WISCONSIN.

The Seventy-second Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin was opened in Ample Form in the City of Milwaukee, June 13, 1916, led in prayer by the Grand Chaplain.

REV. W. H. DECKER, from the Grand Lodge of Cuba, introduced at the altar by Past Grand Master JAMES G. MONAHAN and accorded the Grand Honors.

M.. W.. GEORGE O. KELLOGG, Grand Master, began his address at once, and says:

"You come here to-day as the accredited delegates from the great and prosperous State of Wisconsin. In each of the communities from which you come it is not too much to say that you fairly represent_its ideal social and civic relations and are among its best citizens. You have come, too, to counsel together for the best interests of Craft Masonry. This high purpose can only be attained by each of us observing and following the precepts and teachings of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth."

Three new Lodges were opened by dispensations. Eleven emergent communications are recorded.

Ten decisions are reported. We quote:

"The fact that a petitioner for the degrees is a Roman Catholic should not influence the Investigating Committee in their action. That Masonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion is one of the fundamental principles of the Craft, and if the petitioner be a good man and true, and has faith in God, and if he is desirable material otherwise, his religion should not be a bar.

"No. 7. A Lodge is about to confer the degrees on a clergyman and have decided not to charge any fee. This is not in accordance with Masonic law. See Article XXIII, Section 1, page 37, Constitution, Law and Edicts."

The Grand Lodge of Iowa in session sent greetings to the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

Three Past Grand Masters of this Grand Lodge have passed away during the year-JAMES E. DURGIN, NEWTON M. LITTLEJOHN and DAVID H. WRIGHT.

The report on Foreign Correspondence is again by Past Grand Master ALDRO JENKS, and is, as usual, a good report. In his foreword he says:

"Your Committee on Foreign Correspondence presents its Nineteenth Annual Review of the doings of other Grand Lodges, arranged according to the usual alphabetical method. It is prepared primarily for Masons in Wisconsin and particularly for those who take an interest in things Masonic-who are willing to read and think. Masonry in its teachings and aims is wonderfully practical. It gives to the true Mason a higher conception of the Infinite One and a more definite mission in life. While this is the spirit of Masonry too few of us realize it. No man can understand and appreciate it until he has pondered long and faithfully upon its teachings. Many a man has taken the obligations from the Entered Apprentice degree to the Thirty-second, and failed absolutely to understand or get that broader vision of Masonry which they are intended to give. That man's Masonry is a failure, notwithstanding he may wear a Knight Templar charm or a Double Headed Eagle; he is neither an active nor a practical Mason, but merely a hanger-on to the institution. Such is not the fault of the Masonic Institution, but is due to the

fact that such an one was seeking ornamental titles and display rather than an opportunity of being serviceable to his fellow man and improving himself in Masonry."

New York is reviewed on three pages; quotes from our Grand Historian; speaks of our property and our-debt.

Wisconsin has 274 Lodges with 31.866 members.

M.. W.. CYRUS S. STOCKWELL (Neillsville), Grand Master.
R.'. W.'. WILLIAM W. PERRY (Milwaukee), Grand Secretary.

42d Communication.

WYOMING.

SHERIDAN.

September 13, 1916.

The Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form by the Grand Master, M.'. W.'. W. H. DICKINSON, with prayer by the Grand Chaplain.

The Most Worshipful Grand Master introduced BRO. FRANK H. FRASER of Sheridan Lodge, No. 8, who gave an address of welcome in behalf of the Sheridan Masons.

Ten Past Grand Masters were in attendance.

The Grand Master delivered his address; in it he reviews his work of the year and makes many good suggestions for the guidance of the Brethren of his Grand Lodge. In one of his decisions he says:

"Question: Should the making of Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts be made known by advertising the fact in the newspaper?

"Held, that the practice of advertising who is taking the degrees is a very bad one, and should be discouraged in every possible manner, as well as making public the numerous little items of business or procedure. The general public has no right to know our initiates, our business or our charity."

The report on Fraternal Correspondence is by BRO. JOSEPH M. LOWNDES, Grand Secretary-his second effort. New York is reviewed on three pages. He quotes much from our Grand Historian; speaks well of the work of this Committee, and quotes our introductory remarks. The report is well written and does justice to the several Grand Lodges reviewed.

Wyoming has 34 Lodges with 3,518 members.

M.. W.. HERBERT J. KING (Laramie), Grand Master.

R.. W.. JOSEPH M. LOWNDES (Lander), Grand Secretary.

DOMINION OF CANADA.

ALBERTA.

The Eleventh Annual Communication of the M.. W.. Grand Lodge of Alberta was opened in City of Banff, on May 31, 1916, by the M.. W.. S. Y. TAYLOR. Four Past Grand Masters were present.

Before the opening of the regular business of Grand Lodge, BRO. S. J. CLARK, Superintendent of Banff National Park, was admitted and conferred the freedom of Banff on all members of Grand Lodge, and hoped the Brethren would spend a pleasant session, to which the M.. W.'. Grand Master suitably replied.

The Grand Master delivered his address, which he begins with:

"The centuries of the existence of Freemasonry sweeping onward like a stately river toward the ocean of eternity make the course of one year seem like a little tributary on whose waters we have briefly glided to the outlet, where they mingle with the majestic flood. Yet on a journey so short and eventful, the determination of our course from time to time may have created influences which will extend beyond our lives and help to mould for weal or woe the hearts and lives of our fellowmen."

And

"During the year peace and harmony have prevailed within our Subordinate Lodges. Not a single appeal has been made to me in this regard. Our annual records show a net increase in membership of 494, which is highly satisfactory, when we consider the fact that so many of our brethren have enlisted for service at the front, that in some instances it has been difficult to properly officer the Lodge; 10 per cent of the total membership in this province have joined the ranks of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces."

And also:

"There is no subject connected with our distinguished fraternity in which I am more deeply interested than that of the study side of Freemasonry. For many years I have embraced every available opportunity to know more about this, the greatest moral human institution which the world has ever known. No similar organization can boast of traditions as ancient, of usages and landmarks as universally known; of symbolism so radiant with brightest jewels of philosophies, both ancient and modern; of a ritual in sentiment as lofty, in diction as eloquent and so universally spoken. And yet how little it is studied and understood by many of its loyal members."

Three Lodges were newly erected and another was duly constituted, three are working under dispensation. The Grand Master reports the dedications, the laying of corner-stones, and visits made, showing a busy year. The Grand Master was much handicapped by the absence of the Grand Secretary, who was called to the colors.

Alberta has 93 Lodges with 7,166 members.

M.. W.. E. T. BISHOP (Edmonton), Grand Master.

R.. W.. GEORGE MCDONALD (Calgary), Grand Secretary.

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

The Forty-fifth Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia was opened in Ample Form in Vancouver on 22d day of June, 1916, by the Grand Master. Eleven Past Masters were in attendance. New York was represented by BRO. DEWOLF SMITH, Grand Secretary. M.'. W.. WILLIAM C. DITMARS, Grand Master, speaking of the Craft in his Jurisdiction, says:

"I am pleased to be able to report that the Craft, in general, in this Jurisdiction, is in a very satisfactory condition. While the numerical growth has not been so great as in other recent years, I believe that all of the Lodges are working harmoniously and are paying very close attention to the selection of their material. There is a feeling among the various Lodges which I have visited that too much care cannot be exercised in this respect, and I believe that while the growth has been small the quality of the accepted candidates has been good.

"Many of the Lodges are feeling the effects of this gigantic struggle in which our Empire is now engaged, and are working under disadvantages on account of the absence, in many cases, of their most active members.

"It is my sad duty to record the passing of two Past Grand Masters of this Grand Lodge, viz.: M.'. W.'. BRO. R. B. MCMICKING and M.. W.. BRO. WILLIAM DALBY. Also R.. W.. BRO. WILLIAM GIDLEY, P.D.D.G.M., and others of his own and other Jurisdictions."

He reports many visits made in company with Grand Lodge Officers, also the dedications and dispensations granted.

Grand Lodge of Philippine Islands was duly recognized with recommendation to exchange representatives.

The report on Foreign Correspondence is by its chairman, DEWOLF SMITH, and is the usual good and readable report. He gives New York a courteous review on three pages.

This Grand Lodge has 80 Lodges and 7,797 members.

M.. W.. WILLIAM ASTLEY (Vancouver), Grand Master.

R.'. W.. W. A. DEWOLF SMITH (New Westminster), Grand Secretary.

MANITOBA.

The Forty-first Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Manitoba was opened at the City of Winnipeg, on June 14, 1916, by M.". W.. WILLIAM FENWICK, Grand Master, after prayer by Grand Chaplain REV. THOMAS G. BETHELL, assisted by seven Past Grand Masters.

The Grand Master, in his address, says:

"In this familiar room, whose air is fragrant with pleasurable recollections, and hallowed by tender memories, we are foregathered in humbleness of spirit to acknowledge the sense of our littleness and the greatness of God, to render thanks to Him for all His loving kindness, and to supplicate Him to grant us the grace to reflect His Word, and the courage to bear our trials manfully."

Then speaks feelingly of the departed Brethren. He devotes much space to the distressing war. We quote:

"As Masonic principles are eternal, it is with confidence that I appeal to every Brother Mason owing allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba, to contribute the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) at least, in order that it may be placed in the hands of the Committee on Benevolence for allocation for War Relief Work as such committee may deem best.

"As a result of such appeal, a large sum has been collected. However, as such is not enough, I respectfully suggest that the Grand Lodge supplement the amount by a vote of Two Thousand Dollars. It must be clear to all that owing to the war there are (even within the purview of this Grand Lodge) cases of distress sufficiently harrowing to awaken the most generous impulses of honest men. Freemasonry cannot ignore such distress and retain respect. Words of sympathy and friendly counsel are not without value, but as they will neither replenish the coal bin nor restock the larder they must be supplemented by financial aid."

The Grand Lodge of Iowa in session, sent hearty good wishes and Fraternal greetings to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.

Dispensations were granted to re-ballot, to elect, and install, to confer degrees, to attend divine service, and laying corner-stones.

No detailed report of doings of other Grand Lodges is given. BRO. PERCY E. KELLETT, however, gives an excellent report in a general way of what is transpiring in the several Grand Lodges.

Manitoba has 77 Lodges with 7,241 members.

M.'. W.'. HENRY E. BLETCHEE (Winnipeg), Grand Master.
R.'. W.. JAMES A. OVAS (Winnipeg), Grand Secretary.

NEW BRUNSWICK.

The Forty-Ninth Annual Communication of "The Grand Lodge of New Brunswick" was held in the City of Saint John, on the twentyfifth day of April, 1916, the Grand Master, M.'. W.. HEDLEY V. B. BRIDGES, LL.D., in the East.

Five Past Grand Masters in attendance.
The Grand Master, in his address, says:

"While the Empire, with Canada as part of it, is at war, I am happy to report that harmony and peace prevail throughout our Juris-diction, and that a measure of prosperity and progress is ours as a result of the year's work.

"Reports from the different Lodges have been received by the Grand Secretary. The financial condition of Grand Lodge and of our subordinate Lodges is excellent, and there has also been a substantial increase in membership.

"While, however, we take pleasure in our material prosperity and in increased membership, and are hopeful of the future of Masonry in New Brunswick, it is eminently fitting that we should give thought and notice to those passed away since we last met, and who now rest from their labors. With many of them our relations were most kindly and ties of friendship have been broken. Let us give due recognition to their worth, and remember their many virtues."

Here follows a long list of the departed. Many have fallen in their country's service. The Grand Master recounts the many visits made throughout his Jurisdiction.

A tablet, commemorating the Masonic work of Brother the late