fully, and all of the questions involved should be weighed. I recommend, therefore, that the subject-matter, together with all of the correspondence, be referred to the Committee on Finance for its consideration and report of its recommendations.

SINKING FUND.

The splendid response of our Brethren throughout the State to the invitation to contribute to the Sinking Fund has been very gratifying.

Nearly all of the Lodges in this great State have either paid or provided for the payment of their respective portions, and it is our hope and expectation that before another Grand Lodge session shall convene each and all will be on the Honor Roll.

CEREMONIAL FORMS.

Much of the beauty and success of our various ceremonies is dependent upon the dignity and form of the service. During the past year it has been brought to my attention that the forms now used for the same ceremony are not all uniform. For some ceremonies we have no printed forms, as, for instance, the installation of the Grand Lodge officers.

I would, therefore, recommend that the Grand Master be authorized to appoint a special committee to prepare and have printed a complete set of forms to be used in Grand Lodge ceremonies.

REDISTRICTING.

Several years have passed since the present districts were outlined. In the interval our members have increased tremendously and many Lodges have been added to our number.

It has been said that the districts are not only too large geographically in many cases, but also unwieldy in the number of Lodges, devolving so much work upon some of the deputies that the best results cannot be obtained.

I would, therefore, recommend that a special committee be appointed to examine into the question and report its recommendations to the next Grand Lodge.

GERMAN MASONIC TEMPLE ASSOCIATION.

The Brethren of the German Masonic Temple Association, for their unselfish activity in Masonic endeavors, for their generous care of their own unfortunates, while at the same time doing their full share toward the support of the Home in Utica, are entitled to the admiration of the whole Craft.

On Sunday, October 1, 1916, it was my pleasure to attend the Traubenfest at Tappan. There was a vast concourse of people present. Over eight thousand were in attendance and the return to the Home was about $8,000. The President, the late JOHN D. STRAHMANN, and the District Deputy, BRO. DEFFAA, added very much to my pleasure by personally introducing me to most of the Brethren and their families. To me it was a day full of interest and pleasure.

THE HOME.

The record of the conduct of the affairs of the Home in Utica and its management will be found in the report of the Superintendent, attached to the report of the Trustees.

Our Home in Utica is a splendid monument to the Fraternity. It expresses in concrete form the great heart and generous instincts of the Craft. However, like every human institution, it is ever growing and constantly evolving new conditions. If our Board of Trustees had more funds at their command there are many improvements that they would like to install, both for the old and the young.

ONE WAY TO HELP.

We have a membership of about two hundred thousand. Of that number I presume it is fair to say that a substantial portion is fairly well to do and would be glad to make bequests to our Masonic charities if the matter was called to their attention in a proper manner.

What is more worthy than our own Home in Utica, or the proper education of our children?

In the past we have had several bequests, but they have

neither been very numerous nor very large. I believe the reason is because the Craft has not had this matter specifically called to its attention. Therefore, I ask that it be given your careful consideration, and, if it appeals to your good judgment, that you present the matter to your friends and request them to make provision in their wills for the care and education of our family at Utica.

I recommend that proper forms of bequests be printed and forwarded to every Lodge and that the Secretary of each be requested to insert one of the forms with the notices mailed to its members.

DEGREE WORK.

The forms and ceremonies of many of our Lodges are almost constantly in use turning out nominal Masons. The degree work is done so often that it has become machine-like, without spirit or meaning, either to the officers of the Lodge or the candidates. Some Lodges are piling up members until their bulk has become unwieldy.

In such cases it is impossible for the members, either as individuals or as a whole, to receive the benefits or render the service which, theoretically, our Craft is supposed to afford.

It is time to call a halt on quantity and give more attention to quality. We should not only be more careful in the selection of new material, but we should use every effort to improve and develop that which we have. We cannot do the latter if all our time is taken up in working Degrees.

Therefore, I recommend that appropriate constitutional amendments be adopted, limiting the working of Degrees to not more than twice a month. so that adequate opportunity may be allowed for the moral and spiritual education of our members.

AFTER THE RITUAL, WHAT?

Is the ritualistic or ceremonial work all there is to Masonry? Is the last chapter read and the book to be closed when the Master Mason Degree is conferred?

These are days of careful analysis and testing of compara

tive values. Mere volume is not enough. There must also be intrinsic merit. History is making itself so fast that men worth while cannot afford to waste time or effort or anything that does not add to the real progress of the world.

For ages Masonry claims to have been founded upon charitable, moral and spiritual bases.. Those of us who have assumed its obligations ought to be inspired by the highest ideals.

Let us be honest with ourselves. Are we thus influenced? The good book says, "By their fruits ye shall know them."

If you look about among our Lodges you will find most of them very busy conferring Degrees, occasionally making a small donation to some of its members who may be in need; on other occasions spending considerable money for banquets to or for their members; and in some cases presenting gifts, more or less costly, to its past or present officers.

Does such a record measure up to the standard?

With all the suffering and need in the world to-day, how much are we doing to help the various philanthropic movements in our several localities?

Think of the vast number of orphan children on this continent who will become the future men and women in control of the destinies of our beloved country, lacking education and care. Then ask yourselves the question, How much are we doing to supply that need outside of our Home in Utica? Could your Lodge or mine take one or more of the splendid children, easily to be found, and fit them to become leaders for good in the coming generation?

I am only indicating in a very limited way what could be done by any of us in putting into practice the teachings of Masonry. There are innumerable other ways and means through or by which we can do practical and constructive work.

My dear Brethren, this great Craft must arouse itself and demonstrate to its membership and the world at large that it is, in fact and spirit, as well as in theory, broad in its charity, thorough in its morality and profound in its spirituality. The time is ripe. Let us begin now, praying that Almighty God may give us strength and wisdom as we endeavor to put into practice the splendid principles of our great Fraternity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

It is difficult for me to find words adequate to express my appreciation of the splendid support so generously given to me by all my associates throughout the year. Each seemed to be animated by one thought, how best to promote the welfare and harmony of the Craft.

It has also been a source of happiness and power to have had the whole-hearted support of our esteemed Past Grand Masters. On every occasion, no matter how frequent, they have ever been ready to respond.

To the Deputy Grand Master I owe much for his words of wisdom and sound judgment in solving many serious and important problems. His splendid personality has been an inspiration to me at all times.

To that surprisingly youthful man, our Grand Secretary, so full of wisdom, drawn from vast experience, always ready and ever helpful, I tender my sincere respect and admiration.

TRUSTEES.

Our large property interests in New York City and Utica and the welfare of our old people and children devolve upon the Board of Trustees of the Hall and Asylum Fund a vast amount of labor, requiring constant attention and at all times the exercise of broadminded generosity, as well as exact justice, in the disposition of the many problems involved.

I cannot too emphatically express my appreciation of the manner in which the present Board has cared for the interests of the Fraternity.

JUDGE ADVOCATE.

Many questions of law and procedure have been submitted and determined during the past months.

I am pleased to take the opportunity of expressing my thanks to the Right Worshipful Judge Advocate for his splendid service to the Craft and his great assistance in relieving me of much labor.