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Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
their wealth , and the respect in which they Avere held by their countrymen . It was , indeed , a worthy sight to behold . Not only was it a magnificent pageant , with the waving plumes , gleaming swords , and gorgeous clothing of tho Knights , such as is not often witnessed in these days ;
it also gave evidence of the deep-seated love which the leading citizens in the States feel for Freemasonry . For though in England Templarism is only an offshoot of the Craft , and is , indeed , in no way recognised by our Grand Lodge , still , in America , the most eminent among Craft
Masons enrol themselves m the Older of the Temple , and , in fact , the association between the tAvo is far more intimate , and also more publicly allowed than in this country . Hence , this grand Re-union at Philadelphia , of the Knights Templar , must bo looked upon in some measure-as a Masonic
display , and as on that account evincing the public interest in the doings of the Craft . In the evening there Avas a grand reception at the Academy of Music and Horticultural Hall , at Avhich about 4 , 000 . persons , including a large proportion of ladies , Avere present . The scene was a
magnificent one , what with the Knights in full costume and the ladies in evening dress . In the course of the reception , an address of > velcome Avas delivered by the Hon . Sir Knight James H . Hopkins , M . E . Grand Master of Knights Templar in the United States . The audience
listened to it with pleasure , and applauded the speaker afc intervals , and especially at the conclusion , with great enthusiasm . On the whole , this Templar Parade , albeit less numerous than other parades we have heard or read of in Philadelphia or New York , Avas a unique event ,
and will be remembered with peculiar pride , especially by those Avho took part in ifc , and also by thoso who had the rare pleasure of Avitnessing ib . Were this the first , instead
of being the last , of a long series of great events connected with Pennsylvanian Masonry , it would still entitle it to a foremost place among the States Avho encourage our Society and its off-shoots .
But it is to the inner life of the Craft wc must look especially for that which most forcibly illustrates the progress or otherwise which it has made . The outer and visible signs of Masonry make an effective , if harmless , display in public ; but it is by means of the imvarcl ancl
invisible tokens of the labour achieved that AVC must hope to trace the career of the Fraternity . As in England , so in America , the duties of the Grand and Subordinate Lodges have been numerously and regularly attended , and faithfully
discharged . If wc are to judge of American Freemasonry simply by its numerical strength , Ave shall find some details which Avill , on the whole , prove very gratifying . From a tabular statement prepared by Bro . Drummond , and published in the June number of the Masonic Jewel—the
official organ of the Grand Lodges of Mississippi ancl Tennessee—we glean the folloiving interesting particulars There Avere in the Avhole of the United States , Avhen Bro . Drummond prepared his table , 594 , 017 Craft Masons—that is , only a feAv thousand short of the
enormous number of 600 , 000 , ancl doubtless this number by this time has been appreciably increased . During the period of a year , for Avhich the return Las been made out , the number raised is 34 , 204 , tho number admitted and restored 19 , 231 , withdrawn 18 , 452 , expelled 908 ,
suspended t th , suspended for non-payment of dues 15 , 984 , died 0 , 804 , and rejected 0 , 340 . These are truly formidable figures , and though AVC havo said that , " on the Avhole , " they may be regarded as satisfactory , the qualification uas undoubtedly necessary , for there are two or three items
Avbich betray a great laxity in the admission of candidates . Change of residence will in some measure , vo doubt , explain the large number of AvithdraAvals from the privileges of Freemasonry , but the figures that . folloAv tell a somewhat ugly tale . Ifc is nob a wholly . satisfactory report
to read when Ave find included in it no less than 90 S expulsions , 775 suspensions , ancl close on 10 , 000 suspensions for non-payment of dues . Indeed , if Ave understand the statement rightly , it seems to us that , in respect of numbers , Freemasonry must have lost instead of gained
during the period it refers to . Thus , there Avere 19 , 231 admissions and restorations , against Avhich Ave must set the expulsions , suspensions , and suspensions for non-payment of clues enumerated above , and amounting in the ng-gregare
to l / , b 0 / , which , together with 0 , 804 deaths , makes a total loss ( partly absolute and partly , of course , for a time only ) of 24 , 471 . We cannot , of course , venture to interpret a tabular statement of this kind , with the preparation of which we havo had no concern , The above , bweycr ,
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
appears to be a fair interpretation of the figures as recorded , ancl , if it be so , Craft Masonry must have lost , as regards numbers , over 5 , 000 members . This Avill probably prove no loss whatever , but a gain , for ifc is doubtless only the drones , the lazy , the indifferent , ancl tho worthless , who
thus either sever their connection with the Craft , or havo it severed for them . The room of these is better than their company . As , however , Ave have already said , these formidable figures suggest the necessity for exercising the greatest caution in the admission of candidates . We
have more than once drawn the attention of our leaders to this matter , and AVC commend it to our American brethren as well . Masons are , or ought be , a select body of men , not one that is composed of " anybodies , " Avho may turn out to bo nobodies , or even worse . Before dismissing these
statistics , it will bo as well to note those referring to the more prominent States . In New York there are 80 , 701 Masons ; 1 , 374 wero admitted or restored , 44 expelled , 24 suspended , and 3 , 660 suspended for the non-payment of dues . The returns for Pennsylvania are for tho year
previous , ancl show there were then 37 , 546 Masons , 659 admissions and restorations , and 736 suspensions , both for un-Masonic ednduefc ancl non-payment of dues . In Ohio , the number of Craftsmen is 30 , 608 , Avith 1 , 391 admissions , & c , 91 expulsions , 44 suspensions , and 1 , 134 suspensions for
non-payment of clues . In Illinois there are 40 , 408 Masons , There Avere admitted and restored 1 , 191 , expelled 80 , and suspended for un-Masonic conduct or non-payment of dues 978 . In Tennessee the numbers are , members 17 , 994 , admitted , & c , 1 , 157 , expelled 42 , suspended 284 , ancl ditto
for non-payment 844 . In a later number , for October , of the same Masonic periodical , is a second table , giving , among other particulars , the number of Lodges in the
different Masonic jurisdictions . The compiler is Bro . John Carloivitz , and he sets down New York as having 750 Lodges , Pennsylvania 501 , Ohio 498 , Illinois 735 , Tennessee 485 .
Wo pass on now to notice a subject which has Jong excited the attention of the Avhole Masonic world , and has managed to somoAvhat seriously disturb that harmony and good feeling ivhich ib is the aim of all true Masons to promote . This is Avhat is called the Coloured Question . Wo
have latterly had more than one article on the subject in these columns , and an esteemed brother on tho other sido of the Atlantic has favoured us Avith more than one
exposition of his views . Ifc ivould therefore not be seemly in us to pursue the subject any further in a resume of the year ' s history . Let it suffice , therefore , if AVC state that iu Ohio , Avhere the battle of the Colours has been cicitino- the
greatest furor , tho question is , for the present , shelved . The Grand Lodge of Ohio met at Columbus on the lith October , and on the following day , a point of order having been raised to the effect that tho proposition to recognise the Coloured Grand Lodge could not be entertained till the
constitution of the Grand Lodge itself had been amended , the Grand Master ruled that the point of order Ayas not AVCII taken . From this decision an appeal Avas made b y Deputy G Master Cunningham , when the appeal Avas sustained by 401 A'otes to 332 , the vote being taken by Lodges .
This decided the point , that the proposition to recognise the Coloured Organisation Avas unconstitutional , and there the matter rests for tho present . We regret , in common with our American friends , that any subject should havo arisen to disturb the peace . and harmony of the various
Masonic bodies in the United States . We cannot , however , expect that our career will always be free from disturbing elements . Meantime , the Coloured Organisations exist , and according to a table published in le Monde Mttronniqite , they are a tolerably substantial body as far as numbers go .
On the authority of our French contemporary , AVC learn that there are in the United States 35 Cohuivd Grand Lodges , having under their respective jurisdictions 500 Lodges , and an aggregate membership of 13 , 360 . We may add that in April of this year the Council of ihe Grand
Orient of France recognised the Coloured Grand Lodges of Ohio and Missouri , and Bro . Caubcfc has since been appointed their representative , the compliment being at the same time paid of conferring upon him the honorary rank of a Past Grand Master . Thus much as to the Coloured
Question . Bnt AVC must not dwell too long on particular matters . Our desire is to give a kind of panorama of Freemasonry in the United States , so that our readers may judge for themselves what manner of work it is which is being done in the way of regular duty , We have seen accounts at
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
their wealth , and the respect in which they Avere held by their countrymen . It was , indeed , a worthy sight to behold . Not only was it a magnificent pageant , with the waving plumes , gleaming swords , and gorgeous clothing of tho Knights , such as is not often witnessed in these days ;
it also gave evidence of the deep-seated love which the leading citizens in the States feel for Freemasonry . For though in England Templarism is only an offshoot of the Craft , and is , indeed , in no way recognised by our Grand Lodge , still , in America , the most eminent among Craft
Masons enrol themselves m the Older of the Temple , and , in fact , the association between the tAvo is far more intimate , and also more publicly allowed than in this country . Hence , this grand Re-union at Philadelphia , of the Knights Templar , must bo looked upon in some measure-as a Masonic
display , and as on that account evincing the public interest in the doings of the Craft . In the evening there Avas a grand reception at the Academy of Music and Horticultural Hall , at Avhich about 4 , 000 . persons , including a large proportion of ladies , Avere present . The scene was a
magnificent one , what with the Knights in full costume and the ladies in evening dress . In the course of the reception , an address of > velcome Avas delivered by the Hon . Sir Knight James H . Hopkins , M . E . Grand Master of Knights Templar in the United States . The audience
listened to it with pleasure , and applauded the speaker afc intervals , and especially at the conclusion , with great enthusiasm . On the whole , this Templar Parade , albeit less numerous than other parades we have heard or read of in Philadelphia or New York , Avas a unique event ,
and will be remembered with peculiar pride , especially by those Avho took part in ifc , and also by thoso who had the rare pleasure of Avitnessing ib . Were this the first , instead
of being the last , of a long series of great events connected with Pennsylvanian Masonry , it would still entitle it to a foremost place among the States Avho encourage our Society and its off-shoots .
But it is to the inner life of the Craft wc must look especially for that which most forcibly illustrates the progress or otherwise which it has made . The outer and visible signs of Masonry make an effective , if harmless , display in public ; but it is by means of the imvarcl ancl
invisible tokens of the labour achieved that AVC must hope to trace the career of the Fraternity . As in England , so in America , the duties of the Grand and Subordinate Lodges have been numerously and regularly attended , and faithfully
discharged . If wc are to judge of American Freemasonry simply by its numerical strength , Ave shall find some details which Avill , on the whole , prove very gratifying . From a tabular statement prepared by Bro . Drummond , and published in the June number of the Masonic Jewel—the
official organ of the Grand Lodges of Mississippi ancl Tennessee—we glean the folloiving interesting particulars There Avere in the Avhole of the United States , Avhen Bro . Drummond prepared his table , 594 , 017 Craft Masons—that is , only a feAv thousand short of the
enormous number of 600 , 000 , ancl doubtless this number by this time has been appreciably increased . During the period of a year , for Avhich the return Las been made out , the number raised is 34 , 204 , tho number admitted and restored 19 , 231 , withdrawn 18 , 452 , expelled 908 ,
suspended t th , suspended for non-payment of dues 15 , 984 , died 0 , 804 , and rejected 0 , 340 . These are truly formidable figures , and though AVC havo said that , " on the Avhole , " they may be regarded as satisfactory , the qualification uas undoubtedly necessary , for there are two or three items
Avbich betray a great laxity in the admission of candidates . Change of residence will in some measure , vo doubt , explain the large number of AvithdraAvals from the privileges of Freemasonry , but the figures that . folloAv tell a somewhat ugly tale . Ifc is nob a wholly . satisfactory report
to read when Ave find included in it no less than 90 S expulsions , 775 suspensions , ancl close on 10 , 000 suspensions for non-payment of dues . Indeed , if Ave understand the statement rightly , it seems to us that , in respect of numbers , Freemasonry must have lost instead of gained
during the period it refers to . Thus , there Avere 19 , 231 admissions and restorations , against Avhich Ave must set the expulsions , suspensions , and suspensions for non-payment of clues enumerated above , and amounting in the ng-gregare
to l / , b 0 / , which , together with 0 , 804 deaths , makes a total loss ( partly absolute and partly , of course , for a time only ) of 24 , 471 . We cannot , of course , venture to interpret a tabular statement of this kind , with the preparation of which we havo had no concern , The above , bweycr ,
Chapter Committee, In The Room Of The Late Lamented
appears to be a fair interpretation of the figures as recorded , ancl , if it be so , Craft Masonry must have lost , as regards numbers , over 5 , 000 members . This Avill probably prove no loss whatever , but a gain , for ifc is doubtless only the drones , the lazy , the indifferent , ancl tho worthless , who
thus either sever their connection with the Craft , or havo it severed for them . The room of these is better than their company . As , however , Ave have already said , these formidable figures suggest the necessity for exercising the greatest caution in the admission of candidates . We
have more than once drawn the attention of our leaders to this matter , and AVC commend it to our American brethren as well . Masons are , or ought be , a select body of men , not one that is composed of " anybodies , " Avho may turn out to bo nobodies , or even worse . Before dismissing these
statistics , it will bo as well to note those referring to the more prominent States . In New York there are 80 , 701 Masons ; 1 , 374 wero admitted or restored , 44 expelled , 24 suspended , and 3 , 660 suspended for the non-payment of dues . The returns for Pennsylvania are for tho year
previous , ancl show there were then 37 , 546 Masons , 659 admissions and restorations , and 736 suspensions , both for un-Masonic ednduefc ancl non-payment of dues . In Ohio , the number of Craftsmen is 30 , 608 , Avith 1 , 391 admissions , & c , 91 expulsions , 44 suspensions , and 1 , 134 suspensions for
non-payment of clues . In Illinois there are 40 , 408 Masons , There Avere admitted and restored 1 , 191 , expelled 80 , and suspended for un-Masonic conduct or non-payment of dues 978 . In Tennessee the numbers are , members 17 , 994 , admitted , & c , 1 , 157 , expelled 42 , suspended 284 , ancl ditto
for non-payment 844 . In a later number , for October , of the same Masonic periodical , is a second table , giving , among other particulars , the number of Lodges in the
different Masonic jurisdictions . The compiler is Bro . John Carloivitz , and he sets down New York as having 750 Lodges , Pennsylvania 501 , Ohio 498 , Illinois 735 , Tennessee 485 .
Wo pass on now to notice a subject which has Jong excited the attention of the Avhole Masonic world , and has managed to somoAvhat seriously disturb that harmony and good feeling ivhich ib is the aim of all true Masons to promote . This is Avhat is called the Coloured Question . Wo
have latterly had more than one article on the subject in these columns , and an esteemed brother on tho other sido of the Atlantic has favoured us Avith more than one
exposition of his views . Ifc ivould therefore not be seemly in us to pursue the subject any further in a resume of the year ' s history . Let it suffice , therefore , if AVC state that iu Ohio , Avhere the battle of the Colours has been cicitino- the
greatest furor , tho question is , for the present , shelved . The Grand Lodge of Ohio met at Columbus on the lith October , and on the following day , a point of order having been raised to the effect that tho proposition to recognise the Coloured Grand Lodge could not be entertained till the
constitution of the Grand Lodge itself had been amended , the Grand Master ruled that the point of order Ayas not AVCII taken . From this decision an appeal Avas made b y Deputy G Master Cunningham , when the appeal Avas sustained by 401 A'otes to 332 , the vote being taken by Lodges .
This decided the point , that the proposition to recognise the Coloured Organisation Avas unconstitutional , and there the matter rests for tho present . We regret , in common with our American friends , that any subject should havo arisen to disturb the peace . and harmony of the various
Masonic bodies in the United States . We cannot , however , expect that our career will always be free from disturbing elements . Meantime , the Coloured Organisations exist , and according to a table published in le Monde Mttronniqite , they are a tolerably substantial body as far as numbers go .
On the authority of our French contemporary , AVC learn that there are in the United States 35 Cohuivd Grand Lodges , having under their respective jurisdictions 500 Lodges , and an aggregate membership of 13 , 360 . We may add that in April of this year the Council of ihe Grand
Orient of France recognised the Coloured Grand Lodges of Ohio and Missouri , and Bro . Caubcfc has since been appointed their representative , the compliment being at the same time paid of conferring upon him the honorary rank of a Past Grand Master . Thus much as to the Coloured
Question . Bnt AVC must not dwell too long on particular matters . Our desire is to give a kind of panorama of Freemasonry in the United States , so that our readers may judge for themselves what manner of work it is which is being done in the way of regular duty , We have seen accounts at