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Article GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK. ← Page 2 of 3 Article GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK. Page 2 of 3 Article GRAND LODGE OF NEW YORK. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Lodge Of New York.
at Buffalo , with the usual ceremonies , in the presence of a large and appreciative audience . July 4 th , R . W . Ell wood E . ITiorne , Deputy Grand Master , laid the corner stone of the Soldier ' s Monument at Sing Sing . On the nth of July , R . W . John C . Boak ,
District Deputy for the Second District , acting under a dispensation issued b y the Deputy Grand Master dedicated the line hall erected b y Wawarsing Lodge , No . 582 , at Ellenville . August 16 th , the new and commodious hall of Blazing Star Lodge , No . 694 , at East Aurora , was dedicated with appropriate
ceremony . September roth , the rooms of Metropolitan Lodge , No . 273 , in the City of New York , were solemnl y dedicated by R . XV . Ellwood B . Thorne , Deputy Grand Master . On the 18 th of September , at the request of
the Board of Managers , the corner stone of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane , was held at Buffalo , in the presence of the chief magistrate , and other officials of the State Government and a large concourse of citizens . October 4 th , at high twelve , R . W . Elwood
E . Thorne , Depuiy Grand Master , officiated at the ceremony of p lacing the capstone of the Masonic Hall in the city of New York , in proper position . The local officers of the Grand Lod ge , and many brethren were present , and participated in the exercises , which were of a very
interesting character . On the toth November , R . W . Ellwood E . Thorne , Deputy Grand Master , in the presence of a large bod y of Masons and other citizens , dedicated and consecrated with solemn service the Burial Plot of the " Masonic Board of
Relief of Williamsburgh , '' at Cypress Hill Cemetry . November 14 th , the new and elegant apartments designed for the use of the Craft of thtcity of Rochester , were appropriatel y dedicated to the purposes of Masonry .
Of the 6 th December , R . W . George j . Gardner , District Deputy for the Sixteenth District dedicated a new hall suitabl y fitted up for the use of Centerville Lodge No . 6 48 , at Centerville . IX-cember 12 th the new and beautiful hall of Oneida Lodge , No . 70 , at Oneida , was dedicated with the usual ceremony .
On the 22 nd of January , R . W . Norman / Baker , District Depu ' . y for the Tenth District , dedicated the new and fine hall of Montgomery Lodge , No . 504 , at Stilwater . On the same day , R . W . and Rev . John G .
Wcbsler , Grand Chaplain , in the unavoidable absence of the District Deputy , and acting under my dispensation , dedicated a new hall for the use of Weedsport Lodge , \ u . Si- ; , at Weedsport .
May 21 , R . W . Ellwood K . Thorne , Deputy Grand Master , dedicated Euclid Lodge Rooms , at Stella Hall , in the city of Brooklyn . May 281 I 1 , at the invitation of proper authority , the corner-stone of the new City Hall in the City of Rochester , was laid with the . solemn and
impressive ceremonies of Masonry . The large attendance of brethren and citizens attested the great interest in the proceedings . On the 29 th of May , the new and fine hall of Evans Lodge , No . 261 , at Angola , was dedicated with the prescribed ceremonies of the Craft .
In March , 1 S 72 , complaint was preferred to my predecessor , through the Grand Master of Masons of the Stale of Pennsylvania , against Hancock Lodge , No . . 5 . 52 , for alleged violation of the . jur ; st : ieii .. nal li ghts of Freedom Lodge , No . 32 S , in lhe initiation of certain persons
residing in the Stale of Pennsylvania , aiul within lhe juri : diction of the said Freedom Lodge . 'lhe complaint was referred to the District Dtptuy for lhe Ki glnh District for investigation , who rcpoiud , " after careful search had been made , lie was sali-iiiil that Hancock Lodge was not at fault , " and vile n port was
forwarded to the ( hand Master of Pennsylvania . That report , however , was not satisfactory to Freedom Lodge , and in July last , lhe complaint was renewed , with a demand for all moneys received b y Hancock Lodge for the initiation of the persons named in the complaint . An investigation of the alleged invgujjiiiv on J
Grand Lodge Of New York.
the part of Hancock Lodge ., convinced me that it was in fault , and had not only violated the jurisdiction of Freedom Lodge , but also a regulation of the Grand Lodge . It appeared , however , that the offence was committed inadvertently , the officers at that time leading the lodge to
suppose that it had permission from the nei ghbouring lodges in Pennsylvania to confer the degrees on persons residing nearer to it than to their own respective lodges . The consideration of that fact , and the disposition manifested by the present officers of Hancock Lodge to
meet the question fairly , induced me to treat the lodge with some degree of lenience ; it was , therefore , only required to pay over all moneys received by it for the acts complained of , and the requisition was promptly complied with , and the money was forwarded to the authorities
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for transmission to Freedom Lodge . The Grand Master , R . W . Samuel C . Perkins , while acknowled ging the care and investigation of the matter in question , and full y appreciating the necessity of the infliction of some punishment upon the lodge
for the violation of a regulation of the Grand Lodge , and of the Masonic courtesy due between sister jurisdictions , expressed his satisfaction that punishment had been inflicted on the offending lodge , but declined to receive the money , and returned the same , as it is not in accordance with the views and practises of that jurisdiction
to regard the offence as a pecuniary wrong to be compensated by a return of the moneys received . It remains , therefore , with the Grand Lodge to make such disposition of it as may be deemed proper . On the 14 th of September last 1 received from M . W . Dewitt C . Cregier , Grand Master of Masons of Illinois , and chairman of the late
Board of Masonic Relief of the City of Chicago , the sum of 3 , 404 . 17 dols ., which was awarded this Grand Lod ge on the dissolution of the Board , from the surplus of funds contributed by the fraternity in aid of their brethren of that
city , rendered destitute b y reason of the great conflagration of October , 1 S / 1 . From the very kind and fraternal letter which accompanied the donation , I extract the following- in pvplanation of cUc . lei ' toi ) referred to : —
" In addition to the disbursements b y the Board , the several lod ges were apportioned an amount of the surplus funds , in order to enable them to meet the demands referred to . This arrangement left . 1 considerable amount of funds unexpended . Believing that we have carried out the instructions of the generous donors , it
has been deemed proper to return pro rata the surplus funds . It would be impossible to make this return to each lodge ; indeed , such an amount would be quite insignificant . Hence the amount due to each state has been aggregated , and , in your case , is for the benefit of your ' Hall and Asylum Fund , ' or such other use as the Grand Lodge may apply it . "
'lhe expressed wish of the M . W . brother was partly complied with in the payment of the money to the Treasuier of the Hall and Asylum Fund , subject to such other disposition as the Grand Lodge may direct .
The money contributed by the Masons of this state was given to their brethren of Chicago in their hour of distress , with no wish or expectation that any portion of it was to be returned , and with no desire to enquire as to its disposition . Under these circumstances it seems
proper , whether we regard the return of the money as a donation to the Hall and Asylum Fund , or as a contribution to the funds of Grand I . oil , re , that special action should be taken in recognition of this practical exemplification of an integrity inculcated by the teachings of Masonry ,
and a suitable acKnowledgment of the libeiality of the Masons of the city of Chicago . in the month of October last , charges were preferred to me b y the Wardens of Wildwooil Lodge , No . 477 , against David McKco , Master oi the said lodge , lor an ollence of a serious
• nature . 1 immediatel y suspended him from office , and directed him to deliver the warrant of his lod ge and the jewel of his station to the Senior Warden , which order was promptl y complied with . The charges were referred to W . Alfred K . Jepson Master of Governeiir Ledge , No . 2 j ;; \ V . E . G . Seymour , Master of
Grand Lodge Of New York.
Hermon Lodge , No . 500 ; and W . Hiram Bartlett , Master of Russell Lodge , No . 566 , who were appointed commissioners to hear and determine the said charges . The trial was heard , and the accused found guilty , and suspended from all the rights and privileges of the
fraternity . October i ^ th . —Permission was given Pultenyvilie Lodge , No . 159 , to remove from Pultneyville to Williamson , in the same township ; but as such removal affected the jurisdiction of other lodges , the consent was granted to subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge at its annual communication .
The most important subject that will engage your attention at this annual communication is that of the proposed revision of the Constitution which has been under consideration for the past two years . The question has excited a very general feeling of disappointment which will
prevail if the Grand Lodge shall not at this time take some decided action in reference to it . On the 12 th of December last , the committee composed of delegates duly elected from the several Masonic districts , pursuant to the resolution adopted last year , and comprising many brethren speciall y adapted for that work ,
convened a : Syracuse , to consider the proposed revised Constitution submitted at the last annual communication , and referred to it by Grand Lodge . Their meeting extended over a period of four days , and resulted in the report that has been distributed to the lodges in accordance with the terms of the resolution referred to . The
proposed Constitution , as revised by that committee , is submitted wth the hope that in the main it will be found well adapted to the wants of the Fraternity , and that whatever imperfections may be discovered in it your wisdom will
correct . The one great need of Fraternity of this State , perhaps the largest body of Masons in the world , is a code of laws , as comphrensive as the wants and diversified interests of the Craft demand , as concise as the nature of the subjects
of which it treats will admit , consistent with the accepted landmarks and usages of the Fraternity and expressed so p lainly that no one need err in in the interpretation of its provisions ; and I feel confident that temperate , discreet and just action on your part will secure these results . On the 23 rd of December last , I appointed
R . W . and Rev . John G . Luke , Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Missouri , the Representative of this Grand Lodge near that Grand Body , feeling assured that no effort will be omitted on his part to secure a continuance of the friendly relations which have always existed between that Grand Lodge and our own .
Complaints were forwarded to me in March last by Ancient City Lodge , No . 452 , against Blackford Lodge No . 106 , of the jurisdiction of Indiana , and b y Phillipstown Lodge , No . 236 , against Bedford Lodge No . 320 , of the State of Pennsylvania , for initiating persons rejected in
those lodges . The complaints were promptl y transmitted to the Grand Masters of those States respectively , and measures taken by them to investigate the complaints , but the results of their investigations have not yet been communicated to me .
On the 12 th of April I issued a dispensation to the Master , Wardens , and brethren of Seneca River Lodge , No . 160 , located at Baldwinsville , to ^ enable them to maintain its organization , transact its business and conduct its work , with
authority to hold its communications in Odd Fellows' Hall , in that village , until this timeits room , furniture and warrant having been destroyed b y fire . The lodge will make application for a duplicate of the warrant destroyed , and I recommend that it be granted without fee .
The condition of the Hall and Asylum Fund will be presented in the report of its Trustees , which will be . submitted to you in accordance with their usual custom , and I respectfull y but earnestl y invite a thoughtful consideration of its details . The- trustees were hopeful , at the
commencement ol the official year , that they would he able fo present to you at this lime the building in which the Grand Lodge is now assembled , completed in all its strength and beauty , and they have laboured earnestly to that end ; but the need of money has so far interfered with their
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Grand Lodge Of New York.
at Buffalo , with the usual ceremonies , in the presence of a large and appreciative audience . July 4 th , R . W . Ell wood E . ITiorne , Deputy Grand Master , laid the corner stone of the Soldier ' s Monument at Sing Sing . On the nth of July , R . W . John C . Boak ,
District Deputy for the Second District , acting under a dispensation issued b y the Deputy Grand Master dedicated the line hall erected b y Wawarsing Lodge , No . 582 , at Ellenville . August 16 th , the new and commodious hall of Blazing Star Lodge , No . 694 , at East Aurora , was dedicated with appropriate
ceremony . September roth , the rooms of Metropolitan Lodge , No . 273 , in the City of New York , were solemnl y dedicated by R . XV . Ellwood B . Thorne , Deputy Grand Master . On the 18 th of September , at the request of
the Board of Managers , the corner stone of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane , was held at Buffalo , in the presence of the chief magistrate , and other officials of the State Government and a large concourse of citizens . October 4 th , at high twelve , R . W . Elwood
E . Thorne , Depuiy Grand Master , officiated at the ceremony of p lacing the capstone of the Masonic Hall in the city of New York , in proper position . The local officers of the Grand Lod ge , and many brethren were present , and participated in the exercises , which were of a very
interesting character . On the toth November , R . W . Ellwood E . Thorne , Deputy Grand Master , in the presence of a large bod y of Masons and other citizens , dedicated and consecrated with solemn service the Burial Plot of the " Masonic Board of
Relief of Williamsburgh , '' at Cypress Hill Cemetry . November 14 th , the new and elegant apartments designed for the use of the Craft of thtcity of Rochester , were appropriatel y dedicated to the purposes of Masonry .
Of the 6 th December , R . W . George j . Gardner , District Deputy for the Sixteenth District dedicated a new hall suitabl y fitted up for the use of Centerville Lodge No . 6 48 , at Centerville . IX-cember 12 th the new and beautiful hall of Oneida Lodge , No . 70 , at Oneida , was dedicated with the usual ceremony .
On the 22 nd of January , R . W . Norman / Baker , District Depu ' . y for the Tenth District , dedicated the new and fine hall of Montgomery Lodge , No . 504 , at Stilwater . On the same day , R . W . and Rev . John G .
Wcbsler , Grand Chaplain , in the unavoidable absence of the District Deputy , and acting under my dispensation , dedicated a new hall for the use of Weedsport Lodge , \ u . Si- ; , at Weedsport .
May 21 , R . W . Ellwood K . Thorne , Deputy Grand Master , dedicated Euclid Lodge Rooms , at Stella Hall , in the city of Brooklyn . May 281 I 1 , at the invitation of proper authority , the corner-stone of the new City Hall in the City of Rochester , was laid with the . solemn and
impressive ceremonies of Masonry . The large attendance of brethren and citizens attested the great interest in the proceedings . On the 29 th of May , the new and fine hall of Evans Lodge , No . 261 , at Angola , was dedicated with the prescribed ceremonies of the Craft .
In March , 1 S 72 , complaint was preferred to my predecessor , through the Grand Master of Masons of the Stale of Pennsylvania , against Hancock Lodge , No . . 5 . 52 , for alleged violation of the . jur ; st : ieii .. nal li ghts of Freedom Lodge , No . 32 S , in lhe initiation of certain persons
residing in the Stale of Pennsylvania , aiul within lhe juri : diction of the said Freedom Lodge . 'lhe complaint was referred to the District Dtptuy for lhe Ki glnh District for investigation , who rcpoiud , " after careful search had been made , lie was sali-iiiil that Hancock Lodge was not at fault , " and vile n port was
forwarded to the ( hand Master of Pennsylvania . That report , however , was not satisfactory to Freedom Lodge , and in July last , lhe complaint was renewed , with a demand for all moneys received b y Hancock Lodge for the initiation of the persons named in the complaint . An investigation of the alleged invgujjiiiv on J
Grand Lodge Of New York.
the part of Hancock Lodge ., convinced me that it was in fault , and had not only violated the jurisdiction of Freedom Lodge , but also a regulation of the Grand Lodge . It appeared , however , that the offence was committed inadvertently , the officers at that time leading the lodge to
suppose that it had permission from the nei ghbouring lodges in Pennsylvania to confer the degrees on persons residing nearer to it than to their own respective lodges . The consideration of that fact , and the disposition manifested by the present officers of Hancock Lodge to
meet the question fairly , induced me to treat the lodge with some degree of lenience ; it was , therefore , only required to pay over all moneys received by it for the acts complained of , and the requisition was promptly complied with , and the money was forwarded to the authorities
of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for transmission to Freedom Lodge . The Grand Master , R . W . Samuel C . Perkins , while acknowled ging the care and investigation of the matter in question , and full y appreciating the necessity of the infliction of some punishment upon the lodge
for the violation of a regulation of the Grand Lodge , and of the Masonic courtesy due between sister jurisdictions , expressed his satisfaction that punishment had been inflicted on the offending lodge , but declined to receive the money , and returned the same , as it is not in accordance with the views and practises of that jurisdiction
to regard the offence as a pecuniary wrong to be compensated by a return of the moneys received . It remains , therefore , with the Grand Lodge to make such disposition of it as may be deemed proper . On the 14 th of September last 1 received from M . W . Dewitt C . Cregier , Grand Master of Masons of Illinois , and chairman of the late
Board of Masonic Relief of the City of Chicago , the sum of 3 , 404 . 17 dols ., which was awarded this Grand Lod ge on the dissolution of the Board , from the surplus of funds contributed by the fraternity in aid of their brethren of that
city , rendered destitute b y reason of the great conflagration of October , 1 S / 1 . From the very kind and fraternal letter which accompanied the donation , I extract the following- in pvplanation of cUc . lei ' toi ) referred to : —
" In addition to the disbursements b y the Board , the several lod ges were apportioned an amount of the surplus funds , in order to enable them to meet the demands referred to . This arrangement left . 1 considerable amount of funds unexpended . Believing that we have carried out the instructions of the generous donors , it
has been deemed proper to return pro rata the surplus funds . It would be impossible to make this return to each lodge ; indeed , such an amount would be quite insignificant . Hence the amount due to each state has been aggregated , and , in your case , is for the benefit of your ' Hall and Asylum Fund , ' or such other use as the Grand Lodge may apply it . "
'lhe expressed wish of the M . W . brother was partly complied with in the payment of the money to the Treasuier of the Hall and Asylum Fund , subject to such other disposition as the Grand Lodge may direct .
The money contributed by the Masons of this state was given to their brethren of Chicago in their hour of distress , with no wish or expectation that any portion of it was to be returned , and with no desire to enquire as to its disposition . Under these circumstances it seems
proper , whether we regard the return of the money as a donation to the Hall and Asylum Fund , or as a contribution to the funds of Grand I . oil , re , that special action should be taken in recognition of this practical exemplification of an integrity inculcated by the teachings of Masonry ,
and a suitable acKnowledgment of the libeiality of the Masons of the city of Chicago . in the month of October last , charges were preferred to me b y the Wardens of Wildwooil Lodge , No . 477 , against David McKco , Master oi the said lodge , lor an ollence of a serious
• nature . 1 immediatel y suspended him from office , and directed him to deliver the warrant of his lod ge and the jewel of his station to the Senior Warden , which order was promptl y complied with . The charges were referred to W . Alfred K . Jepson Master of Governeiir Ledge , No . 2 j ;; \ V . E . G . Seymour , Master of
Grand Lodge Of New York.
Hermon Lodge , No . 500 ; and W . Hiram Bartlett , Master of Russell Lodge , No . 566 , who were appointed commissioners to hear and determine the said charges . The trial was heard , and the accused found guilty , and suspended from all the rights and privileges of the
fraternity . October i ^ th . —Permission was given Pultenyvilie Lodge , No . 159 , to remove from Pultneyville to Williamson , in the same township ; but as such removal affected the jurisdiction of other lodges , the consent was granted to subject to the approval of the Grand Lodge at its annual communication .
The most important subject that will engage your attention at this annual communication is that of the proposed revision of the Constitution which has been under consideration for the past two years . The question has excited a very general feeling of disappointment which will
prevail if the Grand Lodge shall not at this time take some decided action in reference to it . On the 12 th of December last , the committee composed of delegates duly elected from the several Masonic districts , pursuant to the resolution adopted last year , and comprising many brethren speciall y adapted for that work ,
convened a : Syracuse , to consider the proposed revised Constitution submitted at the last annual communication , and referred to it by Grand Lodge . Their meeting extended over a period of four days , and resulted in the report that has been distributed to the lodges in accordance with the terms of the resolution referred to . The
proposed Constitution , as revised by that committee , is submitted wth the hope that in the main it will be found well adapted to the wants of the Fraternity , and that whatever imperfections may be discovered in it your wisdom will
correct . The one great need of Fraternity of this State , perhaps the largest body of Masons in the world , is a code of laws , as comphrensive as the wants and diversified interests of the Craft demand , as concise as the nature of the subjects
of which it treats will admit , consistent with the accepted landmarks and usages of the Fraternity and expressed so p lainly that no one need err in in the interpretation of its provisions ; and I feel confident that temperate , discreet and just action on your part will secure these results . On the 23 rd of December last , I appointed
R . W . and Rev . John G . Luke , Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Missouri , the Representative of this Grand Lodge near that Grand Body , feeling assured that no effort will be omitted on his part to secure a continuance of the friendly relations which have always existed between that Grand Lodge and our own .
Complaints were forwarded to me in March last by Ancient City Lodge , No . 452 , against Blackford Lodge No . 106 , of the jurisdiction of Indiana , and b y Phillipstown Lodge , No . 236 , against Bedford Lodge No . 320 , of the State of Pennsylvania , for initiating persons rejected in
those lodges . The complaints were promptl y transmitted to the Grand Masters of those States respectively , and measures taken by them to investigate the complaints , but the results of their investigations have not yet been communicated to me .
On the 12 th of April I issued a dispensation to the Master , Wardens , and brethren of Seneca River Lodge , No . 160 , located at Baldwinsville , to ^ enable them to maintain its organization , transact its business and conduct its work , with
authority to hold its communications in Odd Fellows' Hall , in that village , until this timeits room , furniture and warrant having been destroyed b y fire . The lodge will make application for a duplicate of the warrant destroyed , and I recommend that it be granted without fee .
The condition of the Hall and Asylum Fund will be presented in the report of its Trustees , which will be . submitted to you in accordance with their usual custom , and I respectfull y but earnestl y invite a thoughtful consideration of its details . The- trustees were hopeful , at the
commencement ol the official year , that they would he able fo present to you at this lime the building in which the Grand Lodge is now assembled , completed in all its strength and beauty , and they have laboured earnestly to that end ; but the need of money has so far interfered with their