Notes On American Freemasonry.

NOTES ON AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .

( Continued from page 366 ) . CONNECTICUT . M . W . William Storer , Grand Master , in his introduction to his Annual Address , says : —

"Allow me , my beloved brethren , to congratulate you on your safe arrival in this sacred retreat , and to extend to each of you a cordial and fraternal welcome to this our annual feast . I see around me many familiar facesand have been permitted

, to return the fraternal grasp of scores with whom I have been accustomed to take counsel in years gone by ; and yet I find myself surrounded by a multitude of strangers , —younger brethren who have just entered on ' the great and glorious

work '—whose feet have just been placed on the lower rounds of the ladder , —who have yet to climb the rugged ascent to the pinnacle of our Mystic Temple , and many of whom , I fondly trust , will yet occupy exalted positions in our ranks , and whose example in after life will shed far and wide the enlightening , warming , and vivifying rays

of pure Masonic light . But , brethren , young and old—the more humble as well as the most exalted—I bid you all a warm-hearted , old-fashioned Masonic welcome . * * " Doubtless there will be questions brought before you for action , in

the consideration of which you will not be able to see , and feel , and act alike ; were it otherwise , Masons must be something more than human . Diversity of thought and opinion is as much to be expected as is diversity of complexion , and dress ,

and tone of voice . And these differences should be tolerated . It ill becomes any one man—even though he be the most highly cultivated of the race—to arrogate to himself a monopoly of wordly ¦ wisdom . His humbler brother may , perchance ,

entertain some opinions that are worthy of consideration . So , too , no man can properly claim that he alone is honest in his views , and that those who entertain different opinions , are consequently actuated by improper motives . Let us then , come to the consideration of the various items of business

who are wiser than himself . Let this fraternal spirit prevail , and our deliberations will , as heretofore , be conducted in harmony and good-will , and the result of our labors cannot be otherwise than satisfactory . "

Prom the account G . M . STORER gives of the number of dispensations granted to new Lodges , dedications and visits to subordinate Lodges , he proves himself to be a most able and faithful officer .

In a matter of a difference among the members of St . John's Lodge , No . 6 , in relation to Bye-Laws , the Grand Master decided that : — " 1 st . The Grand Lodge is the governing power of Masonry in this jurisdiction , and every

individual Mason , is bound to obey all its resolutions , orders and edicts . 2 nd . That the adoption of a new code of Masonic jurisprudence by the Grand Lodge rendered it necessary for each subordinate Lodge to make

a thorough revision of its bye-laws—in some cases involving radical changes ; and that the Grand Lodge had imperatively ecmmanded all its subordinates to make such revision .

3 rd . That this order of the Grand Lodge had superseded all conflicting requirements of subordinate Lodge bye-laws , and rendered an " early " ' as well as careful revision absolutely obligatory on the subordinates—thus annulling all provisions

which might stand in the way of speedy action . " This decision fully sustains the view held by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania—that each Grand Lodge is the only and supreme Masonic power in matters within its jurisdiction .

We learn that the Grand Treasurer of that Grand Lodge was deposed from office by the Grand Master , because he neglected , at the request of that officer-, to render to him a satisfactory statement of the manner in which he had

disposed of the Grand Lodge funds , which came into his possession . The Grand Lodge fund is very small , and their affairs much embarrassed . The Grand Master enquires whether it would be advisable to make

a small annual assessment on each member of each subordinate Lodge . This jurisdiction has a Masonic Library of 169 volumes—a catalogue of which accompanies the Grand Secretary's report . Number of Lodges 103 ( including 4 TJ . D . ); initiated during the year , 943 ; passed , 900 ; raised ,

that may be brought before us in the true and enlightened spirit of charity . Let us be cool , and calm , and tolerant , and dignified , and manly in the discussions in which we may be called to participate ; where we cannot all see alike 'let us agree to disagree . ' Let each brother be truly thankful that there are so many brethren present