116
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
1936
I know I can speak for the brethren of those lodges that a very sincere, cordial Masonic reception awaits you. I thank you, Most Worshipful Grand Master, for the privilege of conveying the greetings of the Grand Lodge of Texas to the Grand Lodge of Missouri. I shall go back with very happy remembrances of the occasion.
THE GRAND MASTER: Right 'N orshipful Brother Rice, when you return, we ask you to carry with you to our brethren in Texas and the Grand Lodge our greetings, and, you know from those of us who have been there, how warm they will be. They come from the heart. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOTELS
R. W. Brother Arthur Mather, read the following report of this Committee, which was adopted.
go A. M. of Missouri: Brethren.: The Committee on Hotels and Transportation reports that their duties were duly performed. WM. F. MILLER, Chairman. Tn the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F.
REPORT OF GRAND LECTURER
M. 'V. Brother Anthony F. Ittner presented his report as Grand Lecturer, which was adopted and is as follows: To the M. W. Grand Lodge, A. F. go A. M. of Missouri: Brethren: As Grand Lecturer I beg leave to submit the following report: A marked revival in the interest taken in Freemasonry has been noticeable throughout the state during the past year, both on the part of mâ‚Źmbers of the Fraternity and on the part of young men desirous of entering our ranks. Consequently there has been a large increase in the number of degrees conferred, resulting eventually in a marked increase in the membership of many of our lodges. One small lodge has had as many as twenty petitions and another had thirteen candidates ready to receive the Third Degree at one time. Naturally this increase in petitions and degree work has inspired a corresponding revival of interest in our beautiful ritual. There have been so many requests from individual lodges for visits from the Grand Lecturer that it has been impossible to comply with them all. The difficulty was aggravated by the extraordinary cold weather whicl] was so general and so long continued last winter, and during which also a virulent form of influenza invaded and took its toll in most of our communities. The summer, too, which was the hottest in ninety-nine years impeded the work of both the lodges and the Grand Lecturer. I do not speak of these untoward conditions by way of complaint, for complaining never gets one very far. 1 mention them merely to show the indomitable spirit of the lodges, which with some exceptions have forged ahead and made great progress in spite of all obstacles. I have visited and imparted instruction in eighty-eight lodges and have given individual instruction to many of the District Lecturers and other brethren eager to learn the work. On May 25 and 26, by the Grand Master's authority I held a School of Instruction for District Leeturers at Springfield at which there were