To master

It would

Of our

ant, if its original design were carried out, than the F. C. the degree would make the Fellow Craft a scholar indeed. be the work of years, and a feast for the lovers of learning. more than twenty thousand Masons in Michigan, multitudes of whom profess to have attained to the highest degrees, and many of whom are so inflated with the idea of their own exaltation that they can hardly recognize a mere M. M., how few there are who are even respectable F. C.'s! Many of them have not learned the ritual of the F. C. degree, to say nothing of having mastered the science of the degree. In reality they have little to boast, unless it be empty heads and vain imaginings. If they knew how utterly grotesque and unnatural the emblems of the higher degrees appeared when attached to their igno rant persons, they would be less fond of parading their jewelry.

We conclude by affirming that one of the chief requisites of an applicant for Masonic honors should be a desire for useful knowledge, that he might be more serviceable to his fellow men. And on entering the institution members ought to make good their professions by an earnest study of our arts and literature. They should not only read Masonic books and journals, but they should be lovers of general education, and by a knowledge and practice of our noble principles, endeavor to make themselves and their fellow beings virtuous and happy.

SAINT JOHN'S DAY AT HOMER.

THE brethren at Homer celebrated Dec. 27th in an appropriate way, by an address and festival. Brother Dorsey, the W. M. of the new Lodge in H., reports the condition of Masonry as very satisfactory in that region.

We clip the following interesting account of the St. John Festival from the village paper:

"The last great event of the year 1871 occurred on Wednesday evening, the 27th ult., in the third story of Lyon's Block. The long talked-of Masonic Festival is a thing of the past, and nothing is left of it but pleasant recollections, to remind us of the entertainment. At half-past seven in the evening the assembly was called to order in the new Masonic Hall, by Past Master Frank Mead. The exercises were opened by an anthem entitled "The Wondrous Story," sung by the Presbyterian choir. Then followed a brief but eloquent prayer, by Rev. Thomas Lyon, after which occurred the public installation of officers for the ensuing year. Those installed and clothed with the badge of office were as follows:

"T. S. Dorsey, W. M.; E. A. Collins, S. W.; W. E. Henderson.

J. W.; M. M. Camburn, Treasurer; Charles D. Burt, Secretary; Wesley Snider, S. D.; Stephen R. Allen, J. D.; Jas. E. DeBow and A. V. Parks, Stewards; H. C. Hopkins, Tyler. Next on the programme was the address, delivered by Hon. I. M. Crane, of Eaton Rapids. The speaker occupied about thirty-five minutes in its delivery, and was favored by the marked attention of his audience. In the course of the address he adverted to the most important events of the past year, dwelt somewhat eloquently upon the great antiquity, growth and stability of Free Masonry, and enjoined all members of the fraternity to be true to themselves, and the solemn oaths which they have taken.

"When the speaker had finished, another piece of music was sung by the choir, entitled, "We have thought of Thy kindness, O, Lord." This piece and the one sung at the opening were rendered in correct time, and with due regard to modulation and harmony, evincing thereby a considerable degree of skill and practice on the part of the

musicians.

"Last but none the less important on the programme, came the supper, which was served in the large hall in the same building. In this room were nine tables, each capable of accommodating from twelve to fourteen guests. The tables were loaded with all manner of edibles, adapted to all classes of eaters, from the abstemious to the dainty and epicurean. Most of the tables were adorned in the center by a huge pyramid of cake, decorated with the symbols of the order, viz.: the Square and Compass, the open Bible, the All Seeing Eye, the letter G, etc., all of which, to the uninitiated, are very mysterious and incomprehensible.

"The Photograph Gallery back of the large hall was used as a cook-room and chief rendezvous for the waiters. From thence proceeded in formidable array the hot stew, the baked meats and the steaming oysters. Suffice it to say, by way of conclusion, that all went away well filled with the good things of this life, and pronounced the affair in all respects a most decided success. The total receipts of the entertainment, after paying expenses, footed up about $100."

WORK OF M. W. GRAND MASTER CHAMBERLAIN. We recently spent a couple of days very pleasantly and profitably in the company of our Grand Master at Three Rivers and Kalamazoo. Brother Chamberlain is already at work in good earnest, and though his method is to us somewhat novel, yet we confess to its efficiency. It is to fix a programme in advance, in other words, to draw out designs on his Masonic Trestleboard, and fix his routes sometime in ad

vance.

He then sends out his edict calling the Masters and Secretaries of the Lodges of each county he intends to visit, to some central place, of easy access, and there he meets them at the time appointed. and holds what we would term a Masonic institute. The Master and Secretary of a given Lodge are called forward and strictly examined as to their manner of work. The books too are critically investigated and any errors pointed out, and ordered corrected. All is done with the dignity and fraternal spirit of true Freemasonry, and the effect is excellent and will result in immediate and lasting good to the craft throughout this Grand Jurisdiction,

The Grand Master assures us that he intends to see all the Masters and Secretaries of our three hundred subordinate Lodges, face to face, and not only form their personal acquaintance, but in person examine the work done in each Lodge, and give such instruction and advice as the case may demand. Of course he leaves the ritual in the hands of the Grand Visitor and Lecturer, who is elected and paid by the Grand Lodge to attend to that department. But, in our opinion, our Grand Master is attending to a long neglected department of even more importance, and he is doing his work with a faithfulness which must challenge the admiration of the fraternity, not only at home, but throughout the world.

He has already visited the following places, and examined the work and books of the Lodges named :

His first work was to constitute Lake Shore Lodge, No. 296, at Benton Harbor, and give the brethren there such instructions as they needed. This is a very flourishing village of some 1,000 or 1,500 inhabitants, situated on the east shore of the St. Joseph river, at its mouth. We are personally acquainted with several of the charter members of this Lodge, and predict a bright future for the Order in this locality.

2nd. Constituted Bradley Lodge, No.-, at Allegan.

:

3rd. Visited Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 49, of Sturgis, at which place he met the officers and many of the members of the following Lodges White Pigeon Lodge, No. 104; Eagle Lodge, No. 124: Mendon Lodge, No. 137, and Mystic Lodge, No. 141.-This was the first Masonic Institute, and the enthusiasm it awoke, and errors it corrected, showed the great utility of the plan.

4th. Visited Tire Lodge, No. 18, at Coldwater, where he was met by the principal members of Washington Lodge, No. 7; Union Lodge, No. 28; Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 166, and Butler Lodge. No. 88.

5th. The fifth visit was to Jonesville, Lafayette Lodge, No. 16

where the following Lodges were represented, (not having the printed proceedings at hand we can only give the numbers): 32, 93, 117, 176, 189, 245, 253 and 259.-This number in Hillsdale county shows the great popularity of Masonry in that region; and we are informed by the Grand Master that every Lodge in the county was present as summoned, and that the work brought up for inspection was creditable

to the craftsmen.

In all the places visited a zeal is manifested worthy of our noble Order, though some irregularities were discovered, especially in the records of many of the Lodges.

We trust that future reports may be more full and complete. Would it not be well for Bro. Look to give reports through our

columns of his work?

OFFICERS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER.

The Grand Chapter at its recent session in Detroit, elected the following officers for the ensuing year:

G. H. P.-S. C. Randall, Grand Rapids; D. G. H. P.—J. W. Finch, Adrian; G. K.-A. J. Sawyer, Monroe; G. S.-J. J. Bardwell, Detroit; Grand Secretary-J. E. Johnson, Centreville; Grand Treasurer-R. W. Landon, Niles; Grand Chaplain-Rev. William Stowe, Port Huron; G. C. H.-R. Rowland, Detroit; G. P. S.Chas. J. Kruger, Grand Rapids; G. R. A. C.-L. H. Bailey, Grand Haven; G. L.-S. Blanchard, Tecumseh; G. M. 3d V.-E. Saunders, Saginaw City; G. M. 2d V.-D. C. Spaulding, Lyons G. M. 1st V.-M. M. Doane, Adrian.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

THREE RIVERS, MICH., Jan. 26th, 1872.

MESSRS. CHAPLIN & IHLING-Gents.: M. W. P. G. M. J. Eastman Johnson met with a serious accident at this place a few nights since. He had come from his home in Centerville the evening before, intending to take the Pacific Express, which passes here for Chicago about three o'clock in the morning. On his way from the hotel to the train, in crossing a railroad bridge, he missed his footing and fell with his body across the ties, spraining his hip and right arm, and otherwise bruising himself quite seriously. The friend who was with him. procured assistance and removed him to the station, where he remained until morning, when he was taken home on the accommodation train.

We are happy to state that his injuries, although of a serious char

acter, will not long detain him from business, as he is rapidly improving, and hopes to be, in a short time, able to attend to the duties of his office. Yours, fraternally,

THOS. G. GREENE.

Since the above was set, we are informed that Companion Johnson is rapidly improving, and will soon be able to resume business. This will give joy to his many friends.

WE call the especial attention of our readers to the advertisement of M. S. Smith & Co., on the cover of our Magazine. He makes a specialty of manufacturing Masonic jewels of all descriptions, and for all branches of the Craft. • That he is master of his business needs no proof to those who have seen the beautiful jewels of the Grand Commandery of Michigan, which were made by him, and are said to surpass any in the United States. Those in need of watches for their own use, or for their ladies, will find the very best articles in the market at the jewelry store of Sir Knight Smith, corner of Woodward and Jefferson avenues, Detroit.

WE were recently shown a magnificent gold watch and chain from the manufactory of M. S. Smith & Co., of Detroit, a present by the members of his Lodge to our worthy Brother, A. G. Hibbard. A splendid gift to a deserving Brother.

THE Report of the Massachusetts Committee on the Relations of Freemasonry to Christianity has affected our friend Jacob Norton much as a gobble turkey is affected by the shaking of a red rag at him! Brother Norton is now quite sure that Christianity is vile and all Christian ministers knaves. Good brother Jacob, possess your soul in patience.

SECRETARY'S OFFICE, MUSKEGON CHAPTER, No. 47, R. A. M. MUSKEGON, JANUARY 26, 1872.)

W. J. Chaplin, Esq., Editor Michigan Freemason, DEAR SIR AND BROTHER:-Please give the following a space in your journal:

At a regular Convocation of Muskegon Chapter, No. 47, held at Muskegon, Mich., January 25th, A. D. 1872, A. I. 2402, Holmes A. Pattison was duly expelled from all the rights and benefits of Royal Arch Masonry, with the request added for Masonic journals to copy. GRAND JUNCTION, January 26th, 1872.

Brother Chaplin, Editor Michigan Freemason,

DEAR BROTHER:-One James Trimble, of this place, is passing himself off upon unwary members of the craft as a Mason. He is not and hasn't a single point of worthiness as may be learned from Pomona Lodge, St. Joseph, Mich, (Signed,)

THREE BROTHERS AND COMPANION.