1907.]
Appendi~:
21
7
sagacity in estimating the value to be ascribed the influence of Freemasonry, as it has entered into and wrought upon tbe world's progress and advancement in the past, inspires our confidence in bis prophecy as standing upon the mountain peak of this, the twentieth century, conscious of the truth we, as MasonsJ advocatc, dares intimate that fullest of fruition wbich must come as reward to true faith in an uncreated divinity anll a devotion to His law concerning humanity. It' is with congratulatory pride that wc detect in bis every act a devoted heart and inflexible love for Masonry and Masons, together with strength of mind and courage of conviction. His utterances are forceful in expression, while his execution in the most part is both skjllful and prudeIit~ ,
We endorse the following ~ruly Masonic utterance: The less'on~ or' morality 路alld virtue, of friendship and Fraternity, taught at tbe Masonic altar, :ll.l'e not confined to the Lodge room nor the Masons only. "A little leaven leavencth the wbole lump," ,and they penetrate alld permeate the cntire fabric of hUlhan society.' And it is perbaps not too mucb to say that MasoDi'y, by its lessons of friendship and brotherhood, is doing much to soften and' wear away the feeling of sectarian and denominational prejudice among men, so that men of every shade of religions belief and practice. whether the Jew 01' Gentile, are coming to see, more and morE:" the good there is in their neighbors who may differ with them in matters of religious faith, and are saying: Shall I ask th.e brave Brother who fights by my side. In the cause of mankind, if our creeds agree: Shall I give up my friend, vaiued and tried, If he kp.eel not at'the same altar with me: OUR FRATERNAL DEAD.
Under this head he mentions in feeling terms the death of Past Grand Master B. R. Abernathy, which occurred Decemb.er 25, 1905, and that of Past Grand Master Marcus F. Mott, who died November 18, 1906. FRATERNAL BELA'froNS.
It is a source of ple'asure and encouragement to know that our relations with otber Grand Bodies with which tbe Grand Lodge of Texas maintains I<'raternal Correspo.ndence continue to be most cordial. During the year I. have bad correspondence with tbe Gl'and Masters of many Grand Jurisdictions, and from all come the cheering report that Freemasonry is maintaining its well-earned reputation for "doing good to all men, but. more especially to them that are of the household of fait.b." thus exemplifying that brot.herhood of citizenship which. iR so essential to the well-being of society and the orderly conduct of free government. "
DISPENSATIONS TO APPEAH IN PUBLIC.
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I have granted DiRpensations to various Lodges to appear in public for various purposes, as foHows, the number being too great for particular mention: To install officers in public. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 T'o lay. corner-stones , , . . . .. 13 To dedicate halls.................................. 7 Total number of DiRpensations' granted ..... , .. , . ,. 82 I have refused Dispensations t.o lay corner-stones in several instanees upon the ground that the buildings were not of "undoubted Masonic, public or sacred character," as -required hy resolution of tbe Grand Lodge:路 I also refused a Dispensation to lay the corner-stone of a cburch on Sunday.