1783.J
Grand Lodge of Missouri.
11 .
ANNUAL ADDRESS.
The Grand Master delivered the following Annual Address: OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GRAND -LODGE:
Another Annual Communication calls ns together. We come from every hamlet and neighborhood of this great and glorious State, bringing with us fraternal greetings for each other. You have met upon this great level of Charity and Truth before the Grand East, and I here extend the congratulations common to this occasion, and bid you all a hearty welcome to another annual feast of good will among the Masons of Missouri. Our Mystic Temple is still building-building throughout the globe. The structure will never be completed in this world. Master workmen have been eng~ged in building this mighty edifice in all the past ages, and we are as busy to-day in its erection as t.hey who have gone before us. Generations yet unborn will as actively engage . upon its work as we, or those who h~ve preceded us. When the world shall fall into chaos and time shall be no more, God will fit the cope-stone, and proclaim, "It is finished." Such are the enduring qualities of tbe edifice, in the erection of which, we profess to be engaged. Then let路us wisely take counsel of each other, and honestly report the progress of the work in our various localities, that the designs we ina.y draw npon the trestle-board as a guide for'our future labors, may meet the approbation of God, and redound to the honor of Freemasonry. Before proceeding with this work, let us pause a moment to drop the t<;ympathetic tear, and pay this l~t sad tribute of respect to the memory of those whom we have heretofore delighted to nonor, and 'who have since our last Annual Communication, ceased their labors here, and have gone "to their rewards in heaven. Two of our Past Grand Masters have gone home since last we met. .
MEMORIAIJ.
PAST GRAND MASTER WIJJLIAM D. MUIR, /
Was born in Dinwiddie county, Virginia, September 12th, 1825, and removed to this State in 1837. He commenced his educ1ttion at Kemper's school in Boonville, and after completing the course there graduated at Transylvania College in Kentucky. He returned from college and studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1848, and continued in the active practice of his profession until his death, which occurred November 7th, 1872. He was made a Mason in Cooper Lodge No. 36, March 3d, 1854. and served his Lodge as Mastel' for many years. In October 1868, he was appointed District Deputy Grand Master by Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Vincil, and at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in 1869, he was elected 路Grand Master of Masons in Missouri. In all the relations of life he was a man. As a citizen, a neighbor, a husband, a father, a Mfl.son, he always did his duty. His administration as Grand Master was at a time that required firmness and decision of character, blended with charity and br.otherly love. These characteristics he possessed in an