Grand Lodge Of Iowa, 1870.

September 10 , 1878 . To M . W . C . T . Murphy , Grand Dols . Master Mississippi dOO . OO September 10 , 1878 . To M . W . A . V . Ware , Grand Master Tennessee 200 . 00 September 10 , 1878 . To M . AV . S . J . Powell , Grand Master Louisiana 100 . 00 September 19 , 1878 . To R . W . J . L . Power , Grand Secretary Mississippi 200 . 00 September 19 , 1878 . To R . W . John Frizzell , Grand Secretary Tennessee < t 00 . 00 I havo on hand , undistributed 1 , 278 . 72

Total 2 , 578 . 72 After making tho remittances above stated , I was notified that no moro funds were needed . Tho amount remaining in my hands—1 , 278 . 72—I recommend bo placed in charge of the Grand Lodge as a charity fund . No request has been made by the Lodges for "Schools of

Instruction , " and , so far as I havo been informed , uniformity of the work prevails . I made an attempt to call tho Board of Custodians together , but , owing to circumstances over which I had no control , I failed to secure a meeting . During the last year I havo had tho pleasure of visiting the Grand Secretary's office and Grand Lodge Library , and obtaining from among

the many valuable treasures there information thafc I could find in no other place ; and I take this opportunity thus publicly to express my entire satisfaction with tho condition of tho library , and my thanks for the kindness shown mo by the Grand Secretary and his efficient deputy whilo at his office .

Tho angel of death has been more than usually frequent m visitations tho past Masonic year . The Craft abroad and at home have been called to mourn a large number of brethren among the honoured of our numbers , who have been cut oft from thoir active labours among us since wo last met in council .

Of thoso moro direct ! v connected with this Grand Lodge , aro Thomas Hart Benton , Past Grand Master , 18 G 0-G 1 : William H . Wallace , Past Senior Grand Warden , 1849 ; Mortimer E . Gillette , Past Junior Grand Warden , 1867 ; Edward M . Laws , Past Junior Grand Warden , 1873 ; Ezekicl Robinson , Grand Representative near the Graud Lodgo of Maine ; George Rex , Grand Representative near the Grand Lodge of

Ohio ; nnd Thomas J . Corson , M . D ., Grand Representative near the Grand Lodge of New Jersey . Among those the most distinguished abroad , not before named , wo mention the names of Pasfc Grand Master Joseph Foster , of Missouri ; Pasfc Grand Blaster Reuben H . Robertson , of Utah ; Past Grand Master Frank Welch , of Nebraska ; Past Grand Master George E . Lounsberry , of Illinois ; Grand

Secretary Rev . Charles II . Titus , of Massachusetts ; Past Grand Secretary Robert Boyd , of New York ; A . J . Wheeler , editor of tho Jewel , Memphis , Tennessee ; Leon Ifyneman , former editor of the Masonic Mirror , of Philadelphia . Of most of these we shall have to look to others to speak ; and , like my predecessors , I shall devolve this duty upon our Grand Secretary ,

who has not only been a contemporary with , but personally and intimately acquainted with most , if uot all , of them . His long associations with the distinguished Masons of the greater part of tho past half century , eminently qualifies him to supply tho omissions of thoso of us who have only in late years come to glean in the field where he has

reaped . Of Past Grand Master Benton we have sonic personal knowledge . It was when ho was at his priir-o , and in tho full career of his Graud Mastership , that we made our debut in Masonry , and in tho outset of our career we were taught to look to him as one of tho wise men of the Grand East .

This Grand Body has before ifc for its adoption or rejection a Constitution and Statutes , prepared with a great deal of care and research by a committee selected by this body , and consisting of the ablest and wisest jurists in this jurisdiction . A copy of this Constitution and Statutes was distributed to each delegate to tho Grand Lodge afc tho last Communication , in order that the Lodges shonld have ample timo and opportunity to examine the same , and that tho delegates coming to this Communication might be fully informed and ready to act .

I am informed that another Constitution and Statutes , within tho fast thirty days , has been sent , with a circular letter , to tho Masters of Lodges in this jurisdiction . This last Constitution and Statutes is unauthorised by the Grand Lodge or its officers . The only one authorised by tho Grand Lodge is the ono submitted at the'Jast Communication at Cedar Rapids . I meution this fact at this time that the delegates will not bo misled by tho Constitution and Statutes lately

sent to the Lodges by some ono without authority or sanction of this body . I will nofc assume to make any suggestions to this Graud Bod y in reference to legislation . If the Constitution and Statutes laid over for action at this session should not bo acted upon , perhaps I mi'drt consider it within my province respectfull y to recommend somo measures which my own experience and observation have taught me would be of benefit to the Craft .

¦ While I have answered hundreds of questions on Masonic law , and given construction to rulings made by my predecessors and tho Grand Lodgo , I have not found it necessary to make any new decisions . I regard it the prerogative of the Grand Master io administer and not make law . I find that almost every conceivable question has been passed npon by the Grand Lodge in its approval of the decisions

made by my predecessors and tho adoption of the reports of its Committees on Jurisprudence . This law is contained iu the compilation of the decisions of the Grand Lodge made in 1 SUG , and tho proceedings of the Grand Lodge for tho twelve succeeding years , and is in such condition that it requires a great deal of labour aud research to find it .

In view of this fact , I respectfully recommend that if the new Constitution and Statutes is not adopted at this Communication a competent committee be appointed to prepare a " Digest of Masonic Law ' ¦ ' as contained in the Proceedings of the Grand Lod ge , and that the same be published for the benefit of the Craft .

Grand Lodge Of Iowa, 1870.

I have , in as brief and concise a manner as possible , laid before you tho result of thowork you assigned me one year ago . In tho discharge of my duties I havo had what was , in my judgment , the good of the Craft always in view . If I havo erred , it was under the clear conviction that I was doing that which would most promote the present and

future peace , stability , and advancement of our Order . That your deliberations may conduce to tho building up of all the best interests of our institution , and that you may all enjoy a full portion of Masonic and social happiness , is my sincere and earnest wish and desire . J . W . WILSOX . Grand Blaster .

Jamaica.

JAMAICA .

AS wo stated somo time since that on the return of tho Right Worshipfal Hon . Dr . Hamilton , District Grand Master for Jamaica , to this island , wo wero quite suro that Freemasonry would again take a start , wo havo now to state that another new Lodgo has been formed , and opened by Dispensation , called " Collegium Falorum , " and mot on 12 th June , at Sussex Hall , having aa their Master Worshipfnl Maynior Ross , a Past Master of the Friendly , Bro . E .

Final Senior Warden , and Bro . Dr . Cotter Junior Warden . Tho other Officers were duly installed the same evening . Tho " Union et Concordia , " which we stated some time ago was in abeyance for many years , and it being the special wish of somo of the old members to revive tho ashes , the samo was formally opened , having the Worshipfnl H . W . Da Costa , a Past Master of the

Phcenix and Glenlyon Lodges . An election took place ; tho candidates wero Wor . A . N . Gardoxo Senior Warden , and Bro . W . Andrews Junior Warden , who served in tho Royal Lodge . Tho choice fell on Bro . Gardozo . The usual ordinary meeting was hold afc Sussex Hall on lGth June , and on account of the absence of Wor . H . W . Da Costa , who was gone on a visit to Europe , Wor . S . Hart , a Pasfc Master of

that Lodge , presided , when tho minutes with regard to tho election of Worship fnl Master wero non-confirmed . It is stated thafc somo irregularity occurred , which will bo submitted to tho proper authorities . It is to be pitied that on thoir first installation of a Master , after having been in abeyance for so many years , that such a feelingshould exist , and it is hoped that oil will bo thrown ou the troubled waters , and everything will work shortly iu peace and harmony .

The brethren of the Eastern Counties have a busy time before them next week . On Tuesday the Prov . G . Master of Essex , Lord Tentcrden , -will consecrate the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , at Shoeburyness , Bro . Lucking , the Prov . G . Director of Ceremonies , being the Installing Master . On

Wednesday , at Clare , the Prov . Grand Master of Suffolk , assisted by Lis Deputy , Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn , will perform the inaugural ceremonies in connection with the Royal Clarence Lodge , No . 1823 , while at Walfcon-ontho Naze , it has been found necessary to call emergency

meetings of the Arnold Lodgo for Wednesday , Ihnrsday , Friday ? and Saturday . The W . M . of this latter has , wc understand , retained the services of an army of Past Masters , but with such an agenda paper as is presented wo think strong reinforcements will be necessary .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday next at the Public Hall , Redhill , at one o'clock . Banquet will follow at four o ' clock , tickets for same , 15 s each , may be obtained of tho Prov . Grand Sec , Bro . C . Greenwood , Gl Nelson-square , Blackfriars-road .

The annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire will be held at the Town Hall , Berkhampstead , on Wednesday , the 23 rd of July , at 3 o ' clock . A banquet will follow , at the King ' s Arms Hotel , at 5 o ' clock . Tickets for same , 21 s each , can be had of tho

Prov . G . Sec . Bro . P . H . Wilson lies , M . D ., Watford . Special arrangements have been made by the London and North-Western Railway Company , who will issue special cheap return tickets from Huston , Willesdon , or Broad Street , on production of the Lodge summons or a banquet ticket .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Middlesex and Surrey will assemble at the Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , at six o ' clock on Thursday next , for the

transaction of the regular business of the Province . Banquet will follow at seven o ' clock p . m . Tickets , 21 s each , may be had of the Prov . Grand Sec . Bro . W . G . Brighten , 4 < Bishopsgatc-strcet-without , E . C .

Wc have pleasure in reminding our readers that tho Summer Festival of the Metropolitan and Royal Savoy Lodges will take place at the Rye House on Thursday next . Tho tickets for the banquet are fixed at 7 s Gd each , and may be had of Bro . Stiles the Secretary . The Banquet will take place at 3 . 30 .