59th Communication. WASHINGTON. TACOMA. June 13, 1916. After the invocation by the Grand Chaplain, REV. BRO. HARRY M. PAINTER, the M.'. W.. Grand Master, ROBERT L. SEBASTIAN, assisted by his officers, opened the Grand Lodge of Washington in Ample Form on the Third Degree of Masonry. Eighteen Past Grand Masters were in attendance, among these the representative of New York, M.'. W.. EDWIN H. VAN PATTEN. An address of welcome by the local Lodge and response thereto. The Grand Master read his address, a good sound paper of eighteen pages. He begins with: "Brethren: As I stand before you to-day to read this report, I have the same feeling that others in this position have had. I feel that I have not accomplished that for which I hoped a year ago. Then I made many plans for my work, but I am forced to confess to you that not all of them have been realized. Yet, I am not conscious of having neglected any duty that presented itself. I have not visited as many Lodges as I had hoped to, but I have kept in touch with the business of the Brethren by prompt correspondence." He speaks respectfully of the departed, mentioning among others Past Grand Master ROBERT C. HILL. He then reports the usual doings of Of decisions he well says: the year. "I made no decisions, and for this reason: The decision field has been rather well covered, and such questions as were presented to me could, in most cases, be answered by referring the inquirer to our Code. A decision, in my opinion, should be on an absolutely new point, and none such came up to me during the year." Five new Lodges were constituted, several corner-stones were laid, dedications were held, dispensations were granted, courtesies were extended and acknowledged, and many visits were made. In conclusion the Grand Master says: "As a parting word, I desire to call attention to what appears to be a decided trend toward mysticism among what I consider to be too large a proportion of our membership. There are many aspects of our institution that appeal to men of as many temperaments. It makes its appeal to the mystic and to the student of symbolism; to the jurist, to the ritualist and to the philosopher: to the historian and antiquarian; but it appears to me that it makes its larger and greater appeal to practical men, and in that class I would include the greater part of our membership. It is well that we belong to an institution that makes an appeal to the mystic, the historian, the ritualist and others; but it is better, in my opinion, that the larger part of those to whom it presents attractions be of an intensely practical nature. "The opportunity to do things for one another is a valuable privilege, and it was most eloquently set forth by Past Grand Master HANKERSON in his report two years ago in his discourse upon Service." The report of the Committee on Correspondence is by BRO. RALPH C. MCALLISTER, and is again grouped by topics; and Grand Lodges are just mentioned. Washington has 205 Lodges with 21,698 members. M.. W.. GEORGE B. MALCOLM (Walla Walla), Grand Master. WEST VIRGINIA. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia was opened by Most Worshipful BRO. T. WILBUR HENNEN, Grand Master, in Ample Form, and after prayer by Worshipful BRO. HARRY C. HOWARD, Grand Chaplain, declared the Grand Lodge ready to proceed to business. Eighteen Past Grand Masters in attendance. New York was present in the person of BRO. ADRIAN NODENBOUSCH. The Grand Master's address, a good paper of thirty-one pages, spreads before the Brethren a thorough résumé of his work for the years. He well says: "In the following report I have endeavored to eliminate all that is unimportant, and in order that the limit of your patience might not be overreached have avoided tiresome details, so far as possible to do so." He pays sad tribute to those who have been called to the Gardens of Immortality, among them Past Grand Master ROBERT WHITE, the Senior for many years; GEORGE HATCH, NEIL ROBINSON, WILLIAM G. BENNETT and others of his own and sister Jurisdictions. Reports the numerous dispensations granted for ever SO many reasons, cornerstone layings, dedications, visitations, etc. Of decisions he says, like many other Grand Masters: "Most of the decisions I have rendered cover, from a different point of view, questions that have been heretofore decided, but stating the rule in a different way sometimes appears to fit the case in hand more plainly." And this shows in the thirty-two decisions reported. Reports are also made of work done by the Brethren of Committees on Charity and Education, showing that the true spirit of Masonry is alive in this Grand Lodge. The report on Foreign Correspondence is by Past Grand Master GEORGE W. ATKINSON (his twenty-fifth); any wonder it is a good report? He reviews New York on three pages, quoting from BRO. FREIFELD'S address and from BRO. ASSIAN LANG'S report. Also quotes, in part, our introductory remarks, and says of our work in his state: "The Report on Fraternal Correspondence, as usual, was prepared by BROS. WILLIAM SHERER, EMIL FRENKEL and EMANUEL LOEWENSTEIN. Their review embraces our 1914 and 1915 proceedings, and is very brief, but kind, courteous and fraternal." This Grand Lodge has 151 Lodges and 19,693 members. 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. 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. |