oliver, Esq., and others, members of the said Grand Lodge, petitioned and obtained of the Honorable Legislature, on the 16th of June, 1817, an Act, by which the Master, Wardens, and Members of the Grand Lodge were incorporated and made a body politic, authorized and empowered to take by purchase, gift, grant, or otherwise, and hold real estate, not exceeding the value of twenty thousand dollars, and personal estate, not exceeding the value of sixty thousand dollars; and to have and exercise all the privileges usually given by acts of incorporation to charitable societies. And so far as the knowledge of your memorialists extends, or their experience enables them to judge, they most confidently believe and affirm : That all the transactions of the said Grand Lodge (with the single exception hereafter noted) have been conducted with a scrupulous regard to the original purposes of its institution, and with an honorable endeavor to preserve the inviolability of the corporate powers with which it was invested by the Honorable Legislature of the Commonwealth; that, in the performance of the interesting duties pertaining to this connection, its members have conducted as honest and peaceable citizens, recognizing in the following "Ancient Charges" of their Order unexceptionable rules of duty in all their social and political relations; that they have "agreed to be good men and true, and strictly to obey the moral law ; to be peaceable subjects, and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which they reside; not to be concerned in plots or conspiracies against govern¬ ment, but patiently to submit to the decisions of the supreme legislature; to pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate, to work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably with all men* and that, confidently relying on the protection guaran¬ teed alike to all classes of citizens, by their written constitutions, they have rested quietly under their own vine and fig-tree, giving just cause of offence to none, and willing to believe they have none to molest or make them afraid. Such was the condition of the affairs of the said Grand Lodge prior to the sum¬ mer of the year 1830, when, having previously been under the necessity of vacating the commodious apartments which it had for a long term of years occupied in one of the public buildings of the city, and experiencing much inconvenience from the want of suitable permanent accommodations for the transaction of Masonic business, it was proposed and determined, by a unanimous vote of its members, to erect an edifice, which, while it affords ample accommodations for the fraternity, should also be an ornament to the city and a public convenience. Your memo¬ rialists would not disguise the fact, that considerations of revenue contributed to produce this determination on the part of the Grand Lodge. As the depository and guardian of a Charitable Fund, the Grand Lodge held itself morally respon¬ sible to the indigent recipients of the charities accruing from it, and felt bound to see that it was rendered as productive as a proper regard to its security would allow. Under these circumstances, and not entertaining a suspicion that the Honorable Legislature would refuse, or that the most unyielding among the opponents of Free Masonry could object to such a modification of its Act of incorporation as would enable it to hold a greater amount of real estate, and proportionally less of personal estate, than it was then empowered to do—the said Grand Lodge, in the autumn of 1830, laid the corner-stone of the building known as the "Masonic Temple," in the city of Boston. The original purchase of this estate was far within the amount which the act of incorporation authorized the Grand Lodge to hold; but foreseeing that the aug¬ menting value of the rising structure would exceed this amount, a petition was presented to the Honorable Legislature, at the winter session of 1831, praying for such a modification of its corporate powers as would enable it to hold real estate, not exceeding the value of sixty thousand dollars, and personal estate, not ex- Book of " Masonic Constitutions." 414 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., ceeding the value of twenty thousand dollars. The petitioners did not ask for an extension of their corporate powers, nor to be invested with any additional ones; but simply for such a modification of the rights and powers which they already enjoyed as the Honorable Legislature has always shown itself willing to make for the accommodation of other corporate associations; a modification which, your memorialists humbly conceive, was calculated to lessen rather than to increase the power of the corporation, and by which no principle of law or policy was to be surrendered or prejudicially affected. For reasons which impartial history will doubtless exhibit, but the pertinence of which the wisdom of the historian may not easily recognize, the prayer of these petitioners was not granted. The embarrassment in which this unexpected result involved the corporation will readily occur to your honorable body. The land on which the contemplated building was to be erected had been purchased, the foundation laid, and the con¬ tracts made for its erection. Your memorialists respectfully submit that there can be no difference of opinion among the ingenuous and unprejudiced portion of your honorable body in respect to the course it was proper, under these circumstances, for the Grand Lodge to pursue. It determined to go on with the erection of the building it had commenced, and either to trust to the magnanimity and justice of a future Legislature, for the necessary modification of its Act of incorporation, or to dispose of the property, as circumstances might dictate, when it should become saleable. For reasons, with which it is unnecessary to trouble the Legislature, the Grand Lodge have adopted the latter alternative. Although your memorialists had observed in the proceedings of a former Legis¬ lature that certain citizens, professing to be jealous of the powers conferred by our Act of incorporation, or of the manner in which they were exercised, had ap¬ plied for a repeal of it, we had received no formal notice of any measure for that purpose until a few days ago, when a Circular, purporting to be a copy of a Me¬ morial to your honorable body, was addressed and handed to all the principal offi¬ cers of the said Grand Lodge, by a sheriff. The ultimate object of this petition seems to be a revocation of the Act of incorporation of the Grand Lodge. On the face of it, however, it spread out a series of direct charges and scandalous insinu¬ ations against the principles and practices of that corporation. But, as they are true or supposable only as a faithful representation of the spirit and proceedings of those who originated them, a due regard to the blamelessness and respectability of the said Grand Lodge, as well as a personal sense of self-respect, alike admonish your memorialists to refrain from any more particular notice of them. The Grand Lodge can enter into no discussion of the principles of Free Masonry with preju¬ diced and abusive partisans ; but especially would it avoid the indecorum of obtruding such a controversy into the presence of the Legislature of the Common¬ wealth. All controversy which may be honorably avoided is inconsistent with the conciliatory precepts and beneficient designs of our association. We are required rather to suffer undeserved persecution and injury, than unnecessarily to maintain strife and bitterness. And although, as citizens of a government of laws, we can submit to nothing that is clearly wrong: as the friends of peace and order, we can persist in nothing that is not clearly right. Actuated by these sentiments, and by a sincere desire to spare the Legislature the annoyance and unprofitable consump¬ tion of time, which the political party interested in the petition may otherwise occasion, the Grand Lodge has determined to make a voluntary surrender of its civil charter; and the undersigned, the present memorialists, have been duly appointed to inform the Honorable Legislature that, by a vote passed at a regular meeting of that Corporation, on the evening of December 27, 1833, (a copy of which is hereunto annexed,) its corporate powers were relinquished, its Act of in¬ corporation vacated, and your memorialists instructed to return it to the Honorable Legislature, from whom it was derived. Finally, that there may be no misunderstanding in this matter, either in the Legislature or among our fellow-citizens, we beg leave to represent precisely the nature and extent of the surrender contained in this Memorial. By divesting itself of its corporate powers, the Grand Lodge has relinquished none of its Masonic at¬ tributes or prerogatives. These it claims to hold and exercise independently alike ot popular will and legal enactment—not of toleration, but of right. Its members I860.] GRAND LODGE OE TENNESSEE. 415 are intelligent freemen, and although willing to restore any gift or advantage derived from the government, whenever it becomes an object of jealousy, however unfounded, nothing is further from their intentions, or from their convictions of duty, than to sacrifice a private institution for social and benevolent purposes— the interests of which have been intrusted to them—in order to appease a popular excitement, of which that institution may have been the innocent occasion. John Abbot, Master. Elias Haskell, Benj. B. Appleton, Wardens of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. A remarkable change has been effected in public opinion, and that too without resorting to any efforts on the part of the Fraternity to bring it about. Quietly sustaining itself in a consciousness of right, the brethren calmly awaited the day of their justification. Property not then saleable for more than thirty-five thousand dollars was recently sold for one hundred and five thousand dollars, and the pro¬ ceeds invested in other property, affording more commodious apartments for the accommodation of the Grand Lodge and the other Masonic bodies of the city of Boston. The Legislature of the State has also granted another Act of incorpora¬ tion; thus placing another dooument upon record, in effect condemning those un¬ scrupulous partisans who had aspersed the character of the Institution. Grand Secretary reelected. 21. Pennsylvania—Abstract of Proceedings for the year 1859, embracing quarterly and annual sessions—the latter occurring on December 27th. M. W. Henb.y M. Phillips, Grand Master; R. W. William H. Adams, Grand Secretary. The proceedings of the quarterly meetings were almost exclusively devoted to local matters. At an extra quarterly session, a report was presented from the com¬ mittee on Correspondence, in which, after giving the names of the several Grand Lodges, and date of meetings, they say : The proceedings of the several Grand Lodges are highly interesting. They pre¬ sent, in a large majority of instances, a most elaborate annual history of the Order, in its separate jurisdictions. The addresses of the Grand Masters contain full and explicit accounts of their views and actions in regard to both general principles and special questions, which have required, and annually require, the care and supervision of the Oriental Chair. The reports of the various committees of cor¬ respondence are equally important, and in no case fail to excite the earnest atten¬ tion of the craft everywhere. The amount of patient labor bestowed on some of these reports, demands our admiration. Their perusal has clearly shown that the proceedings of each Grand Lodge has been carefully scrutinized by the others with which they are in correspondence. Notwithstanding this, the Committee express the opinion that there is no neces¬ sity for so much elaborateness of detail; that "theintent and purpose of a com¬ mittee of Correspondence, is not to examine the proceedings of sister sovereign jurisdictions, which relate to their individual business ; to except to, criticize, con¬ demn, or oppose what relates exclusively to their domestic interests; to raise questions which are designated Masonic, in order thereby to elevate their posi¬ tion high enough to justify their almost universal consideration; or to invite controversy, by creating contrariety of views, and possibly excite discussion and differences on wholly unimportant points in order to give consequence to ex¬ pressed opinions." And then the Committee, we suppose for the purpose of illus- 416 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., trating their own text, discuss the operations of the Craft in Canada, in severing their connection with the mother Grand Lodge. We would respectfully ask our brethren of the Keystone State, whether the present system is not far preferable to the old one of repeating in each year's proceedings the stereotyped report, viz.: Your committee on Correspondence have carefully examined the proceedings of other Grand Lodges, and find nothing in them of special interest to the Fraternity in this jurisdiction. Such was the character of nearly all reports twenty years ago, and of not a few of them even later than this date. It may be safely admitted that all the reports at this day are not altogether what they should be; but shall we throw aside a positive good because some inconsiderate committee has transcended its legitimate sphere? Certainly not. Even Pennsylvania has, perhaps unknowingly, contri¬ buted something to the enlightenment of the Fraternity, by publishing such sen¬ timents as the following, which we cull from the report now before us: Free Masonry is universal. It is coextensive with population. The rights and privileges are the same, wherever conferred. The Craft owes one primary duty everywhere, and that is, to maintain the Order in its integrity, and disown and condemn all clandestine institutions. A free and accepted Mason can enjoy the rights and privileges he possesses, in any clime, country, or commonwealth. Grand Lodges of Masons are creations of the Craft, for their government, and tribunals to preserve and protect these rights and privileges from innovations or violations. They are sovereign and supreme in their very nature, because they hold and exercise all the powers known to Masonry, conferred on them for the objects of their institution. If it were not so, they would be powerless in pur¬ pose. They cannot permit or admit any coordinate authority to interfere with their action. This would destroy their essential character. It may be assumed as an axiomatic Masonic principle, that a Grand Lodge which claims a territorial or geographical boundary, must maintain throughout this boundary a coextensive Masonic, supreme, sovereign jurisdiction. A violation of this principle would necessarily create confusion, produce perplexity, destroy order, introduce discord, and finally end in contest. They declare that two Grand Lodges cannot exist in the same jurisdiction, and that such a condition of affairs is an anomaly—a Masonic contradiction; and they approve the declaration of our Canadian brethren, wherein they agree "to the well- recognized principle of Masonic jurisprudence, that more than one Grand Lodge cannot exist in the same Kingdom, State, or Territory, without destroying that unity which must be admitted as forming the basis of Masonic legislation." They fur¬ ther say: It is of importance that this principle of Masonic jurisprudence should be fully recognized, or else questions may arise, if they have not already arisen, which may give to the Masonic Order questions to discuss and decide, which will excite feel¬ ings and opinions at war with the unity and harmony of Free Masonry. In following this principle out to its conclusions, our Grand Lodges will then be forced to assert, as a cardinal axiom, that no foreign Grand Lodge should grant authority to Masons to exercise Masonic powers of any kind, within the jurisdic¬ tion of a regular Grand Lodge. This course would be but fraternal on their part, evince a proper respect for a sister Grand Lodge, show a feeling of courtesy and kindness to a sovereign authority, and save the Craft from discord. Establish this principle as universal for the cordial unity, harmony, strength, and virtue of the Order round the world. To all this we cordially agree, and thank the Committee for the expression of such conservative sentiments. I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 417 The Grand Officers elect were installed at the annual meeting, (December 27,) and the Grand-Master delivered a brief address on taking the Chair, in which he says: The lesson taught within the Lodge should be practiced out of it: the harmony, the concord there existing, can and should be made to exist in every department of life: the concessions made, the relinquishments of opinion, and the cheerful acquiescence in every result, are but the contributions which each member of society is expected to place upon its altar. Masonry is everywhere conservative. While the Mason, on entering within its portals, receives the assurance that he will there find nothing repugnant to his morals nor the laws of his country, a proper observance of them is expected from him. Again he remarks: I desire, brethren, to awaken in your minds a due sense of the impropriety of admitting into your Lodges those who are not sensible of the character of the obli¬ gations which rest on them as members of a Society devoted to the loftiest prin¬ ciples of truth, honor, and cordial brotherhood. Masonry is not a name to be used for selfish, personal, or interested purposes; and he who enters into membership with any such conceptions of its uses, is unworthy of the rights and privileges he seeks. Too much care cannot be taken in all the preparatory steps to such admis¬ sion, and I charge you carefully to criticise all applications for membership, as an important part of the duty enjoined on you. See that it is discharged with dili¬ gence and truth. It is of great importance to the peace and harmony of the Order, that detrac¬ tion, evil-speaking one of another, should be discontinued. The harmony which should ever prevail among the members of Lodges, is best preserved when no encouragement is given to the tongue of slander, however silvery its tone. To wound unjustifiably the feelings of a brother, is an injury to the Masonic body: but to do injustice to a brother, is a Masonic crime. I speak to you on this sub¬ ject by way of caution, only to warn you of the evils that thus arise, and to sug¬ gest that the amplest restitution for an unwarranted injustice or injury is rarely able to restore the truly good feeling that had previously existed. In this connec¬ tion let me remark, that in dealing with an offending brother for just cause, we should seek to avoid every consideration but the best interests of the Lodge and the member. There are often explanations which, frankly and honorably made, would tend very much to remove misunderstandings, and terminate a controversy. We should seek all such means to avert the hasty results which follow hasty and ex parte action. Go to the brother who has offended you, and agree with him, if you can thereby save him from reproaches, or a reconciliation is possible and proper. And thus we end our review of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, and do not think we have in the slightest degree trespassed upon its peculiar prerogatives, unless sentiments like those we have quoted are patent to this jurisdiction: not¬ withstanding such may be the case, we trust the result of our poaching will make our readers better, if not wiser Masons. And in conclusion, we present one more paragraph from the address of Grand Master Phillips : It gives me pleasure to know that the relations between the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and all the Grand Lodges of the United States, are of the most friendly character. All bound in a common heritage of fraternal sympathy and harmony, it is the duty of each and all to cultivate these relations without impair¬ ing their independence. Masonry is universal—it belongs to mankind: its objects and aims are identical in every country and clime: there can be, therefore, no reason why the separate organizations of the Craft should not be united in the bonds of fellowship and harmony. The proceedings of the Grand Lodges referred to manifest their entire appreciation of this feeling. May it ever continue! We wish them happiness and prosperity. Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 27 418 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., 22. Florida—Annual Communication held at Tallahassee, January 9, 1860. M. W. Thomas Hayward, Grand Master; R. W. John B. Taylor, Grand Secre¬ tary. Representatives from thirty Lodges in attendance. From the brief address of the Grand Master, we learn that the Order is in a flourishing condition in his jurisdiction, and that another eminent brother has fallen before a shaft of the "insatiate archer"—Brother Gad Humphreys, Past Grand Master. No dispensations for new Lodges are reported as having been issued—a fact we are glad to chronicle. He also practically remarks: I will not delay your time by eulogizing the principles of our Order. If we will let our light shine before men, they will see our good works, and that will be of more practical benefit both to ourselves and the Fraternity than all the eloquent and beautiful embellishments of the theorist, and the parrot-like lecturers which are often misnamed bright Masons. Let our Masters and Wardens practice them¬ selves what they profess to teach, and for every trespass against our rules admon¬ ish with friendship, reprehend with justice; if this fail, let the law be enforced, and cast the trespasser out as unfit for the building, and let none be admitted when any doubt exists of unworthiness; then we may boast of our Order, and it will want no eulogizing; and when we see a Mason, we shall know he is true and trusty. The Grand Master alludes to the apparent haste with which the business of the Grand Lodge was transacted at the preceding session, which, in a great measure, was owing to the wasting of time at the commencement of their labors, and "then to get through the business in a week, to hurry every thing without reflection and due deliberation." We are by no means sure that the Grand Lodge of Florida stands alone in this particular. The proceedings also record the death of another Past Grand Master, Rev. Jesse Coe. "Possessed of an ample estate, he was a faithful steward of his Divine Master, for he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and by the grace that was given him, administered the consolations of religion to the dying." Immediately after the close of the session, still another Past Grand Master—Bro. Robert Butler—was called to his reward. He was one of the founders of the Grand Lodge of Florida, and its second Grand Master. An emer¬ gent meeting of the Grand Lodge was called, attended bjr all the delegates who had not departed for their homes, and the body of the deceased brother consigned to its last resting-place with the funeral honors of the Order. From the address, on the occasion, by Past Grand Master Call, we learn that he entered the army at the commencement of the war in 1812: Our lamented friend inherited all the bravery and high chivalry of his illustrious race. His boyhood was spent in garrison, where his gallant father held command. He received a practical and useful education, which enabled him to become a per¬ fect man of business, and, at the commencement of the war of 1812, he entered our army. He served with distinction under Harrison in the North, and with Jackson in the South. He was engaged in the battle of the Thames, when Proctor was defeated, and Tecumseh slain. He was distinguished on every field of New Orleans. He was engaged in the battle of the 23d of December—the well-fought night battle on the left bank of the Mississippi, where the enemy was routed and driven from the field. He was engaged in the battle of the 8th of January, that gallant and glorious battle, where Packenham and Gibbs fell—where Keen was wounded— where the veteran soldiers of Wellington, who fought in the war of the Peninsula, the brave survivors of the bloody field of Badajos and Corunna, were defeated, leaving the whole plain covered with the wounded and the dead. He served in the I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 419 campaign of 1818, in Florida, and was present at the capture of St. Marks, Pen- sacola, and Barrancas As husband, father, and brother, he was exemplary in the tenderness and warmth of his affections. As a friend, he was true and sincere; as a man, he was frank in manner, firm and inflexible in all his principles, honorable in all his actions, and yet so refined in sensibilities, so tender and kind in sympathies and affection, that the unbidden tear would flow at the sight of suffering or the tale of sorrow. As a Mason, he was enlightened and full of zeal. If not the first Grand Master, he was the founder of the Grand Lodge of Florida. It was his energy, his zeal, his in¬ telligence, and his purse, which called it into being. He afterwards presided over ' it with a dignity and propriety alike honorable to him and useful to the Fraternity. Seldom, if ever, has it become the duty of your Committee to record the demise of so many Past Grand Masters in a single year. Yet we are not permitted to "sorrow as those who have no hope," for we are assured that each exemplified in his life, not only the practical teachings of Masonry, but also of those precepts inculcated by Him who "spake as never man spake." We tender our fraternal sympathies to the bereaved. M. W. D. C. Dawkins elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 23. Michigan—Annual Communication held at the city of Detroit, January 11, 1860. M. W. J. Adams Allen, Grand Master; B. W. James Fenton, Grand Secretary. One hundred and five Lodges represented. In his address, the Grand Master says: It is becoming, upon an occasion like this, that gratitude to the Supreme Dis¬ poser of events should well up in an overflowing stream from the true Masonic heart, whilst the word comes up from every part of the Peninsular State, that harmony, and brotherly feeling, prosperity, and universal good-will, encompass and pervade the Lodges ; that the teachings of our art are everywhere manifest¬ ing their influence, not in words, and ceremonies, and forms, only, but within the heart of hearts of all the affiliated. The workmen have been uninterrupted during the progress of their labors upon our moral temple—peace within, and commend¬ ation without, have been the rule, to which exceptions have been both trivial and rare. To-day, Masonry in Michigan occupies the highest position it has ever known, whether we consuls its moral or material grandeur. And so far as came within his observation, the accessions to the Order have been of the very best material; the brethren "have manifested an increasing and healthful desire for light, and their energies have been directed to attaining a more thoroughly complete understanding and appreciation of the great funda¬ mental principles which are the basis and inseparable bond of our union," in which consists the true safety of the Order. Seven dispensations were issued during the year. He brings to the notice of the Grand Lodge an instance where one of the Lodges had initiated a candidate " dismembered of a foot," which he condemns in strong language, and issued his mandate forbidding the Lodge to confer any more degrees upon him. He also refers to what is called " side-degrees: Whatever the denomination of these side-degrees, whether effable or ineffable, they are no part of Masonry. The "Blue Lodge" contains the body and soul of Masonry ; and it is not an exaggeration or extravagance to say that in its forms and symbolism, in its ritual and history, in the assimilation and practice "of its teachings, there is ample room for even the greatest minds to put forth all their powers. It is to be feared that these various side-degrees, even though by pro¬ gressive improvement they eventually become systematized, will distract the at¬ tention from, and dissipate interest in, the true Lodge. 420 PBOCEEDINGS OE THE [Oct., Historically, it is well known that connection with these degrees was no more necessary to the perfect Mason, than was connection with some orthodox or he¬ terodox sect. The Blue Lodge is not developed as it should he, because the best workmen are too often drained off to erect other edifices than the true temple. Thus the modern system of Masonry is becoming involved in a mazy and inextricable labyrinth of confused organizations. Wheels are put upon wheels, and within wheels, until the very nomenclature of these excrescences upon the before-time healthy trunk of Masonry has become a terror. To be entitled to the appellation of a bright Ma¬ son, one must become a walking dictionary of degrees, and devote all his time and effort at memorizing and repeating. It is a pertinent question whether the Blue Lodge ought not to reassert its supremacy, and utterly disclaim all these tinselled and useless innovations. Grand Master Adams takes a correct view of the too frequent changes in the presiding officer of a Lodge : Nothing so much conduces to the prosperity and the interest felt in the Lodge, as the presence of an intelligent, experienced, ready, and exact Master. Unfortunately, the doctrine of rotation in office, so pleasant in politics to the Ame¬ rican mind, has invaded the precincts of the Lodge, and the brothers have come to look upon the Mastership as a mark of honor and distinction to be coveted, rather than as a post to be permanently occupied by him who is best adapted to oversee and direct the work. A single reelection is about all our democratic tastes are willing to tolerate, which infallibly sets aside the Master just at the period when, if he has been faithful to the trust reposed in him, his ability begins really to be developed to the full advantage of the Lodge. A proved workman should be continued in his task so long as his services can be secured. Experience upon this point is too distinct and decisive to need argu¬ ment, but I cannot forbear to commend the idea to the candid reflection of all our Lodges. He opposes the "North American Masonic Congress," as a useless expenditure of efforts and means. An address was delivered by the Grand Master during the recess of the Grand Lodge, and printed. Comments upon it were made in some Masonic jour¬ nal circulating in Michigan—where printed is not stated—in which occurs this sentence : "We see no difficulty in a Master of a Lodge assenting to the charges in the Monitor, and yet doubting the Divine authenticity of the Scriptures." A special committee reported as follows: We believe this doctrine to be downright heresy. In the judgment of your committee, the Divine authenticity of the Holy Bible is the great grand basis of Masonic belief. It is the life and soul of Masonry in all Christian coun¬ tries ; and at every step in the onward progress of the Masonic journey, his mind and thoughts are directed to the Holy Bible as containing not only the elements of his faith, but the very essence of his Masonic existence. If the Divine au¬ thenticity of the Bible be ignored, then of what use can it be in the Lodge-room within this jurisdiction, more than the Koran or any other book ? The same committee recommend the selection of the best - informed Masons for Masters of Lodges, and to make no changes as long as such are willing to serve. M. W. William L. Greenly, elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary re¬ elected. 24. Vermont—The Annual Session was held at Burlington, January 11, I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 421 1860. M. W. Philip C. Tucker, Grand Master; R. TP". John B. Hollenbeck, Grand Secretary. Fifty-two Lodges represented. The session was opened with an address from the Grand Master, in which he reported that he had granted five dispensations for new Lodges, and brings to the notice of the Grand Lodge the following singular fact: I have had to meet, the extraordinary spectacle of finding an expelled Mason filling the chair of one of our subordinate Lodges, as its regularly chosen Mas¬ ter. At first, I was wholly incredulous that such a circumstance could be possible, and yet investigation proved it to be true. I had before me, previous to taking any action in the case, a copy of the record of his expulsion from the Lodge of another State; the fact that he took no appeal—the proof of his personal iden¬ tity—evidence of his return within this Masonic jurisdiction, (from which he originally went out,) of his secreting the fact of his expulsion—of his obtaining membership improperly in the old Lodge to which he at first belonged—of his election to, and service in, the chair one year as Master, and of his reelection, and some months' service, under it in his second year. The Grand Master suspended the Master from the exercise of his office; but we are surprised that the Grand Lodge, on the report of a committee, merely confirmed his action in the matter. It should at once have declared him ex¬ pelled from the Fraternity, and ordered his name to be ignominiously stricken from the roll of the Lodge upon which he had imposed himself. Such, in our opinion, was the duty of the Grand Lodge under the circumstances, as the Lodge, by electing and installing him Master, had rendered itself powerless. A large portion of this address is devoted to statements respecting the "Webb Lectures," and the Grand Master defends himself from criticism upon his remarks last year upon the same subject. We observe, with much pleasure, the efforts made by Brother Tucker, in connection with the Grand Secretary, to gather ma¬ terial for a history of Masonry in Vermont, although his appeals to subordinate Lodges for such facts as are easily within their reach, do not seem to have met the response to which they were entitled; yet a commencement has been made, and that is a great deal gained towards the accomplishment of the desired object. Brother Hollenbeck presented the report on Correspondence, and although we cannot agree with all the positions assumed by him, we certainly concede to it great ability, and the happy faculty of placing his points well, and in the most favorable light. He truly says: A Lodge of Masons is not a Temperance Society, and however much we may desire to see a cardinal virtue of our Institution, temperance, practiced, we dislike to see that virtue made unduly prominent in our legislation. If a branch be rot¬ ten, cut it off with the keen knife of brotherly love, and not with the rough edge of stringent enactments. He quotes approvingly the following sentiments by the Grand Master of In¬ diana : Masonry was never intended to make men, but to make Masons. You will often hear a young and inexperienced brother say, in behalf of the petitioner: "The Lodge may improve him—may make a man of him." Shame on a brother that knows no better than this, for assuredly he needs making over himself, if the pat¬ tern admit of it; and yet unpleasant as the fact may be, we have members of this calibre. The time was when this was not so. By this unwise course, many have been received into the Lodge, who, from their natures, cannot but disgrace it. Commenting upon remarks made by the committee on Correspondence of Louisi- 422 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., ana, respecting the "inherent rights of Grand Masters," and their call for the authority under which these "inherent rights" are sought to be perpetuated, Brother Hollenbeck says : And yet we are unable to point out any precise " grant of such power," any more than we can find a specific grant of "power" to a Grand Lodge to control its subordinates, or which limits the jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge to the State or Territory in which it. is located. These have come down to us by general consent, and have become a law by general custom. So in relation to inherent rights of Masters. From time immemorial the doctrine of Masonry has been that the Mas¬ ter was absolute in the East; that no appeal could be taken from his decision to his Lodge, or to the Grand Lodge. An aggrieved brother may make complaint, to the Grand Lodge, but not, as our brother argues, take an appeal from the Master's decisions. So with Grand Masters. Custom and usage have made the law that no appeal can be taken from their decisions, and in all the history of Masonry we question whether an instance can be found in which this power, limited only by the constitution and regulations of the Order, has been abused. Whatever may be said of the propriety, or usage, of allowing Masters of Lodges to be absolute in their stations, the same propriety does not exist as to the Grand Masters. Masters have a well-defined authority above them, to which they are responsible for any unwarrantable exercise of the power placed in their hands. An appeal to the Grand Lodge itself atfords ample remedy for its abuse. Not so with Grand Masters, if we allow all that is claimed for them by the advocates of these extreme " inherent rights." Besides, there is a vast difference between the constitution of Lodges and Grand Lodges. In one sense they may be classed— the former as executive, and the latter as legislative bodies. And while the Mas¬ ter's power may be said to be absolute, still he must confine himself to certain fixed rules; on the other hand, a Grand Master is governed by the regulations that "all matters are to be determined in the Grand Lodge by a majority of votes, each member having one vote, and the Grand Master two votes, unless the said Lodge leave any particular thing to the determination of the Grand Master for the sake of expedition." This is an old rule, and we think it is conclusive on the "inherent right" of Grand Masters, at least on the right of appeal from their de¬ cisions in the presence of the Grand Lodge itself. In addition to this, the prac¬ tical operation of these "inherent rights" is set at naught by nearly every Grand Lodge with which we are acquainted. To illustrate: A Grand Master makes a decision on some question presented before him during the recess of the Grand Lodge, and refers the decision thus made to the consideration of the Grand Lodge when in session. The Grand Lodge reverses the decision. Now if there be no appeal from a decision of the Grand Master when occupying the chair in open Grand Lodge, how can there be a reversal of one made when the Grand Lodge is not in session ? We readily grant that, a Grand Master, by the nature of things, must be regarded as the true exponent of Masonic law for the time being, and until the next general assembly can act. The Grand Secretary reported that he received, through the Grand Lodge of New York, fifteen dollars, amount of fees received by a Lodge under that jurisdic¬ tion for conferring the degrees upon a resident under the jurisdiction of Vermont. This was right; and it was also right on the part of the Grand Lodge of Vermont to return the money thus received, as it had no controversy with New York on the subject—"for it, was principle for which we contended, and not for a few dol- I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 423 lars of paltry cash." New York "having thus proved her sense of justice and Masonic right," therefore the money was returned, and Vermont agrees to smoke the pipe of peace. If all Grand Lodges would insist upon the payment of fees to the rightful jurisdiction, (without, however, any prospect of their return,) we should hear less of these infractions of the jurisdictional rights of others. An amendment was offered to the Constitution, providing that the " Masonic dress for a Masonic funeral shall he a plain white apron, edged with blue, and white gloves, the officiating officers wearing their appropriate jewels." The amendment lies over until next year. Grand Master and Grand Secretary reelected. 25. Mississippi—Forty-second annual communication, held at Jackson, January 16, 1860. M. W. William P. Mellen, Grand Master; E. W. Ro. W. T. Daniel, Grand Secretary. One hundred and sixty-six Lodges represented. An address was delivered by the Grand Master at the opening of the session, in which he says, " Probably at no time in our history, when numbers are considered, has there been more harmony in the Craft, greater prosperity, more enlightened zeal in the prosecution of our work, or as profound a knowledge of the duties and mission of Free Masonry." But he very truly further remarks: All danger to our Institution is to be found in the interior of the Lodge. It is not the anti-Mason who placeB our temple in jeopardy. Our walls can stand the assaults of the foe, but not the undermining of our own people—those who give a character and a mission to Free Masonry unknown to our ancient brethren, and who would introduce, with their new doctrines, new organizations, and new forms of government. Either would be fatal to the Lodge, how beautiful and attractive soever it may appear at the moment. Nothing has preserved Free Masonry for so many centuries, but its perfect universality of doctrine, with its peculiarity of dis¬ cipline, while the whole has been completely subjective to the moral law. It teaches nothing contrary to the unity of both minds and hearts. So long as it maintains this character, it lives; when this ceases, it dies, and our eyes will never again behold the glory of this first temple! He then discourses upon the right, or rather propriety, of the Church of Rome, or any other association to discipline its members for their connection with Masonry—that this is a right inherent in them, and if the "ban of that Church, or other society, should fall at any time upon one of our initiates, who may be a member of it, we might regret that it should be so, but we have no right to complain. It is the individual who is wrong, in giving his allegiance to two associations at the same time." The question then naturally arises, how far it would be proper for a Lodge to take into consideration the known opposition of a religious society, in deciding upon the admission of its regular members. As Ma¬ sons, we are forbidden to question any applicant as to his religious belief on dis¬ puted doctrinal points, yet the Church of Rome makes no secret of its deadly and uncompromising hostility to the Order, and it has never failed to use the power in its hands to exterminate the Institution from countries where it has had sway. Knowing this to be a fact, would it not be prudent, just, and right, for all Lodges to decline to receive application from individuals who adhere to the communion of Rome ? Recent events point to an affirmative response. Brother Mellen again says, and his suggestions are at least worthy of consideration: There are also in our own country, other secret societies besides the Masonic, 424 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., of high character, and whose objects are most praiseworthy ; yet I look upon it as exceedingly dangerous for a conscientious man, who is a member of one secret society to join another, because he can have no assurance that he is not assuming a conflict of duties, to say nothing about the almost utter impossibility of one in¬ dividual being able to bear the burden of his accumulated obligations resulting therefrom. The confusion of mind relating to the different laws, usages, and even ceremonies, is a minor but still a considerable evil. I do not think that those who have hastened to take upon themselves new and important duties, have gen¬ erally been remarkable for the performance of those first assumed in another so¬ ciety ; though this doubtless has its exceptions. It has long been my opinion, strengthened by recent events, that we should do all that we can, consistently with our rules, to discourage this fondness for affiliation in every secret association. If we discharge all the duties of a member, according to the theory of either of them, we will perform more than usually falls to the lot of mortals, and we may well be content, in such case, with the good which we have done. Undertaking much and performing little, is not consistent with the integrity of the true man and Mason. He condemns in pointed terms the recent transaction in New Orleans, and which was prominently blazoned in the public newspapers of the day, thereby giving notoriety to the event, of what is termed " the baptism of the adoption of Lutons." To a religious mind, the whole ceremony was not only puerile, but ridi¬ culous, and is one of the fruits of aping the follies of "adoptive Masonry," ori¬ ginating in the fertile imaginations of those who seek after novelties rather than the pure and simple doctrines and ceremonies of unadulterated Masonry. Judging from the sentiments expressed in his address, Brother Meleen does not view the " Masonic Congress" with much favor, in which he is confirmed by the action of his Grand Lodge declining to become a member. He recommends aid towards the erection of a monument to the memory of John A. Quitman, Past Grand Master, and notices the deaths of Brother Samuee Cotton, P. D. G. Master, and Brother B. It. Webb, G. S. Bearer—the latter occurring on the same day with the meeting of the Grand Lodge. We regret to find in this excellent address the following announcement: In one instance, I have taken the responsibility of directing the initiation, pass¬ ing, and raising of an individual on a majority vote of the Lodge; but if it had been necessary, I should have exercised the old prerogative of the Grand Master, and made him a Mason " at sight." My verbal explanation I trust will be entirely satisfactory to you. Of course he is not admitted to membership in the Lodge in which he was initiated. If the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi confers this power upon its Grand Master, then its usage need not be controverted; but if we understand Brother Meelen rightly, he claims it as an " old prerogative" of his office, and truly it would be refreshing to have "chapter and verse" for his authority. We entertain the highest respect for the author of the address from which the above extract is taken, and we are truly sorry he has performed even one act we cannot fully approbate. Brother Daniee, Grand Secretary, presented the report on Correspondence, and shows himself fully competent to its successful performance. He bestows some hard hits, but as we do not feel the least disposed to encounter his " gleaming blade," we reluctantly pass it by, hoping, however, that his brethren will not only read, but ponder it well. The Grand Lodge attended the funeral of Brother AVebb, late Secretary of State, I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 425 appointed a committee to escort the body to its final resting-place in a distant county, and appropriated five hundred dollars towards the funeral expenses. The proceedings state that "the jewel voted to M. W. William P. Mellen, in consideration of his past valuable services as Grand Secretary, had been procured, and formally presented at the city of Vicksburg, in May, 1859, and during the session of the Grand Council of the State." An honor well merited by the re¬ cipient, and handsomely acknowledged by the Grand Lodge. Among the decisions of general interest, made by the Grand Lodge, we find the following: A member suspended by one Lodge, moved into the jurisdiction of another Lodge, where he is charged with gross unmasonic conduct—has the latter a right to try him ? Decided in the affirmative. When a brother is suspended for non-payment of dues, and is guilty of unma¬ sonic conduct whilst under such suspension, can he be brought to trial for such unmasonic conduct without first being restored to membership ? Decided in the affirmative, and if the suspension was on account of non-payment of dues, it is not necessary to remit the dues before he can be put on trial. That this Grand Lodge considers the practice of installing officers by proxy, improper, and hereby prohibits the same, and directs that in all cases where the officer elect, either in Grand or subordinate Lodges, shall be absent on the day appointed for installation, he shall not be installed, but the old officer shall hold over until the newly elected can be personally charged and inducted into office, either by the regular installing officer, or by some one duly authorized. The Grand Lodge gracefully acknowledged by resolutions, fraternal courtesies extended to Brother Charles Copperl, P. D. G. Master, by Weedsport Lodge, No. 385, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York. It is pleasant to record instances of this kind, and we copy the language of the resolution it¬ self as a fitting testimonial for a fraternal deed: The sympathy to our brother evinced by those Masons of New York, and their sweet and touching kindness to one who was personally a stranger, touches a chord in our heart which calls for a warm and brotherly response. The hour of sorrow is the hour that tries friendship, and in the instance of our brother, when he stood in a strange land, overwhelmed with grief at the sad bereave¬ ment which was his lot, the hand of brotherly friendship came in to dry up the tear, to assuage the poignancy of the wound, and to heal the sorrows of the break¬ ing heart. It will be recollected that the Grand Lodge of Mississippi has had under con¬ sideration an amendment to its constitution, declaring in substance that the Grand Lodge has the power of restoring an expelled brother to membership in a parti¬ cular Lodge, as well as to the privileges of Masonry. This amendment was pre¬ sented two years previously, and referred to a committee. At the succeeding ses¬ sion, the committee made two reports, both arguing the question at considerable length, the substance of which was given in our report last year. Final deci¬ sion was deferred until this time, when the Grand Lodge refused to adopt the amendment, thus declaring that it cannot, or will not, restore an expelled mem¬ ber in the manner proposed. We think the decision is correct. M. W. David Mitchell elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 26. JVeW Jersey—Journal of Special Meetings of the Grand Lodge for 1859,, and Annual Communication, held at Trenton, January 18, 1860. M. W. Joseph: 8 426 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [Oct., Thimble, Grand Master; R. W. Joseph H. Hough, Grand Secretary. Delegates from forty-six Lodges present at the annual session. A remarkable fact is presented in the address of the Grand Master, viz.: he reports having granted only one dispensation during the year, for which he is to be commended. The Grand Master says: It is essentially necessary that the officers and members of all Lodges under¬ stand their esoteric duties; but at the same time the exoteric should not be neglected, otherwise we may lose the spirit of Masonry by attending altogether to the letter; and thus the Institution which is intended to promote and encourage the growth of all that is good within us, may degenerate into a profession without practice, either bringing forth no fruit or producing evil. I would therefore urge upon the Masters of Lodges, when time and opportunity offer, to lecture their brethren before closing upon some part of the duty which those who profess to be Masons owe to religion, to themselves, to the Lodge, their brethren, and to the community. Such instruction, delivered clearly and plainly by the Master of a Lodge, will have great effect in sustaining the weak, encouraging the timid, repressing the bold, and eradicating any vice that may prevail among the mem¬ bers. Should the Master from any cause be unable to perform this duty, which I conceive he owes to those he is called upon to guide and govern, then I would recommend the Lodges to appoint some experienced brother to that duty; and should the business of the Lodge be so great at its regular meetings as to make it inconvenient to spare the time required, let them appoint a special meeting for the purpose. It may be objected that the attendance at the meetings so called would be small, and therefore no good would result; but I think it will be found that these meetings, if properly conducted, the duties of the brethren clearly laid down, and their faults and shortcomings plainly set forth in a spirit of brotherly kindness and charity, will be more largely attended, perhaps, than any other, and the benefit produced will amply repay the exertion. The report on Correspondence, by the Grand Secretary, fully sustains the repu¬ tation attained by former reports. The committee approve of the action of the Grand Lodge of Maine, in regard to a violation of its jurisdictional rights by a Lodge working under charter from the Grand Lodge of England. Under the head of "Tennessee," he quotes extracts from th$ address of Grand Master Frizzell, and two reports from committee on Masonic Jurisprudence. M. W. Isaac Van Wagoner elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 27. Louisiana—The forty-eighth Annual Session was held in the City of New Orleans, February 13, 1860. M. W. Samuel M. Todd, Grand Master; R. W. Samuel G. Risk, Grand Secretary. Eighty-eight Lodges represented. The Grand Master delivered an address at the opening of the Grand Lodge, in which he states that "Masonry in Louisiana is in a highly prosperous condition," the brotherhood growing in numbers and in unity, increasing its capacity and its will to disseminate light and knowledge, cultivating charity and good works, and promoting happiness. Notwithstanding this prosperity, the Fraternity have lost two worthies—Brothers Robert Preaux and Amos Adams, Past Grand Masters. A singular case of fraud and deception is thus brought to the notice of the Grand Lodge: A number of Masons residing at Lake Charles, parish of Calcasieu, being desir¬ ous of forming themselves into a Lodge, had associated themselves together for that purpose, and obtained, through the instrumentality of one James K. Belden, what they supposed to be a dispensation from our late Grand Master Adams, and under this authority met regularly as a Lodge during part of the year 1858, and I860.] GRAND LODGE OP TENNESSEE. 427 until the assembling of the Grand Lodge, in February, 1859, when, desiring a charter, the members placed the dispensation under which they had been working, with a copy of their proceedings, in the hands of the said Belden, furnishing him, at the same time, with the requisite funds for that purpose. After waiting a con¬ siderable time, the brethren became impatient, and addressed letters of inquiry to Past Grand Master Adams, and to the Grand Secretary, when, for the first time, it was discovered that the pretended dispensation was a forgery, and that no such document had ever been issued by the Grand Master. Finding themselves in this unpleasant position, the brethren at Lake Charles made a full representation of these facts, and applied for a dispensation to open a regular Lodge, procuring the recommendation of Tunica Lodge, No. 63, and the warm personal recommendation of R. W. Brother Thomas H. Lewis. Having satisfied himself of the correctness of the statements, the Grand Master issued a dispensation, healed such brethren as had received their degrees under the forged authority, and formed them into a regular Lodge. How an imposture of this kind could be carried on for so long a time without discovery, we are at a loss to determine. Were there no Lodges in the vicinity? Did no brethren from other points visit the Lodge ? To say the least, there must have been the most unbounded confidence on one side, and skill and duplicity, almost passing belief, on the other. On the subject of granting dispensations for conferring degrees, the Grand Master occupies a conservative position, and gives his views as follows: I have refused in a number of instances to grant dispensations, where the rea¬ sons given by the applicants did not appear sufficient to authorize me to set aside any of the positive enactments of the Grand Lodge; and in every case where I have exercised this great authority, I have done so with much reluctance, and only where the exigencies of the particular case seemed to require it. Many persons who have lived for years in the vicinity of Masonic Lodges, with¬ out ever manifesting any desire to become acquainted with our mysteries, sud¬ denly, when about to undertake a journey, make application to become Masons. If successful, and hurried through the several degrees without due preparation, they are sent abroad, crude and untutored in our beautiful art, scarcely able to make themselves known as Masons, reflecting no credit upon the Lodge which sent them forth, or upon the Fraternity; not feeling a due reverence for an Insti¬ tution about which they know so little, and into which they had obtained so easy an admittance. I do not think it just either to the candidate or to the Fraternity to confer the degrees of Masonry in a hasty and imperfect manner, or to omit the instructions so necessary to a full understanding of our ceremonies. It is better for the interests of our Order that we should less desire to make many Masons, than to make worthy and well-instructed Masons. Among the decisions made by Brother Todd, we find the following: That the standing or position of a brother in the Lodge is not affected in consequence of his preferring charges against another brother; and that a member who prefers charges against a brother Mason cannot vote upon the trial of the accused. That a Lodge cannot, by a simple resolution, legally reinstate as a member a brother who has previously demitted, but to whom the certificate of demit has not been issued by the Secretary; for, although the brother had not received his cer¬ tificate, yet his demit having been granted by the Lodge, its non-issuance does not affect his position as a demitted or unaffiliated Mason That no Lodge can be legally opened, or any business transacted, unless the Worshipful Master or one of the Wardens be present. . . That it is contrary to the voluntary character of our Institution to compel a brother to accept an office, which he felt unwilling to fill, or unable to perform the duties of; for although it is a well-settled principle in Masonry that no brother 428 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., should seek office, or decline one without good and sufficient reasons, yet if the brother elected to office feels himself incapable of performing its duties, he would be acting properly and Masonically in declining to serve. That it is highly improper for any Lodge to issue any pamphlet reflecting in any manner upon the Grand Lodge or any sister Lodge; and that no Lodge should publish or bring any Masonic matters before the public, by circular or otherwise, without submitting the same to the Grand Lodge, and obtaining its sanction. . . . That no one can be admitted to a participation of our mysteries, even after undergoing the ordeal of the ballot, so long as a brother of the Lodge objects to him as unworthy. If, however, the candidate has received his first degree, and has been elected to receive his second, he cannot be stopped except by having charges preferred against him. That every Mason possesses the right to object to the introduction of a candidate into a Lodge, but he should make known the reason of such objection, when it would be the duty of a Lodge to consider and weigh the objection carefully, and if deemed valid, exclude the candidate from the portals of Free Masonry until fully satisfied of his worthiness. The general principles announced in the two last above quoted, are correct; but we cannot agree that it is necessary for an objecting brother to give his rea¬ sons therefor, the sufficiency of which is to be judged by the Lodge. The privilege of objecting to initiation or advancement is held next to the actual ballot in sacred- ness. If unanimity is to be attained, no impediments of a technical nature should be interposed in the manner of its expression. Referring to the existence in New Orleans of associations claiming to be Masons, and holding meetings with the forms of Masons, but really without any legal authority whatever, the Grand Master says: The number of clandestine Lodges in this city appears to have increased since our last assembly, judging from their advertisements. The instigators of these illegal and self-constituted associations have grown bolder in their movements, and have attempted to extend their organization into the rural districts of our State, without, however, having attained more than a slight foothold. During the past year I have received several communications from persons who have been deceived into joining one or another of these pretended Masonic Lodges. One, indignant at the deceit practiced upon him, writes that, after being furnished with a diploma signed by the officers of the self-styled "Supreme Council," he took his departure for foreign countries, but that his profession as the master of a vessel soon showed him the irregularity of that false jurisdiction; "for (he says) everywhere I pre¬ sented myself, in Marseilles, London, Gibraltar, New York, etc., I was shamefully rejected as a clandestine Mason." In this case, and in others where the parties applying were known to be worthy men, who had been induced to join these irregular bodies through a misconception of their true character, I have been solicited to grant dispensations to permit them to be healed, and admitted amongst us as regular Masons; but, deeming the rule adopted by the Grand Lodge at its last session to be the correct one under every view of Masonic law and good policy, I have uniformly refused. I am informed that a number of similar applications will be made direct to your M. W. Body at this communication, which you will dispose of as your best judgment shall dictate. Notwithstanding all that has been published in your proceedings guarding the Fraternity against these pretenders to Masonry, I have found it necessary to write to brethren in several of the adjoining States upon this subject, as I have suc¬ cessively learned of the attempt of these persons to visit Masonic Lodges, repre¬ senting themselves as regular Masons, although the organization to which th^y belong is not recognized by Masons in any portion of the globe. I would not advise any departure from the course hitherto pursued, of treating all published communications from this illegal body with silence; but I think it highly necessary every Lodge in this country should be furnished with a list of the regular I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 429 Masonic Lodges in this city and State, and a similar list sent to our brethren in all the principal cities of the world, as a plain act of duty to our brothers every¬ where, to protect them against imposition. We are gratified to learn, from the proceedings before us, that the last note for the purchase of the Grand Lodge Hall has been paid, and that the extensive pro¬ perty now belongs to the Fraternity without any incumbrance except a small debt owing to brethren who generously loaned money to the Grand Lodge. The cost of the property, as stated in a report from the Board of Directors, including in¬ terest and repairs, etc., amounts in the aggregate to nearly $97,000. When we recollect that the income from this magnificent investment is pledged perpetually to purposes of charity, and the difficulties surmounted in its accomplishment, we are not at all surprised at the exultation that must pervade the bosoms of those who have labored so faithfully to bring the matter to the present successful result. The wisdom of the scheme is now apparent, and even doubters and decided op¬ ponents are compelled to admire the foresight of its projectors. And all this has been accomplished in the short period of seven years. Truly may the directors ask, " When and where has any thing like it been attempted ?" We have ever found members of the Fraternity readily responding to appeals for beneficent con¬ tributions, but such responses have been of a fitful character. They are too de¬ sirous to see immediate results flowing from their contributions—are too impatient to persevere any great length of time even for the accomplishment of enterprises that require constant effort through a series of several years. It cannot be de¬ nied that still much good is the result of their operations in relieving the dis¬ tressed and afflicted; but how much more good might be accomplished by a com¬ bined effort, persevered in for a few years, for raising a fund for investment, the income from which shall be perpetually devoted to charitable purposes. In one instance, the good is effected through temporary means—in the other it goes on in its operations, from generation to generation, through all time. Suppose the Ma¬ sonic Fraternity of our own State should resolve to establish a perpetual home for the destitute orphan children of deceased brethren—a place where all such could be fed, clothed, and educated, surrounded with all the allurements of the family circle, their minds expanded and properly trained for the active duties of life, and at the same time being carefully guarded from the allurements of vice and im¬ morality. A little effort on the part of every Mason in the State would soon pro¬ vide the necessary means. The small sum of even ten dollars from all the mem¬ bers of our Lodges would accomplish such a praiseworthy object in one year, and a perpetual home established for every destitute orphan child, who otherwise would be dependent upon the precarious charity of Lodges, or of individual bre¬ thren. The hint is thrown out, and we trust that it may be acted upon; no greater monument could be erected to the honor and glory of the Fraternity, or to the memory of those who shall engage in an enterprise of this kind ; and to this end we commend the example set by our brethren of Louisiana. We have read the reports of the D. D. G. Masters with much pleasure, and give a few extracts. One of them complains of the remissness of members in the per¬ formance of their Masonic duties, a nd gives the following as among the prominent causes: In the first place, there is too frequently a want of the necessary knowledge 430 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [Oct., of the work and lectures with the officers of the Lodge themselves to perform the work correctly, or to teach properly the lessons of Masonry. This is a great and most serious evil, and, indeed, the fruitful source of many of the others. When a candidate who has conceived beforehand an exalted idea of the sublimity and beauty of Masonry, after passing through the ceremonies of initi¬ ation, which have been conducted in an awkward and unskilful manner, mingled too often with levity and mirth, retires from the Lodge disappointed, if not dis¬ gusted, with what he has witnessed ; it. is not surprising that he feels little interest in studying the ritual, and he is induced to proceed only by the hope and assur¬ ance that in the succeeding degrees he will find his ideas satisfied; but in this, too, he is often from like causes sadly disappointed. Again, as in most instances, when there is not this culpable ignorance on the part of the officers, they are often in too great haste, and leave their work but half done. Although the work or mere ceremonial be creditably conducted, they are in too great a hurry to complete what they have so well begun. They omit to give the lectures explanatory of our beautiful symbols and significant ceremonies, thereby leaving the impression upon the candidate's mind that he has been carried through a series of unmeaning ceremonies and mere mummery. With these im¬ pressions fixed in his mind, it is not surprising that so few seek to perfect them¬ selves in the ritual, being all the while ignorant of the moral of Masonry. Another source of evil is the very limited proficiency too often tolerated in can¬ didates on their application for advancement. Although our regulations require that candidates be examined in open Lodge before being balloted for, it is not unfrequently the case that they can scarce an¬ swer a question correctly on the preceding degree ; yet, on the plea of "want of opportunity," or on a promise to improve, they are permitted to proceed. This is "a grievous fault, and grievously hath" Masonry " answered it." The report on Correspondence, prepared by Brother J. Q. A. Fellows, is a docu¬ ment of much ability, and discusses in a fraternal spirit the various questions presented to them. The committee approve of the organization of the " Masonic Congress," but we do not observe that the Grand Lodge took any action on the subject. On the " rights" of Grand Masters, the committee says: Free Masons are proverbially peaceable, inculcating the doctrine "that no con¬ tention should ever exist except that noble contention of who can best work and best agree." They pay due respect to their superiors in office. Free Masons are also human in their natures, affections, and habits, and learn, without being taught in the Lodge, to respect station and wealth as well as worth and merit. They also, by long occupancy of any high position, come to think themselves there by a sort of Divine or prescriptive right, and where information does not much abound, to claim prerogatives, and rights, and powers, which never pertained to them or their office. All this we know happens every day, and it is but rational to expect it. Hence the claims by Grand Masters, by virtue of their office, of the inherent and sovereign rights of Grand Lodges, which Grand Masters claim devolve upon them in their recess. All these are mere assumptions of power and prerogative, and however often claimed, never yet made a right; nor does their exercise prove any thing except that power has been from time to time usurped without complaint, and exercised without resistance. The attention of our brethren is called to the following from the committee on Appeals: In examination of cases before the committee, as well as from their own per¬ sonal observation and experience, the committee find evidences of a practice too common among Masons, which ought to be denounced and corrected. We mean the abuse of confidence obtained in consequence of being a Mason. In many cases the Masonic faith is not pledged in words; but your committee hold, that between those who recognize each other as Master Masons, Masonic faith is always implied, and that no Master Mason can divest himself of this character when I860.] GRAND LODGE OF TENNESSEE. 431 dealing with a known brother, but is always bound to do him justice, to avoid doing him a wrong, either by promising what he has not reasonable grounds to believe he can accomplish, or by omitting to do all he possibly can do to comply with what he does promise. Your committee find too much reason to believe that mercenary motives and other unworthy considerations have prompted men to identity themselves as Ma¬ sons, and that in consequence of this, the benefits of the institution to those who are worthy have been greatly diminished. They do not believe that Masonry should be resorted to for purposes of gain or selfish ends, and think it the privi¬ lege and special duty of the Grand Lodge to discountenance and prevent, as far as possible, such a prostitution of our beloved Order. A special communication of the Grand Lodge was convened April, 12, 1860, for the purpose of inaugurating a statue of Henry Clay. M. W. J. Q. A. Fellows, elected Grand Master; Grand Secretary reelected. 28. Maine—Annual Communication, held at Portland, May 1, 1860—M. W. Hiram Chase, Grand Master; R. W. Ira Berry, Grand Secretary. Eighty-four Lodges represented. Among the eminent worthies of the Order who have passed away, the name of M. W. Robert P. Dunlap, P. G. M., stands conspicuous. The Grand Master thus refers to him: Whilst I congratulate you upon this pleasing picture, and unite with you in the happy reflection that we have maintained the true principles of Free Masonry, and raised high our moral and social standard, yet with all these there are indelible marks of sadness: since our last meeting, death has taken from our ranks some of our most honored and highly distinguished members. One, has for long time been the recipient of the highest honors in your gift—a proud pillar of our fabric. It has fallen. Our Past Most Worshipful Grand Master, Robert P. Dunlap, is no more ! At the announcement, our hearts are filled with sadness; no more shall we behold his form or listen to his able counsels. His untiring love and ceaseless devotion to the interests and welfare of our Order endeared him to our whole fra¬ ternity. Who among us has not been fired to admiration in listening to his pathetic eloquence while discharging the varied duties which the confidence of his brethren have from time to time assigned to him ? Who has not felt the in¬ spiration while receiving from his lips the sacred "charge to keep" which marks us as members of this great and time-honored fraternity ? His death is no com¬ mon affliction. His loss is to us a calamity. More than twenty years of his life were spent in the public service of the State and Nation. In all these varied po¬ sitions, he sustained the same great high character for faithfulness and integrity. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Committee of Masonic Jurispru¬ dence in this Grand Lodge, and here his loss will be severely felt. He also notices the departure of another worthy, Rev. Cyrus Cummings, P. G. Chaplain, in the following appropriate language : Where is the brother who during his attendance upon our Communications, has not listened with reverence and love to the ardent appeals and Christian devotion which have characterized the services of W. and Rev. Cyrus Cummings, late Grand Chaplain of this Grand Lodge ? This sacred retreat has become hallowed by his presence, and sanctified by his prayers and benedictions. Although he is gone from us for ever, yet I trust those prayers still resound in our ears and are still heai