The Annual Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Kansas AF&AM - 1855 to 1859

THE ANNUAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE

GRAND LODGE OF

KANSAS ANCIENT

FREE & ACCEPTED

" % " -

MASONS

ͳͺͷͷ Ǧ ͳͺͷ͸ Ǧ 1856 - Leavenworth 1856 - Leavenworth 1857 - Leavenworth 1858 - Leavenworth 1859 - Lawrence

12 25 29 Page 49 Page 55 Page 67 Page 85 Page 111

KANSAS FREEMASONS ON THE LEVEL

PROCEEDINGS

M:.W·. GRAND LODGE Ot'

Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons OF KANSAS.

)'ROM TH},~ TIME 'l'HE COt-VEN'fION ME'l' x'OR ITS OltGANIZATION, I N NOVEMBER, 1855, .TO OCT081!:R, 186.5, 1NCLU8IVE. PREFACED

BY A BRIEF HISTORY OF TH E },'IRST LODGES OF THF. STATE.

...

A REPHlNT OF THE ORI Q I NAL M1NUTES.

1889: J• U III. ISHl,;O IIY ORDER OF TH E GHANll l,OllGE.

T A BL E OF CONTENTS. Showing the time and p laco of bolding the Conventio n at which the .M:.-.,·v.-. Gr-and Lodge of Kansas, A. F. & A.. M., was orga-

-n ized, a nd also subsequent Annual ·Commun ications up to and includ ing 1865, together witb a history of the original lodges.

CONV·ENTlONS HELD 14, A . D . 1855, A. L . 5855: AT TJrE Crn or LEAVENWOnTH, DECEJ'1BEn 27, A. D. l!S65, A. L. 5855.

AT TILE Cl'l'Y Of' LEAVENWORTH, MARCI:£ 17, A. D. ]856, A. L. 5856.

AT ·r,rn GJT·\· M LF.A\'ENwon-rlI, Jur,Y 14, A. D. 1856, A. L. 585H. AT

TIIF.

C1-rY o,,

LEAVt:NwonTH, Novmt1nEn

ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS HELD A:r Trm C1TY o~- LEAVENwonnr, OcTonEn 20, A. n. 1856, A. L. 5856.

AT -r1u : CnY OF LEAV.El'.WORTH, OcTODEH 19, A. D. 1857, A.. L. 5857.

AT 1'HF: CnY OF LEAVENWORTH, OC'I'on1m 18, A_. D. 1858, A. L. 5858.

18, A. D. 1859, A. L. 5859.

ATCJ-usox, OcronEn 16, A. D. 1860, A . .L. 5860.

C_rr Y o~· TOPEKA, OCTOBER 15, A. D. 1861, A. L . 5861.

AT THE 01'.rY OF

LAWRENCE, Octo mm

AT T H E CtTY OF

A-r TFrE AT ,J1E CITY o~· Toq;;KA,

21, A. D. 1862, A. L. 5862.

A T THE C1·1•y OF TOPEKA, OcroB.ER 21, A. D. 1863, A. L. 5S63.

A'.I' TI IE Ct'l'Y OF TOPEKA, DECEMllEU 20, A. D . 1864, A . L. 5SG4.

AT -rm: CITY o.F TOPEKA, OCTOBF.R 17, A. D. 1865, A. L. 5SG5.

0

l'ftF.SS OF Kl."TCII ESON .t ftEl:Yt;$, LEAVENWORTH, l<J..?iSA.S.

OcronER

TO

R·.W.•. ERASMUS ',L'. CA.RR, WHO SERVED THE M:.W:. GRAND LODGE AS GRAND JUNIOR WA\DE r-' 1&59 'l'O 1860, GRAND ~ECRE'l'ARY 1861 TO 1870, THE WRITER ·oN CORRESPONDENCE DUIUNG J-IJS MANY YEARS' SERVICE AS GRAND SECRETARY. ;SJ-:HVED '.!'HE M:.E:.GRAND CHAPTER OP ROYAL ARCH MASONS !-'ROM THE ORGANJZATION, 1866 TO 1878, INCLUSIVE, AS GRAND SlsCRE1' ARY. RE WAS ADVANCED 'TO T UE POSI TION OF DEPUTY GHAND HIGH PRlEST , 1879 TO 1880, AND GRAND HIGH PRlEST 1880 TO 1881.

ALSO -GRAND RECORDER OF THE GRAND CO.MMANDERY .F ROM ITS OROANIZA'l'ION. 16GB TO

um,.

IN THE illANY AND VAfUED POSITIONS OCCUPJF;D BY HIM I N 'l'H£

s1-:VERAL :MASONIC GRAND

noorns.

HE HAS BEEN A FAJ'l'HFUL ANO EFl?tCIENT WORKMAN. TO HIM AS A TOKEN 01<' OUR FRAT ERNAL REGARD, THIS VOLUAm OF THE RE PRINT 01'' OUR EARLY PROCEEDINGS JS KINDLY AND FRATERNALLY

DEDICATED.

INTRODUCTION. Among other mensures adopted at tile Thirty-second A.nnual 00111munication of the M: .W:. Grano Louge, held at Junction City, on tbu 16th day of Febniary, A. D . 1888, A. L. 5888, was the foll~nving preamble and resolutions: l!EPilJN"r C.W l'HUCJ-:EDINGS.

Bro. H1-:~11Y S111::,;;01£n offered the following preamble a.ml resoluti,m, wbicb was, on motion, received :tnd adopted: WHEREAS, But few copies of tbe Proceedings of this Grand Lodge, from its organi• Y-atlon in 185G up 10 and including the Proceedings of 1865. are now lu existence and to

· be bad, though extravagant prices would be wllllogly paid by those who are anxious

to receive a copy; aod WHEREAS, There are but fow· of the subord!nt\te lodges lo this jurisdiction who are In possession of Volume I. of such Proceedings, and in ordertbat all lodges now borno on our register, and all new lodges the.t mnr be hereafter organized, can be supplied with such complete set of these Proceedings, therefore be it Resolved, That the R:.W: .Grand SecretRry be and is hereby Instructed to CRuse the reprinting ol five hundred volumes of Volume I., ol the Proceedings ol this Grand Lodge from Its organlzntloo, 1856 to 186'>, lnciusi,•e,and tbe same to be bound in a good and workmanlike manner, and wheu such work is completed nnd reurly for mailing, one copy shall be sent to each lodge. nud one copy to be sent to ony Grand Lod~e In correspondence with tbls Grand Lodge, who nre not in possession of such Proceedrngs. the remainder to be retal oed lor uew lodges to be hereafter or1mnlzed, and to sell to sucb brethren as may desire a copy. at cost price, the expense of the se.rne to be paid from the general fund by the Grand Secretary·s warrant on the Grand 1' reosurer.

STEJ:::1, l'I.A'l"E ~::-GHAYlNGS .

0 11

B ro. Owi-:.s A.- .BAss~:TT offered the following resolution, which 1n1s, motion, received and atlopted:

Resol·ve<l, That tbe Grand Secretary Is hereby nutborized and instructed to procure steel plate engravings of P11.~t Grand .Masters RICHARI) R. UE~. GEORGI;; El. l'AIRCHll,I• and JACOQ SA.QI/I; _l),\l'lll':1, VANO{:R.~l,JC€, Po1st Grand Junior Warden: and C:II RISTIAN BP.CK. present Grand Treasu re r, o.ud to have printed nve hundred copies each. aod u, bind the same In the Proceedings of Volume l.,just ordered reprinted, and draw his warrant on tbe general fund for t be expense of tbe same:

The Grand Secretary in his umrnal report to the Grand Lodge, h eld i11 tbe City of Wichita, February 20, A. D. 1889, nmong ot.hcr nrntters, snys oft.be J!E l'RJ:,(T C>F THE EAIIL\" l'ROCEEDINGS.

Io compliance wltb tbe order of the Grand Lod,lle, made at tbe Annual Communication of 188!! ( see Proceedings, page 78,) as soon as I could get the material together, J notified and received bids from. a number of good and responsible prioting houses !or doing tbe work of reprinting nod binding the Proceedings of th is Grand Lorlge from 1855, date of or.1:mniiation, to 166-'.i, incl us!ve,and awnrded the contract to Messrs. KETCH• ESON & REEVES, of Leavenworth, tbey being tbe lowest bidders. These parties have been doing tbls kind of work for us for yenrs. The copy is in tile bands of the printers and i.s well under way, and will be completed aud ready for delivery as soon as possible.

STEEi, 1'0111"1\,\ ITS.

In compliance witb tbe order of tbe Grant! Lodge made at our last Annual Com muulcatioo (see Proceedings. page 78,) I have procured photographic likenesses of Bros.

RICHARD R. REES, GF;ORGE 11. F.AIRCHfl,D, Past Grnud Mas1ers; DANIEL V ANDERSL!Ct: and CHRISTIAN BECK, Past Grand Junior Wardens, the latter Grand Treasurer for tblrty•

2

Introduction.

ooe yenrs. Bro. J,.con SAQUI, Post Grnnd Mnsler, aod Jous w. S~11TH, Past Deputy Grand Master. I have oot been able to get even an old photograph of either, though T have scorched high nud low; hove wrilten and enquired of ever\' brother I thought would be likely to hnve n photo or knew where one could be bad loug enough to have It copied. but .so far I have failed.

The Grand Secretary takes pleasure in announcing to the fraternity of Kansas the final completion of tbe work !lssigued bim by order of the Grand Lodge, to reprint aud bind Volume I., containing its proce1:dini:,rs from 1855 to 1865, inclusive. 'l'he work w:is executed by Messrs. KETCIIESOX & REJ.;v1sS, of Lcavc11wortb, Kansas, they being tbc lowest responsible bidders, in ttecordance with the action of the Grand Lodge. This work bas not been accomplished without the usual vexatious delays attending such work; ,llllOllg' tbem and not t-he leas·t was the procuring of suitable photographs of the isevera.l brethren whose portraits were intended to appear in the volume of tbe reprii;it froJ,11 which steel plntes are worked up. I succeeded in obtaining :1.II but M:.W:. Bro. J,1con S,H}UJ, P,lst Grand Master, long i,ince deceased. Strange as it may seem, not a single copy of a photograph of this brother cottld be found among all his friends and brethren in and about Atchison, his home for 1,0 many years. Brother S,,qu,':,; widow married again and removed to Iowa, where she died, leaviug no t.rnce of her forJOer husband behind. So I reluctantly gave up .my search for the shadow of him who figured so long :1nd conspicnonsly in rnasonr~· in Kani,as.

Being d e_sirons of making our reprint of the first ,·olume of the early Proceedings as valuable and interesting as possible, at my solicitation H.:.W:. Bro. ErusMus T. C,11m, Past Grand Secretary of this Grand Lodge, generously consented to prepare a brief history, which he bas clone, of · the org1mizatioll of the several lodges that uuited in the formntion of this Ghmd Lodge thirty-five years ago. To those who took part in that organization and are now living, this brief history will prove of specia.l interest, and will serve as a reminder of tbe past and the !llany obstacles they hnd to overcome, in order to sustain and build up their respective lodges; it ,,•ill also prove to be of valuable assistance to tlie masonic student who is in search of the early history of freemasonry in Kans:.1s.

The Craft iu Kansns, one and all, will appreciate to the fullest extent t.he valuable services rendered by our worthy fra.tcr, aud none more than the Grand Secretary, ivho takes this occasion to express his gratitude to Bro. CARR for the part he bas taken in waking this volume of our Proceed· ings valuable :111d interesting.

Yours fraternally,

Grand Secretary.

MASONRY :AND THE LODGES IN KANSAS, FREI/IOU% TO THE ·oR~A.MIZA.TION OF THE (?;RAN.O LO0«E. . .

L:£.>\VENWORTff, Jan~rn.ry 15, 1890.

To My Masonic Brethren·: As one of the few ·sui-viviog membe1·s ·or the Grand Lodge, ,vho ,vere· of it, in its infancy and · childhood, I l1ave, at the request of :81·0.. JonN H. BROWN, Gra,nd Secretary, consented to prepa.ro for publication with th~ reprint of the earlier Grand Lodge Proceedings a brief history of masonry in Kansas and of the lodges in-.Kansa1, up to the time of .its organization. Not coming into the Tenitory until September 13, 1855, and not being a mason previous to July 5, )856, it is with some <lilli. dence that I undertake to do what some mason who p1·eceded me might. do .beUer. , -The history of freemasonry ,ill Kansas antedates the "Kansas nnd Nebraskn, a.ct," by the authority of which 011 May 30, 1854, the Terri toi·y of Kansas was opened to settlement.

In the T ~1Titory of the vVyandottes -we find t.he GA.RRE'r-rs, MATTHEW R. vVALKER, :BRANSON, FART,Y. and others, and upon the Fo,r;~"'Leavenworth Reservation our now venerable bi·otber, CHRISTIAN BEcR, :BEVEitLlN BECK, his son, CuARLES MUNDEE, LAFAY.ETTE MILLS, GEORGE B. P ANTo'N, Rev. LEANDER KER, the PosL Chaplain, and P: G. LowE, all good men and true, and always ready to e:x;tend a bi·~tber mason's 'greeting t.o those pione1fra of tbe Craft who led tbe van, as well as to tho'se who followed in the gre~t tide, of immigration, consequent upon the opening of'the TetTitory lo settlement.

Among the first to make tbefr bonie in the new Tenitory, after being open to ·settlement, were our b'retbren, Ce1v1NGTON, Mc:MA:r_H and V ANZANDT,of)Vyandotte; JoRNW. SmTn, V ANDERSLICE and RICHARDSON, of Doniphan; REES, MACAULAY, HIATT, ~f(?ORE, EASTIN , Sc~TT :f. ANTHONY and others, ~f Leavenworth; J. H. SABLER, HARRIS and GROVER; of Kickapoo; CHRTSTIAN, l,iADD arid IfoRNSBY, of Lawrence; C. K. HOLLIDAY, Rev. J. T .

HOLLIDAY, JoEL HUNTOON, and others, of Topeka; I. N. Rott-

Early Hi.story of

4

of Sha.wneu; BACl,ELapd EsKHIDGE, of Bmpol'ia; JOHN '11. :PRICE, Rev. DAvrn CI,ARKSON and T. L. BR1<;N1.', of Fort Riley; REDFIELD, of E"ort ·seott, :ind hosts of others, who, when KansaR was but in ber iufaney, helped to erecttbe fouridation upon which our glol'i_ous tem1il~ of freemason ry and its Grand Lodge so nobly stands, and probt~bly little d1·eaming tbat a century would. see it the . noble and powerful body iL bas growp in less than one-tbird of that time, or that any that assisted in giving it 1~ ?eing would live to see it the noble body of to-day.

ER.TS,

S imultaneous with the settlemen t of the Territory our brethof the 01•der began tlie erection of the ir masonic alta,rs, a11<L a.s soon as a sufficient nu,~ber could be found in any community, a ll differences, political or other wise, then so bitter, seem for the time to have been forgotten, and al l joi ned as 11 band of brot hers in t h e organir.ntion of a. lodge.:

ren

Previous to the o·rganization of the Grand L odge of l{an i;afl t here were in the Tel'l'itory five regularly organized lodge::;, a ll working under authority derived from tbe Grand Lodge ofliissouri , a nd, nallliiug tbem in tl1e ordeT or age, according to tho elate of their dispeasatiou, they were as follo,vs: Grove Lodge, (Wyandotte), August 4, 1854.

Smithfield Lodge, (Smithton), October 6, 1854.

Le~venworth Lodge, December 30, 1854.

Lawrence Lodge, September 24, l 855.

Kickapoo Lodg:e, November 5; 1855.

:Believing tbe early history of these lodges to be of sufficient i~portance, we g i ve it in ·full and verbatfm so far ~s we have been able to obtain the same, commencing with ~rove Lodge. · · The petition to the Grand Lodge of l\~issouri for a, dispensat ion for this lodge is w ithout date, and reads as follows: To the Mo~t Worshipful Grand i\[aste-r of Free and Accepted l,fasons, of the State of Mfasouri and. Masonic Jurisdiction thereunto belonging: ·we, the undersigned, being regular Master Masons, former members of lodges• mentioned against Qur names, and at this time not.members of any lodge, pray for a dispensation or Warrant of Constitution, empowering 1Js to,nieet asa regular lodge at the house of MATTI! EW WALKER, in Wyanclot Territory, to be called Grove Lodge, No.-, and there to discharge the duties of masonry in a constitutional !)lanner, according to the forms of the Order, and the rules of the G rand Lodge of the State of Missouri. .And we have nomina ted and do recommend B rother Jo1:1N M. C1-uv1NGTON to l,e the fi rst Master, and Brother M. R. \V /.Llrn.R to be the first

1.lfasonry in Kansas.

Senior Warden, and Brother C\·Rus GARRF.T'r to be the first Junior Warden of the said lodge. · · · The prayer of this petition being granted, we promise strict conformity to the ancient lnndmarks of the Order, antl the Rules and Regulations of the G raritl Lodge. . .

JOHN l\f. CHlVlNGTON, Butlerville Lodge.

MATTHEW R. WALKER, Heroine Lodge, No. 104.

CYRUS GARR.E'IT, Heroine Lodge, No. 104.

L. C. MATTHEWS, Mitchel Lodge, No. 86.

J A.COB BRANSON, Heroine Lodge, No. 104.

LEWIS FARLY, Heroine Lorlge, No. 104.

RUSSEL GARRErr, Heroine Lodge, No. 104.

A. P. SEARCY.

'l'his w:ts refened t.o Compnss liodgc, No. 120, who endorse l\,S follows: · · · At a sta'ted meeting of Compass Lodge, No. 120, held in their hnll July 5, 1854, on motion the within named brethren were recommended to the :i\i:.W:. G:. M:. £or a dispensation.

Attest: B. W. CRUST, W:.M:.

E.W. EDGAR, .

Sect. 1'· t.

Upon the L'ecommendation of Oompn;;s Lodge, tbe following dispensation was grautecl by t he Grand Mastel' of the Gra11d Lodge of :M:is~ouri, constituting the said b1·ethren into a regnlttr lodge:

~

GRAND LODGJ~ OF l\ifSSOURI. Sit f,ux Et Lux Fuit. · •r11F. ~!OST ll'ORSIIIPFUL TI-IE UltANJ> LODGE OF ~.IJSSOURl. 7'o nll nnd every our Riyht Worshipful a.nd l ovifi,g Brethren, G1·eetin{I : .

KNOW YE, That at the petition of our Right Worthy and w.ell-beloved brethren, JOHN M. Cmv1NGTON, MATHEW R. WALKER,CYnus GARRETT, L. C. MATHE!l\'S, ,JACOB BRANSON, and several other brethren, residin~ at the house of MATHEW ,.YALKER, in Wyandot Terr'y, of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, an d for certain other reasons movirig our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be opened at the house of :VL1.T11Ew WALKER, by the name of Grove Lodge. At their said request, and of the great.trust and co~fidence reposed in every of the said brethren, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge doth appoint our Worshipful Brother,. Jo,rn M.· C.mvrn_GTO.N, Master, ·Brother MATAEW R. '\VALKER, Senior ,varden, and BrothP.r CYRUS GARRf:TT, J unior Warden, for opening the said lodge, and governing the same in the several degrees of Entered .Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mnson. .

It is required of our friend and brother, the Worshipful JOHN )I. Cmv1NOTON to take special care, that all and every of the said b rethren of your lodge, as well as those hereafter admitted into our body by y.our lod~e, be regularly made •masons, a nd that they do observe, perforru and keep, all the rules aJ?d orders contained in our Rook of Constitutions; and that the ancient landmarks be strictly attende<l. to; and further, that·you cause to be entered, in a .book kept for that purpose, an account of your proceedings, with a list of those initiated, past and raised, or otherwise managed; and transmit a copy of the same, with this letter

6-

Early History of

of dispensation, to our l\fost Worshipful Grand Lodge, at our A ~nual Communication.

Giv,m at St. Louis, under t.he hand and seal of the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge, this fo1Urth day of August, A. L. 5854, A. D. 1854.

By order of , L. S. CORNWELL, Esq., ,lf.•.'W : . (!rand !,fa.st~ of !,/aaon~ of lhe_Stat.e of .ilfissouri.

Attest : A. O'SULLTYAN, Grand Secrela.ry .

The first Communication of Grove Lodge, U. D., was held Augul'lt 1.1, 1854, anil the following is a minute of its proceedings: The residei1t Master Miisons in Wyandotte, Kansas· Te~i-itory, met at the hall of the Sons of Temperance.

Present:- .T. M. CErtnNGTON, ~i. R. \VALKER, CYnus GARRETT, L. C. MATTHEWS, Rus.<;EI, GARRETT, A. P. SEARCY, Louis I•'.~RLEY, JACOJI BnANsoN,- 8. · · ·.

Visiting "!.1.1embers:- From Golden Square Lodge, No.107, - - P1PE1i, E. l\f. McGEE, ,foHN R1cHAllDSON, J.B. DA n ; NrORT; from Heroine Lodge, No. 104, T. B. SEXTON :md JEssi,; L. PonTi,;n,- 6, The ceremonies of organizing and installing-the officers of the ne w lodge, under dispensation, under ~he l)ame and style of Kansas J.odge,. under dispensation, being performed, - ·- P1PER, Deputy Grand Master, then openly announced:• Bv virtue of authority in me vested, as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand ~~ge of Missonri, I hereby confer autbority upon yon to work in Urn three degreet-i of masonry, in conformity with the nncient landmarks of the Craft, and in nrcordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, till further authority and orders from the said Grand Lodge.

There bei rig no further business, the lodge closed in due and ancient for111.

'.l'h e second lodge orgil.11izcd was Smithfield, now Smithton Lodge; 1'.fo. 1. Their npplication for a dispensation, dated Septembe1· 23, 1854, is as follows : J'o the .ilfost Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Stale of Nis3ouri:• The petitioners humbly snow that they are Ancient, Free nnd Accepted i\faster Masons.

Ha,•ing the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, they are willing to <>xert their best endeavors to_promote and diffuse the genuine principles of masonry: For the convenience of their respective dwellinis, and for other good rtasons they are clesirous of forming a new lo<lge in the town of Smithfield, in Kansas Territory, to be named i::mitl1field Lodge. In consf'guence of this desire and for the good of the Craft, they prny for a charter or warrant to empower them to assrmble as a legal lodge, to discharire the duties of masonry, in the several degrees of ]~ntered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason,.in a reiular and constitutional manner accordinii: to the ancieut form of the l•raternit~•. and tbe Jaws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, the re being no Grand Lodge in the Territory aforesaid .

They have nominated nn<I do recommend JOHN W.- S~11Tn to ue the tirst Master, E. R1ENREA RT to be the first Senior Warden, and D. D. V A:O:J)~: ns1.1c2 to be the fin;t J ·unior Warden of said lodge.

.Masonry in Ka-nsas. · ·

7

That if the prayer o'f the petition should be granted, they promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of Missouri aforesaid.

September 23, 1854. · HARVY FOREMAN, J. W.SMITH, JOHN WHITEH !!:AD, E.W. REINHART, W-ILLIAM RICHARDSON, D. D. VANDERSLICE. JOSEPH CRIPPIN,

Thii;; application was endorsed by Savannah Louge,as follows: SAVANNAH LODGE, No. 71, September 23, 1854.

Ordered that this lodge recommend tbe·application and petition of the petitioners for a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, for a lodge to be established at Smithfield, in the Territory of Kansas. [ Extract from minutes.)

THO~fAS H. OLARKE, Secretary. '·

The application

iR furthe,:

endol'sed as follows :

SA \'.ANN,nr, A.NDREw Co., Mo., Mr. A. O'Sullivan: September 26, 1854, DEAR BROTHER:'- Please issue dispens::ition upon above, i1nd forward same to me at this 'plftce. ~•- ,i; .,,, All communications for Smithfield, Kansas Territory, must be addressed to the ppstoffice at this place, as they as yet have no mails in that Territory.

By order of N. B. GIDDINGS, D:. D:. G:. ltf:. for First District State of Missouri.

fo <:ompliance with tbe foregoing, the M.·. W.·. G1·and Lodgo (){' Missouri issued tbe following dispensatioi.1: GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI.

Sit Lv..x Et Lux Fuit.

TiiE ~,os·r

\\'OllSHIPl' UL THE GRAND LOOGK OF MISSOURI.

T,, ull cind every our Right Worshipful and Loving Brethren, Greeting: KNow YE, That at the petition of our Right Worthy and •well beloved brethren, HARVEY FoREM.AN, JoHN Warr1mEAD, ·w1LLIAM R1cH• Am)SON, JOSEPH CmPPEN, J. W. S.,nTH, E. H. RErNaART, D. D. VANDERSLICE, JAMES H. M ERRJLL, G. R. \VrLSON, and several other 1.,rethren residing at, and near the town of Smithfield, in Kansas Territory, of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Ma sons, and for cerwin other reasons moving our Most Worshipful GrancJ Lodge, do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be opened in the town of Smithfield, by the name of Smithfield Lodge. At their said request, and of the great trust and confidence repose<l in every of the said brethren, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge dotb appoint our ·worshipful Brother, JOHN W. s~11Tn, M'aster, Brother E. REINHEAR'r Senior , -V arden, and Brother D. D. VANnERSLICE Junior Warden, for openiug the said lodge, and governing the same in the several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master M:ason.

Early History of It is required of our friend and brother, tbe Worshipful Jo11N W. SmTH, to take special care, that a ll and every of the said brethren of your lodge, as well as those hereafter admitted into our body by your lodge, be regularly maue masons, and that they do observe, periorm and keep, all the rules and orders contained in our Book of Constitutions; and that the ancient landmarks be strictly attended to; and furth_er, that you cause to be entered, in a book kept for that pu:rpose,an account of your proceedings, with a list of those initiaLed, past .and raised, or otherwise managed; and transmit a copy of the same, with this letter of dispem;ation, to our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, at our Annual Comn1unicatfon. · · · Given at St. Louis, under the hand and seal of the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge, by order, this sixth day of October, A. L. 585.J, A.. D. 1854. By order_of Rt. W: . NAP. B. GlDDINGS, Attest: D:. D:. Grand ./Jfasta, Fi1•3t 3ftrsonic Di.~trict.

A. O'SULLIVAN, Gr. Sect.

The first Communication of Smithfield Lodge, U. D., was held No-· vember·30, 1854, and the following is a u1inute of its proceedings: The lodge WAS opened in the third degree, by ,ToHN W. SMITH, W:.

M:.; E. H . REJN'HART,S:.W.· . ; D. VANDERSLICE, J:. \V:.; ;TmrN H. WmT&. HEAD, Secretary; W. P. R1CRARDS01>, Treasurer; ,T. H. Mi,:nm1,1,1 S:. D:.; G. R. WILSON, J:. D:.; JoSEPH C1urrrn, Tyler.

Visiting brethren:-JosEPH M. HoLT, JAMES N. TEGARDEN, JosEl')f N1c110L antl JOHNS. TISDALE, all of Savannah ( ;\'lo.) Lodge, No. 71.

There being no business before the lodge it was closed in due form.

The tb ird lodge organized in the creni toJ-y was Leavenworth ,. the application for which 1:eads tts follows: To the ·w.-. D. P. Wallingford, D:. G:. M<Uteroj the Grand Lodge of the Slate of Missouri, of F. & .11. A. M.: The undersigned petitioners, being Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, having the prosperity of the Fraternity at hea:rt and are willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principlesof masonry respeetfully represent: _ That they are desirous· of forming a new lodge in the town of Leaven worth, Kansas Territory, to b{;l named Leavenworth Lodge; they therefore pray for letters of dispensation t.o empower them to assemble as a legal lodge, to discharge the tlnties of mason.ry in a regular and con· stitntional manner, according to the original forms of the Order, and the regulations .of .the Grand Lodge.

They have nominated and do recommend Bro. U1c11AR0 R. REES t<> be the first Master, Bro. ARCHIBALD PAYNE, to be the first Senior Warden, aud Bro. AU LEY MA CAULEY to be first Junior Warden of said lodge.

If the prayer of the petition shall be granted, they promise a strict conformity to the Constitution, laws and regulations oi tbe Grand Lodge.

WM. 0. WEBSTER, RICHARD R. REJ<~S, JOEL RIATT, LUCIAN J. EA81'1N, W. G. EVANS, J. MARION ALEXANDER, G. B. PANTON, JOHN J. BENZ, J. D. oE-W. [1 LA FAYETTE MILLS, A.PAYNE, LEANDER KER, , CHAS. :\1UNDER A. MACAULAY,

Masonry in Kansas.

'l'his application is endorsed as follows : HALL OF PLA'l"I'E LoDGE, No. 56, AT l'LaTTE Cnv, l\fo., December 4, A. D. 1854, A. L. 5854.

The within petition of Bro. R. R. Rns, A. PAY NE, A. MACA ULY and ot!hers praying the D:. G:. M:.of .Missouri to grant them a dispensation to open a new lodge at Leavenworth, Kansas Territory, by the name of Leavenworth Lodge, was presented to this lodge, and on motion this, lodge recommends that the prayer of the petitioa be granted.

WILLIAM A. FOX, W:.M:.

Attest: P. J A.CKSON COLLIN~, &ct'y p. t..

Complying with tho application and its recommeudi1,tiou by Platte City Lodge, a dispensation for holding the lodge was. granted, as fol lows: GHAND LODGE OF MISSOURI. Sil Lux Et L-ux Fu.it.

THE MOST WORSHlPFUL THE GRAND LODGE OF MlSSOURI.

To <ill and every our Right Wo1·shipful a-nd Loving Brethren., Greeting: KNow YE, That at the petition of our Right Worthy and well beloved brethren, R1cttAllD R. REES, ARCHll3ALD l'AYNE, AuLEY MACAULEY and several other brethren residing at, and near the tOW!1 of f...eavenworth, in Kansas Territory, of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of F r ee and Accepted Masons, and for certain other reasons moving our Most Worsh ipful Grand Lodge, do hereby conetitute the said brethren into a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be opened in the town of Leavenworth, by tfie name of Leavenworth Lodge. At their· said request, and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of t he said brethren, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge doth appoint our Worshipful Brother RICHARD R. REES Master, Brother ARCHIBALD PAYNE Senior Warden, and Brother AULEY MACAULEY Junior Warden, for opening the said lodge, and governing the same i n the several degreesof Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

It is required of our friend and brother, the Worshi,pful R1CHARD R R.i;;Es, to take special care, that all and every of the said brethren of your lodge, as well as those hereafter admitterl into our body by your lodge, be regularly made masons, and that they do observe, perform and keep, alll the rules and orders contained in our Book of Constitntions; and that the ancient landmarks be strictly attended to; and further, that you cause to be entered, in a book kept for that purpose, an account of' your proceedings, with a list of those initiated, past and raised, or otherwise o:1anagerl; and transmit a copy of the sam:e, with this letter of dis· pensation, to our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, at our Annual Communication.

Given at St. Louis, under the hand and seal of the Most Worshipfol th,e Grand Lodge, by order, this thirtieth day of IJecember, A. L. 58E14,.

A. D. 18-54. Bv order of · .

Rt. W:. D. P. WALLINGFORD, D: . .Gr. Mosler, Gr. Lodge .410.

Attest: A. O'SULLIVAN, · Gr. Sect., Gr. Lodge Missouri.

10

Early History of

The first Communication of Leavenworth Lodg~, U. D., was i1eid January 19, 1855, and the following is a· minute of it.s proceeding: Leavenworth Lodge, U. D.,·was opened in due form by W:. B:. K R. REES, l\lI:.; A. PAYNE, S:. W:·. ; A. MACAULAY, J:.W:.; L. C. EASTIN, S:.D:.,pro tern.; J.M. ALEXANDER,J:.D:.,pr-o tern. ; CHAS.lVIuNJ>EE, Secretary, pro tern.; GEo. B. PANTON, Treasurer, pro tem.; J. J. BEisY., Tyler, pro tem. · · Visitors:-Bros. BEv. BECK, of w·eston Lodge, No. 53, and Dr. S. F. F.&w, of Friendship Lodge, No. - , Va. .

The Secretary read the dispensation, which was granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri. <:> ·"" ·::> • • • Petitions for initiations, each accompanied by $5.00, were received from Dr. J. H. DAY and Dr. SAMUEL PHlLLIPS, On motion, it was resolved: That.;we are governed by the By-Laws now in order in Weston Lodge, No. 53, until a new Code shall be drawn by a committee, to which was appointed Bros. :MACAULAY, ALEXANDER 0 and EASTIN. <:> " The lodge then prepared to elect the Junior Officers, ancl ballot bei~f severally t~ken ,t~e follo\~in~ brethre~ ~vere unani~ously e]ecte~, \IZ. G.B.PANTON,Ireasurer, CnAs.:MulSDEE,Secret.ary, L.J. EASTJN, S:. D:.; J. J. RENZ, J:. D:. And agreed to dispense with the election of '£y ler for the present. "' '" "' · Resolved, That the fee for an admitted- brother shall be £2.00.

Petitions for affiliation were received from the !oilowing brethren: CHRISTIAN Bt:CK, Weston Lodge, No. 53; B. BECK, Weston Lodge, No. 5:3; S. F. FEw, Friendship Lodge, Va. The lodge then closed in peace and harmony.

These three lodges continued to work reg ularly under their dispensntions until April, 1855, when each ·made tlpplicatio n to t,he Grand Lodge of Miss~uri for charte~·.s, a.nd at a meeting of t.hat Grand Lodge, held in_May, 1855, after examination· of the· work ,ind returns by the Committee Oil £ odges u. D., chart_erH were grnuted as follows: · Smithton·Lodge, No:140; L eavenworth L odge, No. 150, a nd to Gro,•e Lqclge, as Kansas Lodge, No. 153.

After r eceiving their charters tl1c lodges held their first meetings as follows: Smithton Lodge, No.140.-In June, 1855, and the following is a minute of it.s proceedings: The lodge was opened in the third degree.

Bro. J OlIN \V. s~m-11 ........................... ·worshipful Master.

Bro.JAMES H. M.ERRll,L.......................... Senior Warden.

Bro. J AMES R. WHITERE.... D ....................Junior Warden.

Bro. "'· P. R1CHAIUJSON ......................... Treasurer.

Bro. JORN H. WHITEREAD...................: ..Secretary. .Bro. S. M. Mo:-.TGm!ERY ..... ........... .... .... Senior Deacon.

Bro. JOSEPH CHrPl'EN .............................Tyler.

Visiting Brethren:--- ELIJAH, of Oregon Lodge, U. D., Missouri, · and ISAAC L. WELD, of Lodge No.-, in Chicago, Illinois. " e " There being no further business before the lodge, it was closP.d in due an<l ancient form.

JWa.sonry in Kansas.

11

LP.avenwortii Lodge, No. 150.-June 16, 1855, and the following is a -minute of its proceedings: The lodge was called to labor by W:. M:. R. R. REES, who stated that the charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri anu re.ceived, whereupon Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150, opened in the third degree, an<l a sufficient number of b rethren being present, the lodge :proceedec.l to elect the officers for the ensuing year, and the following .brethren were elected: •\\·:. II:. RICHARD R. REES ........ ........ ......... Worshipful !\faster. liro. ARCHIBALD PAYNE.......... ..... :;: . ... Senior \Varden.

Bro. AULAY MACAULAY ....... ........... : ... Junior V.'arden.

Bro. CHARLES 1\-IuNDEE ........ .. ,. ...........Secretary.

Bro. GEORGE B. PAwroN ...... .........

Treasurer.

Bro. JoHN J. BENZ. . :.... . ...... :.. ..........Senior Deacon.

Bro. Bi::vERLIN BECK..........................Junior Deacon.

Bro. CHHISTI.u; Beci;:........ ................ Tyler·: On motion it being resolve d to appoi nt a Committee of A r range ments for the 23d of June next, Bros. l\1cA ULA Y, - .- EAsTI_N, B. BECK, • - - M.uNDEE and - - Mr1.Ls were appointed, and it ,vas agreed to leave all arrangements to the direction of said committee. . •.

On motion. it was resolved that the installment of .all of the officers be public. · . · . · · _ · \V:. B:. REES was unanimously requested to deliver an oration on the 23d, next. . . . . .

The lo<lge was then called from labor to refreshment until the 28d · -of June, 1855. · Leavenworth Lorlge, No. 150, was called fro01 re(resh01ent to labor .June 23, l 855, in the first degree, whereupon the Committee of ;\rrangements, through the.ir chairman, Bro. MCAULAY, reported the arrange• men ts that were made in regard tot.he procession, place of meeting and .installation of officers, which arrangements were approved of.

Visitors being announced, R:. W_:. Bro. JAs. N. BURNE~, District D:.

G:. M:., l\f:. W:. Bro: D. P. W Ar.LINGVORD, Past D:. D:. G:. M:., Bro. I. S . .

'TODD, .Bro. M. S. YouNG and other worthy brethren were ad1nitted, whereupon R:.W:. Bro. J . N. BuR:-:&s opened the Grand Lodge for the purpose of installing the officers, which duty he performed, after -an -oration delivered by W:. Bro. R. R. REES. · ( From the minutes of July 5, 1856: "Bro. CARR was then in trod ucerl and raised to the sublime degree of 1\1:. M.·."J

Kansas Lodge, No. 158.-.Tuly 27, 1855, and the following is a minute .of its proceedings: At the first regular meeting of Kansas Lodge, under the charter .granted by the G rand Lodge of the State of Missouri, convened at the .hall, the following members appeared: M . R. WAr,KP-1\.•..........•.. . ..•.•••••••.. ...••. ... Worshipful Master.

RussEr. GAJtRETT ................................. Senior \Varde n.

CYRUS GA1UlE'l'T ..............................·..... Junior Warderi, pro tem.

WM. .BARNETT ..................................... Senior Deacon, ])TO tem.

H1'NRY GARRETT ......... ... .................. ..... Junior Deacon, pro tem. \VM. \V .ALKP-R ......... ................. : ••••. •.•••• Secretary, pro tem.

GEo. I. CLARK ....... ...................... .... ....1'reasurer. _ L. C. 1\1AT1'H£\\"S .............. ........ ... ······ ..- - - .

J,,~IES MATTHEWS, visiting member.

The lodge was opened in the usual form, and the charter read by the Secretary. .

1'2

Early History of The first business in order was the restorat.ion of Bro. L. C. MATa suspended member, to the honors of his office as Senior W11.r-

·

THEWS,

~1en.

.:s,

0

0

·:l

The lodge closed in harmony and in the usual form.

LAWR£NC:E.

'J'he original papers relating to the OL'ga11ization of Law-· reuce Lodge, No. 6, UJ)On our register, b:ut_the foni·th loclge in-1:!tituted in the Teri-itory, arc not to be found among tbe a1·chives o.f either the Grand Lodge of Missouri or tbat of Kansas, and for the purpose of this history we are obliged to rely in ])itrt upon tbe memory of some of those wbo were its founders.

Of the ea,rly history of tbis lodge B1·0. JA::IIES CHRISTIAN, itsfirst Master, gives, in snbstiince, t he following: He was in St. Louis at the meeting of the Grand Louge of Mh;souri, befog Master of ;Harrisonville Lodge, No. 90, at the time of tbe pnssage of the KansaS-Nebra.ska act-, and nt the session in which Bro. L . S. CORNWELL was elected Grand Master; that soon after that, in an interview with him, he infonned the M.·.W.·. brother that he proposed to remove to the new T0rrito1·y, and would like to obtain a dispensation to work ail a lodge in bis new home. In 1·eply Bro. CoRNWEJ,r, gave bim the,· 110cessary instTuctions a~ to how to p r oceed. . .

Bro. Crrn.rsTIAN came to the Territory i.11 Octobe1·, 1854, but diu not remain long. In March, 1855, he rctui-ned itnd located a.t Lawrence.' Owing to tbe pol itical difficulties at tbe time , he· did not at.tempt the org:tnizatioo ofi:i lodge till later in tbc season.

During the summer. the following ·named brethl'ell of La.w-• re nee petitioned tbe Grand Lodge of ·Missouri for authol'ity to· organize a l_odge, viz: W::1r. H. R L~KINS, WILLIAM YA'rEs, E. D. LADD, S. B. PRENTICE, CoLul\rnus HoaNS~Y, J.urns S. CowAN. and JAMES CHRIS'l'JAN. They selected .Bro. JAMES Cea1sTr.A.N to• be the first W.·. M.·., CoLu~rnus HORNSBY to be the first, S.•:W.· .. a.;1d JAJ\JES S. COWAN to be tbe firstJ.·."\Y.·.

Bro. CnRISTIAN ma,de two trips to "\Vestport, where he finally,. with the assistance of Bro. THOMAS GoFonTrr, got the necessary recommenda.tion to enable them to apply, in form, to t.be Grancl .Master of Missoul'i for a dispensation.

Ma.so:nry in Kanscis.

13

I

\Ve have ·uo exact ·dates of' these transactions, but from the records of Grand Lod.ge .of Missouri we find tbat a dispen·sation to organize a lodge at Lawrence, in tbe 'l'erritory ot Kansas, was granted by L. S. CORNWET.L, Grand Mastei·, September 24, 1855. ·

the

.From the same s~urce we learn that at the meeting of that Grand Lodge held in May, 1856, t he brethren at Lawrence htid presented their work and asked for a charter, concerning which t he records say: "Work found correct, and the Grand Lodge of Kansas recommended t,0 g t·ant a charter ," fqr which see Kansas Proceedings, pages 43-4_5. 'l'heir first meetings we,·e beld in Bro. LYKCNS' office. The history of the lodge is, in a great measure, incomplete and must -of necessity remain so, as all their early records have been de1,troyed. Bro. CHRlSTTAN says be thinks C. 1\T. BABCOCK and WESTLEY H. ·DuNCAN were "the first to be placed astride t.he _g oat." _.

KICKAPOO.

The application for a dispensation to form a lodge at Ki cka·p oo is dated October 20, 1855, and was as follows: To the Right W:. Jcimes N. Bur~s, D:. D:. G:. JI:., District No. 2, of the Stale of Missoui·i: Your petitioners respectfully rel?resent that they are Ancient, :Free . and Accepted Master Masons.' Having the prosperity of t he Fraternity at heart, they are willing to exert their best endeavors to promote the -genuine-principles of masonry. For their respective conveniences and for other good reasons they are desirous of forming a new lodge in the t<>wn of Kickapoo, K. T., to be named Kickapoo Lodge. In consequence -0f this desire, and for the good of the Craft, they pray for a warrant or dispensation to eo1power them to assemble as a legal lodge, to diseharge the duties of masonry in the several degrees of E.-. A:.,F:.U:. and M:. M:. in a regular and constitutional manner, ancordin~ to the ancient for m of -the Fraternity and the laws an<l regulations of tl1e Grand Lodge of Missouri.

That.they bav.e nominated and do recommend JOHN H. SAHLER to be the first Master, P . M. HooGES to be the first S.-. \V:., CHAS. H. GROVEi! to be the first J:. W:. of said lodge.

That if the prayer of the petition be gr.a nted, they promise a strict conformity to all the constitutional laws, rules aod regulations of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

October 20, 1855.

Fraternally your brothers, · JOHN W. FREELAND, P. M. HODGES, WM. H. ELLIOTT, · H.B. C. HARRIS, JOHN H. SAH LER, P:. M:. U. M. BROWN. C. H. GROVER,

14

Early History of

'fhis applica.tion was recommended by ,veston Lodge, No. ·53, as follows: At a regular-meeting of Weston Lodge, No. 53; helrl in their hall in the City oi Weston, Mo., -on Saturday ~ve,ning, N9vember 3, A. D. 1855,.

A. L. 5855, the within petition being read and the signers thereto being properly avouched for and evidence a<lducerl of qualification in accord-ance with the Constitution, Sec. 1, of Ar,t. 4th, the same was, on motion, unanimously fraternally recommended. · · · In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the· seal of sai.d lodge, this fifth day of November, A.. L. 5855, A. D. 1855.

JA°¥ES MILLAR, ~Recorded in ]3ook "C," page 386.J Sec'y.

Upon which 1·ecommendatlon the M. ·."\V.·. Grand Lodge of Misso111·i, by JAM}!S N. B _URN£s, D.·. D.·. Gra-nd :Master, granted the following dispensation: · ·· _GRAND l,,ODGE. OF M.ISSOURl. Sit Lux Et Lux Fu.it.

THE MOST WO.RSHIPFUL THE G RAND · LOD"E OF

~!l.SSOURI.

To· all and e~ery' ow· Right Worshipful an d Loving Brethren, Greeting: KNow YE, That at the petition of our Right Worthy an<l well belo\·ed brethren, Jom1 H. SAm,ER, P. M. l:f oDGES, CttARr.Es H. GROVER,.

Jo1-1N VI. F1t£1i:LA Nl), WM. H . E1.uoTT, H.B. C. HARRIS, CALVI N M . .BROWN and sevefal other brethren residing at, and near the town of Kickapoo,. in Leavenworth county, Territory of Kansas, of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity o[ Free and A.ccepted· Masons, and for certain otherreasons moving our Most. Worshipful Grand Lodge, do hereby constitute . the ~aid brethren into a regi1lar -l odge of Free and Accepted Masons, tobe opened in the town of "Kickapoo, by the name of Kickapoo Lodge ..

At their said request, and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said brethren, the Most Worshipful Orand Lodge doth appoint our Worshipfti! Brother JOHN H. S,\HLER Master, Brother P. M ..

HODGES Senior Warden, and Brother CRARLES H . GROVER Junior War--· den, for opening the said lodge, and governing- the same in the several degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Qraft"anJ Master Mason.

It is required of our frien<l and brother, the Worshipful JOHN H. SABl,ER, to take special care, that all and every of the said brethren of' your lodge, as well as those h1.::reafter admitted into our body by vourlodge, be regularly made masons, and that they do observe, pEJrforai and keep, all the rules and orders. contained in our Book of Constitutions;. an<l that the ancient landmarks be strictly attended -to; a_ncl further, that you cause to be entered, in a book kept for that purpose, an account of your proceedings, with a list of those initiated, past and raised, or otherwise managed; and transmit a copy of the same, with this letter of dispensation, to our .Most ,vorshipful Grand Lodge,at our Annual Communication.

Given at St. Louis, Mo., under the hand and seal of the Most ,vorshipfnl the Grand Lodge, by order, this fifth day of November, A. L. 5855, A. D. 1855.

Attest: A. O'SULLIVAN, Gr. &ct. Gr. Lodge Mo.

Masonry in Kans°!·

15

This lodgtl was convened regularly soon afte1· the date of its dispensation, and continued to work until tbe meeting of tbe Grand Lodge of Missouri, iu l\iay 1856, when they applied to tha,t Grand l.iodge for a charter. 'rhe 1:ecord of. tbe Grand Lodge of Missouri, in their case, iB tis follows: n '\,York found correct, and Grand Lodge of Kansas recommended to gr4nt a charter." [See Kansas Proceedings, pages 43 - 45.J Three lodges in the Territory baviug been regularly chartered, const,ituted and their officers installed, it was competent for them to meet and organize a Grnnd Lodge, and this · tbe brethren of the several lodges were not slow in doing. To our esteemed brother,· RrcHARD R REES, long since at rest from his earth!}; labors, belongs the honor of proposing the first meeting which resulted, finally, in our present o~ganization.

This action preliminary t-o the formation of the Grand Lodge we find recorded in the minutes of Leavenworth- Lodge, at a meeti.og held September 15, 1855, offered by Bro. REF.s, as fol lows: "On motion: Resolvecl, That the several chartered lodges in this Territory be requested to send in delegates to Leavenworth on the second Monday in November next, for the purpose of organizing a Grand Lodge iu the Territory, and that the Secretary forward to each lodge a copy of this resolution."

The minutes of the lodge show no further action in the mat-. ter, except that Bro. REES reported to the lodge November 17th that "the convention met on the day appointed, and for wa,nt of a quon1m had adjournsd_to meet again on the 27th of December, next."

With the foregoing we close our brief history of masonic events prior to the orgauization of the Grand Lodge, as all subsequent proceedings are matters of record and published with its continuous history.

Fraternally, Past Grand Secretary.

.PROCEEDINGS OF THE

.

,

·Convfntion Jor the Formation of a Grand Lodge OF ANe;IEN'{', PREE AtlD Ae;e;EP'!'ED MA30N3

CITY

or

LEAVt:NWORTH,

Nov. 14, 1855.

At a. meeting of Delegates from several masonic lodges in·

in the Territory of Kansas, at tbe City f,f Leaven.worth, on the 14th day ofNove rnber, A. D. 1855.

Present: Bro. "\V. P . .RLCHARDSON, from Smithton Lodge," 'No.140, a:s proxy for :M:.·.; Bro·. RR RF.RS, W .·.1\f.·. of'Leavenworth Lodge, N"o. 150; a,ud Bro. A . .PAYNE, S.·."\V.·. of ucavenwortb _Lodge, No. 1.50.

,v...

Or; motion of Bro. REES, Bro.1V m. P . .RrcHAJtDSON was called to tlie chair, a,ud ou motion of Bro. PAYNE, Bro. REES acted ~I? Secret:11·y. ·

B1·0. R:e1:s moved, that as Wyandotte Lodge was not represented in this Convention, that the Convention adjourn ~ntil · th'e 27th dn.y of December ;1ext, with ·a request that all tlie chartered lodges be represeutecl, which motion was carried and the Convention adjourned. . ·wrLfJIAnf P. RICHARDSON, Chairman.

ATTEST:

R.R. :REES, Secre.t ary.

18

Proceedings of the

ADJOUl\NED .MEETING. KANSAS; 1855, A . L . 5855 .

LEAVENWORTH, DECEMBER

'27, A. D .

The Convention met n.t tbe office of A. & R.R. Rus, in t he City of Leavenworth, pursuan t to adjournment.

Presmt: .B ro.JOHN W. S)IITH, W.·.::\'l:.or _Smithto~ Lodge, No. 140; Bro. R. H. RBP.S, W:. M:. of Le,wen worth Lodge, No. I 50; Bros. C. T. · HARRISO~, L . .J. EAST!:-', J. J. C!.AllKSON, G ,::o. w. PtrR.KlKS, J.B. D ONALDSON and·Bro. SDro~ Kom:, Master Masons.

On Motion of Bro. RRES, Bro. J . W . S~HTFI wns called to the ChaiT, B ro. R. R. REES acting as Secretiwy.

B1·0. R1n:s offered t be followin_e; resolution , which wa!l adopted.

Re80lved., That we do now proceed to organize a G·rand Lodge for the Territory or Kansas, and t hat a cop y of the proceedings of this Convention be forwarded to ,yyandotte Lodge, No. 153, with a request t ha t they coope rate with us, :Hid a pprove th e p roceedings of this Convention; and that so soon as Wyandott.e Lodgo shRll inform the Grand Master elect oi their appro,·al and cooperation in the proceedings of this convention, that then the Grand Master elect shall be installed al'I Grand Master, a n d immediately issue bis proclamation declaring this Grand Lodge fully organized. . .

On motion of Bro. REES, the Chair appointed a committee of three to 1·epo1·t a. Constitution and By-Laws for the govern :ment of the G1·and Lodge, wl.iich committee consists of Bros.

REES, ]~ASTIN a.11d HARRfSON.

·

Bro. DoNAI,DSON moved tha-t the proceediogs of this Convention be pu'31ishcd in the Kansas Herald, wbich motion was carried.

Tbe Committee appointed to repor t a Constitn t.ion and Code of By-Laws, m ade their report, wbich was a dopted; nncl on· motion of Bro. EASTTN, th_e Code of By-Laws reported ·was adopted in Co1wcntion.

On motion of Bro. REES, tbe Co nvention adjourned to meet n.t th~ ~f.asonic Ila.II at ea.rly candle light;

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

19

EVENING SESSION. EVENING

Stss10N, December 27.··

Convention met pU1·suant to adjournment, Bro_. the Chair.

S~HTH

in

On motion of B1·0. REEs,·a Gra.nd Lodge was opened in due and ancient· form, in theThi1·d Degree of Masonry. Present·:_ M:.\V: . .T. W. SmTff, as .......... ........ Grand :Master, 7>ro fem.

R:. W:. R.R. REES, ...... .................. Grand Senior Warden, pro te7?i.

R:. \V:. L. J. EASTIN, ...................... Grand Juuior \Varden ,pro tem.

R.'. \V:. C. T. HARRISON, ........... ·-····Grand Secretary, pro tern.

W:. J. :M. REF-D, ........................ Grand Senior Deacon,pro tem. \V:. J. J. CLARKSON, .•.•...•......... Grand Junior Deacon, pro tem. \V:. C.· BF.CK, ............................ Grand Tyler, pro tem.

Master Masons, Bro. SrnoN KoR!I: and several other brothers.

On motion of Bro. REES, the Constitution and By-Laws adopted in Convention were unanimously adopted as the Const.itution and By-Laws of this G1·and Lodge.

The Gra.nd Lodge thereupon proceeded to tbe election of ·

Grand Officers, w]:iich resulted in· the election of

M:.W:. R1CHAUD R. REES . ...........•..•.......... Grand Master.

R:. W:. Jo,rn W. SmTu ........................ Deputy Grand Ma.ster.

R:. \V:. M ATTBEW R. WALKER ...... ............ Senior Grand Warden . . R:. \V:. DANrnL VANDmlSLICE ........... .........JuniorGrnnd Warden.

R:. \V:. C:rf.\RLEST. HARHISON .. .......... .. .... Grand Secretary.

R:. W:. CAARLE8 l\iuNOEE ....................... Grand Treasurer.

Bro. adopted:

REES

offered the following resolution, wbiC;b was ·

Resolved. That so ·soon as the Grand Lodge is fully orgariized by the proclamation of the Grand Master, the Grand Secretary shall contract for the printing of two hundred copies of tbe Constitution and ByLaws, and the proceeding-a of tbe Commupication an<l of the Convention, and immediately forward one copy to the Grand Secretary of each Grand Lodge in the United States, and one copy to each offic~r of this Grand Lodge, and to each lodge under this jnrisdiction.

Bro. HARRISON offered the following- resolut ion, which was adopted: Resolved, That the Grand Secretary procure, at the earliest practicable period after the perfect organizntion of this Grand Lodge, a Seal •with such device as may be prescribed by the Grand Master, and one dozen lodge Charters, printed on parchment.

Proceedings of the

20

Bro. ·RF.Es moved that the Grand Secretary be instructed to procure, as soon as·.the Ol'gao ization of the Grand Lodge is perfected, the necessar y books and stntionery for his ·office·, which was adopt~d. .

.

.

. .

.

.

Bro. EASTIN moved thtlt a committee of th1·ee be· apJ:iotnted by the.Chair, to report a complete Code of By-Laws for the Grand Lodge, which com mi ttee sha,11 r eport a.t the Grana Annual Communication on the third l\f.onday in March n ~xt._ A nd no fu1rtber bus.iness apj)ea.ring: the Grand Lod~e ~-losed in due and anciei1t form .

J:W. SnHTH , · Acting Grond Mnsta;'

C. T. HARRISON, Grand &cretary-clect.

I .

PROCEEDINGS O F THE

1V1.·.w~·· GRA_ND LOI)GE OF A. F. & A. M., OF KANSAS.

LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, MoNDAY, Mm·ch 17, A.D. 185H, A.L. 5856.

Delegates of 'all the chartered lodges ofAncient, Free and Acc:'epted Masons in Kansas Territory :l,SSembled at the Masoni,c Hall in the City of L eavenworth, on Monday, Mat·eb 17, A . L. 5856, A. D . 1856, purs uant to the action of a convention for the · organiza.tion of a Grand Lodge, held at the same place on the 27th day of December last, Bro. RrcHARD R. REES in the Chair, Bro. CHARLES T. HARRISON acting t\S Secretary.

• •On motion of Bro. V ANDERSuc.i:: a committee was appointed on Crede ntials, wliieh consisted of 13ros._V AND.ER):;Lf.CE, vVAL KER and liAltRlSON, who made the following report a;, De legates from the several lodges in the 'f erritory: From Kansas Lodge, No. 153, Bro. MAT"l'Bl-1W R WALKER, Worshipful Master-; ·from Smithton Lodge, No.. 140, Bro. JNO. W. S1'JITll, ·worshipfu l Master, and Bro. DANu;i, VAND'EHSLICE, Junior Wa.1·deq,_a,rnl prox y for Sen ior ·warden , frotn same lodge; frorn Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150, Bro. CHARLES .MuN,DEE, Worshipful Master, and Bro. CHARLES 'f . HAlut.1soN; J uni.or '\Va rden, from same lodge, --:-and Bro. RTCHARD R. REES, Past Master, n:om said lodge. · · Bro. SMl'l' R offered the following ·resolution: Resolved, That the action of a convention held at this place o.n. the 27.th day of December last, for the organization of a urand. Lodge, btapproved by this Convention,and that as some doubts ha,·e been 'entertained as to the entire r egularity o f the proceedings of that Convent ion-; on a<'count of then, not being a full delegation in attendance fro111 all the·chartered lodi:i;es in the Territ◊ry, that we now proceed to organize a Grand Lodge of Kansas, and that the Grand Master-elect at that Con~ vention proceed now to open a Grand Lodge. ·

22

Pro,c(!edings of the

Which resolution was unanimously adopted, a nd thereupon a Grand Lodge of Kansas was regularly opened in due and an cien t form. · M : .W:. R ICHARD R.

REES,

p-residirig as ......Grand Master.

R:. W:. MATTHEW 1<. WALK~:R ...;-· ··· .. .. .... . Grand Senior Warden.

R:. W:. D ANIEL VANDERSLIC.1L _. ... ......... .. . (}rand Junior Warden.

R:. W:. CHARLES M.uNDEE ........ . ...... ....... .. Grand Treasurer.

W:. CRARLES T. HAntuso:-: ...... :.. ......... Grand Setretary.

R.<

W:. JonN \V.S)irm ..... ............. .. ...... Grand Senior De11con. · W:. J. \ V. BROADDUS ......... ...... ..... ......G ra nd Junior Deacon.

W:. WM. T.EN!IEL ...... ......... . ......... ...... Grand Tyler.

Present: Bros. F. EMORY, J . H. DAY, JonN A. HALDERMAN and H. :iif1LES MOORE.

On motion of Bro. VANDERSLICE a committee, consisting of ·Bros. VANDERSLICE, WALKER and SMITH, was· appointed to report a Constitution .a nd Code of By-Laws for tbe government .of .this Grand Lodge. · Grand Lodge called from labor to refreshment until halfpas.t two o'clock P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION. MARCH l'7, 1856,· half-past 2 o'clock: ~-rancl Lodg e e;alled from r efreshment to labor in d ue form, as in the morning. .. Tbe Cornmittee on Credentials n:iade a furth er report from Kansas. Lodge, No. 163, B1:·o. RUSSELL GARRETT, Senior Warden·,

Bro.

CYRUS GARRETT,

Junior Warden.

The Committee appointed on Constitution and By-Laws ma.de the following report, viz: · - ·. "The Co,umittee appointed by the (;rand Lodge of Kansas, at their Convention, held at Lean:mworth City, Monday, lith day of March; .

18:56, beg leave to report the followi ng Const itut io n and .By.Laws fo.r tlie· govern ment of said Grand Lodge." . . . l>ANIEL VANDERSLICE,

on

Chairman.

The Constitution was then read, and on motion of Bro.

23

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

the Constitution, a.s reported, was 11nani.mously adopted as the Constitution of this c+rand Lodge; and on motion of Bro. SMITH, tlie Code of By-Laws, as 1·eported, was unanimously adopted, and a committee, consisting of Bros.

HARRISON, liALDERillAN und MuNDE£, was appointed to prepare said By-Laws fo1· the press. And on motion, Bro. R. R . REES was added to said committee. · Bro. S:mTH offered the following resolution whic'h was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the Grand Lodge now proceed to elect the officers of MrrNDEE,

this Grand I.:Odge for the ensuing masonic year.

.

· The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of Grand Office1·s fo1· the ens 11lng yeat, which resulted in the election of l\f:.W:. R1CHAno R. REES, ....................... Grand Il'Iaster.

R:. W:. JOHN W. Smnr ... .. ...... .. ............... Deputy (trand Master.

R:. W:. MAT'rnEw R. W ALKJ;;R. ... ............... Grand Senior Warden.

R:. W:. DANIEL D. VA]l;DERSLICE, ................Grand .Junior Warden.

R:. W:. BEVE11LiN BEcK, .... : .... : .................Grand Treasurer.

R:. W: . C. T. HARRISON,............ . ............... Grand Secretary.

Whereupon W.·.Bros. CHARLES MuNDEE, :M:AT1'IIEW .R. WALKER, and JoaN W. S.mnr, thl'ee present Masters of chn.rtered lodges under this jurisdiction, p1·oceeded to 'instal I the M._- .W.;.

RlCJIARD R. REES as Grand Master of tho Grnnd Lodge of Kansas.

The M.·."\¥'.·. Grand Master then announced the following appointments: Bro. LEMUEL C. MA-rTBEws,of Kansas· Lodge, No. 158, as Grand Lecturer; Bro.JOHN A. HALDERMAN,of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150,as Grand Orator; Bro. LEANDER KER, of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150, as Grand Chaplain; Bro. RussELL GARRETT, of Kansas Lodge, No. 153, as Grand Marshal; Bro. GRANDERSON B. WtLSON, or Smithton Lodge, No. l40, as Grand Senior Deacon; Bro. CHRISTIAN .BECK, of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150,as Junior Deacon; Bro. JA°btES MERRILL, of Smithton Lodge, No. l40, as Grand Sword Bearer; Bro. WM:. TENNEL, of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150,· as Grand Tyler. · ·

The M.·.W.·. Grand Master then proceeded to ins.tall :the several Grand Officers in the following order: R:.W:.J. W. SMITH,.. .. ............. ........... .. .. Deputy Grand Master.

R:.W:.M.R. WALJ:{ER, ....... ....... ............. Grand Senior Warden.

R:.W:. DANIEL VANDERSLICE,.... ................. Grand Junior Warden.

R;. W:. B. BEcx,..................... . ........... ...... Grand Treasurer.

Proceedings of the

'24

.R:.W:. C. T . HAnn1so",····· · .. ·· ...... ............. Grand Set:retary.

W : . L. C. MATTHEWS, ....... : . .................. Grand W:.J. A. HALDERMAN,....... . .. '. ............, .Grand W:. L. KEn·,......................................... Grand W:. R. GARRETT, .......... : . ................. : .. Grand W:. G. B. W1LSON, ....... ................ .. .... G'rand W:. C. BECK, .:............ :..... ... ... ............ Grand W:. J.A~IES MERRILL, ................ . ............ Grand vi:. WILLIAM TENNEL, ..... .... ................. Grand

LeC'turer.

Orator.

Chaplain.

Marshal.

Senior Deacon.

Junidr Deacon.

Sword .Bearer.• Tyler. . ,

M.·.'W.·. Grand Master RR. REES, to whom· luid beei1 sub • mitted the prescribing the device a Seal for the Grand Lodg~, sub~itted the following resolution, which ,vas adopted; · ·

of

..

.

. ·. . ' Resolvl'-d, That the Seal of this ·Grand Lodge shall be of brass, in

.drcular form, of not more than two inches in diameter, with the device ,,f a white man on right side, presentin~ square nnd coml?ass .to au 1 ndian with his right band; left hand holding a book. Indian recei V· .i·ng square and compass with left hand; holJinJ<: in rig11t band it how and arrow, engraved c,n ,. surface, overhung by a scroll, inscribed," Mis• teria non :,cripta." On the outer circumferen<.:e, within a band, inscribed, ''Seal of the Grand Lodge of Kansas."

Bro. HARRISON offered the following resolution, which ,vas adopted: Resolved, That the several <.:bartered lodges represented in this.Grand ·Lodge, <leposit with the l-irancl Secretary the Charters of their several lodges, so soon as Charters are issued from the Grand .Lodges; a11d Cb.a rters !ligned by the Grand Masters, Depu~y GranJ Master and. Grand \\'ardl·1t~, and .attestl'd. l>y the Grand Se1.:retary, be grantetl; thl!,t is ·to say: Lodge No. Une, Lodge No. Two, Lodge No. Three:. Provided, That .nothing herein 1.:ontainctl shall affect the right, p<:)\ver 'antl authority, · of any l.oc!ge uri,11:'r this jurisdiction, under their present Charter.

Bro. V AN.l>El!.SL IOF. 11l<)Vl:lci tha.t the lodges ta'ke Dumhers· i.n the order in whi_cli th.eil· present charte1:s are numbered,. wbic~ was adopted , and therenpou.the first blank is £lied witb S1;nitb•. ton; the !';econd bhrnk with Leavenworth, and the thil'd blank \Vith J(ansas. · On motiou · of Bro. DANl'.EL VANDERSUOE the Grand Lodge proceeded to elect, by ballot, a committee of tbree,·to attei:il:l -the Gi-and Lodge of i\lissouri at its n ext-Graud Annual Com• . municatiou, to be h eld at Lexington on the fourth l\ionday -i-o May next: which resulted iu the election of .:AL·.W.•... Bro, .

Rren,uw R. ]h:1::s, '\V.·. Bro. .M:. R. WALICER· and W.". • Bro. C1fARLEs· MuND£l::

26

G-ran0 Lodge of Kansas.

'Ihe M:.·.W.·. Grand Master announced the following stand-· i.ng committees for the ensuing year: Committl'e on Unjinishrd Rusine/!8.- C11.-1.R1.i,:s T. and Cvnus GARIH:TT. · On Clwrt.·rtd Lodgcs.- r.1. R WALK EK, DANIEi,

HA RR1S0N, JAMES

MER-

RILL

SELL

C.

VANDERSLICE

and R us-

li ARR!,TT.

On. Lodges Und,:r

Di~permition. - J. W. S:111TH,

RE<.:K.

Oo WayR and ERSON .B. -VYILSO)'I.

On

.

.

'

RussELL

G,1ttRETT and

•·

Nea'lls.-B1::vERLJN BECK, .

Accounls.-DANIEL VAI\OERSLJCt:,

•

Cn1us

Q ,,1t111,,:Tand

G1t~ND-

-

..

R. G,,nirnT-r·and

CHAKLES

.

Mu.s-

DEE.

On Charilg.-CflARI.F:S l\'lu:-ou;, J,Hlt:S M1rn111Ll.. and C. GARllETT. ··. On Applications ond Commiinjcations.-M. R. WALKER, J. W.-SmTH and

CH ,lltLIIB

Mu :-oEB.

..

On G1·iernnces.- CN ,1m,r.s 'l'.

·

tr ,11111isoi,;; J.

GARRETT.

·

i\-hmR11.L-

;nd

RussELL

.

On Rd:ucotion.-J. \V.

8)11T11, Jo11:--

A.

H ,11.l>t:R}IAN

and

LEAXDER

KER.

On Fu,.eign Corre$po11c/e11ce.-C11,,111.1:.s T.

HARRISON,

L.

KER

and

IJAXIJ,:t. V,1xo1::11s1..1c~:.

On motion of Br(). WALKER the Gra nd Sec::Tetary is authorized to proc1;1re one dozen blank charters, neatly printed on parchment. Also, to procure a seal for t he Grand Lodge, as prcSCl'ibed by resolution. · ·On motion of B1·0. VANDERSLIC}: the Grnnd Secretary wall authorized to pt·ocnre the neucssat·y b ooks and stationery for his offi<:c.

On motion of Bro. V ,HrnERSLTCE, That when the G1·and Lodge shnll conclude business, it be called oft' until the second Mooda_y in July next, whicb wa~ adopted.

On motion of Bro. H,\H.lHSON a vote of tbanks was voted Bro~. C. ?lf_t i NDEE, J. \V. s ,,flTU and .M:. R. 1VALKER, for favors to tli is Grand Lodge.

Grn nd Lodg e called from labor to refreshment u ntil seven o'cl~ck this evening.

EVENING SESSIOl.V. MoNn,u, "7 o'clock Gral'lrl Lodge called to labor in due form. before.

P. 111.

Present as

.

26

Proceedings of the

At the request of the members the M.·.W.·. Gra.nd Master proceeded to exemplify the second section of the 'l'hird degree.

No further business appearing, t.b e Grand Lodge called from labor to refreshment until the second l\'fouday in July next.

RICHARD R. REES, Grand blaster.

ATTEST;

CHAS. T. HARRISON, . Grand Secretary.

,.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

27

CONSTITUTION. The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free .a.nd Accepted Masons of K:rnsas, in order to form perfect fraternal unison, establish ·order, insure tranquility, provide for and promote the general .":welfare of the Craft, and secure to the fraternity of the Territory the blossings of masonic privileges, do ordain and establish this Constitution:.

ARTICLE I. Style and Title.

The style and title of this Grand Lodge shall be "THE GRAND L<>D.G E

or ANCIENT, FRE>,: Az.;D ACCEPTED MASONS OF KANSAS."

ARTICLE II. Officers and Members-Rank and 'l'itle.

The Grand Lodge shall consist of the following officers and member~,· with the following rank and titles: A Most Worshipful Grand Master; A Right WorRhipful Deputy Grand Master; A Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden; A Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden; Most W orsbipful Past Gran fl Masters; .

Right Worshipful Past Deputy Grand Masters; Right Worshipful Past Grand Wardens; Right Worshipful Past Grand Treasurers; Right Worshipful Past Grand Secretaries; Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer; Right \Vorshipful Grand '.rreasurer ; Right Worshipful Gran<.l Secretary; Worshipful and Reverend Grand Chaplains; Grand Orators; · Two Grand Marshals; A Grand Sword Bearer; A Senior Grand Deacon; A Junior Grand Deacon; Two Grand Stewards; A Grand Tyler.

1,fembers.

· The Worshipful Master and Wardens, for the time being, of the several c~artered lodges under the juris<.liction of this Grand Lodge, or. their le~ally appointed proxies. Past Masters, who have been duly elected Masters, and have actually presided as Worshipful Masters of a lodge within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and who still reuiain members of a lodge . . Sisc. 2. Whenever the Worshipful Master and Wardens of any lodge ( or either· of them) sha)I be unable to attendl the communications of

Proceedings of the the Grand Lodge, they, or either of them, who cannot so attend, may depute any member of a lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, who is of e(lual or superior rank with ~hemselves, as a proxy to represent their lodge in the Grand Lodge, and the proxy so deputed shall be entitled to the same·privileges and perform the same d11t.ies of him or them deputing hi.ru. Such deputation shall be in writing and si~ne<I by the officers deputing him.

8Ec. 3. · On every (luestion which may come before the Grand Lodge

for dec:ision, each subordinate lodge, by itii representative or representatives present, shall be entitled to cast five votes, all of which shall be given on the same .side, and the representatives o~ each lodge respecti vdy, by a 11)!\jority, shall decide on which side of the (lUestion the vote of their lodge shall be cast, and eac_h officer and 1uember of the Grand Lodge present shal-1 be entitled to cast one vote, but no one in his own right shall giv':l. more ~ban one vote.

ARTICI,E III. OJ Election aml Appointment of Gr_a nd Officers._ SECT;ON 1. . None except such as have attai_ nect"to the de.gree of -P~st Mast-er and are, at the time of t.heir election or appointment, members .qf some. lodge. shall QC eligible to the office of Grnnc1 Master or. -Deputy Grand ")faster of this Grand Lodge, a.nrl no one shall be eliid b_l~ to any office in the Grand Lodge except he be a .Master )1ason,·orice a meni-ber of some lodge under this Jurisdiction.

81,c. 2. The Most -,vorshipful Grand Master, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, _R ight Worshipful Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, - Right Worshiptul Grand Secretary and Right Worshipful Grind Treasurer, shall be elected annually b_v ballot at the stated ~n.u.lJ:l. communications of the G ranrl Lodge, anrl shall hold their offices respP.ctively until their successors shall be duly elected and installed. · s ·1,;c. 3. A majority of all the votes present shall be ne.cessary to a choice of the· officers mentioned in the second section o( this article.

81:c. 4. All Grand Officers, whose election or appoin"tm~nt_is _t_19_t__ otherwise provided for, shall be appointed annually by the Grand ~laster, and when duly installed shall hold their offices until their suc<:cssors shall be duly appointed ·and installed. ·· ARTICLE IV. . . .. .

OJ the Time and Place of ~feeling.

SECTION l. The Grnnd Lodge shall asse'mblc atJeast oi).ce in every year, at such time and place as may. be dfrect<.ld by"said Grf1nil Lodge.

Si;;c. 2. The Grand M;ister may, at his pleasure, call special meetings of t h e Grand Lodge, and i_n his abse~1;e from the .Jnr-isdiction the Deputy Grand Masters, by consent of the Grand W ardcns;: may call special meetings of the Grand Lodge at such time and place as nec;essity may re(luire..

ARTICLE V.

The Grand Lodge_:_Its Powers and .D-u.iies.

The Graod Lodge shall· be the supreme ·m asonic au. thority within the Jurisdiction o[ Kansas, and by: the ancient ·c:O!)Stitqtions and usages of the fraternity, is, and shall be in vested \\)th all the or iginal essential powers and pridleges belonging to the Ancient Crafh and shail have power especially· · · . . -· · 1''irst-To nHl.ke and enforce all 1aws and regulatiol')s for t~e government of th(} fraternity, and ,to· alter, am_e nd,' and repeal _t~e ,same,.at_. pleasure. · · ., , SE~TIO~ 1.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

Second-To constitute new lodges, by granting dispensations and charters, under seal. and for goor\ causes tel ·suspend, revoke and annul the same ~t pleasure. . . :7.11~rd.-To establish and preserve il tmifo.rm ri1ode of work and lectures within the ancient landn1arks and customs of masonry.

Fourth-To assess and collect from the several lodj?es under their Jurisdic_tion, such sums of money as may be deemed necessary to be appropriated to the benefit of th e Craft. . .Fif(/t- 'fo hpar: and determine all·questions of dispute betwee~ two. or mor·e -lodges. . .

S-ixth-'fo hear and decide all appeals from the decision of subordinate lodges. · • Sev1-:,ith "7'" '.ro demand nnd rec.ei ve such. fee~ an,d charges f~r granting dispensations, charters. cerUlicates and diplomas as may be reas- : onable. . · .· Eighth-To require and collect from all brother masons residing within the Jurisdiction· of this Girand Lodge, such sums of money ,mnually, for charitable purposes, as may from-time to time be provided for and·required by law. . · . · · · Ninth-To hear and decide all charges and complaints against any officer of the Grand Lodge, and to inflict sneh punishment on the guilty as may appear just and proper. · fent11__:To exercise all such powers an1l perform all such ·acts as by cu·st.o·m are exercised a·n d perf~rmed by Grand Lodges, within the ancient customs and landmarks of the fraternitv. · Si-:c. 2. This Constitution sliail 'not be·alt.er;d, amended or repealed, except · in the manner following: 'J'he proposition to alter, amend or repeal ·this Const.iwtion, shall be proroserl in writing, on on~ of the first four days of the regular Anuua Coinnnnication of the Grand · Lodge, and shall be read aloud by'the Grand 'Master, and shall be filed and printE;d with the Journal of _Proceedings of the Grand Lodge, and J,"eferred to the several subordinate lodges under the jurisdiction oi this Grand Lodg.i. The alteration, arnendment, or proposition to repeal, so referred;shall.he read in each subordinate lodge, by the -Worshipful Master thereof, in op·en lodge, at three several' stateu meetings of the lodge, and · upon the third reading thereof the Worshipful Master shall · put the question distinetly to each member p resent in the followinfl form: "l:>hall the enl-ire amendment of the Constitution, as read, pass? ' And each member shall answer aye or no, and the Seeretary of each lodge shall carefully record an explicit account of all proeeedings had respecting_such pm position to amenu. and transmit to the Grnnd Lodge, at it.s 6n;t regular Annual Communication thereafter, a duly certified eopy thereof, signed by the Worsh.ipful Master anti attested by himself, under the seal of his·Jodge, (·if there be a seal,) or if not, under his private seal. If it shall so appear l'roru such prot:eeding.s that a majority of all the lodges have concurred in the proposition to alter, amend or repeal the Constitution, ns the same was referred to them, then the question shall be again put to the Grand Lodge upon one of-the first four days of it.s re.,gulai: .~nn1!al_ Communication, and if a majority of all the .v.otes present, be cast in favor of the proposition to amend, alter or repeal, the same ·shall· be and become ·a part of tbis Constitution, and not other-wise.

Ado1Jted in Grand Lodge, this 17th day of March , A. D.

1856, A.:L. 5856. · RlCflARD R. RBES, ATTEST:

CHARLES T. HARRISON, Grand Secretary.

(h<md Nn~fer. ;

30

. Proceedings of the

B Y ~LAWS OP THE

~rand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Kans.as.

..

ARTICLE I. Be it Enacted and Ordained by the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Fre,e and Accepted M~ons of Kansas, as follows: SECTIO:>l. l. The Grand Lodge of Ancient, F ree and Accepted Masons o f Kansas shall hold their regular Grand Annual Communication in the city of Leavenworth, in Kansas Territory, on_ the thi rd -Monday i n the month o f Octobe r in Pach year. .

S EC. 2. Representatives from two-th i rds of the subor dinate lodges under this j urisdiction, with such G rand Officers an<l members as may be in attendance, shall . be necessary to constitute a quo rum to do b usiness. . .

SEc. 3. Should the requisite number of ~presentatives of lodges to constitute .a quorum fail to attend for th ree days, those in attendance shall mee t on the evenino- of the third day at t he place designated for the meeting of the Grand Lodge, and shall adjourn to some _day w_ithin two months next the reafter. and the G rand 1:>ecretary or some ot her brother , appointed by tho,;e p resen t for that purpose, im med iately give n otice in writing to every lodge of such ad journ men t: SEC. 4 . W hen ever the requisite n umber of rnem hers be present, they shall p roceed to open a nd organize th e G ra n d L odge. The p residing o ffi cer shall thereupon appoint from the members p resent a committee of th ree, to whom shall be referred all powers an d creden tials of members relating to their m embersh ip, who shall inspect the same . and report as to th ose wh o sh all be en titled to membershi p in the G ra nd Lodge. · SEC. 5. U p on report of a Committee on Creden tials that a quorum for business is present, the officer presiding as G ran d Master shall appoi nt from those presen t the following committees, each to consist of not less than three, nor more t h an se·ven :.

1. A Committee on Unfinished Business.

Z. A Com mittee on Chartered Lodges.

3. A Com mittee on Lodges U. D. 4. A Committee on Accounts.

5. A Committee on Ways and M:eans.

6. a Uomrnittee on Charity.

7. A Com mittee on Applications and Communications.

8. A Committee on G rievances.

ARTCCLE II. Proe-eedings, Decorum and Debate.

SECTION 1. A ll commun ications, retu rns, J.>Ctitions, motions, resolutions and documents shall be referred to app ropriate committees, who

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

31

shall report ·thereon, and !).11 repo rts shall be in writing, signed by the chairman of the committee making the report.

SEC. 2. When a member desires to ad<lress the Grand Lodge or deliver al)y matter for its consideration, be shall arise and respectfully address h imself to the M:.W:. Grand 1':faster and confine himself to the subject under consideration.

SEC_. 3. All motions, resolutions or pr~positions of any description shall be reduced to writing and read by the Grand Secretary, and if seconded shall be considered as before the Grand Lod~e for its action.

But the mover may at any time withdraw the same before a decision or before an amendment is passed.

SEC. 4. Any member may call for a division of the question if the sense admit of it. ' SEC. 5. A motion to amend an amendment shall preclude all further proposition until it shall be deci<led, and the question on the proposi. ti6n to amend last made shall be first put. · SE~- 6. · No brother shall speak on any subject more than once without leave.

SEC. 7. A ll questions shall be put in the order in which they were moved, and in filling blanks the largest sum or quantity and the longest time shall be first put.

SEC. 8. The call of the vote on any question shall not be entertained until every member present shall have an opportunity of speaking to the same, and wht-never ordered by a majority, shall be spread upon the j ~urnal.

SEC. 9.. When the question is put every member present shall_ vote, µn~ess excused by the Grand Master.

SEc. 10. When a question has been decided in the affirmative or negative, it shall be in order for any member who voted on the side which prevailed to move a reconsideration thereof on the same day on which the decision was had, or on the next day thereafter.

ARTICLE III. Order of Business.SECTION 1. So soon as the Grand Lodge shall be opened the Journal of ·Proceedings of the previous session shall be :read, unless otherwise ordered.

SEC 2. After the Journal is read and approved, the business of the Grand Lodge shall be disposed of in the following order: 1. ·Annual Communication of Grand Master and reports of Grand Officers.

-2. Unfinished Business.

3. P etitions and Memorials.

4. Reports of Standing Committees.

5. Reports of Special Committees.

6. Propositions and Motions.

SEc. 3. The Grand Master at each session shall 'announce the business thereof in the order designated in the pre\·ious section; and. no business shall be presented for consideration except in the order above named, unless ordered by two-thirds of. the votes present.

ARTICLE IV. OJ Subordinate Lodges.

SECTION ·1. New lodges may be constituted upon petition to the Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master, of not less than seven worthy

3.2

Procceding.s ?f t1ie·

Master Masons of ·known- sk_ill as such; Provided, '.fhat the petitioners: be recommended by some regular Lodge nearest the. place of meeti11g of, the new lodge shall recommend the formation of. a new lodge unlt·ss t hey: hav·e legal ·evidence that the three officers to be named in the dis- · pensation, are qualified to confer the three degrees of Ancient· Craft'· M~onry. as.taught nnd sanctioned by this Grand· Lodge. · · · SEc, 2. · The certificate of recom men<lation of the ,lodge recvm~· mending, shall be endorsed upon the petition or on a paper attached.. thereto. ·· · · SEc. 3. Th_e Grand. Master, Deputy Grand !\faster, or !iome brother to ·be"commissioned by either of them. shall atten,l and open the n ew lodge, so constitnted, as soon~ possible after the granting of the dispensation, · ·· SEO: 4. When a Charter shall be granted for t.he formation or' any new lodge, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, or some brother commissioned by either of them, shall at.tend the new lodge, consecrate the same, an<l install the officers thereof. ·· . . · Sec. 5. All lodgP.S under this Juris<liction, shall have a right .t o convene as }free and Accepted Ancient Masons, receive and enter Apprentices, pass Fellow Crafts, and raise Master !\lasons.. Also, to assess and collect such fees and dues as they may fin<l reasonable; to elect officers. once in every year ; establish funds for chari table purposes, an<l transact all business appertaining ·to masonry, agreeable to their Charter. the laws of the Grand Lodge and the nndent usages of the Craft. · · SEC. B. Every lodae under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, at·each Grand Annual Communicatio11, shall deliver to the (,rand Secretary a list of the officers and me·1nbers of the lodge, a list nf those init: iated, passed, raised an<l admitteti, a list 9f deaths, removals, suspensions and expulsions of members and rejection • of candidates,' with the respective dates, signed by the Master, n.n<l attested by the Secretar.y·, un<l~r the seal of the lodge. · · . .· ·· Sec.' 7. Every lodge working under dispensation, shall return to the ~rand LoJge, at the next Annual Communication thereof after the date of their letters of dispensation, n copy of their By-La\\'s, a list of the officers and members, a transcript of their proceedings, and also their· lettera of ,lispensation; and no charter shall be granted until such return shall have been made. · ·sec. 8. For every warrant of dispensation for the formation of a new lodge, there shall be paid into the Grand Treasury the sum of twenty dollars, and for every cha1:ter, the sum of ·ten dollars, and the further sum of three dollar., to the Grand Secretary as his fee for engros_s: _ ing the same and affixing the seal; to be paid before ttie delivery of the Charter.

SEC. 9. Every lodge under- the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge. shall pay into the Grand Treasury , on the first clay of the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, the sum of fifty cents for each member belo·nging_to their lodge, at tl1~ time of making their returns; _33¼ per cent of which shall be set apart for purposes of charity, and the resid ue · for the expenses oft.be Grand Lodge. · Sec. 10. · If any lodge neglect, fail or refuse to pay the dues abovementioned for one year, ( unless good cause for such delinquency be shown,) thei r charter shall be arrested, and the lodge stricken from the roll; Provided, howe~er, Tbat 011 proper application to the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master, making due returns and satisfactory pav.ment of all dues, .they may be restored to their former rank and pri vilcges.

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SEC. 11. No lodge shall act upon the petition of an applicant £or initiation or ,mem berslt i p whose residence is nearer another lod)?e under this Jurisdiction, unless by consent of such nearer lodge. · ··sEc.· 12. ·· The lodges, in all cases of conferring the several degrees, . shall deliver the lectllre appertaining- to the d ll~ree conferred; JJ-'ro,;ided, '!'hat no lodge shall confer more than one degree on the same individual at the same meeting.

SEC. 13. A ·second petition shall not be entertained from any per son who has been rejected, until after the lapse of one year. .

SEC. 14. Every lodge shall exercise all the right of discipline an(f control over all masonic jurisdiction of such lodge (though not members thereof) so far as relates to the conduct and behavior of suc_h masons. .: SEc. 15. So long as there remain in any lodge seven Master Ma.sons, willing and desirous o( existing as a lodge, the other rnem-· bllrs cannot surren<ler the charter of such lodge. But a majority present, by (·oncurrence of the Masters and \Vardens, may suspend the_lodge· until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge.

•.

SEc. 16. 'l'he Grand Lodge, the Grand Master, and Deputy Grand Master, and Wardens of subordinate lodge to attend the Grand Lodge, o_r. to produce the charter, books, accounts and property of their lodl!es; and should they refuse to comply, the Grand Lodge may suspend or expel the -disobedient, and abrogate the c:harter of such lodge.

SEc. 17. Upon the demise of any lodge, so soon as the same shall c11ase to exist by any cause, the last Secretary and Treasurer of the lodge so ceasing to exist, shall, within four months thereafter, deliver to the Grand Secretary all the books. papers, jewels, funds, furniture, c:harter, seal and property of the lodge so demised; and the whole of the property of such lodge shall become the property of the Grand Lodge, to be disposed of at its pleasure SEC. 18. All applications for initiation and membership,' in ·any lodge, shall be by petition, signed by the applicant.

SEC. l9. No applicant for initiation or membership in any lodge shall be received except by the unanimom, consent of all the meinbers present.

SEC. 20. No lodge shall be opened for the transaction of business in the absence of the \Vorshipful Master and Wardens, unless there be a Past Master present to preside.

St:c. 21. No lodge shall receive any brother to membership except upon legal evidence that all dues of the applicant are paid ; and should any lodge receive to membership any brother who is so indebted, without such evidtmce, the lodge so admitting the indebted brother shall be liable for all his dues.

SEc. 22. No lodge shall permit the delivery of lectures on the work and degrees of masonry by any one 'who is not a member of the·Grand Lodge of Kansas, or of some lodge under its jurisdiction, or by some one duly authorized by the Grand Lodge. Nor shall any lodge ·per-. mit the delivery of any lectutes except such as have been sancioned· by the Grand Lodge.

S.i-.;c. 23. Xo lodge can suspend their By-Laws nor any of them; nor at a special meeting alter or amend any proceedings of a stated 0

lll~ti~

.

Si;c. 24. \\'hen there are two or more lodges in the same town or city, the duty of interring the bodies of deceased persons, brother cna- . sons· who are not members of some lodge, shall be performed by these lodges in turn, beginning with the oldest lodge.

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Proceedings of the

ARTICLE V. Imtallation of Grand Officers.

SECTJO~-l. The Grand Officers elect and appointed shall be installed into office by the Grand Master last in office, if present, or in his absence then by the next Past Grand Master, or if none of that degree be present, then by tlie oldest Past Deputy Grand Master or the oldest Past Master present.

SEC. 2. All Grand Officers, when duly installed, shall be proclaimed as such by the Grand Marshal, and i,hall retain their stations until their successors are duly ele_c ted an_d inst:-illed.

SF.c. 3. The several Granrl Officers, previous to their installation, shall make the following declaration: "I solemnly promise, upon the honor of a Mason, that in the office of--! will, according to the best of my ability, strictly comply with the Constitution, Laws and Regulations of the Grand Lodge and all ancient masonic usages, so far as the same may come to my knowledge, and faithfully deme,ln myself in office."

ARTICLE VI. Of the Powers and Duties of the Chand Mast,er.

S&CTION 1. The Grand Master shall have power and authority, during the rece9s of the Grand Lodge First-'- To grant dispensations, to constitute new lodges, to continue in force .until the next Annual Comn1unicat.io11 of -the Grand Lodge.

Second-To arrest the dii;pensation or charter of any lodge, for good cause, until the next Annual. Communication of the Grand Lodge.

Third-To convene the Grand Lodge at its pleasure, giving thirty days' notice in writing to the lodges and members of the time and place intended for the meeting, and stating the rein the object of it.

Fourth- For good cause, and with the concurrence of the Grand Wardens, to suspend from the privileges of his office any member of. the Grand Lodge appointed by the Grand M:aster, until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge.

Fiflh-Convene any lodge, preside-therein wi.th his officers, inspect their proceedings, and require their conformity with the regulations of the Grand Lodge. · Sixth - He may grant dispensat.ions, for processions and exercise all such other powers as ·are warranted or required of him by the ancient regulations or cnstoms of the Craft ; Pro1Jided, alwct.1/S, That he shall have no power to suspend the operation of any .By-I:,aw of this Grand Lodge. · SEC. 2. On the first day of the Annual Communication of the · Grand Lodge, or as soon thereafter as possible, the Grand l\faster shall lay before the Grand Lodge a written message, therein detailing an .account of his official acts during the recess, the state and consideration of masonry· in this Jurisdiction, and recommending to the Grand Loc)ge such measures as be may deem expedient and necessary.

SEc. 3. He shall appoint all committees of the Grand Lodge, unless otherwise ordered. · St:c. 4. \Vhenever on any question before tbe Grand Lodge there shall be an equal n-umber of votes, he shall give the casting vote.

SEC. 5. He shall attend upon the Annual CQmmuriicntions of the Grand Lodge, preside therein, exercise a supervjsory control over the

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

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officers of the Grand Lodge, instruct them in their various duties and see that the same be performed.

SEC. 6. fie shall examine and correct the records of the Grand Lodge, and when approved shall sign the same.

AR'l'ICLE VIL Of the Deputy Grand Jfa,.qter - hui Powers and Duties.

SECTION l. The Deputy Grand Master shall attend upon the meetings of the Grand Lodge, ancl render to the Grand Master such assistance as may be required by him.

SEC. 2. In case or the death, resignation, refusal to net, or removal from the .Jurisdiction of the Grand Master, he shall ex•o.Dicio exercise all the privileges and perform all the duties of Grand Master as herein provided until the next Annual Comlllunication of the Grand Lodge. · · SRc. a~ In the temporary absence from the Jurisdiction of the Grand Master he may, by the consent of the Senior and Junio.r \Vardens, call a special meetin_g of the Grand Lodge, first giving thirty days' notice, in writing, to the lodges and members, of the time and place of meeting :ind the object of such meeting. .

SEC. 4 . Upon the legal petition of seven or more Master Masons, rluly reeommended, he shall have power to grant rlispen3atioo to form new lodges. . ·

AR'rICLE VIII. Grand Wardens-their Powers and Duties..

SECTION I. The Grand Wardens shall assist the Grand Master in the Grand Lodge and, when required, are to attend him and discharge such masonic duties as are properly required.

SEc. 2. In the absence o[ the Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master the Senior Grand Warrlen shall preside over the Grand Lodge, anci in his absence the Junior Gmnd \Varden, and in the absence of all these, then the Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters and Past Masters. according to rank: Proi·ided, They sh>\11 be members of subordinate lodges in this Jurisdiction.

ARTICLE IX. Grand Treasurer.

SECTION l. The Grand Treasurer shall have the custody and charge of the personal property, jewels, furniture and fund of the Grand Lodge.

SEC. 2.

He shall annually, during the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge, execnte to the Grand Master ( for the ti me being I to the use o[ the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient Masons of Kansas a hond, with such security and for such sum as the Grand :Master may approve, conditioned for the faithful discharge of his duties.

SEC. 3.

He shall keep just and distinct accounts of each fund respectively belonging to the Grand Lodge and also an explicit inventory· of all property thereof.

SEc. 4. He shall lay before the Grand Lodge annuallr, on the first day or the communications thereof, an explicit\Stateml:ut o his accounts, exhibiting the amount received and paid out, and on what account, with the respective dates of receipts and disbursements.

Si::c. 5. He shall pay all orders drawn on him in pursuance o f the orders and directions of the Grand Lodge, and pay over to his successor in office all moneys remaining on hand and deliver over all property of the Grand L0dge, and all books anrl papers, evidences of debt, jewels,

·Proceedings of the -::. furl) iture and regal ia in his possession and entrusted to his care, takiiig dnpli('ate receiipts for the same, one of which he shall delive r to the' G ra nd Sec~etar y.

ARTICLE X.

0

0-rand Sec>·eta,71 - h~s Duties. .

SECTION ] . Tlie Grand ~ecretary shall attend upon the Communications of th e Gran cl Lorli;re, observe and record the proceedings thereo f and .preserve Lh e same in sn itable books kept for th at purpose. ~- . SEc. 2. H e shall keep suitable books for accounts and carefully r ecord therei n all accou nts of the several lodges, sepan1tin~ an d dis-· tinguishin~ ·eac.:h fu nd respect.ively. . SEC. 3. He s hall keep explicit accollnts of all moneys 1·eceived and p!3id over by hilll, and an nually exhi bit to the Grand Lodge an attested· copy t h ereof. · SEc. 4. He. sh all recei,ve all petitions, applications a nd appeals and lay them before the Grand Lodge.

SEc. 5. H c shall h ave the custodv of the seal of the G rand L oci~. .

• SEc. 6. H~ shall engross, attest, nnd fii' the seal to a ll warrants, cha rter s, commissions an<l certificates, ·whe n ordered by the G rand Master or the Grand Lodge. · SEc . 7. H e ~hall keep in a bonnd book, a correct list of all lodges under h is J urisdiction; th eir number, place of meeting, and number of members. ·. s ~:c. 8. He shall s uspP.nd at the Wa rden stations, the names of the _ several standing com m ittees appoi nte~l by the Grand Master, and· wh eu require<! s hall attencl upon them witli the records, documen ts, a nd papers of the office.

SF.c. 9. U n less otherwise or<lerecl by the Grand Lodge, he s hall cause th e .Journal of the P roceedi11g5 o[ the Grano Lodge to be prin ted, an d with all (:cmvenient d ispatch forward the requ_isite number of copies to the several lodges, and two copit•s to each of the Grand Lodges of the United Stat<'s; and also the G rand Lodges of such foreign States as 111ay be in coin ,nunication with this Grand Lodge.

SEC. 10. H e shall append to t he .Journa l of the Proceedings, every yeu r, a list of all Grancl Officers, Past Grand Officers, and members of the G ratH! Lodge p rE>sent at t h e Communicat ions; also a tabular statement exhibiti ng t he name and 11 11 mber of th_e se veral loclges, th e t ime ;111<1 p lace of their regular meetings, the num ber i nit-iated, passed, -raised and ad m itted in each, and t he total n umber of members belong• i nJ? ·to each lodge; also, a list of th ose suspen,led or expelled in this .J u risdiction. Si::c. 1 l. I n t he i nterval of t he communication!'! of the Granrl Lodge, he shall answe r all communications addressed to him, and at t.he An n uai Communication , lay before the Granci Lodge all con,munications rer.eived in the in terval, together wi th a copy of his correspond-. ence with the subordinate lorlges and the fratern i ty in this .Jurisdicti_o n.

8F.c. 12. H e shall furnish to the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, the Proceedings of sister Grand Lodges, and

al l documents relating thereto received during the recesi-.

SF.c." 1:~. Tbe Grnnd Secretarv shall have power, from time to t i me, to appoi n t .one o r inore brethreii ns t!P.puties to aicl h im in the dischar~e of h is rluties. who w hen s0 appoi n ted. sh all be members of the G rand Lodge, and entitled to one vote each on all questions.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

ARTICLE XI. Of th,: G'rand, Marshal ..

The Grand i\'Jarshal shall execute all orders · of tbe Grand Master not otherwise provided for, and direct the formation of, an<l conduct processions.

ARTICLE XII. Of the Gra.nd S1cord Bearer.

The Grand Sword Bearer shall take rank as Assistant Grand Marshal, and in his absence 1>1::rform the <luties of Grand Marshal.

ARTICLE XIII. Of the <Jrand Deacons, Grand Stewards and Grand Tyler.

'fhe Grand Deacons, Grand Stewards, anJ Gn:i.nu Tyle·r shall perform all the duties assigned them in the charge1:1 of their respective stations.

ARTICLE XlV. OJ the Grand P1irsuivant.

The Grand Ptirsuivant shall announce and introduce visitors, and assist the Grand Marshal in the discharge of bis duties.

ARTlCLE XV. OJ the Gr<tnd Lecturer.

SF.CTJON l. ThP. Grand Lecturer shall acquaint himself thoroughly with the work and lectures of tbe several dci!rees of E:. A:., F:.C:. and M:. M:., together with the ceremonies necessary to the qualifications of a presiding officer Jenominated the Degree of Past )faster.

SEc. 2. He shall, when reqn<'Stlld, visit the several loJges, and instruct them in the work, lectun•s, nnd ceremonies, as adopted by this Grand Lodge. He shall be entitled to his traveling expenses and a reasonable compensation for his services, to be paid by the lodge to whom the servicesare reudered.

Alll'ICL.E XVI. Of 1'rilils and A JJpeals.

SeC'rro:-: I. When any brother shall be accused of an .offense, the proceedings shall be conducted in the foJlowing- manner: Rule 1. The char_ges and specil:ications shall be made in writing, under the signnture of a Master Mason or tile colllmittee of t h e lodge, and deli \-ered to the 8ecm-etary of the proper lodge. · Rull' 2. The Secretary shall make out 11 true copy of the charges . and specifications, and attest the same, anu deliver it so attested to the accused, two days at leust before the time of trial.

Rule 3. If the resi<lence of the accused be not within ten miles- of · the place of meeting of the lodge, an attested copy of the charges and specifications, enclosed by mail to the post office nearest to the residence of the act.:used. twenty days before the day of trial, shall be •deemed good notice. .

Rule 4- I( the residence of tbe accused be unknown to all the members of the lod_ge, the trial may be had ex parte.

R1tle 5. If the accused reside out of the· Jurisdiction and his resirlent.:e be known, the Secretary of the lodge shall send to _him, by mail, an attested copy of the charges at least sixty days before the day of ..trial. . . . .

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Proceedings of the

Rule 6. The accused may select any brother as his counsel and the witnesses shall wstify upon their honor ( and if masons, ·upon their honor as such). Hearsay evidence shall be excluded, and the best evidence shall be introduced.

Rule 7. If the witnesses c<innot or will·not attend the lodge thei r deposit-ions may be taken and used as evidence.

Rule 8. Notice of the time and place of taking depositions shall be given in writing to the opposite party a seasonable time p revious to the time of taking the same, and the deponent shall make his testimony upon his honor.

Rule 9. The depositions ~hall be re<luced to writ-ing by the Secretary or by some brother appointed by the W:. Master for tbat purpose, and sealed up in presence of the deponent.

Rule 10. Notice to a lodge to take the depositions of witnesses may be made by delivering a written notice to the Secretary or Master of the lodge, as above provided.

Rule 11. The lodge shall appoint some brother who shall recluce to writing the whole of the evidence in the case. · Rule 12. When the testimony is closed the question upon each specification shall be distinctly put by the Master to every member . present, beginning with the youngest: "Is the accused guilty or not guilty?" '!'he answers shall be given standing, and in an audiLle manner, and the Secretary shall record the answers.

Rule 1$. If the accused he found guilty 'the lodgt<, by vote, shall assess the punishment due to t he offeuce. · Rule 14. No mason shall be suspended or expelled by any lodge exce.pt by the concurrence of two-tb1rds of the m_embers p resent, and no mason so expelled can be restored to the privileges of masonry by a subor dinate lodge except tbe _same be con venerl specially for that purpose, an<.l then only by a unanimous vote.

Rule 15. The accused, or any Master Mason, member of a lodge under this Jurisdiction, feeling aggrieved by the decision of the lodge upon the trial of any brother, may take his appeal from the jurlgment and decision to the Grand Lodge.

Ride 16. 'l'he. appeal shall be made in writing, and may be in the following rorm: J, - - - --, a olnster Mnson. under the jurisdiction of lhe Grand Lodi:e of Knnsns. <lo cl cc lure, upou ruy houor os u mnson, that J do feel runterinUy nggrievcd by the decision of - - Lod1;e. :S-o. - ·, Konstts. in tbc cnse of - -, nod for n rclieuriug of the <:use. nnd to the end tlmt Justice mny be douc iu-lbc mutter, do t11kc my n,ppeal to the Grauel Lodge for tbe following reasons: .......................................... .

A. D., appellant.

Rule 17. The above orsimilai: appeals shall be signed by the appellant and filed with the Secretary of the lodge within ten days after the trial and judgment and not afterwards. .

Rule 18. The Secretary of the lodge shall immediately record the appeal and trausmit to tbe Grand Lodge, at the next meeting thereof, a true copy of the evidence in the cause, together with the appeal, certified under his hand and seal.

Ru.le HJ. The Grand Lodge, on receipt of the appeal and evidence, shall be possessed of the cause and shall- proceed to examine and try the cause upon the evidence so transmitted without any other testimony and decide the matter finally. · Rule P.O. 1'be appellant shall ~ive to the other party at least ten days' notice in writing of the tak111g of the appeal, a copy of which shall be forwarde<l to the Grand Lodge, with the evidence of its service: Pr(ll)ided, howe~er, the parties may waive the notice herein required.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

39

Rule 21. The Grand Lodge may reverse the decision of a subordinate lodge whereby a brother is suspended or expelled. But such reversal shall in no case restore the accused to membership in the lodge without the unanimous consent of the members thereof.

Rule 22. Whenever charges shall be so exhibited against a member of the Grand Lodge, growing out oi his official conduct, the Grand Master or Deputy Grand ~~aster before whom the charges are brought shall make a true copy of the same and cause it to be delivered to the accused, and shall forthwith sqspend him from the exercise of his privileges as a member of the Grand Lodge and cite him to appear before the Grand Lodge at its Ilf\Xt meeting, to answer to the charges exhibited against him : _Provided, always, that for immoral or other unmasonic conduct he shall be answerable to the lodge of which he is a member, or in whose jurisdiction he may reside.

R·ule 23. The Grand Lodge shall proceed to bear and decide the e:ise at its earliest convenience, and the jud~ment shall be final.

Rule 24. In all cases of accusations and trials before the Grand Lodge the rules and regulations governing trials in subordinate lodges shall prevail.

ARTICLE XVIII . .hfiscellaneous Regulations. · SEc·poN 1. No lodge shall be requi~ed to pay Grand Lodge dues for any member whose c~ntributions have been remitted for inability to pay.

SEc. 2. No lod_ge shall receive any petition for initiation e;Kcept

upon the day of a stated meeting, and no ballot shall be taken on any such petition before the next stated meeting, except by dispensation, nor unless there be present five members of the lodge.

SEC. 3. The business of the Craft sha11 be done in the Master's Degree. · 0 SEc. 4. No applicant for initiation, whose petition may have been rejected by any lodge, shall be initiated in any other lodge in less than twelve months from the time of his rejection.

SEC. 5. The G rand Secretary slrnll receive for engrossipg a charter and affixing a seal the suw,of three dollars, and such further compensation as the Grand Lodge shall from time to time deem reasonable and just.

SEc. 6. No lodge shall confer the three degrees of masonry for a less sum than twenty dollars, any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

SEC. 7. 'l'hese By-Laws may be Amended, altered or repealed at any annual communication by a majority of all the members present. .

Adopted and approved 1n Grand Lodge, March 17, .A.. D.

1856, A. L . 5856.

RICH ARD R. REES, ATTES'!':

CHARLES 'l'. HARRISON, Grand &cretary.

Grand Master.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE

l\!1.·.w..·. GRAND LODGE OF A. F. & A. M., OF KANSAS.

· T.he M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of Ancient, .F:ree an.d Accepted .Masons. of tho 'f erritory of Kansas, ,vas called from 1·efresh . . 'rnent. to labor by M .·. W.·. Grand :M.aster, ·at. the City of Leavenworth, on the 14th day of July, A.D., 1856, A.L., 5S56.

Present:

the

M:.W:. RICHARD R. REES, ....................... Grand Master.

R:. W:. J oJlN W. SMITH,........................ Deputy G rand ~laster.

R:. W:. MATTHEW R. W ALKER,........ ... ...... Grand Senior Warden.

R:. \V: . DANIEL VANDEHSLICE,..... ... : ......... G rand Junior Wa~den.

R:. W:.BEnm~I:t-1 BECK,................ ......... Grand 'l'reasurer. · R:. W:. CHARLES T. HARRISON,:................ Grand Secretarv.

W:. and Rev. LEANDER KER, .. ........... Gmnd .Chaplain.

W:. G. R. WILSON,....-......................... G ran<l Senior Deacon.

W:. C 11msTIAN BECK, ,.............. ....... :Grand Junior Deacon.

W:. W1LUA.M TE1'NEL,.......... .. ............ G rand Tyler. '\V:. Jot{N A. HALDER1IAN; .................. Grand Orator. \V:. RussELL G,1nnETT,....................... G rand Marshal. · W:.JAMES MERRILL,............. .......... ... G rand Sword Bearer. · ··w>. CHARLES MuNDEE, or Leavenworth Loilge, No; 2.

Visitors: Bros. TttO)IAS Rui,siu,, JoN AS WESCO'l"r, Fnw. EM;:iny antl .BENNETT Bun::,;A~r. of Leavenworth Lodge, No. 2, K. T.; Bro. M:. J. F. LEONARD. of Abraham Lodge, No. 8, Louisville, K y.; Bro. L.A. D Avrs, ·o f Clinton Lodge, No. - , N.Y.; Bro. L. EcHELBERRY, of Evansville Lodge, No. 64, Indian~.

.

· . T he :M:.·.W.·. Gra.od Mastei· appointed Bros. M~NDEE, WAL.KER and VANDERSLICE, a Committee on C1·edentials, and after -~hor·t·co.nsultation they report as follows: ·-•· -- ,.

Proceedings of the

42

We, your Committee on Credentials, beg leave respectfully to report that we find Smithton Lodge, No. 140, ( Missouri Register), dt1ly represented by Bro. Jom; W. SM:rrH, W. M., Bro. GRANDISON R. WILSON, S.\V;, and Bro. DANIEL V ANDERSLJ0E, J. w. of said lodge..

Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150,' ( Missouri Register), duly represented

by Bro. CHARLES MuNIJEE, \V. M., Bro. BE\'ERLIN BECK, S. W., and Bro. CHARLES T. HAanrsoN, J. W., of said lodge.

Kansas Lodge, No. 153, ( Missouri Register), duly represented by Bro. 1\1. R. \VAL'KER, W. M., Bro.•G. C. VANZANDT, S. W., and Bro. RusSELL GARRETr, J. w.

All of which is respectflllly submitted.

CHARLES MUNDEE, M. R. WALKER, D. VANDERSLICE. There being a quorum present, tbe Grand Lodge proceeded to business. . ·

Tbe Throne of Grace was addressed by the Grand Chaplain.

The ~L·.W.·. Grand Master then delivered the following address: My Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Kansas : It is with pleasure and pride that I gre1:it 'the assembled representatives of the several lodges under this Jurisdiction; it is a sonrce of_ pleasure to meet and mingle with the faithful brotherhood, and 'it is a source of pride to findi a delegation here from every lodge within the Territory. · · · · On the 17th of March last the Grand Lodge of Kansas was- fully organized, an anniversary which I fondly hope our children's children will proudiy remember and celebrate. Your- partiality selected me ·as your first Grand Master and as the chief head of the ancient and honorable fraternity of masons in the Territory. I fed IDQSt sensibly th'e importance of my position, and while I congratulate the brotherhood upon the prosperous condition of our noble Order throughout the masonic world, I must earnestly warn you to beware of the secre.t foe', which ever lurks behind the veil of. prosperity and insiduousl[ insinuates itself within the folds of innocence clothed in the garb o purity; there is no suggestion more forcibly true than "In the midst oi life, we are In death."

In compliance with a resolution of this Grand Lodge at its first communication in connection with the R:.W:. Senior Grand Warden,! visited the Grand Lodge of Missouri at the city of Lexington in May last, and urged upon that body the recognition of our infant Gran<l Lodge, and with the magnanimity,evercharacteristicof true and noble masons, by an almost unanimous vote, our mother Grand Lodge adopted a resolution recognizing us as separate and independent, and on an equality with the other Grand Lodges of the world. Tbis,.to us, was an important object attained, as all our authority emanated from that J uristliction; but that body went further, and in a spirit of kindness instructed the · several lodges .under this Jurisdiction to pay in their dues to the treasury of this Organization, thus giving ns a liberal patronage to begin the world upon. ·

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

43

My official acts since last we assembled here have be.an but few. I granted to Kickapoo Lodge a special dispensation to continue her labors until now-the Grand Lodge of Missouri having approved the work of that, as well as Lawrence Lodge, and referred them to this Grand LoJge for charters.

Upon the petition of a r equisite numb(lrof brethren 1esiding in the ,·icinity of Atchison, they being 1luly recommended, I granted a dispensation for a new lodge to be holden at the town o( Atchison, by the name of Washington Lodge, and appointed "Bro. J ACon 8AQUI, the first \V:.M:.; Bro. - - - - , the first S:.W:., and Bro. P. P. W11.cox, J:.\V: . · I !;ave now informed you, my brethren, of all that I have clone oftkially since my installation, and I shall defer a recommendation of subject matter for your action until our regular Communication in October next, I therefore conclude with the beautifully instructive and iu1pressh·e sentiments of Lord COOKE to his students: "I wish unto you the gladsome light of Masonry, the loveliness of Temperance, the stability of Fortitude, and the solidity of Justice."

Fraternally, R. R. REES.

.

On motion of Ero. vV ALKER, the address of the Grand Master was ordered to be spread upon the proee·ediogs of this Communication.

On motion of Bro. M uNDEE, the reading of the minutes· of the last Communication of this Graod Lodge was dispensed with, the members being furnished with printed copies.

On motion of Bro. MuNDEE, the report of Smithton Lodge, No. 140, Leavenworth Lodge, No. 150, and Kansas Lodge, No. 153, ( all of nfissouri Register), were referred to th c Committee on Ch:ntercd Lodges.

On motion of.Bro. WALKERResolved, That Dele~ates from Lodges U. D. be allowed seats nnd be permitted to participate m debate a~ this Communication of the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Lodge of Kansas was called from labor until one o'clock this afternoon.

AFTERNOON SESSION. ONE O'CLOCK P. lll.

The Grand Lodge of Kansas was ct\.llcd to labor by the M:.·."W.·.Grand Master. Grand Officers at their severa,l stations.

T_lie_ Committee on Credentials made the following" additional report:

· · Proceedings of the- ··· The following lodges, U. D. are rt::presented:

Lqwre:nce LorI:ue, ...... ............... Bro. JAllES C11RISTIA:-, \\'. M. Kickapoo Lodg,,, ......... :.... ..... Bro. 0nAs. H. GnovER, proxy for \V, M. Wa.~hington_ [.,odg~, .......... ........ Bro. J,\COB SAQUJ, " '· i\'I .

Fraternal}y submitted,

C H ARLES MUNDEE, 1\1. R. WALKER, D. VANDERSLICE.

On motion of Bro. VAN11:i,;nsucE, the expenses of M.·.W.·.

Bro. Ru:s, and R·. W.·. Bro. "\VALKER, in attending the i\[·.W.• : Grand Lodge of Missouri wer1;1 alJowcd, and $28.00 ordered to be p:iid. · The G1·1rnd Secrcta1·y read the following report, which wa1:1 recei .;•eel, and on motion app1·oved of: G 1<.~i-o Si,:cRE'fARY's O_FFic•: o~' TH1, GuA;>;O LODGE o; KAi-SAS, LE.HEN1,·ORTII, .July 14, 185(i, A.L. 5856. . To th~ .Al:. W: . G'rnnd Lodge, A.F.& A. M., o.f th,: T~rritory of Kcinsa.s: - BRETHHE;,,;: In nc:cordanc1:: with a resolution aclopted at the last Communi('ati on or this Grand Lodge, I h a,·<l procurecl two hundred printed copies or the Constitution and .Bv-La,,·s; I ha,·e forwarded copies thereoi' to the Grand Secretary of·each Gran<l Louge in the Unitt:cl States, the members of this Gran<l Lodge, and to each lodge under this Jurislliction .. I h11Ye procured a Grand Lodge Seal, RS recom.men<led by our M:.W:. Gran<l )faster; also two dozei1 blan·k lodge ,C:harters, 11nc) the necessary books a n d stati,>nery for my office. · Frater[!ally submitted, C. T. HARRISON,

Grand Secretary.

'l'he Committee on Chartered Lodges state .that they have no report to make at this l':irl v date, but beg leave tu recommend the followi ng i-esol utions for adoption, to wit: · ' Re.sfJlved., That all the lodges under this Jurisdiction be requested to p ay their fet>.s due to this Grand Lodge by the first or October next, urisi ng u oder the provisions of the By-Laws of the G ran<l Lodge ?f ·~Ji-~s9uri.

Resolved, That the present masonic year shall be deemed to ha,·e commence<l on the first day of .Ju ne, and nil returns at the next Grand Annual Cornmunicntion shall date from tliat day.

Re.5oh-ed, That thC\ Grand Se<:retary prescribt:: a form for the an nual rt:turns of the suuo_rdinate lodges working u nder. charter, and cause n s u fficient n u mber to be pri nted, and that ht:: £urnish the same to the , sevt:ral lodges. . Re110h:ed, T hat t he chartered lodges under this Jurisdiction be especially notifi e<l by t h e Grand Secr~tary of the n~ce~si t y or presenting .their annual report in ac<:ordancP. with the Constitution and By-Laws.

Fraternally submitted, M. R. \V.-\LKER, D. :VAND.E RSLICE, RUSSELL GARRETT.

'Which were. on motion, adopted.

45

Grarid 'Lodge of .Kansas.

: :-.'The·Committee on Lodges D. D ..maele tbe following report, which was on motion adopted: To the. M:. W. ;_ {hand Lodge of Kansas: The Committee on Lodges U. D. ask leave to report as follows: :Kickapoo Lodge- correct, a·rid recommend.a Charter be granted . . \Vashington Lodge- proceedings are correct, and recommend a Qharter be granted. · Lawrence Lodge - of its proceeding3 the M:.W:. Grand Lodge of Missouri has approve_d, with which we fully concur, and recommend a_ Charter be granted .

All of which we most respectfully submit, .T. W. £MITH, RUSSELL GARRETT, CHIUSTIA N BECK.

On motion the following_resolution was adopted: RnfJlvl'd, That Smithton Lo<l,l!e, No. 1, may hold its meetings at Iola, or such other place within Doniphan <·ounty as a majority of the members thereof may agree upon, until the building now in pro,!!ress shall he completed: Provided, That any change of place shall Le proposed at a stated meeting and acted upon at th-e next regular con11nnni(,ation of said lodge, and that the result be dnly report~d to the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

Introduced by Bl'o.

(h~(1.

C.

°VANZANDT:

W1rn1m.-\S, We deem the Universnl Masonic Library, published by Bro. RuuERT Mo1ous, of Lodgton, Ky., presents to the fraternit)' a cheap, foll, and perfect (·ompilation of masonic light, knowledge, and literature, the nt.tainment to which is of 111ore importance than all other things to the prosperity of Our noble Order; therefore, Resolved, That we cordially recommend to the fraternity under this Juri13dic:tiqn the· above name<I work, anrl would advise all lodges and members of the fratnnity to supply thernseh-es with this well selected Masonic Li brary at their earliest convenience.

Rr.soli:ecl, That no single work . has come under our ohservation which contains the saii1e amount of v,1lunble masonic information at the price,-as the Uni versal :Masonic Library.

D.

'Wlticb was on motion retened to ,t committee, consisting of :M:. R vVALKER and GEO. C. VANZANDT.

YANDF.RS.LICE,

'fhe above committee reports as follows, approved: To the /tf:. W:. Grand Lodge "f Kcmsa~: Your committee, to whose consideration were submitted the resolutions presented by \.V:. Bro. VA:-.uxnT, beg leave to report, that the Universal Masonic Library, a work recently published by Bro. RoDERT l\·ionRis, is an important work of masonry, hoth on account of its deep research into the h istory of the Order, as well as to its high literary chan,cter, and as such we recommend it to this Grand Lodge and to the subordinate lodges under this Jurisdiction.

Respectfully submitted,

D. VANDERSLlCR, r:ti(tirman,.

4-6

Proceedings of the

On motion of Bro. CYRUS GARRETT, the following resolution was adopted : Resolved,· That tbe M: .W:. Grand :Master be, and he is hereby requested when the regular ousiness of this Grand Lodge shall be com.pleted, to exemplify the work of the three degrees, or to appoint some hr.other for that purpose. ·

On motion of Bro. was adopted :

VANDERSLICE,

the following resoll,!-tion.

R~solved, 1'hat this Grand Lodge subscribe for one copy of the Uni- · versa]__ l\fasonie Library, to be received as follows:· five volumes on .the first Monday in October, a nd tive every six months thereafter.

A vote of tt:ia~ks was tendered to Bro. M. J. F . LEONARD, of Abraham Lodge, No. S, Louisville, Ky., for a Masonic Chart presented to tbis Grand Lodge.

On motion of Bro. Smrn, the following resol~tion was adopted: Resofred, That the Grand 'l'yler be allowed $2.00 for his services during the present Communication o[ this Grand Lodge.

The :M.·.W.·. Grand Master·, assisted by Bro. LEONARD, proceeded to exemplify the " r ork and Lectures on the first and second degrees.

After the reading of the minutes and their approval, no further business a.ppearing, the Grand Lodge of Kansas was closed in ample form.

RICH.A.RD R. REES, Grand Master.

AT'l'EST:

CHARLES :M1JNDEE, Gra-nd Secretary, pro tern.

The Annual G rand Communicntion of the Grand Lodge of Kansns will be held at the Masonic Hall, in the City of Leavenworth, on the third Monday of October, 1857.

Subordinate lodges are requested to make up their returns to the first of October in every year, and forward them irruneuiatcely thereafter to the Grand Secr etary. ' CHAS. MUNDEE, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

PROCEEDINGS OF

THE

lvf:.W.·. GRAND LODGE OF A. F. & A. M., OF KANSAS.

The Annual Communication of the M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted l\fosons of Kansas Territory, was held in the City of Leavenworth on the third Monday, 20th day, of October, 1856, A. L., 5856. Present: 1\1;,W:.R. R.

REES ............... ......... Grand

Master.

R:. W:. WM. WALKER, ............... ..... Deputy Grand Master,pro tern.

R:. W: . CYRUS GARRETT, ................ Grand Senior,Varden,protem.

R:. W:. P. P. WrLCOX,........... .... ;.... Grand Junior Warden,protem.

R:. W:.B. BECK, ..... ..................... Grand Treasu_rer.

R:. ,v:. Cius. M UNDF.E, .................. Grand Secretary, pro tem.

W:.and Rev. L. KEn, ...... ... ....... Grand Chaplain.

W:. E. BRYAN,......................... Grand Senior Deacon, pro tem.

W:. C. BECK, .......................... Grand Junior Deacon.

W:. TRos. RusSEI,L, .................. Grand Tyler, pro tem.

'l'hc M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of .Kansas was opened on the Third Deg1·ee in ample form. Prayer by the Grand Chaplain.

The ~1.-.vV.·. Grand Master appointed Bros. B. BECK, WILCOX and W~1. vVALKER a Committee on Credentials.

The Gr.a.nd Lodge of Kansas was called from labor nntil 11 o'clock.

·

ELEVEN O'CLOCK, A. M.

The Grand Lodge of Kansas was called to labor by t.he

:i\f. ·. W. ·. Grand Master. Grand Officers at, their several stations.

48

Proceedings of the

The Committee on Credentials reported the following lodges represented, to wit:

Smithton Lodge, No.1, ......... ... Bro. R.R. Rims, proxy for S.W .

Leat'enworth f,Od,g~. N_o. ~•... ....•Bro. CHAS. Mµ:rn,m, ..w. M. · . : Bro. B. BECK, S.W . .

KanslV/ Lr,dge, No)J, ...... -..... .. Bro. Cvnus GARR F.TT, w. M. Bro. W,r. \V° ALKER, proxy for J. W. Washington Lodge, No. 6,.......... Bro. P. P. W I LCOX, J. W. and proxy for W. M. an d S.W.

~r b~· M.·. W.·. Grand Master declared a quorum prese.n~·. for the transaction of busi n ess.

The minutes of the last called meeting, held at this city on the 14th .o f July last, were read and approved of.

The :M.·.W.·. Grand Master then delivered the following address:

To the M:·.W:. UrandLddgeof Kansas: · · T lirough the kindness and under the protecting care o[ overr uling Provid~nce, ,...-e ar.e permitted to assemble once again in G rand Communication, and though the past masonic year has been one of turmoil, of contention and of angry CQnflict in the outer world, yet peace and quietude have reigned within the retiremen t of our Sanctum. for which, in thankful praises, let our hearts be turned to Hitn who rules the destinie~ .o f .men and masons. · ·· · · . ·.

By tbe second section of the sixtn article of the Bv-La,vs of .this Grand Lodge, it b ecomes the uuty of ··our Chief Executive to present for your consideration, appropriate matter for the action of your body, and also a detailed -a(!COunt of his official acts .. 'l'he three great p r inciples of our noble edi6ce present it'Dportant subjects for reflP.ction : Faith in the Great Author of all thi ngs impelsthe noble craftsman to yield obedience ·to the laws or· God and.bow submissively before His shrine; to feel a full responsibility and act· in strict accordance with the lesson& of the square and compass and the rule and line; tha.t while the eye of the Omnipotent is over all his ·~!tough ts· and actions, he can fully ·cont~mplate the wisdom, strength and beauty of the great Artist, who conceived the grand and glorious pictn re of the spangled .heavens. · Hope, ever dependent upon a faithful discharge of duty, suggests the obligations resting on man to cultivate t he faculties.with which the Goo of Nature has endowed. His race, and to develop. all his •mental powers; hence the mason is ·1ed to see the importance of adopting, at· the earliest practicable day.some system of education, and esp·ecially for those ,vhom indigence and want have placed under his fostering. care, and while I warn the fratern ity to avoid the dangers of accumulated· debt, anu learn from the experience of others not to start .upon too large a scale, I woul<l u rge them to ·be mindful of this subject, and in their calm deliberation to present some basis for their future action wb.icb. may ·in ·after years be ripened into good results. In our infancy and present i nefficient state, it is probable that nothing can be done l!,t · this Communication beyond a due consideration of the snbjel't;· nor have I now a plan of operation to present , but yet I should have ielt tbat I had been most recreant to my duty, had. I.failed to lay before the

GMntl Lorlge o_r Xansas.

49

Brotherhood tht: vast importa nce of some early action on a Sllbject so· fra ught with interest to those who soon must take our places in the grent masonic dr::tma. Nor should I pass in silence the vast importance of the . ·study of our noble art; too common is the error, that when once we pas.the ceremonial of our Order our toils are at an end; you have then bu1 placed your foot upon the step which leads you to the eotranc:e of the -outer porch; believe me, brethren, that when you slinll htn·e toiled for years in digging knowledge from the depths· of science, you bim:! but learned in masonry your lessons of orthography; if you suppose that all ·the seience of the c..;raft consists in your ability to recite the ritual, b e undeceived at once, for every path you tread amid the mazes of literature .adds something to your stock of knowledge in symbolic art. The author who conversed with Goo on Sinai's mountain, with all the patriarchnl writers, details a fund of true masonic science; the i9urnalist of every _yea r from then till now can learn you something of the craftc;man's his·tory; the deep researches of geology among the hidde n mysteries of th l:l mineral world develop facts of vast importance t o tbe Brotherhood ; the -demonstrative science of geometry is never learned by one short journey through the rnidclle chaiuber. Tben let the mason who would k now his lesson well, search deep t h e musty store house of the learned, a11d glean from thence important truths in true masonic lore.

I am proud to say that our Grand Lodge already has commenced the wortby project of collecting a library of literature iu masonry, and I hope to see the tiruc when traveling brothers shall regale themselves nmid the numerous volumes which i:;upply our well-stored shelves with light and knowledge. No better work could be selected for thif; initiative of a well .iselected library than the Universal Masonic Library of Bro. Rmn. Monn1i;;, ·,vho bas shown a deep investigation of t he subjects of bis work, anrl a ·th or ough knowledge or the noble art. A debt of gratitude is clue from every mason to our worthy brother for his able l'tnd successful e fforts in placing the fraternity upon th e bigb p osition which we justly n1erit. I hope that every lodge and every b rother will isupply themselves with this in-_ valuable work.

Charity should teach us nil to look witb kind, forgiving dlowance upon what, we may deem the foibles of our fellow men; all men are fallible; the ablest, as well as the best of men have erred; then while we may -discuss in proper spirit all tbe acts of others, be careful to a void censorious remark. Each Master of a lodge is taught to suffer no innovation upon ·t-be landmarks of the Order. Masonr.v, or what. we are t,\ugbt to cle11on1inate Ancient Craft masonry, consists o[ three degrees: . 1'he E:. A:., the I~:. C:., and Master Mason. Upon tbese we are to suffer no innovation; he, therefore, who would attempt to graft upon tbe ancient stock by ad-ding new degrees, or to detract therefrom by changing old ones in any portion of their hlndmarks, has taken a n import:rnt step which may re.suit in fearful injury; but the innocent embellishment of masonry presented in appendant orders which touch uo landmark of t-he Craft, can never be denominated innovations, and tbongb they rnay be termed cle_gr ees, yet while they st.and upon an independen t f latfor m the ancient .stock bas suffered nothing; nor does it matter i their votaries shall choose to grant these favors only to the worthy craftsmen of the mystic tie, for this can never make them masonry, and they who war upon appendencies like these have iost their chivalry of ancient knighthood and .sought the field, DoN Qu1xOTE like, to fight with windmills. Then while we guard with watchful care the pure old stock from every innovation, we must maintain the pr udence of our fathers and let all sister orders enj oy the s:.1me untrammeled inde pendence with ourselves, and never take control or jur isdiction over matters which are neither part nor parcel of -our Order. I deem it neither politic nor righ t. to step aside from the great

50

Proceedings of the

duties which have called us here lo discuss the merits or demerits of some ceremonial order lcrmecl an bonorary degree, most probably intended by sorne zealous mason ns nn outward decoration, who has thereby ma01fested bis devotion to the Order by clothing with external beantytbeobject of bis ardent love.

1 b:we deemed it proper to say this 01uch in relation to a subjectwhich hm; been most length ily discussed in other jurisdictions, and J hope that. henceforth we shall cease to hilk abont our neigbbors,aud let. t-h l:lm wear w h atever ornament.<; they please. · .

In the present disturbed state of politicu1 affairs in our country \\;c arc often called on to exercise that charity in construing t he act.5 of others which our own excesses, when rn1der the influtmce of a high st.nte of excitcn1ent, may often require; beware, t.hen, my brothers, that political animosities ti11(1 no hold among the fraternity; let no political discussi9n or feeliug enter into your lodges and let all your discussioos out of tbe lodgl:l be marked by prudence, cnlmness and caution, remembering that even contending soldiers 011 the bloody tield of battle are sowet-imes hrothers.

Charity is oue of the great duties of a wason. I respectfully recommend that tbe charity fond or this (+rand Lodge be guarded· with <:are as well ngaiusL imposition from tbe unworthy as against improper application to uses foreign to its intention.

It is a matter of deep interest to look 01•eir the rcport.5 of other juris<lictioas of lodges that are springing a.I most daily into existeoce; a new· Urnnd Lodge is ;1sking for the recoguition of her iDclepeudence almost every year; the lodges now, e1·en in the United States, are numl~ering by thousands inst ca.cl of by hundrecls, :mtl while w-e conteruplate this astounding incr~ase of tbeOnler, :1 111011rnful feeling is mingled with our pride; we would gh1dly bclieYe tb:it all is gold that ,;litters; but, alas! it is not so. The expuh,ion and suspension lists too often tell a tale of u1or al cleformit_v, and we fear tlwt mnn y men h,L\·e passed t he outer aml inner · ga.tes, whose polluting foot-step shonld have never desecrated the threshold. Let me urge _you then to guard the ba.llot--box, guard it with the sword of scrµtiuy; let none pass the door of your lodge, but those whose characters have gone through the scatll ing onleal of strict investigation; we live in a Janel where there is a powerful tendency to v ice, we are int'estecl with clapt.raps, dog:;eries anclgm:nbliug shops, that w ith their syrt·n voice bnt venvmed tongues are coustan tly inviting the unwary from the paths of purit>'; then be ye ready w ith your kindest counsel to save your brother from ,mpending woe.

A pottion of the lodges of Canada have severed their connect-ioo wit-11 their English mother ,111d ask a recognition of their independence. So far as I have learned t,he true positiou of tbis new Grand Lodge, I feel dispose(! to take her by the hand aud give her a fraternal shake oi welcome. I will withhold, howe\·er, any co_uusel until we shall receive the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. I learn that the ,\[:.W:.J3ro. \V11_50:-:, who presides over that Grand Body, isn noblespeduieu or tbe Cruft, ilnd I would gla<lly take him by the ha nd and bid h.iw "Gon speed."

This is a diiy of progression in :i way of charts and guide book;;, m1<1 I presume in this respeet we cnn n ot go far astray; so far as I have seen them, they all subsbmtially conform to those that hit.berto have borne the test of scrutiny, :ind perhaps it is as_ well to g.i ve a kindly welcome to thew all, so long as they adhere to ancient laucltuarks.

The p roceedingi; of our first Commun ication have not yet, so for ,ts I have seen, been laid before the Grand Communicatious of our sister jurisdictious generally, and consequently we do not know how favor-

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

51

ably our action in assuming independence bas been viewed by others; but onr own paternal Gran d Lodge has ack nowledged us as sovereign and given us her blessing, and we fondly hope that frarernal i nterconrse will soon 1.,e opened with every other masonic independency, assuring them that we will hap pily respond to their acknowledgment and gladly interchange ou r cou nsel, as we are anxious to maintain a social intercourse. \Ve are yet as a Grand Lodge in our infancv, and it is all-important to -the future prosperity and harmony of the Oraft, that we adopt and carry out s uch measures as shall enable us to act in concert. It is allimportant that a uniform system of work should be maintained and it is a desirnble object if it can be effected that the Grand Lecturer shall thoroughly acquaint himseli with the true ritual and impart it to every loclge under this jurisdiction. We have six chartered lodges in the Territory, an d so far as I am informed, all a re working in peace and harmony and the fraternity seems to be in a prosperous condition . .

My official acts since we met in G rand Communication in July last, have llei::n Iew an<l unimportant. Bro. C. T. HARRfSON, the Grand l:iecretary, left here without h avi ng made up the minutes of th~ July Communication, t hey may consequently be somewhat confused. I appointed B ro. C1us. MUNDEE Grand Secretary, pro tem., who bas acted with prom ptitude, and who is well qualified for that position.

And now, my b rothers, I submit to you th ese words oI counsel, knowing I give them in a true masonic spirit an<l tirm in the belief that in that spirit they are received by yon, and may th\'l Gon· of Heaven smile on our deliberations, temper all our thoughts with calmness, lead us in the way of trnth and vi rtne, di vPst our hearts and consciences of vice and error, and guide us by His Holy 8pirit here, and when our earthly lauors shall ha ve ended, call us to a Hea.venly refreshment in our final Home, where we may meet in glorious Communication before the holy throne of that Grand Master who rules the destinies of worlds.

Fraternally, RICHARD R. REES.

Rev. Bl'o. L. K1m, chai r man of Committee on Foreign Correspondence, read bis report,, which was, on motion, ordered to be printed with the Prnceediogs of this Grand Lodge: .1.l[:. w:·. G·r and Ma.ster of the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and Brethren of the Subordinate Lodgt!S: To me has been assigned the duty of making a r eport to you of the condition o f our ancient Order in this Territory, and also the condition of the Order in•other 'l'erritories and States. ·with respect to t11e condition of the lodges of this Territory nnder your care, your reporter bas but little information to communicate, except that so far as yonr ri::porter bas beern able to ascertain, the lodges a ri:: in a more hE>althy and prosperous condition than could be expected under the peculiar and unhappy state of things that have existed since the organization of the Terri to·ry. '£his state of things, my brethren, is too well known to yon all, and too painfully fresh in your memories to neeJ repetition here. But we trust an<l hope these evil days are gone to return no more, and that peace, 'harmony an J brotherly love will take the place of discord and strife perman en ti y . .And it cannot fail to be most gratifying to the hearts of all good masons to learn , that so far as is known, tlrn breth ren d uring all the excitement in the 'Territory have been found on the side of law and order .

52

Proceeding.s of the

And where else should they be found lint there? Woe was the day, my brethren, to masonry, when her sons cease to be law and order men, for then her glory, the accumulation of untold ages, is departed- her jewels tarnishe<l and soiled-and her banners, bright with ten thousand illustrious deeds and names, will be dishonored, torn and trailed in tbe dust.

Your reporter has had access to the r11ported Proceedings of the Grand Lodges of North Carolina, Ohio and Indiana, of 1855. These reports are very ample, containing a large amount of highly gratifying intelligence, well calculated to cheer and inspire the hearts of all good brethren, who are·laboring for the peace, extension and prosperity of our ancient Institution. · it would consume too mucn time to go into a detail of these reports.

We wi lJ therefore state that the increase in all these St.ates has been very great-that the expulsions were but few, but the number of rejected applicants was large; aud this, we think, clearly indicates a sound, pure and healthy condition of these lodges.

Too much care, my brethren, cannot be exercised in the ri,ception of applicants; especially at this time when masonry is popular and flourishing. Men who have no individual merit or moral worth, will be anxious to join a party or cause that has.

A sturdy, lazy beggar will go where he can best succeed in imposing on the rich or generous. The thief will j!o.where the best.pickings can be found with the least chance of detection,-and men often join the Christain churches, by whom the churches are not benefited; but they indulge a faint hope to slip into Heaven by clinging to the skirts of good men. · In the reports of those three States we find but comparatively few cases of discipline, and chiefly for minor offenses, and which were happily disposed of; and this was done by the proper exercise of that great and distinctive feature and principle of masonry: " Charity,"" Gentleness,"-and "Brotherly Kindness." And let me, my brethren, as is my duty as a mason and your Chaplain, urge upon you the constant and impressive consideration and practice of t.his great and omnipotent principle, ·the grand characteristic of our Order. And let me remind and assure :you, that if these fail in reforming the erring and offending, uo other means will succeed. Do you want a proof of this? That proof I will :~ive. It is the great means our Heavenly Father employs in reconcilmg an alienated and offendin15 world unto HimseH. And what bas broken up and divided the Christian churches into so many conflicting -fragments? Was it charity? . No, verily; bnt the want o( it. It is love .alone that conquers the human heart and reclaims the erring mind.

And this is the tie that bas for thousands of vears bound masons to.gether in bonds stronier than iron and steel. "Men of all climes, lands :,and nations have felt 1t, and still feel it, and bow to its invincible power. .But sever this bond, or cast it away, and then you will see the glorious ·temple of masonry shattered into a thousand fragments, an<l masons of -different States and '.L'erritories as well as Nations, encountering and as:sailing one ,another with tbatr~ncorous malignity that characterizes the ireligious parties of the world.

Beware of this, my brethren; if this bond of union is severed the ;Jast link is broken that unites and binds, in peace and love, hearts to · hearts-men to men-and nations to nations; and another element of <liscord will be thrown into the seething and raging caldron of storms and strife. And we think there is enough there already to satisfy the .arch-fiend b imself.

As illustrative of the power, unity and universality of masonry, we :ha\·e embodied true facts that have recently come to our knowledge.

(-hand Lodge of Kansas.

53

The first, given to roe at my residence by a worthy brother mason and a wortby minister of the Methodist church, who had been many years a missionary among the Chippawaya Indians and other tribes in the British Possessions. He told me that among the Chippawayans he found many masons and was himself in their lodges; that all their signs, grips and passwords were the same as ours; and that they were consistent and exemplary as men and Christians in their conduct, and that they could not tell him when and by whom masonry was introduced among them; that it was beyond the memory of their fathers.

1'he second fact is from the pen of a British officer, who served with distinction in the Crimea, and is himself a mason. Being much among the Turks and in Constantinople, he found many masons among these people, and was in some of their lodges, that they worked as we -do, and that with some immaterial difference, their signs, grips and passwords are the same as ours. But he could not find among them any higher than the Roval Arch.

And no-iv, my brethren, look at these facts. There the Indian, the American, the Englishman and the Turk, from the remotest parts of the enrth, could meet together in love and harmony. and aid, protect" and defend one another. What a bond of union! What a spirit of concord I A bond long enongh to encircle the globe, and a cord strong enough to bind in perpetual amity all nations, h owever dissimilar and antagonistic; in laws, manners and customs, as well as religion, they may be. · And from these, as \\'ell as many such facts, do you not, as mas'lns, feel encouraged and determined to raise higher the standard of masonry, and extend, by your good example, its banners, until they are kissed by every breeze of Heaven. And the time may come, in the progress of improvement and in the increased facilities of travel and intercourse, that in some gorgeous temple of masonry in Europe or America, the sons of masonry may meet,'' from Greenland's· icy mountains . ·a nd India's coral strand," and from the wild saud deS{lrts of Siberia, and·from -the land of the palm, the olive and the vine. -Stranger events than this are occurring in our world. And how much would not such a contingency aid Christianity in consummating her work on earth, in turning the swords into plow-shares and t.he spears into pruning-hooks, by brin~ing distant nations into closer intimacy, and by expeliin~ from their minds and hearts their mutual prejudices, which distance and separation have created, and ignorance cherished.

• And, therefore, my brethren, continue to preserve this bond of unity and peace. Think ·n ot that this hond is weakened tiy extension, or paralyzed by diffusion; it is increased and strengthenP.d by both.

This charity is to the moral uni verse what the principle of attraction and gravitation is to the material, each the consecutive principle of its respective department . Under the Jaw of gravitation, nothing is too small for the notice of its action, and nothing too vast for its influence and control,"That very law tbat moulds a teRr, And bids it trickle from I ts SOllr<!e, Thatself-~aroe law controls each sphere, And guides tb e plane ts in· their coul'!le,"

and thus it is with the great divine law of charity. 1'he moral world has long lost its principle, and the Christian churches in their divisions have to a great extent lost it too, while masonry still preserv,es it, and may she ever preserve it in all its primeval power, beauty and splendor.

And let the priests and the petrified fanatics who hate and oppose all who differ from them, come and take a lesson and example from us, that thev may receive a larger, more liberal anrl comprehensive view of men and things. They condemn and spurn us, because they know us

54

Proceedings of the

not, and they will not know us, because they spurn and condemn us.

But Jet us forgive them, let them receive our charity, for what they siw ·and do is done th'rough ignorance. · . · In conclusion, my brethren, let me exhort vou to be true and faithful to your obligations and vows-be just and upright iu all your actions- honest and honorable in your intercourse with men, and li ve in peace, harmony and love ·amon g yourselves; then tbe world, in looking at you, way say: ;. See how those masons Joye one another, and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

All of which is respectfully submitted, LEANDER KER, Grand Chaplain, Grand Lodge Kansas.

The M.·.W.·. Gi·and Master appointed the following commit-

.

~~:

Unfin·iBhed Busine83.-Bros. MuN"DEE, C. .BECK, P . P. WILCOX. Chartered Lodges.- Bros. KER, \VALKER, G ARRET'I'.

Lodges U. D.- Bros. KER, WALKER, GARRETT. .Accounts.- Bros. MuNDEE, C. BECK, WILCOX . . Ways .and .Mectns.- Bros. ViTALKER, Wu,cox, KER. Charity.-Bros. B. BECK, GARRETr, HALDERMAN. Applications and Communicati'cms.-Bros. MuNOEE, WILCOX, B. BECK.. rlrievances.- Bros. WALKER, KER, GARRETT. · Educatwn.-Bros. McAuLA Y, HALDERMAN, B . .BKCK.

· Bro.

,v1tcox offer.ed the following:

Resolved, That the Grand Lodg,e go into the election _of its officers for t'he ensuing year as soon as the Grand Lodge assembles this afternoon.

. . . The Grand Lodge of Kansas was called from labor until two o'clock P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION.. .

Two o'cLocK P. M. · The Grand Lodge of Kansai? was called to labor by the M.·.

W.·. Grand Master. Grand Officers at their several stations. .According to resolution, the Grand Lodge proceeded with the election of officers, which resulted as follows: M:.W:. RICHARD R. REES................. .............. .... Grand Master.

R:. \V:.JACOB SAQUI ........ ................................ Deputy Grand Master.

R:. \Y :. CYRUS GARRETT ......... ...... .................... Grand Senior Warden.

R:. W:. D. VANDER.>LICE ... ... ............................ ... Grand Junior Warden.

R:. W:. B.EYERUN BECK ............................... ..... Grand Treasurer.

R-:. W:. CHARLES MUNOEE ........ ............... ......... .Grand Secretary.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

5b

·whereupon W.·. Bro. CllARLEs :M:u~mEE, as oldest Past Master present, proceeded to install the M.·.W.·. RICHARD R. REES as Grand }\faster of Kansas.

The M.·. W.·. Grand Master then announced the followinµ; appoi11trnents, to-wit: W:. ,vn.1,1.-Hc vVALKER................................. Grand Orator. \V:. LEA::-DER K1!1c........... ......... .................. Grand Chaplain.

W:. Jorrn ·w. l?HEEJ,.\XD .............................. Grand Marshal. ,v:. A. l\1cA ur,A Y ... ........... .... ............ ..... .... Grand Marshal. \V:. Clrn1s·rr.u, BECK••: .•.......•.•.........•...•..•..•. Grand Senior Deacou.

W:. G. R. WILSON ....................................... Grand Junior Deacon. \V:. L. C. CnAtr,rss...................................... Grand Sword Bearer.

W:. J AS. CHRISTIAN ..................................... Grand Steward.

W:. CHAS. H. (+novER ....... :......................... Grauel Steward. \V:. Tn-os. Russi-;u......... ............................... Graud Tyler.

and proceedecl to ·iustall the several offie:ers in the 01·det· as elected aod appointed.

The Committee oo Chartered Lodges reported.the following, which was adopted: To the M.·. W:. Grand Lodge of Kamas: Your committee beg leave to report that upou a close examination of the returns they find Smithton Lodge, No. 1, Leavenworth Lodge, No. 2, Kansas Lodge, No. 3, and Washington Lodge, No. 5, bavr, reported their proceedings to this Grand Lodge, and we recommend their reception.

Your committee would recommend the adoption of the following resolution: . · • Resolved, That if Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4, and Lawrence Lodge, No. G, <lo not make their reports to this Grand Lodge within three months from this date, the M:.W:. Grand Master be author ized to arrest the charters of said delinquent lodges. . They further recommend the following: .

Resol'IJed, By this Grand Lod~e, that from and after the adjournment of. this Grand Lodge, the subordinate lodge known as Kansas Lodge, No. 3, be known as "W'yaudotte Lodge, No. ;,.."

Fraternally submitted, LEANDER KER, WM. WALKER, CYRUS GARRETT. Brn. ClfAS. MuNDEE presented the following resolution, which wa.s

adopted : RPsol'IJed, That so much of the Grand Master's address as refers to

tbe subject of education be referred to tbe Committee on Education; so much as refers to charity, to the Committee on Charity; so much as refers to Masonic Library, to Committee ou Ways and Means; so much as fers to Grand Lodge of Canada, to Committee on Foreign Correspondence, and the residue of the address to a select committee.

Proceedings of the

56

The M.·.W.·. Grand Master appointed, as sa_id select committee, Bros. Wlll. WALKER, P. P. ·w1Lcox and 0HRISTIAN BECK; and Committee on Foreign Correspondence, .B ros. L. KER, OBAS. Mui-lDEE

and

J. A.

HALDERMAN.

On motion, all committees were instructed to rep<;>i·t at tbe. next Annual Comi:nunication of this Grand Lodge.

On motion tho following resolution was adopted: · Rl!f<?lved, That as ~oon _as t.he fund~ of this Grai:i'd 1:,odge \\'ill p erm~t,. the U01versal Masonic Library, pubhsbed by HOBERT ]',foams, be pa1d for, and tbe M:.W:.Grand Master be requested to take charge of it.

0'1 motion, a committee consisting of Bros. A. McAULAY, CHAS. MuNDEE. and CHRISTIAN BECK,. was appointed to settle the accounts of this Grand Lodge with ·the· ·Past G1;arid Secretary. . .. .

On motion, the following resolution ~as li.dopted : Resolved, That the Grand Tyler be remunerated with $2.00 for bis services during tbe present Communication of this Grand Lodge.

Bro. WALKER read the· followi!}g corq.inunication, from.. OUl'. brethren in New York, which was on 1'notion, ordel'ed to oe spread on out. minutes: · ·' · - · · NEW YORK, August 22, 1856: · The lodges of Free and Accepted Masons of the city of New York i,;end to their brethren in Kansas Territory their fraternal greetings. and· i;alutations. Hearing continually, with painful emotions, of the political convulsions and social disorders that distract that' distan t·Jand-, a, vail tb!'lm• selvefl of tbis occasion of tendering tbeir p.eaTT,felt sympathief:! to their western bretbren in the midst of their tr oubles. A midst the bitter con- · tests between political parties, equaling .in bitterness and ferocity the contest that ouce raged between the Guelphs and Gibolines-amidst the sanguinar y outbreaks and lawless acts -so fearfully raging ainongst you, Jet our time-honored, our a ncient Temple be. kept irneontaminated with the surrounding atrocities-maintain its purity and n:ioral grandeur. amidst the warring elements.

Let her do her kind offices in mitigating th~ se,v~ritie~ of civil war; ' which, in the days of otber years, have marked h ei: career through far more fearful and protracted scenes and come. out unscathed, unsullied, and without" the smell of fire upon h~r_garment.s,". and stood forth luminous, tbe admiration of the moral world. · · · Suffer not these element.s of strife and discord to enter the vestibule,· the ante-room, least of all, the portals of your lodges,·to mar your peace • and destroy your harmony. . . . .. · ' .

Make your lodge a safe and sacred retreat where bi-ethren·or oppoi;ite opinions and parties may sit do\vn; in quiet an.cl cultivate 'those amenities of social life and fraternal attachment which so preeminently <.listin~uish our Order, rejecting only such as, by the commission of certain high crimes, have forfeited their claims to the benefits of masonry.· Hoping, ardently hoping, the storms which n ow rage round you will be speedily followed by a permanent calm and clear sky, we commend your infant lodges to the care o[ that Great Architect, under whose omniscient eye we work at our Craft.

57

.Grand Lodge of Kansas.

On motion, the following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That a new ch arter be granted to Kansas Lodge, No. 3, by the name of Wyandotte Lodge, with the same number as the charter heretofore issued to said lodge, and that the name of said lodge be · changed from Kansas to Wyandotte. · Resolved, That until the signatures of all the Grand Officers can be obtained to said charter, said lodge is authorized to work under their p resent charter. ·

On motion, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That a subordinate lodge may fill any vacancy which may occur in any office of the lodge, and may declare any office vacant for good and sufficient reasons.

There being no more business before it, the Grand Lodge closed· in ample form.

RICHARD R. REES, Grand J,fast,er.

ATTEST:

CHARLES MUNDEB, Gr<r,nd Secretary.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE

lvI:.VV:. GRAND LODGE OF A. F. & A. M., OF KANSAS.

The Annual Comm110ication of the M.·."W.·. Grand Lodge of .Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. of Kansas Territory, was held in the City of Leavenworth on the third Monday, 19th day ofOctobe1·, A. D. 1857. Present: ·M :.W,. RrcHARD R. REES.. ........... ......... Grand Master.

R:. W:. J . T. PmcE ..... .............. .. .......... Deputy Grand Master,pro tem.

R: . W:. W. L. McMATH .............. . ........ Grand Senior Warden, pro ·R:. W:. T. L. BRENT ............ ... ............... Grand Junior Warden,pro tem.

R:. W :. CBARLBS MuNDEE ..................... Grand Secretary. '.R:. W:. BEVERLIN BECK ....................... Grand Treasurer.

W: . anJ Rev. LEANDER KER ............ Grand Chaplain.

CttRlSTIAN BECK .... ................... Grand Senior Deacon.

A. McAuLAY ........................... Grand Junior Deacon, pro tern.

W:. L. EcHELBKRRY . ................. . .. .... Grand Tyler,pro tem.

tem:

,v.-.

,v.-.

The M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of .Kansas was opened in the Third Degree in ample form.

Prayer by the Grand Chapla.in.

The M.·.W.-. Grand Master appointed Bros. J. SAQur, McMATH and 13. BECK a. Committee on Credentials. 'rhe Gra.nd Lodge of Kansas was ca.lied from labor until three o'clock P. :1r.

60

Proceedings of tlie

A.FTER:NOON SESSION. TBREE O'CLOCK P. ;'If.

'l'he Grand Lodge of Kansas was ca.lied to labor by the M.·. · W. ·. Grand Master. Grand Officers at their se.veral stations.

The Committee on Credentials reported the following lodges. represented , to-wit: Leavenworth Lodge, No. .e........... B. BicK, W. M., and proxy for S. W. Wyandotu: Lodge, No. 9 ............. W. L. McMATH, S. W., and proxy for W. M.andJ. W. Wa8hington Lodge, No. 5............ J. SAQur, W. M., and proxy for S. W. and .T.

w.

.

.

They also report present the following delegates from lodges U. D., to-wit: Bros. J. T. PRICE, .T. L. BRENT and D . .CLARKSON, from Union Lodge.

Bro. F'. WALTER, from Tecumseh Lodge.

M.·. W.· . Grand .Master declared that a quorum not being present, the Grand Lodge can not proceed with. business; whereupon Bro. L. EcRELBERRY was ordered to su~m9_n . delegates from Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4, and the GTand Lodge c~lled from labor until seven o'clock this evening.

EVENING SESSION. SEVEN o ' cr,ocK P.

~r.

The Gralld Lodge of Kansas was called from refreshment to labor. Grand Officers in their several stations.

The CommiLtec on Credentials made ~be following additional report: _ ..

Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4 ... ............ CHARLES MuNDEE, proxy ior W. M. JOHN A. HALDER~IAN, proxy for J. w.

The M..·.W.·. Grand Master declared a quorum pr~sent for the transaction of business.

(-h and Lodge of Kansas.

61

The M.·.W.·. Grand ~faster then delivered Lhe following ADDRESS: Mv BaETHREN: - Under the smiles of a beneficent GoD we have once ·more met in Grand Communication, to discharge the duties devolving upon the head of masonic authority in the Territory of Kansas. Runnmg back t}:irough all the changes and reyolutions that have convulsed the world for thirty centuries, we are left to wonder at the preservation -of one lone child of antiquity, untarnished by the vices, crueltits and recklessness of the crowding and jostling world,and the true and genuine -craftsman feels, with each revolving year, a deeper reverence for the pure and time-worn Institution, in which the protecting providence of the all-wise JEROVMI is so plainly visible, and while we gaze with won•der, at the progress of our mystic band, through a line of long continued -succession, hallowed at its · birth, by that unequalled p rayer which Israel's King sent up to Heaven in consecration of the Ancient Temple, -cherished in its youth by a dist,inguisherl line of Patriarchal Fathers, and buffeted, in each succeeding age, by prejudice, by ignorance, and wild intolerance - now bleeding at every pore from the poisoned arrows of per.secution, or basking In the sunshine of public favor; now the bane of proud ambition, or petted by the kings or potentates of power, as alternating fancy may dictate- we .find no penod in its long cont.inued his·tory more fraught with interest than the present, for while we see _the beauteous temple of honor, fame and virtue, rearing high its head, all · -crowned with high refulgence, and spreading its expanding arms to -either ocean and the distant isles, proclaiming, in its onward march, faith, hope, relief and truth, we tremble at the thought that some imperfect stone may crush beneath the workman's hammer, and our .glorious edifice may share the mournful fate of the great majestic prototype con•ceived by Israel's King. Then let our prayers ·ascend to Him whose watchful eye perceives our inmost thoughts, and guides the way-worn pilgrim through the wilderness of time, to that eternal home where hope has died in full fruition. · My brothers, I congratulate you all, that blessed with life, and health, and strength, we are permitted to assemble here again to hold -communion with each other, and I trust that wisdom, reverence- and .calm deliberation may govern and control our acts. The outer world reposes now more calmly than a twelve months' since; the scowling -cloud of civil war then threatened ou r fair land, but now engaged in peaceful avocations, the future opens on a fairer view; the angry pas.sions of the field of strife have passed away, and we are left to cool, deliberate reflection.

In my cooununication, one year since, l brought before this Body ·the subject of education. It is one which deeply interests us all, and should ever claim the mason's energies, and I hope this subject may not sleep in our Grand Lodge the sleep of dark forgetfulness. I warned _you then as I do now, against accumulating debt. You cannot yet build colleges, nor endow academies or universities; nor. am I yet prepared to say, that were your coffers full to overtlowing, it is politic to do .so, for while we lend our aid and influence to every means which can promote and prosper literature in all its higher branches, encouraging the study of the arts and sciences in all their most minute variety, there is assigned to us a task more delicate, more interesting and important, ·which is sufficient to absorb our means and occupy our time.

Waut is abroad in every land; Behold the virtuous poor, See yon sad orphans, how tbey stand.

And weep before our door.

62

Proceedings of the

We should seek within the hovels of distress, bring forth the destitute. establish common schools in every village, neighborhood :ind town; feed, clothe and comiort the child of beggary, invest him with the rudiments or learning, 11nd start him ont to try the world with brighter hopes and prospects, and then, if nature has designed him for a higher 1,phere than wandering in the lowly walks of life, he is ready to begin the race and clai rn the palm of victory. ThP.re is no charity in picking up the son of opulence or want, and leading him through all the mazes of collegiate studies, while others die in ignorance amid surrounding ,·ice, for want of that fraternal care, which has been lavished on the favored few. But I await with anxione expectation the report of your committee, hoping that some plan may be proposed which shall result in a rich yield of fruits hereafter.

K indred to this subject, I must again· reiterate the necessity of every craftsman studying with care, not only the ritual, but the laws, the history anu literature of masonry. There are none of us, my brothers, who are learned enough, and i£ the hours, too much devoted to "the social glass, were spent in search of knowledge, a galaxy of. bright commanding .stars would deck our constellation, where now but dark, unseemly spots :ire seen upon the firmament.

The Univers:il ~fasonic Library of Bro. Moums was ordered in accordance with your resolution, but for some reason, of which I am not informed, they have not come to hand. I have only yet received nine volumeH. and it is a source. of deep regret, that the residue have n•>t been sent, as I deem this work of untold value lo the Cra[t, containing as it <locs, a fund of masonic knowledge, nowhere else to be found in the same compass.

The subject of the Grand Lodge visitation has bee11 favorably considered in other jurisdictions, and many Granu Lodges have adopted the system of selecting a representative near the different Grand LodgPs. I am favorably impressed witb this character of intercommunication, which, it is hoped, will open a more intimate social connection between the difforent indepen,!encies of our Oruer, not only within the United States, but throughout the masonic world.

The subject of a Grand Lodge for the United States ·has been discussed for many years past, until at last, by common consent, it has been setlled that it is impoliti·c. The objections urged seemed far to outweigh the advantagt"S to be probably derived, and among others not the least plausible was, that the project was a contracted one; that masonry in its broad expansiveness acknowledged no governmental lines, nor should it ever act upon exclusive principles, bounded by one political sovereignty. 'Ihe establishment of Grand Lodges within the several political divisions has been deemed a matter of policy, as furnishing a convenient legislatiYe power for the government of lodges, and I am strongly impressed with the belief t.hat could there be est;iblished some universal sovereign power in masonry, either meeting in some locality cenLral to the civilized world, or like the General Grand Royal Arch Ch11pter of our Union itioerant, that great advantages, both in a social point of view and as the means of imparting a more thorou~h knowledge of the Craft, its history, its progress aud its present condition, might be derived, to say nothing of what might be done towards restoring the original simplicity of our impressive and instructive ritual and the additional dign'iLy which would be imparted to the Order from this universal inter-communication, which would call into exercise the active energies of the most distinguished men of every portion of the world, for no mean honor would attach to him who should be deemed a worthy representative in an assembly of the masons of the world, where the Euro-

Grand Lodge of Kansas. pean, the .Asiatic and the American could meet upon the common level with the sons of Africa; the fur-clad Siberian, the Brazilian and the Patagonian, could embrace the sons of Barbary; the Austrian and Hungarian, fo rgetCul of their civil contests, could grasp each other 's hands as brothers; the Russian and the Pole together meet in social compact with the Turk, the Saxon and the Gaul. How cheering the reflection that there is one platform on the earth where all the nations of the world may meet in common friendship, with a common purpose and a common feeling of fraternal love, where wars and conflicts are forgotten and all_ combine to spread a universal brotherhood. Here we might expect to rueet the most intelligent of every land, and here coul<l we inculcate a fure fraternal feeling, which would soften down t h e cruel asperities o man's unyielding nature and hasten on the glorious clay of the millennial harvest, when war and conflicts shall forever cease, an<l the lion and the lamb lie down together in peace. This SU/?gestion is not new. The project has been on foot before, and was parlially carried into execution within the last few years. The assembly met at the city of Paris, in France, but there was but a partial representation, from the fact that the p roject had not been sufficiently published to impart u · genera l notice, and many of the Grand Lodges knew nothing of the assemblage until after the time prescri bed for its meeting, and but little was done for the benefit of the Craft. But this should not dishearten tbe ardent mason in an enterprise which may, by perseverance, result in benefits inestimable to the masonic world. Our loved and venerable Order is too little known. '£he intelligent Syrian, who wanders far from his native home, first learns the light of masonry in some foreign land, ignorant that the home of his childhood and the land of his ancestry is the birthplace of our noble Institution. The Zunian, in his walled city of the Western mountains, has preserved the ties and ceremonial of our b rotherhood, but o[ its history he is ignorant, and only knows that it has been handed down from age to age as a sacred inheritance to the chosen few; while many of the wilder tribes of America can g ive the mystic signs, fraternal words and friendly grips, but k now not whence they came. Then, 1-.nowing, as we do, that masonry_exists coeval with enlightenment, should not some effort be ma.de to bring together a ll the fragmEJnts of our universal, time-worn Order ; to lea.rn, as 'far as possible, their varied hi!!tory, and disseminate to all tbe world of masons its progress and condition eve·rywbere. Then let us come together in one imposing, grand, magnificent camp meeting, there to have a consultation upon the subject of establishi ng a common head, whicL shall be known and recognized th roughou t the world by every nation, tongue and people, as the great center to which the craftsmen of every land may come, accredited by bis immfldiate brotherhood; and I now propose that on the 25th day of June, A. D. 1S70, A. L. 5870, delegates from every Grand Lodge in the worl<l and from every body of masons, however hidden in the distant wilds, who may see proper to send in t heir representatiYes, assemble at the city of York, England, once more to reunite the scattered brotherhood aud join the descendants there and elsewhere of the worthy craftsmen, who, on the same spot., nine hunt.ired and fifty years before, r eorganized, in grand commumcation, that brotherhood who are known as Ancient York Masons. I suggest a time thus far ahead that all the world may know and act upon the proposition, and I respectfully ask that every G rand Master whose eye may fall upon this message, will bring the subject before his own Grand Lo<lge for their reJ-lection. If an earlier ti me can be suggested for the WQrld's assemblage, I say amen; but let it be matured a nd well-consi<lereu, and let the world speak out.

I have thought upon this subject much, and earnestly desire to hear an expression from the brotherhood.

64

Proceedings of the

At our last Communication I called your attention to the condition of the Independent Grand Lodge of Canada, now struggling for a position, and asking a fraternal recognition. Knowing the inconvenience under which they labored, severed by the ocean's depth from their Grand'Lodge, I felt the common sympathy which moved the bosoms of Americans and instructed the opening of a correspondence, which, so far as I have learned, t.hey have not seen tit to answer ; yet humble as we are, we must assume a high commanding stand, and act the part of duty, regardless of what others do, or say, or think, or of their silence. · So far as I have seen our Grand Lodge is acknowledged by the sister jurisdictions, and we are fairly now upon the field of contest, or rather emulation with the world's Grand Lodges.

Since our last Communication I have granted dispensations to seven new lodges: Delaware Lodge, at the town of Delaware, which I learn is working smoo·thly and in order; Geary Lollge at the city of Lecompton, · which unfortunately was involved in some difficulty in its inception.

Upon visiting .Lecompton some time after the dispensation was granted, I found that the lodge had not been organized on account of a misunderstanding between some of its members. I found there a number of masons who seemed to be devoted to the cause and anxious for an organizat.ion, and upon consultation, I suggested to them that if they would surrender their dispensation and make a second application, properly recommen.ded, I would grant them a new dispensation. Accordingly they held a meeting of a majority of their members; organized it, not as a lodge, but as a meeting ( they never having opened under the dis• pensation ), and on motion, surrendered their dispensation to me, afterwards presented· me a petition, signed by the requisite number of masons, and recommended by Lawrence Lodge, a chartered lodge in good standing under the jurisdiction, praying for a dispensation for a lodge by the same name as their former one, which I granted them; met with them ai;id set them to work, and supposed that they would have moved on harmoniously. But I have been subsequently informed that some unfortunate misunderstanding still exists in that lodge; what, it is you can probably 'better learn from their representatives than from me, and I hope that tbe Committee on Lodges U. D. will present the subject in such a manner that harmony may be fully restored. I would state that in granting the second dispensation I done so by changing the dates and names of.the officers in the old warrant which bad been surrendered to me, and charged them no additional fee, as my sole object was, if possible, to re!-tore peace and harmony. How far I may have acted right and proper in the premises I leave for the Grand Lodge to determine, and to their decision I most humbly assent. I refer to the Grand Lodge, in this connection, certain correspondence, and request the same be examined by the appropriate committee, and its import duty considered. · I have also granted dispensations to Union Lodge, at Fort Riley; · Bourbon Lodge, at Fort Scott; Big Springs Lodge, at Big Springs; Tecumseh Lodge, at Tecumseh, and Topeka L,odge, at· Topeka; all o( which, so far as I am informed, are working harmoniously.

Some time since, I received a communication from a lodge, under a sister jurisdiction, asking from m~ a dispensation to receive the petition of a citizen of this Territory, stating that he had long been a citizen of that vicinity, and was better known there than here. 'ro this I re-

sponded, that I could not think of attempting to interfere with the prerogative of another Grand Master; but so far as the person of the individual indicated was concerned, I would leave them to act in their own discretion, releasing, as far as my authority might extend, the .authority of this Grand Lodge over him. And, in this connection, per-

Grand Lodge of Kansas. mit me to uri:i:e all onr lodges not to interfere with the citizens of other jnrisdic:tiuns, u11til they shall have become domiciled here, and I hope that other States and Territories will act in the same spirit of forbearance towards us; for suC'h interferance must lea<l to unprofital>le controversies, which should always be a\'oided.

It has been to me a sou rce of pleasure to hear that the schism, which has so long existe,l in the :State of New York, is about to be happil ~- arranged, an<l i t is hoped that but one feeli11~ will hereafter exist within the Empire State on the subject of masonry-a iceling of universal harmony.

And now, in conclusion, I rm,pectr\\lly ancl fraternally recommend, that, in the selection of you r Grand 0tticers, you elect none but the well tried, true and trusty, whose zeal will prompt them to a strict discha_rge of duty; nn<l, as serious i nc:on venience ofum results from the selection of absent members, it would be well to make a standing rule, that none be dig-iulP, but sud1 as are hne for insrallation, w110 will assume a solemn and binding pledga to faithfully perform their task.

And now, my brethren, I have reportnl to you, so far as I deem it important. all my offidal acts since last we asstrn1hled here, and have thrown out such suggestions as have seemecl to be in consonance with the interests of the fraternity, which l submit with confidence tha~ they will be duly c:onsidered an<l properly appreciate<l. 'l.'hese views, however, are but the result of my own refiections, and, unless tbey comport with yours, I do not expect your acquiescence. .Be assu red, then, that I have thut confidence in your integrity of pmpose, that in all matters of policy your will is mine.

Language is too feeble to express my gratitude for your kindness in twice elernting me to the highest position whi<:h you can possil>ly bestow; it is a green spot which will ever be bright bdore me on memory's desert waste. Be assn red that l have ft-It t-he weight of r rsponsiuility resting upon me, and the constant necessity of your kind counsel and advice, and in now retiring from the exulted position of Grand Master, I shall ever look npon my associations here with a mingled feeling of pleasure and of pride. l fon,lly hope that you will p lace the mantle of authority on some one who will wield it better than I have done, an<l better than lam capaltle of doing, and mny the blessings of the God of St nmi:i:tli, the God uf Wisdon,, an<l the God of Beauty, direct us in our onward progress, sustain our time worn 0rcler, anl! It-ad us sa[dy to eternal rest, whe·r e pt>ace and harmony shall reign, and hymns of everlasting praise be sung in constant union. Amen!

Fraternally, R. R. REES. On motion, the following resolution: "Tlrn.t the address of

the :M:.·.\Y.·. Grnnd Mastel' be referl'ed ton. special committee to report on a pl'opor apportionment of its va.rious subjecb:1," was adopted, and B1·othel's MuNDEE, PRrCE and CLARKSON wel'e appointed such committee, who, after consultation, report the following _: Your committee appointed to apportion the l'arious subjects of the Grand i\laster's address, beg leave to recommend the Rdoption of the following: Resolved, That so ·m uch of tbe Grand Master's address as relates to education, be referred to the Committee on Education; so much as re•

,66

Proceedings of the

]ates to the study or masonry, to a committee to be denominated "The Committee on the Condition of l\Iasonry;" so much as relates to the subject of Gran,! Lodge visitation, to theUommittee on Foreign Correspondence; so much as relates to a Uni ,·ersal Masonic Assemblage to the Committee 011 Foreign Correspondence; a nd so mu<:h as relates to other jurisdictions, to the same committee; so much as relates to the granting or dispensations, to the Committee on Lodges U. D.; and so much as relates to Geary Lodge and certain correspondence, to a selet:t committee, and the residue to the Committee on the Condition of ~1ason ry.

Which was a.dopted, a nd tbe following committees ,Lppointed.

On the Condition of ilfasonry.-Bros. McMA'l'H,

HA l~DE lutAN

and B.

BECK.

Select Committee.- Bros. 8AQUI, Cr,ARKSON nnd C. BECK.

On Chartered Lodges.-Bros. Ktm, McMA'l'JJ and B. BECK. On Lodges U. D. - Bros. KER, SA QUI and PRICE.

Brother McMATfI offered the following, which was adopted: That the Grand Loclge go into the election of its officers for the ens uing year at 10 A. ~1. to-morrow.

The Committee on Lodges U. D., l'eport the following: Your 1.;omrnittce having exam ined the 1·eturns and p roceedings of U n ion Lodge, U. D., at" Fort Riley, am! Bourbon Loclge, U. D., at Fort Scott, find that they ha,•e co11Jplied wi.th the requisitions of tbe Constit ution of the GranJ Lodge, :,nd b\'g leave to offer the following r~solutions : Resolved, That U n i0n L~H.lge, at Fort Ri ley, be granted a charter, anr\ that its number on the roll of th is Grand Lodge be "seven." .

Resolved, That .Bourbon Lodge, at Fort Scott, be granter! a charter, and that its n umber on the role of this Grand Lodge be II eigbt."

All of whid1 is re!1pectfully submitted, J. SAQUI, J. T. PRlCE.

· On motion, those 1·esolutioos .were adopted. 'l'be select committee appointed at the last An nual Com munication, then made the following 1·e1)ort: To the AI:. Tl':. Grand 1llasltr wid Members of the lol: . W:. Grand Lodge of Free <md AccP-pt.ed ilfason.s in Kansas : ' You r committee, appointed at the last Annual Communication II to settle the accounts of this Grand Lodge with the Past Grand Secretary," beg leave to report tbat they acted in conformity with your instructions so far as in their power; but Past Grand Secretary, CHAS. T. HARRrsoi,,•, having left th e Territory,and his present place o( abode being unkno w n to your comlllittee, they 1.;ould only gain information fro.m the returns of · subord inate lodges, and, although not certain' of the corre1.;tness of their statement, they respectfully report as follows:

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

67

It appears from the procee<iings of your Grimd Lodge, that Past Grand Secretary HARRISON was accountable for $30, to-wit: .For charter granted to Washington Lodge ................................$10 00 For chart(-:r granted to Lawrence Lodge ............ .................. ...... 10 00· .F or charter granted to Kickapoo Lodg~ ...................... ............ 10 00• Tota I ......................................................................$:30 00 We suppose that the follow ing sums were paid by the Past Grand

Secretary: To Ero. \Va.Iker, for expenses incurred in attending Grand Lodge of Missouri, as delegate from this Grand Lodge........ : .. ...... $14 00 To Bro. Robt. ll-forris, advance payment for II Universal Masonic Li l>rary," as wi II appear in the report of your (; rand Secret.ary ......... ........... ......... ...... ... ..... ...... ...... ......... ...... ........ 15 00 To B~o. l{ussell, for sen·ices as Tyler of the Grand Lodge, during its session in July, 1S56 ......... ..... ......... ........ .. ...... . ......... 2 00 Total ............................................... .......................$21 00 Which lea,·es a balance of $9.00 unaccounted for.

In his report to your Grand Lodge, at its Communication in .July, 1856, the .Past Grand Secretary stated that he procured the' n.ecessary books nnd stntio11ery for his office. Your co1nmi~tee could not nscer tain what amount lte disbursed for those articles, as they are informed by his successor, that neither books, paper, or other articles of stationery could be found for the use.of the Grand Secretary's oflice.

Your comlllit tee beg leave to recommend the following: Wrn•:trnAS, Past Grand Secretary C11ARLES '1'. HARRISON, in leaving the Territory, failP.d to SL1rrender an account to this Grand I,odge for the monc.vs received and expended, and thereby leaving $9.00 of the funds of this Grand Lodge unac<:ounted for; therefore, Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be instructed to enter on the books of the Grand Lodge, the sum of $9.00, under the head of" incidental expenses."

In crlllclusion, your committee would remark, that Past G rand Secretary C11ARLBS T. HAnmsoN ~vas expelled by Leavenworth Lodge, No. 2, for" nnmasonic con.<.luct."

Fraternally subrnitted, CHARLES MUNDEE, Chairman of Committee.

·which repo1·t was 1·eceived, and tbe above resolution adopted.

Tbe Gr:tnd Secretai·y tbeo read his 1·eport: .bf:. fir:. Grand Ma~ter and Brethren: Your Grand Secretary begs leave to submit the following report: Since, by your favor, I was placed in this station, I received the sum of $307.12, on account of this Grand Lodge, as will be seen by reference to the anneJ.<ed detailed account. Payments were made in the same

68

Proceedings of the

time, to ttie amount of £161 .S:3; remaining-, a balance of $145.29, which I have turned over to the Grand Tn•asurer.

I caused the last year's Proceedings to be printed, and forwarded copies to the subordinate l<>elges under tbis jurisdiction, and also to all the Grand Lodges in the United States.

Such reports of Proceedings of other Grand Lodges, as have been receil'ed, I have turned over to the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. With pleasnre I perceive it, and with pleasure I report it to you, that :111 the Grand Lodges. thus far heard from, have recognized our Organization as a Grand Lodge, and send us "greeting and welcome." · I regret that neither the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, nor myself, coul,l pay that proper attention to those Proceedings, as to be enabled to repo·rt to you as fully as committees of other Grand Lodges do; but, .while we have to excuse the chairman of that committee, being engaged with masonic matters, in preparing and delive ring an address, at the celebration at Boonville, I beg leave to state, that my time was thus busily employed aA not to be able to attend · to tbe duties of a member on the above named committee, and this is the reas·on of the brief report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence.

In accordance with a rcsoh1tion adopted at our last Annual Communication, I remitted to Brotht::r Momus, the sum of $50.00, for a copy of the'.' Universal Masonic Library." In acknowledging the receipt, be informed me that $.5.00 had been paid on a previous occasion. I had no account of this, and suppose that Past Grand Secretary HARRISON paid that amount.

Soon after the close of our last Communication, I received the returns of Kickapoq_ Louge, No. 4, and Lawrence Lodge, No. 6, and found them cor.rect.

FlN ANCIAL REPORT. CHARLES l\fuNDEE,

Grand $ecrelary, ln account with the

GRANO LoooE OF KANSAS .

. RECEI l"TS.

Smithton Lou~e, No. 1, dues ......... ............................................$ 7 00 Leavenworth Lodge, No. i, <lues ............................................... 84 12 Washin:,i:toP.. Lorlgt::, U . D., dispensation ...................... .. .............. 20 00 Kansas Lodge, No. 3, clues......................................... ............. 12 00 LPavenworth Lodp:e, No. z, dues ........... ..................................... 27 50 Washington Lodge, No. 5, dues ..... .............. ......... .............. .... 6 50 Lawrence Lodge, No. 6, dues ............. ., .............................. ... ..... 10 00 Union Lodge, U. D., dispensation .................... ......................... 20 00 Geary Lodge, U. D., dispt::nEat.ion .................................. ........... 20 00 Delaware Lo<lge, U. D., dispensation ............ ........................... 20 00 Bourbon Lodge, U. D., dispensation .......................................... '.'.?O 00 TPcumseh Lodge, U. D., dispensation .................. ...... ... .... ........ 20 00 Big i-:;prings Lodge, U. D., disp~nsation ................................... 20 00 Topeka Lodge, U . D., dispensation ... .......... ........... ............ ........ 20 00 $307 12

69

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

DTSnURSEl.lf:KTS.

By Grand Master's expense to Lexington ..... ...... ... .... . . .. . ..... ~ 14 By printing of charters........ ......... ...... ........ .... .. ... ... .... .. .... ..... 21.

By Grand Lodge Seal....................................... , ...... ,... ..... ...... J6 By printing proceedings for 1S56 .. .. .. ......... ..... ..... .. ...... .... .... 58

By G rand Tyler in.1851.>...... ...... ......... ................. ........ ...... ......

2 Bv :M asonic L ibrary ...... ......... ........ ......... ......... ...... .... ..... . .... 50 Turned over to Grand Treasurer .............. . ......... .................... 145

00 25

58 00 00 00 29

$307 12 Fraternally submitted, CHARLES :'.11UNDEE, · GTand Secretciry.

The Grand 'l'reai:;nrer then presented bis report: .

1 ·0 the Al:. W:. GT<ind JfastF.r and Members of the Gr.cmd Lodge of F ·,·ee cmd tJccepted 1•fasons in Kan.•as: I beg leave to report, that, since the organiui.tion of this Grand Lodge, the sum of one hundred and fort.y-five dollars amt twenty-nine cents, was turned over to me by t he Grand Secretary, which amount I have in my possession, subject to your disposal.

Fraternally submitted,

B. BECK,

Grcmd Treasurer.

The followi ng was presented and adopted: Resolved, That t his Grnnd .Lodge adopt ·the representative system near sister Gran<! Lodges, and that· the Gran,) :'!faster be requested to open a correspondence with the different j urisdictions, and to appoint representatives near the Grand Lodges v! such jurisdiction, anu invite a simila r action on tbeir part.

1.'be Gt·and Lodge was t h en ca.l ied from labor u ntil 9:30 o'clock A. ~r. to-morrow.

MORNINCf SESSION. 9:30 o'clock, A. 111.

Tbe M.·. W.·.Grand L odge of Kansas was called to labor.

Officers in the chait·s as above.

The select committee, appointed yesterday, report the following: TUESDAY,

M:. W:. Grand Master and Rrethren: The committee, to whom was referred th e subject of Geary Lodge, U. D., and certain correspondence connected therewith, would respectfully report that they have had the snhject matter u nder consideration, and, as there is no dele~ation here from tllat lodge, it is impossible to

70

Proceedings of the

learn anything of its true condition in relation to a letter, submitted to your committee,from Bro. L.A. McLui-, to the M:. W:.Grand ]\faster, and the response of the Grand :Master to Geary Lorlge. We finrl much in the spirit of the letter of Bro. McLl-~AN to condemn, exhibiting, as it does, an apparent spitefulness, which we deem to be unwarr:111ted by the doctrines of meekness, hiculcated by our Order;while we approve and commend the truly masonic spirit of the resp onse of our M:. W:.

G rand Master, and we respectfully recommend the adoption o f the following resolution: Resolv,d, That, as Geary 1.odge, U. D., have failed lo send their dispensation an.d a report of their proceedings to this communication, their authority cease from this date; but that, if they shall, within thirty days after the close of this Grand Lodge, forward to the Grnnd Secretary a copy or their procPedings, with their dispensation, the Grand Master may. in his d iscretion, being satisnerl of a disposition on t heir part to act in conformity with the authority of this Grand Lodge, grant to said lodge a continuance of their dispensation until the next Grand Ann ual Communication.

All of which.is fraternally submitted, J. SAQ,UI, CHR. BECK, D. CLARKSON,

Committee.

And t.he 11bove resolution was adopted.

The Comm ittee on Lodges U. D., report: ·we, the Committee on Lodges U. D., beg leave to report that, upon close examination of the proceedings of Shawnee Lodge, U. D., we 1ind them correct, and recommend that a chater be granted to said lodge.

J. SAQUI, B. BEUK.

On motion , t h e report was received, and a chi11·tcr g1·a.uted to Sba,wnce Lodge, with No. 9.

The hour appointed for the election of officers having arrived, the Grand Lodge proceeded to that duty, and the following officers were du ly elected for the ensuing year: M:. W:. RICHARD R.

REES, ................................. Grand

Master.

R:. W;. J. SAQUI, .......................... . .... , ,. ...........•Deputy Grand Master.

R:. W: . W. L. McMATH, .................................. Grand Senior Warden.

R:. ,v:.C. BECK, ...... ...... ................................ ..Junior Grand ,vardeo.

R:. ,v: . CHARU::S Mu.,:-oEt-:, ..........•.•..... . ..••......•... Grand 8ecretary.

R:. W:. W. Y. ROBERTS, ...•.••••...••. ... . ••....•..•..... Grand Treasurer.

R.·.W.·.Br o. J. SAQm,·ns P .·. D.·.G-.·.M.·. then installed tbe Grund Master elect.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

71

The .M:.·.W.·.Grancl Mnster appointed the following: "\V:. L. KER, ................................ ... : ••..._. ........Grand

Chaplain.

Chaplain.

Chaplain.

Chaplain.

Chaplain. \V:.JAs. CHRISTIAN, .............:....... .................. Grand Senior Deacon.

W:. N. C. Rosw~:1,1,, ...................... ...... ..........Grand Junior Deacon. \V:.z. CAfll'ENTJ;;H, ......................................... Grand Tyler.

W:.C. H. GaoYEP., .......................................... Grand Orator. "\.Y:.Jxo. H. l\111,LER, ...................................... Grand Steward. "\V:. J. l\1. SM ITH, ............................. ............. Grand Steward.

W:.J. G. \Viu,1A~1s, ..................................... lirand i\-!arshal. \V:.JNo. \V. S~11Tu, .......................................Grand Swor<l Bearer.

W:. W~1. BuR~ETT, ...................................... Grand w-... F. M. W1LLIAMS, ............................ :.......... Grand W:. C. HORNSBY, ............................................ Grand W:. D. CLARKSON, ............ . .............. ................. Grand

All the officers were then instn.lled by tbe Gra.ncl l\ifaster.

The select committee, :lppointed yesterday, made the following report: To the ,If:. W:. Grtmd Lodge of the Territory of Kansas: The undersign<:ld, to whom was referred that portion of the M:. \V:.

Grand Master's address which relates to the "Condition of Masonry," beg leave to submit the following: Your committee are fully aware of the importance of the subject, and more particularly in regard to the fraternity in Kansas, composed, as the fraternity is, of mem-bers from all sections and all climes of the known world. There unhappily exists a discordance in the uniformity and harmony of the work in the subordinate lodges under the jurisdic.tion of this Grand Lodge.

Your committee believe that a uniformity and harmony in the work can be attained throughout this jurisdiction, by the 1nore frequent employment of the Grand Lecturer, by the various subordinate lodges.

Your committee fully concur and <-'ndorse the position taken by the M:. \V:. Grand Master, in regard to the election or Grand Officers for this Grand Lodge, and, furthermore, would recowrnend to the fraternity throughout the Territory, lite study of masonry.

Your committee feel it their duty to urge upon the subordinate lodges the importance of having their loclges, in the future, more fully · represented in the Grand Lodge. Much delay, time and expense, will be saved, not only by the Grand Lodge, but by the delegates· to the sawe, by a faithful complian-ce with the abov~.

Masonry has never been in a more prosperous an<l happy condition than at this time, uot only in our beloved Kansas, but throughout the galaxy or States that compose our glorious Union. Too much care, however, cannot be exercised· by the various lodges, in admitting members within the portals of tiheir respective lodges. The honor of the

72

Proceedinys of the

Craft should always be kept in view, and, therefore, none but good and true men, with "pure hearts" and "clean hands," should be suffered fo cross the threshold or the lodge.

In conclusion, your committee would most respectfully urge upon the fraternity throughout the 'l'erritory, to aid, in their sphere, the work yet to be done; bearing· in mind that in un ion and harmony there is strength.

All of which is respectfully and fraternally submitted. . WlLLIA~I L. i\lcM:\TH, JNO. A. I-IA LDEH.MAN, BEV. BECK, .

Commillee.

Bro. J.

SAQUJ, chairman

of the Committee on Lodges U. D.,

offered tbe following, wbicb wa,s adopted: R esolvPd, 'l'hat Tecnmseh Lodge, U. D., having failed to comply witb the rE>qnisition of onr By-Laws, be continued U. D.,until the next Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge. :

Bro. W. L. l\foMATH, of Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3, offered the followingtl.mcndmeot to the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, which was adopted: To strike out the worcls "in the Q.ity or' Leavenwort.h, in Kansas Territory," in Section I, Article I, of the By-Laws of this Grand· Lod!!e, and insert the following words thereof; "at such place as may be directed by said Grand Lodge;" so that said section shall read as follows: "The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and A,cceptell i\iasons of K,rnsas shall hold their regular Grand Annual Communication at such place as may be d irected IJy said GmnJ Lodge, on the tbird Monday io the month of Octouer, in each year.

'l'be Grand Lodge· was tben called from labor until ·2 P.

M.

AFTERNOON SESSION. T,vo

O'CLOCK P. M.

Tbe :M:.·.W.·. Grand Lodge was called to labor. Officers in tbe chairs.

The Committee on Foreigo Correspondence read their

report: M:. W: . Grand Master and Brethren: At the last Annual Communication of this Grand Louge, so much· as related to the Grand Lodge of Canada, in the Grand Master's address at that meeting, was re ferred to this committee, and we beg leave to make the following report thereon:

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

'73

Under existing circumstances, so far as your <'Ommittee have . been' able to ascertiiin them, we see no good reason to reject or refuse the overture from the Grand Lodge of Canada.. Your committee would protest against the formation of any alliance with a lvrlge or lodges under foreign power, whose political opinions differ materially from.our own, but in this case, where there is neither political nor religious reasons existing, forbidding such an alliance, your committee are willing to ac~ede to the overture of the Gran<! Lodge of Canada to the Grand Lodges of the United States, and would recooomend the adoption or the following resolution: · Resolred, That we cordially reco![nize the Independent Grant! Lodge of Canada, and exteud to that Grand Lodge the hand of fellowship.

And now, M:.\V:. Grand Master and brethren, your committee beg leave to· introlluce aud suggest to you another subject, on which action may be taken in this ·Grand I,odge, if 1leemed worthy.

Mount Vernon, the home anti grave of \Vashington, who was a worthy mason, is for sale. 'fn,o hundred thousand dollars is the sum asked for it. Now there are 300,000 masons in the United States, and the number is greatly increasing every year, and one dollar from each brother wou Id purchase that estate, and leave a large surplus fund to be disposed or :is the Gra1\d Lodge of the United ::,tates might in its decision see fit.

Should this be done, your committee wonld suggest., that Mount Vernon be made a grand National Masonic College, to which coul<l resort the sons of masons from all sections of the Union, and there at the shrine and tomb of the Father of our Country, enkindle anti keep alive, in all their brightness, the fires of patriotism and love of our common parentage and herit,age.

All of which is respectfully submitted, LEANDER KER, Chai·r man of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence.

1

The Committee on Chartered Lodges made the following report: "\Ve find upou examination that the follbwing lodges have made returns to this Grand Lodge, to-wit: Lea.venworth Lodge, No. 2; "\Vya,ndotte Lodge, Xo. 8; Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4; Atchisv11 Lodge, No. 5; Lawrence Lodge, No. 6. · • We find them all correct and re<;ommend their reception by the Grand Lodge.

Frnt-crnally submitted, LEANDER KEH, W l\L L. J\'.lcNI ATH, BEV. BECK. · Committee.

74

Proceedings of the

Brother DAVID CLARKSON offered the following resolutiol!, which was adopted: NP.~olvF.d, Tlmt the sum of $-50 be donated by this Grand l,odge to Bro. C 11 A1<LES 1\J.u:-DEE for his scrl'ic:es as G r:1nd Scc:r<::tary during tbe· past masonic year, and thnt the i.\l::W:.Grancl Master draw an or<ler on, tbe Grand Treasurer for that amount. )

Brott.or C 1-1a1t1,-.; s MuNDEE n.ppropt'iu.ted said $50 us t hE;. foundation to a Chal'ity Fund ; and donated it to the Grand Lodge for that purpose.

On motion the dooa.tion. wa,s n,<;<;epted, :tnd the thanks of th is Grand Lodge tender ed to 131·0. CuAs. 1'1fo;:rn,;E. 'l 'he M.·."\V.·. Gnrnd l\faster appointed a Committee on C harity Fund, to <;onsist of Bros. · CrrAs. Mu ND:££, C. BECK anti D. CLARKSON.

'!'he Committee on Lodges U . D. oft'erecl the following 1·esolution, whi<;h was n-dopted: RPso/1:,•d, 'rlut Dchnrnl'e and 'ropclrn Loclgos, U . D., having failed to send their returns to this Grand Lodge, be continued U. D. until our next Annual Communication. '

Or. motion ·it was Resolved, 'l'hat the n ext Amrnal Grand Com111u11 ication of this Body be held at tile city of Leavenworth.

Tbe l\1.·. \V.·. Grnnd Mastel' then appointed tlie followi ng com mi ttees: On Foreign Correspondence.- B roi;. l\'I1;:s1>1,1~, S ,\Qlil anJ Kim. On Chartered Lodges.- Bros. B. BF:cK, 1\k:i\L1T11 and Woons.

On Lodges Undl'r Dispenstition.-Bros. MG~1ATII, B. BECK and ·WooJJs. On , lccounts.- Bros. :i\'fu:smm, :Mc?li,1·r11 and \\'ri,L1,u1s.

On Wa.ys and Mean.~.-Bros. S,1Qu1, C. Bl':CK and C1..,11Kso:s.

On Chcirity.- Bros. 1':.tm, Pmct: and Uoo1, n-rs.

On Appl-ications a.nd Communication.~.- Bros. ROllEl<TS, C. BEC-K ,\Ud \Voons.

On Grievances.-Bros. \V11,1,1,u1s, \V E1011nu:s and PRICE. On Educal'ion.-Bros. C1,AllKso:s, K•:n and nfcMATH. On the Condition of .Masonry.- Bros. C. BEeK, 8,1Qu1 and Bim:sT.

On motion it was Resol,,ed, To remunerate Bro. 1;;c11r:LBERR.Y with $5.00, for bis services to this Gnwd Lodge, rendered during its present session.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

75

B1·other M:cMATH offered the fo llowing resolution, which was adopted : I

. Uesolved, That tlie Committee on \Vays and Men.us be required to iuvesti6.-ate the expediency of this Grand Lodge rel)lunerating the officers and members thereof for their services :llld that said committee report at the n e:xt Communication of this Grand Lodge.

'].'bere being no ful't!rnt· business before it, t he Grand Lodge ~loscd in am pie fol'm.

RICHARD R. REES, ATTEST:

Grand .Master.

CHAS. 1\IUNDEl~, Grand Secretory.

Since the close of the regular communication, I h:1Ye appointed Bro. H. C. JusTtCE, of King Solomon Lodge, Grand Lecturer of Kansas, and require that he be recognized and respected as such.

RICHARD R. REES, . Grand Jfaster of Kansas.

76

Proceedings of the

A ESTRACT OF RETURNS FOR 1857 . .;

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,

PROCEE D INGS OF

THE

lvf: ..W :.GRA N D

LODGE

OF A. F. & A. M., OF KANSAS.

The Annual Communication of the M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free aud Accepted Masons, of Kaosa~ 'I'.crritory, was held in the City of Leavenworth ou the 18th day of October, A. D. 1858. Present: M:.W:. RICHARD R REES .................. Gtand Master.

R:. W:. J . SAQUJ.................... ............ Deput y Grand Master.

R:. W:. W~1, L. MCMATH .................... Gtand Senior Warden.

R:. W:.JoaN W. s~11Tn.................... .. Grand Junior Warden,pro tern.

R:. W:. E.T. CARR............................ G rand Treasurer, pro tem.

R:. W;. CHARLES MuNDEE .................. Grand Secretary.

R:. \V:. J.E. FLEISCmfAN ........ .......... Grand Senior Deacon, pro tem.

R:. \V:. 0. D. \,V1LCOX ·..... ........ ......... Grand Junior Deacon, pro tern.

R:. W:. PH. STRAUSS......... ............ .. .... Grand Tyler, pro tern.

The M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of Kansas was opened in the Third Degree in ample form.

The M.·.W .·. Grand Master appointed Bros. J. SAQUI, "'WM. L. McMATH and JOHN 1tV. SllirTH a Committee on Credentials, who, after consultation, made the following report: The undersigned, Committee on Credentials, report the followi ng Lodges represented, to-wit:

Smilhton Lodge, No. 1 ...... ........ Jo.HN ,v. SMITlf, p roxy for W. M. L. PRITCHARD, proxy for S. \V. L'eavenwo·rth Lodge, No. .e.. .........R T. CARR,·w. M., a nd p ro x y for J. W. ·

J.C. 8PE1'CER, proxy for 8. W.

Wyandotte Lodge, No. S. ..... ...... W . L. McMATH, W. M. . ,Jo-SN H . MILLER, s. w.

JOSEPH ROSENWALD, J. W.

78

Proceedings of the

Wadhinglon Lodge, No. 5............ J. SAQUI, W. M., and proxy for S. W. 0. D. W11.cox, J. W. Lawrence Lodge, No. 6 .. ..... ...... C. HoR:-.sov, \V. M. J.E. Fu:rs<.;mrAN, proxy for 8. ,v.

C. H. BRANS<.;Olrn, proxy for J. W. l'raternally submitted, J. SAQUI, W. L. Mei\! ATH, J. W.SMITH, Committee.·

Th e Grand Lodge of Kr~nsas was then ca.lied from labor· until 2 P. u.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

.

rrwo

O'Cf,OCK P. M .

The Grand Lodge of K:i.nsas wa.s called to labor by the M.•.

W. ·. Grand ~foster. Gnind Officers a.t their several stntions.

1'he Committee on Credentials made an additional report, to the effect tbat tbe followi ug lodges are represent ed, viz: Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4 .. ....... ..... Joh:-. ,v. Fnef:r,ANO, .T. W. Shcwmee Lodge, No. 9 • .............. I. N. ROBERTS, W. M.,and proxy forS. W.

'.l'hey also report present the following delegates •from lodges U. D.: Ottumewa LodgP-, U. D .......... ...... JOHN 1'. Cox, W. M. · M. E. GRIMES, J. W. King Solomon Lodge, U. D ......... H. C. JusT,cE, W. M:.

GEo. A. Eoov, J. W. Tecumseh Lodge, U. D ......... ...... J. ANDERSON.

l\'L C.

BREWSTER.

Lecompton Lodge, U. D .. ............ J.M. PELOT, J. W. Oskaloosci Lodge, U. D ............... FRANK F1'NcH, W. M:.

rrbe M.·.W.·. Grand Mastel' cleclai·ecl a qnornm present for tbe transaction of business. 'l'be .M:.·.'W.·. Grand Master then delivered the following .

ADDRESS: i\1 v

BROTH•:RS :-Another

year bas rolled its ample round with all

its crowding incidents, while life and death, so strangely commingling in the progress of time, have impressed us still more forcibly with the fearful uncertainty of human existence. We still cling to the frail . thread which binds us to earth, forgetful, amid the busy scenes arouild. ·

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

79

tis, bow soon we may be summoned t-0 appear before the bar of Gon; then let us hee<l the warning: "Be ye ready when the hour shall come."

In this progressive age our honored Order has been going forward at a rapid pace. A little more than two yenrs since we launched our slender bnrk upon the turbid stream; three lo<l_ges then comprii-ed our strength; we now have twenty in the field of operation. But whether this progression argues strength or weakness, time 01U\t yet determine.

I cannot now congratuh1te the Order, until l know ttie quarries from which the stones are gathered, until the specimens are tested in the p u rifying fires, until they shall have passed the nverseer's scrutiny.

Our success is never proved by numbers, but the quality bespeaks the character, and when I glance at the long list of masons in• Amerjca, I sometimes tremble at the thought, that many a Juo,1s may be there, who would sell his master for a paltry price. .Blessed with peace and qniet throughout our jurisdiction, so recently disturbed by civil discord, we should praise the Go<l of Peace for all his mercies, and renew our labors with redoubled energy.

Since our last Communication, I have beeu informed of the death of Bro. Tttos. L. B.RENT, a mE:mber of this Grand Lodge. Such, my brothers, is the common lot of us all," in the midst of li(e, we are in death," and I repeat the words which I used at the opening of this address," let us heed the warning." [ now, my brethren, propose to lay before you such suggestions as occur to me in reference to our duty. First, and always most impor tant,.is the education of our youth, and this should be a portion of my · theme, were I to speak to you a thousand times. Though young in years, our strength may now be deemed sufficient to commence, if we but lay the corner stone of some digested plan, which may result in ripening fruits hereafter. I ask you ~10t to build academies or colleges - experience has proven that this is not onr sphere-a child can learn as well in unhewn cabins as in richly furnished halls; then let l!lS have some plan of how the schools where chi)dren may be taught, w ithout distinction, whether they ue poor or rich. I propose that ever y lodge establish, or assist in starting, some character of school, within its neighborhood, and let their funds be doing something towards the improvement of our race.

There is, among our brethren, an increased desire for correct masonic learning, and uniformity of" work. We should adopt some plan by which such knowledge can be spread \dth uniformity. Siuce our last Communicat.ion, I appointed Bro. H. C. Jusn<:t;, of King Solomon Lodge, U. D., the Grand Lecturer for this jurisdiction. Before I ventu red to do so, I examined him upon the work and lectures, and I found him qualified to act, and, as I then supposed, the best selection I could make. But, scattered as our lodges are, it is not to be expected that one Lecturer can visit all without a compensation for his time, anrl this we have not yet the means to give. I, therefore, commend this suhject to your consideration.

There has been no additional volumes of the "Library" received si nee the last Communication. Why it is, I am not aware, as the thirty volumes have been paid for-the full amount of our subscription having been forwarded to Bro. :MORRIS. The subject of appointing representatives near the sister G rand Lodges, is before you r Committee on Foreign Correspondence, and I _hope to hear from them a favorable report upon t h e proposition. ·whatever is social must well befit a mason.

80

Proceedings of the

The subject of non-affiliated masons has claimed attention in nearly all th e jurisdictions, and has assu med importancti far beyond l he mer11enary question of a mason's lodge dues. In the position which I shall now assume, I must stand opposed i.o most of the G rand Lodges of America, and perhaps a large majority of t he mnsons present. So be it.

I must speak the truth, though I might sbtnd alone in doing so. I hold that every mason ought to b1! a. member of a lodge, and while he has abi lity, assist, bY. contribution, to relieve the wants of others, an<l he who stands aloof and looks on coldly at thP. struggles incident to life, 11or adrls some portion to the common fund allotted to relief, sh ould ne,·er be a mason; he is a stone unfitted for the building, and would always mar the beauty of our noble edifice. Then let him come of h is own free volition, or stay away, and moulder in his own inglorious apathy-strike not a blow which cuts with double edge and blasts some flower with every noxious weed it withers. The laws which ostracise the 11011-aOil[ated, may reach a fungus and remo\ e a vile excrescence, but they sometimes reach the purest jewels of our Order .

Shall the old anrl time-worn mason - who has passed his three-score years, and one who has been, for fifty years, an active member of the Order, dispensing charity on every hand, zealous, throu~hout h•s li re, in every duty of a Mason; officiating as a member of a lodge, imparting lessons to th e young, and laboring in the cause of virtue, when trembling on his staff, his vision dimmed, standing, with hoary locks, upon the verge of tirne, the grave.just gapin~ to receive its victim - in pover ty, deptindent on the charity or friends o r children £or life's necessities, but with the pri<ie of earlier years burning in his bosom be told that·he must pay his annual dues, retain his name \lpon registry, or be disgraced, and die neglected bY. t hat band of brothers, by whoi;e sick bed he had often sat and ministered. Oh, heaven forbid that such a stain should ever rest upon tbe bright escutcheon of our honored cause. For many years he has fondly cherished the pleasing hope, as be has stood beside the bier of Rome dear "friend departed, and seen the solemn ceremonial, that when life, with all its cares was over, bis memory would be respected too, a~id bis body borne by masons to the cold and silent grave. 'l'hen, will vou blast his cherished hopes, ancl let him die neglected, followed by tbe few remaining friends thnt poverty hai; left him, to bis final home, forgetful of h is many kindly offices to vou, or force him to divide his scauty portion witb the Lodge, or appear· a s11ppliant to ask, in charity, remiss10n of bis dues? I proclaim a~ain, tbnt all the legislation on this subject is but fra ught with mischier. But, if· legislation urnst be bad, in the nawe of cbarit.y, of virtue, and of peace, and for tbe honor of masonry, let it not reach to the r ites of ruuson ic b u rial.. Save tbe unoffending widow and orphans of the old and indigcut, but worthv mason, from tbe melancholy morti6catiou of seeing the husband and the fathe r pass neglected to the tomb. I hope to live nncl d ie a member of a locl~e, but me, nor you,. n~r none of us, can tell when penury and want may force us to the wort-1fy1ng acknowledgment of inability to pay our ,mnual clues.

I unhesitatingly proclaim the right of every mason to withdraw from his affiliation. with a lodge, ,~benever be may please, if b e be worthy, free from charges, and not 1ndebted to the lodge; nnd I t;Onceive nll le~islatiou wbicb shall tend to ostracize a ruuson on account of non-affiliation _to be in violation of ancient usages, in derogation of masonic rights, and as tending to modernize our ancient Institution. I regard the great distinctive mnr k between this and every other order or association to be, that" once a mason, always so;" and t.hougb expulsion or suspension will preclude communion with a mason, a nd correctly so, yet until conviction and expulsion or suspension, he remains a b rother,_ 1

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

81

and can clairo the social benefits of masonry, e,·en though be way not be wortby of assistance, for this the mason or the lodge must deter1uine, when be makes h is application for relief. When he unites himself with a. lodge, be roust obey its laws and disobedieoce may subject him to even the extremest penalty of expulsion; nor having once become amennble, cnn be relieve himself by a dimit. while under chnrges. It is true that a non-nffiliated mason, for a violation of the general laws of masonry or for unmasonic conduct, ma.y be den.It with, and ought to be expelled; but the mere conventional regulations of a. lodge ean apply t.o it.5 own members only, and not to the various branches of the great fa1 nily of the descendants of the ancient Giblemites, who are without the confines of the lod~e. I nsk these advocates of ostracism, when atfiliatiou first begnn? \Vere there lodges in tbe clays of REHOUOAM? None that I have read of, none tbat our traditiou speaks of; but the first Gr:md Lodge that I am aware of was at York, in England, in A. D. 920, fot·med not by delegates from. lo<lges, but by the nssemblage of masons in their 11norganb1ecl capacity; and yet the history of masonry runs back two thousirnd years and more beyond that period. Are all these masons then, who lived from the completion of the temple to the convocation at the Uity o-f Y9rk, unworthy of the name of masoms'? Sball we pronounce them clanclestine, and blast tbeir names witb infamy, because tbey were not members of a lodge?

Oh! save this time-worn Institution which stands on the expansive p latform of tbe world; embracing in its fold all nations, tongues and kindred, and all the varied sects of earth from such unholy bigotry.

In my annual message before the last, I alluded to the subject of tl.J.c side degrees, assuming then, as I do now, that they were innocent embellishments of masonry, co11stituting no part or parcel of our Order.

I only uow allude to them again because I have been charged with favoring the largest liberty, and the wearing of whatever ornament.<, might strike the fancy of the Craft. Such never were my sentiments; I ever must condemn tbe practice of advertising by golden kevstones, squares and compasses, the mystic letter or the triple tan; it is' enot1gh that we can know each other, nor does it rnatter if tbe world should never find us out. Too much has been exhibited, and too much written of our inner chambers, encouraging a wnnt of caution. Let us, thl:)ti, adhere to secrecy and circuwspectiou.

I perceive that wy allusion heretofore to a universal organism 9f the Craft bas elicited tbe criticism of some distinJ:iuished brothers. '.l.'be worthy chairman of the Committee on .Foreign ~orrespondence of l\'lissouri bas exb.ibitecl a degree of wit, whicb would ,veil do honor to his nitth·e isle, bad he not forgotten that wit and wiue are better suited to convivial r:rowds, where BAccnus holds command, than in a dignified review of t.b.e suggestions of the Chief Executive of a sister jurisdiction. I had re,\son to anticipate a more respectful notice from that quarter; yet while I deem this vein of ill-timed humor out of place, both in Missouri an.cl California, it has detracted nothing from the high esteem in which I h old the brothers, and I gave them these kind words of counsel, that truth can never be repulsed w.i tb wit. And permit me here tQ reiterate not only tbe entire plausibility of the universal organism, but that. time and reflection have more tborou~hly convinced me that the scheme is fully practicable, and tbi\t it would result in tbe benefits to the Craft of inconceivable mugnitncle, anrl that the time will come wb.en the sneers of those whose conceptions are contmcted within tbe limits of a State will weigh but little against its consummation. It is strange that we are told that politics must never be discussed witbin our halls, and yet that go-vernmental lines must bound our organism.

During tbe recess I received a communication from Leaven worth

. 82

Proceedings of the

Lodge, No. 2, in relation to the interference with our JurisdicUon by I forwarded the communication to the Grand Master of Missouri. and I learn that it was laid before his Grand Lodge. Tbat lodge, I aw inclined to believe, did not intend to trespass upon us, and I would recommend a charitable forbearance.

Since the last Communication, I have granted dispensations to several new lodges. · .

King 8olomon Lodge, at the city of L eavenworth; Lafayette Lodge, at Manhattan; Emporia Lodge, at Emporia; Oskaloosa Lodge, at Oskaloosa; Elk Creek Lodge, at Elk City; Paris Lodge, at Paris; Ottumewa Lodge, at Ottumewa.

And upqn the final demise of Geary Lodge, at Lecompton, I granted .a dispensation for Lecompton Lodge. .

These lodges, together ~itb all the lodg~s in the Territory, so far as I have learned, are working in peace and amity, and are disposed to disseminate the genuine pri11ciples of masonry. I have been informed l1owever, that some lodges are working in insecure buildings. This may be· expected, to some extent, from the inconvenience of a new country; but the proper precaution must be taken to ·preserve the secrecy of our work. It were better that a new lodge should close its laborn, than that they should endanger the Ordel'. by even a probable or possible exposure; I hope, therefore, that the proper committee will fully investigate this subject. · And now, my brothers, I have submitted to you all that I deem important. I hope that our labors may be conducted in harmony, and that each member way be imbued more fully with a sense of the high duties an<l responsibility which rests upon him, and that when we shall have retired to our several homes we may feel a renewed obligation resting upon us: "t.o do good unto all, but more especially to the household of the faithful."

You have honored me with an elevation to the high position of Grand Master for three ~ul:cessive terms, for wbich you have my lasting gratitude, and I hope that the ma·oue of authority may fall on some other member of this Grand Lodge. I have been an active mason for sixteen years, the most of that ti me working in some official capacity, and as I ham pa~ed the summit of life, and am traveling upon its declivity, I wish to cease my masonic labors, so far as <>fficial duties are concerned, and henceforth to walk in the humbler sphere of a private member of a lodge. :Fraternally, R. R. REES. a foreign lodge.

f

On motion, tl1e following resolution: «That__the address of the M.·.W.·. Grand Master be referred to a special committee, to report on a proper apportionment of its various subject~," was adopted, and Bros. SMITH, McMATli and CARR were appointed as such commit~ee. 'rhe M.·."W.·.' Grand Master appointed the following committees: Unjinfahed Business.- Bros. ROBERTS, FREELAND, HORNSBY. CliarterPd Lodges.-Bros. :F1,E1SCEIMAN, RosENWALD, PRITCHARD. Lodges Under Dispensati.on.-Bros. SAQu1, S~HTB, CARR. Accounts.-Bros. Mu1meE; WcLCo:x, J\foMATH: Ways and ..ilfeans.-Bros. M:cl\:1AT11, SMITH, HORNSBY.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

83

Charity.- Bros. BEv. BECK, CARR, ·wILCOX. Applications.-Bros. CARR, FREELAND, SM1TH. Grievances.-Bros. SmTJ-1, FLEISCHMAN, ROBERTS. Condition of Afasonry.- "Bros. JusTICE, Cox, PEl,OT. Foreign Correspondence.- Bros. MuN DEE, HoRNSnY, CARR. Ed·ucation.-B_ros. 1\1.<.:MATff, PeLoT, FINCH.

The Grand Secretary then made his report: To the 1lf:. W:. Grand Lodge of K<bfl8flS: Agreeable to the rules and customs, it becomes my duty to make to you a report of my official acts, during the masonic year just passed; but after hearing the M:.W: . Grand Master's address, and reading the report 6f the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, I cannot conceive what reiuains for me, but a statement of the financial affairs of your Grand Lodge. 'fhe Grand '.rreasurer,· etected at our last Annual Communication, having left this place without filing the· usual bond with the Grand Secretary, the Past Grand Treasurer, Bro. BEv. .BECK. turned over to me the balance in his hands, as per his report of a. p., which amounted to $145.29.

Since the close of this Grand Lodge, I have further received: For dues ............................................................ .... :.... ........$ 91 00 For Charters granted last session ................... .... ......... ...... ...... 20 00 For dispensations granted du ring the year ....................... ... .. ... 160 00 'l'he expenses, as enumerated in the annexed !!CCount, amount to $l 71; which leaves a balance of $245.29 in my hands, to be turned over to your Grand Treasurer.

Besides the Proceedings of the most of the Grand Lodges of the United States, of which the Committee on Foreign Correspondence will present you their report, I have received numerous documents, letters, circulars, etc., such of which require any action by this Grand Lodge, I will present for your consideration during this session; all others ·r have filed under their appropriate heads.

84

Proceedings of the FINANCIAL REPORT.

CJJARLES MuNOEE,

Grand Secretary, In account with the

GRAND

LonoE OF

KANSAS.

UECEIPTS,

To balance received from Past Grand Treasurer ......... :....... : ......$145 Leavenworth Lodge, No. 2, Dues ........ .......... ...................... .-.... 3::l Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3, Dues................................................. 12 Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4, Dues............ ...... ... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. ......... J 5 1

29 00 00 00

Washington Lodge, No. 5, Dues....................... ... .... ...... .........

11 00

Lawrence Lodge, No. 6, Dues ................................ :. ......... ......

Union Lodge, No. 7, Charter. ................... . ............ ..... ...... ......

Shawnee Lodge, No. 9, Charter............................ .......... .........

Paris Lodge, U. D., Dispensation ............................ :......... .. ... ...

Oskaloosa Lo<lg~, U. D., Dispensation.......................................

Lafayett~ Lodge, U. D., Dispensation........................................

King Solomon Lodge, U. D., Dispensation.................................

Lecompton Lodge, U. D., Dispensation......................................

Emporia Lodge, l;r. D., Dispensation.................................... ....

Ottumewa Lodge, U. D., Dispensation.............. .........................

Elk Creek Lodl,l;e, U. D., Dispensation ..... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...

20 00 JO 00 10 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 ~O 00

Total. ..........................................................................$416 29

.,.

l)ISllUUSKMEN1'S,

By Printing Proceedings for 1855 ................................. ...........$ 47

By Printing Proceedings for 1857...... ... ...... ... ... ......... ......... .. ... 45

By Grand Secretary............... . ................................................ 50

By Grand Tvler ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ...... ...

5

By Postage, ·stationery, etc... ............ .............. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 23

By Balance on hand ........... ; . .. ... .......................... .................. 246

00 50 00 00 50 29

Total ... .......................... . ......... .............. , .....................$416' 29 Fraternally submitted, ·cHARLES MUNDEE Grand &cretdry.

The report and account were received and refened to the Committtee on Accounts.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence, then made their report, which was adopted, and ordered to be printed with the Proceedings of this Grand Lodge.

The Committee on Chartered Lodges, made the following report, which was adopted: T<i the .bf.·. W:. Grand Lodge of Kamas: Your committee beg leave to submit the following: \Ve find upon examination that the following lodges have made returns to this Grand Lodge: Smithton, No. 1; Leavenworth, No. 2; Wyandotte, No. 3; Kickapoo, No. 4; Washington, No. 5; Lawrence, No. 6; Shawnee, No. 9.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

85

We find them all correct, and recommend their reception by this Grand Lodge.

Union Lodge/' No. 7. and Bourb on Lodge, No. 8, have failed to transmit their returns.

Fraternally submitted, J. E. FLEISCHMAN, J OS. ROSENW ALO, LABAN P RITCHARD, Committee.

Tbe Com.mittee ou Lodges 13. D. , made tbe foHowing report: To the M: . W:. Grand Lodge of K<msas : We, the Comm ittee on Lodges U. D., beg le.ave to report, ·that on · . close examination of t he proceedings of the followi ng lodges, to-wit: K ing Solomon, Ottumewa, Emporia, Let:ompton, Oskaloosa and Tecumseh, we find them cor rect, and recommend t hat charters be granted them.

F raternally submitted, .T. SAQUI, E.T. CARR, Committee.

W hich was adopted, a nd t he charters issued aud enrolled on t he books of the Grand Lodge, with tbe numbers as follows: Ring Solomon, No. 10; Ottumewa, No. 11; Emporia, No. 12; L ecompton, No. 13; Osk aloosa, No.. 14; T ecumseh, No. 15.

T he Committee .on Accounts, r eport the correctness of t he accounts of the Grand Secr etary. Adopted.

On motion Resolved, That t h e Grand Lodge go into the election of officers for the e nsuing yea,r, at 10 A . u ., to-morrow.

On rnotionResolved, That representatives from Lodges U. D., to whom charters . have been granted, are permitted to seats and to participate in the wor k of this Grand Lodge.

A.

T he Grand Lodge wa.s then called from labor until 9 o'clock M., to-morro\v.

•'Since th e close of the Grand Lodge, I haye received returns from Unloo Lodge,

No. i, aod find them correct.

CHAS. M UN DEE, Gr and Secre_(af'JI.

86

Proceedings of the MORNING SESSION.

19th, 9 0 CLOCK, A. J\I. 'l'be M.· . W.·.Graud Lodge was called to· labor. Officers in the chairs as :1bove. 'l'he Committee ou Ways n,ncl Means, made tbe following ·r epot·t: OCTOBER

1

To the M:. W:. Grand Lodge of Kansas : Yonr Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred, at the last Annual Grand Communication, the resolution to inquire into the expediency of remunerating the Grand Officers, submit the following report: Upon the exa111ination of the financial condition of the Grand Lodge, they deem it inexpedient to remunerate the officers of the Grand Lodge of the present session. }'ratnnally submitted, J. SAQUI, J. W. SMITH, Committee.

Whieh was adopted; 1rnd on motion , the same subject was

again referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, to report thereon at the next Annual Communication.

Tho Committee on the "Appoetioument of the Grand Master's Address," made tbe following report·: To ihe l,f:. W:. Grand Lodge of KtJ,n.'la/3 : Your committee, appointed to apportion the various subjects of the Grand Master's address, beg leave to reconunend the ·adoption of the following, to-wit: ReRol1:ed, 'J.'hat so much of the Grand Master's address as relates to the subject. of "education," b e referred to the Committee on Edue~t tiori; so much ns relates to the "condition of masonry," and the "uniformity of the work" of the sa01e, to the Committee on Condition of Masonry; that portion of the a ddress which alludes to" non-affiliated masons," to the same committee; that portion which relates to the" side degrees," to the same committee; that portiou in relation to a "universal orgnnization of the Craft.," to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, and the residue to ,i se.lect committee.

Fraternttlly submitted, JOHN W. SMITH, WM. L. M'cMATH, E.T. CARH.,

Committee.

Which was adopted, and Bro. JUSTICE, Cox and appointed such select committee.

HORNSBY

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

8.7

The hour a-ppointed for the election of officers having arrived, the Grand Lodge proceeded to that duty, n.od t he following officers weee duly elected for the ensuing year: l\'I:.W:. R1cHA1rn R. Rims .............. .......... .... .......Grand Master.

R:. \V:. J. SAQUI .......................................... .....Deputy Grand Master.

R:. W:. \V. C. HoR:-.:s11Y ......................................Grand Senior Warden.

R:. \V:. Jo11.:-- \V. 8)11'T11 ........................ ..............Graricl Junior Warden.

R:. W:. C11,1RL11s l\in,1H:i, ........ ............. .. .......... Grand Secretary.

R:. W:. C1rn. BECK .............................................Grauel Treasurer.

On motion it wasResolvtd, That the next Annual Grand Communication of this Body

be held at Lawrence.

The Grand Lodge ,~,as then called from labor until 2:30 P. M.

A.J?TE.RNOON SESSION. HAU'-PAS'.l' '.('WO o'cr,OCK P. i"lf.

The M.·. "\Y.· .. Grnnd Lodge of Kansas, was called to labor.

Grand Officers at their several stations.

The M.·. W.·. Grnnd Master appointod the following officers for the ensuing year: W:. H. C. JusncE......................................... Grand Lecturer.

W: . .J. N. PELO'l' ........ ............. .......................Grand Orator. \V:. T. G. Tmt1nL1, ....................... .".................Grand Chaplain. \V:. NA'TIIA:X TAYLOH ............ .................... ...... Grand Chaplain.

W:. D. C. O'HowELL .................................... Grnnd Chaplain. "\\':. D.CL,\HKSO~ ................................... ....... Grancl Chaplain.

W:. \V,1. BARRETT.: .......................... ... . ........ Grand Chaplain.· \V:. :F. M. \V11,1,IA)ts ................................. .....Grancl Chaplain.

W:. Jos. L. WwHnrA~ .................................. Gra.u d Senior Deacon. ·w.-. Jxo. "'· Fm,J-:,rAN .............. ........ .. ...........Grand Junior Deacou.

W:. N. B. Ho1'1>WELr, ..................................... Grand Steward.

W:. B. L1T-r1,1-; .............................................. Grand Steward.

W:. C . V. Esi;:nmGE ...................................... Grand Sword Bearer .

W:. W. Y . Ror.:F.HTS................ .. ............... ...... Grand i\farsbal.

W:. C. V. KDIBAl, r, .......................... ............. Grand 'l'yle~..

All the officers were then installed.

The following resolution was preseuted by R.·. W.·. Bro. J. SAQUI, and referred to the Committee on t he Condition of :Masonry:

88

Proceedings of the

That the M:. \V:. Grand llfoster shall appoint some brother, nuder this jurisdiction, to go to some competent Grand L ecturer on masonry, and obt.'lin the lectures of the sym holie degrees, according to Ancient Craft masonry, for the purpose of establishing uniformit,y of the work in this T erritory. That this Grand Lodge ')ppropriate - - dollars to defray the expenses of the same. That the said brother shall go to such lecturer on masonry as the Grnnd Master may designate, and as soon as his design is accomplii;bed, return and visit all the .lodges under this jurisdictiou, a nd inst-rnct t-hem in the work, :is h e h:1s received it; and be shall receive such compens:ition us this Grand J;,odge u:wy d esignate.

To the sn.me _committee wn.s also referred tbe following: That the M::. W:. Grand Master appoint a committee of five, wbo sh all constitute the" Custodians of the Work," and who shall report to this Grnncl Lodge the work which may t.o them seem to be the ancient and true work, all(l that, i;hould the Grand Lodge accept the work so reported, it shall .be the only work promulgated by the Grnnd Lecturer to the subordinate Lodges under this jurisdiction.

On motion Resolved, That Smithton Lodge, No. 1, be located at Iowa Point, to be their permanent place of meeting, and be so inserted in their charter.

Ou motionR .,so/-vr·d, That uo petition fo-r the degrees of masonry shall be received by .my lodge under this jurisdiction, unless t-he petitioner shall have rei,i<"lccl one year within the Territory of Kausas, and within the jurisclicti<Jn of the lodge be petitions, at least six months.

On motionR.eso'vr.d, Tliat the Constitutiou and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge be referred to 11 comlllittee for re,·ision, and tbat this con.1mittec report at the ~ext regular Communication of the Grauel Lodge.

The .M.·. ·w.•. Grnnd Master appointed Bros. E. T . and J. H. MrLtER such committee.

On motion-

CARR,

C.

HORNSBY

ReBolued, 'l.'hat the regular Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Kansas be held on the third Tuesday in October annunlly.

On motionResolved, That Delaware Lodge, U. D., having failed to send its returns to this Grand Lodge, be, and is hereb~·. clist:ontinued, an<l that it be instructed to surrencller its dispensation to the Grand Secretary within thirty days, unless they can give Ratisfactory explanation for their n eglect.

The Grand Lodge was then called from la.bar until 8 to-morrow.

A. M.

89

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

MORNING SESSTON OcTODER

20th, 8 o'clock,

The M.·.W.·. Grana Lodge was called to labor.

A.

~r.

Grand Offi-

cer$ in tbeir staLions.

On motionRPsolved, That the R:.'\V:. Grand Secretary he required to cause to be printed, in pamphlet form, four hundred copies of the Proceedings of the present Communication, as soon as possible after the close of this Grand Lodge, and that two copies of the same be distributed by the Grand Secretary to each of the Grand and Past Grand Officers and present members o·f tlJis Grand Lodge.

Oo motion - .

Resolved, That the dispensations of such lodges U. D., who have not made returns to this Grand Lodge, may be continued in the discretion of the M :. W:. Grand Master, by endorsement on their dispensations, they showing, at any time within ninety days from this date, that they have not~been intentionally in default. · ·

On motionReRolved, That it is competent for a subordinate lodge to assess a tax against non-affiliated masons resirling within their ju.ris<lit.:tion, an<l to enforce the payment thereof by exdusion or suspension; Provided, No man shall be deemed non-affiliated who holds membership under the jurisdiction of any other Grand Lo,ige; nor can the effects of any imch exclusion or suspension extend b~yond the life of any Sltch mason over the age of sixty years, or who shall be unable to pay, be subject to such tax.

On motion Resol-ved, That Sec. 2, of Art. I, or the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, be so amended as that a representation of one-half of the chartered lodges under this jurisdiction, instead of two-thirds shall constitute a quorum .

On motionResolvPd, That in the charter of Oskaloosa Lodge, No. 14, the name of I SAAC N&waouse shall be inserted as Junior Warden of said lodge, in place of JESSE New ELL, who was appointed to that office in the dispenRation.

Th~ Committee on the" Condition of Masonry'' made the following reporL: To the M:. W:. Grand Muster, Grand 0,(ficers and ltfembers of the Grand Lodge of Kansas: The Committee on the "Condition of. Masonry," to whom was referred so much of the Grand Master's address as alludes to the uniformity of the work, beg leave most respectfully to report that the subject can be amply provided for by the adoption of the following resolutions, which the committee recommend, to-wit:

90

Proceedings of the

Resolved, That the M:. W:. Grand ·Master appoint a standing committee of five, of whom himself and the Grand Lecturer shall constitute members, who shall be the" Custodians of the Work," and who shall report to the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication succeeding the one at ·which they were appointeu, that which may, to them, seem to be the true and ancient work.

Resolved, 'fhat should the Grand Lodge accept the work so reported, it shall be the onlv work promnlgated by the Grand Lecturer to the subordinate lodges: Res()li-ed, That for the better tixecution of the duties of the Custodians of the Worlc, the Grand Lecturer be instructed to visit such Grand Lodges, and to confer with such Grand Lecturers of sister States as he may find expedient, and that the sum of $100 be appropriated out of the treasury for the p ayment of the Grand Lecturer's expenses.

In relation to that portion of the Grand Master's address which refers to non-affiliated masons, the committee do not deem it expedient to report, as the Grand Lodge has already acted in the premises.

Fraternally submitted, H. C. JUSTICE, JNO. T. COX, J.M. PELOT, Committee.

The repo1·t was 1·eceived; on motion, tbe resolutions adopted, and Bros. PELOT, SAQUI and HORNSBY appointed to c:omplete the number of five, as required by second r esolu t ion of the

foregoing report.

On motionResolved, That in consideration of the valuable services, to this Grand Lodge , of our ii:.W:. Grand Master, RrCHARD R. REES, for the last four years, the sum of fifty dollars be appropriated out of the Grand Treasury, for the purpose of purchasing for him a suitable golden jewel, as a token of esteem and respect, and that a committee of three be appointed to procure arid present the same at the next Annual Communication . .Which was adopted, and Bros. MuNDEE, JusTICE aud SM(TTI, appointed sncb committee.

On motionResolned, That all business left unfinished at this session be re"ferred to the Committee on Unfinished .Business, they to report at the next Annual Communication.

Tbe M.·.W.·. Gra·od Master confirmed all the committees appointed after tbe· opening of th is Grand Lodge, to stand soappointed fo1· the ensuing year.

On motion·Resolved, That a vote of thanks be ttlndered by this Grand Lodgt>,

to R:.,V:. Bro. CHAS. Mu:-:oEE, for his services as Grand Secretary during the· last three years.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

91

On motionResolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered by this Grand Lodge, to Leavenworth_Lo<lie, No. 2, I. 0. 0.

Leavenworth Lodge, No. 2, A. F. and A. :M:., King .::iolomon Lodge, No. 10, A. F. and A. M ., and Leavenworth Chapter, U. D., R. A. M., for the use of their hall during the prei;ent session of this Grand Lodge .

f-,

There being no fort.her business before it, the Gnind Lodge closed in ample fo1·m .

Attest: CHAS. MUNDEE, Grand Secretary.

RICH A.RD R. REES, Grand Master.

92

Proceedings of the

MEM BERS OF TH E GRAND L ODGE OF KANSAS, FOR THE YEAR 1858. .

M: .W:.

R rcHARD

U.

REES .. ••••.........•• •. ••.• . •.. G rarid

Master .

R:. W:.J. S,,qu1. ...... ........ . ........ ..... ."...... .. .Deputy Grand Master.

R:. W.·. W. C. H oR:-snv ................ .. ...... .....G ra nd Senior Warden.

R:. \V:.JoHN W. SmT H .... . . ... . ....... ........ .... Grand J u nior ,varden.

R:. W : . C H A RI.ES 'MUNDEE... .. ..... . .. . ...... ...... Grand Secretary.

R:. W:. Cn R. B1o:cK............ ..... .................. ... G ra nd Treasurer.

R :. W :. MAT'l'HF.W R. ,vAl.KER . . ...... ......... . . . Past Grand Sen ior Warden.

R.:·. W : . Cvnus GARRETT........... ..................Past Grand Senior Warden .

R:. W:. W ~1. L. 1\foMATH ......... ................. Past G rand Senior Warden .

R:. Vv".· . DAN. VANnERSJ,ICE....... . . . ... . .......... P ast Grand J unior Warden.

R:. \V:. BEv. Bi,:cK......... ................. .-......... P ast Grand Treasurer .

R:. W: I. N. RonirnTs.................................Past Grand Treasurer.

And the Worshipful Ma.sters, Senior and Ju nior Wardens of the lodges u nder this jurisdiction for t he cur ren t year.

ABSTRACT OF RETURNS FOR 1858. .;

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-- - - - ······· 41 $20

....... ....... .......

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2

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72 36 20

...... ······ · ....... ....... 31 51 ··•···· ....... 2 ,

]

36 18 10 15 25 9

50

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19 50 8 9 ....... . ...... ....... ......... ......... ...... ······· ········ ······· ········· H 4 ....... 2 ....... ....... ....... 10 5 00 4

-- -- --- -- - -3S

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94

<1 No return recch·erl.

75

69

28

24

113 -- -

-

3

-280-

140 00

REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE.

1

To the J;f:. W:. Grand L odge of Kansas: For the first time, my brethren, I appear before you as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Corre!!pondence; and as such I am called upon to present to you the report of said committee. In looking over the Proceedings of the Grand Lodges, below enumerated, I find that almost every Committee on Foreign Correspondence enter into· their report with a preliminary apology of the shortness of their work, the insufficient capacity of their members, or tbe inability of attending to their duties as properly as they would wish to do, beiag prevented-from 1oing so by one reason or another. Admiring the modesty of some, and not doubting the veracity of those whose ex·cuses show that business, sickness, or other circumstances iaterfered with their duties, as a committee, still, it seems to me, that it has now become a custom that such a report should, eo ipse, begin with an excuse. .But if it is necessary for A.G. ABELL, of California, to say, " he prepared his report as his humble abilitit!il enabled him," or for G. A. Sc1-1wAnZMAN, of the District of Columbia, that" be throws himself on the indulgence of his brethren," or for E. G. STORER, of Connecticut, and others-some of the brightest stars on the masonic horizon - if it is necessary for them, I say, to bring before the members of their different lodges, their plea of inability, etc., what shall I say? A novice in the art of masonry, as well as of writing; a probationer appearing before a host of probators. Indeed, as reluctantly I enter the field, where MACKAY, Kum, O'SULLIVAN and other luminaries, have shed their lights for the enjoyment and instruction of those who read their reports; as aversely I recei vetl the appointment of chairman of this committee, and would have declined the honor, from the knowledge of my inability, but for the masonic rule: "To obey our superiors, and to comply with all duties imposed upon us as masons."

But I hope that at this, our present Communication, the M:.,v:. Grand Master will appoint a brother more experienced, and with better qualifications, in every respect, than your humble reporter. Again, rny brothers, I would not make such a long preface to my short report, if my work had to undergo your criticism and tb~t of the lodges under this jurisdiction alone; but coming, as I suppose it will, under the scrutinizing eye of h und.reds of others, not all of whom are ready to "take the will for the deed," but who expect that our young, inexperienced Grand Lodge shall furnish like material for instruction as the oldest of them, and if they do not find what they look for, use their sarcasm, as

94

Proceedings of the

some committees have done in their report on our fi rst aod second meetings. I repeat, that, with great rel uctance, I enter upon the d ischarge of my duties; and here, at ooce, I will state, that I shall omit all private rema~ks on the proceedings of other Grand Lodges; that I will not recommend the adoption of any resolutions, which are now pending before the_ several Grand Lodges of the United States, but will earnestly request you to" stay at home" until we get stronger and more enlightened. Let us attend to the work in our Territory, and remain lookerson of _what the others do. 'l'he Proceetlings of the following Grand Lodges have been received, to-wit: ALABAMA, MISSOURI, CALIFORNIA,

NEBRASKA,

CONNECTICUT,

NEW

DELAWARE,

NEW

HAMPSHIRE, JERSEY,

D1sTRICT o~· CoLUl\1BIA1

NORTH CAROLIKA,

FLORIDA,

Oum,

GEORGIA,

SOUTH CAROLINA,

ILLINOIS,

TENNESSEE,

INDIANA,

'l'.EXAS,

J,OUJSIAN A,

VERMONT,

MAINE,

VtRGINIA,

MINNESO'l'A,

"\V1SCONSIN.

MISSISSJP j•J,

And your committee beg leave to present to you ~he following extracts therefrom : ALABAMA. The annual communication of this Gr~nd Lodge was held on Monday, December 7, 1857, at Montgomery, where 112 lodges were repre- · ~~-

.

l\f:.W:. Grand Master W1LEY delivered an°eloquent address; reports the death of R:.W:. A. P. PFISTER, late Grand Secretary; mentions the

prosperity of the Order in that jttrisclict_ion; recommends the -importance of procuring a well selected masonic library for each lodge, and enumerates twelve dispensations granted during the la.c;t year. '£he Grand Lodge appropriated $500.00 for a roonu01ent over the remains of Bro. PF1STE1t; and the Grand Secreta.ry was instructed to procure for each lodge uader that jurisdiction, a complete set of :Monnis'.

"UniYE)rsal Masonic Library," to be paid for out of the treasury. 'rhe report of the Committee on :Foreign Correspondence is from Bro. ·w)1. A. Fi,;nRELL, "short, but good."

J. :McCALED WILEY, 'l'roy, reelected M:. W:. Grand Master.

DAXIEL SAYRE, ;\Iontgomery, R:. VI:. Grand Secreta.ry.

Cfra.nd L odge of K ansas.

95

C ALIFORNIA. Tbis G rand Lodge convened al S,tcramento, on Tuesday, ;'\'.lay 11, 1858. Representatives from seventy-nine lodges present.

M: . W:. G rttnd Master N. G. CURTIS, in his address has the fol lo wing: Many npplicntions ror dispensations ha,•e been made to me for the purpose of conferring the degrees upon applicnots io less time tho.a thllt provided b f the Constitu· lion. bccu.use the candidates were about le1wiog tbe Stntc. These I bMe iovo.r!nbly refused, for th e reason that those applring bn.d bee u living within a.sh ort distance of lodges for years, nnd had ne,·er discovered tbn.t they coulcl be of benefit to the fr,uernity until they lenr ned thnt the frateruity cou ld beof immediate benefit to the m, llnd for the further reasons that I do not think we bnve any rig ht to inflict upon our brethre n elsewh ere, hnlf-madc masons, or hazard our reputation a~ workmen by send ing such abroad as nccredited specimens of our labor. Our owu jurisd iction has suffered too much from that co.use to be ignorant of its duty in this respect.

Disp ensations for ten new lodges we.re gra.nted duriog t,he year.

Tbe report of the Committee on :F ore ign Correspondence is from t.he able peu of Bro: An.P.1,L. It seems tllat this brother forgets that tberc may b egnultum in parvo, and I h ope be will not be deceived in his expecla- · tions to hear "great. things" from this Grand Lodge yet.

N. GnEE~E Cunns, r eelected M :. W:. G rand Master.

Ai.Ex. G. A.01::LL, reelected U.:. W:. Grand Secreta.ry.

CONNECTICUT. Annual commuoication held at New H aven, on Wednesday, the 12th day of ~fay, 1858. Fifty-five lodges in attend:ince by represent.'ltives. 'l'be 1\'.II:. W :. Grand Master, Bro. W. L. BREWER, in his address, sp{!aks only of local matters.

Two dispensations for the organizntion of new lodges were granted. 'l'be r eport of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is from R:.

W:. Bro. Jj:. G. 8'.1.'0REU, who furnishes all the printed circulars received by him, as also large extracts frotu the Proceedi~gs of most of the Grand Lodges in the United St:1.tes. Ours is not named.

Grsancrn F. DASKA)I, Norfolk, M:. W:. Grand Master.

E.G. SToru;n, New Hnven, R:. W: ., G rnnd Secretary.

DELA WA RE. The annual communication of this Grand Lodge took place at Wilmington, on Saturday, June 27, 1857. Seven lodges were represented.

No address from the Grand l\faster and oo rep ort from the Commit-

tee on Foreign Correspondence.

Two dis pensa.tioos were granted ; ooe for a.· new lodge, aud oue to ravive Union Lodge, No. 7, at Dover. At a. sp ecial meeting oo the 13th of October, 1857, the G rand Officers were installed, "except the Grand Mni,ter and Grand Senior \Varden, who were not present."

A. P . Ronixso:-., 1\-1:. W:. Gra.n<l l\faster. \V )I. H.-1. YS, R:. Vt:. Grand Secretary.

96

Proceedings of the DISTRICT O F COLUMBIA.

Furnishes us·with their Proce edings o[ different meetings from the 5th of May, to tbe'27th of December, 1857. P :. G:. ~I:. C. S. F11,11u:v to whom a Past Grand Master's .Je wel was lately presented, died.

Bro. G. A. ScmrAnZ)u x, in his nble Report 0 11_ Foreign Correspondence, treats us very cordially in speaking of our Proceed ings.

G1mnoE'C. WmTTJ.NG, reelected M:. W:. Grand Master.

G. A. ScnwAJl,rnAx, R:. vV:. Grand Secretary.

FLORIDA. The ann ual comm u8ication of the 1\1:. W':. Grand Lodge of the_State of Florida, was begun and h eld in the cit.y of Tallahassee, 011 :Monday, J a nuary 11, 1858, l\L·. W:. T11 0MAS Y. H E:--.RY, Grand Master, presiding, a n d R:. W:. JNo. B. TAYWR, Grand Secretary.

The address of tbe Grand Master is brief. He announces the death · of Grand Senior Warden Bro. D. W. l\'JcGnANm; the issue of dh;;pe!Jia· tions for two new lodges; the appointment of a Representative to the Grand Lodge of Alabama, .and congratulates the brethren "upon the peace, ba.rmony anrl fraternity that have prevailed our Order during vacation." ' The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, covering 133 pages, is from Bro. THOM AS BnowN, who closes with the suggestion of "having the report of th e Committee oo Foreign Correspondence printed berea.fte.r before the Grand Annual Communication, so that the members can b e furni shed with copies."

G r and Master and Grand Secretary, as above, were reelected.

GEOR GIA. The annual communication oi the Grand Lodge ·or Georgia was held at Macon, on 'fues<lay, October 27, 185i. One h undred and eighty• three lodges were represented.

The M:. W:. Grand Master, Bro. WM. 8 . RoCK\~'ELL, p r esented a very eloquent and b eautiful address.

The b rief report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is from the pen of Bro. R. M. SmTH, a11d b is closing remarks corresponds so well with t he feelings I experienced on reading the reports of some like committees, that I cannot om_it to copy it. H e says: Your committee haYe noticed, with regret, the disposition in some oC the reports of Committees oo Foreign t:orresponde nce. to quibble about matters not of general Interest to the Cralt, and to find fault, in some instances, with the local affairs of other Grand Lodges.

Wn. S. Roci.:wELL, reelectl;ld M:. \V:. Grand Master .

Srn.n1 RosE, reelected R:. W:. Grand Secretary.

(-;-rcind Lodge of Kansas.

97

ILLINOIS. This Grand Lo<lge met and held its regular communication in Springfield, on Tuesday, October 6, 1857; 156 lodges represented.

M:. W:.JAs. H. HIBBARD, in his address, reports that he granted ' twenty•siJt dispensations, but urge·s the Committee on Lodges U. D. to be careful in their examination, because he "knows" that some have done" very irregular work."

HARRISON DILLS, M:. \V:. Grand Master.

HARitoN G. REYNOLDS, who was reelected R:. W :. Grand Secretary, is the reporter on the Committee on Foreign Correspondence.

INDIAN A. This Grand Lodge met in the City of Indianapolis, May 24, 1858, M:. W:. SoL. BAYLESS Grand Master, presiding, who reports, in his address, having granted fourteen dispensations for new lodges.

The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is from the pen of Bro. ,v"1. .PEr,AN. SoL. D. BAYLESS, reelected M:.,v:.Grand Master.

FnANcrs KrnG, reelected R:. ,v:.Grand Secretary.

LOUISIANA .

Held its annual Grand Lodge communication in New Orleans, on Monday, February 8, 1858, when seventy-four lodges were represented.

We see by the very able address of the :M·. W:.Granu. l\'Iaster that there is some dissatisfaction a·mong sQme of the lodges there, three of them having withdrawn from the jurisdiction of that Grand Lodge.

A very interesting report from the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is appended.

A~ros ADAMS, :M::. ·w.-. Grand Master.

SAu G. RtsK, R :. '\V:. Grand Secretary.

MAINE. 'fhe annual communication of the Grand Lodge of the St.ate of Maine was held at Portland, on Tuesday, May 4, 1858. Seventy-four lodges represented.

The address of the M: . W: . Grand Master, as well as;the Proceedings, speak only of local affairs.

In the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence our Grand Lodge is not mentioned.

HIRAM CHASE, l\i:. \V:. Grirnd Master.

IRA BERRY, reelected R:. W;.Grand S~cretary.

98

Proceedings of the MINNESOTA.

The· Grand Lodge of Minnesota held its annual communication at St. Paul, on t.he 5th of .January, 1858. · Se~enteen lodges were represented. · M::. W:. A. T. C. PIERSON, presiding; R:."\V:.GEo. W. Prr£SCOTT, Grand Secretary. The former presented an exceedingly able address; t he latter the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence .

Both were reelected.

MISSISSIPPI. At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, in the city of .Jackson, on the 18th day of January, 1858, fifty lodges were represented, M:. W:. W.R. GANNON, presiding.

The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is from the pen of .Bro. R:."\V:.T. DA~JEL. w~1. Con1RAN, M:. "\¥:.Grand Master. · T. 'DA NJ.EL, reelected R:. W :. Grand Secretary.

MISS OURI. The Grand Lodge of Missouri held its Annual Grand Communication at St. Louis, on Monday, May 24, 1858. . Eighty-eight lodges were represented. M.-. W:.S.ur H. SAUNDERS presiding, who, in his address, alluding to a complaint by Lodge No. 2, under this jurisdiction, says: ·' Officers of the army h ave no permanent residence," which gives them a right to apply to any lodge they may choose for membership. A great deal could be argued in this matter, hut I Sllppress all private (?pinion, as I promised in the beginning of this report.

The report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is from the pen of Bro. O'SULLIVAN, and in a manner corr,posed as can l!e expected from such a star i~ masonry.

S. H. SAU.NOERS, reelected :M::. W:.Grand Master.

A. O'SULLl\"AN, reelected R:."\V:.Grand Secretary.

NEBR.A.SKA. "\-Ve 11·erc not aware I-hat a Grnnd Lodge had been organized so close to us in our neighboring 'l'erritory, until we received the pamphlet containing t-he p.ublh,hed Proceedings of the "M:. W:. Grand Louge of Nebraska,," held at Nebraska City in c01mnunic~1tion on June 2, 1858; 1\nd from the address oI M:. ,v.-. R. C. Jono,1N, we learu tbat that body was organiied on the 23d of September, 18.57. W e stretch forth our hand to give them the "strong grip" of recognit-iou, bidding them "Goo speed."

There are six chartered lodges in that Territory. · R. C. JonnA::-:, M:. W:. Grand Master.

R. \V. :FuR:>:As, R:. W:. G,rancl Secretary.

(-h·an<l Lodge OJ Kansas.

99

NEW HAMPSHIRE. The M:. W:. Grand Lodge of New Hampshire m et ·at Concord on t,he 2d day of June, 1858. Thirty-eight lodges rep resented.

M:. W: . G.F.onc:E H. HUBBARD delivered a short address, most o f it of a local character.

W e cannot refrain from submitting our thanks to Bro. CHASE for the manner in which he speaks of our Grand Lodge in bis report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence.

MosEs PAur,, M:. W:. Grand Master.

C. H of!ACE CH,ISF., R:. W:. Grnnd Secretary.

NEW JERS E Y.

Tbe Grand L odge of this StRte met at Trenton, on Wednesday, January 13, 1858. 'rhirty-s ix lodges r epresented.

The brief address of the Grand Master speaks only of local matters.

A well written report on Foreign Correspondence is p resented by Bro. I-loum-r, the Grand Secretary.

J OSJWH 'r1mJDLE, reelected M: . W:. Grand Master.

J os. H . H ouc:H, reelected R:.\V:.Grand Secr etary .

NORT H CAROLIN A. The M:. W:. Gr:rnd L odge of North Carolina held it,c, annual communication at Raleigh, D ecember 7, 1857. Ninety-two lodges wer e represented·. · A pleasant little documen t is the address deliver ed by M:. W:.P. A .

Hol!r, and from the brief report of the Committee 0 1.1 Foreign Correspondence by n ro. W. Br,,1 i-;Jo;, we beg leave to copy th·e fol lowing remarks: ,, ¢ '' However, tbe conduct of n portion of il~ members ·mny cast disc redit upon the Order, we have nothing to fear if we are but faithfu l in administeri ng p romptly the discipline necessnry to remove those putrid sores from the body of m11,-

sonr}'·

A1,FRED l\'Lurr,x, M:. Vv:. Grand Master.

W ILLI,1)1 '1'. R11 i\', reelected R:. W:. G rand Secretary.

OH I O.

1'he Grand Lodge of this State h eld its annual commuuic:ation at Massilon , from the 20tb to the 24th of October, 1857. One hundred and fi_fty-four lodges were r epresented.

R:. W :. Deputy Grand Master M. D. BnocK, presided, and read an address of M:. W:. BE.:-. F. SmTH, who was absen t .

Eight dispe nsations for n ew lodges were granted.

A most excellent report of the Committee on Fore ign Correspondence is written by Past Grand Master Wu,1,u)c B. TnRALI,.

H ORACE M . S·roKES, l\f:. \.V:.G rand Master.

Jonx D. CALDll'EU, reelected R:. W:. lirand Sec~etary. ~

100

Proceedings of the SOUT H CAROL INA. In a pamphlet receiYed from the Grand Lodge of that State, we find

tl.ie P roceediug13 of eight rcgula.r and speci:-11 1ut1etings, mostly of a local

cbaracter.

The report of .A. G. 1\1ACKAY is too good, as that we sh ould 01ake ex. tracts. It ougbt to l>e read in toto; and ii time and space would permit, I would copy it verbatim el literatim.

HF.x.nv Bu1sT, M:. W:. Grand Master.

D n. A.G. MAcK:u-;R: . W:. Grand Secretary.

TENNESSEE. The G rand Lodge of Tennessee h el<;l its annual comnrnnic:ation nt Nashville, on the 5th of October_, 1857. One hundred and fifty-five lo11ges represented.

The address of J\1:. W:. TH03CAS i\'IcCur.r.oucr-1 is "replete with pure masonic sentimcnt6 and practical allusions." .

Dispensations for s~x new lodges were granted.

Tbe R eport on For e ign Co rresponden ce is" fuller of the good tliings," than mine.

TH031,1s M cCuLLOUCH, )1:. \V:. Granrl Master.

CHAS. A. F1;r,u:n, reolected R:. VI:. Gr and Secretary.

TEXAS. The M·.-. W:. Grand Lodge of T exas h eld its 'rwen ty-f-irst a1u 1unl coulmtmicntion iu the. town of \Vaco, on Monday, the 18th of ,January, J858. One hundred mid eight lodges were represented.

T he Grand Master, in his add ress, rnports the death of tlie first • Grand Master of tbat Grnnd Lodge, Bro. A.xso:,; J o:-r::s, also that of Bro. '1'11os. J. Rusx, both original members of tbat Body. '.L'he R eport on Foreign Correspondence, coveriug fifty-two pages, is from the pen of Bro . .J. B. Lnrnxs, is well written, and makes ex.tracts from Proceeding;;; of thirty-one G rand Lodges.

J. M. H AU,, M:. W:. Grand Mnst-er.

A. S. RuT11v~::,;, R:. W:. Grand Se.c r~tary.

VERMONT .

The Grand Lo<l~e of Vermont, convened in regular communication at Burlington, January 13, 1858. M : . W:.P. C. TUCKER p residing, aud forty-four lodges represen ted.

•rh e address of tbe Gran d Maste r covers thirty printed pages, and speaks mostly of the Grand L odge of Canada.

P . C. TUCKER, reelected i\f:. W:.<.irand Master.

J . B: H oLT,E.NBECK, reelected R:. W:. G rand Secretary.

(hand Lodge of Kansas.

101

V I RGIN I A. The Grand Lodge of Virginia, h eld iis ann ual commun icatiou at Richmond, from the 14th to the 16th of December, 1857. Seventyseven lodges were represented. · The Committee on Foreign Correspondence, speaking o f our Grand Lodge says : · We bail our young sister with every feeling of iro.terual kindness, and we nrc

snrc, tbat while the spi rit or our institution is so well carried out n.s tbe Proceedings before usgi\·e e vidence of, its benign and softening influences cannot fail of their beneficial effect.

J ORN J OHN

S. CALDWELL,reelected M:. W:.Grand Master .

Dov£, R: . W :. Grand Secretary.

WISCONSIN. The Grand L odge of t hat State, held its annual communication in Milwauk ee,-on Tuesday, the 3d day of June, l858. M:. W:.HENRY L. BAIRD, presiding.

The Proceedings ar e entirely, or a lmost so, of a local character.

Dispensati9n s for eleven new lodges were granted. w~1. R. SMITH, who, for eleven years, was R.·. W:. Grand Secretary of that lodge, declines reelection, and takes his farewell, as such, in a very interesting manner .

LU'rHER M. TRACY, M:. W:.Grand Master.

JORN WARREN liuNT, R:.-W:.Grand Secretary.

All of which is fraternally suuruitted,

CHARLES MUNDEE,

Cha.irman oj Committee on Corre8pondence.

PROCEEDINGS OF TIIE

lvl:.W:. GRAND LODGE OF A. F. & A. M., OF KA NS.AS.

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, F ree and Accepted Ma.sons, of the 'l'erritory of Kansas, convened in Regular Commu n ication, at the city of Lawrence, on the 18th day of October, A. D . 1859, A. L . 5859. Present: M::.W:. R1cHARD R. REES..................... Grand Master.

R:. W:. T . ,T. VAN1n:HSLICE..... .......... .. .... Deputy Grand Mast.er, pro tem.

R:. W:. \V. L. Mcl\lATB ....................... Grand Senior Warden, pro tem.

R:. \V:. E.T. CARR..... .........., .............·.. G rand J uuior Warden, pro tem.

R:. \\':. J:i,;o. P. CAMPOF.:1,L .·. ..... ..... .. ... ... Grand Treasurer, pro tem.

R:. W:. CHARLES MuNDEE..................... Grand Secretary.

W :. W)r. Woon ........................ ...... Grand Senior Deacon, 7,ro te.m. \V:. 0. W. McAu,,sTER ................... Grand Junior Deacon, pro tem. \V:. W. 0. Hunni;;r,L... ..................... Grand T yler, pro tem. \V: . J.M. PEJ,OT .............................. Grand Orator.

VI:. OLIVER T1we... .......... ............... Grand Ohaplniu, 71ro tem.

The M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge of Kansas wa.s opened on the third degree, in amp le fot·m.

The M.·."7 .·. Grand Master tippoin ted Bros. C. B. STEVENS, G:F.:O. C. VANZANDT twd G. V{. HoGEBOOM a Committee on Ct'edentials, who, after e;ousn lta.tion, made the following l'eport: The undersigned, Committee on Creden tials, report t.he following lodges represen ted. to-wit: Smithlon Lodge, No. 1....... ......... WM. Woon, proxy for S. \V. T. J. VANDEttSLICf:, proxy for J . \V. Lecwenworlh Lodge, No. 2 .... .... ... E. 'I'. C.1. 1m, \ V. M., an d p roxy for S. \V. and J . \r.

Wyandolle Lndge, No. S ....... .... .. W. L. llfoM .1. Tfl, \V. M., and proxy for 8. \V. Kickupoo Lodge, No. 4 ...... ......... 0. TRUE, proxy for W . M., S. W. a11d J. W .

Washington Lodge, No. 5 ... ........ G. H. FAIRCHILD, proxy for W. M.

104

Proceedings of the

Lawrence Lodge, No. 6 ...... ......... C. B. STEVENS, S. W. 0 . W. McAr,usTER, J. W. Union Lodge, .No. 7............. ...... .1011~ T. PRrcB, '\V. 1\I. W.W. H1-:1t1JF:RT, proxy for S. W. Bourbon. Lodge, No. 8 ... .... ......... JA S. J. F Am.Ev, S. \\'.

King Solomon. Lodge, No. 10........G. W. HoGEnoo~, , S. W., a nd proxy for · W. l\L and J. W. Lecompton Lodge, No. 18........... G. C. VANZANDT, W. M. J . l\i. PY.LOT, S . W., and proxy for J. W. Oakaloosa Lodge, No.14 ............ R. W. J E:s-Krr;s, proxy fo r W. M. A. NP.WIIOUSE, J. W. Tecumseh Lodge, No. 15 ............ Jos. AKDF.HSON, W. M. F raternally submitted, C . H. STEVENS, G-. C. VANZANDT, G. W. HOGJ~BOOM, Committee.

The l\f.:.vV.·. Grand l\fa,ster declared a quornm JH·escnt for

the tra.nsacti.on of business.

The }1.·.'\Y.·. Grand Master t.hen delivered the following ADDRESS: BRETHREN: - It has ra rely become the duty of a mason, of late years, to add ress the assembled representatives of his masonic ju risdict.ion from the cbair of Grand Master for five times in regular s uccession, anti while I feel with pride and gratitude this peculiar manifestation of your kindness and confide nce, there are various reasons why I cannot desire a farther continuance of this succession.

The contini,ed prosperity of o ur loved fraternity confirms our faith in its time.tried merits, and but admonishes the thinking mason to an humbler walk and warmer adoration for the name of Him wbo stills the storm a o d cal uis the passions of our nature, who quells the a ng ry strife and soothes the sorrows or the suffering. · I must again admonish you that our success is not in numbers. 1 sometimes tremble at onr rapid growth , for rear that some discordant elements ma.y shake the long cemen ted bnnd of brothers and scatter into fragments an association which has so loni::- withstood th e storms or persecution and oppression which have purified its membership in every age; buL let me hope that our expanding increase argues a p roportionate advance of moral culture in the world, aod pray to Him who rules t he Universe to save us from insidious foes.

I a111 not aware that anything has yet bee n don e towards a systematic p lan o f education, and 1 earnestly solicit action in a. matter of such vast importance to our country's youth as that which shapes the future of tlieir n.rnral standing; if eve·r.v mason will but give h is influen<.:e to some digested system, and all will act in concert, the means of its accomplish ment can be supplied. 'fhe project of custodians of the work, proposed nt the Inst Communication, bas not been fully tested; an 11nforseen misfortune to the Craft has tend ed to retard the progress or this well-conceived experi1nent. Our last Grand Lecturer, who, it was e xpected, would be m ost acti\•e in the work, has been expelled from masonry. To partially supply this deficiency, I appoi n ted, as successor, Bro. J. l\:l. PELOT, who has been, as I am informed, a bsorbed in his professional and prival:e d u ties.

\

Grand L oclge of Kansas.

105

A venerable and active craftsman, Bro. OuvER 'l'RUE, solicited from me authority to lecture in the lodges. Under a sense of justice and propri,ety to Grand Lecturer PELOT, I refused to interfere with his departme nt until h e was consulted, and at his request I gave authority, having first- examined Bro. TnuE, and found him accurate and posted in the work; and I learn I.hat he has given lectures to the profit and satisfaction of the Craft. We need more light in masonry, and must adopt ~ome plan by which we can attain it.

Si rice our last Communication I have granted dispensations for the following lodges: . · · Osawatomie, at the town of Osawatomie, Arcana, at the town of Doniphan, Olathe, at the town of Olathe, Birch Prairie, in Leavenworth county, Palmyra, at Baldwin City, "Le Roy, at the town of Le Roy, Grasshopper Falls; at the town of that name, St. John's, at the city of At,;hison, El Dorado, at the town or El Dorado, . Auraria, at the town of Auraria, Pacific, at the town of Humboldt, In all, e leven lodges.

From some intimations which have come to me, I fear that the organization of St. John's Lodge has been the result, not so much of the actual demands of the brethren of that 101,;ality, as of some unpleasant feeling existing there, of the pr1Jcise nature of which, I presume, the Grnnd Lodge will be fully informed, nod I fondly hope that any disaffection which may there exist, may find a healing salve in the kindly consideration of this .Body, whose proper committee will, I doubt not, learn its true intent' and apply the appropriate remedy.

Auraria Lodge is the first advance of masonry, this far north, into the confines or the Rocky Mountains, and ·is located within the newly discovered gold regions oi the west, and . literally amid the highest hills and lowest valleys, where the sun, reflecting from perpetual snow, warms the rich vale in its constant verdure. Truly t.his is a n age .of penetration aud progression, and the genial influences of masonry, ce1Denting and warming the hearts of its members, keeps pace with the march of civilization. To the care of R:.vV:.Bro.D.l'. WALI,IN"GFORD, P:. D:.G:.M:. of Missouri, I committed this dispensation, who has doubtless set the brethren to work in ample form, in that far distant land, anti we will earnestly pray that they may quarry no stone unfitted for the building, but perform their labor in peace and harmony.

At the request of Lieut. J.C. Snnn:s, of the United States Army, I proceeded, as Grand Master, to lay the corner stone of a stately edifice now in progress of erection at Fort Leavenworth for a United States Arsenal.

I have still in my hands nine volumes of tbe Masonic Library, subject to the order of this Grand Lodge; twenty-one volumes are still due, of which no further information has been received. '£his is to be reg retted, as it was hoped we had laid the foundation of a masonic library which would in after times do credit to the energy of its founders. It is certainly desirable that everything that is worthily published on the suuject o( masonry should be collected by every Grand Lodge, and in some substantial form preserved for after r eference. I hope, however, that this suggestion will not be taken as an endorsement or every masonic periodical that is now published. During the prevalence of a morbid propensity for becoming editors, which now prevails America, there is scarce a town, a village or a neighborhood which

106

Proceedings of the

has not two or more pugnacious editors, engaged in stirrin·g up some discord, attacking the citadel of social privacy, and sevP.ring the chords of friendship. An,i in the fearful increase of masonic publications, hungry for mntter as they must become, may they not follow the example of their political cotemporaries, in descending to tbe purliensof personal scurrility? and the infection may be caught by masons. .Brotherly love will then die amid public contention, and strife assume the holy place of unity, and our much loved Order may be broken into parties and fraritions. Some heated controversies have co,nnHmced a lready in ma 0 sonic prints, and may we not have cause to fear that all the secrets of the vault will soon be thrown broadcast upon the world? Were it not far better to control these elements than to risk the consequence which may result? But he who talks or putting reins upon the press must tread on thorns. So be it. He is an unfit sentinel who fe.irs to wHrn his brothers of approaching danger; he is an inexperienced sailor who sees not in the little cloud the coming storm.

-As I nnticipated, my suggestion at the last Communication, on the subject of affil iation, has met with numerous strictnres; but I find concurrence with my sentiments in several jurisdictions, and even more than I expected, in these days of wonderful progression. I have h11d no reason to change my sentiments, as heretofore expressed 011 this subject, and can only now reiterate all that I have said before; but I am called on to notice some unkindness on the part of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, through their Committee on Foreign Correspondence. I hope no feeling of vindictiveness can have found a resting place in the bosom of a brother with whom I have been so long associated in the kindest relations of brotherly regard. 'rhe brother is certainl y welcome to all he has attained b_\' his allusio n to- what he is please<l to term the" sprearl eagle sty le," his comparison to the zealous lady, his play upon the term "chief executive," or his frequent allusion to certain expletives. I think his manner is in ,·ery bad t.aste, and would seem to argue, to one who did not know h im as well as I do, a partial want of that h igh state of courteous refineU1ent which pa.<;ses over unnoticed the defects of language or the want of polish in expression. I am only sorry to see so uncourteons a reply from a Sir •:Knight of the nineteenth century, and hope that when his sword may be again unsheathed, it will be to battle principle and not to war on words. I yifild the pal 1u of \'ictory to my hrotlter, as a critic, and thank him warmly for his lecture on my rhetoric. _But it is not this that I am called upon to answer; it is a dir"ectchar_ge of insubordination against me, while a mason, in Mis8ouri, in which that brother uses this impressive language: '''!'hat he took every occasion, not only to advocate the right oi masons to <limit, but advi.~edresistcince to the lau,-s enacted for the purpose of taxing these drones." 'l'his is a very serious charge, if true, and lam at loss to know the motive for it. The charge is general; he gives no time, no place, no circumstances.

Constructive treason has ceased to be :a crime; but I ~ladly wai ,,e the form to meet the merits. I am unwilling to believe that this brother wonld have wilfully pronounced this charge without a reason for his faith. I have always held, 'tis true, that masons could dimit by every principle i n masonry, and I-hat every act of Grand Lodge legislation on · thi!" .subjec:t was an innovation; and may, and most likely have, expressed the free opinion, ( and I here reiterate it,) that all th is character of legislation was opposed ·to ancient usages, an1l, therefore, ,,oid; but when, or wher<>, I have advised resistance t0 the laws, I am at a loss to know. \Vhatever my opinion was of their restrictive force, I would ndvise obedience. I therefore earnestly appeal to those who have known me longest, for their decision, and hope my worthy Brother O'SULLIVAN will place me right before the world of masons.

G-rand Lodge of Kansas.

107

The subject of a world's convention bas attracted gen eral n otice, but seems to meet with b ut little favor. The project, I must still maintain, is feasible; n or has it. yet met with any ratio nal objection. It is said the scheme is too expensive. It is strange to say a common head is too expensive for a common cause. T he head should be commensurate with t hP. body, nor shoull,! the one be d is proportioned to the oth er. It h as seemed to some a source of strange amusement, that a jurisdiction , youn g as ours, sh ould have expan sive views of mason ry.

If they haYe n ot ye t learned tha t our al6liation is coextensive with enlightenment, and is ever fon nd amon g t h e semi-barbarous races, it is t heir misfortune; or, if the fact, that distan t nations should share with us a knowledge of the Craft, grates harshly on thei r ears. and they desire to circumscribe the Order to thei r cities and their environs, so let it be ; tb~.y are welcome to the glory of t heir efforts; but the maso ns of the world w ill still dispense the light and beauties of the Order, a lth ough a few enlightened cities ·m ay claim its sole· paternity.

Permit me, brethren , in this, my htst commu nication, to admonish, th rough you as their representatives, the masons of Kansas to stand constantly upon the watch tower an<l guard the portals of the lodges -save the time-honored.I nstitution from the pollution of vice a nd im. mo rality. 1rhere is as little consistency in the profane a n d foul -mouthed swearer, the thick-tongued hanger-on at grog-shops, the p rofessional gambler, the desecrator of t h e ~abbath and the contemncr of Goo 's holy la ws, being a mason i n a proper sense, as there is in his bei ng a Ch ristian. None but he who strictly obeys the moral law shonld enter here. While onrs is no religion, yet it embraces in its teachings all th e virt ues necessary to the Ch ristian character, and while few, perhaps, adhere Lo the ge neral teachings of the Order, yet too few comply with the promi nent virtues of the Association. I mpress it, then, upon your lodges, that it is Letter to reject ten good rtien than to accept on e u nworthy one. No r is it all who outwardly obey the moral law who are fit for masons, it is t he inner m a n - the man whose heart is right, who can adorn the tem ple. T he pharisaical observer of the ten commandments, whose h eart is too na rro,"'· to contain a t-ender emotion or a holy feeling, is far more dangerous than the libertine. Scan every applicant to the core; accept n o negative ,character, but take a man alone for bis good qualities, a nd not for his want of bad ones.

And now, my b rothers, I have said all that seem s to me appropriate.

I hope no sentiment that I hrwe uttered will be received as dictatorial.

I have but discharged a duty that devolves upon me, and I do not seek to foist upon the brotherhood :a principle which does not meet their approbation. It would be a source of pleasure to me to see the Or<ler in its pristine p urity. I do regr et that modern innovations are grafted o n the ancien t stalk, and that original si mplicity is lost in modern policy and experience. We claim to be unchanged th rough time,and yet conform to a ll t h e modern fashions. We seek too m uch to clothe the Patriarchs in the fashio ns of the n ineteenth century.

And n ow, my brothers, T bid adieu to this exalted station . I h ave no words in which to thank you for yonr ki ndness and your confidence.

I shall n ever cease to be a mason, nor feel the force o_f all the vows by which we are cemented; nor ca'l1 I , in my after life, rem ember any ties more pleasantlv than those connected with tliis Body. My silen t prayer shall b e, that [JCace a.11d bar rnollly p ervade your meetings, and I h ope often to m eet you on the level, but only as a private member. · F raternal! y, RICH ARD R. REES, Grand .Master.

108

Proceedings oj the On motion, the following resolution was adopted, and Bros.

F AIRCHLLD and PELOT were appointed s uch committee:

M UNDEE,

'l'hat the address of the :M:."\V:. Grand Master be referred to ·a special <:ommittee, to r eport on a proper apportionment of its various subject.,;. · .

'l'he .M:. ·.W.·. Grand :M:nste1· 1.1,ppoioted the following commi.ttees: Cha·rtered Lodges.-Bros. ]!'1.r::rsc;rutAN, VAN,UNDT and VA:-0Ensr,1t,;1;.

Lodrrs Under Dispenscition.-Hros. CA rut, "\VooD an~l STEVEXS. .tlccounts.-Bros. 1\fusI>EE:, Mcl\L\TH and F,11HCHILD. W!tys and Afrans.-J:kos. i\fcl\L,Tn, Ho11xs11Y and F,11 1w 1111,n.

Charity.-Bros. C,11rn, l\'IcAr.LISTEH n.nd Hoa~:uooM . .Applfoations.-Bros. C,11111, '1'1w1; and PEI.OT. Grievances.-Bros. Fu;1sc11itAX, PE1.o•r and McA.1.1,1sTE11.

Condition of Afusonrg.-Rros PELOT, Cox and Tmll::.

Foreign,. Co1're.spowlence.-.Bros. l\iu:rnr,;i,, Ho nxsnY and CA rtn.

Education.- Bros. lV[cM,1T11, P1, LOT aud. N~;1n1ouim.

'I·be Grand Secretary t.ben made his r eport: To thP. Ill:. W:. Grcmd Lodge o,f Kansas: .

In presenting 111y r eport for the past yenr, I lay before you the account of fnnds rec;eived imd disbnrsed hy me for this Grand Lodge.

1'he amounts rcr.eived were: For dues of Lodges during last scssio11 ..................................... $ 156 00 For Clrnrters during last session ...... ........ ................................. 60 00 For J)i!,pensntions during last ><ess ion ..... .... ...... .. . ... ...... .... .. .... .. 220 00 For Charter, in advance, from Lafayette Lodge....... ... .... .. .........

10 00 Balance on hand last. yenr .... . .. .. .. . ... .. . .. .. ..... .. .. .. .. . .. .... ......... ... 244 29 '.rota! .... .. .. ............................ ..... ................ .................. $ 691 20 The expenditures amounted li.o .......... ................................ :.. ... 319 79 Lenvi;,g :1 balance of.:...................................................$ 37l 50 In the amounts paid out, yo u will perceive $100.00 pnicl to H. C. Jusnc~;, and $70.00 for cbnrity. I r egret very much the ptlyment of th e first, but as-you lrn.d made the appropriation for Graod Lecturer's purposes, ,md ns i\fr. :J USTLOE npplied to me for it soon after tbe close of tbc Grand Lodge, 1 could not llel]> p aying it, although I am sorry to say tile s nm wai-; not expemlccl hr tbe purpose [or which the appropriation was nrnde. In reg:ird to the $70.00 for charity, I suppose the proper committee will bri11g their reJ)Or t before you, ex plnining their act.ion in this matter. I can add, however, to their j rn,tification, t.bat when they ,1pplied t o me for the rmm, and st:1ted the facts, I clid uot h esitate to comply with tlleir wishes, considering it truly n cnse of chnrity. · Agreeable with yo ur instructions, I caused four hu11dred copies of the Proceedings of the lnst meeting of this Grnnd Lodge to be printed; but will state, ,1lthough I have sent two copies to every Gr,llld L odge in t h e United States, and lo several Grand Bodies in Europe and A ustralia, and nltho tigh I bave provided every rnember of this Gr1111d Lodge

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

109

every organized lodge with two copies each, I have st-ill some two hu n dred copies left. j,\(any documents of masonic contents were received at my office d u ring t.be past year. Such as require action, I will lay betore you at this session, all others I have filed under .t hcir appropriate heads.

Four l.1ea11tifully bound volumt:s, two from Iowa, and two from Ohio, cont.lining tbc Proceedings of their Gnind Lodges from their first (1rganization to the httest d,tte, were received, and will be preserved for ou r Gnmd Lodge library. }:'ari.o;, 'l'oµe kn. and Mnn ltuttan Lodges, under this jurisclicti011, sent me their retnrns after the close of the last session, which I thought entitled them to continue their work U. D. until tbe present session.

Delawurc Lodge, I suppO!:lC, we must cousider defunct-, m; I was uot able to bear from th em, although I d irect.ell severnl leU.ers t-0 different brothers whom I knew used to be weuibers oi that lodge.

Bourbon Lodge, No. 8, foiled to t-rnoswit their returns for the past year. I t rust they ll'ill be i11 alteud.u1ce tbis session.

Your former kind Hllll fraternal trelltruent make me cou fident- that you will approye of my actions duri11g the pnst year, ns I endeavored, to the best. of my ability, to discharge tbe duties of u1y office faithfully.

1rnd

FINANCIAL REPORT. C11A11t.Es j,\Ju:-nEE, Grand Secretciry,

In acco-unt with the Gn,1:-n Looc1,

OF K.1x.<;AS.

JrnCE I l'TS.

To balance on hand ,ts per last report.. ......... ..... ........... ...........$ Smithton Lodge, No. I, D ues.. ...... ...........................................

Lc:wenworth Lodge, No. 2, Dues.............................................

Wy,iudotte Lodge, No. a, Dues........ ....... ... ...... .......... .......... .. ..

Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4, Dues....... ......... .. .................................

Washingtoll"Lodge, No. 5, Dues...................... .. .......................

Lawrence Lodge, No. G, Dues ...... ... ......... .. .... .. .... ...... ...... ... .. ...

Union Lodge, No. 7, Dues................. .............. ........................

Sb,1wnee Lodge, No. 9, Dues................................................. ..

King Solomon Lodge, No. 10, Cbarter ...... .......... ... ...... ...... ........

Ottumewa Lo,.lge, No, 11, Charter .................... : ... ·....................

Elllporia Lodge, No. 12, Uharter ...... ...... ......... ...... ...... ...... ......

Leco1nptqn Lodge, No. rn, Clrnrter ..... . .. .... ......... ............ .........

Osk,tloosa Lodge, No. 14, Charter............. ...............................

Tecumseh Lodge, No. 15, Ch arter............................................

Laf:l\·ette Lodge, U. D., in a<lvance for C harter.........................

Stanton Lodge, U. D., Dispc:nsnt-ion......... ...... ...... ...... ......... ......

Osawatoruie Lodge, U. D., Dispt:11sation............ ...... ...... ...... ......

Arcana Lodge, U. D., Dispensation ... ... ... ......... ...... ...... ........ ....

Olathe Lodge, U. D., Dispensation........................................... l:I igh Prairie Lodge, U. lJ., Dispensatiou.... .... .............. .... ...... ...

Le Roy L odge, U. D., DispeusHtion ......... ...... ... ...... ......... .... ... ..

GrasslioJ)per .Falls Lodge, U. n., Dispcusntion ............ ...... ........

St. J ohn's Lodge, U. D., Dispensation ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ........

Auraria Lodge, U. D ., Dispensation... ................................. ......

P:icitic Lodge, U. D., Dispensation...................................... .. ...

245 29 36 50 36 00 18 00 10 00 15 50 25 50 9 50 5 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 11) 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 ZO 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00 20 00

Total. ............................... ................ ...........................$ 691 29

•

110

.Proceedings of the DISOUHSE)IEX1'S.

By printing Gra11d Lodge Proceeclings................ ...... ...............$ Printing blanks ................................................................... .

H. C..Justice, Grand Lecturer................ ......... ....................... .

Ch,uity ............................................................................... .

Grand Master's J ewe! .........................................................·.. .

Sttttionery, postage and other expenses .. .... ....... ................... : .. .

Balance in hands o{ the Grand 'l'reasurer ............. ......... .......... .

75 00 6 00 100 70 50 ]8 371

00 00 00 · 79 50

Total. ..........................................................................$ 691 29 Fraternally submitted, OHAlU.,ES 1\1.UNDEE, Grand Seeretary.

The report a,nd ace;ount were received and referred to the Committee on Aocounts.

The Com'mittcc on Charity made the fol lowing report:

•

To the Af-. W:. Grand Lodge of Kcmsas : Yo ur Committee on Charity beg leave to report, that during the recess of the Grand Lodge, they have been called upon to extend the sympathy and material aid of this Grand Lodge to a worthy member of Oasis Lodge, No. 110, of the State of New York. This brother cawe to Kansas with his family, in the full enjoyment of h ealth and the prospect of happiness. Soon after his arrival his family was attacked with sickness, which soon exhausted the little sum laid by for emergency; an9- it was not until too late that the brother could overcome bis pricie sufficient to let his actual condition be known. His wife died, leaving four children to be cared for, and for this purpose we coµld not refuse to grant the brother a loan of seventy dollars, to enable h im to take them where they will be properly cared for," free frotu the allurements of vice." Your committ!,e would recommend that the amount be considered as a donation to the brother, and are of the opinion that in so doing we shall only have discharged our duties as masons.

Fraternally submitted, E.T. CARR, G. W. HOGEBOOl\f, 0. W. McALLISTER, · Committee.

The report was orde1·ed to be laid u po □ the table, to be taken up at 3 o'dock P. M. Bro. . 01IA.RLES :M:uNDEE, chairnrnn of a special comm'ittee appointed at the last Communicn,tion, made the following report: To the M:. W:. Grand Lodge of Kcmsas: At the last session of this Graiid Lodge an appropriation of fifty dollars was made for the purchase of a golden jewel, to be presented to our M:.W:. Grand Master R£ES, and I, together with Ii. C. JusTICE and Bro. JoRN 8mTH, were appointed a committee to procure the same. H.

Grand Lodge of J[ansas.

111

C. JusTICE, shortly after the meeting of the Grancl Lodge, ceasing to be a m4:!rnber of the fraternity, Bro. SMITH living too far from my residence to consult with him conveniently on the subject, anJ not havin~ any definite instruction from you, the whole matter was necessarily left to my judgment. Upon consideration, knowing that a P:. G:. M:. jewel could be worn and used by our respected brother at the furthest only once a year, namely: during the session of this Body, I thought I would act in the sense of the Grand Lodge by ordering a cane, which can be carried by our worthy and esteemed brother, and which can, in almost every instance, bring an object before his eyes, reminding him-of the gratitude of, and acknowledgment of his faithful services by this Grand Lodge.

In p resenting this, my report, I trust you will approve of my action, and confident of your acquiescence, I move that a committee be appoin ted to present the cane to the '.\1.·.W:. Grand Master.

Fraternally, CHAS. MUNDEE.

The report was received, and Bros. MUNDEE, PELOT and FAIRCHILD were appointed a committee, who, after consultation, presented, through their chairman, the cn,ne to Grand Master REES, with the following: MosT \VoRSHIPFUJ, GRAND MASTER: - Thrice honored by the appointment to present you this gift of acknowledgment, I am confident that I speak· the sentiment of this Grand Lodge by saying that, in my estimation never a mortal, whether mason, statesman, soldier or citizen, was more deserving in receiving a present from h is fellow men, than you are. Take, then, this small certificate of our approbation .of your faithful and untiring services, not only to this Grand Lodge, hut to masonry in this Terri.tory. May the cane always remind you of your straight and upright path in the discharge of your duties as a mason and Grand Master. The inscription on the head of the cane will keep before your eyes the esteem in which you are held by this Grand Lodge, and as the cane is adorned by net-work, lily-work and pomegranates, , may your life continue to be pure, always connecting the virtues of a mason with the duties of a citizen, and may the blessings of heaven shower upon you in p lentiness, even as the exuberance of the pomegranate. '.11 0 which Bro. REES answered as follows: MY \.VoRTHY BROTHERS OF THE Co~1MrTTEE:-Per1nit me to respond to you, and through you to the Grand Lodge of Kansas, in the natural spontaneous emotions of my heart.

Language is too meagre to express the feelil)gs which now stir within my bosom. Shall I say I thank you for this mark of your respect and confidence? It would be but a cold expression, and speak b u t partially the obligations, which the language of nature informs me that I feel.

112

Proceedings of the

It is not for its intrinsic value that t h is treasure shall be cherished, but the motives of its donors have entwined nround my heart no common chords of gratitude, but wires ·of steel, which time nor age, the world's disdain, or man's cold n egligence cannot d issever. I£ life had been to me one bright Elysium, sparkling with delight at every step I t r od from yout,h to withered age, this wo uld be the greenest spo·t in all its rich luxuriance, and memory would cling to it wit.h delight through all the mazes of enraptured joy.

T his staff shall be t he companion of the remainder of my days; it shall sustain my tottering limbs through all the varied walks of t ime, and on the wearisome declivity of life I'll Jenn u·p on it for support; when trembling age shall br ing me to the verge, this shall assist my worn-out liml;>s and prop my feeble frame when standing on the grave's col<! confines, and tottering on its crumbli ng edge, I'll cling to this, my last sustaining he lp, in memory of those who gave it, conscious to the last that. t his rich emblem rep resents the kindred hearts whose kihd emotions tendered me the gift; and should misfortune frown upon my later years, supported on this cane I'll come to you with confidence for . that condoling sympathy which burns lively within your bosoms now.

Wherever , through the world's wide space I travel, this staff shall be my passport to the hear ts of masons t rue, and when, at last, upon the shore of life's fast ebbing stream I gaze, with fading vision, on surrounding objects, but dimly seen to fast dissolvin~ nature, this will recall the friends t hat now surround· me, and my last and fervent prayer for them s hall mingle with the blessings of a dying father.

Tbe Committee on Foreign Conespondence t hen made their report, wh ich was ordeeed to be })rinted with the Proceedings of this Grand Lodge,.and the resolutions recommended therein wer e referred to tho Committee on Condition of Mason r y.

The Gl'and Secretary then p r esented a copy of the" Proceedings of the Masonic Coiwention, held at Ch icago, Il l., September 13 and 14, 1859," and the accompiwying aclJress, all of which was, on motion, r eferred to a com mittee consisting of M.·.W.·. B r o. R. .R. R EES, Bros. PELOT a nd FAIRCHn,n, ,,•ith t h e instruction to r eport at t h e next Annu al Convention of this · Grand L odge.

Tbc Grand Secr etary tbeo presented a lettc1· from Bro. JorIN G. AuLL, of Oskaloosa L odge, No. lJ, whic h was referred to the Committee Gr ievances.

on

Three petitioµs for disp e nsntions, for the organization of new lodges; were p r esented, two of which wer e not recommended by other lodges, as required by the By-L aws of th is

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

113

Grand Lodge. A dispensation was only granted to Aubry Lodge, to be held at Aubry. · The Grand Lodge was then caHed from labor until three o'clock P. M.

AFTERNOON SESSION. Two

O'CLOCK P. iU.

Upon an invitation from several brethren at Lawrence, the Grand .Lodge of Kansas was called to labor, opened in the E. A. degree, formed a procession and proceeded to lay tbe corner stone of a university about to be erected in this city; after which the procession returned, and the Grand Lodge closed in tbe E. A. degree.

TJIRE'F; O'CLOCK P. M.

The M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge was called to labor. Officers in the chair, as above.

The Committee on Ways and Means made the following report: 'l'o the Jf:. W:. Grand Lodge of Kcinsas: _Your Committee on Ways and Means, to whom, at the last Annual Grand Communication, was referred the resolution: "To investigate tbe expediency of remunerating the officers and members of this Grand Lodge for their services," respectfully submit the following report: Your committee are fully aware of the importance of the subject under consideration, and that a diversity of opinion exists with the members of this Grand Lo<lge as to the propriety and expediency of the Grand Lodge to remunerate its officers and members in attendance at its communications. · Your committee deem it right and proper to say that they are not in favor of compensating all the officers and members of the Grand Lodge for their services; but they deem it advisable and expedient, wise and politic, to remunerate certain of its officers and one Representative from each subordinate lodge under its jurisdiction in attendance at its communications.

The officers of the Grand Lodge which, in the opinion of your 1:0Ulmittee, should be remunerated are the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer and Grand -Tyler. The duties of the Grand Secretary are particu·

d

114

Proceedinys of the

larly onerous, and should by all means receive the special attention of the Grand Lodge. The reasons why a Representative from each of the subordinale lodges to the Grand Lodge should be compensated are clear and obvious. The Grand Lodge is the supreme tribunal over the subordinate lodges of the fraternity, in which is vested certain' right.5, powers an<l privileges. It is composed of Representatives from the subordinate lodges under its fraternal jurisdiction, and receives its power and authority by an<l through th~m. It is not an independent body; if there were no subordinate lodges there could be no Grand Lodge; neither is it a self-supporting body or organization. Most of the Grand Lodges of the United States, if not all of them, are depen<lent upon the subordinate lodges under their particular jurisdiction for the revenue for their support.

The Grand Lodge should be ,;upported and kept in thorough organization. This can be done if a sufficient amount of revenue can be derived from the subordinate lo<lges under its jurisdiction.

Our subordi~ate lodges are scattered over various portions of the broad and fertile prairies of Kansas, though few and far between. Many of them, too, are few in number, poor in purse, but rich in the knowledge of the glorious tenets and principles of our excellent· and ancient fraternity. Every subordinate lodge should be duly represented in the Grand Lodge, and why is it not done? for the sirpple reason that the younger and weaker lodges, situated, as many of them are, in the interior of the Territory, are not ab!c:) lo bear the expenses of the Repre• sentative. And, no doubt, frequently the officers of the lodge are no better able to sacrifice their time and money for the interest of the lodge than the lodge itseli, andl, therefore, the lodge goes ,~•ithout being represented. Thh, should not be; but otherwise. What is the remedy?· A solution is easily given. That a change of the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge be made to conform· to the following premises. That ead1 subordinate lodge be required to pay to the Grand Lodge for e very initiation of a candidate the sum of two dollars, and charging for each Charter granted to subordinate lodges the sum of thirty dollars. By such a course the revenue <lerived by the Graud Lodge from the subordinate lodges will, no rlou bt, be ample and sufficient to meet the necessary and additional expenses to be incurred by ·the Grand Lodge. Such is the modus operandi in many of the Grand Lodges in this country, and particularly in the State of Ohio. · Your committee, believing in the doctrine that the "laborer is worthy of his hire," and that by adopting the views ao.d suggestions t.hey have made in I.his report, the communications of the Grand Lodge in the future will be more fully represented, and the honor of the fraternity thereby promoted.

Your committee beg leave to recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

115

First, That the subordinate lodges under this jurisdiction are re• quiretl to pay to the Grand Lodge one dollar for every member in good standing, instead of .fifty cents, as heretofore.paid_.

Second, That the Grand Secretary shall be allowed the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars per annum for his services.

Third, That the Grand Tyler shall be allowed the sum of two dollars per diem during each session of the Grand Lodge.

Fourth, That one Representative from each subordinaLe lodge shall be paid two dollars per diem and six cents per mile, in going and returning from the communication of the Grand Lodge; Provided, That such mileage and per diem shall not exceed the dues paid in by such lodge.

Fiflh, That the fee for a charter shall be twenty dollars, instead of ten dollars, as heretofore. · Fraternally submitted, WM. L. McMATH, C. HORNSBY, Committee.

The report ,,·as ordered to lay on the table, to be taken up at 3 P. 1.r. to-morrow.

The follo,ving resolntion was offered and adopted: Resoli:ed, That the Grand Lodge go into the election of officers for• the ensuing year, at 9 A. M. to-morrow.

The report of the Cornmittee on Charity was taken ttp and adopted.

Tbe Committee on Accounts reported the conectness of the a.ccounts of the Grand Secreta1·y. .Adopted.

The Committee on Chartered Lodges made tbe following report: 'l'o the M:. W:. Grm1d Lodge of Kctnaaa:

Your committee beg leave to submit the following: We find, upon examination, that the following lodges have made returns to this Grand Lodge: Smithton Lodge, No. 1; Leavenworth Lodge, No. 2; Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3; Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4; Washington Lodge, No. 5; Lawrence Lodge, No. 6; Union Lodge, No. 7; Bourbon Lodge, No. 8; King Solomon Lodge, No. 10; Emporia Lodge, No. 12; Lecompton Lodge, No. 13; Oskaloosa Lodge, No. 14; Tecumseh Lodge, No. 15.

We find them all correct, and recommend their reception by this Grand Lodge.

Shawnee Lodge, No. 9, and Ottumewa Lodge, No. 11, have failed to transmit their returns.

Fraternally submitted, T. J. VANDERSLICE, GEO. C. VANZANDT, J. FLEISHMAN, Committee:

116

Proceedings of the

Tbe Committee on Condition of l\fasoory, made the following report: To the M:. W:. Grand Lodge of Kansas : The Committee on the Condition of Masonry, to whom was referred resolutioi1s recommended by tbe Committee on Foreign Correspondence, beg leave to report adversely to the first, as being subversive of the privileges of the ballot box. Your committ.ee wou!J fraternally submit, that a candidate ehould be held in probation previous to every step taken in masonry, and that no more admirable system of 'deciding upon his qualifi°cations can be devised than tbat of balloting. The committee would further suggest that. an E. A. cannot be tried for masonic offences pertaining to the higher degrees, and in fact may be guilty oi none, and yet be calculated to make an unworthy Master Mason.

Your committee also report adversely to the secona resolution, as being unnecessary and opposed to ancient usages, when " no Master could take an apprentice for less than seven years."

On the t.hird resolution the committee is divided in opinion.

E_'raterually submitted, .J. M. PELOT, 0. TlWE, JNO. 'l'. COX , Committee.

On motion, the report of the committee was a clopted, the third resolution recommended by tbe Committee on Foreign_ Co1·responclence indefiuitely postponed, and the fourth resolution unanimously adopted.

The Committee on Grievances, t o whom was referred the appeal of Brn..J . G. .AULL, of Oskaloosa Lodge, No. 1'.l,, report: '' Tbat tbey find nothing in the appeal of said brother, nor in the records of Oskaloosa Lodge, to warrant a reversal of the decision of that lodge, and recommend that tbe lodge be sustained in its action," " ;hich was ordered to lay on tbe table until 8 o'e:lock A . M. to-morrow.

Tbc Committee on Lodges U. D. made the following report: To the A[:. W:. Grand Lodge of Kansas: The Committee on Loclges U. D., b eg leave to report that they bave examined the· proceedings of the following lodges U. D., and finding them cori·ect, recommend that charters be grnntecl as follows: Lafayette Lodge, at the city of Manhattan, to be No.16.

Topeka Lodge, at the town of Topekn, to be No. 17.

Stanton Lodge, at the town of Stanton, to be No. 18.

Olathe Lodge, at tbe town of Olathe, to be No. 19.

Elk Cree k Lodge, at Elk Cit.y, to be No. -20.

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

117

Grasshopper Falls Lodge, at the town of Grasshopper l<'aJls, to be . No. 21..

Paris Lodge at the town of Paris, to be No. 22.

Palmyra Lodge, at the town of Pa1myra, to be No. 23.

Osage Valley Lodge, at the town of Osawatomie, to be No. 24.

Higli Prairie Lodge, iu Leavenworth county, to be No. 25.

St.. John's Lodge, at the city of Atchison, to be No. 26.

Neosho Lodge at the town of Le Roy, to be No. 27. 'l'opeka. Lodge hiwing sent but an abstract of their proceeclin&'S, your committee cannot determine b ow that lodge does its work, but are informed by brothers who_have visited Topeka Lodge, that they are doing well, and work in the true spirit of masonry.

Your committee would further state that they have before them a petition of a number of brethren, tl,;king for a dispensation to form a new lodge at Aubry in Johnson county. Their petition is recommended by 0Jat.he Lodge, U. D. Not knowing if this recommendation is compntib1e with esta.blisbed usages, your committee submit the same to the Grand Lodge for decision. .

They have also petitions for dispensations from brethren at Elwood and Ho1ton; the former not accompanied by the required fee, and the latter without r ecommendation from any place. Your committee, therefore, recorumend that no action be had on these petitions.

Fraternally submitted, E. '.1'. CARR,

wM. ·wooD,

Committee.

'l'be report of the committee was adopted, and a dispensation to Aubry Lodge, and cbm;ters, as recommended, granted.

Tbe Gra nd O1.-ator, 1V.·. B1·0. J.M. P ELOT, tben delivered. an address, which was, on motion; ordered to be printed with the Proceed_ings of this Grand Lodge.

The following resolution was offered and adopted: Resolved, '.l'bat representatives from lodges U. D., to whom charters haye been granted, be permitted to take seats and to participate in the work of this Gntncl Lodge.

The special committee on the address of the G-ra,nd :M:as~er made the following report: To the M:. W:. Gmnd Lodge of Kanaas: Your committee to whom was referred the address of the M:. W:.

Grnnd Master for an apportionment, b eg leave to report that they bad the subject under due consideration, and fiuding the document presented by the M:. W:. Grand l\faster- so far as the present circumstances require -so able and complete in every respect, they do not deem it necessary to refer it to any comm·ittee, but recommend tbe reception of tbe address and its publication fo connection with our Proceedings.

Fraternally submitted, .,_ CH~RLES MUNDEE, Chairman of Committee.

118

Proceedings of the

The following resolutions we1·e each separately offered and adopted: Resolved, '!'bat. in the clmrte.r of St. John's Lodge, ·No. 26, the name of '\V. W. Coc11nA:s be inserted as ,Junior " 'nrden, in place of J,\MES CouJ.TF.n, who wns appointed to that office in the dispensation.

R,solvPd, That in the charter of Stanton Lodge, No. 18, the name of G. A. Co1:rox be inserted as Junior Wm·den in place of N'E1,sox K1xo, who was appointed lo the office in the dispensation.

Resolved, '.!'hat in the cliart--er of Osflge V :11ley Lodge, No. 24, tue name of such brother be inserted as ,vorsh ipful Master, as the Lodge may elect, in ph1oe of S,1rrn A. SQu1m;s, deoensecl.

Resolved, That the dispensations of Auroria Hllll Pacific Lodges be cont.in ned until the 11ext annrn,l session of this Grand Lodge.

Resol1•ed, That Sec. l, A rt. IV., of the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge, be so amended as to substitute•· chartered," in place of "regular," and insert after the worrl "lodge," "under this Jurisdiction."

The Graod Lodge was then called .fi·om labor until 8 A . .u. to-

morrow.

MORNING- SESSION. OCTOBER

19, 8

O'CLOCK A. 1\1.

The M:.·.W.·. Grand Lodge was called to labor. the chairs as yesterday.

Officers in

'l'he report of the Committee on Grievances was then taken up, and, after considerable discussion, a.dopted.

The hour appointed for. the election of officers having arrived, the Grand Lodge p1·oceeded to that duty, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: M : .W:. l{1c 11 ARD R. REES................................. Grand Master.

R:. '\V:. GEo. H. F,HRCHILD ......... ..... .................. Deputy Grand Master.

R:. " ' : . Co1,uMHUS HonNsBv ............................. Grand Senior Warden.

R-:. " ':. E.1'. CARR.... . ....... . ...... ........................Grand Junior Warden.

R:. '\Y:. CHARLES MuNDEE................ . ......... .... Grand Secretary.

R:. '\\f:, CHRISTIAN BECK .................................. Gran<l Treasurer.

The following resolution was, on motion, adopted: Resolved, 'rhat the next Annual Grand Communication of this Body be held at Atchison.

The following resolution -was offered, and, on motion, adopted:

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

119

Resolved, '£bat the Constitution and By-Laws of this Grand Lodge be referred to a special committee on revision, and to r~port at the next Annual Communication; Pr<Y1;ided, That no question already decided by this Grand Lodge be thereby reconsidered.

Bros. MuNDEE, FArlt:cHILD and CRUST, were appointed such committee, and oo motion, Grand Master REE.s added to it.

Tbe Grand Lodge was then called from labor until 2 P."111.

AFTERNOON SESSION. Two o'cLocK· P.

111.

The M.·.W.·. Grand Lodge was called to order. Officers · in their several stations.

Tbe M.·.W.·. Grand Master appointed the following officers for tbe ensui og year: \V:. OLIVER TRUE........................ .... .............. Grand Lecturer.

W:. D. CLARKSON .. .................................... Grand Chaplain.

W:. JAMES T. HOLLIDAY.............................. Grand Chaplain.

W:. BEN.,~~HN l\fcCREARY ............................. Grand Chaplain.

W:. WASH. MERRET'l' ................. ......... , ........ Granrl Chaplain.

W:. ISAAC T. COLLINS .......................... ........ Grand Chaplain.

W:. S. BROOKS ....................... ............... ... .. Gran d Chaplain.

W:. C.R. RICE......... ... ....... .... ...... .... . ...... Grand Chaplain.

W:. F. M. WILLIAMS ....................................Grand Chaplain.

W:. R. P. DUVAL ............. ......... ......... ...... .....Grand Chaplain.

W:. L. E. KNAPP ........................................ Grand Senior Deacon.

W:. A. R. ALLISON. ...... ............... ................ Grand Junior Deacon.

W:. J. N. RoaERTS ........................... ............ Grand Steward.

W:. JOHN R. T. SHULL........ ............ .............. Grand Steward.

W: . ,ToHN P. CAMPBELL........ .... .. .................. Grand Orator.

W:. CRARI..ES W. BEESE .............. ................:.Grand S\'lonl Bearer.

W:.Jo•rn T. Pu1cF........... ...... .. .......... ............ Grand Marshal.

W:. WM. O'DONNELL.................. .................. Grand Tyler.

All the officers, as elected and appointed, were then installed.

Tbe specia l co01mittee, to whom wa.s referred the" Proceedings of a Masonic Convention at Chic:.1,go," made the following report: To the 'l,f:. W.·. Grand Lodge of Kansas:

Your committee have examined the Proceedings of the masonic convention, held at Chicago, Ill., on the 14th of September, 185!-l, and they find it to be more a triennial convention for consultation upon

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matters connected with masonry than an organization of the Craft. .

Your committee have been opposed to the organization of a General Grand Louge for the United States, for several reasons. First. that such an organization, as a supreme authority, was sectional - as masonry belongs to the world and nqt to any nation -and because it is unnecessary; the local Grand Lodges have ample capacity for all purposes, of legislation . But your committee believing that such a convention as in<licated, would result to the good of the Order, from the intercommu-' nication of thought, and as a concentrating point on the continen t, from which delegates may ultimately go to a con \•ention of the whole world, where every nation may meet in consultation, a consummation never to be lost sight of, do recommend that this Grand Lodge ratify the a"rticles of confederation presented at Chicago, and they also recommend the election, at the proper time, of a suitable nun)ber of del~gates to represent this Grand Lodge in the convention to be held at Memphis, Tennessee.

All of which is respectfully submitted, R.R. REES, Chairman.

'rhe report was adopted.

The following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, rbat no lodge under this jurisdiction sihall recommend the granting of a dispe nsation, unless the <limits ( or other good evidence. of their having dimitted) accompany the petition of the applicants for such recommendation. And not then until the three principal officers of the proposed new lodge have been examined by the lodge recommending them, of being competent to confer the three degrees of Ancient Craft masonry, and the recommending lodge shall affix to the p·e t ition a certificate to that effect.

Resol-ved, That Shawnee Lodge, No. 9. select such-place in Shawnee county for their meeting as they may deem fit and proper.

'rhe report of the Committee on Wl\.ys and Means ,vas then ta.ken up and together witb the resolutions recommended therein, adopted.

A communication from Lecompton, in regard to tbe purchase of the half-finisbed building a t that place for a masonic college, was refenecl to the Committee on Ways and Means, wi th the instruction to report at the next Annual Grand Communication.

The :M:.·.W.·. GL'and Master appointed the following committees for the ensuing year: On Foreign Correspondence.- Bros. MUNDEE, CARR and CRUST. On Chartered Lodges.-Bros. CAMPBELL, HoGEBOOllI and VANDERSLICE. On Lodges U. D.-.Bros. FATRCHTLD, CnusT and J.,,;i-.Krns.

On Ways and Mecms.- Bros. VANZANDT, CHALLTS and \Yoon.

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On Accounts.-Bros. MuNDEE, PRICE and NEWHOUSE. On Ch<trity.-Bros. McMATFI, McALLISTER and JENKINS. On Grievcmces.- Bros. HOLLIDAY, CARR and F,\RLEY. On Condition of Masonry.- Bros. FAIRCHILD, TRut, and IlrLLYER. On Educcttion.- Bros. CRUST, CAM PBKLL and PRICE. On Unfinished Busiruss.- Bros. BEEBE, DOBBYNS and REYNOLDS. On Applications.- Bros. REYNOLDS, WtLKINSON and NEwnousi::.

The Committee on Lodges U. D., made the following report, which was adopted : To the J.L·. W:. Grand Lodge of Ka.nsas: . Your Committee on Lodges U. D., beg leave to recommend that Oskaloosa Lodge, U. D., be continued until the next Annual Communication of tbis Grand Lo~ge.

Delaware Lodge, U. D., not having complied with the requirements of the G rand Lodge at th~ last Annual Communication, your committee recommend that it be declared extinct.

Fraternnlly submitted, E.T. CARR, Ch<tirm<tn.

The followi11g resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That the Grand Tyler be paid $4.00 for his services during the present session of this Grand Lodge. . .

Resolved, That three hundred copies of the Proceedings of the present session of this Grand Lodge be printed.

• Resolved. That Section 2, Article I, of the By-Laws of this Grand Lodge be so amended, as, that a representation of ten chartered lodges under this jurisdiction, instead of one-half, as heretofore, shall constitute a quorum. · Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered by this Grand Lodge to Lawrence Lodge, No. 6, for their hall during this communication.

•

There being no farther business bef<H'e it, t he Grand Lodge closed in ample form.

RICHARD R. REE8,

Grand Master.

A•rTEST:

CHAS. MUNDEE,

Grand Secretary.

A"D DRESS. Delivered before the M:.W.·. Grand Lodge or Kaosns, nt its Co·, munication held at the City o/ La1rreoce, October 18, J8b!>.

DY .J. ~J. l'ELOT 1

)I.

D. 1 ClHA1'1> LECTUREll Al\0 GltAI\D Ol1ATOR.

It is with extreme diffidence that I appear before this august body on an occasion of this kind; for not only do I lack the p roper basis upon which an orator's efforts should be predicated, but also that due preparation and reflection of which I have been deprived bv most pressing professional engagements. Although the few remarks that I shall make will not be couched in studied language, you will be pleased to premise that the doctrines and opinions conveyed in them are not hasty conclusions arrived at from thP- suggestive nature of the subject, but are the result of anxious inquiry, and earnest, though humble, .research for years.

This auspicious event suggests a comparison with the early history of masonr y in Kansas,- not, indeed, of the organization of this Grand Lodge, nor of particular lodges, but rather of masonry in general, as incidentally connected with social and political life in the Territory. I apprehend that no apology is needed for introducing this delicate subject at th113 ti me ; for though politics should be carefully excluded from our secret chambers, yet to allude to political events that illustrate the strength, wfsdorn and beauty of masonry, in a judicious and impartial manner, cannot arouse political feelings, and caunot fail to be attended with benefit. It is not a pleasant task to recur to past troubles ar,d dig up the d ry bones of buried contention, especially where so many of us were complicated in them and have small justification for our fratricidal cou rse . Not a few of us who look upon this dark and bloody retrospect with candor, and freedom from party bias, feel keen regrets for acts which were committed, if not through our agency, at least by our tacit sanction.

There is a period in the history of every-even the most conservative-government when questions of public interest appeal to the business and bosom of e\·ery man in the community, and when the camp usu rps the functions of the forum. On such oce8sions popula r excitement necessarily runs higher than where one nation is a rrayed ngainst another. Motives, which the calmer ancl thoughtful portion of the people would not have dreamed of entertaining, now take full possession of their breasts, and d eeds of excess a re comm itted u n der the pleas of self-defense, retaliation, a nd even patriotism. The revolution ist, when not a knave, is generally a monomaniac, wherever found. One grand, absorbing idea t,tkes possession of his soul, and all his faculties are engaged in its development. Thus it was with us. But as in t he case of the monomaniac upon any other subject, human nature, even in its flercest aspect, can be tamed and brought under control by the agency of some fixed, h abituated principle, so there were displayed some bril-

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liant examples of mercy, brotherly love and forgiveness, by men usually foremost in the bloody uram:a; for masonry, although universal in its sway, does not in every instance exert,a universal influe nce over all passions. A man may be a mason w ho would respond to the cry of distress, or relieve the destitute, with as much alacrity as any of us, and yet be br-utal in the extreme to all else than his brethren. Witness the case o f TECUMSEH, viewing with pleasure the inhuman butchery of his traditional enemies; and yet how quick ·was he, on seeing the mystic sign, to command: "Let the slaughter cease! " It is not a valid charge against the Institution to say that masons are sometimes found in the cnn:1p of the rebel or the den of the outlaw; for rebellion is fret1uently patriotism, and outlawry may be resistance to u•njust c,ppression. '!'here is so much liability to error upon questions of politics. that it is scarcely safe to impngn m otives at variance w_ith the tenets of masonry as the origin oi political creeds. Hence, laying aside all prejudice and passion, the brethren, when about to stake their lives and fortunes on the issue o[ the combat, scruple not to extend the fraterna l gl'ip anrl exchange the fraternal greeting with·the enemy. _What beautiful illustl'ations are exhibited, in the scenes of war, of the strength of the mystic tie! With us in Kansas, it was the only liuk that bound together Americans of opposite politir.s, though the same Anglo-Saxon blood coursed through their veins. It was not an uncommon spectacle to see brethren arrayed against each other, with arms in their hands," meeting on the level and parting on the square," with mingled emot.ions oi. pain and gratitude pain · at the unhappy dissensions that separated them, and gratitude toward.~ the Institution that couferrerl tbe high pdvilege of joining hands.· Our history is rich in illustrations of this kind, but I can only relate a fe w that came under my p.ersonal obsen•ation.

In A ngust., 1856, wb.en the citizens of Lawrence and LE',eompton met only at the point of the bayonet, I had the honor to accompany Acting Deputy Grand l\:la$ter, 0. C. STEWAH'r, to Lawrence, for the purpose of instituting the lodge a nd installin~ the officers at that place. W e saw numbers of armed men, and b eara of numben; of prisonera who bad been arrested ior encroaching on the bounds o[ ii. co1·ps d'armee, aud without that ·uuhersal passport which masonry gave us, we certainly would have sb,1red the prisoner's tent. But we were not molested u or insulted in our peacefnl mission, and the brethren received us hospitably and parted with us fraternally. · On what was thought to be the eve of:\ great battle, a certain commander-in-chief of one party blundered into the.camp of his adversary.

Of course be was detained a prisoner of- war, until it was discovered tbat h :; was a mnson, when he was immediately released and escorted beyond t.he reach of danger. · · A colonel who bad rendered l.Jimself conspicuous, was, after a hard fought batUe, taken prisoner and conducted to Lieadquarters for court· m,nt-ial, wbeu it was confidently expected that his life would pay the forfeit of his unenviabl~ notoriety. An officer who knew him to be .l brother, aeclared that he would die before tbe prisoner should be injured. The court sat, and for soUle inexplicable reason, his judges were lenient and the prisoner was released.

I heard of a judge whose court was broken up and whose life was spared only by the interposition of his masonic brothers.

I saw a poor fel'low brought into camp as a spy. H e prote.~ted his innocence, and plead t o be allowed to return to bis nnprotect,ed wife and children, who· we re suffering in his absence. But all in vain.

J'inally he resorted to a mystic sign, when the cowmauder saw the [orce of his arguments and turned him loose.

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Mnny of us, brethren, who sit around this altar to-day, occupied a far d ifferent J)osition toward each other four years ago. It may not b l:l deemed good tnste nor propriety to indulge in such p ersonnlities; but I cann ot see the objection. I would that freemasonry in Kansas had a history wortby of ber noble fame, and such examples of Brotherly Love, Relief and 'l'ruth were spread upon the eternal record. ·whatever the past may show, however, th e prcseut calls forth the most hearty congratulations on your brillinnt success and the bappy future that is betore you. Within the sh ort space of four years you bave an organized Grand Lodge second to n one in respec:tabilit'y and intelligence, under whose jurisdiction some twenty-seven working lodges are striving for that perfection in ,vork a11d discipline which characteri?.es the bright mason. The popubi:ity of the Im;titution is evinced in the very hn-ge p ro· portiou of appliCllllts, and tbe determ ined purity of the lodges is equa lly exhibited in the formidable lis-;t of rejections. With such a beginningcomposed as you are, of intelligent brethren from e very State in the Union, and possessiug all the advantages which the masonic light of t he fifty-ninth century ca.n impart- you cannot but occu py a h igh position n01ong the Grnnd Mnsonic Bodies of the enrth, if you will but adhere to t he a ncient landmarks. 'l'oo ol'ten, indeed, are brilliant success and over sanguine expectations the harbingers of ruin to the most promising enterprises. While I felicitate you with all my heart upon your good fortune, I would not offer to your lips tbe h oneyed cup of flattery, but would warn you of the b itter d isappointments to which you are peculiarly liable.

Of these, by far the most dangerous iu their effects will b e corrupt ions and innovations oo tbe Body of Masonry. The axiom that it is not in the power of one man, nor an assoeintion of men, to remove one of the ancient landmarks, is true; but it is in the power of man to depa1't from them, anu the extinction oi t he Order, ns such must. follow, although masonry in its essence is eternal. The deduction is self-evident; if we encroach u pou the Body of Masonry she will not feel the eftects of our rashness, b u t the recipients of her beu efits must suffe r. ,vbat an un accountaLle mania must it be that would induce to such a suicidal course? Aml yet this consummation is not more st range than possible .

Instance the defection of the soi-disant a ncient masons a century ago i~ England. And when it is· remembered that all the difficulties which arose at that time odginated in a departure from the landmarks·not uncommon in this country at the present day, we cannot but be struck with the danger that threatens to follo,r such an error. Numero us in stances could b e adol.u ced in p roof of this fact. At the very tiroe that the Ancient or Athol l\fasons were nstondiug the m asonic world with their bold innovation s, the Constitu tional Grand Lodge of England was led into a trifling error, "that good might come," the consequences of which were disastrous in the extreme.

Tbe Cra[t on the continent of Europe had long since wandered so far :from the landmarks set up by their fathers, tbat masonry bad become a facile instrument for the inculcation of doctrines of the most sta.rtling character. Scores of new degrees were invented, fou nded upon traditions so far-fetched and improbable, t hat the whole traditionary history of the Order became involved with these fictions, and lost tbe odor of autbentieity which had attached to it for ages. Our contin e ntal bretbrei1 seemed to regard masonry as only a. part of a vast system of mysteries, including Egyptian Priestb.ood, Bacchic Saturnalia and the Mysteries of Eleusis. In fact, from the numerous points of similarity, "' "' 9 which are common to all these mysteries, I am not prepared to deny that they all have a common origin; perhaps in the unchangeable instincts of humanity -perhaps in some occurrence or ceremony long since buried

Proceedings of the in oblivion. But the great error of our continental brethren was the attempt to revive the long-lost glories of Egyptian and Grecian masonry.

Not satisfied with the simple beauties of the Hebrew symbolic degrees, they plainly hoped to fintl in the pretentious inventions of certain crafty imposters, all the magnificent ceremonies of the past. WEIPSltAUPT, RA~ISAY, and many others of lesser notoriety, took a<l"'.antage of this eager credulity and palmeu off such crude and bare-faced impositions upon the dupes, that we are not snrpriserl at the w·onderful amount of faith possessed by the human family. · But why refer to the past'? Is uot the same lesson being repeated time an<l again around us'? Wherever the invading Hoods of innovation are allowed to en<:roach ever so little, wave after wave will surely follow, the brt!at:h will be widened, and finally enny barrier will be swept away unless energetic st.cps be taken to check i nundation. Bold, radical attempts at corruptions find little favor, until by insidious approaches and many trifling defections, our minds are prepared to brook more open encroach men ts.

The most ordinary mode of losing sight of the landmarks in thiii expansive young country, is due to our peculiar social organization.

North America is the only countl'y on the globe which can exhibit that most remarkable ethnological phenomenon - a meeting together and amalgamation of all the nations of the earth. Jt is the very antithesis of the Plains of Shinar," where language was confounded and ·:. '~ ,;; " \Ve consequentl_v derive our masonic lore from every conceivable source, and of necessity many concessions are to be · made by every one if perfect uniformity is to be attained. Masonic instrnctors, it will readily be perceived, have considerable latitude in matters of vital importance, an(l hence the <li ver.si ty of usages apparent in the thirty-seven Grand Lodges in the United States.

In passing, I would here refer to another evil which has crept in to a small extent, though it is probably passing away. I allude to the spirit of other secret associations affecting the minds of those masons who have committed polygamy by uniting with them. The introduction of strange technical phrases, parliamentary usages, and new constructions of jurisprndence, evince the fact that some of our brethren are serving two mistresses at the same time.

Your-very prosperity, and the eternal beauties of the science of masonry, will contribute to another evil, against which you cannot too sedulously guanl. Your portals are beseiged by thousands ot all classes of community, During the last year there have been made in the four thousand six hundred and seventy lodges in the United States, twenty-one thousand five hundred and twenty-three masons! Beil!i an addition of about one in nine to the whole number of masons. Kansas made her full share. Are not these facts sufficient to impress every mason with the gr:w~ responsibility of his position? It is scarcely possible, where such members .~re admitted, that there will not be a few who, if not unworthy, are at least insensible to the beauties and blessings of freemasonry. The privileges of the ballot-box- that invaluable safeguard of our purity- cannot be too sacredly maintained, nor too cautiously exercised. I am more convinced every day, that we have more to fear from our friends than our foes. 'rhe day is forever past, my brethren, when an enlightened few knew the r,eal objects of the Order. The world is in possession of the sublime truths it teaches.

It no longer needs any vindication, any apology. But let your portals be too easily entered by those who -though entertaining a high respect for your Order-are yet incapacitated to appreciate its subli.me myoories; let wolves in the spotless fleece of the lamb, find their way into the . fold; let your members neglect their great masonic duties and strive to

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make masonry popular among the people by displays, balls and other ad captandem demonstrations, and you inflict a blow upon your beloved Craft more to be dreaded than a ll the empty thunders of her enemies.

While you are abatin'g nuisances, there is one which every good mason throughout the land shoul<l try to abolish - a body called in our modern vocabulary "non-afti liated masons." I do not introduce this subject in a captious spirit of fa.nit finding; for this is oue which is so much mooted at the present time, that it can scarcely be improper to notice it. It is one which should be approached with rlelicacy and discussed with candor and freedom from prejudice; for there is a large class of our brethren ( numbering some forty or fifty thousand) in the United States who are unfortunately found in this category. They have their rights as masons, of which they should not be deprived. ·rhey include some of the most respectable masons among us, and many of them have, what they conscientiously deem, good reasons to preclude them uniting with a lodge. It is not in accordance, therefore, with masonic charity to judge them harshly, esp6cially as they are deprived of the benefit of clergy. But what is a non-al'filiated mason? is a question which one of our ancient brethren, who" wrought both in speculative and operative masonry," would be apt to ask, could he rise from the tomb and walk among us. The etymology of the name itself would puzzle him exceedingfy; for it means nothing 01ore nor less than a mason wqo was not made a son of light, or a mason who is not a brother. In effect, the name is an appropriate designation of such an abnormal, innominate body of men, who are in one sense masons, and in another sense not masons. It is no attempt at sarcasm to denominate them hangers-on around the temple who are styled master workmen by courtesy. They have recei ve<l all the light that can be imparted by our Order; they have the means of reaping the most important benefits at the hands of the Craft; they exercise the privilege of criticising that labor which they do not share; they use the respectable title of a mason in their intercoui:se with the world, and when they <lie, the most of them are followed to their last r esting pla<:es by sorrowing brothers, and their virtues pronounced worthy of imitation in the 1:uost solemn manner! On the other hand, what have they done for the Craft at large in fulfillment of their solemn compact? They have paid their initiation fee, which they consider a quid pro quo for the light received; they have paid for their <limits a sum which they deem sufficient to compensate the lodge for their absence ; they have given little in charity, and nothing towards the support of the Order, because they claim nothing and expect nothing themselves; and (what they regard as most valuable) in a.II deliberative proceedings they have kept their counsel to themselves. And what apology do they otter for this policy? Most of them have no very definite reason, except that there is no reason clear to their wind that they should do otherwise. A few are placed in coveotry by a black-ball or two on their petitions for membership, which of course relieves them from all further responsibility in the case.0 Many very respectable brethren advance an arguo1ent in their defense which is entitled to a. respectful consideration, as it throws the onus of error back upon ourselves. They happen to live in the jurisdiction of a lodge to whose members they have serious, and sometimes well-founded objections. Of those who cherish a. personal pique against ,. By way of parenthesis. this ls a system adopted by some lodges, which I would humbly submit is not only impo!Hic but unfair. JI a brother Is deemed unworthy, charges should be preferred against him. that he may b1we an opportunity to.vindicate himself, it Innocent, nnd thnt he mny receive bis just deserts ii guilty. A rejection of a brother witbout a benrlug, is eq uivnlent, in its elfccts, to II sentence of guilty, al· though made by the vote of one only. while it is offensive to e.11 noo-nffiliated masons, by associating with them one who is deemed unworthy.

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some brother who is a member, I have nothing to say. If personal feelings are to be excluded as an element in th is controversy, neither should a brother allow them to affect his relations to his lodge. But it unhappily may occur ( though rarely, I hope) that a lodge- has so far lost the true spir it of masonry as to be totally unworthy It.he confidence and intercourse with :a good brot.ber, who really has tbe interest and honor of the Institution deeply at heart. How is he to decide the delicate question that suggests itself? Is he to fraternize with men who are daily bringing discord upon themselves and every one with whom they are associated? fa he to sanction. by his presence, corruptions ahd violations of all true masonic principles? or, on the other hand, is he.to cut himseH loose fro m them and thus prove his dissent from their conduct? I must admit that our inclinations would impel many of us to take the latter-horn of the dilemma. B ut is such a choice in accordance with our "duty to masonry? Will such a" masterly inactivity" h ave a tendency to remedy the evil complained of? C learly not. No one should relinquish a duty because h e doubt.<, his power to accomplish it.

Be should stand to.h is post, and leave the result to an over-r uling Providence. If we look away from our inclinations and refer to the ancient landmarks, we will find nothing in the usages of the past to-warrant such apostary. None of the numerous records of ancient times, that I have been able to examine, contain any reference to the non-affiliated masons. On tbe contrary, Ai-:oERSON says in his Ancient Constitutions: "Every brother ought to belon§ to a lodge and be subject to its ByLaws and General Regulations. "' 0 <1 In apcient times no l\'laster or Fellow could be absent froiu it-especially when warned to appear at it- without incurring a severe censure, until it appeared to the Master and Wardens that necessity h indered him." Again, he says: "No set or number of b rethren shall withdraw or separate themselves froru the lodge io which they were made breth ren, or were after wards admitted members, unless t-he lodge becomes too numerous-nor even then. without a dispensation from the Grand Master or h is Deputy.

And when they are thus separated, they must eit her immediately join themselves to such other lodge as they shall Ii ke best, with the unanimons consent of th at lodge to which they shall go { as above regulated) or else they must obt.ain the Graud Master's warrant to join in forming a new lodge." This latter question is from that part· of the Constitutions called the General Regulations, and consequently is not an unchangeable landruark, as is the first. . Sti l.l, it possesses weight, as being the law at the time of the revival of freemasonry in 1823.

In the Regulations made in General Assembly, December 27, 1663, HEi-nv JERMYN", Earl of St. Albans, being Grand Master, it was order ed that" Every person who is now a freemason, shall bring to the Master a note of the time of his acceptation, to the end that the same roav 'be enrolled in such priority of place as the brother deserves; and thaf t he whole company and fellows may the better know each other."

The existence of roasonry in past ages is inseparably connected with the organization of lodges. It is absurd to suppose that since the origin of masonry t here has not been an unbroken succession of lodges to the present di1y, as that the Order could now survive without fraternizatiou. There are numerous and indubitable proofs on record of t he existen ce of masonry from the Christian era to tile present time?·and every record shows it to have consisted of bands or societies of artists, bound together by the most powerful ties, organ.ized in the most perfect manner, obeying the most rigid discipline, separated entirely from the social restraints of the couutries through which they traveled, and 0 Vide LA WlllE' S History of Freemasonry, O LIVER'S Antiquities, Pntmo:<'S Illustrations.

Grn.nd Lodge of Kansas. holding all property, labor and honor in common. If a. brother leftone Master, it was to report himself immediately to another; for no journeyman could work with a cowa.n, nor could a 1\faster employ cowans as journeymen. Where, from age or infirmitf, they found themselves unable to work, they were kindly cared for by the fraternity. How, then. could a mason "<limit" from his lodge, as "dimitting" is now understood? If he withdrew himself entirely from the Craft, how could he hop~ to derive a support, depriv~d as he would be, of tile privilege of working at his trade? It was regarded by the ancients as snch an inestimable privilege to be a mason, that we who live in a more sensibleaj:!e can scarcely appreciate the tenacity with which they clung to their " Dura Meil.er."

It is easily perceived that a gradual recession has taken place froO) this position of our fathers. But it will be found that the evil is more prevalent in America than in England. They have not been cursed with tbe credentictl mania as we have 11ere. Brother ELISHA CooK observes that we require many written credentials and place little stress upon the examination, while in England t.he examination is severe, and the <liplomas, <limits, certificates, et id omne germs, are of little use. Is not the latter custom more in accordance with the 0. B.? There is no syste1n, however, wbich fully meets the necessities of the t imes, as we may infer from the report of the Universul . Masonic Congress in Paris in 1855, which recommended to improve the methods of recognition throughout the world, that a freer intercourse could be had. But what can be more awkward, or more productive of evil, than the universal prevlllence of dimits in the United States? What is.the philosophy of allowing at least a tenth part of our body to hold papers releasing them during their pleasure from nearly every obligation they owe to the Craft? Can we hope for success in maintaining the honor of masonry with such a host of idlers hangin~ on our skirts? In the sacred name of freemasonry I protest against the practice.

But how is it to be abolished? '£bis is a question which has been discussed in nearly every Grand Lodge in the United States, and is one on which so much light has been shed, that it can scarcely be el ucidated on tbe present occasion. But I may be allowed to state a few fiirnd princi pies, which depend, not on the man, but eternal truth. That we have ceased to follow the laws given to our fathers, is clear. '£hat we are suffering the evil consequences of our heresy, is equally clear; and the evil is spreading and threatens to become disastrous, can be pe rceived from the rapid increase of climitted masons within the last few years. A plan that was intended to endorse a brother who desired to change bis re8idenc1;:, that he might have every facility to continue his connection with the Order, has become the means oi alienating a large number of brethren, either through indifforence or to satisfy the wbims and petty discontents of Juke-warm masons. \Vl.iat is a diruit? On its face it is nothing more than a certificate of good standing and a Secretary's receipt in fu ll. But in effect it is an endorsement of inactivity and a species o[ h onorary life-membership. H regarded and 11sed only as a certificate of good standing and of full payment of dues to date, it is no more than every member oi a lodge is entitled to; but as a token of withdrawal it is unconstitutional. I regard it as the worst document a mason can keep about hirn, and the sooner he can get rid of it the better.

That the whole plan should be abandoned, does not trouble my conscience; we sh ould return to t h e landmarks anciently set up for our governance as soon as we perceive our error. It will not do to leave the question to the unconcerted decision of subordinate lodges. It is a matter for Grand Lodge action in every jurisdiction in the United 8tates.

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'l'he Constitution of Kansas' now allows subordinate lodges to collect dues from non-affiliated masons; they should b e required to do so. But there should not be taxation without the privileee of representation. Therefore, let the subordinate lodges be required to enroll all masons in good standing in their respective jurisdictions as members, unh,ss they prefer retaining their membership elsewhere; or, let every mason be considered a member of the lodge t<> which he now belongs until he actually joins another. It matters little what exact form of legislation is adopted, so the end is attained. Should this be the case th roughout the masonic world, that neutral ground now oceupied by dimitted masons, masons who have been refus.ecl membership, expelled masoos, :,.nd suspended masons, would be given over to the two latter classes in undisturbed possession. A very small class of those restored to full fellowship, might lament the loss of that refuge to which they flerl when they discovered that masonry did not attain to their standard of excellence, and their expectations were disappointed. These should remember that they once declared tbat they sought the door of masonry from a favorable opinion conceived of the Institution, ( not favorable expectations of what w as promised), and from a desire to render themselves usdul to their fellow men. They also signified their willingness to conform to all the ancient established usages and requirements of the fraternity. 'l'hey have chosen their position; they were not persuaded to; they alone are responsible. Their example may deter others from a like mistake, and the fraternity relieved from that class of applicants who expect too much. Let them no longer charge us with defrauding them.

Legislation is superogatory and undesirable in all cases, el(cept where reason fails. I would not, therefore, advise such an expedient, if it were not patent to all th.at the strongest appeals have been vain in effecting a reform. On the contrary there bas been such a flood of masonic literature in these latter days <le voted to setti11g for th the bean ties a nd sounding the praise of mason ry, that the effect has been precisely opposite to what was contemplated, extravagant ideas of glory have been raised in the m inds of the uninitiated, destined never to be realized; and modern ideas have been confirmed among the initiated, which .are scarcely compensated by the development of :zeal in a few. What efficacy has resulted from your countless appeals to tbese brethren?

You have piped to them, and they would uot dance; their ears were deaf, for they would not hear. What resource have you left? Will you continue to reiterate you r persuasive eloquence in the burning words which masonry inspires, until you have the whole world knocking at your portals lo view the splendors you portray, or will you not rather leave the beauties of masonry unsung, save in her secret chambers, and resort to so roe p ractical conservative measures to save her from decay?

I ~ladly turn from this controversy to a more agreeable topic. If there ts any one principle reiterated more than another in the three Symbolic Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, it is the universality of the Order. And from its very nature it caunot be oth erwise. An In• stitution found ed upon the eternal principles of Truth, discar<ling all creeds of religious and political sects, teaching that all honest men are equal, and inculcating the divine tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, would not have attained the end for which it was devised, did it not embrace the whole earth.

The p resent history of freemasonry shows it to exist in every nation on the civilize<.l ~lobe, with the exception of Austria, Spain and part -of Italy, where 1t is under the ban of the Pope oi Rome. Besides these, the mystic tie embraces in its fold many brethren of heathen nations in Asia, Africa, America and the Islands of the Pacific. In all, toe same fraternal doctrines are taught,

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the same tokens of recognition used, the same '1' "' "' These numerous points of contact you can appreciate, brethren, whereby you cannot doubt that it is the same masonry, in its essence, everywhere. .

But otherwise, these are found to obtain the most material Jifferences, not of an organic nature, but relating to minutire of the ceremony, and manner of exchanging the signs, even in countries adjacent, speaking the same language, and holding the most intimate communion. Especially do we observe this discrepancy in comparing the York and 8cottish rites, as practiced in America and Europe. In point of fact, these two rites share the patronage of the civilized globe, and each lays claim to preeminence, on grounds of antiquity, beauty and symmetry, which are difficult to gainsay. * "' <'.> But without d iscussing their relative merits further, we may congratulate ourselves in America that the Anglo-Saxon influence has planted the York rite on this continent, and the same spirit of expansion which distinguishes that race is likely to give to the York rite the supremacy in point of territory and numbers, at least. The danger to be feared, indeed, lies in that clirection.

The process of mason-making, lodge building and Grand Lodge organization are too frequently resorted to not to give Teason to apprehend an over-supply of imperfectly tested material. The dissemination of light, howevP.r, cannot be checked, nor would it be desirable that it should be, except for very palpable reasons of safety. We should rather strive to select our material with care, and to keep as near the ancient landmarks as possible-thereby preserving a uniform anti well authenticated ritual throughout one jurisdiction at least. The jurisdiction which stands firm in its allegiance to laws of our fathers, though the whole masonic world shall forsake them to follow after strange gods, will, in after years, be the envied custodian of tru·e masonry. '!'bough the whole world be darkness, one little spot that has shed its feeble, but undying ray, through all vicissitudes, will one day give birth to other sparks that shall finally illuminate the whole earth.

A question is here suggested which comes m uch nearer home to us: How shall we attain uniformity in the lectures and tests? In the different jurisdictions of the United States, the divergencies from the ancient standard are slight and scarcely remarkable in units; but in the aggregate amounts to a sum altogeth er inconsistent and destructive of harmony. Kansas being an epit.ome of the social condition of the whole Union, is especially subject to a diversity oi work. A perfect and uniform ritual is a sine qua non to success, and sll'ould claim your attention.

You have adopted a most admirable plan ( which unfortunately has not been carried out) to obtain a ritual. Nothing contributes so much to its p reservation and dissemination as one competent instructor for all lodges. To leave the work entirely at the mercy of occasional itinerant lecturers has always been found productive of confusion . '.l'he lecture being perfected and adopted by the Grand Lodge, should then be p laced in the custody of one, w_ho, from bis masonic ability and attainments, is capable o( sbeddio~ a pure, steady, and unfailing light. . He should bring to the undertaking a perfect knowledge of the esoteric ritual, a critical insight into the other rituals, an intimate acquaintance with Hebrew language, and as many others as he may require, profound views of the science of masonic jurisprudence, and a sufficiency of historic and scientific lore. He should give to the work his whole time, his energies and bis heart. Above all, he should be a living exemplification of the great truth he teaches," that the fraternity be not brought t,o· shame." Such men were Sir CHRISTOPHER WREN, PRESTON, D.u..oeo, ,VEBB, 0LIV£R, MACKEY, MORRIS- who have adorned the age in which they live. The value of such a man cannot be estimated in paltry dollars and cents - he cannot be too liberally supported by the fraternity.

132

Pi-oceedings of the

We will suppose, .brethren, that you have accomplished all in a legislative a1id ju<licial capacity, within your power. Are you, therefore, in the arms .of success? All experience teaches the contrary. No sodality can possibly adhere together, unless placed on the fixed, eternal foundation of moral rectitude. You must love ontl another - for so charity teaches - but more especially must you be true to Gon and yourselves. "Do llfaysones love eidber adhere mightily, beeth said?" asked HENRY VI. 'l'he answer is a volume in itself. "Yea, verily, and it should not adber wise be, for gucle men and true kfmnyng eidher to be such, doe loveth e more the more gude they be."

I had intended to close here, my dear brothers, but I cannot refrain from one word of valediction. I shall leave this beautiful Territory in a short time, and shall, probably, never meet you again in any Grand Lodge, except that Grand Lodge above, where r hope to see you all, where there will be no closing. T freely admit brethren, that my greatest happiness has been derived from association with the brotherhood, and in this Territory, especially, have I derived my chief solace in times of trouble in your society. Words fail me, in attempting to depict the sorrow which fills my heart at the thought Jf leaving you. I can only say farewell, brothers!

"There is n world where all are equal-we are hurrying to It re.st, We shall meet upon the Ie,·el there - when the gates of dee.th are past!

We shall sti\od upon tile Orient, e.nd our Master will be there To tr~ the blocks we offer by his own unerring square."

Grand Lodge of Kansas.

133

MEMBERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS, :FOR THE YEAR 1859.

M: .W:. RICHARD R. REES .......................... Grand Master.

R:. W:.GEORGE M. FAIRcun,o ...................Deputy Grand Master• . R:. W.·.CoLuMnus HORNSBY ........ ...... ......... Grand Senior Warden.

R:. W:. E. '.f. C;.RR ................................ .. Grand Junior Warden.

R:. W:. CHARLES MUNDEE......................... Grand Secretary.

R:.

CHRISTIAN BECK .............. '. .••••••.•..• Grand Treasurer.

R:. W:. JonN W. s~n·rR ............................Past Deputy Grand Master·.

R:. W:. JACOB SAQUI ........ . .............'. ......... Past Deputy Grand Master.

R:. "\V: . MATHIEW R. WALKER.................... Paat Grand Senior Warden.

R:. W:. CYRUS GARRETT............................ Past Grand Senior Warden.

R:. W: . W.-L. McMATR ........................ .....Past Grand Senior Warden.

R:. \V:. DANIEL VANDERSLICE...................... Past Grand Junior Warden.

R:.

BEVERLrN BECK.............................. Past Grand Treasurer.

R:. W:. I. N. ROBERTS ................................ Pa.st Grand Treasurer.

,v.-.

,v.-.

And the Worshipful Masters, Senior and Junior Wardens of the lodges under this jurisdiction, for the current year. ·

134

Proceedings of the

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REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE. ,ve lay befor e you extracts from the Proceedings o[ such of t.he Grand Lodges as were ·received. These volumes contitin so much of the cx:cellc11t aud instructive, that we are sorry that tilne aocl spnce will not permit us to copy the con tents of all, for the benefit and pleasnre of the ruembers under thL,; jurisdiction, but we endc:wored to select the best of the good aucl present it to you, with th1;: best of our nbility, arranging them a lpbabctic:ally. .A L ABA "i\iA.

Th is G rand Lodge' held its '.rhirty-eighth m111ual commun icntion at l\footgomery, December 6, 1858. :i\1: ."':. Grand l\:Iai;ter "'11.F.Y in bis :icl<lress, speaks in glowing ter ms of the gratifying intell igence ot the· onll'ard course of the O rde r in thsit State. He calls attention to the great amount of good tbat is being done by Belief Lodge, No. 1, at New Orle}ms, and Relief J,odge, No. 1, at San Francisco, au d suggests the propriety of aiding th em by the funds oi tbat Grand Lodge. He says: ""'e, at lc,1st f::hould do so to the amount expended for the relief of Ah1bama masons." He also discuss~s at considerable lellgth, the subject of non-affi liated wasons, in wbicb be takes tbe ground tha t. they should not be entitled to any the ben ; fits of the Order. He says:

of

You might ns well sny that n dimitted church member was still a member of the cliurcb, or tbnt a stock bolder in n bnnk or insurnnce compno y, who bas sold out bis stock was e ntitled to d i\•idends, ns to say that fl dlmitted mnsoo is still n mnsoo nod en titled to mRSooic privileges. for I bold "Jf be will not work, nei ther shall be ent."

We adroit. that it is but right and p roper that ever y mason should belong to some lodge, but we are not willing, or at least not. prepnr ed to take 11s strong gTound on the subject as docs the wor thy brother. Hear him in his concluding remarks: Grand Lodges should for m ulate decrees against It, for bidding any masonic benefit or atten tions being bestowed oo o.:m-nffiliatiag masons w b ile livi ng, and any masonic hono rs when dead. .

Tlie Repor t on Foreign Correspondeucc i8 a \'ery IengtJ1y' ancl ,·aluable report. In not.icing our Proceedings [or.18-">7, the comm ittee discuss several subjects contained therein. They more par ticularly refer to th e report of our R:. ,v:. Grand Ch apin.in, and with all due reverence to our csteeo1ed Bro. KEH, we must sn.y that we endorse the rernnrks of t he c<►mmittee of A labamit.

T he Proceedings show two _hundred and thirty chartered lodges, ll'ith 7,2(;Q tuew ben; iu that jur is<.lid ion.

R. H . Eun:,,;£, ~!: ."':.Grand i\Iaster .

D .-, :-; n:1. SAYRE, reelected R:. ,v:. Grand Secretary.

136

Proceedings of the CALIFORNIA.

The T enth annual comm\lnication o f the Grand Lodge of this State "·as commenced at the city o f San Francisco on the 10th day of May, A· D. 1859. M:. W :. N. G. Cunni,, Grand Master , presiding, and R:. W:.

A1,Ex. G. AuE1,1,, Grand Secretar y.

The address of the Grand .Master speaks of local matters. E ight dispensations for ue~I' lodges were grant-eel. · The Report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence is by I-be Grand Secrehiry. In speaking of our Grand Lodge he gives us a- perhaps deserved - lecture on m odesty, and we promise our dear brother that we will try to impr ove.

Both Grand i\1:aster a nd Grand Secretar y, as above named, were reelected.

CONNJi:CTICUT. l<'rom this Grn11d Lodge we have no report of their last meeting, but t hree volumes of their early history, which will be continued to the latest date, and will, when completed, b e a valuable acq uisition to our librnry.

J)Ji:LAW ARE. Annual Grand Lodge Cornmuuicntion held in the city of Wilmington, June 28, 1858. 'l'\\'elve lodges represented.

There was no :1ddr ess by the Grand Master, nor report Crom the Committee on l~oreign Correspondence . .Tom, R. MclTm,, i\:1:. W:.Grand Master. \\'rLI.TA)r S. H ,1n:s, reelected R:. \V:. Gmnd Secretary .

DISTRIC'r OF COLU1\1BIA. 'fhis Grnnd Lodge held its semi-ann u al communication, May 4, 1858.

Gra nd Master WH1T1NG, in his address, congratu lates th e Craft on t heir h ealthful progress; recommends that t h e lodges extend t heir sympathy and material a id to the "Ladies' Mount Vernon Association," and suggests the propriety of dividing the business of the regular communication into two o~ more sessions.

The lodge, by resolution, recommends t he establishmen t of a supreme head of A. C.1\f. in the United States T he annual communication was held November 2, 1858. M.:.\V:.

GEonGE C. \Y.a1T1NG,Grand Master, presiding, and R:.W:. G. A. ScfiWAR7.MAN, Grand Secretary, both of whom were reelected.

FLOR IDA. We have the a nnual proceedings of this Grand Lodge for 1859. The address of the M.·.W:.Gra11d Master, THo~IAS Y. HENRY, is short, occupying but two pages. H e speaks of masonry in that j urisdiction as ha,·ing never been in a more prosperous condition. Be favors the establishment of masonic schools, under the supervision of the lodges, and

Grand Loclge of Kansas.

137

calls tbe attention of the Grand Lodge to a n evil which, he says, "I fear is increasing to an extent already injurious to man y of the Craft and th e cause of masonry - it is intemperance, the corner stone of almost every vice.

The Report on Cor respondence is by B ro. TaoMASBRowN. It is a very able a nd well written documen t. The author evidently possesses a valuable stock or masonic knowledge, and also a disposition to attack, ratber in an argumentative way, wherever and whenever a n opportunity presents i_tself. T he rep.o rt covers about twenty pages.

T HOMAS HEYWARD, M:.W:.Gran<l Master.

JOHN B. TAYLOR, R:.W:. G rand Secr etary.

GEORGIA. Of two h undred and twenty-eight lodges in that State, one hundred and n inety-four lodges were represented at the annual communication on tbe 26th of October, 1858. M:.W:.WM.S. Roo&WELL, presiding, R:.W:.

S111rn1 RosE, G rand Secretary, both of whom were reelected. This was the one hundred and twenty-third annual coromunicatiou of that Grand Lc.dge, and the Grand Master , i n his address refers to that age in the following words: lo looking back through this long Yista of bygone years, H would be strange, indeed, if oo darkening shadows cast themselves athwart tbe tleld of view, varied, as 1t bas been by sunshine and by shade. There is much in our past history to gratify us in its recollection and encourage us in our hopef ul aspirat ions for the future. Riven by uo internal dissensions, Msailed by no outward ,,iolence, conta.minated by no mingling of tbe turbid streams of schismatic strife with its own unruffled current, for nearly, if not quite.a centu ry and 11 quarter, tile Grand Lodge of Georgia hall p ursued the even ten-cir of it.• wny, and is believed to be, at this time, the solitary represcutative among the Grand Lodges of the Union, of the GrAnd Lodge of England. before scbism and In novation bad combined to a rrest its prosperity and d iminish its usefulness. Is It not meet for us ot this nay to ponde r the simp le m eans by which tb!s long career of pcacefuln•ss has been preserved'/ Does it n ot become us to tread the path our predece55ors have pursued, wJtb a confident hope that we m ay leave to those who come nfter us the same firmness and stability wl,ich has been transmitted to :us,

Seven dispensations were granted during the past year. The r eport of the Committee on Foreign Correspond ence is an able docu ment.

Bro. GEORGE L. BARRY, chairman.

IL L I NOIS. The Grand Lodge met in ann ual communication at Springfield, October 5, A. D. 1858. M:.W: . HARRJSON DrLLS, G rand Master; R:.W:.

H ARMON G. Rl':YNOLDs, Grand Secretary.

The Grand Master, in his ad dress, says: We commenced the year A. L. 5840, with six lodges, and less than one hundred members. The num ber at this time is two h1.md red and thirty-nine chartered lodges, with forty-four under dispensation, J))p,klog in all TWO HUNDRED A ND E IGHTY•TBREE, with about ten thousand members, besides non-11ffiliated MMfer Masons to the number of four or five thousand . This certainly shows ttbc Grand Lodge of lll!nois to be in a ·" prosperous condi tion," according to the common ncceptation of the term.

138

_Proceedings of the

He informs tbe Grand Lodge that the Craft in that State are in a prosperous condition, but says: "While I make the statement, I have ·to regret that some of tbe lodges do not raise the standard of masonry to that position which I think it should occupy." And in view of this he makes the following very appropriate remarks on the subject c,f "making masons:" lo order to remove a serious obstacl<:: out of tbe WllY of our prosperity, I would recommend to the bretbreu of the lodges in this jurisdl~tion to cultivate a more ma• sonic feeling. Let no ri\•11.lry be suffered to exist; and remember, that where any of you make a mason, be ougbt t-0 be made so that he may be recognized aa sucb iu any part of the world. There appears to be too great a disposition among the lodges to make uuisous rapidly and not well; or, in other words, to obtain quantity. B)' all means get i;ood materlol, and work It, and finish it well. Let no mao· be admitted within our sacred walls lo obtain a good character, but let him have tbP. character wheu he comes and all will be well.

He reports having granted forty-four dispensations 'for new lodges, within the last year. This number would indicate .that masonry in Illinois is certainly not in the retrograde as far as numbers are concerned.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence notice the Proceedings of nineteen Grand Lodges. In noticing this Grand Lodge, the committee indulge in the belief that when the great projects proposed in our new jurisdiction shall have been accomplished, the millenium will ham come . We sincerely hope the committee ente:rtain no fears in regard to this happy event.

IRA A. W. BucK, M.·.W:. Grand Maste r.

H. G. REYNOLDS, R:.W:. Grand Secretary.

INDIAN .A . 'l'he annual Grand Communication of this Grand Lodge was held in Indianapolis, May 23, ,L D. 1859.

Grand Master BAYLESS, in his address, speaking of the present prosperous condition of the Order, says: · One of our fundamental duties is to warn our brethren of " approach!ug dao· gers," and in my remarks I wlsb to say that I fee! there is do.Dg!)r rapidly approaching us aud our lnstltutto·o. The doors of our lodges o.re coosta.otl)' on the swing. Knock niter knock is beard, and men of all. clllSses are seeking admittaoee. .Our Order is more prosperous uow thun at aoy time past ; but lo this prosperity we should guard well our doors, for e\'!l-m_iuded persons and wrong-doers arc ever ready with their pleasing and winning Insinuations to lure us from the path of rectitude and v irtue.

He recommends the reprinting of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge; reports having granted fifteen dispensations for new lodges within the last year.· His somewhat lengthy report is generally devoted to tbe consideration of subjects connected with the Grand Lodge. Two hundred and thirty-six lodges were represented.

Some rather stringent resolutions were passed relating to intemperance, one of which is as follows: Resolved, That the subordinate lodges wit-bin this jurisdiction are hereby unconditionally prohibited from conferring the several degrees In symbolic masonry upou o.r,y applieant who ls habitually intoxicated, or who makes it his business to maou acture or sell the same, to be used as a beverage.

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139

,ve take it for granted, from what fo llows, that "to manufacture or sell the same," has reference to spirituous liquors. If so, we endorse the resolution; also the one which makes the penalty for a Master Mason, convicted of like offense, suspension o r expulsion.

This is a subject that n eeds prompt and decisive action. This Grand Lodge bas certainly taken decisive action, an d we shall patiently wait to observe the result.

Au:x. C. DowNEY, M:.W:. Grand Master.

FRANCIS K11w, redected Grand Secretar y.

R.-.,v.-.

KENTUCKY. We have the Proceedings of the annual communication of this Grand Lodge, h eld at Lexington, Oc.tober 11, A. D. 1S59.

Grand l\faster SwIGER'r, in h is address, refers to the G rand Lodge in 1S20, a n d. remarks that it was thirty•eigh t years since he first witnessed its assemblage. In that year HENRY OLA\' was elected its G rand Master. I n his address he giv~s a strict account of his stewa rdship-discourages the resolution offered at the last communication, proposing to di vide the Grand Lodge into two equal parts to be known as th e Eastern and Western Grand Lodges of Kentucky. He objects to forming Grand Bodies superior to those of State Grand Lodges, and closes with the following very appropriate remarks: I would return my grateful acknowledgments to the Grand Lodge tor tbe mauy honors bestowed upon me, nnd for all tbe courtesy I have received at your hands during tbe eutire period or my loog conuection with yo1l. I Jin,·e beeo honored far beyond my merits. I entered npou tbe pleasing labor thirty-eight years ago, so.tis6ed lo mnintain au huu,ble position, and enjoy the pleasures of social iu lcrcourse witb the rest. But the preference of th'e Grand Lodge drew me forth from retirerneut, and I bu.ve been nn officer of this Grand Lodge since 18~3; and down to the present time l bavc uot been able, withont treating you with discourtesy, to retnro to tbe more q uict position which I covet. Now the Grand Lodge cm, no longer refuse: my wisbes. Fluviog enjoyed the highest honors and performed the most arduous labors or the Grnnd Lodge, I co.a retire wilb the bigb siiti'sfnction of leaving you in u stute of prosperity, honor, nnd usefu lness, second to no Grand Lodge around tbe globe. While I Jive JexPC'Ct to participate in your anuual deliberatlous, and when I am called, as iu the order of events T soon must be, to enter that do.rk pussnge yet untried, l shnll wnft o grateful prarer behind me tbat perpetual blessings may be ·vouchsafed from tbe Grand Master abo_ve to the members aod the work of the Grand Lodge of Kentuckl·-

The Repor~ on Correspondence d iscusses, at length, t.he Proceerlings of the various Grand Lodges. In notid ng the l-'roceedings of this Grand Lodge £or 1S57, the committee very modestly thi nk" t.I1e idea of that Grand Camp Meeting is magnificent hut rather impracticable.''

The Proceedings exhibit 302 lodges registeretl, and 10,:{U} members returned. A.mount of reyenue, $12,427.34.

Ronmn .i\'Io1m1s, i\-I:.,v:.Grand ?!faster.

Jo11x JL S . .i\frCon1-:1.F., R:. W:.Grand Secrctal'y.

140

Proceedings of the L OU I SIANA.

Tbis Grand Lodge b eld its forty-seventh ann ual communication at.

Ne w O rlea ns, F ebt'uar~• 14, A. D. 1859, M:."':.AllOSADA~rs,Grand Mast er, an d R:. W :. SA~tuF.t, G. Risi-:, Grand Secretary.

The Gran d l\faster in his address, favors the system of Grand Lodge representation. He says: I concur io the opinions of my.predecessor, that much good mo.y result from the system of Graod Lodge represento.t!on at or neo.r our sister Grand Lodges and foreign mo.sonic _ Bodies ; it d oubtless will beget o. more fmtcrnal· feeling, and a better acquaintance nod understanding, I can hardly imagine a possible con tin gen cy where harm can grow o u t of It.

His address is .one of general interest. H e congratulates the Grand Lodge on the fayorable state of its nuances, and closes with some very appropriate remarks. by way of c,rntioning the Craft against being too h asty i n admitting candidates. He charges it upon committees to look well to the fitues.'> of w ndiclates to become masons, and by all m eans to avoid hasty-reports. His remarks, your committee .ire fearful, apply too well to our jurisdiction.

The Report on Corresponde nce is a Yery able and well written docu ment, by Bro. J. Q. A. F•~1.1.ows . It is ::i docu men t possessing an ;1bu11dant supply of sound and practical masonic knowledge, a.ncl discu66es with ability, the P roceedings of tbe several Grnud Lodges. In h is notice of tl.lis Grand Lodge, ht: seems iu view of that "Utopiau project," rather to look upon us as cbiklren of tb e "Young America'' school. P erhaps hr our yon tb, we h a ve ove rstepped on r bounds ; if so, we shall submit, a nd from our superiors receive ch astisement.

SA~IUm, M. ToDD, M:. ,v: ..Grnnd Master.

S,uruE1, G. l{1si-:, reelected R.:. W: . Grand Secretary.

MAINE. We have re cci,1 ed the P rocee d ings of this Gr,u1d Lodge for 185\l. l\'I : . ,v:. Hirv, ~1 C11 ASE, Grand Master, iu bis addres.5 1 th us alludes to the practice of balloting for degrees : A practice prevails ton considerable extent t hroughou t the lodges in this jurisdiction, of requiring a clear ballot before a b rother can be ad'l'anced ton su perior de• gree. This practice bas created some discord in several lodges, and has g iven rise to q u estions of the p ro1>riety of th e course. These questions have been repeatedly submitted to me for decision . The, o pi nion wh ich I have gl'l'en is. that no lodge is doing right that denies advancemen t t o a b rother u pon the result of the secret ballot alone.

The q n estiou o f the adm ission of a candidate u pon his first a pplication, is one wh ich every member bas n right to pass upon by secret ballot. This right is sacred a ud uoqu_estioned, T h e caadidate has volu u tarlly submitte d h imself for acceptance or rejection. B e bas no righ ts to claim a t the bands of tbe lodge. Bis cbaracter must st.and tbe test with every Individual m ember, whatever be the result. But upon the question of o.d,•a ncementafar different state o f th ings exist. By initiation the candidate becomes a mason and a brother. He is mad e amenable to our laws and reg11lnt!ons, a nd In the lodge be bas certain rJghts and privileges; and one of tbose rights is, that befo re conviction of a u y offence, be may cla im a tr'itll beCo re bis peers. No man makes ap-

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141

plication to a lodge for the fil'St degree' alone, nor the first and second, but for all the degrees of "symbolic masonry:• His p etition Is." to become a member of our Ancient Institution," nod having been notified of bis acceptance by the lodge, and received the first impression of our Institution, be is ent!tlecl to the fulfillment of the implied contract, unless, upon examination, be is found by b is own acts to be unworthy.

Your committee b eing aware that it is the custom generally, with lodges i.n this jurisdiction, to ballot for the d egrees-requiring a clear ballot for advancement, in several cases it is known by your committee to have been attended with a spirit rather calculated to beget discord than to promote the true spirit of the Institut ion. Believi.ng, with Grand Master CHASE, that this practice bas a te ndency to create discord, we recommend that this Grand Lodge take somtl action on the subject.

The Report on Correspondence is by Bro. CYREL PEARL . H e reviews tbe Proceedings of thirty-six Grand Lodges. The report is an ably writ-. ten document, and reflects much credit on its author.

HrnAM CHASE, reelected M:.\V:.Gra.nd Master.

IRA BERHY, r eelected R:. \V:. Grand Secretary.

MARYLA N D. We have the Proceedings of the annual comiuunicatiou o E this Grand Lodge for 1858. M:. W:. CHARLES WEJJO, Grand ]\faster, and R:.

W:. J osErn RomNsox, Grand Secretary.

The address of tbe Grand Master is very brief, occupying but about one page. He congratulates the lodge upon the harmonious feeling existing in that jurisdiction at that time.

The Report on Correspondence is a very lengthy and carefully written document. No notice is made of our Grand L_o dge. ·we have also the Proceedings of th e semi-annnal coo1munication of this Grand Lodge, held May 9, 1859. M::.W.·. CHARLES Goonwrn, Grand Master, and R:.W:. JosEPH RoDJKSON, Grand Secretary.

The Trustees of the Grand Charity Fund report a fond consisting of stock sureties and cash, th e total amount of whicll is $26,822.25. 'l'he Report on Correspondence is by Bro. J . N. McJt LTON, and contains a n amount o f valuable masonic information. We only regret that we have not the space to give it that carefu l review to which its merit entitles· it. A very favorable notice is made of this Grand Lodge. Although the author seems somewhat inclined not to pass us without indulging in some gentle criticisms, yet withal we will extend to him the right hand of fellowsh ip, more especially for his flattering notice of this committee.

142

Proceedings of the M AS_S A CH USE'l'TS.

We have the Proceedings of this Grand Lodge from March 10th to December 27th, A. D. 1859.

From the address of the Grand i-Caster, we are happy to learn that the Order in the old Bay State is enjoying its full share of prosperity. 'fbe address is an able and well written document, a nd clear ly evinces for him a deep interest in th e welfare. of the Order in that jurisdiction. 'fhere was no Report from the Committee on Cor respondence.

Jo11N 'f. H.EAD, reelected U:.W:. Grand Master.

CaARL.ES W . .MooJIB, reelected R:. W.;. Grand Secretary.

MINNESO'Lo\.. 'fhe Seventh annual communication of this Grand Lodge was held at St. Paul, cou1.mencing October 26, 1858 ; A. 'I'. C. PrEl!SON, M:.W: .

Grand Master , and GEORGE W. PnESCOT!, R:.W:.'Grand Secretary.

The address of the Grand Master is one of the mllst able and instructive documents we have had the privilege of perusing. He speaks at length and in a favorable manner o n t he subject of a G:. G:. Lodge, Qr, as be more p roperly terms it,'' a Masonic Congress." He gives a. concise history of the several attempts which have been made to accomplish such an object from 1780 down to 1857, thus showing that the idea. is no new thought or project. He says: Neorly e.11 tho Gnmd f,odge.s hn.ve odoptect rcsol11tlons e:tprcssive of t he opinion tbat a bod;v, wltb limited and well defined powers, possessing authority to speak upon ml\tters or general interest to the Craft, nod meeting once in tbrce years, would he advant11geo11s to the Masonic Institution. Bttt while oil thus acknowledge, a roajorit)•, even, cnunot agree upou II plan, nod those tbat agree upon a plan differ upon tbe de• · tails.

There are many portions of the address that we wou ld like to transcribe but space will not permit. He congratulates the Grand Lodges generally on the peaceful adjustment of all difficulties existing in New York, and also in Canada, and remar ks: "It will hereafter be known as the year of reconciliation." He refers to the purchase of Mount Vernon by the Ladies' Mount Vernon Association, and recommends it to t he favorable consideration of the lodges of that jurisdiction.

Tbe Report on Correspondence, occupying a.bout forty pages, is by R:.W: . Bro. PRESCOTT. In noticing our j urisdiction, after referring to that "Grand Camp Meeting," be says: The magnificence of the idea is apparent, aud we cannot refuse to admire the equanimity of mind which will allo w a rHel in such dellgblful anticipations at a moment when" tlmes are so hord.''

A. '.r. C . PIERSON, reelected M:.W: . Grand Master .

GEOR08 W. PRESCOTT, reelected R:.W:. Grand Secretary.

a-rand Lodge of Kansas.

143

NEBRASKA. "'i th pleasure we receive the Proceedings of this you ng sister Grand Lodge, which held its second a nnual communication at Bellevu e, June 14, A. D. 1859; R. C. JoanoN, M:.W:. Grand i\1aster, and R. w: FunNAS, R : .W:. Grand Secretary. Six lodges returned.

The Grand Master, in his address, states that they have had no increase in the number of lorlges the past year. Six lodges comprise their strength. One reason that h e assigns is, that as the country is new and the buildings mostly temporary, he bas dh;couraged th e formation of ne w lodges untiJ· such timeassnitable rooms can be procured. 'l.'he address is short, and refers mostly to local matters, in which there is an expressed manifest desire to work for the future good of the Order in that jurisdiction.

From tLe add ress of t.he Grand Orator, Bro. A.G. CLARKE, in regard to the mission of freemasonry, we transcribe the following: The lodge or masons cnrries oo banoers, nor instruments or warfare ; no blazoned shields precede it; n o warlike trappings mnrk its advocates or members; the shattered gun proclaims uo victories for us; the bnrooet and tbe sword would rust in O\tr hands, and the God of Wnr would rrown upon us for deeds of murder le ft undone. J t is the battle of principle we wage, nod as we have gone forward in our onwnrd course, oo mau can sa~· tbat masonry hns bcco the oggressor In nny differenr:c or dispute.

True, !t bo.s beeo persecuted and re,·iled b)" those who were igoorant of its tenets, but It bnsa!wa}·s acted the clefenslve part, nud gone on Its mission of doing good, e,·en to those who thought to <lo it evil.

Tbe Report on Correspondence embraces about thirty pages, reviewing the Proceedings of nearly all the different Grand Lodges. 'fbe Grand Master and Grand Secretary were both reelected.

NOR 'fH CAROLINA. This Grand Lodge held its annual communication at Raleigh, December 7, A. D. 1858. One hundred and six lodges .were represented.

The Grand Master in his address, seems not to give the most encouraging accou.nt of the Craft in that Jurisdiction, and attributes, as one cause, the too rapid increase of members in the various suhonlinate lodges. He says: The communications. however, that I have received from nll parts of the State, generally represent the lodges to be in a proaperou~ condition; wbicb, accordiog to the usual acceptation of the term when thus applied, I understand they nre iocreosiog their members, and consequently the amount of funds in the treasury. But thnt the great acquisition of members that bas characterized the Order for several years psst cao properly be regarded as a mntter of congratulnUoo, or a.s indicative of true prosperity, J confess myself much inclioed to doubt. lo fact, I view it with a very great degree or dread ; and this feeling ts strengthened by reports or difficulties and dissensions between indlvid ual masons, and !n aod between lodges in our own Jurisdiction.

I fear that an over-anxiety, on the part of many lodges, to Increase tbeir numbers ba.s induced them to receive appllcan~ without that rigid scrutiny into their character that a prudent regard for their own harmony aod true prosperity and the interests and honor of the Order require. The numerous expulslons and suspensions au:rnally reported is a melancholy evide·nce or this. You may rely upon it, brethren, we

Procee<lings of the

144

are, in this way, gathering Into the fold the very elements of our own destruction; or, at the very least, preparing for ourseh-es n repetition of that terrible ordeal th rough which, scarcely a quarter of a century since, our lathers and tbousa!!dS of our brethren no,v living, were doomed to pass. 'l'hnt the Institution or masonry is Inst becoro.·!ng too popular, must be nppurent to evcrr cnrcful observer.

Tbe foregoing remarks of Brother MAKTIN apply too well to the Craft at large. The Grand Master disapproves of the action of the p resent Grand Lodge of Canada, and speaks of them as "rebellious su bordinatP.s."

Another source of <lis~ension seems to arise from what we should consider a very unjust act of the Grand Lodge, in imposing a capitation tax of one dollar from each affiliated member, for the benefit of St..

John's college; but, as we see from the Proceedings, this has been repealed, we trust this_source of <lisscnsiou has been permanently healed: A very short Report on Correspondence is presented by Bro. J,rngs T. L I TTLF..JOHN. ALFRED 11:ARTJN, reelected M:.W:. Grand Master.

T . BA1N, reelected R : .W:. G rand Secretary.

,v_

OH I O. '.rbis Grand Lodge held its annual communication at Columbul-', October 19, 1858. One hundred and sixty-six lodges were represented.

M:.\V:. H. M. S T OKES, Grand Master, and R : .,v:_ Jo1-1x D. CALDWELi,, Grand Secretary.

The address of the Grand Master is a lengthy document, iu which is submitted a. statement of his official acts during the year. In reference to granti_ng dispensations to new lodges, he says: The principnl di/lieu It>• I have bnd to encounter, is in the cnrelcssaess- to call it · by no harsher no.me - of lodges in certifying to the mnso i::ic qunllfic1,tion of applico.nls . .Before such n ccrtificntc is given, tbe lodge ifsuiog it should be fully satisfied that the petitione rs are corop~te nt for the work of mnsoury. Yet it is uot uncommon for the uecessary recommendations to be obtained fn cases where applicants are not competent to confe r a single d~gree.

He recommends legislation on the part of the Grand LoLlge, detining in specific language, the term "masonic qualification," as used in our laws. In regard to hasty and imperfect work, he thinks that it is time for the lodges to cease a while from making masons until they can finish those already begun.

The Report on Correspondence is by .Brother 0. A. LnuN, and reviews the Proceeding; of tliirty-five Grand Lodges. He expresses his opinion impartially, and without argument, but evidently with the ability to defend whatever position he assumes.

The Grand Master and Grand Secretary were both reelected.

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145

PENNSYLVANIA. We have received an abstract of the Proceedings of this Grand Lodge for 1858, which embraces the proceedings of a quarterly communication, March 1, 1858; also the proceedings of a special communi<;ation, held April 13, l858, on the occasion of t.he death of the M:.W:.

Grand Master, Jo1rn K. MITCHELL. Several addresses were also read, in all of which was paid t h e most tender tribute to his memory. The records close as follows: 'rbe solemnity of the occ6Sion was only cqu11lled by the deep interest in tbe pro• cecdings, and tbc sorrow at the loss sustnlncd by the brethren. Witbout tre.osacting e.ny other business, the Grnnd T,odge closed, nod the _brethren separated in peace and harmony.

A Quarterly Grand Communication was held December 6, 1858. A report of tbe Trustees exhibits the state of the Grand Lodge Charity Fund to be $19,564.38. 'l'he Report on Correspondence occupies about seventy pages, mostly referring to the Grand LoJge of New York. We are sorry that we have not the time to give it the careful perusal which its importance demands. We notice the following: Resolved, 'l'hat nll the lodges In this jurisdiction be relieved from the disability of dP.nying admission to our New York brethren.

HEl'\'RY M. ·P mLLIPS, l\'l: .W:. Grand Master.

WM. H. ADAMS, R:.w.·.Grand Secretary.

HHODE ISLAND. We have the Proceeding of this Grand Lodge for the year ending June 24, A. D. 1858. M.-.w·:.J,urEs HuTCHISON, Grand Master, and R:.W:.N. C. BAKER, Grand Secretary.

The statistics show si.xtecn working 1odg:es, with a membership of 1,176.

The Report on Correspondence notices the Proceedi ngs of this Grand Lodge for 1856; in relation to which we notice the following: Resolv«I, That the right ho.nd of fellowship be 11.ud is hereby extended to the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and she Is hereby cordially and heartily welcomed Into the sisterhood of Grand Lodges.

The Grand Master an d Grand Secretary were both reelected.

SOUTH CAROLIN A. fl'his Grand Lodge held its annual co1Urnunication in the city of Charleston, November 16, A. D. 1858. The Proceedings show twentyseven lodges .represented from a registry oi ninety-one. M:.W:. HENRY Bu1sT, Grand Master, and R:.1V:.A. G. MACKEY, G.rantl Secretary.

The address of the Grand Master is an able and interesting document. It contains a record of his official acts during the year, and discusses with. ability many interesting. subjects. Io speaking of the prop osed General Masonic Congress, he says:

146

Proceedings of the

I koow of nothing which should more warmly eolist the sympathy of the fra• teroity than this propose.I for a meeting of tbe congress in this country. Masonry is so univeral and extended in its design. a.nd the ties which bind together Its votaries are so indissoluble that no one who is eolisted In its mission can be obli,•ious to the para• mount necessity of v. general collperntion lo subserve its unity and purity. The uni• ve1"$1lllty of masonry hill! been one <:>f the greatest cau$eS QI i!B vltality, usberlcg H·from the dim regions of remote antiquity to the present time. It hns not only been its herald but its protector, nud will ca.use its existence to coutinuc through the unknown future.

The Report on Correspondence is a very able document by our eminent brother, ALBERT G. MACKEY. The G rand Master and Grand Secretary were both reelected.

TENNESSEE. The .F orty-sixth annual communication was held in the city of Nashville, October 4, A . D. 1858. M:.,v:. THOMAS McCuuocn, Grand •Master, anrl R:.W.·.C. .A. FULLER, Grand Secretary. . The Grand Master, in his address, congratulates the brethren upon the prosperous condition of masonry.in t.hat jurisdiction. He indulges in some very elegant and appropriate remarks on the death of P:.G:.M:. \Vn,KINS TANNEHILL, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. He congratulates the Craft upon the happy termination of the difforences heretofore existing in New York and Canada, anrl strongly recommen.d s the formation of a General Grand Lodge. He says: Independent of the good to freemasonry that wou Id flow from such nn ins ti tioo, the benefits arising to the country at large would be Incalculably great.

tu·

In regard to granting dispensations to new lodges, he says: E ver since I bave bud tbe honor of occupying tbe cbnir of Grund Master, I hove invariably made suitnble room n necessary condition fora dlspensntloo.

Your committee think the idea a good one, and would recommend that the same be practiced in this jurisdiction.

The Report on Correspondence is a lengthy document, occupying about seventy pages, reviewing in a very able manner the Proceedings of nearly all the different G rand Lodges. We acknowledge the very modest· and yet encouraging manner in which this Grand Lodge is noticed.

JoHN FRIZZELL,M:.W:.Grand Master.

C. A. FULLER, R:.W:.Grand Secretary.

VERniONT. Annual communication held at Burlington, January 12, A. D. 1859.

The address of Grand Master TvcKER is a lengthy and able document, occupying about thirty pages. vVe regret that we have not had the time to give it that cnrdul review which its merit demands. He says: "For tbe past year the lodges of our jurisdiction generally have pursued 'the even tenor of their way,' in peace, prosperity and harmony, and I aw •advised that a larger amount of good work has been done than iu

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147

years heretofore." He refers, in an able manner, to the happy adjustment of the differences heretofore existing in New York, and also in Canada. He devotes considerable time to tracing the history and establishing the correctness of the lectures, as practiced in that jurdictioo, i.e., WEBB'S lectures. He refers to ROBERT lVloRms for the following: "The lectures I shall teach you are those which TuoMAS Sm·rtt ,v£n11, prepared some sixty years ago, from the ritual of WILLIA:\! Pm:Sl'ON. There ar e no others in the United States who have any claim to your respect, etc."

The Report 011 Correspondence is by Bro. J. C. BUTLER. It is an able production, embracing about s ixty-:6ve pages, and contains much of general interest to the Craft. We must ackoowledge that in noticing this Grand Lodge, the committee made some very cutting rema.r ks upon some portions of-the Proceedings, the style of which we cannot approve; but in view of the ready wit and profound knowledge of the author, we are forced to confess our littleness, and although we are" fast rising in masonic importance," we can only say," speak on brother."

VIRGINIA. vYe have the Proceedings of the unnuul communication of this Gra.nd Lodge, held at Richmond, December 15, A. D. 1858. M:. W:.

JoHN

S.CALDWELL,Gmnd ~fast-et,and R:.W:.Jom; Don,Grand Sec-

retary.

1'he address of the Grand Master is short, occupying but two pages.

He speaks cbeeringly of the Order generally. He says : "Throughout our confederacy, masonry is steadily advancing, and in every State in our Union, without an exception I believe, peace and unity reign in the Supreme Councils of the fraternity." In relation to New York, he seems rather to disappro,·e of the manner in whicb the differences heretofore existing in that jurisdiction have been adjusted, but still seems inclined to Jet it pa:,..-;. He recommends that the Grand Master be.requested, by resolution, to return to the Grand Lodge, at each annual communication, a synopsis of the questions on masonic law propounded to him during the twelve months, and his answer to the same if proper to be written.

The Committee on Foreign Correspondence acknowledges the receipt of the Proceedings of thirty-two Grand Lodges. The report is short, and is devoted to the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New York, in which the committee indulge in some very cutting criticisn:IB in relation to the union of the Grand Lodge of New York with that known as tbe Phillips Grand Lodge. No notice is made of the Grand Lodge of Kansas.

PownA Tl'ON B. STARK, :M::. \V:. Grand Master. ,Tom: Do,·E, reelected R:. W:. Grand Secretary.

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Proceedings of the

In closing this report your commit.tee would recommend the adoption of tbe following resolutions: Resolved, That nftcr a favorable ballot is bad on t.be application of a candidate for the mysteries of masonry, no further ballotiug shall be required, aud a brother being initiated, must be passed and raised, unless charges of unmaso11ic conduct are preferred against him, or otherwise suflicient reasons for his non-advancement be present.eel a11d approved o f by the lodge.

Resolved, That when a candidate is initiated or passed, and neglects to make application for advancement in less than twelve mouths, be shall lose all right to do so.

Resolved, Tbat no lodge has a right to suspend a 1\faster 11:Iasou for non-payment of dues, unless charges to that effect are preferred against bim, and a fair trial, nccording to the By-Laws o[ this Grand Lodge he bad.

Resol·ved, That w e recognize and extend the h and of fellowsh ip to the ne"il'ly organizeo Grand Lodge in Washington Territory.

All of wbich is fraternally submitted, CHARLE', l\1UNDEE, E.T. OARR1..

C. B.ORNSl3 x, Committee.

KANSAS FREEMASONS ON THE LEVEL