Grand Lodge Of Iowa.

GRAND LODGE OF IOWA .

THE Thirty-Sixth Animal Communication of this Grand Lodge was hold at Dubuque on Tuesday , Wednesday , and Thursday , the 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th of June last , tinder the presidency of Bro . Jeremiah W . Wilson the M . W . Grand Master . Of the 394 Lodges working nnder this jurisdiction two hundred and eighty-two were

represented during the session . The Grand Lodge was opened in the usual manner ; Bro . Past G . M . Guibert extending on behalf of the Masons of Dubuque cordial greeting and welcome to the members of Grand Lodge . In doinsr so he reviewed in extenso the incidents of the

sessions of 1841 and 1861 , which were also held in Dubuque , and in an interesting and instructive historical sketch contrasted them with the present . Ho concluded by calling upon the brethren to reflect for a moment on what he deemed some momentous questions ;—Whether the

Masonic Craft is not governed too much by the supreme legislature ; and whether it is not possible that Grand Lodges are slowly arrogating to themselves more power than the few ancient landmarks contemplated the

subordinate Lodges should bestow on them . He also referred to the absence in their jurisdiction of an Orphans ' Home , pointing out the remedy for this omission was a far higher and holier claim upon the Grand Lodge representatives than those involved in a scramble for Grand

Lodge Offices , the prompt collection of mileage dues , or long-drawn out debates upon technicalities . The Grand Master having tendered thanks for the reception that had been accorded the members of Grand Lodge , proceeded to open Grand Lodge in ample form . After some routine business had been transacted , the report of the Committee

on Jurisprudence on a question as to whether a Grand Lodge Officer forfeited his title if he ceased to be a member of any Lodge in the jurisdiction was presented . The Committee consider that if a brother remains non-affiliated , or places his membership in another jurisdiction , his title is forfeited . The Grand Master then read the address he

had prepared on the general condition of Freemasonry in the district under his rule , and of such matters abroad as he deemed would be of interest to Iowa Masons . In the course of this address the Grand Master referred to various ceremonies which had been performed by

the brethren during the past twelve months—among others , the dedication of a Masonic Hall for Antiquity Lodgo at Moravia , and the laying of the foundation stone of a public school-house at Wapello . Numerous applications for dispensations to confer degrees

at irregular times had reached the Grand Master , but adhering to the rule of his predecessors , he had granted the permission in very few instances , usually deeming the reasons given for such irregularities insufficient . One point of this subject , we think , might with great benefit be

generally adopted by the English Craft . The G . M . stated that "in no case had he given permission for a candidate to be advanced until he was thoroughly posted in

the lectures in the preceding degrees , and had passed an examination in open Lodge . " This is a rule we are taught to believe applies equally in England as in America , but how often do we find this rule is disregarded in English Lodges ?

The various accounts of the Grand Lodge for the year " were then presented and referred to the Committee on Finance . Prom these accounts we learn that the sum of dols . 1 , 300 had been spent , and dols . 1 , 278-72 remained in

Grand Lodge Of Iowa.

hand in connection with the Yellow Fever Fund , the balance being the amount unappropriated at the time the Grand Master was informed that no further funds were necessary to alleviate the sufferings caused by this awful scourge . The " dues " received for the year 1877-8 amounted to

dols . 10 , 056-25 , which with a balance of dols . 3 , 942-45 , and sundry receipts made a total of dols . 14 , 949 * 78 . Of which sum all but dols . 4 , 147-78 had been disbursed

in liquidating the necessary expenses of Grand Lodge . The Bond account showed in favour of Grand Lodgo to the extent of dols . 20 , 286 86 , and there is a balance of the Charity Fund of dols . 259-50 .

The report of the Grand Secretaiy was the next item presented for the attention of the brethren . This report of our energetic Brother T . S . Parvin appears to contain a reference to every item of interest that has come officially under his notice during the year . It begins by a reference

to the publication of the " Proceedings of 1878 , " which Bro . Parvin states has been uniyersally commended , both as a literary work and a worthy exponent of printing skill . Tho fact of the cost being greater than was the case in other States ho attributes to the much larger extent of

the information that was given by the Iowa brethren , as compared with that of their neighbours . We regret that Brother Parvin should deem it necessary at the end of his report to say a few words in his own defence . We know of no Grand Secretary who more conscientiously and

zealously carries out his work , and can quite agree with him in classing his detractors as prejudiced or misinformed . We feel assured that the majority of tho brethren of the State of Iowa will show by their conduct to him that they

are satisfied at the way in which he has performed his duties during the past thirty-four years , and we hope that in the future ho will not have occasion to insert personal explanations , which however undesirable , at times are none the less necessary .

The report of Bro . Parvin , as Librarian , follows . In this the writer refers to his first report , issued one-third of a century since , and mentions the many warm

encouragements and true friendships which have cheered him on his way since that time ; he also states that many discouragements have besot his path , and remarks that he has sometimes felt as thouo-h love ' s labour would be lost . Still he

has persevered , and we hope will continue to do so for many years to come . He details the various editions of the catalogue that have been issued under his rule , and considers that they ought to satisfy the most sceptical that the Grand Lodire of Iowa had not laboured in vain nor

spent its money for nought . The Grand Master having proceeded to the appointment of several standing Committees , as also Bro . C . E . Walker as Grand Marshal pro tern , the introductory report on Finance was submitted . The brethren appointed on

this Committee report favourably of the various offices of Grand Lodge , which it was their duty to visit , expressing their satisfaction at the way the work connected with the position of Grand Secretary was carried out ; they were pleased to hear testimony to the zeal and efficiency of one of the hardest worked and most faithful of the Grand

Lodge officials . They suggested various measures which they hoped would tend to reduce the cost of the issuing of the " Proceedings of Grand Lodge , " and referred to the amount mid as Tnilonpo allowancean amount thev

considered in advance of what should be spent . They also drew attention to the amount voted each year to tho Grand Master as recompense for his services . They considered that tho honour of the position should be con-