Notes On American Freemasonry.

them , would inspire anything but hope . Our brethren constitute the great body of the intelligent citizenship in the Commonwealth , and when we say our people are chastised , we may listen for the cry of Masons in distress . The war draped

all our door posts with mourning , and planted weeds npon our hearth-stones . The losses in property resulting from the war , impoverished our land . With an energy inherent and peculiar to our race , our brethren , oppressed by past

results , but hopeful for the future , began to struggle for a competency . " During the last year , many of them reached the crisis of their pecuniary obligations , to find the proceeds of a year ' s labour , inadequate to give

relief . Many of our most beloved and distinguished brethren , who have staggered under their burdens , are stooping to receive more , while others have shaken off the debris of former prosperity , and girded themselves for a new career . Brethren , it

is a time to trust in God . In seasons of prosperity , and in times of political harmony and good fellowship , it was delightful to assemble once a year in Grand Lodge , aud counsel together and enjoy for a few brief days , that charming Fraternal communion known only among Masons . Ib was sweet then . How much more so now ? How

much does even the anticipation of a re-union soften the rigour of our cares , during the passing year ? How much more than heretofore does it suggest itself to ns , as a special blessing , to assemble and commune with each other ?

" I congratulate you , my brethren , on our present re-union , and trust that our deliberations may be seasoned with that wisdom which adversity affords . The great Father of us all has some wise purpose underlying the present

situation in which our individual well-being is not ignored . Our inability to see that purpose can by no means operate as a bar to the Masons' trust . One of our humanity has beautifully said : —

' Sweet are the uses of adversity . ' We may live to speak experimentally , and declare the poet right . " It is an evidence of the solid foundation and proper organization of our Masonic Institution , to see it flourish in seasons like the present , and the

conviction is forced upon us that conformity to the traditions and symbolic teachings of Masonry will secure to us , as individuals , as to itself as an order , a genuine , unostentatious , and lasting

success . Let us , dear brethren , draw near to our altars , and find a sanctuary while dangers impend Let us declare our continued trust in God , and announce to all the world our gratitude to Him for so clear a manifestation of His supreme

administration , as our journey through the past year , and onr present convention afford . Then let ns apply ourselves to a review of the working of onr Order since we last met , and to the consideration of such needful legislation as the interests of the Craft may seem to demand . " The Grand Master then states in his address a

number of occurrences within his jurisdiction during the year , not interesting to those residing without it ; reports a few of his decisions on questions brought before him of any local interest , and not expositions of the land-marks ofthe

Order , a statement of his official visitations , and otherlocal ' matters . We are sorry to learn thai : the financial affairs of the Grand Lodge " are in a very sickly state . "

MISSOTTEI . The Grand Master delivered the Annual Address . After an appropriate introduction he states that ,. " Since the last annual communicatiou forty-two dispensations have been granted for the opening of new

Lodges . In a number of cases these new Lodges will supply the places of those in existence , hut which , in common with so much else that was noble and beautiful in our land , were destroyed in the fierce conflict of arms .

He also stated that many members of the fraternitydeny that the work of the Grand Lecturer is that adopted by the Grand Lodge , and that known as tho work of the Baltimore Convention , but has been changed by the Grand Lecturer . The subsequent

proceedings show that the work of the Grand Lecturer was afterwards verified in the presence of the Grand Lodge and approved , and the following resolution adopted : Mesolvecl , That the work as exemplied by the Grand Lecturer during the present session be

affirmed by this Grand Lodge , and that the same be required to be practised by every subordinate Lodge in this jurisdiction . The Grand Master gives several of his official decisions on matters referred to him .

1 . He decides that it is inexpedient to try a brother Masonically for a crime or misdemeanour forjwhich he is indicted until the civil tribunal has disposed of it , because the accused brother is entitled to our sympathy until his guilt is established , as it would be