New York dispatch. [volume], June 06, 1886, Page 3, Image 3

About New York dispatch. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1863-1899

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M. W. JOHN W. SIMONS, P. G. M., Editor.
Advertisements for th© Masonic De
j’ABTMBNT, to secure their insertion, must be
lent in by TWO O’CLOCK, P. M., Friday.
GRAND LODGE,
Phe one hundredth and fifth annual Commu
nication of the Grand Lodge of New York was
opened on June Ist, 1886, at two o’clock, P. M.
The opening exercises were very impressive.
The grand organ, presided over by Bro. George
W. Morgan, was reinforced by a military band,
and while the organ and band pealed forth a
grand processional march, composed especially
lor the occasion by the Organist, the Grand Of”
ficers, under the lead of the Grand Master, M.
W. Frank R. Lawrence, entered and proceeded
to their places in the Grand East.
Among the distinguished dignitaries in at
tendance were Gen. Charles Roome, J. Edward
Simmons, Edmund L. Judson, of Albany, Jas.
W. Husted, John W. Vrooman, Jesse B. An
thony, Wm. A. Brodie, James Ten Eyck, John
Hodge, Washington E. Connor, Justice John J.
Gorman, Frederick A. Burnham, Col. Edward
M. L. Ehlers and P. G. Mastery John L. Lewis,
Clinton F. Paige, Joseph D. Evans, Benjamin
Flagler and James Gibson.
The Rev. Robert Collyer, one of the Grand
Chaplains, offered an impressive prayer, fol
lowed by the overture to “ William Tell”-on the
great organ.
The opening ceremonies concluded with the
“ Hallelujah Chorus” (organ and military
band). After G. M. Lawrence had declared the
annual communication of the Grand Lodge
opened in ample form, the entire assemblage of
over nine hundred persons joined in singing
“ Old Hundred.” The effect was grand; the
great organ and the band of St. Cecile Lodge,
in unison with the voices, producing a volume
of sound that rolled through the hall and could
be heard distinctly in the street. The large
Grand Lodge room was filled to overflowing,
delegates from every lodge in the jurisdiction
being present; in addition to these were the
representatives of nearly all the grand bodies
with which the Grand Lodge of New York is m
fraternal relations.
Alter the imposing ceremonies of the open
ing, the Grand Master delivered his address as
follows:
Brethren of the Grand Lodge :
The changing seasons have brought us once
more to the time for the General Assembly of
Masons ; and having declared this one hundred
and filth annual Communication of the Grand
Lodge of the State of New York duly opened,
I greet you heartily, one and all, and invite
your attention to the subjects before us.
The year has been one of prosperity. Peace
has been within our walls ; under the blessing
of Almighty God we have been permitted to
pursue our labors, as for generations past, in
harmony and in happiness ; and as we assemble
to-day, our first thought should be one of grati
tude to the giver oi all good, for his infinite
mercy and loving kindness.
Since last we met, some of our brethren have
passed away, and it is fitting that one of our
earliest acts at the present time should be to
yield a tribute, however brief, to the fraternal
dead. ******
The following appointments have been made
during the year:
July 13th, 1885—R. W. John J. Gorman as one
of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asy
lum Fund, in the place of Theophilus Pratt, re
signed.
July 27th—M. W. Charles T. Granger, Grand
Master of lowa, Representative ot the Grand
Lodge of New York near that of lowa.
November sth—M. W. Marcus F. King, Rep
resentative of the Grand Lodge of New York
near that of Maine.
March 10, 1886—R. W. Thomas S. Paterson,
of Whitehall, District Deputy Grand Master ot
the Thirteenth District, in the place of B. W.
John W. Whitehead, deceased.
The following Representatives of foreign
Grand Bodies have been accredited near the
Grand East of this Grand Lodge:
June 22d, 1885—M. W. Wm. A. Brodie, Past
Grand Master, Representative of the Grand
Lodge of Kentucky.
July 3d—R. W. John C. Graves, Representa
tive of the Grand Lodge of Florida.
September 12th—R. W. Starks Edson, Repre
sentative of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
November 9th—R. W. Frederick Smyth, Rep
resentative ot the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
January 23, 1886—R. W. John H. Cunning
ham, Representative of the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia.
March 15th—R. W. Herman Cantor, Repre
sentative of the Grand Lodge Zur Eintracht.
March 27th—R. W. John Stewart, Represent
ative of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
April 26th—R. W. Patrick H. Melley, Repre
sentative of the Grand Lodge of British Col
umbia.
Numerous petitions have been received for
dispensations to form new lodges, but not be
ing satisfied in any case that an actual necessi
ty existed for the creation of the proposed new
lodge, and believing, with my predecessors of
recent years, that the number ot lodges is al
ready larger than is consistent with the highest
measure of prosperity, I have, without any ex
ception, denied all such applications.
In several instances it was manifest that the
establishment of the proposed new lodge would
so far impair the strength of bodies now exist
ing, that within a.few years there would be two
weak and struggling lodges in the place of one
at present healthy and prosperous.
One application deserves especial mention.
The facts are as follows :
In tne month of February I received a peti
tion from a lawful number of brethren for the
formation of a new lodge, to be located within
the Republic oi Honduras, in Central America,
which, as I was satisfactorily informed, is unoc
cupied Masonic territory. Without entertaining
any doubt of the power to grant such dispensa
tion, nor any question as to the right of this
Grand Body to establish the proposed new
lodge, it seemed inconsistent with our true in
terests that this step should be taken.
A lodge located at such a distance would be
difficult to govern. One or more lodges thus
created might prove a fruitful source of those
complications with foreign Grand Bodies, which
it has ever been our policy to avoid, and our
Constitution, while carefully regulating the
manner of forming new lodges within this State,
makes no provision whatever for the diffusion
of Masonic light in foreign countries, and seem
ingly does not contemplate that this will be
done or attempted under the authority of this
Grand Lodge. In view of these considerations
I declined to grant this application and now
place the subject before you, with the sugges
tion that some expression be made which will
indicate the policy deemed most wise to be pur
sued in future with respect to the establish
ment of lodges beyond the borders of the State
of New York.
Close observation during the year has afford
ed convincing proof of the continued and in
creasing good effect of the system ot Work and
Lectures adopted and practiced under the di
rection of this Grand Lodge. It has not been
found necessary to continue the special com
mittee on this subject, which has been in exist
ence during the last two years. The Grand
Lecturer, R. W. George H. Raymond, has dis
charged his duties as completely to the satisfac
tion of the Grand Master as in former years,
and to the great benefit of the important inter
ests committed to his care.
During the past year the members of Masonic
Boards of Relief of various cities and States
have united and formed a General Relief Asso
ciation for the purpose of more readily detecting
the many impostors who are so great an ob
struction to the effective distribution of Masonic
charity. While as Grand Master I have hesi
tated to extend official endorsement, as re
quested by the officers of this association, to an
organization whose workings are to extend into
many other States, and over which neither this
Grand Lodge nor its officers can have any control,
yet I have no hesitation in expressing my belief
that the organization referred to is eminently
worthy and useful, and I heartily commend it to
the confidence of this Grand Lodge and of the
fraternity of the State.
* * # * *
Th® Erea Reading Room established at tha
beginning of the year 1885, in connection with
the Library in this building, has continued to
be of great interest, and has attracted large and
increasing numbers of visitors. About a year
ago the committee, through whose efforts the
Reading Room was established, determined to
introduce an additional feature, and form a
collection of Masonic antiquities and curiosities,
by which both adornment and interest might
be added to this edifice. Early in the year a
circular was sent to all the lodges, with the
sanction of the Grand Master, requesting con
tributions of appropriate objects ; and many
such, consisting of ancient documents, rare anil
curious coins and medals, antique jewels and
regalia, and .Kindred articles in great variety
have been received, and are now in part dis
played ; though the committee has been con
siderably restricted in its labors through the
want of secure and appropriate receptecles,
some of the objects possessing considerable
intrinsic value. Such an undertaking as this
Irom its nature progresses but slowly, yet what
has even now been accomplished gives ample
■promise that a collection of great historical and
Masonic value will in due time be created with
in these walls. What has been done in this di
rection may properly be accounted one of the
useful labors of the year. Its tendency is to
make this building more attractive and desir
able as a place of meeting for Masonic bodies,
and consequently to enhance its tenantable
value. The industrious committee who have
had thia work in charge merit our warm com
mendation.
In this connection it is a pleasure to hear wit
ness to the arduous labors during the past four
years of the present Grand Librarian R. W.
Herman G. Carter, and to their successful
result. Through his untiring exertions manv
thousands ot volumes have been brought from
A state of the greatest confusion to a condition
of perfect orfe and regularity. The Ihr ary,
one ot the most extensive collections of Masonic
works in existence, is now thoroughly accessi
ble in all its parts :to every reader, and its man
agement is creditable alike to the Grand Lodge
and its efficient custodian.
Although many other duties have demanded
the attention of the Grand Master, numerous
visitations have been made to particular lodges.
At the beginning of the year a series of district,,
visitations was resolved upon, and pursuant to
this purpose the Grand Master, usually accom
panied by many of his official associates, has
thus greeted the brethren of gighteeu of the
iwenty-Diiie Masoaio districts
At the commencement of these visitations it
was arranged, in order to render them instruc
tive and useful, that suitably qualified brethren
should be invited to prepare and deliver on
these occasions addresses upon appropriate
subjects, it being considered that in this manner
some of those best qualified to afford instruc
tion might most advantageously be brought in
contact with large numbers of the craft. In ful
fillment of this plan several highly interesting
addresses were thus delivered early in the year
by brethren of distinction, and were warmly
appreciated, but later on, the efforts made m
connection with the Masonic Hall and Asylum
Fund became so all-engrossing that it was
found impracticable to introduce subjects of
less immediate interest. In connection with
certain of the visits thus made to distant por
tions of the State, the Grand Master was most
hospitably entertained by the brethren, but as
far as could be done consistently with courtesy,
such hospitalities were fraternally declined, it
being desired that the visits of the Grand
Officers, which were invariably made for practi
cal purposes, should not in any degree become
burdensome to the brethren.
At every district visitation it has-been my en
deavor to place the matters in hand before the
brethren in a plain and practical manner, and
every brother has been invited to freely in
quire, either publicly or in private, as to any
question concerning which he desired informa
tion. In view of the fact that a correct under
standing ot the matters which have so greatly
enlisted the attention of the craft has thus been
made accessible to all, it is greatly to be re
gretted that certain brethren have chosen,
rather than address the Grand Master, to cir
culate with great persistency erroneous state
ments as to the purposes which have been in
view and the methods by which they were in
tended to be accomplished. The result has
been to greatly obstruct the arduous labors un
dertaken lor the benefit of the fraternity, and to
materially diminish their immediate results.
The usefulness of the district visitations, and
the growing interest in our pending labors has
been demonstrated by the steadily increasing
attendance of the brethren. The number of
those present at the later visitations was un
usually great, and their cordial sympathy with
our labors plainly manifested.
Among visits of a fraternal character made to
particular lodges, one at least deserves especial
mention. It was that paid on the evening of
March 3, to Humboldt Lodge, No. 512, upon the
celebration of the twenty-filth anniversary of
its institution. The occasion was marked by
the presentation of handsome and appropriate
gifts from all the sister lodges of the German
district, and was highly enjoyable as illustrat
ing the great degree ot harmony and brotherly
love existing between these various bodies.
The relations of this Grand Lodge with other
Grand bodies have remained of the most fra
ternal and harmonious character. Elsewhere
throughout the Masonic world such appears
also to be the general condition of affairs. A
single exception exists to this happy state, aris
ing out of the pending matter of difference be
tween the Grand Lodge of England and the
Grand Lodge of Quebec, which was brought to
to my notice in August last by the transmission
of papers from the last named grand body, in
cluding an edict proclaiming certain lodges,
located at Quebec and working under the au
thority of the Grand Lodge of England, irregu
lar and. illegal. The dispute thus communi
cated to the Masonic world is one ot long stand
ing, and presents little that is new to those con
versant with Masonic affairs. The Grand Lodge
of Quebec was formed in 1869,in territory which
at that time was under the jurisdiction of the
Ancient Grand Lodge of Canada, organized
eleven years before. The lodges now declared
to be irregular were in existence before the es
tablishment of the last named Grand Lodge, and
hfcve always retained their obedience to the
Grand Lodge of England, declining to place
themselves under the jurisdiction either of the
Grand Lodge of Canada or of Quebec. The latter
Grand Lodge claims that as a consequence of
its establishment and general recognition it ac
quired such exclusive jurisdiction within the
territory accorded to it, as to render it the duty
of all the lodges previously erected therein to
sever their existing allegiance and place them
selves under its control. The Grand Lodge of
England, beside disputing the soundness of the
principle here asserted, declares that its recog
nition of the Grand Lodge of Canada was made
and accepted with the express condition that
the English lodges within the territory of that
grand body were to continue undisturbed in
thier allegiance and privileges, and in view of
this arrangement it is contended that when, in
1869, the Grand Lodge of Quebec became the
successor to the Grand Lodge-of Canada, it ac
quired no greater rights within the territory to
which it succeeded, than had previously been
possessed by the latter grand body.
As to the compact claimed to have been made
between the Grand Lodges of England and
Canada, the English contention is fully sup
ported by the report of the Committee on For
eign Correspondence made to this Grand Lodge
in 1871, which committee, before recommending
the recognition of the Grand Lodge of Quebec,
appears to have given exhaustive attention to
this general subject as it then existed. While
fully believing in the American doctrine of the
supreme and exclusive jurisdiction of a Grand
Lodge within the territory which it controls, I
do not consider that that doctrine should ex
tend to the length of rendering Masonic bodies
previously enjoying a lawful existence within
such territory clandestine and illegal, because
of their refusal to abandon their original alle
giance and place themselves under the authority
of its newly-created Grand Lodge. The Grand
Master of Masons in this State in 1879, in ad
dressing this Grand Lodge upon the subject oi
the somewhat similar issue then raised by Que
bec as against the Grand Lodge of Scotland, ex
pressed the opinion that the general current of
authority is opposed to such a construction of
the rights of a newly created Grand Lodge; and
in that view of the subject your present Grand
Master entirely concurs, if this is the correct
view of the question involved in this con
troversy, we cannot endorse the action oi Que
bec; but must deplore the fact that that Grand
Body should have thought it necessary to
proceed to the severance of fraternal rela
tions, rather than await the time when the
lodges in question should find it for their
interest to place themselves within the folds of
its protection.
Several foreign bodies, claiming to be just and
lawfully constituted Grand Lodges, will present
their claims to recognition at this communica
tion of the Grand Lodge, and such claims will
doubtless receive careful scrutiny at the hands
of the proper committees. In order that ques
tions likely to disturb the future peace ot the
Masonic world may as far as possible be avoid
ed, it is suggested that great care be taken to
ascertain the precise condition of affairs as to
conflicting claims ot jurisdiction within the ter
ritory over which these bodies claim authority,
before they are accorded recognition.
I deem it my duty to call your attention to an
evil of much importance and long-standing,
consisting of the circulation among lodges and
brethrenof certain newspapers, claiming to be
devoted to Masonry, but which in fact are ab
horrent, in their sentiments and tendencies, to
every principle of the fraternity. The general
liberty, and even license, of the press, which ex
ists in this country, is by them carried to the
furthest extreme. Ridicule and abuse of per
sonal character form their constant staple of
publication, and their ends are sordid, as their
methods are base. Though powerless for good,
they are at times potent for evil, and while ex
perienced brethren, if they read such publica
tions, may take them at their true value, the
younger members of the craft are often misled
by their mendacious statements and pernicious
teachings, and so far as they circulate among
the profane, the fact that they are able to ob
tain any sort of Masonic patronage is humilia
ting to us and injurious to our institution. Wo
neither possess nor desire authority to prevent
the circulation of such publications, yet some
method may be adopted, such as exists in other
jurisdictions, whereby the craft may be warned
against them, and their countenance, by the
lodges at least, may be prevented. I commend
this subject to your careful consideration.
The correspondence during the year has
been large, and has been greatly enhanced by
the nature of the labors in which we have been
engaged. Many hundreds of letters have been
received and answered, and, despite the al
ways efficient aid of the Grand Secretary, the
Grand Master has at times found this part of
his duties onerous and exacting. As in former
years, many of the questions presented were of
a most trivial character, and could readily have
been answered by a simple reference to the
constitution. So many applications were re
ceived for dispensations to confer the degrees
within less than the lawful time, as to prompt
a reference to that subject in this place, it
should be understood by all, that the provis
ions of Section 60 of the Statutes cannot be vio
lated or disponed with, and that where a peti
tioner has applied for initiation and advance
ment in a lodge, the Grand Master cannot by
dispensation authorize his advancement within
a less time than is fixed by that statute.
Numerous questions and several appeals have
been presented for decision. All these have
been determined, and seemingly to the satisfac
tion of the parties concerned, as I have not been
made aware that any such decision is to be pre
sented for review at your hands. It is therefore
not deemed necessary to make reference in de
tail to them in this address.
No subject has for many years demanded the
attention of the Grand Lodge, of such practical
and immediate importance to the craft of this
State, as that so long embraced in th© various
questions relating to the Masonic Hall and Asy
lum Fund. Many years ago our Masonic fath
ers conceived th© plan ot erecting, with funds to
be furnished by voluntary contribution, the Hall
in which we now assemble, for the purpose of
creating and maintaining from its revenues an
Asylum for Indigent Masons, their widows and
orphans. The project continued from year to
year, fostered by the Grand Lodge and largely
encouraged and approved by the iraternity, and
some sixteen years ago the first step was taken
toward its practical consummation in the com
mencement of the erection of this edifice. The
construction of the building occupied several
years. A period of wide-spread commercial dis
aster eame and found it unfinished. The orig
inal estimates of its cost proved entirely inade
quate and were largely exceeded. Although
.appeals were made from time to time for volun
tary contributions, and were responded to with
great liberajhty, it was found necessary, while
the building was in the course of erection, to
impose a tax the entire iraternity lor its
support, and evm then,when finally completed,
it was encumbered by an enormous debt, which
exceeded any sum .contemplated by its original
projectors as being involved in the consumma
tion of the entire enterprise.
For more than a decade of years we have
been suffering the evils of this .indebtedness, and
NEW YORK DISPATCH, JUNE 6, 1886.
its burdens have rested heavily upon all the
lodges. Great sums have annually been paid
out for principal and interest, yet it has but
slowly been diminished. Calculations as to its
speedy extinguishment have proved delusive,
and at the past rate of progress many years
must have elapsed before the existing taxation
might with safety be discontinued, or the great
object of our labors could be attained. Yet the
debt had been so far reduced that it seemed to
your newly-chosen Grand Master a year ago
that a time had arrived when an effort might
profitably be made to lessen, if not remove, its
burdens, and hasten the glorious consumma
tion of our ultimate desire. This belief ripened
into a settled conviction, and led to the making
of the effort through the methods and with the
results down to the present time, which I now
propose to lay before you.
When we separated a year ago, the indebted
ness of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and
Asylum Fund amounted to somewhat less than
five hundred thousand dollars, about fonr
nfths of which was represented by first mort
gage bonds, bearingfinterest at the' high rate of
seven per cent, per annum. These bonds were
made in 1871, to run for twenty years- No pro
vision existed for a sinking fund to meet them
at final maturity; it was manifest that When
that time arrived the Trustees would be able to
pay them only in part, and that a fresh loan
must be contracted as to the balance, with the
inevitable consequence of additional interest
charges to be added to the enormous sums
already absorbed by demands of that descrip
tion. The interest to be paid in future upon
the existing bonds, should they remain out
standing till finally due, would amount to more
than one hundred'and sixty thousand dollars,
and from a careful calculation it appeared that,
more than two hundred thousand dollars would
yet be required to meet the demands of present
and future creditors, for interest alone, ere the
debt could be paid. If these charges, or even
their greater part could be avoided, the amount
thus saved would go far toward building the
cherished Asylum, beside hastening the relief
of the fraternity from existing taxation.
Yet the making of an effort even toward this
desired consummation, was beset with many
difficulties. Through long labor weariness had
come. The fraternity, whose hopes had been
so long deferred and expectations so o ten dis
appointed, had largely reached the conclusion
that the present burdens were to be of indefi
nite duration, and that it was practically use
less to endeavor to diminish their extent.
A grave obstacle, too, lay in the fact, gener
ally believed, that the conditions of the out
standing mortgage bonds were such that they
could not be paid before their final maturity in
the year 1891, and even if the amount needful
for their payment could be obtained, it could
not be thus applied until the expiration of that
period.
This question I proceeded to investigate anew.
Upon an examination of the bonds and of the
mortgage by which they are secured, they were
found to differ in many respects from the ordi
nary forms of similar instruments. It had evi
dently been contemplated when these obliga
tions were created that they might be paid off,
either wholly or in part, before final maturity ;
for such a contingency was found plainly re
cited upon th© face of both mortgage and bonds,
and a distinct method was laid down in both
instruments, to be followed by the Trustees of
the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund, it at any
time before the expiration of the twenty years
they desired to pay off the whole or any part of
them. Yet, toward the close of this provision
there were found some words, so inconsistent
with this purpose, that, if taken literally, they
would defeat the object plainly provided for
just before, and which rendered the legal effect
of the instrument uncertain and difficult of de
termination.
Hence it was, doubtless, that the belief had
arisen that th© bonds must remain outstanding
for the full period of twenty years, and that
their oppressive interest charges could not
sooner be terminated or reduced.
Upon a careful examination, however, I be
came convinced that, despite its peculiarities of
construction, the provision for prepayment was
valid and enforceable, and that the Trustees of
the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund possessed
the legal right to cal! in and retire the bonds,
at such times, and in such amounts, as their
ability might justify.
Upon communicating with the trustees, they
received with pleasure the announcement that
there was even a prospect that this could be
done, and consulted counsel upon th© subject,
whose opinion as to their legal rights was to the
same general effect as my own.
Thus encouraged, I sought the advice and as
sistance of my official associates, and a meeting
of all the officers of the Grand Lodge was called,
which took place in this city on tfip 21st day of
October. With scarcely an exception, every
brother whose attendance was thus requested,
including those residing in most distant parts
of the State, punctually, attended in response to
this unusual call; many of them traveling hun
dreds of miles at great inconvenience and con
siderable expense ; and I here record my warm
est thanks to one and all, not only for their will
ing attendance and conscientious advice upon
this occasion, but for their earnest and devoted
labors, often amid circumstances of the greatest
discouragement, in the prosecution of our fur
ther efforts.
As the result of the meeting of October 21st,
which continued the entire day, and elicited
many varying opinions, it was determined that
the subject should at once be laid before the
craft, and an earnest and continued effort made
to procure funds to be applied toward the pay
ment of the debt.
The Grand Officers separated, with an ade
quate comprehension of the difficulties with
which their efforts were certain to be attended ;
yet determined to use every effort to induce the
craft to look upon this subject in the. light of
the present rather than of the past, and with an
abiding faith that through the righteousness of
their cause, their labors would not be denied at
least a reasonable measure of success.
On' tne 31st day of October,’an appeal was
sent to all the lodges, placing this subject ear
nestly before them, calling upon one and all to
unite* in an effort to relieve the fraternity irom
the fetters ot debt, and requesting that contri
butions of money for this purpose be procured
and forwarded to the Grand Master, from the
funds of lodges, through individual contribu
tions, and by other means. Subscription papers
in blank, to the number of nearly ten thousand,
were printed and distributed, through the Dis
trict Deputy Grand Masters, to all the lodges,
to be used in procuring the contributions of in
dividual brethren. Statements affording a
ready reference to the principal facts in connec
tion with the Hall and Asylum Fund, wore
printed under my direction and freely circu
lated. The assistance of Past Grand Officers
and other experienced brethren was, in many
instances, requested and obtained. . Visitations
to the lodges were freely made by most of the
Grand Officers ; the District Deputy Grand Mas
ters, especially, being indefatigable in the dis
charge of this duty. The Grand Master went
in person to various business and Masonic cen
tres through the State, meeting large numbers
ot the brethren, responding willingly to ail their
questions, and striving to show them the utter
futility of dwelling upon real or supposed er
rors of the past as a reason for not joining in
the effort to relieve the cralt at the present time
irom the debt which burdens all alike. A cor
respondence of large proportions sprang up,
relating to this subject, and every inquirer was,
as far as possible, given such information as he
desired.
On the 14th day of November, M. E. James E.
Morrison, Grand High Priest of Royal Arch
Masons, and R. E. Sir Peter Forreste'r, Grand
Commander of Knights Templar, met me by
my desire, and I requested them to lay before
tne several bodies under their control the ap
peal which had been sent to the lodges, and ask
their fraternal co-operation in the work. To
this request Bros. Morrison and Forrester re
turned a favorable response, and copies of the
Grand Master’s circular letter of October 31st,
with appropriate letters of the Grand High
Priest and Grand Commander, respectively,
were sent to ail the Chapters and Commander
ies, with substantial results, as will appear by
the table of contributions appended to this ad
dress.
The thanks of the entire fraternity are most
warmly due the two officers named, and the
brethren composing the Royal Arch and Tem
plar Bodies, for their contributions in our aid,
it being remembered that all these brethren
were already, as members of lodges, bearing
their due share of the burden and participating
in our efforts.
At the commencement of the new year a sec
ond circular letter was sent to the lodges, call
ing their attention more particularly to certain
features of the subject and supplying such ad
ditional information as seemed most in de
mand.
Notwithstanding our most active exertions,
the work for a considerable time progressed
but slowly. Many lodges sent assurances of
their willingness to pay their proportionate
share of the debt if released from the pet* capita
tax at present imposed, by,t only within the past
few months have actual cmitributions of money
been readily given.
Large sums were freely offered, to be applied
to the immediate construction of the Asylum,
and a far greater amount could, with much less
effort, have been obtained for that purpose than
has actually been received to be devoted to the
payment of the debt; but the Grand Master did
not feel at liberty to accept these generous prof
fers ; considering that the only course consist
ent with wisdom is to complete the first branch
of this undertaking, so long unfinished, before
entering upon its final stage ; fearing that to
enter upon the construction of the Asylum now
would be to incur risk of a repetition of our past
experience with respect to the Hall, and being
unwilling to lend the sanction of his official
authority to a course which might ever, by any
possibility, involve the iraternity in the meshes
of another debt.
With respect to obtaining money to relieve ex
isting burdens, it was found, as anticipated, that
disappointing events in the past had generated
a wide-spread distrust. Many who had origin
ally entered upon the undertaking with ardor,
now regarded it with aversion, and even where
this feeling could be overcome, our task was re
plete with other difficulties.
The country bad been passing through a pe
riod of great commercial depression. In many
portions of the State labor troubles of serious
extent existed or werefimpending. No assurance
could be given that those who contributed
would receive any advantage over those who
did not, and the Grand Master’s expression of
opinion that the outstanding bonds could be re
tired befoie their maturity, was no more an
horitative than other expressions in former
years to the contrary effect.
I make no reference to obstructions placed in
our path, which, lor the preservation of our
selLrespept, had best remain unrecorded upon
the pages of the Grand Lodge, but the real and
unavoidable difficulties of the subject were
sufficient to deprive us of the co-operation of
many good brethren; and under the circum
stances it is not astonishing that more has not
been accomplished, but is rather a matter for
surprise and congratulation that we should
have attained the substantial result with which
our labors have actually been crowned.
home contributions of generous amount
should be especially mentioned. The Grand
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, which has ever
extended substantial aid to this enterprise, at
its annual convocation in February, donated the
sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, pursuant
to the recommendation of the Grand High
Priest, and upon the report of a committee of
which our lamented Bro. William T. Woodruff
was atoember.
The representation of Grand Opera, given by
the American Opera Company, in the city of
New York, on the 12th day of April, for the
benefit of the fund, yielded upward of five
thousand dollars. For this contribution the
fraternity is principally indebted to Mrs. Jean
nette M. Thurber, a lady devoted to musical
art, who is successfully engaged in the patriotic
undertaking ot establishing a National Ameri
can Opera, and who became interested in our
labors through the efforts oi R. W. Washington
E. Connor, Grand Marshal. Our brethren com
posing the Drill Corps of Monroe Commandery
of Knights Templar, whose proficiency in
Templar tactics is famous, gave two exhibition
drills in aid of the fund; one at the city of
Rochester on the 11th, and the other at the city
of New York on the 17 th of May. The latter ex
hibition took place under the authority and
direction of the Grand Commander of Knights
Templar, and was participated in by many of
the Commanderies in various parts of the
State, who either directly or indirectly con
tributed to its result. These exhibitions to
gether yielded between two and three thousand
dollars.
Many other donations equally deserve
especial mention, did space permit; and I in
vite your appreciative attention to the tabulated
lists in which they are set forth. Many of these,
if viewed aright, will be regarded as evidence
of what can still further be accomplished by
proper effort in similar directions.
At the commencement of the year there was
no registry of the bonds, and their ownership
was difficult to ascertain, but as time passed
by, the extent to which they were found to be
held by lodges and by brethren interested in
our success, became a decided clement of en
couragement. In numerous cases their will
ing surrender was promised, and although
many of these assurances as yet remain unful
filled, still in a number of cases, bonds have
been surrendered, either as donations out
right, or for a part or the whole of their face
value, which has been paid in cash. By the
month of February the contributions received
m money amounted to the sum of twenty-five
thousand dollars, and the Trustees of the Hall
and Asylum Fund gave notice through the
press of their intention to pay first mortgage
bonds to that amount, and of the time and place
when such payment would be made, pursuant
to the method prescribed by the mortgage.
Soon after this publication the Trustees made
a tender to a bondholder who had been em
phatic in asserting his supposed rights, of the
amount of the bonds held by him, and included
in the advertisement, with interest to date, and
demanded the delivery to them of the bonds.
The tender was refused, and thereupon the
Trustees, for the purpose of testing the ques
tion of their right to make advance payment,
brought suit to compel the surrender of these
bonds, that being the only method by which
such right could be established without mak
ing default in the payment of interest.
The suit was pressed forward as expeditious
ly as possible. It has been brought to trial be
fore Hon. Stephen D. Stephens, County Judge
of Richmond county, sitting as referee, and I
am pleased to inform you that a decision has
been rendered in favor of the Trustees, con
firming their right to make present payment of
the bonds, and pursuant to this decision, judg
ment has been rendered for the surrender of
lhe particular bonds here involved. It is un
derstood that an appeal will be taken from this
decision, though little apprehension is felt by
the counsel lor the Trustees as to its final re
sult.
This judgment has been rendered so recent
ly, and our attention has been so completely
occupied in the effort to secure as large a part
as possible of the fruits of our labors before the
meeting of the Grand Lodge, that it has been
impracticable as yet to make any extended ef
fort to retire the bonds. Indeed, it has been
deemed best that nothing further should be
done in this direction than was strictly neces
sary to the ascertainment of the legal rights of
the Trustees, and the entire subject, in so far
as it hinges upon this question, is left complete
ly open for your disposition.
* This view has been expressed, that even if
the right exists to pay off or refund the bonds,
it should not be exercised. Yet, with the most
scrupulous regard to the honor of the frater
nity, it is difficult to discern any substantial
foundatton for this idea; and it is more difficult
still to discover any reason, founded in justice
or good conscience, why the Trustees of the
Hall and Asylum Fund should continue to pay
interest upon these obligations at the rate of
seven per cent., while other borrowers of money
upon similar security are paying not more than
four or five.
Not to unduly detain you, maiiy interesting
incidents must be passed over, without which
the history of this work during the past year is
not complete. My principal circular letters,
and a carefully prepared tabulated statement,
showing every contribution received, are ap
pended to this address. For every payment
made, my receipt has been given. Such re
ceipts have been issued, to the number of some
two thousand. As will be seen by referring to
the appendix, the number ot individual contri
butions is several times as great as the number
of receipts : a single receipt frequently includ
ing the offerings of many of tbe members of a
particular lodge. When it is remembered that
the greatest effort has sometimes been attended
with the least result, and that the smallest con
tribution baa sometimes involved the greatest
sacrifice, the magnitude of the task will to
some extent be understood. Hall and Asylum
bonds ot either kind now outstanding, have
been received at their face value and accrued
interest, and considered as cash.
The contributions which have come to my
hands amount m the aggregate, to the time of
tbe preparation of this address, to the large
sum of $73,348.85. The additional sums paid
in, to the time of the commencement of this an
nual communication, which will doubtless
amount to several thousand dollars more, will
be embraced in a supplemental statement. It is
confidently believed that but little difficulty will
be experienced in applying this entire sum, or
even a much larger amount, to the payment of
outstanding bonds, without regard to questions
of legal right.
Aside irom the amounts actually received,
and those which will be paid in the immediate
future, conditional contributions have been
made to a considerable amount, and will be
come available as various points are reached in
the reduction of the debt; and I have been
made aware of the making of several testa
mentary provisions of substantial amount, of
which the fund will in due time receive the
benefit. One conditional contribution, amount
ing to one thousand dollars, is included in the
amounts which have come to my hands, tbe
facts relating to which have been placed before
the Committee on the Hall and Asylum Fund,
in order that they may suitably advise the
Grand Lodge with respect to its acceptance.
Such are the tangible results to the present
time, of the effort to purchase our freedom
from debt; but your Grand Master believes
that this represents only a part of what has
been accomplished; feeling that one of the prin
cipal results has been to arouse the cralt to a
livelier sense of what should be our aspirations
and our efforts in this direction; and that what
has been effected through the endeavors of
comparatively a few, demonstrates that the
speedy payment of every dollar of the debt is
easily within our resources, under a united
effort of the whole.
The Trustees have been able to effect a net de
crease in the indebtedness during the year,
amounting to about 836,000, so that taking into
account the contributions received by the Grand
Master, the condition of the Fund at the present
time is better, to the extent ot considerably
more than one hundred thousand dollars, than
it was a year ago.
It now remains, if such shall be your pleas
ure, to mark with your approval the efforts al
ready made, and if this work is to continue, to
devise some practical method whereby in
dividual endeavor shall give place to concerted
action under your sanction, io the end that the
debt may soonest and most equitably be paid,
the craft relieved from its burdens, and the
great purpose oi all our labors and sacrifices be
rendered an accomplished fact.
In this connection the all-important question
arises what method shall be adopted ? {Several
plans have been suggested, and various re
quests have been received that they be placed
before you.
The first ot these, and one quite numerously
recommended, is that ot imposing upon all the
lodges, m proportion to their membership, an
assessment, sufficient in amount to meet the
entire indebtedness, and to require its pay
ment within a fixed time. Although this propo
sition emanates from a number of lodges which
declare themselves ready to conform to its re
quirements it adopted, it seems neither wise
nor practicable. The burdens now placed upon
the lodges in this jurisdiction are sufficiently
great. They should not be increased, and no
proposition which enforces any greater pay
ment than now required should receive your
approbation.
Of the several methods which have been con
sidered, that wh ch seems least open to objec
tion is a proposition to release irom the existing
f>er capita tax of fifty cents per annum every
odge which shall pay, upon the basis of its
present membership, a sum equal to its pro
portionate share of its whole indebtedness; yet
even this measure, taken by itself, although
urged by a large number of lodges and breth
ren, is unsatisfactory and incomplete; for it
provides only for the relief of lodges able to
discharge their ratable portion of the debt,
and leaves their less fortunate sisters open to
the indefinite continuance oi the present annual
charge.
Any practicable means of treating this sub
ject should provide a time when the annual
charge of fifty cents per member, now imposed,
shall come to an end as to every lodge within
our jurisdiction ; and that time, if you agree
with mo, should be the day on which the exist
ing indebtedness of the Hall and Asylum Fund
is completely paid. If this be established as
the initial step, all can alike look forward to a
definite goal, which, when reached, will mark
the liberation of the whole fraternity from a
long-standing and irksome charge, burdensome
in amount and obnoxious in principle, but
which has been faithfully submitted to by the
loyal craft of this jurisdiction, because of the
unavoidable necessity for its original imposi
tion.
If it be next provided that all lodges shall
have the right to pay a sum equal to their pro
portionate share of the existing debt, upon the
basis of their present’* membership, and that
thereupon they shall be at once released from
further payment of the per capita charge of fifty
cents per annum, it is difficult to perceive any
jpst or objection that can be made
to this enactment.
No additional burden will thus be imposed
upon any lodge. Every, dollar paid will bring
nearer the final deliverance of all. It will be to
the interest of all alike that the largest possible
number shall avail themselyee of this privilege
within the shortest possible time, ana in vieft
of the large number of assurances, many of
them in writ ng, received upon this subject
during the year, I cannot doubt that this course
will soon be adopted by very many. Every
payment thus made will diminish the principal
of the debt; as the principal diminishes, the in
terest charges, now so heavy, will also decrease,
and as these become less the revenues of the
property itself will become a constantly increas
ing factor in the further diminution of the prin
cipal.
While under this method no lodge can be re
leased except upon the payment of its full pro
portion of the debt, every contribution from
sources outside the lodges and their members,
and every donation from a lodge in excess of its
equal share, will in effect result to the benefit
of those not able thus to pay, and when it is re
membered that during the past year several
lodges have contributed sums larger than
would thus be required of them, and that about
one-quarter of the whole amount received came
from sources outside the lodges, it will be ap
parent that those unable to comply in lull with
the condition essential to entitle them to imme
diate exemption, need have no doubt but that
aid will be extended to them, nor need we fear
that any portion of the debt will long remain
unpaid.
If the Grand Lodge shall determine upon the
adoption of such a method as this, or of any
method similar in principle, provision should
in justice be made for giving due credit for the
several sums contributed by the lodges or their
members during the past year; for while these
gilts have been voluntary and unconditional, it
is but fair that those who in the fullness of
their faith have given of their means in the
face of obstacles by which others were de
terred, should not be compelled to repeat such
contributions, but that ail such sums, in pro
portion to their amount, should result as favor
ably to the givers as those hereafter to be paid.
And there is still another step, the wisdom of
which has become strongly impressed upon my
mind in the consideration of this subject.
Though not a portion of the plan of providing
for the liquidation of the present indebetedness,
its adoption would greatly expedite and pro
mote that end. It is the embodiment in the
amendment to our laws, which will be neces
sary to any change in the existing system, of a
provision that no future tax for the support of
the Hall and Asylum Fund shall be imposed
upon the fraternity, except with the concurrence
ot the lodges themselves. Surely the Grand
Lodge may deal thus generously with the craft;
surely their past labors and sacrifices in behalf
of this enterprise fairly entitle them to such an
assurance as tms I At present there is an ap
prehension, to the existence of which many of
you can bear testimony, that when the present
debt is paid another similar burden will be
created in connection with the erection ot the
Asylum, and that its payment .will be imposed
upon the lodges. Under a liberal and reassur
ing measure such as is now suggested, all feel
ing of insecurity from this source must at once
disappear, and all the craft could with perfect
confidence proceed to the fulfillment of the task
immediately before them.
These four elements then : The abolition of
the per capita tax upon the complete payment
of the existing debt; the immediate exemption
from that charge of every lodge paying its rata
ble share; a provision to entitle lodges which
have contributed during the past year to the
benefit of such contributions; and a further
enactment requiring the concurrence of the
craft before any future tax shall be created;
form, as it seems to me a just, safe and practic
able plan, which, without* imposing any addi
tional charges, will provide for the sure and
speedy lifting of this onerous and long contin
ued burden, and for the restoration of the craft
to the happy condition existing before its crea
tion.
In recommending it, however, to your favor
able consideration and adoption, I remind you
that it is our duty to give to this or to any other
method suggested in connection with this im
portant subject, the most careful consideration;
freely rejecting this or any other proposition
which 1 ails to stand the test of close examination,
and not adopting any plan until it shall, as far
as possible, have been freed from all just objec
tion.
Propositions embodying the several methods,
to which reference has been made, have been
presented and placed before the Committee on
the Hall and Asylum Fund, by which they will
doubtless be reported in proper season for your
consideration.
Under a wise provision of our constitution,
the law regulating this subject cannot be
amended at one communication of the Grand
Lodge, but must either be finally passed at a
second annual communication, or must within
the intervening time be submitted to and ap
proved by a majority of the lodges. If any
method shall be devised and approved at this
time, it seems desirable that it should take the
latter course, in order that time may be saved,
and also to afford the lodges an opportunity for
a direct expression of opinion upon this entire
subject.
in.presenting one of these methods thus fa
vorably, the fact has not been overlooked that
there may be greater difficulty, than is now
anticipated in retiring or refunding the out
standing bonds; but to whatever extent this
may prove to be the fact, this contingency does
not impair the safety of the course proposed.
The property of the Trustees of the Hall and
Asylum Fund is now self-sustaining ; its reve
nues are amply sufficient to meet the interest
charges upon the outstanding obligations, even
at the present excessive rates ; and the frater
nity need but provide the principal, to insure
the complete payment of the whole of the debt.
There is believed to boa willingness upon the
part of some, highly creditable to those by
whom it is entertained, that the annual charge
of fifty cents per member shall continue even
after the payment of the debt, to augment the
revenues of the Asylum ; but the Grand Master,
after mingling extensively with the brethren in
many parts of the State, is assured that such is
not the general sentiment of the craft. The im
position of such taxation was not a part of the
original plan, it arose and was approved as a
measure of stern necessity, only after the com
mencement of the building ot the Hall, and
when it was seen that its completion could not
be accomplished without the creation of a heavy
indebtedness.
There need be no fear but that ample means
will be provided for the erection and mainte
nance ot the Asylum, without the continuance
of this tax. The craft do not require the coer
cion of law to compel their contributions toward
a useful chanty. They are generous, they are
open-handed. For years they have poured
their money like water into this enterprise;
thus abundantly proving the benevolence of
their impulses. Is it too much to say that after
the existing debt shall have been paid, their
further contributions shall be left to their own
judgment ? And can we not feel assured that
when, through wise management, the practica
bility and usefulness of the Asylum shall be
fairly established, it will always receive the
generous support of the fraternity, in full pro
portion as its utility shall merit ?
Contemplating the future by the light of the
past, it is altogether probable that not one, but
several such institutions, sustained through the
free offerings ot a great and prosperous brother
hood, will, in the course of time, arise and be
maintained, giving home and comfort to the
poor, refuge and shelter to the widow, education
to the orphan, attesting to all the world the use
fulness of our fraternity, and forming additional
ties to bind its members more closely together.
Having now endeavored to lay before you the
principal matters requiring attention, my task
is done, and this address, already protracted,
must be brought to a close.
To all my official associates, my warmest
thanks are due for cordial co-operation and
faithful support, in a degree which rarely, if
ever, can have been exceeded ; and in this con
nection I desire especially to record my obliga
tions to our esteemed Grand Secretary.
The demands upon his time and energies have
often been unreasonable ; yet no task has been
found beyond either his willingness, or his abil
ity in its periormance ; and I ieel assured that
every brother who has participated in the labors
of the past few months will join heartily with
me in this expression.
For myself, while the duties of this high office
have at times been arduous, they have been
performed according to the best ability of one
whose only regret has been that his capacity to
serve you has not been greater, and who ren
ders this account ot the trust committed to his
care, confident that through no act of his has
your dignity been diminished, and hopeful that,
to some extent, your capacity for usefulness
may have been increased.
And now, brethren, the business of thia an
nual communication awaits you. Building for
the future, let us strive to build broadly,
grandly; but, above all, securely : and let us
proceed to the discharge of our duties with a
lull sense ot the responsibility that is upon us,
and with no other aim than to best advance the
interests of our great and beloved fraternity.
At the conclusion of the address the reports
of the Grand Officers were received and the
usual committees appointed, and the Grand
Master’s address appropriately referred. The
Grand Lodge was then called off until Wednes
day morning at 9 o’clock.
Second Day.—The Grand Lodge was opened
at nine o’clock with M. W. Frank R. Lawrence
in the East.
The reports of the various committees were
present el i n 1 read, uhich occupied the greater
portion of the seas on.
A resolution, tff.n d by Charles T. McClena
chan as a port.on of the report.of the committee
appointed to examiue every building used for
Masonic purposes in New York and Brooklyn,
provided lor the appointment of a Board ot
Examiners whose ins;.notion in relation to
alterations and improvements in such struc
tures shall be en orced by the Grand Master. It
was also adopted.
For the first time in a number o years there
was no contest over the Grand Lodge offices,
and the incumbents, from the Grand Master
down, were re-elected. The list of officers is as
follows: Grand Master, Frank R. Lawrence;
Deputy Grand Master, John W. Vrooman; Senior
Grand Warden, James Ten Eyck; Junior Grand
Warden, John Hodge; Grand Treasurer, John
Boyd; Grand Secretary, Edward M. L. Ehlers.
Lieutenant Governor Jones, who is a member
of Otseningo Lodge, No. 435, Binghampton, was
introtroduced, and received a hearty welcome,
which' he gracefully acknowledged.
A congratulatory telegram was read from the
Grand todge of lowa, and w fitting response
was sent.
A resolution, offered by Bro. Edward H.
Warker, providing for a committee to prepare
a history of Freemasonry in New York, was
adopted, as also a resolution offered by John
F. Collins, that in future no member of the fra
ternity should represent more than one Grand
Lodge.
ThiAd Day.—The session opened at nine A.
M., with prayer by Rev. Charles W. Camp, one
of the grand chaplains. The Committee on
Work and Lectures presented a report, in which
the services* to the fraternity of George H. Ray
mond, Grand Lecturer, were highly approved
of. The special committee appointed to con
sider that portion of the Grand Master’s ad
dress relating to the evils wrought by certain
so-called Masonic publications submitted reso
lutions, which were adopted by the Grand
Lodge, severely censuring such publications
and requesting the Grand Master to compel all
lodges to withdraw their patronrage. The re
port of the Commissioners of Appeals, pre
sented by Chief Commissioner Frederick A
Burnham, was concurred in by the Grand
Lodge.
A recommendation of the Committee on Con
stitution and statutes, taking from lodges the
privilege ot disqualifying from voting such of
their members as may be in arrears was reject
ed by the Grand Lodge. A movement to econo
mize the expenses of the annual sessions of the
Grand Lodge by reducing one-half of the
amounts paid to the representatives, was sup
ported by the delegates from New York and its
vicinity, but was solidly voted down by the rep
resentatives of the lodges from the interior of
the State. The individual representatives ot
many of the lodges m the metropolitan district
thereupon donated the pay to which they were
entitled to the Hall and Asylum Fund. The
movement spread rapidly among the delegates
and Grand Lodge officers, and in a few minutes
sums amounting to over $1,6.0 had been con
tributed to the payment of the debt on the Tem
ple.
The applications for recognition oi&the Grand
I odges qt Spain and Porto tiico, ana of various
grand bodies in Mexico, were referred to the
Grand Master with power. By vote of the Grand
lodge, Anglo-Saxon 1 odge, located in Brook
lyn, was permitted to remain m the Third Ma
sonic District, although a recent change in its
place of meeting had brought it within the ju
risdiction ot the Second District.
The acknowledged heads of the fraternity in
this State expressed great satisfaction at the
action of the Grand Lodge m adopting the rec
ommendations of the Committee on Hall and
Asylum Fund, thereby practically assuring the
findl payment of the debt on the Temple. This
debt is almost entirely represented by first
mortgage bonds maturing in 1891 and bearing
interest at the rate of seven per cent. The
right of the Trustees to prepay these bonds
having been raised, a test case to compel the
holder ot some of them to accept the offer of the
payment of principal and interest made him by
the Trustees was brought before County Judge
Stephens, al Richmond county, as referee. He
decided in favor of the Trustees. This decision
will be ‘appealed from, but the Trustees feel
confident that their right to retire the bonds
before maturity w.ll be sustained. The pre
payment of these bonds and the refunding of
the debt means a saving of about $300,000 in the
payment of interest alone.
All the business before the Grand Lodge hav
ing been disposed of, the Grand Officers, who
for the first time wore the superb regalia or
dered at the last session of the Grand Lodge,
were installed with much solemnity by General
Charles Roome, Past Grand Master. The ode,
“Brethren Arise,” written by R. W. Bro. Geo.
Hayes, was sung by a quartette from Living
ston Lodge during the installation ceremonies.
Prayer was then offered, and the session ot the
Masonic Grand Lodge for 1886 was declared
closed.
Corinthian Lodge, No. 488. will, at
its next communication, Thursday evening,
10th inst., in their rooms, Grand Opera House,
Twenty-third street and Eighth avenue, confer
the third degree on several candidates. The
Master ot this lodge, a thorough standard rit
ualist and able worker, assisted by his efficient
corps of officers, and the Past Masters of the
lodge, will endeavor to work the Master Mason’s
Degree with more than ordinary interest and
impressiveness on this occasion. Brethren of
sister lodges are most cordially and fraternally
invited to be present, and will receive a hearty
welcome in Corinthian Lodge.
The annual excursion of Corinthian Lodge,
No. 488, will take place on Wednesday, June 23,
1886, to Idlewild Grove, Long Island Sound.
Tickets for this excursion can be had in the
lodge at this communication, or from any mem
ber of the lodge.
Empire Chapter 170.—This active
and flourishing body of Royal Arch Masons will
convene on next Thursday evening, when the
Mark Degree will be conferred in full form, and
as is usual in this chapter a large array of talent,
consisting of well informed craftsmen will be in
attendance; beside, | there is also a very im
portant matter to be discussed, and it is there
fore especially desired that every member of the
chapter be present. See advertisement in an
other column.
Crescent Lodge, No. 402.—The next
regular communication of this lodge will be
held in the Austin Room, Masonic Temple, on
Thursday evening, June 10th, at eight o'clock.
The First degree will be coulerrod.
Citizen’s Lodge, No. 628, will confer
the First degree on four candidates on Friday
evening, June 11th, at Livingston Rooms, Ma
sonic Temple. Brethren of sister lodges in
vited.
Sylvan Grove Lodge will work the
First Degree on Tuesday next.
LAIJOIt EXCHANGE.
A R. A. M. in good standing desires
employment as hotel clerk, cashier, or bar tender Fif
teen years experience and the best of references. Address
FRED. FOsDICK, No. 39 Columbia street, New York.
Empire A, No. 170.
Companions, you are hereby summoned to attend the
next regular convocation of yyour chapter, at Sixth
avenue and Twenty-fifth street, on Thursday, 10th inst
Business of great importance.
E. LOEWENSTEIN, H. P.
Fred’s E. Davis, Sec.
William H. Heathcote,
WATCHES, JEWELRY ANT DIAMONDS.
Masonic Jewelry a Specialty.
No. 31 PARK ROW, WORLD BUILDING (opp. Post Office)
and
NEW No. 2 CHATHAM SQUARE, above Worth street
CREDIT!
MEN’S, YOUTHS’, BOYS’ AND CHILDREN’S
CLOTHING and HATS,
SOLD ON WEEKLY OR MONTHLY PAYMENTS.
STOCK ENTIRELY NEW; LATEST STYLES: FIT
GUARANTEED.
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OPEN MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.
UNTIL IQ P. M.’
DENTISTRY.
DR. B. H. DUPIGNAC, No. 159 BOWERY, five doors
above Broome street. Forty-five years of active practice.
Extracts, Inserts, and Fills Teeth without pain.
A Specialty: Art ficial Teeth. $4, $6, SB, sio, and up.
Repairing, sl. and up. Gold Filling, sl, and up, clean
ing and beautifying natural teeth, 50 cents, up.
Open Sundays and evenings.
Lady Dentist in attendance.
JAMIES LUKER,
MANUFACTURER OF
KNIGHTS
MASONIC,
AND
ALL KINDS OF SOCIETY GOODS,
No. 133 GRAND STREET. CORNER OF CRQSBY.
WARING & HUBBARD,
No. 22 FOURTH AVENUE. NEW YORK CITY.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
and other SOCIETY UNIFORMS a specialty.
Our system of self-measurement and samples of goods
sent tree on application.
COATS, $15.00 to $20.00. CAPES, SIO.OO to $16.00.
MYSTIC SHRINE BADGES.
WILLIAM H. GAMMON,
No. 43 CHATHAM STREET,
(Eighty feet north of Bridge entrance).
Price, $8 to sls, GENUINE TIGERS’ CLAWS,
Warranted 14-carat gold.
N. B.—-Goods sent to all parts oi the United States, C. O-
D. Also old gold and silver bought.
MASONIC DIRECTORY.
NEW YORK.
ACACIA, No. 327, meeta first and third Tuea
days, Clinton Room. Masonic Temple, Twenty-thiid
street and Sixth avenue. Adam G. Vail, AL
George D. Sauer, Treas. James D. Cutwater, S. W.
Frank A. Hovey, Sec. Wm. H. Ferre, J. W.
ADELPHIC, No. 348.—The regular oommuni
cations are held on the first and Third Tuesdays of each
montfi, at 8 o’clock, P. M., in lonic Room, Masonic Tem
ple. E. 8. Inneq M.
R. H. Foote, Treas. W. W. Walker, & W.
Wm. H. Innet. Sec. W. E. Marrenner. J. W.
AKCPUBUS, No. 274.—Regular oommunioationa
of Arcturus Lodge are held at Miller’s Hall, No. 202 E.
86th st., S. E. cor. 3d avenue, on the first and third
Tuesdays of each month. Geo Campbell, M.
Henry H. Dahnke, Treas. William Kurz, S. W.
James Allwood, Sec., John A. Paradise, J. W.
No. 58 Sands st., Brooklyn.
BUNTING, No. 655, meeta first and third Mon
days oi each month, corner 124th Street and Third av
enue. Harlem. Harry U. Harney, M.
Cyrus O. Hubbell, Treas. Theo .o’-' A. Jasper. S. W.
Z. T. Benson, Sec. Fred. M. Kandell, J, W. I
CHANCELLOR WALWORTH, No. 271, meet*
second and fourth Wednesdays ea- h month, in Au stir}
and Commandery Room, Masonic Hall, 23d street and
Sixth avenue. Wright D. PownalL ML
Geo. W. Millar, Treas., John W Je non - 8. W.
F. W. Herring, Sec., Andrew H. Kellogg, J. W,
No. 841 Broadway, N. Y.
COPESTONE, No. 641, meets every second and
fourth Wednesdays, at 8 P.M.. Ln the Corinthian Room.
Masonic Temple. William McFaul, M.
Martin Kalb, Treas. William J. Mathews, S. W.
H. T. Gibson, Sec. Joseph J. Moen, J. W.
CORINTHIAN, No. 488, meats second and
fourth Thursdays, at Grand Opera House, 23d street
and Bth avenue, at 8 P. M. Oscar G. Ahlstrom, ML
Geo. Stone, Treas. Fred. K. Van Court, S. W.
Geo. F. Thornton. Sec. Thomas Bonner, J. W.
CRESCENT, No. 402, meets second and fourth
Thursdays.in Austin Room. Masonic Tempie. Stranger*
in Che city, and others of the craft, are cordially invited.
Edward B. Harper, M.
Wm. H. Francis Treas, Wm. J. Waif, er S. W 4
Jas. H. Bailey, See, F. H. Wall, J. W.
DIRIGO, No. 30, meets second and fourth Mon
days of each month, in Composite Rooms. Masonie
Temp e. Sixth avenue and 23d street.
D. Wyman, Treas. Aaron Morris, M.
William R. Oldr >y<', Sec., L; Jacobson, S. W.
No. (7 Ch niton st. A. Crozier, J. W.
EMANUEL, No. 654, meets second and fourth
Thursdas each month, Koster & Bial’s Hall, No. 117
West Twenty-third street, Gustave Baum, M.
M. Laski, Treas. Jere. H. Goldman, S.W.
Leonard Leisersohn, Sec. Edward F. Smith, J.W.
ENTERPRISE, No. 228, meets tho first and
third Tuesdays of each month, Grane Opera House,
corner of Eighth avenue and West Twenty-third street.
Joseph Graham, Treas. John G. Hoffman, M.
John Foster, Sec.. DeForrest Nichols, S. W.
Res.. No. 608 Tenth are. Dr. Molesworth, J. W.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, No. 285, meets first,
third and fifth Fridays of each month, at Eastern Star
Hall, corner Seventh street and Third avenue.
Adolphus D. Pape, M.
A. H. Bradley, Trea*. W. P. Kent, 8. W.
Jared A. Timpson, Sec. Ralph Bogart, J. W.
GIRARD, No. 631, meets first Friday in each
month, Livingston Room. Masonic Temple.
Thos. P. Clench, Sec. Thos. W. James, M.
Chas. Clark, Treas Peter G. Arnott, S. W.
John Mead. J. W.
INDEPENDENT, No 185, meets first and third
Mondays of each month, at German Masonic Temple
East Fifteenth street. C. B. Parker, M.
W. Lindemeyer, Treas. G. M. Johnson, S. W.
E. R. Brown, Sec. C. R. Trumbull. J. W.
KANE, No. 454.—Regular communications of
Kane Lodge are held on the first, third and filth Tues
days in Austin Room, Masonic Temple.
Joseph J. Little, M.
Chas. A. Whitney, Treas. Thos. E. Stewart. S. W.
Henry W. Penoyar, Sec. Charles F. Ulrich, J. W.
MARINERS’, No. 67, meets first and third Mon-*
days of each month, at German Masonic Temple, No. 220
East Fifteenth street. Robert J. Poynter, M.
Robert W. Pain. Treas. Henry Wood, S. W.
John W Ferrier. Sec. Thomas Lennox, J. W.
METROPOLITAN, No. 273, meets second and
fourth Thursdays of each month, (except July and Au
guest, Corinthian Room. Masonie Temple, Sixth avenue
and Twenty-third street. Alfred W, Royal, M.
Thos. Carter, Treas. Harry G. English. 8. W.
J. B. Russell, Sec. Chas. L. Dimon. Jr.. J. Wi
No. 242 E. 25th st.
MONTGOMERY, No. 68, moots in the Dorio
Room, Masonic Temple, every first and third Monday
evenings, at 7:30 o’clock.
F. O. Woodruff, Treas. W. P. Worster, M. D.
F. W. McGowen, Sec., J. Wesley Smith, S. W. ’
Box No. 68, Masonic Temple. Thos. J. Pardy, J. W.
MUNN, No. 190, meets on the second and
lourth Thursday evenings, ai Livingston Room, Mason
ic Temple. Joseph Abraham, M.
John Maguire, Treas. Thos. Maguire, S. W.
Ezra B. Stock vis, sec. W. E. Harwood, J. W.
MYSTIC TIE, No. 272, meets first, third and
fifth Tuesdays, at Eastern Star Hall, cor. Seventh street!
and Third avenue. Henry G. Edwards, M.
Chas. W. Kat tel. Treas. Henry C. Dougherty, S. W.
Geo. Smith, Jr., Sec. James P. Styles, J. W.
Residence. 354 Second av.
NATIONAL, No. 209, meets in Clinton room.
Masonic Temple. 23d street and 6th avenue, second and
lourth Fridays each month. David Newmark, M.
J. L. Voorhees, Treas. Hugh Hawthorn, S.W.
E. Percival, Sec. Max Boremsky, J. W.
Res. 1579 2d avenue.
NEW YORK, No. 330, meets the first and third
Wednesdays each month, Austin Room, Temple, Twen
ty-third street and Sixth avenue. John Jay Griffin, M.
Chas. Heizman, Treas. John J. Brogan, S. W.
E. W. Bradley, Sec. Vai Schneider, J- W.‘
PACIFIC, No. 233, meets first and third Thurs
days of each month, in the lonic Room, Masonic Hall.
Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street. .
m John T. Lee, M.
Henrv Lee. Treas. William J. Conway, S. W
James Hyde, Sec. William Irvine, J. W.
Address, No. 869 Green ave., Brooklyn.
PARK, No. 516, meets first and thii;d Tuesdays.
N. W. corner of Seventh avenue and Fortv-n’nth street.
, , , George W. Cregier, M.
Charles Lehritter, Treas. Wm. W. Seymour. 8. W I
Horatio Sauds, Sec. E. Winterbottom, J. W. *
PERFECT ASHLAR, No. 604, meets first and
third Thursdays in the Eoi’ic Room, German Masonie
Temple, Fifteenth street, east of Third avenue.
L. Greenbaum, Treas. Wm. L. Darmstadt, S. W.
S eo - Chas. H. Jackson. J. W.
PIATT, No. 194, meets first and third Thurs
days of each month. Composite Rooms, Masonic Tem
ple, 23d street and Sixth avenue.
Smith S. Eaton, Treas. 'lJios. R. Gray, S. W.
Wm. J. Jessup, Sec., Robert Malcolm, J. W.
Residence, No. 11 Norfolk st., City.
PRINCE OF ORANGE, No. 16, meets second
and fourth Saturdays, in Doric Room, Masonic Temple.
Wm. T. Wardwell, Treas, Lewis H. Ravmond, M. X
John F. Graham, Sec. James B u Taylor, S. W.
No 863 Eighth st. Richa d V.W. Dußois, J.W.
ST. CECILE, No. 568, meets the first, thircTand
fifth Tuesday afternoons each month, at 1:3O P. M., at '
Tuscan Room, Masonic Temple. Visitors are always
welcome. David H. Agan, M.
Martin Papit, Treas Michael Schlig, 8. W.
Lawrence O’Reilly, See. John E. Morse, J. W.
STRICT OBSERVANCE, No. 94, meeta second
and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at No. 953 Third
avenue, corner Fiity-seventh street. <
T „ Levi Gibb, M.
James F. Bragg, Treas., S. D. Smith, S. W.
Jackson Bell, Sec.. Robert Kopp, J. W.
Address, No. 1,035 Third av.
SYLVAN GROVE, No. 275, meets second and
lourth Tuesdays of each'month, at eight o’clock, P. M
in Livingston Room, Masonic'Temple, Sixth avenue and
Twenty-third street.
Theodore Reeves, Treas. Wm. Madara, M.
Edgar Kirby. Sec. Wm. Helms, S. W.
For. Dept. N. Y. P. O. Wm. S. Merritt, J. W.
TECUMSEH, No. 487, meets first and third
Thursdays of each month, at Eastern Star Hall, Third
avenue and Seventh street.
Wm. Kemble Hall, M.
James Stone, Treas. Joseph Hoffman, S. W.
F. E. Davis, Sec., J. Theodore Tunstall, J. W.
No. 207 East Nineteenth s: reet.
TEMPLAR, No. 203, meets first, third and fifth
Friday evenings, at No. 161 Bth av., corner of 18th
Pt. Wo J. L. Maxwell, M.,
George Banfield, Treaa. 805 Broadway.
James S. Stitt, Sec., Robert Graham, S. W.
424 West 19th. Benjamin More. J. W,
Thos. Loughrey, Tyler. West 17th.
VERITAS LODGE, No. 734, meets every second -
and fourth Tuesdays, at Grand Opera House. 23d street
and Bth ave. Richard Koch, M.
Dennis Redmond, Treas. John u. Koopfhan, S. W.
P. M. John W. Sokel, Sec. Dan. C. Springsteel. J.W.
WASHINGTON, No. 21, meets on tlib first and
third Tuesdays of each month, at No. 289 Bleeckef
street (Dixon s Building). Irving Hazelton, M.
R. B. Coppinfi, Treas. John J. Kelley, S. W
J. H. Malees, Sec. L. F. W. Seifert, J, W.
CHAPTERS.
ADELPHIC, No. 158, meets 2d and 4th Wed
nesdays of each mouth, in Egyptian Room, Masonie
Temple. p. c. Benjamin, H. R
J. Kirby, Treas. R. G. Lar&son, K.
; Wm. H. Innet, Sec., H. J. Emerson, Scrlb<
Res., 102 Sixth avenue.
AMERICUS CHAPTER, No. 215, meets th®
fourth Friday of each month, in the Egyptian R00m.%
Masonic Temple, Twenty-third street and Sixth avenue
Harry G. Kimber, Treas. Oscar G. Ahlstrom, H. P.
Anthony Yeomans, Sec., Henry Kornahrens, K.
New York Post-office. John H. Ehnuss.B,
MANHATTAN CHAPTER, No. 184, meets on
the first and third Wednesday s ot each month, in tbo
Egyptian Rooms, Masonic Temnle, 23d st. and 6th ave<->A •
F. O. Woodruff, Treas. Wiiliam II Smith, H. P.
Frank Magee, Sec., S. M Perkins, K.
No. 238 GreenWic'f st. M. W. Goodyear, S.
WASHINGTON, NO. 212, meets in convoca
tion the second and of each month, at
289 Bleecker street.
A. B. Haines. Treas. J. B Mockabee, 11. P
H. D. Seward, Sec. B. H. Dupignac, K.
Address. 62 Jefierson Mkt. H nry Wells, S.
COMMANDER IE3.
ADELPHIC, No. 59 (mounted), meets in con
clave second Thursday of each month, at Masonic Tem
ple, Twenty-thira street and. Sixth avenue.
W’m. Wallace. Walker, 0.
J. W. Sanford, Treas. J. O’Neil, G.
W. H. Innet, Rec. V Mott, C. G.
CONSTANTINE, No. 48, assembles in stated
conclave the fourth Tuesday oi each month, at their
asylum, 130th stieet and Third avenue.
William H. De Graaf, 0.
A. M. Underhill, Treas. James Cochrane, G;
J. I. Conklin, jr., Recorder. C. P. Pierce, C. G. -
CGEUR DE LION, No. 23, assembles in conclave
second Friday of each month, at Masonic Temple,
Twenty-third street and Sixth avenue,
Henry F. Herkner, C. t
Edwin R. McCarty, Treas. John Byers, G. i
Charles W. Sy, Rec. Thos. B. Inness, C/.GJ
IVANHOE, No. 36, assembles in conclave third
Friday each month, bank building, Fourteenth street
and Fourth avenue. James McGrath, E. C.
V r m. D. Peckham, Treas. John Caunt, G.
Wm. H. Armfield. Rec. H. S. Sanderson, C. G..
PALESTINE, No. 18, assembles in conclave
first and third Mondays of each month, at the asylum.
Masonic Hall, 23d street and Sixth avenue.
James W. Bowden, C.
Wm. R. Carr, Treas., Wayne Litzenberg, G.
C. S. Champlin ,Rec., Charles H. Gillespie, C. G.
ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE.
(Four Bodies.)
THE LODGE OF PERFECTION OF NEW
YORK CITY meets at Consistorial Chambers, Masonie
Temple, on the first Tuesday of every month, at 8 P. M.
Chas. S. W r ard, D. M. Jo eph B. Eakins, M.
N. Ponce de Leon, Treas. G o. W. Van Buskirk, S.W.
W r m. S. Paterson, Sec.. Geo. H. Fitzwilson, J. W.
No. 100 Read? street.
THE COUNCIL OF PRINCES OF JERUSA
SALEM OF NEW YORK CITY meets at Consistorial
Chambers, Masonic Temple, on the third Saturday ot
every month, at 8 P. M.
E. Porter Cooley, D. M. Stephen D. Affleck, M.
Martin Kalb, Treas. George Wood, 8. W.
Wm. S. Paterson, Sec., G. W. Van Buskirk, J. W.
No. 100 Reade street.
THE CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX OF NEW
YORK CITY meets ai Cons storial Chambers, Masonie
Temple, on the fourth Saturday of every month, at 8
p, M. George W. Millar, M.
G. W. Van Buskirk, Orator. Jamez McGee, S. W.
N. Ponce de Leon, Treas. John S. King, J. W.
Wm. S. Paterson, Sec., No. 100 Reade street.
THE CONSISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY, S. P.
R. S., meets at Consistorial Chambers. Masonic Temple,
when specially convened. C. T. McClenachan, Com.
Charles H. Heyzer, Ist L. C. George W. Millar, 2d L. O.
Joseph M. Levey, Treas. Wm. D. Garrison, M. State
Wm. & Paterson, Sec., No. 100 Reade street.
COUNCILS, R. 8. M.
ADELPHIC COUNCIL, Ng. 7, R. and 8. M.—
The regular assemblies are h Id on the first Saturday
of each month, in the Council Chamber, Masonic Teu>
pie. Sixth ave. and 23d st, P C. Benjamin, T. I. M.
John W. Coburn, Rec. Alex. Butts, D. M.
Royal E. Deane, Treas. Fred. Kanter, P. 0. W.
NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE.
MECCA TEMPLE, A. A. 0., holds its sessions
at Masonic Temple, New York city, on the feast day of
every Mohammedan mouth, of which due notice wi|i
be given. Waiter M. Fleming, Grand Potentate.
A W. Peters, Chief Rabban.
Philip C. Benjamin, Assistant Rabban.
Charles H. Heyzer, Hig4i Priest.
Joseph B. Eak ns, Director
Paterson, Grand Recorder, No. 100 Reade
BBOUKLYN.
COMMANDEBIEB.
DE WITT CDx.IJON, No. 27, meets in sesem.
bly on the second, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays of each
month, at Nos. 87, 89 aud 91 Broadway, Brooklyn.
R D. Juan B. Arci, 0.
T. J. Scharfenberg, Treas, Wm. H. Bryant, G.
S. T. W’atejthouse, Rec. Geo. B. Claflin, 0. GF.
ST. ELMO, No. 57, assembles in stated con
c ave first and third Wednesdays ot each month, at
Masonic hall, corner Manhattan and Meserole avenues.
E D. Charles E. Stockford, O.
Henry A. Heuschkel, Treas. Valentine Hammann. G.
Jame? H. Whitehorne, Rec Jas. L. Drummond, v. G.
ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE,
aurora grata lodge of perfection.
Ancient Accepted Scottish R.te, Valley of Brooklyn?
Regular communications are held on the second Wednea
dav of each month at Nos. 38 and 40 Court street.
Wayland Trask, T. P., G. M.,
John W. Richardson, Deputy.
Mark Mayer, Treas. E. D. Washburn, S. W.
G. H. Koenecke.Sec., Hex. Warren C.
No. 492 Dean street.
3