Masonic Notes And Queries.

the Lodges of the country to unite with her in placing him at the head of a General Grand Lodge . Georgia , in 1790 , South Carolina in 1799 , and Pennsylvania in 1809 , endeavoured to unite the Grand Lodges in a General Grand Lodge . In 1823 , as the result of a Convention held in the city of Washington , a resolution was adopted declaring it " expedient and for the general interests of the Order , to constitute a General Grand Lodge of the United States . " . Thu circular which was sent out to the

Grand Lodges was signed by M . W . John Marshall , of Virginia ; M . W . Henry Clay , of Kentucky ,- M . W . William Winder , of Maryland ; Win . S . Cardell , of Neiv York ; M . W . Joel Abbot , of Georgia ; John Holmes of Maine ; Henry Baldwin , of Pennsylvania ; John H . Eaton , of Tennessee ; M . W . Wm . H . Seaton , of Washington ; M . W . H . C . Burton , of North Carolina ; M . W . Christopher Kankinof MississiiM . W . Eev .

Thad-, pp ; deus Mason Harris , of Massachusetts . As we turn to these early efforts and look back upon these venerable names , most of which are now transferred to " The Becords of the Silent Lodge , " we are reminded of the words of one of our own living Poets ,

"The dead govern—the living but obey . " —Albert Pike . The thoughts , the convictions and aspirations of the dead now animate the hopes , inspire the purposes , and direct the energies of the living . It would seem almost disrespectful to their memory to seriously re-argue the question now , which they so well demonstrated in the maturity of their manhood . It is true , their appeal was unsuccessful . Their cherished object was defeated by adverse action on the part of some

Grand Lodges . Some of the arguments by which the Masonic ¦ writers of that day defeated this effort , have been revived and republished in reply to the Maine Circular , as the best possible arguments against it . We mean no disrespect to the living or the dead , wheu we say that the circular signed by John Marsh .. ]] , Henry Clay , and their illustrious compeers , remains to this day , unanswered and unanswerable ; a monumont of Masonic fidelity

and sagacity , worthy of their legal , civic , and literary fame , and their moral worth . The Committee deem it unnecessary to urge the consideration that the objects aimed at by the Congress aro worthy of the most earnest efforts of the ablest minds of the age . Those objects are so . fully stated in the Articles of Confederation as to need no enumeration . The whole field of Masonic labour and

research , embracing all countries and all time , is before us , affording ample scops for our highest energies , leiiving neither time nor motive for profitless controversy or arbitrary legislation . The Masonic fraternity on this continent are in a course of resistless progress in numbers , in mental and moral force , with increasing desires for more light and a broader humanity . Our i-elations with the older nations , from which waves of population

are flowing to us across the two great oceans of the world ' s commerce , are such as to render it increasingly desirable for us to know the condition and progress of our ' ancient Craft in those countries where it had long been cultivated before its altars were consecrated on these western shores . Thc practical question which all will weigh is , Will the experiment succeed ? Will the objects aimed at be gained ? If so , will the results justifthe endeavour ?

y That will depend on those who mike the investment , which need not be very expensive surely , if all or a majority of the Grand Lodges shall cordially unite . The expense of representation need not be a burden , as the meetings will occur but once in three years , and at tRe same time with the General Grand Masonic bodies . There is an array nf talent and learning now in the order , which if called forth , may furnish a rich

intellectual banquet at every meeting , and may accumulate rich treasures of . Masonic lore to benefit ourselves and those who come after us . We believe that Freemosonry has yet a mission , an altar and a Priesthood , with a future more glorious than than the past ; and that the advancement of Christian civilisation , so far from superseding or rendering it obsolete , will hut enlarge and elevate

the sphere of its labour and make still higher demands for all the consecrated talent and Masonic skill we can train around our altars . Is it too much for us to ask a fair experiment for the organization here proposed . . May we not hopefully invite all the Grand Lodges on the Continent to give their hand and heart to these Articles of Association , and meet us with a full representation of their highest ; wisdom and skill at the Congress proposed for 18 G 2 ? With this cherished hope we ask that you will give an early response to

Masonic Notes And Queries.

this circular , so soon as your Grand Lodge shall be able to consider and decide upon the subject herein presented . The committee also invite suggestions in relation to the subjects within the range of its inquiry , that may need the early attention of such a Congress . All communications in reply to this circular should be addressed to the Chairman of this Committeecare of Ira Berry

, , Esq ., G . Sec . of the Grand Lodge of Maine , whose office is at Portland , Maine . CYRIL PEARL , Maine . A . T . C . PIERSON , Minnesota . ALBERT G . MACKEY , South Carolina . JOHN L . LEWIS , JR ., New Tork . PHILIP C . TUCKER , Vermont .

GILES M . HILLYER , Mississippi . BENT . B . FRENCH , District of Columbia . ELBERT H . ENGLISH , Arkansas . JOHN - FEIZZELL , Tennessee .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is iiol responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents .

THE LATE YE 3 STEBABLE THE AEOHDEAOON B . LANE EEEEB , D . PEOV . G . M ., HEBEEOEDSHIEE . TO THE EDITOR OP THE CTEEJ-ASOXS' MAGAZINE AND ___ S . SO _ . IO MIEKOB . DEAR SIR , —In your notice of the death of this

eminent , worthy , and beloved brother , his Masonic career requires amendment . He was initiated in the Apollo Lodge at Oxford , Nov . 8 th , 1826 ; exalted in the Alfred Eoyal Arch Chapter , at Oxford , 1827 ; joined the Palladian Lodge , Hereford , 2 nd 2 STov ., 1858 ; became S . W . of that lodge , 1859 ; appointed

Prov . G . S . W ., Hereford , 1859 ; elected W . M . of Palladian Lodge for I 860 ; appointed D . Prov . G-. M ., Herefordshire , 1860 ; became K . T . in the Encampment of the St . Almans , at Worcester , 23 rd April , 1863 , and was a postulant in the S . P . E . C . Chap , of St . Dunstan , ab Worcester .

Thus has died , amongst a weeping and bereft people , a pattern worthy for all to follow , the father of the fatherless , tho protector of the widow and widowed , a zealous contributor to every charitable institution which

was made known to him , a lover of everything consisting of piety aud virtue , a warm patron and supporter of the Masonic art , a Yice-presidenb of the Girls' Masonic School , and last 3 ear one of the Steivards . Although the funeral was intended to have been as private as circumstances would permit , he was interred

at Bishopstoue , on Monday , the 17 th inst ., in the presence of a large concourse of people , who went purposely , many of them travelling for miles , to pay the last sad office of respect due to departed worth and merit , the church being crowded by clergy and gentry , rich men and poor men , parishioners or otherwise .

Amongst the clergy was the most Eev . the Bishop of Hereford , the Vei- } 7 ' Eev . the Dean , the Oanon , and Ecclesiastics of Hereford Cathedral . Many Ereemasons from all parts were there ; the brethren of the Palladian Lodge , the Eoyal Edward Lodge , Leominster , where he was well known and so much respected , attended , all desirous to express by their presence their appreciation