Masonry In The United States.

MASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

THE Voice of Masonry contains some brief particulars of the last annnal communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and Kentucky . They were held simultaneously , that of Ohio taking place at Cleveland , under the presidency of Bro . Charles C . Kiefer Grand Master . Over

three hundred Lodges were represented , and , as usual on these occasions , the G . M . delivered a lengthy address , in which he reviewed the different events that had occurred during the past year , and referred to various topics more or less affecting the interests of the Craft . For instance , he

laid it down that electioneering for office was wrong and ought not to be indulged in . He touched on the growing feeling in favour of a permanent location for the Grand Masonic Bodies of the State . He remarked that more danger was to be feared from the popularity of

Freemasonry than from any other source ; that the physical , moral , mental , and social qualities of applicants should be well weighed , and that too little attention was paid to symbolism in Lodge work . A very able report in favour of the Grand Lodge Library was submitted and received ,

and an appropriation of 300 dollars voted towards cases and binding . Bro . Charles C . Kiefer was re-elected Grand Master , and Bro . John D . Caldwell Grand Secretary . As regards statistics , it appears that there were at the date

of meeting 30 , 433 subscribing members . The dues amounted to close on 14 , 359 dollars ( nearly £ 2 , 872 ) , the receipts to over 18 , 255 dollars ( - £ 3 , 651 ) and the expenditure to 12 , 736 dollars ( £ 2 , 547 and upwards ) .

The Grand Lodge of Kentucky met at Louisville . Bro . W . H . Meffert presided , and some four hundred delegates took part in the proceedings . Bro . Meffert extended a hearty welcome to all the brethren , higbly complimented the Grand Secretary for his efficiency aud zeal , strongly

advocated the publication of a Masonic journal for Kentucky , and spoke in favour of the liberal support of the Masonic Widows' and Orphans' Home . A resolution was adopted to the effect that Grand Lodge should solicit the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery

to enact laws prohibiting Royal Arch Masons and Knights Templars from dimitting from their Lodge . We can understand a Grand Lodge making a proposition of this or any other kind to the Grand Chapter of its jurisdiction , for the Royal Arch Degree has been defined to be a part

of ancient free and accepted Masonry ; but to address itself officially to a Templar body is tantamount to committing itself to an official recognition of a degree , which , at best , is only of a quasi-Masonic character . Statistics show the total membership of the jurisdiction to

he 15 , 423 , the receipts for the year over 22 , 610 dollars ( £ 4 , 522 ) and disbursements nearly 9 , 100 dollars ( £ 1 , 820 ) , the " resources " being close on 26 , 466 dollars ( £ 5 , 293 ) . The Masonic Temple Company's receipts amount to , in round figures , 16 , 445 dollars ( £ 3 , 289 ) , and the expenditure

to 15 , 833 dollars ( £ 3 , 166 ) , 2 , 373 dollars ( £ 475 ) being invested as a sinking fund , and there being an insurance on the buildings and fixtures of 76 , 000 dollars ( £ 15 , 200 ) . Bro . Dr . G . D . Buckner was elected Grand Master , and Bro . Hiram Bassett re-elected Grand Secretary .

Masonry In The United States.

We also note a somewhat curious announcement . It seems that last Christmas evening the officers of the Royal Arch Chapter at Sycamore , Illinois , were publicly installed by Comp . Daniel Dustin , that " an elegant banquet , participated in by about two hundred persons , closed the enter '

tainment , " and further , that " the ladies were well pleased , and expressed their willingness to attend all the meetings of the Chapter . " We fancy there must be some mistake here . Public installations , though we have read of their taking place in some of the American jurisdictions , aro utterly

opposed to the spirit of Freemasomy , but still more so is the presence of ladies at the meetings of the Masonic body . If any apology can be offered , and we hold it to be impos «

sible , for installing Officers in the presence of men who are not Masons , but who may be eligible to become such , there can be no apology , we should imagine , even in the eyes of those American brethren who seem indifferent as to the

essentials of Freemasonry , for allowing ladies to be present at the meetings of a Masonic Lodge or Chapter . It is evident that in some parts of tbe United States the true character of Freemasonry is not understood .

Mark Masonry In Norfolk.

MARK MASONRY IN NORFOLK .

AN event of more than ordinary interest in Masonic circles will be witnessed on Monday next , in the city of Norwich , that day being set apart for the resuscitation of the Walpole Lodge of Mark Master Masons , No . 92 .

It would appear that this Lodge has , for reasons which will doubtless be fully entered into at this reunion , been for some considerable time in abeyance , and that a revival of interest in the Mark degree , which has recently been of

so striking a character , both in London and the Provinces , has been fully shared by the local members of " ye mystic tie . '' There is every promise that the resurrection of the old Walpole Mark Lodge will be a source of new life to the

Mark degree in the county of Norfolk , as we observe , from the agenda published , that not only are members of the Walpole Craft Lodge named as candidates for advancement , but that there are also nominations from the Union

Lodge , No . 52 , the Freeman , No . 105 , the Cabbell , No . 807 , the Sincerity , No . 903 , the Perseverance , No . 213 , the St . Andrew's , No . 1631 , the Phoenix , No . 516 , and the Hartismere , No . 1663 . The advancement of nearly forty

candidates in one evening will form an interesting episode in the history of Mark Masonry in that Province , and will , no doubt , attract a considerable attendance of Mark Masters , not only from various parts of the county of

Norfolk , but also from the adjoining Provinces , and from the Metropolis . Additional interest is infused into the event by the fact that the M . W . G . M . M . has been proposed as an honorary member by Bro . H . G . Harwell , the

Worshipful Master elect of the Walpole Lodge , and seconded by Bro . Colonel Bignold . Amongst the joining members who are also named for Monday evening are Bro .

Frederick Long , Past Grand Director of Ceremonies and Grand Sword Bearer of England ; the Rev . C . J . Martyn , M . A ., of Long Melford , Past Grand Chaplain of England ; and a great many Past Masters of the Lodges above emu

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